Pro Road Warrier Bar End Mirror</a>\n\nOn the other hand, if you're a hipster, this mirror may be the next big trend! -Not as a safety device; but as a bicycle-fashion accessory! Picture it flapping uselessly in the breeze on a fixie with pink wheels and green tires, as the hipster-rider blows a red light on the way to the IPO-selling cafe in the regentrified neighborhood! Yes, this could be the next hipster trend! Remember where you heard it! In fact, if you already own one of these, instead of throwing it away, you may want to hold onto it, because if CatEye ever fixes the problem, these floppy useless ones will no-doubt be a hot commodity on that big auction website, and once they become scarce, will probably sell for six-hundred bucks, right up there with ancient horn-rimmed glasses and 1970's polyester disco shirts!","Product: The Halo I is the original headband that started it all. The design is a headband that ties in the back to create a custom fit for the wearer and includes all the features that make Halo Headbands the best functioning headbands on the market. Dryline Fabric and the patented Sweat Seal Grip Technology make this headband popular with cyclists, runners, lacrosse players and any athlete looking for a custom fitted headband. Will not lose shape, form, or stretch out. Made in the USA, one size fits both men and women.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: It Really Works- Even 100*F Temps!\n\nReview: I purchased this mainly to keep sweat out of my eyes when I ride my road bike. This is the only sweatband that has ever worked for me- even when it was 107* ! I quickly realized, that it would also be great to wear while doing work outside on hot days- so I've worn it while building a garage; fixing trucks and doing all sorts of things around the farm.....and I don't know how I ever lived without. It is SO NICE not to continually have to wipe my brow or have sweat dripping my eyes. And it keeps you dry for HOURS, even in hot, humid weather; even while doing strenuous activities. This is one GREAT product! I only wish I would have discovered it sooner! (Plain old sweatbands wouldn't work on me for more than 10 minutes!)","Product: Hydro Flask's insulated water bottles are made of high quality food grade 18/8 stainless steel. The bottles have no liner (like most aluminum bottles) and are BPA free. Unlike plastic water bottles or single wall stainless bottles, Hydro Flask will keep your beverage of choice at your preferred temperature for hours, whether you choose hot, cold or room temperature liquids. All Hydro Flask products feature a lifetime warranty and are double wall vacuum insulated. They are designed to be lightweight, making them great for long hikes, days on the beach, hot yoga classes, golf, long road trips or everyday office use. Even when filled with ice, the exterior of your Hydro Flask will never leave a puddle on your desk, drip on your shirt, or sweat in your bag.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fits Standard bicycle Bottle Cages - Keeps Drinks Nice'N Hot!\n\nReview: I bought this to keep coffee/tea warm on winter bicycle rides- and it does a great job of it. Seems a little expensive for what it is; and considering the fact that to use it for cycling or pretty much any sport, you need to purchase a Klean Kanteen Sport Cap 3.0<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Sport-Cap-3-0/dp/B00BIPJXNG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Sport Cap 3.0</a> in order to be able to drink directly from it without removing the cap and letting the heat out.... But it's still the most inexpensive and best alternative for keeping drinks warm on a bicycle- as all the other decent double-insulated bottles which fit water-bottle holders, cost substantially more. [Klean Kanteens cost almost as much, but they're only single-wall- not double).\n\nIt fits nicely in my bottle cage; and is not as heavy as I expected it to be [That's a GOOD thing!]\n\nA quality product- no complaints! (I'm sure it does a great job of keeping stuff cold, too- but for that I use insulated plastic bottles- but those were not keeping my drinks warm for more than half an hour! The Hydro-Flask keeps it warm for hours!]","Product: Acrylic convex mirror\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Best Mirror But Breaks Easily. Remedied & Improved With Easy Modification\n\nReview: I got a newer bike recently, and was stressing over the fact that my beloved Mirrycle STI-mounted mirrors do not fit 2010 and newer brifters; so I decided to try 4 different mirrors, hoping to find one that would be to my liking. The other three mirrors were garbage- but this simple bar-end mirror won the contest! In-fact, I now prefer it to the Mirrycle!\n\n*It stays put.(Even at 30+MPH/in the wind/on roughish roads)\n*It offers a good-sized viewing area (better than other bar-ends)\n*It couldn't be easier to install (Comes with two different \"plugs\" so will fit different sized bars)\n*It doesn't protrude out to the side- so it does not get in the way.\n*It looks good- doesn't \"fred-up\" your nice bike.\n*It's rather aero.\n*It offers a quick convenient view whether you're riding on the hoods or in the drops.\n*It's inexpensive!\n*Has largest viewing area compared to others of this style- i.e. much bigger than The Italian Mirror; bigger than Sprintech; etc.\n\nAnd surprisingly, I find it easier and quicker and more natural to take a glance at this mirror, than I did with the STI-mounted Mirrycle! You'd think with the STI-mounted Mirrycle, it would be quicker to use, not having to look down as far- especially when riding the hoods- but NO! -this baby is actually more natural to use, as instead of having to turn your gaze down a bit and to the side, with this, all you need do is a quick glance down (You don't have to turn your head at all). In the drops, it's even easier!\n\nAlso, even though the mirror surface is smaller than the Mirrycle, I find I get a better view, because of the lower position. With this mirror, it's all road view, as opposed to my left arm.\n\nI had had reservations about getting this kind of mirror, because I'm blind in one eye, and a real Mr. Magoo with the other- but this mirror is still large enough that even I can get a good view- and if it works for me, it'll definitely work for you!\n\nGreat product; I'm ordering another one for my older bike- I'm actually going to replace the Mirrycle on that bike with one of these, as I prefer it's view, and unobtrusiveness.\n\nUPDATE: Well, that was fast! These things DO BREAK EASILY! I was just fooling around with mine, in the house, and the stem of the mirror snapped-off right at the little ball on which it swivels. I like this mirror so much though, that I drilled-out both the stem and the little swivel-ball, and put put in an eighth-inch metal dowel (cut from a nail with a pair of Vise-Grips...) and JB Welded it all together- she's nice'N sturdy now! I also completely covered the swivel ball in a layer of JB Weld, to give it a little more diameter, so it stays in-position even better in it's socket when mounted on the bike- Now it's really rock solid! They really need to make these beefier though- I don't see them lasting long under normal useage, without the above modification. I'm planning on buying a few more of these, but I'm not even going to wait for the new ones to break- I'll just saw the stem off at the ball and modify them as I described above. Still a good deal though, considering all the other mirrors out there- 90% of which are useless. -And at least they're cheap.","Product: Designed for speed, the Vero crank features AL6061-T6 cold forged solid crank arms mated to a AL7075 T6 stamped chainring. The Vero is compatible with JIS square taper bottom brackets.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Light; Stiff; Shifts Great. What More Could You Want?\n\nReview: It's light; it's stiff; It shifts fine! I'm using this crankset with 9-speed Dura Ace on my old Klein, which I needed to convert to a compact crank, because the hills were killing me. Had to play with bottom brackets- as the chainline wasn't right for my bike with the bike's 115mm BB and this crankset- but going top a 110mm BB solved the problem (and this crank does specify a 110mm). For a low-priced crankset, it is outstanding. Even mashing up the hils, out of the saddle, there's no flexing. I was leery, considering the fact that FSA also makes the notorious, hated Gossamer crank....but these Veros seem to have none of those problems. And considering that this baby is even lighter than most of the Shimano cranks....you can't go wrong. There's not a whole lot of options out there these days if you need a compact for square-taper JIS- It was a choice between this, and the Velo Orange....and the Velo Orange was 3 times the price; and I didn't like the looks of it- so I took a chance on this, and it worked-out fine. Seems like a downgrade from the Ultegra crankset the bike came with....but it works just as well- and that's what really matters.","Product: Based on the incredible true story of amateur cyclist Graeme Obree, who breaks the world one-hour record on a bike he made out of washing machine parts.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: One Of The Worst Movies...EVER!\n\nReview: As an avid cyclist myself, how could I go wrong with a movie about cycling? Well, it was easy...I bought THIS movie! Boring; poorly made; You can't understand half the dialogue for the thick Scottish accents (and I'm usually great at understanding even foreigners with broken-English and thick brogues!); It was formulaic; There's no reason to identify with or have any empathy for the characters; and it seemed like half the movie consisted of the riding of a bicycle around in circles. Total waste of time- not one redeeming quality! It's as if someone assembled a series of images and cheap video clips for a Youtube video! SPOILER AHEAD - STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THE SPOILER -\n\n** SPOILER** I was really wishing that the main character had succeeded when he tried to commit suicide! It would have been a bigger accomplishment than beating some record for riding a bicycle around in a circle.....","Product: The Simpsons - The Complete Ninth Season (Collectible Lisa Head Pack)\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Classic Season; ONE COMPLAINT\n\nReview: Another great classic season of The Simpsons, from when the show was still at it's creative best!\n\nThere is one thing I do not appreciate: I LOVE the commentaries that accompany EVERY episode- as you can imagine, the people who are responsible for making The Simpsons, are quite entertaining and informative. Having these commentaries is like getting double the value for your money, because the commentaries are as good as the actual show; and over the years, I've actually watched the commentaries multiple times. So what's my complaint, you may ask?\n\nMy complaint is that Yeardley Smith is on more commentaries in this season than any other thus far! Don't get me wrong, I love what Yeardley does with the Lisa character- I think she is great as a voice actress.....BUT (and I'm sorry to say) the woman is a dolt! All she seems to do on the commentaries, is ask idiotic questions. It's as if one of the other commentators brought in their 5 year-old daughter!\n\nSheesh! We listen to these commentaries to learn what goes on behind the scenes, and to be entertained by the witty people who make this show. Listening to a grown woman, who is actually involved in the show, ask the other crew members idiotic questions that even children know the answer to, is just a waste, and an embarrassment.\n\nI mean no disrespect, but it's the truth. For goodness' sake, if anyone connected with the show should happen to read this, PLEASE, for the love of Gawd, DON'T have Mrs. Smith on future commentaries- if for no other reason than to preserve her dignity!\n\nI'm sure I can't be the only one who feels this way. If others reading this agree with me, please add a comment. Thanks.\n\nEverything else about this season is a \"10\"! Buy it! It's a classic that will endure for many years. (And from the days when they still packaged these DVDs in normal and sturdy DVD cases!)\n\nEnjoy!","Product: Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer. With some of the most memorable characters ever on TV, Sam, Diane, Rebecca, Woody, Cliff, Dr. Crane, Carla and Norm, brought the social exchanges of the quirky patrons of a Boston tavern into millions of homes for 11 hit seasons. Tip your glass to this complete series set of 269 episodes on a whopping 45 DVDs. 1982-1993/color/110 hrs., 20 min/NR/fullscreen.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Good Light Entertainment Which Makes You Laugh!\n\nReview: Back years ago, when my TV was still connected to the outside world, I used to watch the syndicated reruns of Cheers at 11PM, just as something to watch and wind-down by. It was never my favorite show- but it was always watchable; entertaining; and made ya laugh. In recent years, I'd been hearkening back to memories of watching Cheers, and wishing that I had the series on DVD- but alas! In the past, the price of the series on DVD was just too high to justify. Naturally, when I saw this complete series set offered for under 60 bananas on Amazon, I grabbed it- and I'm glad that I did!\n\nIn my opinion, this show's appeal lies in the fact that it can make you laugh out loud quite often; and just transport you to a different world, apart from the current reality- which is what entertainment is supposed to do; but which most modern forms fail to achieve. And while I often don't like clichd story arcs- I have to say that with Cheers, the Sam and Diane romantic story arc was very well done, and even keeps ME interested! And the beauty of it is, instead of concentrating on that one arc, the producers wisely just kept it as one aspect of the show, while giving equal weight to the other characters. Well-done!\n\nAnd, much like Three's Company, this is also one of those rare shows which is good right from the very beginning. It hits it's stride right off the bat in episode one; and the characters are already fully developed. A rare feat, successfully pulled off only by the real veterans of good TV comedy!\n\nI see some other reviewers complaining about the packaging. Personally, I have no problem with the packaging. It is more than adequate for storage and normal use; the DVDs are easy to access; and my mailman even dropped the box on the ground from his car, while trying to hand it to me while i was on my tractor- and it did it no harm.\n\nAll in all, I am very glad that this series is now available in it's entirety for such a low price; and that the packaging is not bulky or gawdy, like some shows which come in novelty packaging!\n\nIf you're looking for good old-fashioned entertainment to just sit and watch and relax to at night; which will take your mind off of reality and make you laugh...this is it! (I don't know what it is- even though in real-life i despise bars, and would never patronize one- there is something very comforting about this show!)","Product: Kang and Kodos invite you to add this Emmy Award winning season to your collection filled with your favorite guest stars (Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz, Tony Hawk, Blink 182, and more) and exclusive features that will satisfy your hunger. The Simpsons Season 14 is available on Blu-ray and DVD.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Surprisingly Good For A Late Season!\n\nReview: As I've seen the quality of The Simpsons decline over the previous two seasons, I was very hesitant to buy season 14. I had not seen these episodes before, as i do not have/watch broadcast/cable TV. Being desperate to get a fix of one of my favorite shows, I ordered S14 not expecting much. To my surprise, the quality of this season is an improvement over the last 2 seasons- and a big improvement over season 13.\n The commentaries (one of my favorite features of the DVDs- and alone worth buying the DVDs for) are again relevant and entertaining (In S13, they seemed like they had stopped caring and had run out of steam...but thankfully, these commentaries on S14 are as good as ever).\n This was the first year they went digital, as far as the actual animation goes...and I have to say, that it looks great. While this season may still not be up to the standards of seasons 2-10, it is definitely getting back on track. The absurd plots of the last few seasons are gone; The disjointed separate \"A\" and \"B\" stories are gone- with each episode now centered around one unified storyline.\n Homer's annoying screaming and bumbling are largely gone (Thank you!)....and many of the things we loved about the classic seasons have returned- like the inclusion of many of our favorite secondary characters.\n Still, the show is a little flat compared to the classic years; It is not as funny as it once was...and much of the good intellectual humor is still missing...but this is a vast improvement over the crapfest which the show had become over the last few seasons.\n I can only hope that this trend continues with season 15- and maybe there will yet be some good seasons of the Simpsons to come, which rival the quality of earlier seasons. (If only they'd release seasons in a timelier manner!)\n So if you have been put off by the declining quality of the past few seasons...cheer up and give this season a try- it is on the rebound! Sure, other than the commentaries, there isn't much in the way of worthwhile extras (But who cares? We have good commentary on EVERY episode!) and they're still packaging this show in the abhorrent cardboard accordion ruin-a-disc cases (at least now they've got little cheesy plastic baggies over the DVDs to protect them from scratches).....but [in Krusty voice] Whadduyah gonna do?\n After season 13, seeing this season was a relief! While I wouldn't want to pay a high price for this because of the terrible packaging, I got mine for around twenty mazoolahs...so I am satisfied. While this season really doesn't have any \"favorite\" epsiodes...it doesn't have any real bombs, either...which is an accomplishment for this time period of the show.","Product: Season 15 of the hit long-running FOX animated comedy.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Magic Is Back. Almost.\n\nReview: I was hesitant to order season 15- not having previously seen any of these episodes, and in light of how bad the last few seasons had been- but desperate for a Simpsons fix, I gave it a shot. You can imagine my surprise, when I popped in the first DVD, and started watching the first ep- a Treehouse Of Horror ep, which are never among my favorites- and lo and behold it was a gem!\nDitto for many more episodes.\n\nWatching the first half of this season, I saw that the crew at The Simpson's seems to have pulled themselves out of the years-long slump that they were in. Most of the magic of the early seasons is back! (The humor; the use of many favorite secondary characters, etc.)\n\nO-K, still, a lot of the intelligent wit is still missing....but hey, at least the show is vastly improved from recent years- well...at least that is true for the first half of this season. The second half of this season is where it appears that the crew started running out of steam again. Once again, they start to revert back to plot-centric episodes, where it appears that they put all their effort into the story line, and neglect the humor and the little touches that often make the show so great. (Not that I can blame them- seeing as it so much work to make these shows, and that many of them have been working on this show for so many years...I mean, they're only human.)\n\nBut all in all, in my book, half of a good season is better than an entire bad season, so I can't complain (Though I might have, had I paid full price for this season! For half-price- which is what I paid- half a season of good eps seems about right:D)\n\nMy biggest complaint about this season: TOO MANY MUSICAL numbers. And I'm not just talking about the one musical episode (Why-oh-why do they torture us by making Yeardley Smith sing??!! Please...PLEASE stop!). The use of popular-music cues over montages is done in just about every episode- to the point of being clich. I mean, such can be effective when done when appropriate, to good effect, and with restraint- but it seems as though the Simpson's crew has started using such as a crutch to merely fill space. (It's showing, guys!)\n\nThe BEST thing about this season, is [drum roll].....the COMMENTARIES! Yes! In past seasons, it had seemed like those doing the commentaries had lost interest- but this season, they back to their former glory. I normally enjoy listening to the commentaries as much as/or even more than watching the actual show- and this seasons commentaries were no disappointment. I was in my glory listening to the commentary on every episode. I think writer Tom Gammill was on just about every one...and he is one of my all-time favorites, so that also helped!\n\nAgain, like earlier seasons, the commentaries were once again very enjoyable; informative and funny. Kudos to all those who participates, for taking the time to do these commentaries. Some of REALLY enjoy them! (I take back what I said earlier. The price of this season would be justified just for the commentaries, alone!).\n\nAll-in-all...at least 10 very good episodes; and all good commentaries- makes this season add up to 75% good content. But I'm giving it 5 stars for the great commentaries! (I should deduct 4 stars for the continuation of the LOUSY packaging!).\n\nIf you're a fan of the earlier Simpson's...this season is for you!","Product: When widower Mike Brady (Robert Reed) marries a lovely lady named Carol Ann (Florence Henderson), their two families become one. The six children include Carol's Daughters: Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb) and Cindy (Susan Olsen), as well as Mike's sons: Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight), and Bobby (Mike Lookinland). Together with their dog Tiger and quirky housekeeper Alice (Ann B. Davis), this wild clan became the Brady Bunch! From the debut episode with Mike and Carol tie the knot, to the heartwarming series finale, this series is filled with family fun, outrageous outfits, and loads of sibling rivalry. Experience all the chaos and laughter of The Brady Bunch with this 117-episode collection!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: This Show Still Holds Up - Better Than Ever!\n\nReview: This wasn't exactly my favorite show back in the day, it was just \"something to watch\", and...O-K, I had a huge crush on JAN when I was a kid [Am I the only one who thought Jan was the hottie? Never did care care for Marcia at all!]- but over the years, I'd often think of this show, not just as being something very wholesome, but as sort of a reminder of the glorious 70's in which I grew up.\n\nI really didn't know if the show would be watchable to me, a 56 year old heterosexual male, now- but when I saw this set for less than thirty clams, I figured I'd give it a try, and I am sure glad that I did, because let me tell you, this show STILL holds up! I seem to enjoy it more now than I did when I was a kid!\n\nAh! A show that was made when TV networks still cared about not offending the moral values of the mainstream! A show which exudes the seventies, but which is not cheesy or corny or cliched, but instead is a slice of life from the time period in which it was made! Watching these episodes brings glorious memories flooding back! And I even find myself getting some laughs from it!\n\nWho'd have thunk it? The Brady Bunch? The BRADY BUNCH! And I'm enjoying it more than ever. (O-K, I'm not going to rush out and tell \"the guys\"....but I am relieved to be able to confess it here! :D)\n\nI find it interesting too, to observe my reactions to the show now vs. then. In some ways my opinions are the same (Cindy is still annoying as hell!)....and in some ways they are different (I now have an affinity for Bobby, and can detect a quality of depth in him- whereas I used to consider him as annoying as Cindy).\n\nI'm marathoning these eps, and having a BALL! It just makes me feel so good! (Pssst! Don't tell my friends and business acquaintances. I have an image to maintain!)\n\nOh, and if you're buying this series, I guarantee that you would enjoy reading Barry Williams's book: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Growing-Up-Brady-I-Was-a-Teenage-Greg-Special-Collector-s-Edition/dp/0967378508/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg, Special Collector's Edition</a> -I read it 20 years ago- and still remember it, and how much fun I had reading it!\n\nAnd, oh, yeah....about the DVD set: It comes in a nice plastic case- not the flimsy cheesy cardboard you'd expect of such an inexpensive set. The discs are rather hard to pry off of the hubs, making it feel like I am going to crack them when popping them out.....but hey, ya can't have everything for this price, eh? Oh...and the picture quality and audio and everything are fine!\n\nAll in all: WELL DONE! I bought this just on a lark- for nostalgia really, but it has surprised me as being one of my best DVD purchases in quite some time.\n\nUPDATE: The above comments are in reference to seasons 1-4. The show falls apart in season 5- from the very fist episode of the season! I mean, there's Johnny Bravo; numerous eps where they're in plays; talent show; even ballet(!); a terrible ep which was no doubt a spin-off attempt at some primitive multicultural propaganda.....and something i had completely forgotten about: The dreaded COUSIN OLIVER!!!\n\nIt's actually kind of funny to watch season 5 though- not that the show is funny, but rather it is like viewing a stereotypical textbook scenario of producers who have run out of ideas/enthusiasm (or just stopped giving a darn) trying everything in the book to maintain a dead show through one more season. Season 5 is a veritable what-not-to-do for anyone embarking on a career in TV production!\n\nNo wonder I'd never seen many of these season 5 eps in syndication when i was young....who in their right mind would want to recycle episodes which surely bombed when they initially aired?!","Product: you'll be pleased to discover that 'simple' and 'functional' can be used to describe the same device. The TracFone LG 306G Triple Minute Cell Phone is easy and exciting to use, while also giving you everything you need to stay connected with family, friends and a world of entertainment. This TracFone Triple Minutes for life phone offers the essentials without demanding too much from its user - with features that help you connect like swift texting, web browsing and instant email access. This phone provides easy access to your social life, without the complication of bells and whistles to slow you down. Keep moving forward with the TracFone LG 306G Triple Minute Cell Phone and let it be your go-to phone whenever you need to reach out and jump right into action.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good Phone. Tracfone? Best For Cheap Occasional Use\n\nReview: Let me start off by saying that I HATE cell phones! I keep one just for use on very rare occasions, when I absolutely must make or receive a call while I'm out -and since pay-phones have vanished from the landscape. As such, I just need a phone that makes and receives calls, and which is as cheap as possible to maintain service on, since I literally only use my phone maybe 3 or 4 times a year (I don't even turn it on unless I'm specifically expecting a call, or want to make a call). Of course, for my purposes, this phone is more than adequate. It's got a bunch of other features which I couldn't care less about, and will likely never use (except for the camera, which is always nice to have). It's easy to use, and works well.\n\nUnlike all of my previous Tracfones, this is the first one that actually connects to your computer, via an included USB cable, and is seen by the computer as a mass storage device. That could come in handy- and at least makes it possible to retrieve photos and videos from the phone. (On previous Tracfones I've had, the only way to retrieve photos [etc.] was to email them to yourself- which was a SLOOOOOOW process, and eats up airtime- and did not even work 100% of the time! So this is a big improvement.\n\nHOWEVER: For every step forward Tracfone takes, it seems to take one step backwards! I received this phone for free from Tracfone as part of their forced migration to 3G service (My old phone is becoming obsolete)- and rather than simply allowing existing customers to pop their existing SIM card into the new phone.....they give us a new SIM card with this phone and merely transfer our old phone number to it. You know what that means? No way to transfer your contacts and other data from the old phone to the new!!!!!\n\nFor me, it's not too bad, as I only keep about 7 contacts in my phone- but still, it's a pain having to add them to the new phone manually! I can only imagine what a task this would be for someone who may have 100 contacts and other saved data that they wish to transfer! Still, it works for me, as Tracfone is the only service out there which allows me to maintain cell service for what amounts to $7 per month -and since i use a phone so little, I would not want to pay more.\n\nIf you're like me, and just looking for the cheapest cell service available for occasional use, Tracfone is the only real option, and this phone is much more than you will ever need- it's essentially just a notch below a smart phone - without the pitfalls of smart phones. If, on the other hand, you're a person who lives on their phone, you'd be better off just getting a monthly contract from one of the bigger providers.\n\nBest thing about this particular phone?: You can set the ringer to ring quite loudly. More so than the last few phones I've had- so you can actually hear it ring while driving and listening to the stereo, or in a moderately noisy environment.\n\nAll in all, this is a good phone for anyone who does not want/does not require a smart phone. Tracfone itself?: They provide cheap reliable service (but always with a quirk or two, as noted above) for those of us who just use a phone occasionally.\n\nIMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure and purchase your Tracfone from a source who will ship you a phone compatible with the best service in your area. When buying directly from Tracfone, or a responsible third party, they will ask for your zip code, so they can send you a phone and a SIM card configured to operate on the network which provides the most robust service/best coverage in your particular locale (For example, mine runs on the AT&T network)- Tracfone does not have their own network- they lease space from other providers.","Product: A petroleum distillate / alcohol based precision cleaner designed as an alternative to CFC based cleaners.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Best Deal! Good Stuff! A Million Uses - Mr Fix-It In A Can\n\nReview: Great deal! Previously, I needed some electrical contact cleaner to clean the switch on my furnace (HVAC guy wanted $200 to change the motherboard...all it needed was for the switch to be cleaned!) I ened up getting a MUCH smaller can of similar stuff from Radio Slum...errr....Radio Shack, for $14 (:o !!!!!) -and of course, I went through that little over-priced can very quickly, always finding 100 uses for the stuff- from cleaning the MAF sensor in my truck, to getting the crackling out of a pair of computer speakers by spraying around the volume knob, etc. etc.\n\nYou'd be surprised how many things electronic can be rejuvenated/fixed just with a little cleaning away of dust and light corrosion, just with a few shots of this stuff. So naturally, I was elated to find this deal on Amazon, which gives me a good 3 (maybe 4) times as much actual solvent for half the price of the stuff I had bought previously at Radio Slum (I hate Radio Slum...but it was convenient...).\n\nThis is a big full-size can, not a little dinky can. -Which is handy, as you will find a million uses for this, even if you're just buying it for one specific use at the moment. Trust me! EVERYONE needs this!","Product: The MaxiScan OBDII/EOBD Scanner supports all nine OBDII test modes on all OBDII compliant vehicles to enable technicians to accurately diagnose even the toughest problems. Sophisticated yet easy-to-use, this ergonomic scan tool displays live O2 sensor test data and reads live PCM data stream. It features multilingual menu, large easy-to-read backlit LCD screen and displays DTC definitions on unit screen. This scanner retrieves vehicle information, identifies pending codes, views freeze frame data and easily determines the cause of the Check Engine Light. This scanner comes with built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library and is software upgradeable via internet. It performs modules present test, reads, stores as well as playbacks live sensor data and prints data via PC.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Simply THE Best - Professional Quality\n\nReview: Quite simply: This is the best scanner I have ever used! This baby is BETTER than the Actron scanners of comparable feature levels, for a fraction of the price of Actron!\n\nPhysically: It's a nice rugged sturdy unit; The buttons work well, with a good tactile feel. The unit does not feel cheap or cheesy at all- it feels solid- which is amazing, considering the low price. ONE CAVEAT: The screw which holds the battery door in position, is not secured to the door in any way...so be careful you do not drop and lose it when installing/changing the battery!\n\nAccessing all of the features/navigating the menus is fast, easy and intuitive- No need to even read the manual.\n\nConnectivity: I was impressed when hooking up this unit to one of my vehicles, how it instantly communicated with that vehicle- whereas a much more expensive Actron unit had a lot of trouble reading that same vehicle, and required several tries.\n\nThe display is easily readable.\n\nIt works flawlessly with my OBD II-compatible vehicles (All Ford trucks).\n\nI am amazed at the quality, and for such a low price! You can have live data, and snapshot data, etc. just like the pros; just like units costing many more times what this unit costs.....for a price which is less than some units which do nothing except read codes!\n\nI was leery of ordering this at first, because of the fact that it offered so much for so little...seemed too good to be true- but it IS true! It does everything it claims to, and looks and feels to be of higher quality than those $250 Actrons which offer the same features.\n\nI have not tried the software, as it is not compatible with my Linux OS- so I can't report on that- but I do plan on experimenting to see if there are any work-arounds, like using it like an MSC device on the computer- but even if not, I don't really care.\n\nThe very first time I used this, it paid for itself, as it saved me more than it cost, on just that one use! Gotta love it! (For fellow Linux users: I'll update if I make any progress linking it to my computer).\n\nI was just about ready to pull the trigger on a $250 Actron, as I wanted \"a good one\"- but I couldn't resist trying this MaxiScan when I saw the price, and read a lot of positive reviews, here and elsewhere- and saw some videos on Youtube, showing it in use. Now I'm so glad I got this one! Not just because it was significantly cheaper...but because it is better! I know...it's hard to believe, considering the price- but it's true. I like this MaxiScan better than my friend's $1500 SnapOn scanner which I used to borrow!\n\nBuy this- you'll love it! No need to look any further.","Product: A Mr. Collins original, this classic carnauba/polymerblend is also collinites most durable.Holds up month after month against harmful outdoor corrosives; UV,rain, snow,salt, dust, dirt, grime, bugs, staining and more.Ideal as a winter wax when both lasting shine and all-season/all-conditions protection are equally crucial. Handcrafted and handpoured in the USA.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Real Deal! Look No Further.\n\nReview: This is the best wax I have ever used. Now, I am not one to get a product and write a review the next day. I like to see how things perform over the long-haul or their expected lifetime, etc. So I waxed my Excursion with this about 8 months ago, hoping that with a few washes, it would keep it nice over the winter. Note: One can was just barely enough to give my Excursion one coat. If you have a large vehicle, and intend to give 'er two coats (as another helpful reviewer suggests, for awesome looks) then you'll be needing two cans of this.\n\nWell, I'm happy to report that this stuff protected my paint very well over the course of late summer, fall and winter. A quick wash, and my Exc. was smooth and shiny again. Looks like It did the day I washed her. Bear in mind, that I'm not some fussbudget who obsesses over detailing my vehicles. Quite the opposite- I pretty much do the minimum required to keep the paint protected- maybe do a decent wash and wax once a year or so, and an interim wash (hose off) a couple of times between- So, rest assured that if this stuff works so well for a neanderthal like myself who lives in a cow pasture in the boonies, it'll likely work even better for you if you're a fussbudget or sissy with a fancy vee-hickle who never leaves the concrete... :D\n\nActually, I'm so pleased with this, I'll be giving the Exc. another coat before this one wears off, to protect her from that summer sun, and keep her looking good.","Product: Wrap yourself in this comforting blanket of dreamy music and gentle natural sounds, scientifically designed by Dr. Lee R. Bartel to promote delta brainwaves for a deeply restful sleep. Instrumentation includes piano, keyboards, guitars and electric wind instrument.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: AMAZING! It Really Works!\n\nReview: UPDATE: I ended up purchasing this, and have had it for well over a year now. I don't use it every night; rather just as an alternate- and my opinion is still the same as expressed below- It REALLY works! I'm only familiar with a few tracks on this recording, because I'm never awake to hear the others! I've been listening to this a lot more recently, just because it is very pleasant and relaxing; it's also good for when you want to read or relax or otherwise just want nice relaxing background music.\n\nAnd now.......here' s my original review:\n\nYou may think this is \"cheating\", as I have not even ordered this CD yet- ....but....just listening to the little sample excerpt tracks here on Amazon, I almost fell asleep! [Bear in mind, it's not even 8:00PM...I don't go to bed till 1:00AM or later, and I had an easy day and am not even remotely tired!]- I feel ready for bed after just having listened to those few minutes of samples! Amazing!\n\nI've been using a CD while in bed, as I am very sensitive to noise- and although I moved from New York City to a very rural area, the sound travels out here, and I hear trucks on the main highway, even though it's three miles away...and all kinds of other noises...so I started using a CD to block out the random noises. I see one of the other reviewers complaining about the background bass on this CD, but for someone like myself, I find that bass a GOOD thing, as it helps block out the low-frequency noises (which are predominantly what the local noises are) and does so with the CD at a lower volume, than if you didn't have that bass.\n\nSo I find this CD of great value both for the sleepy mood it puts you in [Boy, does it!] and for it's ability to block noise, and at a low volume.\n\nCan't wait for mine to come!!!! [I want to go to bed now....I NEVER go to bed this early, and am not going to...but just the fact that this made me so relaxed, calm and tired-feeling, is a testament to how effective it is!]\n\nG'night....\n\nPS: One more thing: I see another reviewer has complained about the quality of the piano/pianist- but do bear in mind that this CD is NOT meant to be a music concert; it is not meant to stimulate your senses with good music- it is meant to put you to sleep and NOT stimulate you. (I'm not being critical of that reviewer- he/she may be a trained musician...or maybe it just sounds bad to their ears...but just try and remember that this is not meant to be \"music\").","Product: Enjoy the relaxing \"clickety-clack\" sounds of riding a train in a vintage 1940's sleeping car over the bolted railroad track of yesteryear. This is not a collection of individual train sound effects or music, but a continuous hour-long soundtrack aboard a real train especially recorded to capture the relaxing experience of passenger train travel. The conductor calls \"All aboard\" and the porter pulls up the steps and closes the vestibule door. There's a \"toot\" from the horn as the train eases out of the station.The faint sound of the locomotive's horn blows for railroad crossings with the occasional \"ding-ding\" of crossing signals as you roll by city streets. The faint sounding of the horn and crossing bells become less frequent as the train accelerates into the desert. If you find yourself dozing off as you listen, the gradual 10-minute fade at the end won't startle you awake. Recorded by Hollywood sound designer and avid rail-fan Ken J. Johnson with state-of-the-art equipment.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Take A Magical Trip Every Night!\n\nReview: I LOVE this CD! I ripped this to mp3 and put it on my Walkman, and play it on \"repeat\" all night, to drown out all the annoying and distracting noises [even here in the country, and living 500' feet from the road, it's gotten very noisy!] and I sleep like a baby! The rhythmical click-clacking of the wheels on the rails; the blowing whistle and the sound of flying past crossing-gate bells is just SO realistic- reminds me of my younger days, commuting on the Long Island Railroad, on the old diesels! I've never actually slept on a train (Unless you count all the times I'd fall asleep on the LIRR :D)...but the thought of doing so has always seemed like the ultimate sleep experience....and with this CD, it is the next best thing to actually sleeping a train. You needn't even put it very loud- I play mine therough computer speakers which I mounted on the wall on either side of my bed...and even at a very low volume, it blocks out external noise and evokes the calmness and pleasure of a ride on one of those great old diesels!\n\nThis is not just \"sound effects\" either- it was recorded on an actual train, decades ago, so it is the real-deal. I have 3 other \"noise\" CDs...but this is the one I listen to 99.8% of the time...I just LOVE it, and look forward to listening to it every night. At the end, instead of the sound just stopping abruptly- which could jar you awake...it just slowly diminishes and fades out....not that you'll notice, as you'll be asleep long before it gets to the end!\n\nIf you're reading this, you must like train sounds and must also be looking for a relaxation/noise-blocker/sleep CD. Well, look no further! You won't find anything better than this! Just order this one....you will love it!\n\nIf anyone has any questions, feel free to post them as a comment, and I will be notified via email, and will respond quickly.\n\nEDIT: Forgot to mention: The beauty of this CD is, that if you use it as a sleep-aid, it does a better job of blocking out noise than most other atmospheric CDs; because it has a wider range of sounds and frequencies. It is especially good at blocking low-frequency sounds; sounds with a lot of bass- whereas most other atmospheric CDs are lacking in that area. I also find that this CD can block noises at a much lower volume than others, which is great because one does not have to put it so loud that it becomes a distraction. I like to put it at a low level when I'm trying to sleep, to the point where sometimes you almost don't notice it/stop hearting it...and yet it will block the noise (Albeit, the noise I'm trying to block is not loud noise- but yet is very pervasive.). As much as I enjoy things like my Rain In The Country and thunderstorm CDs, I have to say that this train CD does a far more superior job of blocking all the various noises.","Product: The Lamy al-star makes writing easier than ever. Made from lightweight, durable aluminum, with characteristic clear gray plastic front section. The attached flexible clip is spring operated and made of brass wire. The rollerball is fitted with exchangeable rollerball refill M 62 black.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: NOT \"Scratchy\" for an X-Fine. A Superior Pen\n\nReview: NICE!! I'm no expert on fountain pens, but I find this pen in extra-fine to be as fine as I need to go (In-fact, my next one will be a fine or medium...) as these pens are of sufficient quality so as not to smudge the details, even if you write small.\n\nAesthetically, the pen is very nice to look at and touch; Ergonomically, I like pens with big, thick bodies. This fits the bill. I find it very comfortable to grip and writie with (and I'm a lefty); and most of all, it writes very nicely.\n\nSome other reviewers have commented that the extra-fine nib varieties feel \"scratchy\". I have not found this to be the case. While of course, it is not as smooth as a broader nib would be, it is still very much acceptable for an extra-fine; and compared to many other lesser extra-fines or even fines, i would not call this scratchy at all.\n\nI'm using the pen with a Lamy converter and Noodler's black ink, and I am fully satisfied with the results!","Product: Parker Ballpoint Pens IM Blue CT S1142352 Regular Imports\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Buy Only If You've Undergone Anger Management Classes!\n\nReview: Give this pen to someone who's taking anger management classes if you really want to test them!\n\nInitially, this seems like a great pen. Fit and finish is nice; it has some weight to it, and it writes smoothly and boldly. So what's not to love, you ask?\n\nWell, the problem is: EVERY GOSH DARN TIME I write with this pen, at some point, it stops writing, and the only way to get it started again is to scribble briskly on a piece of sturdy scrap paper or carboard!!!! Do you know how annoying this is, Parker??? Eighteen bucks for a friggin ballpoint pen, and it does the same thing a fifty-cent pen from the Dollar Store would do?! This is unacceptable!\n\nAnd it's not that I just got a lemon on something- as I have 2 Parker ballpoints (and my mother also has one) and numerous refills, and THEY ALL DO THE SAME THING!!!!!\n\nI get so frustrated with this piece of junk, that I've actually smashed this pen several times, by jamming it down on a hard surface...but I always end up fixing it. I'll keep it until the refills are used up, then I'll throw it away; or better yet, I'll run it over with my tractor, or smash it with my sledge-hammer!\n\nWhy can one not find decent ballpoint pens anymore?! I've ended up switching to Lamy AL-Star fountain pens...... I just use the Parker ballpoints for outside and to keep in my trucks. Shame....that's what you get for an $18 pen!","Product: Brand New Genuine Kohler Plain Valve Cover Kit... We are an Authorized Kohler Dealer... Plain Valve Cover Kit Genuine Kohler Part # 24-755-141-S Fits Specific Kohler CH18-CH26, CH620-CH752, CV17-CV26, CV620-CV752, ECH630-ECH749, ECV630-ECV749, PCH680-PCH740, PCV680-PCV740, SV710-SV840, ZT720 & ZT740 Model Engines Genuine OEM Kohler Part If you need assistance locating correct part, Please email Model, Spec and Serial numbers of your engine and we will gladly look up correct parts\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: What's Not To Love?\n\nReview: Genuine Kohler; Comes with new bolts (and they're hex- head, instead of torx! Kudos!) and a new gasket; and the price is right. What's not to love?\n\nKudos to Kohler for upgrading the bolts to hex head. I had cracked my old valve cover trying to get out the bottom torx-head bolt (near the exhuast) which, on older machines, tends to get welded in, due to the heat from the exhaust I had to chisel off the head and drill out the bolt...what a pain! With these bolts, even if the one gets frozen again, next time I should be able to twist off the head, without breaking the valve cover!\n\nDefinitely use some anti-seize on the bolts....or at least on the bottom outboard-side one.....it'll save you a lot of grief in the future.","Product: These natural steer muscles are Braided and roasted in their natural juices. Highly palatable, this treat becomes chewy when wet, helps keep teeth clean and provides hours of long lasting enjoyment.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Even The Fussiest Dogs Love These! Big Bag Large Pieces Good Value\n\nReview: I used to be able to buy these locally, but for some reason, the stores which used to sell them no longer do, so I got the idea to look for them here on Amazon, and was glad to not only find them, but to find them at a very good price, at that!\n\nI give these to my dogs occasionally as special treats, and even the fussiest one LOVES them. I've yet to see a dog who doesn't absolutely love these! For some reason, I always end up getting the fussy dogs- even though they are all rescues from abusive situations, or death-row, or the street! No matter how fussy though, they all love these things better than anything!\n\n9oz. may not sound like much, especially for the price- but you get quite a few pieces, and they are nice big slabs- if you've never seen these in-person, they are rather large, and come in a large bag, so they are not too bad of a value. Seeing as how they all love these so much, I just HAVE to buy them! (Bear in mind that I have large dogs, ranging from 60 to over 100 lbs. -if you have smaller dogs, you could even break these up and make them go further!)","Product: 3M Peltor Optime 105 over-the-head earmuffs feature double-shell technology to provide effective hearing protection. The 3M Peltor Optime 105 Over-the-Head Earmuff has been developed for effective hearing protection in the most demanding noise environments where noise exposures are expected to reach as high as 105 dBA. The Optime 105 over-the-head earmuff features added mass and volume, plus a unique double-shell earcup design (two cups connected via foam inner layer) to boost the noise reduction throughout the full range of low and high frequencies. The durable stainless steel headband resists bending and warping and distributes weight for a low-pressure fit. The lightweight headband works in conjunction with earcup pivot points that tilt to maximize wearer comfort. Soft, liquid &foam filled cushions help the earmuffs fit comfortably against the head to help provide an effective noise-blocking seal.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Comfortable; Secure Fit; Durable; Quiet. Unbeatable!\n\nReview: These are great! I've had the over-the-head version of these for years, but wanted a second pair, so figured I'd give this style a try, so I can wear a hat when appropriate while wearing them. I never had even known that these existed, until I came here intending to purchase another pair of the other style, as I'd never seen these in stores (Actually, I don't even see the other style in stores anymore- so I came here, because those work so well, and are very durable, that I was not going to take a chance with something unknown).\n\nSo, anywho...these just work GREAT! They greatly reduce noise; They're sturdy and don't need to be handled delicately (they work in the real world!); and, quite frankly, I find these to be even more comfortable than the over-the-head style, and they stay snug and secure, even while operating equipment like tractors and mowers and weed-eaters, and hopping on and off tractors. I haven't even had to use the over-the-head built-in string thingies....they stay perfectly secure without it.\n\nIn short, these are the best ear muffs I've ever had.","Product: B01GSCMZTW\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Accepts 18650 Li-Ion Rechargeables Without Mods !!!!!\n\nReview: Don't be fooled by the cheaper knock-offs or exaggerated claims of brightness! THIS flashlight is the real deal. Most flashlights may look alike these days, but they are not all created equal! Read on to be illuminated! :D\n\nSo, I received this flashlight as a gift, but was horrified when I saw that it takes 3 AAA batteries! It has been my experience that 3 AAA batteries last all of maybe 15 minutes in these flashlights, and then you may as well just throw the flashlight away, unless you want to keep feeding it expensive batteries, as it will just end up sitting in your junk drawer.\n\nWell, upon further inspection, I saw the the end cap and the 3-AAA battery pack both had rather large spring-loaded contacts on them, which looked like they would allow for some extra room inside the case. I whipped out one of my 18650 Li-Ion rechargeable batteries, which all of my other flashlights take, and VOILA! It fit perfectly!\n\nThe battery quagmire being solved, this is now my favorite flashlight! Why don't they mention that this flashlight is made in such a way that it will accommodate the 18650's which every other LED flashlight on the planet these days takes? Ya'd think they'd plaster that fact on the box and on the Amazon description page. Just think how many people passed up this flashlight because they, like myself, think that it only takes AAA's?! Ah, the dysfunctionality of modern business!\n\nI would never have purchased this flashlight, thinking that it only took AAA's- usually, most other flashlights made to accept triple-A's in that little 3-battery holder, do not accommodate the 18650's.\n\nAnywho, as for brightness: Keep in mind that the advertised 600 lumens is is *real lumens* , which translates to about \"3000 lumens\" in Chinese knock-off parlance. So don't look at some $8 knock off and say \"Oh, this one is cheaper and it has 2000 lumens!\", because the brightness claims of those cheaper flashlights are greatly exaggerated. I have some of those other exaggerated CREE flashlights, -believe me, this Bell & Mr. Howell is far brighter than any of them.\n\nThe Zoom works great! It works smoothly. In flood mode, it illuminates a HUGE area. And in spot mode, it sharply illuminates a good sized area, far away. And of course, you have all the permutations between the two extremes.\n\nAnother great thing about this flashlight is the switch. On the $8 knock-offs, the switches fail quickly- they're always the first thing to go- and that's the end of the flashlight. Also, on the cheapies, the switches often cause the light to dim and flutter. Not so with this B&H. The switch appears to be of higher quality, and is rock solid so far. And the nice thing is, every time you turn it on, it's always in full power mode. Not like some pain-in-the-A flashlights where every time you turn them on, they're in the next mode.....so you may turn them on, and it'll just happen to be in strobe mode on that particular time (I have at least one like that- it drives me crazy!!!).\n\nI don't know why they have to even have all of these different modes. Really, does ANYONE EVER use the strobe or SOS modes? (Give me the days when flashlights had 2 modes- on and off!)\n\nThis flashlight is a little on the heavy side- but hey, for the relatively low price, it's a much higher quality flashlight than the el cheapos; you can't have everything. (Well maybe you could, if you're willing to pay $150 or more for a stinking flashlight, but I will not be doing that! This flashlight is more than adequate for my needs, and is still reasonably priced. )\n\ntl; dr; version: Much better than the cheaper knock-offs and rechargeable 18650's will fit right in with no modifications. 600 honest lumens are brighter than 2000 exaggerated Hong-Kong Lumens.\n\nSpend the few extra bucks for this over the cheaper knock-offs, it's well worth it.","Product: This Stack-on deluxe plastic storage organizer is a heavy duty organizer that can stand up to daily use. Use it to organize small parts in the garage, shop, inside the home or on the go. The lid securely latches so all your contents stay in place.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: These Will Revolutionize Your Small Item Storage!\n\nReview: [NOTE: This item was purchased/review written when item was being sold for thirteen bucks and change. As of this edit, it is being sold for over THIRTY bucks! -which is INSANE!]\n\nThese things are great! I first discovered these while looking for one of those wall-mounted things with many small drawers, at the local home improvement center. Saw this, and thought \"What a great idea!\"- Tried one, and then ordered several more here on Amazon.\n\nThey're great because you can customize the space to accommodate many different sized items, AND you can just grab the whole box and take it to where you are working, and have all of your hardware/supplies right there on-hand, instead of having to go back and forth to your shop/garage/basement.\n\\\nYou can't just have one of these! Get a bunch of 'em! I'm making one up just for electrical work; one for plumbing stuff; one for nuts and bolts; one for misc. hardware (Hose clamps; cotter pins; etc.); They're great for around the house too- such as for storage for various chargers; office supplies....arts & crafts/hobbies.....the uses are endless!"],"string":"[\n \"Product: Instantly cover unwanted gray hair. Color comb from Clubman has a cream based and quick-drying formula to instantly blend in natural color right where you want it. Ideal for use on hairline, moustache, beard, sideburns, and eyebrows.Use gentle strokes to lightly blend in color where desired. Use heavier strokes for coarse facial hair or where deeper coverage may be desired. Blend with comb applicator.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This Is All You Need!\\n\\nReview: I have to admit, even after reading all the positive reviews here, I was skeptical- but I figured \\\"Hey, it's cheap enough; It's worth a shot\\\". Well, let me tell you, I'm 49 and had [Notice I said HAD] very bright gray hair on my temples, making me look like an old fart! And in case you don't know, for some reason, gray in that spot is very stubborn! I had tried dye (\\\"Just For Men\\\") years ago...and the gray would be back in a week. I used this Youthair every day for a week, and now just two times per week- and the gray is ALL gone! I look ten years younger! AND not only that, but I didn't notice any unpleasant odor, which some others had mentioned. This stuff has hardly any odor to it at all...the little scent it does have is quite pleasant- and I couldn't imagine anyone thinking of it as being otherwise- and once it is on your head for a few minutes, there is virtually zero scent. Your gray hair returns to it's normal color naturally...and no one can tell you are using anything. This stuff is amazing- and the price is unbelievable! This large shampoo-sized bottle will last for months! I am thoroughly satisfied with this product- and would not even consider using anything else, because this works perfectly, as advertised! I'm so glad I found this! I only wish I had tried it ten years ago......\\n\\nIf you want your gray to go bye-bye....get this, now! And the beauty is, you can control whether you want the gray totally gone or just partially- it is very easy to get just the look you want. And once it is rubbed in and dry, it is not greasy or in any way detectable! This is an amazing product and a great bargain- I highly recommend it- once you try it, your search will be over!\\n\\nEDIT: Please note, that as it says in the manufacturer's literature, this stuff is more effective when you are exposed to direct sunlight for a while, after using it. I find that in the winter, now, I have to use it more frequently to achieve the same results I get in the summer, because I am outdoors less and the sun is weaker. So do keep this in mind when you try this product. It still works great though- and the best thing about it is: Your hair doesn't look one solid color like it does when you use a dye- which is so unnatural. Our hair (except for people who have jet black hair) is made up of several different shades of color....and that is why it is so easy to spot someone who had a dye-job, because dye makes the hair one solid color- and then it is blatantly obviuous- while this stuff still lets the natural color variations in your hair shine through- so it looks 100% natural. My own mother did not realize I was using this, as the gray went away gradually, and my hair retained it's natural color and characteristics.\",\n \"Product: Guitar, Bass and Violin Tuner\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fast; Easy; Accurate. - Threw My Pitch-pipe Away!\\n\\nReview: What can I say? A product which works flawlessly and with ease; and which makes life simpler/easier, and for such a low price. What's not to love?\\n\\nIt arrived in the mail 2 days after I ordered it; I opened the box; installed the included battery; clipped it to my ghee-tar, and began tuning- which took all of 15 seconds! (And made me realize how ridiculously out-of-tune my guitar had been- as I must be partially tone-deaf or something, as I am inept with the pitch-pipe).\\n\\nIt's just SO much faster, easier and more accurate with this Snark tuner! It's lightweight, and very versatile- as it can be used to tune just about any stringed instrument, and the head can be positioned limitlessly, so you can see it well no matter what.\\n\\nI just wish they'd give a little more info about the differences between the various models. I chose this one over the SN-1(blue) because this one is just a tuner, without the added burden of a visual metronome (which I see as being totally pointless)- but after ordering this, I discovered that the SN-2 (red) in addition to being chromatic, also has a microphone, which can be used for voice or other types of instruments. Had that fact been more apparent, I would have ordered the SN-2 for just a few dollars more, as it is more versatile. But the fact remains, that these things are AMAZING for the price.\",\n \"Product: Progressive International is your source for the widest range of functional, inventive, and fun kitchen tools and great ideas put into practice. Our in-house designers spend hours in the kitchen coming up with ways to improve on a variety of traditional tasks and tools. Established in 1973, our commitment to quality and service allows us to offer a broad selection of quality kitchenware and other household products. This jumbo potato cutter cuts large whole potatos in one motion. Also great for carrots, zucchini and yams. Features 2 blades for small and large sticks and an extra strong suction base to eliminate slipping.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Works Great...but requires some strength!\\n\\nReview: I'm not a \\\"gadget\\\" person- but this is truly a handy thing to have if you want to make healthy home-made baked French fries. It's about the only way to ensure that you will have uniform fries which will cook evenly, so that you don't end up with some burnt and some under-cooked.\\n\\nThis sucker works just as advertised, and will handle large, uncut potatoes. Seems sturdy and simple and easy to clean.\\n\\nOne caveat: It does require quite a bit of force to get the potato started through the cutting blade. I'm a 190 lb. guy, and I was surprised at the effort it took. I don't see every housewife or senior citizen being able to do this. Using a smaller potato, or cutting them on the larger-size blade would likely be easier, if this is a problem for you. But as long as you're sufficiently strong to operate it, it works great, and is very quick to use and clean, Fries come out looking great- although even with the smaller of the blades, they're still a little larger than I'd like.\\n\\nAll-in-all, a well-designed product that does exactly what you'd expect.\\n\\nThe suction-base does a great job of holding the cutter in place on your counter. Do note, that you must also use a little force to pull the suction-cup actuator lever back into the position into which it will stay until you release it. (I tend to be gentle with things such as this, so as not to break them- but I learned that this product is not delicate, and was made to be used, and is well-built)\\n\\nNote for making DELICIOUS healthy BAKED fries that come like fast-food fries: Cut you potato(es) and soak the fries in COLD water (with ice cubes) with a tablespoon or so of white vinegar added, for an hour before baking. This trick makes ALL the difference, so that you potatoes come out tasting like real french fries instead of baked potatoes. Use ever so little oil on the fries (or just coat the cookie sheet on which you bake them) and also coat them with some salt, pepper and paprika. Bake on 450 for about 15 minutes. Keep on eye on them....they go from cooked to burnt very quickly!\",\n \"Product: REVERE CLASSIC TM WHISTLING TEA KETTLE - Stainless steel. 1 year limited warranty.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Heed The Warnings - This Is Garbage\\n\\nReview: My mother wanted this, despite all the bad reviews. She now knows that those reviews were right! This is a piece of junk. Not that she was expecting a lot for the price- just a simple tea kettle in which to boil water- but it did not take long at all for a glue-like substance to start oozing out from around the seam at the bottom, where the side joins the bottom (I have NO iDEA what this is. It's not solder.... it looks like GLUE!)- And after only a few months of use, the bottom is corroded and diswcolored and looks to be older than the 20+ year-old kettle it is replacing!\\n\\nWhy some company would buy the Revere name, only to afix it to garbage, is beyond me, as it is pointless because instead of adding value to the product, it tarnishes the name. (And whoever is making these things now seems to know all about tarnish! :D )\\n\\nHeed the other reviews and avoid this thing like the plague!\",\n \"Product: Process your own sausage, bratwurst and hamburgers with ease using the Sportsman 3/4HP 350W Electric Meat Grinder. Blend meat with your favorite seasonings for fresh and healthy homemade meals. Use your own casing for homemade sausage, pepperoni and bratwurst. Add your own spices and seasonings to make each recipe just the way you like it. You can even grind vegetables to prepare great tasting meals. This 3/4HP, 350W max rated Meat Grinder can grind up to 100 pounds per hour, and features a forward/reverse button to help prevent jamming. The classic design with silver accents is durable, easy to clean, and has a contemporary look that fits in any kitchen. Cleaning is easy with removable cutting blades and a detachable stainless steel food tray. Includes all the attachments and tools you need to begin grinding your own fresh meat, fowl, or wild game: 3 Cutting Plates (Fine, Medium, Coarse), 1 Kubbe Attachment, 1 Food Stuffer, 1 Sausage Tube\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Uses Non-Standard Blades...which are unobtainable!\\n\\nReview: I loved the way this grinder worked, and it seemed well-made and like it was a bargain....but I quickly found out, when needing a new blade for it, that standard #5 blades do not fit (even though they are the correct diameter, this unit uses a proprietary blade, which is THINNER than standard blades, and thus will not allow you to assemble the plate and retainer when using any other blade!).\\n\\nI called the company which manufactures it (Buffalo tools) and they DO NOT sell a replacement blade for it!!!! I was told to \\\"Try our competitors; they may have one that fits.\\\"!!!! (They don't!)\\n\\nWhat good is a grinder for which new blades are not available? I've scoured the interweb, and came up with NOTHING!\\n\\nThis could be a great product, but without the ability to replace common external parts, it is worthless! Be aware.\\n\\nBack to Amazon it goes! I'll pay more, and get one that accepts standard parts- or at least one whose manufacturer offer such. Very disappointed. (And believe me, I tried everything, short of having a machine shop grind-down a standard #5 blade!)\\n\\n:(\",\n \"Product: The Sierra Comfort SC-503M Hydraulic Stool with Metal Plated Frame is a high quality and adjustable rolling stool that is lightweight and easy to store. Ideal for your home or massage practice, or doctors office this stool features a 3-inch seat cushion and 5 premium castor anti-slip wheels. Slide effortlessly to and from your massage table or chair. This stool is both comfortable and attractive, providing you with an enjoyable massage experience especially if you perform bodywork techniques in a seated position.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Amazing For Such A Low Price!\\n\\nReview: Wow! This stool is spectacular for the price! I use mine primarily as a piano stool; and it is also real handy to easily wheel over to my drawing table. It's sturdy and comfortable. Not at all cheesy (I weigh 175 lbs.). Offers a good range of height adjustment; and is not at all cheesy like you'd expect it to be at such a low price. Takes literally a few seconds to assemble, without tools.\\n\\nThe only caveat: The pleather (This vinyl material covering on the cushion) seems very thin and fragile, and likely will not withstand to much use- even gentle use. I'd recommend putting a cover over it if you want to prevent deterioration. But for the price, and considering the overall quality and sturdiness...hey, this is a winner!\\n\\nThanks to the other Amazon reviewers- I likely would have never bought such a cheap stool if it were not for their many positive reviews!\",\n \"Product: Powerful 8.5mm neodymium drive unitsStable and comfortable fitting with soft silicon rubber air cushion ear piecesBetter isolation from background sound with 4 different size soft silicon rubber memory foam cushion ear piecesThe vibration-proof structure reduces cord and friction noiseIncludes carrying case\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Worth 10x Their Price!\\n\\nReview: I've had these JVC \\\"Air Cushions\\\" for about 7 months now, and they are just UNBELIEVABLE! I use them with my SanDisk Sansa Clip mp3 player, and they have spoiled me to the point where I no longer want to listen to my home stereo or car stereo (which are of good quality, but now sound bad by comparison).\\n I have very ecclectic musical tastes, which include everything from 70's rock, to Muzak to classical, and these phones handle all music exsquisitely.\\n They have a great bass response- allowing the deepest bass of any phones I have tried (better than the Koss \\\"Plug\\\"s) while producing rich and clear mids and treble- which is so essential for classical.\\n They are not at all tinny (anyone who says that they are, isn't inserting them properly- you must get a good fit to experience proper sound).\\n And to top it all off...these things are COMFORTABLE and they stay in your ears! (I was long hesitant to buy an mp3 player, because I never liked wearing headphones...but these JVCs have made a convert out of me!).\\n These phones are among the best on the market, for any price- and easily out-perform ones that cost many times their price. Do yourself a favor and try a pair- if you have a good quality mp3 player, they will truly allow you to experience the music in a new dimension and make you aware of what you've been missing.\\n They are a SCREAMING bargain for under $20. You literally can not get a better sounding pair of phones for 5 times the price. Get a pair...you will not be sorry.\\n Oh, and they also come with about 5 different sizes and types of earpieces, so that you can choose the ones that fit best and are most comfortable. After these, you will not want to use any other earphones!\",\n \"Product: MaximalPower, Sold and Shipped by Amazon Direct, do not buy from any other 3rd party Sellers as products may be counterfeit. The Amazon.com is the only legal distributor for maximalpower. Maximalpower DB SAN DB-L20 / DB-L20AU 900MAH Lithium-Ion battery for Xacti VPC-E1, Sanyo Xacti E1, Sanyo Xacti VPC-E6, Xacti VPC-E6, Xacti VPC-CG6, Xacti VPC-C6, Xacti VPC-C6, Xacti VPC-E1BL, Xacti VPC-CA65, VPC-C40, Xacti VPC-CG6BL, Uniden UDC-7M, Xacti VPC-CG9, Xacti DMX-C1, Xacti E60, Xacti VPC-E6U, Fisher VPC-C5, Xacti DMX-CG6-L, Xatic VPC-CA6, Xacti VPC-C40. Made with Info-Chip, Fully Decoded, Use same as original. Shows time on LCD and charges. Maximalpower is trusted for its true capacities and high reliability, we back our products for 3 years warranty and 1 million us dollar liability insurance.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: WoW! Better than OEM Batteries!\\n\\nReview: I first encountered this brand when looking for after-market lithium-ion batteries for my Craftsman rechargeable tools. Those batteries were HALF the price of genuine Craftsman Li-ions....and I figured it was either try them, or throw my tools away, because the Craftsman batteries are a JOKE! I tried them, hesitantly...and was amazed at how good they turned out to be- so I decided to stick with the brand for replacement batteries for my cordless phone and camera.\\n\\nThese batteries which were for my camera, are at least TWICE as good as OEM Sanyo batteries! I've had 'em for about 6 months now....and they hold their charge perfectly, and and offer longer run-times. They never let me down- unlike more expensive OEM batteries, which seem to fade fast!\\n\\nI will be sticking exclusively with MaximalPower batteries! They're a great bargain. I was leery at first- having tried a few other after-market brands, which were not even as good as OEM....but these are the real deal! Best batteries I've ever had.\",\n \"Product: The Koss Pathfinder with New Improved CushionsThe Pathfinder features a dynamic element that is positioned just outside the ear and connected to a tubular port structure that is inserted on a soft expandable cushion into the ear canal. The soft foam cushion expands for a custom fit to improve isolation and enhance deep bass and treble clarity. Now with improved slow memory ear cushion made of hydrophillic, formed urethane, you are guaranteed a custom fit every time.Ths Pathfinder also features a white cord to compliment many mp3 players. The fit enhances isolation when you want to plug out ambient sounds that interfere with the listening experience. The Pathfinder has a frequency response performance of 10Hz-20,000Hz and full Sound of Koss. Combined with your favorite music and a portable sound system, it is the ultimate accessory on the go.Built to last, The Pathfinder is covered under Koss No-Questions-Asked Lifetime Warranty - the only warranty of its kind in the stereophone industry.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: They Just-plain sound the BEST! Great Bass!\\n\\nReview: I'm not going to tell you that these are audiophile-quality cans. A real audiophile could tell you (and me) why they are not- but you're seriously not expecting audiophile-quality for fifteen bananas, right? What these are, are cans that sound GREAT, if you like bass. I don't know how they'd do with rap \\\"music\\\" or anything like that, but I listen to older stuff- everything from oldies to classical, and these babies give me the sound the way I like it: Warm; rich and bassy. For the kind of music I listen to, the bass is not distorted nor artificial-sounding. The mids and highs are there too. Not as prominent as the bass; not like they would be on a $200 pair of audiophile buds, but these sound GREAT to me (and my EQ is heavily tweaked to emphasize bass- even in music that was never bass-heavy- you may even get better performance with a flat or less heavily tweaked EQ).\\n\\nThese are the second-cheapest pair of IEMs I have ever purchased, and yet they are my all-time favorites! They sound better than my JVCs, and they require substantially less volume to achieve the same level of loudness as the JVCs.\\n\\nThe foam tips not only achieve a good seal in your ear (which really helps the sound quality), but they are very comfortable [I've always HATED earphones!] AND, the best part is: They don't come off in your ear when you take the phones out! [Unlike those stupid silicone tips, like the ones on my JVCs, which I had to dig out of my ear canal with a toothpick once!].\\n\\nI've read of other users having some problems with durability, which seem to be attributed to the built-in volume control. So, as a precautionary measure, I took a piece of clear packaging tape, and wrapped it around the volume control pod, with the volume slider set at max. I feel that this will stave off any problems, because it will keep the slider from moving [which is likely a point of failure] and, as the tape overhangs the volume pod at each end a little bit, it will act to relieve stress and movement on the wires, where they enter the pod- which is probably another major failure point. Hopefully these will last as long as my old Koss \\\"Plugs\\\", which I had for 7 years.\\n\\nI'm no audiophile- but all I know is that I like the sound of these phones better than any I've ever had [and I do use them with high-quality mp3 players- including a Sony E384 and a Cowon X9]. They're just perfect for the music I listen to, and the sound I like. Give them a try- for 15 clams, you'll likely be amazed. In my [biased] opinion, you could spend $100 on some \\\"good\\\" cans, and not get the sound that you can get from these!\\n\\nI'm actually going to buy a second pair, just to keep for the future, because I like these so much!\",\n \"Product: AM/FM Pure Performance. Finally, a radio that is \\\"just a radio!\\\" The CCRadio-EP could be considered a super radio. There are no preset functions or clock to set, but the ease of use does not hinder its outstanding AM performance. The EP is a true \\\"analog\\\" radio with needle and dial tuning, so there will be some variance in the accuracy of the needle and dial. For very weak AM stations you can fine tune our built-in Twin Coil Ferrite AM Antenna. However, you don't have to adjust the \\\"TCF\\\" knob to receive outstanding AM performance. The EP has a wide bass and treble adjustment range for defined music and voice reproduction. A large, 5-inch speaker is combined with a hi-fidelity amplifier and a \\\"Music/Voice\\\" enhancement dial to give extra clarity to AM programs. For those who live or work in a metal or concrete building and enjoy listening to a radio, we've provided external antenna jacks. Here's part of a note from Brad, in Findley, MN. that describes the CCRadio-EP better than we can: \\\"I bought one for my mom who is 72 years old and has gone through more radios than I can count. She never could get used to digital anything and she can't stop raving about this radio. The reception is excellent, and it's such a mixture of modern and retro. I'm really thinking about getting one for me now.\\\" We are constantly working on improving the accuracy of the EP while still maintaining the great reception and reasonable price, but if you need pinpoint precision we would recommend one of our digital radios. Weight: 4.5 lbs. Size: 11.4\\\" W x 7.3\\\" H x 2.75\\\" D.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A Twenty-Dollar Radio For Eighty-Five Bucks\\n\\nReview: I had bought this for my 91 year-old mother, hoping that it would get better reception than the other radios which she has tried, and because the non-digital tuning is easier for her to deal with.\\n\\nThe first thing I noticed upon unpacking this radio, was that it was made of a rather flimsy and cheap grade of plastic -certainly not was I was expecting for a mere AM/FM radio that costs eighty-five bananas! The handle especially is very cheaply made, more like something you'd expect on a Walmart radio for $9.99.\\n\\nAs for reception, it was no better than the cheap pocket radio my mother had been using for years. AM was slightly better than the pocket radio, but not enough to make any meaningful difference; and there was no discernable difference between the two radios when it came to FM. Note: We do live in a very rural area with difficult reception- but we were hoping that this radio would at least offer a meaningful improvement over the standard fare. It didn't.\\n\\nSound quality? Despite being much larger than my mother's cheap pocket radio, the sound quality on the few stations we receive clearly, was no better. In-fact, I think it was inferior to the little pocket radio. I liked the fact that the CCRadio offers treble and base controls, but the quality of the speaker, in my opinion, is not really high enough to give one a quality sound, regardless of how you tailor it.\\n\\nThe things I liked about this radio: It has jacks for external antennas, and [This is actually the best feature of the radio) it has a tuning dial light which actually works nicely. You press a button on top of the radio, and the light comes on, and you can leave it on for however long you want. The light looked great, and made the entire dial easily visible, and yet it was easy on the eyes.\\n\\nI also liked the fact that there is a simple on/off button on the top, which has no other function. That is a great feature, which I wish that all appliances/electronics had, but which few do, these days.\\n\\nOverall, we both agreed that this radio was not worth anywhere near what it costs. I would say it would be worth it if it had cost twenty bucks. Eighty-five bucks? Ummm....no.\",\n \"Product: SONNWZE354BLK Features: -Quantity per Selling Unit: 1 Each.-Total Recycled Content: 0pct. Color/Finish: -Color: Black.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Sound...But Lots Of Quirks\\n\\nReview: I almost hate to give this thing a bad review. I've kind of got a love-hate thing going on with it. I love some things about it, but for everything I love, there is at least another thing that drives me nuts and makes me want to smash the darn thing. Bear in mind that I am not one of those \\\"technologically challenged\\\" people either.\\n\\nThe Good: The sound quality is great and the number of enhancements it offers really let you customize the music the exact way you want it (Including 2 customizable EQ settings). Pair this player up with a good pair of IEMs and there will be no complaints in the audio department. The menus are easy to navigate and they look nice. The player has a nice look and feel to it- you can't help but to like it. It offers a lot of features which many other players in this price range and even higher, lack. Battery life is quite good. You wouild think this is a perfect player...but then....\\n\\nThe Bad: The controls are too sensitive and thus, too easily accidentally activated. Sure, it has a \\\"hold\\\" feature, but under many circumstances, it is quite annoying to have to turn the \\\"hold\\\" off, just to adjust the volume or skip a song, and then turn the hold back on. Now here's one of the big annoyances: If you DON'T use the hold feature, you WILL end up activating one of the controls in such a manner as to cause the same song to just repeat over and over again; or to access the main menu, etc. and you will have to take the player out of your pocket and look at it to get it back to playing your music.\\n\\nWhich brings us to bad #2: There are not many things you can do \\\"blind\\\" on this player. Sure, you can adjust the volume or skip a song by feel...but if you have hold turned on, you will likely have to take it out of your pocket and use two hands to do those things...so even what you can do \\\"blind\\\", you really can't. And perish the thought, while doing something blind if you make a wrong move or hit something by accident....you'll have to take it out, and look at it and navigate some menus to get back. Such was not the case with my old Sansa Clip.\\n\\nBad number 3: The player is supposed to remember where you left off, when you turn it on. It does only sometimes. Usually if you return to it within a few hours, it'll do it. If you leave it overnight or several days, it just reboots when you turn it on, and leaves you at the main menu, to start all over. To me, this is the number one deal-breaker on this player. I like to set my music on shuffle/repeat, and just let 'er rip. With this player, I have to start anew every time I go to listen...and I have to be bothered going through the menus all over again every time. :( One day, I'm going to get that reboot screen, and just take a hammer to the darn thing!\\n\\nBad number 4: Not all of the features are available in all of the folders. i.e. the nice feature that lets you speed up or slow down spoken word files is only available in the audiobook folder. If you put a spoken-word file in the music folder, you can not use the speed-up/slow down feature, as it only works in the audiobook folder. On my player, I can not get anything to play in the audiobook or podcast folders...so thus, many of the features are unavailable to me.\\n\\nBad #5: Sony, which was once known for pioneering state of the art technology and making products of the highest qualiy, now apparently is lax about both. This player does not support many file types- not half as many as my old Sansa player.... and, as for quality control, well: The first Sony I received had to be sent back, as after a mere week or two, the FM radio reverted to the Japanese radio band!(76-90Mhz)-which means that all except a very few American stations on the far left of the dial are out of reach. AND the volume on that unit was sub-par- It was supposed to be a Norht American unit, but acted like it had the EU volume cap! The player I have now is the replacement I got in exchange for the first one..and it too is defective! As stated above, no files will play in the audiobook or podcast folders (but they'll play in the music folder); and it reboots instead of remembering where you left off, 90% of the time. At least the volume is good on this one though...and so far, the FM band is still the 87-108Mhz American band!\\n\\nWhich leads us to bad #6: Sony tech support and warranty service SUCKS with a royal S! The first player I was able to exchange through the retailer, and they sent me my new one in 2 days!- but once your player is out of the retailers 7-day or 30 day exchange period...you are forced to deal with Sony warranty service- in which case you must pack up the player...mail it to them..they'll decide if it qualifies for warranty service...fix it, or replace it with a refurb, and mail it back to you...all which will take a good two months! UNACCEPTABLE!!! This is why I have not done anything about this current defective player- it's just nt worth it.\\n\\nAnd their technical support is worthless- No toll-free number IIRC- you make a long distance call...and the people you talk to don't know as much about the player as you do. You get far better help on an independent internet forum. I had given up buying Sony products some time ago, as I saw their quality and service slipping...but it had been a while, so I figured maybe I'd give them another chance- as these players seem to receive a lot of good reviews....but after this experience, I have seen enough to be through with Sony forever- I will never buy another Sony product.\\n\\n I will buy one of the new Sansa Clip Zips, and keep this Sony as a back-up player.\\n (I didn't comment on the Sony's video features, as I only listen to audio files on it....and do not watch videos on such devices.)\\n\\nIn short: As much as I like some of the positive features/qualities of this player, I would not recommend it for the reasons stated above. It could be a great player if it were not for so many negatives, but the way it is, it just isn't worth the annoyance/frustration, as there are other players for the same price or less that sound just as good and perform better.\",\n \"Product: Ideal for joggers, commuters, and other active music listeners, the Sansa Clip Zip delivers on-the-go music at an affordable price. This compact MP3 player is loaded with premium features, including an integrated FM radio, built in voice recorder, stop watch, and compatibility with a wide range of digital audio formats from nearly every source including AAC for DRM-free iTunes. And thanks to an innovative clip design, the player attaches easily to your clothing, so you can take it wherever you go.\\nThe Sansa Clip Zip was designed with active music listeners in mind. It features a unique clip design: the back panel of the device closes on a hinge, and can firmly fasten to a backpack or article of clothing. This makes it an ideal accessory for joggers, athletes, and anyone else who wants to enjoy music while on the move.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: I Used To Be A Sansa Fan...But No More!\\n\\nReview: I had bought one of the original (just plain) Clips years ago as my first MP3 player, and was pretty impressed by it (except for it's battery performance). I purchased this Clip Zip as a back-up/outdoor player, as I didn't feel it appropriate to use my big expensive Cowon player in those situations (and my Sony which used to do back-up/outdoor duty recently croaked).\\n\\nI was quite disappointed with the Clip Zip. I thought it was supposed to be an \\\"upgrade\\\" to the original Clip- and in a few ways it is (such as the MicroSD slot and full-color screen) but in most respects, it not only still fails to correct some of the problems of the original Clip, but is actually a downgrade!\\n\\nFor instance: The Al-Gore-Rhythm (algorithm) of the shuffle feature still sucks! (It'll play some tracks over and over, while never playing others) -I mean, SHEESH! All these years since the first Clip, and they can't fix such a simple problem? Battery life is still abysmal (Regardless of what they claim- it's only around 10 hours, under light usage); and while the sound quality is decent (Better than iPod; not as good as Sony or Cowon) it did not seem to me to be as good as the original Clip- although everyone swears that these Zips are built from the exact same hardware....\\n\\nBut the worst thing about the Zip, which is a definite downgrade, is the finish/type of plastic used for the actual body of the unit. The original clips were smooth and shiny and solid-feeling. These things feel like some kind of disposable one-use item- like a disposable razor or something; they now feel very cheap and flimsy- not even as good as some $10 Dollar Store player; like a cheap toy.\\n\\nIt gets worse! O-K, there was no way I was going to pay full price for a new Zip- as you can buy a Sony for just a few bucks more- so I bought this refurb- as, even considering the flaws of these things, for <30 bananas, it would be O-K for a back-up/outside/lawn-mowing player- even though I didn't expect it to last more than a year (These teeny things with their teeny battery have always had battery issues- they just don't last) but the straw that broke the camel's back, was that this POS would brick EVERY time I disconnected it from my computer, after charging and/or file transfers. It was possible to get it functional again, by doing a \\\"soft reset\\\"by holding down the power button for a while....but each time, I'd have to hold the button longer and longer- and now, after a few weeks, it is getting to the point where it is almost impossible to get it to boot-up. Even for <30 clams, I expect the stupid thing to last more than a few weeks! Back it goes!\\n\\nIt's a shame. Had Sansa truly worked at improving the original Clip just a little, by fixing it's issues, and keeping the price low, this could be a decent second/back-up player- but instead of working on the issues, it seems that they added a few new frills; raised the prices; and lowered the quality- transforming these things from decent \\\"serious\\\" players, to something that should be in the Dollar Store for 10 or 15 bucks.\\n\\nNOTE: They say if you Rockbox these things, it can improve performance/fix some of the issues- but of course, doing so will void the warranty- and considering how cheap and flimsy these things feel now, I just don't care....\",\n \"Product: Bell AirStrike Dual Action Frame Pump, Silver\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: What A Piece Of Crap!\\n\\nReview: I had been intending to purchase a Topeak \\\"Pocket Rocket\\\" pump here on Amazon, but I was in Wal*Mart T'other day and saw this Bell pump, so I figured \\\"WTH, how bad could it be? it's just an air pump.\\\" Well let me tell you....I had no idea how bad it truly could be! Got this home and proceeded to air up the tires on my new bike, and ended up breaking my presta valve! (And it's not that I'm clumsy or clueless, I'm an experienced mechanic).\\n\\nI can not believe how cheesy this thing is! It is all plastic (Had I noticed that in the store, I never would have bought it). It is not capable of producing half the pressure necessary to fully inflate a 700c bike tire; and even the head and it's innards which attach to the valve stem are made of cheap, cheesy plastic!\\n\\nAnd don't even think of using this on a schrader (regular) valve- as the little pin that presses down on valve core is also made of PLASTIC! What a pathetic joke! This pump is good for nothing...except damaging presta valves and poviding you and your friends with hours of entertainment when you poke fun at it's shoddy construction.\\n\\nThe one semi-good thing: The way the head is designed- to allow you to use it on schrader or presta valves, by merely flipping two inner pieces, which are accessible when you unscrew the knurled ring- good idea...had it been constructed with better quality materials.\\n\\nSave your money and buy a better pump....they can be had for about the same price.\",\n \"Product: This Product is Superlight and fully adjustable mirror is scratch resistant and easy to install.Left hand design.Made in Japan.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Bicycle-Fashion Accessory For Hipsters - Useless As A Mirror\\n\\nReview: I really wanted to like this mirror- it looks like a good design- but unfortunately, it is implemented poorly. The mirror simply does NOT stay put! It is more dangerous riding with this mirror, than no mirror at all, because you constantly need to re-adjust this mirror- as riding into even a modest wind; going over 15MPH; or even moderately-rough roads will endlessly keep knocking it out of adjustment. I even tried modifying it, by coating the pivot ball and socket weith rubber cement- but it only helped a little. One 34 mile ride with this piece of garbage was enough!\\n\\nThe screw that tightens the mounting plug into the end of your handlebar, also controls the friction of the mirror's swivel- but no matter how tightly you crank down that screw (to the point where I was afraid i was going to crack my carbon bars!)...it just does not put enough resistance on that swivel to hold the mirror in place- unless you're only puttering along at 10MPH on a smooth road on a windless day!\\n\\nIf they would merely add a small set screw to allow to lock the mirror's pivot in place, it would solve the problem.\\n\\nAnd while I wasn't expecting the world for ten bucks, I find it ironic, that I ended up finding a great mirror, which I love, for even less than this hunk-O-guano!! If youi want a great mirror for your drop-bar road bike, get this instead: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Pro-Road-Warrier-Bar-End-Mirror/dp/B00C44QAOK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Pro Road Warrier Bar End Mirror</a>\\n\\nOn the other hand, if you're a hipster, this mirror may be the next big trend! -Not as a safety device; but as a bicycle-fashion accessory! Picture it flapping uselessly in the breeze on a fixie with pink wheels and green tires, as the hipster-rider blows a red light on the way to the IPO-selling cafe in the regentrified neighborhood! Yes, this could be the next hipster trend! Remember where you heard it! In fact, if you already own one of these, instead of throwing it away, you may want to hold onto it, because if CatEye ever fixes the problem, these floppy useless ones will no-doubt be a hot commodity on that big auction website, and once they become scarce, will probably sell for six-hundred bucks, right up there with ancient horn-rimmed glasses and 1970's polyester disco shirts!\",\n \"Product: The Halo I is the original headband that started it all. The design is a headband that ties in the back to create a custom fit for the wearer and includes all the features that make Halo Headbands the best functioning headbands on the market. Dryline Fabric and the patented Sweat Seal Grip Technology make this headband popular with cyclists, runners, lacrosse players and any athlete looking for a custom fitted headband. Will not lose shape, form, or stretch out. Made in the USA, one size fits both men and women.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: It Really Works- Even 100*F Temps!\\n\\nReview: I purchased this mainly to keep sweat out of my eyes when I ride my road bike. This is the only sweatband that has ever worked for me- even when it was 107* ! I quickly realized, that it would also be great to wear while doing work outside on hot days- so I've worn it while building a garage; fixing trucks and doing all sorts of things around the farm.....and I don't know how I ever lived without. It is SO NICE not to continually have to wipe my brow or have sweat dripping my eyes. And it keeps you dry for HOURS, even in hot, humid weather; even while doing strenuous activities. This is one GREAT product! I only wish I would have discovered it sooner! (Plain old sweatbands wouldn't work on me for more than 10 minutes!)\",\n \"Product: Hydro Flask's insulated water bottles are made of high quality food grade 18/8 stainless steel. The bottles have no liner (like most aluminum bottles) and are BPA free. Unlike plastic water bottles or single wall stainless bottles, Hydro Flask will keep your beverage of choice at your preferred temperature for hours, whether you choose hot, cold or room temperature liquids. All Hydro Flask products feature a lifetime warranty and are double wall vacuum insulated. They are designed to be lightweight, making them great for long hikes, days on the beach, hot yoga classes, golf, long road trips or everyday office use. Even when filled with ice, the exterior of your Hydro Flask will never leave a puddle on your desk, drip on your shirt, or sweat in your bag.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fits Standard bicycle Bottle Cages - Keeps Drinks Nice'N Hot!\\n\\nReview: I bought this to keep coffee/tea warm on winter bicycle rides- and it does a great job of it. Seems a little expensive for what it is; and considering the fact that to use it for cycling or pretty much any sport, you need to purchase a Klean Kanteen Sport Cap 3.0<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Sport-Cap-3-0/dp/B00BIPJXNG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Sport Cap 3.0</a> in order to be able to drink directly from it without removing the cap and letting the heat out.... But it's still the most inexpensive and best alternative for keeping drinks warm on a bicycle- as all the other decent double-insulated bottles which fit water-bottle holders, cost substantially more. [Klean Kanteens cost almost as much, but they're only single-wall- not double).\\n\\nIt fits nicely in my bottle cage; and is not as heavy as I expected it to be [That's a GOOD thing!]\\n\\nA quality product- no complaints! (I'm sure it does a great job of keeping stuff cold, too- but for that I use insulated plastic bottles- but those were not keeping my drinks warm for more than half an hour! The Hydro-Flask keeps it warm for hours!]\",\n \"Product: Acrylic convex mirror\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Best Mirror But Breaks Easily. Remedied & Improved With Easy Modification\\n\\nReview: I got a newer bike recently, and was stressing over the fact that my beloved Mirrycle STI-mounted mirrors do not fit 2010 and newer brifters; so I decided to try 4 different mirrors, hoping to find one that would be to my liking. The other three mirrors were garbage- but this simple bar-end mirror won the contest! In-fact, I now prefer it to the Mirrycle!\\n\\n*It stays put.(Even at 30+MPH/in the wind/on roughish roads)\\n*It offers a good-sized viewing area (better than other bar-ends)\\n*It couldn't be easier to install (Comes with two different \\\"plugs\\\" so will fit different sized bars)\\n*It doesn't protrude out to the side- so it does not get in the way.\\n*It looks good- doesn't \\\"fred-up\\\" your nice bike.\\n*It's rather aero.\\n*It offers a quick convenient view whether you're riding on the hoods or in the drops.\\n*It's inexpensive!\\n*Has largest viewing area compared to others of this style- i.e. much bigger than The Italian Mirror; bigger than Sprintech; etc.\\n\\nAnd surprisingly, I find it easier and quicker and more natural to take a glance at this mirror, than I did with the STI-mounted Mirrycle! You'd think with the STI-mounted Mirrycle, it would be quicker to use, not having to look down as far- especially when riding the hoods- but NO! -this baby is actually more natural to use, as instead of having to turn your gaze down a bit and to the side, with this, all you need do is a quick glance down (You don't have to turn your head at all). In the drops, it's even easier!\\n\\nAlso, even though the mirror surface is smaller than the Mirrycle, I find I get a better view, because of the lower position. With this mirror, it's all road view, as opposed to my left arm.\\n\\nI had had reservations about getting this kind of mirror, because I'm blind in one eye, and a real Mr. Magoo with the other- but this mirror is still large enough that even I can get a good view- and if it works for me, it'll definitely work for you!\\n\\nGreat product; I'm ordering another one for my older bike- I'm actually going to replace the Mirrycle on that bike with one of these, as I prefer it's view, and unobtrusiveness.\\n\\nUPDATE: Well, that was fast! These things DO BREAK EASILY! I was just fooling around with mine, in the house, and the stem of the mirror snapped-off right at the little ball on which it swivels. I like this mirror so much though, that I drilled-out both the stem and the little swivel-ball, and put put in an eighth-inch metal dowel (cut from a nail with a pair of Vise-Grips...) and JB Welded it all together- she's nice'N sturdy now! I also completely covered the swivel ball in a layer of JB Weld, to give it a little more diameter, so it stays in-position even better in it's socket when mounted on the bike- Now it's really rock solid! They really need to make these beefier though- I don't see them lasting long under normal useage, without the above modification. I'm planning on buying a few more of these, but I'm not even going to wait for the new ones to break- I'll just saw the stem off at the ball and modify them as I described above. Still a good deal though, considering all the other mirrors out there- 90% of which are useless. -And at least they're cheap.\",\n \"Product: Designed for speed, the Vero crank features AL6061-T6 cold forged solid crank arms mated to a AL7075 T6 stamped chainring. The Vero is compatible with JIS square taper bottom brackets.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Light; Stiff; Shifts Great. What More Could You Want?\\n\\nReview: It's light; it's stiff; It shifts fine! I'm using this crankset with 9-speed Dura Ace on my old Klein, which I needed to convert to a compact crank, because the hills were killing me. Had to play with bottom brackets- as the chainline wasn't right for my bike with the bike's 115mm BB and this crankset- but going top a 110mm BB solved the problem (and this crank does specify a 110mm). For a low-priced crankset, it is outstanding. Even mashing up the hils, out of the saddle, there's no flexing. I was leery, considering the fact that FSA also makes the notorious, hated Gossamer crank....but these Veros seem to have none of those problems. And considering that this baby is even lighter than most of the Shimano cranks....you can't go wrong. There's not a whole lot of options out there these days if you need a compact for square-taper JIS- It was a choice between this, and the Velo Orange....and the Velo Orange was 3 times the price; and I didn't like the looks of it- so I took a chance on this, and it worked-out fine. Seems like a downgrade from the Ultegra crankset the bike came with....but it works just as well- and that's what really matters.\",\n \"Product: Based on the incredible true story of amateur cyclist Graeme Obree, who breaks the world one-hour record on a bike he made out of washing machine parts.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: One Of The Worst Movies...EVER!\\n\\nReview: As an avid cyclist myself, how could I go wrong with a movie about cycling? Well, it was easy...I bought THIS movie! Boring; poorly made; You can't understand half the dialogue for the thick Scottish accents (and I'm usually great at understanding even foreigners with broken-English and thick brogues!); It was formulaic; There's no reason to identify with or have any empathy for the characters; and it seemed like half the movie consisted of the riding of a bicycle around in circles. Total waste of time- not one redeeming quality! It's as if someone assembled a series of images and cheap video clips for a Youtube video! SPOILER AHEAD - STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THE SPOILER -\\n\\n** SPOILER** I was really wishing that the main character had succeeded when he tried to commit suicide! It would have been a bigger accomplishment than beating some record for riding a bicycle around in a circle.....\",\n \"Product: The Simpsons - The Complete Ninth Season (Collectible Lisa Head Pack)\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Classic Season; ONE COMPLAINT\\n\\nReview: Another great classic season of The Simpsons, from when the show was still at it's creative best!\\n\\nThere is one thing I do not appreciate: I LOVE the commentaries that accompany EVERY episode- as you can imagine, the people who are responsible for making The Simpsons, are quite entertaining and informative. Having these commentaries is like getting double the value for your money, because the commentaries are as good as the actual show; and over the years, I've actually watched the commentaries multiple times. So what's my complaint, you may ask?\\n\\nMy complaint is that Yeardley Smith is on more commentaries in this season than any other thus far! Don't get me wrong, I love what Yeardley does with the Lisa character- I think she is great as a voice actress.....BUT (and I'm sorry to say) the woman is a dolt! All she seems to do on the commentaries, is ask idiotic questions. It's as if one of the other commentators brought in their 5 year-old daughter!\\n\\nSheesh! We listen to these commentaries to learn what goes on behind the scenes, and to be entertained by the witty people who make this show. Listening to a grown woman, who is actually involved in the show, ask the other crew members idiotic questions that even children know the answer to, is just a waste, and an embarrassment.\\n\\nI mean no disrespect, but it's the truth. For goodness' sake, if anyone connected with the show should happen to read this, PLEASE, for the love of Gawd, DON'T have Mrs. Smith on future commentaries- if for no other reason than to preserve her dignity!\\n\\nI'm sure I can't be the only one who feels this way. If others reading this agree with me, please add a comment. Thanks.\\n\\nEverything else about this season is a \\\"10\\\"! Buy it! It's a classic that will endure for many years. (And from the days when they still packaged these DVDs in normal and sturdy DVD cases!)\\n\\nEnjoy!\",\n \"Product: Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer. With some of the most memorable characters ever on TV, Sam, Diane, Rebecca, Woody, Cliff, Dr. Crane, Carla and Norm, brought the social exchanges of the quirky patrons of a Boston tavern into millions of homes for 11 hit seasons. Tip your glass to this complete series set of 269 episodes on a whopping 45 DVDs. 1982-1993/color/110 hrs., 20 min/NR/fullscreen.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Light Entertainment Which Makes You Laugh!\\n\\nReview: Back years ago, when my TV was still connected to the outside world, I used to watch the syndicated reruns of Cheers at 11PM, just as something to watch and wind-down by. It was never my favorite show- but it was always watchable; entertaining; and made ya laugh. In recent years, I'd been hearkening back to memories of watching Cheers, and wishing that I had the series on DVD- but alas! In the past, the price of the series on DVD was just too high to justify. Naturally, when I saw this complete series set offered for under 60 bananas on Amazon, I grabbed it- and I'm glad that I did!\\n\\nIn my opinion, this show's appeal lies in the fact that it can make you laugh out loud quite often; and just transport you to a different world, apart from the current reality- which is what entertainment is supposed to do; but which most modern forms fail to achieve. And while I often don't like clichd story arcs- I have to say that with Cheers, the Sam and Diane romantic story arc was very well done, and even keeps ME interested! And the beauty of it is, instead of concentrating on that one arc, the producers wisely just kept it as one aspect of the show, while giving equal weight to the other characters. Well-done!\\n\\nAnd, much like Three's Company, this is also one of those rare shows which is good right from the very beginning. It hits it's stride right off the bat in episode one; and the characters are already fully developed. A rare feat, successfully pulled off only by the real veterans of good TV comedy!\\n\\nI see some other reviewers complaining about the packaging. Personally, I have no problem with the packaging. It is more than adequate for storage and normal use; the DVDs are easy to access; and my mailman even dropped the box on the ground from his car, while trying to hand it to me while i was on my tractor- and it did it no harm.\\n\\nAll in all, I am very glad that this series is now available in it's entirety for such a low price; and that the packaging is not bulky or gawdy, like some shows which come in novelty packaging!\\n\\nIf you're looking for good old-fashioned entertainment to just sit and watch and relax to at night; which will take your mind off of reality and make you laugh...this is it! (I don't know what it is- even though in real-life i despise bars, and would never patronize one- there is something very comforting about this show!)\",\n \"Product: Kang and Kodos invite you to add this Emmy Award winning season to your collection filled with your favorite guest stars (Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz, Tony Hawk, Blink 182, and more) and exclusive features that will satisfy your hunger. The Simpsons Season 14 is available on Blu-ray and DVD.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Surprisingly Good For A Late Season!\\n\\nReview: As I've seen the quality of The Simpsons decline over the previous two seasons, I was very hesitant to buy season 14. I had not seen these episodes before, as i do not have/watch broadcast/cable TV. Being desperate to get a fix of one of my favorite shows, I ordered S14 not expecting much. To my surprise, the quality of this season is an improvement over the last 2 seasons- and a big improvement over season 13.\\n The commentaries (one of my favorite features of the DVDs- and alone worth buying the DVDs for) are again relevant and entertaining (In S13, they seemed like they had stopped caring and had run out of steam...but thankfully, these commentaries on S14 are as good as ever).\\n This was the first year they went digital, as far as the actual animation goes...and I have to say, that it looks great. While this season may still not be up to the standards of seasons 2-10, it is definitely getting back on track. The absurd plots of the last few seasons are gone; The disjointed separate \\\"A\\\" and \\\"B\\\" stories are gone- with each episode now centered around one unified storyline.\\n Homer's annoying screaming and bumbling are largely gone (Thank you!)....and many of the things we loved about the classic seasons have returned- like the inclusion of many of our favorite secondary characters.\\n Still, the show is a little flat compared to the classic years; It is not as funny as it once was...and much of the good intellectual humor is still missing...but this is a vast improvement over the crapfest which the show had become over the last few seasons.\\n I can only hope that this trend continues with season 15- and maybe there will yet be some good seasons of the Simpsons to come, which rival the quality of earlier seasons. (If only they'd release seasons in a timelier manner!)\\n So if you have been put off by the declining quality of the past few seasons...cheer up and give this season a try- it is on the rebound! Sure, other than the commentaries, there isn't much in the way of worthwhile extras (But who cares? We have good commentary on EVERY episode!) and they're still packaging this show in the abhorrent cardboard accordion ruin-a-disc cases (at least now they've got little cheesy plastic baggies over the DVDs to protect them from scratches).....but [in Krusty voice] Whadduyah gonna do?\\n After season 13, seeing this season was a relief! While I wouldn't want to pay a high price for this because of the terrible packaging, I got mine for around twenty mazoolahs...so I am satisfied. While this season really doesn't have any \\\"favorite\\\" epsiodes...it doesn't have any real bombs, either...which is an accomplishment for this time period of the show.\",\n \"Product: Season 15 of the hit long-running FOX animated comedy.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Magic Is Back. Almost.\\n\\nReview: I was hesitant to order season 15- not having previously seen any of these episodes, and in light of how bad the last few seasons had been- but desperate for a Simpsons fix, I gave it a shot. You can imagine my surprise, when I popped in the first DVD, and started watching the first ep- a Treehouse Of Horror ep, which are never among my favorites- and lo and behold it was a gem!\\nDitto for many more episodes.\\n\\nWatching the first half of this season, I saw that the crew at The Simpson's seems to have pulled themselves out of the years-long slump that they were in. Most of the magic of the early seasons is back! (The humor; the use of many favorite secondary characters, etc.)\\n\\nO-K, still, a lot of the intelligent wit is still missing....but hey, at least the show is vastly improved from recent years- well...at least that is true for the first half of this season. The second half of this season is where it appears that the crew started running out of steam again. Once again, they start to revert back to plot-centric episodes, where it appears that they put all their effort into the story line, and neglect the humor and the little touches that often make the show so great. (Not that I can blame them- seeing as it so much work to make these shows, and that many of them have been working on this show for so many years...I mean, they're only human.)\\n\\nBut all in all, in my book, half of a good season is better than an entire bad season, so I can't complain (Though I might have, had I paid full price for this season! For half-price- which is what I paid- half a season of good eps seems about right:D)\\n\\nMy biggest complaint about this season: TOO MANY MUSICAL numbers. And I'm not just talking about the one musical episode (Why-oh-why do they torture us by making Yeardley Smith sing??!! Please...PLEASE stop!). The use of popular-music cues over montages is done in just about every episode- to the point of being clich. I mean, such can be effective when done when appropriate, to good effect, and with restraint- but it seems as though the Simpson's crew has started using such as a crutch to merely fill space. (It's showing, guys!)\\n\\nThe BEST thing about this season, is [drum roll].....the COMMENTARIES! Yes! In past seasons, it had seemed like those doing the commentaries had lost interest- but this season, they back to their former glory. I normally enjoy listening to the commentaries as much as/or even more than watching the actual show- and this seasons commentaries were no disappointment. I was in my glory listening to the commentary on every episode. I think writer Tom Gammill was on just about every one...and he is one of my all-time favorites, so that also helped!\\n\\nAgain, like earlier seasons, the commentaries were once again very enjoyable; informative and funny. Kudos to all those who participates, for taking the time to do these commentaries. Some of REALLY enjoy them! (I take back what I said earlier. The price of this season would be justified just for the commentaries, alone!).\\n\\nAll-in-all...at least 10 very good episodes; and all good commentaries- makes this season add up to 75% good content. But I'm giving it 5 stars for the great commentaries! (I should deduct 4 stars for the continuation of the LOUSY packaging!).\\n\\nIf you're a fan of the earlier Simpson's...this season is for you!\",\n \"Product: When widower Mike Brady (Robert Reed) marries a lovely lady named Carol Ann (Florence Henderson), their two families become one. The six children include Carol's Daughters: Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb) and Cindy (Susan Olsen), as well as Mike's sons: Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight), and Bobby (Mike Lookinland). Together with their dog Tiger and quirky housekeeper Alice (Ann B. Davis), this wild clan became the Brady Bunch! From the debut episode with Mike and Carol tie the knot, to the heartwarming series finale, this series is filled with family fun, outrageous outfits, and loads of sibling rivalry. Experience all the chaos and laughter of The Brady Bunch with this 117-episode collection!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This Show Still Holds Up - Better Than Ever!\\n\\nReview: This wasn't exactly my favorite show back in the day, it was just \\\"something to watch\\\", and...O-K, I had a huge crush on JAN when I was a kid [Am I the only one who thought Jan was the hottie? Never did care care for Marcia at all!]- but over the years, I'd often think of this show, not just as being something very wholesome, but as sort of a reminder of the glorious 70's in which I grew up.\\n\\nI really didn't know if the show would be watchable to me, a 56 year old heterosexual male, now- but when I saw this set for less than thirty clams, I figured I'd give it a try, and I am sure glad that I did, because let me tell you, this show STILL holds up! I seem to enjoy it more now than I did when I was a kid!\\n\\nAh! A show that was made when TV networks still cared about not offending the moral values of the mainstream! A show which exudes the seventies, but which is not cheesy or corny or cliched, but instead is a slice of life from the time period in which it was made! Watching these episodes brings glorious memories flooding back! And I even find myself getting some laughs from it!\\n\\nWho'd have thunk it? The Brady Bunch? The BRADY BUNCH! And I'm enjoying it more than ever. (O-K, I'm not going to rush out and tell \\\"the guys\\\"....but I am relieved to be able to confess it here! :D)\\n\\nI find it interesting too, to observe my reactions to the show now vs. then. In some ways my opinions are the same (Cindy is still annoying as hell!)....and in some ways they are different (I now have an affinity for Bobby, and can detect a quality of depth in him- whereas I used to consider him as annoying as Cindy).\\n\\nI'm marathoning these eps, and having a BALL! It just makes me feel so good! (Pssst! Don't tell my friends and business acquaintances. I have an image to maintain!)\\n\\nOh, and if you're buying this series, I guarantee that you would enjoy reading Barry Williams's book: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Growing-Up-Brady-I-Was-a-Teenage-Greg-Special-Collector-s-Edition/dp/0967378508/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg, Special Collector's Edition</a> -I read it 20 years ago- and still remember it, and how much fun I had reading it!\\n\\nAnd, oh, yeah....about the DVD set: It comes in a nice plastic case- not the flimsy cheesy cardboard you'd expect of such an inexpensive set. The discs are rather hard to pry off of the hubs, making it feel like I am going to crack them when popping them out.....but hey, ya can't have everything for this price, eh? Oh...and the picture quality and audio and everything are fine!\\n\\nAll in all: WELL DONE! I bought this just on a lark- for nostalgia really, but it has surprised me as being one of my best DVD purchases in quite some time.\\n\\nUPDATE: The above comments are in reference to seasons 1-4. The show falls apart in season 5- from the very fist episode of the season! I mean, there's Johnny Bravo; numerous eps where they're in plays; talent show; even ballet(!); a terrible ep which was no doubt a spin-off attempt at some primitive multicultural propaganda.....and something i had completely forgotten about: The dreaded COUSIN OLIVER!!!\\n\\nIt's actually kind of funny to watch season 5 though- not that the show is funny, but rather it is like viewing a stereotypical textbook scenario of producers who have run out of ideas/enthusiasm (or just stopped giving a darn) trying everything in the book to maintain a dead show through one more season. Season 5 is a veritable what-not-to-do for anyone embarking on a career in TV production!\\n\\nNo wonder I'd never seen many of these season 5 eps in syndication when i was young....who in their right mind would want to recycle episodes which surely bombed when they initially aired?!\",\n \"Product: you'll be pleased to discover that 'simple' and 'functional' can be used to describe the same device. The TracFone LG 306G Triple Minute Cell Phone is easy and exciting to use, while also giving you everything you need to stay connected with family, friends and a world of entertainment. This TracFone Triple Minutes for life phone offers the essentials without demanding too much from its user - with features that help you connect like swift texting, web browsing and instant email access. This phone provides easy access to your social life, without the complication of bells and whistles to slow you down. Keep moving forward with the TracFone LG 306G Triple Minute Cell Phone and let it be your go-to phone whenever you need to reach out and jump right into action.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Phone. Tracfone? Best For Cheap Occasional Use\\n\\nReview: Let me start off by saying that I HATE cell phones! I keep one just for use on very rare occasions, when I absolutely must make or receive a call while I'm out -and since pay-phones have vanished from the landscape. As such, I just need a phone that makes and receives calls, and which is as cheap as possible to maintain service on, since I literally only use my phone maybe 3 or 4 times a year (I don't even turn it on unless I'm specifically expecting a call, or want to make a call). Of course, for my purposes, this phone is more than adequate. It's got a bunch of other features which I couldn't care less about, and will likely never use (except for the camera, which is always nice to have). It's easy to use, and works well.\\n\\nUnlike all of my previous Tracfones, this is the first one that actually connects to your computer, via an included USB cable, and is seen by the computer as a mass storage device. That could come in handy- and at least makes it possible to retrieve photos and videos from the phone. (On previous Tracfones I've had, the only way to retrieve photos [etc.] was to email them to yourself- which was a SLOOOOOOW process, and eats up airtime- and did not even work 100% of the time! So this is a big improvement.\\n\\nHOWEVER: For every step forward Tracfone takes, it seems to take one step backwards! I received this phone for free from Tracfone as part of their forced migration to 3G service (My old phone is becoming obsolete)- and rather than simply allowing existing customers to pop their existing SIM card into the new phone.....they give us a new SIM card with this phone and merely transfer our old phone number to it. You know what that means? No way to transfer your contacts and other data from the old phone to the new!!!!!\\n\\nFor me, it's not too bad, as I only keep about 7 contacts in my phone- but still, it's a pain having to add them to the new phone manually! I can only imagine what a task this would be for someone who may have 100 contacts and other saved data that they wish to transfer! Still, it works for me, as Tracfone is the only service out there which allows me to maintain cell service for what amounts to $7 per month -and since i use a phone so little, I would not want to pay more.\\n\\nIf you're like me, and just looking for the cheapest cell service available for occasional use, Tracfone is the only real option, and this phone is much more than you will ever need- it's essentially just a notch below a smart phone - without the pitfalls of smart phones. If, on the other hand, you're a person who lives on their phone, you'd be better off just getting a monthly contract from one of the bigger providers.\\n\\nBest thing about this particular phone?: You can set the ringer to ring quite loudly. More so than the last few phones I've had- so you can actually hear it ring while driving and listening to the stereo, or in a moderately noisy environment.\\n\\nAll in all, this is a good phone for anyone who does not want/does not require a smart phone. Tracfone itself?: They provide cheap reliable service (but always with a quirk or two, as noted above) for those of us who just use a phone occasionally.\\n\\nIMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure and purchase your Tracfone from a source who will ship you a phone compatible with the best service in your area. When buying directly from Tracfone, or a responsible third party, they will ask for your zip code, so they can send you a phone and a SIM card configured to operate on the network which provides the most robust service/best coverage in your particular locale (For example, mine runs on the AT&T network)- Tracfone does not have their own network- they lease space from other providers.\",\n \"Product: A petroleum distillate / alcohol based precision cleaner designed as an alternative to CFC based cleaners.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Best Deal! Good Stuff! A Million Uses - Mr Fix-It In A Can\\n\\nReview: Great deal! Previously, I needed some electrical contact cleaner to clean the switch on my furnace (HVAC guy wanted $200 to change the motherboard...all it needed was for the switch to be cleaned!) I ened up getting a MUCH smaller can of similar stuff from Radio Slum...errr....Radio Shack, for $14 (:o !!!!!) -and of course, I went through that little over-priced can very quickly, always finding 100 uses for the stuff- from cleaning the MAF sensor in my truck, to getting the crackling out of a pair of computer speakers by spraying around the volume knob, etc. etc.\\n\\nYou'd be surprised how many things electronic can be rejuvenated/fixed just with a little cleaning away of dust and light corrosion, just with a few shots of this stuff. So naturally, I was elated to find this deal on Amazon, which gives me a good 3 (maybe 4) times as much actual solvent for half the price of the stuff I had bought previously at Radio Slum (I hate Radio Slum...but it was convenient...).\\n\\nThis is a big full-size can, not a little dinky can. -Which is handy, as you will find a million uses for this, even if you're just buying it for one specific use at the moment. Trust me! EVERYONE needs this!\",\n \"Product: The MaxiScan OBDII/EOBD Scanner supports all nine OBDII test modes on all OBDII compliant vehicles to enable technicians to accurately diagnose even the toughest problems. Sophisticated yet easy-to-use, this ergonomic scan tool displays live O2 sensor test data and reads live PCM data stream. It features multilingual menu, large easy-to-read backlit LCD screen and displays DTC definitions on unit screen. This scanner retrieves vehicle information, identifies pending codes, views freeze frame data and easily determines the cause of the Check Engine Light. This scanner comes with built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library and is software upgradeable via internet. It performs modules present test, reads, stores as well as playbacks live sensor data and prints data via PC.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Simply THE Best - Professional Quality\\n\\nReview: Quite simply: This is the best scanner I have ever used! This baby is BETTER than the Actron scanners of comparable feature levels, for a fraction of the price of Actron!\\n\\nPhysically: It's a nice rugged sturdy unit; The buttons work well, with a good tactile feel. The unit does not feel cheap or cheesy at all- it feels solid- which is amazing, considering the low price. ONE CAVEAT: The screw which holds the battery door in position, is not secured to the door in any way...so be careful you do not drop and lose it when installing/changing the battery!\\n\\nAccessing all of the features/navigating the menus is fast, easy and intuitive- No need to even read the manual.\\n\\nConnectivity: I was impressed when hooking up this unit to one of my vehicles, how it instantly communicated with that vehicle- whereas a much more expensive Actron unit had a lot of trouble reading that same vehicle, and required several tries.\\n\\nThe display is easily readable.\\n\\nIt works flawlessly with my OBD II-compatible vehicles (All Ford trucks).\\n\\nI am amazed at the quality, and for such a low price! You can have live data, and snapshot data, etc. just like the pros; just like units costing many more times what this unit costs.....for a price which is less than some units which do nothing except read codes!\\n\\nI was leery of ordering this at first, because of the fact that it offered so much for so little...seemed too good to be true- but it IS true! It does everything it claims to, and looks and feels to be of higher quality than those $250 Actrons which offer the same features.\\n\\nI have not tried the software, as it is not compatible with my Linux OS- so I can't report on that- but I do plan on experimenting to see if there are any work-arounds, like using it like an MSC device on the computer- but even if not, I don't really care.\\n\\nThe very first time I used this, it paid for itself, as it saved me more than it cost, on just that one use! Gotta love it! (For fellow Linux users: I'll update if I make any progress linking it to my computer).\\n\\nI was just about ready to pull the trigger on a $250 Actron, as I wanted \\\"a good one\\\"- but I couldn't resist trying this MaxiScan when I saw the price, and read a lot of positive reviews, here and elsewhere- and saw some videos on Youtube, showing it in use. Now I'm so glad I got this one! Not just because it was significantly cheaper...but because it is better! I know...it's hard to believe, considering the price- but it's true. I like this MaxiScan better than my friend's $1500 SnapOn scanner which I used to borrow!\\n\\nBuy this- you'll love it! No need to look any further.\",\n \"Product: A Mr. Collins original, this classic carnauba/polymerblend is also collinites most durable.Holds up month after month against harmful outdoor corrosives; UV,rain, snow,salt, dust, dirt, grime, bugs, staining and more.Ideal as a winter wax when both lasting shine and all-season/all-conditions protection are equally crucial. Handcrafted and handpoured in the USA.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Real Deal! Look No Further.\\n\\nReview: This is the best wax I have ever used. Now, I am not one to get a product and write a review the next day. I like to see how things perform over the long-haul or their expected lifetime, etc. So I waxed my Excursion with this about 8 months ago, hoping that with a few washes, it would keep it nice over the winter. Note: One can was just barely enough to give my Excursion one coat. If you have a large vehicle, and intend to give 'er two coats (as another helpful reviewer suggests, for awesome looks) then you'll be needing two cans of this.\\n\\nWell, I'm happy to report that this stuff protected my paint very well over the course of late summer, fall and winter. A quick wash, and my Exc. was smooth and shiny again. Looks like It did the day I washed her. Bear in mind, that I'm not some fussbudget who obsesses over detailing my vehicles. Quite the opposite- I pretty much do the minimum required to keep the paint protected- maybe do a decent wash and wax once a year or so, and an interim wash (hose off) a couple of times between- So, rest assured that if this stuff works so well for a neanderthal like myself who lives in a cow pasture in the boonies, it'll likely work even better for you if you're a fussbudget or sissy with a fancy vee-hickle who never leaves the concrete... :D\\n\\nActually, I'm so pleased with this, I'll be giving the Exc. another coat before this one wears off, to protect her from that summer sun, and keep her looking good.\",\n \"Product: Wrap yourself in this comforting blanket of dreamy music and gentle natural sounds, scientifically designed by Dr. Lee R. Bartel to promote delta brainwaves for a deeply restful sleep. Instrumentation includes piano, keyboards, guitars and electric wind instrument.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: AMAZING! It Really Works!\\n\\nReview: UPDATE: I ended up purchasing this, and have had it for well over a year now. I don't use it every night; rather just as an alternate- and my opinion is still the same as expressed below- It REALLY works! I'm only familiar with a few tracks on this recording, because I'm never awake to hear the others! I've been listening to this a lot more recently, just because it is very pleasant and relaxing; it's also good for when you want to read or relax or otherwise just want nice relaxing background music.\\n\\nAnd now.......here' s my original review:\\n\\nYou may think this is \\\"cheating\\\", as I have not even ordered this CD yet- ....but....just listening to the little sample excerpt tracks here on Amazon, I almost fell asleep! [Bear in mind, it's not even 8:00PM...I don't go to bed till 1:00AM or later, and I had an easy day and am not even remotely tired!]- I feel ready for bed after just having listened to those few minutes of samples! Amazing!\\n\\nI've been using a CD while in bed, as I am very sensitive to noise- and although I moved from New York City to a very rural area, the sound travels out here, and I hear trucks on the main highway, even though it's three miles away...and all kinds of other noises...so I started using a CD to block out the random noises. I see one of the other reviewers complaining about the background bass on this CD, but for someone like myself, I find that bass a GOOD thing, as it helps block out the low-frequency noises (which are predominantly what the local noises are) and does so with the CD at a lower volume, than if you didn't have that bass.\\n\\nSo I find this CD of great value both for the sleepy mood it puts you in [Boy, does it!] and for it's ability to block noise, and at a low volume.\\n\\nCan't wait for mine to come!!!! [I want to go to bed now....I NEVER go to bed this early, and am not going to...but just the fact that this made me so relaxed, calm and tired-feeling, is a testament to how effective it is!]\\n\\nG'night....\\n\\nPS: One more thing: I see another reviewer has complained about the quality of the piano/pianist- but do bear in mind that this CD is NOT meant to be a music concert; it is not meant to stimulate your senses with good music- it is meant to put you to sleep and NOT stimulate you. (I'm not being critical of that reviewer- he/she may be a trained musician...or maybe it just sounds bad to their ears...but just try and remember that this is not meant to be \\\"music\\\").\",\n \"Product: Enjoy the relaxing \\\"clickety-clack\\\" sounds of riding a train in a vintage 1940's sleeping car over the bolted railroad track of yesteryear. This is not a collection of individual train sound effects or music, but a continuous hour-long soundtrack aboard a real train especially recorded to capture the relaxing experience of passenger train travel. The conductor calls \\\"All aboard\\\" and the porter pulls up the steps and closes the vestibule door. There's a \\\"toot\\\" from the horn as the train eases out of the station.The faint sound of the locomotive's horn blows for railroad crossings with the occasional \\\"ding-ding\\\" of crossing signals as you roll by city streets. The faint sounding of the horn and crossing bells become less frequent as the train accelerates into the desert. If you find yourself dozing off as you listen, the gradual 10-minute fade at the end won't startle you awake. Recorded by Hollywood sound designer and avid rail-fan Ken J. Johnson with state-of-the-art equipment.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Take A Magical Trip Every Night!\\n\\nReview: I LOVE this CD! I ripped this to mp3 and put it on my Walkman, and play it on \\\"repeat\\\" all night, to drown out all the annoying and distracting noises [even here in the country, and living 500' feet from the road, it's gotten very noisy!] and I sleep like a baby! The rhythmical click-clacking of the wheels on the rails; the blowing whistle and the sound of flying past crossing-gate bells is just SO realistic- reminds me of my younger days, commuting on the Long Island Railroad, on the old diesels! I've never actually slept on a train (Unless you count all the times I'd fall asleep on the LIRR :D)...but the thought of doing so has always seemed like the ultimate sleep experience....and with this CD, it is the next best thing to actually sleeping a train. You needn't even put it very loud- I play mine therough computer speakers which I mounted on the wall on either side of my bed...and even at a very low volume, it blocks out external noise and evokes the calmness and pleasure of a ride on one of those great old diesels!\\n\\nThis is not just \\\"sound effects\\\" either- it was recorded on an actual train, decades ago, so it is the real-deal. I have 3 other \\\"noise\\\" CDs...but this is the one I listen to 99.8% of the time...I just LOVE it, and look forward to listening to it every night. At the end, instead of the sound just stopping abruptly- which could jar you awake...it just slowly diminishes and fades out....not that you'll notice, as you'll be asleep long before it gets to the end!\\n\\nIf you're reading this, you must like train sounds and must also be looking for a relaxation/noise-blocker/sleep CD. Well, look no further! You won't find anything better than this! Just order this one....you will love it!\\n\\nIf anyone has any questions, feel free to post them as a comment, and I will be notified via email, and will respond quickly.\\n\\nEDIT: Forgot to mention: The beauty of this CD is, that if you use it as a sleep-aid, it does a better job of blocking out noise than most other atmospheric CDs; because it has a wider range of sounds and frequencies. It is especially good at blocking low-frequency sounds; sounds with a lot of bass- whereas most other atmospheric CDs are lacking in that area. I also find that this CD can block noises at a much lower volume than others, which is great because one does not have to put it so loud that it becomes a distraction. I like to put it at a low level when I'm trying to sleep, to the point where sometimes you almost don't notice it/stop hearting it...and yet it will block the noise (Albeit, the noise I'm trying to block is not loud noise- but yet is very pervasive.). As much as I enjoy things like my Rain In The Country and thunderstorm CDs, I have to say that this train CD does a far more superior job of blocking all the various noises.\",\n \"Product: The Lamy al-star makes writing easier than ever. Made from lightweight, durable aluminum, with characteristic clear gray plastic front section. The attached flexible clip is spring operated and made of brass wire. The rollerball is fitted with exchangeable rollerball refill M 62 black.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: NOT \\\"Scratchy\\\" for an X-Fine. A Superior Pen\\n\\nReview: NICE!! I'm no expert on fountain pens, but I find this pen in extra-fine to be as fine as I need to go (In-fact, my next one will be a fine or medium...) as these pens are of sufficient quality so as not to smudge the details, even if you write small.\\n\\nAesthetically, the pen is very nice to look at and touch; Ergonomically, I like pens with big, thick bodies. This fits the bill. I find it very comfortable to grip and writie with (and I'm a lefty); and most of all, it writes very nicely.\\n\\nSome other reviewers have commented that the extra-fine nib varieties feel \\\"scratchy\\\". I have not found this to be the case. While of course, it is not as smooth as a broader nib would be, it is still very much acceptable for an extra-fine; and compared to many other lesser extra-fines or even fines, i would not call this scratchy at all.\\n\\nI'm using the pen with a Lamy converter and Noodler's black ink, and I am fully satisfied with the results!\",\n \"Product: Parker Ballpoint Pens IM Blue CT S1142352 Regular Imports\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Buy Only If You've Undergone Anger Management Classes!\\n\\nReview: Give this pen to someone who's taking anger management classes if you really want to test them!\\n\\nInitially, this seems like a great pen. Fit and finish is nice; it has some weight to it, and it writes smoothly and boldly. So what's not to love, you ask?\\n\\nWell, the problem is: EVERY GOSH DARN TIME I write with this pen, at some point, it stops writing, and the only way to get it started again is to scribble briskly on a piece of sturdy scrap paper or carboard!!!! Do you know how annoying this is, Parker??? Eighteen bucks for a friggin ballpoint pen, and it does the same thing a fifty-cent pen from the Dollar Store would do?! This is unacceptable!\\n\\nAnd it's not that I just got a lemon on something- as I have 2 Parker ballpoints (and my mother also has one) and numerous refills, and THEY ALL DO THE SAME THING!!!!!\\n\\nI get so frustrated with this piece of junk, that I've actually smashed this pen several times, by jamming it down on a hard surface...but I always end up fixing it. I'll keep it until the refills are used up, then I'll throw it away; or better yet, I'll run it over with my tractor, or smash it with my sledge-hammer!\\n\\nWhy can one not find decent ballpoint pens anymore?! I've ended up switching to Lamy AL-Star fountain pens...... I just use the Parker ballpoints for outside and to keep in my trucks. Shame....that's what you get for an $18 pen!\",\n \"Product: Brand New Genuine Kohler Plain Valve Cover Kit... We are an Authorized Kohler Dealer... Plain Valve Cover Kit Genuine Kohler Part # 24-755-141-S Fits Specific Kohler CH18-CH26, CH620-CH752, CV17-CV26, CV620-CV752, ECH630-ECH749, ECV630-ECV749, PCH680-PCH740, PCV680-PCV740, SV710-SV840, ZT720 & ZT740 Model Engines Genuine OEM Kohler Part If you need assistance locating correct part, Please email Model, Spec and Serial numbers of your engine and we will gladly look up correct parts\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: What's Not To Love?\\n\\nReview: Genuine Kohler; Comes with new bolts (and they're hex- head, instead of torx! Kudos!) and a new gasket; and the price is right. What's not to love?\\n\\nKudos to Kohler for upgrading the bolts to hex head. I had cracked my old valve cover trying to get out the bottom torx-head bolt (near the exhuast) which, on older machines, tends to get welded in, due to the heat from the exhaust I had to chisel off the head and drill out the bolt...what a pain! With these bolts, even if the one gets frozen again, next time I should be able to twist off the head, without breaking the valve cover!\\n\\nDefinitely use some anti-seize on the bolts....or at least on the bottom outboard-side one.....it'll save you a lot of grief in the future.\",\n \"Product: These natural steer muscles are Braided and roasted in their natural juices. Highly palatable, this treat becomes chewy when wet, helps keep teeth clean and provides hours of long lasting enjoyment.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Even The Fussiest Dogs Love These! Big Bag Large Pieces Good Value\\n\\nReview: I used to be able to buy these locally, but for some reason, the stores which used to sell them no longer do, so I got the idea to look for them here on Amazon, and was glad to not only find them, but to find them at a very good price, at that!\\n\\nI give these to my dogs occasionally as special treats, and even the fussiest one LOVES them. I've yet to see a dog who doesn't absolutely love these! For some reason, I always end up getting the fussy dogs- even though they are all rescues from abusive situations, or death-row, or the street! No matter how fussy though, they all love these things better than anything!\\n\\n9oz. may not sound like much, especially for the price- but you get quite a few pieces, and they are nice big slabs- if you've never seen these in-person, they are rather large, and come in a large bag, so they are not too bad of a value. Seeing as how they all love these so much, I just HAVE to buy them! (Bear in mind that I have large dogs, ranging from 60 to over 100 lbs. -if you have smaller dogs, you could even break these up and make them go further!)\",\n \"Product: 3M Peltor Optime 105 over-the-head earmuffs feature double-shell technology to provide effective hearing protection. The 3M Peltor Optime 105 Over-the-Head Earmuff has been developed for effective hearing protection in the most demanding noise environments where noise exposures are expected to reach as high as 105 dBA. The Optime 105 over-the-head earmuff features added mass and volume, plus a unique double-shell earcup design (two cups connected via foam inner layer) to boost the noise reduction throughout the full range of low and high frequencies. The durable stainless steel headband resists bending and warping and distributes weight for a low-pressure fit. The lightweight headband works in conjunction with earcup pivot points that tilt to maximize wearer comfort. Soft, liquid &foam filled cushions help the earmuffs fit comfortably against the head to help provide an effective noise-blocking seal.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Comfortable; Secure Fit; Durable; Quiet. Unbeatable!\\n\\nReview: These are great! I've had the over-the-head version of these for years, but wanted a second pair, so figured I'd give this style a try, so I can wear a hat when appropriate while wearing them. I never had even known that these existed, until I came here intending to purchase another pair of the other style, as I'd never seen these in stores (Actually, I don't even see the other style in stores anymore- so I came here, because those work so well, and are very durable, that I was not going to take a chance with something unknown).\\n\\nSo, anywho...these just work GREAT! They greatly reduce noise; They're sturdy and don't need to be handled delicately (they work in the real world!); and, quite frankly, I find these to be even more comfortable than the over-the-head style, and they stay snug and secure, even while operating equipment like tractors and mowers and weed-eaters, and hopping on and off tractors. I haven't even had to use the over-the-head built-in string thingies....they stay perfectly secure without it.\\n\\nIn short, these are the best ear muffs I've ever had.\",\n \"Product: B01GSCMZTW\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Accepts 18650 Li-Ion Rechargeables Without Mods !!!!!\\n\\nReview: Don't be fooled by the cheaper knock-offs or exaggerated claims of brightness! THIS flashlight is the real deal. Most flashlights may look alike these days, but they are not all created equal! Read on to be illuminated! :D\\n\\nSo, I received this flashlight as a gift, but was horrified when I saw that it takes 3 AAA batteries! It has been my experience that 3 AAA batteries last all of maybe 15 minutes in these flashlights, and then you may as well just throw the flashlight away, unless you want to keep feeding it expensive batteries, as it will just end up sitting in your junk drawer.\\n\\nWell, upon further inspection, I saw the the end cap and the 3-AAA battery pack both had rather large spring-loaded contacts on them, which looked like they would allow for some extra room inside the case. I whipped out one of my 18650 Li-Ion rechargeable batteries, which all of my other flashlights take, and VOILA! It fit perfectly!\\n\\nThe battery quagmire being solved, this is now my favorite flashlight! Why don't they mention that this flashlight is made in such a way that it will accommodate the 18650's which every other LED flashlight on the planet these days takes? Ya'd think they'd plaster that fact on the box and on the Amazon description page. Just think how many people passed up this flashlight because they, like myself, think that it only takes AAA's?! Ah, the dysfunctionality of modern business!\\n\\nI would never have purchased this flashlight, thinking that it only took AAA's- usually, most other flashlights made to accept triple-A's in that little 3-battery holder, do not accommodate the 18650's.\\n\\nAnywho, as for brightness: Keep in mind that the advertised 600 lumens is is *real lumens* , which translates to about \\\"3000 lumens\\\" in Chinese knock-off parlance. So don't look at some $8 knock off and say \\\"Oh, this one is cheaper and it has 2000 lumens!\\\", because the brightness claims of those cheaper flashlights are greatly exaggerated. I have some of those other exaggerated CREE flashlights, -believe me, this Bell & Mr. Howell is far brighter than any of them.\\n\\nThe Zoom works great! It works smoothly. In flood mode, it illuminates a HUGE area. And in spot mode, it sharply illuminates a good sized area, far away. And of course, you have all the permutations between the two extremes.\\n\\nAnother great thing about this flashlight is the switch. On the $8 knock-offs, the switches fail quickly- they're always the first thing to go- and that's the end of the flashlight. Also, on the cheapies, the switches often cause the light to dim and flutter. Not so with this B&H. The switch appears to be of higher quality, and is rock solid so far. And the nice thing is, every time you turn it on, it's always in full power mode. Not like some pain-in-the-A flashlights where every time you turn them on, they're in the next mode.....so you may turn them on, and it'll just happen to be in strobe mode on that particular time (I have at least one like that- it drives me crazy!!!).\\n\\nI don't know why they have to even have all of these different modes. Really, does ANYONE EVER use the strobe or SOS modes? (Give me the days when flashlights had 2 modes- on and off!)\\n\\nThis flashlight is a little on the heavy side- but hey, for the relatively low price, it's a much higher quality flashlight than the el cheapos; you can't have everything. (Well maybe you could, if you're willing to pay $150 or more for a stinking flashlight, but I will not be doing that! This flashlight is more than adequate for my needs, and is still reasonably priced. )\\n\\ntl; dr; version: Much better than the cheaper knock-offs and rechargeable 18650's will fit right in with no modifications. 600 honest lumens are brighter than 2000 exaggerated Hong-Kong Lumens.\\n\\nSpend the few extra bucks for this over the cheaper knock-offs, it's well worth it.\",\n \"Product: This Stack-on deluxe plastic storage organizer is a heavy duty organizer that can stand up to daily use. Use it to organize small parts in the garage, shop, inside the home or on the go. The lid securely latches so all your contents stay in place.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: These Will Revolutionize Your Small Item Storage!\\n\\nReview: [NOTE: This item was purchased/review written when item was being sold for thirteen bucks and change. As of this edit, it is being sold for over THIRTY bucks! -which is INSANE!]\\n\\nThese things are great! I first discovered these while looking for one of those wall-mounted things with many small drawers, at the local home improvement center. Saw this, and thought \\\"What a great idea!\\\"- Tried one, and then ordered several more here on Amazon.\\n\\nThey're great because you can customize the space to accommodate many different sized items, AND you can just grab the whole box and take it to where you are working, and have all of your hardware/supplies right there on-hand, instead of having to go back and forth to your shop/garage/basement.\\n\\\\\\nYou can't just have one of these! Get a bunch of 'em! I'm making one up just for electrical work; one for plumbing stuff; one for nuts and bolts; one for misc. hardware (Hose clamps; cotter pins; etc.); They're great for around the house too- such as for storage for various chargers; office supplies....arts & crafts/hobbies.....the uses are endless!\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":37,"string":"37"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1772,"string":"1,772"}}},{"rowIdx":1773,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"AFUHVCBFHXB89"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"The 8mm F3.5 Ultra-Wide-Angle Fisheye Lens for Canon EF Mounts DSLR from Rokinon gives you a 180 view with dramatic, exaggerated perspective when used with an APS-C camera, or a circular image floating in the frame when used with a full frame digital camera or 35mm film camera. With hybrid aspherical lenses and multilayer coating, you will produce sharply defined images with a minimum of flare and ghosting. The 8mm manual focus lens focuses as close as 1' 30.48 cm from the lens and has a built-in petal lens hood.\". The summary of the review text is \"Decent lens and reasonable cost\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I'm no professional photographer but do enjoy using a real camera to take pictures when I care about the quality or want to be a little creative. Have always wanted a fisheye lens to play with but always found the price to be a barrier. This lens I stumbled upon before a European vacation on Amazon priced during a \"lightning deal\" at $200 was too good to pass up. It's solidly built and worked fine with my Canon T3i. As others have noted it's a manual only lens with no chip allowing it to \"talk\" with the camera. That said, with this type of lens there's really no focusing, I set my program to Aperature Priority and merely adjusted the F-stop based on ambient lighting and it took nice shots repeatedly. Perfect for panoramic landscape shots and interior spaces. A good value for the money."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I'm no professional photographer but do enjoy using a real camera to take pictures when I care about the quality or want to be a little creative. Have always wanted a fisheye lens to play with but always found the price to be a barrier. This lens I stumbled upon before a European vacation on Amazon priced during a \"lightning deal\" at $200 was too good to pass up. It's solidly built and worked fine with my Canon T3i. As others have noted it's a manual only lens with no chip allowing it to \"talk\" with the camera. That said, with this type of lens there's really no focusing, I set my program to Aperature Priority and merely adjusted the F-stop based on ambient lighting and it took nice shots repeatedly. Perfect for panoramic landscape shots and interior spaces. A good value for the money."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: The Shark Rotator 3-in-1 Vacuum provides incredible suction to get your home as clean as can be. It functions as a powerful upright vacuum for your floors, a lift-away pod for portable cleaning and a convenient canister vac for stairs. It also includes LED lights in the handle and floor nozzle for a thorough clean.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice looking vac with powerful suction and easy maneuverability\n\nReview: My old vacuum cleaner has been losing its effectiveness at 8 years old so time for a replacement. There are a dizzying array of choices available so its tough to know what to buy. Like many I did some research on Consumer Reports website and made a selection or two. To my surprise when reading Amazon customer reviews there were many negative ratings and comments for these supposedly top rated vacs.\n\n Plan B was to base my choice on Amazon reviews which led me to this machine by Shark. To be honest, my only experience with this brand was a cheap handheld vac purchased several years ago which soon burned up so I was apprehensive. This upright bagless model seems to have all the bells and whistles with sealed HEPA filtration, swivel steering, short and long detachable wands, a powered cleaning head, very bright LED lighting, and most importantly powerful suction. My initial impressions are positive; it cleaned efficiently and has 3-settings for hardwood floors (roller/beater off), low and high pile carpeting. Time will tell on its durability and longevity.\n\n On the down side it has a very narrow base of support when upright and easy to pull over when using the wand attachments. Speaking of the attachments, theres only one place on the unit to store the crevasse cleaning tool, the other two tools have to be kept in a provided bag which isn't very convenient. The retaining clip for the hose when not using the wand for cleaning doesnt stay in place leaving the hose flopping around. I missed the part about this vacuum being designed to alternately be used as a canister vac and it comes with a plastic trolley to make the conversion. I have no interest in having a canister vac and will never use this large lump of rolling plastic so what to do with it now? Maybe my cat can ride it around like a skateboard?","Product: Your best shots. Now mobile. Mobi instantly delivers your best photos amp;amp; videos from your camera to your smartphone or tablet. No wireless network required. Mobi creates its own WiFi so it works anywhere you are.Simple to setup. Simple to use. Just install the free Eye-Fi app on your smartphone or tablet to connect the card. Once paired, the card transfers photos amp;amp; videos whenever new content is detected by your device. And, once the transfer completes, the card disconnects its WiFi to save your battery.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Easy way to transfer photos to mobile devices\n\nReview: Got this item for Christmas and had done some reading on its operation on-line which helped as it came with no instructions of any kind (an increasing trend with electronicsjust visit their website!). This version is designed to work only with smartphones or tablets, a different model is required to use with a laptop/desktop. I downloaded the app on my Motorola Ultra phone and new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9. Put the card in my Canon Elph little point and shoot digital camera and started snapping away. The images transferred flawlessly to the device. Very handy, saves time from pulling the card from the camera and plugging into a computer to transfer images for sharing. Only downside another reviewer mentioned is that it will drain your camera battery quicker than usual, but you need some power source to drive the WiFi. Amazing technology when you think about it and I got a price break right before the holidays on Amazon for the 8GB card for only $39.99. Quite pleased.","Product: Listen on a higher level with this 32GB High-Resolution Audio-compatible Walkman that delivers up to 30 hours of studio-like clarity and sound. Listen without distraction with the included Noise Canceling headphones while you immerse your ears in glorious Hi-Res Audio or automatically upscaled versions of digital formats like MP3 and more. Its music like it was meant to be.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Upgrade to older digital music players, transfer of album cover art problematic\n\nReview: Wanted to get this Sony Walkman MP3 music player primarily as it offered Blu-tooth capability and greater storage than my older digital walkman. This player claims to be Hi-Res, I can't say much about that feature as all my digital music is isn't in Hi-Res format. That said the music I do have seems to have better clarity and depth than it did when listened to on my older player...maybe it's just psychological? Overall I am very satisfied with how it works and it's performance. Setting up was simple, just plugged it into my laptop and fired up Windows Media Player and synched everything to the new Walkman. My only complaint is that probably 75% of the album cover art did NOT transfer to the new Walkman. Only recent Amazon downloads appear to have cover art, music ripped from CD's in my collection did not and older downloaded music also is without any cover art. Sony's troubleshooting guide to fix this problem is pretty worthless and suggests removing the music in question and manually reattaching cover art to it and then reloading it onto the player...with hundreds of songs affected not realistic. If you love your cover art, beware.","Product: Filled with action-packed adventures and intrigue... join Hadji in Calcutta Adventure and Pirates From Below.\n\nAnimated, Approximate Running Time 60 Minutes, Color, Not Rated (Suitable for all audiences). Includes Bonus Toons Classic Space Ghost and Johnny Bravo.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Jonny Quest takes me back, still great 5+ decades later\n\nReview: If you are a male of a certain age then nothing other than a Delorean with the flux capacitor option will take you back to the mid 60's faster than watching this DVD set. From the first notes of the familiar JQ theme to the closing credits each 29 minute episode is a delight. I remember all of the adventures and even though I haven't seen the show in decades they still seem relatively fresh and are exciting. My wife is a few years younger than I and never saw the shows when they originally aired and to my surprise she likes them too. I agree with other reviewers that some of the audio editing of certain PC unfriendly dialog is a foul there's not enough of it to be intrusive. Between watching Jonny Quest and the Man from U.N.C.L.E. I feel like I'm back in the 4th grade. If you were a fan of the series then this is a must for your collection!\nUPDATE: April 2018\n Just decided to watch Jonny Quest again after re-discovering it a few years ago and its still a great show even though it is 54 years old. If you look around the internet about the original JQ you will find some critics complaining about how racist it is. Specifically the depictions of African native tribesmen, pygmies, and Hadji are targeted as being blatant stereotypes.\n\n Cmon folks it was 1964 and the fact the show featured a person of color as a main character was ground breaking. Ill concede there are some cringe-worth moments with Hadji; using a flute to tame poisonous adders or doing a rope levitation trick, but at the time those tropes squared with what we saw in National Geographic. Of course NG now is issuing apologies about their racist portrayals of indigenous peoples. Maybe if Dr. Quest had been captured by the Wakandans instead of the Po-Hos hed probably have received some needed cultural enlightenment instead of narrowly escaping from being roasted alive by burning coals in a pit; you have to view this in the context of 1964. Also today Dr. Quest and Race would be under investigation by CPS for all the perilous situations they put Jonny and Hadji in. And really, shouldn't Bandit have been on a leash?!\n\n Jonny Quest is a well written animated series with sophisticated storylines, terrific artistry, Bond-worthy villains, and technology that was ahead of its time that holds up decades later. It features one of the best ever musical themes and scores that really pumps up the viewers adrenaline. Jonny Quest is well worth seeing for baby boomers looking to indulge in a nostalgic look back and newcomers interested in discovering an old school adventure cartoon that appeals to adults as well as kids.","Product: \"Get ready for fun!\" (Leah Rozen, People) with the \"feel good movie of the year!\" (Clay Smith, Access Hollywood) Love Actually is the ultimate romantic comedy from the makers of Bridget Jones's Diary and Notting Hill. Funny, irresistible and heartwarming, an all-star cast (Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson, to name a few!) will take you on a breathtaking tour of love's delightful twists and turns. Fall under the spell of Love Actually and share the laughs and charm again and again.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Mediocre actually & NOT a Christmas movie\n\nReview: Although Love Actually came out in 2003 it never made my viewing list until recently when I saw it on some click bait collection of favorite Christmas movies. Having seen it, all I can say is that people who consider this a Christmas movie are the same folks that find NYPD Detective John McLane taking down terrorist Hans Gruber at the Nakatomi Tower on Christmas Eve in Die Hard festive holiday fare. Setting the story against a holiday backdrop does not a Christmas movie make.\n\n This film is one of those large ensemble cast rom-coms with plenty of stars burdened by a trite script and not a whole lot of substance ever really happening. Sure it has its charms and some endearing moments and gets a little better as it goes along. The basic plot is about eight different couples and their often troubled relationships set during the holidays in the U.K.\n\n Viewers need to beware that theres a surprising amount of nudity that may offend some. Martin Freemans character is a stand-in for porno actors and there are a number of scenes of him on-the-job that will likely be off-putting to some audiences, definitely not kiddie fare! Overall Love Actually was just OK and worth a look but certainly won't be joining other holiday favorites on my must-see list.","Product: Nominated for 3 Golden Globes(R), including Best Television Limited Series, and featuring a phenomenal cast, FARGO returns for a critically acclaimed second season. Set in 1979, this all-new \"true crime\" saga kicks off with violent foul play at a South Dakota Waffle Hut. In a flash, the case ensnares a small-town beautician (Golden Globe(R) nominee Kirsten Dunst*), a Minnesota state trooper (Golden Globe(R) nominee Patrick Wilson**) and a local sheriff (Ted Danson) - all set against the backdrop of an explosive Midwestern mob war. Is FARGO Season Two chock full of riveting suspense, brilliant performances and darkly hilarious humor? You betcha.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Hon, did you stab the hostage?- More fun in Season 2 of \"Fargo\"\n\nReview: FXs award winning Fargos second season continues with its signature blend of taking plain folks and through an unfortunate twist of fate embroiling them in murder and mayhem. Sure, much of it is just absurd and since its a Coen Brothers franchise there are bizarre elements like repeated visits of UFOs and Gov. Ronald Reagan campaigning for president that seem irrelevant. But, who cares since the sum of all the seemingly discordant parts is great entertainment. An incredible cast of A-list stars who embrace their parts completely sell the story.\n\n You can read plot summaries elsewhere so in brief, in 1979 Fargo, ND the Gerhardt family business is organized crime operating from their fortified ancestral farm. Youngest son, Rye (Kieran Culkin) trying to facilitate a deal with a local typewriter shop owner attempts to strong arm a judges decision regarding a back tax issue. His efforts catastrophically fail resulting in multiple homicides and his own demise and involving the innocent Blumquist family. Concurrently the Kansas City mob takes this opportunity to launch a hostile takeover of the Gerhardt syndicate and all hell breaks loose to put it mildly. The writing is top-shelf and the story and dialog will demand your attention every episode.\n\n Kirsten Dunst is definitely getting better with age. Not everyone can pull off a Farrah Fawcett hairstyle and a pretty horrible late 70s wardrobe and look good doing it. Her delusional hairdresser and hoarder Peggy Blumquist clearly is unhappy with her life and schlubby spouse Ed the butcher (Jesse Plemons also superb as a man whos helpless in a battle of wits with his witless wife) and hopes a self actualization seminar for women will make her the best me she can be. Events conspire against her however in horrific Fargo style. Dunst is excellent and her attempts to rationalize her actions in a later scene opposite Ted Danson (Sheriff Hank Larsson) are enthralling. Danson is amazing as well (as usual) and the incredulity on his face listening to this woman he thinks he knows is priceless.\n\n As mentioned, this cast is so good; Jean Smart as the Gerhardt family matriarch is marvelous in her subtle portrayal of a criminal enterprise leader whos not to be trifled with. Its hard to believe this is the same person who was sweet Charlene on Designing Women but she looks like a sinister version of my grandmother. Nick Offerman who Ive been a fan of since Parks & Recreation, plays the best (and only) lawyer in town and makes the most of a secondary role chewing the scenery whenever hes on screen. Likewise, Zahn McClarnon who portrays the lethal Native American Gerhardt henchman Hanzee is short on dialog but long on action delivers a strong performance. Id be remiss not mentioning Patrick Wilson who plays State Trooper Lou Solverson, the younger version of Keith Carradines diner owning father of Officer Molly Solverson from Season 1. His task is quite a challenge in imagining what this much younger version of Lou should be without doing a Carradine impression and he pulls it off admirably.\n\n And theres more; Burn Notice fans rejoice; this season gives us not only Jeffery Donovan as the Gerhardts eldest son Dodd but Bruce Campbell in a surprisingly restrained turn as none other than Ronald Reagan. From watching the bonus features its impressive how much energy Campbell put into his characterization of the late president for what amounts to a fairly small role. Personally I didn't see the point of including Reagan in the story but have to admit that Campbell made his appearance a treat. Donovan deserves credit for taking on a role thats a far cry from the suave, super spy he made famous on seven seasons of Burn Notice and as Dodd hes both menacing and at times amusing. Wikipedia reports he gained 30# transforming for the part and had to suffer a laughable hairstyle and worse wardrobe. No Oliver Peoples $450 sunglasses with this guy.\n\n The last 20 minutes or so aren't all that exciting and something of a letdown but do wrap up a few loose ends. The Kansas City mobster dispatched to take out the Gerhardts, Mike Milligan (Bokeem Woodbine) winds up getting a promotion for his hard work reminiscent of the same fate suffered by Vic Mackey in The Shield. His reaction to getting a tiny office in an corporate building instead of something more exciting is funny and a fitting outcome for him.\n\n The look and feel of the show captures the era with the kind of precision youd see in Mad Men. I was in college in 1979 and vividly remember the cars and clothes. On occasion a bit of anachronistic language creeps in (Dont over think it for example) but its very rare. One thing Im conflicted about with this season is the music; it seems they're trying too hard to be clever and campy with many of the selections. Rather than accent the on-screen action in some cases its just distracting. I also felt the whole UFO thing was just unnecessary and an attempt to burnish the series quirky cred, almost like a device youd expect from Twin Peaks. Small complaints Ill admit and they don't diminish my recommending this series highly. Theres a bit of bad language and of course plenty of bloodshed so beware if you're easily offended by those elements.","Product: The master thieves of TNT's hit drama Leverage are back for another high-voltage season of expert cons and action-packed heists. Following the destruction of their operational headquarters, Nate Ford (Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton) and his highly skilled team of con artists reunite to take down the corrupt bigwigs. In Season Two, the Leverage team sets out to recover millions of dollars lost in a Ponzi scheme, stage a deadly virus outbreak, and go head-to-head against a rival crew of slick thieves. To fight the criminal underworld, the Leverage team knows the high-tech tricks of the trade to get the job done. Sometimes it's good to be bad. This 4-disc DVD set of LEVERAGE: The 2nd Season includes 15 riveting episodes and is packed with cool special features.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The rich and powerful take what they want, we steal it back for you!\n\nReview: Having enjoyed season 1 immensely I immediately started watching the second season of Leverage. The cliffhanger ending from last season had the team scattered and on the run from the authorities. After a shaky and contrived first episode reuniting the team things settle back into the successful formula that makes this show a blast. Gina Bellman who plays \"grifter\" Sophie has a diminished role due her pregnancy but her high heels are ably filled by Star Trek Next Generation bombshell, Jeri Ryan. The character development of the rest of the crew moves along nicely and the season wraps up with Sophie back but Nate (Timothy Hutton) makes a deal to give himself up for his team to get a pass. The dialog is crisp and the cons are slick as Team Leverage helps out folks with no other recourse. If you like caper type shows then Leverage delivers. On to Season 3 of this fast paced show.","Product: Mad Men S3(Br)\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Continued adventures in advertising circa 1963\n\nReview: Mad Men continues to deliver in it's third season with many unexpected twists and turns. Some negative reviewers complain about the slow pacing but perhaps they're not appreciating the deliberate evolution of the characters and the plot. Spoilers ahead; Betty discovers Don's secret past, a British firm buys out Sterling/Cooper and then after their Brit efficiency expert raises the value of the firm it's sold leaving everyone's future in question. Don has an affair with one of his kids teachers, Betty takes up with a political fixer for Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and decides to divorce Don despite recently having a baby boy with him. Peggy has a relationship with Duck Phillips , and we get to meet famous hotelier Conrad Hilton who gives Don his account for the agency but turns out to be a high maintenance client. Ultimately Don, Bert Cooper, Roger, Lane Pryce, decide to start their own agency through clever maneuvering bringing along Pete Campbell, Peggy, Harry Crane, and Joan operating out of a hotel suite. Once again Matt Weiner provides a rich script chock full of engrossing story lines that are artfully blended together along with his eye for detail capturing the era to perfection. There are reasons that \"Mad Men\" garnered all the awards and acclaim that it has and Season 3 provides ample proof.","Product: After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell-bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches...their past.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not Your Bedtime Story Hansel & Gretel\n\nReview: Watched this for laughs through my Prime account. Strictly a park your brain movie that starts with the rough outline of the famous fairy tale we all know. Our heroes young Hansel and Gretel escape the clutches of the so-called Candy Witch and dispatch her leading them to make an obvious career choice to become witch bounty hunters. Jeremy Renner must have owed someone a favor to take on the role of the diabetic (from OD'ing on sweets at the Candy Witch's cottage) Hansel. I never heard of Gemma Arterton until this film but she looks fetching in tight leather pants and seems to be enjoying herself. Famke Janssen plays the main villain, some sort of super witch who manages to keep a straight face spouting all sorts of mystical mumbo-jumbo. There's lots of CGI gore and a troll named Edward too. You get plenty of anachronistic language (occasional F-bombs for example) and weapons that employ technology at least 100 years in the future of the setting. Hansel even gives himself insulin injections! I kept waiting for a witch to pull out an i-Phone. Escapist fare and not for little ones due to the language and blood & guts.","Product: There's trouble in paradise for former CIA operative Michael Westen and his cohorts, and the streets of Miami are hotter--and deadlier--than ever before in the action-packed, adrenaline-charged sixth season of Burn Notice! In hot pursuit of his old nemesis, Michael must take down Anson Fullerton and find a way to free Fiona from prison, where she is being targeted by a murderous foe. Michael goes full force to save Fiona as he takes on cold-blooded assassins, diabolical drug cartels, uneasy alliances, and explosive danger at every turn, until an unthinkable tragedy leaves him reeling and rocks his team to the very core.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Another great Season of Burn Notice\n\nReview: Season 6 of Burn Notice makes up for a somewhat less than stellar Season 5. Personally I have never liked the plot device of inserting a primary character in prison. Sure it's understandable that writers want to amp up the drama by putting someone viewers care about into jeopardy but the prison scenario has been overdone and is so full of cliches that it's painful to watch. The season of the excellent \"Justified\" where Ava Crowder was in jail was the worst- everytime the action switched to that storyline it was tedious. That said, my fears for more of the same this season with Fiona in prison were not assuaged by the first few episodes. Fiona went through the usual prison stuff (threatened by other cons, dealing with corrupt guards, etc.) and it looked bleak but happily Matt Nix and company bail her out after a few episodes. Afterwards the show really picks up steam and was back to the great action packed series the fans love. Some crazy things happen and the killing off of a significant recurring character was quite a surprise too. So glad Nix and his team have redeemed this great series and I'll be sad to watch the final Season 7 knowing it's all over. Surprising technical glitch was when gun-happy Fiona threatens to give a guy a \"9mm tracheotomy\" when she's holding a Walther PPK on him. The problem is the PPK is not chambered for 9mm; .22 and .380 yes, but no 9mm.","Product: Directed by Sam Mendes. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Maybe JB is really dead???\n\nReview: If Bond isn't dead, maybe he should be which is how this installment starts out. I swore I'd never watch another of the new generation Bond films after the bleak \"Quantum of Solace\". However, I was lured back by the promise of a return to the \"old\" Bond style with \"Skyfall\" and when they rolled out the iconic Aston Martin DB5 from \"Goldfinger\" they had me.\n\nThe franchise is still broken, though this 007 adventure is the best of the three Daniel Craig films. The new Bond still lacks the wit and humor of old, not a double entendre to be seen within miles of this script. Not much of a story, the villain not too scary, virtually gadget-less (a PPK with palm print recognition and a not-so-small radio transmitter), and then there's the car. The current franchise clearly hates the 007 cars; they were quickly destroyed in the beginning of the previous 2 stories. This time when Bond rolls the DB5 out from a storage unit and you hear the Bond theme you're thinking good things are coming...then again, maybe not. Other than joking with M and fiddling with the ejection seat switch and later deploying the bumper mounted machine guns against the bad guys (with the car parked) he merely takes M for a leisurely drive through the Scottish countryside. Supposedly they're hiding from villain who's out to kill M but once the get to Bond's remote boyhood home they make no effort to conceal or camouflage the car and just leave it parked out front. All manner of elaborate booby traps are made but they don't do anything with the car, I thought spies were all about deception? They say at the end that \"James Bond Will Return\", sadly I don't think that I will.","Product: Import Blu-ray/Region B pressing. Returning for it's sixth season, Mad Men, four-time Primetime Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series and winner of three consecutive Golden Globes, explores the glamorous and ego-driven \"Golden Age\" of advertising in the late 1960's New York City. Don Draper (Golden Glober - winner Jon Hamm) and the rest of the award-winning cast continue to captivate as they deal with the aftereffects of adultery, divorce, a merger, and an ever changing social climate.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The SCDP gang and the turbulent year of 1968\n\nReview: Once more Matt Weiner & Co take us back in time to the heyday of Madison Avenue advertising in the 1960's and the world of serial philanderer Don Draper (Jon Hamm). As this series is coming close to it's conclusion things continue to evolve with all of the central characters. Don is richer than ever living the high life in a Central Park high rise suite with his much younger actress wife Meagan (Jessica Pare). Naturally Don's not satisfied, continues to have liasons with other women and his drinking is becoming problematic even by the booze soaked standards of the time. He is slowly self-destructing and it's painful to watch. The agency of Sterling, Cooper, Draper & Pryce in a surprising business move to woo Chevrolet merges with competitors Cutler, Gleeson, & Chaough (where Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) defected to at the conclusion of Season 5). Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) is still a self absorbed jerk and is separated from his wife, moves into his little NY bachelor pad and deals with his mother's worsening dementia. Joan (Christina Hendricks) despite being a partner still struggles for respect from her colleagues and co-workers. Roger Sterling (John Slattery) copes with the death of his mother and being a single guy again and trying to maintain relevance in his own company. Oh, and little Sally Draper's (Kiernan Shipka) is growing up fast challenging both of her parents. She learns some unsavory truths about her father and now seems to loathe him as much as she does her mother Betty.\n\n If 1967 was the so-called \"Summer of Love\" than 1968 should be labeled the \"Year of Hate\" as this season repeatedly reminds us. Though just a grade schooler back then I vividly remember the assasinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King as well as the Chicago riots during the Democratic National Convention; events which serve as a backdrop for season 6. The special features include an interesting interview with the set designers and prop managers who must be applauded for their ability to take viewers back to this era so authentically. In one scene Betty is sitting on a step stool in her kitchen while talking on the phone; we had the same stool in our kitchen and seeing something so mundane brought back many childhood memories. The wardrobe department also deserves kudos for capturing the period so accurately reminding those of us who remember of some of the truly horrible clothes we wore back then.\n\n \"Mad Men\" isn't a cheerful or uplifting show but is an interesting study of a very specific time and place. As a drama it can be a bit \"soapy\" sometimes but like a bad auto accident it's hard to turn away from watching this group of people as they live their lives during this turbulent period. Probably not for everyone but first rate performances and solid writing make this series and engaging program to watch for history buffs and 'Baby Boomers'.","Product: Editorial Reviews\n\n\n\nFormer senator Selina Meyer was a rising star in her party, a charismatic leader with White House potential. Then she became Vice President. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Emmy winner for Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine) stars in Veep, a new HBO comedy series created by Armando Iannucci (Oscar nominee for co-writing In the Loop) that follows the whirlwind day-to-day existence of the Vice President as she puts out political fires, juggles a busy public schedule and demanding private life, and defends the presidents interests, even as she tries to improve her dysfunctional relationship with the chief executive. In eight Season 1 episodes, Veep hilariously skewers and satirizes both the nuances of everyday office politics and the political world in an environment where even the most banal decision from a yogurt flavor to choice of the VP pet can have unexpected and far-reaching consequences.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Adult comedy that skewers D.C. politicos\n\nReview: If you awake one day and suddenly find yourself in need of a primer in conversational profanity, look no further than Season 1 of VEEP. In this vehicle for Seinfeld alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus she plays failed Presidential candidate Selina Meyers whos stuck with the thankless #2 job. The shows kind of like House of Cards in its cynical portrayal of Washington politics minus the sex, murder, plotting, and scheming but with a comedic twist.\n Louis-Dreyfus is excellent and has matured since her days playing Elaine and looks terrific. The mostly unknown supporting cast does a fine job portraying a team of sycophants. The stories involve watching the staff groveling for their high maintenance boss as shes ignored by the POTUS while still trying to make a difference and gain some respect. The writing is good and there are many funny moments watching these dysfunctionals try to govern our nation.\n Back to the language; having spent four years of my military career in the Army where obscenity is the lingua franca of the service I personally don't find this show offensive. I guess in politics, like the Army if you don't punctuate every utterance with the F-word you're just not taken seriously if were to believe this show. Its not as bad as Deadwood but many will have their sensitivities challenged. Despite this I recommend VEEP for an snarky take on life inside the beltway.","Product: Quick Shipping !!! New And Sealed !!! This Disc WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. A multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player is request to view it in USA/Canada. Please Review Description.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Many reason it's disappointing\n\nReview: I grew up in the 60's and was never much of a comic book fan (I read fast so didn't feel I got much bang for the buck) but Marvel's Saturday morning cartoons gave me all I needed on these characters. Iron Man was always a favorite and I thought IM 1 & 2 were excellent. Robert Downey owns the Tony Stark role and really makes these movies worth seeing. Like other reviewers I dislike when these contemporary films feel the need to stray from the source material. I accepted in IM #1 that Tony revealed his identity as Iron Man contrary to the comics, but in IM #3 they've gone too far. The Mandarin was a formidable foe now reduced to a joke. The ending where Tony has surgery to remove the shrapnel threatening his damaged heart and with it the need for the arc reactor (which he tosses into the sea at the end) is bewildering. Why didn't they operate before if they could? Speaking of the arc reactor, it was the power for the suits, so how is Iron Patriot powered (Rhodes doesn't have a reactor in his chest) or all those remotely operated suits? Not sure where they're going with this but I'm worried they'll ruin the franchise (James Bond anyone?). Another disappointment for me was the lack of Iron Man in this film, Tony is outside the suit for much of this story. Why these recent superhero adventures choose to have the key character moviegoers pay to see not appear on the screen is beyond me. The last Batman movie probably the worst example of this trend; when I go to see a movie about Batman, sort of expect to see Batman on screen, not Bruce Wayne nursing a herniated disc in a dungeon for half the movie. Oh well, RDJ makes it fun and it's visually impressive. Hoping for more on Avengers 2.","Product: To win at all costs, sometimes you pay the ultimate price. In the final season of theaward-winning legal thriller, powerhouse attorney Patty Hewes (three-time Emmyand two-time Golden Globe winner Glenn Close) and her ex-protge Ellen Parsons(Rose Byrne) face off in a fatal double showdown: the wrongful death case against acharismatic, international cyber-hacker (Ryan Phillippe, Flags of Our Fathers), and adevastating custody battle pitting Patty against her own son resulting in a series finale asexplosive as it is unexpected. Special guest stars also include Golden Globe winnerJenna Elfman (TVs Dharma & Greg) and Michael Gaston (Inception).\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Disappointing conclusion caps off four preceding seasons\n\nReview: I've been a fan of Damages since it's inaugural season so it pains me to give Season 5 just 3-stars. The story just wasn't as clever as what's precededed it and given this was known to be the final season of the show it failed to give longtime fans the closure that would have satisfied them. The primary plot featuring a sleep walking Ryan Phillippe as an Assange/Snowden-like internet hacker/leaker who's linked to a source who appears to have committed suicide after personal e-mails of hers are leaked. The leaker is played by Jenna Elfman who looks terrific and does a nice job in a non-comedic, albeit small role. A wrongful death lawsuit ensues pitting Patty (a fatigued looking Glenn Close) who represents the woman's daughter and Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) defending Phillipe's character. We're teased with the appearance that this legal drama may finally wind up in an actual court room after five seasons but this never happens. Sub plots involving the ongoing custody battle between Patty and her loathsome son and Ellen's potentially damning testimony also never fulfills it's promise and is clumsily concluded. Also another sub plot regarding Patty and her estranged father and a half-sister lead nowhere. Typical red herrings that suggest Ellen gets killed abound but if you've been watching Damages from the beginning you know better than to believe what you see until the end. We also get Ellen revisiting her near murder from Season 1 and Patty's apparent confession to contracting her killing and this story line really winds up more of a distraction then generating any real answers. At it's conclusion we're left with Ellen abandoning her law practice to raise a daughter and presumable married to her boyfriend Chris from season 4 and Patty who at one point's being considered for a SCOTUS appointment getting away with everything and continuing her \"Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous\" existence. From reading other reviews I'm not alone in having hoped for more after four highly engaging prior seasons.","Product: HOUSE OF LIES is a scathing, Corporate America-skewering comedy about a self-loathing management consultant (Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle) from a top tier firm who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his way with and for his clients.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Morally bankrupt, prurient misadventures in big business\n\nReview: Clearly from the other reviews I'm in the minority here but just can't find much to like about this series. Morally bankrupt business consultant Marty Kahn (played by Don Cheadle and Kahn should be spelled \"Con\") and his \"pod\" spend another joyless season screwing over clients for their company Galweather-Stearn. It still amazes me that Kristin Bell keeps degrading herself in this show playing Jeannie Van Der Hooven along with two other clowns that aid and abet Marty in his dirty dealing in each episode. If the real world of business consulting is anything like this show then I'm surprised their suicide rate isn't higher than it probably is. I'm a very cynical guy but compared to these folks I'm Mr. Sunshine. Those considering this series should be warned there's an abundance of profanity, simulated sex, drug use, heavy drinking, and brief full frontal nudity so if you're sensitive to these things \"House of Lies\" is not for you. One episode features a lengthy (no pun intended), graphic tour of a client's sex toy factory that I could have lived without seeing. It's been said never to confuse vulgarity with wit; advice gleefully ignored by the writing team for HoL. For example in another episode there's an extended joke about a women's genitalia scented cologne with a crass name; if that strikes you as hilarious then you've come to the right place. So, I'm done with HoL, so is Showtime apparently as they have pulled the plug on the the series after 5 seasons ending this miserable saga.","Product: A young man and a young woman meet, begin dating, fall in love and get married. What more could anyone want or expect? Well, when the young woman is a witch it can make for an interesting and complicated relationship. Elizabeth Montgomery is Samantha Stevens, a witch who decides to try living a mortal's life as a suburban housewife to her ad-executive husband Darrin. Dick York portrayed her loving husband for the first five seasons and was replaced by Dick Sargent for the final three of the series. Samantha swears off using witchcraft which doesn't sit well with her mother Endora (Agnes Moorehead), who sees her son-in-law 'Derwood' as a hindrance. The Stevens household has one bizarre event happening after another, usually caused by Endora or one of Samantha's other magically-inclined relatives. Through it all, Darrin and Samantha make the best of everything and get to share their life with their two children, Tabitha and Adam. This top-ranked sitcom was enjoyed by it's audience for eight seasons. So sit back, relax and let Samantha's nose twitches entertain you!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Delightful trip down memory lane with Samantha and 'Derwood'\n\nReview: If you're a heterosexual male of a certain age then theres a very strong likelihood that your personal preferences in women were in part shaped by two TV shows; Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie. Bewitched premiered to strong ratings on ABC in 1964 running for eight seasons and starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, a witch married to a hapless mortal and the challenges which follow. Darrin, her spouse is an advertising exec for a New York firm called McMahon & Tate and bears the brunt of trying to have a normal life while his wife and her meddling relatives magical powers wreak havoc on his existence- comedy mayhem ensues in every episode. The series was so successful the following year NBC decided they needed their own magic blonde so Sidney Sheldon cooked up I Dream of Jeanie about a gorgeous genie in a bottle discovered by an astronaut after landing on a remote island.\n\n The cast is superb starting with Montgomery; stunningly beautiful and incredibly charismatic you cant take your eyes off of her. Two actors played her husband Darrin, Dick York and later Dick Sergeant who replaced York in Season 6 as a severe back injury forced York to quit the show. Agnes Moorehead is marvelous as Samanthas mother Endora who is not thrilled with her daughters choice in spouses and David White as Darrins boss Larry Tate is a dependable straight man for all the antics. Of the recurring players Paul Lynde stands out as Samanthas snarky warlock Uncle Arthur and can always be counted on for plenty of laughs.\n\n The show ran for 8 seasons and ratings began to decline in 1970 and frankly the cast looks pretty fatigued with it all at this point. All said and done Bewitched holds up 45 years later although the plots become quite repetitive after awhile. Supposedly set in commuter town Westport, CT (a place I know very well) it looks nothing like Westport. Also, somewhat surprising for the period Samantha and Darrin are shown frequently occupying the same bed which network censors of the day might have been expected to balk at. Given its the Mad Men era cocktails are constantly being imbibed, Don Draper would have been right at home. Also, it seemed strange to me that for a family show aimed at kids the final season Ms. Montgomery is clearly braless for virtually every episodebut it was the 70s I guess. The show ends without fanfare or any closure for its audience and there are no special features of any kind with this box set. You'll be enchanted by Bewitched even after all these years.","Product: Seinfeld stars Jerry Seinfeld as a stand-up comedian whose life in New York City is made even more chaotic by his quirky group of friends who join him in wrestling with life's most perplexing, yet often trivial questions. Often described as \"a show about nothing,\" Seinfeld mines the humor in life's mundane situations like waiting in line, searching for a lost item, or the trials and tribulations of dating. Co-starring are Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Jerry's ex-girlfriend and current platonic pal, Elaine Benes; Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry's neurotic hard-luck best friend; and Michael Richards as Jerry's eccentric neighbor, Kramer. This highly renowned sitcom set the bar in comedy with some of the most hilariously watchable characters in television history.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 5-Stars for the show about nothing that's really something\n\nReview: Hard to believe it's been nearly 20 years since \"Seinfeld\" wrapped production after a nine year run. Admittedly I was not a devoted fan during it's broadcast years, in '89 I'd just started a demanding grad school program so didn't really watch much TV and it wasn't until '91 or so that the show was even on my radar. Decided to take the plunge and invest in this DVD collection and watch all the episodes from the beginning and in doing so can conclude there's a reason that \"Seinfeld\" earned it's success.\n\n It's just funny, the mundane situations in the hands of Jerry and his cast of clowns are comedy gold. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander are all just brilliant in their self-absorbed characters making the series hold up well after two decades. The supporting cast is equally terrific and the chemistry between them all can't be beat. There are so many stand-out episodes; my personal favorite is from Season 4, Episode 12, \"The Airport\" where Jerry and Elaine flying back to NY get bumped. They are given the option of another flight but there's only one seat in First Class and the other's in Coach. Naturally Jerry gets the premium seat and Elaine's stuck in steerage compartment hell. The juxtaposition between the two experiences (Jerry seated next to a supermodel swilling wine's from the Tuscany region while Elaine's sandwiched between two obese guys) is laugh-out-loud hilarious. Also seeing some of the young actresses who play Jerry's girlfriends who later go on to become greater stars is quite entertaining- you forget how many there actually were.\n\n In fact, the only disappointment is the finale episode which has to rate as one of the worst in TV history. That aside, this collection provides many hours of laughs and is well worth adding to your home DVD library.","Product: Cinemax's first scripted primetime drama series returns. A high-octane, globe-spanning thriller, Strike Back focuses on two members of Section 20, a secret British anti-terrorist organization: Michael Stonebridge (Philip Winchester), a consummate British soldier still struggling to overcome tragedy in his life, and Damien Scott (Sullivan Stapleton), a disgraced U.S. Delta Force operative who has found redemption with S-20. In Season 3, the series will have a true global canvas, opening in Colombia - with parallel missions in Beirut, Budapest, Russia, and Germany - and following a trail of drug money that is funding terrorists in the Middle East.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Solid action entertainment (few spoilers)\n\nReview: The lads from Section 20 are back in Season 3 of Strike Back for another butt kicking, wild adventure facing some ruthless terrorists, the IRA, and a deadly bio-weapon. This series continues to evolve from its fairly silly first season that relied more on style than substance.\n\n Season two was by far the best with a strong story and minimal reliance on the over-the-top nudity and sex scenes that dominated its freshman outing. Unfortunately this season the writers and show runners for some reason felt compelled to reverse course a bit and we have more nudity and sex once again; boy on girl, girl on girl, and boy on boy, something for everyone! If you're easily offended by this type of thing youve been warned. The script is strong and the action first rate and unrelenting, they don't need to use titillating (pun intended) scenes to hold the viewers interest.\n\n As always the camaraderie between British SAS commando Michael Stonebridge (Philip Winchester) and disgraced former US Army Delta operator Damien Scott (Sullivan Stapleton) is realistic and believable. These guys look the part, speak like, move like and act like actual soldiers and seem comfortable with physical combat and weapons handling unlike some shows. The season starts with the guys on vacation in the US on motorcycles traveling in California on the way to Mexico. Of course the stuff hits the fan and just after they're pulled over by the highway patrol they're whisked off by helicopter and sucked into another dangerous mission. The story climaxes with an incredible chase on the runway of Ramstein Air Base (not the real base) thats worthy of a Mission Impossible movie; really all of the stunts are incredible for a TV show. The Air Force uniforms are laughably wrong but close enough for most viewers. New for this season is apparent sponsorship by Oakley with some of the team sporting their signature sunwear and tactical gloves (previously everybody wore Ray Bans).\n\n Things don't let up for a moment; Rhona Mitra is back as their Section 20 boss, Major Rachel Dalton but shes just lost one of her men and struggling to cope. Her guilt drives her to make some dubious decisions leading the team to question her motives and ultimately getting her killed. Mitra is starting to make a career of playing a role in a series for a season or two then having her character taken out; just as her part in The Last Ship met a similar fate. Theres little time for mourning however and events rip along including a surprise twist with one character that I didn't see coming.\n\n So, Strike Back season 3 is highly recommended for adrenaline junkies. Again, not quite as good as the last season in my opinion but great entertainment if you can get past the occasional raunchier bits. Im on board for Season 4!","Product: Case-cracking psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and his best friend Burton Gus Guster (Dul Hill) have their hands full getting to the bottom of crime-filled conundrums around Santa Barbara. From a prestigious paranormal police consultant convention to zombie nightmares, Shawn and Gus need all the help they can get as new hijinks and tests arise for your favorite sleuths in this eighth and final season of Psych. Witness every episode back-to-back and uninterrupted of the final hilarious season featuring a gaggle of guest stars including Mira Sorvino (Romy and Micheles High School Reunion), Tom Arnold (Sons of Anarchy), Loretta Devine (The Client List), and Bruce Campbell (Burn Notice).\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Catchphrase \"Suck It\" describes much of this final season\n\nReview: After the past 2 to 3 lackluster seasons Psych finally closes up shop in an abbreviated Season 8. The writing had fallen off by this time and any pretenses about Spencer's being a psychic had all but been abandoned. Silliness replaced cleverness in recent plots and that's no exception this final season. Quickly written out of the show (except for the last episode) are Chief Vick and Juliet who move to San Francisco to take new jobs. Henry decides to sell the old house and \"move on\" too and Gus even takes a new corporate job and finally gets a cool company car to replace the poor \"Blueberry\". Juliet's replacement detective (played by Mira Sorvino) has acute powers of observation which rival Shawn's quickly making \"Psych\" unnecessary to the SBPD to crack the tough cases. The whole thing wraps up with a nice last episode that should satisfy long time fans. Really though, it was well past time to shut this thing down. The DVD set includes some bonus features including the horrible \"Psych: The Musical\" 90 minute episode. It's apparent that a lot of time and energy went into making this musical show but personally I loathe musicals (OK, except \"The Sound of Music\") but it's really bad so I can't recommend watching it.","Product: Masterful, beguiling and charismatic, Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his equally ambitious wife Claire (Robin Wright) continue their ruthless rise to power in Season 2 of \"House of Cards\". Behind the curtain of power, sex, ambition, love, greed and corruption in modern Washington D.C. the Underwoods must battle threats past and present to avoid losing everything. As new alliances form and old ones succumb to deception and betrayal, they will stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy. Updated synopsis for Seasons 1 - 5 Masterful, beguiling and charismatic, Frank Underwood and his equally ambitious wife Claire continue their ruthless rise to power in Season 2 of \"House of Cards\". Behind the curtain of power, sex, ambition, love, greed and corruption in modern Washington D.C., the Underwoods must battle threats past and present to avoid losing everything. As new alliances form and old ones succumb to deception and betrayal, they will stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: House of Cards Second Season Sinks Deeper Into Depravity\n\nReview: Kevin Spacey as the conniving Francis Underwood continues in Season 2 chewing up the scenery. Underwoods schemed and killed his way into the Vice Presidency (as he snidely comments to the audience at his swearing in, without a single vote cast in my name, a heartbeat away from the Presidency). The first episode starts with a bang and the murder of a key player from Season 1. Its evident that Underwood won't be satisfied until hes sitting in the big chair in the Oval Office and watching him out maneuver, manipulate, and run roughshod over his fellow pols is great entertainment.\nRobin Wright as his wife Claire is a force to be reckoned with. Formerly the head of a large non-profit she slides into the role of the VPs wife and starts her own wheeling and dealing. Wright is stunning; she does not look her age for a moment and clearly has a personal trainer on retainer. Her beautifully tailored wardrobe is superb; clad only in black, white, cream or gray with minimal accessories, she projects the style and grace reminiscent of Jacqueline Kennedy.\nWe have some fine supporting cast as well with Gerald McRaney who seems to be specializing in rich SOBs lately since playing George Hearst in Deadwood and another baddie Barlow Connally in Longmire as well as billionaire entrepreneur and friend of the POTUS, Raymond Tusk this season. Another Deadwood alum, Molly Parker is a military veteran and junior senator that Frank manipulates into filling his shoes as Whip leapfrogging her over more senior candidates. Both actors give great performances.\nIts hard to go into much detail without giving too much away but needless to say theres an abundance of scheming , conniving, backstabbing, and murder to hold your attention. Theres even a weird and creepy implied 3-way between Frank, Claire and their Secret Service Agent Meechum and also the apparent murder of right hand man Doug Stamper to close things out. All I can say is that Im on board for Season 3 and wonder just how much lower can Francis Underwood sink? Get a shovel and start digging!","Product: NOTICE: Polish Release, cover may contain Polish text/markings. The disk has English audio and subtitles.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Denzel serves up old school justice as The Equalizer\n\nReview: Unlike the tepid 80's TV series of the same name Denzel brings it as a modern day Robert McCall, ex-CIA operator with lethal skills and an old school sense of justice. This movie starts out slow for the first 20 minutes setting up the character but when Denzel enters the lair of some Russian mob bad guys after they beat up a young prostitute he's befriended, hold on to your hats. The action never really lets up from there and this is entertainment on a par with the original Taken or the Dirty Harry films of the 70's. McCall works in a big box hardware store (think Home Depot) and has been retired from his past black ops life and is trying to live quietly until he's pushed over the edge and then he's as deadly as Jack Bauer from 24. It's typical in this genre to enhance the drama at one of more point to place the hero in jeopardy, that never happens in The Equalizer- McCall relentlessly pursues justice and takes on the Russian mafia enforcer and his henchman in a showdown at the \"Home Mart\" store that's very satisfying. There's lots of internet buzz about a sequel; sign me up!","Product: Best Buy (USA) Exclusive limited edition.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: What the Star Wars sequels should have been\n\nReview: For fans of the Marvel universe this obscure title will be a pleasant surprise. As a kid who grew up in the 60's and 70's this was not a comic book of my era. Regardless this was a fun movie that really was what the 3 Star Wars sequels could/should have been. Chris Pratt who never really impressed me on Parks & Recreation shines as the star of this show. You know when the opening sequence features an \"Awesome Mix Tape\" playing the Blue Swede remake of B.J. Thomas' hit \"Hooked on a Feeling\" you are in for a different Sci-Fi adventure. Bradley Cooper voices a talking raccoon with a surly attitude so much more enjoyable than his over the top turn in American Hustle. Zoe Saldana is turning playing weird aliens into a habit but she's good at it. Vin Diesel is credited as the animated tree creature Groot who has only one line repeated through the film \"I am Groot\" which sounds dumb and uninteresting but really captures the audience's admiration. Let's face it, on the surface the Wookie from Star Wars didn't sound too appealing either but you warm up to the big lug when it's all over. Clearly a sequel is in the works and I'll look forward to seeing it. We viewed the 3D version and thought it was a good experience.","Product: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with an uneasy truce with a quarter of disparate misfits Rocket, a gun-toting racoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand with the galaxys fate in the balance.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: What the Star Wars sequels should have been\n\nReview: For fans of the Marvel universe this obscure title will be a pleasant surprise. As a kid who grew up in the 60's and 70's this was not a comic book of my era. Regardless this was a fun movie that really was what the 3 Star Wars sequels could/should have been. Chris Pratt who never really impressed me on Parks & Recreation shines as the star of this show. You know when the opening sequence features an \"Awesome Mix Tape\" playing the Blue Swede remake of B.J. Thomas' hit \"Hooked on a Feeling\" you are in for a different Sci-Fi adventure. Bradley Cooper voices a talking raccoon with a surly attitude so much more enjoyable than his over the top turn in American Hustle. Zoe Saldana is turning playing weird aliens into a habit but she's good at it. Vin Diesel is credited as the animated tree creature Groot who has only one line repeated through the film \"I am Groot\" which sounds dumb and uninteresting but really captures the audience's admiration. Let's face it, on the surface the Wookie from Star Wars didn't sound too appealing either but you warm up to the big lug when it's all over. Clearly a sequel is in the works and I'll look forward to seeing it. We viewed the 3D version and thought it was a good experience.","Product: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team-the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits-Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand-with the galaxy's fate in the balance.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: What the Star Wars sequels should have been\n\nReview: For fans of the Marvel universe this obscure title will be a pleasant surprise. As a kid who grew up in the 60's and 70's this was not a comic book of my era. Regardless this was a fun movie that really was what the 3 Star Wars sequels could/should have been. Chris Pratt who never really impressed me on Parks & Recreation shines as the star of this show. You know when the opening sequence features an \"Awesome Mix Tape\" playing the Blue Swede remake of B.J. Thomas' hit \"Hooked on a Feeling\" you are in for a different Sci-Fi adventure. Bradley Cooper voices a talking raccoon with a surly attitude so much more enjoyable than his over the top turn in American Hustle. Zoe Saldana is turning playing weird aliens into a habit but she's good at it. Vin Diesel is credited as the animated tree creature Groot who has only one line repeated through the film \"I am Groot\" which sounds dumb and uninteresting but really captures the audience's admiration. Let's face it, on the surface the Wookie from Star Wars didn't sound too appealing either but you warm up to the big lug when it's all over. Clearly a sequel is in the works and I'll look forward to seeing it. We viewed the 3D version and thought it was a good experience.","Product: James Garner returns one last time in his iconic, Primetime EmmyAward-winning role of Jim Rockford, the wisecracking ex-con-turned-private eye. Get ready for action with the final four television movies from this indelible series as the unlikely, laidback detective cruises the City of Angels in his Pontiac Firebird, working perplexing cases of the lost and dispossessed. With Jim Rockford on the case, it's no mystery why The Rockford Files was one of the most celebrated shows of its time, and why it remains a beloved and unforgettable part of television history. Friends and Foul Play: Rockford gets schooled in a new type of deviant when he enrolls in a Criminal Behavior class in order to discover who killed a friend's son. Punishment and Crime: Love is in the air when Rockford rekindles a romance with a blind woman whose cousin is being threatened by devious forces in the Russian underworld. Murder and Misdemeanors: It's Rockford versus the venerable LAPD when he investigates two veteran police officers accused of vice. If It Bleeds...It Leads: When Rockford's friend is mistaken for a serial rapist, it's up to the unconventional detective to find the real criminal before reputations are irreparably destroyed.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nostalgic trip back with fan favorite P.I. Jim Rockford\n\nReview: Have always liked the 70's classic, \"The Rockford Files\" starring James Garner as wrongly convicted/pardoned ex-con turned P.I. Jim Rockford. When these follow on movies were broadcast I never caught them so was grateful to see them now available in DVD. This is the second set of films and the final appearance of Garner and his cast of regulars in these roles. As soon as the familiar Mike Post theme music cranks up and you see the brown Firebird rolling through the L.A. streets it will take you back 40 years. Unlike the original series which still holds up pretty well some of these movies are a bit melodramatic and hokey. Garner had to be in his 70's at this point and while they don't have him doing crazy stunts there are some groan-worthy moments. Stuart Margolin is back as sleaze ball Angel Martin and reliable Joe Santos as police pal Lt. Becker among a number of others. Still, nostalgia worthy if you were a fan of the series or Garner in general.","Product: BRAY\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Sequel that offers nothing new, for hard core Terminator fans only.\n\nReview: Why? Nothing really new in this latest chapter in the Terminator saga that no one was asking for. We've seen it all before, liquid metal terminators who can shape shift, Arnold's original Terminator turned protector of Sarah Connor, aging, but still the same, and John Connor the savior of the human race against the machine driven apocalypse. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke fills in for Linda Hamilton as Sarah and while she's spunky and cute teaching Arnold's robot killer to be less threatening by adopting an amusing rictus grin and manners it's not enough to justify this film. Die hard fans of the series will no doubt like it well enough but for those of us less invested you won't miss anything skipping this outing.","Product: In 1963, the U.S. government launched a covert space mission sending hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Nearly 50 years into the journey, as they approach the point of no return, a mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship's population to question the true nature of their mission.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Not Mad Men in Space (Contains SPOILERS)\n\nReview: Full disclosure, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan but do like Star Wars, Star Trek TOS, and films like Blade Runner, and Avatar so not adverse to the genre either. The premise of this series compelled me to buy a copy. JFK's Cold War doomsday plan to save humanity makes a great story so my hopes were high but quickly ruined when it's revealed that the USS Ascension isn't really in space for 51 years of a 100 year mission and actually is just a movie set. The whole thing's a social engineering experiment that goes awry when there's a murder \"on board\". Things get more and more confusing as it progresses, there's a deal about a young girl who's a telekinetic and drama going on outside the experiment with the scientists controlling the project... I got a headache by the time it was over. The cast's mostly unknowns except Brian Van Holt who takes a respite here from playing his usual boozy reprobate characters (Cougar Town, The Bridge) to play a boozy uniformed reprobate as the ship's captain channeling more Don Draper than Captain Kirk . Also we have Battlestar Gallactica reboot star Trisha Helfer as his wife doing her usual hot babe with an attitude thing. This could have been so much more but by the time the 3 episodes of this mini-series are over there's really nowhere else for them to go.","Product: Based upon Marvel Comics most unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who, after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Surprisingly good Marvel tale with C-list anti-hero\n\nReview: My superhero experience was shaped back in the 60s and 70s by TV cartoons featuring A-list Marvel talent; Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, etc. Im a lot older now and don't read comic books but have enjoyed most if not all the more recent blockbuster movies featuring the mainstream characters I just mentioned. Much credit to Marvel Studios for their willingness to back feature length films starring lesser known heroes like Antman and The Guardians of the Galaxy which were terrific and lots of fun. However, when I saw Deadpool it just seemed to me like Marvel was scraping the bottom of the barrel (which Mr. Pool would likely agree). Well, having recently watched the film I have to admit I was just plain wrong, Deadpool was highly entertaining and Ryan Reynolds did a super job playing the irreverent hero. Having come to the story with no prior knowledge of the character did nothing to diminish my enjoyment of the movie.\n\n This is an origin tale and we meet a guy named Wade (Reynolds) who apparently works as some sort of mercenary thug for hire. For the most part hes doing light weight stuff like scaring off a young womans dorky stalker for example. Then he meets a girl (Morena Baccarin, best known for Firefly and Homeland), falls in love and looks forward to marriage. But, after he gets a terminal cancer diagnosis hes offered an opportunity at gaining super powers from a shady recruiter and things don't go well from there. After a torturous series of experiments hes horribly disfigured and left for dead. Only, hes not dead and he does now have superpower. The rest is essentially a revenge story as Wade/Pool tries to find the scumbag who ruined his looks and hopefully get himself returned to normal (whatever that is at this point). Good news though, no more cancer!\n\n Theres a ton of action and lots of excellent exciting sequences that are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Its nice after so many crowded ensemble shows like The Avengers where its hard to keep track of whos doing what to whom, you can easily follow whats happening in Deadpool. Viewers should note that theres some partial nudity, no shortage of profanity, and the humor is mostly of the adult variety so not a kid friendly flick. Given its box office success its no surprise that a sequel is currently filming and if it does well this may mark a new Marvel franchise. The X-Men keep trying to draft Deadpool to join their ranks and lets just say hes not enchanted at the prospect but who knows what will happen?","Product: The most explosive clash to ever rock the Marvel Cinematic Universe ignites a firestorm of conflict in the game-changing epic, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. In the wake of collateral damage, government pressure to rein in the Avengers drives a deep wedge between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), causing a catastrophic rift that turns the two friends into bitter enemies. Against a backdrop of divided loyalties, their fellow Avengers must deal with the fallout. Pick a side in this spectacular adventure, packed with mind-blowing action and suspense.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Marvel delivers another visual spectacle for superhero fans\n\nReview: As one who does not define himself as a comic book fanatic I still read my share as a kid but read them too fast to make steady consumption worth my small allowance. Back in the 60's we had some poorly animated (especially by today's standards) but no less entertaining cartoons of the Marvel superheroes including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Spiderman, and The Hulk which is where I built my foundation with these characters. So, being able to see these visually dazzling modern films with live actors is always a treat even when sometimes the stories may not be that great.\n\n\"Captain America: Civil War\" is a 4.5 star extravaganza and in my opinion a better film than the muddled \"Avengers: Age of Ultron\". There's a ton of stuff going on here and I know that it'll take watching more than once to take it all in. The premise that these \"enhanced\" heroes have to be held accountable for the collateral damage they inflict while saving the world makes surprisingly good sense. Needless to say that not all of the gang are on board having to toe the line with bureaucratic restrictions, hence the civil war between our team mates. Sides are drawn with Tony Stark showing uncharacteristic responsibility leading one group and Captain America and his sympathizers disagreeing with Stark and the new rules of engagement. I won't go into any details but as mentioned above there are many moving parts to this story and plenty of side plots as well making things a bit hard to keep up with (maybe just showing my age?). Personally I like my heroes to be sympatico and couldn't bring myself to watch the earlier released DC \"Batman vs. Superman\" because the thought of these two greats as antagonists just made me sad. This Blu-ray sat on my shelf for the same reason for several weeks before I could bring myself to watch it and it was worth the wait.\n\nThe film has the typical humorous bits you'd expect from a Marvel production, especially amusing is the new Spiderman and Ant Man ads some comic relief to the mix. We don't get to see the Hulk or Thor in this outing but that's OK as there are just so many players that it's almost overwhelming. The visuals are impressive and the climactic fight scene between Iron Man and Cap' is pretty epic. If you're a fan of this genre then CA: Civil War is a must to add to your collection. \"Nuff said\".\n\nThere are some humorous","Product: Finally, one of the most beloved series from television's Golden Age comes to DVD for the first time ever! Join the Cleavers, America's quintessential family, in all 39 digitally remastered, unforgettable episodes from the complete first season of Leave it to Beaver! Theodore \"Beaver\" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) can't seem to avoid trouble, and his older brother Wally (Tony Dow), and mischievous pal Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond), aren't any help. But with some wise advice from his father Ward (Hugh Beaumont) and mom's (Barbara Billingsley) home-cooked meals, Beaver learns that all's well that ends well. Complete with the original pilot, brought out of the studio archives, this must-have DVD collection will have you declaring, \"Gee, that Beaver sure is a swell guy!\"\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: \"My, what a lovely dress you're wearing Mrs. Cleaver\"- Nostalgic fun revisiting a TV classic\n\nReview: If you're a Baby Boomer of a certain age almost certainly you grew up watching \"Leave it to Beaver\" in glorious black & white on television. Premiering in the late 50's LITB is a slice of Americana from the Eisenhower era. Quaint best describes this family of 4 in their modest home, one car, and upright values when you compare it to how things are today.\n\n Young second grader Theodore \"Beaver\" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) is the titular star and the show follows him through daily adventures when there were no so-called helicopter parents and kids went outdoors in their neighborhoods (without fear of abduction or worse) and played with one another (no video games, social media) in person and even got into mischief. The core cast is great, perpetual suit wearing father Ward (Hugh Beaumont), apron and pearl wearing mom June (Barbara Billingsley) and older brother Wally (Tony Dow) round out the ensemble in each episode helping 'The Beaver' learn many life lessons. The supporting cast of young actors is quite good as well and stand out Ken Osmond as the smarmy suck-up Eddie Haskell is teriffic. So, if you're looking for a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time visitng 'Beave' and his pals will likely bring a smile to your face.","Product: MAD MEN: The Final Season, Part 1, is the beginning of the end for television's most celebrated show--four-time Primetime Emmy(R) winner for Outstanding Drama Series and winner of three consecutive Golden Globes(R). Set in the captivating world of 1960s New York, MAD MEN continues to follow iconic ad man Don Draper (Golden Globe(R) winner Jon Hamm), his colleagues and his family.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Peggy Olsons 10 year old neighbor: I don't want to go to Newark Peggy: Nobody does\n\nReview: Mad Men begins its terminal season as we watch the continuing devolution of Madison Avenue advertising wizard Don Draper. Its 1969 and Don (Jon Hamm) is on paid leave from Sterling, Cooper & Partners after he drunkenly blows a pitch with a client last season. Hes using Freddy Rumsen as a proxy for submitting work to the agency between trips to the west coast to see his actress wife Megan (Jessica Pare). Dons tried to clean up his act drinking less and cutting back on his womanizing but things are strained with Megan. Finally Don gets to come back to the agency but with Draconian rules that clearly are designed to set him up for failure so he can be terminated.\n\n Theres plenty of other drama involving the rest of the cast as well; Roger (John Slattery) takes to the free love movement and indulges in orgies with hippies, Peggy (Elizabeth Moss) continues to assert herself at SC&P despite the gender discrimination of the day, smarmy Pete Campbell (Vincent Cartheiser) is frustrated working with Ted in the California satellite office and is separated from his wife Trudi (Alison Brie) while taking up with his pretty blonde realtor, and Ginsburg has a meltdown over his paranoia with the new IBM computer installed at the agency to name just a few of the many happenings in these seven episodes.\n\n Finally on the eve of the Apollo 11 moon landing series regular Burt Cooper (Robert Morse) passes away from natural causes. The closing scene for the season is Don imagining Coopers still alive and performs a song and dance rendition of The Best Things In Life Are Free complete with choreographed dancing secretaries. This could easily have been overly sentimental schlock in lesser hands but Matt Weiner crafts it into a touching tribute to a legacy character.\n\n It is hard to believe there are only seven more episodes remaining in this terrific series. Great writing and the gifted cast clearly earn all the many accolades Mad Men has won.","Product: Four pals are stuck in a rut in adulthood: Adam (John Cusack) has just been dumped, Lou (Rob Corddry) is a hopeless party animal, Craig (Craig Robinson) is a henpecked husband, and Jacob (Clark Duke) does nothing but play video games in his basement. But they get a chance to brighten their future by changing their past after a night of heavy drinking in a ski-resort hot tub results in their waking up in 1986.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Not recommended for Noel Coward fans or those with a more refined sense of humor\n\nReview: 2.5 stars for this sophmoric tale of 3 schlubs (and a nephew) who were buds in the 80's but now have drifted apart leading miserable lives. An event triggers a reunion back at a ski lodge where they used to party back in the day. Alas, the resort has fallen on hard times and isn't the happening place they remember. The crew indulges in a wild night of drinking in their condo's hot tub and a spilled beverage shorts out the tub controls resulting in time traveling back to the 80's. Vulgar zaniness ensues. Call me a tradionalist but to me time traveling conveyances should be something more like H.G. Wells imagined, or at the very least a DeLorean but a hot tub seems to push the limits of belief. I have fond memories of the 80's and picked this up in a bargain bin for $5.00 though not sure why it was ever released in Blu-ray, it's no cinematic masterpiece.\n\nSo, I'm no stranger to low brow humor and thought \"Animal House\", \"National Lampoon's Vacation\", and \"Blazing Saddles\" were all quite funny and cleverly written. They say humor is generational and to me at least contemporary films like this or \"The Hangover\" and it's ilk and other raunchy comedies prove the point. I just don't get the appeal of these flicks.\n\nIt's unclear how John Cusack wound up in this farce lampooning all things 80's when he is something of an icon of the decade playing Lloyd Dobler in \"Say Anything\". The rest of the cast is largely forgettable. There are a few chuckle provoking moments but most of it's just profanity and vulgarity with some scatological and homophobic humor thrown in. It's amazing this mess garnered so many 5-star reviews on Amazon and that it even spawned a sequel in 2015. Oh well, to each his own and if this your kind of thing then dive on into the tub but if your tastes are a bit more mainstream than \"Hot Tub Time Machine\" is not recommended.","Product: In the taut thriller, when Nancy (Blake Lively) is surfing on a secluded beach, she finds herself on the feeding ground of a great white shark. Though she is stranded only 200 yards from shore, survival proves to be the ultimate test of wills, requiring all of Nancys ingenuity, resourcefulness, and fortitude.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: It's not \"Jaws\" but better than so many other lame 'shark' movies\n\nReview: Blake Livelys never really been on my radar in the past. I knew she starred in the series Gossip Girl (which Ive never watched), is married to Ryan Reynolds, starred in The Age of Adaline and appeared in some internet fashion stories but that was it. She delivers a strong performance and is more than capable in carrying this thriller from start to finish. Lively is on camera for the entire film; there are 5 other actors who have about a dozen lines between them and one spunky seagull for her to interact with besides the animatronic/CGI shark. Its a role similar in some respects to Robert Redfords lost at sea sailor in All is Lost where he is the only person in the entire movie.\n\n The Shallows is an intense and suspenseful movie that pits an intelligent and resourceful young woman against a great white shark off a lonely Mexican beach. Nancy takes a break from medical school after the death of her mother and goes on a journey to discover the remote beach where her mom went surfing while pregnant with her. Nancy finds the secluded beach and hits the waves with only a couple of local surf bums in the area. The scenery (actually Australia) is spectacular and its an idyllic scene to begin with. The guys are leaving but she makes the fateful choice to take one more ride when the shark attacks wounding her leg. She barely escapes to a small rock island where she and a seagull are stranded far from shore with the shark circling.\n\n The story shows us how a resilient individual can persevere in the face of very daunting odds. Lively is beautiful and charismatic as she refuses to give up and fights back against the apex predator. Running about 90 minutes long its just the right length, the situations and her ingenuity feel realistic and you believe these are things you might do if in the same circumstances. The only weak part is how the shark is dispatched at the end but other than that The Shallows is a thinking viewers shark movie.","Product: Holiday Wishes is produced by Grammy Award-winner Walter Afanasieff (Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey) and features such classic favorites as "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice renditions of holiday favorites\n\nReview: Overall I enjoyed this album. I am not a fan of Broadway musicals and had never heard of this artist other than John Travolta's butchering her name at last year's Academy Awards for her performance of the song \"Let it Go\" from Frozen. I didn't care for that song (longer than \"Freebird\" I think) but think Ms. Menzel has a great voice and can really belt out a tune. For the most part the selections on this collection are mostly holiday favorites (not sure where \"The River\" came from) and she does a nice job. On a couple of the more up tempo numbers she does inserts a little \"Come on\" emphasis to the lyrics which seems a bit out of place and distracting, I found myself listening for it on repeated playing of certain songs. I think most holiday music fans would enjoy this disc from a more contemporary artist.","Product: Graduating from college with a Masters Degree in History (and therefore possessing no actual job skills), Mr. Thompson sold vacuum cleaners door-to-door for 16 years until losing his job in the great carpet-sweeper wars of 03. Forced into a life of crime, he stood on various street corners for a week, until it dawned on him that loitering was not the sort of crime one could actually make a living at. Lacking the nerve to move up to jaywalking, he decided to pursue his dream and become a novelist. Five years later it finally dawned to him that writing novels was not the sort of work one could actually make a living at either, so he became a professional gambler and amassed several million dollars. His financial security thus assured, he has now returned to his first lovelying in bed, sleeping, crying, burping, and occasionally playing with his toes. Mr. Thompson currently lives in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, with his lovely Russian mail-order bride, Tatiana, and an ever-changing assortment of nubile concubines and pliant servant-girls. His hobbies include mountain-climbing, sky-diving, hanging out at the mansion with Hef and the gang, and lying about his life and hobbies.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Can't wait for the next installment!\n\nReview: Keith Thompson has written the closest thing you're going to get that compares with the brilliant works of George MacDonald Fraser. I've read all the Flashman chronicles multiple times and think General Wilkinson's nefarious exploits come closest to matching Sir Harry's. The book is well researched and the narrative flows nicely with character development and dialog that rings true. You'll get a nice history lesson on the Revolutionary War and the principle players interwoven with some plausible speculation on events by Mr. Thompson. I guess I have the \"literary tastes of a 12 year old\" as one recent reviewer suggests as I loved this book and look forward to the next chapter in what I hope is a long saga of a little know American rogue."],"string":"[\n \"Product: The Shark Rotator 3-in-1 Vacuum provides incredible suction to get your home as clean as can be. It functions as a powerful upright vacuum for your floors, a lift-away pod for portable cleaning and a convenient canister vac for stairs. It also includes LED lights in the handle and floor nozzle for a thorough clean.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice looking vac with powerful suction and easy maneuverability\\n\\nReview: My old vacuum cleaner has been losing its effectiveness at 8 years old so time for a replacement. There are a dizzying array of choices available so its tough to know what to buy. Like many I did some research on Consumer Reports website and made a selection or two. To my surprise when reading Amazon customer reviews there were many negative ratings and comments for these supposedly top rated vacs.\\n\\n Plan B was to base my choice on Amazon reviews which led me to this machine by Shark. To be honest, my only experience with this brand was a cheap handheld vac purchased several years ago which soon burned up so I was apprehensive. This upright bagless model seems to have all the bells and whistles with sealed HEPA filtration, swivel steering, short and long detachable wands, a powered cleaning head, very bright LED lighting, and most importantly powerful suction. My initial impressions are positive; it cleaned efficiently and has 3-settings for hardwood floors (roller/beater off), low and high pile carpeting. Time will tell on its durability and longevity.\\n\\n On the down side it has a very narrow base of support when upright and easy to pull over when using the wand attachments. Speaking of the attachments, theres only one place on the unit to store the crevasse cleaning tool, the other two tools have to be kept in a provided bag which isn't very convenient. The retaining clip for the hose when not using the wand for cleaning doesnt stay in place leaving the hose flopping around. I missed the part about this vacuum being designed to alternately be used as a canister vac and it comes with a plastic trolley to make the conversion. I have no interest in having a canister vac and will never use this large lump of rolling plastic so what to do with it now? Maybe my cat can ride it around like a skateboard?\",\n \"Product: Your best shots. Now mobile. Mobi instantly delivers your best photos amp;amp; videos from your camera to your smartphone or tablet. No wireless network required. Mobi creates its own WiFi so it works anywhere you are.Simple to setup. Simple to use. Just install the free Eye-Fi app on your smartphone or tablet to connect the card. Once paired, the card transfers photos amp;amp; videos whenever new content is detected by your device. And, once the transfer completes, the card disconnects its WiFi to save your battery.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Easy way to transfer photos to mobile devices\\n\\nReview: Got this item for Christmas and had done some reading on its operation on-line which helped as it came with no instructions of any kind (an increasing trend with electronicsjust visit their website!). This version is designed to work only with smartphones or tablets, a different model is required to use with a laptop/desktop. I downloaded the app on my Motorola Ultra phone and new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9. Put the card in my Canon Elph little point and shoot digital camera and started snapping away. The images transferred flawlessly to the device. Very handy, saves time from pulling the card from the camera and plugging into a computer to transfer images for sharing. Only downside another reviewer mentioned is that it will drain your camera battery quicker than usual, but you need some power source to drive the WiFi. Amazing technology when you think about it and I got a price break right before the holidays on Amazon for the 8GB card for only $39.99. Quite pleased.\",\n \"Product: Listen on a higher level with this 32GB High-Resolution Audio-compatible Walkman that delivers up to 30 hours of studio-like clarity and sound. Listen without distraction with the included Noise Canceling headphones while you immerse your ears in glorious Hi-Res Audio or automatically upscaled versions of digital formats like MP3 and more. Its music like it was meant to be.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Upgrade to older digital music players, transfer of album cover art problematic\\n\\nReview: Wanted to get this Sony Walkman MP3 music player primarily as it offered Blu-tooth capability and greater storage than my older digital walkman. This player claims to be Hi-Res, I can't say much about that feature as all my digital music is isn't in Hi-Res format. That said the music I do have seems to have better clarity and depth than it did when listened to on my older player...maybe it's just psychological? Overall I am very satisfied with how it works and it's performance. Setting up was simple, just plugged it into my laptop and fired up Windows Media Player and synched everything to the new Walkman. My only complaint is that probably 75% of the album cover art did NOT transfer to the new Walkman. Only recent Amazon downloads appear to have cover art, music ripped from CD's in my collection did not and older downloaded music also is without any cover art. Sony's troubleshooting guide to fix this problem is pretty worthless and suggests removing the music in question and manually reattaching cover art to it and then reloading it onto the player...with hundreds of songs affected not realistic. If you love your cover art, beware.\",\n \"Product: Filled with action-packed adventures and intrigue... join Hadji in Calcutta Adventure and Pirates From Below.\\n\\nAnimated, Approximate Running Time 60 Minutes, Color, Not Rated (Suitable for all audiences). Includes Bonus Toons Classic Space Ghost and Johnny Bravo.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Jonny Quest takes me back, still great 5+ decades later\\n\\nReview: If you are a male of a certain age then nothing other than a Delorean with the flux capacitor option will take you back to the mid 60's faster than watching this DVD set. From the first notes of the familiar JQ theme to the closing credits each 29 minute episode is a delight. I remember all of the adventures and even though I haven't seen the show in decades they still seem relatively fresh and are exciting. My wife is a few years younger than I and never saw the shows when they originally aired and to my surprise she likes them too. I agree with other reviewers that some of the audio editing of certain PC unfriendly dialog is a foul there's not enough of it to be intrusive. Between watching Jonny Quest and the Man from U.N.C.L.E. I feel like I'm back in the 4th grade. If you were a fan of the series then this is a must for your collection!\\nUPDATE: April 2018\\n Just decided to watch Jonny Quest again after re-discovering it a few years ago and its still a great show even though it is 54 years old. If you look around the internet about the original JQ you will find some critics complaining about how racist it is. Specifically the depictions of African native tribesmen, pygmies, and Hadji are targeted as being blatant stereotypes.\\n\\n Cmon folks it was 1964 and the fact the show featured a person of color as a main character was ground breaking. Ill concede there are some cringe-worth moments with Hadji; using a flute to tame poisonous adders or doing a rope levitation trick, but at the time those tropes squared with what we saw in National Geographic. Of course NG now is issuing apologies about their racist portrayals of indigenous peoples. Maybe if Dr. Quest had been captured by the Wakandans instead of the Po-Hos hed probably have received some needed cultural enlightenment instead of narrowly escaping from being roasted alive by burning coals in a pit; you have to view this in the context of 1964. Also today Dr. Quest and Race would be under investigation by CPS for all the perilous situations they put Jonny and Hadji in. And really, shouldn't Bandit have been on a leash?!\\n\\n Jonny Quest is a well written animated series with sophisticated storylines, terrific artistry, Bond-worthy villains, and technology that was ahead of its time that holds up decades later. It features one of the best ever musical themes and scores that really pumps up the viewers adrenaline. Jonny Quest is well worth seeing for baby boomers looking to indulge in a nostalgic look back and newcomers interested in discovering an old school adventure cartoon that appeals to adults as well as kids.\",\n \"Product: \\\"Get ready for fun!\\\" (Leah Rozen, People) with the \\\"feel good movie of the year!\\\" (Clay Smith, Access Hollywood) Love Actually is the ultimate romantic comedy from the makers of Bridget Jones's Diary and Notting Hill. Funny, irresistible and heartwarming, an all-star cast (Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson, to name a few!) will take you on a breathtaking tour of love's delightful twists and turns. Fall under the spell of Love Actually and share the laughs and charm again and again.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Mediocre actually & NOT a Christmas movie\\n\\nReview: Although Love Actually came out in 2003 it never made my viewing list until recently when I saw it on some click bait collection of favorite Christmas movies. Having seen it, all I can say is that people who consider this a Christmas movie are the same folks that find NYPD Detective John McLane taking down terrorist Hans Gruber at the Nakatomi Tower on Christmas Eve in Die Hard festive holiday fare. Setting the story against a holiday backdrop does not a Christmas movie make.\\n\\n This film is one of those large ensemble cast rom-coms with plenty of stars burdened by a trite script and not a whole lot of substance ever really happening. Sure it has its charms and some endearing moments and gets a little better as it goes along. The basic plot is about eight different couples and their often troubled relationships set during the holidays in the U.K.\\n\\n Viewers need to beware that theres a surprising amount of nudity that may offend some. Martin Freemans character is a stand-in for porno actors and there are a number of scenes of him on-the-job that will likely be off-putting to some audiences, definitely not kiddie fare! Overall Love Actually was just OK and worth a look but certainly won't be joining other holiday favorites on my must-see list.\",\n \"Product: Nominated for 3 Golden Globes(R), including Best Television Limited Series, and featuring a phenomenal cast, FARGO returns for a critically acclaimed second season. Set in 1979, this all-new \\\"true crime\\\" saga kicks off with violent foul play at a South Dakota Waffle Hut. In a flash, the case ensnares a small-town beautician (Golden Globe(R) nominee Kirsten Dunst*), a Minnesota state trooper (Golden Globe(R) nominee Patrick Wilson**) and a local sheriff (Ted Danson) - all set against the backdrop of an explosive Midwestern mob war. Is FARGO Season Two chock full of riveting suspense, brilliant performances and darkly hilarious humor? You betcha.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Hon, did you stab the hostage?- More fun in Season 2 of \\\"Fargo\\\"\\n\\nReview: FXs award winning Fargos second season continues with its signature blend of taking plain folks and through an unfortunate twist of fate embroiling them in murder and mayhem. Sure, much of it is just absurd and since its a Coen Brothers franchise there are bizarre elements like repeated visits of UFOs and Gov. Ronald Reagan campaigning for president that seem irrelevant. But, who cares since the sum of all the seemingly discordant parts is great entertainment. An incredible cast of A-list stars who embrace their parts completely sell the story.\\n\\n You can read plot summaries elsewhere so in brief, in 1979 Fargo, ND the Gerhardt family business is organized crime operating from their fortified ancestral farm. Youngest son, Rye (Kieran Culkin) trying to facilitate a deal with a local typewriter shop owner attempts to strong arm a judges decision regarding a back tax issue. His efforts catastrophically fail resulting in multiple homicides and his own demise and involving the innocent Blumquist family. Concurrently the Kansas City mob takes this opportunity to launch a hostile takeover of the Gerhardt syndicate and all hell breaks loose to put it mildly. The writing is top-shelf and the story and dialog will demand your attention every episode.\\n\\n Kirsten Dunst is definitely getting better with age. Not everyone can pull off a Farrah Fawcett hairstyle and a pretty horrible late 70s wardrobe and look good doing it. Her delusional hairdresser and hoarder Peggy Blumquist clearly is unhappy with her life and schlubby spouse Ed the butcher (Jesse Plemons also superb as a man whos helpless in a battle of wits with his witless wife) and hopes a self actualization seminar for women will make her the best me she can be. Events conspire against her however in horrific Fargo style. Dunst is excellent and her attempts to rationalize her actions in a later scene opposite Ted Danson (Sheriff Hank Larsson) are enthralling. Danson is amazing as well (as usual) and the incredulity on his face listening to this woman he thinks he knows is priceless.\\n\\n As mentioned, this cast is so good; Jean Smart as the Gerhardt family matriarch is marvelous in her subtle portrayal of a criminal enterprise leader whos not to be trifled with. Its hard to believe this is the same person who was sweet Charlene on Designing Women but she looks like a sinister version of my grandmother. Nick Offerman who Ive been a fan of since Parks & Recreation, plays the best (and only) lawyer in town and makes the most of a secondary role chewing the scenery whenever hes on screen. Likewise, Zahn McClarnon who portrays the lethal Native American Gerhardt henchman Hanzee is short on dialog but long on action delivers a strong performance. Id be remiss not mentioning Patrick Wilson who plays State Trooper Lou Solverson, the younger version of Keith Carradines diner owning father of Officer Molly Solverson from Season 1. His task is quite a challenge in imagining what this much younger version of Lou should be without doing a Carradine impression and he pulls it off admirably.\\n\\n And theres more; Burn Notice fans rejoice; this season gives us not only Jeffery Donovan as the Gerhardts eldest son Dodd but Bruce Campbell in a surprisingly restrained turn as none other than Ronald Reagan. From watching the bonus features its impressive how much energy Campbell put into his characterization of the late president for what amounts to a fairly small role. Personally I didn't see the point of including Reagan in the story but have to admit that Campbell made his appearance a treat. Donovan deserves credit for taking on a role thats a far cry from the suave, super spy he made famous on seven seasons of Burn Notice and as Dodd hes both menacing and at times amusing. Wikipedia reports he gained 30# transforming for the part and had to suffer a laughable hairstyle and worse wardrobe. No Oliver Peoples $450 sunglasses with this guy.\\n\\n The last 20 minutes or so aren't all that exciting and something of a letdown but do wrap up a few loose ends. The Kansas City mobster dispatched to take out the Gerhardts, Mike Milligan (Bokeem Woodbine) winds up getting a promotion for his hard work reminiscent of the same fate suffered by Vic Mackey in The Shield. His reaction to getting a tiny office in an corporate building instead of something more exciting is funny and a fitting outcome for him.\\n\\n The look and feel of the show captures the era with the kind of precision youd see in Mad Men. I was in college in 1979 and vividly remember the cars and clothes. On occasion a bit of anachronistic language creeps in (Dont over think it for example) but its very rare. One thing Im conflicted about with this season is the music; it seems they're trying too hard to be clever and campy with many of the selections. Rather than accent the on-screen action in some cases its just distracting. I also felt the whole UFO thing was just unnecessary and an attempt to burnish the series quirky cred, almost like a device youd expect from Twin Peaks. Small complaints Ill admit and they don't diminish my recommending this series highly. Theres a bit of bad language and of course plenty of bloodshed so beware if you're easily offended by those elements.\",\n \"Product: The master thieves of TNT's hit drama Leverage are back for another high-voltage season of expert cons and action-packed heists. Following the destruction of their operational headquarters, Nate Ford (Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton) and his highly skilled team of con artists reunite to take down the corrupt bigwigs. In Season Two, the Leverage team sets out to recover millions of dollars lost in a Ponzi scheme, stage a deadly virus outbreak, and go head-to-head against a rival crew of slick thieves. To fight the criminal underworld, the Leverage team knows the high-tech tricks of the trade to get the job done. Sometimes it's good to be bad. This 4-disc DVD set of LEVERAGE: The 2nd Season includes 15 riveting episodes and is packed with cool special features.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The rich and powerful take what they want, we steal it back for you!\\n\\nReview: Having enjoyed season 1 immensely I immediately started watching the second season of Leverage. The cliffhanger ending from last season had the team scattered and on the run from the authorities. After a shaky and contrived first episode reuniting the team things settle back into the successful formula that makes this show a blast. Gina Bellman who plays \\\"grifter\\\" Sophie has a diminished role due her pregnancy but her high heels are ably filled by Star Trek Next Generation bombshell, Jeri Ryan. The character development of the rest of the crew moves along nicely and the season wraps up with Sophie back but Nate (Timothy Hutton) makes a deal to give himself up for his team to get a pass. The dialog is crisp and the cons are slick as Team Leverage helps out folks with no other recourse. If you like caper type shows then Leverage delivers. On to Season 3 of this fast paced show.\",\n \"Product: Mad Men S3(Br)\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Continued adventures in advertising circa 1963\\n\\nReview: Mad Men continues to deliver in it's third season with many unexpected twists and turns. Some negative reviewers complain about the slow pacing but perhaps they're not appreciating the deliberate evolution of the characters and the plot. Spoilers ahead; Betty discovers Don's secret past, a British firm buys out Sterling/Cooper and then after their Brit efficiency expert raises the value of the firm it's sold leaving everyone's future in question. Don has an affair with one of his kids teachers, Betty takes up with a political fixer for Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and decides to divorce Don despite recently having a baby boy with him. Peggy has a relationship with Duck Phillips , and we get to meet famous hotelier Conrad Hilton who gives Don his account for the agency but turns out to be a high maintenance client. Ultimately Don, Bert Cooper, Roger, Lane Pryce, decide to start their own agency through clever maneuvering bringing along Pete Campbell, Peggy, Harry Crane, and Joan operating out of a hotel suite. Once again Matt Weiner provides a rich script chock full of engrossing story lines that are artfully blended together along with his eye for detail capturing the era to perfection. There are reasons that \\\"Mad Men\\\" garnered all the awards and acclaim that it has and Season 3 provides ample proof.\",\n \"Product: After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell-bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches...their past.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Your Bedtime Story Hansel & Gretel\\n\\nReview: Watched this for laughs through my Prime account. Strictly a park your brain movie that starts with the rough outline of the famous fairy tale we all know. Our heroes young Hansel and Gretel escape the clutches of the so-called Candy Witch and dispatch her leading them to make an obvious career choice to become witch bounty hunters. Jeremy Renner must have owed someone a favor to take on the role of the diabetic (from OD'ing on sweets at the Candy Witch's cottage) Hansel. I never heard of Gemma Arterton until this film but she looks fetching in tight leather pants and seems to be enjoying herself. Famke Janssen plays the main villain, some sort of super witch who manages to keep a straight face spouting all sorts of mystical mumbo-jumbo. There's lots of CGI gore and a troll named Edward too. You get plenty of anachronistic language (occasional F-bombs for example) and weapons that employ technology at least 100 years in the future of the setting. Hansel even gives himself insulin injections! I kept waiting for a witch to pull out an i-Phone. Escapist fare and not for little ones due to the language and blood & guts.\",\n \"Product: There's trouble in paradise for former CIA operative Michael Westen and his cohorts, and the streets of Miami are hotter--and deadlier--than ever before in the action-packed, adrenaline-charged sixth season of Burn Notice! In hot pursuit of his old nemesis, Michael must take down Anson Fullerton and find a way to free Fiona from prison, where she is being targeted by a murderous foe. Michael goes full force to save Fiona as he takes on cold-blooded assassins, diabolical drug cartels, uneasy alliances, and explosive danger at every turn, until an unthinkable tragedy leaves him reeling and rocks his team to the very core.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Another great Season of Burn Notice\\n\\nReview: Season 6 of Burn Notice makes up for a somewhat less than stellar Season 5. Personally I have never liked the plot device of inserting a primary character in prison. Sure it's understandable that writers want to amp up the drama by putting someone viewers care about into jeopardy but the prison scenario has been overdone and is so full of cliches that it's painful to watch. The season of the excellent \\\"Justified\\\" where Ava Crowder was in jail was the worst- everytime the action switched to that storyline it was tedious. That said, my fears for more of the same this season with Fiona in prison were not assuaged by the first few episodes. Fiona went through the usual prison stuff (threatened by other cons, dealing with corrupt guards, etc.) and it looked bleak but happily Matt Nix and company bail her out after a few episodes. Afterwards the show really picks up steam and was back to the great action packed series the fans love. Some crazy things happen and the killing off of a significant recurring character was quite a surprise too. So glad Nix and his team have redeemed this great series and I'll be sad to watch the final Season 7 knowing it's all over. Surprising technical glitch was when gun-happy Fiona threatens to give a guy a \\\"9mm tracheotomy\\\" when she's holding a Walther PPK on him. The problem is the PPK is not chambered for 9mm; .22 and .380 yes, but no 9mm.\",\n \"Product: Directed by Sam Mendes. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Maybe JB is really dead???\\n\\nReview: If Bond isn't dead, maybe he should be which is how this installment starts out. I swore I'd never watch another of the new generation Bond films after the bleak \\\"Quantum of Solace\\\". However, I was lured back by the promise of a return to the \\\"old\\\" Bond style with \\\"Skyfall\\\" and when they rolled out the iconic Aston Martin DB5 from \\\"Goldfinger\\\" they had me.\\n\\nThe franchise is still broken, though this 007 adventure is the best of the three Daniel Craig films. The new Bond still lacks the wit and humor of old, not a double entendre to be seen within miles of this script. Not much of a story, the villain not too scary, virtually gadget-less (a PPK with palm print recognition and a not-so-small radio transmitter), and then there's the car. The current franchise clearly hates the 007 cars; they were quickly destroyed in the beginning of the previous 2 stories. This time when Bond rolls the DB5 out from a storage unit and you hear the Bond theme you're thinking good things are coming...then again, maybe not. Other than joking with M and fiddling with the ejection seat switch and later deploying the bumper mounted machine guns against the bad guys (with the car parked) he merely takes M for a leisurely drive through the Scottish countryside. Supposedly they're hiding from villain who's out to kill M but once the get to Bond's remote boyhood home they make no effort to conceal or camouflage the car and just leave it parked out front. All manner of elaborate booby traps are made but they don't do anything with the car, I thought spies were all about deception? They say at the end that \\\"James Bond Will Return\\\", sadly I don't think that I will.\",\n \"Product: Import Blu-ray/Region B pressing. Returning for it's sixth season, Mad Men, four-time Primetime Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series and winner of three consecutive Golden Globes, explores the glamorous and ego-driven \\\"Golden Age\\\" of advertising in the late 1960's New York City. Don Draper (Golden Glober - winner Jon Hamm) and the rest of the award-winning cast continue to captivate as they deal with the aftereffects of adultery, divorce, a merger, and an ever changing social climate.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The SCDP gang and the turbulent year of 1968\\n\\nReview: Once more Matt Weiner & Co take us back in time to the heyday of Madison Avenue advertising in the 1960's and the world of serial philanderer Don Draper (Jon Hamm). As this series is coming close to it's conclusion things continue to evolve with all of the central characters. Don is richer than ever living the high life in a Central Park high rise suite with his much younger actress wife Meagan (Jessica Pare). Naturally Don's not satisfied, continues to have liasons with other women and his drinking is becoming problematic even by the booze soaked standards of the time. He is slowly self-destructing and it's painful to watch. The agency of Sterling, Cooper, Draper & Pryce in a surprising business move to woo Chevrolet merges with competitors Cutler, Gleeson, & Chaough (where Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) defected to at the conclusion of Season 5). Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) is still a self absorbed jerk and is separated from his wife, moves into his little NY bachelor pad and deals with his mother's worsening dementia. Joan (Christina Hendricks) despite being a partner still struggles for respect from her colleagues and co-workers. Roger Sterling (John Slattery) copes with the death of his mother and being a single guy again and trying to maintain relevance in his own company. Oh, and little Sally Draper's (Kiernan Shipka) is growing up fast challenging both of her parents. She learns some unsavory truths about her father and now seems to loathe him as much as she does her mother Betty.\\n\\n If 1967 was the so-called \\\"Summer of Love\\\" than 1968 should be labeled the \\\"Year of Hate\\\" as this season repeatedly reminds us. Though just a grade schooler back then I vividly remember the assasinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King as well as the Chicago riots during the Democratic National Convention; events which serve as a backdrop for season 6. The special features include an interesting interview with the set designers and prop managers who must be applauded for their ability to take viewers back to this era so authentically. In one scene Betty is sitting on a step stool in her kitchen while talking on the phone; we had the same stool in our kitchen and seeing something so mundane brought back many childhood memories. The wardrobe department also deserves kudos for capturing the period so accurately reminding those of us who remember of some of the truly horrible clothes we wore back then.\\n\\n \\\"Mad Men\\\" isn't a cheerful or uplifting show but is an interesting study of a very specific time and place. As a drama it can be a bit \\\"soapy\\\" sometimes but like a bad auto accident it's hard to turn away from watching this group of people as they live their lives during this turbulent period. Probably not for everyone but first rate performances and solid writing make this series and engaging program to watch for history buffs and 'Baby Boomers'.\",\n \"Product: Editorial Reviews\\n\\n\\n\\nFormer senator Selina Meyer was a rising star in her party, a charismatic leader with White House potential. Then she became Vice President. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Emmy winner for Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine) stars in Veep, a new HBO comedy series created by Armando Iannucci (Oscar nominee for co-writing In the Loop) that follows the whirlwind day-to-day existence of the Vice President as she puts out political fires, juggles a busy public schedule and demanding private life, and defends the presidents interests, even as she tries to improve her dysfunctional relationship with the chief executive. In eight Season 1 episodes, Veep hilariously skewers and satirizes both the nuances of everyday office politics and the political world in an environment where even the most banal decision from a yogurt flavor to choice of the VP pet can have unexpected and far-reaching consequences.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Adult comedy that skewers D.C. politicos\\n\\nReview: If you awake one day and suddenly find yourself in need of a primer in conversational profanity, look no further than Season 1 of VEEP. In this vehicle for Seinfeld alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus she plays failed Presidential candidate Selina Meyers whos stuck with the thankless #2 job. The shows kind of like House of Cards in its cynical portrayal of Washington politics minus the sex, murder, plotting, and scheming but with a comedic twist.\\n Louis-Dreyfus is excellent and has matured since her days playing Elaine and looks terrific. The mostly unknown supporting cast does a fine job portraying a team of sycophants. The stories involve watching the staff groveling for their high maintenance boss as shes ignored by the POTUS while still trying to make a difference and gain some respect. The writing is good and there are many funny moments watching these dysfunctionals try to govern our nation.\\n Back to the language; having spent four years of my military career in the Army where obscenity is the lingua franca of the service I personally don't find this show offensive. I guess in politics, like the Army if you don't punctuate every utterance with the F-word you're just not taken seriously if were to believe this show. Its not as bad as Deadwood but many will have their sensitivities challenged. Despite this I recommend VEEP for an snarky take on life inside the beltway.\",\n \"Product: Quick Shipping !!! New And Sealed !!! This Disc WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. A multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player is request to view it in USA/Canada. Please Review Description.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Many reason it's disappointing\\n\\nReview: I grew up in the 60's and was never much of a comic book fan (I read fast so didn't feel I got much bang for the buck) but Marvel's Saturday morning cartoons gave me all I needed on these characters. Iron Man was always a favorite and I thought IM 1 & 2 were excellent. Robert Downey owns the Tony Stark role and really makes these movies worth seeing. Like other reviewers I dislike when these contemporary films feel the need to stray from the source material. I accepted in IM #1 that Tony revealed his identity as Iron Man contrary to the comics, but in IM #3 they've gone too far. The Mandarin was a formidable foe now reduced to a joke. The ending where Tony has surgery to remove the shrapnel threatening his damaged heart and with it the need for the arc reactor (which he tosses into the sea at the end) is bewildering. Why didn't they operate before if they could? Speaking of the arc reactor, it was the power for the suits, so how is Iron Patriot powered (Rhodes doesn't have a reactor in his chest) or all those remotely operated suits? Not sure where they're going with this but I'm worried they'll ruin the franchise (James Bond anyone?). Another disappointment for me was the lack of Iron Man in this film, Tony is outside the suit for much of this story. Why these recent superhero adventures choose to have the key character moviegoers pay to see not appear on the screen is beyond me. The last Batman movie probably the worst example of this trend; when I go to see a movie about Batman, sort of expect to see Batman on screen, not Bruce Wayne nursing a herniated disc in a dungeon for half the movie. Oh well, RDJ makes it fun and it's visually impressive. Hoping for more on Avengers 2.\",\n \"Product: To win at all costs, sometimes you pay the ultimate price. In the final season of theaward-winning legal thriller, powerhouse attorney Patty Hewes (three-time Emmyand two-time Golden Globe winner Glenn Close) and her ex-protge Ellen Parsons(Rose Byrne) face off in a fatal double showdown: the wrongful death case against acharismatic, international cyber-hacker (Ryan Phillippe, Flags of Our Fathers), and adevastating custody battle pitting Patty against her own son resulting in a series finale asexplosive as it is unexpected. Special guest stars also include Golden Globe winnerJenna Elfman (TVs Dharma & Greg) and Michael Gaston (Inception).\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Disappointing conclusion caps off four preceding seasons\\n\\nReview: I've been a fan of Damages since it's inaugural season so it pains me to give Season 5 just 3-stars. The story just wasn't as clever as what's precededed it and given this was known to be the final season of the show it failed to give longtime fans the closure that would have satisfied them. The primary plot featuring a sleep walking Ryan Phillippe as an Assange/Snowden-like internet hacker/leaker who's linked to a source who appears to have committed suicide after personal e-mails of hers are leaked. The leaker is played by Jenna Elfman who looks terrific and does a nice job in a non-comedic, albeit small role. A wrongful death lawsuit ensues pitting Patty (a fatigued looking Glenn Close) who represents the woman's daughter and Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) defending Phillipe's character. We're teased with the appearance that this legal drama may finally wind up in an actual court room after five seasons but this never happens. Sub plots involving the ongoing custody battle between Patty and her loathsome son and Ellen's potentially damning testimony also never fulfills it's promise and is clumsily concluded. Also another sub plot regarding Patty and her estranged father and a half-sister lead nowhere. Typical red herrings that suggest Ellen gets killed abound but if you've been watching Damages from the beginning you know better than to believe what you see until the end. We also get Ellen revisiting her near murder from Season 1 and Patty's apparent confession to contracting her killing and this story line really winds up more of a distraction then generating any real answers. At it's conclusion we're left with Ellen abandoning her law practice to raise a daughter and presumable married to her boyfriend Chris from season 4 and Patty who at one point's being considered for a SCOTUS appointment getting away with everything and continuing her \\\"Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous\\\" existence. From reading other reviews I'm not alone in having hoped for more after four highly engaging prior seasons.\",\n \"Product: HOUSE OF LIES is a scathing, Corporate America-skewering comedy about a self-loathing management consultant (Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle) from a top tier firm who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his way with and for his clients.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Morally bankrupt, prurient misadventures in big business\\n\\nReview: Clearly from the other reviews I'm in the minority here but just can't find much to like about this series. Morally bankrupt business consultant Marty Kahn (played by Don Cheadle and Kahn should be spelled \\\"Con\\\") and his \\\"pod\\\" spend another joyless season screwing over clients for their company Galweather-Stearn. It still amazes me that Kristin Bell keeps degrading herself in this show playing Jeannie Van Der Hooven along with two other clowns that aid and abet Marty in his dirty dealing in each episode. If the real world of business consulting is anything like this show then I'm surprised their suicide rate isn't higher than it probably is. I'm a very cynical guy but compared to these folks I'm Mr. Sunshine. Those considering this series should be warned there's an abundance of profanity, simulated sex, drug use, heavy drinking, and brief full frontal nudity so if you're sensitive to these things \\\"House of Lies\\\" is not for you. One episode features a lengthy (no pun intended), graphic tour of a client's sex toy factory that I could have lived without seeing. It's been said never to confuse vulgarity with wit; advice gleefully ignored by the writing team for HoL. For example in another episode there's an extended joke about a women's genitalia scented cologne with a crass name; if that strikes you as hilarious then you've come to the right place. So, I'm done with HoL, so is Showtime apparently as they have pulled the plug on the the series after 5 seasons ending this miserable saga.\",\n \"Product: A young man and a young woman meet, begin dating, fall in love and get married. What more could anyone want or expect? Well, when the young woman is a witch it can make for an interesting and complicated relationship. Elizabeth Montgomery is Samantha Stevens, a witch who decides to try living a mortal's life as a suburban housewife to her ad-executive husband Darrin. Dick York portrayed her loving husband for the first five seasons and was replaced by Dick Sargent for the final three of the series. Samantha swears off using witchcraft which doesn't sit well with her mother Endora (Agnes Moorehead), who sees her son-in-law 'Derwood' as a hindrance. The Stevens household has one bizarre event happening after another, usually caused by Endora or one of Samantha's other magically-inclined relatives. Through it all, Darrin and Samantha make the best of everything and get to share their life with their two children, Tabitha and Adam. This top-ranked sitcom was enjoyed by it's audience for eight seasons. So sit back, relax and let Samantha's nose twitches entertain you!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Delightful trip down memory lane with Samantha and 'Derwood'\\n\\nReview: If you're a heterosexual male of a certain age then theres a very strong likelihood that your personal preferences in women were in part shaped by two TV shows; Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie. Bewitched premiered to strong ratings on ABC in 1964 running for eight seasons and starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, a witch married to a hapless mortal and the challenges which follow. Darrin, her spouse is an advertising exec for a New York firm called McMahon & Tate and bears the brunt of trying to have a normal life while his wife and her meddling relatives magical powers wreak havoc on his existence- comedy mayhem ensues in every episode. The series was so successful the following year NBC decided they needed their own magic blonde so Sidney Sheldon cooked up I Dream of Jeanie about a gorgeous genie in a bottle discovered by an astronaut after landing on a remote island.\\n\\n The cast is superb starting with Montgomery; stunningly beautiful and incredibly charismatic you cant take your eyes off of her. Two actors played her husband Darrin, Dick York and later Dick Sergeant who replaced York in Season 6 as a severe back injury forced York to quit the show. Agnes Moorehead is marvelous as Samanthas mother Endora who is not thrilled with her daughters choice in spouses and David White as Darrins boss Larry Tate is a dependable straight man for all the antics. Of the recurring players Paul Lynde stands out as Samanthas snarky warlock Uncle Arthur and can always be counted on for plenty of laughs.\\n\\n The show ran for 8 seasons and ratings began to decline in 1970 and frankly the cast looks pretty fatigued with it all at this point. All said and done Bewitched holds up 45 years later although the plots become quite repetitive after awhile. Supposedly set in commuter town Westport, CT (a place I know very well) it looks nothing like Westport. Also, somewhat surprising for the period Samantha and Darrin are shown frequently occupying the same bed which network censors of the day might have been expected to balk at. Given its the Mad Men era cocktails are constantly being imbibed, Don Draper would have been right at home. Also, it seemed strange to me that for a family show aimed at kids the final season Ms. Montgomery is clearly braless for virtually every episodebut it was the 70s I guess. The show ends without fanfare or any closure for its audience and there are no special features of any kind with this box set. You'll be enchanted by Bewitched even after all these years.\",\n \"Product: Seinfeld stars Jerry Seinfeld as a stand-up comedian whose life in New York City is made even more chaotic by his quirky group of friends who join him in wrestling with life's most perplexing, yet often trivial questions. Often described as \\\"a show about nothing,\\\" Seinfeld mines the humor in life's mundane situations like waiting in line, searching for a lost item, or the trials and tribulations of dating. Co-starring are Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Jerry's ex-girlfriend and current platonic pal, Elaine Benes; Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry's neurotic hard-luck best friend; and Michael Richards as Jerry's eccentric neighbor, Kramer. This highly renowned sitcom set the bar in comedy with some of the most hilariously watchable characters in television history.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 5-Stars for the show about nothing that's really something\\n\\nReview: Hard to believe it's been nearly 20 years since \\\"Seinfeld\\\" wrapped production after a nine year run. Admittedly I was not a devoted fan during it's broadcast years, in '89 I'd just started a demanding grad school program so didn't really watch much TV and it wasn't until '91 or so that the show was even on my radar. Decided to take the plunge and invest in this DVD collection and watch all the episodes from the beginning and in doing so can conclude there's a reason that \\\"Seinfeld\\\" earned it's success.\\n\\n It's just funny, the mundane situations in the hands of Jerry and his cast of clowns are comedy gold. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander are all just brilliant in their self-absorbed characters making the series hold up well after two decades. The supporting cast is equally terrific and the chemistry between them all can't be beat. There are so many stand-out episodes; my personal favorite is from Season 4, Episode 12, \\\"The Airport\\\" where Jerry and Elaine flying back to NY get bumped. They are given the option of another flight but there's only one seat in First Class and the other's in Coach. Naturally Jerry gets the premium seat and Elaine's stuck in steerage compartment hell. The juxtaposition between the two experiences (Jerry seated next to a supermodel swilling wine's from the Tuscany region while Elaine's sandwiched between two obese guys) is laugh-out-loud hilarious. Also seeing some of the young actresses who play Jerry's girlfriends who later go on to become greater stars is quite entertaining- you forget how many there actually were.\\n\\n In fact, the only disappointment is the finale episode which has to rate as one of the worst in TV history. That aside, this collection provides many hours of laughs and is well worth adding to your home DVD library.\",\n \"Product: Cinemax's first scripted primetime drama series returns. A high-octane, globe-spanning thriller, Strike Back focuses on two members of Section 20, a secret British anti-terrorist organization: Michael Stonebridge (Philip Winchester), a consummate British soldier still struggling to overcome tragedy in his life, and Damien Scott (Sullivan Stapleton), a disgraced U.S. Delta Force operative who has found redemption with S-20. In Season 3, the series will have a true global canvas, opening in Colombia - with parallel missions in Beirut, Budapest, Russia, and Germany - and following a trail of drug money that is funding terrorists in the Middle East.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Solid action entertainment (few spoilers)\\n\\nReview: The lads from Section 20 are back in Season 3 of Strike Back for another butt kicking, wild adventure facing some ruthless terrorists, the IRA, and a deadly bio-weapon. This series continues to evolve from its fairly silly first season that relied more on style than substance.\\n\\n Season two was by far the best with a strong story and minimal reliance on the over-the-top nudity and sex scenes that dominated its freshman outing. Unfortunately this season the writers and show runners for some reason felt compelled to reverse course a bit and we have more nudity and sex once again; boy on girl, girl on girl, and boy on boy, something for everyone! If you're easily offended by this type of thing youve been warned. The script is strong and the action first rate and unrelenting, they don't need to use titillating (pun intended) scenes to hold the viewers interest.\\n\\n As always the camaraderie between British SAS commando Michael Stonebridge (Philip Winchester) and disgraced former US Army Delta operator Damien Scott (Sullivan Stapleton) is realistic and believable. These guys look the part, speak like, move like and act like actual soldiers and seem comfortable with physical combat and weapons handling unlike some shows. The season starts with the guys on vacation in the US on motorcycles traveling in California on the way to Mexico. Of course the stuff hits the fan and just after they're pulled over by the highway patrol they're whisked off by helicopter and sucked into another dangerous mission. The story climaxes with an incredible chase on the runway of Ramstein Air Base (not the real base) thats worthy of a Mission Impossible movie; really all of the stunts are incredible for a TV show. The Air Force uniforms are laughably wrong but close enough for most viewers. New for this season is apparent sponsorship by Oakley with some of the team sporting their signature sunwear and tactical gloves (previously everybody wore Ray Bans).\\n\\n Things don't let up for a moment; Rhona Mitra is back as their Section 20 boss, Major Rachel Dalton but shes just lost one of her men and struggling to cope. Her guilt drives her to make some dubious decisions leading the team to question her motives and ultimately getting her killed. Mitra is starting to make a career of playing a role in a series for a season or two then having her character taken out; just as her part in The Last Ship met a similar fate. Theres little time for mourning however and events rip along including a surprise twist with one character that I didn't see coming.\\n\\n So, Strike Back season 3 is highly recommended for adrenaline junkies. Again, not quite as good as the last season in my opinion but great entertainment if you can get past the occasional raunchier bits. Im on board for Season 4!\",\n \"Product: Case-cracking psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and his best friend Burton Gus Guster (Dul Hill) have their hands full getting to the bottom of crime-filled conundrums around Santa Barbara. From a prestigious paranormal police consultant convention to zombie nightmares, Shawn and Gus need all the help they can get as new hijinks and tests arise for your favorite sleuths in this eighth and final season of Psych. Witness every episode back-to-back and uninterrupted of the final hilarious season featuring a gaggle of guest stars including Mira Sorvino (Romy and Micheles High School Reunion), Tom Arnold (Sons of Anarchy), Loretta Devine (The Client List), and Bruce Campbell (Burn Notice).\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Catchphrase \\\"Suck It\\\" describes much of this final season\\n\\nReview: After the past 2 to 3 lackluster seasons Psych finally closes up shop in an abbreviated Season 8. The writing had fallen off by this time and any pretenses about Spencer's being a psychic had all but been abandoned. Silliness replaced cleverness in recent plots and that's no exception this final season. Quickly written out of the show (except for the last episode) are Chief Vick and Juliet who move to San Francisco to take new jobs. Henry decides to sell the old house and \\\"move on\\\" too and Gus even takes a new corporate job and finally gets a cool company car to replace the poor \\\"Blueberry\\\". Juliet's replacement detective (played by Mira Sorvino) has acute powers of observation which rival Shawn's quickly making \\\"Psych\\\" unnecessary to the SBPD to crack the tough cases. The whole thing wraps up with a nice last episode that should satisfy long time fans. Really though, it was well past time to shut this thing down. The DVD set includes some bonus features including the horrible \\\"Psych: The Musical\\\" 90 minute episode. It's apparent that a lot of time and energy went into making this musical show but personally I loathe musicals (OK, except \\\"The Sound of Music\\\") but it's really bad so I can't recommend watching it.\",\n \"Product: Masterful, beguiling and charismatic, Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his equally ambitious wife Claire (Robin Wright) continue their ruthless rise to power in Season 2 of \\\"House of Cards\\\". Behind the curtain of power, sex, ambition, love, greed and corruption in modern Washington D.C. the Underwoods must battle threats past and present to avoid losing everything. As new alliances form and old ones succumb to deception and betrayal, they will stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy. Updated synopsis for Seasons 1 - 5 Masterful, beguiling and charismatic, Frank Underwood and his equally ambitious wife Claire continue their ruthless rise to power in Season 2 of \\\"House of Cards\\\". Behind the curtain of power, sex, ambition, love, greed and corruption in modern Washington D.C., the Underwoods must battle threats past and present to avoid losing everything. As new alliances form and old ones succumb to deception and betrayal, they will stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: House of Cards Second Season Sinks Deeper Into Depravity\\n\\nReview: Kevin Spacey as the conniving Francis Underwood continues in Season 2 chewing up the scenery. Underwoods schemed and killed his way into the Vice Presidency (as he snidely comments to the audience at his swearing in, without a single vote cast in my name, a heartbeat away from the Presidency). The first episode starts with a bang and the murder of a key player from Season 1. Its evident that Underwood won't be satisfied until hes sitting in the big chair in the Oval Office and watching him out maneuver, manipulate, and run roughshod over his fellow pols is great entertainment.\\nRobin Wright as his wife Claire is a force to be reckoned with. Formerly the head of a large non-profit she slides into the role of the VPs wife and starts her own wheeling and dealing. Wright is stunning; she does not look her age for a moment and clearly has a personal trainer on retainer. Her beautifully tailored wardrobe is superb; clad only in black, white, cream or gray with minimal accessories, she projects the style and grace reminiscent of Jacqueline Kennedy.\\nWe have some fine supporting cast as well with Gerald McRaney who seems to be specializing in rich SOBs lately since playing George Hearst in Deadwood and another baddie Barlow Connally in Longmire as well as billionaire entrepreneur and friend of the POTUS, Raymond Tusk this season. Another Deadwood alum, Molly Parker is a military veteran and junior senator that Frank manipulates into filling his shoes as Whip leapfrogging her over more senior candidates. Both actors give great performances.\\nIts hard to go into much detail without giving too much away but needless to say theres an abundance of scheming , conniving, backstabbing, and murder to hold your attention. Theres even a weird and creepy implied 3-way between Frank, Claire and their Secret Service Agent Meechum and also the apparent murder of right hand man Doug Stamper to close things out. All I can say is that Im on board for Season 3 and wonder just how much lower can Francis Underwood sink? Get a shovel and start digging!\",\n \"Product: NOTICE: Polish Release, cover may contain Polish text/markings. The disk has English audio and subtitles.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Denzel serves up old school justice as The Equalizer\\n\\nReview: Unlike the tepid 80's TV series of the same name Denzel brings it as a modern day Robert McCall, ex-CIA operator with lethal skills and an old school sense of justice. This movie starts out slow for the first 20 minutes setting up the character but when Denzel enters the lair of some Russian mob bad guys after they beat up a young prostitute he's befriended, hold on to your hats. The action never really lets up from there and this is entertainment on a par with the original Taken or the Dirty Harry films of the 70's. McCall works in a big box hardware store (think Home Depot) and has been retired from his past black ops life and is trying to live quietly until he's pushed over the edge and then he's as deadly as Jack Bauer from 24. It's typical in this genre to enhance the drama at one of more point to place the hero in jeopardy, that never happens in The Equalizer- McCall relentlessly pursues justice and takes on the Russian mafia enforcer and his henchman in a showdown at the \\\"Home Mart\\\" store that's very satisfying. There's lots of internet buzz about a sequel; sign me up!\",\n \"Product: Best Buy (USA) Exclusive limited edition.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: What the Star Wars sequels should have been\\n\\nReview: For fans of the Marvel universe this obscure title will be a pleasant surprise. As a kid who grew up in the 60's and 70's this was not a comic book of my era. Regardless this was a fun movie that really was what the 3 Star Wars sequels could/should have been. Chris Pratt who never really impressed me on Parks & Recreation shines as the star of this show. You know when the opening sequence features an \\\"Awesome Mix Tape\\\" playing the Blue Swede remake of B.J. Thomas' hit \\\"Hooked on a Feeling\\\" you are in for a different Sci-Fi adventure. Bradley Cooper voices a talking raccoon with a surly attitude so much more enjoyable than his over the top turn in American Hustle. Zoe Saldana is turning playing weird aliens into a habit but she's good at it. Vin Diesel is credited as the animated tree creature Groot who has only one line repeated through the film \\\"I am Groot\\\" which sounds dumb and uninteresting but really captures the audience's admiration. Let's face it, on the surface the Wookie from Star Wars didn't sound too appealing either but you warm up to the big lug when it's all over. Clearly a sequel is in the works and I'll look forward to seeing it. We viewed the 3D version and thought it was a good experience.\",\n \"Product: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with an uneasy truce with a quarter of disparate misfits Rocket, a gun-toting racoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand with the galaxys fate in the balance.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: What the Star Wars sequels should have been\\n\\nReview: For fans of the Marvel universe this obscure title will be a pleasant surprise. As a kid who grew up in the 60's and 70's this was not a comic book of my era. Regardless this was a fun movie that really was what the 3 Star Wars sequels could/should have been. Chris Pratt who never really impressed me on Parks & Recreation shines as the star of this show. You know when the opening sequence features an \\\"Awesome Mix Tape\\\" playing the Blue Swede remake of B.J. Thomas' hit \\\"Hooked on a Feeling\\\" you are in for a different Sci-Fi adventure. Bradley Cooper voices a talking raccoon with a surly attitude so much more enjoyable than his over the top turn in American Hustle. Zoe Saldana is turning playing weird aliens into a habit but she's good at it. Vin Diesel is credited as the animated tree creature Groot who has only one line repeated through the film \\\"I am Groot\\\" which sounds dumb and uninteresting but really captures the audience's admiration. Let's face it, on the surface the Wookie from Star Wars didn't sound too appealing either but you warm up to the big lug when it's all over. Clearly a sequel is in the works and I'll look forward to seeing it. We viewed the 3D version and thought it was a good experience.\",\n \"Product: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team-the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits-Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand-with the galaxy's fate in the balance.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: What the Star Wars sequels should have been\\n\\nReview: For fans of the Marvel universe this obscure title will be a pleasant surprise. As a kid who grew up in the 60's and 70's this was not a comic book of my era. Regardless this was a fun movie that really was what the 3 Star Wars sequels could/should have been. Chris Pratt who never really impressed me on Parks & Recreation shines as the star of this show. You know when the opening sequence features an \\\"Awesome Mix Tape\\\" playing the Blue Swede remake of B.J. Thomas' hit \\\"Hooked on a Feeling\\\" you are in for a different Sci-Fi adventure. Bradley Cooper voices a talking raccoon with a surly attitude so much more enjoyable than his over the top turn in American Hustle. Zoe Saldana is turning playing weird aliens into a habit but she's good at it. Vin Diesel is credited as the animated tree creature Groot who has only one line repeated through the film \\\"I am Groot\\\" which sounds dumb and uninteresting but really captures the audience's admiration. Let's face it, on the surface the Wookie from Star Wars didn't sound too appealing either but you warm up to the big lug when it's all over. Clearly a sequel is in the works and I'll look forward to seeing it. We viewed the 3D version and thought it was a good experience.\",\n \"Product: James Garner returns one last time in his iconic, Primetime EmmyAward-winning role of Jim Rockford, the wisecracking ex-con-turned-private eye. Get ready for action with the final four television movies from this indelible series as the unlikely, laidback detective cruises the City of Angels in his Pontiac Firebird, working perplexing cases of the lost and dispossessed. With Jim Rockford on the case, it's no mystery why The Rockford Files was one of the most celebrated shows of its time, and why it remains a beloved and unforgettable part of television history. Friends and Foul Play: Rockford gets schooled in a new type of deviant when he enrolls in a Criminal Behavior class in order to discover who killed a friend's son. Punishment and Crime: Love is in the air when Rockford rekindles a romance with a blind woman whose cousin is being threatened by devious forces in the Russian underworld. Murder and Misdemeanors: It's Rockford versus the venerable LAPD when he investigates two veteran police officers accused of vice. If It Bleeds...It Leads: When Rockford's friend is mistaken for a serial rapist, it's up to the unconventional detective to find the real criminal before reputations are irreparably destroyed.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nostalgic trip back with fan favorite P.I. Jim Rockford\\n\\nReview: Have always liked the 70's classic, \\\"The Rockford Files\\\" starring James Garner as wrongly convicted/pardoned ex-con turned P.I. Jim Rockford. When these follow on movies were broadcast I never caught them so was grateful to see them now available in DVD. This is the second set of films and the final appearance of Garner and his cast of regulars in these roles. As soon as the familiar Mike Post theme music cranks up and you see the brown Firebird rolling through the L.A. streets it will take you back 40 years. Unlike the original series which still holds up pretty well some of these movies are a bit melodramatic and hokey. Garner had to be in his 70's at this point and while they don't have him doing crazy stunts there are some groan-worthy moments. Stuart Margolin is back as sleaze ball Angel Martin and reliable Joe Santos as police pal Lt. Becker among a number of others. Still, nostalgia worthy if you were a fan of the series or Garner in general.\",\n \"Product: BRAY\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Sequel that offers nothing new, for hard core Terminator fans only.\\n\\nReview: Why? Nothing really new in this latest chapter in the Terminator saga that no one was asking for. We've seen it all before, liquid metal terminators who can shape shift, Arnold's original Terminator turned protector of Sarah Connor, aging, but still the same, and John Connor the savior of the human race against the machine driven apocalypse. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke fills in for Linda Hamilton as Sarah and while she's spunky and cute teaching Arnold's robot killer to be less threatening by adopting an amusing rictus grin and manners it's not enough to justify this film. Die hard fans of the series will no doubt like it well enough but for those of us less invested you won't miss anything skipping this outing.\",\n \"Product: In 1963, the U.S. government launched a covert space mission sending hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Nearly 50 years into the journey, as they approach the point of no return, a mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship's population to question the true nature of their mission.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Mad Men in Space (Contains SPOILERS)\\n\\nReview: Full disclosure, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan but do like Star Wars, Star Trek TOS, and films like Blade Runner, and Avatar so not adverse to the genre either. The premise of this series compelled me to buy a copy. JFK's Cold War doomsday plan to save humanity makes a great story so my hopes were high but quickly ruined when it's revealed that the USS Ascension isn't really in space for 51 years of a 100 year mission and actually is just a movie set. The whole thing's a social engineering experiment that goes awry when there's a murder \\\"on board\\\". Things get more and more confusing as it progresses, there's a deal about a young girl who's a telekinetic and drama going on outside the experiment with the scientists controlling the project... I got a headache by the time it was over. The cast's mostly unknowns except Brian Van Holt who takes a respite here from playing his usual boozy reprobate characters (Cougar Town, The Bridge) to play a boozy uniformed reprobate as the ship's captain channeling more Don Draper than Captain Kirk . Also we have Battlestar Gallactica reboot star Trisha Helfer as his wife doing her usual hot babe with an attitude thing. This could have been so much more but by the time the 3 episodes of this mini-series are over there's really nowhere else for them to go.\",\n \"Product: Based upon Marvel Comics most unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who, after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Surprisingly good Marvel tale with C-list anti-hero\\n\\nReview: My superhero experience was shaped back in the 60s and 70s by TV cartoons featuring A-list Marvel talent; Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, etc. Im a lot older now and don't read comic books but have enjoyed most if not all the more recent blockbuster movies featuring the mainstream characters I just mentioned. Much credit to Marvel Studios for their willingness to back feature length films starring lesser known heroes like Antman and The Guardians of the Galaxy which were terrific and lots of fun. However, when I saw Deadpool it just seemed to me like Marvel was scraping the bottom of the barrel (which Mr. Pool would likely agree). Well, having recently watched the film I have to admit I was just plain wrong, Deadpool was highly entertaining and Ryan Reynolds did a super job playing the irreverent hero. Having come to the story with no prior knowledge of the character did nothing to diminish my enjoyment of the movie.\\n\\n This is an origin tale and we meet a guy named Wade (Reynolds) who apparently works as some sort of mercenary thug for hire. For the most part hes doing light weight stuff like scaring off a young womans dorky stalker for example. Then he meets a girl (Morena Baccarin, best known for Firefly and Homeland), falls in love and looks forward to marriage. But, after he gets a terminal cancer diagnosis hes offered an opportunity at gaining super powers from a shady recruiter and things don't go well from there. After a torturous series of experiments hes horribly disfigured and left for dead. Only, hes not dead and he does now have superpower. The rest is essentially a revenge story as Wade/Pool tries to find the scumbag who ruined his looks and hopefully get himself returned to normal (whatever that is at this point). Good news though, no more cancer!\\n\\n Theres a ton of action and lots of excellent exciting sequences that are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Its nice after so many crowded ensemble shows like The Avengers where its hard to keep track of whos doing what to whom, you can easily follow whats happening in Deadpool. Viewers should note that theres some partial nudity, no shortage of profanity, and the humor is mostly of the adult variety so not a kid friendly flick. Given its box office success its no surprise that a sequel is currently filming and if it does well this may mark a new Marvel franchise. The X-Men keep trying to draft Deadpool to join their ranks and lets just say hes not enchanted at the prospect but who knows what will happen?\",\n \"Product: The most explosive clash to ever rock the Marvel Cinematic Universe ignites a firestorm of conflict in the game-changing epic, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. In the wake of collateral damage, government pressure to rein in the Avengers drives a deep wedge between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), causing a catastrophic rift that turns the two friends into bitter enemies. Against a backdrop of divided loyalties, their fellow Avengers must deal with the fallout. Pick a side in this spectacular adventure, packed with mind-blowing action and suspense.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Marvel delivers another visual spectacle for superhero fans\\n\\nReview: As one who does not define himself as a comic book fanatic I still read my share as a kid but read them too fast to make steady consumption worth my small allowance. Back in the 60's we had some poorly animated (especially by today's standards) but no less entertaining cartoons of the Marvel superheroes including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Spiderman, and The Hulk which is where I built my foundation with these characters. So, being able to see these visually dazzling modern films with live actors is always a treat even when sometimes the stories may not be that great.\\n\\n\\\"Captain America: Civil War\\\" is a 4.5 star extravaganza and in my opinion a better film than the muddled \\\"Avengers: Age of Ultron\\\". There's a ton of stuff going on here and I know that it'll take watching more than once to take it all in. The premise that these \\\"enhanced\\\" heroes have to be held accountable for the collateral damage they inflict while saving the world makes surprisingly good sense. Needless to say that not all of the gang are on board having to toe the line with bureaucratic restrictions, hence the civil war between our team mates. Sides are drawn with Tony Stark showing uncharacteristic responsibility leading one group and Captain America and his sympathizers disagreeing with Stark and the new rules of engagement. I won't go into any details but as mentioned above there are many moving parts to this story and plenty of side plots as well making things a bit hard to keep up with (maybe just showing my age?). Personally I like my heroes to be sympatico and couldn't bring myself to watch the earlier released DC \\\"Batman vs. Superman\\\" because the thought of these two greats as antagonists just made me sad. This Blu-ray sat on my shelf for the same reason for several weeks before I could bring myself to watch it and it was worth the wait.\\n\\nThe film has the typical humorous bits you'd expect from a Marvel production, especially amusing is the new Spiderman and Ant Man ads some comic relief to the mix. We don't get to see the Hulk or Thor in this outing but that's OK as there are just so many players that it's almost overwhelming. The visuals are impressive and the climactic fight scene between Iron Man and Cap' is pretty epic. If you're a fan of this genre then CA: Civil War is a must to add to your collection. \\\"Nuff said\\\".\\n\\nThere are some humorous\",\n \"Product: Finally, one of the most beloved series from television's Golden Age comes to DVD for the first time ever! Join the Cleavers, America's quintessential family, in all 39 digitally remastered, unforgettable episodes from the complete first season of Leave it to Beaver! Theodore \\\"Beaver\\\" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) can't seem to avoid trouble, and his older brother Wally (Tony Dow), and mischievous pal Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond), aren't any help. But with some wise advice from his father Ward (Hugh Beaumont) and mom's (Barbara Billingsley) home-cooked meals, Beaver learns that all's well that ends well. Complete with the original pilot, brought out of the studio archives, this must-have DVD collection will have you declaring, \\\"Gee, that Beaver sure is a swell guy!\\\"\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"My, what a lovely dress you're wearing Mrs. Cleaver\\\"- Nostalgic fun revisiting a TV classic\\n\\nReview: If you're a Baby Boomer of a certain age almost certainly you grew up watching \\\"Leave it to Beaver\\\" in glorious black & white on television. Premiering in the late 50's LITB is a slice of Americana from the Eisenhower era. Quaint best describes this family of 4 in their modest home, one car, and upright values when you compare it to how things are today.\\n\\n Young second grader Theodore \\\"Beaver\\\" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) is the titular star and the show follows him through daily adventures when there were no so-called helicopter parents and kids went outdoors in their neighborhoods (without fear of abduction or worse) and played with one another (no video games, social media) in person and even got into mischief. The core cast is great, perpetual suit wearing father Ward (Hugh Beaumont), apron and pearl wearing mom June (Barbara Billingsley) and older brother Wally (Tony Dow) round out the ensemble in each episode helping 'The Beaver' learn many life lessons. The supporting cast of young actors is quite good as well and stand out Ken Osmond as the smarmy suck-up Eddie Haskell is teriffic. So, if you're looking for a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time visitng 'Beave' and his pals will likely bring a smile to your face.\",\n \"Product: MAD MEN: The Final Season, Part 1, is the beginning of the end for television's most celebrated show--four-time Primetime Emmy(R) winner for Outstanding Drama Series and winner of three consecutive Golden Globes(R). Set in the captivating world of 1960s New York, MAD MEN continues to follow iconic ad man Don Draper (Golden Globe(R) winner Jon Hamm), his colleagues and his family.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Peggy Olsons 10 year old neighbor: I don't want to go to Newark Peggy: Nobody does\\n\\nReview: Mad Men begins its terminal season as we watch the continuing devolution of Madison Avenue advertising wizard Don Draper. Its 1969 and Don (Jon Hamm) is on paid leave from Sterling, Cooper & Partners after he drunkenly blows a pitch with a client last season. Hes using Freddy Rumsen as a proxy for submitting work to the agency between trips to the west coast to see his actress wife Megan (Jessica Pare). Dons tried to clean up his act drinking less and cutting back on his womanizing but things are strained with Megan. Finally Don gets to come back to the agency but with Draconian rules that clearly are designed to set him up for failure so he can be terminated.\\n\\n Theres plenty of other drama involving the rest of the cast as well; Roger (John Slattery) takes to the free love movement and indulges in orgies with hippies, Peggy (Elizabeth Moss) continues to assert herself at SC&P despite the gender discrimination of the day, smarmy Pete Campbell (Vincent Cartheiser) is frustrated working with Ted in the California satellite office and is separated from his wife Trudi (Alison Brie) while taking up with his pretty blonde realtor, and Ginsburg has a meltdown over his paranoia with the new IBM computer installed at the agency to name just a few of the many happenings in these seven episodes.\\n\\n Finally on the eve of the Apollo 11 moon landing series regular Burt Cooper (Robert Morse) passes away from natural causes. The closing scene for the season is Don imagining Coopers still alive and performs a song and dance rendition of The Best Things In Life Are Free complete with choreographed dancing secretaries. This could easily have been overly sentimental schlock in lesser hands but Matt Weiner crafts it into a touching tribute to a legacy character.\\n\\n It is hard to believe there are only seven more episodes remaining in this terrific series. Great writing and the gifted cast clearly earn all the many accolades Mad Men has won.\",\n \"Product: Four pals are stuck in a rut in adulthood: Adam (John Cusack) has just been dumped, Lou (Rob Corddry) is a hopeless party animal, Craig (Craig Robinson) is a henpecked husband, and Jacob (Clark Duke) does nothing but play video games in his basement. But they get a chance to brighten their future by changing their past after a night of heavy drinking in a ski-resort hot tub results in their waking up in 1986.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Not recommended for Noel Coward fans or those with a more refined sense of humor\\n\\nReview: 2.5 stars for this sophmoric tale of 3 schlubs (and a nephew) who were buds in the 80's but now have drifted apart leading miserable lives. An event triggers a reunion back at a ski lodge where they used to party back in the day. Alas, the resort has fallen on hard times and isn't the happening place they remember. The crew indulges in a wild night of drinking in their condo's hot tub and a spilled beverage shorts out the tub controls resulting in time traveling back to the 80's. Vulgar zaniness ensues. Call me a tradionalist but to me time traveling conveyances should be something more like H.G. Wells imagined, or at the very least a DeLorean but a hot tub seems to push the limits of belief. I have fond memories of the 80's and picked this up in a bargain bin for $5.00 though not sure why it was ever released in Blu-ray, it's no cinematic masterpiece.\\n\\nSo, I'm no stranger to low brow humor and thought \\\"Animal House\\\", \\\"National Lampoon's Vacation\\\", and \\\"Blazing Saddles\\\" were all quite funny and cleverly written. They say humor is generational and to me at least contemporary films like this or \\\"The Hangover\\\" and it's ilk and other raunchy comedies prove the point. I just don't get the appeal of these flicks.\\n\\nIt's unclear how John Cusack wound up in this farce lampooning all things 80's when he is something of an icon of the decade playing Lloyd Dobler in \\\"Say Anything\\\". The rest of the cast is largely forgettable. There are a few chuckle provoking moments but most of it's just profanity and vulgarity with some scatological and homophobic humor thrown in. It's amazing this mess garnered so many 5-star reviews on Amazon and that it even spawned a sequel in 2015. Oh well, to each his own and if this your kind of thing then dive on into the tub but if your tastes are a bit more mainstream than \\\"Hot Tub Time Machine\\\" is not recommended.\",\n \"Product: In the taut thriller, when Nancy (Blake Lively) is surfing on a secluded beach, she finds herself on the feeding ground of a great white shark. Though she is stranded only 200 yards from shore, survival proves to be the ultimate test of wills, requiring all of Nancys ingenuity, resourcefulness, and fortitude.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: It's not \\\"Jaws\\\" but better than so many other lame 'shark' movies\\n\\nReview: Blake Livelys never really been on my radar in the past. I knew she starred in the series Gossip Girl (which Ive never watched), is married to Ryan Reynolds, starred in The Age of Adaline and appeared in some internet fashion stories but that was it. She delivers a strong performance and is more than capable in carrying this thriller from start to finish. Lively is on camera for the entire film; there are 5 other actors who have about a dozen lines between them and one spunky seagull for her to interact with besides the animatronic/CGI shark. Its a role similar in some respects to Robert Redfords lost at sea sailor in All is Lost where he is the only person in the entire movie.\\n\\n The Shallows is an intense and suspenseful movie that pits an intelligent and resourceful young woman against a great white shark off a lonely Mexican beach. Nancy takes a break from medical school after the death of her mother and goes on a journey to discover the remote beach where her mom went surfing while pregnant with her. Nancy finds the secluded beach and hits the waves with only a couple of local surf bums in the area. The scenery (actually Australia) is spectacular and its an idyllic scene to begin with. The guys are leaving but she makes the fateful choice to take one more ride when the shark attacks wounding her leg. She barely escapes to a small rock island where she and a seagull are stranded far from shore with the shark circling.\\n\\n The story shows us how a resilient individual can persevere in the face of very daunting odds. Lively is beautiful and charismatic as she refuses to give up and fights back against the apex predator. Running about 90 minutes long its just the right length, the situations and her ingenuity feel realistic and you believe these are things you might do if in the same circumstances. The only weak part is how the shark is dispatched at the end but other than that The Shallows is a thinking viewers shark movie.\",\n \"Product: Holiday Wishes is produced by Grammy Award-winner Walter Afanasieff (Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey) and features such classic favorites as "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice renditions of holiday favorites\\n\\nReview: Overall I enjoyed this album. I am not a fan of Broadway musicals and had never heard of this artist other than John Travolta's butchering her name at last year's Academy Awards for her performance of the song \\\"Let it Go\\\" from Frozen. I didn't care for that song (longer than \\\"Freebird\\\" I think) but think Ms. Menzel has a great voice and can really belt out a tune. For the most part the selections on this collection are mostly holiday favorites (not sure where \\\"The River\\\" came from) and she does a nice job. On a couple of the more up tempo numbers she does inserts a little \\\"Come on\\\" emphasis to the lyrics which seems a bit out of place and distracting, I found myself listening for it on repeated playing of certain songs. I think most holiday music fans would enjoy this disc from a more contemporary artist.\",\n \"Product: Graduating from college with a Masters Degree in History (and therefore possessing no actual job skills), Mr. Thompson sold vacuum cleaners door-to-door for 16 years until losing his job in the great carpet-sweeper wars of 03. Forced into a life of crime, he stood on various street corners for a week, until it dawned on him that loitering was not the sort of crime one could actually make a living at. Lacking the nerve to move up to jaywalking, he decided to pursue his dream and become a novelist. Five years later it finally dawned to him that writing novels was not the sort of work one could actually make a living at either, so he became a professional gambler and amassed several million dollars. His financial security thus assured, he has now returned to his first lovelying in bed, sleeping, crying, burping, and occasionally playing with his toes. Mr. Thompson currently lives in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, with his lovely Russian mail-order bride, Tatiana, and an ever-changing assortment of nubile concubines and pliant servant-girls. His hobbies include mountain-climbing, sky-diving, hanging out at the mansion with Hef and the gang, and lying about his life and hobbies.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Can't wait for the next installment!\\n\\nReview: Keith Thompson has written the closest thing you're going to get that compares with the brilliant works of George MacDonald Fraser. I've read all the Flashman chronicles multiple times and think General Wilkinson's nefarious exploits come closest to matching Sir Harry's. The book is well researched and the narrative flows nicely with character development and dialog that rings true. You'll get a nice history lesson on the Revolutionary War and the principle players interwoven with some plausible speculation on events by Mr. Thompson. I guess I have the \\\"literary tastes of a 12 year old\\\" as one recent reviewer suggests as I loved this book and look forward to the next chapter in what I hope is a long saga of a little know American rogue.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":36,"string":"36"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1773,"string":"1,773"}}},{"rowIdx":1774,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3H2UI9EI25OAR"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"Monitor your pedaling cadence and/or speed as you ride with these Easy-to-install wireless sensors. Simply attach the sensors and ride. With no magnets or other exposed parts to line up, these sensors are easy to install, maintain and move between bikes. The Cadence sensor fastens to any crank arm size and measures pedal strokes per minute so you can get the most out of your training. The Speed sensor attaches to the hub of either wheel and self-calibrates with your Edge to give you accurate speed and distance at all times, including indoors on the turbo trainer. Combine them both and improve your personal best or see where your stand against the pros. Compatible Devices: Fenix 2 special edition, Fenix 3 HR, Fenix 3 Sapphire, Approach S60, D2 Bravo, D2 Charlie, D2 Delta, D2, Delta PX, D2 Delta S, Descent Mk1, Edge 1000, Edge 1030, Edge 130, Edge 25, Edge 500, Edge 510, Edge 520, Edge 520 Plus, Edge 800, Edge 810, Edge 820, Edge Explore 1000 Edge Explore 820, epix, eTrex Touch 35, eTrex Touch 35t, Fenix 2, Fenix 3, Fenix 5, Fenix 5 Plus, Fenix 5S, Fenix 5S Plus, Fenix Chronos, Forerunner 230, Forerunner 235, Forerunner310XT, Forerunner 35, Forerunner 630, Forerunner 645, Forerunner 645 Music, Forerunner 735XT, Forerunner 910XT, Forerunner 920XT, Forerunner 935, Oregon 650t, Oregon 650, Oregon 600, Oregon 700, Oregon 750, Oregon 750t, tactic Bravo, tactic Charlie, Varia Vision In-Sight Display, VIRB 360, VIRB Ultra 30, VIRB Ultra 30 Aviation In-cockpit Bundle, VIRB X, VIRB XE, vivoactive, vivoactive 3, vivoactive 3 Music, vivoactive HR.\". The summary of the review text is \"Simple setup, one piece sensor design\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I purchased these sensors to replace magnet based Cateye sensors and I couldn't be happier. These Garmin accelerometer based sensors are great. No need to properly align sensors & magnets. Just attach, sync, and go!\n\nI use these in combination with a Garmin Edge 500. As some others have mentioned, the sensors sync up but don't show sensor IDs. The first time I set them up they went fine on my test ride. Then I took my bike to the bike path and they weren't working. After a bit of fiddling and clearing the sensors from my Edge and re-syncing them, they were fine. I haven't had that happen since and its been a few months with 2-3 rides a week.\n\nI do agree that they do take a second or so longer to adjust to changes than my Cateye sensors. If I stop pedaling it takes a second or two to reflect a zero cadence, and when I start spinning up, again, there's a delay. It doesn't matter all that much to me, it's not critical to know the speed/cadence at any given split second.\n\nThe speed sensor can be a bit difficult to install. It's almost as if you need to do it one handed. Or maybe my hands are just too big as I can only fit one hand in between the spokes at a time. I guess it depends on your spoke setup as well. I just wouldn't want to swap them between bikes all that often which seems to be one of Garmin's advertising points.\n\nOverall, I just like not having to deal with sensor/magnet alignment and having something come out of alignment during a ride. Such a scenario has happened a few times with the Cateye sensors which required me to stop and make adjustments. I don't foresee that happening with these as they are one piece sensors that rely on movement of the accelerometer rather than a magnet passing the sensor."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I purchased these sensors to replace magnet based Cateye sensors and I couldn't be happier. These Garmin accelerometer based sensors are great. No need to properly align sensors & magnets. Just attach, sync, and go!\n\nI use these in combination with a Garmin Edge 500. As some others have mentioned, the sensors sync up but don't show sensor IDs. The first time I set them up they went fine on my test ride. Then I took my bike to the bike path and they weren't working. After a bit of fiddling and clearing the sensors from my Edge and re-syncing them, they were fine. I haven't had that happen since and its been a few months with 2-3 rides a week.\n\nI do agree that they do take a second or so longer to adjust to changes than my Cateye sensors. If I stop pedaling it takes a second or two to reflect a zero cadence, and when I start spinning up, again, there's a delay. It doesn't matter all that much to me, it's not critical to know the speed/cadence at any given split second.\n\nThe speed sensor can be a bit difficult to install. It's almost as if you need to do it one handed. Or maybe my hands are just too big as I can only fit one hand in between the spokes at a time. I guess it depends on your spoke setup as well. I just wouldn't want to swap them between bikes all that often which seems to be one of Garmin's advertising points.\n\nOverall, I just like not having to deal with sensor/magnet alignment and having something come out of alignment during a ride. Such a scenario has happened a few times with the Cateye sensors which required me to stop and make adjustments. I don't foresee that happening with these as they are one piece sensors that rely on movement of the accelerometer rather than a magnet passing the sensor."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Universal durable white tine tip covers restore rusty dishwasher rack. Set of 125 white dishwasher rack tip cover caps. Simply push on. No glue or adhesive required. Tip covers prevent dishware rust and scratch damage from worn out rusty rack tines. Install in seconds.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Those worked out great. I was a little surprised at how little ...\n\nReview: Those worked out great. I was a little surprised at how little 125 were when it comes to applying these to both a top and lower dish rack. I decided to place them on every open end regardless of whether or not they were showing signs of rust. This includes open ends in the side frame, not just the prongs that stick up to hold your dishes. I ended up being about a dozen short. Some of the open ends (those that are part of the outer frame) were larger than the inner prongs these are meant to fit, but with a little force, they stretch on. I also cut some down to half size since they didn't have a whole lot of room to hold onto without hitting a perpendicular piece of framing, They are just rubber and were easy enough to cut with wire cutters, I'm sure basic house scissors would have worked just as well. I'll likely pick up a 50 pack next time I order from Amazon just so I can finish off the remaining open ends. They are cheap enough.","Product: Coolaroo Lacing Cord Coolaroo Shade Fabric accessory item used to join two or more shade fabric sections together UV stabilized thread. 80 feet of thread with sewing needle.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: it tends to unravel quite easily. To solve that\n\nReview: I used this lacing to attach two pieces of shade together as well as to make some pockets to fit a rod through the top and bottom of the shades. Everything seemed to have worked out well. The needle was helpful put I just used it to poke the hole and then fed the lacing through manually. You have to be quick though because the Coolaroo shade does self heal a bit so the hole begins to close back up.\n\nI did find that once the lacing is cut, it tends to unravel quite easily. To solve that, I used a lighter to melt the end after it was freshly cut. If you're careful and wait a second after removing the flame, you can even make it into a bit of a point before it dries completely. If you touch it too quickly after melting with the flame, you could burn yourself of course.","Product: The Drafting Stool with Tractor Seat is a versatile option that's sized right for the workbench in your garage, stand-up desk in your office and the island in your kitchen.The back and swivel seat are made from high-density polymer for durability and a sleek, shiny finish. Easily raise or lower the height of this drafting chair using the pneumatic adjustment lever, conveniently located under the seat. Plastic floor glides protect your floor by sliding smoothly when you need to move it and the heavy-duty, chrome base and foot ring complement the stool's modern design.This contemporary drafting stool with comfort molded tractor seat combines leading edge style with great functionality.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: So far so good. Modified it a bit.\n\nReview: First off, I purchased one from Jet not Amazon. And that was only because I got it much cheaper with a first time customer discount.\n\nMy intended use for this was a stool for my work bench. Although I haven't used it much, I'm digging it. I did however change things up a bit. Luckily, you don't have to install the back piece if you don't want to. I decided to leave it off so I have more mobility. Remember, my intended use isn't for relaxing. I also wanted something with wheels. So I picked up some 2\" casters from Lowes. The bolt diameter was just a tad bit smaller on the casters. I believe the casters are 3/8\" while the gliders are 10mm. The thread spacing matched though. I did have to cut down the bolts on the casters though to match the length of the gliders the chair came with. Since there isn't much clearance above the nuts you'd be screwing them into. I used three regular casters and two locking ones in case I want to lock it in place down the road. I did find that with the seat all the way down, my feet just barely sit flat on the ground, so I have to use the front part of my foot to move around while fully seated. Or I had slide forward on the seat a bit when moving around. It probably would have been better to use 1-1/2\" casters but the bolts were smaller diameter.\n\nAnyway, I like it so far after changing it around to my needs. We'll see how long the seat lasts. Others have mentioned problems with the way it attaches to the rest of the chair. I'm not a overly big guy, so I'm hoping it lasts a while.","Product: Sturdy container will withstand harsh temperatures that go from hot to cold, such as attics and basements. Durable polyethylene material delivers a lifetime of durability and strength. Lids snap securely. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Tough enough to stack. Made in the USA. 10-year Limited Warranty. Rubbermaid Roughneck Tote Storage Container, Dark Indigo Metallic, 14-gallon (FG2212CPDIM).\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: the covers come off very easily without pulling the locking tabs out\n\nReview: These are OK for the price (around $10 per) but they don't seem as rugged as one would expect from the name. The bottoms seem a bit flimsy so I wouldn't trust too much weight in them. Secondly, the covers come of very easily without pulling the locking tabs out. The amount of plastic that tucks under the tote in order to \"lock\" on is minimal and with very little pressure applied in the right spots will pop the lid off. With that being said, the price is still right but they seem more like an economical line and should be advertised as so. Rough shouldn't be in the name considering the flimsy plastic and semi-secure lid. With that being said, I still plan on buying more as I've already filled the 5-pk I bought.","Product: Sturdy container will withstand harsh temperatures that go from hot to cold, such as attics and basements. Durable polyethylene material delivers a lifetime of durability and strength. Lids snap securely. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Tough enough to stack. Made in the USA. 10-year Limited Warranty. Rubbermaid Roughneck Tote Storage Container, Dark Indigo Metallic, 14-gallon (FG2212CPDIM).\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: the covers come off very easily without pulling the locking tabs out\n\nReview: These are OK for the price (around $10 per) but they don't seem as rugged as one would expect from the name. The bottoms seem a bit flimsy so I wouldn't trust too much weight in them. Secondly, the covers come of very easily without pulling the locking tabs out. The amount of plastic that tucks under the tote in order to \"lock\" on is minimal and with very little pressure applied in the right spots will pop the lid off. With that being said, the price is still right but they seem more like an economical line and should be advertised as so. Rough shouldn't be in the name considering the flimsy plastic and semi-secure lid. With that being said, I still plan on buying more as I've already filled the 5-pk I bought.","Product: No matter the size of the kitchen, kitchen space is almost always limited. We love to cook but don't like having to dig through cluttered drawers, cupboards and cabinets to find what we need. Cookware can take up a large amount of our kitchen space. For the past three centuries, cooks and chefs have solved this problem by using wall and ceiling mounted pot racks. RACK IT UP a value-priced pot rack line, has expanded on this concept with its Half Moon Pot Rack. With this wall mounted rack you'll be able to hang your favorite cookware and utensils for easy access and save precious counter and cabinet space. Notice how the back bar protrudes away from the wall so you can attach even more utensils. Plus, this rack adds beauty and charm to one of your favorite gathering rooms. It's constructed of durable steel and includes super strong drywall anchors that are very easy to install and does not require bolting to joists or studs. Hang whatever you want; once in place, this rack will hold up to 100 pounds. It's also light weight (just 5 lbs.) so you won't need a handyman to install it. Keep your kitchen accessories organized and convenient so you can spend less time fighting with your kitchen and more time loving it. Rack includes 8 pot hooks, assembly hardware and choice of mounting hardware including traditonal wood screws and super strong drywall anchors. Pot rack measures: 14\"W by 7\"D by 16\"H.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Looks great but could use some improvements\n\nReview: I installed this yesterday and after all is said and done, I do love it. But, there are a few things that should be pointed out.\n\nFirst, although this is listed as 10\" deep, the upper shelf really only gives you about 9\" of usable depth. I suppose I should have paid more attention to the photo. The grated shelf sits inside of the main frame. I can still fit a 10\" pot on top but it has to rest on the front edge and tilt back against the wall.\n\nSecond, assembly and installation leaves a lot to be desired. For one, they use these screw and barrel type fasteners which aren't very easy to secure. It requires two allen wrenches (which are included), one on each side. I would have preferred some kind of welded-on nut on the back of the inner frame piece. Also, you must begin the tighten the screw/barrels but then leave them a bit loose so you can adjust the curved supports. That's right, there is nothing to guide the supports into a perpendicular (to the main frame) position. Granted they have two lined up holes for the screws but there is still enough play that they may not actually be straight up. This can be a problem when following the instructions which state to drill holes X number of inches apart. If you've already tightened the upright curved supports, the holes may not line up at X number of inches because they are not perfectly straight up. I used a level to make sure they were indeed straight but it seems there should be something on the fame itself that keeps them from having so much play. When all is said and done, if you take your time and plan ahead, you should be fine. I'm pretty good with my hands and never have much trouble with assembly instructions but for the average person, I imagine assembly and installation could be problematic.\n\nLastly, as with all manufacturers these day, the hardware is cheap. The screws that bolt into the wall have the same hex head as the screws/barrels used to assemble the frame. I understand, this allows you to use the same supplied allen wrench but I ended up stripping the head on the first screw. After that, I just went to Homedepot and picked up 4 screws w/ a phillips head. Unfortunately the heads are not black but I didn't want to deal with any more stripped hex heads.\n\nIn the end, it looks great and functions just as I expected. There were also just enough hooks for the items I intended to hang.","Product: Sturdy container will withstand harsh temperatures that go from hot to cold, such as attics and basements. Durable polyethylene material delivers a lifetime of durability and strength. Lids snap securely. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Tough enough to stack. Made in the USA. 10-Year limited warranty. Rubbermaid roughneck tote storage container, steel color, 18-gallon (1841373).\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: the covers come off very easily without pulling the locking tabs out\n\nReview: These are OK for the price (around $10 per) but they don't seem as rugged as one would expect from the name. The bottoms seem a bit flimsy so I wouldn't trust too much weight in them. Secondly, the covers come of very easily without pulling the locking tabs out. The amount of plastic that tucks under the tote in order to \"lock\" on is minimal and with very little pressure applied in the right spots will pop the lid off. With that being said, the price is still right but they seem more like an economical line and should be advertised as so. Rough shouldn't be in the name considering the flimsy plastic and semi-secure lid. With that being said, I still plan on buying more as I've already filled the 5-pk I bought.","Product: The mighty air purifier is compact by design, but is equipped with Cutting edge features to keep your indoor air clean. Equipped with a HEPA efficiency RATING of 99.97percent , it uses a four-stage filtration system to effectively eliminate odors and pollutants. This mighty machine includes an air quality indicator through our particle sensing technology that will kick your air purifier into high gear when needed. And when 30 minutes when pollution is not detected for 30 minutes, the fan will automatically stop to save energy.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: So far so good!\n\nReview: First impressions (10/1/16)\n\nI just received this air purifier today and so far, I'm impressed. I unpackaged it to find that, although it's assembled, the filters need to be removed as they are wrapped in sealed plastic. So you know you're getting clean filters. I don't believe my Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True HEPA Air Purifier <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Honeywell-17000-S-QuietCare-True-HEPA-Air-Purifier-200-sq-ft/dp/B000050AQ5/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True HEPA Air Purifier, 200 sq ft</a> came that way. Another great thing about the filters, the pre-filter is roughly a 13\"x15\" rectangular size. This should be cheaper to replace than the 8\" x 48\" filter in the Honeywell (the Honeywell has a round hepa filter that you need to wrap the pre-filter around). You can buy pre-filters in different sizes and cut to fit so the size on this Coway looks like it will be more manageable.\n\nSo after removing the plastic from the filters and inserting them back into the unit, I turned the unit on of course. It defaulted to the lowest setting which led me to put my hand over the exhaust to tell if it was even on. It's really quiet at it's lowest. I bumped it up to the mid level and it was still fairly quiet. At the top level, it's about the level of a small table fan. And here's where it beats the Honeywell again. The Coway at high is about the same audio level as the Honeywell on it's lowest setting. And the Honeywell has a lower sq footage coverage claim at 250 vs the Coway's 361 sq ft claim.\n\nI soon turned the unit to the Eco mode which automatically selects the fan speed as well as shuts off after 30 mins of continuous clean air. Once the Eco mode was set, it was still at the lowest fan speed. Now I should probably mention, before purchasing this unit, I did not have any serious air quality concerns in my apartment but I do have allergies and the next door neighbors smoke outside and sometimes the smell seeps in. A few minutes after turning the air purifier on, I took out the vacuum and cleaned up a bit. I did notice the air quality condition indicator light went from solid blue to a blueish light with a reddish tint glowing in the middle. The vacuuming probably stirred up some dust. I honestly couldn't tell if the purifier got any louder before it went back to solid blue.\n\nSo far, I'm thinking of getting another one of these to replace the Honeywell that's in my bedroom. I'll probably give it a bit more time to make sure this Coway really wins over the Honeywell but it's looking good so far. Also, I didn't buy this on Amazon but I feel Amazon is the best option for researching reviews so here I am. If you want to get a good deal on this, sign up for Kohl's emails and about once every few weeks they send out a 40,30 or 20% mystery coupon. If you sign up with a few different dummy emails, you should be able to get a 40% w/in a few times of it coming around. Even at 30%, you'll still get a better deal than from the retail price. I paid just under $160 shipped after MA tax.\n\nI'll try to remember to update this after I've spent some time with this air purifier.","Product: Conquer stubborn wrinkles quickly and easily with the Rowenta DW9081 Steamium steam iron. With its advanced steam force technology, the 1800-watt iron pushes 30-percent more steam pressure into fabric to create freshly pressed results in less time. The irons up-top LED display makes it easy to see the fabric setting, and its temperature-selection dial turns with a simple touch. Choose minimum heat or higher heat settings, including nylon, silk, wool, cotton, or linen. The steam output automatically adjusts to match the fabric or temperature setting, while its ergonomically designed trigger located under the comfort-grip handle creates steam on demand with nothing more than a simple squeeze. The irons stainless-steel soleplate provides 400 micro-steam holes and a nonstick, scratch-resistant surface to ensure thorough steam distribution and smooth gliding over any type of fabric, while its high-precision tip reaches easily into pleats, between buttons, and along seams. The iron can also be used without steam for dry ironing or as a vertical steamer for effortlessly removing wrinkles from hanging garments. Other highlights include burst-of-steam and cool-spray-mist functions, a large 10.45-ounce water tank, an anti-drip system to prevent leaking or spitting at low temperatures, self-cleaning and anti-calc systems for optimal performance and extended iron life, and a 7-foot electrical cord with a 360-degree pivot to keep the cord from getting in the way. For safety, the iron turns off automatically after 8 minutes if left vertically and after 30 seconds if left horizontally or tipped over. Harnessing the power of steam, theres no need to waste time ironing the same spot over and over. Experience impressive performance and ultra-efficient wrinkle removal with the Rowenta Steamium steam iron.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: What they say is true!\n\nReview: What they say is true. For all my life I've used cheap irons (no more than $50) and now that I've tried a Rowenta, I wonder how I managed for so long.\n\nLet me tell you a little bit about my usual ironing experience. Until I bought the Rowenta DW9081, I would begin ironing my long sleeve shirts starting with the collar and then moving onto the sleeves. Iron one side of the sleeve, flip it over to do the other side where more than likely a new crease would have been caused by ironing the first side. Then, since I hate the crease left at the top side of the sleeve, I would spritz that with some water and hope to get the crease out as much as possible. I could never remove it completely. Then after the second sleeve is done, I'd proceed to the rest of the shirt. On occasion, trying to go too fast, I would end up creating a new unwanted crease by not keeping the fabric completely flat. And of course, getting that crease out is near impossible. Turns out cheap irons are better at creating unwanted creases than removing them.\n\nNow onto my Rowenta experience. I started with the collar as before. Onto the sleeves, iron one side and flip over. To my surprise the opposite side is already ironed! To remove the crease on the top of the sleeve, just hold the auto-steam trigger and good to go. As for the rest of the shirt, no worries with accidental creases as the weight of the iron keeps the fabric from inadvertently bunching up. Overall the time it takes me to do one shirt is probably cut nearly in half.\n\nI did find that if I try to use the auto-steam trigger for too long, the preheat light keeps going on while I'm trying to finish my current portion of the shirt. If the light is on (which indicates it needs to heat up a bit) and I try to iron, even without the auto-steam trigger held, there is some water leakage. I'm not sure if this is fault of the iron or more of me trying to push it further than it can go. As long as I wait a second or two for the pre-heat light to go off, it doesn't leak. It seems to me that a 1800w iron shouldn't need those few seconds to keep up the heat level w/o having to pass every few seconds.\n\nAll in all, no more cheap irons for me. So glad I picked this one up. To me, the money is worth the time saved as well as the decreased frustrations with cheap irons.","Product: The eLuxurySupply Down Alternative Hypoallergenic Pillow is without exception, the finest pillows of this class anywhere! Most pillows use a continuous filament fiber which flattens out quickly or becomes lumpy when washed. We use a much loftier cluster fiber to make a softer, longer lasting pillow. These pillows are constructed using 230-thread count, 100% cotton ticking and they are filled with a hollow, siliconized, polyester cluster fiber. Made in the USA! You have our word that we will do everything that we can to make sure returning your product is not necessary. However, should the need arise for any reason, please contact us to obtain authorization for a full refund or exchange if you have any issues with your product. Please request this refund or exchange within 30 days of receiving your order. For all returns within the 30 day return period, eLuxurySupply will provide a prepaid return label for a completely free return.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Tested for over a year, don't be fooled by first impressions.\n\nReview: I bought these pillows over one year ago and have been using them for the duration of that period. When they first arrived they felt promising. Nice and fluffy, supportive, etc. After a few months the filler started clumping and would require fluffing up every night. After six months or so, the fluffing up wouldn't only last a little while, by morning I was waking up earlier than I had to and the pillow was flat. I tried the wash/dry trick and that does fluff them back & re-disperse the filling up but within a few days they are back to flat in the mornings. Luckily I was only using one of them and had the second pillow up against my headboard behind the one I was using. So after the first six months I switched to the second one. They are now both flat and have decided to purchase this shredded bamboo pillow: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Shredded-Memory-Foam-Pillow-with-Bamboo-Cover-Coop-Home-Goods-Made-in-USA-QUEEN/dp/B00EINBSEW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover - Coop Home Goods - Made in USA - QUEEN</a>Used it for the first time last night and I woke up this morning w/ one of the best nights sleep I've had in a very long time. No flat pillow. I wouldn't recommend this pillows to anyone, they seem nice at first but just don't last. You'd be better off going to TJMaxx or Marshalls and spending <$10 per pillow for something that will last just as long and quite possibly longer than these.","Product: Aren't mangos a pain in the know-where to prepare? With the Kitchen Maestro mango slicer it will take seconds to have your mango sliced, pitted, and ready to eat. Just place your mango on the table or counter, position the slicer on top, and press down. Quality his high quality slicer will get the job done on the first try, without leaving a lot of wasted fruit on the pit. The stainless steel blade will keep its edge for repetitive use, so you can enjoy your mangos for years to come. Comfort the rubberized handle will give you a good comfortable grip. Safety. The best part of all is, when youre done you can just pop it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. FDA approved. BPA free. Warranty by Kitchen Maestro. By us to be free from defects in material and workmanship for 1 year from date of purchase. Our efficient customer service team is here to help you, and will make sure you are fully satisfied with your purchase.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Potential for bacteria growth with mango getting lodged between blades.\n\nReview: I purchased this slicer a little over 6 months ago and until recently I loved it. I've come to discover that the outer ends of the blade, where it looks like one blade, are actually two blades sandwiched together. The problem arises when bits of mango meat get wedged in between those two blades. It doesn't just rinse out. I can pull the blades apart a bit and run some water through but at the high risk of cutting my fingers. I didn't notice this early on, so I don't know if they've separated a bit over time or what. I've decided I don't feel comfortable using the slicer anymore since there is risk of mango meat getting between the blades and can't quit tell if it's all coming out. Anything in there would likely grow bacteria.\n\nI've also noticed that the edge of the blade already has a lot of pits and divots. I've probably only cut 20 or 30 mangos in the time I've owned it, it's always hand washed w/ just a sponge, and it's been stored on a shelf where it doesn't come into contact with any other utensils.\n\nWith the risk of bacteria and the dulling blade, I think I'll just go back to using a regular ole knife to cut my mangos.","Product: The Haier Serenity Series 6050 BTU 115V Window Air Conditioner features a compressor blanket for reduced noise resulting in ultra quiet operation at only 43 decibels. This unit also features a cross flow fan for stronger, smoother airflow and dual motor design for greater air control. Perfect for cooling a room up to 250 square feet, additional must-have features include a full-function remote, energy save mode, dehumidify mode, sleep mode, auto cool and a 24-hour on/off timer.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: I liked it so much that I decided to replace another ...\n\nReview: Prior to purchasing this AC I had purchased the 8000 BTU version for my living room. I liked it so much that I decided to replace another aging AC in my bedroom with this 6050 BTU unit.\n\nThe 6050 BTU unit doesn't vary much from the 8000 BTU version aside from it's cooling capacity Both units have all the same modes. I have found that when the fan is set in quiet mode the fan eventually turns off when a desired set temperature is reached. If the fan is set to \"auto\" mode, the fan never completely stops. Even after the compressor turns off and the desired temp is reached, the fan runs continuously.\n\nThe only other thing I ran into with the 6050 BTU version is the rattle that others have mentioned. The rattle is caused my the filter bouncing around inside the front cover. The easiest solution? Place a few pieces of cardboard between the tabs holding the filter in place and the filter itself. Problem solved and no more rattle. This was never a problem on the 8000 BTU version.\n\nLastly, I would like to point out as well, removing the filter itself is not ideal on either unit. You have to kind of bend the plastic of the filter to get it past one side of tabs, and then you can slide it out sideways. The initial bending to get past the tabs puts me in fear of snapping the filter, but hey maybe the plastic used is designed to flex that much without doing damage.","Product: Magnetic Spice Jars - Shake or Pour Containers - Tins Attach to Most Refrigerator Doors: This set of Magnetic Spice Dispensers allow you to keep your spices close at hand on your refrigerator or appliance doors. The tins feature see through windows with openings to either pour or shake. Tight fit lids will not pop off. They are lightweight, but durable and easy to clean. Each jar measures 2.25\" x 2.25\" x. 2.5\"\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Avoid the 12 pack..... Spend a few dollars more and by two 6pks if needed\n\nReview: I really like these but....\n\nAvoid the 12 pack..... Spend a few dollars more and by two 6pks if you need a large number. They seem to be quality checked and packaged better.\n\nUpdate 3/27/17\nI've now received the second 6 pk and my initial assessment still stands. The 6pks are nicely packaged with no loose flaps, no dents. I even noticed that the clear windows have a thin layer of protective plastic covering them. The 12 pk didn't have this. I must say, one out of the 6 did slide too easily on my fridge. After close inspection it seemed the bottom was pushed in a little bit. Must have something to do with how they are manufactured. They are probably pressed in and sometimes go a little too far. All I had to do was take off the cover and push down on the inside bottom so the magnet was more flush w/ the outer bottom edges. Then it stuck just as well as the others.\n\nOrig review 3/25/17\nAt the moment, I'm going to suggest avoiding the 12pk. I purchased the 6pk as a trial run and really like them. Since I needed more, I figured I'd buy the 12pk to save a few bucks. Th 6pk came properly packaged in a nice branded box. They all stuck well to my fridge. The lids and flaps closed nice and tight. Well the 12pk seemed to be rejects. It comes wrapped in cellophane (see the photos for the 12pk listing), some were dented, others had flaps that closed loosely and some had very little magnetic strength when placed on the fridge. I'm taking another shot at getting a 6pk and we'll see how that goes. Maybe quality control isn't very good all around and I just got lucky on the first 6pk. We'll see. If all goes well, I'll update this as I really do like them. I actually replaced a different magnetic spice tin that was far inferior to these. Well the ones without defects at least.","Product: Chefmos Digital Meat Thermometer Wireless Remote Cooking Food BBQ Grill Thermometer for BBQ Grilling/Kitchen Cooking/Smoker/Oven, Instant Read BBQ Thermometer with Dual Probe, 230 Feet Range, Alarm & Flas\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY So many things wrong with this, where do I begin?\n\nReview: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY\n\nUpdate: Alpha Grillers sent me a new one and my original review stands. Same exact issues, all around, with second unit as the first. This item is useless.\n\nOriginal Review: So many things wrong with this, where do I begin? Well let's start with accuracy. Is it accurate? No. Can it be calibrated? You can try. But you'll likely repeatedly get an \"ERR\" message. I assume that's an error. Tried calibrating this half a dozen times following the instructions but \"ERR\" every time. Out of the box is was off by about 8 degrees so I guess I could do the math in my head every time I want to use it. But wait, there's more. The shealth that fits over the probe, well, it doesn't stay on. It's basically a wide V shaped shealth for a straight skinny probe. It just wiggles back and forth until it falls off. So I guess that's all there is to say about this. Or so you thought. The battery cover isn't even flush with the rest of the unit. When I pulled the cover off, there was some pink residue and the battery was stuck to the cover itself. At $5, which is what I paid after a discount coupon, I still feel robbed. Don't even bother with this \"Made in China\" junk. One more thing. Is it waterproof? Well maybe, it could be, I didn't even want to spend any more time on it to test. I would return this to Amazon but I'd feel bad having them pay to ship it back.","Product: Scythe Kozuti Low Profile CPU Cooler for LGA 1366/1156/1155/775 & Socket AM3/AM2+/AM2\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Scythe fans prone to failure\n\nReview: Update 2/15/16: I'm done with Scythe CPU coolers/ This is the second one I've owed (see original part of my review) and again in less than a year the fan has failed. This time, they are requesting that I send the whole unit back to them at my expense. I'll never by a Scythe ever again. The first I thought was a fluke, but when it happens a second time, I'm done. I'm going to swap this with the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Noctua-Low-profile-Quiet-CPU-Cooler-for-AMD-Based-Retail-Cooling-NH-L9A/dp/B009VY1R9O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Noctua Low-profile Quiet CPU Cooler for AMD Based Retail Cooling NH-L9A</a> Hopefully the fan in the Noctua will last longer and it's also a slightly shorter profile which is good for my mini-itx case.\n\nOriginal Review: Works just great. Easy to install and nice and quiet! I must also mention my experience with Scythe as I've used coolers of theirs in the past. Great customer service. I had a fan go on my Big Shruken, well, actually the fan hadn't quit died yet but it was beginning to make noise. Scythe sent me a new one, no questions asked. Didn't even have to send the old one back. This led me to trust in them and buy this Kozuti cooler and so far, I'm glad I did.","Product: Scythe SCBSK-2100 BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B CPU Cooler for LGA 2011/1366/1156/1155/1150/775 & Socket FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Fans Prone to Failure\n\nReview: I purchased the Big Shuriken fan for a HTPC and it was a really nice fit. Unfortunately the fan died in under a year. I chalked it up to bad luck. Luckily Scythe sent me a new one at no cost. I've since purchased their Kozuti for another HTPC mini-tx build. At first I was impressed with the low profile and fitament but again, the fan died in less than a year. This time Scythe wants me to send them the entire CPU cooler at my own expense and maybe they'll send me a replacement.\n\nInterestingly, Scythe no longer lists a warranty for their CPU coolers anywhere on their website. I'm quite certain there was one listed when I purchased the Big Shuriken and had my first dead fan replaced. My advice, go with an alternative from someone who stands behind their product. After two failed fans from two different Scythe coolers, I've chosen to move to a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Noctua-Low-profile-Quiet-CPU-Cooler-for-AMD-Based-Retail-Cooling-NH-L9A/dp/B009VY1R9O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Noctua Low-profile Quiet CPU Cooler for AMD Based Retail Cooling NH-L9A</a> myself. Has a lower profile anyway.","Product: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Socket FM2+/ AMD A88X/ DDR3/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&GbE/ Mini-ITX Motherboard\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: I started to realize how everything was in a better placement from the F2A88XN-Wifi\n\nReview: Purchased this board to replace my Gigabyte F2A88XN-Wifi. I was impressed with how well this board was packaged. It comes with foam padding around each side of the board that is zip tied on through the mounting holes. Once I placed this board into my Antec ISK110 and began to familiarize myself with connector & slot placements, I started to realize how everything was in a better placement from the F2A88XN-Wifi. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. It's almost as if the ISK110 and the FM2A88X-ITX+ were made for each other. I must admit, I'm not making use of the PCI-E slot and if I was, my cabling probably won't work so well. The majority of my cables run along the same side (see photo).\n\nI also like the Dimm slots on this board. Only one side has a retainer clip. This is the first time I've seen this. Instead of inserting the memory straight down into the slot until the retainer clips catch, you place one end of the dimm down on the end of the slot that has no clip (it's just rigid plastic) and then proceed the place the other end of the dimm into the side with the retainer clip. Somehow it just makes it easier to install and remove. Or maybe it was just my imagination.\n\nI've yet to play around in the BIOS too much but it seems to have quite a few features. I'll primarily be keeping things as default since this is a HTPC build and it doesn't need any OCing. I did notice there was a feature to place the LAN driver on a flash drive through the BIOS which will then download and install the other required drivers for a new Windows install. I was replacing an old MB so I wasn't installing a fresh OS but if I was, this would have been handy since I don't have an optical. Of course, I could have downloaded drivers on my laptop just as well them on a flash drive but if you don't have access to another PC, again, this would be very handy. Sometimes windows doesn't always have the right LAN driver.\n\nAll in all, I am excited about this new board and I hope it serves me well.\n\nUpdate a day later:\nSince this is a HTPC, I use a MCE remote. Unfortunately some of the buttons were no longer working. Turns out it was the Asrock USB Fast software. I removed it and the remote returned to full functioning.","Product: Varia Seat-Post Quarter Turn Mount\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Seat tube collar will be in the way\n\nReview: This doesn't fit well when you want to keep the mount down as far as possible on the seat tube. The angle is such that the seat tube collar gets in the way. In order to keep the Varia visible under a saddle bag, it's crucial to get it as low as possible. I was looking to put my Varia on a second bike without having to move the mount as well. I figured I'd give this one a try as it's more secure than the rubber band mount that comes with the Varia. Unfortunately, I just ended up buying another one of the rubber band ones which I can actually wrap around the part of the frame just below the seat tube collar. It would be nice if Garmin redesigned this one, extending the mount portion away from the clamp just a tad bit more so that it would clear the seat tube collar. Big oversight on their part.","Product: Salomon Quicklace Kit combine an incredibly tough elastic bungee cord with a spring-loaded lock; giving a firm, secure and comfortable fit to your shoes. Perfect for all styles of running shoe, trainer or casual lace-up.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: No need to tie my laces anymore!\n\nReview: I just finished installing these and thought I would start a review before I forget some details.\n\nFirst off, I am putting these into non-Salomon shoes so the eyelet holes are not as tiny (although still smaller than average) as the Salomon's. Although, the package did provide a pointed sleeve to help move the lace through the eyelet. Anyway, I have a pair of Salomon's with these quick laces and wanted the same for my Scarpa shoes.\n\nWhen I first opened the Amazon box and found the package, I immediately thought they didn't include instructions, but I was wrong. The instructions are on the inside of the backing card. So open the packaging carefully. The packaging is plastic, stapled to a paper backing card. You could easily rip the thing apart but may have to piece together your instructions like a puzzle afterwards.\n\nTo me the instructions were rather easy to follow. I prefer visuals rather than written instructions. There are 3 separate ways to do the lacing, depending on the shoe type. The only reason I can see for keeping the loops is if you wanted two different color laces (see instruction photo, version C). The only reason I mention this is because another review mentioned cutting them based on a video \\but later needing to tie new loops.\n\nIf you follow the instruction card everything is rather simple, until you get to the end. The last step is to tie knots where the end pieces push together. What isn't clearly identified is that you must pull the knots into those plastic pieces until you feel or hear a little pop. Otherwise you will be trying like crazy to push the two pieces into each other. If you look at the last image (step 10) in the instructions, for example, it shows the knot on the outside of the barrel of the plastic cap. You actually need to pull the knot into the barrel which can be a little difficult since the inside of the barrel will likely be slightly smaller than your knot.. Just pull hard enough and it will eventually slip into place and you'll then feel it catch against something inside the barrel itself.\n\nIf I had to point out a flaw, it's that, with enough force you can pull the two end pieces apart. I doubt they would come apart on their own but it may be a concern in the future if they continue to loosen or the lace gets snagged on something. I choose to slip the hanging piece under the laces toward the bottom (see photo) since I don't have a flap to tuck them into like my Salomon shoes.\n\nAll in all I'm glad I'm able to add these quick laces to my Scarpas with these and will likely convert all of my athletic type shoes in the future.","Product: Marl knit cable uppers\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: There's a science to putting them on.\n\nReview: Update a few months later from my original review\n\nI purchased these slippers in October. Probably didn't start wearing them until November. It's now mid December and I just noticed the heel is coming apart on one of them (see photo). Would have hoped these would last me a few years as they are rather comfortable. Email Muk Luks, we'll see what they have to say.\n\nOriginal Review\n\nMy hunt for a good pair of slippers has finally ended. I had tried pair after pair from Amazon for a few months and finally settled on these. I don't like moccassin or heel-less slippers so the options are quite limited. So far these are comfortable, warm and the heels don't flop off my feet. But, there is one caveat. There is only one way to put them on. If you pick the slipper up and try to put them on like a lace-less shoe, it will be quite difficult. The opening has an inner band that doesn't stretch and isn't even the least bit forgiving. You can pick up the slipper, push down the back heel , slide your foot in and then roll the heel back up but even that is hit or miss. Recently, I've found the best way to put them on is to keep them on the floor, slide your foot in from front to back and then roll the heel up with your finger. If I hadn't figured out this method I likely wouldn't have kept these as they are a real pain to get on my foot otherwise. But this method seems to work quite well.","Product: Simple, lightweight hydration system. The Hoser hydration system is a light, versatile hydration system that has become a backcountry classic. It has a simple, durable design that is practical for any activity and it comes in four handy sizes to fit practically any pack.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Just what I needed for my project!\n\nReview: Just what I was looking for. I'm using this bladder in a Revelate Tangle frame bag for my bike. This was the only one I could find that would work both size wise and design wise. Since the bladder sits in a horizontal position with a slight drop towards the back end, the design of this bladder is perfect. Most bladders have the tube at the bottom but more centered on the bladder. With this one having the tube to the side, I can position it so where the tube meets the bladder is at the lowest point in the bag. This way, I don't end up having water trapped in a portion of the bladder and gravity will draw it all towards the tube.\n\nMy only minor complaint is the more rigid top portion where the whole is, for hanging or easier carrying I assume. It does take a bit of effort to flex this enough to get it into the frame bag but it is manageable.\n\nI did have to extend the drinking tube for my needs but my project was a little above and beyond. I also replaced the bite valve with a Camelbak but that was more personal preference, the supplied one works just fine.","Product: Simple, lightweight hydration system. The Hoser hydration system is a light, versatile hydration system that has become a backcountry classic. It has a simple, durable design that is practical for any activity and it comes in four handy sizes to fit practically any pack.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Just what I needed for my project!\n\nReview: Just what I was looking for. I'm using this bladder in a Revelate Tangle frame bag for my bike. This was the only one I could find that would work both size wise and design wise. Since the bladder sits in a horizontal position with a slight drop towards the back end, the design of this bladder is perfect. Most bladders have the tube at the bottom but more centered on the bladder. With this one having the tube to the side, I can position it so where the tube meets the bladder is at the lowest point in the bag. This way, I don't end up having water trapped in a portion of the bladder and gravity will draw it all towards the tube.\n\nMy only minor complaint is the more rigid top portion where the whole is, for hanging or easier carrying I assume. It does take a bit of effort to flex this enough to get it into the frame bag but it is manageable.\n\nI did have to extend the drinking tube for my needs but my project was a little above and beyond. I also replaced the bite valve with a Camelbak but that was more personal preference, the supplied one works just fine.","Product: Master Lock Street Cuffs allow locking to parking meter and fence posts. 3-inch cuffs allow locking to parking meter and fence posts. Pivoting Link - prevents a fixed anchor point - takes away use of leverage to defeat. Hardened laminated steel construction with hardened pivot link - virtually impossible to cut. Compact - fold in half to fit in seat bag, back pack or pocket. 12-inch long for convenient locking. $3,500 Anti-Theft Guarantee\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Combine it with a cable and you've got a nice locking system for your bike.\n\nReview: Just received these in the mail. They seem a little heavier than I imagined but that's no fault of the product. They weigh what they weigh. First impressions, well, I'm impressed. Very smart design. I'm able to hook one end around my rear wheel inside the triangle with plenty of extra room within the cuff. That extra room comes in handy. Although the lock is just fine on it's own, it won't protect your front wheel or seat/seatpost. So, for added security, I paired it with an ABUS cable lock. That extra room allows me to loop the ends of the cable into the cuff along with the rear wheel. The Street Cuffs & ABUS Cable lock combined allow me to protect my frame, wheels, seat, and seat post. (see photo of test locking to my repair stand). Well someone could take the seat post still but they'd have to pull it out, and remove the seat. All in all, I'm happy.","Product: Technology: 10 mm strong, high quality and very flexible coil cable. PVC-coating to prevent damage of the bicycle's paintworkTwo component moulded digits guarantee life-long visibility. Individually settable codeOperation and use: Good protection at low theft risk. Recommended for securing entry level bicycles and children bikes\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Combines well with my Street Cuffs for added security\n\nReview: Not too much to say about this cable, it is what it is and is just what I was looking for. I've combined this with Master Lock's Street Cuffs to lock up my bicycle. I put the street cuff on my rear wheel through the triangle and then use this cable from the cuff, through my seat rail, through the middle of the frame, through the front wheel and back to the cuff. It can be a little troublesome getting the loop end through my seat rails but it does have just enough flex that I can make it work. If I had to find one fault, it would be that the loop seams (the red portion) were a bit skinnier but then of course, the cable would likely have to be smaller gauge. Of course then it would likely be weaker and who really wants that. Like I said, I can squeeze it through where I need to. Anyway, perfect size and length for the setup mentioned above.","Product: The American-made Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror is simply the highest-quality helmet-mounted bicycle mirror on the market. Thousands of our customers agree, and often tell us that they find our product is superior in functionality and durability to all competing helmet mirrors. The 2.25\" mirror yields an extremely wide field of view, much larger than any other helmet mirror. The sturdy mounting is unparalleled - no weak adhesives or fragile parts to worry about! The arm is easy to adjust, maintains functionality and is guaranteed not to loosen over time. Simply attach the mirror base to the helmet with the included straps, straighten the mirror arm, and snap the mirror directly into the base to install. Once it's installed, peel off the plastic film protecting the mirror. For any mounting difficulties please contact us directly at 971-258-0925 or view the detailed photos and videos on the Safe Zone Installation tab on efficientvelo.com. The Safe Zone Mirror will fit nearly all helmets and we'll provide advice and free supplies to make the mirror work as needed. Another benefit unique to the Safe Zone Helmet Mirror is our unmatched five-year \"No-Fault\" warranty that comes standard with your purchase. We stand behind our products and personally service this warranty, so you don't have to worry about your bicycle rear-view needs for the length of our warranty. Try cycling the Safe Zone way! We're sure you'll agree that the Safe Zone is the most effective bicycle helmet mirror made. Please note the Safe Zone ships with a protective plastic film over mirror which must be removed before first use. Once you have the mirror mounted on your helmet, we recommend doing all major adjustments when you're not riding, and with your hand bracing the breakaway point. Once you have it adjusted to a good spot where you can see behind you and it's not blocking the main field of vision for you, you can do \"micro adjustments\" by moving the mirror when you're on a ride.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice product and company that stands behind it.\n\nReview: I purchased this mirror along with a Giro Reverb helmet. The helmet only has one mounting position option which is closer to the middle of the helmet. This means the mirror didn't have much length to really be functional in my situation without turning my head a bit. I contacted Efficient Velo Tools and they sent me out extra joints at no cost to me (well I opted to buy their tool which makes it easier to break apart/attach the joints). I've now got the mirror just where I want it. Efficient Velo Tools have great customer service and I'm extremely happy with this mirror now. Only reason I took away one star is because I find where the joint meets the mirror to be rather limited in positioning. Although, with the added joints it was a bit easier to get into the proper position.","Product: Perfect for keeping a saddle dry in rainy weather. Neatly store cover under saddle when not in use. Reflective strap for increased visibility. Elastic drawstring creates snug fit. One size fits most sport and recreation saddles.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good Quality and Nice Fit\n\nReview: Just received my Planet Bike Waterproof Saddle Cover. First impressions, looks to be of good quality materials. The stitching is quality, the tightening cord is good, there are metal grommets where they enter the cover itself so I don't foresee this ripping through the cover material. It fits my Charge road saddle just fine which is an average size road saddle. It does roll up fairly small and has an attached velcro strap to attach it to the rails of your seat. Unfortunately, for me, I have a rather large saddle bag (Revelate Viscacha) that takes up any free space under the seat. With that being said, I can just toss it into the saddle bag itself, as it doesn't take up very much room.\n\nRough measurements when laid flat:\n\nNose to back - 12\"\nSide to side (widest part) - 6\"-6 1/4\"\n\nI've tested it by splashing some water on it and it seems to repel the water just fine. Haven't tested it in real rain as of yet and hopefully I'll never will but it's good to have just in case.","Product: After extensive testing, TRP brings an updated cable-actuated hydraulic braking system back to the cycling market with the HY/RD Cable-Actuated Hydraulic Disc Brake, offering you a cost effective way to achieve better braking power and modulation. First, you don't need to spring for new shift levers (which is the case with many fully-hydraulic designs), because the HY/RD is compatible with all existing cable-actuated systems. The hydraulic mechanism is located at the caliper to keep your bars tidy. Also, braking is always consistent with HY/RD's automatic pad wear adjustment, and with pads that are compatible with Shimano M525/M515 brakes, you have no trouble finding replacements. The calipers weigh less than 200 grams and are post mount with IS hardware included.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: This seemed like the perfect solution and it just may be\n\nReview: Just returned from my first 30 mile ride with these brakes and I'm really impressed.. I wanted hydraulic brakes but didn't want to replace my shifters on my cross bike. This seemed like the perfect solution and it just may be.\n\nSet up was much easier than the Avid BB7S I was replacing. If anyone has installed Avid disc brakes before, they know what a PITA it is to get them centered so they don't rub. Although, TRP claims these are self centering, I didn't find that to be the case. I did have to do some fine tuning but it wasn't nearly as difficult as with the Avids.\n\nInitially, I did find the levers to be a little spongy (SRAM Force1). Mostly for the rear brake which is probably due to the longer cable distance and the sponginess is due to the stretch in the cable. It wasn't all too bad though and was able to tighten them up w/ some trial and error. Once you have them dialed in, the braking power is miles better than mechanical disc and no worries of becoming more spongy as the pads wear.\n\nThe HY/RD automatically adjust as the pads wear and I can attest to that even though I've only had them for a short period. How you ask? Well, I installed these brakes and had them set up just right. I then took my wheels off to put in some tubeless sealant. While my wheels were setting, I decided to wrap my bars. During this time, I must have pulled the brake levers a few times. As I went to put my wheels back on, the pads were closed down so much that I couldn't fit the rotors back in... AT ALL. I was a little confused and was hoping my new brakes weren't already malfunctioning. Turns out, the pads were auto adjusting and since there was not rotor when I was pulling the brake levers, they started to close down into this new position. If this happens to you, just get your fingers along the edges of the pads and push them back. It will feel like you are forcing them where they don't want to go but it will be fine.\n\nThe only reason I've given four stars instead of fie is because of the barrel adjuster. The instructions mention a C clip on the end of the barrel adjuster screw which limits how far you can back up the adjuster. This C clamp on one of my brakes was lose and eventually popped off the threads. I just have to be careful when I back up the barrel adjuster and make sure by eye that I don't back it out too far.\n\nOh, one more thing, I had a 160mm rotor (frame designed for 140mm) on the rear for my Avids using an <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Avid-20-S-Post-Spacer-Set-Front-180-Rear-160/dp/B009P3LYU8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Avid 20 S Post Spacer Set, Front 180/Rear 160</a> I had to use some different bolt/spacer combos on the TRPs but I was able to use this kit for the rear brake and fit the 160mm again.","Product: Dormans Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor features a unique two-piece design that allows for replacement of the valve stem independently of the sensor. The sensor also offers an adjustable angled stem, so an exact fit is ensured. Likewise, proper function is ensured: though the look and color of the sensor may vary from the factory-installed one, the internal electronics are customized for your specific vehicle, and will provide the same service as the original.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Way cheaper than the OEM from the dealer. Only wish I had found them sooner,\n\nReview: I purchased one of these to replace one in my '10 Mazdaspeed3 and it works perfectly.\n\nTwice, I've had a leaky valve on my Speed3. Apparently the OEM TPMS are one piece and the valve is not replaceable. The first time, I took it to the local tire shop and they had rebuilt ones for $75 which they program themselves. This was still cheaper than OEM but I didn't know about these Dorman TPMS at the time.\n\nWhen my second leaky valve came along, I thought, hmmm, maybe I should check Amazon. Amazon has everything. Sure enough, here they were and based on reviews they seemed to be plug n' play. For $30, it was worth the risk. Only downside, they can't be installed without the proper tire removal tools. So, I took it to another local shop.\n\nAt the local shop, I was getting a 60K maintenance done anyway so asked the guy to pop this in for me. I told him it shouldn't need any programming. When I went to pick up my car, he told me he installed it but the dash light for the sensors was still on. He then pulled it and hooked it up to their tool for programming TPMS but he wasn't able to do anything with it. I told him it was fine, it likely needs to drive for a period of time to pick up the sensor. (My manual does mention driving a certain amount of time at a certain speed to reset the sensors). Turns out as soon as I turned on my car to leave the shop, the light wasn't on. So looks like it's good to go!\n\nThese are way cheaper than the OEMs from the dealer and I just hope they are still available in the future if I get another leaky valve. Knock on wood.","Product: Highland's U-Venture Rooftop Basket is a high quality, durable steel constructed Cargo basket that has a weather resistant finish. The sleek aerodynamic design mounts to most factory and aftermarket crossbars and includes rubber gaskets to eliminate internal rusting. The rack is 44 inches x 35 inches x 4.25 inches and fits full size and compact sport utility vehicles and cars with roof racks with a load capacity of 125 pounds. The 1 inch bar will easily hold Highland's 9500100 cargo net (sold separately) bungee hooks for a snug fit and will also accommodate Highland cartop carriers (sold separately).\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Needs ome upgraded hardware but great for a third of the price of a Yakima\n\nReview: Highland vs Reese Power, one and the same\n\nFirst of all I didn't buy a Highland U-Venture Cargo Basket from Amazon but I did buy a Reese Explore Cargo Basket from Walmart. Turns out they are the same thing. I first saw the Highland model on Amazon and was hesitant to purchase it as I wouldn't want to ship it back to Amazon if I wasn't happy. I soon found the same item at Walmart but it was also an online only item. BUT, Walmart also had one by Reese Explore that looked exactly the same and was sold in stores. Turns out they are the same exact product, the manual inside the Reese Explore box says Highland on it just under the Reese Explore logo. The item line also displays the 1041900 Highland model number here on Amazon.\n\nUpgrading Hardware\n\nNow that we've gotten that out of the way, this basket seems to be of decent quality given the price point. It IS a third of the cost of a Yakima Loadwarrior. With that being said, I did upgrade some of the hardware. There are rubber washers to go along with the screws that hold the basket together. Unfortunately, if you tighten the screws, the washers bulge out and will eventually wiggle out from under the screw head. So, I went to Home Depot and purchased some screw covers and new neoprene washers (I also found the supplied washers to be a bit too squishy maybe it was my imagination though). With the diameter of the screw covers being the same as that of the neoprene washer, they aren't going anywhere. I also think it gives a bit more of a polished look rather than exposed screw heads (see photos). They do protrude out a bit more than the screw heads but I'm OK with it. I should mention, you probably won;t want to use the screw covers if you intend to take the basket apart now and again. The screw covers don't look easy to reopen without damaging them.\n\nFitting & More Upgraded Hardware\n\nLast thing I want to mention is some folks may need some additional hardware depending on their rack. The manual mentions it fits a minimum bar spacing of 25 1/8\" and a maximum spacing of 32 3/10\". It also mentions that those spacings should be at 1 of 3 measurements. The low end of 25 1/8\", the high end of 32 3/10\" and in between at 28 3/4\". Now my rack crossbars are not adjustable on my Mazda Speed3 and the distance from center to center of the cross bars is somewhere around 27 1/2\" or so. What this means is I wasn't able to place the mounts on center with the cross rails. They are a tad bit off. When I first attempted to fit the basket, the wide U shaped bracket had the end of the bolt sticking up above the floor of the basket on one side. This would be OK depending on what you plan on putting in the basket. I intend to put a top carrier bag on it and don't want this bolts poking into the bag and damaging it. To solve this I picked up some 3/4\" rubber grommets. Home Depot has a package of mixed size rubber grommets in electrical. Of course the bars are 1\" diameter so it was a bit troubling stretching them onto the cross bars but they do fit. I pushed those grommets along the crossbars to where the mounting brackets would sit. (4 mounts, so you need 4 grommets, the Home Depot package has 2 of the 3/4\" per so I bought two packs. Those made the U shaped bracket sit a bit lower and still achieve the same tightness but the bolts were still sticking out a bit more. To get them down a bit more I used some 5/16\" washers. I used two on the side that was closest to the center of the cross bar and 3 on the side that was further away from center. This gave me enough spacing that the bolts stayed below the plane of the basket floor and still secured them onto the cross bars. I am spray painting the stainless washers at the moment but will take a photo once I have everything mounted on the cross bars again.\n\nIn the end, even though I needed to buy some extra hardware, I'm still pleased with the cargo basket. Time will tell if it holds up well and doesn't rust. I'm hoping not to get caught in too much rain while using it though. For the price of the basket (a little over $100 after tax from Walmart) and the additional hardware ($20 roughly from Home Depot) I'm pleased. Matching it up with a Rightline Sport Jr which ran me about $65 from Advance Auto after a coupon. Now I'm ready for my trip with some extra cargo for under $200!!!","Product: The Snow Joe Edge ice scraper with brass blade is a must have for winter survival. This handy winter tool features a durable brass blade that effectively cuts through frost and ice on car windows and windshields in just one swipe. And, since brass is softer than glass, you'll easily scrape through light or heavy frost or icy frozen mixes without leaving a scratch. Inefficient plastic scrapers require multiple passes and still don't get the job done. With the Snow Joe Edge you'll get quick work out of any ice that gets in your way. Its comfort grip handle makes it easy to use and it's compact enough to hit neatly inside your glove compartment. Stay at the cutting edge this winter with the Snow Joe Edge-your reliable winter tool for any ice or frost emergency.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: I was hoping all the good reviews were valid but I don't see how this ...\n\nReview: I was hoping all the good reviews were valid but I don't see how this is any better than a plastic scraper. It's OK on the flatter side windows. And by OK, I mean, it scrapes the ice off but not without some effort of following just the right direction and amount of pressure. As far as the windshield, it is nearly useless. Takes multiple scrapes over the same area to get it all. Must be the curve of the glass. Also, as others may have mentioned, the handle is very thin and I fear putting too much pressure on it. I end of having to grab it down near the head of the scraper which reduces its reach. I've seen some brass scrapers that have a bit longer piece of brass sticking out. I may try one of those before going back to plastic. Supposedly it allows more flex of the brass.\n\nOh, and the handle is far too long. I can't even fit it in the side pocket of my door which is nearly the whole length of the door itself.","Product: Tackles high-volume shipping, mailing and business labeling jobs. Prints large label formats including all-in-one 4 x 6 shipping labels, bulk mailing and warehouse labels. Plus, it prints dozens more label styles and sizes for use with file folders, name badges and more. Includes DYMO Productivity Software featuring DYMO Label version 8 that enables you to create labels right from your PC or Mac, even directly from text in popular software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, QuickBooks. Verify US addresses and ZIP4 codes with Address Fixer and scan your paper files and convert them to digital with DYMO File. 300 dpi resolution. Cost-effective direct thermal printing. For best results use Dymo Authentic Labels. Compact size (WxDxH: 178x187x134 mm) allows it to fit almost any office or office space; Power Sources: AC Adapter Included. Dymo offers U.S. based customer service via Phone, Email, Live Chat, and Remote-Desktop. Easy to setup with short how-to videos, User Guides, FAQs (see below under Technical Specification)\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: First Impressions (1/10/17) So far so good! Previously\n\nReview: First Impressions (1/10/17)\n\nSo far so good!\n\nPreviously, I was using a brother printer to print ebay labels using letter size 2 up label dog labels. it worked fine but I'd always have to remember to place the label in the printer as I used it for regular printing as well. When a great \"deal of the day\" deal came along, on this Dymo 4xl printer, I couldn't pass it up.\n\nSo far, I'm loving it. Never have to think if my printer is ready for label printing. I have this connected to one of the USB ports on my Netgear router, so I can access it from anywhere on the network.\n\nAs others have mentioned, if you select one of the 4x6 zebra printers in ebay/paypal, you should have no problem. Although, I did run into a slight snag with Google Chrome. Since Google Chrome uses it's own PDF plugin, the top of the ebay labels would get cut off a few millimeters. It doesn't seem anything of major importance is cut off, but me being a stickler, it was rather annoying. I did find a solution though. You just have to create a custom page size that's slightly less than 4x6. Of course, the Dymo driver doesn't allow a custom paper size, so you'll have to force it in Windows (not sure if it's possible on the MAC)\n\nIn Windows, go to Devices and Printers-> Highlight the Dymo Printer->Then look for the \"Print Server Properties\". It should be near the top of the window. (see attached photo) Once there, check the \"create new form\", give it a name, and put in the custom dimensions. Lets say 3.95\" W x 5.9\" H which is still proportionate to 4x6. Choose to save this custom size and then you can go to the printer properties of the Dymo and set this new size as a default. In the end, no more cut off when printing through Google Chrome.","Product: Aspen Pet's Self-Warming Corduroy Pet Bed features heat-reflecting technology that keeps pets warm and cozy. Lined with the same material found in Mylar space blankets, the heated cat bed reflects pets' body heat to radiate warmth with no electricity required. For additional comfort, the bed's exterior is made from plush corduroy and the sleep surface is covered in soft, faux lambswool. The bed features a textured, non-slip bottom to prevent slipping or sliding when pets step in and out. The self-warming pet bed can hand-washed to keep pets' sleeping space fresh and clean. For pets and pet parents on the go, the self-warming mat's lightweight polyester fiberfill ensures portable convenience. Offered in a wide range of sizes and shapes, pet parents can choose a bed that suits their pet's individual needs. The bed ships in a variety of attractive colors including Barn Red/Cream, Navy/Cream, and Brown/Cream.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My Mother's Cat Approves!\n\nReview: My mother's cat approves!\n\nSo why does this get 5 stars? Well let me tell you. I purchased this cat bed on a whim as a Christmas gift for my mother. Well, I guess you could say for my mother's cat. Every time I visit my mother's house, if the cat is inside, he'll be on my lap. He may get up to chow down on some food, but he'll find his way back to my lap once he's done. This has been going on ever since she got him which was at least five or six years ago.\n\nNow all this time, he's had his bed right next to the couch. I've never seen him get in it but one can easily tell, by all the fur on it, he does use it from time to time. I would image when no one is in the house.\n\nSo today, I visited my mother's house and as usual, the cat climbed onto my lap and begged for attention for a bit. After about a half hour of snoozing, he got up to eat some food. Moments later, I looked over at his dish and he mysteriously disappeared. Where did I find him? In his new cat bed. After all those years, he chose his cat bed over my lap. I guess he just wanted some sleep, didn't need the petting and could get the usually warmth from my lap in his new bed.","Product: 455311 FBA_929001136904 werw\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: these Hue bulbs are far superior. For one\n\nReview: I recently had trouble with my GE links connected to my SmartThings hub and decided to change them all over to these Hue bulbs. (Full disclosure, the GE links are not on the ST compatibility list but they do work... sometimes.) Compared to the GE links, these Hue bulbs are far superior. For one, they work consistently. Second, they dim much better than the GE Links. The GE Links set to 5% were still bright, these Hue bulbs have a much broader dimming range much like one would expect. Also, the Hue go from dim to the brightness you set when turned on. So kind of a gradual turn on rather than, bam, the lights on. The GE Links although set to do this, never really do. Again, it may be a matter of the dimming range and it's not noticeable. The only down side to these bulbs, one, they are more expensive and, two, they require the Hue hub. Requiring the hue hub isn't a huge problem but it's one more thing to worry about failing (so far it hasn't) in the network and it's one more unit to have connected to the network and somewhere in your home. Luckily, I was able to tuck it away somewhere and not disrupt it's communication abilities. Now that I think of it, the hub has kind of saved me a few times where SmartThings was down and I was still able to control my lights from the Hue app. Oh, and one more thing, I was able to use a 1st generation hub I obtained for eBay for about $12. eBay seems to be over saturated with them.","Product: Raven heavy duty E-Z 4 in 1 or four way wrench removal tool for Symmons Temptrol valves of hot and cold seats in the pressure balance valve. This provides suitable choices of new, retrofit or repair installation using the tool to extract the diverter cap and seat instead of replacing the entire shower system. This handy seat removal wrench tool are compatible with many Temptrol shower systems. Extractor tool built with different ends for different purposes includes hex and screw ends. Grab on both handle of the tool to provide better torque when turning. A hole in one of the handle can be used to hang it up on a hook or alternatively allows you to insert another pole through the hole to assist with better torque in increasing the turn strength. An exclusive patented product on the market and a must have professional seat removal tool wrench for every plumbers or homeowner toolbox.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Should have just gone into battle with the Symmons Seat Removal Tools. The outcome, likely would have been the same.\n\nReview: Having never done a job, like replacing a Symmons Control Valve/Seat Vales, before I was going my recommendations in these reviews and youtube videos. If I had to do it all over again, I probably wouldn't buy this. I could have purchased a Symmons Control Spindle/Seat Valve/ Symmons seat removal tools combo kit for the same price of the Symmons Control Spindle and Seat valve being purchased separately (essentially making the tool free.)\n\nAfter receiving this tool, I now know I should have done just that and saved myself nearly $20. This tool stripped the seat valves just the same as the Symmons tools probably would have. After hammering the Raven into the larger seat valve, it eventually made it's own new grooves to grip onto. Likely could have done the same with the Symmons tool. As for the smaller seat valve, that was nearly a lost cause with this tool. Again, the notches stripped almost immediately. This time, there was nothing to force new grooves into and hammering it in, just hit the back of the control valve itself. After a little thought, I decided to wrap the end of the small square bar end with some electrical tap. I think I did about 3 layers. I then hammered the tool into the small seat valve. Magically, it wedged itself into the seat valve and created enough friction to spin it out. The electrical tape worked so well that I had to hammer (little by little on each side) the seat valve off the tool as it was stuck onto the bar/electrical tape at this point. Again, I could have done the same with the Symmons tool.\n\nI will say, the X shape does help in \"breaking the seal\" rather than trying to wrap a wrench around the bars but that's probably where the convenience ends. As for the spiral portions used to extract the diverter, I'm sure I could have found a screw to do just the same. Lastly, the hex portion didn't even fully fit into the end cap covering the diverter. I'm thinking the paint coating made it slightly larger than the hole. If I had hammered it in, it probably would have scraped off enough paint to fit properly. Instead, I grabbed my metric hex/allen wrench set and just used that. So, in the end, moral of the story, this was a waste of money. I could see if you are doing this all the time this tool may be worth buying BUT for needing it one or two times, you can probably do just the same with the \"free\" (w/ combo kit: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Symmons-REB-Complete-Valve-Rebuild-Kit/dp/B076FD8SDM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Symmons REB Complete Valve Rebuild Kit</a>) Symmons tools.\n\nIn the end, I would have given this 3 stars as it did probably just the same as the Symmons tools would have but with the added convenience of the X form to get some torque w/o a wrench. Unfortunately, after battling the seat valves for 40 mins, the hex not fitting into the diverter cap really peeved me off."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Universal durable white tine tip covers restore rusty dishwasher rack. Set of 125 white dishwasher rack tip cover caps. Simply push on. No glue or adhesive required. Tip covers prevent dishware rust and scratch damage from worn out rusty rack tines. Install in seconds.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Those worked out great. I was a little surprised at how little ...\\n\\nReview: Those worked out great. I was a little surprised at how little 125 were when it comes to applying these to both a top and lower dish rack. I decided to place them on every open end regardless of whether or not they were showing signs of rust. This includes open ends in the side frame, not just the prongs that stick up to hold your dishes. I ended up being about a dozen short. Some of the open ends (those that are part of the outer frame) were larger than the inner prongs these are meant to fit, but with a little force, they stretch on. I also cut some down to half size since they didn't have a whole lot of room to hold onto without hitting a perpendicular piece of framing, They are just rubber and were easy enough to cut with wire cutters, I'm sure basic house scissors would have worked just as well. I'll likely pick up a 50 pack next time I order from Amazon just so I can finish off the remaining open ends. They are cheap enough.\",\n \"Product: Coolaroo Lacing Cord Coolaroo Shade Fabric accessory item used to join two or more shade fabric sections together UV stabilized thread. 80 feet of thread with sewing needle.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: it tends to unravel quite easily. To solve that\\n\\nReview: I used this lacing to attach two pieces of shade together as well as to make some pockets to fit a rod through the top and bottom of the shades. Everything seemed to have worked out well. The needle was helpful put I just used it to poke the hole and then fed the lacing through manually. You have to be quick though because the Coolaroo shade does self heal a bit so the hole begins to close back up.\\n\\nI did find that once the lacing is cut, it tends to unravel quite easily. To solve that, I used a lighter to melt the end after it was freshly cut. If you're careful and wait a second after removing the flame, you can even make it into a bit of a point before it dries completely. If you touch it too quickly after melting with the flame, you could burn yourself of course.\",\n \"Product: The Drafting Stool with Tractor Seat is a versatile option that's sized right for the workbench in your garage, stand-up desk in your office and the island in your kitchen.The back and swivel seat are made from high-density polymer for durability and a sleek, shiny finish. Easily raise or lower the height of this drafting chair using the pneumatic adjustment lever, conveniently located under the seat. Plastic floor glides protect your floor by sliding smoothly when you need to move it and the heavy-duty, chrome base and foot ring complement the stool's modern design.This contemporary drafting stool with comfort molded tractor seat combines leading edge style with great functionality.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: So far so good. Modified it a bit.\\n\\nReview: First off, I purchased one from Jet not Amazon. And that was only because I got it much cheaper with a first time customer discount.\\n\\nMy intended use for this was a stool for my work bench. Although I haven't used it much, I'm digging it. I did however change things up a bit. Luckily, you don't have to install the back piece if you don't want to. I decided to leave it off so I have more mobility. Remember, my intended use isn't for relaxing. I also wanted something with wheels. So I picked up some 2\\\" casters from Lowes. The bolt diameter was just a tad bit smaller on the casters. I believe the casters are 3/8\\\" while the gliders are 10mm. The thread spacing matched though. I did have to cut down the bolts on the casters though to match the length of the gliders the chair came with. Since there isn't much clearance above the nuts you'd be screwing them into. I used three regular casters and two locking ones in case I want to lock it in place down the road. I did find that with the seat all the way down, my feet just barely sit flat on the ground, so I have to use the front part of my foot to move around while fully seated. Or I had slide forward on the seat a bit when moving around. It probably would have been better to use 1-1/2\\\" casters but the bolts were smaller diameter.\\n\\nAnyway, I like it so far after changing it around to my needs. We'll see how long the seat lasts. Others have mentioned problems with the way it attaches to the rest of the chair. I'm not a overly big guy, so I'm hoping it lasts a while.\",\n \"Product: Sturdy container will withstand harsh temperatures that go from hot to cold, such as attics and basements. Durable polyethylene material delivers a lifetime of durability and strength. Lids snap securely. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Tough enough to stack. Made in the USA. 10-year Limited Warranty. Rubbermaid Roughneck Tote Storage Container, Dark Indigo Metallic, 14-gallon (FG2212CPDIM).\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: the covers come off very easily without pulling the locking tabs out\\n\\nReview: These are OK for the price (around $10 per) but they don't seem as rugged as one would expect from the name. The bottoms seem a bit flimsy so I wouldn't trust too much weight in them. Secondly, the covers come of very easily without pulling the locking tabs out. The amount of plastic that tucks under the tote in order to \\\"lock\\\" on is minimal and with very little pressure applied in the right spots will pop the lid off. With that being said, the price is still right but they seem more like an economical line and should be advertised as so. Rough shouldn't be in the name considering the flimsy plastic and semi-secure lid. With that being said, I still plan on buying more as I've already filled the 5-pk I bought.\",\n \"Product: Sturdy container will withstand harsh temperatures that go from hot to cold, such as attics and basements. Durable polyethylene material delivers a lifetime of durability and strength. Lids snap securely. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Tough enough to stack. Made in the USA. 10-year Limited Warranty. Rubbermaid Roughneck Tote Storage Container, Dark Indigo Metallic, 14-gallon (FG2212CPDIM).\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: the covers come off very easily without pulling the locking tabs out\\n\\nReview: These are OK for the price (around $10 per) but they don't seem as rugged as one would expect from the name. The bottoms seem a bit flimsy so I wouldn't trust too much weight in them. Secondly, the covers come of very easily without pulling the locking tabs out. The amount of plastic that tucks under the tote in order to \\\"lock\\\" on is minimal and with very little pressure applied in the right spots will pop the lid off. With that being said, the price is still right but they seem more like an economical line and should be advertised as so. Rough shouldn't be in the name considering the flimsy plastic and semi-secure lid. With that being said, I still plan on buying more as I've already filled the 5-pk I bought.\",\n \"Product: No matter the size of the kitchen, kitchen space is almost always limited. We love to cook but don't like having to dig through cluttered drawers, cupboards and cabinets to find what we need. Cookware can take up a large amount of our kitchen space. For the past three centuries, cooks and chefs have solved this problem by using wall and ceiling mounted pot racks. RACK IT UP a value-priced pot rack line, has expanded on this concept with its Half Moon Pot Rack. With this wall mounted rack you'll be able to hang your favorite cookware and utensils for easy access and save precious counter and cabinet space. Notice how the back bar protrudes away from the wall so you can attach even more utensils. Plus, this rack adds beauty and charm to one of your favorite gathering rooms. It's constructed of durable steel and includes super strong drywall anchors that are very easy to install and does not require bolting to joists or studs. Hang whatever you want; once in place, this rack will hold up to 100 pounds. It's also light weight (just 5 lbs.) so you won't need a handyman to install it. Keep your kitchen accessories organized and convenient so you can spend less time fighting with your kitchen and more time loving it. Rack includes 8 pot hooks, assembly hardware and choice of mounting hardware including traditonal wood screws and super strong drywall anchors. Pot rack measures: 14\\\"W by 7\\\"D by 16\\\"H.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Looks great but could use some improvements\\n\\nReview: I installed this yesterday and after all is said and done, I do love it. But, there are a few things that should be pointed out.\\n\\nFirst, although this is listed as 10\\\" deep, the upper shelf really only gives you about 9\\\" of usable depth. I suppose I should have paid more attention to the photo. The grated shelf sits inside of the main frame. I can still fit a 10\\\" pot on top but it has to rest on the front edge and tilt back against the wall.\\n\\nSecond, assembly and installation leaves a lot to be desired. For one, they use these screw and barrel type fasteners which aren't very easy to secure. It requires two allen wrenches (which are included), one on each side. I would have preferred some kind of welded-on nut on the back of the inner frame piece. Also, you must begin the tighten the screw/barrels but then leave them a bit loose so you can adjust the curved supports. That's right, there is nothing to guide the supports into a perpendicular (to the main frame) position. Granted they have two lined up holes for the screws but there is still enough play that they may not actually be straight up. This can be a problem when following the instructions which state to drill holes X number of inches apart. If you've already tightened the upright curved supports, the holes may not line up at X number of inches because they are not perfectly straight up. I used a level to make sure they were indeed straight but it seems there should be something on the fame itself that keeps them from having so much play. When all is said and done, if you take your time and plan ahead, you should be fine. I'm pretty good with my hands and never have much trouble with assembly instructions but for the average person, I imagine assembly and installation could be problematic.\\n\\nLastly, as with all manufacturers these day, the hardware is cheap. The screws that bolt into the wall have the same hex head as the screws/barrels used to assemble the frame. I understand, this allows you to use the same supplied allen wrench but I ended up stripping the head on the first screw. After that, I just went to Homedepot and picked up 4 screws w/ a phillips head. Unfortunately the heads are not black but I didn't want to deal with any more stripped hex heads.\\n\\nIn the end, it looks great and functions just as I expected. There were also just enough hooks for the items I intended to hang.\",\n \"Product: Sturdy container will withstand harsh temperatures that go from hot to cold, such as attics and basements. Durable polyethylene material delivers a lifetime of durability and strength. Lids snap securely. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Sturdy, built-in handles allow for secure carrying. Tough enough to stack. Made in the USA. 10-Year limited warranty. Rubbermaid roughneck tote storage container, steel color, 18-gallon (1841373).\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: the covers come off very easily without pulling the locking tabs out\\n\\nReview: These are OK for the price (around $10 per) but they don't seem as rugged as one would expect from the name. The bottoms seem a bit flimsy so I wouldn't trust too much weight in them. Secondly, the covers come of very easily without pulling the locking tabs out. The amount of plastic that tucks under the tote in order to \\\"lock\\\" on is minimal and with very little pressure applied in the right spots will pop the lid off. With that being said, the price is still right but they seem more like an economical line and should be advertised as so. Rough shouldn't be in the name considering the flimsy plastic and semi-secure lid. With that being said, I still plan on buying more as I've already filled the 5-pk I bought.\",\n \"Product: The mighty air purifier is compact by design, but is equipped with Cutting edge features to keep your indoor air clean. Equipped with a HEPA efficiency RATING of 99.97percent , it uses a four-stage filtration system to effectively eliminate odors and pollutants. This mighty machine includes an air quality indicator through our particle sensing technology that will kick your air purifier into high gear when needed. And when 30 minutes when pollution is not detected for 30 minutes, the fan will automatically stop to save energy.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: So far so good!\\n\\nReview: First impressions (10/1/16)\\n\\nI just received this air purifier today and so far, I'm impressed. I unpackaged it to find that, although it's assembled, the filters need to be removed as they are wrapped in sealed plastic. So you know you're getting clean filters. I don't believe my Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True HEPA Air Purifier <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Honeywell-17000-S-QuietCare-True-HEPA-Air-Purifier-200-sq-ft/dp/B000050AQ5/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True HEPA Air Purifier, 200 sq ft</a> came that way. Another great thing about the filters, the pre-filter is roughly a 13\\\"x15\\\" rectangular size. This should be cheaper to replace than the 8\\\" x 48\\\" filter in the Honeywell (the Honeywell has a round hepa filter that you need to wrap the pre-filter around). You can buy pre-filters in different sizes and cut to fit so the size on this Coway looks like it will be more manageable.\\n\\nSo after removing the plastic from the filters and inserting them back into the unit, I turned the unit on of course. It defaulted to the lowest setting which led me to put my hand over the exhaust to tell if it was even on. It's really quiet at it's lowest. I bumped it up to the mid level and it was still fairly quiet. At the top level, it's about the level of a small table fan. And here's where it beats the Honeywell again. The Coway at high is about the same audio level as the Honeywell on it's lowest setting. And the Honeywell has a lower sq footage coverage claim at 250 vs the Coway's 361 sq ft claim.\\n\\nI soon turned the unit to the Eco mode which automatically selects the fan speed as well as shuts off after 30 mins of continuous clean air. Once the Eco mode was set, it was still at the lowest fan speed. Now I should probably mention, before purchasing this unit, I did not have any serious air quality concerns in my apartment but I do have allergies and the next door neighbors smoke outside and sometimes the smell seeps in. A few minutes after turning the air purifier on, I took out the vacuum and cleaned up a bit. I did notice the air quality condition indicator light went from solid blue to a blueish light with a reddish tint glowing in the middle. The vacuuming probably stirred up some dust. I honestly couldn't tell if the purifier got any louder before it went back to solid blue.\\n\\nSo far, I'm thinking of getting another one of these to replace the Honeywell that's in my bedroom. I'll probably give it a bit more time to make sure this Coway really wins over the Honeywell but it's looking good so far. Also, I didn't buy this on Amazon but I feel Amazon is the best option for researching reviews so here I am. If you want to get a good deal on this, sign up for Kohl's emails and about once every few weeks they send out a 40,30 or 20% mystery coupon. If you sign up with a few different dummy emails, you should be able to get a 40% w/in a few times of it coming around. Even at 30%, you'll still get a better deal than from the retail price. I paid just under $160 shipped after MA tax.\\n\\nI'll try to remember to update this after I've spent some time with this air purifier.\",\n \"Product: Conquer stubborn wrinkles quickly and easily with the Rowenta DW9081 Steamium steam iron. With its advanced steam force technology, the 1800-watt iron pushes 30-percent more steam pressure into fabric to create freshly pressed results in less time. The irons up-top LED display makes it easy to see the fabric setting, and its temperature-selection dial turns with a simple touch. Choose minimum heat or higher heat settings, including nylon, silk, wool, cotton, or linen. The steam output automatically adjusts to match the fabric or temperature setting, while its ergonomically designed trigger located under the comfort-grip handle creates steam on demand with nothing more than a simple squeeze. The irons stainless-steel soleplate provides 400 micro-steam holes and a nonstick, scratch-resistant surface to ensure thorough steam distribution and smooth gliding over any type of fabric, while its high-precision tip reaches easily into pleats, between buttons, and along seams. The iron can also be used without steam for dry ironing or as a vertical steamer for effortlessly removing wrinkles from hanging garments. Other highlights include burst-of-steam and cool-spray-mist functions, a large 10.45-ounce water tank, an anti-drip system to prevent leaking or spitting at low temperatures, self-cleaning and anti-calc systems for optimal performance and extended iron life, and a 7-foot electrical cord with a 360-degree pivot to keep the cord from getting in the way. For safety, the iron turns off automatically after 8 minutes if left vertically and after 30 seconds if left horizontally or tipped over. Harnessing the power of steam, theres no need to waste time ironing the same spot over and over. Experience impressive performance and ultra-efficient wrinkle removal with the Rowenta Steamium steam iron.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: What they say is true!\\n\\nReview: What they say is true. For all my life I've used cheap irons (no more than $50) and now that I've tried a Rowenta, I wonder how I managed for so long.\\n\\nLet me tell you a little bit about my usual ironing experience. Until I bought the Rowenta DW9081, I would begin ironing my long sleeve shirts starting with the collar and then moving onto the sleeves. Iron one side of the sleeve, flip it over to do the other side where more than likely a new crease would have been caused by ironing the first side. Then, since I hate the crease left at the top side of the sleeve, I would spritz that with some water and hope to get the crease out as much as possible. I could never remove it completely. Then after the second sleeve is done, I'd proceed to the rest of the shirt. On occasion, trying to go too fast, I would end up creating a new unwanted crease by not keeping the fabric completely flat. And of course, getting that crease out is near impossible. Turns out cheap irons are better at creating unwanted creases than removing them.\\n\\nNow onto my Rowenta experience. I started with the collar as before. Onto the sleeves, iron one side and flip over. To my surprise the opposite side is already ironed! To remove the crease on the top of the sleeve, just hold the auto-steam trigger and good to go. As for the rest of the shirt, no worries with accidental creases as the weight of the iron keeps the fabric from inadvertently bunching up. Overall the time it takes me to do one shirt is probably cut nearly in half.\\n\\nI did find that if I try to use the auto-steam trigger for too long, the preheat light keeps going on while I'm trying to finish my current portion of the shirt. If the light is on (which indicates it needs to heat up a bit) and I try to iron, even without the auto-steam trigger held, there is some water leakage. I'm not sure if this is fault of the iron or more of me trying to push it further than it can go. As long as I wait a second or two for the pre-heat light to go off, it doesn't leak. It seems to me that a 1800w iron shouldn't need those few seconds to keep up the heat level w/o having to pass every few seconds.\\n\\nAll in all, no more cheap irons for me. So glad I picked this one up. To me, the money is worth the time saved as well as the decreased frustrations with cheap irons.\",\n \"Product: The eLuxurySupply Down Alternative Hypoallergenic Pillow is without exception, the finest pillows of this class anywhere! Most pillows use a continuous filament fiber which flattens out quickly or becomes lumpy when washed. We use a much loftier cluster fiber to make a softer, longer lasting pillow. These pillows are constructed using 230-thread count, 100% cotton ticking and they are filled with a hollow, siliconized, polyester cluster fiber. Made in the USA! You have our word that we will do everything that we can to make sure returning your product is not necessary. However, should the need arise for any reason, please contact us to obtain authorization for a full refund or exchange if you have any issues with your product. Please request this refund or exchange within 30 days of receiving your order. For all returns within the 30 day return period, eLuxurySupply will provide a prepaid return label for a completely free return.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Tested for over a year, don't be fooled by first impressions.\\n\\nReview: I bought these pillows over one year ago and have been using them for the duration of that period. When they first arrived they felt promising. Nice and fluffy, supportive, etc. After a few months the filler started clumping and would require fluffing up every night. After six months or so, the fluffing up wouldn't only last a little while, by morning I was waking up earlier than I had to and the pillow was flat. I tried the wash/dry trick and that does fluff them back & re-disperse the filling up but within a few days they are back to flat in the mornings. Luckily I was only using one of them and had the second pillow up against my headboard behind the one I was using. So after the first six months I switched to the second one. They are now both flat and have decided to purchase this shredded bamboo pillow: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Shredded-Memory-Foam-Pillow-with-Bamboo-Cover-Coop-Home-Goods-Made-in-USA-QUEEN/dp/B00EINBSEW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover - Coop Home Goods - Made in USA - QUEEN</a>Used it for the first time last night and I woke up this morning w/ one of the best nights sleep I've had in a very long time. No flat pillow. I wouldn't recommend this pillows to anyone, they seem nice at first but just don't last. You'd be better off going to TJMaxx or Marshalls and spending <$10 per pillow for something that will last just as long and quite possibly longer than these.\",\n \"Product: Aren't mangos a pain in the know-where to prepare? With the Kitchen Maestro mango slicer it will take seconds to have your mango sliced, pitted, and ready to eat. Just place your mango on the table or counter, position the slicer on top, and press down. Quality his high quality slicer will get the job done on the first try, without leaving a lot of wasted fruit on the pit. The stainless steel blade will keep its edge for repetitive use, so you can enjoy your mangos for years to come. Comfort the rubberized handle will give you a good comfortable grip. Safety. The best part of all is, when youre done you can just pop it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. FDA approved. BPA free. Warranty by Kitchen Maestro. By us to be free from defects in material and workmanship for 1 year from date of purchase. Our efficient customer service team is here to help you, and will make sure you are fully satisfied with your purchase.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Potential for bacteria growth with mango getting lodged between blades.\\n\\nReview: I purchased this slicer a little over 6 months ago and until recently I loved it. I've come to discover that the outer ends of the blade, where it looks like one blade, are actually two blades sandwiched together. The problem arises when bits of mango meat get wedged in between those two blades. It doesn't just rinse out. I can pull the blades apart a bit and run some water through but at the high risk of cutting my fingers. I didn't notice this early on, so I don't know if they've separated a bit over time or what. I've decided I don't feel comfortable using the slicer anymore since there is risk of mango meat getting between the blades and can't quit tell if it's all coming out. Anything in there would likely grow bacteria.\\n\\nI've also noticed that the edge of the blade already has a lot of pits and divots. I've probably only cut 20 or 30 mangos in the time I've owned it, it's always hand washed w/ just a sponge, and it's been stored on a shelf where it doesn't come into contact with any other utensils.\\n\\nWith the risk of bacteria and the dulling blade, I think I'll just go back to using a regular ole knife to cut my mangos.\",\n \"Product: The Haier Serenity Series 6050 BTU 115V Window Air Conditioner features a compressor blanket for reduced noise resulting in ultra quiet operation at only 43 decibels. This unit also features a cross flow fan for stronger, smoother airflow and dual motor design for greater air control. Perfect for cooling a room up to 250 square feet, additional must-have features include a full-function remote, energy save mode, dehumidify mode, sleep mode, auto cool and a 24-hour on/off timer.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: I liked it so much that I decided to replace another ...\\n\\nReview: Prior to purchasing this AC I had purchased the 8000 BTU version for my living room. I liked it so much that I decided to replace another aging AC in my bedroom with this 6050 BTU unit.\\n\\nThe 6050 BTU unit doesn't vary much from the 8000 BTU version aside from it's cooling capacity Both units have all the same modes. I have found that when the fan is set in quiet mode the fan eventually turns off when a desired set temperature is reached. If the fan is set to \\\"auto\\\" mode, the fan never completely stops. Even after the compressor turns off and the desired temp is reached, the fan runs continuously.\\n\\nThe only other thing I ran into with the 6050 BTU version is the rattle that others have mentioned. The rattle is caused my the filter bouncing around inside the front cover. The easiest solution? Place a few pieces of cardboard between the tabs holding the filter in place and the filter itself. Problem solved and no more rattle. This was never a problem on the 8000 BTU version.\\n\\nLastly, I would like to point out as well, removing the filter itself is not ideal on either unit. You have to kind of bend the plastic of the filter to get it past one side of tabs, and then you can slide it out sideways. The initial bending to get past the tabs puts me in fear of snapping the filter, but hey maybe the plastic used is designed to flex that much without doing damage.\",\n \"Product: Magnetic Spice Jars - Shake or Pour Containers - Tins Attach to Most Refrigerator Doors: This set of Magnetic Spice Dispensers allow you to keep your spices close at hand on your refrigerator or appliance doors. The tins feature see through windows with openings to either pour or shake. Tight fit lids will not pop off. They are lightweight, but durable and easy to clean. Each jar measures 2.25\\\" x 2.25\\\" x. 2.5\\\"\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Avoid the 12 pack..... Spend a few dollars more and by two 6pks if needed\\n\\nReview: I really like these but....\\n\\nAvoid the 12 pack..... Spend a few dollars more and by two 6pks if you need a large number. They seem to be quality checked and packaged better.\\n\\nUpdate 3/27/17\\nI've now received the second 6 pk and my initial assessment still stands. The 6pks are nicely packaged with no loose flaps, no dents. I even noticed that the clear windows have a thin layer of protective plastic covering them. The 12 pk didn't have this. I must say, one out of the 6 did slide too easily on my fridge. After close inspection it seemed the bottom was pushed in a little bit. Must have something to do with how they are manufactured. They are probably pressed in and sometimes go a little too far. All I had to do was take off the cover and push down on the inside bottom so the magnet was more flush w/ the outer bottom edges. Then it stuck just as well as the others.\\n\\nOrig review 3/25/17\\nAt the moment, I'm going to suggest avoiding the 12pk. I purchased the 6pk as a trial run and really like them. Since I needed more, I figured I'd buy the 12pk to save a few bucks. Th 6pk came properly packaged in a nice branded box. They all stuck well to my fridge. The lids and flaps closed nice and tight. Well the 12pk seemed to be rejects. It comes wrapped in cellophane (see the photos for the 12pk listing), some were dented, others had flaps that closed loosely and some had very little magnetic strength when placed on the fridge. I'm taking another shot at getting a 6pk and we'll see how that goes. Maybe quality control isn't very good all around and I just got lucky on the first 6pk. We'll see. If all goes well, I'll update this as I really do like them. I actually replaced a different magnetic spice tin that was far inferior to these. Well the ones without defects at least.\",\n \"Product: Chefmos Digital Meat Thermometer Wireless Remote Cooking Food BBQ Grill Thermometer for BBQ Grilling/Kitchen Cooking/Smoker/Oven, Instant Read BBQ Thermometer with Dual Probe, 230 Feet Range, Alarm & Flas\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY So many things wrong with this, where do I begin?\\n\\nReview: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY\\n\\nUpdate: Alpha Grillers sent me a new one and my original review stands. Same exact issues, all around, with second unit as the first. This item is useless.\\n\\nOriginal Review: So many things wrong with this, where do I begin? Well let's start with accuracy. Is it accurate? No. Can it be calibrated? You can try. But you'll likely repeatedly get an \\\"ERR\\\" message. I assume that's an error. Tried calibrating this half a dozen times following the instructions but \\\"ERR\\\" every time. Out of the box is was off by about 8 degrees so I guess I could do the math in my head every time I want to use it. But wait, there's more. The shealth that fits over the probe, well, it doesn't stay on. It's basically a wide V shaped shealth for a straight skinny probe. It just wiggles back and forth until it falls off. So I guess that's all there is to say about this. Or so you thought. The battery cover isn't even flush with the rest of the unit. When I pulled the cover off, there was some pink residue and the battery was stuck to the cover itself. At $5, which is what I paid after a discount coupon, I still feel robbed. Don't even bother with this \\\"Made in China\\\" junk. One more thing. Is it waterproof? Well maybe, it could be, I didn't even want to spend any more time on it to test. I would return this to Amazon but I'd feel bad having them pay to ship it back.\",\n \"Product: Scythe Kozuti Low Profile CPU Cooler for LGA 1366/1156/1155/775 & Socket AM3/AM2+/AM2\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Scythe fans prone to failure\\n\\nReview: Update 2/15/16: I'm done with Scythe CPU coolers/ This is the second one I've owed (see original part of my review) and again in less than a year the fan has failed. This time, they are requesting that I send the whole unit back to them at my expense. I'll never by a Scythe ever again. The first I thought was a fluke, but when it happens a second time, I'm done. I'm going to swap this with the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Noctua-Low-profile-Quiet-CPU-Cooler-for-AMD-Based-Retail-Cooling-NH-L9A/dp/B009VY1R9O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Noctua Low-profile Quiet CPU Cooler for AMD Based Retail Cooling NH-L9A</a> Hopefully the fan in the Noctua will last longer and it's also a slightly shorter profile which is good for my mini-itx case.\\n\\nOriginal Review: Works just great. Easy to install and nice and quiet! I must also mention my experience with Scythe as I've used coolers of theirs in the past. Great customer service. I had a fan go on my Big Shruken, well, actually the fan hadn't quit died yet but it was beginning to make noise. Scythe sent me a new one, no questions asked. Didn't even have to send the old one back. This led me to trust in them and buy this Kozuti cooler and so far, I'm glad I did.\",\n \"Product: Scythe SCBSK-2100 BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B CPU Cooler for LGA 2011/1366/1156/1155/1150/775 & Socket FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Fans Prone to Failure\\n\\nReview: I purchased the Big Shuriken fan for a HTPC and it was a really nice fit. Unfortunately the fan died in under a year. I chalked it up to bad luck. Luckily Scythe sent me a new one at no cost. I've since purchased their Kozuti for another HTPC mini-tx build. At first I was impressed with the low profile and fitament but again, the fan died in less than a year. This time Scythe wants me to send them the entire CPU cooler at my own expense and maybe they'll send me a replacement.\\n\\nInterestingly, Scythe no longer lists a warranty for their CPU coolers anywhere on their website. I'm quite certain there was one listed when I purchased the Big Shuriken and had my first dead fan replaced. My advice, go with an alternative from someone who stands behind their product. After two failed fans from two different Scythe coolers, I've chosen to move to a <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Noctua-Low-profile-Quiet-CPU-Cooler-for-AMD-Based-Retail-Cooling-NH-L9A/dp/B009VY1R9O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Noctua Low-profile Quiet CPU Cooler for AMD Based Retail Cooling NH-L9A</a> myself. Has a lower profile anyway.\",\n \"Product: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Socket FM2+/ AMD A88X/ DDR3/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&GbE/ Mini-ITX Motherboard\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: I started to realize how everything was in a better placement from the F2A88XN-Wifi\\n\\nReview: Purchased this board to replace my Gigabyte F2A88XN-Wifi. I was impressed with how well this board was packaged. It comes with foam padding around each side of the board that is zip tied on through the mounting holes. Once I placed this board into my Antec ISK110 and began to familiarize myself with connector & slot placements, I started to realize how everything was in a better placement from the F2A88XN-Wifi. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. It's almost as if the ISK110 and the FM2A88X-ITX+ were made for each other. I must admit, I'm not making use of the PCI-E slot and if I was, my cabling probably won't work so well. The majority of my cables run along the same side (see photo).\\n\\nI also like the Dimm slots on this board. Only one side has a retainer clip. This is the first time I've seen this. Instead of inserting the memory straight down into the slot until the retainer clips catch, you place one end of the dimm down on the end of the slot that has no clip (it's just rigid plastic) and then proceed the place the other end of the dimm into the side with the retainer clip. Somehow it just makes it easier to install and remove. Or maybe it was just my imagination.\\n\\nI've yet to play around in the BIOS too much but it seems to have quite a few features. I'll primarily be keeping things as default since this is a HTPC build and it doesn't need any OCing. I did notice there was a feature to place the LAN driver on a flash drive through the BIOS which will then download and install the other required drivers for a new Windows install. I was replacing an old MB so I wasn't installing a fresh OS but if I was, this would have been handy since I don't have an optical. Of course, I could have downloaded drivers on my laptop just as well them on a flash drive but if you don't have access to another PC, again, this would be very handy. Sometimes windows doesn't always have the right LAN driver.\\n\\nAll in all, I am excited about this new board and I hope it serves me well.\\n\\nUpdate a day later:\\nSince this is a HTPC, I use a MCE remote. Unfortunately some of the buttons were no longer working. Turns out it was the Asrock USB Fast software. I removed it and the remote returned to full functioning.\",\n \"Product: Varia Seat-Post Quarter Turn Mount\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Seat tube collar will be in the way\\n\\nReview: This doesn't fit well when you want to keep the mount down as far as possible on the seat tube. The angle is such that the seat tube collar gets in the way. In order to keep the Varia visible under a saddle bag, it's crucial to get it as low as possible. I was looking to put my Varia on a second bike without having to move the mount as well. I figured I'd give this one a try as it's more secure than the rubber band mount that comes with the Varia. Unfortunately, I just ended up buying another one of the rubber band ones which I can actually wrap around the part of the frame just below the seat tube collar. It would be nice if Garmin redesigned this one, extending the mount portion away from the clamp just a tad bit more so that it would clear the seat tube collar. Big oversight on their part.\",\n \"Product: Salomon Quicklace Kit combine an incredibly tough elastic bungee cord with a spring-loaded lock; giving a firm, secure and comfortable fit to your shoes. Perfect for all styles of running shoe, trainer or casual lace-up.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: No need to tie my laces anymore!\\n\\nReview: I just finished installing these and thought I would start a review before I forget some details.\\n\\nFirst off, I am putting these into non-Salomon shoes so the eyelet holes are not as tiny (although still smaller than average) as the Salomon's. Although, the package did provide a pointed sleeve to help move the lace through the eyelet. Anyway, I have a pair of Salomon's with these quick laces and wanted the same for my Scarpa shoes.\\n\\nWhen I first opened the Amazon box and found the package, I immediately thought they didn't include instructions, but I was wrong. The instructions are on the inside of the backing card. So open the packaging carefully. The packaging is plastic, stapled to a paper backing card. You could easily rip the thing apart but may have to piece together your instructions like a puzzle afterwards.\\n\\nTo me the instructions were rather easy to follow. I prefer visuals rather than written instructions. There are 3 separate ways to do the lacing, depending on the shoe type. The only reason I can see for keeping the loops is if you wanted two different color laces (see instruction photo, version C). The only reason I mention this is because another review mentioned cutting them based on a video \\\\but later needing to tie new loops.\\n\\nIf you follow the instruction card everything is rather simple, until you get to the end. The last step is to tie knots where the end pieces push together. What isn't clearly identified is that you must pull the knots into those plastic pieces until you feel or hear a little pop. Otherwise you will be trying like crazy to push the two pieces into each other. If you look at the last image (step 10) in the instructions, for example, it shows the knot on the outside of the barrel of the plastic cap. You actually need to pull the knot into the barrel which can be a little difficult since the inside of the barrel will likely be slightly smaller than your knot.. Just pull hard enough and it will eventually slip into place and you'll then feel it catch against something inside the barrel itself.\\n\\nIf I had to point out a flaw, it's that, with enough force you can pull the two end pieces apart. I doubt they would come apart on their own but it may be a concern in the future if they continue to loosen or the lace gets snagged on something. I choose to slip the hanging piece under the laces toward the bottom (see photo) since I don't have a flap to tuck them into like my Salomon shoes.\\n\\nAll in all I'm glad I'm able to add these quick laces to my Scarpas with these and will likely convert all of my athletic type shoes in the future.\",\n \"Product: Marl knit cable uppers\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: There's a science to putting them on.\\n\\nReview: Update a few months later from my original review\\n\\nI purchased these slippers in October. Probably didn't start wearing them until November. It's now mid December and I just noticed the heel is coming apart on one of them (see photo). Would have hoped these would last me a few years as they are rather comfortable. Email Muk Luks, we'll see what they have to say.\\n\\nOriginal Review\\n\\nMy hunt for a good pair of slippers has finally ended. I had tried pair after pair from Amazon for a few months and finally settled on these. I don't like moccassin or heel-less slippers so the options are quite limited. So far these are comfortable, warm and the heels don't flop off my feet. But, there is one caveat. There is only one way to put them on. If you pick the slipper up and try to put them on like a lace-less shoe, it will be quite difficult. The opening has an inner band that doesn't stretch and isn't even the least bit forgiving. You can pick up the slipper, push down the back heel , slide your foot in and then roll the heel back up but even that is hit or miss. Recently, I've found the best way to put them on is to keep them on the floor, slide your foot in from front to back and then roll the heel up with your finger. If I hadn't figured out this method I likely wouldn't have kept these as they are a real pain to get on my foot otherwise. But this method seems to work quite well.\",\n \"Product: Simple, lightweight hydration system. The Hoser hydration system is a light, versatile hydration system that has become a backcountry classic. It has a simple, durable design that is practical for any activity and it comes in four handy sizes to fit practically any pack.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Just what I needed for my project!\\n\\nReview: Just what I was looking for. I'm using this bladder in a Revelate Tangle frame bag for my bike. This was the only one I could find that would work both size wise and design wise. Since the bladder sits in a horizontal position with a slight drop towards the back end, the design of this bladder is perfect. Most bladders have the tube at the bottom but more centered on the bladder. With this one having the tube to the side, I can position it so where the tube meets the bladder is at the lowest point in the bag. This way, I don't end up having water trapped in a portion of the bladder and gravity will draw it all towards the tube.\\n\\nMy only minor complaint is the more rigid top portion where the whole is, for hanging or easier carrying I assume. It does take a bit of effort to flex this enough to get it into the frame bag but it is manageable.\\n\\nI did have to extend the drinking tube for my needs but my project was a little above and beyond. I also replaced the bite valve with a Camelbak but that was more personal preference, the supplied one works just fine.\",\n \"Product: Simple, lightweight hydration system. The Hoser hydration system is a light, versatile hydration system that has become a backcountry classic. It has a simple, durable design that is practical for any activity and it comes in four handy sizes to fit practically any pack.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Just what I needed for my project!\\n\\nReview: Just what I was looking for. I'm using this bladder in a Revelate Tangle frame bag for my bike. This was the only one I could find that would work both size wise and design wise. Since the bladder sits in a horizontal position with a slight drop towards the back end, the design of this bladder is perfect. Most bladders have the tube at the bottom but more centered on the bladder. With this one having the tube to the side, I can position it so where the tube meets the bladder is at the lowest point in the bag. This way, I don't end up having water trapped in a portion of the bladder and gravity will draw it all towards the tube.\\n\\nMy only minor complaint is the more rigid top portion where the whole is, for hanging or easier carrying I assume. It does take a bit of effort to flex this enough to get it into the frame bag but it is manageable.\\n\\nI did have to extend the drinking tube for my needs but my project was a little above and beyond. I also replaced the bite valve with a Camelbak but that was more personal preference, the supplied one works just fine.\",\n \"Product: Master Lock Street Cuffs allow locking to parking meter and fence posts. 3-inch cuffs allow locking to parking meter and fence posts. Pivoting Link - prevents a fixed anchor point - takes away use of leverage to defeat. Hardened laminated steel construction with hardened pivot link - virtually impossible to cut. Compact - fold in half to fit in seat bag, back pack or pocket. 12-inch long for convenient locking. $3,500 Anti-Theft Guarantee\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Combine it with a cable and you've got a nice locking system for your bike.\\n\\nReview: Just received these in the mail. They seem a little heavier than I imagined but that's no fault of the product. They weigh what they weigh. First impressions, well, I'm impressed. Very smart design. I'm able to hook one end around my rear wheel inside the triangle with plenty of extra room within the cuff. That extra room comes in handy. Although the lock is just fine on it's own, it won't protect your front wheel or seat/seatpost. So, for added security, I paired it with an ABUS cable lock. That extra room allows me to loop the ends of the cable into the cuff along with the rear wheel. The Street Cuffs & ABUS Cable lock combined allow me to protect my frame, wheels, seat, and seat post. (see photo of test locking to my repair stand). Well someone could take the seat post still but they'd have to pull it out, and remove the seat. All in all, I'm happy.\",\n \"Product: Technology: 10 mm strong, high quality and very flexible coil cable. PVC-coating to prevent damage of the bicycle's paintworkTwo component moulded digits guarantee life-long visibility. Individually settable codeOperation and use: Good protection at low theft risk. Recommended for securing entry level bicycles and children bikes\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Combines well with my Street Cuffs for added security\\n\\nReview: Not too much to say about this cable, it is what it is and is just what I was looking for. I've combined this with Master Lock's Street Cuffs to lock up my bicycle. I put the street cuff on my rear wheel through the triangle and then use this cable from the cuff, through my seat rail, through the middle of the frame, through the front wheel and back to the cuff. It can be a little troublesome getting the loop end through my seat rails but it does have just enough flex that I can make it work. If I had to find one fault, it would be that the loop seams (the red portion) were a bit skinnier but then of course, the cable would likely have to be smaller gauge. Of course then it would likely be weaker and who really wants that. Like I said, I can squeeze it through where I need to. Anyway, perfect size and length for the setup mentioned above.\",\n \"Product: The American-made Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror is simply the highest-quality helmet-mounted bicycle mirror on the market. Thousands of our customers agree, and often tell us that they find our product is superior in functionality and durability to all competing helmet mirrors. The 2.25\\\" mirror yields an extremely wide field of view, much larger than any other helmet mirror. The sturdy mounting is unparalleled - no weak adhesives or fragile parts to worry about! The arm is easy to adjust, maintains functionality and is guaranteed not to loosen over time. Simply attach the mirror base to the helmet with the included straps, straighten the mirror arm, and snap the mirror directly into the base to install. Once it's installed, peel off the plastic film protecting the mirror. For any mounting difficulties please contact us directly at 971-258-0925 or view the detailed photos and videos on the Safe Zone Installation tab on efficientvelo.com. The Safe Zone Mirror will fit nearly all helmets and we'll provide advice and free supplies to make the mirror work as needed. Another benefit unique to the Safe Zone Helmet Mirror is our unmatched five-year \\\"No-Fault\\\" warranty that comes standard with your purchase. We stand behind our products and personally service this warranty, so you don't have to worry about your bicycle rear-view needs for the length of our warranty. Try cycling the Safe Zone way! We're sure you'll agree that the Safe Zone is the most effective bicycle helmet mirror made. Please note the Safe Zone ships with a protective plastic film over mirror which must be removed before first use. Once you have the mirror mounted on your helmet, we recommend doing all major adjustments when you're not riding, and with your hand bracing the breakaway point. Once you have it adjusted to a good spot where you can see behind you and it's not blocking the main field of vision for you, you can do \\\"micro adjustments\\\" by moving the mirror when you're on a ride.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice product and company that stands behind it.\\n\\nReview: I purchased this mirror along with a Giro Reverb helmet. The helmet only has one mounting position option which is closer to the middle of the helmet. This means the mirror didn't have much length to really be functional in my situation without turning my head a bit. I contacted Efficient Velo Tools and they sent me out extra joints at no cost to me (well I opted to buy their tool which makes it easier to break apart/attach the joints). I've now got the mirror just where I want it. Efficient Velo Tools have great customer service and I'm extremely happy with this mirror now. Only reason I took away one star is because I find where the joint meets the mirror to be rather limited in positioning. Although, with the added joints it was a bit easier to get into the proper position.\",\n \"Product: Perfect for keeping a saddle dry in rainy weather. Neatly store cover under saddle when not in use. Reflective strap for increased visibility. Elastic drawstring creates snug fit. One size fits most sport and recreation saddles.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Quality and Nice Fit\\n\\nReview: Just received my Planet Bike Waterproof Saddle Cover. First impressions, looks to be of good quality materials. The stitching is quality, the tightening cord is good, there are metal grommets where they enter the cover itself so I don't foresee this ripping through the cover material. It fits my Charge road saddle just fine which is an average size road saddle. It does roll up fairly small and has an attached velcro strap to attach it to the rails of your seat. Unfortunately, for me, I have a rather large saddle bag (Revelate Viscacha) that takes up any free space under the seat. With that being said, I can just toss it into the saddle bag itself, as it doesn't take up very much room.\\n\\nRough measurements when laid flat:\\n\\nNose to back - 12\\\"\\nSide to side (widest part) - 6\\\"-6 1/4\\\"\\n\\nI've tested it by splashing some water on it and it seems to repel the water just fine. Haven't tested it in real rain as of yet and hopefully I'll never will but it's good to have just in case.\",\n \"Product: After extensive testing, TRP brings an updated cable-actuated hydraulic braking system back to the cycling market with the HY/RD Cable-Actuated Hydraulic Disc Brake, offering you a cost effective way to achieve better braking power and modulation. First, you don't need to spring for new shift levers (which is the case with many fully-hydraulic designs), because the HY/RD is compatible with all existing cable-actuated systems. The hydraulic mechanism is located at the caliper to keep your bars tidy. Also, braking is always consistent with HY/RD's automatic pad wear adjustment, and with pads that are compatible with Shimano M525/M515 brakes, you have no trouble finding replacements. The calipers weigh less than 200 grams and are post mount with IS hardware included.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: This seemed like the perfect solution and it just may be\\n\\nReview: Just returned from my first 30 mile ride with these brakes and I'm really impressed.. I wanted hydraulic brakes but didn't want to replace my shifters on my cross bike. This seemed like the perfect solution and it just may be.\\n\\nSet up was much easier than the Avid BB7S I was replacing. If anyone has installed Avid disc brakes before, they know what a PITA it is to get them centered so they don't rub. Although, TRP claims these are self centering, I didn't find that to be the case. I did have to do some fine tuning but it wasn't nearly as difficult as with the Avids.\\n\\nInitially, I did find the levers to be a little spongy (SRAM Force1). Mostly for the rear brake which is probably due to the longer cable distance and the sponginess is due to the stretch in the cable. It wasn't all too bad though and was able to tighten them up w/ some trial and error. Once you have them dialed in, the braking power is miles better than mechanical disc and no worries of becoming more spongy as the pads wear.\\n\\nThe HY/RD automatically adjust as the pads wear and I can attest to that even though I've only had them for a short period. How you ask? Well, I installed these brakes and had them set up just right. I then took my wheels off to put in some tubeless sealant. While my wheels were setting, I decided to wrap my bars. During this time, I must have pulled the brake levers a few times. As I went to put my wheels back on, the pads were closed down so much that I couldn't fit the rotors back in... AT ALL. I was a little confused and was hoping my new brakes weren't already malfunctioning. Turns out, the pads were auto adjusting and since there was not rotor when I was pulling the brake levers, they started to close down into this new position. If this happens to you, just get your fingers along the edges of the pads and push them back. It will feel like you are forcing them where they don't want to go but it will be fine.\\n\\nThe only reason I've given four stars instead of fie is because of the barrel adjuster. The instructions mention a C clip on the end of the barrel adjuster screw which limits how far you can back up the adjuster. This C clamp on one of my brakes was lose and eventually popped off the threads. I just have to be careful when I back up the barrel adjuster and make sure by eye that I don't back it out too far.\\n\\nOh, one more thing, I had a 160mm rotor (frame designed for 140mm) on the rear for my Avids using an <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Avid-20-S-Post-Spacer-Set-Front-180-Rear-160/dp/B009P3LYU8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Avid 20 S Post Spacer Set, Front 180/Rear 160</a> I had to use some different bolt/spacer combos on the TRPs but I was able to use this kit for the rear brake and fit the 160mm again.\",\n \"Product: Dormans Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor features a unique two-piece design that allows for replacement of the valve stem independently of the sensor. The sensor also offers an adjustable angled stem, so an exact fit is ensured. Likewise, proper function is ensured: though the look and color of the sensor may vary from the factory-installed one, the internal electronics are customized for your specific vehicle, and will provide the same service as the original.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Way cheaper than the OEM from the dealer. Only wish I had found them sooner,\\n\\nReview: I purchased one of these to replace one in my '10 Mazdaspeed3 and it works perfectly.\\n\\nTwice, I've had a leaky valve on my Speed3. Apparently the OEM TPMS are one piece and the valve is not replaceable. The first time, I took it to the local tire shop and they had rebuilt ones for $75 which they program themselves. This was still cheaper than OEM but I didn't know about these Dorman TPMS at the time.\\n\\nWhen my second leaky valve came along, I thought, hmmm, maybe I should check Amazon. Amazon has everything. Sure enough, here they were and based on reviews they seemed to be plug n' play. For $30, it was worth the risk. Only downside, they can't be installed without the proper tire removal tools. So, I took it to another local shop.\\n\\nAt the local shop, I was getting a 60K maintenance done anyway so asked the guy to pop this in for me. I told him it shouldn't need any programming. When I went to pick up my car, he told me he installed it but the dash light for the sensors was still on. He then pulled it and hooked it up to their tool for programming TPMS but he wasn't able to do anything with it. I told him it was fine, it likely needs to drive for a period of time to pick up the sensor. (My manual does mention driving a certain amount of time at a certain speed to reset the sensors). Turns out as soon as I turned on my car to leave the shop, the light wasn't on. So looks like it's good to go!\\n\\nThese are way cheaper than the OEMs from the dealer and I just hope they are still available in the future if I get another leaky valve. Knock on wood.\",\n \"Product: Highland's U-Venture Rooftop Basket is a high quality, durable steel constructed Cargo basket that has a weather resistant finish. The sleek aerodynamic design mounts to most factory and aftermarket crossbars and includes rubber gaskets to eliminate internal rusting. The rack is 44 inches x 35 inches x 4.25 inches and fits full size and compact sport utility vehicles and cars with roof racks with a load capacity of 125 pounds. The 1 inch bar will easily hold Highland's 9500100 cargo net (sold separately) bungee hooks for a snug fit and will also accommodate Highland cartop carriers (sold separately).\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Needs ome upgraded hardware but great for a third of the price of a Yakima\\n\\nReview: Highland vs Reese Power, one and the same\\n\\nFirst of all I didn't buy a Highland U-Venture Cargo Basket from Amazon but I did buy a Reese Explore Cargo Basket from Walmart. Turns out they are the same thing. I first saw the Highland model on Amazon and was hesitant to purchase it as I wouldn't want to ship it back to Amazon if I wasn't happy. I soon found the same item at Walmart but it was also an online only item. BUT, Walmart also had one by Reese Explore that looked exactly the same and was sold in stores. Turns out they are the same exact product, the manual inside the Reese Explore box says Highland on it just under the Reese Explore logo. The item line also displays the 1041900 Highland model number here on Amazon.\\n\\nUpgrading Hardware\\n\\nNow that we've gotten that out of the way, this basket seems to be of decent quality given the price point. It IS a third of the cost of a Yakima Loadwarrior. With that being said, I did upgrade some of the hardware. There are rubber washers to go along with the screws that hold the basket together. Unfortunately, if you tighten the screws, the washers bulge out and will eventually wiggle out from under the screw head. So, I went to Home Depot and purchased some screw covers and new neoprene washers (I also found the supplied washers to be a bit too squishy maybe it was my imagination though). With the diameter of the screw covers being the same as that of the neoprene washer, they aren't going anywhere. I also think it gives a bit more of a polished look rather than exposed screw heads (see photos). They do protrude out a bit more than the screw heads but I'm OK with it. I should mention, you probably won;t want to use the screw covers if you intend to take the basket apart now and again. The screw covers don't look easy to reopen without damaging them.\\n\\nFitting & More Upgraded Hardware\\n\\nLast thing I want to mention is some folks may need some additional hardware depending on their rack. The manual mentions it fits a minimum bar spacing of 25 1/8\\\" and a maximum spacing of 32 3/10\\\". It also mentions that those spacings should be at 1 of 3 measurements. The low end of 25 1/8\\\", the high end of 32 3/10\\\" and in between at 28 3/4\\\". Now my rack crossbars are not adjustable on my Mazda Speed3 and the distance from center to center of the cross bars is somewhere around 27 1/2\\\" or so. What this means is I wasn't able to place the mounts on center with the cross rails. They are a tad bit off. When I first attempted to fit the basket, the wide U shaped bracket had the end of the bolt sticking up above the floor of the basket on one side. This would be OK depending on what you plan on putting in the basket. I intend to put a top carrier bag on it and don't want this bolts poking into the bag and damaging it. To solve this I picked up some 3/4\\\" rubber grommets. Home Depot has a package of mixed size rubber grommets in electrical. Of course the bars are 1\\\" diameter so it was a bit troubling stretching them onto the cross bars but they do fit. I pushed those grommets along the crossbars to where the mounting brackets would sit. (4 mounts, so you need 4 grommets, the Home Depot package has 2 of the 3/4\\\" per so I bought two packs. Those made the U shaped bracket sit a bit lower and still achieve the same tightness but the bolts were still sticking out a bit more. To get them down a bit more I used some 5/16\\\" washers. I used two on the side that was closest to the center of the cross bar and 3 on the side that was further away from center. This gave me enough spacing that the bolts stayed below the plane of the basket floor and still secured them onto the cross bars. I am spray painting the stainless washers at the moment but will take a photo once I have everything mounted on the cross bars again.\\n\\nIn the end, even though I needed to buy some extra hardware, I'm still pleased with the cargo basket. Time will tell if it holds up well and doesn't rust. I'm hoping not to get caught in too much rain while using it though. For the price of the basket (a little over $100 after tax from Walmart) and the additional hardware ($20 roughly from Home Depot) I'm pleased. Matching it up with a Rightline Sport Jr which ran me about $65 from Advance Auto after a coupon. Now I'm ready for my trip with some extra cargo for under $200!!!\",\n \"Product: The Snow Joe Edge ice scraper with brass blade is a must have for winter survival. This handy winter tool features a durable brass blade that effectively cuts through frost and ice on car windows and windshields in just one swipe. And, since brass is softer than glass, you'll easily scrape through light or heavy frost or icy frozen mixes without leaving a scratch. Inefficient plastic scrapers require multiple passes and still don't get the job done. With the Snow Joe Edge you'll get quick work out of any ice that gets in your way. Its comfort grip handle makes it easy to use and it's compact enough to hit neatly inside your glove compartment. Stay at the cutting edge this winter with the Snow Joe Edge-your reliable winter tool for any ice or frost emergency.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: I was hoping all the good reviews were valid but I don't see how this ...\\n\\nReview: I was hoping all the good reviews were valid but I don't see how this is any better than a plastic scraper. It's OK on the flatter side windows. And by OK, I mean, it scrapes the ice off but not without some effort of following just the right direction and amount of pressure. As far as the windshield, it is nearly useless. Takes multiple scrapes over the same area to get it all. Must be the curve of the glass. Also, as others may have mentioned, the handle is very thin and I fear putting too much pressure on it. I end of having to grab it down near the head of the scraper which reduces its reach. I've seen some brass scrapers that have a bit longer piece of brass sticking out. I may try one of those before going back to plastic. Supposedly it allows more flex of the brass.\\n\\nOh, and the handle is far too long. I can't even fit it in the side pocket of my door which is nearly the whole length of the door itself.\",\n \"Product: Tackles high-volume shipping, mailing and business labeling jobs. Prints large label formats including all-in-one 4 x 6 shipping labels, bulk mailing and warehouse labels. Plus, it prints dozens more label styles and sizes for use with file folders, name badges and more. Includes DYMO Productivity Software featuring DYMO Label version 8 that enables you to create labels right from your PC or Mac, even directly from text in popular software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, QuickBooks. Verify US addresses and ZIP4 codes with Address Fixer and scan your paper files and convert them to digital with DYMO File. 300 dpi resolution. Cost-effective direct thermal printing. For best results use Dymo Authentic Labels. Compact size (WxDxH: 178x187x134 mm) allows it to fit almost any office or office space; Power Sources: AC Adapter Included. Dymo offers U.S. based customer service via Phone, Email, Live Chat, and Remote-Desktop. Easy to setup with short how-to videos, User Guides, FAQs (see below under Technical Specification)\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: First Impressions (1/10/17) So far so good! Previously\\n\\nReview: First Impressions (1/10/17)\\n\\nSo far so good!\\n\\nPreviously, I was using a brother printer to print ebay labels using letter size 2 up label dog labels. it worked fine but I'd always have to remember to place the label in the printer as I used it for regular printing as well. When a great \\\"deal of the day\\\" deal came along, on this Dymo 4xl printer, I couldn't pass it up.\\n\\nSo far, I'm loving it. Never have to think if my printer is ready for label printing. I have this connected to one of the USB ports on my Netgear router, so I can access it from anywhere on the network.\\n\\nAs others have mentioned, if you select one of the 4x6 zebra printers in ebay/paypal, you should have no problem. Although, I did run into a slight snag with Google Chrome. Since Google Chrome uses it's own PDF plugin, the top of the ebay labels would get cut off a few millimeters. It doesn't seem anything of major importance is cut off, but me being a stickler, it was rather annoying. I did find a solution though. You just have to create a custom page size that's slightly less than 4x6. Of course, the Dymo driver doesn't allow a custom paper size, so you'll have to force it in Windows (not sure if it's possible on the MAC)\\n\\nIn Windows, go to Devices and Printers-> Highlight the Dymo Printer->Then look for the \\\"Print Server Properties\\\". It should be near the top of the window. (see attached photo) Once there, check the \\\"create new form\\\", give it a name, and put in the custom dimensions. Lets say 3.95\\\" W x 5.9\\\" H which is still proportionate to 4x6. Choose to save this custom size and then you can go to the printer properties of the Dymo and set this new size as a default. In the end, no more cut off when printing through Google Chrome.\",\n \"Product: Aspen Pet's Self-Warming Corduroy Pet Bed features heat-reflecting technology that keeps pets warm and cozy. Lined with the same material found in Mylar space blankets, the heated cat bed reflects pets' body heat to radiate warmth with no electricity required. For additional comfort, the bed's exterior is made from plush corduroy and the sleep surface is covered in soft, faux lambswool. The bed features a textured, non-slip bottom to prevent slipping or sliding when pets step in and out. The self-warming pet bed can hand-washed to keep pets' sleeping space fresh and clean. For pets and pet parents on the go, the self-warming mat's lightweight polyester fiberfill ensures portable convenience. Offered in a wide range of sizes and shapes, pet parents can choose a bed that suits their pet's individual needs. The bed ships in a variety of attractive colors including Barn Red/Cream, Navy/Cream, and Brown/Cream.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My Mother's Cat Approves!\\n\\nReview: My mother's cat approves!\\n\\nSo why does this get 5 stars? Well let me tell you. I purchased this cat bed on a whim as a Christmas gift for my mother. Well, I guess you could say for my mother's cat. Every time I visit my mother's house, if the cat is inside, he'll be on my lap. He may get up to chow down on some food, but he'll find his way back to my lap once he's done. This has been going on ever since she got him which was at least five or six years ago.\\n\\nNow all this time, he's had his bed right next to the couch. I've never seen him get in it but one can easily tell, by all the fur on it, he does use it from time to time. I would image when no one is in the house.\\n\\nSo today, I visited my mother's house and as usual, the cat climbed onto my lap and begged for attention for a bit. After about a half hour of snoozing, he got up to eat some food. Moments later, I looked over at his dish and he mysteriously disappeared. Where did I find him? In his new cat bed. After all those years, he chose his cat bed over my lap. I guess he just wanted some sleep, didn't need the petting and could get the usually warmth from my lap in his new bed.\",\n \"Product: 455311 FBA_929001136904 werw\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: these Hue bulbs are far superior. For one\\n\\nReview: I recently had trouble with my GE links connected to my SmartThings hub and decided to change them all over to these Hue bulbs. (Full disclosure, the GE links are not on the ST compatibility list but they do work... sometimes.) Compared to the GE links, these Hue bulbs are far superior. For one, they work consistently. Second, they dim much better than the GE Links. The GE Links set to 5% were still bright, these Hue bulbs have a much broader dimming range much like one would expect. Also, the Hue go from dim to the brightness you set when turned on. So kind of a gradual turn on rather than, bam, the lights on. The GE Links although set to do this, never really do. Again, it may be a matter of the dimming range and it's not noticeable. The only down side to these bulbs, one, they are more expensive and, two, they require the Hue hub. Requiring the hue hub isn't a huge problem but it's one more thing to worry about failing (so far it hasn't) in the network and it's one more unit to have connected to the network and somewhere in your home. Luckily, I was able to tuck it away somewhere and not disrupt it's communication abilities. Now that I think of it, the hub has kind of saved me a few times where SmartThings was down and I was still able to control my lights from the Hue app. Oh, and one more thing, I was able to use a 1st generation hub I obtained for eBay for about $12. eBay seems to be over saturated with them.\",\n \"Product: Raven heavy duty E-Z 4 in 1 or four way wrench removal tool for Symmons Temptrol valves of hot and cold seats in the pressure balance valve. This provides suitable choices of new, retrofit or repair installation using the tool to extract the diverter cap and seat instead of replacing the entire shower system. This handy seat removal wrench tool are compatible with many Temptrol shower systems. Extractor tool built with different ends for different purposes includes hex and screw ends. Grab on both handle of the tool to provide better torque when turning. A hole in one of the handle can be used to hang it up on a hook or alternatively allows you to insert another pole through the hole to assist with better torque in increasing the turn strength. An exclusive patented product on the market and a must have professional seat removal tool wrench for every plumbers or homeowner toolbox.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Should have just gone into battle with the Symmons Seat Removal Tools. The outcome, likely would have been the same.\\n\\nReview: Having never done a job, like replacing a Symmons Control Valve/Seat Vales, before I was going my recommendations in these reviews and youtube videos. If I had to do it all over again, I probably wouldn't buy this. I could have purchased a Symmons Control Spindle/Seat Valve/ Symmons seat removal tools combo kit for the same price of the Symmons Control Spindle and Seat valve being purchased separately (essentially making the tool free.)\\n\\nAfter receiving this tool, I now know I should have done just that and saved myself nearly $20. This tool stripped the seat valves just the same as the Symmons tools probably would have. After hammering the Raven into the larger seat valve, it eventually made it's own new grooves to grip onto. Likely could have done the same with the Symmons tool. As for the smaller seat valve, that was nearly a lost cause with this tool. Again, the notches stripped almost immediately. This time, there was nothing to force new grooves into and hammering it in, just hit the back of the control valve itself. After a little thought, I decided to wrap the end of the small square bar end with some electrical tap. I think I did about 3 layers. I then hammered the tool into the small seat valve. Magically, it wedged itself into the seat valve and created enough friction to spin it out. The electrical tape worked so well that I had to hammer (little by little on each side) the seat valve off the tool as it was stuck onto the bar/electrical tape at this point. Again, I could have done the same with the Symmons tool.\\n\\nI will say, the X shape does help in \\\"breaking the seal\\\" rather than trying to wrap a wrench around the bars but that's probably where the convenience ends. As for the spiral portions used to extract the diverter, I'm sure I could have found a screw to do just the same. Lastly, the hex portion didn't even fully fit into the end cap covering the diverter. I'm thinking the paint coating made it slightly larger than the hole. If I had hammered it in, it probably would have scraped off enough paint to fit properly. Instead, I grabbed my metric hex/allen wrench set and just used that. So, in the end, moral of the story, this was a waste of money. I could see if you are doing this all the time this tool may be worth buying BUT for needing it one or two times, you can probably do just the same with the \\\"free\\\" (w/ combo kit: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Symmons-REB-Complete-Valve-Rebuild-Kit/dp/B076FD8SDM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Symmons REB Complete Valve Rebuild Kit</a>) Symmons tools.\\n\\nIn the end, I would have given this 3 stars as it did probably just the same as the Symmons tools would have but with the added convenience of the X form to get some torque w/o a wrench. Unfortunately, after battling the seat valves for 40 mins, the hex not fitting into the diverter cap really peeved me off.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":34,"string":"34"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1774,"string":"1,774"}}},{"rowIdx":1775,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A2CV5WECEUP6YS"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"D'or Designs French Cuff Top Quality Initial Alphabet Cufflinks\". The summary of the review text is \"so I thought these would be a great gift for him\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"My husband wears dress shirts everyday for work, so I thought these would be a great gift for him. They come in a very nice box - they can be gifted as is. They're really nice, very high quality cufflinks. They will definitely stand the test of time, so I won't have to replace this often, unless I want to. I'm even planning to buy a pair for my dad for Christmas, because these are so nice. I love the initial so you can customize it to the person you're buying it for. It makes it more unique than a regular cufflink in my opinion. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"My husband wears dress shirts everyday for work, so I thought these would be a great gift for him. They come in a very nice box - they can be gifted as is. They're really nice, very high quality cufflinks. They will definitely stand the test of time, so I won't have to replace this often, unless I want to. I'm even planning to buy a pair for my dad for Christmas, because these are so nice. I love the initial so you can customize it to the person you're buying it for. It makes it more unique than a regular cufflink in my opinion. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Unleash Your Imagination And Create Just About Anything Thanks To The Ultimate Self Setting Moldable Silicone! The V tie self setting silicone is extremely durable, versatile and flexible. It is moldable by hand, it cures overnight at room temperature and once it is cured, it is waterproof, electrically insulating, UV resistant and dishwasher proof. You can use it to make just about anything you can think of since it is self adhesive and it effectively bonds to steel, aluminum, glass, wood, ceramics and some kinds of fabric too. The V tie self setting moldable silicone can be easily removed from most non porous surfaces and it allows you to create, make or fix countless things. Protect or repair frayed cables, give yourself a small storage space solution by creating hooks or fix your leaky shoes thanks to this durable, incomparably flexible silicone rubber. You will enjoy its high temperature resistance that will give you countless creative options and ideas.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: I like the concept of this for sure\n\nReview: I wanted to get this to mold some hooks for my daughter to use for things such as her keys and so forth to keep them safe. I was hoping to get pictures of me actually using this, but it's very sticky and I didn't want to get it on my phone. Fair warning it has a very unpleasant smell. Now I'm pregnant, so it could be due to that for me too. It did stain my fingers a bit, but it didn't last long luckily. It did take about 28 hours for mine to fully cure. I'm sure if I made something smaller, it would have taken less time. I like the concept of this for sure, but there are some definite kinks that should be worked out before I can say I love it. I have received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.","Product: Flourish and Thrive Tea Strainer - Perfect for Mornings On The Go\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: This tea strainer is perfect. I really don't like when the tea leaves ...\n\nReview: This tea strainer is perfect. I really don't like when the tea leaves wind up in my tea. It just makes it unpleasant to me having to spit bits of leaf out after every sip. Well this strainer has tiny mesh, so nothing gets in my tea, except the flavor! It's a large strainer so it holds a nice amount of tea leaves too. It fits in the cup nicely. You will have to remove it in order to drink, but I usually remove my tea after about 5 minutes of steeping time as it is, so this isn't a problem for me. I love that I can wash this in the dishwasher too! This is a very nice, very high quality tea strainer. I would recommend this to any tea drinker. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.","Product: Ideal for late sleepers and shift workers, this curtain set blocks out 99.9 percent of light and insulate against the heat and cold. The modern look makes your living space cozy, the 100-percent polyester-woven construction makes these blackout curtains easy to clean.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The color is pretty accurate in comparison with the picture they have posted ...\n\nReview: I wanted to get these, because my son's room was in desperate need of curtains. He has two windows, and the sun tends to cause him to wake up earlier. I ordered the blue/teal ones. The color is pretty accurate in comparison with the picture they have posted on their store. The material is actually really soft feeling, which is nice for me, because if my son ever touches them it won't be a rough material that might feel harsh on his skin. The rings are nice size, and are sewn into the curtain itself. I like that these rings are not huge rings like some curtains can have. These definitely do a nice job blocking out the sunlight too. I noticed a difference in the morning, when the sun shines right in his windows. I'm definitely pleased with these lovely curtains. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.","Product: VinoVivo Wine Pearls are carefully designed to give you the ability to chill your beverage without watering it down like traditional ice cubes. These reusable beverage chillers are safe to use, completely odorless and tasteless, and give you the freedom to control your drinking experience without ruining your drink, all in a sleek and stylish stainless steel package. Ideal for everything from luxe cocktail parties to laid back barbeques, they're cool and sexy in the glass, keeping drinks at an optimal chill without watering them down. Stylish in martinis, cosmos, white wines and the like, they do double duty in sparkling waters and sodas and make really cool host and hostess gifts. Take them out of the freezer when they're icy cold and, when finished, just hand wash them to use again and again.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: These are the perfect solution for that\n\nReview: These are genius. They're really big. Much bigger than I expected actually! I haven't tried these in wine, but I did try them in my milk. Yes I am in fact a strange person who loves very cold milk, and usually I'd put ice cubes in it. The problem with that as you can imagine, is it often causes the ice to melt, and dilute my milk. These are the perfect solution for that. They definitely kept my milk extra cold, and I didn't have to worry about my milk being diluted. My sister is a really big wine drinker, so I think I'll have to get her a set of these chillers to use too. The box it comes in is really nice, it can be wrapped up and gifted as is. Definitely a must have for anyone who likes a cold drink without the melted ice as a result! I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.","Product: These handy bags eliminate messy cleanups caused when bread crumbs and foods build-up in your toaster oven appliances & microwave oven. See images above. The bags also prevent cross-contamination of regular bread products & gluten-free products. Use these convenient bags for toast, pizza, pastries or bagels. Keep your appliances free of crumbs and other debris, and save valuable time cleaning. FDA-approved material. Available in a pack of 2. Order yours today!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: These are perfect for my house\n\nReview: These are perfect for my house. With five of us making toast everyday, it doesn't take long for our toaster to become a crumb filled mess. I love that with these I have the option to heat up other things, such as a slice of pizza in the toaster now. It tastes so much better heating a leftover piece of pizza in the toaster, than the microwave in my opinion. I love that these are washable too, because obviously melted cheese can get a bit messy. I will definitely be buying more of these when the current ones have worn out. These are a great addition to any kitchen! I received these toaster bags free in exchange for my review of them.","Product: Are you a man? Enjoy drinking stuff? In search of the perfect beverage receptacle? The Manteen is the man's canteen. Use this stainless steel bottle to take your favorite beverage everywhere a man goes: the gym, the office, camping, fishing, golf, sporting events, or anywhere that you can get into shinanigans..conceal a beer, and have no fear. The Manteen is a perfect gift for Birthdays, Father's Day, Christmas, Groomsman, Valentines Day, a boyfriend, or that hard to buy for man in your life. The bottle is made with food grade 18/8 (304) Stainless Steel to ensure you are drinking from a quality beverage receptacle. We offer this product to you through Amazon FBA in order to offer easy ordering, risk free purchasing, a money back guarantee, and prompt shipping. Specifications (approximate): 10\" tall, 2.75\" wide, 1.25\" mouth opening. Keep your beer (or adult beverage of choice), water, pre-workout, tea, soda, protein shake cold all day. Keeps coffee hot and will prevent spills that lead to burning your man flesh. Add to Cart now and start drinking stuff! The Manteen\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: It almost looks like a one liter soda bottle\n\nReview: I wanted to get this for my husband to use at work. They have a closed top only rule at his job, and up until now he's been taking plastic water bottles. This is not only closed top, but it keeps his water chilled for hours. It almost looks like a one liter soda bottle. The bottom has the ridges like one, and the top has a screw lid that is similar to one as well. The picture on the bottle ensures everyone it's a manteen. My husband wasn't too sure when I first told him I got this for him, but upon seeing it he had to admit it's pretty cool looking. He's staying hydrated much better now with this! I received this product at a discount in exchange for my review.","Product: My Tea Infuser For you avid tea drinkers, we know it seems like there is no right way to prepare your tea. Yes, loose tea leaves have more pronounced flavor, but you will only end up with annoying chunks of leaves floating in your cup. Teabags are more convenient especially if you are in a hurry, but the tag often falls into your cup. We know that all you want is an ingenious creation to put an end to your tea troubles. Law of Attraction does exist, friends. You wish for it, you get it. Please meet My Tea Infuser (TM), a little shark that will turn your tea cup into his personal pool while filtering tea for you. He has no problem keeping your loose tea leaves or teabag in his body. Feelfree to take him with you anywhere, because he is quite small: only 3.3x 3.1inch. This little shark is created with 100 percent nontoxic and heat-resistant silicone, and he will be safe in your dishwasher. He is just so cute; anybody will love to get him as a present. With this cute shark by your side, you will have an extra reason to smile while you enjoy the perfect taste of your tea. Take him home now (c)My Tea Infuser (TM) All Rights Reserved Related Searches: tea infuser, deep tea diver infuser, loose tea leaf infuser, cute tea infuser, tea cup infuser, tea infusers and strainers, silicone tea infuser, portable tea infuser\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The tail comes off easily, and you can put your tea in there\n\nReview: This shark infuser has to be the cutest one I've ever seen! I'm a big tea drinker, and wanted to try this because so much nicer looking than the typical ball. The tail comes off easily, and you can put your tea in there. I didn't have any loose tea, so I just put a tea bag in there and it fit easily enough. After that I just set it on the edge of the cup and let it do its thing. It's so cute sitting there on the edge of the cup that I didn't even take it off until I was done. Usually with a tea ball I take it out after a few minutes, because it moves around the cup, and can be hard to drink around. This would be great for any tea drinker, but especially someone who loves sharks. I have received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.","Product: Plastic pitchfork is 23\" long\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: This is the perfect final touch to a halloween costume\n\nReview: This is the perfect final touch to a halloween costume. My nine year old recently asked me to be a devil for Halloween, so this came around at a great time. The only thing I didn't like was that it is rather small. That being said, it is for a child, so the size is ultimately appropriate. She's having a lot of fun with this already, and it's not even September yet. ;) Definitely a good touch to any devil costume. Additionally, this could be used for decoration at halloween time as well. So if the size is not to your liking, you can get creative with it in other ways too. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.","Product: This Unique Black Leather Mens Designer Wallet Bifold Wallet is designed for your maximum benefit!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: and I'm so glad I came across this\n\nReview: My husband was in need of a new wallet, and I'm so glad I came across this. It's very well made. It's leather so it even smells fantastic. There is a nice window slot for your photo ID, which is very convenient. It has plenty of slots for all of your cards, and other needs you might keep in a wallet. It has two areas to keep cash or other longer items in too. This is definitely a wallet that will last for awhile. My husband has problems with his wallets falling apart easily, but this time I'm not concerned about that possibility at all. This would be a great gift for anyone - male and female alike. Definitely a high quality wallet, and worth the price. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.","Product: Our Abby Cadabby costume for toddler girls includes a dress, detachable wings and pom pom hair ties. The fairy wings with our kids Abby Cadabby costume are detachable and padded for comfort and safety. The Abby Cadabby costume for toddler comes in toddler sizes Toddler Small, Toddler Medium, Toddler Large. This Abby Cadabby costume for toddler is an officially licensed Sesame Street costume. Please note: This item's color may vary due to inherent manufacturing variations or your computer monitor's color settings. The item you receive will be identical or substantially similar to the item pictured in this listing.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: and it fit her pretty well, so I would say the sizing runs ...\n\nReview: I got this for my two year old for Halloween this year. I got the 3-4T size, and it fit her pretty well, so I would say the sizing runs a bit small. She's a pretty petite toddler. The costume itself is really cute. The top part where the Abby decal is located is really soft. The wings come with a velcro, and there are velcro strips on the back of the costume where they sit. I actually really loved that, because trying to get wings to sit right with elastic arms can be a pain. The pigtail holders are really cute. The only thing I wish this included was a wand, but that is easily remedied. It's really colorful, there is some glitter on it, so be aware of that. All in all, a very adorable costume, especially for Abby Cadabby lovers!","Product: Material: 95% Rayon 5% Spandex(the black floral and blue floral); cotton and polyester(other colors) Size information: BUST: (S) 33.5inches; (M) 35.5inches; (L) 37.5inches; (XL) 39.5inches; (2XL) 41.5inches; (3XL) 43.5inches WAIST: (S) 29inches(BE45)/29.5inches(BE46); (M) 31inches(BE45)/31.5iches(BE46);(L) 33inches(BE45)/33.5inches(BE46);(XL)35inches(BE45)/35.5inches(BE46); (2XL)37inches(BE45)/37.5inches(BE46); (3XL)39inches(BE45)/39.5inches(BE46) LENGTH: (S) 29inches(BE45)/28.5inches(BE46); (M) 29.5inches(BE45)/29iches(BE46);(L) 30inches(BE45)/29.5inches(BE46);(XL)30.5inches(BE45)/30nches(BE46); (2XL)31inches(BE45)/30.5inches(BE46); (3XL)31.5inches(BE45)/31inches(BE46) SLEEVE: (S) 23inches; (M) 23.5inches; (L) 24inches; (XL) 24.5inches; (2XL) 25inches; (3XL) 25.5inches\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: and hoped for the best as always\n\nReview: I was admittedly apprehensive about buying this tunic, because a lot of times sizes online are so varied. I went with their sizing chart, and hoped for the best as always. This time that really paid off. This fits me perfectly. The material is so nice, and soft. I absolutely love the color of the purple too. Purple is my favorite color so I'm probably biased, but it's still a really nice color on this tunic. My husband actually complimented me on how I look in it, so I know it's a nice tunic just from that alone. I will definitely be back to buy additional colors of this. Now that it's finally the time of year where I can wear this, and enjoy it, I plan on doing just that! I have received this product for free in exchange for my review.","Product: Introducing The New High Quality Fruit Infusion Water Bottle By Fruision Pro Most people prefer drinking soft drinks and other sugary beverages instead of water. Even if they know that water is incredibly healthy. Why does this happen? Just because water doesnt taste great. However this can change with Fruision Pros amazing fruit infused water bottle. The perfect combination of exceptional quality & practicality - this fruit infuser is designed to refresh your tastebuds without jeopardizing your health! Simply fill it with your favorite fruits and enjoy your healthy refreshing and flavorful water! Why This Is The Best Fruit Infused Water Bottle You Could Ever Use: Unlike other poorly made water infusing bottles this one is ergonomically engineered for EFFORTLESS FILLING! It comes along with a FREE BONUS eBook full of delicious water infused recipes and tips on how to get the most out of Fruision Pro! Leak-roof lid prevents leakage and ensures that you will enjoy your refreshing watery beverages WITHOUT ANY HASSLE! This Fruit Infusion Bottle Has BEEN LOVED By People All Over The World: Fruision Pros fruit infused water bottles are manufactured upon the highest quality standards. We take the most stringent quality control and safety measures to ensure that each product is crafted to fit your needs while also being safe and healthy to use. The result? A high-e\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Must have for those looking to go healthy!\n\nReview: I got this to help me drink more water. I am one of those people who typically finds water to be very boring unfortunately. I figured this could help me up my intake, and add that flavor I'm looking for. This is a really nice bottle. It's very easy to use. There is no leaks that come from it either, which is something I'd heard was issues with other brands. The cleaning brush really comes in handy as well. Plus the bonus of it being dishwasher safe! This is a great tool to increase water intake. I'm going to get one for my husband, because he can only have drinks with a closed top at his desk at work, and never drinks enough throughout the day because of it. I highly recommend this!\n\nI have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.","Product: No Pockets? No problem!The ultimate hands-free solution to stashing your stuff!StashBandz with multiple different uses, is the only cute fanny pack, insulin pump belt, waist pack, money belt, and travel belt, uniquely designed to hold large cell phones, a passport, and all your extra on-the-go travel accessories. Go hassle free with freedom from a purse. Safely travel the world holding as much as your purse discreetly undercover. Rock-out at concerts worry-free (hides a flask). Go purse-free at theme parks, sporting events, at the office, and everyday errands. Throw in an ice or heat pack for menstrual cramps and backaches. The allin-one accessory, providing secret pockets for any hands-free, purse-free occasion.Sizing: The success of your hip belt depends on a good fit. If your belt does not stay in place, you have the wrong size. Sagging = too big, riding up = too small. We offer free exchanges. Please follow our sizing chart. We take all factors into account, such as, pockets being fully loaded with high activity, and worn over clothes.Shipping: Orders ship from California via USPS first class mail or USPS Priority, if expedited if chosen at purchase. Orders ship within 24 hours Monday-Thursday. Orders received Friday-Sunday are shipped on the following Monday, pending holidays Returns or exchanges: Your satisfaction is guaranteed! Returns or exchanges are never a problem. We offer free shipping to exchange an item. You ship the item back to us, and then we pay for shipping the new item. Further questions? Ring us toll-free; were here to help!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: and pretty! It's true to size too\n\nReview: This travel money belt is so unique, and pretty! It's true to size too, which is really good, because sizing can definitely be tricky when ordering online. The pockets are really nice, they're deep, and they're wide. The silicone grip surrounding the entire inside works extremely well. I admit, I was a bit unsure how comfortable it would be, or even how well it would work. It is not only comfortable to wear, but it does in fact not slip around at all. It's definitely something I will be using on my next trip to the beach, because I won't have to worry about carrying a bag around for my phone and ID. Definitely a must have for your next adventure! I have received this for free in exchange for my honest review.","Product: Powdered ginger has been used for centuries as a digestive aid and to combat nausea. It breaks down fats and proteins in food to allow easier absorption without creating gas. As a treatment for motion sickness, ginger wards off the nauseous feeling some people experience when traveling by car, airplane or boat. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. There are substances in ginger called gingerols that give the spice its potent flavor. This oil calms stomach spasms by neutralizing acids and increasing enzymes in the digestive tract. Pregnant woman often use ginger in tea to combat morning sickness. Zingibain, another enzyme in ginger, breaks down proteins and contains anti-bacterial properties that might help calm fever, clear sinuses and break up congestion. Often called ginger root, ginger actually comes from the stem of the plant that grows underground. Fresh ginger is preferable for health benefits because it contains four oils that give it its distinct flavor. Powdered ginger can be boiled with water to make a tea, with honey used as a sweetener. Used in cooking, the flavor of ginger complements the taste of garlic. The herb originated in Southeast Asia but grows well in any tropical area, growing best near the equator. India produces more ginger than any other country. It is also popular in China, where it is routinely used to ease the pain of menstrual cramps.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I have very bad tendinitis and hypertension on top of it\n\nReview: I wanted to try this ginger out, due to the anti-inflammatory effects. I have very bad tendinitis and hypertension on top of it. Needless to say, I can't take NSAID's because of the latter condition. I've been using this ginger in my tea for a few days now, and I'm really noticing the difference. I also notice the taste in my tea, which is actually quite appealing. For how much you get, this is very reasonably priced too. I am definitely enjoying the benefits of having this as part of my daily diet. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.","Product: This product is of pet supplies and is very easy to use. Adds a great value. This product is manufactured in United States. Meets Customers requirements.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My kids love zootopia, so I knew they would love this ...\n\nReview: My kids love zootopia, so I knew they would love this when I saw it. It's such a great way to get more than one child involved in the same thing too. Each of my kids got their own envelope of stickers to open, and then find the proper spot in the book. A couple of the stickers were fuzzy too, which my kids thought was really cool. It provided a nice sensory object for my son with those too. The really cool thing was that we only had 2 repeat stickers, which is great! My kids are asking for me to buy more stickers so we can finish the book. The stickers are really nice quality too. I have received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.","Product: Gold Award Trophies, 6\" (18) pack\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great for team building for adults too!\n\nReview: These trophies are really great! They come in a box of 18. They're really cute, and you could even use a chalk marker, or other type of bright marker to write on the black part on the bottom to individualize them if you wanted. My husband has a team he helps manage, and is using these to rotate between all the \"super stars\" at work to help boost employee morale. Kids aren't the only ones who like recognition, so he figured these would be a great idea. So far his team is loving it! I highly recommend these for kids, and adults alike! Well worth the price for some happy faces, and boosted morale overall!\n\nI have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Unleash Your Imagination And Create Just About Anything Thanks To The Ultimate Self Setting Moldable Silicone! The V tie self setting silicone is extremely durable, versatile and flexible. It is moldable by hand, it cures overnight at room temperature and once it is cured, it is waterproof, electrically insulating, UV resistant and dishwasher proof. You can use it to make just about anything you can think of since it is self adhesive and it effectively bonds to steel, aluminum, glass, wood, ceramics and some kinds of fabric too. The V tie self setting moldable silicone can be easily removed from most non porous surfaces and it allows you to create, make or fix countless things. Protect or repair frayed cables, give yourself a small storage space solution by creating hooks or fix your leaky shoes thanks to this durable, incomparably flexible silicone rubber. You will enjoy its high temperature resistance that will give you countless creative options and ideas.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: I like the concept of this for sure\\n\\nReview: I wanted to get this to mold some hooks for my daughter to use for things such as her keys and so forth to keep them safe. I was hoping to get pictures of me actually using this, but it's very sticky and I didn't want to get it on my phone. Fair warning it has a very unpleasant smell. Now I'm pregnant, so it could be due to that for me too. It did stain my fingers a bit, but it didn't last long luckily. It did take about 28 hours for mine to fully cure. I'm sure if I made something smaller, it would have taken less time. I like the concept of this for sure, but there are some definite kinks that should be worked out before I can say I love it. I have received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.\",\n \"Product: Flourish and Thrive Tea Strainer - Perfect for Mornings On The Go\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This tea strainer is perfect. I really don't like when the tea leaves ...\\n\\nReview: This tea strainer is perfect. I really don't like when the tea leaves wind up in my tea. It just makes it unpleasant to me having to spit bits of leaf out after every sip. Well this strainer has tiny mesh, so nothing gets in my tea, except the flavor! It's a large strainer so it holds a nice amount of tea leaves too. It fits in the cup nicely. You will have to remove it in order to drink, but I usually remove my tea after about 5 minutes of steeping time as it is, so this isn't a problem for me. I love that I can wash this in the dishwasher too! This is a very nice, very high quality tea strainer. I would recommend this to any tea drinker. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\",\n \"Product: Ideal for late sleepers and shift workers, this curtain set blocks out 99.9 percent of light and insulate against the heat and cold. The modern look makes your living space cozy, the 100-percent polyester-woven construction makes these blackout curtains easy to clean.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The color is pretty accurate in comparison with the picture they have posted ...\\n\\nReview: I wanted to get these, because my son's room was in desperate need of curtains. He has two windows, and the sun tends to cause him to wake up earlier. I ordered the blue/teal ones. The color is pretty accurate in comparison with the picture they have posted on their store. The material is actually really soft feeling, which is nice for me, because if my son ever touches them it won't be a rough material that might feel harsh on his skin. The rings are nice size, and are sewn into the curtain itself. I like that these rings are not huge rings like some curtains can have. These definitely do a nice job blocking out the sunlight too. I noticed a difference in the morning, when the sun shines right in his windows. I'm definitely pleased with these lovely curtains. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\",\n \"Product: VinoVivo Wine Pearls are carefully designed to give you the ability to chill your beverage without watering it down like traditional ice cubes. These reusable beverage chillers are safe to use, completely odorless and tasteless, and give you the freedom to control your drinking experience without ruining your drink, all in a sleek and stylish stainless steel package. Ideal for everything from luxe cocktail parties to laid back barbeques, they're cool and sexy in the glass, keeping drinks at an optimal chill without watering them down. Stylish in martinis, cosmos, white wines and the like, they do double duty in sparkling waters and sodas and make really cool host and hostess gifts. Take them out of the freezer when they're icy cold and, when finished, just hand wash them to use again and again.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: These are the perfect solution for that\\n\\nReview: These are genius. They're really big. Much bigger than I expected actually! I haven't tried these in wine, but I did try them in my milk. Yes I am in fact a strange person who loves very cold milk, and usually I'd put ice cubes in it. The problem with that as you can imagine, is it often causes the ice to melt, and dilute my milk. These are the perfect solution for that. They definitely kept my milk extra cold, and I didn't have to worry about my milk being diluted. My sister is a really big wine drinker, so I think I'll have to get her a set of these chillers to use too. The box it comes in is really nice, it can be wrapped up and gifted as is. Definitely a must have for anyone who likes a cold drink without the melted ice as a result! I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\",\n \"Product: These handy bags eliminate messy cleanups caused when bread crumbs and foods build-up in your toaster oven appliances & microwave oven. See images above. The bags also prevent cross-contamination of regular bread products & gluten-free products. Use these convenient bags for toast, pizza, pastries or bagels. Keep your appliances free of crumbs and other debris, and save valuable time cleaning. FDA-approved material. Available in a pack of 2. Order yours today!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: These are perfect for my house\\n\\nReview: These are perfect for my house. With five of us making toast everyday, it doesn't take long for our toaster to become a crumb filled mess. I love that with these I have the option to heat up other things, such as a slice of pizza in the toaster now. It tastes so much better heating a leftover piece of pizza in the toaster, than the microwave in my opinion. I love that these are washable too, because obviously melted cheese can get a bit messy. I will definitely be buying more of these when the current ones have worn out. These are a great addition to any kitchen! I received these toaster bags free in exchange for my review of them.\",\n \"Product: Are you a man? Enjoy drinking stuff? In search of the perfect beverage receptacle? The Manteen is the man's canteen. Use this stainless steel bottle to take your favorite beverage everywhere a man goes: the gym, the office, camping, fishing, golf, sporting events, or anywhere that you can get into shinanigans..conceal a beer, and have no fear. The Manteen is a perfect gift for Birthdays, Father's Day, Christmas, Groomsman, Valentines Day, a boyfriend, or that hard to buy for man in your life. The bottle is made with food grade 18/8 (304) Stainless Steel to ensure you are drinking from a quality beverage receptacle. We offer this product to you through Amazon FBA in order to offer easy ordering, risk free purchasing, a money back guarantee, and prompt shipping. Specifications (approximate): 10\\\" tall, 2.75\\\" wide, 1.25\\\" mouth opening. Keep your beer (or adult beverage of choice), water, pre-workout, tea, soda, protein shake cold all day. Keeps coffee hot and will prevent spills that lead to burning your man flesh. Add to Cart now and start drinking stuff! The Manteen\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: It almost looks like a one liter soda bottle\\n\\nReview: I wanted to get this for my husband to use at work. They have a closed top only rule at his job, and up until now he's been taking plastic water bottles. This is not only closed top, but it keeps his water chilled for hours. It almost looks like a one liter soda bottle. The bottom has the ridges like one, and the top has a screw lid that is similar to one as well. The picture on the bottle ensures everyone it's a manteen. My husband wasn't too sure when I first told him I got this for him, but upon seeing it he had to admit it's pretty cool looking. He's staying hydrated much better now with this! I received this product at a discount in exchange for my review.\",\n \"Product: My Tea Infuser For you avid tea drinkers, we know it seems like there is no right way to prepare your tea. Yes, loose tea leaves have more pronounced flavor, but you will only end up with annoying chunks of leaves floating in your cup. Teabags are more convenient especially if you are in a hurry, but the tag often falls into your cup. We know that all you want is an ingenious creation to put an end to your tea troubles. Law of Attraction does exist, friends. You wish for it, you get it. Please meet My Tea Infuser (TM), a little shark that will turn your tea cup into his personal pool while filtering tea for you. He has no problem keeping your loose tea leaves or teabag in his body. Feelfree to take him with you anywhere, because he is quite small: only 3.3x 3.1inch. This little shark is created with 100 percent nontoxic and heat-resistant silicone, and he will be safe in your dishwasher. He is just so cute; anybody will love to get him as a present. With this cute shark by your side, you will have an extra reason to smile while you enjoy the perfect taste of your tea. Take him home now (c)My Tea Infuser (TM) All Rights Reserved Related Searches: tea infuser, deep tea diver infuser, loose tea leaf infuser, cute tea infuser, tea cup infuser, tea infusers and strainers, silicone tea infuser, portable tea infuser\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The tail comes off easily, and you can put your tea in there\\n\\nReview: This shark infuser has to be the cutest one I've ever seen! I'm a big tea drinker, and wanted to try this because so much nicer looking than the typical ball. The tail comes off easily, and you can put your tea in there. I didn't have any loose tea, so I just put a tea bag in there and it fit easily enough. After that I just set it on the edge of the cup and let it do its thing. It's so cute sitting there on the edge of the cup that I didn't even take it off until I was done. Usually with a tea ball I take it out after a few minutes, because it moves around the cup, and can be hard to drink around. This would be great for any tea drinker, but especially someone who loves sharks. I have received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.\",\n \"Product: Plastic pitchfork is 23\\\" long\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This is the perfect final touch to a halloween costume\\n\\nReview: This is the perfect final touch to a halloween costume. My nine year old recently asked me to be a devil for Halloween, so this came around at a great time. The only thing I didn't like was that it is rather small. That being said, it is for a child, so the size is ultimately appropriate. She's having a lot of fun with this already, and it's not even September yet. ;) Definitely a good touch to any devil costume. Additionally, this could be used for decoration at halloween time as well. So if the size is not to your liking, you can get creative with it in other ways too. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\",\n \"Product: This Unique Black Leather Mens Designer Wallet Bifold Wallet is designed for your maximum benefit!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: and I'm so glad I came across this\\n\\nReview: My husband was in need of a new wallet, and I'm so glad I came across this. It's very well made. It's leather so it even smells fantastic. There is a nice window slot for your photo ID, which is very convenient. It has plenty of slots for all of your cards, and other needs you might keep in a wallet. It has two areas to keep cash or other longer items in too. This is definitely a wallet that will last for awhile. My husband has problems with his wallets falling apart easily, but this time I'm not concerned about that possibility at all. This would be a great gift for anyone - male and female alike. Definitely a high quality wallet, and worth the price. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\",\n \"Product: Our Abby Cadabby costume for toddler girls includes a dress, detachable wings and pom pom hair ties. The fairy wings with our kids Abby Cadabby costume are detachable and padded for comfort and safety. The Abby Cadabby costume for toddler comes in toddler sizes Toddler Small, Toddler Medium, Toddler Large. This Abby Cadabby costume for toddler is an officially licensed Sesame Street costume. Please note: This item's color may vary due to inherent manufacturing variations or your computer monitor's color settings. The item you receive will be identical or substantially similar to the item pictured in this listing.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: and it fit her pretty well, so I would say the sizing runs ...\\n\\nReview: I got this for my two year old for Halloween this year. I got the 3-4T size, and it fit her pretty well, so I would say the sizing runs a bit small. She's a pretty petite toddler. The costume itself is really cute. The top part where the Abby decal is located is really soft. The wings come with a velcro, and there are velcro strips on the back of the costume where they sit. I actually really loved that, because trying to get wings to sit right with elastic arms can be a pain. The pigtail holders are really cute. The only thing I wish this included was a wand, but that is easily remedied. It's really colorful, there is some glitter on it, so be aware of that. All in all, a very adorable costume, especially for Abby Cadabby lovers!\",\n \"Product: Material: 95% Rayon 5% Spandex(the black floral and blue floral); cotton and polyester(other colors) Size information: BUST: (S) 33.5inches; (M) 35.5inches; (L) 37.5inches; (XL) 39.5inches; (2XL) 41.5inches; (3XL) 43.5inches WAIST: (S) 29inches(BE45)/29.5inches(BE46); (M) 31inches(BE45)/31.5iches(BE46);(L) 33inches(BE45)/33.5inches(BE46);(XL)35inches(BE45)/35.5inches(BE46); (2XL)37inches(BE45)/37.5inches(BE46); (3XL)39inches(BE45)/39.5inches(BE46) LENGTH: (S) 29inches(BE45)/28.5inches(BE46); (M) 29.5inches(BE45)/29iches(BE46);(L) 30inches(BE45)/29.5inches(BE46);(XL)30.5inches(BE45)/30nches(BE46); (2XL)31inches(BE45)/30.5inches(BE46); (3XL)31.5inches(BE45)/31inches(BE46) SLEEVE: (S) 23inches; (M) 23.5inches; (L) 24inches; (XL) 24.5inches; (2XL) 25inches; (3XL) 25.5inches\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: and hoped for the best as always\\n\\nReview: I was admittedly apprehensive about buying this tunic, because a lot of times sizes online are so varied. I went with their sizing chart, and hoped for the best as always. This time that really paid off. This fits me perfectly. The material is so nice, and soft. I absolutely love the color of the purple too. Purple is my favorite color so I'm probably biased, but it's still a really nice color on this tunic. My husband actually complimented me on how I look in it, so I know it's a nice tunic just from that alone. I will definitely be back to buy additional colors of this. Now that it's finally the time of year where I can wear this, and enjoy it, I plan on doing just that! I have received this product for free in exchange for my review.\",\n \"Product: Introducing The New High Quality Fruit Infusion Water Bottle By Fruision Pro Most people prefer drinking soft drinks and other sugary beverages instead of water. Even if they know that water is incredibly healthy. Why does this happen? Just because water doesnt taste great. However this can change with Fruision Pros amazing fruit infused water bottle. The perfect combination of exceptional quality & practicality - this fruit infuser is designed to refresh your tastebuds without jeopardizing your health! Simply fill it with your favorite fruits and enjoy your healthy refreshing and flavorful water! Why This Is The Best Fruit Infused Water Bottle You Could Ever Use: Unlike other poorly made water infusing bottles this one is ergonomically engineered for EFFORTLESS FILLING! It comes along with a FREE BONUS eBook full of delicious water infused recipes and tips on how to get the most out of Fruision Pro! Leak-roof lid prevents leakage and ensures that you will enjoy your refreshing watery beverages WITHOUT ANY HASSLE! This Fruit Infusion Bottle Has BEEN LOVED By People All Over The World: Fruision Pros fruit infused water bottles are manufactured upon the highest quality standards. We take the most stringent quality control and safety measures to ensure that each product is crafted to fit your needs while also being safe and healthy to use. The result? A high-e\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Must have for those looking to go healthy!\\n\\nReview: I got this to help me drink more water. I am one of those people who typically finds water to be very boring unfortunately. I figured this could help me up my intake, and add that flavor I'm looking for. This is a really nice bottle. It's very easy to use. There is no leaks that come from it either, which is something I'd heard was issues with other brands. The cleaning brush really comes in handy as well. Plus the bonus of it being dishwasher safe! This is a great tool to increase water intake. I'm going to get one for my husband, because he can only have drinks with a closed top at his desk at work, and never drinks enough throughout the day because of it. I highly recommend this!\\n\\nI have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\",\n \"Product: No Pockets? No problem!The ultimate hands-free solution to stashing your stuff!StashBandz with multiple different uses, is the only cute fanny pack, insulin pump belt, waist pack, money belt, and travel belt, uniquely designed to hold large cell phones, a passport, and all your extra on-the-go travel accessories. Go hassle free with freedom from a purse. Safely travel the world holding as much as your purse discreetly undercover. Rock-out at concerts worry-free (hides a flask). Go purse-free at theme parks, sporting events, at the office, and everyday errands. Throw in an ice or heat pack for menstrual cramps and backaches. The allin-one accessory, providing secret pockets for any hands-free, purse-free occasion.Sizing: The success of your hip belt depends on a good fit. If your belt does not stay in place, you have the wrong size. Sagging = too big, riding up = too small. We offer free exchanges. Please follow our sizing chart. We take all factors into account, such as, pockets being fully loaded with high activity, and worn over clothes.Shipping: Orders ship from California via USPS first class mail or USPS Priority, if expedited if chosen at purchase. Orders ship within 24 hours Monday-Thursday. Orders received Friday-Sunday are shipped on the following Monday, pending holidays Returns or exchanges: Your satisfaction is guaranteed! Returns or exchanges are never a problem. We offer free shipping to exchange an item. You ship the item back to us, and then we pay for shipping the new item. Further questions? Ring us toll-free; were here to help!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: and pretty! It's true to size too\\n\\nReview: This travel money belt is so unique, and pretty! It's true to size too, which is really good, because sizing can definitely be tricky when ordering online. The pockets are really nice, they're deep, and they're wide. The silicone grip surrounding the entire inside works extremely well. I admit, I was a bit unsure how comfortable it would be, or even how well it would work. It is not only comfortable to wear, but it does in fact not slip around at all. It's definitely something I will be using on my next trip to the beach, because I won't have to worry about carrying a bag around for my phone and ID. Definitely a must have for your next adventure! I have received this for free in exchange for my honest review.\",\n \"Product: Powdered ginger has been used for centuries as a digestive aid and to combat nausea. It breaks down fats and proteins in food to allow easier absorption without creating gas. As a treatment for motion sickness, ginger wards off the nauseous feeling some people experience when traveling by car, airplane or boat. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. There are substances in ginger called gingerols that give the spice its potent flavor. This oil calms stomach spasms by neutralizing acids and increasing enzymes in the digestive tract. Pregnant woman often use ginger in tea to combat morning sickness. Zingibain, another enzyme in ginger, breaks down proteins and contains anti-bacterial properties that might help calm fever, clear sinuses and break up congestion. Often called ginger root, ginger actually comes from the stem of the plant that grows underground. Fresh ginger is preferable for health benefits because it contains four oils that give it its distinct flavor. Powdered ginger can be boiled with water to make a tea, with honey used as a sweetener. Used in cooking, the flavor of ginger complements the taste of garlic. The herb originated in Southeast Asia but grows well in any tropical area, growing best near the equator. India produces more ginger than any other country. It is also popular in China, where it is routinely used to ease the pain of menstrual cramps.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I have very bad tendinitis and hypertension on top of it\\n\\nReview: I wanted to try this ginger out, due to the anti-inflammatory effects. I have very bad tendinitis and hypertension on top of it. Needless to say, I can't take NSAID's because of the latter condition. I've been using this ginger in my tea for a few days now, and I'm really noticing the difference. I also notice the taste in my tea, which is actually quite appealing. For how much you get, this is very reasonably priced too. I am definitely enjoying the benefits of having this as part of my daily diet. I have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\",\n \"Product: This product is of pet supplies and is very easy to use. Adds a great value. This product is manufactured in United States. Meets Customers requirements.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My kids love zootopia, so I knew they would love this ...\\n\\nReview: My kids love zootopia, so I knew they would love this when I saw it. It's such a great way to get more than one child involved in the same thing too. Each of my kids got their own envelope of stickers to open, and then find the proper spot in the book. A couple of the stickers were fuzzy too, which my kids thought was really cool. It provided a nice sensory object for my son with those too. The really cool thing was that we only had 2 repeat stickers, which is great! My kids are asking for me to buy more stickers so we can finish the book. The stickers are really nice quality too. I have received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.\",\n \"Product: Gold Award Trophies, 6\\\" (18) pack\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great for team building for adults too!\\n\\nReview: These trophies are really great! They come in a box of 18. They're really cute, and you could even use a chalk marker, or other type of bright marker to write on the black part on the bottom to individualize them if you wanted. My husband has a team he helps manage, and is using these to rotate between all the \\\"super stars\\\" at work to help boost employee morale. Kids aren't the only ones who like recognition, so he figured these would be a great idea. So far his team is loving it! I highly recommend these for kids, and adults alike! Well worth the price for some happy faces, and boosted morale overall!\\n\\nI have received this product at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are mine, and are derived from the testing of the actual product.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":16,"string":"16"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1775,"string":"1,775"}}},{"rowIdx":1776,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A11IXJ8M1JO296"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"2.0\" for a product with description \"It began with iPhone. Then came iPod touch. Then MacBook Pro. Intuitive, smart, dynamic. Multi-Touch technology introduced a remarkably better way to interact with your portable devices - all using gestures. Now we've reached another milestone by bringing gestures to the desktop with a mouse that's unlike anything ever before. It's called Magic Mouse. It's the world's first Multi-Touch mouse. And while it comes standard with every new iMac, you can also add it to any Bluetooth-enabled Mac for a Multi-Touch makeover.What's in the box: Apple Magic Mouse, 2 x AA Batteries, Printed Documentation and 1-Year Limited Warranty\". The summary of the review text is \"Not good with 27\" iMac\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"My magic mouse came with my new 27\" iMac. Love the Mac but this mouse is a huge disappointment. I've used Macs for 20 years and this is the first Apple product I've found to be inferior. I'm a small person and have small hands. This flat design is very uncomfortable, makes my hand feel crampy. I can't imagine how people with big hands can stand it! Tracking is so slow (on the fastest setting) that I have to lift and move it to get around my big screen, just like in the old days before optical mice. The features are nice, but not when the comfort sucks. When I switch to my 5-year old Logitech optical USB notebook mouse, it's like night and day, almost as if the Logitech was made for this Mac. I'm giving Magic Mouse 2 stars because maybe it works better without a mousepad, but I have to use one on my glass top desk. I wish it hadn't been bundled because I could have used that money to get a new bluetooth Logitech mouse."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"My magic mouse came with my new 27\" iMac. Love the Mac but this mouse is a huge disappointment. I've used Macs for 20 years and this is the first Apple product I've found to be inferior. I'm a small person and have small hands. This flat design is very uncomfortable, makes my hand feel crampy. I can't imagine how people with big hands can stand it! Tracking is so slow (on the fastest setting) that I have to lift and move it to get around my big screen, just like in the old days before optical mice. The features are nice, but not when the comfort sucks. When I switch to my 5-year old Logitech optical USB notebook mouse, it's like night and day, almost as if the Logitech was made for this Mac. I'm giving Magic Mouse 2 stars because maybe it works better without a mousepad, but I have to use one on my glass top desk. I wish it hadn't been bundled because I could have used that money to get a new bluetooth Logitech mouse."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Most families today are more connected than they realize. Without even thinking about it, its just a part of how they live today. Mom and dad may have a PC or a Mac, iPhone, or Android. The kids may have computers, tablets or phones of their own. Shopping and banking is done online.\n\nWebroot SecureAnywhere Complete is designed for these online families, to provide a single security solution for all of their Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. SecureAnywhere Complete protects your computers against malware, hackers, online identity theft, compromised passwords. SecureAnywhere Complete also cleans up unnecessary files that can slow down your computer or increase risk of infection. SecureAnywhere Complete securely backs up your digital photos and other files so they are always protected if your hard drive crashes, and it includes a generous 25GB of online backup space. Enhanced antimalware engine makes Webroot SecureAnywhere lightweight, cloud-based detection even more effective at identifying new threats. Blocks viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans, rootkits, and other online threats. \n\nWebroots unique cloud-based approach eliminates these performance problems and doesnt interrupt you with security downloads or requests to restart your system. For protection on the go, SecureAnywhere Complete also secures smartphones and tablets against downloading infected apps, theft of personal information if you lose the device, and it ensures you dont accidently access a malicious website with your mobile browser. As a bonus, SecureAnywhere Complete also syncs your photos, files and online passwords across all your devices so they are accessible anywhere you need them. And SecureAnywhere Complete enables you to monitor the security of all your PC and mobile devices from one easy, online console.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Works great for PC, not so much for Mac & iOS\n\nReview: I can only give one star, because only one of my 5 devices is getting the protection described here and on the Webroot website. The \"disclaimer\" that not all features work on all systems is buried way down the product page with no specifics.\n\nThe good: I have one PC that runs our home's lighting with Homeseer software. It sits in a closet, not used for browsing or email, but adware was showing up on it despite AVG free virus protection. Webroot is performing well so far, but I don't need much due to the limited online use of this device.\n\nThe bad: 2 Macs (iMac & MBP, OS X Mountain Lion), an iPad 2, and an iPhone 5 get very little benefit from this software. In fact, Apple devices don't appear on my account's My Webroot web page. It's taken me a few days to figure out that most of the features of this software don't work with Apple devices. My husband's MacBook Pro slowed to a crawl after Webroot installation. He insisted I remove it. Not as bad on my iMac, but I use my iPad more. The web browser is slow and continually quits, so I end up relying on Safari and SplashID Safe, my longtime password security app. Online backup was a feature that appealed to me to supplement our Time Machine backups, but that only works with PCs. Identity protection appears to not work with Macs/iOS also. Even if everything else worked for me, Webroot's secure web browser eliminates use of my iCloud-synced bookmarks, one of the best features of Apple devices. No way to sync my bookmarks to the browser either.\n\nMy conclusion: Had I bought this software for one device, my PC, it would probably rate 4 stars. But it gets one from me because it delivers on just one of my 5 devices.\n\nUPDATE: I was notified almost immediately by Webroot, via a comment on this review, that they do have a 70-day return policy. So I am returning the 5-user version and have ordered the 3-user version here on Amazon (cheaper than the 1-user version on WR website) for use on my PC. So I'm saving $20 and that makes me more satisfied. I'm going to up my review to 3 stars because of the great customer service. I hope they work on the Mac version to bring it up to the level of coverage PCs now enjoy.","Product: Product dimensions\nLength: 196 \"\nMax. load: 11 lb\n\nIncludes: 1 curtain wire and 2 fixtures.\nFor stability you need to use extra support fixtures for curtain wires longer than 55\". Up to 110\", 1 extra fitting; up to 165\", 2 extra fittings, up to 197\", 3 extra fittings.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Difficult to install, even for a pro!\n\nReview: I ordered here at the premium price because IKEA is 90 mins away and one of 4 setsI bought there has a defective part. Actually, with Amazon Prime shipping, the price is pretty fair. I've installed all kinds of complicated window treatments when I had my own design business, and this is by far the most difficult and frustrating installation. No screws included is just the start. I had to buy a $14 wire cutter because my 2 normal wire cutters wouldn't cut the thick wire. Then try keeping the left side from pulling out of drywall as you tighten the wire. After fussing with it, the three sets I've installed look OK for my own bedroom. I wouldn't be happy if I were my client....","Product: Better brewing by design, Tassimo is a brewing system unlike any other. Remarkable in its ability to offer an exceptional combination of quality, convenience, consistency and versatility. Only tassimo offers a choice of coffee, cappuccinos and lattes made.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Thrilled with this purchase!\n\nReview: I was skeptical before buying, but I love my new Bosch Tassimo! It brews a great cup of coffee AND does a better job than my Capresso espresso/cappuccino maker, with a lot less fuss. Perfect in my upstairs bonus room where I don't want the mess of cleaning up a coffeemaker filled with grounds after one or two cups. I balked at the price initially, but after tasting the coffee and enjoying the convenience, I know that this is not one of those specialty appliances that will gather dust in the closet. So far I've only tried Maxwell House's coffee and cappuccino from my local Target, and both taste outstanding and were much less expensive than the gourmet brands, so you don't have to spend a fortune to use this machine. The only negative is that it's a little noisier than I expected, but that's minor because it brews so quickly.","Product: CitiZ&milk is equipped with an Aeroccino, dedicated to milk based lovers. Intuitive and user friendly, CitiZ&milk prepares an infinite number of coffee recipes at the touch of a button. Automatic and programmable coffee quantity (Espresso and Lungo) Dedicated space for coffee preparation Integrated milk frothing device for Cappuccino and Latte: Aeroccino whisk storage space Dimensions: 9.3 by 11 by 14-3/5-inch/ 23-2/3 by 27-2/3 by 37-1/5 cm (W by H by D) Capsule container Dimensions: 5 by 11 by 14-3/5-inch/13 by 27-2/3 by 37-1/5 cm (W by H by D).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: So great I bought TWO!\n\nReview: After my second trip to Italy this year, I just couldn't stand Tassimo coffee anymore. So I sold my 2 Tassimos on eBay and bought a Citiz with Milk in Silver. Then a week later I bought another in Fire Engine Red for my bonus room where I often have my morning coffee. The cappuccinos, lattes, espresso shots and americanos are better than Starbucks, as so many here have said.\n\nSome things I really like...\n\n- Using fresh milk rather than the fake-tasting Tassimo creamers. I've had great results using Publix Organic Fat Free Milk, Almond Breeze Original, and So Delicious Coconut Milk (60 cals per cup!) - the froth is unbelieveable. And Aeroccino cleans up fast and easy. you can froth your milk while you pull your shot. Could not be quicker and easier to make fancy milk drinks.\n\n- Using glasses/mugs I already own - I bought a Lattissima Premium first and returned it due to heating issues. One major con on that was none of my glasses/mugs fit the narrow space for containers taller than espresso cups. Everything in my kitchen works with Citiz.\n\n- Counter Appeal! Citiz in Silver is a work of art. My coffee bar is actually a wet bar just off my living and dining rooms. This beautifully designed gadget looks like it belongs out on display.\n\n- Beverages are wonderful, not Starbucks hot, but fine for me if I prime with hot water first. I like volume in my first morning cup, so I make an Americano with a Fortissio lungo shot and a lungo shot of hot water. All the decaf crus are fantastic and that's a must for me later than 4 pm.\n\nMy only con... It's noisy! Louder than Tassimo. But the coffee is so good. So with two machines, I can make my really early morning coffee upstairs away from the bedrooms.\n\nIf you love good espresso and coffee drinks, buy this machine. It's pricey, but so worth it. You will save in the long run because you won't want to drink coffee anywhere but at home.","Product: Relaxation from Start to Finish The Breville Tea Maker is a revolutionary tea experience. The fully automated tea basket moves down, then up, gently agitating the leaves to precisely infuse your tea. Push the basket button and watch the basket cycle in and out of immersion. Seeing is believing. Different tea varietals such as black, green, white and oolong require exact water temperatures and controlled brew times to allow their unique flavors and aromas to develop during brewing. The Tea Maker eliminates the guesswork so you can enjoy a perfect cup of tea, every time. Breville One-Touch Tea Maker: Tea Basket Cycle auto lowers and lifts tea to brewAuto Start begins brew at pre-selected timeVariable Tea Strength controls steeping timeVariable Temperature for all tea varietalsAccurate Temperature Sensor with real-time displayDimensions: The dimensions are 10.7 x 6 x 11 inches.A Closer Look: Fully programmable for all types of tea, water temperatures and steep times. The moving tea basket allows water to circulate freely around the individual tea leaves for maximum infusion. Set the timer and wake up to the aroma of your favorite brew. The German-made Schott glass kettle is durable and stain resistant.Take Care: Clean with a water and vinegar solution on the Hot Water setting.Made in the USA or Imported\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: New Tea Drinker in love with this Maker!\n\nReview: For me, tea was something you drank when you were sick, but I returned from South Africa last month in love with Rooibos tea and ready to ditch my daily Diet Coke for healthy iced tea. I was not up for the whole process of brewing good loose tea. I even hated microwaving a cup of hot water and putting a tea bag in it. So I found this tea maker and use it every day now! It's as easy as brewing Mr. Coffee, but you aren't supposed to put chilled water in the carafe, so a little planning or microwaving is in order. Filtered water is recommended but I use that anyway. I just cleaned it for the first time this morning with the free sample of Breville's cleaner and it did a great job on the tannin residue, but the instructions say you can also use white vinegar. Rooibos Rocks is my loose tea (Amazon) and it does have some small particles that get through the filter basket but I found a great microfine strainer to use. This should not cause you to decide against this wonderful device. I balked at first at the price, but given how much we love our pricey Breville toaster oven, I went for it and am so glad I did. We also have a 13 year old Breville electric wok, so there's that. So if you want to make great tea the easy way I brew the full 1200 ml pot every morning go for it! I still love watching the little basket go up and down...","Product: An essential piece of cookware for family dinners, parties, and holiday celebrations, the Cuisinart Roasting Pans are designed to hold turkeys, chickens, and large roasts. Riveted stainless steel handles make placing the Roasters into the oven, and lifting it out, safe and hassle-free. Solid stainless steel racks allow heat to circulate and let meat or poultry drain as it cooks. The roaster is dishwasher safe and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Goodbye Scanpan - Love my Cuisinart MCP!\n\nReview: I bought this set to replace a Scanpan set that I paid $650 for 12 years ago. Even before the \"nonstick\" inside surface started coming off the most-used saucepans, I hated that set. It was NEVER nonstick, and the glass lids weighed a ton. My husband never liked the Scanpan to begin with, and he now does most of the cooking. But he dislikes buying new stuff even more. So when I surprised him with this Cuisinart MCP set for his birthday last week, he asked \"don't we already have pots and pans?\" He also thinks health concerns about nonstick coatings are BS.\n\nBefore this purchase, I read all the various reviews here on SS cookware and looked at the local Kohl's selection to get an idea of features I liked and didn't. They didn't carry MCP, but the Chef's Classic line looked great, so I figured MCP would be even better. Though All-Clad would be within our budget, I never want to spend that kind of money again after the Scanpan disaster.\n\nWhen I unpacked the Cuisinart box I was so thrilled with all the pieces of this set and the fact that all pans have covers that fit them and don't take up a whole drawer. In the past week I have used all the pieces, and they perform flawlessly if used according to the instruction sheet and all the great feedback in these reviews. Everything I've sauteed has been PERFECTION, no burning. Cleans up like a DREAM with a short soak in warm water and a little Dawn -- I can't believe I don't have to do battle with the spinach saucepan. With the \"nonstick\" Scanpan, it was a major deal to clean off spinach even AFTER soaking. But that spinach was no match for the MCP 1.5 quart saucepan after a short soak! I've used Barkeepers Friend for Cookware as needed, and it works great too.\n\nWe use a Kitchenaid professional gas cooktop and have had no problem controlling the heat. Definitely need a lot less heat for everything, so our propane bill will decrease. Water for pasta boils much faster. I couldn't believe that the handles stay cool, but they do. The only one that doesn't is the \"helper\" handle on the saute pan. I would also recommend having a potholder handy for lifting the lid on any boiling pot.\n\nI love this set so much that I've already added the 6-quart stockpot and the 5.5 quart saute pan.\n\nAfter 10 years of cooking burnout, I'm really excited to cook again, thanks to this Cuisinart MCP cookware. I even enjoy cleaning and shining it by hand after every use. (We've never used the dishwasher for cookware). Like other reviewers, I find myself leaving it out on the cooktop for awhile because it looks so beautiful. Highly recommend this set -- you won't be disappointed. This may be the best value for any dollar I've ever spent -- and as former department store buyer, I was trained to be a professional shopper!\n\nUPDATE: After a few weeks of use, I got up the courage to make an omelet in the 8\" skillet. I put about a half tablespoon of butter in the hot pan, let it melt, then added my eggs and cheese. Beautiful result - but an omelet so slippery I needed two spatulas to flip it! When done, it slid out of the pan. Talk about non-stick! All that's left in the pan is unburned butter residue. If you're like me and are not afraid of a little fat, you will have no trouble cooking eggs in these skillets. I continue to be amazed at the performance of this cookware.","Product: Suitable for a family room or large bedroom; the Winix WAC9500 Ultimate Pet True HEPA Air Cleaner with PlasmaWave Technology combines the best filtering and technologies to deliver clean fresh air. True HEPA Filtration; Advanced Odor Control Carbon Filtration; hair collecting Pre-Filter; and Winix's PlasmaWave Technology combine to offer superior control of Pet and other Household Odors and Allergens.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Cleared up my stuffy nose, dust, snoring...\n\nReview: Thrilled with this purchase, though it seemed expensive at the time. We have 2 shorthaired cats who sleep with us, black nitestands, and a large wall of plantation shutters. Dustiest room in my house is my large master - Dust would show up the day after I dusted. Now I can't remember when I last dusted. Rarely now does one of us go into the guest room because the other is snoring. I noticed my stuffy head was cleared up on the very first morning after running this for its first full day. I run it on medium or high all day with plasma, then switch to auto when we go to bed. Normally light in the room bothers me, but the auto light is very dim, no problem even though the unit is closest to me. I have vacuumed the filter twice and its easy to do. It would be nice if it had handles, but it's light enough to move easily to another room when needed. Highly recommend!","Product: Clear Flexible Case for iPad\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Elegant, Lightweight Case is a Great Value!\n\nReview: When I unboxed my iPad 4 weeks ago, my first thought was \"this is the most beautiful gadget ever.\" My second thought was \"I wish I didn't have to put it in a case, but I better do it SOON.\" Didn't do it though, before the man in the airline seat in front of me changed his seat back, sending my slippery pad from the tray table to the carpeted floor, resulting in 2 gashes in the side.\n\nSo 3 weeks and 2 cases later, I'm thrilled with this case. Very high quality befitting a $600+ device. Aesthetically I would say it is just plain ELEGANT because the beauty of the iPad shows thru. Though it isn't crystal-clear, it's darn close. First I ordered a silicone case from different Amazon vendor and it looked cheap and didn't fit well. This one fits perfectly, on the snug side. The plastic is a good compromise between hard and soft, I'd characterize it as firm - not slippery and not sticky. I can lay it down or prop it up against a sturdy surface without worrying about it sliding off my glasstop desk or slick countertop.\n\nSizewise, this case is thin, so it fits perfectly in my Luxmo zebra sleeve <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Universal-Soft-Sleeve-Pouch-for-8-10-Netbook-Laptop-Exotic-Safari-Black-White-Zebra-Print-with-Double-Zipper/dp/B002G9R29A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Universal Soft Sleeve Pouch for 8 - 10\" Netbook Laptop - Exotic Safari Black White Zebra Print with Double Zipper</a> Perhaps the most pleasant surprise is that this case only added 4 oz. to the weight of my iPad, along with the fact that it visually \"disappears\" due to the clear color. The product description is deceptive, saying it weighs 12.8 oz.\n\nI see NO negatives. As others have said, the volume rocker button and the sleep button are covered, but operate with a little extra pressure, no big deal for me. All the other ports/speakers are open. My case has no rough edges, and it wraps just over the edge of the screen enough that when I add a screen protector, I'll have a seamless-looking unit that retains the look and feel of an unadorned iPad.\n\nI was prepared to pay a lot more for the perfect case after returning the cheapie. Happily with with Flexfitpad, I got exactly what I wanted at about half the price I expected to pay.","Product: Safeguard your NEX-6 camera and attached lens from dust and scratches while you're on the go with this custom-fit body case and lens jacket.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Doesn't fit my NEX-6 with filter & lens cap\n\nReview: So disappointed in this case. The beautiful leather and workmanship is totally up to Sony standards. But the fit is off completely. With my kit lens (18-55) and a B+W filter and Sony lens cap attached, I cannot snap it closed. If I remove the filter and cap, there are still fairly large gaps along the sides of the lens-covering top part. The design is such that you can't take a photo without removing the top part, and as other reviewers said, the bottom part only comes off after you unscrew the built-in tripod mounting screw. I don't understand why Sony would make the case so snug. If I were using a longer lens, yeah. But the kit lens should fit and you should be able to leave the lens cap in place at least. Mine is going back today and I've ordered the $13 <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Sony-LCSEMF-B-Camera-Case-for-Sony-E-mount-Cameras/dp/B005KG3KNI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Sony LCSEMF/B Camera Case for Sony E-mount Cameras</a>","Product: nvi Advanced Series automotive navigators do not rely on cellular signals. nvi is available with your choice of 5, 6 or 7display. All models feature maps of North America with lifetime1 updates and traffic2 alerts. Spoken Garmin Real Directionsguide like a friend using landmarks and traffic lights. Foursquare helps you find new and popular restaurants, shops and more.Direct Access simplifies navigating to select complex destinations, like malls and airports. Up Ahead lets you easily find places,like food and gas stations, without leaving the map. nvi displays current street, speed, speed limit and arrival time. Also givesschool zone alerts. Optional features, available on select nvi models only, include: Bluetooth technology for hands-free calling3,voice-activated navigation, Smartphone Link4 compatibility and HD Digital Traffic, the best traffic avoidance available from Garmin.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Outstanding performance on Irish Roundabouts!\n\nReview: We were so glad we had our own GPS on a recent drive around the Republic of Ireland! The rental car companies wanted $11 a day, so we figured after several trips in Europe/Canada this Nuvi will have paid for itself. My husband had never driven on the left side (and with manual transmission on the left), but the Nuvi made him a champ at roundabouts within 2 days. I love being the navigator and held the GPS - he preferred to hear the directions and not take his eyes off the road. Once in awhile I double checked the route with my iPhone and always found the two devices in agreement. I also had a great NatGeo map to consult since Nuvi really doesn't give you a huge picture. We traveled many narrow country roads with ease. A couple of times we got ourselves off course but I was tuned in to the fact that Nuvi doesn't alert you anymore, she just recalculates.\n\nBefore our trip, I set Nuvi up on my Mac with no issues, although be prepared for frequent updates, which is good when you're paying $100 extra for maps. I used the free Garmin Base Camp app to pre-program it with the routes and attractions we planned to visit. Base Camp is not the most user friendly app at first, but it worked out great. I also used the BlueTooth interface between my iPhone and Nuvi and that really could eliminate Base Camp. But I like looking at a big screen. And since I was holding Nuvi, programming in the car was a piece of cake.\n\nAs far as accuracy, we had excellent reception once Nuvi acquired the satellite after her trip across the ocean. That connection took about 10 minutes and after that Nuvi locked on the satellite in a minute or so every time we started her up, even in some really cloudy Irish weather. I packed everything up every evening into a small camera bag and took it into our hotel, no problem doing that and reattaching to your windshield. Also threw the screen unit in my purse when we got out of the car during the day, very easy. Battery power worked well for about 2 hours whenever I needed to charge my phone in the car's one cigarette lighter.\n\nI have to say that this is one of the best gadget purchases I've ever made, and there have been many. We will now be encouraged to travel by car instead of just cruise ship. I was worried about our safety driving in unfamiliar rural conditions on the left side, but Nuvi took the fear factor out of both of us. BTW, don't count on iPhone Maps for Irish travel. I never saw a Vodaphone 4G signal anywhere, and many places like Connemara lose the connection in the mountains.","Product: Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones are engineered with world-class noise cancellation that makes quiet sound quieter and music sound better. Free yourself from wires and connect easily to your devices with Bluetooth and NFC pairing. Volume-optimized EQ gives you balanced audio performance at any volume, while a noise-rejecting dual microphone provides clear calls, even in windy or noisy environments. Voice prompts and intuitive controls make communicating and controlling your music hassle-free. A lithium-ion battery gives you up to 20 hours of wireless play time per charge. And if you anticipate a situation where charging may not be possible, just plug in the included audio cable. Wired mode gives you up to 40 hours of play time per charge. Premium materials make these headphones lightweight and comfortable for all-day listening. Use the Bose Connect app for a more personalized experience. Included: Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones; USB charging cable; backup audio cable; airline adapter; carry case.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: So worth the cost, even if you don't travel!\n\nReview: I'm so glad I bought these Bluetooth headphones. I debated for awhile because I already own the wired version, Q25, and I had no travel plans for months. But I am using them all the time at home for music and TV on my iPhone & iPad when husband and I often want to watch different shows or listen to different music. These are much more convenient than dealing with wires, especially for activities like vacuuming or general work around the house. Love that they automatically pair with both devices if they're in range. No messing with BT settings. The fit is extremely comfortable and adjustable, no problem wearing them for hours. Even if you don't travel much, you will get your money's worth!","Product: The Osmo Z-Axis can significantly reduce vertical shaking from natural arm movements when walking or jogging. It is compatible with the Zenmuse X3 gimbal and camera.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: WOW! Must-have accessory for Safari!\n\nReview: <div id=\"video-block-RNKGNCA92BH00\" class=\"a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block\"></div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"\" value=\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/D10Vg85w-aS.mp4\" class=\"video-url\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"\" value=\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/B1EX7PPhgcS.png\" class=\"video-slate-img-url\"> I balked at the Z-axis price having already spent extra for my Osmo+ with all the accessories in the package. But I just returned from safari in South Africa and the Z-axis made all the difference in having watchable video vs. bumpy videos that make you sick to your stomach! I had not practiced much with the 2 devices but operation was flawless. So glad I packed the Z-axis at the last minute - due to concerns about the extra weight, but it was easy to handle and it held my iPhone 7 Plus AND Comica microphone. Once you see your results, you will forget about the $120 you spent. My Osmo+ would probably be getting stuck in a drawer now if not for the wonderful results I achieved with my first efforts with Z-axis. I have posted my first safari video - I am a petite female, 65 years old, so don't have the strongest and steadiest hands :-) Trust me and buy a Z-axis!","Product: Ray-Ban is the world's most iconic eyewear brand and is a global leader in its sector. Every model in the Ray-Ban collection is the product of meticulous, original styling that translates the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world. From the early Aviator style that emerged in 1937 to the introduction of the classic Wayfarer in 1952, Ray-Ban is a brand that embodies America and adventure, great cities and wide-open spaces, heroism, individuality, and authenticity. Starting with a silver screen debut in 1961, Ray-Ban sunglasses have appeared throughout hundreds of films and have been a favorite on the Hollywood scene for years, both on and off the screen. With timeless and imaginative styles, Ray-Ban consistently blends high-tech design, lenses, and materials. The collection remains true to its classic heritage while continuously evolving to meet today's fashion demands.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Ray-Bans, but size down if you're petite!\n\nReview: I received this beautiful pair, but have to send them back for a 55mm size. I measured my pair of prescription Ray-Bans in a similar style that fit me very well. Those lenses measured 58mm too, so I ordered that size in this style. The lenses look OK, but the frames overall are too wide for my head. I'm a petite woman (5'3\", 120#), not a real narrow face. So if you're a smaller person, you may want to order 55mm or smaller. Great style, and the dark green lenses are perfect for the bright Florida sun. The vision clarity is also soooo much better than other high end sunglasses I've owned. I can't wait til my smaller pair arrives!","Product: Ray-Ban is the world's most iconic eyewear brand and is a global leader in its sector. Every model in the Ray-Ban collection is the product of meticulous, original styling that translates the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world. From the early Aviator style that emerged in 1937 to the introduction of the classic Wayfarer in 1952, Ray-Ban is a brand that embodies America and adventure, great cities and wide-open spaces, heroism, individuality, and authenticity. Starting with a silver screen debut in 1961, Ray-Ban sunglasses have appeared throughout hundreds of films and have been a favorite on the Hollywood scene for years, both on and off the screen. With timeless and imaginative styles, Ray-Ban consistently blends high-tech design, lenses, and materials. The collection remains true to its classic heritage while continuously evolving to meet today's fashion demands.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Ray-Bans, but size down if you're petite!\n\nReview: I received this beautiful pair, but have to send them back for a 55mm size. I measured my pair of prescription Ray-Bans in a similar style that fit me very well. Those lenses measured 58mm too, so I ordered that size in this style. The lenses look OK, but the frames overall are too wide for my head. I'm a petite woman (5'3\", 120#), not a real narrow face. So if you're a smaller person, you may want to order 55mm or smaller. Great style, and the dark green lenses are perfect for the bright Florida sun. The vision clarity is also soooo much better than other high end sunglasses I've owned. I can't wait til my smaller pair arrives!","Product: No side effects wire free provides extra side coverage to control sleevage or underarm bulge.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Chafing & Uncomfortable Fabric\n\nReview: I tried this bra on, found this bra fit me and was comfortable, so I gave it a premature 4 star rating and ordered 2 more. I mainly wanted them for working out, cycling, walking. After wearing them for activity, I have found them to be uncomfortable for 2 reasons. I'm a 34C and at my normal weight, but the extra fabric that's added under the arms for the gimmicky \"no side effects\" is chafing me even though the overall bra fit is just fine. Also the fabric doesn't breath at all, so after a brisk walk it feels like I'm in a sauna. The one positive is that these bras have made me greatly appreciate my overpriced Wacoal underwire bras, maybe not overpriced after all.","Product: Works where others failInstantly removes coffee, blood, grease, tar, pet stains and more\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Miracle worker on grease!\n\nReview: After a big blob of thick black grease fell on my light beige Berber, I assumed it was histoire, since it was right inside the guest room door. I tried scrubbing with Dawn, then my neighbor's Hoover carpet machine with little success. So almost a year later, I sprayed BlueMagic on the 3 1/2 inch stain to saturate, then left it to sit before blotting with a towel. When I finally got back to it, I couldn't find the stain! This is the kind of review I always suspect was planted by the vendor, but trust me - this really happened! BlueMagic saved us a lot of money by saving that carpet. Highly recommend!\n\nFYI - the photo is how it comes, with the blue lock on it but NO cap.","Product: sWheat Scoop is an all-natural cat litter made from naturally renewable wheat. With no harmful ingredients typically found in clay litter, it is a no-worries kind of cat litter. The natural wheat enzymes neutralize odor on contact, and wheat starches clump firmly for easy scooping. Add in that its 100% biodegradable, and youve got yourself a pretty sWheat litter for you and your furry friends.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Poor clumping and Gluten\n\nReview: My problems with this litter are twofold - clumping and gluten. Re clumping, I wish I'd read the reviews here before buying this at my local Pet Supermarket. I had been using World's Best multiple cat formula for 2 years without complaint, but since my Rocky is a raker, I was interested in a natural litter that would clump better. There was no problem with my two 2-year old kitties adopting SWheat, but the clumps are broken up by Rocky much worse than with WBCL. That's my reason for the low rating.\n\nThe wheat issue is not part of my rating, simply a personal issue: today, one week into the SWheat litter, it occurred to me that wheat dust in the air is a definite no-no for my Celiac husband. And whatever is on our kitties' paws is all over surfaces in the house. That's cross-contamination bigtime. I can't believe I even bought a wheat product when I'm so careful with food shopping. That's my mistake, but I thought it might be helpful to other Celiac households who might not think about it.","Product: This bulb is 120V, compare with other copiers, we adopt ceramic heatsink with bigger dissipation surface and much safer, avoid any potential electric shock. This is our top concern for selling products on Amazon. Please note the size of this LED bulb is bigger than halogen bulbs but specially designed for Puck light, please send the fixture photo to double check the size before making orders.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Xenon Replacement in Puck Lights!!!\n\nReview: I have 28 Home Depot puck lights around my house, all about 10 years old. Tired of the intense heat and short life of Xenon bulbs, I tried these lights and they are a perfect fit, very bright and almost no heat is generated. The color is more bright white than Xenons, so I used a trick I found in an LED review here somewhere. I ordered \"Rosco Cinegel #3443 Filter, 20x24\" Sheet, Quarter Straw 1/4 CTS\" here on Amazon and cut circles traced from the puck's glass and fit them inside or on top of the glass. For an extra $6 you can make these LEDs indistinguishable from Xenons!\n\nIn the photo the lights are dimmed to 60%; Initially I couldn't get them to work with my old Intermatic dimmer wall switch, they wouldn't turn off all the way, so I added back 2 xenons, they are on the planters on the ends and there are 4 LEDs with the warm film filters in between. The rest of my 22 pucks are on old Intermatic Z-wave plug-in dimmers and those LEDs dim and turn off just fine. I hope these little gems will last a few years.","Product: SmartStick+ is a Z-Wave Plus interface for use with Z-Wave compatible home automation software. SmartStick+ includes Network Wide Inclusion (NWI) for easy pairing of Z-Wave products.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Outstanding for Homeseer Saved 3 dead devices!\n\nReview: My 10-year old $135 Z-Troller died suddenly this week but I should have seen the symptoms.. random lighting devices (32 total) would stop responding until I optimized them, which was often. 3 were totally unresponsive. So the SmartStick+ came to the rescue with free overnight shipping. Worth every penny and I wish Id made the switch sooner. This stick was simple to install, even for a Mac user who only keeps a cheap PC to run Homeseer 3 Pro. I had an old backup of the Z-Troller so I had to manually add newer devices. It was a breeze. The whole setup time was only a couple of hours. Im amazed how the SmartStick works with 10 year old Intermatic devices and the range is fantastic. We have 3200 square feet on 2 floors. The big bonus of course was having 3 older Z-wave switches start working again.. about $100 worth! Now Alexa is happily turning our lights on and off again. Thank you, Homeseer!"],"string":"[\n \"Product: Most families today are more connected than they realize. Without even thinking about it, its just a part of how they live today. Mom and dad may have a PC or a Mac, iPhone, or Android. The kids may have computers, tablets or phones of their own. Shopping and banking is done online.\\n\\nWebroot SecureAnywhere Complete is designed for these online families, to provide a single security solution for all of their Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. SecureAnywhere Complete protects your computers against malware, hackers, online identity theft, compromised passwords. SecureAnywhere Complete also cleans up unnecessary files that can slow down your computer or increase risk of infection. SecureAnywhere Complete securely backs up your digital photos and other files so they are always protected if your hard drive crashes, and it includes a generous 25GB of online backup space. Enhanced antimalware engine makes Webroot SecureAnywhere lightweight, cloud-based detection even more effective at identifying new threats. Blocks viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans, rootkits, and other online threats. \\n\\nWebroots unique cloud-based approach eliminates these performance problems and doesnt interrupt you with security downloads or requests to restart your system. For protection on the go, SecureAnywhere Complete also secures smartphones and tablets against downloading infected apps, theft of personal information if you lose the device, and it ensures you dont accidently access a malicious website with your mobile browser. As a bonus, SecureAnywhere Complete also syncs your photos, files and online passwords across all your devices so they are accessible anywhere you need them. And SecureAnywhere Complete enables you to monitor the security of all your PC and mobile devices from one easy, online console.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Works great for PC, not so much for Mac & iOS\\n\\nReview: I can only give one star, because only one of my 5 devices is getting the protection described here and on the Webroot website. The \\\"disclaimer\\\" that not all features work on all systems is buried way down the product page with no specifics.\\n\\nThe good: I have one PC that runs our home's lighting with Homeseer software. It sits in a closet, not used for browsing or email, but adware was showing up on it despite AVG free virus protection. Webroot is performing well so far, but I don't need much due to the limited online use of this device.\\n\\nThe bad: 2 Macs (iMac & MBP, OS X Mountain Lion), an iPad 2, and an iPhone 5 get very little benefit from this software. In fact, Apple devices don't appear on my account's My Webroot web page. It's taken me a few days to figure out that most of the features of this software don't work with Apple devices. My husband's MacBook Pro slowed to a crawl after Webroot installation. He insisted I remove it. Not as bad on my iMac, but I use my iPad more. The web browser is slow and continually quits, so I end up relying on Safari and SplashID Safe, my longtime password security app. Online backup was a feature that appealed to me to supplement our Time Machine backups, but that only works with PCs. Identity protection appears to not work with Macs/iOS also. Even if everything else worked for me, Webroot's secure web browser eliminates use of my iCloud-synced bookmarks, one of the best features of Apple devices. No way to sync my bookmarks to the browser either.\\n\\nMy conclusion: Had I bought this software for one device, my PC, it would probably rate 4 stars. But it gets one from me because it delivers on just one of my 5 devices.\\n\\nUPDATE: I was notified almost immediately by Webroot, via a comment on this review, that they do have a 70-day return policy. So I am returning the 5-user version and have ordered the 3-user version here on Amazon (cheaper than the 1-user version on WR website) for use on my PC. So I'm saving $20 and that makes me more satisfied. I'm going to up my review to 3 stars because of the great customer service. I hope they work on the Mac version to bring it up to the level of coverage PCs now enjoy.\",\n \"Product: Product dimensions\\nLength: 196 \\\"\\nMax. load: 11 lb\\n\\nIncludes: 1 curtain wire and 2 fixtures.\\nFor stability you need to use extra support fixtures for curtain wires longer than 55\\\". Up to 110\\\", 1 extra fitting; up to 165\\\", 2 extra fittings, up to 197\\\", 3 extra fittings.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Difficult to install, even for a pro!\\n\\nReview: I ordered here at the premium price because IKEA is 90 mins away and one of 4 setsI bought there has a defective part. Actually, with Amazon Prime shipping, the price is pretty fair. I've installed all kinds of complicated window treatments when I had my own design business, and this is by far the most difficult and frustrating installation. No screws included is just the start. I had to buy a $14 wire cutter because my 2 normal wire cutters wouldn't cut the thick wire. Then try keeping the left side from pulling out of drywall as you tighten the wire. After fussing with it, the three sets I've installed look OK for my own bedroom. I wouldn't be happy if I were my client....\",\n \"Product: Better brewing by design, Tassimo is a brewing system unlike any other. Remarkable in its ability to offer an exceptional combination of quality, convenience, consistency and versatility. Only tassimo offers a choice of coffee, cappuccinos and lattes made.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Thrilled with this purchase!\\n\\nReview: I was skeptical before buying, but I love my new Bosch Tassimo! It brews a great cup of coffee AND does a better job than my Capresso espresso/cappuccino maker, with a lot less fuss. Perfect in my upstairs bonus room where I don't want the mess of cleaning up a coffeemaker filled with grounds after one or two cups. I balked at the price initially, but after tasting the coffee and enjoying the convenience, I know that this is not one of those specialty appliances that will gather dust in the closet. So far I've only tried Maxwell House's coffee and cappuccino from my local Target, and both taste outstanding and were much less expensive than the gourmet brands, so you don't have to spend a fortune to use this machine. The only negative is that it's a little noisier than I expected, but that's minor because it brews so quickly.\",\n \"Product: CitiZ&milk is equipped with an Aeroccino, dedicated to milk based lovers. Intuitive and user friendly, CitiZ&milk prepares an infinite number of coffee recipes at the touch of a button. Automatic and programmable coffee quantity (Espresso and Lungo) Dedicated space for coffee preparation Integrated milk frothing device for Cappuccino and Latte: Aeroccino whisk storage space Dimensions: 9.3 by 11 by 14-3/5-inch/ 23-2/3 by 27-2/3 by 37-1/5 cm (W by H by D) Capsule container Dimensions: 5 by 11 by 14-3/5-inch/13 by 27-2/3 by 37-1/5 cm (W by H by D).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: So great I bought TWO!\\n\\nReview: After my second trip to Italy this year, I just couldn't stand Tassimo coffee anymore. So I sold my 2 Tassimos on eBay and bought a Citiz with Milk in Silver. Then a week later I bought another in Fire Engine Red for my bonus room where I often have my morning coffee. The cappuccinos, lattes, espresso shots and americanos are better than Starbucks, as so many here have said.\\n\\nSome things I really like...\\n\\n- Using fresh milk rather than the fake-tasting Tassimo creamers. I've had great results using Publix Organic Fat Free Milk, Almond Breeze Original, and So Delicious Coconut Milk (60 cals per cup!) - the froth is unbelieveable. And Aeroccino cleans up fast and easy. you can froth your milk while you pull your shot. Could not be quicker and easier to make fancy milk drinks.\\n\\n- Using glasses/mugs I already own - I bought a Lattissima Premium first and returned it due to heating issues. One major con on that was none of my glasses/mugs fit the narrow space for containers taller than espresso cups. Everything in my kitchen works with Citiz.\\n\\n- Counter Appeal! Citiz in Silver is a work of art. My coffee bar is actually a wet bar just off my living and dining rooms. This beautifully designed gadget looks like it belongs out on display.\\n\\n- Beverages are wonderful, not Starbucks hot, but fine for me if I prime with hot water first. I like volume in my first morning cup, so I make an Americano with a Fortissio lungo shot and a lungo shot of hot water. All the decaf crus are fantastic and that's a must for me later than 4 pm.\\n\\nMy only con... It's noisy! Louder than Tassimo. But the coffee is so good. So with two machines, I can make my really early morning coffee upstairs away from the bedrooms.\\n\\nIf you love good espresso and coffee drinks, buy this machine. It's pricey, but so worth it. You will save in the long run because you won't want to drink coffee anywhere but at home.\",\n \"Product: Relaxation from Start to Finish The Breville Tea Maker is a revolutionary tea experience. The fully automated tea basket moves down, then up, gently agitating the leaves to precisely infuse your tea. Push the basket button and watch the basket cycle in and out of immersion. Seeing is believing. Different tea varietals such as black, green, white and oolong require exact water temperatures and controlled brew times to allow their unique flavors and aromas to develop during brewing. The Tea Maker eliminates the guesswork so you can enjoy a perfect cup of tea, every time. Breville One-Touch Tea Maker: Tea Basket Cycle auto lowers and lifts tea to brewAuto Start begins brew at pre-selected timeVariable Tea Strength controls steeping timeVariable Temperature for all tea varietalsAccurate Temperature Sensor with real-time displayDimensions: The dimensions are 10.7 x 6 x 11 inches.A Closer Look: Fully programmable for all types of tea, water temperatures and steep times. The moving tea basket allows water to circulate freely around the individual tea leaves for maximum infusion. Set the timer and wake up to the aroma of your favorite brew. The German-made Schott glass kettle is durable and stain resistant.Take Care: Clean with a water and vinegar solution on the Hot Water setting.Made in the USA or Imported\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: New Tea Drinker in love with this Maker!\\n\\nReview: For me, tea was something you drank when you were sick, but I returned from South Africa last month in love with Rooibos tea and ready to ditch my daily Diet Coke for healthy iced tea. I was not up for the whole process of brewing good loose tea. I even hated microwaving a cup of hot water and putting a tea bag in it. So I found this tea maker and use it every day now! It's as easy as brewing Mr. Coffee, but you aren't supposed to put chilled water in the carafe, so a little planning or microwaving is in order. Filtered water is recommended but I use that anyway. I just cleaned it for the first time this morning with the free sample of Breville's cleaner and it did a great job on the tannin residue, but the instructions say you can also use white vinegar. Rooibos Rocks is my loose tea (Amazon) and it does have some small particles that get through the filter basket but I found a great microfine strainer to use. This should not cause you to decide against this wonderful device. I balked at first at the price, but given how much we love our pricey Breville toaster oven, I went for it and am so glad I did. We also have a 13 year old Breville electric wok, so there's that. So if you want to make great tea the easy way I brew the full 1200 ml pot every morning go for it! I still love watching the little basket go up and down...\",\n \"Product: An essential piece of cookware for family dinners, parties, and holiday celebrations, the Cuisinart Roasting Pans are designed to hold turkeys, chickens, and large roasts. Riveted stainless steel handles make placing the Roasters into the oven, and lifting it out, safe and hassle-free. Solid stainless steel racks allow heat to circulate and let meat or poultry drain as it cooks. The roaster is dishwasher safe and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Goodbye Scanpan - Love my Cuisinart MCP!\\n\\nReview: I bought this set to replace a Scanpan set that I paid $650 for 12 years ago. Even before the \\\"nonstick\\\" inside surface started coming off the most-used saucepans, I hated that set. It was NEVER nonstick, and the glass lids weighed a ton. My husband never liked the Scanpan to begin with, and he now does most of the cooking. But he dislikes buying new stuff even more. So when I surprised him with this Cuisinart MCP set for his birthday last week, he asked \\\"don't we already have pots and pans?\\\" He also thinks health concerns about nonstick coatings are BS.\\n\\nBefore this purchase, I read all the various reviews here on SS cookware and looked at the local Kohl's selection to get an idea of features I liked and didn't. They didn't carry MCP, but the Chef's Classic line looked great, so I figured MCP would be even better. Though All-Clad would be within our budget, I never want to spend that kind of money again after the Scanpan disaster.\\n\\nWhen I unpacked the Cuisinart box I was so thrilled with all the pieces of this set and the fact that all pans have covers that fit them and don't take up a whole drawer. In the past week I have used all the pieces, and they perform flawlessly if used according to the instruction sheet and all the great feedback in these reviews. Everything I've sauteed has been PERFECTION, no burning. Cleans up like a DREAM with a short soak in warm water and a little Dawn -- I can't believe I don't have to do battle with the spinach saucepan. With the \\\"nonstick\\\" Scanpan, it was a major deal to clean off spinach even AFTER soaking. But that spinach was no match for the MCP 1.5 quart saucepan after a short soak! I've used Barkeepers Friend for Cookware as needed, and it works great too.\\n\\nWe use a Kitchenaid professional gas cooktop and have had no problem controlling the heat. Definitely need a lot less heat for everything, so our propane bill will decrease. Water for pasta boils much faster. I couldn't believe that the handles stay cool, but they do. The only one that doesn't is the \\\"helper\\\" handle on the saute pan. I would also recommend having a potholder handy for lifting the lid on any boiling pot.\\n\\nI love this set so much that I've already added the 6-quart stockpot and the 5.5 quart saute pan.\\n\\nAfter 10 years of cooking burnout, I'm really excited to cook again, thanks to this Cuisinart MCP cookware. I even enjoy cleaning and shining it by hand after every use. (We've never used the dishwasher for cookware). Like other reviewers, I find myself leaving it out on the cooktop for awhile because it looks so beautiful. Highly recommend this set -- you won't be disappointed. This may be the best value for any dollar I've ever spent -- and as former department store buyer, I was trained to be a professional shopper!\\n\\nUPDATE: After a few weeks of use, I got up the courage to make an omelet in the 8\\\" skillet. I put about a half tablespoon of butter in the hot pan, let it melt, then added my eggs and cheese. Beautiful result - but an omelet so slippery I needed two spatulas to flip it! When done, it slid out of the pan. Talk about non-stick! All that's left in the pan is unburned butter residue. If you're like me and are not afraid of a little fat, you will have no trouble cooking eggs in these skillets. I continue to be amazed at the performance of this cookware.\",\n \"Product: Suitable for a family room or large bedroom; the Winix WAC9500 Ultimate Pet True HEPA Air Cleaner with PlasmaWave Technology combines the best filtering and technologies to deliver clean fresh air. True HEPA Filtration; Advanced Odor Control Carbon Filtration; hair collecting Pre-Filter; and Winix's PlasmaWave Technology combine to offer superior control of Pet and other Household Odors and Allergens.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Cleared up my stuffy nose, dust, snoring...\\n\\nReview: Thrilled with this purchase, though it seemed expensive at the time. We have 2 shorthaired cats who sleep with us, black nitestands, and a large wall of plantation shutters. Dustiest room in my house is my large master - Dust would show up the day after I dusted. Now I can't remember when I last dusted. Rarely now does one of us go into the guest room because the other is snoring. I noticed my stuffy head was cleared up on the very first morning after running this for its first full day. I run it on medium or high all day with plasma, then switch to auto when we go to bed. Normally light in the room bothers me, but the auto light is very dim, no problem even though the unit is closest to me. I have vacuumed the filter twice and its easy to do. It would be nice if it had handles, but it's light enough to move easily to another room when needed. Highly recommend!\",\n \"Product: Clear Flexible Case for iPad\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Elegant, Lightweight Case is a Great Value!\\n\\nReview: When I unboxed my iPad 4 weeks ago, my first thought was \\\"this is the most beautiful gadget ever.\\\" My second thought was \\\"I wish I didn't have to put it in a case, but I better do it SOON.\\\" Didn't do it though, before the man in the airline seat in front of me changed his seat back, sending my slippery pad from the tray table to the carpeted floor, resulting in 2 gashes in the side.\\n\\nSo 3 weeks and 2 cases later, I'm thrilled with this case. Very high quality befitting a $600+ device. Aesthetically I would say it is just plain ELEGANT because the beauty of the iPad shows thru. Though it isn't crystal-clear, it's darn close. First I ordered a silicone case from different Amazon vendor and it looked cheap and didn't fit well. This one fits perfectly, on the snug side. The plastic is a good compromise between hard and soft, I'd characterize it as firm - not slippery and not sticky. I can lay it down or prop it up against a sturdy surface without worrying about it sliding off my glasstop desk or slick countertop.\\n\\nSizewise, this case is thin, so it fits perfectly in my Luxmo zebra sleeve <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Universal-Soft-Sleeve-Pouch-for-8-10-Netbook-Laptop-Exotic-Safari-Black-White-Zebra-Print-with-Double-Zipper/dp/B002G9R29A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Universal Soft Sleeve Pouch for 8 - 10\\\" Netbook Laptop - Exotic Safari Black White Zebra Print with Double Zipper</a> Perhaps the most pleasant surprise is that this case only added 4 oz. to the weight of my iPad, along with the fact that it visually \\\"disappears\\\" due to the clear color. The product description is deceptive, saying it weighs 12.8 oz.\\n\\nI see NO negatives. As others have said, the volume rocker button and the sleep button are covered, but operate with a little extra pressure, no big deal for me. All the other ports/speakers are open. My case has no rough edges, and it wraps just over the edge of the screen enough that when I add a screen protector, I'll have a seamless-looking unit that retains the look and feel of an unadorned iPad.\\n\\nI was prepared to pay a lot more for the perfect case after returning the cheapie. Happily with with Flexfitpad, I got exactly what I wanted at about half the price I expected to pay.\",\n \"Product: Safeguard your NEX-6 camera and attached lens from dust and scratches while you're on the go with this custom-fit body case and lens jacket.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Doesn't fit my NEX-6 with filter & lens cap\\n\\nReview: So disappointed in this case. The beautiful leather and workmanship is totally up to Sony standards. But the fit is off completely. With my kit lens (18-55) and a B+W filter and Sony lens cap attached, I cannot snap it closed. If I remove the filter and cap, there are still fairly large gaps along the sides of the lens-covering top part. The design is such that you can't take a photo without removing the top part, and as other reviewers said, the bottom part only comes off after you unscrew the built-in tripod mounting screw. I don't understand why Sony would make the case so snug. If I were using a longer lens, yeah. But the kit lens should fit and you should be able to leave the lens cap in place at least. Mine is going back today and I've ordered the $13 <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Sony-LCSEMF-B-Camera-Case-for-Sony-E-mount-Cameras/dp/B005KG3KNI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Sony LCSEMF/B Camera Case for Sony E-mount Cameras</a>\",\n \"Product: nvi Advanced Series automotive navigators do not rely on cellular signals. nvi is available with your choice of 5, 6 or 7display. All models feature maps of North America with lifetime1 updates and traffic2 alerts. Spoken Garmin Real Directionsguide like a friend using landmarks and traffic lights. Foursquare helps you find new and popular restaurants, shops and more.Direct Access simplifies navigating to select complex destinations, like malls and airports. Up Ahead lets you easily find places,like food and gas stations, without leaving the map. nvi displays current street, speed, speed limit and arrival time. Also givesschool zone alerts. Optional features, available on select nvi models only, include: Bluetooth technology for hands-free calling3,voice-activated navigation, Smartphone Link4 compatibility and HD Digital Traffic, the best traffic avoidance available from Garmin.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Outstanding performance on Irish Roundabouts!\\n\\nReview: We were so glad we had our own GPS on a recent drive around the Republic of Ireland! The rental car companies wanted $11 a day, so we figured after several trips in Europe/Canada this Nuvi will have paid for itself. My husband had never driven on the left side (and with manual transmission on the left), but the Nuvi made him a champ at roundabouts within 2 days. I love being the navigator and held the GPS - he preferred to hear the directions and not take his eyes off the road. Once in awhile I double checked the route with my iPhone and always found the two devices in agreement. I also had a great NatGeo map to consult since Nuvi really doesn't give you a huge picture. We traveled many narrow country roads with ease. A couple of times we got ourselves off course but I was tuned in to the fact that Nuvi doesn't alert you anymore, she just recalculates.\\n\\nBefore our trip, I set Nuvi up on my Mac with no issues, although be prepared for frequent updates, which is good when you're paying $100 extra for maps. I used the free Garmin Base Camp app to pre-program it with the routes and attractions we planned to visit. Base Camp is not the most user friendly app at first, but it worked out great. I also used the BlueTooth interface between my iPhone and Nuvi and that really could eliminate Base Camp. But I like looking at a big screen. And since I was holding Nuvi, programming in the car was a piece of cake.\\n\\nAs far as accuracy, we had excellent reception once Nuvi acquired the satellite after her trip across the ocean. That connection took about 10 minutes and after that Nuvi locked on the satellite in a minute or so every time we started her up, even in some really cloudy Irish weather. I packed everything up every evening into a small camera bag and took it into our hotel, no problem doing that and reattaching to your windshield. Also threw the screen unit in my purse when we got out of the car during the day, very easy. Battery power worked well for about 2 hours whenever I needed to charge my phone in the car's one cigarette lighter.\\n\\nI have to say that this is one of the best gadget purchases I've ever made, and there have been many. We will now be encouraged to travel by car instead of just cruise ship. I was worried about our safety driving in unfamiliar rural conditions on the left side, but Nuvi took the fear factor out of both of us. BTW, don't count on iPhone Maps for Irish travel. I never saw a Vodaphone 4G signal anywhere, and many places like Connemara lose the connection in the mountains.\",\n \"Product: Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones are engineered with world-class noise cancellation that makes quiet sound quieter and music sound better. Free yourself from wires and connect easily to your devices with Bluetooth and NFC pairing. Volume-optimized EQ gives you balanced audio performance at any volume, while a noise-rejecting dual microphone provides clear calls, even in windy or noisy environments. Voice prompts and intuitive controls make communicating and controlling your music hassle-free. A lithium-ion battery gives you up to 20 hours of wireless play time per charge. And if you anticipate a situation where charging may not be possible, just plug in the included audio cable. Wired mode gives you up to 40 hours of play time per charge. Premium materials make these headphones lightweight and comfortable for all-day listening. Use the Bose Connect app for a more personalized experience. Included: Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones; USB charging cable; backup audio cable; airline adapter; carry case.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: So worth the cost, even if you don't travel!\\n\\nReview: I'm so glad I bought these Bluetooth headphones. I debated for awhile because I already own the wired version, Q25, and I had no travel plans for months. But I am using them all the time at home for music and TV on my iPhone & iPad when husband and I often want to watch different shows or listen to different music. These are much more convenient than dealing with wires, especially for activities like vacuuming or general work around the house. Love that they automatically pair with both devices if they're in range. No messing with BT settings. The fit is extremely comfortable and adjustable, no problem wearing them for hours. Even if you don't travel much, you will get your money's worth!\",\n \"Product: The Osmo Z-Axis can significantly reduce vertical shaking from natural arm movements when walking or jogging. It is compatible with the Zenmuse X3 gimbal and camera.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: WOW! Must-have accessory for Safari!\\n\\nReview: <div id=\\\"video-block-RNKGNCA92BH00\\\" class=\\\"a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block\\\"></div><input type=\\\"hidden\\\" name=\\\"\\\" value=\\\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/D10Vg85w-aS.mp4\\\" class=\\\"video-url\\\"><input type=\\\"hidden\\\" name=\\\"\\\" value=\\\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/B1EX7PPhgcS.png\\\" class=\\\"video-slate-img-url\\\"> I balked at the Z-axis price having already spent extra for my Osmo+ with all the accessories in the package. But I just returned from safari in South Africa and the Z-axis made all the difference in having watchable video vs. bumpy videos that make you sick to your stomach! I had not practiced much with the 2 devices but operation was flawless. So glad I packed the Z-axis at the last minute - due to concerns about the extra weight, but it was easy to handle and it held my iPhone 7 Plus AND Comica microphone. Once you see your results, you will forget about the $120 you spent. My Osmo+ would probably be getting stuck in a drawer now if not for the wonderful results I achieved with my first efforts with Z-axis. I have posted my first safari video - I am a petite female, 65 years old, so don't have the strongest and steadiest hands :-) Trust me and buy a Z-axis!\",\n \"Product: Ray-Ban is the world's most iconic eyewear brand and is a global leader in its sector. Every model in the Ray-Ban collection is the product of meticulous, original styling that translates the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world. From the early Aviator style that emerged in 1937 to the introduction of the classic Wayfarer in 1952, Ray-Ban is a brand that embodies America and adventure, great cities and wide-open spaces, heroism, individuality, and authenticity. Starting with a silver screen debut in 1961, Ray-Ban sunglasses have appeared throughout hundreds of films and have been a favorite on the Hollywood scene for years, both on and off the screen. With timeless and imaginative styles, Ray-Ban consistently blends high-tech design, lenses, and materials. The collection remains true to its classic heritage while continuously evolving to meet today's fashion demands.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Ray-Bans, but size down if you're petite!\\n\\nReview: I received this beautiful pair, but have to send them back for a 55mm size. I measured my pair of prescription Ray-Bans in a similar style that fit me very well. Those lenses measured 58mm too, so I ordered that size in this style. The lenses look OK, but the frames overall are too wide for my head. I'm a petite woman (5'3\\\", 120#), not a real narrow face. So if you're a smaller person, you may want to order 55mm or smaller. Great style, and the dark green lenses are perfect for the bright Florida sun. The vision clarity is also soooo much better than other high end sunglasses I've owned. I can't wait til my smaller pair arrives!\",\n \"Product: Ray-Ban is the world's most iconic eyewear brand and is a global leader in its sector. Every model in the Ray-Ban collection is the product of meticulous, original styling that translates the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world. From the early Aviator style that emerged in 1937 to the introduction of the classic Wayfarer in 1952, Ray-Ban is a brand that embodies America and adventure, great cities and wide-open spaces, heroism, individuality, and authenticity. Starting with a silver screen debut in 1961, Ray-Ban sunglasses have appeared throughout hundreds of films and have been a favorite on the Hollywood scene for years, both on and off the screen. With timeless and imaginative styles, Ray-Ban consistently blends high-tech design, lenses, and materials. The collection remains true to its classic heritage while continuously evolving to meet today's fashion demands.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Ray-Bans, but size down if you're petite!\\n\\nReview: I received this beautiful pair, but have to send them back for a 55mm size. I measured my pair of prescription Ray-Bans in a similar style that fit me very well. Those lenses measured 58mm too, so I ordered that size in this style. The lenses look OK, but the frames overall are too wide for my head. I'm a petite woman (5'3\\\", 120#), not a real narrow face. So if you're a smaller person, you may want to order 55mm or smaller. Great style, and the dark green lenses are perfect for the bright Florida sun. The vision clarity is also soooo much better than other high end sunglasses I've owned. I can't wait til my smaller pair arrives!\",\n \"Product: No side effects wire free provides extra side coverage to control sleevage or underarm bulge.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Chafing & Uncomfortable Fabric\\n\\nReview: I tried this bra on, found this bra fit me and was comfortable, so I gave it a premature 4 star rating and ordered 2 more. I mainly wanted them for working out, cycling, walking. After wearing them for activity, I have found them to be uncomfortable for 2 reasons. I'm a 34C and at my normal weight, but the extra fabric that's added under the arms for the gimmicky \\\"no side effects\\\" is chafing me even though the overall bra fit is just fine. Also the fabric doesn't breath at all, so after a brisk walk it feels like I'm in a sauna. The one positive is that these bras have made me greatly appreciate my overpriced Wacoal underwire bras, maybe not overpriced after all.\",\n \"Product: Works where others failInstantly removes coffee, blood, grease, tar, pet stains and more\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Miracle worker on grease!\\n\\nReview: After a big blob of thick black grease fell on my light beige Berber, I assumed it was histoire, since it was right inside the guest room door. I tried scrubbing with Dawn, then my neighbor's Hoover carpet machine with little success. So almost a year later, I sprayed BlueMagic on the 3 1/2 inch stain to saturate, then left it to sit before blotting with a towel. When I finally got back to it, I couldn't find the stain! This is the kind of review I always suspect was planted by the vendor, but trust me - this really happened! BlueMagic saved us a lot of money by saving that carpet. Highly recommend!\\n\\nFYI - the photo is how it comes, with the blue lock on it but NO cap.\",\n \"Product: sWheat Scoop is an all-natural cat litter made from naturally renewable wheat. With no harmful ingredients typically found in clay litter, it is a no-worries kind of cat litter. The natural wheat enzymes neutralize odor on contact, and wheat starches clump firmly for easy scooping. Add in that its 100% biodegradable, and youve got yourself a pretty sWheat litter for you and your furry friends.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Poor clumping and Gluten\\n\\nReview: My problems with this litter are twofold - clumping and gluten. Re clumping, I wish I'd read the reviews here before buying this at my local Pet Supermarket. I had been using World's Best multiple cat formula for 2 years without complaint, but since my Rocky is a raker, I was interested in a natural litter that would clump better. There was no problem with my two 2-year old kitties adopting SWheat, but the clumps are broken up by Rocky much worse than with WBCL. That's my reason for the low rating.\\n\\nThe wheat issue is not part of my rating, simply a personal issue: today, one week into the SWheat litter, it occurred to me that wheat dust in the air is a definite no-no for my Celiac husband. And whatever is on our kitties' paws is all over surfaces in the house. That's cross-contamination bigtime. I can't believe I even bought a wheat product when I'm so careful with food shopping. That's my mistake, but I thought it might be helpful to other Celiac households who might not think about it.\",\n \"Product: This bulb is 120V, compare with other copiers, we adopt ceramic heatsink with bigger dissipation surface and much safer, avoid any potential electric shock. This is our top concern for selling products on Amazon. Please note the size of this LED bulb is bigger than halogen bulbs but specially designed for Puck light, please send the fixture photo to double check the size before making orders.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Xenon Replacement in Puck Lights!!!\\n\\nReview: I have 28 Home Depot puck lights around my house, all about 10 years old. Tired of the intense heat and short life of Xenon bulbs, I tried these lights and they are a perfect fit, very bright and almost no heat is generated. The color is more bright white than Xenons, so I used a trick I found in an LED review here somewhere. I ordered \\\"Rosco Cinegel #3443 Filter, 20x24\\\" Sheet, Quarter Straw 1/4 CTS\\\" here on Amazon and cut circles traced from the puck's glass and fit them inside or on top of the glass. For an extra $6 you can make these LEDs indistinguishable from Xenons!\\n\\nIn the photo the lights are dimmed to 60%; Initially I couldn't get them to work with my old Intermatic dimmer wall switch, they wouldn't turn off all the way, so I added back 2 xenons, they are on the planters on the ends and there are 4 LEDs with the warm film filters in between. The rest of my 22 pucks are on old Intermatic Z-wave plug-in dimmers and those LEDs dim and turn off just fine. I hope these little gems will last a few years.\",\n \"Product: SmartStick+ is a Z-Wave Plus interface for use with Z-Wave compatible home automation software. SmartStick+ includes Network Wide Inclusion (NWI) for easy pairing of Z-Wave products.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Outstanding for Homeseer Saved 3 dead devices!\\n\\nReview: My 10-year old $135 Z-Troller died suddenly this week but I should have seen the symptoms.. random lighting devices (32 total) would stop responding until I optimized them, which was often. 3 were totally unresponsive. So the SmartStick+ came to the rescue with free overnight shipping. Worth every penny and I wish Id made the switch sooner. This stick was simple to install, even for a Mac user who only keeps a cheap PC to run Homeseer 3 Pro. I had an old backup of the Z-Troller so I had to manually add newer devices. It was a breeze. The whole setup time was only a couple of hours. Im amazed how the SmartStick works with 10 year old Intermatic devices and the range is fantastic. We have 3200 square feet on 2 floors. The big bonus of course was having 3 older Z-wave switches start working again.. about $100 worth! Now Alexa is happily turning our lights on and off again. Thank you, Homeseer!\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":19,"string":"19"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1776,"string":"1,776"}}},{"rowIdx":1777,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3URJ3TN8NGM16"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"characteristic: Materials: Washi Paper Tape width0.8 cm (0.28 inches) Single total length: approx. 5 m Single diameter: 3.5 cm Box height: 8 cm Box width: approx. 4 cm Color: 10 colors Quantity: 10 pieces Decorative tape can help you to create your own style on your phone, laptop, notebooks, projects, scrapbooks, planner, calendar, pictures, etc. They are suitable for Christmas holiday, party, festival, wedding decorations or any other celebration occasions. Use these tapes for present wrapping purposes.\". The summary of the review text is \"Great thin tape, but don't bank on getting the same colors shown!\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This set includes TEN rolls of decorative tape! It's very thin - perfect for cardmaking, attaching tags to gifts, etc. The colors I received did not match the photo on the listing. Please see my photos for the exact colors I received.\n\nPros:\n-Includes TEN rolls of washi tape for DIY projects\n-Self adhesive, easy to tear\n\nCons:\n-Colors don't match item description photos\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This set includes TEN rolls of decorative tape! It's very thin - perfect for cardmaking, attaching tags to gifts, etc. The colors I received did not match the photo on the listing. Please see my photos for the exact colors I received.\n\nPros:\n-Includes TEN rolls of washi tape for DIY projects\n-Self adhesive, easy to tear\n\nCons:\n-Colors don't match item description photos\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: A true classic, our double sided satin ribbon features unmatched width and color selection, a high quality, glossy finish on both sides of the ribbon, and is available for ordering in multiple put-ups, including by-the-yard. Choose from over a 115+ solid colors and 10 widths ranging from 1/8\" all the way to 4\" wide. Ordering by-the-yard allows you to purchase continuous rolls of your desired color and width in one-yard increments. You can even order a single yard for a convenient way to get samples. Made from 100% polyester, this double-faced satin ribbon is machine washable, is color-fast, and has less than 2% shrinkage. As a bit of background, there are three basic types of textile weaves: satin (single faced or double faced), taffeta, and twill. And to produce these fabrics or ribbons, there are also four basic types of yarn used, namely polyester, nylon, cotton or acetate. Our double face satin ribbon is made from polyester yarn and the satin weave and so is known as 'polyester satin'. Please Note: Dye lot differences are especially apparent between 100 yard spools and everything else (i.e. 1/8\" 100 yard Silver may not match with 5/8\" 50 yard Silver).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: We made beautiful, easy baby shower decor!\n\nReview: I ordered the 2 1/4\" double faced satin ribbon in Light Pink, Pewter and Rosewood to make decor for my baby shower. My mom is planning the shower for our church family and local friends, so I'm helping her make all of the decorations.\n\nOne of my favorite things we made was a DIY satin ribbon garland/banner. This was such a fun & easy project! I cut the ribbon colors into 3'(ish) long strips, then used a lighter to melt/seal the ends. After that, I folded each ribbon piece in half and made a slipknot around a piece of paracord. I alternated the colors until the garland was about 5-6 feet long. I'm going to hang it either across the front of a table or on the wall. I love that I can then save this and re-use it for baby's first birthday party!\n\nPros:\n-High quality ribbon\n-Available in TONS of sizes and colors\n-Easy to use for crafts - just seal the ends with a lighter\n\nCons:\n-None!\n\nI received this item for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.","Product: This Art/Crafts/Sewing Supplies Organizer is a modular system for customizable storage and the perfect way to keep scissors, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue, thread, buttons and other items conveniently stored. Made of durable plastic with clean lines, stack them or place them side by side to suit your needs.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Cute organizing drawer for use around the house!\n\nReview: My husband built a custom silverware holder for our normal silverware (forks, knives, spoons and sharp knives). However, we have some larger sharp knives that don't fit in the normal silverware caddy. I ordered two organizers from mDesign to see which would work better. This one is labeled as a drawer organizer. It actually wasn't long enough for my large knives. I'll find another place around the house to use it, but it wasn't large enough for the silverware drawer. It would be useful in organizing pretty much any room of the house. I'm very happy with this product. My only complaint is that it was much more expensive than the other drawer organizers I've found locally.\n\nPros:\n-Versatile product - could be used in kitchen, office, bathroom, garage, you name it!\n-Clear plastic is easy to see through\n-Short enough to fit in shallow drawers\n\nCons:\n-Price is higher than organizing products available locally\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: Animal Hearted's 'My Best Friend Has Paws' T-Shirt is the perfect gift for animal lovers! Printed on comfortable 100% rungspun cotton tees, this shirt will quickly become your favorite shirt. After all - who has a pet that isn't their best friend?\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Cute shirt! Wash before you wear and order a size up!\n\nReview: I love, love, love this shirt! {My husband was a little offended when I told him he's only my 2nd best friend - haha!} The shirt arrived last night. I actually did a load of laundry last night just so I could wear the shirt today. Before I washed it, it was a little rough feeling so I didn't want to wear it until it softened up. My only complaint about the design is that there shouldn't be a dash between best and friend. Other than that, it's a super cute shirt! It is a slim fit, so I would order up if you're on the fence. I debated between an XS and S. I ordered the S and it's a good thing I did because the XS would not have fit! Even though it has a few quirks with sizing and the hyphen, I'm still excited to wear it today so it's a 4 star product to me.\n\nPros:\n-Cute design\n-Cozy fabric once washed\n\nCons:\n-Shouldn't have hyphen\n\nI received this item at a discounted price in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: V-Neck 3/4 long sleeve nursing maxi dress for maternity or nursing mom\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: LOVE this dress - wearing it for maternity photos!\n\nReview: I'm currently pregnant with our first baby {a girl!} and am planning for our baby showers and maternity photos over the next month or so. I ordered a navy blue sleeveless dress from this company and was going to wear it for both the showers and maternity photos. After receiving {and loving} the blue dress, I decided to splurge and get a second dress from the company. I am 5'2\". My pre-pregnancy weight was 118ish {I'm 140ish now at 30 weeks}. The dress size and length fits me perfectly. The fabric is stretchy, so I'm confident it'll fit as my belly continues to grow. I'm hopeful I can still wear it after baby too! I ordered a small {my pre-pregnancy size would be a juniors small or womens xs/s}.\n\nPros:\n-Fits perfectly\n-Comfy fabric for maternity wear - photos, showers, etc.\n\nCons:\n-None","Product: Lilax baby is a brand that compiles authentic design and beautiful clothes for children who deserve compassion and love. All of materials used on our products are hygenic and care your baby's health. Does not contain chemicals harmful to your baby. Produced with international production techniques and safety standarts.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Gift set is nice if you like the design\n\nReview: This set is okay, but not something I would probably purchase again. Every piece of the set (except the shoes) is decorated with a jeweled crown and blue bow. The bow is cute, but the crown is over the top in my opinion and the bow/crown together are definitely too much when on every item. The crown on my hat wasn't adhered properly - it pulled right off. The crown appears to be an iron-on addition, while the bow is not (it looks hot glued maybe?). On the bright side, the blanket is SO, SO soft! I love that the set includes so many pieces - shoes, an outfit, hat, bib and blanket. This would be great for a gift if you're okay with the design. Personally, I wouldn't put the jeweled stuff on a baby boy.\n\nPros:\n-Set would be a great gift with a different design\n-Blanket is amazingly soft and cozy!\n-Set includes sleeper, bib, hat, blanket and shoes\n\nCons:\n-Too gaudy with the crown and bow on all the items\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED:Fit Ring is designed with an ergonomic curvature. Best in comfort, design, safety, and quality. The Fit Ring is so well designed, that you will not even feel like you have a ring on.FINEST QUALITY MATERIAL: Our silicone wedding rings are made of only the best, Medical Grade, Hypoallergenic, Non-conductive SiliconeBEST ALTERNATIVE RING:Fit Ring is the #1 safe alternative wedding band - Designed to keep you safe and not hold you back from YOUR active lifestyle.Fit Ring is the official ring for all athletes.Tailored to withstand the active lifestyle you lead. This is the best solution for nurses, military, first responders, EMS, EMT, firefighters, law enforcement, police officers, army, navy, engineers, electricians and any other hands on job that keeps you active!Or maybe the athletic lifestyle you lead is in fitness, crossfit, weightlifting, climbing, running, boxing, MMA, outdoors, camping, and more, you can still show your commitment with the Fit Ring !Express your commitment to your marriage, support a cause, and inspire the community for a healthier, active lifestyle.Check out all our collections for men or women Do you appreciate the significance of the Thin Blue Line and the Thin Red Line or the Camo? Then you will LOVE this collection:Men & Women's for a Cause CollectionCamoThin Blue LineThin Red LineCommitment is the core of our brands, this is why our first product is the Fit Ring with a pi logo, symbolizing an infinite commitment to what you believe in.Buy your Fit Ring now by clicking the Add to Cart button.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great wedding/engagement band substitute!\n\nReview: I typically wear a size 4.25-4.5. The listing said to size up so I ordered a 5. When the 5 arrived yesterday, it was too big. I messaged the company. They were quick to respond and confirmed that I could exchange the ring for the correct size. Size 4 rings are hard to find, so I'm glad they have them! I love the material... we are renovating our home so it isn't convenient to wear my normal band/rings. This is a great part-time substitute for my fancy set! I included a picture of my normal (thin) band beside this for size comparison. I was worried the silicone ring would look or feel bulky but it doesn't at all!\n\nPros:\n-Nice material\n-Won't get damaged during home renovations\n\nCons:\n-Fit a little large {don't size up}\n\nI received this item at a deeply discounted price in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: Welcome to Grizzly Country! You have come face to face with the toughest and most aggressive gun-cleaning product there is. This Firearm Lubricant is used as a complete gun cleaner, gun lubricant, and firearm protectant! It is an ALL IN ONE Gun Cleaning formula! While this MIL-SPEC formula can withstand the harsh -50F Arctic conditions, and even the hottest desert environments (its one MEAN S.O.B.), it also has one VERY important characteristic; it is safe. Thats right, SAFE. Grizzly Gun Cares Non-Toxic CLP is just that; NON-TOXIC. It is engineered to meet the rigorous standards of Military Special Forces and is approved as a USDA Certified Bio-Based gun-care product. It cleans, it lubricates, and it protects your firearm from all of those nasty elements like rust, copper and lead build up; and it does it safely. Your firearm will work when you need it to! We invite you to put your current gun cleaner up against our Grizzly! Well warn you though; your current harmful-chemical based formula will just end up playing dead. Look no further, youve come face to face with the last Gun Care product you will ever need Welcome to Grizzly Gun Care. Grizzly Gun Cares Non-Toxic CLP performs best when used alone! You dont need to oil up your weapon. Grizzly Gun Cares unique formula seasons the metal to create a surface that is resistant to moisture. The end result is a dry lubed surface that reduces jams and friction, eliminates fouling, and destroys rust and build-up. This aggressive formula attacks carbon on contact but also maintains an element of safety that is rare to the industry. The Non-Toxic Bio-Based formula is safe to handle, safe to smell, safe to use on all firearm surfaces, and safe to dispose of. Your firearms are an investment! Dont subject them to harmful elements protect them with Grizzly Gun Care products: Aggressive. Safe. Clean. 6\" x 6\" Cloths - Qty. 4\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great gift idea for gun enthusiasts!\n\nReview: My brother is a gun enthusiast, so he is always telling me about the latest gadgets and products. It's hard to buy gifts for him that aren't super expensive, but when I saw this I thought of him! I went ahead and got it - I know this is a gift he'll enjoy and one that he will actually use. The package is a small ziploc bag. It includes several cleaning cloths that area already saturated with a cleaning liquid. I'd imagine that would make these much less messy than having a bottle of cleaner plus rags.\n\nPros:\n-Great gift for gun lovers\n-Easy to use - not as messy as liquid plus separate cloths\n\nCons:\n-None!\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: The Rubbermaid Commercial Deskside Recycler won't chip, dent, or rust thanks to sturdy all-plastic construction. These lightweight recycle bins fit conveniently under most standard desks to keep recycling containers close at-hand and are clearly marked with the universal recycling symbol to encourage recycling and increase proper waste management compliance. Designed with rolled rims for added strength, this easy-to-clean, seamless recycler has rounded corners.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Nice quality for under the desk!\n\nReview: We're starting a recycling program at work. These are the same size as our normal office trash cans under each desk. Everyone will be getting one to go beside their trash can to encourage recycling. The color is a super dark green {as shown}. There is a recycling symbol on just one side. I laminated a list of what can and can't be recycled and taped it to the back side of the trash can. I'll be using my Silhouette Cameo machine to add a recycling symbol to one of the skinny sides of the can so it shows when the can is under the desk. Overall, they're thick plastic and great quality for only $6 each!\n\nPros:\n-Nice quality\n-Great price\n\nCons:\n-I wish they were a lighter/brighter shade of green, but this is the color all the Rubbermaid recycling cans are.","Product: Create functional, space-saving storage in your home office with these versatile storage organizer bins from mDesign. They are the perfect solution to cluttered desks and drawers, bringing order to your untidy office space. Stackable design allows you to create vertical storage to save additional space and the built-in handles make them easy to carry or pull from a drawer. Use in the office, at school, in your art studio, or in a garage work shop. mDesign - more calm, less clutter\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: PERFECT size for our sharp kitchen knives!\n\nReview: My husband built a custom silverware holder for our normal silverware (forks, knives, spoons and sharp knives). However, we have some larger sharp knives that don't fit in the normal silverware caddy. I ordered two organizers from mDesign to see which would work better. This one is labeled as a fridge organizer, but it ended up working perfectly for our knives! It is the exact height to fit in one of the drawers without being too tall. It's a lot longer than the one labeled for drawer use (and a little taller too)! I'm very happy with this product. My only complaint is that it was much more expensive than the other drawer organizers I've found locally.\n\nPros:\n-Versatile product - could be used in kitchen, office, fridge/freezer, you name it!\n-Long enough to hold large kitchen knives\n\nCons:\n-Price is higher than organizing products available locally\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: Watch birds right up close through your window without scaring them away! The Best Window Bird Feeder makes it easy for you, your family, and pets to enjoy bird watching from the comfort of your own home. The 3 extra large suction cups mount securely to any window in your house. Drainage holes allow water to drain while keeping bird seeds in. The durable, clear acrylic material it is made from ensures long life, easy cleaning, and allows you to see birds from any angle without your view being obstructed by the bird feeder itself. In addition, this birdfeeder also comes with one-way film so you, your children, or your dogs and cats can get right up close without the birds getting startled and flying away. This benefit alone gives your kids and pets hours of entertainment. The bird seed feeder measures approximately 6 in x 6 in x 2.5 in. The large perch ledge makes it easy for 2-4 birds to eat at the same time, and the window mounting keeps it squirrel-proof. This One-Way Window Bird Feeder makes a great gift for not only bird watchers but anyone in your family of any age. It can be used for general bird watching, educational purposes, and even entertainment of kids or pets. And unlike most other bird feeders, the mirror tint allows you to get up close to the birds without them seeing you and flying off!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fun, educational bird feeder\n\nReview: We just moved into a new house and have noticed there are several birds that often fly around (and sometimes into) the windows. I wanted to find a bird feeder. This one will be fun for my nieces and nephews to be able to come over and safely see the birds up close from inside the house. The set includes a one way mirror with instructions for application. The bird feeder is easy to attach with 3 strong suction cups.\n\nPros:\n-Fun to see birds up close while still inside the house\n-Set includes everything you need except bird food\n\nCons:\n-None!\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: Stainless steel dog bowls with rubber bottoms that wont slip . The best dog bowls on the market . This bowl didn't slide all over the place when your dog is eating. Features : Premium dog bowls at best price on, made with highest quality materials available, with rubber bottoms that wont slip, beautiful design in stainless steel. Benefits : 2 dog bowls for the price of one, wont slip to prevent scratches and damage to hardwood floor, very easy to clean (dishwasher safe), holds up to 32-ounce.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A great buy for the price!\n\nReview: This is a great set for the price! I recently bought a set of similarly sized dog bowls at a national store and paid a lot more than this! That being said, you get what you pay for. These are cute, but the dog bone shape on the front of the bowl isn't attached to the bowl itself very well. This doesn't affect how well the bowl works at all. The bowls have a non-skid rubber bottom and are shaped so that dogs can't tip the bowl over. This is a great feature for my dog who likes to flip over all the food and water bowls.\n\nPros:\n-Nice size & great price\n-Includes 2 bowls\n-Has non-skid rubber bottom\n-Shaped so dogs can't tip the bowls over\n\nCons:\n-Bone shape on the front isn't attached well\n\nI received this item for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own. If this review helped you, please click the yes below. Thank you!","Product: The metal lamp guard by Adamax is built with 16-gauge vinyl coated metal wiring. With its adjustable screw tightning clamp, the lamp guard fits virtually all string lights, porcelain and plastic lamp holders. These metal lamp guards are also very popular for decorations in urban settings; especially when combined with metal halide lights!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Create your own trendy light fixtures!\n\nReview: I love these metal wire cages for pendant lights! We just finished our home remodel and have farmhouse/industrial decor in the main living spaces. I went to a home improvement store and found wire caged pendant lights, but they cost over $100 each! We used these clamp-on wire cages along with pendant lights, paired with Edison bulbs to re-create the look of the light fixture I liked at a MUCH more reasonable price {about $22 per fixture for pendant, wire cage plus an LED bulb!}. I am thrilled with the look and quality of these! They're very easy to attach to the pendant light fixture. My husband installed several in one evening.\n\nI would definitely purchase these again!\n\nPendant Lights: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Globe-Electric-64906-1-Light-Vintage-Edison-Hanging-Socket-Pendant-Light-Fixture-Matte-Black-Finish-with-Black-Rope/dp/B00HX2EVHG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Globe Electric 64906 1 Light Vintage Edison Hanging Socket Pendant Light Fixture, Matte Black Finish with Black Rope</a>\nWire Cages: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Newhouse-Lighting-Metal-Lamp-Guard-for-Pendant-String-Lights-and-Vintage-Lamp-Holders-Industrial-Wire-Iron-Bird-Cage-4-Pack/dp/B00GRFZ2H8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Newhouse Lighting Metal Lamp Guard for Pendant String Lights and Vintage Lamp Holders, Industrial Wire Iron Bird Cage, 4-Pack</a>\nEdison LED Bulbs: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Edison-Bulb-ST64-Ottertooth-LED-Clear-Warm-Lighting-25000-hours-Lifetime-Antique-Edison-Style-Bulb-E26-85-265V-6W-60W-Equivalent-2-pack/dp/B01GIKZM9Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Edison Bulb (ST64), Ottertooth LED Clear Warm Lighting, 25000 hours Lifetime Antique Edison Style Bulb, E26 [85-265V] 6W (60W Equivalent) - 2 pack</a>","Product: Globe Electric's simple matte black 1-Light Vintage Edison Mini Pendant with a black designer woven cord is a great spin on a classic design. The exposed socket creates a modern industrial look. Pair it with a vintage inspired bulb for a unique design. Simple and inviting this piece is great for any space in your home. Hang it alone or pair it up to create a variety of different long lasting looks. Includes all mounting hardware for quick and easy installation and requires one 60W E26 vintage look light bulb (sold separately).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: LOVE these paired with wire cages and Edison bulbs!\n\nReview: I love these vintage Edison pendant light fixtures! We just finished our home remodel and have farmhouse/industrial decor in the main living spaces. I went to a home improvement store and found wire caged pendant lights, but they cost over $100 each! We used these pendant lights along with some clamp-on wire cages paired with Edison bulbs to re-create the look of the light fixture I liked at a MUCH more reasonable price {about $22 per fixture for pendant, wire cage plus an LED bulb!}. I am thrilled with the look and quality of these! They're very easy to trim to whatever length cord you need. My husband installed several in one evening.\n\nI would definitely purchase these again!\n\nPendant Lights: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Globe-Electric-64906-1-Light-Vintage-Edison-Hanging-Socket-Pendant-Light-Fixture-Matte-Black-Finish-with-Black-Rope/dp/B00HX2EVHG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Globe Electric 64906 1 Light Vintage Edison Hanging Socket Pendant Light Fixture, Matte Black Finish with Black Rope</a>\nWire Cages: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Newhouse-Lighting-Metal-Lamp-Guard-for-Pendant-String-Lights-and-Vintage-Lamp-Holders-Industrial-Wire-Iron-Bird-Cage-4-Pack/dp/B00GRFZ2H8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Newhouse Lighting Metal Lamp Guard for Pendant String Lights and Vintage Lamp Holders, Industrial Wire Iron Bird Cage, 4-Pack</a>\nEdison LED Bulbs: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Edison-Bulb-ST64-Ottertooth-LED-Clear-Warm-Lighting-25000-hours-Lifetime-Antique-Edison-Style-Bulb-E26-85-265V-6W-60W-Equivalent-2-pack/dp/B01GIKZM9Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Edison Bulb (ST64), Ottertooth LED Clear Warm Lighting, 25000 hours Lifetime Antique Edison Style Bulb, E26 [85-265V] 6W (60W Equivalent) - 2 pack</a>","Product: This bag is our original best seller and can be found in Super Centers across the nation. From office supplies to cosmetics, this bag has endless storage possibilities. Also available in a variety of colors and four sizes.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great for baby bag, craft supplies, first aid kit, tools, you name it!\n\nReview: I have seriously never been so excited for zipper pouches in my life. I got these and was shocked at how high quality they are! I am pregnant now with our first baby and wanted some bags to organize smaller items in the diaper bag. These are PERFECT for organizing anything, from baby items to tools to craft supplies - you name it! I originally planned to use all of them for baby stuff, but after seeing how nice they are my husband was drooling over them! I ended up splitting the set with my husband. I'm going to use some for the baby bag, some for my craft supplies and some my husband will use down in his basement/workshop. These would be a perfect gift for an expecting mom or tool-loving dad! They would also be great for a college student's first aid kit or other in-the-car necessities. I can't say enough good things about these products and the company! My package included a hand written note. I love finding American companies that produce high quality items - this is definitely a home run product/company.\n\nPros:\n-High quality material and zippers\n-Set includes 12 pouches - all the same size but different colors\n-Great company\n\nCons:\n-None\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: The TR Industrial surveyors safety vest with 3M Scotchlite is the result of combining safety, convenience, and comfort into one. TR Industrial ensures that this vest includes 3M Scotchlite reflectors on front and back as well as a reflective trim to achive the highest visibility. To stay on top of safety, these vests' chromaticity, color, luminance and brightness meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 class 2 standards, which is required for workers on construction sites and/or near traffic that's going 25mph or faster. This vest is the master of convenience with 6 pockets, including 2 upper front, 2 lower front with flagging tape grommets, 2 large internal pockets, and 2 mic tabs. Premium lightweight polyester and breathable mesh on the sides make for better air circulation and fast drying. Staying true to its tough identity, the vest includes premium YKK zipper to meet our customers demand. Printing is available for an 8\" x 10\" area on the back of the safety vest.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great for any road/construction workers!\n\nReview: This is a very high quality surveyor vest. The difference between a surveyor vest and a normal vest is the pockets, so this would work for surveyors or anyone that is out in road areas and needs to be visible. This is a Class 2 vest, so if you're in a high speed area (like the interstate), you'll need a Class 3 vest (with sleeves). This vest can be machine washed and is highly reflective. My dad does road construction and is often out and about on county roads, so he's going to use this for outdoor work. It's lightweight and easily folds/rolls up for storage.\n\nPros:\n-High quality\n-Machine washable\n-Lots of pockets\n-Name brand 3M\n\nCons:\n-None\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: Includes four All Purpose Zipper Bags. One in each of our sizes (XL, Large, Medium, Small) Extra Large ---- 10.5\" wide x 13.5\" long ---- Large: 7.5\" wide x 12\" long ---- Medum: 5\" wide x 8.5\" long ---- Small: 4\" wide x 6.5\" long\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Amazing high quality pouches!\n\nReview: I have seriously never been so excited for zipper pouches in my life. I got these and was shocked at how high quality they are! I am pregnant now with our first baby and wanted some bags to organize smaller items in the diaper bag. These are PERFECT for organizing anything, from baby items to tools to craft supplies - you name it! I originally planned to use all of them for baby stuff, but after seeing how nice they are my husband was drooling over them! I ended up splitting the set with my husband. I'm going to use some for the baby bag, some for my craft supplies and some my husband will use down in his basement/workshop. These would be a perfect gift for an expecting mom or tool-loving dad! They would also be great for a college student's first aid kit or other in-the-car necessities. I can't say enough good things about these products and the company! My package included a hand written note. I love finding American companies that produce high quality items - this is definitely a home run product/company.\n\nPros:\n-High quality material and zippers\n-Set includes 4 different sized pouches, all in the same color\n-Great company\n\nCons:\n-None\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.","Product: Fit All Your Phones Amuoc 4 Pack USB 2.0 Nylon Braided Charging Cord High Speed for iPhone 8,8 Plus,7,7 Plus,6S,6S Plus,6,6Plus,SE,5S,5,iPad,iPod Nano 7 and More(1x 3.3ft, 2x6.6ft, 1x 10ft ) Consisting of the tensile Nylon braided cloth and apparent TPE fabric coating, the former material brings superior durability and flexibility while the latter can withstand water,it easily gets the lightning cables cleaned. No fraying and it will hold up well against wear and tear. Crimp resistance defense offers the ultimate in convenience and durability. Real High Speed iPhone Lightning Charging Cable with stable and efficient current output, you can plug it into laptop computers and in-car charging adapter. Sometimes the electrical outlets are in different places and need a longer one and others a shorter one inevitably. Our cables works for nearly all situations.3.3ft/6.6ft/10ft different length, is ideal for varied usage which will not astrict your device, you can still use your device while charging on a wall adapter in your bedroom, kitchen, office, or even at the backseat of the car. Compatibility with iPhone 8/8 Plus7/7 Plus/SE/6 Plus / 6s Plus/ 6s /6/ 5s / 5c / 5, iPad Air / Air 2, iPad mini / mini 2 / mini 3, iPad (4th generation), iPod nano (7th generation) and iPod touch (5th generation) and so on.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Fun gift set for creative kids!\n\nReview: I am always looking for fun, creative gifts for our nieces and nephews. Art sets such as these typically have lower quality items in them than if you purchased separately. These seem to be on par with other similar sets - a good quality, but not as nice as if you purchased name brand separately. That being said, this set is adorable and perfect for our nieces and nephews (all 12 years old or younger). Older kids/teens may want a more advanced set.\n\nPros:\n-Perfect for elementary kids and younger!\n-Includes a variety of art materials\n-Perfect for gifts, road trips, etc.\n\nCons:\n-Not as high quality as name brand individual items, but on par with other sets of this sort.\n\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\n\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own."],"string":"[\n \"Product: A true classic, our double sided satin ribbon features unmatched width and color selection, a high quality, glossy finish on both sides of the ribbon, and is available for ordering in multiple put-ups, including by-the-yard. Choose from over a 115+ solid colors and 10 widths ranging from 1/8\\\" all the way to 4\\\" wide. Ordering by-the-yard allows you to purchase continuous rolls of your desired color and width in one-yard increments. You can even order a single yard for a convenient way to get samples. Made from 100% polyester, this double-faced satin ribbon is machine washable, is color-fast, and has less than 2% shrinkage. As a bit of background, there are three basic types of textile weaves: satin (single faced or double faced), taffeta, and twill. And to produce these fabrics or ribbons, there are also four basic types of yarn used, namely polyester, nylon, cotton or acetate. Our double face satin ribbon is made from polyester yarn and the satin weave and so is known as 'polyester satin'. Please Note: Dye lot differences are especially apparent between 100 yard spools and everything else (i.e. 1/8\\\" 100 yard Silver may not match with 5/8\\\" 50 yard Silver).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: We made beautiful, easy baby shower decor!\\n\\nReview: I ordered the 2 1/4\\\" double faced satin ribbon in Light Pink, Pewter and Rosewood to make decor for my baby shower. My mom is planning the shower for our church family and local friends, so I'm helping her make all of the decorations.\\n\\nOne of my favorite things we made was a DIY satin ribbon garland/banner. This was such a fun & easy project! I cut the ribbon colors into 3'(ish) long strips, then used a lighter to melt/seal the ends. After that, I folded each ribbon piece in half and made a slipknot around a piece of paracord. I alternated the colors until the garland was about 5-6 feet long. I'm going to hang it either across the front of a table or on the wall. I love that I can then save this and re-use it for baby's first birthday party!\\n\\nPros:\\n-High quality ribbon\\n-Available in TONS of sizes and colors\\n-Easy to use for crafts - just seal the ends with a lighter\\n\\nCons:\\n-None!\\n\\nI received this item for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: This Art/Crafts/Sewing Supplies Organizer is a modular system for customizable storage and the perfect way to keep scissors, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue, thread, buttons and other items conveniently stored. Made of durable plastic with clean lines, stack them or place them side by side to suit your needs.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute organizing drawer for use around the house!\\n\\nReview: My husband built a custom silverware holder for our normal silverware (forks, knives, spoons and sharp knives). However, we have some larger sharp knives that don't fit in the normal silverware caddy. I ordered two organizers from mDesign to see which would work better. This one is labeled as a drawer organizer. It actually wasn't long enough for my large knives. I'll find another place around the house to use it, but it wasn't large enough for the silverware drawer. It would be useful in organizing pretty much any room of the house. I'm very happy with this product. My only complaint is that it was much more expensive than the other drawer organizers I've found locally.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Versatile product - could be used in kitchen, office, bathroom, garage, you name it!\\n-Clear plastic is easy to see through\\n-Short enough to fit in shallow drawers\\n\\nCons:\\n-Price is higher than organizing products available locally\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: Animal Hearted's 'My Best Friend Has Paws' T-Shirt is the perfect gift for animal lovers! Printed on comfortable 100% rungspun cotton tees, this shirt will quickly become your favorite shirt. After all - who has a pet that isn't their best friend?\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute shirt! Wash before you wear and order a size up!\\n\\nReview: I love, love, love this shirt! {My husband was a little offended when I told him he's only my 2nd best friend - haha!} The shirt arrived last night. I actually did a load of laundry last night just so I could wear the shirt today. Before I washed it, it was a little rough feeling so I didn't want to wear it until it softened up. My only complaint about the design is that there shouldn't be a dash between best and friend. Other than that, it's a super cute shirt! It is a slim fit, so I would order up if you're on the fence. I debated between an XS and S. I ordered the S and it's a good thing I did because the XS would not have fit! Even though it has a few quirks with sizing and the hyphen, I'm still excited to wear it today so it's a 4 star product to me.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Cute design\\n-Cozy fabric once washed\\n\\nCons:\\n-Shouldn't have hyphen\\n\\nI received this item at a discounted price in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: V-Neck 3/4 long sleeve nursing maxi dress for maternity or nursing mom\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: LOVE this dress - wearing it for maternity photos!\\n\\nReview: I'm currently pregnant with our first baby {a girl!} and am planning for our baby showers and maternity photos over the next month or so. I ordered a navy blue sleeveless dress from this company and was going to wear it for both the showers and maternity photos. After receiving {and loving} the blue dress, I decided to splurge and get a second dress from the company. I am 5'2\\\". My pre-pregnancy weight was 118ish {I'm 140ish now at 30 weeks}. The dress size and length fits me perfectly. The fabric is stretchy, so I'm confident it'll fit as my belly continues to grow. I'm hopeful I can still wear it after baby too! I ordered a small {my pre-pregnancy size would be a juniors small or womens xs/s}.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Fits perfectly\\n-Comfy fabric for maternity wear - photos, showers, etc.\\n\\nCons:\\n-None\",\n \"Product: Lilax baby is a brand that compiles authentic design and beautiful clothes for children who deserve compassion and love. All of materials used on our products are hygenic and care your baby's health. Does not contain chemicals harmful to your baby. Produced with international production techniques and safety standarts.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Gift set is nice if you like the design\\n\\nReview: This set is okay, but not something I would probably purchase again. Every piece of the set (except the shoes) is decorated with a jeweled crown and blue bow. The bow is cute, but the crown is over the top in my opinion and the bow/crown together are definitely too much when on every item. The crown on my hat wasn't adhered properly - it pulled right off. The crown appears to be an iron-on addition, while the bow is not (it looks hot glued maybe?). On the bright side, the blanket is SO, SO soft! I love that the set includes so many pieces - shoes, an outfit, hat, bib and blanket. This would be great for a gift if you're okay with the design. Personally, I wouldn't put the jeweled stuff on a baby boy.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Set would be a great gift with a different design\\n-Blanket is amazingly soft and cozy!\\n-Set includes sleeper, bib, hat, blanket and shoes\\n\\nCons:\\n-Too gaudy with the crown and bow on all the items\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED:Fit Ring is designed with an ergonomic curvature. Best in comfort, design, safety, and quality. The Fit Ring is so well designed, that you will not even feel like you have a ring on.FINEST QUALITY MATERIAL: Our silicone wedding rings are made of only the best, Medical Grade, Hypoallergenic, Non-conductive SiliconeBEST ALTERNATIVE RING:Fit Ring is the #1 safe alternative wedding band - Designed to keep you safe and not hold you back from YOUR active lifestyle.Fit Ring is the official ring for all athletes.Tailored to withstand the active lifestyle you lead. This is the best solution for nurses, military, first responders, EMS, EMT, firefighters, law enforcement, police officers, army, navy, engineers, electricians and any other hands on job that keeps you active!Or maybe the athletic lifestyle you lead is in fitness, crossfit, weightlifting, climbing, running, boxing, MMA, outdoors, camping, and more, you can still show your commitment with the Fit Ring !Express your commitment to your marriage, support a cause, and inspire the community for a healthier, active lifestyle.Check out all our collections for men or women Do you appreciate the significance of the Thin Blue Line and the Thin Red Line or the Camo? Then you will LOVE this collection:Men & Women's for a Cause CollectionCamoThin Blue LineThin Red LineCommitment is the core of our brands, this is why our first product is the Fit Ring with a pi logo, symbolizing an infinite commitment to what you believe in.Buy your Fit Ring now by clicking the Add to Cart button.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great wedding/engagement band substitute!\\n\\nReview: I typically wear a size 4.25-4.5. The listing said to size up so I ordered a 5. When the 5 arrived yesterday, it was too big. I messaged the company. They were quick to respond and confirmed that I could exchange the ring for the correct size. Size 4 rings are hard to find, so I'm glad they have them! I love the material... we are renovating our home so it isn't convenient to wear my normal band/rings. This is a great part-time substitute for my fancy set! I included a picture of my normal (thin) band beside this for size comparison. I was worried the silicone ring would look or feel bulky but it doesn't at all!\\n\\nPros:\\n-Nice material\\n-Won't get damaged during home renovations\\n\\nCons:\\n-Fit a little large {don't size up}\\n\\nI received this item at a deeply discounted price in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: Welcome to Grizzly Country! You have come face to face with the toughest and most aggressive gun-cleaning product there is. This Firearm Lubricant is used as a complete gun cleaner, gun lubricant, and firearm protectant! It is an ALL IN ONE Gun Cleaning formula! While this MIL-SPEC formula can withstand the harsh -50F Arctic conditions, and even the hottest desert environments (its one MEAN S.O.B.), it also has one VERY important characteristic; it is safe. Thats right, SAFE. Grizzly Gun Cares Non-Toxic CLP is just that; NON-TOXIC. It is engineered to meet the rigorous standards of Military Special Forces and is approved as a USDA Certified Bio-Based gun-care product. It cleans, it lubricates, and it protects your firearm from all of those nasty elements like rust, copper and lead build up; and it does it safely. Your firearm will work when you need it to! We invite you to put your current gun cleaner up against our Grizzly! Well warn you though; your current harmful-chemical based formula will just end up playing dead. Look no further, youve come face to face with the last Gun Care product you will ever need Welcome to Grizzly Gun Care. Grizzly Gun Cares Non-Toxic CLP performs best when used alone! You dont need to oil up your weapon. Grizzly Gun Cares unique formula seasons the metal to create a surface that is resistant to moisture. The end result is a dry lubed surface that reduces jams and friction, eliminates fouling, and destroys rust and build-up. This aggressive formula attacks carbon on contact but also maintains an element of safety that is rare to the industry. The Non-Toxic Bio-Based formula is safe to handle, safe to smell, safe to use on all firearm surfaces, and safe to dispose of. Your firearms are an investment! Dont subject them to harmful elements protect them with Grizzly Gun Care products: Aggressive. Safe. Clean. 6\\\" x 6\\\" Cloths - Qty. 4\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great gift idea for gun enthusiasts!\\n\\nReview: My brother is a gun enthusiast, so he is always telling me about the latest gadgets and products. It's hard to buy gifts for him that aren't super expensive, but when I saw this I thought of him! I went ahead and got it - I know this is a gift he'll enjoy and one that he will actually use. The package is a small ziploc bag. It includes several cleaning cloths that area already saturated with a cleaning liquid. I'd imagine that would make these much less messy than having a bottle of cleaner plus rags.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Great gift for gun lovers\\n-Easy to use - not as messy as liquid plus separate cloths\\n\\nCons:\\n-None!\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: The Rubbermaid Commercial Deskside Recycler won't chip, dent, or rust thanks to sturdy all-plastic construction. These lightweight recycle bins fit conveniently under most standard desks to keep recycling containers close at-hand and are clearly marked with the universal recycling symbol to encourage recycling and increase proper waste management compliance. Designed with rolled rims for added strength, this easy-to-clean, seamless recycler has rounded corners.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice quality for under the desk!\\n\\nReview: We're starting a recycling program at work. These are the same size as our normal office trash cans under each desk. Everyone will be getting one to go beside their trash can to encourage recycling. The color is a super dark green {as shown}. There is a recycling symbol on just one side. I laminated a list of what can and can't be recycled and taped it to the back side of the trash can. I'll be using my Silhouette Cameo machine to add a recycling symbol to one of the skinny sides of the can so it shows when the can is under the desk. Overall, they're thick plastic and great quality for only $6 each!\\n\\nPros:\\n-Nice quality\\n-Great price\\n\\nCons:\\n-I wish they were a lighter/brighter shade of green, but this is the color all the Rubbermaid recycling cans are.\",\n \"Product: Create functional, space-saving storage in your home office with these versatile storage organizer bins from mDesign. They are the perfect solution to cluttered desks and drawers, bringing order to your untidy office space. Stackable design allows you to create vertical storage to save additional space and the built-in handles make them easy to carry or pull from a drawer. Use in the office, at school, in your art studio, or in a garage work shop. mDesign - more calm, less clutter\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: PERFECT size for our sharp kitchen knives!\\n\\nReview: My husband built a custom silverware holder for our normal silverware (forks, knives, spoons and sharp knives). However, we have some larger sharp knives that don't fit in the normal silverware caddy. I ordered two organizers from mDesign to see which would work better. This one is labeled as a fridge organizer, but it ended up working perfectly for our knives! It is the exact height to fit in one of the drawers without being too tall. It's a lot longer than the one labeled for drawer use (and a little taller too)! I'm very happy with this product. My only complaint is that it was much more expensive than the other drawer organizers I've found locally.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Versatile product - could be used in kitchen, office, fridge/freezer, you name it!\\n-Long enough to hold large kitchen knives\\n\\nCons:\\n-Price is higher than organizing products available locally\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: Watch birds right up close through your window without scaring them away! The Best Window Bird Feeder makes it easy for you, your family, and pets to enjoy bird watching from the comfort of your own home. The 3 extra large suction cups mount securely to any window in your house. Drainage holes allow water to drain while keeping bird seeds in. The durable, clear acrylic material it is made from ensures long life, easy cleaning, and allows you to see birds from any angle without your view being obstructed by the bird feeder itself. In addition, this birdfeeder also comes with one-way film so you, your children, or your dogs and cats can get right up close without the birds getting startled and flying away. This benefit alone gives your kids and pets hours of entertainment. The bird seed feeder measures approximately 6 in x 6 in x 2.5 in. The large perch ledge makes it easy for 2-4 birds to eat at the same time, and the window mounting keeps it squirrel-proof. This One-Way Window Bird Feeder makes a great gift for not only bird watchers but anyone in your family of any age. It can be used for general bird watching, educational purposes, and even entertainment of kids or pets. And unlike most other bird feeders, the mirror tint allows you to get up close to the birds without them seeing you and flying off!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fun, educational bird feeder\\n\\nReview: We just moved into a new house and have noticed there are several birds that often fly around (and sometimes into) the windows. I wanted to find a bird feeder. This one will be fun for my nieces and nephews to be able to come over and safely see the birds up close from inside the house. The set includes a one way mirror with instructions for application. The bird feeder is easy to attach with 3 strong suction cups.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Fun to see birds up close while still inside the house\\n-Set includes everything you need except bird food\\n\\nCons:\\n-None!\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: Stainless steel dog bowls with rubber bottoms that wont slip . The best dog bowls on the market . This bowl didn't slide all over the place when your dog is eating. Features : Premium dog bowls at best price on, made with highest quality materials available, with rubber bottoms that wont slip, beautiful design in stainless steel. Benefits : 2 dog bowls for the price of one, wont slip to prevent scratches and damage to hardwood floor, very easy to clean (dishwasher safe), holds up to 32-ounce.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A great buy for the price!\\n\\nReview: This is a great set for the price! I recently bought a set of similarly sized dog bowls at a national store and paid a lot more than this! That being said, you get what you pay for. These are cute, but the dog bone shape on the front of the bowl isn't attached to the bowl itself very well. This doesn't affect how well the bowl works at all. The bowls have a non-skid rubber bottom and are shaped so that dogs can't tip the bowl over. This is a great feature for my dog who likes to flip over all the food and water bowls.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Nice size & great price\\n-Includes 2 bowls\\n-Has non-skid rubber bottom\\n-Shaped so dogs can't tip the bowls over\\n\\nCons:\\n-Bone shape on the front isn't attached well\\n\\nI received this item for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own. If this review helped you, please click the yes below. Thank you!\",\n \"Product: The metal lamp guard by Adamax is built with 16-gauge vinyl coated metal wiring. With its adjustable screw tightning clamp, the lamp guard fits virtually all string lights, porcelain and plastic lamp holders. These metal lamp guards are also very popular for decorations in urban settings; especially when combined with metal halide lights!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Create your own trendy light fixtures!\\n\\nReview: I love these metal wire cages for pendant lights! We just finished our home remodel and have farmhouse/industrial decor in the main living spaces. I went to a home improvement store and found wire caged pendant lights, but they cost over $100 each! We used these clamp-on wire cages along with pendant lights, paired with Edison bulbs to re-create the look of the light fixture I liked at a MUCH more reasonable price {about $22 per fixture for pendant, wire cage plus an LED bulb!}. I am thrilled with the look and quality of these! They're very easy to attach to the pendant light fixture. My husband installed several in one evening.\\n\\nI would definitely purchase these again!\\n\\nPendant Lights: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Globe-Electric-64906-1-Light-Vintage-Edison-Hanging-Socket-Pendant-Light-Fixture-Matte-Black-Finish-with-Black-Rope/dp/B00HX2EVHG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Globe Electric 64906 1 Light Vintage Edison Hanging Socket Pendant Light Fixture, Matte Black Finish with Black Rope</a>\\nWire Cages: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Newhouse-Lighting-Metal-Lamp-Guard-for-Pendant-String-Lights-and-Vintage-Lamp-Holders-Industrial-Wire-Iron-Bird-Cage-4-Pack/dp/B00GRFZ2H8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Newhouse Lighting Metal Lamp Guard for Pendant String Lights and Vintage Lamp Holders, Industrial Wire Iron Bird Cage, 4-Pack</a>\\nEdison LED Bulbs: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Edison-Bulb-ST64-Ottertooth-LED-Clear-Warm-Lighting-25000-hours-Lifetime-Antique-Edison-Style-Bulb-E26-85-265V-6W-60W-Equivalent-2-pack/dp/B01GIKZM9Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Edison Bulb (ST64), Ottertooth LED Clear Warm Lighting, 25000 hours Lifetime Antique Edison Style Bulb, E26 [85-265V] 6W (60W Equivalent) - 2 pack</a>\",\n \"Product: Globe Electric's simple matte black 1-Light Vintage Edison Mini Pendant with a black designer woven cord is a great spin on a classic design. The exposed socket creates a modern industrial look. Pair it with a vintage inspired bulb for a unique design. Simple and inviting this piece is great for any space in your home. Hang it alone or pair it up to create a variety of different long lasting looks. Includes all mounting hardware for quick and easy installation and requires one 60W E26 vintage look light bulb (sold separately).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: LOVE these paired with wire cages and Edison bulbs!\\n\\nReview: I love these vintage Edison pendant light fixtures! We just finished our home remodel and have farmhouse/industrial decor in the main living spaces. I went to a home improvement store and found wire caged pendant lights, but they cost over $100 each! We used these pendant lights along with some clamp-on wire cages paired with Edison bulbs to re-create the look of the light fixture I liked at a MUCH more reasonable price {about $22 per fixture for pendant, wire cage plus an LED bulb!}. I am thrilled with the look and quality of these! They're very easy to trim to whatever length cord you need. My husband installed several in one evening.\\n\\nI would definitely purchase these again!\\n\\nPendant Lights: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Globe-Electric-64906-1-Light-Vintage-Edison-Hanging-Socket-Pendant-Light-Fixture-Matte-Black-Finish-with-Black-Rope/dp/B00HX2EVHG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Globe Electric 64906 1 Light Vintage Edison Hanging Socket Pendant Light Fixture, Matte Black Finish with Black Rope</a>\\nWire Cages: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Newhouse-Lighting-Metal-Lamp-Guard-for-Pendant-String-Lights-and-Vintage-Lamp-Holders-Industrial-Wire-Iron-Bird-Cage-4-Pack/dp/B00GRFZ2H8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Newhouse Lighting Metal Lamp Guard for Pendant String Lights and Vintage Lamp Holders, Industrial Wire Iron Bird Cage, 4-Pack</a>\\nEdison LED Bulbs: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Edison-Bulb-ST64-Ottertooth-LED-Clear-Warm-Lighting-25000-hours-Lifetime-Antique-Edison-Style-Bulb-E26-85-265V-6W-60W-Equivalent-2-pack/dp/B01GIKZM9Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Edison Bulb (ST64), Ottertooth LED Clear Warm Lighting, 25000 hours Lifetime Antique Edison Style Bulb, E26 [85-265V] 6W (60W Equivalent) - 2 pack</a>\",\n \"Product: This bag is our original best seller and can be found in Super Centers across the nation. From office supplies to cosmetics, this bag has endless storage possibilities. Also available in a variety of colors and four sizes.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great for baby bag, craft supplies, first aid kit, tools, you name it!\\n\\nReview: I have seriously never been so excited for zipper pouches in my life. I got these and was shocked at how high quality they are! I am pregnant now with our first baby and wanted some bags to organize smaller items in the diaper bag. These are PERFECT for organizing anything, from baby items to tools to craft supplies - you name it! I originally planned to use all of them for baby stuff, but after seeing how nice they are my husband was drooling over them! I ended up splitting the set with my husband. I'm going to use some for the baby bag, some for my craft supplies and some my husband will use down in his basement/workshop. These would be a perfect gift for an expecting mom or tool-loving dad! They would also be great for a college student's first aid kit or other in-the-car necessities. I can't say enough good things about these products and the company! My package included a hand written note. I love finding American companies that produce high quality items - this is definitely a home run product/company.\\n\\nPros:\\n-High quality material and zippers\\n-Set includes 12 pouches - all the same size but different colors\\n-Great company\\n\\nCons:\\n-None\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: The TR Industrial surveyors safety vest with 3M Scotchlite is the result of combining safety, convenience, and comfort into one. TR Industrial ensures that this vest includes 3M Scotchlite reflectors on front and back as well as a reflective trim to achive the highest visibility. To stay on top of safety, these vests' chromaticity, color, luminance and brightness meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 class 2 standards, which is required for workers on construction sites and/or near traffic that's going 25mph or faster. This vest is the master of convenience with 6 pockets, including 2 upper front, 2 lower front with flagging tape grommets, 2 large internal pockets, and 2 mic tabs. Premium lightweight polyester and breathable mesh on the sides make for better air circulation and fast drying. Staying true to its tough identity, the vest includes premium YKK zipper to meet our customers demand. Printing is available for an 8\\\" x 10\\\" area on the back of the safety vest.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great for any road/construction workers!\\n\\nReview: This is a very high quality surveyor vest. The difference between a surveyor vest and a normal vest is the pockets, so this would work for surveyors or anyone that is out in road areas and needs to be visible. This is a Class 2 vest, so if you're in a high speed area (like the interstate), you'll need a Class 3 vest (with sleeves). This vest can be machine washed and is highly reflective. My dad does road construction and is often out and about on county roads, so he's going to use this for outdoor work. It's lightweight and easily folds/rolls up for storage.\\n\\nPros:\\n-High quality\\n-Machine washable\\n-Lots of pockets\\n-Name brand 3M\\n\\nCons:\\n-None\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: Includes four All Purpose Zipper Bags. One in each of our sizes (XL, Large, Medium, Small) Extra Large ---- 10.5\\\" wide x 13.5\\\" long ---- Large: 7.5\\\" wide x 12\\\" long ---- Medum: 5\\\" wide x 8.5\\\" long ---- Small: 4\\\" wide x 6.5\\\" long\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Amazing high quality pouches!\\n\\nReview: I have seriously never been so excited for zipper pouches in my life. I got these and was shocked at how high quality they are! I am pregnant now with our first baby and wanted some bags to organize smaller items in the diaper bag. These are PERFECT for organizing anything, from baby items to tools to craft supplies - you name it! I originally planned to use all of them for baby stuff, but after seeing how nice they are my husband was drooling over them! I ended up splitting the set with my husband. I'm going to use some for the baby bag, some for my craft supplies and some my husband will use down in his basement/workshop. These would be a perfect gift for an expecting mom or tool-loving dad! They would also be great for a college student's first aid kit or other in-the-car necessities. I can't say enough good things about these products and the company! My package included a hand written note. I love finding American companies that produce high quality items - this is definitely a home run product/company.\\n\\nPros:\\n-High quality material and zippers\\n-Set includes 4 different sized pouches, all in the same color\\n-Great company\\n\\nCons:\\n-None\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\",\n \"Product: Fit All Your Phones Amuoc 4 Pack USB 2.0 Nylon Braided Charging Cord High Speed for iPhone 8,8 Plus,7,7 Plus,6S,6S Plus,6,6Plus,SE,5S,5,iPad,iPod Nano 7 and More(1x 3.3ft, 2x6.6ft, 1x 10ft ) Consisting of the tensile Nylon braided cloth and apparent TPE fabric coating, the former material brings superior durability and flexibility while the latter can withstand water,it easily gets the lightning cables cleaned. No fraying and it will hold up well against wear and tear. Crimp resistance defense offers the ultimate in convenience and durability. Real High Speed iPhone Lightning Charging Cable with stable and efficient current output, you can plug it into laptop computers and in-car charging adapter. Sometimes the electrical outlets are in different places and need a longer one and others a shorter one inevitably. Our cables works for nearly all situations.3.3ft/6.6ft/10ft different length, is ideal for varied usage which will not astrict your device, you can still use your device while charging on a wall adapter in your bedroom, kitchen, office, or even at the backseat of the car. Compatibility with iPhone 8/8 Plus7/7 Plus/SE/6 Plus / 6s Plus/ 6s /6/ 5s / 5c / 5, iPad Air / Air 2, iPad mini / mini 2 / mini 3, iPad (4th generation), iPod nano (7th generation) and iPod touch (5th generation) and so on.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Fun gift set for creative kids!\\n\\nReview: I am always looking for fun, creative gifts for our nieces and nephews. Art sets such as these typically have lower quality items in them than if you purchased separately. These seem to be on par with other similar sets - a good quality, but not as nice as if you purchased name brand separately. That being said, this set is adorable and perfect for our nieces and nephews (all 12 years old or younger). Older kids/teens may want a more advanced set.\\n\\nPros:\\n-Perfect for elementary kids and younger!\\n-Includes a variety of art materials\\n-Perfect for gifts, road trips, etc.\\n\\nCons:\\n-Not as high quality as name brand individual items, but on par with other sets of this sort.\\n\\nHow I rank products (with Amazon's ratings in parenthesis):\\n* 1 star (I hate it!): I would either return or throw away this product. It was a waste of my money and not functional.\\n** 2 star (I don't like it): I'm not a fan of this item and I won't order it again, but it has at least one positive quality.\\n*** 3 star (Its ok): This item has both positive and negative qualities. It may work for some people, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase or recommend it.\\n**** 4 star (I like it): This item arrived and functions as advertised. I would change a few things about this, but is a good product overall. I would use this item.\\n***** 5 star (I love it!): This item is AWESOME. I will use it and recommend it to others! I just LOVE it! It works as advertised and is an all-around great product.\\n\\nI received this item for free or at a deeply discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are completely my own.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":17,"string":"17"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1777,"string":"1,777"}}},{"rowIdx":1778,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3TIJLY4VX8CH3"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"3.0\" for a product with description \"Verbatim's Folio Flex for iPad (2, 3, and 4) offers the usability of a stand and the protection of a case - all in one! The magnetic cover doubles as an auto on/off control and folds into a two angle landscape stand. Offering both high and low placement gives you the flexibility to view movies and photos, or type and use your stylus with ease. The durable lightweight materials offer protection for your iPad against scratches while the micro suede lining protects your iPad from smudges and keeps your screen clean. Snap your iPad into the hard back plate for added safety and stability.\". The summary of the review text is \"Not very useful as a stand. Not much protection either.\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"We have over a dozen cases around our house for our tablets. I have had the opportunity to review a number of different styles over the past 2 years. This case is ok, but not one I would recommend given how I use a tablet.\n\nI prefer a case that also doubles as a stable stand and provides multiple viewing angles. The cover on this case folds into a triangle shape and is supposed to form the base for a stand position. Half the time, the triangle collapses and the iPad goes flat. Not ideal.\n\nThe case offers very little in the way of protection. It is so thin that in the event your iPad takes a dive to the floor, it wouldn't cushion the blow much. I like a case that extends a bit beyond the edge of the tablet to protect the edges all around. I also am willing to put up with extra weight to have a case that will reduce the impact to the tablet should it fall.\n\nIf you are just looking for a super light case that adds very little bulk, covers the screen when not in use and has the auto wake/sleep feature...you may like the Verbatim Folio Flex."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"We have over a dozen cases around our house for our tablets. I have had the opportunity to review a number of different styles over the past 2 years. This case is ok, but not one I would recommend given how I use a tablet.\n\nI prefer a case that also doubles as a stable stand and provides multiple viewing angles. The cover on this case folds into a triangle shape and is supposed to form the base for a stand position. Half the time, the triangle collapses and the iPad goes flat. Not ideal.\n\nThe case offers very little in the way of protection. It is so thin that in the event your iPad takes a dive to the floor, it wouldn't cushion the blow much. I like a case that extends a bit beyond the edge of the tablet to protect the edges all around. I also am willing to put up with extra weight to have a case that will reduce the impact to the tablet should it fall.\n\nIf you are just looking for a super light case that adds very little bulk, covers the screen when not in use and has the auto wake/sleep feature...you may like the Verbatim Folio Flex."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Run a designer jewelryboutique and create your own jewelry styles.ProductInformationStyle Lab: Jewelry Design brings the art of jewelry design toNintendo DS and DSi. Make beautiful designer jewelry thatfits your style then order own and wear your own creations. Take on the challenge of running your own jewelry boutiqueand in the process design jewelry for use in game. Pick fromhundreds of beads charms and pendants to create beautiful necklacesbracelets and earrings then share them with other players using StyleLab's online gallery with your Nintendo Wi-Fi connections. With the DSi's camera you cantake a picture of yourself tovirtually try on your jewelry creations. If you like what yousee you can bring your style to life by purchasing a realrepresentation of your jewelry design.Product Features Create Incredible Designer Jewelry –Design stunning braceletsnecklaces and earrings using a variety of colored faceted beads anddarling charms including letter charms. Order Own and Wear Your In-game Creations– Partnership withbead manufacturer will produce designs that girls upload to the onlinegallery and then purchase. Unique Creation Tools – Use the stylusto draw out lengths ofchain or wire decorate beads by cutting drawing or painting for alayeredapproach. Put Yourself in the Game – Take yourpicture with the NintendoDSi camera then virtually try on your jewelry designs. Share Your Creations – Wele yourfriends into your boutiquevia Wi-Fi and trade jewelry and beads with friends showcase yourdesignsin the online Style Lab gallery.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good for younger gamers\n\nReview: This game seems to hold the attention of my 2nd grader better than some others. She enjoys being able to make her own designs. She is DISAPPOINTED that you don't just hit an \"order\" button and get the jewelry that she likes. After seeing the commercials, she thought that's how it worked. Once I explained that you can order jewelry, but you have to PAY for it, she was a bit disenchanted.\n\nThe game appears to be very basic. A customer walks in and tells you what they are looking for (i.e. a man walks in and wants to order a necklace for a girl that he met on a ranch). You have to use your knowledge of the intended recipient to design something that they will like. You will be rated on your job.\n\nThe beads are very simplistic from what I've seen. I can go to the local craft store and get a good variety to make whatever my daughter has designed that she would like. I can't see why you would want to order them online.\n\nIf you are looking for a game for a younger player, this is a good choice. I would think that by middle school - this would be BORING.","Product: Officially licensed by Nintendo. In-ear type earphones come with 3 different sizes of earbuds. Choose the one that fits you most comfortably. The volume control dial allows you to adjust the volume. Earphones are also compatible with any 3.5 earphone jack compatible products.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Nothing Special per 11 year old avid Gamer\n\nReview: I aksed my 11 year old to review these earbuds. He said \"they are nothing special\". He tried them out with a Nintendo DSi and an iPod Touch. They have a standard jack for most portable electronics so they can be used with a variety of products. Having said that, there's nothing special about these earbuds that make them exclusively for a Nintendo 3DS. Most earbuds would fit a 3DS.\n\nMy son didn't like the \"in ear\" earbud as compared to the standard type that would come with an iPod. There are 3 different size comfort covers that come with this set of headphones, so if you prefer the \"in ear\" earbud, you should be able to customize them easily to fit.\n\nA positive is the on-cord volume control. It is easy to reach down and change the volume of whatever device you are listening to.\n\nA BIG negative was the offset cord length. Unlike most other earbud, the cords leading to each earbud are not the same length. Since the cord is shorter on one side, the shorter side tends to pull a little more and it felt uncomfortable to my son.\n\nI asked him about the sound quality and he didn't think it was anything special either.","Product: Enhance your Xbox 360 gaming experience with Afterglow, the #1 selling 3rd party controller brand. Featuring a clear polycarbonate housing that reveals the controller's inner circuitry, Afterglow signature lighting, and upgraded with PDP's new custom engineered SmartTrack technology, these officially licensed controllers are the perfect blend of performance and value.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A few glitches but an overall good controller\n\nReview: This controller functions just like regular Xbox controllers with the added feature of the lights. If you'd like to add something different to your gameplay the afterglow controller provides a nice light show. For times when you find the afterglow lights distracting, you can disable the light mode. And here we find one of the glitches. On my controller even with the light mode disabled, the lights will randomly flash from time to time.\n\nThe controller feels like any other Xbox controller when it's in your hands. I feel that the start and back buttons are too high up and small though. I also find the joystick a little too loose for my taste.\n\nEven with the small criticisms I still feel it's a good controller and worthy of a four star rating.","Product: Celebrity Esthetician, Makeup Artist and Author, Scott-Vincent Borba is the leading Inside-Out beauty and Nutraceutical authority in the superfruit-fueled skin care, cosmetics, and enhanced waters categories. Used by Scott-Vincent on his celebrity clients, this innovative moisture lock compact freshly grinds the first ever cream-solid foundation, combining the benefits of anti-aging treatment and protective skin care with mineral foundation in one dose. Color-building mineral pigments adjust to skins natural tone for a flawless finish that provides a perfect canvas for all cosmetic and skin care systems. Citrine Diamonds diffuse skin imperfections while increasing cell turnover, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid helps to hold onto 1,000 times its weight in water, and combined with Tapioca micro-pearls, it is outstanding in its ability to hydrate thirsty skin. Powerful antioxidants Camu Camu, Cherry Root Extract and Vitamins A, C and E help protect skin from free radicals which cause aging. Skin is protected with UVA/UVB SPF 29. Arnica helps calm the look of puffiness, bruising and dark spots. Comes with a one-time use compressed facial mask as a preparatory treatment to use before first time application of 8 Hour Mineral Foundation Anti-Wrinkle Treatment, for even quicker skin care benefits. To achieve the added benefit of micro-exfoliating skin for optimal skin renewal, apply with Scott-Vincent Borba's Anti-Fatigue Foundation/Contour Perfecting Brush Line Smoothing Micro-Exfoliation Tool, engineered to work specifically with the cream-solid foundation for the most efficacious, beautiful results. Made in USA.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Defective compact, but great foundation\n\nReview: Perhaps it's a 5 star product, but I am deducting a star for the packaging defect. My compact is missing the grinder, which I'm sure would be helpful. When I opened the compact, the metal dish of makeup flopped out along with a large spring. After looking at it and comparing it to the pics on Amazon, I could see there was no way to grind the powder.\n\nI opted to use my buki brush that I use with Bare Minerals to swirl lightly over the powders. I was able to get great even coverage this way. The product does a nice job covering pores, goes on with a nice matte finish and has a nice soft feel. I would agree with the 8 hour rating.\n\nIt is lighter than other medium shades. I would say it's a bit lighter than Bare Minerals fairly medium. It is good for pink and neutral undertones. Yellow and olive undertones would probably not go well with this medium shade.","Product: Krups high-speed quartz heating system takes masterful control of heat in the chamber. Each set of quartz heating element, both top and bottom, is alternately powered at the full 1600 watts to maximize the effect of radiant heat. The heat distribution is aided by a special reflective crumb tray that directs this important form of heat to all corners for excellent results. Convection heat, important for longer baking times, circulates heated air around the food for the best result in the fastest time. The defrost function uses the convection fan only and gently and evenly defrosts food without producing hot spots. This 6-slice toaster oven with 6 preset cooking functions- Pastry, Bagels, Brownies, Cookies, Thick Pizza, Thin Pizza has temperature controls in 25 degree increments from 150-450 degrees, a digital timer from 1 minute to 90 minutes and an auto shut off after elapsed time. For toasting, it has 9 levels or browning with a countdown timer. Illuminated LCD control panel with easy to use controls and high quality soft touch buttons, it has a digital clock that displays when the cooking functions are not in use. The non-stick interior surface is durable and easy to clean. This unit includes a non-stick bake pan, broiling tray and thermal resistant tongs for safe removal of hot pans or food and comes with a 1-year warranty.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Worth the time I put into investigating toaster ovens!\n\nReview: I have had a Black & Decker toaster oven for years. It has never been good at anything other than toasting bread. Then that function started to get erratic. So, I spent hours trying to find the right toaster oven for me. Once I accepted that getting a quality oven was going to cost a little more than a B&D, I narrowed in on the Krups and the Cuisinart TOB-175. I nearly went for the Cuisinart due to the number of positive reviews posted on Amazon. However, while walking thru a store I found one that I could look over in person. The quality just didn't seem to be as good as the Krups.\n\nI LOVE the way the Krups FBC4 works. I have used it daily for toast, baked cookies and brownies, roasted sweet potatoes and prepared dinner entrees.\n\nEverything except the brownies has turned out great. The brownies were underbaked on the bottom layer and now that I'm more familiar with the oven, I know that lowering the shelf position and bumping the temp a few degrees will produce great results.\n\nThe toaster oven looks great, is easy to use, easy to clean...in short, it's a keeper!","Product: Lasko's #3542 Cyclone floor or wall mount pivoting fan comes with a multi-function remote control. Made in the USA from Domestic and Imported Parts. Lasko; 100+ years of quality, comfort and durability.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Perfect for what I want it to do\n\nReview: I wanted a fan that would produce enough air to keep me comfortable while on the treadmill. The treadmill is on a porch that can get quite warm (no A/C). The floor is uneven due to the finish (think stucco that was never smoothed over). So, my requirements were a fan that moved a lot of air, could be operated remotely and would stay put on the floor and not wobble or scoot.\n\nThis fan does all of that perfectly.\n\nI only use the low setting as that produces plenty of breeze. It is easy to tilt just at the angle I want too.\n\nMy only negative comment would be to those who are looking to put this in a bedroom to keep cool at night. If you wear hearing aids and take them out at night...you will love how this fan works. If you prefer a quiet environment to sleep, keep looking. This fan is too loud to sleep with.","Product: The OXO Good Grips Folding Sweater Dryer features a generously sized mesh drying surface to lay out delicate clothes for fast, easy drying. Clothes can aerate without any risk of stretching, losing shape, leaving imprints or creasing, making it ideal for items like sweaters and blouses. The legs of the Dryer are offset from the corners to provide maximum drying space while still being able to rest on smaller surfaces such as countertops, washing machines or dryers. When not in use, the legs fold in and the Dryer folds in half for flat, compact storage. Purchase multiple Sweater Dryers for sturdy and efficient stacking. The Dryers fit together securely for maximum stability and the long legs leave ample space between layers for aeration as well as easy loading and unloading.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Works great and stores easily\n\nReview: I have never owned a sweater dryer. I've used several methods to dry clothes that must be laid flat to dry and none have been ideal. Most recently I have used my dryer insert for drying delicate clothes. I have put it on a table and draped sweaters over top. This didn't work so well because I ended up with grid marks from the chuncky plastic grid.\n\nThe OXO Sweater Dryer works SO much better. It took less than 2 minutes to assemble the first time. After that, all you do is unfold it and unfold the legs and you are ready to go. Arrange the item to be dried on top and let it go. My sweater that I tested dried in about 1/2 the time compared to my previous method. I think that air can circulate much easier using this sweater dryer. There are no lines / grid marks on the clothes.\n\nStorage is a breeze. Just fold the legs in, then fold the unit in half.\n\nHighly recommended.","Product: Cuisipro proudly debuts its collection of foam pump dispensers in an array of eye-catching colors to complement any kitchen, bathroom or powder room setting. The new colors include green, red, orange, pink, black and chrome. Cuisipros environmentally friendly pumps deliver a host of consumer benefits: they look great on the counter, reduce waste and provide for a luxurious hand washing experience that encourages more thorough washing. Enjoy an aerosol-free way to turn store-bought liquid soap into more efficient cleansing foam while reducing soap usage up to 75-percent. The uniquely designed angle dispenses foam directly into the hand, and a suction cup on the bottom keeps the dispenser from slipping and sliding on the counter. The dispenser is easy to operate one handed and the non-aerosol pump mechanism stays clog-free. The pump is easy and safe to clean in the top rack of the dishwasher.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I will be buying more of these!\n\nReview: When I selected this product, I didn't expect to think much of it. I think soap dispensers are pretty utilitarian.\n\nNow that I have used it for a while, I want to purchase several more <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Cuisipro-83758000-13-2-Ounce-Foam-Pump-Chrome/dp/B007JT27BK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Cuisipro 83758000 13.2-Ounce Foam Pump, Chrome</a>. This dispenser looks much nicer than a bottle of liquid soap on the counter. It is very easy to fill. The suction cups works very well, yet it is easy to reposition when you want.\n\nThe best feature is the soap savings. The description claims it may let you use up to 75% less soap. I believe that will be true. We are using significantly less soap. The foam that the pump dispenses makes it easy to wash your hands and you can use less water rinsing the foam off vs. regular liquid soap.\n\nI don't know how well the pump will do in the dishwasher, but I will update the review if I have any problems. I don't think I will have the opportunity to test out the dishwasher anytime soon since the dispenser uses so little soap.","Product: The Holmes Small Room 3-Speed HEPA Air Purifier with Quiet Operation features a compact design that helps clear the air in small spaces up to 100 sq. feet. It operates quiety to help remove common odors and up to 99% of airborne particles such as pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, and smoke, providing relief from irritants in the air. HEPA-type filter captures particles as small as 2 microns so you can breathe comfortably. Includes one Aer1 filter featuring the odor-eliminating power of baking soda.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: It works but it is LOUD\n\nReview: The Holmes \"desktop\" air purifier does seem to reduce dust and allergens. However, 1 star is deducted for the noise level and 1 for the size.\n\nUnless you have a desk that isn't used much, this unit is too large for a desk (or dresser / night stand). At 9 x 13\" it takes up a good amount of real estate.\n\nThis air purifier is noticeably loud. There are 3 fan settings. The quietest and least effective setting is still noticeable but tolerable. The mid setting is loud enough that it would be difficult to sleep with the unit on. The strongest setting is loud enough that you couldn't sleep with the air purifier in the room and the noise would interfere with conversations. Since my intention was to use the Holmes desktop air purifier in a bedroom, I don't feel this is the product for me.","Product: Choose a solid group of three vibrant bowls to mix baking ingredients with the Cake Boss Countertop Accessories 3-Piece aIcinga Melamine Mixing Bowl Set. This stylish set includes three sturdy melamine bowls in 1-8/10-, 2- and 3-quart sizes. Convenient pour spouts and handles make it easier to pour cake batters from bowls into baking pans, or to mix and pour sweet sauces made from fresh fruits or delectable chocolate. The small, medium and large mixing bowls each feature attractive icing detail accents and different interior colors: red, pink and yellow. The bowls' rubberized bases help keep them stable on the table or countertop while mixing cupcake batter and cookie dough, and they're conveniently top-rack dishwasher safe. Additionally, these attractive mixing bowls coordinate well with many other items in the Cake Boss collections. Mix things up with the fun and functional Cake Boss Countertop Accessories 3-Piece Melamine aIcinga Mixing Bowl Set.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Would make a great gift\n\nReview: I wavered about whether or not these bowls deserved 4 or 5 stars due to the bowls being on the smaller side. If there was one bowl larger than the largest, I would love that for mixing cookies. However, I thought about what is the market for this product? They are mixing bowls from The CAKE BOSS...and what does Buddy make? Cakes. The bowls really are perfect for cakes.\n\nI have been using glass bowls for cake mixes for years because that's what I have. My most frequently used bowl is heavy, wider than it is tall (which means you need to stir with caution to avoid ingredients flying out) and it has no handle.\n\nWith my first use of the Cake Boss mixing bowls I immediately saw why they were the better product for mixing, cakes, icing, brownies, etc. they are lightweight, have a nonskid bottom, have a lip to grip onto, have a spout to pour the batter out, are taller and they are dishwasher safe (a must for me).\n\nI hadn't really considered how difficult my heavy bowl was to use for pouring mixes into baking pans. After using the Cake Boss mixing bowl, I will not use my glass bowl for. Pourable mixtures again. The lightweight melamine is so much easier to control and would definitely be advantageous if you have had a wrist injury, arthritis, etc.\n\nI also find myself using the bowls while cooking to collect eggs shells, scraps, etc. iIr makes clean up a breeze. The larger bowls are also perfect for pitting cherries. The sides are high enough to keep the juice from spitting onto the walls and anything else close by. The pits drop into the bowl and are easy to dispose of.\n\nA very useful and versatile set.","Product: The OXO Good Grips Simple Mandoline Slicer is a staple for any kitchen. The tab slides to easily adjust between three slice thickness settings, julienne setting and storage setting. The angled stainless steel blade slices even soft foods with ease and the textured runway ensures that no food gets stuck while you're slicing. The soft handle provides a soft, comfortable grip and the non-slip feet keep the Simple Mandoline Slicer steady while in use. The spring-loaded food holder pushes food for even slicing with little to no waste and has a generous rim to protect your fingers. When you're done, there are no loose blades to clean or organize; the integrated blades are easy to clean. The legs fold in and the food holder nests on the upside-down Mandoline for convenient, compact storage. Check out the OXO Good Grips YouTube channel for tips and techniques.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Easy to use and clean. Works great.\n\nReview: I have a mandolins slicer that is just so-so. It doesn't have a brand name on it, so I can't tell you what NOT to buy. It has 3 interchangeable blades that slice varying thicknesses and two Julianne blades. It has always taken a bit of effort to slice food using mandoline, the stand is wobbly and the utensil to hold food on the mandoline doesn't work well.\n\nThis new OXO Good Grips Simple Mandoline addresses all the shortcomings of my old mandoline.\n\nThere are no blades to switch out, you simply move the lever to select the thickness and cut of the food. Thicknesses range from 1/16 to 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The Julienne function seems to use the 1/8\" thickness. Slicing foods is a breeze with the OXO mandoline. The utensil to hold foods in place works extremely well. I never feel as though the food might slip causing me to cut my hand. The base is very sturdy, it does not wobble or sway at all. Since this unit is made only of the mandoline and the food holding utensil, it requires very little storage space. And an always appreciated feature... the mandoline is top shelf dishwasher safe.\n\nI'm happy to say this is another fine OXO product","Product: The OXO Good Grips 7 Piece Measuring Spoons Set makes finding the right Spoon a snap. The unique snapping feature that keeps the Spoons together for storage also allows you to fan the Spoons out, so you can find the size you need on the first try. This feature also allows you to take out just the Spoon or Spoons you need, leaving the rest neatly snapped together. The Spoon handles have soft, comfortable, non-slip grips and color-coded, easy-to-read measurement markings. The Spoons also rest flat on the counter to prevent tipping and spilling. The Set includes a scraper that can be used to level ingredients, which also has a hook on it for hanging storage when needed. This dishwasher safe set includes a scraper, 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 T, 1 T Measuring Spoons.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: If you don't need a 3/4 cup measuring cup, this is a nice set\n\nReview: This set of measuring cups from OXO is the great quality that you would expect from OXO. It is made of durable plastic that will withstand many years of use. The measurement is color coded and printed onto the side of the cup to aid in quickly identifying which cup you need. There is a plastic tool also included with this set to help level off your ingredients. Another nice feature is that the measuring cups also have a line at the halfway point to help take the guesswork out of halving recipes.\n\nThere are 2 cons (which may not matter to you) which keep me from rating these measuring cup 5 stars. First, there is no 3/4 cup. I make a fair number of batches of Nestle chocolate chip cookies. I use a 3/4 cup for both sugars and the flour. A 3/4 cup measuring cup is a necessity in my kitchen. Also, these cups can snap together. The snap function is a bit tight and would be difficult to manage if you have arthritis or dexterity issues.","Product: The Targus Unofficial Netbook Slipcase is designed to protect netbooks with up to 10.2 screens. The netbook compartment features 360 protection with air-mesh padding on all sides of the device for ventilation and protection against drops and bumps. The case is constructed with water-and wear-resistant fabric and features an oversized accessory pocket to store a power adapter or other necessities. The fully-reinforced shoulder strap provides a durable and comfortable carrying option.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A great bag for the price\n\nReview: This bag is almost perfect.\n\nIt holds my 15.4\" laptop very snug inside (I don't know that it would hold a 16\" in some brands).\n\nThe shoulder strap is very adjustable. The negative here is that it is constructed of a material like a seatbelt and it quickly slides off my shoulder. A moveable pad on the strap with something to provide some friction would make it ideal. If you wear your bag slung over your head and across your body, this may not bother you.\n\nIt has plenty of storage space and is well organized.\n\nThe flap has a light duty magnetic closure. While the bag does stay shut, I would prefer Velcro for a bit more protection. The pro to the magnets is that the bag is very easy to flip open one-handed.\n\nThe \"handle\" isn't much of a handle. It is a thin strap made from the same material as the shoulder strap. It is sewn onto the top back of the bag and it's not very functional.\n\nMy last observation is that legal size folders don't fit well into this bag. They fit with a bit of force and then the contents are not nice and flat. If you don't have legal size documents that need to stay nice and crisp, then this won't matter.\n\nOverall, a great bag for the price.","Product: Ncredible NPulse over-ear headphones\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Great headphones...if you want Bass\n\nReview: I have had the opportunity to review 2 pairs of headphones recently for Amazon. One was this pair, the Monster NCredible NPulse and the other was <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Yamaha-PRO-400-High-Fidelity-Over-Ear-Headphones-Piano-Black/dp/B0092T864W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Yamaha PRO 400 High-Fidelity Over-Ear Headphones (Piano Black)</a>. They are both great headphones. Here's my thoughts on why you might choose one over the other.\n\nPrice: The Monster headphones are $50 cheaper.\n\nContents: For $50 more, the Yamaha headphones come will a hard shell carrying case, 2 different cable lengths and an quality adapter so you can plug into both small and large jacks. The packaging on both was nice, but the Yamaha was more substantial.\n\nComfort: This was a toss up for me as each of the headphones had a pro and a con. The Yamaha headrest was more comfortable to me and I preferred the way that the ear cups fit (they actually enclose my ear). The Monster ear cups were not large enough to cover my ears and sat on top of them. This is not comfortable with earrings. My ears are on the small size of average, so I wasn't expecting this. The Monster headphones did fit my head better than the Yamahas. The Yamahas are meant for a large head.\n\nSound: Both pairs are great. If you want Bass - lots of Bass - go with the Monster. For pure, clean, well balanced sound - go with the Yamaha.\n\nFeature: The Monster headphones have a \"DJ\" feature where you can flip up one side to listen to outside noise while keeping the headphones on. I found this to be a useless feature because it wasn't comfortable to flip up the ear cup.","Product: Subtlety that Speaks Volumes Tint & Texture Add a pop of color to your iPad. Designed with a transparent finish that is velvety smooth and soft to the touch. Shield Series: Powerful Protection thats Impossibly Thin The Shield Sheer Matte is proof positive that less is more. The polycarbonate plastic gives every Shield case its low profile, while still being tough enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. CompatibilityiPad mini\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good protection with minimal bulk\n\nReview: If your goal is SOME protection for your iPad Mini with the least interference possible, the Belkin Snap Shield Sheer Matte Case is a great choice.\n\nIt snaps onto the iPad Mini and is very unobtrusive. It is the same concept as most of the cases for the iPod Touch. It protects the back and sides from getting scratched and it provides some protection should the unit fall flat on it's face. If this is the kind of protection you are looking for...this case does this very well.\n\nMy personal preferece is more for a case that has a cover and a stand funtion too. If you would like to consider one of these, see my review of the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Belkin-Camo-Cover-Folio-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Blue-F7N017ttC02/dp/B00AYU2RQG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Belkin Camo Cover Folio with Stand for Apple iPad mini, Blue (F7N017ttC02)</a> for my current fave.","Product: Asus RT-AC68U IEEE 802.11ac Ethernet Wireless Router RT-AC68U Routers & Gateways - Wireless.For any further queries please contact Asus's Customer Support Number @ 1-812-282-2787 or http://service.asus.com. If you are having issues connecting to 5Ghz network, make sure that your wireless device supports 5Ghz or features dual band capabilities\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Easy to use Parental Controls. No lag!\n\nReview: UPDATE 12/30/13\n\nI meant to post this earlier...\n\nI did experience some trouble with the parental control blocking when it should not. I logged in to the router and checked for updates. The router returns a message saying it is up to date. I decided to look at Asus's website to see if there were any firmware updates and there were 2.\n\n There was an update posted in November that dealt with Parental Controls among other things. I downloaded this update and applied it to the router and it seems to work fine now running version 3.0.0.4.374_371. Still loving the great performance of this router.\n\nOriginal review:\nIf you want a review with lots of technical details, skip over my review. If you are in the market for a router and like me, you just want a fast, reliable connection and the ability to control who accesses the router and WHEN...read on.\n\nI am an Amazon Vine member and in December 2012, I was fortunate enough to receive a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Netgear-Wireless-Router-AC-1750-Dual-Band-Gigabit-R6300/dp/B00EM5UFP4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Netgear Wireless Router AC 1750 Dual Band Gigabit R6300</a> to review. In September 2013, it quit working. I tried every suggestion I could find on the net to get it back up and running - no luck. I called Netgear Tech Support to see what could be done with their nonfunctioning 9 month old router. They were of no help - they wanted to charge $80 for tech support. Apparently the support runs out after 90 days.\n\nSo, I went back to our old G router. After weeks of experiencing lag on games and videos and no ability to restrict access times, I decided it was time to buy a new router.\n\nI went to a big box electronics store to do some investigating. I was open to another Netgear router since the R6300 did perform well during the 9 months it functioned. I planned on purchasing the Netgear Nighthawk. The sales rep said it was a great router and he would recommend it as long as you weren't using Time Warner (which I do). He said they have had an unusually high number of returns from customers on Time Warner having issues with the Nighthawk.\n\nThat piece of information coupled with my frustration with Netgear's very limited ability to control timed access on a device by device basis led me to try out the ASUS RT-AC68 AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit Router. So far, I love it.\n\nThere have been no issues with lag, screen freezes or pixelization. It seems a bit faster than the Netgear R6300, but really they are both like rocketships compared to our old G router.\n\nWith the Netgear R6300, I was only able to control the device access time with one schedule. So, I couldn't tell the router to limit access to the XBOX at one time during the weeknights and then at a different time on the weekends.\n\nThe ASUS is very user friendly and it lets you control when the router can be accessed by device. You are able to control up to 16 devices this way. The only negative I have encountered is that access is based on hour long time blocks. If you wanted to control the devices by say the half hour or smaller blocks of time, you can't. I am including a link to a video on YT to show how it is done. If the link is removed, just search for AsusRouters Parental Control Setup Tutorial. [...]\n\nI will update my review if I experience problems, or have something noteworthy to share. Right now, I would recommend the ASUS R68 without hesitation.","Product: Enjoy hour after hour of wireless music or calls with Philips wireless headphones. Featuring NFC, Bluetooth connectivity, superior 40mm neodymium drivers and soft, over-ear cushions, this is freedom of movement and comfort at its finest.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Love the wireless convenience\n\nReview: 11/14/14\nStill love these headphones!\n\nI just thought I would add a recent observation I had. I have never used these headphones at night until recently. In dark situations you may notice the blue light on on the headphone with the power button. The light flashes every 5 seconds. If I planned on using the headphones regularly in the dark this would bother me.\n\nNFC pairing is a breeze with my Samsung Galaxy S5. Just press and hold the power button on the Phillips headphones until the light blinks, press scan for Bluetooth devices on my phone and the 2 devices connect.\n\nUpdate 9/15/14\n\nI have had these headphones for nearly 2 months now. I would now change my rating to 5 stars for the headphones. By not being tethered to a device, I can cook, clean, do the treadmill and other mundane tasks and add a little enjoyment by having music to liven things up. The headphones stay charged for hours - the battery life is excellent. These have now become my headphone of choice around the house. Highly recommended.\n\nOriginal review:\n\nI really like the Philips SHB7150 over ear headphones so far. I will update my review if I find more to share.\n\nPackaging - Just what I would expect for headphones in the $100 range. Nothing too fancy, but proper protection. Very similar to Turtle Beach headset packaging.\n\nComfort - these headphones are great when it comes to comfort. They are not too heavy and not too snug. The ear cups are great. They should allow for most any ear to fit inside comfortably. The top of the headset is lightly padded and very comfortable. The padding is not quite as dense as my Beats Solo HD2s and the padding in the Solos gives the impression that it will last longer. However, you would expect that given the Solos are twice the price. My first test of the headphones was to use them while on the treadmill. After 50 minutes, they were still as comfortable as when I put them on. NOTE: when wearing earrings, I would prefer on ear headphones because I can feel the posts poking me with this over ear style.\n\nEase of pairing - Bluetooth pairing was very easy on my phone and iPad. I can't comment on NFC pairing because my LG Smart TV (I mean dumb TV - see my reviews) won't cooperate.\n\nMic - Tested using both a mobile to mobile call and with Facetime on a tablet. The voice quality on the receiving end was reported to be good in both cases.\n\nSound in headphones when on mobile phone or via Facetime - This was a disappointment. The person I was talking to in both cases sounded a bit like they were in a tunnel. I could still understand them, but it wasn't an ideal experience.\n\nSound during videos - Again, I think these headphones are ideal for my main use (walking on the treadmill). No complaints at all about sound quality for the audio.\n\nSound listening to music - The Philips SHB7150 are a decent pair of headphones, but not outstanding for music. The vocals are more present than the music and not as balanced as I would like. If you really like bass, you will find these lacking.\n\nHeadphone controls - You can skip forward or skip backward by pressing the volume control. This is nice so you don't have to be near your device to skip songs. You can also pick up calls by using the headphone controls, but I haven't tested that. Minor complaint - I wish the volume control was more of a dial than the rocker type design, but given the functionality built in for skipping songs and picking up calls, I understand why it was built the way it is.\n\nWireless - I have been using wired headphones and it was a nice change to not snag the wire at least once while walking on the treadmill. The reception of sound for videos in particular was great and the convenience of no wires is worth spending some money on IMO.\n\nOverall, I have a favorable impression of these headphones. If you want the convenience of wireless and have a budget in the $100 range, they deserve serious consideration.","Product: Battery Embedded LED Minibeam Projector\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great little portable projector\n\nReview: The LG Electronics PH300 LED Minibeam Projector is simple to use, extremely portable and produces fantastic results.\n\nFirst, I would like to point out that the dimensions listed on the Amazon product page under product information appear to be wrong. The dimensions listed are 11.8 x 6 x 10\". The unit is ACTUALLY much more compact at ~ 4 x 3 5/16 (or 3 including the protrusion for the antenna input) x 2 \". This portable size makes the projector very easy to move around and to pack for use anywhere.\n\nThe image projected from the PH300 is quite impressive. I tested the unit using a PC, XBox One and an Apple TV via an HDMI cable as input sources. In all cases, the image was outstanding. The image looked sharp and clear and was easy to see. While you may not have an optimal picture in a brightly lit room full of windows with sunlight streaming in (and really, what projector does this?), the picture is great in appropriate lighting (i.e. dimmed).\n\nThe projector has TV tuner built in. This does not mean it will pick up TV signals on its own, but rather when hooked up to an antennae. This feature was simple to use - it is rather like setting up a new TV. Just start scanning for channels and then pick from the available channels found. The resulting image displayed by the projector was again, very good.\n\nThe sound produced by the PH300 is adequate for home / conference room viewing. If you plan on using the projector in a busy, noisy area, you would probably want to make other plans for audio output.\n\nI used the projector for a little over 2 hours on battery power and did not get any messages about a low battery, so the 2 hour battery life seems accurate. If I find this to be different, I will update my review.\n\nIf portability and ease of use are what you are looking for in a projector, then you can't go wrong with the LG PH300 Minibeam Projector.","Product: Choose Your View Enhance your entertainment experience by finding the angle that's just right for you. Simply adjust the stand to your personal preference and sit back and view movies, video, and any other of your favorite content in comfort. When you're finished the cover folds closed to protect the screen with a soft interior lining that's smooth against your device. The slim, lightweight design slips easily into any bag without adding bulk.[ICON] Auto Wake Magnets Hidden Auto Wake Magnets wake up your iPad simply by opening the cover.[ICON] Multiple Viewing Angles Find the angle just right for you with the adjustable stand that customizes to your personal viewing preference. Protective Corners Snap in corners hold your iPad securely in place and keep it safe from damage. With a minimalist design approach the protective corners quietly fade into the background. Tab Closure When you're not using your iPad, the magnetized tab closure keeps the cover securely closed and your screen protected.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Excellent choice for Landscape view\n\nReview: Overall, I am very pleased with the Belkin Cinema Stripe Folio. It looks and feels like a quality product. Inserting the iPad and removing it from the folio is easy to do. It protects the screen very well and adds a degree of protection should you drop the iPad.\n\nThis folio is most useful if you plan on using your iPad in Landscape mode. There are a variety of different angles you can set the folio to so you may have a comfortable view of the iPad. I have a Kindle Fire too and the Mareware case I purchased for it is a bit lacking in the adjustability of angles / maintaining a view without slipping. This Belkin folio is excellent at retaining a comfortable viewing angle in landscape mode.\n\nNow, if you like to use your iPad in Portrait mode, you may want to consider another model. This product isn't meant to be used in portrait mode. You could stand up your iPad just as you would a book on a counter, but there's no real stability. Chances are, your iPad will fall down. This product would be more useful for portrait mode if Belkin put on an elastic band meant to slip your hand through to support the folio. My KF's Mareware has this feature and I use it all the time. Since the iPad is considerably larger, using it in landscape mode and sitting it down is still your best bet.\n\nOther reviewers have stated that the auto-off feature doesn't work with their folio. I have had a few instances where the iPad does not immediately turn off, but overall this feature works well. Just make sure that the cover is squared up when you go to latch it and it should work fine.","Product: Choose Your View Simply adjust the stand to your personal preference and sit back to read, watch movies and video, or any of your other favorite content in comfort. When youre finished, the cover folds closed to protect the screen with a soft inner lining thats smooth against your device. The slim, lightweight design slips easily into any bag without adding bulk. Multiple Viewing Angles The adjustable stand moves to give you the most comfortable viewing experience. Magnetic Tab Closure The magnetized tab closure secures the cover to keep your screen protected. When open, the tab neatly holds the cover back and out of the way. Compatibility iPad mini\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Magnetic Wake / Sleep feature makes this a 5 star product\n\nReview: I previously purchased a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Belkin-Chambray-Tab-Cover-Case-with-Stand-for-the-New-iPad-mini-Grey/dp/B009T0NNQU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Belkin Chambray Tab Cover/Case with Stand for the New iPad mini (Grey)</a> (which I rated 4 stars) for the iPad mini and my review was this...\n\n\"This cover met all my requirements for the iPad mini.\n\n- Provides protection\n\n- Does not interfere with camera\n\n- All buttons / switches are accessible\n\n- iPad is held securely in place, yet you can remove iPad easily\n\n- Does not encroach on the viewable part of the screen\n\n- Stand functions properly and does not collapse\n\nIf only there was a magnetic closure that triggered the iPad Mini to turn on / off when the cover was opened / closed, this would be a 5 star product.\"\n\nIt seems as though Belkin listened when they designed the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Belkin-Camo-Cover-Folio-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Blue-F7N017ttC02/dp/B00AYU2RQG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Belkin Camo Cover Folio with Stand for Apple iPad mini, Blue (F7N017ttC02)</a>. I would rate the Belkin Camo Cover Folio with the same remarks as the Tab Cover Folio, and praise the addition of the magnetic wake / sleep feature which makes this cover a solid 5 star product.","Product: Choose Your View Simply adjust the stand to your personal preference and sit back to read, watch movies and video, or any of your other favorite content in comfort. When youre finished, the cover folds closed to protect the screen with a soft inner lining thats smooth against your device. The slim, lightweight design slips easily into any bag without adding bulk. Multiple Viewing Angles The adjustable stand moves to give you the most comfortable viewing experience. Protective Corners Get full protection without getting in the way of your screen. Snap your iPad mini into the Protective Corners, and watch as they quietly fade into the background. Magnetic Tab Closure The magnetized tab closure secures the cover to keep your screen protected. When open, the tab neatly holds the cover back and out of the way. Compatibility iPad mini\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Magnetic Wake / Sleep feature makes this a 5 star product\n\nReview: I previously purchased a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Belkin-Classic-Tab-Cover-Case-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Purple/dp/B009T0NLYE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Belkin Classic Tab Cover / Case with Stand for Apple iPad mini (Purple)</a> (which I rated 4 stars) for the iPad mini and my review was this...\n\n\"This cover met all my requirements for the iPad mini.\n\n- Provides protection\n\n- Does not interfere with camera\n\n- All buttons / switches are accessible\n\n- iPad is held securely in place, yet you can remove iPad easily\n\n- Does not encroach on the viewable part of the screen\n\n- Stand functions properly and does not collapse\n\nIf only there was a magnetic closure that triggered the iPad Mini to turn on / off when the cover was opened / closed, this would be a 5 star product.\"\n\nIt seems as though Belkin listened when they designed the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Belkin-Tartan-Cover-Folio-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Pink-F7N016ttC01/dp/B00AYU2RN4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Belkin Tartan Cover Folio with Stand for Apple iPad mini, Pink (F7N016ttC01)</a>. I would rate the Tartan Cover Folio with the same remarks as the Tab Cover Folio, and praise the addition of the magnetic wake / sleep feature which makes this cover a solid 5 star product.","Product: Speck's ShowFolio for iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina Display creates an easy-in-car viewing experience while providing protection for your iPad mini. Simply pull out the fold-away clips and attach the ShowFolio to the seat headrest posts on most cars. You have a simple way to provide rear passenger video viewing. When not in use for entertainment, the ShowFolio shifts into a tri-fold stand for a variety of angles, or folds over the iPad mini for complete protection. Made with the Shift Modular System that allows you to change Frames, Covers and Backs to optimize your iPad mini functionality.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: For car travel, it's perfect\n\nReview: I am giving the Speck Showfolio case a 5 star rating based on the fact that the product is meant to be used to attach to a headrest in a vehicle for stable viewing. It performs this function beautifully.\n\nIf you're considering purchasing this case for every day use, I think they are better cases out there. If however, your goal is to secure you iPad Mini for travel, I would recommend ordering the Speck Showfolio.\n\nMy iPad Mini with Retina display snaps securely into the case, yet it's easy enough to remove when I want to. Hooking the case to the back of a headrest is simple enough and the iPad stays stable to watch a show. I would think this is really what the case is meant for. You are too far away from the headrest in your normal sitting position to want to reach forward constantly and press the screen.\n\nThe trifold cover is like Apple's smartfolio. The auto wake/sleep feature works fine with my iPad.\n\nThe cutouts on the case are all where they should be. I can easily plug in a charger or headphones. The volume control cover is a bit stiff, but I can still manage the volume just fine with the case on.\n\nOne reviewer said they can use the hooks as a stand. I wouldn't recommend this based on my case. The hooks are attached to elastic to make them flexible to mount to different headrests. They are not stable enough to function as a stand. The only stand option is folding the trifold cover into a triangle stand for a slight angled stand.\n\nThe hooks add a bit of bulk compared to an everyday case, but given the intended use of this case, I don't think the thickness matters.","Product: The MaxxDrySD is a safe, simple, overnight way to dry footwear! Using thermal convection naturally rising warm air the MaxxDrySD removes dampness, perspiration and odor from all types of shoes or boots. Warm air gradually rises to dry rain soaked shoes or hard to dry boots harmlessly. Overnight! Using just minimal watts, the MaxxDrySD is a cost- effective economically friendly tool for daily use to dry or warm footwear. Glove Attachment Accessory Sold Separately\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: No more stinky shoes! A nice dryer / warmer as well.\n\nReview: After reading about ways to combat stinky shoes and the resulting foot odor, I stumbled upon the MaxxDry SD Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer. Really, I thought it would be too good to be true. Just pop your shoes on the dryer after wearing them and the odors will disappear?? What about all the lotions & potions that are available (some I'm leary of using on my teenager)? Could something this easy really solve the odor problem?\n\nYES, it really works. I will be buying 1-2 more because it works so well. It is totally silent and is perfect for setting in a bedroom.\n\nUPDATE 12/29/12\nTime to order another shoe dryer because I have 3 people all wanting to use it. As my review originally stated, the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/MaxxDry-SD-Boot-Shoe-and-Glove-Dryer/dp/B001MTO180/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">MaxxDry SD Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer</a> does an excellent job of getting rid of stinky shoes and foot odor.\n\nNow that we have had some snow, I can tell you that the dryer does a great job of drying out wet boots and gloves too. The kids' snow gear is dry and ready to go back into action much quicker than just letting it air dry. My husband loves having his work boots warmed up in the morning before heading out.\n\nHighly recommended.","Product: The Hue Perfectly Bare Slingback Liner 10450 has a clear elastic sling back that stretches to fit your foot. They are perfect to wear when you want the comfort and fit of hosiery with the \"no hose\" look of going bare. The Hue Perfectly Bare Slingback Liner 10450 is made of 86% nylon and 14% spandex fabric.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Probably better for smaller feet\n\nReview: I purchased these Hue Slingback Liners as well as the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Hue-Women-s-2-Pair-Pack-Sheet-Toe-Cover-Sock/dp/B00CYAXW4K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Hue Women's 2 Pair Pack Sheet Toe Cover Sock</a> to protect my toes in a pair of closed toe, open back shoes.\n\nI found that the Toe Cover Socks work better for me. The Slingback Liner toe cover material appeared way too small at first. It does stretch out when you put it on and provides good coverage though. What I didn't like was the plastic loop to grip the back of your heel. The material is smooth and pliable and would be comfortable if it were not so tight. I wear a size 11, so I think this would be comfortable for someone with a smaller shoe size.\n\nBecause of the discomfort with the heel strap, I much prefer the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Hue-Women-s-2-Pair-Pack-Sheet-Toe-Cover-Sock/dp/B00CYAXW4K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Hue Women's 2 Pair Pack Sheet Toe Cover Sock</a>. This product covers my toes and stays in place all day.","Product: Case: Black stainless steel Band: Black mesh bracelet Crystal: Mineral Movement: Quartz One-year Ziiiro warranty\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Very happy with purchase\n\nReview: My son wanted this watch as a gift. I looked everywhere locally to find one with no luck. A quick search on Amazon revealed the Ziiiro Celeste from more than one source. I chose to buy from The Watch Co.\n\n3 days after placing my order, it still hadn't shipped and I could tell something was wrong (one of a couple orders I placed with shipping issues this Christmas). Amazon had marked the item as out of stock and was no longer selling it. I called The Watch Co direct to see if they knew if they had any more Celeste watches in stock. Long story short...I had one of the best customer service experiences dealing with The Watch Co. I finally received the watch and it was just what my son wanted.\n\nI will buy from The Watch Co in the future and recommend them to family & friends.","Product: Bravo to you for adopting! What a incredible blessing, but sadly too many dogs are returned due to fear, aggression or separation anxiety. This doesn't have to happen! 3 Dog Days program immediately shows your dog he/she is safe, calms him and teaches respectful behavior. No need to study! Just follow 3 main techniques for 3 days and your dog will learn as you learn. Designed to work over a weekend (3 day period) before you have to return to work.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Looking for a way to help your dog? Adopting a dog? Then this DVD is for you!\n\nReview: I will tell you up front that I have known Angie Winters for quite some time. When I met Angie, it was immediately obvious to me that she loves animals in general and dogs in particular. She is truly dedicated to making life better for dogs and their people.\n\n3 Dog Days is a labor of love in which Angie will help dog owners learn to think from a dog's perspective to establish a happy, healthy connection between dogs and the people they live with. Once that base trust and understanding is established, the canine / human relationship can flourish. Lacking such a level of trust or understanding can lead to behavior problems. It is essential that any newly adopted dog be introduced properly into the home and Angie shows you how to do it successfully.\n\nI have seen firsthand the amazing results that Angie gets applying the 3 Dog Days system with the rescue dogs she helps. I don't use the word amazing lightly here - it really is. To see a dog who is wild and out of control quickly learn that he is not in charge and HAPPILY accept the new rules and his place in the world as a respectful pet is quite something. On the other end of the spectrum...to witness a dog who is scared of people learn to trust again and become happy is a joy as well.\n\nI highly recommend you get 3 Dog Days and let Angie share this simple yet powerful system with you.\n\nIf you are looking for more information on Angie's 3 Dog Days philosophy or would like to learn more about how it works, visit Angie4Dogs on the web.","Product: The Slim Armor case for the Galaxy S5 provides complete all-around protection while maintaining a slim profile. The double layers of rubberized TPU and hard polycarbonate provide protection in a form-fitted design. The smart design features exact cutouts for unhindered use of the camera, heart rate monitor, and speaker.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: LOVE THIS CASE. Great protection with comfort and good looks.\n\nReview: I love this case. I had the Spigen Tough Armor Case for my S5 and liked the protection it provided, but it was just too bulky. I couldn't find a case locally that I liked, so I decided to go with the Spigen Slim Armor case. It was a great decision. My phone still has great protection, but fits in my hand much better.\n\nThe bumper protects the screen when you place the phone face down. The rear of the case offers enough protection to keep the camera lens from being scratched when you lay the phone down (which not all cases that I tested did due to the camera protruding so much on this phone).\n\nThe blue is a great match for the Samsung blue. The dimpling on the back of the case adds a bit of texture to make the case less slippery. The case fits like a glove, yet is fairly easy to put on and take off when needed. The charging port is easily accessible with the case on. The buttons are easy to operate and all cutouts are properly placed. The speaker is raised just enough by this case to ensure the sound is not muffled.\n\nGreat protection with comfort and good looks.","Product: The Invisible Shield - ZAGGs customized, patented, flagship product - wraps around consumer electronics providing unrivaled abrasion resistance. Custom designed for thousands of devices, including mobile phones, digital media players, laptops, tablets, GPS devices, hand-held gaming systems, watches, digital cameras, and more, the Invisible Shield is the original gadget protector\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Why didn't I buy this sooner??\n\nReview: I saw the InvisibleShield Glass by ZAGG at Best Buy and stopped to check it out. It sounded like a good product, but a family member said screen protectors decreased screen sensitivity, so I didn't get one. I was still curious about the InvisibleShield Glass and was happy to receive one to evaluate for Amazon Vine.\n\nIn short, you just apply the glass and enjoy the benefits and protection it offers.\n\nI see kiosks in the mall selling this product and charging to install it. This is a totally unnecessary expense IMO. Installation was a breeze. Just wipe the screen with the enclosed wet wipe, then dry and make sure there are no smears or specks of any kind with the enclosed soft cloth. Once the screen is spotless, just remove the adhesive from the glass and place it on the screen. The glass will settle and seal automatically and that is it.\n\nI have a Spigen Slim Armor and a Spigen Tough Armor case for my S5. The glass works perfectly with both cases. When properly centered, the glass will not touch the bumpers of the case, but sit just inside them.\n\nThe comment about screen protectors may be accurate for some protectors, but not so for the InvisibleShield Glass. There is no difference whatsoever in screen responsiveness on my phone.\n\nI love the look of the screen with the InvisibleShield Glass on. My screen is sharp and crisp. I notice that there are far fewer fingerprints with the glass on and the screen is much easier to clean now.\n\nI am not going to do a drop test...but if I accidentally conduct that experiment, I will update my review to let you know how the InvisibleShield Glass performs.","Product: Zymol Leather Cleaner gently removes tough oils and soils from leather and vinyl quickly and completely. Produced with Castile (Olive Oil) soaps and Lanolin, this pH balanced formula safely cleans and restores the beauty to soiled automotive or home interior leather.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Seeing is believing ... Zymol leather cleaner works!\n\nReview: If you just want to know if <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Zymol-Z507-Leather-Cleaner-8-oz/dp/B0009JKISG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Zymol Z507 Leather Cleaner - 8 oz.</a> really works, check out the image I uploaded. It works, no question.\n\nI didn't have time last summer to detail my van and by now my seats are looking pretty bad. Between spills, sweaty kids, crumbs and who knows what else, the seats are dirty. The last time I cleaned the leather, I used a leather cleaner/conditioner combo product that gave me less than stellar results. This time I researched products to use so I wouldn't waste my time. Zymol leather cleaner seemed like a good gamble. I used to use Zymol products years ago when I had time to baby my car. The carnuba wax smelled like the Tropics and worked wonders. I wasn't sure if the brand would be as reliable since being bought by Turtle Wax.\n\nAs you can see by the picture, the leather cleaner works very well. Sure you need some elbow grease, but with a little effort, your leather seats will once again look beautiful.\n\nI also purchased Zymol leather conditioner and am very satisfied with it as well.","Product: Premium quality Flex blades, easy to install, smooth and quiet operation, superior performance.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Why didn't I know about SilBlade before now?\n\nReview: I have never heard of SilBlade as they are not found in your typical big box store's auto section. I needed a 22\" blade so I thought I would give them a try. Bosch is usually my go to brand for wiper blades.\n\nMy initial reaction to the SilBlades was \"oh no they are the flat type old school wiper blades...this isn't going to put enough pressure on the windshield to work as well as the Bosch\". Well, I was wrong.\n\nThese premium SilBlades are impressive. First, I would tell you that they are hands down the easiest blades to install. I have the J type hook on my wiper arm. It took me less than 60 seconds to install the SilBlade. The instructions that come with the SilBlades are written in native English and are easy to understand. They are also very detailed and include directions for most types of installations.\n\nAfter installing the blades I used the windshield wiper cleaning function to see if they did make contact and clean without gaps. Yes they did. We have had plenty of precipitation in the form of rain and snow the past few weeks to test these out. Even if my vehicle has been sitting out all day in single digit temperatures, the SilBlade wiper cleans perfectly.\n\nI did some investigating and found that the company has actually been around for a while. I have read older reviews of the products and the review of this style of the premium wiper blade all seem to agree that they are fantastic. I am seeing users post at 5 years that the blades are still working well. SilBlade also manufactures wiper blades in different colors which is a novelty that some may enjoy. If you search for their website, you will learn that they were designed by silicone engineer and are composed of silicone, graphite and a Teflon like product. This composition allows the blade to withstand extreme temperatures and to glide across the windshield. Additionally, with use they claim that the blade deposits a coating that repels moisture and improves visibility.\n\nI haven't used them enough to evaluate the long term performance of the blades yet. I will update my review in the future to see how they are performing against the Bosch blade.\n\nHere's some more info fro SilBlades' website:\n\"SilBlade Patented Formulation is unaffected by the elements that break down conventional wipers such as UV/sunlight, ozone, oil and grime from road spray. SilBlade is unaffected by extreme temperatures as low as -80F and as high as 400F.\"\n\n\"SilBlade patented formulation leaves an invisible hydrophobic coating (water repellent) within 90 days from the first use. The activated release recharges the hydrophobic layer with every use throughout the life of SilBlade wipers. Your visibility during rainy conditions improves with every wipe.\"","Product: Premium quality Flex blades, easy to install, smooth and quiet operation, superior performance.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Didn't last a year\n\nReview: I had previously used a pair of SilBlade wipers which I received thru the Amazon Vine program. They were fantastic wipers, so when it was time to replace them, I ordered a new pair of SilBlades. I have had this set on the car for about a year and they just are not as good as the first set. For months, they have been leaving streaks on the driver's side. I have wiped the blades down to see if there was dirt on the blade causing the problem - didn't work.\n\nI no longer have the packaging to see what these blades were made of. They seem to be rubber rather than silicone. I paid the premium price expecting to get at least several years use out of them. Disappointed that they didn't even work for a year without deterioration.","Product: Wilson Jones is a leading source of reliable, quality products that help consumers work faster, smarter and better at the office, home, or at school. Whether you are a corporate professional, a home-based entrepreneur, a business traveler, a student, or a head of a busy household, there are Wilson Jones products to fit your every specific need. Each Wilson Jones Favorite Desk File Sorter measures a generous 10 x 12 Inches and easily organizes materials on desk. Each book-style sorter has a bellow-style compartment that expands up to 1.5 Inches with an alphabetical A-Z index. The durable and moisture-resistant acrylic-coated cover promises heavy, long-term use. With an extensive and innovative selection and quality materials, Wilson Jones provides everything you need to become virtually unstoppable in today's fast-paced work and school environments.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Sturdy tool to help you organize\n\nReview: When I ordered this product, I thought it was an expandable file with sides on it. It does not have sides to keep papers from falling out. So, do not expect it to be expandable to contain papers like a box bottom hanging file is.\n\nOnce you know what it's not, you may like is for what it is. The bottom of the file sorter is very expandable, so this can organize a LOT of papers. It is a file sorter kind of like having a bunch of letter size manila box bottom folders attached at the bottom. The construction of the Wilson Jones file/sorter is much more durable than a traditional manila file though. It should last through many years of use.\n\nOne other thing to note - the dimensions. The file/sorter is slightly larger than a standard letter size folder. Check the dimensions of the drawer or file you intend to use this file/sorter in before purchasing. The file/sorter was a bit large for the drawer I have hanging files in. However, it works great in the portable file box I use.","Product: Using our Bulls-Eye Spot Beam, the HP4 Pen Flashlight is a prime choice for technicians who are looking for a great penlight that shoots a spot beam downrange while having a transition halo flood that increases your side view ability. The adjustable clip makes it perfect for storage in a pocket or tool kit. With COAST's commitment to quality, the HP4 Flashlight is impact resistant, weather resistant and its LED is virtually unbreakable. Runs for up to 3.5 hours on high settings with 2 x standard AAA alkaline batteries (included). The HP4 Flashlight is backed by COASTs lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Tested and rated to ANSI/FL1 standards.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Another Great Coast Product\n\nReview: We have several Coast flashlights. All of them are excellent, well made products at a fair price.\n\nIn this era of cutting corners, Coast has decided on quite a different business model.\n\nYour flashlight will arrive in a nice quality box, not packed into a molded plastic package that you are almost guaranteed to cut yourself opening.\n\nYour flashlight has batteries INCLUDED! You can use it immediately.\n\nCoast products feel substantial. None of that cheap plastic stuff here. When you pick up a Coast flashlight, you feel confident that your investment will last for a long time.\n\nThe Coast HP4 is perfect for keeping in your shirt or pants pocket. It provides just the right amount of illumination for working in small spaces.","Product: The Bosch CLPK25-180 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Compact Tough Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit uses the industry's most advanced lithium-ion technology for greater battery life and more run time, all in a lighter package. Offering an exceptionally compact and lightweight design, the durable, powerful Bosch DDB180 18-volt 3/8-inch keyless chuck cordless drill/driver gives you high-quality results on the job while helping you work for hours with less fatigue. The DDB180 works at two speeds (400 RPM and 1,300 RPM) and provides 400 inch/pounds of torque, which is enough to drive most common fasteners and drill bits. Durashield housing, unibody construction and a steel-reinforced collar help you withstand real-world conditions, like temperature extremes, rain, dirt, debris and drops. With 15 clutch settings and a variable-speed trigger, you'll be able to match the best speed to the job and achieve more precise results. The new Bosch IDS181 18-volt 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver, features an ultra-compact design, while delivering best-in-class application control. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, HVAC professionals and other tradesmen can take advantage of the tools optimized performance for fast and great results. The tools compact size also facilitates work in hard-to-reach spaces. A Bosch patented, three-LED white light system provides shadow-free illumination for the best visibility in low-lighting applications. The new impact drivers also feature an intelligent electronic protection system, including electronic motor protection, which increases motor life by protecting the motor in overload and stall situations and electronic cell protection, which doubles battery life. This kit includes: (1) DDB180 3/8-Inch Compact Tough Drill/Driver, (1) IDS181 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver, (2) 1.5Ah Slim-Pack Batteries, (1) Charger and Case.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Much lighter than older models with MORE power!\n\nReview: My husband has had 3 other Bosch drills over the years. Like all of the older drills, the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Bosch-CLPK25-180-18-volt-Lithium-Ion-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-3-8-Inch-Drill-Driver-1-4-Inch-Hex-Impact-Driver-2-Slim-Pack-Batteries-Charger-and-Case/dp/B00EPE7Q9U/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Bosch CLPK25-180 18-volt Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Combo Kit with 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver, 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver, 2 Slim Pack Batteries, Charger and Case</a> has made a very favorable impression. You just can't go wrong with a Bosch drill. This model is smaller, lighter and more powerful than the older models. The light to illuminate the area to be drilled is a new feature for hubby and he loves it.\n\nThe impact driver is fairly compact so you can use it in tight spaces. Again, it has a light which is a huge plus.\n\nIf the job at hand only requires one of the tools, you can have a spare battery ready to go since the batteries are interchangeable.\n\nThe case is great. The last Bosch drill he had was in a hard plastic case. Everything clipped into a premolded spot, but there was not room for anything other than the drill kit pieces. With the Bosch CLPK25-180, you get a soft side case. This allows you more flexibility both with packing the case into tight spaces as well as the ability to carry other tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, screws, etc.\n\n5+ star rating.","Product: Find it fast, find it first! Pictureka is the exciting game of visual hide and seek. Players compete to collect the most mission cards to win the game. Great for the whole family, and kids as young as six can play with older kids and parents. No batteries required.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Twist on \"I Spy\" - Lots of fun\n\nReview: We recently received this game and it's a big hit. Our 6 1/2 year & 9 year olds can play it on their own!\n\nIt's pretty much like \"I Spy\" because you are looking for objects on the game board. The new twist is that there are 9 tiles that make up the game board, so they can be moved or flipped over and change the game midstream.\n\nSometimes players have to find a certain number of objects on their own, other times it's a race for all players to find an object first and the last option allows for all players to bid to see if they can find the most of an object.\n\nWith 4 players this seems to be about a 20 minute game. A sure winner."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Run a designer jewelryboutique and create your own jewelry styles.ProductInformationStyle Lab: Jewelry Design brings the art of jewelry design toNintendo DS and DSi. Make beautiful designer jewelry thatfits your style then order own and wear your own creations. Take on the challenge of running your own jewelry boutiqueand in the process design jewelry for use in game. Pick fromhundreds of beads charms and pendants to create beautiful necklacesbracelets and earrings then share them with other players using StyleLab's online gallery with your Nintendo Wi-Fi connections. With the DSi's camera you cantake a picture of yourself tovirtually try on your jewelry creations. If you like what yousee you can bring your style to life by purchasing a realrepresentation of your jewelry design.Product Features Create Incredible Designer Jewelry –Design stunning braceletsnecklaces and earrings using a variety of colored faceted beads anddarling charms including letter charms. Order Own and Wear Your In-game Creations– Partnership withbead manufacturer will produce designs that girls upload to the onlinegallery and then purchase. Unique Creation Tools – Use the stylusto draw out lengths ofchain or wire decorate beads by cutting drawing or painting for alayeredapproach. Put Yourself in the Game – Take yourpicture with the NintendoDSi camera then virtually try on your jewelry designs. Share Your Creations – Wele yourfriends into your boutiquevia Wi-Fi and trade jewelry and beads with friends showcase yourdesignsin the online Style Lab gallery.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good for younger gamers\\n\\nReview: This game seems to hold the attention of my 2nd grader better than some others. She enjoys being able to make her own designs. She is DISAPPOINTED that you don't just hit an \\\"order\\\" button and get the jewelry that she likes. After seeing the commercials, she thought that's how it worked. Once I explained that you can order jewelry, but you have to PAY for it, she was a bit disenchanted.\\n\\nThe game appears to be very basic. A customer walks in and tells you what they are looking for (i.e. a man walks in and wants to order a necklace for a girl that he met on a ranch). You have to use your knowledge of the intended recipient to design something that they will like. You will be rated on your job.\\n\\nThe beads are very simplistic from what I've seen. I can go to the local craft store and get a good variety to make whatever my daughter has designed that she would like. I can't see why you would want to order them online.\\n\\nIf you are looking for a game for a younger player, this is a good choice. I would think that by middle school - this would be BORING.\",\n \"Product: Officially licensed by Nintendo. In-ear type earphones come with 3 different sizes of earbuds. Choose the one that fits you most comfortably. The volume control dial allows you to adjust the volume. Earphones are also compatible with any 3.5 earphone jack compatible products.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Nothing Special per 11 year old avid Gamer\\n\\nReview: I aksed my 11 year old to review these earbuds. He said \\\"they are nothing special\\\". He tried them out with a Nintendo DSi and an iPod Touch. They have a standard jack for most portable electronics so they can be used with a variety of products. Having said that, there's nothing special about these earbuds that make them exclusively for a Nintendo 3DS. Most earbuds would fit a 3DS.\\n\\nMy son didn't like the \\\"in ear\\\" earbud as compared to the standard type that would come with an iPod. There are 3 different size comfort covers that come with this set of headphones, so if you prefer the \\\"in ear\\\" earbud, you should be able to customize them easily to fit.\\n\\nA positive is the on-cord volume control. It is easy to reach down and change the volume of whatever device you are listening to.\\n\\nA BIG negative was the offset cord length. Unlike most other earbud, the cords leading to each earbud are not the same length. Since the cord is shorter on one side, the shorter side tends to pull a little more and it felt uncomfortable to my son.\\n\\nI asked him about the sound quality and he didn't think it was anything special either.\",\n \"Product: Enhance your Xbox 360 gaming experience with Afterglow, the #1 selling 3rd party controller brand. Featuring a clear polycarbonate housing that reveals the controller's inner circuitry, Afterglow signature lighting, and upgraded with PDP's new custom engineered SmartTrack technology, these officially licensed controllers are the perfect blend of performance and value.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A few glitches but an overall good controller\\n\\nReview: This controller functions just like regular Xbox controllers with the added feature of the lights. If you'd like to add something different to your gameplay the afterglow controller provides a nice light show. For times when you find the afterglow lights distracting, you can disable the light mode. And here we find one of the glitches. On my controller even with the light mode disabled, the lights will randomly flash from time to time.\\n\\nThe controller feels like any other Xbox controller when it's in your hands. I feel that the start and back buttons are too high up and small though. I also find the joystick a little too loose for my taste.\\n\\nEven with the small criticisms I still feel it's a good controller and worthy of a four star rating.\",\n \"Product: Celebrity Esthetician, Makeup Artist and Author, Scott-Vincent Borba is the leading Inside-Out beauty and Nutraceutical authority in the superfruit-fueled skin care, cosmetics, and enhanced waters categories. Used by Scott-Vincent on his celebrity clients, this innovative moisture lock compact freshly grinds the first ever cream-solid foundation, combining the benefits of anti-aging treatment and protective skin care with mineral foundation in one dose. Color-building mineral pigments adjust to skins natural tone for a flawless finish that provides a perfect canvas for all cosmetic and skin care systems. Citrine Diamonds diffuse skin imperfections while increasing cell turnover, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid helps to hold onto 1,000 times its weight in water, and combined with Tapioca micro-pearls, it is outstanding in its ability to hydrate thirsty skin. Powerful antioxidants Camu Camu, Cherry Root Extract and Vitamins A, C and E help protect skin from free radicals which cause aging. Skin is protected with UVA/UVB SPF 29. Arnica helps calm the look of puffiness, bruising and dark spots. Comes with a one-time use compressed facial mask as a preparatory treatment to use before first time application of 8 Hour Mineral Foundation Anti-Wrinkle Treatment, for even quicker skin care benefits. To achieve the added benefit of micro-exfoliating skin for optimal skin renewal, apply with Scott-Vincent Borba's Anti-Fatigue Foundation/Contour Perfecting Brush Line Smoothing Micro-Exfoliation Tool, engineered to work specifically with the cream-solid foundation for the most efficacious, beautiful results. Made in USA.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Defective compact, but great foundation\\n\\nReview: Perhaps it's a 5 star product, but I am deducting a star for the packaging defect. My compact is missing the grinder, which I'm sure would be helpful. When I opened the compact, the metal dish of makeup flopped out along with a large spring. After looking at it and comparing it to the pics on Amazon, I could see there was no way to grind the powder.\\n\\nI opted to use my buki brush that I use with Bare Minerals to swirl lightly over the powders. I was able to get great even coverage this way. The product does a nice job covering pores, goes on with a nice matte finish and has a nice soft feel. I would agree with the 8 hour rating.\\n\\nIt is lighter than other medium shades. I would say it's a bit lighter than Bare Minerals fairly medium. It is good for pink and neutral undertones. Yellow and olive undertones would probably not go well with this medium shade.\",\n \"Product: Krups high-speed quartz heating system takes masterful control of heat in the chamber. Each set of quartz heating element, both top and bottom, is alternately powered at the full 1600 watts to maximize the effect of radiant heat. The heat distribution is aided by a special reflective crumb tray that directs this important form of heat to all corners for excellent results. Convection heat, important for longer baking times, circulates heated air around the food for the best result in the fastest time. The defrost function uses the convection fan only and gently and evenly defrosts food without producing hot spots. This 6-slice toaster oven with 6 preset cooking functions- Pastry, Bagels, Brownies, Cookies, Thick Pizza, Thin Pizza has temperature controls in 25 degree increments from 150-450 degrees, a digital timer from 1 minute to 90 minutes and an auto shut off after elapsed time. For toasting, it has 9 levels or browning with a countdown timer. Illuminated LCD control panel with easy to use controls and high quality soft touch buttons, it has a digital clock that displays when the cooking functions are not in use. The non-stick interior surface is durable and easy to clean. This unit includes a non-stick bake pan, broiling tray and thermal resistant tongs for safe removal of hot pans or food and comes with a 1-year warranty.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Worth the time I put into investigating toaster ovens!\\n\\nReview: I have had a Black & Decker toaster oven for years. It has never been good at anything other than toasting bread. Then that function started to get erratic. So, I spent hours trying to find the right toaster oven for me. Once I accepted that getting a quality oven was going to cost a little more than a B&D, I narrowed in on the Krups and the Cuisinart TOB-175. I nearly went for the Cuisinart due to the number of positive reviews posted on Amazon. However, while walking thru a store I found one that I could look over in person. The quality just didn't seem to be as good as the Krups.\\n\\nI LOVE the way the Krups FBC4 works. I have used it daily for toast, baked cookies and brownies, roasted sweet potatoes and prepared dinner entrees.\\n\\nEverything except the brownies has turned out great. The brownies were underbaked on the bottom layer and now that I'm more familiar with the oven, I know that lowering the shelf position and bumping the temp a few degrees will produce great results.\\n\\nThe toaster oven looks great, is easy to use, easy to clean...in short, it's a keeper!\",\n \"Product: Lasko's #3542 Cyclone floor or wall mount pivoting fan comes with a multi-function remote control. Made in the USA from Domestic and Imported Parts. Lasko; 100+ years of quality, comfort and durability.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Perfect for what I want it to do\\n\\nReview: I wanted a fan that would produce enough air to keep me comfortable while on the treadmill. The treadmill is on a porch that can get quite warm (no A/C). The floor is uneven due to the finish (think stucco that was never smoothed over). So, my requirements were a fan that moved a lot of air, could be operated remotely and would stay put on the floor and not wobble or scoot.\\n\\nThis fan does all of that perfectly.\\n\\nI only use the low setting as that produces plenty of breeze. It is easy to tilt just at the angle I want too.\\n\\nMy only negative comment would be to those who are looking to put this in a bedroom to keep cool at night. If you wear hearing aids and take them out at night...you will love how this fan works. If you prefer a quiet environment to sleep, keep looking. This fan is too loud to sleep with.\",\n \"Product: The OXO Good Grips Folding Sweater Dryer features a generously sized mesh drying surface to lay out delicate clothes for fast, easy drying. Clothes can aerate without any risk of stretching, losing shape, leaving imprints or creasing, making it ideal for items like sweaters and blouses. The legs of the Dryer are offset from the corners to provide maximum drying space while still being able to rest on smaller surfaces such as countertops, washing machines or dryers. When not in use, the legs fold in and the Dryer folds in half for flat, compact storage. Purchase multiple Sweater Dryers for sturdy and efficient stacking. The Dryers fit together securely for maximum stability and the long legs leave ample space between layers for aeration as well as easy loading and unloading.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Works great and stores easily\\n\\nReview: I have never owned a sweater dryer. I've used several methods to dry clothes that must be laid flat to dry and none have been ideal. Most recently I have used my dryer insert for drying delicate clothes. I have put it on a table and draped sweaters over top. This didn't work so well because I ended up with grid marks from the chuncky plastic grid.\\n\\nThe OXO Sweater Dryer works SO much better. It took less than 2 minutes to assemble the first time. After that, all you do is unfold it and unfold the legs and you are ready to go. Arrange the item to be dried on top and let it go. My sweater that I tested dried in about 1/2 the time compared to my previous method. I think that air can circulate much easier using this sweater dryer. There are no lines / grid marks on the clothes.\\n\\nStorage is a breeze. Just fold the legs in, then fold the unit in half.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\",\n \"Product: Cuisipro proudly debuts its collection of foam pump dispensers in an array of eye-catching colors to complement any kitchen, bathroom or powder room setting. The new colors include green, red, orange, pink, black and chrome. Cuisipros environmentally friendly pumps deliver a host of consumer benefits: they look great on the counter, reduce waste and provide for a luxurious hand washing experience that encourages more thorough washing. Enjoy an aerosol-free way to turn store-bought liquid soap into more efficient cleansing foam while reducing soap usage up to 75-percent. The uniquely designed angle dispenses foam directly into the hand, and a suction cup on the bottom keeps the dispenser from slipping and sliding on the counter. The dispenser is easy to operate one handed and the non-aerosol pump mechanism stays clog-free. The pump is easy and safe to clean in the top rack of the dishwasher.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I will be buying more of these!\\n\\nReview: When I selected this product, I didn't expect to think much of it. I think soap dispensers are pretty utilitarian.\\n\\nNow that I have used it for a while, I want to purchase several more <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Cuisipro-83758000-13-2-Ounce-Foam-Pump-Chrome/dp/B007JT27BK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Cuisipro 83758000 13.2-Ounce Foam Pump, Chrome</a>. This dispenser looks much nicer than a bottle of liquid soap on the counter. It is very easy to fill. The suction cups works very well, yet it is easy to reposition when you want.\\n\\nThe best feature is the soap savings. The description claims it may let you use up to 75% less soap. I believe that will be true. We are using significantly less soap. The foam that the pump dispenses makes it easy to wash your hands and you can use less water rinsing the foam off vs. regular liquid soap.\\n\\nI don't know how well the pump will do in the dishwasher, but I will update the review if I have any problems. I don't think I will have the opportunity to test out the dishwasher anytime soon since the dispenser uses so little soap.\",\n \"Product: The Holmes Small Room 3-Speed HEPA Air Purifier with Quiet Operation features a compact design that helps clear the air in small spaces up to 100 sq. feet. It operates quiety to help remove common odors and up to 99% of airborne particles such as pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, and smoke, providing relief from irritants in the air. HEPA-type filter captures particles as small as 2 microns so you can breathe comfortably. Includes one Aer1 filter featuring the odor-eliminating power of baking soda.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: It works but it is LOUD\\n\\nReview: The Holmes \\\"desktop\\\" air purifier does seem to reduce dust and allergens. However, 1 star is deducted for the noise level and 1 for the size.\\n\\nUnless you have a desk that isn't used much, this unit is too large for a desk (or dresser / night stand). At 9 x 13\\\" it takes up a good amount of real estate.\\n\\nThis air purifier is noticeably loud. There are 3 fan settings. The quietest and least effective setting is still noticeable but tolerable. The mid setting is loud enough that it would be difficult to sleep with the unit on. The strongest setting is loud enough that you couldn't sleep with the air purifier in the room and the noise would interfere with conversations. Since my intention was to use the Holmes desktop air purifier in a bedroom, I don't feel this is the product for me.\",\n \"Product: Choose a solid group of three vibrant bowls to mix baking ingredients with the Cake Boss Countertop Accessories 3-Piece aIcinga Melamine Mixing Bowl Set. This stylish set includes three sturdy melamine bowls in 1-8/10-, 2- and 3-quart sizes. Convenient pour spouts and handles make it easier to pour cake batters from bowls into baking pans, or to mix and pour sweet sauces made from fresh fruits or delectable chocolate. The small, medium and large mixing bowls each feature attractive icing detail accents and different interior colors: red, pink and yellow. The bowls' rubberized bases help keep them stable on the table or countertop while mixing cupcake batter and cookie dough, and they're conveniently top-rack dishwasher safe. Additionally, these attractive mixing bowls coordinate well with many other items in the Cake Boss collections. Mix things up with the fun and functional Cake Boss Countertop Accessories 3-Piece Melamine aIcinga Mixing Bowl Set.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Would make a great gift\\n\\nReview: I wavered about whether or not these bowls deserved 4 or 5 stars due to the bowls being on the smaller side. If there was one bowl larger than the largest, I would love that for mixing cookies. However, I thought about what is the market for this product? They are mixing bowls from The CAKE BOSS...and what does Buddy make? Cakes. The bowls really are perfect for cakes.\\n\\nI have been using glass bowls for cake mixes for years because that's what I have. My most frequently used bowl is heavy, wider than it is tall (which means you need to stir with caution to avoid ingredients flying out) and it has no handle.\\n\\nWith my first use of the Cake Boss mixing bowls I immediately saw why they were the better product for mixing, cakes, icing, brownies, etc. they are lightweight, have a nonskid bottom, have a lip to grip onto, have a spout to pour the batter out, are taller and they are dishwasher safe (a must for me).\\n\\nI hadn't really considered how difficult my heavy bowl was to use for pouring mixes into baking pans. After using the Cake Boss mixing bowl, I will not use my glass bowl for. Pourable mixtures again. The lightweight melamine is so much easier to control and would definitely be advantageous if you have had a wrist injury, arthritis, etc.\\n\\nI also find myself using the bowls while cooking to collect eggs shells, scraps, etc. iIr makes clean up a breeze. The larger bowls are also perfect for pitting cherries. The sides are high enough to keep the juice from spitting onto the walls and anything else close by. The pits drop into the bowl and are easy to dispose of.\\n\\nA very useful and versatile set.\",\n \"Product: The OXO Good Grips Simple Mandoline Slicer is a staple for any kitchen. The tab slides to easily adjust between three slice thickness settings, julienne setting and storage setting. The angled stainless steel blade slices even soft foods with ease and the textured runway ensures that no food gets stuck while you're slicing. The soft handle provides a soft, comfortable grip and the non-slip feet keep the Simple Mandoline Slicer steady while in use. The spring-loaded food holder pushes food for even slicing with little to no waste and has a generous rim to protect your fingers. When you're done, there are no loose blades to clean or organize; the integrated blades are easy to clean. The legs fold in and the food holder nests on the upside-down Mandoline for convenient, compact storage. Check out the OXO Good Grips YouTube channel for tips and techniques.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Easy to use and clean. Works great.\\n\\nReview: I have a mandolins slicer that is just so-so. It doesn't have a brand name on it, so I can't tell you what NOT to buy. It has 3 interchangeable blades that slice varying thicknesses and two Julianne blades. It has always taken a bit of effort to slice food using mandoline, the stand is wobbly and the utensil to hold food on the mandoline doesn't work well.\\n\\nThis new OXO Good Grips Simple Mandoline addresses all the shortcomings of my old mandoline.\\n\\nThere are no blades to switch out, you simply move the lever to select the thickness and cut of the food. Thicknesses range from 1/16 to 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The Julienne function seems to use the 1/8\\\" thickness. Slicing foods is a breeze with the OXO mandoline. The utensil to hold foods in place works extremely well. I never feel as though the food might slip causing me to cut my hand. The base is very sturdy, it does not wobble or sway at all. Since this unit is made only of the mandoline and the food holding utensil, it requires very little storage space. And an always appreciated feature... the mandoline is top shelf dishwasher safe.\\n\\nI'm happy to say this is another fine OXO product\",\n \"Product: The OXO Good Grips 7 Piece Measuring Spoons Set makes finding the right Spoon a snap. The unique snapping feature that keeps the Spoons together for storage also allows you to fan the Spoons out, so you can find the size you need on the first try. This feature also allows you to take out just the Spoon or Spoons you need, leaving the rest neatly snapped together. The Spoon handles have soft, comfortable, non-slip grips and color-coded, easy-to-read measurement markings. The Spoons also rest flat on the counter to prevent tipping and spilling. The Set includes a scraper that can be used to level ingredients, which also has a hook on it for hanging storage when needed. This dishwasher safe set includes a scraper, 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 T, 1 T Measuring Spoons.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: If you don't need a 3/4 cup measuring cup, this is a nice set\\n\\nReview: This set of measuring cups from OXO is the great quality that you would expect from OXO. It is made of durable plastic that will withstand many years of use. The measurement is color coded and printed onto the side of the cup to aid in quickly identifying which cup you need. There is a plastic tool also included with this set to help level off your ingredients. Another nice feature is that the measuring cups also have a line at the halfway point to help take the guesswork out of halving recipes.\\n\\nThere are 2 cons (which may not matter to you) which keep me from rating these measuring cup 5 stars. First, there is no 3/4 cup. I make a fair number of batches of Nestle chocolate chip cookies. I use a 3/4 cup for both sugars and the flour. A 3/4 cup measuring cup is a necessity in my kitchen. Also, these cups can snap together. The snap function is a bit tight and would be difficult to manage if you have arthritis or dexterity issues.\",\n \"Product: The Targus Unofficial Netbook Slipcase is designed to protect netbooks with up to 10.2 screens. The netbook compartment features 360 protection with air-mesh padding on all sides of the device for ventilation and protection against drops and bumps. The case is constructed with water-and wear-resistant fabric and features an oversized accessory pocket to store a power adapter or other necessities. The fully-reinforced shoulder strap provides a durable and comfortable carrying option.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A great bag for the price\\n\\nReview: This bag is almost perfect.\\n\\nIt holds my 15.4\\\" laptop very snug inside (I don't know that it would hold a 16\\\" in some brands).\\n\\nThe shoulder strap is very adjustable. The negative here is that it is constructed of a material like a seatbelt and it quickly slides off my shoulder. A moveable pad on the strap with something to provide some friction would make it ideal. If you wear your bag slung over your head and across your body, this may not bother you.\\n\\nIt has plenty of storage space and is well organized.\\n\\nThe flap has a light duty magnetic closure. While the bag does stay shut, I would prefer Velcro for a bit more protection. The pro to the magnets is that the bag is very easy to flip open one-handed.\\n\\nThe \\\"handle\\\" isn't much of a handle. It is a thin strap made from the same material as the shoulder strap. It is sewn onto the top back of the bag and it's not very functional.\\n\\nMy last observation is that legal size folders don't fit well into this bag. They fit with a bit of force and then the contents are not nice and flat. If you don't have legal size documents that need to stay nice and crisp, then this won't matter.\\n\\nOverall, a great bag for the price.\",\n \"Product: Ncredible NPulse over-ear headphones\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Great headphones...if you want Bass\\n\\nReview: I have had the opportunity to review 2 pairs of headphones recently for Amazon. One was this pair, the Monster NCredible NPulse and the other was <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Yamaha-PRO-400-High-Fidelity-Over-Ear-Headphones-Piano-Black/dp/B0092T864W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Yamaha PRO 400 High-Fidelity Over-Ear Headphones (Piano Black)</a>. They are both great headphones. Here's my thoughts on why you might choose one over the other.\\n\\nPrice: The Monster headphones are $50 cheaper.\\n\\nContents: For $50 more, the Yamaha headphones come will a hard shell carrying case, 2 different cable lengths and an quality adapter so you can plug into both small and large jacks. The packaging on both was nice, but the Yamaha was more substantial.\\n\\nComfort: This was a toss up for me as each of the headphones had a pro and a con. The Yamaha headrest was more comfortable to me and I preferred the way that the ear cups fit (they actually enclose my ear). The Monster ear cups were not large enough to cover my ears and sat on top of them. This is not comfortable with earrings. My ears are on the small size of average, so I wasn't expecting this. The Monster headphones did fit my head better than the Yamahas. The Yamahas are meant for a large head.\\n\\nSound: Both pairs are great. If you want Bass - lots of Bass - go with the Monster. For pure, clean, well balanced sound - go with the Yamaha.\\n\\nFeature: The Monster headphones have a \\\"DJ\\\" feature where you can flip up one side to listen to outside noise while keeping the headphones on. I found this to be a useless feature because it wasn't comfortable to flip up the ear cup.\",\n \"Product: Subtlety that Speaks Volumes Tint & Texture Add a pop of color to your iPad. Designed with a transparent finish that is velvety smooth and soft to the touch. Shield Series: Powerful Protection thats Impossibly Thin The Shield Sheer Matte is proof positive that less is more. The polycarbonate plastic gives every Shield case its low profile, while still being tough enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. CompatibilityiPad mini\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good protection with minimal bulk\\n\\nReview: If your goal is SOME protection for your iPad Mini with the least interference possible, the Belkin Snap Shield Sheer Matte Case is a great choice.\\n\\nIt snaps onto the iPad Mini and is very unobtrusive. It is the same concept as most of the cases for the iPod Touch. It protects the back and sides from getting scratched and it provides some protection should the unit fall flat on it's face. If this is the kind of protection you are looking for...this case does this very well.\\n\\nMy personal preferece is more for a case that has a cover and a stand funtion too. If you would like to consider one of these, see my review of the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Belkin-Camo-Cover-Folio-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Blue-F7N017ttC02/dp/B00AYU2RQG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Belkin Camo Cover Folio with Stand for Apple iPad mini, Blue (F7N017ttC02)</a> for my current fave.\",\n \"Product: Asus RT-AC68U IEEE 802.11ac Ethernet Wireless Router RT-AC68U Routers & Gateways - Wireless.For any further queries please contact Asus's Customer Support Number @ 1-812-282-2787 or http://service.asus.com. If you are having issues connecting to 5Ghz network, make sure that your wireless device supports 5Ghz or features dual band capabilities\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Easy to use Parental Controls. No lag!\\n\\nReview: UPDATE 12/30/13\\n\\nI meant to post this earlier...\\n\\nI did experience some trouble with the parental control blocking when it should not. I logged in to the router and checked for updates. The router returns a message saying it is up to date. I decided to look at Asus's website to see if there were any firmware updates and there were 2.\\n\\n There was an update posted in November that dealt with Parental Controls among other things. I downloaded this update and applied it to the router and it seems to work fine now running version 3.0.0.4.374_371. Still loving the great performance of this router.\\n\\nOriginal review:\\nIf you want a review with lots of technical details, skip over my review. If you are in the market for a router and like me, you just want a fast, reliable connection and the ability to control who accesses the router and WHEN...read on.\\n\\nI am an Amazon Vine member and in December 2012, I was fortunate enough to receive a <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Netgear-Wireless-Router-AC-1750-Dual-Band-Gigabit-R6300/dp/B00EM5UFP4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Netgear Wireless Router AC 1750 Dual Band Gigabit R6300</a> to review. In September 2013, it quit working. I tried every suggestion I could find on the net to get it back up and running - no luck. I called Netgear Tech Support to see what could be done with their nonfunctioning 9 month old router. They were of no help - they wanted to charge $80 for tech support. Apparently the support runs out after 90 days.\\n\\nSo, I went back to our old G router. After weeks of experiencing lag on games and videos and no ability to restrict access times, I decided it was time to buy a new router.\\n\\nI went to a big box electronics store to do some investigating. I was open to another Netgear router since the R6300 did perform well during the 9 months it functioned. I planned on purchasing the Netgear Nighthawk. The sales rep said it was a great router and he would recommend it as long as you weren't using Time Warner (which I do). He said they have had an unusually high number of returns from customers on Time Warner having issues with the Nighthawk.\\n\\nThat piece of information coupled with my frustration with Netgear's very limited ability to control timed access on a device by device basis led me to try out the ASUS RT-AC68 AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit Router. So far, I love it.\\n\\nThere have been no issues with lag, screen freezes or pixelization. It seems a bit faster than the Netgear R6300, but really they are both like rocketships compared to our old G router.\\n\\nWith the Netgear R6300, I was only able to control the device access time with one schedule. So, I couldn't tell the router to limit access to the XBOX at one time during the weeknights and then at a different time on the weekends.\\n\\nThe ASUS is very user friendly and it lets you control when the router can be accessed by device. You are able to control up to 16 devices this way. The only negative I have encountered is that access is based on hour long time blocks. If you wanted to control the devices by say the half hour or smaller blocks of time, you can't. I am including a link to a video on YT to show how it is done. If the link is removed, just search for AsusRouters Parental Control Setup Tutorial. [...]\\n\\nI will update my review if I experience problems, or have something noteworthy to share. Right now, I would recommend the ASUS R68 without hesitation.\",\n \"Product: Enjoy hour after hour of wireless music or calls with Philips wireless headphones. Featuring NFC, Bluetooth connectivity, superior 40mm neodymium drivers and soft, over-ear cushions, this is freedom of movement and comfort at its finest.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Love the wireless convenience\\n\\nReview: 11/14/14\\nStill love these headphones!\\n\\nI just thought I would add a recent observation I had. I have never used these headphones at night until recently. In dark situations you may notice the blue light on on the headphone with the power button. The light flashes every 5 seconds. If I planned on using the headphones regularly in the dark this would bother me.\\n\\nNFC pairing is a breeze with my Samsung Galaxy S5. Just press and hold the power button on the Phillips headphones until the light blinks, press scan for Bluetooth devices on my phone and the 2 devices connect.\\n\\nUpdate 9/15/14\\n\\nI have had these headphones for nearly 2 months now. I would now change my rating to 5 stars for the headphones. By not being tethered to a device, I can cook, clean, do the treadmill and other mundane tasks and add a little enjoyment by having music to liven things up. The headphones stay charged for hours - the battery life is excellent. These have now become my headphone of choice around the house. Highly recommended.\\n\\nOriginal review:\\n\\nI really like the Philips SHB7150 over ear headphones so far. I will update my review if I find more to share.\\n\\nPackaging - Just what I would expect for headphones in the $100 range. Nothing too fancy, but proper protection. Very similar to Turtle Beach headset packaging.\\n\\nComfort - these headphones are great when it comes to comfort. They are not too heavy and not too snug. The ear cups are great. They should allow for most any ear to fit inside comfortably. The top of the headset is lightly padded and very comfortable. The padding is not quite as dense as my Beats Solo HD2s and the padding in the Solos gives the impression that it will last longer. However, you would expect that given the Solos are twice the price. My first test of the headphones was to use them while on the treadmill. After 50 minutes, they were still as comfortable as when I put them on. NOTE: when wearing earrings, I would prefer on ear headphones because I can feel the posts poking me with this over ear style.\\n\\nEase of pairing - Bluetooth pairing was very easy on my phone and iPad. I can't comment on NFC pairing because my LG Smart TV (I mean dumb TV - see my reviews) won't cooperate.\\n\\nMic - Tested using both a mobile to mobile call and with Facetime on a tablet. The voice quality on the receiving end was reported to be good in both cases.\\n\\nSound in headphones when on mobile phone or via Facetime - This was a disappointment. The person I was talking to in both cases sounded a bit like they were in a tunnel. I could still understand them, but it wasn't an ideal experience.\\n\\nSound during videos - Again, I think these headphones are ideal for my main use (walking on the treadmill). No complaints at all about sound quality for the audio.\\n\\nSound listening to music - The Philips SHB7150 are a decent pair of headphones, but not outstanding for music. The vocals are more present than the music and not as balanced as I would like. If you really like bass, you will find these lacking.\\n\\nHeadphone controls - You can skip forward or skip backward by pressing the volume control. This is nice so you don't have to be near your device to skip songs. You can also pick up calls by using the headphone controls, but I haven't tested that. Minor complaint - I wish the volume control was more of a dial than the rocker type design, but given the functionality built in for skipping songs and picking up calls, I understand why it was built the way it is.\\n\\nWireless - I have been using wired headphones and it was a nice change to not snag the wire at least once while walking on the treadmill. The reception of sound for videos in particular was great and the convenience of no wires is worth spending some money on IMO.\\n\\nOverall, I have a favorable impression of these headphones. If you want the convenience of wireless and have a budget in the $100 range, they deserve serious consideration.\",\n \"Product: Battery Embedded LED Minibeam Projector\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great little portable projector\\n\\nReview: The LG Electronics PH300 LED Minibeam Projector is simple to use, extremely portable and produces fantastic results.\\n\\nFirst, I would like to point out that the dimensions listed on the Amazon product page under product information appear to be wrong. The dimensions listed are 11.8 x 6 x 10\\\". The unit is ACTUALLY much more compact at ~ 4 x 3 5/16 (or 3 including the protrusion for the antenna input) x 2 \\\". This portable size makes the projector very easy to move around and to pack for use anywhere.\\n\\nThe image projected from the PH300 is quite impressive. I tested the unit using a PC, XBox One and an Apple TV via an HDMI cable as input sources. In all cases, the image was outstanding. The image looked sharp and clear and was easy to see. While you may not have an optimal picture in a brightly lit room full of windows with sunlight streaming in (and really, what projector does this?), the picture is great in appropriate lighting (i.e. dimmed).\\n\\nThe projector has TV tuner built in. This does not mean it will pick up TV signals on its own, but rather when hooked up to an antennae. This feature was simple to use - it is rather like setting up a new TV. Just start scanning for channels and then pick from the available channels found. The resulting image displayed by the projector was again, very good.\\n\\nThe sound produced by the PH300 is adequate for home / conference room viewing. If you plan on using the projector in a busy, noisy area, you would probably want to make other plans for audio output.\\n\\nI used the projector for a little over 2 hours on battery power and did not get any messages about a low battery, so the 2 hour battery life seems accurate. If I find this to be different, I will update my review.\\n\\nIf portability and ease of use are what you are looking for in a projector, then you can't go wrong with the LG PH300 Minibeam Projector.\",\n \"Product: Choose Your View Enhance your entertainment experience by finding the angle that's just right for you. Simply adjust the stand to your personal preference and sit back and view movies, video, and any other of your favorite content in comfort. When you're finished the cover folds closed to protect the screen with a soft interior lining that's smooth against your device. The slim, lightweight design slips easily into any bag without adding bulk.[ICON] Auto Wake Magnets Hidden Auto Wake Magnets wake up your iPad simply by opening the cover.[ICON] Multiple Viewing Angles Find the angle just right for you with the adjustable stand that customizes to your personal viewing preference. Protective Corners Snap in corners hold your iPad securely in place and keep it safe from damage. With a minimalist design approach the protective corners quietly fade into the background. Tab Closure When you're not using your iPad, the magnetized tab closure keeps the cover securely closed and your screen protected.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent choice for Landscape view\\n\\nReview: Overall, I am very pleased with the Belkin Cinema Stripe Folio. It looks and feels like a quality product. Inserting the iPad and removing it from the folio is easy to do. It protects the screen very well and adds a degree of protection should you drop the iPad.\\n\\nThis folio is most useful if you plan on using your iPad in Landscape mode. There are a variety of different angles you can set the folio to so you may have a comfortable view of the iPad. I have a Kindle Fire too and the Mareware case I purchased for it is a bit lacking in the adjustability of angles / maintaining a view without slipping. This Belkin folio is excellent at retaining a comfortable viewing angle in landscape mode.\\n\\nNow, if you like to use your iPad in Portrait mode, you may want to consider another model. This product isn't meant to be used in portrait mode. You could stand up your iPad just as you would a book on a counter, but there's no real stability. Chances are, your iPad will fall down. This product would be more useful for portrait mode if Belkin put on an elastic band meant to slip your hand through to support the folio. My KF's Mareware has this feature and I use it all the time. Since the iPad is considerably larger, using it in landscape mode and sitting it down is still your best bet.\\n\\nOther reviewers have stated that the auto-off feature doesn't work with their folio. I have had a few instances where the iPad does not immediately turn off, but overall this feature works well. Just make sure that the cover is squared up when you go to latch it and it should work fine.\",\n \"Product: Choose Your View Simply adjust the stand to your personal preference and sit back to read, watch movies and video, or any of your other favorite content in comfort. When youre finished, the cover folds closed to protect the screen with a soft inner lining thats smooth against your device. The slim, lightweight design slips easily into any bag without adding bulk. Multiple Viewing Angles The adjustable stand moves to give you the most comfortable viewing experience. Magnetic Tab Closure The magnetized tab closure secures the cover to keep your screen protected. When open, the tab neatly holds the cover back and out of the way. Compatibility iPad mini\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Magnetic Wake / Sleep feature makes this a 5 star product\\n\\nReview: I previously purchased a <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Belkin-Chambray-Tab-Cover-Case-with-Stand-for-the-New-iPad-mini-Grey/dp/B009T0NNQU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Belkin Chambray Tab Cover/Case with Stand for the New iPad mini (Grey)</a> (which I rated 4 stars) for the iPad mini and my review was this...\\n\\n\\\"This cover met all my requirements for the iPad mini.\\n\\n- Provides protection\\n\\n- Does not interfere with camera\\n\\n- All buttons / switches are accessible\\n\\n- iPad is held securely in place, yet you can remove iPad easily\\n\\n- Does not encroach on the viewable part of the screen\\n\\n- Stand functions properly and does not collapse\\n\\nIf only there was a magnetic closure that triggered the iPad Mini to turn on / off when the cover was opened / closed, this would be a 5 star product.\\\"\\n\\nIt seems as though Belkin listened when they designed the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Belkin-Camo-Cover-Folio-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Blue-F7N017ttC02/dp/B00AYU2RQG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Belkin Camo Cover Folio with Stand for Apple iPad mini, Blue (F7N017ttC02)</a>. I would rate the Belkin Camo Cover Folio with the same remarks as the Tab Cover Folio, and praise the addition of the magnetic wake / sleep feature which makes this cover a solid 5 star product.\",\n \"Product: Choose Your View Simply adjust the stand to your personal preference and sit back to read, watch movies and video, or any of your other favorite content in comfort. When youre finished, the cover folds closed to protect the screen with a soft inner lining thats smooth against your device. The slim, lightweight design slips easily into any bag without adding bulk. Multiple Viewing Angles The adjustable stand moves to give you the most comfortable viewing experience. Protective Corners Get full protection without getting in the way of your screen. Snap your iPad mini into the Protective Corners, and watch as they quietly fade into the background. Magnetic Tab Closure The magnetized tab closure secures the cover to keep your screen protected. When open, the tab neatly holds the cover back and out of the way. Compatibility iPad mini\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Magnetic Wake / Sleep feature makes this a 5 star product\\n\\nReview: I previously purchased a <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Belkin-Classic-Tab-Cover-Case-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Purple/dp/B009T0NLYE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Belkin Classic Tab Cover / Case with Stand for Apple iPad mini (Purple)</a> (which I rated 4 stars) for the iPad mini and my review was this...\\n\\n\\\"This cover met all my requirements for the iPad mini.\\n\\n- Provides protection\\n\\n- Does not interfere with camera\\n\\n- All buttons / switches are accessible\\n\\n- iPad is held securely in place, yet you can remove iPad easily\\n\\n- Does not encroach on the viewable part of the screen\\n\\n- Stand functions properly and does not collapse\\n\\nIf only there was a magnetic closure that triggered the iPad Mini to turn on / off when the cover was opened / closed, this would be a 5 star product.\\\"\\n\\nIt seems as though Belkin listened when they designed the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Belkin-Tartan-Cover-Folio-with-Stand-for-Apple-iPad-mini-Pink-F7N016ttC01/dp/B00AYU2RN4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Belkin Tartan Cover Folio with Stand for Apple iPad mini, Pink (F7N016ttC01)</a>. I would rate the Tartan Cover Folio with the same remarks as the Tab Cover Folio, and praise the addition of the magnetic wake / sleep feature which makes this cover a solid 5 star product.\",\n \"Product: Speck's ShowFolio for iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina Display creates an easy-in-car viewing experience while providing protection for your iPad mini. Simply pull out the fold-away clips and attach the ShowFolio to the seat headrest posts on most cars. You have a simple way to provide rear passenger video viewing. When not in use for entertainment, the ShowFolio shifts into a tri-fold stand for a variety of angles, or folds over the iPad mini for complete protection. Made with the Shift Modular System that allows you to change Frames, Covers and Backs to optimize your iPad mini functionality.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: For car travel, it's perfect\\n\\nReview: I am giving the Speck Showfolio case a 5 star rating based on the fact that the product is meant to be used to attach to a headrest in a vehicle for stable viewing. It performs this function beautifully.\\n\\nIf you're considering purchasing this case for every day use, I think they are better cases out there. If however, your goal is to secure you iPad Mini for travel, I would recommend ordering the Speck Showfolio.\\n\\nMy iPad Mini with Retina display snaps securely into the case, yet it's easy enough to remove when I want to. Hooking the case to the back of a headrest is simple enough and the iPad stays stable to watch a show. I would think this is really what the case is meant for. You are too far away from the headrest in your normal sitting position to want to reach forward constantly and press the screen.\\n\\nThe trifold cover is like Apple's smartfolio. The auto wake/sleep feature works fine with my iPad.\\n\\nThe cutouts on the case are all where they should be. I can easily plug in a charger or headphones. The volume control cover is a bit stiff, but I can still manage the volume just fine with the case on.\\n\\nOne reviewer said they can use the hooks as a stand. I wouldn't recommend this based on my case. The hooks are attached to elastic to make them flexible to mount to different headrests. They are not stable enough to function as a stand. The only stand option is folding the trifold cover into a triangle stand for a slight angled stand.\\n\\nThe hooks add a bit of bulk compared to an everyday case, but given the intended use of this case, I don't think the thickness matters.\",\n \"Product: The MaxxDrySD is a safe, simple, overnight way to dry footwear! Using thermal convection naturally rising warm air the MaxxDrySD removes dampness, perspiration and odor from all types of shoes or boots. Warm air gradually rises to dry rain soaked shoes or hard to dry boots harmlessly. Overnight! Using just minimal watts, the MaxxDrySD is a cost- effective economically friendly tool for daily use to dry or warm footwear. Glove Attachment Accessory Sold Separately\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: No more stinky shoes! A nice dryer / warmer as well.\\n\\nReview: After reading about ways to combat stinky shoes and the resulting foot odor, I stumbled upon the MaxxDry SD Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer. Really, I thought it would be too good to be true. Just pop your shoes on the dryer after wearing them and the odors will disappear?? What about all the lotions & potions that are available (some I'm leary of using on my teenager)? Could something this easy really solve the odor problem?\\n\\nYES, it really works. I will be buying 1-2 more because it works so well. It is totally silent and is perfect for setting in a bedroom.\\n\\nUPDATE 12/29/12\\nTime to order another shoe dryer because I have 3 people all wanting to use it. As my review originally stated, the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/MaxxDry-SD-Boot-Shoe-and-Glove-Dryer/dp/B001MTO180/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">MaxxDry SD Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer</a> does an excellent job of getting rid of stinky shoes and foot odor.\\n\\nNow that we have had some snow, I can tell you that the dryer does a great job of drying out wet boots and gloves too. The kids' snow gear is dry and ready to go back into action much quicker than just letting it air dry. My husband loves having his work boots warmed up in the morning before heading out.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\",\n \"Product: The Hue Perfectly Bare Slingback Liner 10450 has a clear elastic sling back that stretches to fit your foot. They are perfect to wear when you want the comfort and fit of hosiery with the \\\"no hose\\\" look of going bare. The Hue Perfectly Bare Slingback Liner 10450 is made of 86% nylon and 14% spandex fabric.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Probably better for smaller feet\\n\\nReview: I purchased these Hue Slingback Liners as well as the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Hue-Women-s-2-Pair-Pack-Sheet-Toe-Cover-Sock/dp/B00CYAXW4K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Hue Women's 2 Pair Pack Sheet Toe Cover Sock</a> to protect my toes in a pair of closed toe, open back shoes.\\n\\nI found that the Toe Cover Socks work better for me. The Slingback Liner toe cover material appeared way too small at first. It does stretch out when you put it on and provides good coverage though. What I didn't like was the plastic loop to grip the back of your heel. The material is smooth and pliable and would be comfortable if it were not so tight. I wear a size 11, so I think this would be comfortable for someone with a smaller shoe size.\\n\\nBecause of the discomfort with the heel strap, I much prefer the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Hue-Women-s-2-Pair-Pack-Sheet-Toe-Cover-Sock/dp/B00CYAXW4K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Hue Women's 2 Pair Pack Sheet Toe Cover Sock</a>. This product covers my toes and stays in place all day.\",\n \"Product: Case: Black stainless steel Band: Black mesh bracelet Crystal: Mineral Movement: Quartz One-year Ziiiro warranty\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Very happy with purchase\\n\\nReview: My son wanted this watch as a gift. I looked everywhere locally to find one with no luck. A quick search on Amazon revealed the Ziiiro Celeste from more than one source. I chose to buy from The Watch Co.\\n\\n3 days after placing my order, it still hadn't shipped and I could tell something was wrong (one of a couple orders I placed with shipping issues this Christmas). Amazon had marked the item as out of stock and was no longer selling it. I called The Watch Co direct to see if they knew if they had any more Celeste watches in stock. Long story short...I had one of the best customer service experiences dealing with The Watch Co. I finally received the watch and it was just what my son wanted.\\n\\nI will buy from The Watch Co in the future and recommend them to family & friends.\",\n \"Product: Bravo to you for adopting! What a incredible blessing, but sadly too many dogs are returned due to fear, aggression or separation anxiety. This doesn't have to happen! 3 Dog Days program immediately shows your dog he/she is safe, calms him and teaches respectful behavior. No need to study! Just follow 3 main techniques for 3 days and your dog will learn as you learn. Designed to work over a weekend (3 day period) before you have to return to work.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Looking for a way to help your dog? Adopting a dog? Then this DVD is for you!\\n\\nReview: I will tell you up front that I have known Angie Winters for quite some time. When I met Angie, it was immediately obvious to me that she loves animals in general and dogs in particular. She is truly dedicated to making life better for dogs and their people.\\n\\n3 Dog Days is a labor of love in which Angie will help dog owners learn to think from a dog's perspective to establish a happy, healthy connection between dogs and the people they live with. Once that base trust and understanding is established, the canine / human relationship can flourish. Lacking such a level of trust or understanding can lead to behavior problems. It is essential that any newly adopted dog be introduced properly into the home and Angie shows you how to do it successfully.\\n\\nI have seen firsthand the amazing results that Angie gets applying the 3 Dog Days system with the rescue dogs she helps. I don't use the word amazing lightly here - it really is. To see a dog who is wild and out of control quickly learn that he is not in charge and HAPPILY accept the new rules and his place in the world as a respectful pet is quite something. On the other end of the spectrum...to witness a dog who is scared of people learn to trust again and become happy is a joy as well.\\n\\nI highly recommend you get 3 Dog Days and let Angie share this simple yet powerful system with you.\\n\\nIf you are looking for more information on Angie's 3 Dog Days philosophy or would like to learn more about how it works, visit Angie4Dogs on the web.\",\n \"Product: The Slim Armor case for the Galaxy S5 provides complete all-around protection while maintaining a slim profile. The double layers of rubberized TPU and hard polycarbonate provide protection in a form-fitted design. The smart design features exact cutouts for unhindered use of the camera, heart rate monitor, and speaker.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: LOVE THIS CASE. Great protection with comfort and good looks.\\n\\nReview: I love this case. I had the Spigen Tough Armor Case for my S5 and liked the protection it provided, but it was just too bulky. I couldn't find a case locally that I liked, so I decided to go with the Spigen Slim Armor case. It was a great decision. My phone still has great protection, but fits in my hand much better.\\n\\nThe bumper protects the screen when you place the phone face down. The rear of the case offers enough protection to keep the camera lens from being scratched when you lay the phone down (which not all cases that I tested did due to the camera protruding so much on this phone).\\n\\nThe blue is a great match for the Samsung blue. The dimpling on the back of the case adds a bit of texture to make the case less slippery. The case fits like a glove, yet is fairly easy to put on and take off when needed. The charging port is easily accessible with the case on. The buttons are easy to operate and all cutouts are properly placed. The speaker is raised just enough by this case to ensure the sound is not muffled.\\n\\nGreat protection with comfort and good looks.\",\n \"Product: The Invisible Shield - ZAGGs customized, patented, flagship product - wraps around consumer electronics providing unrivaled abrasion resistance. Custom designed for thousands of devices, including mobile phones, digital media players, laptops, tablets, GPS devices, hand-held gaming systems, watches, digital cameras, and more, the Invisible Shield is the original gadget protector\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Why didn't I buy this sooner??\\n\\nReview: I saw the InvisibleShield Glass by ZAGG at Best Buy and stopped to check it out. It sounded like a good product, but a family member said screen protectors decreased screen sensitivity, so I didn't get one. I was still curious about the InvisibleShield Glass and was happy to receive one to evaluate for Amazon Vine.\\n\\nIn short, you just apply the glass and enjoy the benefits and protection it offers.\\n\\nI see kiosks in the mall selling this product and charging to install it. This is a totally unnecessary expense IMO. Installation was a breeze. Just wipe the screen with the enclosed wet wipe, then dry and make sure there are no smears or specks of any kind with the enclosed soft cloth. Once the screen is spotless, just remove the adhesive from the glass and place it on the screen. The glass will settle and seal automatically and that is it.\\n\\nI have a Spigen Slim Armor and a Spigen Tough Armor case for my S5. The glass works perfectly with both cases. When properly centered, the glass will not touch the bumpers of the case, but sit just inside them.\\n\\nThe comment about screen protectors may be accurate for some protectors, but not so for the InvisibleShield Glass. There is no difference whatsoever in screen responsiveness on my phone.\\n\\nI love the look of the screen with the InvisibleShield Glass on. My screen is sharp and crisp. I notice that there are far fewer fingerprints with the glass on and the screen is much easier to clean now.\\n\\nI am not going to do a drop test...but if I accidentally conduct that experiment, I will update my review to let you know how the InvisibleShield Glass performs.\",\n \"Product: Zymol Leather Cleaner gently removes tough oils and soils from leather and vinyl quickly and completely. Produced with Castile (Olive Oil) soaps and Lanolin, this pH balanced formula safely cleans and restores the beauty to soiled automotive or home interior leather.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Seeing is believing ... Zymol leather cleaner works!\\n\\nReview: If you just want to know if <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Zymol-Z507-Leather-Cleaner-8-oz/dp/B0009JKISG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Zymol Z507 Leather Cleaner - 8 oz.</a> really works, check out the image I uploaded. It works, no question.\\n\\nI didn't have time last summer to detail my van and by now my seats are looking pretty bad. Between spills, sweaty kids, crumbs and who knows what else, the seats are dirty. The last time I cleaned the leather, I used a leather cleaner/conditioner combo product that gave me less than stellar results. This time I researched products to use so I wouldn't waste my time. Zymol leather cleaner seemed like a good gamble. I used to use Zymol products years ago when I had time to baby my car. The carnuba wax smelled like the Tropics and worked wonders. I wasn't sure if the brand would be as reliable since being bought by Turtle Wax.\\n\\nAs you can see by the picture, the leather cleaner works very well. Sure you need some elbow grease, but with a little effort, your leather seats will once again look beautiful.\\n\\nI also purchased Zymol leather conditioner and am very satisfied with it as well.\",\n \"Product: Premium quality Flex blades, easy to install, smooth and quiet operation, superior performance.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Why didn't I know about SilBlade before now?\\n\\nReview: I have never heard of SilBlade as they are not found in your typical big box store's auto section. I needed a 22\\\" blade so I thought I would give them a try. Bosch is usually my go to brand for wiper blades.\\n\\nMy initial reaction to the SilBlades was \\\"oh no they are the flat type old school wiper blades...this isn't going to put enough pressure on the windshield to work as well as the Bosch\\\". Well, I was wrong.\\n\\nThese premium SilBlades are impressive. First, I would tell you that they are hands down the easiest blades to install. I have the J type hook on my wiper arm. It took me less than 60 seconds to install the SilBlade. The instructions that come with the SilBlades are written in native English and are easy to understand. They are also very detailed and include directions for most types of installations.\\n\\nAfter installing the blades I used the windshield wiper cleaning function to see if they did make contact and clean without gaps. Yes they did. We have had plenty of precipitation in the form of rain and snow the past few weeks to test these out. Even if my vehicle has been sitting out all day in single digit temperatures, the SilBlade wiper cleans perfectly.\\n\\nI did some investigating and found that the company has actually been around for a while. I have read older reviews of the products and the review of this style of the premium wiper blade all seem to agree that they are fantastic. I am seeing users post at 5 years that the blades are still working well. SilBlade also manufactures wiper blades in different colors which is a novelty that some may enjoy. If you search for their website, you will learn that they were designed by silicone engineer and are composed of silicone, graphite and a Teflon like product. This composition allows the blade to withstand extreme temperatures and to glide across the windshield. Additionally, with use they claim that the blade deposits a coating that repels moisture and improves visibility.\\n\\nI haven't used them enough to evaluate the long term performance of the blades yet. I will update my review in the future to see how they are performing against the Bosch blade.\\n\\nHere's some more info fro SilBlades' website:\\n\\\"SilBlade Patented Formulation is unaffected by the elements that break down conventional wipers such as UV/sunlight, ozone, oil and grime from road spray. SilBlade is unaffected by extreme temperatures as low as -80F and as high as 400F.\\\"\\n\\n\\\"SilBlade patented formulation leaves an invisible hydrophobic coating (water repellent) within 90 days from the first use. The activated release recharges the hydrophobic layer with every use throughout the life of SilBlade wipers. Your visibility during rainy conditions improves with every wipe.\\\"\",\n \"Product: Premium quality Flex blades, easy to install, smooth and quiet operation, superior performance.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Didn't last a year\\n\\nReview: I had previously used a pair of SilBlade wipers which I received thru the Amazon Vine program. They were fantastic wipers, so when it was time to replace them, I ordered a new pair of SilBlades. I have had this set on the car for about a year and they just are not as good as the first set. For months, they have been leaving streaks on the driver's side. I have wiped the blades down to see if there was dirt on the blade causing the problem - didn't work.\\n\\nI no longer have the packaging to see what these blades were made of. They seem to be rubber rather than silicone. I paid the premium price expecting to get at least several years use out of them. Disappointed that they didn't even work for a year without deterioration.\",\n \"Product: Wilson Jones is a leading source of reliable, quality products that help consumers work faster, smarter and better at the office, home, or at school. Whether you are a corporate professional, a home-based entrepreneur, a business traveler, a student, or a head of a busy household, there are Wilson Jones products to fit your every specific need. Each Wilson Jones Favorite Desk File Sorter measures a generous 10 x 12 Inches and easily organizes materials on desk. Each book-style sorter has a bellow-style compartment that expands up to 1.5 Inches with an alphabetical A-Z index. The durable and moisture-resistant acrylic-coated cover promises heavy, long-term use. With an extensive and innovative selection and quality materials, Wilson Jones provides everything you need to become virtually unstoppable in today's fast-paced work and school environments.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Sturdy tool to help you organize\\n\\nReview: When I ordered this product, I thought it was an expandable file with sides on it. It does not have sides to keep papers from falling out. So, do not expect it to be expandable to contain papers like a box bottom hanging file is.\\n\\nOnce you know what it's not, you may like is for what it is. The bottom of the file sorter is very expandable, so this can organize a LOT of papers. It is a file sorter kind of like having a bunch of letter size manila box bottom folders attached at the bottom. The construction of the Wilson Jones file/sorter is much more durable than a traditional manila file though. It should last through many years of use.\\n\\nOne other thing to note - the dimensions. The file/sorter is slightly larger than a standard letter size folder. Check the dimensions of the drawer or file you intend to use this file/sorter in before purchasing. The file/sorter was a bit large for the drawer I have hanging files in. However, it works great in the portable file box I use.\",\n \"Product: Using our Bulls-Eye Spot Beam, the HP4 Pen Flashlight is a prime choice for technicians who are looking for a great penlight that shoots a spot beam downrange while having a transition halo flood that increases your side view ability. The adjustable clip makes it perfect for storage in a pocket or tool kit. With COAST's commitment to quality, the HP4 Flashlight is impact resistant, weather resistant and its LED is virtually unbreakable. Runs for up to 3.5 hours on high settings with 2 x standard AAA alkaline batteries (included). The HP4 Flashlight is backed by COASTs lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Tested and rated to ANSI/FL1 standards.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Another Great Coast Product\\n\\nReview: We have several Coast flashlights. All of them are excellent, well made products at a fair price.\\n\\nIn this era of cutting corners, Coast has decided on quite a different business model.\\n\\nYour flashlight will arrive in a nice quality box, not packed into a molded plastic package that you are almost guaranteed to cut yourself opening.\\n\\nYour flashlight has batteries INCLUDED! You can use it immediately.\\n\\nCoast products feel substantial. None of that cheap plastic stuff here. When you pick up a Coast flashlight, you feel confident that your investment will last for a long time.\\n\\nThe Coast HP4 is perfect for keeping in your shirt or pants pocket. It provides just the right amount of illumination for working in small spaces.\",\n \"Product: The Bosch CLPK25-180 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Compact Tough Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit uses the industry's most advanced lithium-ion technology for greater battery life and more run time, all in a lighter package. Offering an exceptionally compact and lightweight design, the durable, powerful Bosch DDB180 18-volt 3/8-inch keyless chuck cordless drill/driver gives you high-quality results on the job while helping you work for hours with less fatigue. The DDB180 works at two speeds (400 RPM and 1,300 RPM) and provides 400 inch/pounds of torque, which is enough to drive most common fasteners and drill bits. Durashield housing, unibody construction and a steel-reinforced collar help you withstand real-world conditions, like temperature extremes, rain, dirt, debris and drops. With 15 clutch settings and a variable-speed trigger, you'll be able to match the best speed to the job and achieve more precise results. The new Bosch IDS181 18-volt 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver, features an ultra-compact design, while delivering best-in-class application control. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, HVAC professionals and other tradesmen can take advantage of the tools optimized performance for fast and great results. The tools compact size also facilitates work in hard-to-reach spaces. A Bosch patented, three-LED white light system provides shadow-free illumination for the best visibility in low-lighting applications. The new impact drivers also feature an intelligent electronic protection system, including electronic motor protection, which increases motor life by protecting the motor in overload and stall situations and electronic cell protection, which doubles battery life. This kit includes: (1) DDB180 3/8-Inch Compact Tough Drill/Driver, (1) IDS181 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver, (2) 1.5Ah Slim-Pack Batteries, (1) Charger and Case.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Much lighter than older models with MORE power!\\n\\nReview: My husband has had 3 other Bosch drills over the years. Like all of the older drills, the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Bosch-CLPK25-180-18-volt-Lithium-Ion-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-3-8-Inch-Drill-Driver-1-4-Inch-Hex-Impact-Driver-2-Slim-Pack-Batteries-Charger-and-Case/dp/B00EPE7Q9U/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Bosch CLPK25-180 18-volt Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Combo Kit with 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver, 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver, 2 Slim Pack Batteries, Charger and Case</a> has made a very favorable impression. You just can't go wrong with a Bosch drill. This model is smaller, lighter and more powerful than the older models. The light to illuminate the area to be drilled is a new feature for hubby and he loves it.\\n\\nThe impact driver is fairly compact so you can use it in tight spaces. Again, it has a light which is a huge plus.\\n\\nIf the job at hand only requires one of the tools, you can have a spare battery ready to go since the batteries are interchangeable.\\n\\nThe case is great. The last Bosch drill he had was in a hard plastic case. Everything clipped into a premolded spot, but there was not room for anything other than the drill kit pieces. With the Bosch CLPK25-180, you get a soft side case. This allows you more flexibility both with packing the case into tight spaces as well as the ability to carry other tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, screws, etc.\\n\\n5+ star rating.\",\n \"Product: Find it fast, find it first! Pictureka is the exciting game of visual hide and seek. Players compete to collect the most mission cards to win the game. Great for the whole family, and kids as young as six can play with older kids and parents. No batteries required.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Twist on \\\"I Spy\\\" - Lots of fun\\n\\nReview: We recently received this game and it's a big hit. Our 6 1/2 year & 9 year olds can play it on their own!\\n\\nIt's pretty much like \\\"I Spy\\\" because you are looking for objects on the game board. The new twist is that there are 9 tiles that make up the game board, so they can be moved or flipped over and change the game midstream.\\n\\nSometimes players have to find a certain number of objects on their own, other times it's a race for all players to find an object first and the last option allows for all players to bid to see if they can find the most of an object.\\n\\nWith 4 players this seems to be about a 20 minute game. A sure winner.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":35,"string":"35"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1778,"string":"1,778"}}},{"rowIdx":1779,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A36R6GFSVFP29R"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"The BISSELL power fresh steam mop provides superior steam cleaning with a fresh scent. For those tough, dried-on messes we all experience on our floors and on grout, use the flip-down easy scrubber brush to break up the dirt quickly and easily. Cleaning with steam sanitizes* floors, eliminating 99.9Percent of germs and bacteria* in common households.*when used as directed, using the microfiber pads.*when used as directed, using the microfiber pads.\". The summary of the review text is \"First one was short lived, but still a great product.\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I purchased this (the first time around) in August of 2014. It died yesterday. but even though it only lasted a year and a half I still give it 4 stars. It takes about a minute to get going and then it never really stops throughout. I had a Shark that would steam for about a minute and then take 20 seconds to build up more steam. Very frustrating. It lasted longer but I probably got less actual steam time out of it.\nI can do almost my entire downstairs (1000-ish sq. feet) on one fill up of water.\nIt's great for cleaning. I have a 85 pound lab that loves to track in mud and this will clean up foot prints from my hardwood in no time.\nSweep and then mop and they look brand new with minimal work.\n\nI only use/used distilled water.\nI am happy with the performance but was definitely disappointed in the short life. I'm giving it another shot and hoping I just got a \"dud.\"\nBut I think you'll be happy with the purchase."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I purchased this (the first time around) in August of 2014. It died yesterday. but even though it only lasted a year and a half I still give it 4 stars. It takes about a minute to get going and then it never really stops throughout. I had a Shark that would steam for about a minute and then take 20 seconds to build up more steam. Very frustrating. It lasted longer but I probably got less actual steam time out of it.\nI can do almost my entire downstairs (1000-ish sq. feet) on one fill up of water.\nIt's great for cleaning. I have a 85 pound lab that loves to track in mud and this will clean up foot prints from my hardwood in no time.\nSweep and then mop and they look brand new with minimal work.\n\nI only use/used distilled water.\nI am happy with the performance but was definitely disappointed in the short life. I'm giving it another shot and hoping I just got a \"dud.\"\nBut I think you'll be happy with the purchase."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: BHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation Features Enhanced Bass, Inline Microphone and 18-Hour (Max) Battery BHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation Advanced Bluetooth 4.0: Industry-leading CSR Bluetooth 4.0 supports A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP for a fully wireless experience, Stream Music to Your Wireless Bluetooth Headphones from Your PC, Smartphone, Tablet and More Over a 33-Foot Wireless Range Talk Time: up to 18 hours Play Time: up to 16 hours Charging Time: approximately 3 hours Operating Range: up to 10m Wireless Bluetooth Headphones that help you disconnect - literally and figuratively. Escape the everyday with your favorite tunes and audiobooks anytime, anywhere. These advanced Bluetooth earphones from BHM help you disconnect from your surroundings while disconnecting from the headache of tangled wires. Make this easy lifestyle upgrade to enjoy the latest word in Bluetooth headphone technology and functionality. One primary distinction is the active noise cancellation technology. Unlike passive noise isolating designs, these headphones actively cancel ambient noise for focused listening.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Know what you're buying.\n\nReview: This could've been either 2 stars or 4 stars..\nThese seem to be one of those products that puts form over function.\nThe design is great. the buttons are well placed, the setup is child's play, and the materials are really sexy.\nThe function, however, is lacking in my opinion.\nThe noise cancelling is mehh.. But I guess it's about the level you'll get in this price range. I have some wired headphones that cost about this much and the noise cancelling is about the same. You'll still be able to hear the person in the cube talking next to you, but the background noise will be less noticeable. These aren't Bose and they don't claim to be.\nThe sound quality is.. OK. The bass is a little lacking for me. The aforementioned wired headphones that I own have a much better bass response.\nThey aren't exactly what I define as \"over ear\" headphones either. To me, those envelop your ear. These will cover your ear, but the majority of covering is just padding (not sound).\nThat's a minor gripe.\n\nThe convenience is great with the rechargeable aspect, and obviously the wireless.\n\nSo if your priorities are nice design with a good feature set, and convenience is key, you will be pretty satisfied with these.\nIf premium sound quality is your jam, then you're probably better served elsewhere.","Product: The Roomba 614 Vacuum Cleaning Robot provides a thorough clean, all at the push of a button. The patented, 3-Stage Cleaning System picks up dust, pet hair and large debris like cereal. The Lithium Ion battery helps your robot go the distance, providing up to 3x the battery cycle lifetime. Roomba works on all floor types, and at just 3.6 inch tall, is specifically designed to fit under most furniture, beds and kickboards.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good product. Minus 1 star for designing a vacuum cleaner whose arch nemesis is a rug.\n\nReview: Here's the deal.\nI had one of these back in the day. It worked fine then, the battery stopped taking a charge after a while. I hope that the Lithium Ion has sorted that out.\nI have a dog, a cat, and a lot of the time, my girlfriend's dog too.\nAnd a 1000-ish sq. foot hardwood downstairs.\nI will sweep that thing 3 times a week during the summer just to try and keep up with the shedding. It's absolutely ridiculous.\nFor the \"amazon day\" price of 250 this was worth it.. anymore than that and I'd be a little disappointed.\nFirst Cons..\n1. it takes 15 minutes and a dustbuster to do what this thing takes an hour to do.\n2. It does get stuck on my back door rug and living room rug quite often and yells \"error\" at me and stops.\n3. I have to empty it every time it runs (and the maintenance instructions want me to clean the filter, casters, charging prongs, and other pieces weekly).\n\nPros\n1. I don't really care how long it runs if it saves me any amount of time.\n2. It does pick up everything and it does a more thorough job than me (getting under the tables and nooks and what not with tireless perseverance).\n\nOther thoughts.\nYou will want to destroy this if you watch it. Spending 30 minutes going around a single chair, getting stuck under the table, finally escaping just to turn right back aound and go in.\nWhy get a 100 or 200 dollar more expensive unit that has a timer if you're going to have to change the bin everytime it runs anyhow? You're there, change the bin, press clean.\n\nI don't know. Overall, it's frustratingly stupid, but it does save me time and it does do a good job. So 4 stars. 5 stars if I didn't have to rescue it from the rugs once in a while.","Product: Discover the Spax Advantage! whether you're a professional contractor or weekend do-it-yourselfer, this German engineered/American made Spax #10 x 3-1/2in. T-star flat head Partial thread Yellow Zinc screw offers a premium quality fastening solution to help ensure professional results in less time than inferior imported screws. This high performance wood screw is not your average screw. While it is designed for wood applications it is also functional for other materials like masonry, drywall, plastic, and up to 24Ga steel. Masonry and Concrete do require pre-drilling. It is made from carbon steel and coated for durability to fasten strongly and securely. Often imitated, but never duplicated, the unique patented features of Spax fasteners reflect nearly two centuries of cold-forming engineering and manufacturing experience. Do it Once, do it right with Spax.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: New to the world of tstar screws but these are GREAT.\n\nReview: I can't believe I had gone this long without ever using tstar/torx screws/bits. These are absolutely fantastic. I'll never go back to square heads and regular philips head if I can avoid it. These don't ever slip or strip. EVER. and they drive into wood effortlessly. I love it when screws just dig in past the surface without even trying. Almost every one of these did that.\nUsed these to build a couple of tarp hanging \"towers\" which just consisted of 4x4s with 2x4's attached to the bottom for stability. Eye bolts at the top on two sides. One side attached to a ground screw via ratchet strap. The other side attached to the other tower via two ratchet straps (25 ft+ long expanse). Works great holding up a 20x20 tarp over a semi permanent 20x10 ozark trail tent.\nI built my first tower with square head screws, remembered these and used them. They worked so well that I took out the square heads from the first tower and replaced them with these.\nWill use these for every project from now on if feasible.","Product: Can't decide between looks or brains? You don't have to. Featuring a micro-textured finish and optimized reflective surface for rapid in-game responsiveness, the Razer Firefly is engineered to deliver uncompromising precision even in the toughest of gaming duels, so you can effortlessly secure your victory every time. The Razer Firefly is also equipped with Razer Chroma customizable lighting, making it the world's first gaming mouse mat with limitless personalization options. Fully compatible with your other Chroma enabled Razer devices, this hard gaming mouse mat lets you choreograph an impressive spectrum of effects that will bring your personal playstyle to life.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: This is how they get you...\n\nReview: I had a blue LED (ish) mouse pad back in the day.\nI was a big fan of the \"bling\" it brought to the desk.\nI had always half heartedly looked for a replacement since they seemed to \"die out.\"\nI stumbled across this and pretty much immediately bought it.\nThe lighting effects are fantastic. Very crisp etching on the razer graphic. The lighting emanates from underneath which is key for LED (novelty) lights.\nIt's extremely thin.. about 10 sheets of paper thin.\nVery high quality.\nThere are some different modes/customizations available once you install the synapse software, I'm using \"Breathing\" with purple and gold. Geaux Tigers.\n\nThe pros stop there, because I realize now that this is how they get you.\nAn innocent replacement mousepad..\nWRONG..\n250 dollars of buyers remorse later (but a seriously awesome looking desk, with a quality keyboard and mouse that you had no need for) you'll know what I know.\nBeware.","Product: Frigidaire's FRA054XT7 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Mini Room Air Conditioner is perfect for small size rooms up to 165 square feet. This unit features rotary controls and top full-width air discharge. The antimicrobial filter reduces bacteria, room odors, and other airborne particles for a comfortable environment. And the included pleated quick mount window mounting kit makes this air conditioner easy to install.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Disappointed with \"name brand\"\n\nReview: I would give this one star because of my experience, but that's not fair.\nIt is small, easy to install, quiet, and did cool very well.\nAlthough in it's second summer it has suddenly stopped working. The thermostat will randomly start showing quick temp drops/rises, the controls don't respond or beep. Resets don't do anything. It is kaput.\nI brought this in over the winter and didn't have any problems with it last year.\nFor 150 bucks-ish I can't take off too many more stars. It paid for itself and more in a single summer in cost savings from the central unit.\nBut I would expect it to last more than a year.\nI have a Keystone 5000 btu that is going strong in it's 3rd summer.","Product: Help extend the life of your carpet with the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner. Designed to clean many carpeted and fabric surfaces in and around your home. Make cleaning a breeze with spill free tanks that are easy to access, easy to fill, empty and clean. The Power Scrub Deluxe features SpinScrub multiple brush system, a rinse option, automatic detergent mixing, a DualV Nozzle for more efficient cleaning and forced heated air for faster drying time.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Worth it, but know what you're getting\n\nReview: If you've ever had your carpets steam cleaned then you know about what you're getting here.\nObviously a professional steam clean has some advantages.\nSteam helps to loosen up some more dirt (AND THIS DOES NOT STEAM IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE)..\nIt dries faster.\nAnd you get to sit on your butt and watch.\nThis machine costs less than one cleaning and will make your carpets look about the same.\nThey probably aren't going to be quite as clean, but you'll get the pile lines and it'll certainly feel fresher and cleaner than it was.\nThis is a carpet cleaner though, not a miracle worker. You're not going to get out stains that you've failed to get out with other means. This will only get the dirt out. and perhaps remove some spots that you hadn't noticed or hadn't tried to get out yet.\n\nYou can see in the picture that the carpets look clean but several spots remained. I have the absolute worst carpets for stain resistance/removal though so you may have better luck. I'll be lucky to get something out if it's been sitting there for 10 seconds.\n\nOther Thoughts\nI did about 1000 sq. feet plus a sectional. and I used slightly more than 32 oz of cleaner (35 or so).\nI emptied 4 times (but could've gotten away with 3).\nI filled up 3 times (I think).\nI wish that you could adjust the height of the brushes (they don't really seem to get into my carpet).\nIt's December and 70 degrees in Alabama but it didn't take long to dry. Probably an hour or 2 in most spots. Some spots stayed damp for quite a bit longer.\nI would not use this for spot cleaning (I don't know if it claims to be good for that), but I think you'd be much better served with something designed for that (or just your hands and some towels) to be able to scrub more locally/focused.\n\nOverall.. It was worth the purchase and, if you don't mind a little bit of \"work\", it will definitely keep your carpets cleaner for cheaper than yearly steams.","Product: This 12,000-BTU portable air conditioner is ideal for spot cooling mid-sized rooms up to 450 square feet. With three cool settings, three fan settings, a 24-hour on/off timer and dehumidify mode, this single-hose model is equipped to meet your interior climate needs. A Quick-Install Window Kit is included for exhausting the unit through any horizontal or vertical opening window and fully directional casters provide mobility. Maintenance is minimal with a slide-out washable mesh filter and Auto Evaporation Technology makes manual draining unnecessary.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: As far as these things go, this seems to be a good product.\n\nReview: As far as these types of ACs go, this one is fine.\nThe design is nice and sleek. it looks better than a LG and smaller Haier I have.\nIt's about 6 or 7 inches shorter, and a few inches less deep than the 12k LG as well.\nAs far as noise......\nIt measures around 55 DB from 6 feet (With the compressor on, fan on high). That is 1 DB louder than a 12000 BTU LG, and 1 DB quieter than a 8,000 BTU LG window unit.\nThe 8,000 BTU unit is in my bedroom and I have no sleeping issues related to noise while its on.\nIt does a pretty good job of cooling what is probably the hottest room in my house.\nUpstairs, facing West, no shade or other protection. Alabama summer heat.\nI had a 8,000 BTU (portable unit) that was running all day and it would keep the room at 79 to 81 during the day.\nThis unit has no problem keeping it at 72 and will get down to 65 once the sun is down. I don't keep it set at those temps, but it can do that with the external temperature in the low/mid 90s (very high humidity/mostly sunny).\nThat's in a smallish bedroom (15X11 or so).\nAs long as you aren't asking this to do something beyond what it says it will do you should be happy.\nNo draining necessary thus far (2 months)\nI don't expect to have to do any, ever, and will be VERY disappointed if that doesn't hold true.\nInstall was simple. Couple of screws into your window casing. A little foam insulation tape, and maybe a cut of the window plastic insert to fit your window width, and voila.\nI purchased some insulation wrap that I haven't tried yet, I'll update if that significantly improves the efficiency, but so far, it's been performing as expected.\n\nThe LED is kind of bright, but I had some guests in that room for 3 nights and they were OK. Easy to cover up if you want/need to, but you can't turn it off unfortunately.\n\nI try not to give out 5 stars unless something \"wows\" me. This thing doesn't do anything that meets that criteria, but it doesn't have any glaring weaknesses either. I think you'll be happy, unless you're trying to cool a 800 sq. foot sun room in Texas.\n\n**Update\nI moved this into a 12x18 room that generates a lot of it's own heat (beer fridge, amplifier, projector, computer, all kinds of related electronics). It seems woefully underpowered for this room. Been running it non-stop for about 2 hours now and it hasn't gotten below 76. This is after the sun is down (it was 95ish today) and the room was hanging around 80. Had to move this in here because the LG I was using gave up the ghost. This Haier is certainly not as strong as that 12k BTU AC was.\nKeep this in smaller rooms and you should be fine.","Product: Lasko #H20610 max performance 20 inch high velocity floor fan or wallmount fan. Designed and engineered in the USA. Lasko has meant quality for over 100 years\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Makes the porch useful again, even on the hottest summer days.\n\nReview: Fantastic fan.\nI'm using it outside under a covered patio.\nIn combination with a low pressure mister it makes 97 degree Alabama days almost pleasant.\nI'm very happy with the coverage area. It's larger than I expected. About 8 feet across when the fan is 8 feet away and 7 feet up the wall.\nAlso has the added benefit of evaporating those \"larger\" droplets much more quickly and avoiding wet areas. Certainly a much cheaper alternative to the high pressure mister system I was looking at.\nOther fans were at least twice this price and sometimes, much more.\nA lot more air movement than a ceiling fan.\nSomewhat noisy but nothing off-putting. I could use it to sleep with if I needed to (even though that's not necessarily it's purpose), but I'm a fan of white noise as it is.\nI'm just as satisfied with this as the other Lasko fans I own.","Product: Greenscapes 4'x6' Grass Rug is perfect for covering a patio or porch. Easy to clean and easy to maintenance makes this the perfect addition to your patio.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Cheapest option I saw and still pleased.\n\nReview: I use these as entry areas for tents that I leave up on some property I own.\nThey are pretty easy to clean off.\nThey stay put (without the stakes that I was suckered in to buying as well).\nThey do well exposed to the elements.\nCoupled with an additional entry mat for taking the brunt of incoming dirt, they add a homey feeling, and a nice touch.\nThey aren't the highest quality in the world and no one is going to mistake them for grass.\nBut.. They are the cheapest/sq. foot that I saw and am very happy with the purchase.\nWhen I started looking for outdoor grass carpet I couldn't believe the prices on a lot of the options. These were exactly what I was looking for.","Product: The LG LW1015ER 10,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is perfect for cooling a room up to 450 square feet. You will cool a lot and save even more with this unit's energy saver function, 24-hour on/off timer and a 11.3 Energy Efficiency Ratio. With its stylish full-function remote, you can even get your cool on from across the room. LG's patented Gold Fin anti-corrosion coating provides a protective shield so the unit lasts longer. Plus, set up is a cinch with the included installation kit.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Damaged product and terrible customer support. 2 hours and DIY fix lead to relative satisfaction.\n\nReview: Let me explain my two stars.\nI have two other LG air conditioners.. One, \"portable\" type, that is absolutely fantastic. And another window AC that is just like this, except 8,000 BTU.\nI'm pretty satisfied with both so I stuck with LG as a brand for another AC.\nThe install isn't bad at all.. Takes 15 minutes if you're familiar with the process.\n30 if you're learning along the way.\nThe cooling is relatively powerful. My house is very \"open concept\" and this guy is tasked with cooling the entire downstairs.\nThat's about 1000 square feet. Plus the living room opens to a catwalk that is open to most of the upstairs. So obviously this thing isn't meant to cool that much space.\nIt does keep it very liveable even in 94 degree weather with a billion percent humidity.\nThe bathroom and downstairs bedroom don't get much cool air from this, but that's not a huge deal.\nThe remote control is pretty worthless. You basically need straight on line of sight.\nFeatures are few, but they cover the necessities. Cool (Fan is always on, even if compressor isn't running - I find this useful for a bedroom situation because the constant fluctuations between noise and silence are more detrimental to sleep than a constant noise, in my opinion), Economy (fan turns off with compressor, cuts back on once in awhile to check the temp), Fan (just a fan, no compressor), and dry (dehumidify).\nChange the fan speed. Power on/off. Timer.. that's about it with the remote.\nThe reason for 2 stars is as follows.\nAbout 3 days after running this thing non-stop it started sounding like a someone was holding a ruler in a ceiling fan. It was bad. Very loud especially outside. Certainly not \"standard\" noise.\nI entered a warranty request for repair. The website didn't have a relevant selection so I chose I thought was the best compromise and left a lengthy description of the actual problem.\nWell, a day later I get an email reply, which I can only assume was automated or at the very least copy and pasted based on the selection (and not the description), since it had nothing to do with what I actually wrote.\nIt was noted that the ticket was closed, and if my issue was still not resolved, please open another ticket.\nWell that's frustrating, to say the least.\nToday, I finally broke down and took the thing apart. The plastic fan encasing was broken off on one side and was juuuust barely hitting the fan (the severity varied, based on temperature, and run time , and other factors - I'm guessing) but it was almost always hitting.\nAnyhow after a couple of hours spent getting it out of the window, taking it apart, figuring out the issue, cleaning it up, putting it back together, and re-mounting, I seem to be in business.\nThe customer support certainly left a bad taste in my mouth, so I will probably venture outside of LG should I need another similar product.\nYour results may (and probably will) vary, but be warned.","Product: HDHomeRun PRIME is a network attached TV tuner enabling you to stream Live Cable TV in the US to 3 independant playback devices throughout your home. Once connected to your home router, you can access the HDHomeRun Prime tuner from any computer, or from game consoles, tablets and from media devices like FireTV or AndroidTV boxes, anywhere in your home. Watch or record TV from your family room, kitchen, garage, backyard, or anywhere you have a computer or DLNA compaitble device. The HDHomeRun PRIME's three independant tuners allow it to stream up to three cable channels simultaneously, including those Premium Content channel you pay your Cable Company to watch. Need more tuners? Connect additional HDHomeRun devices to increase the number of available tuners. Now you can watch the game while the kids watch their shows.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great step towards cutting the cord.\n\nReview: I am finally getting fed up with the ridiculous price increases that Comcast has been throwing my way for the past 10 years. I pay 119 dollars for TV now. and I don't even have anything special.\nNo movie channels. No DVR. One HD box.\nI was using a HD HomeRun Prime with (what was) a free cable card to send HD across my network and use my computers/devices as DVRs. This was all working great, but I'm sick of the cost.\nI was a little disappointed to find that my HD HomeRun Prime wouldn't do OTA signals, but so is life.\nWhen DirecTV now launched I decided to take the plunge and subscribe. Now, for 35 bucks a month for that service, and no monthly fee for this, I have every channel I had before for 85 dollars less per month. I pull the big 4 plus the other normal OTA channels with no problem (with a 20ish dollar antenna) and apps like Kodi and Channels (for Apple TV) make this thing absolutely seamless. NOT QUITE as good as xfinity to go, but I can do everything I did before for much less money.","Product: The Foscam FI9804P is one of Foscam's latest \"Plug & Play\" cameras featuring the ability to connect via smartphone by simply scanning the QR code on the underside of the camera. Bypassing the need to access your router and setup port forwarding, the FI9804P can be set up effortlessly by anyone, even those with very little IT experience. The FI9804P adopts 720p HD video quality (1280 x 720) as well as a high performance media processor, single SOC chip (built-in ARM+DSP) and high speed video protocol processor. As a result, it is capable of H.264 video compression allowing for extremely smooth video transmission with minimal bandwidth consumption. In addition, due to the small file sizes produced by H.264 video compression it has the ability to save tremendous hard drive space when doing manual video recording. The Foscam FI9804P features 720p HD quality video, H.264 video compression, Wireless-N capability, remote internet viewing, motion detection, and night vision. In addition, it is smartphone compatible (Iphone, Android & Blackberry) as well as viewable over the internet using a compatible app. The camera functions well as part of a home or office security system with remote internet monitoring ability. With 60 second easy setup with QR code scan via Smartphone and the option of live viewing and storage via FoscamCloud (free trial included), this is one of the best values available for an outdoor surveillance camera purchase.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The difference this upgrade brought is worth 5 stars.\n\nReview: I don't give out too too many 5 stars, and it remains to be seen if this product will live up to that distinction or not, but so far so good.\nI was coming from a Foscam 8905W which had been nothing but reliable with its connectivity and performance, but dang the difference is, in my opinion, incredible.\nBut that's mainly due to the new, wider angle lens.\n\nPros\nViewing Area\nWide angle lens provides much better area to view. The previous camera could see my yard and that's about it. This one can see the road, 80 percent of my driveway, and the houses at the end and across the road.\nIf you're new to surveillance cameras, don't let the seemingly small area of 70 degrees dissuade you. It's a fairly large area and should work for most areas. Obviously you're going to want at least 2 cameras (of this caliber) to effectively cover an entire area, but this does the job very well for me.\n\nThe options\nThere are Red and Yellow RCA connections on the \"wire bundle\" which say to me it provides hardwired Video and Audio although I can't find that in the quick setup guide. I'm assuming there is a full manual on the CD but I haven't used it. The audio, especially, would be a nice feature that I haven't had on previous outdoor cameras.\n\nThe PICTURE\nThe video is encoded and streamed pretty well. Although my wireless router is literally only about 5 feet away.\nCompared to the previous model, the picture is much more vibrant and sharp.\nThis has a slight caveat as noted in \"CON #1\"\n\nCons\n1. As others have noted the \"edges\" are \"blurry\". Take that with a grain of salt, but yes, only about the bottom half, middle 1/3rd of the picture look to be HD. The rest looks slightly better than the old camera but it it MORE than adequate.\n\n2. Doesn't support wireless N - which could become tricky with \"HD\" streaming depending on network traffic and distance to your router.\n\nThings of Note\nWireless IP cameras aren't really plug and play so don't expect this to be simple if you don't have a basic knowledge of your wireless network, how to adjust your router settings, setting a Static IP, port forwarding (for viewing from the internet), etc.\n\nNightvision is pretty good. My neighborhood is pretty well lit so I'm not sure how this would do with only the IRs as a source of light but it seems that it would cover the 60 feet that are advertised. The color is pretty decent as well. Much less washout than previous models.","Product: The FI9851P combines a high-quality HD digital video camera with a powerful built-in web server to provide live video anywhere. All it requires is an internet connection and a viewing device such as a smartphone or desktop computer. The \"Plug and Play\" setup process is easy: simply scan the camera's QR sticker with your smartphone and it syncs with the camera automatically. The sleek dome casing used by this camera makes it ideal for surveillance applications such as offices, retail stores, stockrooms, lobbies, homes, apartments and more. Video can be recorded and saved for free to a hard drive. Foscam Cloud service for remote storage is also available (free trial included). All purchases from Foscam come with our 1 Year US Warranty, making our full-featured, quality engineered FI9851P model one of the best values available for an IP camera.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Decent camera, but better options out there IMO.\n\nReview: It's not a bad camera, but I'm probably about done with Foscam.\nI've stuck with them since they got me started on IP cameras and the majority I have used have been Foscam, but they just don't stack up in my opinion.\nThe main reason I'm tired of them is physical size and cost.\nThere are equivalent options out there for less money. I've personally used this Escam <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Crenova-Waterproof-1280-720P-HD-ONVIF-iCloud-Webcam-Mini-Dome-Security-IP-Cam-IR-Night-Vision-Camera-Outdoor-Indoor/dp/B00LXS12O6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Crenova Waterproof 1280*720P HD ONVIF iCloud Webcam Mini Dome Security IP Cam IR Night Vision Camera Outdoor Indoor</a> in several situations and have been much happier with it considering its about half the size and half the cost. However it doesn't have true PoE capability.\n\nPros\nThey are very easy to integrate with Blue Iris.\nThe picture, field of view, and PoE capability are certainly satisfactory.\n\nCon\nSize\nCost\n\nOther thoughts\nIf you want to dodge the software installation the default http port is 88. and it's DHCP (so check your device list before and after you plug it in and you'll get your IP).\nI didn't see anything in the instructions noting 88 as the port (I could've very well skipped over it) so I had to install the software, which was aggravating.\n\nOverall, it's definitely not a bad purchase. I just see better options out there for myself.\n\nThe first picture is the Foscam. The second picture is the Escam. The FoV is larger on the Foscam for sure. The picture quality is about the same IMO. The price and size are half on the Escam though.","Product: FI9803EP Plug & Play 1.0 Megapixel (1280x720p) H.264 Outdoor Power Over Ethernet (POE) IP Camera The FI9803EP combines a high-quality HD digital video camera with a powerful built-in web server to provide live video anywhere. All it requires is an internet connection and a viewing device such as a smartphone or desktop computer. The \"Plug and Play\" setup process is easy: simply scan the camera's QR sticker with your smartphone and it syncs with the camera automatically. The durable weatherproof housing makes this camera ideal for surveillance applications such as courtyards, parking lots, warehouses, and residential spaces such as front porches and backyards. Video can be recorded and saved for free to an SD card or hard drive. Foscam Cloud service for remote storage is also available (free trial included). All purchases from Foscam come with our 1 Year US Warranty, making our full-featured, quality engineered FI9803EP model one of the best values available for an IP camera. Features:- Excellent Video Quality: HD720P @ 30fps Dual-Stream w/ Bandwidth-Conserving H.264 Video Compression- Remote Viewing & Recording from Anywhere and Anytime w/ Standard Web Browsers- Quick Access QR Code Remote Viewing on iPhone, iPad and Android (w/ included Foscam Viewer app)- Powerful IR Lamp Array for Night Vision up to 65ft- 70 Degree Wide FOV and IP66 Outdoor Weatherproofing- Motion Detection Alerts via Email or Send Images to FTP- WEP, WPA, WPA2 Encryption- Free FOSCAM DDNS Service and Camera Control Software Included- Supports Multiple Network Protocols and Protected Multi-Level Users ManagementIncludes:FI9803EP IP Camera Power Supply Network Cable Mounting Bracket Manual, Driver CD Quick Start Guide Foscam Cloud Free Trial1 Year Warranty When Purchased from Foscam\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Excellent choice, if viewing distance is key.\n\nReview: This camera really excels in areas that previous FosCams have let me down.\n\nThe design is FINALLY starting to get better. The main drawback to these, IMO, is/was their ginormous footprint.\n\nThey are still pretty large and probably won't go unnoticed, but they are getting smaller and lighter.\n\nPros\nSize/Weight is better than previous outdoor \"bullet cam\" models.\nThe picture is great.\nThe infrared is spectacular. I can see, diagonally, across my back yard.. Probably a good 35-40 yards.. With zero problem.\nPoE is a nice feature that I started utilizing here. Although the Wireless cameras are pretty reliable (and I utilize those as well), it's easier in some places to get to ethernet than power. Plus you get the better connection speeds/reliability that way.\nThe viewing angle is VERY acceptable. Definitely 70 degrees.\nPrice. Depending on the criteria.. These are about the best \"bang for your buck\" that I've found.\n\nCons\nStill \"large\".\nThe (optional) power port makes mounting and \"weatherproofing\" more of a chore than it should be.\n\nOther thoughts\nI've found dome cameras to be a much better choice for short distances. They are usually much smaller and easier to make inconspicuous. Think places.. like above a doorway, or small room.\nThese bullet cameras are larger and harder to hide, but they can see a lot farther at night. Think places like your driveway, or a yard.\n\nHD is nice to look at. but keep in mind that HD cameras are resource intensive on your \"command\" machine. I added two HD cameras to my blue iris console which I was running on a mini HTPC type machine (for low power requirements/running during power outages). Those added cameras kept maxing me out at 100 percent CPU and I needed to downgrade the picture some to avoid building a more powerful machine.\n\nThe picture may show you the image quality, viewing angle and power of the IR. There are NO lights on in the backyard and no mentionable ambient lighting from nearby sources. There is another IR source under the patio which is creating the very well lit area.\n\nThese may be more \"plug and play\" than they used to be, but I never use the software. Still they aren't that difficult simply plug in to your network, connect to IP (check your router for un-recognized devices/macs), set a static IP, change the port (optional), change the user info, set the time, deploy.","Product: The Aqua Changer patented Central Diffusing Passage Cold Plate (CDP) accelerates the heat absorption from CPU up to 30% thermal convection. The protrusive structure enhances the copper base sturdiness and deploys more coolant for an efficient CPU hot spot elimination. Advanced aerodynamics design boosts down-force air pressure and creates high-volume airflow. The ceramic bearing features anti-Corrosion, noiseless, and smooth operation. Additional LED for power on indication. Elastic rubber tube with anti-leakage layers provides exceptional durability. the Metal Mounting Kit Supports latest AMD and Intel desktop sockets with easy and solid installation.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Frustrating install, but good end result.\n\nReview: Good cheap alternative to the Corsairs of the world.\nI had a heck of a time installing it though.\nI think you need to examine the spacers and put them in the right way or they don't grip the screws from the other side of the mobo. Making you need two sets of hands (or a ghetto rigged pressure system).\nI got this on one time without realizing that (because it's not mentioned at all in the directions), but it was extremely frustrating and difficult.\nAs a result I somehow bent some 8350 pins. And had to replace the CPU.\n140 bucks later, I finally got it successfully installed.\nHad to put the logo upside down because I couldn't (what I felt was) safely bend it to put it upright. Tubes were too stiff.\nTightening it down was a huge pain too as the screws seem to want to spin with the fastening caps. And it was nearly impossible to grasp the back side to keep it from spinning while tightening on the opposite side. As a result one of my corners is a little loose, probably affecting my temps.\nbut SpeedFan has me at around 33 idle and 49 while playing VR. I wish I would have measured before but those temps are definitely acceptable.\nFan is very quiet.\nHardware seems good.\nJust get past the install and it'll be well worth the money.","Product: Actiontec's ECB6200 Bonded MoCA 2.0 Network Adapter brings an instant performance boost to the home network, ensuring uninterrupted and pristine HD video, online gaming, and high speed networking. It works right over the home's existing coaxial wires, delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps, and installs in minutes. The ECB6200S02 is sold as a single unit. There are many installation scenarios that require two ECB6200 adapters. Actiontec catalog# ECB6200K02 is a two-unit kit to support this need.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Still beats wireless. Although speed increase unrealized.\n\nReview: I've been using these MoCA adapters for years now. Always much more reliable than wireless (IMO), even with ac pretty prevalent now.\nI didn't even realize there was a 2.0 or \"bonded,\" but I had one die on me and it had to be replaced.\nI got this actiontec and plugged it in and, boom, all network dependent services restored.\nI decided to replace another with this 2.0/Bonded.\nSo that makes all 3 at 2.0, but only 2 at bonded.\nI went outside, got my locked cable box open and put in a MoCA filter at the \"root.\"\nAll of this and I don't see much (if any) speed improvement.\nI get 21 MB/sec to my non bonded 2.0 - which is upstairs to upstairs.\nI only get 1.5 MB/sec to my bonded 2.0 - which is upstairs to downstairs.\nI suspect it has something to do with my network setup (1 network (no vLANS) with 3 MoCA, 3 switches, 2 routers (on the same network - basically being used as a switch), IP cameras clogging stuff up all over the place, HD homerun, Plex server, ESXi server with domain controller, 2 NAS).\nEven though I don't see a speed increase.. I'm able to send HD tv through my home run prime from my input downstairs (at 1.5-2.0-ish MB/sec) to the rest of the house without issue.\nI wouldn't trust wireless with that.\nThese are great products and a very nice alternative for those of us who aren't wired with cat 5/6 in every room. I bet with some tweaking I'll be able to get this up to 20 MB/sec or so (still well below 1 GB - which I would put at 100ish real world).","Product: Designed based on the EVOLV line, the Enthoo EVOLV ATX Tempered Glass Edition combines sandblasted aluminum with tempered glass panels. System builders and water-cooling enthusiasts can now present their build with a premium touch. The EVOLV ATX Tempered Glass Edition is equipped with innovative features, amazing (water)cooling potential, and RGB illumination.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice case. Slight buyers remorse, but nice, nonetheless.\n\nReview: It's a very nice case. Probably the nicest I've had.\nPros\n1. The side windows are very nice. They allow viewing of the entire inside.\n2. The look is very clean and streamline. The aluminum/steel is nice.\n3. The inside is plenty big.\n4. The SSD slide and lock (or whatever they are calling it) is nice. Although it took me a minute to figure out how that was supposed to work.\n5. Pre-Installed fans were nearly silent. My CPU cooler seems to be crapping out and that's the only whine/wheeze I'll hear once in awhile.\n6. The lighting affects are nice in how they sync up (with the pre-installed top and front lights + additional LED strips).\n\nEven though this is probably the nicest case I've ever had (am replacing a Corsair Carbide), there were several frustrations.\n1. With the windows being so big it's hard to hide the additional LED strip. I hate being able to see the individual lights and aim for a \"flooding\" effect. Tough to do, but I wrapped it around the top inside of the radiator cage. The light is obviously much more pronounced on the top, but it looks much better to me than wrapping it around the top, front, right, to the top, back, left where I could easily see the individual LEDs.\n2. The side panels aren't hinged or anything. They rest on rubber pads and the glass will fall once the four corners are unscrewed. Be careful.\n3. I was not aware that both sides were clear when I bought this. it will be impossible to keep the right side (if you're looking at it straight on) clean and tidy. You can do a pretty good job, but There are definitely going to be wires. Wasn't an issue for me since that side is up against my desk anyhow.\n4. They seem to skimp on that side as far as space. I would've preferred moving everything an inch or so to the left so that I wouldn't have had such a pain getting the right side closed back up. You'll have to pay attention to your wiring even if you're not worried about anyone seeing that side... just to get it closed.\n\nOther thoughts.\nI wonder if there is a way to synch it with Chroma/Razer hardware..\nOverall, I like the case. The looks are to die for, for sure (once you get it situated), but, depending on your situation, you might feel that 180ish is too much to pay for an aesthetic upgrade.","Product: THINK YOU KNOW WHAT SMALL CAN DO? THINK AGAIN. No more compromising between performance, profile, and price. The Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is a tiny 4 4 2 Inches computing device with the power of the 3rd generation Intel Core i3 processor. Its lower power consumption enables innovative system designs and energy-efficient applications in places like digital signage, home entertainment, and portable uses.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Tiny, Quiet, and Powerful (enough).\n\nReview: These Intel barebones kits are great for low cost, powerful kodi/xbmc boxes.\nAlthough smart TVs and \"media sticks\" are becoming more advanced and seamless, I am not aware of any that provide the ability to stream local content, act as a DVR for live TV signal, open netflix, emulate games, run scripts, check your email, and access spotify, without ever needing to change your TV input.\nThese kits provide a very suitable hardware foundation for the power and flexibility of XBMC.\n\nAlthough some choose to bypass an (traditional) OS and run directly from a \"removable\" boot device, I've found that Windows 7 will run just fine on these. I gladly tradeoff that extra overhead for the added flexibility of a true OS. I have 3 of these (2 running Kodi, 1 acting as a blue iris camera feed hub/server), and they are able to boot up, load windows, and auto launch Kodi (or blue iris) into a useable state in less than a minute.\n\nPlenty powerful (with a 60gb mSATA drive and 4 gig SODIMM) to stream hd movies/sound and decode/watch/record live tv.\n\nI have one in my living room, sitting inside a dresser drawer (which does get relatively warm - although additional cooling hasn't been needed), with a USB receiver for the Universal Remote, and another in my bedroom mounted behind the tv. This solution works great as an all around media system and saves the need for additional DVR/set top boxes (when used in conjuction with my HDPrime appliance) from my cable company and the costs that those incur.\n\nThis was chosen as my blue iris hub because of the low power requirements. It doesn't make a dent in my power bill when I run it 24/7 and I'm able to power one for about 4.5 hours on a 26ah homemade battery backup in case of power outages.\n\nOverall, these are great devices with lots of applications, and I highly recommend them.\nI realize that there are newer/more powerful models out there but I haven't run across anything that I wanted these machines to do that they couldn't do, and do well.\nIMO a i5 is a little too much for what you'd probably want these to do\nEither way.. You'd be extremely hard pressed to build something comparable (especially size wise) for the same price.","Product: Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets are the original German-made solid fuel tablets. Available in 4-gram and 5-gram sizes, Esbit fuel tablets are virtually smokeless and odorless. The 4-gram tablets burn approximately 5 minutes, and 5-gram solid fuel tablets burn approximately 7 minutes; both the 4-gram and 5-gram sizes are ideal for hobby applications such as Wilesco engines, steam-launch boats, and hobby trains, as well as for starting campfires or generating an emergency heat source. Five-gram tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging, giving them a 10+ year shelf-life and making them excellent outdoor, survival or emergency essentials. All Esbit Solid Fuel Tablets work at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, are smokeless, and have almost no combustion residue. Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets light easily with a sustained flame from a match or lighter, can be snuffed out, and if kept dry, will relight when needed again. Ideal for the avid hobbyist and survivalist, tablets are available in three configurations: 20 Pieces Each 4g, 16 Pieces Each 5g, 60 Pieces Each 4g. Made in Germany; 2-year manufacturers warranty.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Worked for starting a stubborn fire, I'll stick with 14g for boiling water though.\n\nReview: I accidentally ordered these instead of the 14g cubes, and instead of going through the hassle of returning such a small and cheap item I threw them into a camping box that I keep in my garage to make trips easier. This weekend, they were put to use for the first time. We were at a state park and had some \"green\" firewood. We couldn't get a fire going after using nearly an entire bottle of lighter fluid so I didn't give these much hope, but I figured I'd give them a try.. These must burn hotter and (obviously) longer than ligher fluid, and I was able to get the fire to catch, finally. They saved the day. Although I highly prefer the 14g iteration, these work well, and I didn't notice the smell that those bigger ones have. Good for a pinch while starting stubborn fires, but I don't think these would have the burn time for boiling water.","Product: The BoatBuckle Pro Series Kwik-Lok Transom tie-down features vinyl-coated top hooks and zinc-coated trailer hooks. The durable 2-inch polypropylene webbing has a protective web pad and extends to 2 feet. It has a 1,200-pound breaking strength with a 400-pound safe working load. For added safety and security, it also comes standard with Hi-Vis protective PVC pads and Night Eyes reflective closure patch for increased visibility in low light conditions. It has a built-in closure that stores excess web while trailering as well as vinyl-coated S-hooks with keeper. BoatBuckle brand tie-down systems offer professional fishermen and weekend boaters convenient, high quality tie-down systems so they can spend more time on the water and less time on the boat ramp. IMMI is the leading marine tie-down manufacturer in North America.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Has been working fine for a 21' Yamaha.\n\nReview: I bought a 21' boat about 100 miles from my house and realized the sellers didn't include transom ties.\nLuckily I found a dealership nearby and picked some up for the ride home. They cost about 40 dollars though, and they didn't work very well at all.\nI replaced them with these after only 3 weeks. These are much better at half the price. Easy to pull the strap tight and flip the clasp down.\nThe velcro straps get in the way a little more than my old ones which is aggravating, but it's not a big deal.\nEach time I've used them the boat has remained on the trailer. So they're working.\nThe straps seem a little thin (width wise not depth wise) when I think of the weight of the boat (3200 dry I believe), but these haven't shown any sign of stress or breakage.\nAnd yes, there are two.","Product: ONE-PIECE AIRGUN/.22 RING MOUNTSAccuShot Airgun/.22 Full Length Integral Mount (100mm Long), for 1 Scope, Hi-Profile, 4 Screws/Each Ring, Fits Scopes upto 56mm Obj\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Stumbled through my first mount, but great product (Marlin 795 .22)\n\nReview: If you've ever mounted on a .22 then you can skip my review and know that this is a good mount for the price.\n\nThis is mainly for those stumbling through their first time like I was.\nFirst of all, keep in mind that the locking screw (useful - should your gunrail have a spot for such a screw) was down when I got this.\nSo after several times of trying to slide this on my rail only to have it \"pop up\" after it was nearly all the way on did I look under the mount itself to find this extended screw. I pulled that back and it slid onto the rail fine.\nVery sturdy! And secures VERY well.\nThe rings didn't seem to quite have a large enough diameter to fully wrap my <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/UTG-4x32-TS-Full-Size-Mil-dot-Scope-with-Airgun-22-Rings-Pre-adj-35-Yds/dp/B005UGIR36/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">UTG 4x32 TS Full Size Mil-dot Scope with Airgun/.22 Rings, Pre-adj @ 35 Yds</a>, but it's very close and I'm probably just anal about it.\nMake sure you lightly screw in one on each side of the ring and tighten down equally, one at a time so that both sides have equal pressure.\n\nI've put about 200 rounds through my Marlin 795 with this scope and the aforementioned scope.\nNever lost zero, and am able to consistently hit golf balls at 30ish yards, no problem.\n\nThe only negative is the fact that there are 8 screws to loosen/tighten to mount a scope. It seems like there should be a better design with a hinge on one side or something. A small price to pay for an excellent, cheap solution though.\nIt also utilizes two different sized Allen wrenches (3 if your messing with the top/rail screw). I like to keep wrenches with their scopes in case I need to switch to built in sights for some reason, so one size would be better..\nagain, probably considered splitting hairs.","Product: The d.light S30 is a super bright, durable solar-rechargable LED camping lantern. It S30 offers up to 8 hours of 360 degree space lighting. Hang it inside a tent for a game of cards or next to the barbecue for a perfect evening dinner. Take it on your boat for a night sail or use it during a power outage. The d.light S30 is built to survive the toughest conditions, like drops onto concrete, rain, and intense heat and dust. The USB charging option (cable included) allows charging from an AC source even on rainy or cloudy days. With over 60 million people worldwide using d.light products, trust that you are getting a high quality product from the leaders in LED lanterns.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Second Review - Still Impressed\n\nReview: I've had 4 of these for about a year. I never run out of uses for them or good things to say about them.\nI keep two inside on a window sill. And I keep two outside in a location only slightly protected from the elements. I can't imagine that you could break these things under normal conditions outside. The only way I could see them \"dying\" is if they were submerged for a length of time.\nOne outdoor light will gather water once in awhile and I'll unscrew the plastic covering and empty the accumulation.\nBut it's just as bright and comes on just like the others.\nThese things serve their purpose fantastically. I could say that the brightness might not blow you away. but for one LED it certainly seems it should. It's plenty to provide adequate light to a normal sized room (15x15). Two could possibly destroy your retinas. I jest. But in the case of an extended power outage these could be a godsend. If used properly, it will provide plenty of light for reading, cooking, games, etc.\nI've got larger solar panels that charge deep cycle batteries and power inverters. and also smaller automotive type battery packs for an assortment of power and lighting options but these get the most use and were probably the most \"bang for my solar buck\". I use them mainly for camping and they last the advertised amount of time if not longer. they are always ready to go the next night.\nI've never charged them via AC but I might pick up an adapter so I can charge them from the larger solar bank should the sun fail to shine for a few weeks while the power is out.\nI'd probably have bigger things to worry about if that was happening though.","Product: Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets are the original German-made solid fuel tablets. Available in 4-gram and 5-gram sizes, Esbit fuel tablets are virtually smokeless and odorless. The 4-gram tablets burn approximately 5 minutes, and 5-gram solid fuel tablets burn approximately 7 minutes; both the 4-gram and 5-gram sizes are ideal for hobby applications such as Wilesco engines, steam-launch boats, and hobby trains, as well as for starting campfires or generating an emergency heat source. Five-gram tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging, giving them a 10+ year shelf-life and making them excellent outdoor, survival or emergency essentials. All Esbit Solid Fuel Tablets work at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, are smokeless, and have almost no combustion residue. Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets light easily with a sustained flame from a match or lighter, can be snuffed out, and if kept dry, will relight when needed again. Ideal for the avid hobbyist and survivalist, tablets are available in three configurations: 20 Pieces Each 4g, 16 Pieces Each 5g, 60 Pieces Each 4g. Made in Germany; 2-year manufacturers warranty.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Worked for starting a stubborn fire, I'll stick with 14g for boiling water though.\n\nReview: I accidentally ordered these instead of the 14g cubes, and instead of going through the hassle of returning such a small and cheap item I threw them into a camping box that I keep in my garage to make trips easier. This weekend, they were put to use for the first time. We were at a state park and had some \"green\" firewood. We couldn't get a fire going after using nearly an entire bottle of lighter fluid so I didn't give these much hope, but I figured I'd give them a try.. These must burn hotter and (obviously) longer than ligher fluid, and I was able to get the fire to catch, finally. They saved the day. Although I highly prefer the 14g iteration, these work well, and I didn't notice the smell that those bigger ones have. Good for a pinch while starting stubborn fires, but I don't think these would have the burn time for boiling water.","Product: Made for automotive enthusiasts who want nothing but the best when caring for their vehicles, AutoSpa luxury car care accessories prolong that fresh from the showroom feel through superior design, quality and value. The AutoSpa wash mop has an extra absorbent long chenille microfiber wash bonnet and 48 inch telescoping pole. The wash glove can be removed from the pole for a professional hand car wash.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good tool to have around. Especially for large vehicles.\n\nReview: This thing is great. Every neighbor that has seen it has asked about it.\nMakes washing a big truck a good bit more manageable than it would be with a sponge.\nNot quite sure what parts \"are known to cause cancer\", so that was slightly disconcerting, but I guess everything causes cancer these days.\nThe connections don't leak, but it's sometimes a pain to get them screwed together and you have to use focused force to make sure everything is going to stay in place once you get it adjusted to your desired length.\nThe \"head\" fits into a standard 5 gallon bucket OK, so dipping into soap solution isn't a big deal (I was worried it wouldn't fit).\nI find that 6 \"soap stops\" and subsequent rinses are enough to complete a 4 door Ram 1500.","Product: Made for automotive enthusiasts who want nothing but the best when caring for their vehicles, AutoSpa luxury car care accessories prolong that fresh from the showroom feel through superior design, quality and value. The AutoSpa wash mop has an extra absorbent long chenille microfiber wash bonnet and 48 inch telescoping pole. The wash glove can be removed from the pole for a professional hand car wash.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good tool to have around. Especially for large vehicles.\n\nReview: This thing is great. Every neighbor that has seen it has asked about it.\nMakes washing a big truck a good bit more manageable than it would be with a sponge.\nNot quite sure what parts \"are known to cause cancer\", so that was slightly disconcerting, but I guess everything causes cancer these days.\nThe connections don't leak, but it's sometimes a pain to get them screwed together and you have to use focused force to make sure everything is going to stay in place once you get it adjusted to your desired length.\nThe \"head\" fits into a standard 5 gallon bucket OK, so dipping into soap solution isn't a big deal (I was worried it wouldn't fit).\nI find that 6 \"soap stops\" and subsequent rinses are enough to complete a 4 door Ram 1500.","Product: BESTEK Americas Leading Power Inverter: The highest average review rating of any power inverter brand. Designed as a portable power inverter to power up multiple items and most major household appliances. Upgraded 300W DC to AC Power Inverter: A must-have for your road trips, vacations, outdoors, emergency kits and more. Enjoy 4.8A dual Smart USB ports and 2 standard plug outlets for convenient charging on the road. Wide compatibility: DC 12V to Pure Sine Wave AC 110V Converter, ideal for powering Laptops, mobile phones, Christmas LED light strips, power banks, air mattress, breast pumps, electric toothbrush, electric shaver, cameras, PSP, walkie talkies, tablets, GPS units, TV, battery chargers, camping equipment and mobile office equipment Product Specification: Power (2 AC Outlets): 300W Rated, 360W Max, 700W Peak Input Voltage: 12V DC, Output voltage: 110V~120V Dual USB Port Output: DC 5V, 4.2A rated, 4.8A Max. Auto 0~2.4A*2 Indicator: Green-operation, Red-shutdown Over Voltage Shutdown: DC 15V-16V, Low Voltage Shutdown: DC 10V-11V Dimensions are: 4.92 x 3.39x1.93 inch Optimal Use and Precautions: For DC12V ONLY, not applied for DC 24V and airplane use. Please do not leave the Power inverter in the ON position while your car is off. If the rated input of any connected AC devices exceed 150W, please use battery clamps to directly connect to your vehicle's battery as most vehicles 12V ports are rated and fused for 150W. Avoid placing the inverter into sunlight directly or next to heat-sensitive materials to protect inverter from getting too warm. Caution! Not designed for high power electric devices such as hair dryers, electric heaters, curling irons, etc. Package List: 1 x 300W Power Inverter 1 x User Manual\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Finally, a low wattage inverter to power heating blankets.\n\nReview: I've been struggling with a \"strategy\" for keeping warm while camping out on some undeveloped land I recently purchased.\nHeating blankets are almost a necessity when it's 15 degrees and you've got a tent for shelter (especially when accompanied by your beautiful but cold fiance).\nI have been hauling an inverter generator out there (Ryobi 2400 watts) to power stuff along with the heating blankets at night.\nI'm to the point where I don't need too much power now and really only need the blankets and juice to charge devices.\nI really didn't want to haul my 1600 watt whistler inverter out there, but so far it was the only inverter that would power the heating blankets.\nEven though I've measured and they only draw 100 watts (absolute max).\nI tried a spare 300 watt inverter and no luck. I bought another 500 watt inverter and figured there was no way it wouldn't get the job done, but still, same issue.\nI figured I'd give the pure sine wave a try even though I didn't hold out much hope.\nIt powers it like a champ. No errors/problems. No need to lug that much larger 1600 watt inverter out there.\nThe fan is loud and kind of off putting but it should act as white noise (which I like), or I'll just put it in a box and run an extension cord.\nOverall, pretty happy with this since it's my first true sine wave inverter and it solved an issue I was having with \"sensitive\" electronics like these are touted to do.","Product: 30-1/4\" wall storage cabinet, double wall resin construction, includes 1 steel reinforced shelf, holds up to 75 lb, lockable doors, no tool assembly, Platinum color doors and sides; slate color top, back, bottom and handles. Assembled size: 30\"W x 12\"D x 30-1/4\"h.Easily usable product. This product is manufactured in United States.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Excellent solution to a back porch eyesore.\n\nReview: This is a great little cabinet.\nIt's sturdy. pretty easy to put together.. relatively easy to mount.\nKeep some things in mind.\n1. There are no pre-drilled holes for getting wires into the the cabinet.\nThis might not be a concern in your application, but I'm using this to keep a tv and \"amplifier\" safe from the elements on my back porch.\nI drilled two holes (one on top and one on bottom, both to run power cables through). I filled the holes with paper towels and a strip of duct tape on both sides to keep any homeless wasps out.\n2. The shelf can only mount in one location. It was too low to allow my tv to fit, and I wanted/needed the shelf. I just cut some small 1/2 inch plywood strips and screwed them into the plastic where desired. The shelf sits on these fine. Obviously this probably isn't as strong as the original design, but I'm only holding up a couple of pounds.\n3. There aren't any concrete anchors for the mounting screws. So if you're planning on mounting to brick/similar keep that in mind.\nI replaced the included lug nuts with some tapcon concrete screws (3/16th x 1-1/4 on the bottom and 3/16th x 2-3/4th on top). Works great.\n4. There's nothing included to hold the doors open. So (again if your application is similar to mine) you might get the doors slammed shut once in a while by the wind. There's a bazillion \"fixes\" for that. I'm using a bungee cord temporarily..\n\nDespite these minor hurdles I'm very satisfied with this cabinet. It looks 100 times better than my previous, ghetto 2x4 shelf and tarp setup. Not to mention, it's a lot more functional as well.","Product: The Most Popular Portable Propane Heater in North America. This patented radiant 4,000-18,000 BTU Liquid Propane heater connects directly to two 1 lb. cylinders and is the perfect solution for heating enclosed spaces like cabins up to 450 sq. ft. An integrated fan increases the heating capacity of this unit, blending radiant and convection style heat to give you the best of both worlds. Two swivel regulators give you the ability to adapt usage from disposable cylinders to a remote gas supply with the purchase of a single hose and filter. To light the unit, simply push and rotate the knob. The built in Piezo sparking mechanism will take care of the rest. With the Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and accidental tip-over safety shut-off, you can be sure that you will enjoy years of comfortable indoor safe heat.*WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SELL THIS PRODUCT TO CANADA AND MASSACHUSETTS* **Please note when operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 FT above sea level the heater may shut off.**\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 2 Years in and still one of my best purchases EVER.\n\nReview: This thing is great. Let me count the ways.....\n1. It is friggin hot and fast. I rarely use central heat, and, as such, my house can be in the 50's during the winter. On high, this usually gets my \"game room\" of about 450 sq. feet to \"sweating level\" in 15-20 minutes. Put it on low and keep the door shut and it'll keep the room nice and warm. It heats up my master bedroom MUCH faster than a 1500 watt space heater (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Q4EYEQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage) and it's half the size.\n\n2. Portable. It's not the smallest thing in the world but it's certainly portable. It's saved me on some deceptively cold camping trips, and I will grab it on the cold mornings (if it's in another room) and put it next to the shower for a comfortable exit. Your portability is obviously going to be negated if you have it attached to a 20 lb. canister.\n\n3. Safe (thus far). If you'd read bullet 1 and 2 you'd know I wouldn't be around to write this review if it weren't safe for indoor use. I've put a carbon monoxide detector in the room while the heater was in use, just for fun, and it never rises above normal levels. I've forgotten to turn it off after some of those cold morning showers and left it in my bathroom to burn out. House is still intact. It's VERY difficult to move it (while it's on) without engaging the safety cut-off feature. So it'd be impossible to knock it over and have it continue running. With the grated covering you'll be protected from all but the most determined attempts at destruction.\n\n4. Relatively efficient. If you're concerned about power outages you obviously aren't going to rely on a space heater to keep you warm in those times. Electric heaters are ridiculously power hungry especially if you have a wattage concern (as in a power outage). I have a 300 AH/300 Watt small solar system and I'd never consider running an electric heater during outages. Only a generator would suffice and even then you're talking about 1 appliance eating 50 percent or more of a typical output. Propane (unlike gas) has an indefinite shelf life and a 20lb tank could run this for 30 or 40 hours on high. I only use 20 lb tanks if I know it'll be running for awhile. I get through an Alabama winter on 12-16 1 pound tanks. At ~5 bucks for 2 you're looking at roughly the same expense as 3 hours/day/3 months with an electric heater. So while an electric heater may be more convenient and aesthetically pleasing, this guy dominates for uses like power outages, quick \"spot heating\" (ie. bathroom), and camping.\n\nGripes.\nThe 4 D batteries for the fan/blower seems super excessive to me. It really doesn't even blow that well and I never use it. It doesn't add much in my opinion. If you're in an enclosed room, the heat will get to you anyhow. If you do use it, you'll probably forget to turn it off and kill the batteries in one sitting (as it's a completely separate switch/mechanism from the \"fire\"). D batteries aren't the cheapest thing in the world.\n\nThe side compartments are a little tricky to get open sometimes. It's tough to screw in the small canisters to the inputs unless you're at a perfect angle.\n\nIt doesn't seem like It fully burns the small canisters. Every time it runs out, I'll see the fire flicker, go out, and then smell propane for a few minutes.\n\nTIPS/Hints\nGet a filter hose if you intend to use 20 lb tanks.\nUse both inputs if you're using small canisters. The runtime would be aggravatingly short with only 1 canister.\nUsually, a flickering, uneven, and noisy flame means you're running low on propane.\nIf you run out your tank it's going to be icy/cold.. that's just physics.\n\nOverall this is an amazing product which is very versatile and useful in lots of situations. Would certainly buy again or recommend to anyone.","Product: The bayou classic double jet cooker has an 18-inch diameter cooking surface that is capable of supporting up to 105-quart stockpots. Heats boiling pots twice as fast. Perfect when entertaining large groups of people and ideal for crawfish boils. Bayou classic outdoor cookers are the traditional and reliable choice for outdoor cooking. They are portable and can be used for camping, rv's, tailgating, and backyard parties. With a one-piece welded steel frame, these are the strongest cookers commercially made. Designed for strength, function and safety.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: We have lift off.\n\nReview: I found a close supplier and started doing crawfish boils here in north Alabama, about 2 years ago.\nWe usually only do one sack so I'm using a relatively small pot (36 quarts).\nI had an old stand with a single burner. The regulator I was using with it wasn't quite right (too high pressure) so it would go out fairly easily on windy days. It took over an hour to get the water to a boil initially, and usually at least 10 minutes to return it to a boil.\nThis stand is a lot better. very sturdy.. and not much heavier than the old rot iron one I was using, despite this one being a good bit larger.\nThe burner area and stand around the center of the heat did oxidize (??) after the first boil, turning white. But no big deal.\nThe burners sound like a missile launch and I love that sound.\nAnyhow.. it boiled my 36 QT pot in 15 ish minutes.. Returns the crawfish to boiling almost immediately.\nGreat buy!","Product: The Polar LG7 Lawn and Garden Utility Cart is perfect for small to large backyard jobs. This utility cart features an all steel frame with powder coated finish, shielded ball bearings and heavy-duty polyethylene tub. The newly designed tub combined with our high clearance tubular frame allows for a cleaner dump than the competition! The \"Original Tilt and Pivot Frame\" makes it easy to maneuver. Works great with an ATV or lawn tractor. Easy to assemble. Load size: 7 cubic feet, 10 cubic feet heaping. Overall dimensions: 65\" X 31\" X 28\".\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Excellent addition to the \"homestead\"\n\nReview: I bought some almost undeveloped land and needed a way to get supplies from the road to 300 yards or so down a ravine.\nI say \"almost\" because there was a timber road onsite that at least gave me a path. It is relatively rough though. VERY washed out in parts. My dad (who is 74) came out to work on some areas because he was so worried I was going to flip the 4 wheeler and die. but that's moreso a indication of him than the road..\nbut it IS definitely bad.\nI was worried that a trailer would not keep up with a 4 wheeler (trucks are out of the question).\nMy worries were put to rest after 1 trip...\nThe trailer stays firm. never flipped.. didn't trail widely behind the 4 wheeler (yes. I was only going like 3 mph)..\nIt was easy to put together.\n\nIt is extremely lightweight. It was easier to throw my generator in the trailer and pull it by myself than carry it.\nI'm convinced it will go anywhere the 4 wheeler will go.\n\nAlthough I'm not using it for dumping material at this point, it has cut my trips down VERY significantly. I don't camp \"lightly\" and this allows me to make it in 2 trips instead of 10 with just the 4 wheeler.\nIt at least allows me to not dedicate an entire day to \"unloading\".\nQuickly became one of the most important additions to the operation..\nattached a picture of the wood I hauled during a firewood run. That would have been extremely overwhelming without the trailer.\n\nThe only con I have is that there is no way to securely tighten cargo down with ratchet straps. The plastic edges just pull in.. If you go all the way around the chassis the same thing happens (unless your cargo is beyond the edges).\nEven on this terrible \"road\" I carried all of my loads without losing any cargo due to \"turbulence\" and the lack of tie downs.","Product: With POWERDRIVE transmission and 33% more run time*, this battery-powered trimmer/edger can tackle tough overgrowth and heavy weeds. Quiet and easy to start.*versus our previous LBXR20 battery pack\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Convenient. Powerful. Cheap. Happy!\n\nReview: I've recently been sucked into the world of battery powered yard tools.\nHedge trimmers, chainsaw, circular saw, and now the weedeater.\nI never really felt like plugging in and running an extension cord was inconvenient to take care of trimming the yard.\nBut after using this I could never go back.\n\nAnd this thing really has enough power to take care of some work.\nIn addition to my yard I use it out at some undeveloped property I own. Combined with the aforementioned hedge trimmers there isn't any brush that I can't clear with relative ease. The weed whacker is capable of taking down some brush larger than I would've thought.\nThe battery life is pretty great IMO. No more than 1 battery for my yard (which is 1/2 and acre with several trees in the back to \"detail\"). Probably at least 15 or 20 minutes of run time involved.\nI don't know if they make a 40v version of this but the 20v has been great. The batteries are like 1/4th the price so it's easy/cheap to have 4 or 5 on hand for those big jobs. And, like I mentioned, the power is more than adequate.\n\nEverything but my chainsaw is 20v. I wish I would've gone with a 40v circular saw (if it exists) but I'm more than happy with the power on the hedge trimmers and weed trimmer.\n\nIt's just as light as my electric (corded) weed eater.\nswitching from trimming to edging is easy.\nThe only con that I've noticed is that the handle will pop out of place from my favorite angle pretty easily. It's not a huge deal, but it's an aggravation.\n\nAnyhow. I couldn't really be happier with this purchase.\nCoupled with the B&D pre-rolled line all of the inconveniences involved with weedeating are a thing of the past.","Product: The BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 12\" 40V Cordless Chainsaw features a 40V MAX Lithium Ion Battery for longer runtime and overall life - it stays charged up to 5x longer. It has a 12\" Oregon low-kickback bar and chain which provides smooth and fast cuts. The tool-free chain tensioning allows for quick and easy chain adjustments, and it also features a lightweight design for ease of use and maneuverability. The automatic oiling system ensures constant bar and chain lubrication, and the wrap around bale handle provides increased control and comfort.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: It won't blow you away, but it will cut wood.\n\nReview: I'm new to chainsaws. I purchased a gas power 22 inch beast that I could never manage to get started. I decided I probably wouldn't need that much power so I opted for this \"cleaner\" and smaller/weaker option when I sent that one back.\nWhen I received this and \"cranked it up\" for the first time, I thought it was a cute little toy. And I was a little disappointed/embarrassed.\nFirst of all. It was absolutely simple to start it up. No mixing 40:1 oil/gas. No choke. No \"compression\". None of the hardships I dealt with while jacking up my shoulder the first go round with the gas powered iteration.\nPut in chain oil. snap the battery in. press the button.\nI cut through a piece of 1/6 treated lumber.. and was not impressed. It did the job.. but again.. Just not impressed.\nHowever.. When I finally got it out to my property for the real test, I was quickly impressed.\nI cleared several 7 or 8 inch fallen trees off of a road in 10 minutes without any issue.\nWent through and continued cutting up anything I could find.\nLet's just say.. The first night my buddy and I went out there it took us constant work to stay in firewood with an axe and machete. This guy did the same amount of work in 1/100th the time and energy.\nIt doesn't inspire images of Tim the Tool Man Taylor grunting \"More Power,\" but it most definitely gets the job done.\nI'm very happy with it so far.\nI was surprised that I was almost out of bar oil after using it for only 15/20 minutes. But the battery was not a problem at all after that amount of time.\nI somehow managed to get this for 120 (with a battery) and I see it's listed at 170 now. I would probably be a good bit less satisfied at that price, but nonetheless it is a good tool. Certainly, a great first option for someone who isn't too accustomed with chainsaws.","Product: DN6708BN Finish: Brushed Nickel Features: -Toilet Paper Holder.-Available in brushed nickel, chrome, and oil brushed bronze. Construction: -Toilet paper holder post is constructed of zinc and the arms are constructed of brass. Dimensions: -Overall dimensions: 4.07'' H x 6.33'' W x 3.44'' D. Collection: -Danbury Collection.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 5 stars for ease of installation.\n\nReview: I am relatively \"handy\", but I get frustrated pretty easily, especially with what should be simple projects.\nThis is an extremely well designed and easy to install holder.\n1. You don't have to worry about making the anchor level on the wall (you can rotate the sleeve once it's mounted).\n2. The tightening screw is not RIGHT against the freaking wall like most others, which makes those very difficult to get to and turn. You have plenty of room with this one.\nThese two things amounted to a installation time of about 20 minutes (15 minutes looking for a 5/16th drill bit).\nBeyond the install, it's tough to get excited about a toilet paper holder, but the finish is nice, the design is great, and I'm hoping that my girlfriend will actually switch out toilet paper now that there isn't the \"hassle\" involved with a spring loaded holder. lol.","Product: Case of 12 genuine military spec Meals-Ready-to-Eat. Each meal includes water-activated flameless ration heater, entree, desert, snack, beverage powders, and accessory pack. Average 1250 calories per meal. Case weighs approximately 21 lbs. Photos do not represent actual pack date you will receive. See seller's condition comments for actual inspection and packing dates. Case menu contents will vary.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A good option for emergency preparedness and long term preppers alike.\n\nReview: I see other people have had issues with receiving a legit product? Mine was fine. Date on box. DoD stamp.\nI ordered one of these with some paper towels and it didn't arrive (but the paper towels did).. Amazon instantly replaced it for me (without making me wait, what they say is a standard, 3 days).\nI've only tried one. It was a pepperjack \"burger\" or something. It wasn't the best thing ever but it was certainly edible.\nI found the instructions difficult to follow (but I may or may not have been under the influence of alcohol).\nThe good thing about MREs is the fact that they are all inclusive (minus water - if needed for drink mix, none needed for cooking).\nSo they are truly grab and go. To me, the freeze dried meals taste much better but they are more work and require water to rehydrate the food as well as a fire or heat source to warm it up.\nThey don't include dessert.. drink mixes.. napkins.. etc.. Like a MRE does.\nIt's good to have as many food options on hand and these certainly fill a need.\nYou could store 6 ish #10 cans of freeze dried food (which could last you 3 weeks or more) in the same space as these 12 meals.\nBut again.. They are truly \"READY TO EAT\" and therefore take up more space.\nI doubt you'll be disappointed if you know what you're looking for.","Product: NEW 12V Self-Priming Water Pressure Pump 3.0 Gallons/Min, 45 PSI. Replaces Shurflo Model: 2088-422-444. 4-Year Factory Warranty INCLUDED: -(1) Diaphragm Pump -(1) Set of Instructions -(2) 1/2\\\" Barbed Hose Adaptors -(1) 50 Mesh Inlet Strainer Product Details: This product is 100% brand new and comes in original color packing Powerful automatic pressure pump 3.0 Gallons Per Minute capacity flow, and 45 PSI pressure Extremely efficient, very low current draw and offer high capacity output Self priming Smooth, silent operation Can run dry without damage Thermal overload and ignition protection Built-in Check Valve Easy connecting system Low power draw Soft rubber mounts Professional grade pump - Ideal for marine, caravans/RV, and agriculture applications Beware of inferior non-genuine products on the market that claim to be just as good Specifications VOLTAGE: 12 VDC DIMENSIONS: 7.84\\\" X 5.00\\\" X 4.62\\\" INLET/ OUTLET: 1/2\\\" Threaded NPT (1/2\\\" Barbed Hose Adaptors Also Included) FLOW RATE: 3.0 GPM, AMPS: 3.0 (8.0 Max. Amps) SHUT-OFF PRESSURE: 45 PSI/ 2.1 BAR APPROVALS: CE RV AUTOMATIC DEMAND PUMP QUIET PERFORMANCE SELF PRIMING EASY INSTALLATION RUNS DRY WITHOUT DAMAGE BUILT-IN CHECK VALVE FITTINGS INCLUDED FOR 1/2 HOSE Applications -Yacht/RV/caravan pressurized water system -Sprayer fixtures (vehicle-mounted and electric sprayer) -Clean machine, humidifier, water purification and medical apparatus -Food beverage filling and liquid transfer -Any other pressurization system. Upgrade your 3.0GPM Pump Today! 4-YEAR WARRANTY.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The back bone to a primitive water system\n\nReview: I'm really loving this thing. I'm not a plumber or adept at plumbing related things at all, but this thing has made life so much more easy.\nI own an undeveloped piece of land. No water. No power.\nI've spent months building up a \"tent city\" of sorts, but camping gets old without running water.\nThis guy is the backbone of my water supply.\nI run a short (garden, everything is garden) hose from a 275 gallon tote (which I supply from a submersible pump in a nearby creek), then into and out of this pump with the use of this <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Anderson-Metals-Brass-Garden-Hose-Fitting-Connector-3-4-34-Male-Hose-ID-x-1-2-34-Female-Pipe/dp/B000FPAPM8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Anderson Metals Brass Garden Hose Fitting, Connector, 3/4\" Male Hose ID x 1/2\" Female Pipe</a> and this <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Gilmour-1-2-Inch-Brass-Double-Female-Swivel-Hose-Connector-5FPS7FH/dp/B000FJZYR0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Gilmour 1/2-Inch Brass Double Female Swivel Hose Connector 5FPS7FH</a> and then another short hose that splits to a shower <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Eccotemp-L5-Portable-Tankless-Water-Heater-and-Outdoor-Shower/dp/B000TXOJQ4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower</a> and a table/faucet <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Tricam-MT-2-Outdoor-Fish-and-Game-Cleaning-Table-with-Quick-Connect-Stainless-Steel-Faucet-150-Pound-Load-Capacity/dp/B00GI0RF0Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Tricam MT-2 Outdoor Fish and Game Cleaning Table with Quick-Connect Stainless Steel Faucet, 150-Pound Load Capacity</a>. The system has worked very well. I use a small 22AH battery to power the pump which I charge from a main solar system on the other side of camp when it gets low. I don't let it die but it has gone 3 trips with multiple hand/dish washings and showers without going out (the draw is like 3 Amps so that would theoretically be (slightly under) 4 hours of constant running before the battery is at 50 percent). At which point I'll run an extension cord/small charger across the camp and give it some more juice. It gives me plenty of pressure to do either the faucet or the shower (I've never tried both at the same time). But it blows me away it's just as much pressure as turning on a house faucet. It's quiet enough to where I need to be within 6 feet to hear it and I can never hear it from the tent at night. But it also rarely cycles on except for when I'm running water obviously. I haven't found a need for a holding tank or anything at least in my situation. It doesn't exactly look professional with all the hoses strewn around and what not, but it makes multi day camping trips so much more fun!","Product: Nite Ize - CamJam XT Aluminum Rope and Cord Tighteners, Large Meet the ultimate tie-down tool, making light work of securing your heavy loads. Tighten, tension, connect and secure with knot-free rope tightener technology, by simply pulling your rope or cord through the cam mechanism of a Nite Ize CamJam XT Aluminum Rope and Cord Tightener. Featuring a carabiner clip and gate on one end, the CamJam XT is cleverly designed to be configured in either a Fixed End or a Loop System to securely tie down lumber, gear and other heavy loads. When you are done using the CamJam XT rope tightener, simply rotate the cam lock lever and pull your rope or cord upward. To use the Fixed End System: anchor the carabiner to any hook, D-ring or loop, and feed cord or rope through the cam until youve reached the desired level of tension. Then pull the cord firmly, and the cam locks into place and stays that way until you release it. To use the Loop System: Tie a knot to create a loop in one end of your rope or cord. Clip the CamJam XT into that loop, then pull the other end of rope through the cam mechanism. The Nite Ize CamJam XT Large Aluminum Rope and Cord Tightener is made of heavy-duty, durable cast aluminum, with a single pack load limit of 500 lbs (227kg) and a break strength of 1500 lbs (680kg). Fits rope sizes up to .375\" (9.5mm). Measures 3.8\" x 1.86\" x .90\" (98mm x 47.3mm x 22.75mm) and weighs 3.2 oz (91g). Warning: not for use where disengagement could result in bodily injury or property damage. Not for climbing.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Perfect for efficient docking.\n\nReview: For years I would fumble around at every new dock or attempt to tether together several boats. Adjusting, tying, attaching 4 or more ropes to hold buoys and cleats was just a pain. I always figured there should/would be something better out there for this purpose and these work great.\n\nI use <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Highland-1163100-Black-Orange-10-34-45-34-Adjustable-Fat-Strap-Bungee-Cord-2-Piece/dp/B007Y0M480/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Highland (1163100) Black/Orange 10\" - 45\" Adjustable Fat Strap Bungee Cord - 2 Piece</a> to hang guards from the boat and these CamJams to attach to the boat to the dock (or other boats).\n\nThese combined with some \"looped end\" dock rope works great. no more trying to impress my friends with crazy knots that will come untied in 30 seconds. Snap the CamJam over a handle bar or cleat on the boat, run the loop around the cleat on the dock, pull tight. Done.\n\nBoaters are a finicky bunch so you might get a few crazy looks or sneers when you don't conform to the knot tying routine, but it still works great and I've yet to find my boat floating away.","Product: 1871957 touch up painter\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Convenience is what you pay for.\n\nReview: This is one of those products that you kind of expect to be too good to be true. It really almost did meet those loft expectations though. Convenience is what you pay for here and it delivers. No more using a screwdriver to un-wedge the cover on a gallon of paint, finding a ruler or piece of PVC or something else not made for the job, and stirring up the long unused supply. carrying the can upstairs, worrying about drips. breaking out a paint brush, finding that it didn't dry out properly the last time, and the bristles are hard, getting some newspaper to protect your carpet, all just so you can cover up a scratch from where you bumped your golf clubs against the wall.\nInstead. fill this up with paint. and when you need a touch up, grab it, shake it, roll it on a piece of cardboard to get the paint flowing, and go to town.\nTwist it back to seal/store, take the roller out, wash it off, and store it.\nDone!\nIt works well. You might want to have a brush handy because it can go on too thick sometimes and it's hard to smooth out with the roller, but trust me, that's nitpicking.\nGreat product. Pick up several for all your colors and it will make you that much more likely to fix those scuff marks that you instead beat yourself up about for months every time you walk by."],"string":"[\n \"Product: BHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation Features Enhanced Bass, Inline Microphone and 18-Hour (Max) Battery BHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation Advanced Bluetooth 4.0: Industry-leading CSR Bluetooth 4.0 supports A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP for a fully wireless experience, Stream Music to Your Wireless Bluetooth Headphones from Your PC, Smartphone, Tablet and More Over a 33-Foot Wireless Range Talk Time: up to 18 hours Play Time: up to 16 hours Charging Time: approximately 3 hours Operating Range: up to 10m Wireless Bluetooth Headphones that help you disconnect - literally and figuratively. Escape the everyday with your favorite tunes and audiobooks anytime, anywhere. These advanced Bluetooth earphones from BHM help you disconnect from your surroundings while disconnecting from the headache of tangled wires. Make this easy lifestyle upgrade to enjoy the latest word in Bluetooth headphone technology and functionality. One primary distinction is the active noise cancellation technology. Unlike passive noise isolating designs, these headphones actively cancel ambient noise for focused listening.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Know what you're buying.\\n\\nReview: This could've been either 2 stars or 4 stars..\\nThese seem to be one of those products that puts form over function.\\nThe design is great. the buttons are well placed, the setup is child's play, and the materials are really sexy.\\nThe function, however, is lacking in my opinion.\\nThe noise cancelling is mehh.. But I guess it's about the level you'll get in this price range. I have some wired headphones that cost about this much and the noise cancelling is about the same. You'll still be able to hear the person in the cube talking next to you, but the background noise will be less noticeable. These aren't Bose and they don't claim to be.\\nThe sound quality is.. OK. The bass is a little lacking for me. The aforementioned wired headphones that I own have a much better bass response.\\nThey aren't exactly what I define as \\\"over ear\\\" headphones either. To me, those envelop your ear. These will cover your ear, but the majority of covering is just padding (not sound).\\nThat's a minor gripe.\\n\\nThe convenience is great with the rechargeable aspect, and obviously the wireless.\\n\\nSo if your priorities are nice design with a good feature set, and convenience is key, you will be pretty satisfied with these.\\nIf premium sound quality is your jam, then you're probably better served elsewhere.\",\n \"Product: The Roomba 614 Vacuum Cleaning Robot provides a thorough clean, all at the push of a button. The patented, 3-Stage Cleaning System picks up dust, pet hair and large debris like cereal. The Lithium Ion battery helps your robot go the distance, providing up to 3x the battery cycle lifetime. Roomba works on all floor types, and at just 3.6 inch tall, is specifically designed to fit under most furniture, beds and kickboards.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good product. Minus 1 star for designing a vacuum cleaner whose arch nemesis is a rug.\\n\\nReview: Here's the deal.\\nI had one of these back in the day. It worked fine then, the battery stopped taking a charge after a while. I hope that the Lithium Ion has sorted that out.\\nI have a dog, a cat, and a lot of the time, my girlfriend's dog too.\\nAnd a 1000-ish sq. foot hardwood downstairs.\\nI will sweep that thing 3 times a week during the summer just to try and keep up with the shedding. It's absolutely ridiculous.\\nFor the \\\"amazon day\\\" price of 250 this was worth it.. anymore than that and I'd be a little disappointed.\\nFirst Cons..\\n1. it takes 15 minutes and a dustbuster to do what this thing takes an hour to do.\\n2. It does get stuck on my back door rug and living room rug quite often and yells \\\"error\\\" at me and stops.\\n3. I have to empty it every time it runs (and the maintenance instructions want me to clean the filter, casters, charging prongs, and other pieces weekly).\\n\\nPros\\n1. I don't really care how long it runs if it saves me any amount of time.\\n2. It does pick up everything and it does a more thorough job than me (getting under the tables and nooks and what not with tireless perseverance).\\n\\nOther thoughts.\\nYou will want to destroy this if you watch it. Spending 30 minutes going around a single chair, getting stuck under the table, finally escaping just to turn right back aound and go in.\\nWhy get a 100 or 200 dollar more expensive unit that has a timer if you're going to have to change the bin everytime it runs anyhow? You're there, change the bin, press clean.\\n\\nI don't know. Overall, it's frustratingly stupid, but it does save me time and it does do a good job. So 4 stars. 5 stars if I didn't have to rescue it from the rugs once in a while.\",\n \"Product: Discover the Spax Advantage! whether you're a professional contractor or weekend do-it-yourselfer, this German engineered/American made Spax #10 x 3-1/2in. T-star flat head Partial thread Yellow Zinc screw offers a premium quality fastening solution to help ensure professional results in less time than inferior imported screws. This high performance wood screw is not your average screw. While it is designed for wood applications it is also functional for other materials like masonry, drywall, plastic, and up to 24Ga steel. Masonry and Concrete do require pre-drilling. It is made from carbon steel and coated for durability to fasten strongly and securely. Often imitated, but never duplicated, the unique patented features of Spax fasteners reflect nearly two centuries of cold-forming engineering and manufacturing experience. Do it Once, do it right with Spax.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: New to the world of tstar screws but these are GREAT.\\n\\nReview: I can't believe I had gone this long without ever using tstar/torx screws/bits. These are absolutely fantastic. I'll never go back to square heads and regular philips head if I can avoid it. These don't ever slip or strip. EVER. and they drive into wood effortlessly. I love it when screws just dig in past the surface without even trying. Almost every one of these did that.\\nUsed these to build a couple of tarp hanging \\\"towers\\\" which just consisted of 4x4s with 2x4's attached to the bottom for stability. Eye bolts at the top on two sides. One side attached to a ground screw via ratchet strap. The other side attached to the other tower via two ratchet straps (25 ft+ long expanse). Works great holding up a 20x20 tarp over a semi permanent 20x10 ozark trail tent.\\nI built my first tower with square head screws, remembered these and used them. They worked so well that I took out the square heads from the first tower and replaced them with these.\\nWill use these for every project from now on if feasible.\",\n \"Product: Can't decide between looks or brains? You don't have to. Featuring a micro-textured finish and optimized reflective surface for rapid in-game responsiveness, the Razer Firefly is engineered to deliver uncompromising precision even in the toughest of gaming duels, so you can effortlessly secure your victory every time. The Razer Firefly is also equipped with Razer Chroma customizable lighting, making it the world's first gaming mouse mat with limitless personalization options. Fully compatible with your other Chroma enabled Razer devices, this hard gaming mouse mat lets you choreograph an impressive spectrum of effects that will bring your personal playstyle to life.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: This is how they get you...\\n\\nReview: I had a blue LED (ish) mouse pad back in the day.\\nI was a big fan of the \\\"bling\\\" it brought to the desk.\\nI had always half heartedly looked for a replacement since they seemed to \\\"die out.\\\"\\nI stumbled across this and pretty much immediately bought it.\\nThe lighting effects are fantastic. Very crisp etching on the razer graphic. The lighting emanates from underneath which is key for LED (novelty) lights.\\nIt's extremely thin.. about 10 sheets of paper thin.\\nVery high quality.\\nThere are some different modes/customizations available once you install the synapse software, I'm using \\\"Breathing\\\" with purple and gold. Geaux Tigers.\\n\\nThe pros stop there, because I realize now that this is how they get you.\\nAn innocent replacement mousepad..\\nWRONG..\\n250 dollars of buyers remorse later (but a seriously awesome looking desk, with a quality keyboard and mouse that you had no need for) you'll know what I know.\\nBeware.\",\n \"Product: Frigidaire's FRA054XT7 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Mini Room Air Conditioner is perfect for small size rooms up to 165 square feet. This unit features rotary controls and top full-width air discharge. The antimicrobial filter reduces bacteria, room odors, and other airborne particles for a comfortable environment. And the included pleated quick mount window mounting kit makes this air conditioner easy to install.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Disappointed with \\\"name brand\\\"\\n\\nReview: I would give this one star because of my experience, but that's not fair.\\nIt is small, easy to install, quiet, and did cool very well.\\nAlthough in it's second summer it has suddenly stopped working. The thermostat will randomly start showing quick temp drops/rises, the controls don't respond or beep. Resets don't do anything. It is kaput.\\nI brought this in over the winter and didn't have any problems with it last year.\\nFor 150 bucks-ish I can't take off too many more stars. It paid for itself and more in a single summer in cost savings from the central unit.\\nBut I would expect it to last more than a year.\\nI have a Keystone 5000 btu that is going strong in it's 3rd summer.\",\n \"Product: Help extend the life of your carpet with the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner. Designed to clean many carpeted and fabric surfaces in and around your home. Make cleaning a breeze with spill free tanks that are easy to access, easy to fill, empty and clean. The Power Scrub Deluxe features SpinScrub multiple brush system, a rinse option, automatic detergent mixing, a DualV Nozzle for more efficient cleaning and forced heated air for faster drying time.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Worth it, but know what you're getting\\n\\nReview: If you've ever had your carpets steam cleaned then you know about what you're getting here.\\nObviously a professional steam clean has some advantages.\\nSteam helps to loosen up some more dirt (AND THIS DOES NOT STEAM IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE)..\\nIt dries faster.\\nAnd you get to sit on your butt and watch.\\nThis machine costs less than one cleaning and will make your carpets look about the same.\\nThey probably aren't going to be quite as clean, but you'll get the pile lines and it'll certainly feel fresher and cleaner than it was.\\nThis is a carpet cleaner though, not a miracle worker. You're not going to get out stains that you've failed to get out with other means. This will only get the dirt out. and perhaps remove some spots that you hadn't noticed or hadn't tried to get out yet.\\n\\nYou can see in the picture that the carpets look clean but several spots remained. I have the absolute worst carpets for stain resistance/removal though so you may have better luck. I'll be lucky to get something out if it's been sitting there for 10 seconds.\\n\\nOther Thoughts\\nI did about 1000 sq. feet plus a sectional. and I used slightly more than 32 oz of cleaner (35 or so).\\nI emptied 4 times (but could've gotten away with 3).\\nI filled up 3 times (I think).\\nI wish that you could adjust the height of the brushes (they don't really seem to get into my carpet).\\nIt's December and 70 degrees in Alabama but it didn't take long to dry. Probably an hour or 2 in most spots. Some spots stayed damp for quite a bit longer.\\nI would not use this for spot cleaning (I don't know if it claims to be good for that), but I think you'd be much better served with something designed for that (or just your hands and some towels) to be able to scrub more locally/focused.\\n\\nOverall.. It was worth the purchase and, if you don't mind a little bit of \\\"work\\\", it will definitely keep your carpets cleaner for cheaper than yearly steams.\",\n \"Product: This 12,000-BTU portable air conditioner is ideal for spot cooling mid-sized rooms up to 450 square feet. With three cool settings, three fan settings, a 24-hour on/off timer and dehumidify mode, this single-hose model is equipped to meet your interior climate needs. A Quick-Install Window Kit is included for exhausting the unit through any horizontal or vertical opening window and fully directional casters provide mobility. Maintenance is minimal with a slide-out washable mesh filter and Auto Evaporation Technology makes manual draining unnecessary.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: As far as these things go, this seems to be a good product.\\n\\nReview: As far as these types of ACs go, this one is fine.\\nThe design is nice and sleek. it looks better than a LG and smaller Haier I have.\\nIt's about 6 or 7 inches shorter, and a few inches less deep than the 12k LG as well.\\nAs far as noise......\\nIt measures around 55 DB from 6 feet (With the compressor on, fan on high). That is 1 DB louder than a 12000 BTU LG, and 1 DB quieter than a 8,000 BTU LG window unit.\\nThe 8,000 BTU unit is in my bedroom and I have no sleeping issues related to noise while its on.\\nIt does a pretty good job of cooling what is probably the hottest room in my house.\\nUpstairs, facing West, no shade or other protection. Alabama summer heat.\\nI had a 8,000 BTU (portable unit) that was running all day and it would keep the room at 79 to 81 during the day.\\nThis unit has no problem keeping it at 72 and will get down to 65 once the sun is down. I don't keep it set at those temps, but it can do that with the external temperature in the low/mid 90s (very high humidity/mostly sunny).\\nThat's in a smallish bedroom (15X11 or so).\\nAs long as you aren't asking this to do something beyond what it says it will do you should be happy.\\nNo draining necessary thus far (2 months)\\nI don't expect to have to do any, ever, and will be VERY disappointed if that doesn't hold true.\\nInstall was simple. Couple of screws into your window casing. A little foam insulation tape, and maybe a cut of the window plastic insert to fit your window width, and voila.\\nI purchased some insulation wrap that I haven't tried yet, I'll update if that significantly improves the efficiency, but so far, it's been performing as expected.\\n\\nThe LED is kind of bright, but I had some guests in that room for 3 nights and they were OK. Easy to cover up if you want/need to, but you can't turn it off unfortunately.\\n\\nI try not to give out 5 stars unless something \\\"wows\\\" me. This thing doesn't do anything that meets that criteria, but it doesn't have any glaring weaknesses either. I think you'll be happy, unless you're trying to cool a 800 sq. foot sun room in Texas.\\n\\n**Update\\nI moved this into a 12x18 room that generates a lot of it's own heat (beer fridge, amplifier, projector, computer, all kinds of related electronics). It seems woefully underpowered for this room. Been running it non-stop for about 2 hours now and it hasn't gotten below 76. This is after the sun is down (it was 95ish today) and the room was hanging around 80. Had to move this in here because the LG I was using gave up the ghost. This Haier is certainly not as strong as that 12k BTU AC was.\\nKeep this in smaller rooms and you should be fine.\",\n \"Product: Lasko #H20610 max performance 20 inch high velocity floor fan or wallmount fan. Designed and engineered in the USA. Lasko has meant quality for over 100 years\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Makes the porch useful again, even on the hottest summer days.\\n\\nReview: Fantastic fan.\\nI'm using it outside under a covered patio.\\nIn combination with a low pressure mister it makes 97 degree Alabama days almost pleasant.\\nI'm very happy with the coverage area. It's larger than I expected. About 8 feet across when the fan is 8 feet away and 7 feet up the wall.\\nAlso has the added benefit of evaporating those \\\"larger\\\" droplets much more quickly and avoiding wet areas. Certainly a much cheaper alternative to the high pressure mister system I was looking at.\\nOther fans were at least twice this price and sometimes, much more.\\nA lot more air movement than a ceiling fan.\\nSomewhat noisy but nothing off-putting. I could use it to sleep with if I needed to (even though that's not necessarily it's purpose), but I'm a fan of white noise as it is.\\nI'm just as satisfied with this as the other Lasko fans I own.\",\n \"Product: Greenscapes 4'x6' Grass Rug is perfect for covering a patio or porch. Easy to clean and easy to maintenance makes this the perfect addition to your patio.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Cheapest option I saw and still pleased.\\n\\nReview: I use these as entry areas for tents that I leave up on some property I own.\\nThey are pretty easy to clean off.\\nThey stay put (without the stakes that I was suckered in to buying as well).\\nThey do well exposed to the elements.\\nCoupled with an additional entry mat for taking the brunt of incoming dirt, they add a homey feeling, and a nice touch.\\nThey aren't the highest quality in the world and no one is going to mistake them for grass.\\nBut.. They are the cheapest/sq. foot that I saw and am very happy with the purchase.\\nWhen I started looking for outdoor grass carpet I couldn't believe the prices on a lot of the options. These were exactly what I was looking for.\",\n \"Product: The LG LW1015ER 10,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is perfect for cooling a room up to 450 square feet. You will cool a lot and save even more with this unit's energy saver function, 24-hour on/off timer and a 11.3 Energy Efficiency Ratio. With its stylish full-function remote, you can even get your cool on from across the room. LG's patented Gold Fin anti-corrosion coating provides a protective shield so the unit lasts longer. Plus, set up is a cinch with the included installation kit.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Damaged product and terrible customer support. 2 hours and DIY fix lead to relative satisfaction.\\n\\nReview: Let me explain my two stars.\\nI have two other LG air conditioners.. One, \\\"portable\\\" type, that is absolutely fantastic. And another window AC that is just like this, except 8,000 BTU.\\nI'm pretty satisfied with both so I stuck with LG as a brand for another AC.\\nThe install isn't bad at all.. Takes 15 minutes if you're familiar with the process.\\n30 if you're learning along the way.\\nThe cooling is relatively powerful. My house is very \\\"open concept\\\" and this guy is tasked with cooling the entire downstairs.\\nThat's about 1000 square feet. Plus the living room opens to a catwalk that is open to most of the upstairs. So obviously this thing isn't meant to cool that much space.\\nIt does keep it very liveable even in 94 degree weather with a billion percent humidity.\\nThe bathroom and downstairs bedroom don't get much cool air from this, but that's not a huge deal.\\nThe remote control is pretty worthless. You basically need straight on line of sight.\\nFeatures are few, but they cover the necessities. Cool (Fan is always on, even if compressor isn't running - I find this useful for a bedroom situation because the constant fluctuations between noise and silence are more detrimental to sleep than a constant noise, in my opinion), Economy (fan turns off with compressor, cuts back on once in awhile to check the temp), Fan (just a fan, no compressor), and dry (dehumidify).\\nChange the fan speed. Power on/off. Timer.. that's about it with the remote.\\nThe reason for 2 stars is as follows.\\nAbout 3 days after running this thing non-stop it started sounding like a someone was holding a ruler in a ceiling fan. It was bad. Very loud especially outside. Certainly not \\\"standard\\\" noise.\\nI entered a warranty request for repair. The website didn't have a relevant selection so I chose I thought was the best compromise and left a lengthy description of the actual problem.\\nWell, a day later I get an email reply, which I can only assume was automated or at the very least copy and pasted based on the selection (and not the description), since it had nothing to do with what I actually wrote.\\nIt was noted that the ticket was closed, and if my issue was still not resolved, please open another ticket.\\nWell that's frustrating, to say the least.\\nToday, I finally broke down and took the thing apart. The plastic fan encasing was broken off on one side and was juuuust barely hitting the fan (the severity varied, based on temperature, and run time , and other factors - I'm guessing) but it was almost always hitting.\\nAnyhow after a couple of hours spent getting it out of the window, taking it apart, figuring out the issue, cleaning it up, putting it back together, and re-mounting, I seem to be in business.\\nThe customer support certainly left a bad taste in my mouth, so I will probably venture outside of LG should I need another similar product.\\nYour results may (and probably will) vary, but be warned.\",\n \"Product: HDHomeRun PRIME is a network attached TV tuner enabling you to stream Live Cable TV in the US to 3 independant playback devices throughout your home. Once connected to your home router, you can access the HDHomeRun Prime tuner from any computer, or from game consoles, tablets and from media devices like FireTV or AndroidTV boxes, anywhere in your home. Watch or record TV from your family room, kitchen, garage, backyard, or anywhere you have a computer or DLNA compaitble device. The HDHomeRun PRIME's three independant tuners allow it to stream up to three cable channels simultaneously, including those Premium Content channel you pay your Cable Company to watch. Need more tuners? Connect additional HDHomeRun devices to increase the number of available tuners. Now you can watch the game while the kids watch their shows.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great step towards cutting the cord.\\n\\nReview: I am finally getting fed up with the ridiculous price increases that Comcast has been throwing my way for the past 10 years. I pay 119 dollars for TV now. and I don't even have anything special.\\nNo movie channels. No DVR. One HD box.\\nI was using a HD HomeRun Prime with (what was) a free cable card to send HD across my network and use my computers/devices as DVRs. This was all working great, but I'm sick of the cost.\\nI was a little disappointed to find that my HD HomeRun Prime wouldn't do OTA signals, but so is life.\\nWhen DirecTV now launched I decided to take the plunge and subscribe. Now, for 35 bucks a month for that service, and no monthly fee for this, I have every channel I had before for 85 dollars less per month. I pull the big 4 plus the other normal OTA channels with no problem (with a 20ish dollar antenna) and apps like Kodi and Channels (for Apple TV) make this thing absolutely seamless. NOT QUITE as good as xfinity to go, but I can do everything I did before for much less money.\",\n \"Product: The Foscam FI9804P is one of Foscam's latest \\\"Plug & Play\\\" cameras featuring the ability to connect via smartphone by simply scanning the QR code on the underside of the camera. Bypassing the need to access your router and setup port forwarding, the FI9804P can be set up effortlessly by anyone, even those with very little IT experience. The FI9804P adopts 720p HD video quality (1280 x 720) as well as a high performance media processor, single SOC chip (built-in ARM+DSP) and high speed video protocol processor. As a result, it is capable of H.264 video compression allowing for extremely smooth video transmission with minimal bandwidth consumption. In addition, due to the small file sizes produced by H.264 video compression it has the ability to save tremendous hard drive space when doing manual video recording. The Foscam FI9804P features 720p HD quality video, H.264 video compression, Wireless-N capability, remote internet viewing, motion detection, and night vision. In addition, it is smartphone compatible (Iphone, Android & Blackberry) as well as viewable over the internet using a compatible app. The camera functions well as part of a home or office security system with remote internet monitoring ability. With 60 second easy setup with QR code scan via Smartphone and the option of live viewing and storage via FoscamCloud (free trial included), this is one of the best values available for an outdoor surveillance camera purchase.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The difference this upgrade brought is worth 5 stars.\\n\\nReview: I don't give out too too many 5 stars, and it remains to be seen if this product will live up to that distinction or not, but so far so good.\\nI was coming from a Foscam 8905W which had been nothing but reliable with its connectivity and performance, but dang the difference is, in my opinion, incredible.\\nBut that's mainly due to the new, wider angle lens.\\n\\nPros\\nViewing Area\\nWide angle lens provides much better area to view. The previous camera could see my yard and that's about it. This one can see the road, 80 percent of my driveway, and the houses at the end and across the road.\\nIf you're new to surveillance cameras, don't let the seemingly small area of 70 degrees dissuade you. It's a fairly large area and should work for most areas. Obviously you're going to want at least 2 cameras (of this caliber) to effectively cover an entire area, but this does the job very well for me.\\n\\nThe options\\nThere are Red and Yellow RCA connections on the \\\"wire bundle\\\" which say to me it provides hardwired Video and Audio although I can't find that in the quick setup guide. I'm assuming there is a full manual on the CD but I haven't used it. The audio, especially, would be a nice feature that I haven't had on previous outdoor cameras.\\n\\nThe PICTURE\\nThe video is encoded and streamed pretty well. Although my wireless router is literally only about 5 feet away.\\nCompared to the previous model, the picture is much more vibrant and sharp.\\nThis has a slight caveat as noted in \\\"CON #1\\\"\\n\\nCons\\n1. As others have noted the \\\"edges\\\" are \\\"blurry\\\". Take that with a grain of salt, but yes, only about the bottom half, middle 1/3rd of the picture look to be HD. The rest looks slightly better than the old camera but it it MORE than adequate.\\n\\n2. Doesn't support wireless N - which could become tricky with \\\"HD\\\" streaming depending on network traffic and distance to your router.\\n\\nThings of Note\\nWireless IP cameras aren't really plug and play so don't expect this to be simple if you don't have a basic knowledge of your wireless network, how to adjust your router settings, setting a Static IP, port forwarding (for viewing from the internet), etc.\\n\\nNightvision is pretty good. My neighborhood is pretty well lit so I'm not sure how this would do with only the IRs as a source of light but it seems that it would cover the 60 feet that are advertised. The color is pretty decent as well. Much less washout than previous models.\",\n \"Product: The FI9851P combines a high-quality HD digital video camera with a powerful built-in web server to provide live video anywhere. All it requires is an internet connection and a viewing device such as a smartphone or desktop computer. The \\\"Plug and Play\\\" setup process is easy: simply scan the camera's QR sticker with your smartphone and it syncs with the camera automatically. The sleek dome casing used by this camera makes it ideal for surveillance applications such as offices, retail stores, stockrooms, lobbies, homes, apartments and more. Video can be recorded and saved for free to a hard drive. Foscam Cloud service for remote storage is also available (free trial included). All purchases from Foscam come with our 1 Year US Warranty, making our full-featured, quality engineered FI9851P model one of the best values available for an IP camera.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Decent camera, but better options out there IMO.\\n\\nReview: It's not a bad camera, but I'm probably about done with Foscam.\\nI've stuck with them since they got me started on IP cameras and the majority I have used have been Foscam, but they just don't stack up in my opinion.\\nThe main reason I'm tired of them is physical size and cost.\\nThere are equivalent options out there for less money. I've personally used this Escam <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Crenova-Waterproof-1280-720P-HD-ONVIF-iCloud-Webcam-Mini-Dome-Security-IP-Cam-IR-Night-Vision-Camera-Outdoor-Indoor/dp/B00LXS12O6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Crenova Waterproof 1280*720P HD ONVIF iCloud Webcam Mini Dome Security IP Cam IR Night Vision Camera Outdoor Indoor</a> in several situations and have been much happier with it considering its about half the size and half the cost. However it doesn't have true PoE capability.\\n\\nPros\\nThey are very easy to integrate with Blue Iris.\\nThe picture, field of view, and PoE capability are certainly satisfactory.\\n\\nCon\\nSize\\nCost\\n\\nOther thoughts\\nIf you want to dodge the software installation the default http port is 88. and it's DHCP (so check your device list before and after you plug it in and you'll get your IP).\\nI didn't see anything in the instructions noting 88 as the port (I could've very well skipped over it) so I had to install the software, which was aggravating.\\n\\nOverall, it's definitely not a bad purchase. I just see better options out there for myself.\\n\\nThe first picture is the Foscam. The second picture is the Escam. The FoV is larger on the Foscam for sure. The picture quality is about the same IMO. The price and size are half on the Escam though.\",\n \"Product: FI9803EP Plug & Play 1.0 Megapixel (1280x720p) H.264 Outdoor Power Over Ethernet (POE) IP Camera The FI9803EP combines a high-quality HD digital video camera with a powerful built-in web server to provide live video anywhere. All it requires is an internet connection and a viewing device such as a smartphone or desktop computer. The \\\"Plug and Play\\\" setup process is easy: simply scan the camera's QR sticker with your smartphone and it syncs with the camera automatically. The durable weatherproof housing makes this camera ideal for surveillance applications such as courtyards, parking lots, warehouses, and residential spaces such as front porches and backyards. Video can be recorded and saved for free to an SD card or hard drive. Foscam Cloud service for remote storage is also available (free trial included). All purchases from Foscam come with our 1 Year US Warranty, making our full-featured, quality engineered FI9803EP model one of the best values available for an IP camera. Features:- Excellent Video Quality: HD720P @ 30fps Dual-Stream w/ Bandwidth-Conserving H.264 Video Compression- Remote Viewing & Recording from Anywhere and Anytime w/ Standard Web Browsers- Quick Access QR Code Remote Viewing on iPhone, iPad and Android (w/ included Foscam Viewer app)- Powerful IR Lamp Array for Night Vision up to 65ft- 70 Degree Wide FOV and IP66 Outdoor Weatherproofing- Motion Detection Alerts via Email or Send Images to FTP- WEP, WPA, WPA2 Encryption- Free FOSCAM DDNS Service and Camera Control Software Included- Supports Multiple Network Protocols and Protected Multi-Level Users ManagementIncludes:FI9803EP IP Camera Power Supply Network Cable Mounting Bracket Manual, Driver CD Quick Start Guide Foscam Cloud Free Trial1 Year Warranty When Purchased from Foscam\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent choice, if viewing distance is key.\\n\\nReview: This camera really excels in areas that previous FosCams have let me down.\\n\\nThe design is FINALLY starting to get better. The main drawback to these, IMO, is/was their ginormous footprint.\\n\\nThey are still pretty large and probably won't go unnoticed, but they are getting smaller and lighter.\\n\\nPros\\nSize/Weight is better than previous outdoor \\\"bullet cam\\\" models.\\nThe picture is great.\\nThe infrared is spectacular. I can see, diagonally, across my back yard.. Probably a good 35-40 yards.. With zero problem.\\nPoE is a nice feature that I started utilizing here. Although the Wireless cameras are pretty reliable (and I utilize those as well), it's easier in some places to get to ethernet than power. Plus you get the better connection speeds/reliability that way.\\nThe viewing angle is VERY acceptable. Definitely 70 degrees.\\nPrice. Depending on the criteria.. These are about the best \\\"bang for your buck\\\" that I've found.\\n\\nCons\\nStill \\\"large\\\".\\nThe (optional) power port makes mounting and \\\"weatherproofing\\\" more of a chore than it should be.\\n\\nOther thoughts\\nI've found dome cameras to be a much better choice for short distances. They are usually much smaller and easier to make inconspicuous. Think places.. like above a doorway, or small room.\\nThese bullet cameras are larger and harder to hide, but they can see a lot farther at night. Think places like your driveway, or a yard.\\n\\nHD is nice to look at. but keep in mind that HD cameras are resource intensive on your \\\"command\\\" machine. I added two HD cameras to my blue iris console which I was running on a mini HTPC type machine (for low power requirements/running during power outages). Those added cameras kept maxing me out at 100 percent CPU and I needed to downgrade the picture some to avoid building a more powerful machine.\\n\\nThe picture may show you the image quality, viewing angle and power of the IR. There are NO lights on in the backyard and no mentionable ambient lighting from nearby sources. There is another IR source under the patio which is creating the very well lit area.\\n\\nThese may be more \\\"plug and play\\\" than they used to be, but I never use the software. Still they aren't that difficult simply plug in to your network, connect to IP (check your router for un-recognized devices/macs), set a static IP, change the port (optional), change the user info, set the time, deploy.\",\n \"Product: The Aqua Changer patented Central Diffusing Passage Cold Plate (CDP) accelerates the heat absorption from CPU up to 30% thermal convection. The protrusive structure enhances the copper base sturdiness and deploys more coolant for an efficient CPU hot spot elimination. Advanced aerodynamics design boosts down-force air pressure and creates high-volume airflow. The ceramic bearing features anti-Corrosion, noiseless, and smooth operation. Additional LED for power on indication. Elastic rubber tube with anti-leakage layers provides exceptional durability. the Metal Mounting Kit Supports latest AMD and Intel desktop sockets with easy and solid installation.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Frustrating install, but good end result.\\n\\nReview: Good cheap alternative to the Corsairs of the world.\\nI had a heck of a time installing it though.\\nI think you need to examine the spacers and put them in the right way or they don't grip the screws from the other side of the mobo. Making you need two sets of hands (or a ghetto rigged pressure system).\\nI got this on one time without realizing that (because it's not mentioned at all in the directions), but it was extremely frustrating and difficult.\\nAs a result I somehow bent some 8350 pins. And had to replace the CPU.\\n140 bucks later, I finally got it successfully installed.\\nHad to put the logo upside down because I couldn't (what I felt was) safely bend it to put it upright. Tubes were too stiff.\\nTightening it down was a huge pain too as the screws seem to want to spin with the fastening caps. And it was nearly impossible to grasp the back side to keep it from spinning while tightening on the opposite side. As a result one of my corners is a little loose, probably affecting my temps.\\nbut SpeedFan has me at around 33 idle and 49 while playing VR. I wish I would have measured before but those temps are definitely acceptable.\\nFan is very quiet.\\nHardware seems good.\\nJust get past the install and it'll be well worth the money.\",\n \"Product: Actiontec's ECB6200 Bonded MoCA 2.0 Network Adapter brings an instant performance boost to the home network, ensuring uninterrupted and pristine HD video, online gaming, and high speed networking. It works right over the home's existing coaxial wires, delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps, and installs in minutes. The ECB6200S02 is sold as a single unit. There are many installation scenarios that require two ECB6200 adapters. Actiontec catalog# ECB6200K02 is a two-unit kit to support this need.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Still beats wireless. Although speed increase unrealized.\\n\\nReview: I've been using these MoCA adapters for years now. Always much more reliable than wireless (IMO), even with ac pretty prevalent now.\\nI didn't even realize there was a 2.0 or \\\"bonded,\\\" but I had one die on me and it had to be replaced.\\nI got this actiontec and plugged it in and, boom, all network dependent services restored.\\nI decided to replace another with this 2.0/Bonded.\\nSo that makes all 3 at 2.0, but only 2 at bonded.\\nI went outside, got my locked cable box open and put in a MoCA filter at the \\\"root.\\\"\\nAll of this and I don't see much (if any) speed improvement.\\nI get 21 MB/sec to my non bonded 2.0 - which is upstairs to upstairs.\\nI only get 1.5 MB/sec to my bonded 2.0 - which is upstairs to downstairs.\\nI suspect it has something to do with my network setup (1 network (no vLANS) with 3 MoCA, 3 switches, 2 routers (on the same network - basically being used as a switch), IP cameras clogging stuff up all over the place, HD homerun, Plex server, ESXi server with domain controller, 2 NAS).\\nEven though I don't see a speed increase.. I'm able to send HD tv through my home run prime from my input downstairs (at 1.5-2.0-ish MB/sec) to the rest of the house without issue.\\nI wouldn't trust wireless with that.\\nThese are great products and a very nice alternative for those of us who aren't wired with cat 5/6 in every room. I bet with some tweaking I'll be able to get this up to 20 MB/sec or so (still well below 1 GB - which I would put at 100ish real world).\",\n \"Product: Designed based on the EVOLV line, the Enthoo EVOLV ATX Tempered Glass Edition combines sandblasted aluminum with tempered glass panels. System builders and water-cooling enthusiasts can now present their build with a premium touch. The EVOLV ATX Tempered Glass Edition is equipped with innovative features, amazing (water)cooling potential, and RGB illumination.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice case. Slight buyers remorse, but nice, nonetheless.\\n\\nReview: It's a very nice case. Probably the nicest I've had.\\nPros\\n1. The side windows are very nice. They allow viewing of the entire inside.\\n2. The look is very clean and streamline. The aluminum/steel is nice.\\n3. The inside is plenty big.\\n4. The SSD slide and lock (or whatever they are calling it) is nice. Although it took me a minute to figure out how that was supposed to work.\\n5. Pre-Installed fans were nearly silent. My CPU cooler seems to be crapping out and that's the only whine/wheeze I'll hear once in awhile.\\n6. The lighting affects are nice in how they sync up (with the pre-installed top and front lights + additional LED strips).\\n\\nEven though this is probably the nicest case I've ever had (am replacing a Corsair Carbide), there were several frustrations.\\n1. With the windows being so big it's hard to hide the additional LED strip. I hate being able to see the individual lights and aim for a \\\"flooding\\\" effect. Tough to do, but I wrapped it around the top inside of the radiator cage. The light is obviously much more pronounced on the top, but it looks much better to me than wrapping it around the top, front, right, to the top, back, left where I could easily see the individual LEDs.\\n2. The side panels aren't hinged or anything. They rest on rubber pads and the glass will fall once the four corners are unscrewed. Be careful.\\n3. I was not aware that both sides were clear when I bought this. it will be impossible to keep the right side (if you're looking at it straight on) clean and tidy. You can do a pretty good job, but There are definitely going to be wires. Wasn't an issue for me since that side is up against my desk anyhow.\\n4. They seem to skimp on that side as far as space. I would've preferred moving everything an inch or so to the left so that I wouldn't have had such a pain getting the right side closed back up. You'll have to pay attention to your wiring even if you're not worried about anyone seeing that side... just to get it closed.\\n\\nOther thoughts.\\nI wonder if there is a way to synch it with Chroma/Razer hardware..\\nOverall, I like the case. The looks are to die for, for sure (once you get it situated), but, depending on your situation, you might feel that 180ish is too much to pay for an aesthetic upgrade.\",\n \"Product: THINK YOU KNOW WHAT SMALL CAN DO? THINK AGAIN. No more compromising between performance, profile, and price. The Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is a tiny 4 4 2 Inches computing device with the power of the 3rd generation Intel Core i3 processor. Its lower power consumption enables innovative system designs and energy-efficient applications in places like digital signage, home entertainment, and portable uses.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Tiny, Quiet, and Powerful (enough).\\n\\nReview: These Intel barebones kits are great for low cost, powerful kodi/xbmc boxes.\\nAlthough smart TVs and \\\"media sticks\\\" are becoming more advanced and seamless, I am not aware of any that provide the ability to stream local content, act as a DVR for live TV signal, open netflix, emulate games, run scripts, check your email, and access spotify, without ever needing to change your TV input.\\nThese kits provide a very suitable hardware foundation for the power and flexibility of XBMC.\\n\\nAlthough some choose to bypass an (traditional) OS and run directly from a \\\"removable\\\" boot device, I've found that Windows 7 will run just fine on these. I gladly tradeoff that extra overhead for the added flexibility of a true OS. I have 3 of these (2 running Kodi, 1 acting as a blue iris camera feed hub/server), and they are able to boot up, load windows, and auto launch Kodi (or blue iris) into a useable state in less than a minute.\\n\\nPlenty powerful (with a 60gb mSATA drive and 4 gig SODIMM) to stream hd movies/sound and decode/watch/record live tv.\\n\\nI have one in my living room, sitting inside a dresser drawer (which does get relatively warm - although additional cooling hasn't been needed), with a USB receiver for the Universal Remote, and another in my bedroom mounted behind the tv. This solution works great as an all around media system and saves the need for additional DVR/set top boxes (when used in conjuction with my HDPrime appliance) from my cable company and the costs that those incur.\\n\\nThis was chosen as my blue iris hub because of the low power requirements. It doesn't make a dent in my power bill when I run it 24/7 and I'm able to power one for about 4.5 hours on a 26ah homemade battery backup in case of power outages.\\n\\nOverall, these are great devices with lots of applications, and I highly recommend them.\\nI realize that there are newer/more powerful models out there but I haven't run across anything that I wanted these machines to do that they couldn't do, and do well.\\nIMO a i5 is a little too much for what you'd probably want these to do\\nEither way.. You'd be extremely hard pressed to build something comparable (especially size wise) for the same price.\",\n \"Product: Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets are the original German-made solid fuel tablets. Available in 4-gram and 5-gram sizes, Esbit fuel tablets are virtually smokeless and odorless. The 4-gram tablets burn approximately 5 minutes, and 5-gram solid fuel tablets burn approximately 7 minutes; both the 4-gram and 5-gram sizes are ideal for hobby applications such as Wilesco engines, steam-launch boats, and hobby trains, as well as for starting campfires or generating an emergency heat source. Five-gram tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging, giving them a 10+ year shelf-life and making them excellent outdoor, survival or emergency essentials. All Esbit Solid Fuel Tablets work at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, are smokeless, and have almost no combustion residue. Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets light easily with a sustained flame from a match or lighter, can be snuffed out, and if kept dry, will relight when needed again. Ideal for the avid hobbyist and survivalist, tablets are available in three configurations: 20 Pieces Each 4g, 16 Pieces Each 5g, 60 Pieces Each 4g. Made in Germany; 2-year manufacturers warranty.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Worked for starting a stubborn fire, I'll stick with 14g for boiling water though.\\n\\nReview: I accidentally ordered these instead of the 14g cubes, and instead of going through the hassle of returning such a small and cheap item I threw them into a camping box that I keep in my garage to make trips easier. This weekend, they were put to use for the first time. We were at a state park and had some \\\"green\\\" firewood. We couldn't get a fire going after using nearly an entire bottle of lighter fluid so I didn't give these much hope, but I figured I'd give them a try.. These must burn hotter and (obviously) longer than ligher fluid, and I was able to get the fire to catch, finally. They saved the day. Although I highly prefer the 14g iteration, these work well, and I didn't notice the smell that those bigger ones have. Good for a pinch while starting stubborn fires, but I don't think these would have the burn time for boiling water.\",\n \"Product: The BoatBuckle Pro Series Kwik-Lok Transom tie-down features vinyl-coated top hooks and zinc-coated trailer hooks. The durable 2-inch polypropylene webbing has a protective web pad and extends to 2 feet. It has a 1,200-pound breaking strength with a 400-pound safe working load. For added safety and security, it also comes standard with Hi-Vis protective PVC pads and Night Eyes reflective closure patch for increased visibility in low light conditions. It has a built-in closure that stores excess web while trailering as well as vinyl-coated S-hooks with keeper. BoatBuckle brand tie-down systems offer professional fishermen and weekend boaters convenient, high quality tie-down systems so they can spend more time on the water and less time on the boat ramp. IMMI is the leading marine tie-down manufacturer in North America.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Has been working fine for a 21' Yamaha.\\n\\nReview: I bought a 21' boat about 100 miles from my house and realized the sellers didn't include transom ties.\\nLuckily I found a dealership nearby and picked some up for the ride home. They cost about 40 dollars though, and they didn't work very well at all.\\nI replaced them with these after only 3 weeks. These are much better at half the price. Easy to pull the strap tight and flip the clasp down.\\nThe velcro straps get in the way a little more than my old ones which is aggravating, but it's not a big deal.\\nEach time I've used them the boat has remained on the trailer. So they're working.\\nThe straps seem a little thin (width wise not depth wise) when I think of the weight of the boat (3200 dry I believe), but these haven't shown any sign of stress or breakage.\\nAnd yes, there are two.\",\n \"Product: ONE-PIECE AIRGUN/.22 RING MOUNTSAccuShot Airgun/.22 Full Length Integral Mount (100mm Long), for 1 Scope, Hi-Profile, 4 Screws/Each Ring, Fits Scopes upto 56mm Obj\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Stumbled through my first mount, but great product (Marlin 795 .22)\\n\\nReview: If you've ever mounted on a .22 then you can skip my review and know that this is a good mount for the price.\\n\\nThis is mainly for those stumbling through their first time like I was.\\nFirst of all, keep in mind that the locking screw (useful - should your gunrail have a spot for such a screw) was down when I got this.\\nSo after several times of trying to slide this on my rail only to have it \\\"pop up\\\" after it was nearly all the way on did I look under the mount itself to find this extended screw. I pulled that back and it slid onto the rail fine.\\nVery sturdy! And secures VERY well.\\nThe rings didn't seem to quite have a large enough diameter to fully wrap my <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/UTG-4x32-TS-Full-Size-Mil-dot-Scope-with-Airgun-22-Rings-Pre-adj-35-Yds/dp/B005UGIR36/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">UTG 4x32 TS Full Size Mil-dot Scope with Airgun/.22 Rings, Pre-adj @ 35 Yds</a>, but it's very close and I'm probably just anal about it.\\nMake sure you lightly screw in one on each side of the ring and tighten down equally, one at a time so that both sides have equal pressure.\\n\\nI've put about 200 rounds through my Marlin 795 with this scope and the aforementioned scope.\\nNever lost zero, and am able to consistently hit golf balls at 30ish yards, no problem.\\n\\nThe only negative is the fact that there are 8 screws to loosen/tighten to mount a scope. It seems like there should be a better design with a hinge on one side or something. A small price to pay for an excellent, cheap solution though.\\nIt also utilizes two different sized Allen wrenches (3 if your messing with the top/rail screw). I like to keep wrenches with their scopes in case I need to switch to built in sights for some reason, so one size would be better..\\nagain, probably considered splitting hairs.\",\n \"Product: The d.light S30 is a super bright, durable solar-rechargable LED camping lantern. It S30 offers up to 8 hours of 360 degree space lighting. Hang it inside a tent for a game of cards or next to the barbecue for a perfect evening dinner. Take it on your boat for a night sail or use it during a power outage. The d.light S30 is built to survive the toughest conditions, like drops onto concrete, rain, and intense heat and dust. The USB charging option (cable included) allows charging from an AC source even on rainy or cloudy days. With over 60 million people worldwide using d.light products, trust that you are getting a high quality product from the leaders in LED lanterns.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Second Review - Still Impressed\\n\\nReview: I've had 4 of these for about a year. I never run out of uses for them or good things to say about them.\\nI keep two inside on a window sill. And I keep two outside in a location only slightly protected from the elements. I can't imagine that you could break these things under normal conditions outside. The only way I could see them \\\"dying\\\" is if they were submerged for a length of time.\\nOne outdoor light will gather water once in awhile and I'll unscrew the plastic covering and empty the accumulation.\\nBut it's just as bright and comes on just like the others.\\nThese things serve their purpose fantastically. I could say that the brightness might not blow you away. but for one LED it certainly seems it should. It's plenty to provide adequate light to a normal sized room (15x15). Two could possibly destroy your retinas. I jest. But in the case of an extended power outage these could be a godsend. If used properly, it will provide plenty of light for reading, cooking, games, etc.\\nI've got larger solar panels that charge deep cycle batteries and power inverters. and also smaller automotive type battery packs for an assortment of power and lighting options but these get the most use and were probably the most \\\"bang for my solar buck\\\". I use them mainly for camping and they last the advertised amount of time if not longer. they are always ready to go the next night.\\nI've never charged them via AC but I might pick up an adapter so I can charge them from the larger solar bank should the sun fail to shine for a few weeks while the power is out.\\nI'd probably have bigger things to worry about if that was happening though.\",\n \"Product: Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets are the original German-made solid fuel tablets. Available in 4-gram and 5-gram sizes, Esbit fuel tablets are virtually smokeless and odorless. The 4-gram tablets burn approximately 5 minutes, and 5-gram solid fuel tablets burn approximately 7 minutes; both the 4-gram and 5-gram sizes are ideal for hobby applications such as Wilesco engines, steam-launch boats, and hobby trains, as well as for starting campfires or generating an emergency heat source. Five-gram tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging, giving them a 10+ year shelf-life and making them excellent outdoor, survival or emergency essentials. All Esbit Solid Fuel Tablets work at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, are smokeless, and have almost no combustion residue. Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Hobby Fuel Tablets light easily with a sustained flame from a match or lighter, can be snuffed out, and if kept dry, will relight when needed again. Ideal for the avid hobbyist and survivalist, tablets are available in three configurations: 20 Pieces Each 4g, 16 Pieces Each 5g, 60 Pieces Each 4g. Made in Germany; 2-year manufacturers warranty.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Worked for starting a stubborn fire, I'll stick with 14g for boiling water though.\\n\\nReview: I accidentally ordered these instead of the 14g cubes, and instead of going through the hassle of returning such a small and cheap item I threw them into a camping box that I keep in my garage to make trips easier. This weekend, they were put to use for the first time. We were at a state park and had some \\\"green\\\" firewood. We couldn't get a fire going after using nearly an entire bottle of lighter fluid so I didn't give these much hope, but I figured I'd give them a try.. These must burn hotter and (obviously) longer than ligher fluid, and I was able to get the fire to catch, finally. They saved the day. Although I highly prefer the 14g iteration, these work well, and I didn't notice the smell that those bigger ones have. Good for a pinch while starting stubborn fires, but I don't think these would have the burn time for boiling water.\",\n \"Product: Made for automotive enthusiasts who want nothing but the best when caring for their vehicles, AutoSpa luxury car care accessories prolong that fresh from the showroom feel through superior design, quality and value. The AutoSpa wash mop has an extra absorbent long chenille microfiber wash bonnet and 48 inch telescoping pole. The wash glove can be removed from the pole for a professional hand car wash.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good tool to have around. Especially for large vehicles.\\n\\nReview: This thing is great. Every neighbor that has seen it has asked about it.\\nMakes washing a big truck a good bit more manageable than it would be with a sponge.\\nNot quite sure what parts \\\"are known to cause cancer\\\", so that was slightly disconcerting, but I guess everything causes cancer these days.\\nThe connections don't leak, but it's sometimes a pain to get them screwed together and you have to use focused force to make sure everything is going to stay in place once you get it adjusted to your desired length.\\nThe \\\"head\\\" fits into a standard 5 gallon bucket OK, so dipping into soap solution isn't a big deal (I was worried it wouldn't fit).\\nI find that 6 \\\"soap stops\\\" and subsequent rinses are enough to complete a 4 door Ram 1500.\",\n \"Product: Made for automotive enthusiasts who want nothing but the best when caring for their vehicles, AutoSpa luxury car care accessories prolong that fresh from the showroom feel through superior design, quality and value. The AutoSpa wash mop has an extra absorbent long chenille microfiber wash bonnet and 48 inch telescoping pole. The wash glove can be removed from the pole for a professional hand car wash.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good tool to have around. Especially for large vehicles.\\n\\nReview: This thing is great. Every neighbor that has seen it has asked about it.\\nMakes washing a big truck a good bit more manageable than it would be with a sponge.\\nNot quite sure what parts \\\"are known to cause cancer\\\", so that was slightly disconcerting, but I guess everything causes cancer these days.\\nThe connections don't leak, but it's sometimes a pain to get them screwed together and you have to use focused force to make sure everything is going to stay in place once you get it adjusted to your desired length.\\nThe \\\"head\\\" fits into a standard 5 gallon bucket OK, so dipping into soap solution isn't a big deal (I was worried it wouldn't fit).\\nI find that 6 \\\"soap stops\\\" and subsequent rinses are enough to complete a 4 door Ram 1500.\",\n \"Product: BESTEK Americas Leading Power Inverter: The highest average review rating of any power inverter brand. Designed as a portable power inverter to power up multiple items and most major household appliances. Upgraded 300W DC to AC Power Inverter: A must-have for your road trips, vacations, outdoors, emergency kits and more. Enjoy 4.8A dual Smart USB ports and 2 standard plug outlets for convenient charging on the road. Wide compatibility: DC 12V to Pure Sine Wave AC 110V Converter, ideal for powering Laptops, mobile phones, Christmas LED light strips, power banks, air mattress, breast pumps, electric toothbrush, electric shaver, cameras, PSP, walkie talkies, tablets, GPS units, TV, battery chargers, camping equipment and mobile office equipment Product Specification: Power (2 AC Outlets): 300W Rated, 360W Max, 700W Peak Input Voltage: 12V DC, Output voltage: 110V~120V Dual USB Port Output: DC 5V, 4.2A rated, 4.8A Max. Auto 0~2.4A*2 Indicator: Green-operation, Red-shutdown Over Voltage Shutdown: DC 15V-16V, Low Voltage Shutdown: DC 10V-11V Dimensions are: 4.92 x 3.39x1.93 inch Optimal Use and Precautions: For DC12V ONLY, not applied for DC 24V and airplane use. Please do not leave the Power inverter in the ON position while your car is off. If the rated input of any connected AC devices exceed 150W, please use battery clamps to directly connect to your vehicle's battery as most vehicles 12V ports are rated and fused for 150W. Avoid placing the inverter into sunlight directly or next to heat-sensitive materials to protect inverter from getting too warm. Caution! Not designed for high power electric devices such as hair dryers, electric heaters, curling irons, etc. Package List: 1 x 300W Power Inverter 1 x User Manual\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Finally, a low wattage inverter to power heating blankets.\\n\\nReview: I've been struggling with a \\\"strategy\\\" for keeping warm while camping out on some undeveloped land I recently purchased.\\nHeating blankets are almost a necessity when it's 15 degrees and you've got a tent for shelter (especially when accompanied by your beautiful but cold fiance).\\nI have been hauling an inverter generator out there (Ryobi 2400 watts) to power stuff along with the heating blankets at night.\\nI'm to the point where I don't need too much power now and really only need the blankets and juice to charge devices.\\nI really didn't want to haul my 1600 watt whistler inverter out there, but so far it was the only inverter that would power the heating blankets.\\nEven though I've measured and they only draw 100 watts (absolute max).\\nI tried a spare 300 watt inverter and no luck. I bought another 500 watt inverter and figured there was no way it wouldn't get the job done, but still, same issue.\\nI figured I'd give the pure sine wave a try even though I didn't hold out much hope.\\nIt powers it like a champ. No errors/problems. No need to lug that much larger 1600 watt inverter out there.\\nThe fan is loud and kind of off putting but it should act as white noise (which I like), or I'll just put it in a box and run an extension cord.\\nOverall, pretty happy with this since it's my first true sine wave inverter and it solved an issue I was having with \\\"sensitive\\\" electronics like these are touted to do.\",\n \"Product: 30-1/4\\\" wall storage cabinet, double wall resin construction, includes 1 steel reinforced shelf, holds up to 75 lb, lockable doors, no tool assembly, Platinum color doors and sides; slate color top, back, bottom and handles. Assembled size: 30\\\"W x 12\\\"D x 30-1/4\\\"h.Easily usable product. This product is manufactured in United States.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent solution to a back porch eyesore.\\n\\nReview: This is a great little cabinet.\\nIt's sturdy. pretty easy to put together.. relatively easy to mount.\\nKeep some things in mind.\\n1. There are no pre-drilled holes for getting wires into the the cabinet.\\nThis might not be a concern in your application, but I'm using this to keep a tv and \\\"amplifier\\\" safe from the elements on my back porch.\\nI drilled two holes (one on top and one on bottom, both to run power cables through). I filled the holes with paper towels and a strip of duct tape on both sides to keep any homeless wasps out.\\n2. The shelf can only mount in one location. It was too low to allow my tv to fit, and I wanted/needed the shelf. I just cut some small 1/2 inch plywood strips and screwed them into the plastic where desired. The shelf sits on these fine. Obviously this probably isn't as strong as the original design, but I'm only holding up a couple of pounds.\\n3. There aren't any concrete anchors for the mounting screws. So if you're planning on mounting to brick/similar keep that in mind.\\nI replaced the included lug nuts with some tapcon concrete screws (3/16th x 1-1/4 on the bottom and 3/16th x 2-3/4th on top). Works great.\\n4. There's nothing included to hold the doors open. So (again if your application is similar to mine) you might get the doors slammed shut once in a while by the wind. There's a bazillion \\\"fixes\\\" for that. I'm using a bungee cord temporarily..\\n\\nDespite these minor hurdles I'm very satisfied with this cabinet. It looks 100 times better than my previous, ghetto 2x4 shelf and tarp setup. Not to mention, it's a lot more functional as well.\",\n \"Product: The Most Popular Portable Propane Heater in North America. This patented radiant 4,000-18,000 BTU Liquid Propane heater connects directly to two 1 lb. cylinders and is the perfect solution for heating enclosed spaces like cabins up to 450 sq. ft. An integrated fan increases the heating capacity of this unit, blending radiant and convection style heat to give you the best of both worlds. Two swivel regulators give you the ability to adapt usage from disposable cylinders to a remote gas supply with the purchase of a single hose and filter. To light the unit, simply push and rotate the knob. The built in Piezo sparking mechanism will take care of the rest. With the Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and accidental tip-over safety shut-off, you can be sure that you will enjoy years of comfortable indoor safe heat.*WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SELL THIS PRODUCT TO CANADA AND MASSACHUSETTS* **Please note when operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 FT above sea level the heater may shut off.**\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 2 Years in and still one of my best purchases EVER.\\n\\nReview: This thing is great. Let me count the ways.....\\n1. It is friggin hot and fast. I rarely use central heat, and, as such, my house can be in the 50's during the winter. On high, this usually gets my \\\"game room\\\" of about 450 sq. feet to \\\"sweating level\\\" in 15-20 minutes. Put it on low and keep the door shut and it'll keep the room nice and warm. It heats up my master bedroom MUCH faster than a 1500 watt space heater (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Q4EYEQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage) and it's half the size.\\n\\n2. Portable. It's not the smallest thing in the world but it's certainly portable. It's saved me on some deceptively cold camping trips, and I will grab it on the cold mornings (if it's in another room) and put it next to the shower for a comfortable exit. Your portability is obviously going to be negated if you have it attached to a 20 lb. canister.\\n\\n3. Safe (thus far). If you'd read bullet 1 and 2 you'd know I wouldn't be around to write this review if it weren't safe for indoor use. I've put a carbon monoxide detector in the room while the heater was in use, just for fun, and it never rises above normal levels. I've forgotten to turn it off after some of those cold morning showers and left it in my bathroom to burn out. House is still intact. It's VERY difficult to move it (while it's on) without engaging the safety cut-off feature. So it'd be impossible to knock it over and have it continue running. With the grated covering you'll be protected from all but the most determined attempts at destruction.\\n\\n4. Relatively efficient. If you're concerned about power outages you obviously aren't going to rely on a space heater to keep you warm in those times. Electric heaters are ridiculously power hungry especially if you have a wattage concern (as in a power outage). I have a 300 AH/300 Watt small solar system and I'd never consider running an electric heater during outages. Only a generator would suffice and even then you're talking about 1 appliance eating 50 percent or more of a typical output. Propane (unlike gas) has an indefinite shelf life and a 20lb tank could run this for 30 or 40 hours on high. I only use 20 lb tanks if I know it'll be running for awhile. I get through an Alabama winter on 12-16 1 pound tanks. At ~5 bucks for 2 you're looking at roughly the same expense as 3 hours/day/3 months with an electric heater. So while an electric heater may be more convenient and aesthetically pleasing, this guy dominates for uses like power outages, quick \\\"spot heating\\\" (ie. bathroom), and camping.\\n\\nGripes.\\nThe 4 D batteries for the fan/blower seems super excessive to me. It really doesn't even blow that well and I never use it. It doesn't add much in my opinion. If you're in an enclosed room, the heat will get to you anyhow. If you do use it, you'll probably forget to turn it off and kill the batteries in one sitting (as it's a completely separate switch/mechanism from the \\\"fire\\\"). D batteries aren't the cheapest thing in the world.\\n\\nThe side compartments are a little tricky to get open sometimes. It's tough to screw in the small canisters to the inputs unless you're at a perfect angle.\\n\\nIt doesn't seem like It fully burns the small canisters. Every time it runs out, I'll see the fire flicker, go out, and then smell propane for a few minutes.\\n\\nTIPS/Hints\\nGet a filter hose if you intend to use 20 lb tanks.\\nUse both inputs if you're using small canisters. The runtime would be aggravatingly short with only 1 canister.\\nUsually, a flickering, uneven, and noisy flame means you're running low on propane.\\nIf you run out your tank it's going to be icy/cold.. that's just physics.\\n\\nOverall this is an amazing product which is very versatile and useful in lots of situations. Would certainly buy again or recommend to anyone.\",\n \"Product: The bayou classic double jet cooker has an 18-inch diameter cooking surface that is capable of supporting up to 105-quart stockpots. Heats boiling pots twice as fast. Perfect when entertaining large groups of people and ideal for crawfish boils. Bayou classic outdoor cookers are the traditional and reliable choice for outdoor cooking. They are portable and can be used for camping, rv's, tailgating, and backyard parties. With a one-piece welded steel frame, these are the strongest cookers commercially made. Designed for strength, function and safety.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: We have lift off.\\n\\nReview: I found a close supplier and started doing crawfish boils here in north Alabama, about 2 years ago.\\nWe usually only do one sack so I'm using a relatively small pot (36 quarts).\\nI had an old stand with a single burner. The regulator I was using with it wasn't quite right (too high pressure) so it would go out fairly easily on windy days. It took over an hour to get the water to a boil initially, and usually at least 10 minutes to return it to a boil.\\nThis stand is a lot better. very sturdy.. and not much heavier than the old rot iron one I was using, despite this one being a good bit larger.\\nThe burner area and stand around the center of the heat did oxidize (??) after the first boil, turning white. But no big deal.\\nThe burners sound like a missile launch and I love that sound.\\nAnyhow.. it boiled my 36 QT pot in 15 ish minutes.. Returns the crawfish to boiling almost immediately.\\nGreat buy!\",\n \"Product: The Polar LG7 Lawn and Garden Utility Cart is perfect for small to large backyard jobs. This utility cart features an all steel frame with powder coated finish, shielded ball bearings and heavy-duty polyethylene tub. The newly designed tub combined with our high clearance tubular frame allows for a cleaner dump than the competition! The \\\"Original Tilt and Pivot Frame\\\" makes it easy to maneuver. Works great with an ATV or lawn tractor. Easy to assemble. Load size: 7 cubic feet, 10 cubic feet heaping. Overall dimensions: 65\\\" X 31\\\" X 28\\\".\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent addition to the \\\"homestead\\\"\\n\\nReview: I bought some almost undeveloped land and needed a way to get supplies from the road to 300 yards or so down a ravine.\\nI say \\\"almost\\\" because there was a timber road onsite that at least gave me a path. It is relatively rough though. VERY washed out in parts. My dad (who is 74) came out to work on some areas because he was so worried I was going to flip the 4 wheeler and die. but that's moreso a indication of him than the road..\\nbut it IS definitely bad.\\nI was worried that a trailer would not keep up with a 4 wheeler (trucks are out of the question).\\nMy worries were put to rest after 1 trip...\\nThe trailer stays firm. never flipped.. didn't trail widely behind the 4 wheeler (yes. I was only going like 3 mph)..\\nIt was easy to put together.\\n\\nIt is extremely lightweight. It was easier to throw my generator in the trailer and pull it by myself than carry it.\\nI'm convinced it will go anywhere the 4 wheeler will go.\\n\\nAlthough I'm not using it for dumping material at this point, it has cut my trips down VERY significantly. I don't camp \\\"lightly\\\" and this allows me to make it in 2 trips instead of 10 with just the 4 wheeler.\\nIt at least allows me to not dedicate an entire day to \\\"unloading\\\".\\nQuickly became one of the most important additions to the operation..\\nattached a picture of the wood I hauled during a firewood run. That would have been extremely overwhelming without the trailer.\\n\\nThe only con I have is that there is no way to securely tighten cargo down with ratchet straps. The plastic edges just pull in.. If you go all the way around the chassis the same thing happens (unless your cargo is beyond the edges).\\nEven on this terrible \\\"road\\\" I carried all of my loads without losing any cargo due to \\\"turbulence\\\" and the lack of tie downs.\",\n \"Product: With POWERDRIVE transmission and 33% more run time*, this battery-powered trimmer/edger can tackle tough overgrowth and heavy weeds. Quiet and easy to start.*versus our previous LBXR20 battery pack\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Convenient. Powerful. Cheap. Happy!\\n\\nReview: I've recently been sucked into the world of battery powered yard tools.\\nHedge trimmers, chainsaw, circular saw, and now the weedeater.\\nI never really felt like plugging in and running an extension cord was inconvenient to take care of trimming the yard.\\nBut after using this I could never go back.\\n\\nAnd this thing really has enough power to take care of some work.\\nIn addition to my yard I use it out at some undeveloped property I own. Combined with the aforementioned hedge trimmers there isn't any brush that I can't clear with relative ease. The weed whacker is capable of taking down some brush larger than I would've thought.\\nThe battery life is pretty great IMO. No more than 1 battery for my yard (which is 1/2 and acre with several trees in the back to \\\"detail\\\"). Probably at least 15 or 20 minutes of run time involved.\\nI don't know if they make a 40v version of this but the 20v has been great. The batteries are like 1/4th the price so it's easy/cheap to have 4 or 5 on hand for those big jobs. And, like I mentioned, the power is more than adequate.\\n\\nEverything but my chainsaw is 20v. I wish I would've gone with a 40v circular saw (if it exists) but I'm more than happy with the power on the hedge trimmers and weed trimmer.\\n\\nIt's just as light as my electric (corded) weed eater.\\nswitching from trimming to edging is easy.\\nThe only con that I've noticed is that the handle will pop out of place from my favorite angle pretty easily. It's not a huge deal, but it's an aggravation.\\n\\nAnyhow. I couldn't really be happier with this purchase.\\nCoupled with the B&D pre-rolled line all of the inconveniences involved with weedeating are a thing of the past.\",\n \"Product: The BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 12\\\" 40V Cordless Chainsaw features a 40V MAX Lithium Ion Battery for longer runtime and overall life - it stays charged up to 5x longer. It has a 12\\\" Oregon low-kickback bar and chain which provides smooth and fast cuts. The tool-free chain tensioning allows for quick and easy chain adjustments, and it also features a lightweight design for ease of use and maneuverability. The automatic oiling system ensures constant bar and chain lubrication, and the wrap around bale handle provides increased control and comfort.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: It won't blow you away, but it will cut wood.\\n\\nReview: I'm new to chainsaws. I purchased a gas power 22 inch beast that I could never manage to get started. I decided I probably wouldn't need that much power so I opted for this \\\"cleaner\\\" and smaller/weaker option when I sent that one back.\\nWhen I received this and \\\"cranked it up\\\" for the first time, I thought it was a cute little toy. And I was a little disappointed/embarrassed.\\nFirst of all. It was absolutely simple to start it up. No mixing 40:1 oil/gas. No choke. No \\\"compression\\\". None of the hardships I dealt with while jacking up my shoulder the first go round with the gas powered iteration.\\nPut in chain oil. snap the battery in. press the button.\\nI cut through a piece of 1/6 treated lumber.. and was not impressed. It did the job.. but again.. Just not impressed.\\nHowever.. When I finally got it out to my property for the real test, I was quickly impressed.\\nI cleared several 7 or 8 inch fallen trees off of a road in 10 minutes without any issue.\\nWent through and continued cutting up anything I could find.\\nLet's just say.. The first night my buddy and I went out there it took us constant work to stay in firewood with an axe and machete. This guy did the same amount of work in 1/100th the time and energy.\\nIt doesn't inspire images of Tim the Tool Man Taylor grunting \\\"More Power,\\\" but it most definitely gets the job done.\\nI'm very happy with it so far.\\nI was surprised that I was almost out of bar oil after using it for only 15/20 minutes. But the battery was not a problem at all after that amount of time.\\nI somehow managed to get this for 120 (with a battery) and I see it's listed at 170 now. I would probably be a good bit less satisfied at that price, but nonetheless it is a good tool. Certainly, a great first option for someone who isn't too accustomed with chainsaws.\",\n \"Product: DN6708BN Finish: Brushed Nickel Features: -Toilet Paper Holder.-Available in brushed nickel, chrome, and oil brushed bronze. Construction: -Toilet paper holder post is constructed of zinc and the arms are constructed of brass. Dimensions: -Overall dimensions: 4.07'' H x 6.33'' W x 3.44'' D. Collection: -Danbury Collection.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 5 stars for ease of installation.\\n\\nReview: I am relatively \\\"handy\\\", but I get frustrated pretty easily, especially with what should be simple projects.\\nThis is an extremely well designed and easy to install holder.\\n1. You don't have to worry about making the anchor level on the wall (you can rotate the sleeve once it's mounted).\\n2. The tightening screw is not RIGHT against the freaking wall like most others, which makes those very difficult to get to and turn. You have plenty of room with this one.\\nThese two things amounted to a installation time of about 20 minutes (15 minutes looking for a 5/16th drill bit).\\nBeyond the install, it's tough to get excited about a toilet paper holder, but the finish is nice, the design is great, and I'm hoping that my girlfriend will actually switch out toilet paper now that there isn't the \\\"hassle\\\" involved with a spring loaded holder. lol.\",\n \"Product: Case of 12 genuine military spec Meals-Ready-to-Eat. Each meal includes water-activated flameless ration heater, entree, desert, snack, beverage powders, and accessory pack. Average 1250 calories per meal. Case weighs approximately 21 lbs. Photos do not represent actual pack date you will receive. See seller's condition comments for actual inspection and packing dates. Case menu contents will vary.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A good option for emergency preparedness and long term preppers alike.\\n\\nReview: I see other people have had issues with receiving a legit product? Mine was fine. Date on box. DoD stamp.\\nI ordered one of these with some paper towels and it didn't arrive (but the paper towels did).. Amazon instantly replaced it for me (without making me wait, what they say is a standard, 3 days).\\nI've only tried one. It was a pepperjack \\\"burger\\\" or something. It wasn't the best thing ever but it was certainly edible.\\nI found the instructions difficult to follow (but I may or may not have been under the influence of alcohol).\\nThe good thing about MREs is the fact that they are all inclusive (minus water - if needed for drink mix, none needed for cooking).\\nSo they are truly grab and go. To me, the freeze dried meals taste much better but they are more work and require water to rehydrate the food as well as a fire or heat source to warm it up.\\nThey don't include dessert.. drink mixes.. napkins.. etc.. Like a MRE does.\\nIt's good to have as many food options on hand and these certainly fill a need.\\nYou could store 6 ish #10 cans of freeze dried food (which could last you 3 weeks or more) in the same space as these 12 meals.\\nBut again.. They are truly \\\"READY TO EAT\\\" and therefore take up more space.\\nI doubt you'll be disappointed if you know what you're looking for.\",\n \"Product: NEW 12V Self-Priming Water Pressure Pump 3.0 Gallons/Min, 45 PSI. Replaces Shurflo Model: 2088-422-444. 4-Year Factory Warranty INCLUDED: -(1) Diaphragm Pump -(1) Set of Instructions -(2) 1/2\\\\\\\" Barbed Hose Adaptors -(1) 50 Mesh Inlet Strainer Product Details: This product is 100% brand new and comes in original color packing Powerful automatic pressure pump 3.0 Gallons Per Minute capacity flow, and 45 PSI pressure Extremely efficient, very low current draw and offer high capacity output Self priming Smooth, silent operation Can run dry without damage Thermal overload and ignition protection Built-in Check Valve Easy connecting system Low power draw Soft rubber mounts Professional grade pump - Ideal for marine, caravans/RV, and agriculture applications Beware of inferior non-genuine products on the market that claim to be just as good Specifications VOLTAGE: 12 VDC DIMENSIONS: 7.84\\\\\\\" X 5.00\\\\\\\" X 4.62\\\\\\\" INLET/ OUTLET: 1/2\\\\\\\" Threaded NPT (1/2\\\\\\\" Barbed Hose Adaptors Also Included) FLOW RATE: 3.0 GPM, AMPS: 3.0 (8.0 Max. Amps) SHUT-OFF PRESSURE: 45 PSI/ 2.1 BAR APPROVALS: CE RV AUTOMATIC DEMAND PUMP QUIET PERFORMANCE SELF PRIMING EASY INSTALLATION RUNS DRY WITHOUT DAMAGE BUILT-IN CHECK VALVE FITTINGS INCLUDED FOR 1/2 HOSE Applications -Yacht/RV/caravan pressurized water system -Sprayer fixtures (vehicle-mounted and electric sprayer) -Clean machine, humidifier, water purification and medical apparatus -Food beverage filling and liquid transfer -Any other pressurization system. Upgrade your 3.0GPM Pump Today! 4-YEAR WARRANTY.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The back bone to a primitive water system\\n\\nReview: I'm really loving this thing. I'm not a plumber or adept at plumbing related things at all, but this thing has made life so much more easy.\\nI own an undeveloped piece of land. No water. No power.\\nI've spent months building up a \\\"tent city\\\" of sorts, but camping gets old without running water.\\nThis guy is the backbone of my water supply.\\nI run a short (garden, everything is garden) hose from a 275 gallon tote (which I supply from a submersible pump in a nearby creek), then into and out of this pump with the use of this <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Anderson-Metals-Brass-Garden-Hose-Fitting-Connector-3-4-34-Male-Hose-ID-x-1-2-34-Female-Pipe/dp/B000FPAPM8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Anderson Metals Brass Garden Hose Fitting, Connector, 3/4\\\" Male Hose ID x 1/2\\\" Female Pipe</a> and this <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Gilmour-1-2-Inch-Brass-Double-Female-Swivel-Hose-Connector-5FPS7FH/dp/B000FJZYR0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Gilmour 1/2-Inch Brass Double Female Swivel Hose Connector 5FPS7FH</a> and then another short hose that splits to a shower <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Eccotemp-L5-Portable-Tankless-Water-Heater-and-Outdoor-Shower/dp/B000TXOJQ4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower</a> and a table/faucet <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Tricam-MT-2-Outdoor-Fish-and-Game-Cleaning-Table-with-Quick-Connect-Stainless-Steel-Faucet-150-Pound-Load-Capacity/dp/B00GI0RF0Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Tricam MT-2 Outdoor Fish and Game Cleaning Table with Quick-Connect Stainless Steel Faucet, 150-Pound Load Capacity</a>. The system has worked very well. I use a small 22AH battery to power the pump which I charge from a main solar system on the other side of camp when it gets low. I don't let it die but it has gone 3 trips with multiple hand/dish washings and showers without going out (the draw is like 3 Amps so that would theoretically be (slightly under) 4 hours of constant running before the battery is at 50 percent). At which point I'll run an extension cord/small charger across the camp and give it some more juice. It gives me plenty of pressure to do either the faucet or the shower (I've never tried both at the same time). But it blows me away it's just as much pressure as turning on a house faucet. It's quiet enough to where I need to be within 6 feet to hear it and I can never hear it from the tent at night. But it also rarely cycles on except for when I'm running water obviously. I haven't found a need for a holding tank or anything at least in my situation. It doesn't exactly look professional with all the hoses strewn around and what not, but it makes multi day camping trips so much more fun!\",\n \"Product: Nite Ize - CamJam XT Aluminum Rope and Cord Tighteners, Large Meet the ultimate tie-down tool, making light work of securing your heavy loads. Tighten, tension, connect and secure with knot-free rope tightener technology, by simply pulling your rope or cord through the cam mechanism of a Nite Ize CamJam XT Aluminum Rope and Cord Tightener. Featuring a carabiner clip and gate on one end, the CamJam XT is cleverly designed to be configured in either a Fixed End or a Loop System to securely tie down lumber, gear and other heavy loads. When you are done using the CamJam XT rope tightener, simply rotate the cam lock lever and pull your rope or cord upward. To use the Fixed End System: anchor the carabiner to any hook, D-ring or loop, and feed cord or rope through the cam until youve reached the desired level of tension. Then pull the cord firmly, and the cam locks into place and stays that way until you release it. To use the Loop System: Tie a knot to create a loop in one end of your rope or cord. Clip the CamJam XT into that loop, then pull the other end of rope through the cam mechanism. The Nite Ize CamJam XT Large Aluminum Rope and Cord Tightener is made of heavy-duty, durable cast aluminum, with a single pack load limit of 500 lbs (227kg) and a break strength of 1500 lbs (680kg). Fits rope sizes up to .375\\\" (9.5mm). Measures 3.8\\\" x 1.86\\\" x .90\\\" (98mm x 47.3mm x 22.75mm) and weighs 3.2 oz (91g). Warning: not for use where disengagement could result in bodily injury or property damage. Not for climbing.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Perfect for efficient docking.\\n\\nReview: For years I would fumble around at every new dock or attempt to tether together several boats. Adjusting, tying, attaching 4 or more ropes to hold buoys and cleats was just a pain. I always figured there should/would be something better out there for this purpose and these work great.\\n\\nI use <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Highland-1163100-Black-Orange-10-34-45-34-Adjustable-Fat-Strap-Bungee-Cord-2-Piece/dp/B007Y0M480/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Highland (1163100) Black/Orange 10\\\" - 45\\\" Adjustable Fat Strap Bungee Cord - 2 Piece</a> to hang guards from the boat and these CamJams to attach to the boat to the dock (or other boats).\\n\\nThese combined with some \\\"looped end\\\" dock rope works great. no more trying to impress my friends with crazy knots that will come untied in 30 seconds. Snap the CamJam over a handle bar or cleat on the boat, run the loop around the cleat on the dock, pull tight. Done.\\n\\nBoaters are a finicky bunch so you might get a few crazy looks or sneers when you don't conform to the knot tying routine, but it still works great and I've yet to find my boat floating away.\",\n \"Product: 1871957 touch up painter\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Convenience is what you pay for.\\n\\nReview: This is one of those products that you kind of expect to be too good to be true. It really almost did meet those loft expectations though. Convenience is what you pay for here and it delivers. No more using a screwdriver to un-wedge the cover on a gallon of paint, finding a ruler or piece of PVC or something else not made for the job, and stirring up the long unused supply. carrying the can upstairs, worrying about drips. breaking out a paint brush, finding that it didn't dry out properly the last time, and the bristles are hard, getting some newspaper to protect your carpet, all just so you can cover up a scratch from where you bumped your golf clubs against the wall.\\nInstead. fill this up with paint. and when you need a touch up, grab it, shake it, roll it on a piece of cardboard to get the paint flowing, and go to town.\\nTwist it back to seal/store, take the roller out, wash it off, and store it.\\nDone!\\nIt works well. You might want to have a brush handy because it can go on too thick sometimes and it's hard to smooth out with the roller, but trust me, that's nitpicking.\\nGreat product. Pick up several for all your colors and it will make you that much more likely to fix those scuff marks that you instead beat yourself up about for months every time you walk by.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":37,"string":"37"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1779,"string":"1,779"}}},{"rowIdx":1780,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"AIO247KHD2O40"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"Germany released, Blu-Ray/Region B : it WILL NOT play on regular DVD player, or on standard US Blu-Ray player. You need multi-region Blu-Ray player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( DTS-HD Master Audio ), German ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), German ( DTS-HD Master Audio ), German ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Booklet, Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: The sleepy coastal community of Erin Island is about to receive some unexpected visitors. Vicious extra-terrestrial predators have landed and they've got a thirst on.... for blood. With razor sharp tentacles and an insatiable hunger, the alien creatures are about to indulge in a feeding frenzy the likes of which has never been seen before. With a storm fast approaching and with no means of escape, the townsfolk have one last shot at survival. Will the locals find enough Dutch courage to survive The Grabbers? ...Grabbers (2012) ( Exogiino hangover )\". The summary of the review text is \"Nice Irish Contribution to the Alien Creature Attack Humans Film Genre\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This a nice fun contribution to the alien creatures attack a small town genre. Reminds me a lot of Critters and other movies like this that were my staple viewing as a little kid in the 80's. This one's creatures resemble squids when fully grown with mouths like the pit thing had that Jabba tried to dump Luke, Han and the others into in Return of the Jedi. They love human blood but always spit out the head. When these creatures are hatchlings they ooze the awwwwww aren't they cute factor, until they attach themselves to your face! It's a movie that isn't trying to be plausible and isn't taking itself seriously at all. The way the local island inhabitants learn to protect themselves from these creatures is pretty unique and appropriate to the culture of Ireland. It's just a movie trying to have fun. Granted it is a little slow in parts, especially the beginning but even that is somewhat entertaining by the interaction between the new temporary Garda (police officer) played by Ruth Bradley (Humans) who takes her job seriously and goes by the book, and the permanent police officer, Richard Coyle, who sees his job as an excuse to get drunk and just take things as they go.\n\nThe aliens look pretty good for a non massive budget movie. Things like the spat out heads at times look fake but really you're watching this kind of movie for the fun of it, so that sort of thing doesn't hamper your enjoyment to any significant extent."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This a nice fun contribution to the alien creatures attack a small town genre. Reminds me a lot of Critters and other movies like this that were my staple viewing as a little kid in the 80's. This one's creatures resemble squids when fully grown with mouths like the pit thing had that Jabba tried to dump Luke, Han and the others into in Return of the Jedi. They love human blood but always spit out the head. When these creatures are hatchlings they ooze the awwwwww aren't they cute factor, until they attach themselves to your face! It's a movie that isn't trying to be plausible and isn't taking itself seriously at all. The way the local island inhabitants learn to protect themselves from these creatures is pretty unique and appropriate to the culture of Ireland. It's just a movie trying to have fun. Granted it is a little slow in parts, especially the beginning but even that is somewhat entertaining by the interaction between the new temporary Garda (police officer) played by Ruth Bradley (Humans) who takes her job seriously and goes by the book, and the permanent police officer, Richard Coyle, who sees his job as an excuse to get drunk and just take things as they go.\n\nThe aliens look pretty good for a non massive budget movie. Things like the spat out heads at times look fake but really you're watching this kind of movie for the fun of it, so that sort of thing doesn't hamper your enjoyment to any significant extent."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Original Reliance DVD\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Thought it Was Going to Be a Fun Road Trip Movie\n\nReview: From the DVD cover I thought this was going to be a fun Indian road trip movie, but it's not. Basically the movie revolves around a 30 year old woman who for the first part of the movie is hated by numerous taxi drivers since she is rude to them and insists they speed and other things which results in a lot of crashes. She has an elderly 70 year old father who is just a selfish, sexist, rude, man with self entitlement issues. He treats his daughter like a slave and demeans some other guy who I guess is hired to be his assistant or something throughout the whole movie. The cleaning lady quits, since he keeps accusing her of stealing, and follows her mopping the floor with dirty feet around the house. She tells the daughter she will only return when he is gone. The vile old man also has constipation issues which he likes to talk about. For some reason he is also pregnant, seriously he's wearing one of those fake pregnancy bellies, I don't get the joke of that as him being pregnant is never referred to by any character including himself in the movie. He decides to visit his own home on the other side of India but refuses to fly, catch a train, bus or anything sensible. His daughter books a taxi, but the driver doesn't show up and all other drivers don't answer their phones when the boss rings them, so the boss decides to drive them himself.\n\nSo the driver shares in the abuse and put downs along the journey there, but points out to the daughter this isn't acceptable behaviour and if she's waiting around for him to die before getting on with her life she'll be 50 by that point. Really the father is just so unlikable, such as at one point he says women are for the bedroom at night and cooking in the day. That pretty much sums him up. I know unfortunately there are people like this out there in the real world, but I don't really need to watch a character like this for two hours.\n\nAnnoyingly the movie itself takes four minutes to get going, before that we've got logo after logo for every company in India I would imagine, and then opening credits. There is no intermission of Bollywood dance numbers in this one, which you may see as a plus or a minus.","Product: For ten years, inventor David Kressen has lived in seclusion with his inventions, including Adam, a robot with incredible lifelike human qualities. When reporter Joy Andrews is given access to their unconventional facility, she is alternately repelled and attracted to the scientist and his creation. But as Adam exhibits emergent behavior of anger and jealousy towards her, she finds herself increasingly entangled in a web of deception where no ones motives are easily decipherable.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Predictable, Not as Good Actor Performance When Trying to Convince Us They Are a Robot\n\nReview: Also released under the title Android in other DVD region markets. Uncanny is a low budget slow paced movie which you can't help compare to the much more effort put into similar plot movies and TV shows out there. Actors portraying robots have been done so much better in Humans and movies such as Exmachinia, Eva and others. The actor playing Adam wasn't convincing at all as a robot which was essential for you to buy into the plot. The actor playing David couldn't have made the character any duller, it made little sense that the journalist was clearly trying to make herself hotter and hotter each day to impress him. The movie was also extremely predictable, I think the makers thought we'd be blindsided and so impressed by the ending that we would forget how bored we'd been up to then, but that ending has been done (and done better) in countless other scifi films. If you want something you've seen countless times before, with actors you've never heard of who don't do that great a job that you're likely to see much of them again on the screen, then Android/Uncanny might be the film for you.","Product: When misleading photos are published of security chief Jessie Rogers caught in a compromising position with his uber-famous client, his humiliated wife Noelle swiftly files for divorce. Unable to convince her of his innocence, Jessie fights in vain to win her back when a blizzard strands the family at their cabin. With uninvited guests, intruding mothers and marriage proposals, this holiday season is a real comedy of errors. Being stuck in close quarters may be just what Noelle and Jessie need to face their unresolved feelings and save Christmas from being a total disaster!\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Unlikable Characters Make This an Annoying Film to Watch\n\nReview: Merry Ex-Mas is a made originally for TV in 2014 movie full of unlikable characters. The only likable character was Dean Cain's, Jessie, but even he's a doormat without much of a backbone. Basically his character is a bodyguard for some pop star, who tabloids as they do release a cropped photograph of his employer in his arms, stating they're having an affair. Since this doesn't do her career any harm, the pop star doesn't publicly deny it. But his wife Noelle (one of the few Christmas references in the movie, this isn't really a Christmas film you can watch it any time), throws all his possessions on the front lawn, and when he starts picking them up starts hitting golf balls at him. Her vile mother also joins in and he is forced to leave when she gets a shotgun. Now if you're wife wants a divorce over something you didn't do, commits domestic violence and flies off the handle like that, would you really want to stay married to her? That's the weakness of the plot, because she's got nothing to offer other than being hot (Kristy Swanson, Buffy back in the 1992 movie). Noelle runs a wedding planning business, hasn't paid her staff in a while. She's now dating (two years later) Flynn, an Irish businessman (Lochlyn Munro), who unbeknownst to her is about to get kicked out of the US when his visa expires. He's desperate to tie the knot so he doesn't loose a three million dollar business deal. Not real sure why it would matter which country he is a citizen of, but for this plot it does. Throw in an annoying spoilt brat teen daughter who enjoys sabotaging an important business call for Flynn, even though he offered to give her lift to her dad's cabin in his private jet, just so she could go to a sleepover party the night before. She's just obnoxious the whole movie, chews with her mouth open. Then you've also got an odd lawyer character who also treats Flynn with contempt, by while being on the clock on the phone to him gets into conversations with her son who likes to drop his guts all the time. There's a poorly spliced together conversation (the frames are all over the place, the kid is standing in one stance, then another, then another) between the lawyer and her son where the kid actor has obviously ad libbed a number of insults, and they've just put them all in, one after the other.\n\nThe movie is very predictable, you know exactly how it's going to play out early on, and there really isn't a fun journey in getting there.","Product: Santa Claus has crashed his sleigh, lost his reindeer and finds himself on the run from police! Now it is up to a father and son to get Santa back and save Christmas for everyone.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Is an Old Man a Kid Finds in His Garage, Who is Now in Jail Really Santa?\n\nReview: This is a pretty enjoyable British film, where Steve gets out of prison, his ex has a new man, and he has a parole officer who tells him if he doesn't arrive in her office at 5pm every day, he's going back to jail. On the first night of his release his son rings him to say Santa is hiding in his garage and has asked Steve to come over to help him get his seized reindeer back. When the son refuses to give the phone to his mother, and tells him he's going back out to the garage, a concerned for his son's safety Steve, speeds to his ex's house to save his son from the creepy old man telling him he's Santa. At the garage after assaulting Santa, Steve is more convinced he's just an insane old man rather than a threat to his son, and since he as well needs to hide from his wife when she calls her son inside, he does but Santa is gone when he emerges. Later news footage will show them the old guy in the garage was arrested while trying to see-saw jump his reindeer over a fence. Steve is allowed to visit his son the next day, but his son blackmails him, that he will only go with him if they go and visit Santa in prison. Steve reluctantly agrees, Santa at the prison tells the boy to go find Prancer at the new location his reindeer have been moved to, Prancer will know what to do and can communicate with him. Steve still doesn't believe the old man is Santa but again does what his kid wants.\n\nThat's pretty much what the rest of the movie is as well. Steve doing what he needs to, so he doesn't loose his son's want to hang out with him. His son always believing the old man is Santa. The police of course not liking what the two are doing.\n\nThere's a few holes in the story (spoilers obviously) such as why would Santa still be wearing his red suit when he goes into general population. Surely street clothes are discarded as part of the check in process. Not you just change in your cell like in this movie. When Santa is in prison he comes across an inmate with dwarfism who he berates for not being at work. Now Santa has a backstory for every other person he encounters where he goes into a spiel about what they asked for when they were kids and what happened to that present. Why would he not have the same thoughts occurring for a guy with dwarfism? He should have instantly known he wasn't an elf. Even more so when we see the elves, and they don't look like people with dwarfism.\n\nBut the holes in the story don't matter for overall enjoyment. It is a kid's aimed family film, so there's a lot of missed opportunities on what could have happened to Santa behind bars storyline wise and in other areas. But still, this is definitely an a kid saves Christmas plot that is as good as any other out there.","Product: Yale University, 1961. Stanley Milgram (Peter Sarsgaard) designs a psychology experiment that remains relevant to this day, in which people think they're delivering painful electric shocks to an affable stranger (Jim Gaffigan) strapped into a chair in another room. Disregarding his pleas for mercy, the majority of subjects do not stop the experiment, administering what they think are near-fatal electric shocks, simply because they ve been told to. Milgram's exploration of authority and conformity strikes a nerve in popular culture and the scientific community. Celebrated in some circles, he is also accused of being a deceptive, manipulative monster. His wife Sasha (Winona Ryder) anchors him through it all.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Boring Way of Presenting an Historical Significant Experiment and the Man Behind it\n\nReview: This film has an interesting way of telling a story I'll give it that. Basically we've got an embellished fictional version of the late Stanley Milgram, talking to the audience in a memory flashback from the grave, where we watch his memories from when he met his wife in an elevator going to a party, to his most famous experiment, seeing if strangers would keep increasing electric shocks to a fellow test subject when he was screaming in pain for them to stop, because they were being instructed to. The Stanford Prison Experiment movie did a similar thing, but that was actually entertaining, the Experimenter is pretty boring, and any small amount of interest is gone once the main experiment is over and we move onto pretty boring stuff like dropping mail to be posted addressed to different groups and seeing how many actually were, giving a letter for a stranger to someone who doesn't know them but they can only give it to someone they know who they think will most likely know them and seeing how many hands it takes to get there, taking peoples photographs and well I can't even remember the rest, the film was so boring.","Product: Space travel runs in Mike Goldwing's family: both his father and grandfather were astronauts. But the plucky 12-year-old's estranged grandfather, Frank, has lived a life isolated from his family after missing out on the chance to make history as a member of the Apollo 11 crew. However, when Mike discovers that an eccentric billionaire plans to fly to the moon, claim its vast, valuable mineral resources, and destroy the American flag planted by the Apollo 11 astronauts, the countdown to a spectacular adventure begins! Mike, teamed with his grandfather, best friends Amy and Marty, and a clever chameleon, blasts off on an incredible moon-bound mission, determined to thwart the billionaire's evil plan, capture the flag, and reunite his divided family.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Fun Kid Character Led Film About Going to the Moon\n\nReview: This is an awesome family movie from Spain (it's in English) which is probably more patriotic towards Americans, than most American made cartoons. This one's plot revolves around NASA and a tycoon villain who convinces the world that America never landed on the moon and the video of it happening was a fake. He has built his own rocket and announces he will be the first person to set foot on the moon. Of course NASA (and our main characters who are kids of NASA employees) don't like this one bit. They plan to get the original rocket out of the museum and send up a new crew which includes one of the kids' father and show the world the original landing site with the American flag. However being they've got to rush they need the elderly now living in a retirement village original NASA employees, one of which is the grandfather of the same kid. So the film has a nice respecting old people as still being useful to society thing going on. They do refer to the grandfather before he is summoned by NASA as acting like an old f (passing wind word), because well frankly that's what's he's acting like, refusing to come out of his room on his birthday and not seeing his grand kids who have made the effort to visit him due to something that happened with his son when both were a lot younger (which you find out later in the film). There is mild course language like that a few times in the film, but it does fit the context of what is happening on the screen, it isn't mindless swearing like say in the non kids film Sausage Party. It's how a disappointed and angry at his grandfather kid in his younger teens would speak in real life. No one swears at a character in the film. If you watch kid aimed family films from the 80's when I was a kid, such as Goonies, there's swearing in those too. The government rating of PG on the cover mentions \"mild themes and coarse language\" so it's not like anyone watching this didn't know that going in.\n\nI thought it was quite a fun story. Obviously it's far fetched like any children's cartoon, there's things like just happening to be child sized space suits on board a rocket you've gotten into which was supposed to carry tall adult astronauts. The launch goes from 12 hours due to sabotage to a minute or something, yet even though they would be going in a different direction due to Earth rotation, they still end up going towards the moon. There's also a lizard that's rather intelligent that is a pet of one of the kids (who is an inventor and smarter than the NASA staff when they actually listen to him). There's also a tom boy type girl main character. Capture the Flag is the type of movie that you know how it's going to turn out before you even begin watching it, but the fun is in getting there.\n\nThe younger sister of the alpha boy kind of looked like the little girl from Despicable Me. The region 4 DVD also has a making of featurette that goes for fifteen minutes. That one is in Spanish with English subtitles so probably won't interest younger viewers. The subtitles aren't always that easy to read being sort of camouflaged against the background. But it is somewhat interesting for adult viewers.","Product: Billy Wyatt (Emory Cohen) is a young man with tremendous promise, but a troubled past leads him to the Bernville Camp for Boys. Billy must navigate his way through dangerous inmates and a cruel and punishing staff, but during it all, he learns to inspire others and find out the truth about himself in the process. STEALING CARS is a compelling drama with powerful performances by Emory Cohen, John Leguizamo, Mike Epps and Academy Award nominees William H. Macy - Best Supporting Actor, FARGO, 1996 and Felicity Huffman - Best Actress, TRANSAMERICA, 2005.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Same Old Prison Movie Storylines, Not Done as Well as Others\n\nReview: Basically a kid who has no respect for society, we see him littering then stealing a car in the opening scenes before being arrested, is sent to Bernville Camp for Boys, some sort of juvie type place. We shortly learn this isn't his first incarcerated experience but the warden believes this forced boarding school will benefit the kid's future. But the kid shows the same lack of respect for the outside world to the juvie prison staff, he plays the class clown in the dining room, classroom and while the group of inmates is being punished (usually because of his lack of respect actions). Like all prison movies that can't be bothered thinking up their own original plot, this one has a prison guard who enjoys tormenting those who cross him as well as sadistically bullying a loner kid who would be the target of bullies in a normal school. A prison warden who says he cares about inmates future but has his own motives. The prison's lone female staff member the nurse in the infirmary feeling sorry for the misunderstood offender and being on his side against the rest of the authority who he of course has a crush on. Different races not interacting letting other races sit at their table.\n\nReally there's nothing new here. Those done to death prison storylines also are a bit inconsistent at times. Some spoilers- The warden is an inconsistent character we're not shown enough about him for his shoot him stance at the end to make sense. Likewise our sadistic guard, I'm not shooting a kid, wasn't consistent with a guy who would straight jacket and chain another kid clearly dying to a light pole. The main character's dislike and hostility to his mother when she visited was never explained. What did she do for this reaction from him? Perhaps she blamed him, beat him for the death of her husband and daughter, but we never saw that if it happened. Even if they had a low budget she could have confided in the warden when he walked her out. Were we supposed to be blindsided by their deaths by the way, it was pretty obvious that was what happened to them early on in the film.\n\nUnless you're really into prison films and just want to watch everything that's out there. or perhaps are a fan of one or more of the actors and want to watch everything they are in, I'd give this a miss. You're bigger names of Felicity Huffman and William H Macy have very small not much more than cameo roles in this by the way.","Product: A lovable dog named Bandit is trained to pull off bank robberies, but after a heist gone wrong he's rescued by a down on her luck single mom and her son. When he starts stealing cash to help his adopted family, Bandit unwittingly sets them on a collision course with his dangerous ex-partners.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: You Won't Mind Bandit Taking Your Money So You Can Watch This\n\nReview: The Bandit Hound is low budget movie, but this isn't a story that needs a big budget to be pulled off. No special effects, CGI or anything like that. All you basically need is a trained dog, that can pick up objects (in this case money in the form of notes or a sack), carry it around for a while and then bring it to an actor. The canine actor, an Australian shepherd playing a dog named Bandit, does a brilliant job in this. The main screen time roles belong to kid characters, but there's plenty of recognisable faces in the minor parts played by adult actors from TV shows that went of air long ago. Catherine Bell (JAG) plays a single mother moving to town with her son. Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) plays the mentally challenged muscle that is always in kids movies, his partner and Bandit's owner is played by Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club). None of the adult actors have meaty roles or anything, the dog and Owen a kid with no friends (Nicholas Alexander) who still plays with an action figure outside even though he's obviously older than the usual age kids play with these are the main screen time takers. Basically due to some bank robbers stupidity, their dog Bandit is captured by police and sent to the pound. Now you'd think the dog would be evidence, but somehow the pound puts it up for adoption and since Owen got decent grades in his previous school in Ohio, along with the obvious fact that he has no friends, his mother gives in to his wish for a dog. Of course they get Bandit. Bandit helps Owen to get somewhere with neighbourhood hot chick, who previously had her own dog save him from bullies outside her house. But Bandit hasn't given up his stealing cash ways. Owen isn't too bright when it comes to proceeds of crime either using Bandit's loot to become the most popular kid amongst the female kids his own age, and some of the guys too. Meanwhile Bandit's original criminal owners want him back so they can rob banks again.\n\nIt's not the greatest movie you'll ever see, but it is entertaining enough to pass an hour and a half your time. It's a kids movie so at no time do you ever think Owen is any danger from bullies, bad guys or anything like that. Bombs have large digital countdown clocks on them and things like this. A tracking device the dog finds in the initial heist one of the bad guys tells the other \"Would you have seen it?\" Well it's pretty big so I would think the answer to that would be yes. When there's injuries there's no blood. Somehow old ladies are inside a bank when the bank is closed. I thought Owen was batting way out of his league with the first girl, and it became just a bit ridiculous when his he was getting compared to Zac Effron and was basically a chick magnet for every girl in the neighbourhood. But perhaps since the majority of male kid viewers more likely look like Owen than Zac Effron this will be some sort of inspirational film for the masses.\n\nThe region 4 DVD has no special features, although there are bloopers that play during the credits.","Product: Note : This title is a Region is 1,2,3,4,5,6 PAL video. All TV System is PAL.If the customer's TV System is NTSC it will not play.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Really Fun Kid Character Driven 80's Action Film, With a Lot of Witty Lines in the Dialogue\n\nReview: Frog Dreaming was a movie, even as an Australian who was a kid in the 80's, I hadn't heard of before coming across it today. But it's a really fun film, and easily has the fun of Goonies and other child led character adventure films. Obviously they cast the lead actor kid from E.T. (Henry Thomas) to try and get an audience. An American in the lead role (it's set in rural Victoria, Australia), maybe back in the day wouldn't have gone down with Australian audiences, but his character being one is explained as being an orphan who for reasons never really gone into in any depth, lives with his parents' friend, some sort of tradesman with a huge workshop, who promised he would look after him and is his legal guardian, but clearly hasn't got much experience with kids. Although he'll stick up for him against any adult unfairly picking on or slandering him. Which a lot of the adults do, such as the town cop or a school girl's father, seeing him as a bad influence on their kids, since he likes to invent stuff, such as adapting his bike to go on the rail lines so he can get to school quicker. This outlook on life not caring about the rules of society of course impresses Wendy the small town's hot girl amongst those his age (Rachel Friend). He likes her too but seems oblivious to the way she looks at him. Wendy also has a cool little sister Jane, who has an 80's bad fringe hairstyle, who is perfectly aware of the situation between the two of them, and drops cool lame \"dad humour\" type observations and comes backs to lines in conversations. Not all are politically correct which is refreshing and highlights what the 80's was like in Australia. As was the fact kids could go wherever they wanted, ride bikes, jump in water fully clothed without worrying about runiing expensive phones and so forth. But the dialogue is so cool. In fact there's a lot witty lines throughout the film from a number of characters both adult and child, which just makes this film a lot of fun.\n\nThe film probably would have been more successful with a better title than Frog Dreaming which to me envisions some sort of princess kissing frog type film, which of course this is nothing of the sort. Frog Dreaming refers to the fact that Cody is trying to find out what is living in a waterhole he Wendy and Jane discovered that isn't on the local maps, where Cody believes some sort of Loch Ness legend style creature scared an adult friend of his whose corpse they found to death. The creature is part of Aboriginal mythology, in that region known as frog dreaming. Donkegin is some sort of Bunyip thing, that Cody must infiltrate remote Aboriginal communities in the area to learn more about. This 1986 film was also renamed The Quest, as well as The Go-Kids in some markets. If you've got a multizone DVD player, you might want to check other regions under those alternative titles. This product being reviewed is a region 4 DVD by the way.\n\nI just found this film a lot of fun. You will no doubt work out what Donkegin is early on in the film but that doesn't matter. Even though it's a kid market aimed film, there's plenty to keep adults entertained. Plus you can throw in the seeing some Australian actors when they were younger element. There's plenty of things to bring up nostalgic memories for anyone who was a kid or older in the 80's. The Australian accents are a bit stronger than reality, I'm guessing they were trying to sell this to the Americans on the heels of Crocodile Dundee that came out the same year. There's also lots of Australian animals randomly appearing in between scenes with humans. The aboriginals seem a little closer to American Indians in clothing, customs and behaviour as well.\n\nIt's a shame this movie wasn't more successful, as it is a damn good film. Especially when you consider, Australia produced a large number of very average movies in the 80's that made more money than this one. My advice is watch this one, just for the entertainment factor of the jokes in the dialogue alone.","Product: WWE Superstars Dolph Ziggler and Kane star in this electrifying race against time to stop a mad bomber and save a child.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Like a High School Film Class Watched Lethal Weapon and Tried to Make a Film Like it\n\nReview: I've seen a few of these low budget made by WWE studios films, and this would easily be the worst of them. Granted you're not expecting much, they share the same sort of poorly written scripts as Lifetime or Hallmark channel made for TV movies, but also have a bit of a cheesiness to them and no real character development, they don't build why the hero is a tough guy, he just starts out as one on the screen and is really only a tough guy because his physic is huge.\n\nThe plot of this one basically revolves around your typical action cop movie character who doesn't go by the book, doesn't care about procedures as long he gets the results, even if it means the guy you caught going back on the streets or endangering the lives of other officers. Nic Nemeth, best known for his WWE identity Dolph Ziggler plays that role in this one as Ray, who has been suspended and told in all likelihood he's going to be fired for shooting his partner, so a Russian mob guy who claimed he was a cop would believe that he wasn't and go through with an arms deal. His boss is played by another actor best known as a wrestler Glenn Jacobs but doesn't really do anything in the movie in his couple of minutes of screen time other than look out of place with you thinking, gee crime must be pretty much non existent in Seattle, these cops must have a lot of time of their hands to be lifting weights all day. The other main character is the female internal affairs cop, whose division is despised as much as a parking inspector by the other cops. She is played by Katharine Isabelle, hadn't heard of her before and likely won't see her again if her acting performance in Countdown is anything to go by. Her character is a tough take no nonsense from cops or the public but she wasn't convincing as that. Plus the wardrobe person on this one has a lot to answer for, when do you ever see cops while on the clock, wearing jeans? Even if you wanted to argue perhaps undercover, well she's wearing a huge shiny gold badge on her belt. The other minor police and Russian gangsta actors also deliver a pretty lame performance, how much of this is their acting or a bad script is debatable.\n\nThe film starts with a guy talking Russian for a fair while, there's no subtitles and I'd originally thought maybe somehow they'd released a Russian language sound tracked film but eventually our main character turns up asking for some guy in English. There are fight scenes such as the one in front of the yellow police caution tape where the actors clearly aren't even coming close to connecting with each other. Apparently Russian consulates have next to no security in Seattle as well. Basically Russians are portrayed as incompetent fools in this film which even make your cold war era propaganda full movie Russians look smart. The stuff that goes on with the kid and the bomb attached to him is too stupid to bother to mention.\n\nWhilst you know you aren't going to be getting an A grade action movie under the WWE film studio brand, you should be able to expect at least a B grade action movie. You don't get that here.","Product: Follow Ivy Moxam, a 26-year-old woman learning to live again after 13 years in captivity. When Ivy escapes the cellar that s been her prison since she was abducted, it s just the start of her story. She s beginning to pick up the threads of a life half-lived, but they re about to be pulled apart again. Her captor is on the run, and as cracks appear in Ivy s account of her ordeal, the police begin to doubt her motives. What happened in that\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Jodie Comer No Doubt Will Win Every Major TV Actor Award for Her Performance as Ivy Moxam\n\nReview: Thirteen is very well acted five episode UK made miniseries about who girl who calls 999 from a phone box and tells the operator she is Ivy Moxam, she was kidnapped thirteen years ago when she was thirteen, and has just escaped. The police are fairly skeptical of her story, especially the female detective of the two assigned to lead her case. To say that the character DS Lisa Merchant immediately probably becomes the most unlikable character in TV history would probably be an understatement. If audiences were supposed to hate her for her treatment of Ivy, Valene Kane does a brilliant acting job at achieving that. The best acting by far though goes to Jodie Comer, if she doesn't win all the major TV acting awards for her performance as Ivy, I'd be very surprised. She brilliantly portrays a girl who is now an adult, but still has somewhat a thirteen year old girl's mindset, as well a person who has been damaged by what her abductor has put her through.\n\nIvy has to not only cope with a world that has changed, where her little sister, boyfriend and others have grown up and moved on with their lives, but also a mother who takes the negative parental term smother to new heights. If it wasn't for DS Merchant, she'd be competing for a most unlikable character award too. She seems oblivious that her need to know everything her daughter says or does and to hover around her every moment is clearly doing more damage than whatever the mother benefits from alleviating her own guilt and paranoia achieve.\n\nI like how British shows unlike American TV shows that make as many episodes as their financers grant them, just make enough episodes to tell the story so we don't need a lot of filler story padding out the episodes. With Thirteen's five episodes there is still a lot of stuff that isn't wrapped up but in this scenario if it happened in real life, that would be the case.","Product: For bickering siblings Ryan (John Paul Ruttan of Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas) and Emma (Ella Ballentine), it was going to be a fun weekend visit with their dad at his job in Africa. But when their small plane crash-lands in the Serengeti, they have only each other along with their fellow passenger, a Malamute named Chinook to rely on. The rescue teams are searching. Their mom (Jeri Ryan of Star Trek: Voyager and Boston Public) is panicked. Can brother, sister and one courageous dog now learn how to conquer their fears and trust each other in the most beautiful yet untamed wilderness of all?\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Pretty Much the Same Storyline as the Original, Just Set in Africa Instead of the Canadian Wilderness\n\nReview: Pretty much the same scenario as the first film, only instead of the Canadian wilderness these two kids and a dog have survived a light plane crash in Africa. Like the brother and sister in the first film these siblings abandon their adult pilot who isn't conscious much, so they decide to abandon him, travel away from the wreckage on foot to their dad's mine to get themselves and him help. Although the script with some animal behaviour, but especially the dialogue is still really poor, it doesn't quite have anything as bad as the holding fish scene from the first one, and the flying in the plane scenes looked somewhat more believable, the decision to concentrate on the views of the animals they are flying over was probably a good one.\n\nThe dog in this one seems older and less energetic than the one in the original film. There are times when the kids are fighting for their lives against hyenas or a lion when it's just sitting there panting contentedly as if nothing is happening. Obviously the kids are just stabbing fire on poles at the camera and there is no actual predator in the same space as them, (this is something they couldn't make look real in the first film with a bear and other animals either), but you'd think a dog trainer would have been behind the camera man prompting the dog to react or something. The camera as the predator is also fairly obvious when its supposedly stalking through long grass.\n\nAt times you expected the kids to go up in flames when they're lighting fires in long dry grass, these sort of scenes were usually shortly followed by the parents telling the army guy that their kids are really smart kids. The boy telling his sister lions can't climb trees was another proving their parents were lying memorable moment. I don't agree with other reviewers that the kids are bad actors, it's just as I said the script for these kid's dialogue was a bit unnatural. The girl constantly says Ryan at the start of sentences which becomes annoying after a while when who else would he think she'd be talking to? There's a water bottle that is filled up with realistic not clear water that in the next shot looks like it is newly bought from a store. I did like how the kids realistically looked sunburnt, most films with people wandering around the wilderness seem to forget this or the actors don't want to look like that or whatever.\n\nThe target market is obviously young kids, but I think even they would know a large predatory cat is faster than a dog. Not to mention a lion that should have caught humans They might believe that a crocodile would attack it's prey on the bank by swimming on top of the water towards it, instead of stealthily underwater positioning itself in front of them and leaping out and grabbing before they even knew it was there. Also we have a scene of a croc leaping at the dangling legs well within its strike zone but it's never explained or shown why it missed. At least they didn't use blow dried fur and dirt free captive animals like they did in the first film, these ones although looking at ease with humans at least look like they live in a wildlife sanctuary or something close to how they would if in the wild.\n\nThe region 4 DVD has some out takes, and one on one interviews with the cast. You don't need to have seen the first film to watch this as it's a completely separate family.","Product: Rex is a loner and when he told he doesn't have long to live he embarks on an epic drive through the Australian outback from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms; but his journey reveals to him that before you can end your life, you have to live ...\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Very Well Told Tale That Doesn't Try and Force an Opinion on Controversial Topics its Characters Bring to the Screen\n\nReview: Obviously aspects of this film are targeted at an American market, as we call cabs taxis here in Australia, and the colour of the one in this film is yellow like a New York cab. This isn't a bad film though. I knew it was based on the story of a terminally ill guy who drove his taxi to Darwin to take advantage of the court decision to make euthanasia legal. But didn't know much else about what the movie was going to be about going in. I was surprised it was very heavy on indigenous Australians issues. Films that normally include this sort of thing can easily offend their audiences who don't like feeling lectured to or don't agree with the angle the film is taking on these topics. But Last Cab to Darwin somehow avoids either taking an angle or coming across as lecturing on the issues it raises. Such as in Broken Hill (where Rex the Taxi driver lives) the indigenous woman who lives across the street feels she isn't allowed in the pub and also wants to live a white fella life by having a job and living in a house in town by herself. Also Tilly a passenger who fixes a broken windshield for Rex and convinces him to take him along with him on the journey was good enough to be selected in a first grade AFL team but substance abuse derailed his success. Theres obviously been some editing before the movie was finished to avoid controversy or whatever as in the deleted scenes (assuming the US version has the same ones as the Australian DVD), Tilly uses a line where he tells the story of a really smart and determined mudcrab who works out how to escape from a bucket and while the fisherman isn't looking climbs to the rim. But the other crabs drag him back down and tell him bruva you're one of us you cant escape what you are. Its also refreshing to see the film gave other indigenous actors a go, rather than just using the usual Ernie Dingo, Jessica Mauboy or Deborah Mailman.\n\nBesides the indigenous issues the film obviously raises the right to die argument through Rexs character, as well as the euthanasia doctor and her determination to use Rex as a martyr, as well as through the eyes of Julie, a backpacker who is a nurse back in the UK who decides to help Rex do whatever he wants in his final days but isn't convinced the desire to die is really what Rex wants. Its well filmed, obviously theres a fair bit of outback scenery along the taxi journey. Rex is well played by Michael Caton, as are the other leads playing Tilly (Mark Coles Smith) and Julie (Emma Hamilton). Whether you are pro or anti the right to die on your own terms, youll still enjoy this movie, as it is a very well told tale.","Product: An animal rights activist goes undercover at a large-scale dog breeding facility where the owner is suspected of animal abuse.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: A Made for TV Script Quality Movie That Turns Into a Blatant Propaganda Film\n\nReview: The Dog Lover is one of those budget DVD films where the DVD cover image never appears in the movie, or most of the characters (as in canines) aren't even in the movie, such as the golden retriever she is patting. It is a propaganda film rather than a movie. It's not a movie with a subtle message, it actually lectures you at the end with text on the screen as to what it wants you to do. Which would be fine it is advertised the film that way on the DVD cover, but it doesn't, meaning a lot of people will buy/rent this one after a nice dog plot movie, but half way through realise they're not watching a movie but a promotional video that (spoilers follow) wants you not to donate money to vigilante animal surveillance/rescue groups.\n\nThe basic premise of this one is Sara (Allison Paige - Days of Our Lives), a vegetarian animal rights extremist after successfully filming the atrocious conditions dogs are in at a puppy mill, after going undercover as someone wanting to buy a dog, is offered a bigger target for an undercover gig. She is told a famous for opposing legislation the group wants passed in Washington, hunting dog breeder is mistreating animals for profit, and if she infiltrates by pretending to be a vet student wanting some live on the farm work experience, she'll not only save those dogs on that farm, but rid the opposition to the bill's power, by showing the true colours of their most vocal spokesman. Sara eagerly accepts this assignment. The realism of this is on par with the old Get Smart episodes where 99 would without any qualifications get a job in an organisation that was secretly a front for Chaos on a mission of evil. We're expected to believe a dog breeder farm one would need a veterinary student, when they've got a vet (Lea Thompson from Back to the Future movies). Two that if they did, they like any other potential employer would not run a back ground check, Google the applicant or, at least confirm with the university she claims to be studying a veterinary degree with that she is actually a student. Not to mention throughout the entire time she's on the farm, she never actually helps Lea Thompson's character to do any vet work.\n\nOnce she flies to the farm by private jet, (you'd think this would be another giveaway to the breeder who is meeting her at the airport on the runway that she's not a poor university student, not to mention the fact she's arriving at the airport would further make them question why she couldn't find a farm or facility to get veterinary experience somewhere a bit closer to where she lives than somewhere she needs to board a plane to fly to). It's not like they're at an exotic location where she can go skiing, or to the beach when not working. So the movie sort of has a made for TV feel to it with it's script. It seems to be a pretty obvious as soon as we get to the farm how the movie in relation to Sara's involvement on the farm is going to turn out. Although the dad on the farm does make it seem like her undercover placement might not be justified by flying off the handle with the fact she has a mobile phone, and telling her never to go up the hill to that wooden shack with the padlocks on it. The son also looks around sheepishly when exiting the place. Why not just tell her what is, if you tell someone not to go in a forbidden mysterious place, and you've got a valid reason, you mention that, especially if she's supposed to be a vet student and would understand that reason. Like I said the quality of the script is like a Lifetime/Hallmark movie writer wrote it. They even throw in the cheesy love interest with the breeders son, and the standard, I thought you were my friend line from the little girl. Even though the little girl and Sara don't seem to have ever had any quality time together, let alone a friend, or big sister little sister moment before that line. In fact the little girl didn't seem to trust her or believe she was a vet student at all.\n\nThen of course we have the propaganda film second half of the movie. The raid makes no sense, sure the breeder has to let the cops onto his farm and in his barns with the warrant, but the warrant doesn't let protesters and extremist groups accompany them with video cameras. It is supposed to be a potential crime scene after all, you don't contaminate that with more people. The acting by the prosecutor guy, well actually more so probably the script he is acting from is laughable at how bad it is in one scene. You'll know it when you see the scene. Overall the second half of the film tries to demonize organisations that have demonized the dog breeding industry. Of course the truth is probably somewhere in the middle for both. But the point is viewers don't like being propogandered and lectured to which is what this film ultimately is, rather than a movie about a girl who gets used by people with their own agenda.\n\nBeing the region 4 DVD is a budget DVD (Eagle Entertainment) there's no special features so you'll have to do your own research on the real story, the DVD cover claims with the words Based on a True Story. It would have been nice to have had a documentary on what really happened to see how little or how much it actually matches what happened in the movie. Since this is a propaganda film and not a movie, you've got to wonder why it's not there? Surely you'd have a lot of extras with experts talking to the camera supporting the claims of the movie if they rang at all true.","Product: Champion gamer Max Troy discovers events in a new video game are being mirrored in the real world and that he must join forces with the game's protagonist, Orson Creed, to unravel the conspiracy before the game's sinister plot overwhelms the city.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Nothing Brilliant, But it Will Pass the Time\n\nReview: Beta Test sort of has a budget move feel to it, although it does have some actors in some of the supporting roles you'll recognise, not from blockbusters but they're familiar. Basic premise is a rich game developer after a pretty lengthy TV interview scene where he's going on about gun control for way too long, gets a thing put into the back of his neck allowing him to be controlled by a video game player. At first a top video player thinks he's playing a new game, but then begins to realise it's real when news reports match what he has just done. But his girlfriend (who's he's never met because he hasn't left his house in years) will be killed if he doesn't keep playing.\n\nThere's plenty of fight scenes, some it's a bit obvious kicks miss and arms don't connect with faces but the film is entertaining enough. It's nothing special but will pass the time.","Product: Popular prank TV show Scare Campaign, has been entertaining audiences for the last 5 years with its mix of old school scares and hidden camera fun. But as we enter a new age of online TV the producers find themselves up against a new hard edged web series ...\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Only Goes For 77 Minutes, But it's a Great 77 Minutes With More Gore Than Your Normal Slasher Flick\n\nReview: Scare Campaign is only a short movie (77 minutes) but once it gets going it's pretty much non stop slasher fun the whole time. It's a fun and gory slasher flick too, taking the gore killing to a lot higher level than your Hollywood slasher norm. This one is filmed in rural Victoria (Beechworth) at an actual disused mental asylum. It starts off like the acting is a bit average, but that's because we're watching a TV show within the movie, the acting is actually really good as far as slasher films can be when the real action begins. That TV show is a Candid Camera type horror themed top rating show called Scare Campaign that is being pressured to up the intensity and humiliation and terror on the mark, due to a snuff online video group who are doing similar things to the show but actually killing people that of course with no boundaries, is getting millions of hits around the world. So the actors and crew of Scare Campaign wanting to keep their jobs decide to do their next episode at an old children's mental asylum. While improvising with the mark who is an applicant for a groundskeeping job there or something like that, the actress quickly learns he is familiar with the asylum, since he used to be a patient there. She wants to pull the plug but her director doesn't want her to, as his reactions will be the sort of thing they need for ratings.\n\nIt is a low budget but is done well. Interestingly for a horror movie it doesn't have the normal staple of sex scenes or even nudity. It just relies on the story to tell a great horror tale. Some of the disappointment by the short length is made up by the fact that the DVD (region 4) also comes with 44 minutes of extras where we see behind the scenes and how a lot of the gory killing scenes and their props were made. There's also a Q & A from Monsterfest (an Australian film festival) done straight after the movie was shown there. Granted the Q & A isn't that well filmed, probably done with someone's camera phone, and they are sitting a fair way back in the cinema in the rows to the extreme left, so the crew and actors are a fair way away, not front on and are hard to hear at times.\n\nScare Campaign is made by the same brothers who made 100 Bloody Acres. The only actor you'll probably recognise would be Olivia DeJonge (The Visit, Hiding) who plays Abby, a new young actress getting her break on this new episode of Scare Campaign. The main staple actress of the TV show Emma is brilliantly played by Meegan Warner, who has been in a few things but not stuff most people would have watched such as Turn:Washington's Spies. I anticipate we'll see a lot more of both these actresses after this movie. Ian Meadows (Home and Away, Rush, The Moodys) is again someone you're not likely to have seen before unless you watched those shows, but who also does a good job as Marcus the self centered career ambitious director, who cares more about his work than the welfare of his actors and crew. John Brumpton as George (the job applicant) does a great mentally disturbed character too.\n\nMy only criticism would be I would have liked it to be a bit longer, but with Scare Campaign you're watching quality over quantity.","Product: The T-Mobile Nokia 1616 Prepaid Cell Phone is a robust, user-friendly phone with a large color display. Communicate effortlessly with the easy-to-use interface, shortcut keys and a large keypad. Play a game while on the move or plug in your headset to tune into music or news with the built-in FM radio.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Makes/Receives Phone Calls, Easy to Write Texts, Does What You Want a Phone to Do\n\nReview: This is simply a review of the actual Nokia 1616 handset, not T-Mobile or whatever carrier or prepay service Amazon is packaging with it on this page. This review is simply for people like I was, who when their old phone has died, need to get another cheap one, and are looking for info on the ones they've seen in junk mail catalogues, online websites or in the isles of department stores to make sure they are not buying a dud.\n\nTo be honest with you, I made the decision to buy this pretty much on price, it was the cheapest I came across at short notice when my old phone suddenly died, at $19. I don't need a phone to take photos, I've got a camera for that (although this phone can receive photo texts). I don't need it to go online to visit Facebook, E-bay, Amazon or other websites, I've got a computer to do that. I don't even really need it to send texts, I use Facebook to send messages to everyone I don't want to call, but I did send one to my mum who shuns fancy things like the Internet and it was simple, quick and easy to do using this phone. I've only owned three mobile phones in my life and this really is no better or worse than the other two which were both Motorolas, the last being the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/WX160/dp/B003ZX8998/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">WX160</a>, which also is a good cheap phone to get if you can still find one.\n\nIt is a bit heavier and bulkier than my previous phones but still overall is pretty light. You hardly notice it if you carry it in your pants pocket. Comes with a flashlight at the top, bit of a gimmick really, I always just used the display screen on my previous phones as a flashlight, however this one's display screen is not as illuminating as those phones and the flashlight does do a nice job with a small concentrated light beam. Possibly doing it this way saves battery power and lengthens the time between charges if you don't use the torch, I don't know. It's not powerful enough that you'd substitute it for a decent torch if camping or something and wanting to avoid stepping on a poisonous snake or falling down a hole, but it's decent enough if you're sleeping in a dorm room in a backpacker hostel or something and everyone else is asleep with the lights off to navigate your way past everyone's discarded belongings on the floor. It has a number of different wallpaper pictures you can set for the background, I must honest none of them really thrilled me with a wow isn't that cool moment. I went with the green lizard but there's flowers and patterns and things like this is you prefer. The menu is pretty easy to navigate, with easy to understand icons, things like setting the date are very easy. Has some games on it, they're not very good I looked at them but can't see myself ever doing so again. These may be different for whatever country you're in but on the phones sold in Australia they are Rapid Roll, Bounce and Forbidden Treasures. The Nokia 1616 has quite a number of ringtones including the Nokia theme. I wasn't overly excited by any of these either and if you're like me and have a mobile phone because you are on call for work and need to be able to hear your phone before the person on the other end hangs up if it is at the other end of your house, about two thirds of the ringtones are useless.\n\nLike most phones in this price range it comes with an FM radio. You can listen to it like a Walkman, the headphones are provided and it interrupts the radio if an incoming call happens. Like all similar priced phones though the only headphones that fit the hole to plug into the phone, are the set it comes with. My previous phone I misplaced those early on so expect that feature to not last that long as I'm likely to do that again. The radio is easy to tune into the station you want simply by typing the number like you would a text. The buttons on the keypad are each individually raised and a decent size by the way.\n\nThe phone actually comes with a nice little instruction booklet and not just the usual folded bit of double-sided large bit of paper. The battery comes slightly charged which is nice if like I was you're on call for work. Doesn't take too long to charge either. Putting in the Sim card is a bit tricky though, the illustrations on the box aren't that clear you've got to make sure it goes under that metal thing.\n\nThe only thing that really annoys me about this phone is that is sort of goes into computer monitor style sleep mode after a couple of seconds of non use. I used to love being able to see the time and even the date when needed on my old phone simply by glancing at it. You've got to hit the centre square button to wake up the phone and see the time with the Nokia 1616, meaning you've got to touch the phone and not just subtly glance at on the table it if in a meeting or just having a conversation with someone a lunchtime or something. I don't really know what the selling point of that feature is at all, it's something Nokia should get rid of on future phones. It's not like the time ever burnt into the display on my other phones. You can also get the clock to speak the time if you're into that sort of thing.\n\nIt does have quite a bulky recharger compared to my previous phones, meaning it sticks out a fair bit from the wall power point limiting due to furniture and things like this the places you can plug it in. It only lasts four or five days at most between charges especially if it has been receiving or making calls, which is about half the time of my previous two phones.\n\nIf you want a reliable phone to make and take calls as well as text, and this one is selling for a cheap price, it does the job. No more, and more importantly no less.","Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Kramer Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Cosmo Kramer Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \"Must See TV\" to must have for your collection!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: \"I'm out there, Jerry.... and I'm lovin' every minute of it.\"\n\nReview: Kramer is the only one of the four main characters that you can get as a vinyl figure (at time of this review anyway). He's pretty well done, his hands are in a weird open palmed stance but then again, I guess what else were they going to do with his arms. Like with the other Seinfeld vinyl figures you can take him out of the packaging or put him back in without damaging it. In fact there's no way to know if the one you're buying has ever been opened or not. You simply open the top or bottom of the box, slide out the clam shell bubble, open it and take the figure out.\n\nYou can't do much with the figure, you can't repose his arms or anything, he simply stands there. He does stand up easily on a flat surface. The figure comes with a round black stand but I've never bothered with it myself. It doesn't have a Seinfeld logo or anything to enhance the display. There are no blemishes on the figure itself, it is painted very nicely. Kramer is the tallest of the four figures I bought (others were Soup Nazi, Peterman and Frank Costanza). Which makes sense being as Michael Richards was a taller actor than the ones that played those characters, although I wouldn't say the height differences are to scale or anything. Kramer stands around 22cm tall. If you're keeping him in the box, the box is about 25.5cm high (all character boxes are the same size). Box is about 13.5cm wide. If you are keeping Kramer in the box, the green backdrop sort of has an eerie glow when the sunlight hits it.\n\nThese figures are pretty cool. You don't come across much Seinfeld merchandise which is a shame as it was such a popular show. Most people you meet mention it as one of their favourites so I would think the merchandise market would be huge a lucrative one. I do hope Funko brings out more characters from the show. George and Jerry obviously, but other minor characters too would be great.","Product: CD\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: This is So 1991 as Said by Ralph Wiggum\n\nReview: Back in 1990 (sorry Ralph but you were off by a year) the Simpsons were more about Bart than Homer and the huge hit at the time rumoured to be written by Michael Jackson was Do the Bartman. A very catchy number and the reason I decided to buy this album. The other released song from this album was Deep Deep Trouble also sung by Bart but it achieved no where near the success of Do the Bartman. Probably due to the fact that it was no where near as good. The song I really love on here is Look at All Those Idiots sung by Mr Burns. It's about his employees at the nuclear power plant. Pretty funny. I don't really listen to other seven songs much, most are sung in the blues theme. Not a bad album and a lot better the sequel The Yellow Album.\nThe cover booklet has photographs of the voice actors who play the different characters with the cartoon character next to them. It is good to see what the faces behind the voices actually look like. If you are a Simpsons fan and feel like reliving the feeling of the Simpsons in the early nineties than you should buy this album.","Product: Weird Al Yankovic ~ In 3-D\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Just buy it! Buy it! No one wants to be without it!\n\nReview: This is \"Weird Al's\" second album and home to his first major hit (in Australia anyway) Eat It (parody of Beat It). Other great parodies are Theme From Rocky XIII (parody of Eye of the Tiger) which is about the thirteenth rocky movie which at the time Al like everyone obviously else assumed would be made. It portrays Rocky as a fat overweight, but no bum fighter who has retired and is running his local deli. Extremely funny. King of Suede and That Boy Could Dance are other great parodies but I am unfamiliar with the actual names to those songs.\nSome of the original song's background music are a bit dated but you would expect that from an album written in the early 80's. Their lyrics however are hilarious especially the second track Midnight Star. Midnight Star is about tabloid newspapers and all the garbage they contain such as Alien's from outer pace are sleeping in my car and eat jelly doughnuts (donuts for those in USA) and lose twenty pounds a day. This is one of the funniest songs ever written. Other great tracks are Nature Trail to Hell which is about Horror Movies and I lost on Jeopardy about Al's performance on the game show Jeopardy.\nThis album is a must for all \"Weird Al\" fans and contains Al's first polka medley Polkas on 45.","Product: Terminator ~ Terminator 2 - Judgment Day: Or\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Missing the lyric songs but the orchestral ones are good\n\nReview: This album isn't as good as it could have been. It only has the orchestral music by Brad Fiedel and does not contain the Guns N' Roses song You Could Be Mine that was played more than any of song in the actual movie other than the Main Title Theme. Bad to the Bone as well as other great lyric ones aren't here either. Now I'm not saying Brad's songs aren't fantastic but when you buy a soundtrack you expect it to have all the songs from the movie so when you listen to them you are taken back memory wise to that experience.\nThe Main Title Theme is of course a sensational song up there with the Indiana Jones and Star Wars hall of fame instrumental pieces. The other songs on here are good as well. The back cover does tell you which scenes in the movies the different tracks are from but if it wasn't there you probably wouldn't know. Again if other artists songs were included you may have some idea which scene the next one was following.\nThe CD cover is pretty disappointing with only a few black and white shots from the movie inside the single page cover and two colour photographs on the back of it one of Arnold on the motorbike and on of Linda Hamilton loading a gun. This cover could have been way better.\nIf you're a fan of orchestra band type music this is a sensational album. If you're not you'll probably only listen to it for a few weeks before it enjoys a nice life of sitting idle on your shelf only coming out from time to time. It's a great album but unless you like classical type music you probably won't listen to it all that much.","Product: Tracks include: 1. Neighbor 2. Goddamn Devil 3. Come Tomorrow 4. Panhandlin' Prince 5. Busy Bee 6. Don't Go 7. So Damn Cool 8. Same Side 9. Cat's in the Cradle 10. I'll Keep Tryin' 11. Everything About You 12. Madman ['92 Remix] 13. Mr. Recordman\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The best one album hit band, album out there\n\nReview: Ugly Kid Joe may have been one album hit wonders but the fact still remains this is a sensational album. Everything About You was a huge hit and a much needed song in the face of all the soppy love songs around. Neighbor was also a great song, in fact all the songs on this album are great there are no fillers. Of course the other big song from this album was Cats In the Cradle a much better version than Cat Stevens' one. Mr. Recordman although not released to my knowledge, was played a bit and became a bit of a cult hit anyway. I also particularly like Madman.\n\nDon't punish this album by not buying it because Ugly Kid Joe promised so much and created their terrible second album about Milkman's sons and other stuff. It's not the album's fault who it's parents are. This is a sensational no filler album and one you should add to your collection. Lyrics are also included.","Product: Cassette is like New, Insert and case in great condition! Ships within 1-2 Business Days.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: One of the greatest albums ever made\n\nReview: This is one of the classic Bon Jovi albums with every song at least good if not brilliant.\nYou may recognise the first song form the start of the movie Spaceballs that is blaring out of the stereo in the spaceship. Let it Rock is it's name. Of course the next two songs need no introduction due to their legendary status being two of the biggest songs ever You Give Love A bad Name and of course Livin' On a Prayer about Tommy working down on the docks who is down on his luck. Social Disease is about how love is a social disease. You will have heard the guitar intro to Wanted Dead or Alive by anyone who has ever picked up a guitar. Raise Your Hands is an excellent rock song obviously designed to be played live. Without Love is another rock song. I'd Die For You would be the slowest song on the album but still rocks. I'd die for you is fairly self explanatory. Never Say Goodbye is about two people in love and Wild in The Street is just an awesome street party song.\nLike New Jersey every one of these songs is a rock song with fast paced rock that easily transfers to a live concert performance.","Product: BON JOVI BON JOVI\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: The Original But Not Their Best\n\nReview: Bon Jovi's self titled debut album contains nine tracks which are all right but with the exception of Runaway do not reach the musical heights of their later albums. You would purchase this album more for historical value if your fan of the greatest rock band of the 80's rather than for the actual songs on here. This album is where it all began and the tracks are not as substantial guitar wise or lyrically as the boys will achieve on their later masterpieces. Unless you are a huge Bon Jovi fan you probably will not want this album. Bon Jovi have created some of the greatest albums ever made and New Jersey and Slippery When Wet would be my recommendations if you do not own any of their albums at all and are looking to start.","Product: BON JOVI JON BLAZE OF GLORY\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Not the Actual Soundtrack But a Great Album!\n\nReview: Note there is an actual Young Guns II soundtrack album that isn't Blaze of Glory. Only two Jon Bon Jovi songs from this ablum actually appear in the movie, Billy Get Your Guns (in the closing credits) and Blaze of Glory. If the great orchestral music score songs from the film are what you're really after then get Young Guns II original soundtrack by Alan Silvestri found <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/here/dp/B005PXHWZ8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">here</a> on Amazon. For a decent price though, it's pretty hard to find, Silvestri also wrote the music score main theme for Back to the Future, Forrest Gump and many other successful films so you may have to settle for a compilation album.\n\nThis album is Jon Bon Jovi's first attempt at a solo album away from the greatest band in the word Bon Jovi. There are some brilliant songs on this album none bigger than Blaze of Glory which nicely ends the film and takes the viewer into the credits of the Young Guns II movie.\n\nMiracle is another great song along with Guano City, Never Say Die and Dyin' Ain't Much of a Livin'. Billy Get Your Guns is a bit tacky but a very simple repetitious song. You don't need to press skip it is all right.\n\nObviously most songs on here are inspired by the Movie Young Guns II and a lot are about Billy the Kid or Pat Garret so if this is not your preferred genre then this might not be for you.\n\nYou also get to hear sound bytes from the movie by Keifer Sutherland and Emilio Estevez at the start of Billy Get Your Guns and Blaze of Glory which is pretty cool.","Product: Catalog reissue.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: So Far Sooooooooooooo! Good\n\nReview: This is one of the better greatest hits albums out there although later albums do have some good songs on them as well. Summer of 69 is one of the biggest songs of all time and worth purchasing this album for alone. A lot of the other big hits such as Everything I Do I Do it For You are found on his album Waking Up the Neighbours so depending on which songs are your favourites you may wish to buy that one instead as it's just as good. Songs not on that album but on this one which are sensational are Please Forgive Me, Kids Wanna Rock, and Run to You. You really should purchase both albums.\n\nThis album doesn't contain the lyrics to the songs and has an address where you can send money to and get a booklet with them which is pretty disgraceful.","Product: Songs are: The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You, Do To You, Let's Make A Night To Remember, 18 Til I Die, Star, Your Underwear, We're Gonna Win, I Think About You, I'll Always Be Right There, It Ain't A Party If You Can't Come 'Round, Black Pearl, You're Still Beautiful To Me, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not as good as Waking Up the Neighbours\n\nReview: This isn't as good as Waking Up the Neighbours but still has some really good songs you will want to own. 18 Til I Die and Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman are the two standouts. H Y E R L a W is a sensational Spanish sounding love song. Do to You is a great fast song. Star starts of like a movie soundtrack sound and is an all right slow song but not one you'll play over and over again. We're Gonna Win is a good one to play if you're trying to get pumped up for a sporting event. It's not a bad motivational song. I Think About You has a good drum beat and lyrics. It Ain't A Party if You Can't Come Round is pretty good too.\n(I Wanna Be) Your Underwear and The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You are pretty stupid but are original sounding songs not like others on other albums. The other songs on here are pretty much the same as others on other albums just with different lyrics.","Product: Bryan Adams was played a great deal on the radio in 1984/5; his music was the most radio-friendly rock to have been heard in a long time and where on earlier records Adams had spiced up his songs with traces of social consciousness, this set is back squarely in love-and-lust territory.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: One of the greatest albums of all times\n\nReview: This 15 track huge album would easily be Bryan Adam's best and since most of his albums sound pretty similar this is the one you should buy. This album has your mix of fast rock songs as well as slow love ballads. Everything I Do I Do it For You was the song played in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and was of course one of the top selling songs of all time. Can't Stop This Thing We Started is a sensational fast song as is All I Want is You. Not Guilty, House Arrest and Vanishing are other gems. There are no bad songs on this album unlike his other albums which seem to have a few fillers.\n\nI think this album is better than So Far so Good which is an alternative album a lot of people buy instead of this, as it was a Greatest Hits so far album that cashed in on the success of this album, including all the singles from this one, primarily the song Everything I Do I Do it For You, with both albums out when a lot of these songs were yet to be released as singles. Although Waking Up the Neighbours of course doesn't have Summer of 69. If you want one Bryan Adams album but only one I'd buy this one.\n\nThis album also has the lyrics to all the songs whereas So Far so Good just has an address you post a cheque to get them sent to you.","Product: When Deliverance made Dueling Banjos a smash in '72, the tune was united with Weissberg's 1963 New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass LP for a new release. It hit #1, and here it is: Dueling Banjos; Pony Express; Mountain Dew , and more!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: A Great Soundtrack to Have Playing on Your Next Vacation into the Wilderness\n\nReview: There is no better album to have if planning a trip down the rapids of your local river. Of course most people buying it are doing so for one track alone but that by no means is the only good song on here. That song of course is from the scene at the start of the film with Drew and the hillbilly boy who initially is just mirroring Drews' guitar playing on his banjo but then to Drew's utter amazement and awe, the duel is on. I don't know how many times I've played that song over and over again, it's that good!\n\nThe soundtrack of this album is an excellent backdrop to have playing either on the river (if you've got some way to play it without the player getting wet) or just to have on the drive out there. Or to have on any roadtrip to have playing once you enter a a wilderness area for that matter (I also recommend getting Lindsey Buckingham's song Holiday Road available as a bonus track on <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/National-Lampoon-s-Christmas-Vacation-Soundtrack/dp/B000Q9H1VQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Soundtrack</a> for the journey while your still on the highway. But nothing beats the song Dueling Banjos to get the excitement in your group going and End of a Dream (track 9) a similar sounding although faster version of Dueling Banjos does the job quite nicely as well. The other songs are pretty good too all performed with banjos, creating that extremely unique sound. Dueling Banjos is also the best banjo playing album I have ever heard.\n\nBy the way if you can play yourself you might want to get the music score <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Duelling-Banjos-Sheet-Music-from-Deliverance/dp/B0009M2LR4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Duelling Banjos: Sheet Music from \"Deliverance\"</a> as well.","Product: Certified at 3 million units by the RIAA. (6/98)\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not as good as You Might Be a Redneck if........\n\nReview: This is a lot more polished than his previous album. It's not as funny though but still is worth buying. There is one song on here Party All Night which isn't too bad a country song music wise has the Dukes of Hazard car's horn at the start then puts his Single Life Is Just to Hard stand up track from his album You Might Be a Redneck if... to music.\nDoes have one You Might Be A Redneck Track with more extremely funny sentences such as If you own a home that's mobile and 14 cars that aren't you might be a redneck. If you've been married three times and still have the same in laws is another classic.\nBuy it if it's a good price.","Product: Poison - Open Up And Say...Ahh - Cassette\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Open Up and Say ... AHH Not Bad!\n\nReview: Up there with Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and other bands of the era, Poison helped create the greatest decade of rock music ever made. Although not the best Poison album Open Up and Say ...AHH! is still a worthwhile purchase. Their most covered song by pub bands Every Rose Has It's Thorn, a slow love ballad is on this album which most people either love or hate. The other huge hit Nothin' But A Good Time, on this album is a sensational rock song. Most of the other songs on here are pretty good too. I would also recommend buying their album Flesh & Blood as well for sensational songs like Unskinny Bop.\nIf you like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, AC/DC and similar bands then you have to listen to Poison as well. The cover booklet also contains lyrics and photographs of the band.","Product: Crowded House ~ Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Australians & Kiwis both claim them so u know they're great\n\nReview: This is a great album to own if you're not a huge fan but want the big Crowded House songs. Most of their big hits are on here but not all. Chocolate Cake is one I would have liked to have seen but you can't have everything.\nWith both Australia and New Zealand claiming this band as their own, you know they're pretty good. Some songs do sound similar to others but there are 19 of them so even if you don't like them all, there will still be more that you do, than on most albums. If you can find the bonus edition of this album there are another 15 live songs as well although most are the same songs on the non live disc.\nMy only disappointment was that there are no written lyrics in the CD cover. For those who have never heard of Crowded House their music is basically smooth, slow non heavy rock. You could even go so far as to say it's sort of relaxing music. Excellent CD to have playing in the background while working or to concentrate on and really listen to the music. Either way you'll enjoy this.","Product: ROXETTE LOOK SHARP!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Listen sharp as every detail of this album is sensational\n\nReview: This is a great album and was the first huge album by the sensational Swedish duo.\nThe album cover insert has all the song lyrics on the back and a newspaper called The Daily Roxette on the front. It tells you of Roxette's adventures, travels, their behind the scenes people, all as news paper hard news style stories. Also has some 50's style advertisements within, using song titles from this album.\n\nThis album is still worth owning if you own the Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus greatest hits album, as the songs which appear on both are different versions on each. The other songs on here are pretty good too.\n\nThe Look is of course one of the greatest songs of all time. It used to be my favourite song was I was in primary school back in 1989 and I still love it. It's one of the only Roxette songs where Per, (the guy) is the lead singer. Dressed for Success is another sensational song and you'll often here it being played in the background of news reports of catwalks and fashion shows.\n\nSleeping Single I'm pretty sure wasn't released and is a great song with a good drum beat in the background about a girl waiting for her guy to come back and prepared to sleep by herself until he does.\n\nPaint is an excellent fast 80's sounding song. Not really about paint for home renovators wanting a song about that, except that is about painting your love all over town. A great song. Dance Away a fast 80's dance style song is one that isn't too dated today. The lyrics are well written.\n\nCry is a slow paced love song similar style to Listen to Your Heart but completely different lyrics and music. Basically a girl asking why she should cry over you (well not you specifically but some guy she likes). Chances is another fast sensational song about a girl wanting a guy to take a chance on her.\n\nDangerous is of course one of the classics and was a hit single. It's a sensational fast song with a good beat. About a girl a guy is attracted to being dangerous. Per sings the guys voice with Marie singing the girl's response.\n\nHalf a Woman, Half a Shadow is about a girl who is sad therefore half a shadow. Another really good song. View from a Hill is another terrific 80's pop sounding song. I Could Never give You Up has a nice Mediterranean piano sound throughout as well as a consistent drum beat.\n\nShadow of A Doubt has a similar start to Europe's Final Countdown song before the da da diii doo part beings. Shadow of A Doubt becomes more original as the lyrics begin. It's a nice song to have playing in the background. Listen to Your Heart is one of the best love songs of all time.\n\nYou should definitely buy this album.","Product: Subtitled - Roxette's Greatest Hits'. All of the best from the hit Swedish pop/ rock duo recorded between 1987-1995. 18 tracks including the-then previously unreleased songs 'She Doesn't Live Here Anymore' & 'I Don't Want To Get Hurt' alongside smashes like 'The Look', 'Listen To Your Heart' (Swedish Single Edit), 'Dangerous' (Single Version), 'It Must Have Been Love', 'Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave)' & 'Sleeping In My Car'. 1995.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: One of the best greatest hits album ever releasesd\n\nReview: This sensational 18 track album contains all of Roxette's huge hits such as The Look, Joyride, Dressed for Success and It Must Have Been Love. If you've got the original albums you should still buy this one as most of the songs on here as the US single versions which are slightly different to the original album versions.\nThis CD has a pretty thick booklet inside the cover. It sort of has the lyrics for each song jammed together in a paragraph like reading a story. There is also another paragraph with each song some are commentaries of the songs by Per or Marie others by other people are about events of the time or the song in general. Pretty interesting reading.\nThe four previously unreleased tracks are brilliant as well and worth buying this album for alone. June Afternoon is a bright summer sounding happy modern song. You Don't Understand Me is also sensational slow paced but speeds up in parts to make it even more interesting. She Doesn't Live Here Anymore is another brilliant fast paced pop rock song about the singer's girl he loved who has moved away. The final previously unreleased song I Don't Want to get Hurt is a ballad which is okay to have playing in the background but not that great if actually consciously listening to the songs.\nYou know the rest but just in case you're a little young to remember or you've been kept prisoner in a dungeon somewhere during the late 80's and throughout the 90's and couldn't here a radio I'll tell you about them.\nThe Look is of course one of the greatest songs of all time. It used to be my favourite song was I was in primary school back in 1989 and I still love it. It's one of the only Roxette songs where Per, (the guy) is the lead singer. Dressed for Success is another sensational song and you'll often here it being played in the background of news reports of catwalks and fashion shows.\nListen to Your Heart is one of the best love songs of all time. The edition on here is the one released in Sweden (yes song's are released in English). Dangerous is of course one of the classics and was a hit single. It's a sensational fast song with a good beat. About a girl a guy is attracted to being dangerous. Per sings the guys voice with Marie singing the girl's response.\nIt Must Have Been Love was of course made famous from the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Another sensational love song. Joyride is another great song and one of the rare Per as lead vocal ones. Some excellent whistling solos too. Remember the film clip of them sitting on the bonnet of a red sports car as the scenery flew by? It was brilliant.\nFading Like A Flower is another slow romantic ballad with great piano action which I don't think is as good as their others but some people love it. The Big L is about the big love. It's a fast paced great song similar sounding to Joyride but different enough not to sound like a remake.\nSpending My Time is heavy on the lyrics and piano. About someone spending their time thinking about the person they love who has dumped them. How Do You Do! is a great song sort of deliberately stupid sounding but I like it.\nAlmost Unreal is a motivational type hope giving magic sort of song. Sleeping In My Car is a sensational fast rock type of song about someone trying to get close to the person they like telling them what they will do for them in the back of their car.\nCrash! Boom! Bang! is brilliant. It's slow paced but that let's you hear the lyrics clearly.\nVulnerable is similar sounding to the previous song and again has sensational lyrics about how vulnerable a girl the singer loves is and how he doesn't want to hurt her.\nYou have to own this album.","Product: Limited Edition Release featuring a Bonus 15 Track Live CD.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Australians & Kiwis both claim them so u know they're great\n\nReview: This is a great album to own if you're not a huge fan but want the big Crowded House songs. Most of their big hits are on here but not all. Chocolate Cake is one I would have liked to have seen but you can't have everything.\nWith both Australia and New Zealand claiming this band as their own, you know they're pretty good. Some songs do sound similar to others but there are 19 of them so even if you don't like them all, there will still be more that you do, than on most albums. If you can find the bonus edition of this album there are another 15 live songs as well although most are the same songs on the non live disc.\nMy only disappointment was that there are no written lyrics in the CD cover. For those who have never heard of Crowded House their music is basically smooth, slow non heavy rock. You could even go so far as to say it's sort of relaxing music. Excellent CD to have playing in the background while working or to concentrate on and really listen to the music. Either way you'll enjoy this.","Product: Drew Carey ~ Cleveland Rocks! Music From The\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: One of the greatest TV soundtracks ever made\n\nReview: This is a great TV show album. Who can really say they don't feel like getting up and dancing to some of these songs when the show is playing and you're all alone. Well you've got more chance of being alone with the CD as the show is a bit too popular to be left watching by yourself.\nThe main titles from different years are here Cleveland Rocks and Five O'Clock World. You really do feel like doing the dance moves when you here them. Buying the album for these two alone is worth the money.\nOther songs will bring back flashbacks to your mind of the episodes they're from such as You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet when they were doing the Full Monty with the spinning brown paper boxes and The Time Warp from the episode they had the Rocky Horror Verse verse Priscilla Queen of the Desert dance off.\nDrew Carey sings a couple of songs Moon Over Parma, 40 Cubic Feet and God Bless America. Mimi sings Christmas Parodies along with a boys choir. Other characters from the show can be heard in the songs Working in the Coal Mine and Tomorrow. The Horn Dogs who sing A Taste of Honey are Drew, Lewis, Oswald and Kate who sings out of tune with the surrounding hilarious scene of that episode also on this track. Bite Me Doughboy is actual short sentence scenes from the show mix to a fast paced music sort of song. It is pretty good.\nFree Ride is a catchy song in the tradition of the main title songs you can dance to. Now Right Now is a fast paced great song. The sexual icecream tv commercial sounds of un homme et une femme is the music of the song A Man and A Woman. Lust for Life and Rocky Mountain Way are the other two songs in full version which only parts (not the main parts) of were actually in the episodes. They are not the best songs in the world but pleasant enough to have as background music if working. All of the songs on here appeared in some format on the episodes which aired during or before 1998. This CD also comes with a mini book inside the front cover which tells you exactly which episode each and every song is from, if you can not remember just by hearing them. It has some great photographs of the episodes. Even if you don't like every song there are 24 of them so there should be enough that you will like to get your moneys worth.","Product: Crowded House - Woodface - Cd\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Face it this is a Great Album!\n\nReview: So many of the songs on this album were hugely successful hits and many you'll still hear at least once every couple of weeks on the radio even today. Chocolate Cake would be my favourite Crowded House song and the only reason I can see that it never made their greatest hits album was because so many of the other songs from this album were included and the record company still wanted people to sell lots of copies of Woodface. It's Only Natural, Fall at Your Feet, Weather With You and Four Seasons in One Day would easily be Crowded House's most played songs and they are all on this album. There's nothing wrong with the other not so famous tracks on this album either it's only because so many singles were sold of the other songs that customers figured out they should buy the album that the other songs didn't become hits as well.\n\nBoth Australians and New Zealanders claim this band as their own so you know you can't go wrong by buying it.","Product: Frannie O'Neill, a dedicated young veterinarian, makes an astonishing discovery in the woods after her husband's murder\nTitle: When the Wind Blows\nAuthor: Patterson, James\nPublisher: Replica Books\nPublication Date: 1998/11/01\nNumber of Pages: 416\nBinding Type: HARDCOVER\nLibrary of Congress: 98014367\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: When the wind blows kids fly\n\nReview: This book is a bit far fetched to be believable but it is still a good read. If you're after a sensational murder thriller book then you've come to the wrong place as this book isn't that sort of James Patterson novel.\nThis book's about kids with wings, yeah you read right, kids with wings! Of course not everyone is happy for these kids to be out in the real world with their wings so the classic good verses evil Patterson style comes into effect.\nIf you only read Patterson books for the serial killer theme then this book probably is not for you. If you like the fast paced short chapters and anything Patterson writes then you should get this. The Beach House and The Jester are better non detective/serial killer books in my opinion. This is a good read and worthwhile purchase but I would recommend every other Patterson book over this one. Buy this if you've read all the others first.","Product: Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction - LP Vinyl Album\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Sweet Classic Album O' Mine\n\nReview: This is one of the classic 80's rock albums. The music although obviously 80's rock in style hasn't really dated much today. Sweet Child O Mine has one of the best guitar introductions ever thought of and recorded into a song. Paradise City and Welcome to the Jungle were the other two massive hits off this album but the other songs on here aren't bad either. There are no fillers on this album. This album would be a fair bit cleaner than their other albums but still contains a bit of language in the non release songs. Unlike other bands and even on some of their own albums the swearing isn't pointless and out of place but actually fits the songs.\nIf you're only going to buy one Guns N Roses album you should buy this one. The cover booklet has all the lyrics and some weird 80's futuristic art.","Product: Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released on March 23, 2004\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Good Collection, but Nothing on Here for Those Who Own the Original Albums\n\nReview: Guns N Roses had some massive hits back in the 80's then again with the simultaneous release of their Use Your Own Illusion comeback albums in the early 90's, and were certainly worthy of their place as one of the biggest bands in the world during these times. Their biggest hits from that era are all on this album which is great if your looking for something to play in your car and don't want to keep changing CDs and are morally opposed to burning your own album from your own copies of their other albums. However if you are not opposed to making your own compilation album then there is nothing new on this album for you here. If you're a new fan to the Gunners then you'll eventually want the other albums anyway so it's a bit of a waste of money purchasing this album.\n\nThe album is not actually the greatest hits in their single released (as you hear on the radio) versions. It is actually greatest hits of their album versions of these songs. It was disappointing on Use Your Illusion II that the song Knockin' On Heaven's Door did not contain the great voiceover intro that the single version did so this was one area where Geffen could have added something for those who have the original albums by putting the single version on this album. The only thing that this album really offers is the final track, Sympathy for the Devil which appeared on the 1994 Interview with a Vampire Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. So if you just want that song compare the price of that soundtrack against this album. Other than that you can just make this album yourself from their original albums.","Product: Japanese Release featuring Two Bonus Tracks: \"i Always Get What I Want\", and \"Nobody's Home (Live Acoustic)\".\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Not as Sensational as Her Debut Album but Great None th Less\n\nReview: Another twelve superb songs by Canada's best new talent although not in the same masterpiece league as Let Go, Under My Skin is still a must have for anyone's collection. I always wait a month or so before reviewing a newly acquired album as you tend to listen to and like most albums more when they first come out which would reflect in your review if you wrote it straight away. I still listen to Under My Skin but to be honest I do listen to her first album Let Go a lot more. Still this a great collection and breath of fresh air when compared to most attractive young female singers who cannot write their own songs and rely more on image and tabloid marketing to sell their albums than raw talent. Who cares if Avril is really a punk or skater? I buy CDs for the music not the artist's image and this is another great album with no fillers.","Product: One of the Boys is the second album from Capitol Music Group recording artist, Katy Perry. The album is Perry's first album since her Red Hill Records Christian rock debut, entitled Katy Hudson, which was recorded in 2001.The album features the singles, \"UR So Gay\" and \"I Kissed a Girl\".\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Refreshing to Hear Songs With Great Lyrics. I Listened to This Album and I Liked it! I Liked It!\n\nReview: A lot artists these days don't concentrate on having great lyrics anymore, especially young female artists who often rely on their looks and image created by their marketing company to sell albums rather than on the quality of the songs. Often their albums also contain the same sounding songs throughout the album but Perry has thankfully not followed suit. All songs on the album are actually telling a story and as a bonus for those who don't illegally download or copy her album the lyrics are included in the liner notes as well. The music accompaning those lyrics is great too! I didn't realise how many of the songs on here have been hits until I got this thing home and played it.\n\nHopefully we see Katy Perry around for years to come!","Product: One of the Boys is the second album from Capitol Music Group recording artist, Katy Perry. The album is Perry's first album since her Red Hill Records Christian rock debut, entitled Katy Hudson, which was recorded in 2001.The album features the singles, \"UR So Gay\" and \"I Kissed a Girl\".\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Refreshing to Hear Songs With Great Lyrics. I Listened to This Album and I Liked it! I Liked It!\n\nReview: A lot artists these days don't concentrate on having great lyrics anymore, especially young female artists who often rely on their looks and image created by their marketing company to sell albums rather than on the quality of the songs. Often their albums also contain the same sounding songs throughout the album but Perry has thankfully not followed suit. All songs on the album are actually telling a story and as a bonus for those who don't illegally download or copy her album the lyrics are included in the liner notes as well. The music accompaning those lyrics is great too! I didn't realise how many of the songs on here have been hits until I got this thing home and played it.\n\nHopefully we see Katy Perry around for years to come!","Product: Australian pressing of the 2008 album from the Aussie singer/songwriter. Curioser radiates a newfound sense of mutual certainty from the first song. \"The One Thing I Know\" is an audacious mash-up of primal percussion, stomp box, '80s Synth squiggles, oddball sound effects and operatic interjections that sticks together into a seamless three minutes of timeless radio pop. It's hard to detect any obvious lapses in potency in Kate's brief but prolific back pages. She cut her stage teeth as an annual high-school troubadour at the Woodford Folk Festival near her hometown of Brisbane: with the significant advantages of operatic training and a love of musical theatre that remains evident in her effervescent wordplay and striking visual sense. Sony/BMG.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Unique Sounding Fun Album\n\nReview: Had never heard of Kate Miller-Heidke before hearing a ten second sound bite of the song The Last Day on Earth on a TV commercial promoting some upcoming funeral scene or something in Neighbours (an Australian soapie show). So all I had was the name of the song and Kate's name, ridiculously there are no track listings for her albums here on Amazon so I'll provide them at the end of this review. This is not one of those get the album to get just one song buys though. Although some songs are better than others, there aren't really any fillers on here. As well as a cool mini poster of Kate living in 13 rooms inside a dolls house up to various activities, including being chased by an echidna in the attic and kneeling in a secret bomb shelter under the kitchen surrounded by just Vegemite, you also get all the songs' lyrics.\n\nDeep, well written and relevant to current events in society some of these lyrics are too. The most would be the regret about behaviour in high school song called Caught in the Crowd. Kate plays a character who connected with a kid who others called weird, then one day bullies beat him up and torment in front of everyone with the fact he has no friends and she wanting to be cool turned her back on him. A very relevant song in today's bullying get out of control and more and more children committing suicide as a result times.\n\nMusic wise these songs aren't sung like you're typical rock or pop songs. Kate Miller-Heidke uses her voice to reach high notes the other artists would rely on instruments to convey the same effects. There's still instruments in the songs but Kate's voice is by far the leading one. Although some songs are pretty deep, most are pretty fun.\n\nThe tracks on Curiouser are -\n1. The Only Thing I Know\n2. God's Gift to Women\n3. Caught in the Crowd\n4. Can't Shake It\n5. The Last Day on Earth\n6. I Like You Better When You're Not Around\n7. Motorscooter\n8. The End of School\n9. Politics in Space\n10. Supergirl\n11. Our Song\n12. No Truck","Product: 2011 release from the biggest selling comedy recording artist of all time. Weird Al has returned with Alpocalypse, his first full-length studio album in nearly five years. The first single from the album was the Lady Gaga parody \"Perform This Way\". The song has Lady Gaga's full approval and blessing. Alpocalypse also features parodies of Miley Cyrus (\"Party In The CIA\"), Taylor Swift (\"TMZ\") and B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars (\"Another Tattoo\"). The album's requisite polka medley -\"Polka Face\" -features accordion-driven versions of songs by the biggest artists of the day, including Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, P!nk, Lady Antebellum and Katy Perry.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: A Good Music Album but the DVD is Pretty Average\n\nReview: I'd rate the music CD half of Alpocalypse four stars but the DVD is pretty poor with only a few half decent film clips, all but two being animated and one of those is just various fonts of text. Many do not even have \"Weird Al\" in them at all and seem to be just some hastily put together university student fan art with Al's songs playing in the background. The DVD I'd rate 2 stars giving an overall average of three stars for the entire Deluxe Version of Alpocalypse. I think one of the main factors that lessen Alpocalypse from the peak of Al's career albums such as Even Worse and Off the Deep End is the selection of original songs to parody. Whilst the artists on here may well be the top sellers, they are pretty much artists who are marketed to the pre-teen female demographic, and not songs which people in ten years will have even heard of as they aren't songs that are likely to get much airplay beyond 2011 and are certainly not classic songs that will always be played decades into the future. Which pretty much means the parodies in the future will be pretty much listened to the same as the original songs. The original songs are good, but there's no masterpiece quality ones like You Don't Love Me Anymore, Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota, The Night Santa Went Crazy showing the talent Al has. The CD insert has all the printed lyrics.\n\nPerform This Way (parody of Born This Way by Gaga) is the main promotional song for Alpocalypse. It's an all right song but the initial refusal of permission by Lady Gaga has resulted in the DVD being made before that permission was granted and it's not on the DVD. This is a shame as it would have been the only one of two film clips to have Al appear in person (well his head anyway).\n\nCNR (an original song about deceased actor Charles Nelson Reilly) has been around since mid 2009 before it's inclusion on this album, its main attraction was that you could insert your own head into the film clip on the Jib Jab website. The film clip on the DVD is therefore pretty pointless as it's just the Jib Jab clip (complete with Jib Jab promo image at the start) without the Staring You part. Surely it would have been better to allow this clip to be an interactive program where you could add your photo on your computer or at least if you've got the DVD in your disc drive when you go onto Jib Jab you can add your photo for free (it's not free anymore).\n\nTMZ (parody of Taylor Swift's You Belong to Me) is a pretty good song, one of the best on the music CD, which Midnight Star style makes fun of tabloids. It's not quite as funny as Midnight Star and unfortunately the music video on the DVD is just awful. It doesn't follow the lyrics at all and is easily the most poorly drawn of all the film clips. Al's not in it, instead there's a woman and the illustrators never got past the flabby behind line with the woman's bottom appearing on screens throughout the whole song. So much missed potential for all the other funny lyrics from this song are never used in the clip at all.\n\nSkipper Dan's another song that seems to have been around for a few years, it's an original about a guy who expected to be an actor but instead works as a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise Ride. It's not a bad song but again the DVD clip doesn't have Al in it, however it does follow the lyrics with its imagery.\n\nPolka Face is the other song from the album which has no DVD film clip. It's the medley polka song that you get on most of Al's albums. Pink, Gaga, Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Katy Perry and others' songs are all given the polka treatment.\n\nCraigslist is an original song pretty similar to the idea of Al's former E-bay hit. Being that the website Craigslist isn't used outside of the US, this song doesn't have the global appeal though and the Doors style film clip on the DVD doesn't follow the lyrics in its imagery so therefore isn't funny. It is though the only film clip that Al appears in person.\n\nParty in the CIA (parody of Miley Cyrus Party in the USA). Got to admit if I have ever heard Cyrus' original song, I don't remember it so this is like an original song to me. Al's song though is very good and probably the funniest song on the entire album. The film clip is well drawn and does have imagery of all the funny lyrics but no Al character.\n\nRingtone (original song) and the film clip has Al in it. Interesting neither the film clip or the song actually play the annoying ringtone the song is about at any time. Basically Al keeps annoying everyone with this ringtone as he doesn't want to waste the $1.99 he spent on it.\n\nAnother Tattoo (parody of Nothin' on You by B.o. B) is great in the fact that a song about Tattoos is new topic for Al who has been criticised for too many food and TV songs on previous albums. It's a pretty good song and will no doubt outlast the original song it is a parody of. The film clip on the DVD though is very averagely drawn, it does follow the lyrics but has no Al character.\n\nIf That Isn't Love would be the best original song on Alpocalypse. It's you typical creepy guy love song where Al is probably more honest than most popular culture love songs. Again Al is not in the animated film clip which is characters with oversized heads. At times the film clip follows the lyrics and at others doesn't such as the warming freezing hands line.\n\nWhatever You Like (parody of Whatever You Like by T.I). You certainly don't hear the original song this is a parody of played anymore which just highlights the fact that Al is not picking timeless classics anymore. Hip Hop (or Rap) songs just don't stand the test of time, I don't know why Al includes them, especially one like this that never really was that successful in the first place. Al's new lyrics are quite funny. The film clip is quite good with photo animation with Al and others heads being rotated or shaken if you will to tell the story which does follow the lyrics. One of the best film clips on the DVD.\n\nThe final song Stop Forwarding This Crap to Me is an original song about a topic that was probably more relevant in the 90s when social e-mail was big and forwarding annoying e-mails was a big fad. Facebook and similar websites have pretty much brought to a stop this practice simply because no one really uses e-mail socially anymore. Still you can probably remember this annoying forwarding practice and will remember a lot of the examples Al uses in his lyrics. The film clip is very basic but would be effective if sending as an attachment to someone who still does this practice. It's simply various fonts of the lyrics going across the screen.\n\nThe parody song film clips really fall short in that they are not parodies of the original artist film clips like we have come to expect. Plus some just simply aren't very good. Unless you're a \"Weird Al\" film clip collector like myself, you're probably going to want to go with the stand alone much cheaper music CD only version of Alpocalypse. Al released many of these clips to view for free on YouTube and other sites over the last couple of years so you should be able to at least track them down and view them first to see if you want to spend the extra cash on the Deluxe CD and DVD version of this album.","Product: Original soundtrack to the 2011 motion picture. Jam-packed with music, the movie has all of the Muppets performing classic and new songs that you will love to experience over and over again...including \"Rainbow Connection,\" \"Mahna, Mahna,\" \"Muppet Theme Song\" and more! Plus, newly recorded songs written by Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) like \"Man or Muppet\" featuring Jason Segel and Peter Linz, \"Life's A Happy Song\" and \"Me Party\" performed by Amy Adams and Miss Piggy.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: They're Back! What a Great Album! Makes We Want to Watch the Movie Now!\n\nReview: I haven't actually seen the movie yet but I was reading the tracks on the back of this soundtrack, it seemed like a lot of fun so I thought I'd give it a go. I wasn't disappointed, this album has a lot of modern music elements to it, but throws in a bit of nostalgia with old songs (new sounding, not the same versions) Mah Na Mah Na, and Rainbow Connection that I remember from my childhood on either the TV show or one of their other movies. I also liked how along with the 15 songs on here, that there are 15 sound bites from the film. They all flow naturally into the songs and unlike a lot of soundtracks, they have separated them into individual separate tracks from the following songs. This means you can memory your player to just play songs, or just play sound bites depending on your mood.\n\nActors Jason Segel and Amy Adams have great singing voices on here as well. Life's a Happy Song, is a nice number which brilliantly showcases their talents. Of course there's Muppet voiced songs too, I loved their versions of Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Forget You, sung by chicken boks is brilliant. This one may particularly annoy others if you play it over and over again, making it even more fun. There's a few original artist songs such as We Built This City by Starship and Paul Simon's Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard. I would have preferred the Muppets to have had a go at them but I guess they must have been in the film as original versions. They are still great songs anyway. I loved this album, it's made up my mind to watch the movie even though I haven't been a kid for a while.\n\nBy the way you get a nice little cover insert with this that has a lot of nice colour photo stills from the movie. All the main character Muppets are in there somewhere. Other than the original artist sung songs, all the others have the lyrics printed so you can sing along or prove once and for all in friendly arguments with your friends what the lyrics actually are. It also tells you who are the voices of the various characters, interestingly they are men, so Miss Piggy and the others, all voiced by guys!","Product: 2012 album from the enormously popular Swedish duo. While zigzagging between airports, arenas, hotels and meeting with fans from all over the world, the band also has found time to record the album Travelling. The idea has been to tap into all the positive energy that has boosted the band during this dazzling trip, and channel it to new Roxette music. In short, an album that just like 1992's Tourism captures the feeling of a band on a roll-constantly on the move, snatching inspiration as they go; recording in hotel rooms, studios, at soundchecks and in concert. The result is a fascinating musical postcard with 15 superb songs, most of which are new, some that are revisited classics and others being pearls that for various reasons hasn't seen the light of day before. EMI.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Album is Like a Celebration that Roxette's Back!\n\nReview: Whilst Roxette's previous album Charmed School needed to grow on you through repeated playing, Travelling grips you by the ear with its upbeat nature from the first song. Travelling is very different sounding to Charmed School and definitely different to Look Sharp and Joyride their most successful chart wise albums that made these two a household name at the peak of their career in the late 80s/early 90s. When you hit the play button on Travelling it sounds like Roxette is simply celebrating life. The apprehensive times that were around when the more slower paced at time depressing previous album was written are clearly over, the hurdle of if Marie will make a successful recovery and comeback from her brain surgery and be able to contribute to both the studio songs and live at concerts to the extent she is happy with, has obviously been jumped over and is clearly evident in these songs. Travelling is just pure fun, it's an album that shouts \"We're Back!\" For that, if you've been a fan throughout this duo's career, you can't help but instantly like it and want to celebrate with Per, Marie and the lesser known band members.\n\nA lot of the initial songs have a bit of a Beatles era sound to them, Marie is even wearing a Beatles shirt in the cover insert photos, and even Cat Stevens seems to have been a bit in Per's mind by the time he wrote the fifth song Easy Way Out. It's a bit puzzling why they put two versions of It's Possible on here (tracks 6 and 14) when they are virtually identical sounding. The only difference lyric wise is the end of the sentence often repeated throughout the song \"When you give me that look I just wanna oh oh oh,\" changes to \"When you give me that look I just wanna let it show,\" the second time round. Not a bad song, but not sure it warrants being on here twice instead of some other new song or live version or rerecording of an old song that might have missed the cut.\n\nRerecordings of Stars as well as It Must Have Been Love are included on Travelling, a similar project to what Roxette did on their Tourism album. Both work well here. I really like what they did with It Must Have Been Love on here with the addition of a Rotterdam orchestra adding brass sounds as well as a drum intro to the old song. Even though the lyrics are still the same the song sounds different enough that you don't instantly picture the Pretty Woman film clip that you do when the original version plays, which is nice as it lets you really appreciate the lyrics.\n\nShe's Got Nothing on (But the Radio) is on here as a live version performed in front of a crowd in Rio De Janero. I actually think this song sounds better live than it did on Charmed School. This album was made on the road during their world tour where obviously this song was performed to promote their new album, the crowd cheers more so than sings the words, possibly because a large portion of them had never heard it before, being that it really didn't do anything impact wise on the charts.\n\nThis album also comes with the lyrics to all the songs in the CD insert and some photos performing, in hotels and things like this. It's a nice sounding album, probably more of something you'll put on in the background when working or surfing the net rather than forcing you to get up and dance or pretend your singing or playing guitar such as you no doubt did (or maybe that was just me) with songs like The Look, Dressed for Success, Joyride, Dangerous, The Big Love and How Do You Do from their earlier albums.","Product: 2013 release, the second volume of songs featured in the first season of the hit TV series Nashville. The series stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, a legendary country music superstar, whose stardom begins fading, and Hayden Panettiere as rising teen star Juliette Barnes. In the series, Rayna James is the established \"Queen of Country\" music. However, her latest album is not selling well and her tour is playing to half empty venues. Her record label suggests that she open for Juliette Barnes, the young and sexy best selling singer of bubble gum country. However, Juliette, seeing Rayna as washed up, purposefully alienates her and Rayna, who dislikes Juliette's style of music, rejects a joint tour out of hand. The two women come into conflict as both try to get guitarist Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten), Rayna's bandmate and former lover, to sign onto their tour. The soundtrack features performances from the two starts as well as Charles Esten, Sam Palladio and others.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Still Not as Good as Later Seasons But A Lot Better Than Season 1 Volume 1\n\nReview: Still disappointing but a lot better than the first album Season 1 Volume 1. Volume 2 starts of strongly with Scarlett and Gunna (Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio)'s best duet of the first season Fade Into You. It's darker vibe than their other duets in this season. Likewise Ho Hey by the Stella sisters (Maddie and Daphne Conrad) would easily be their best song of well I'd actually say all first three season albums. Gunna's first solo on a Nashville soundtrack album Gun for a Mouth is also one of his best. But the quality of songs on this album drops off after the strong beginning only rising again a few times before the album's over with Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere)'s Hypnotizing, and hers and the album's final song Nothing in This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again, being pretty good too.\n\nJuliette's song We are Water, Scarlett (Clare Bowen)'s Looking for a Place to Shine, and Rayna James (Connie Britton)'s Stronger Than Me all are a bit new agey, hippieish sitting around a fire banging tambourine style with a bit of religious vibe thrown in for some reason. Can't say I'm a fan of those, I can't even remember them from the show. Rayna's Bitter Memory is faster and okay but like most of the first album songs suffers from repetition. Jonathan Jackson (Avery)'s Let There Be Lonely has a bit of piano action in it, it's not a bad sad ballad, but not something I'd add to a playlist. I will fall (Avery, Scarlett and Gunna) has some fiddle action but again is repetitive. Later album songs seem to have either better writers or have more effort put into them.","Product: Top-selling comedian returns with 2014 album featuring parodies of Lorde, Pharrell Williams, Igyy Azalea etc.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Al's Last Ever Album Has Some Unique Topics\n\nReview: Al's mentioned this is his last ever album, in a way that's kind of sad as someone who bought every single one of them over the years, it will be a shame not to have a tangible little CD capturing what were the dominant songs of the era between albums in an historical collection of parodies of those songs along with some really cool and funny originals thrown in. But besides the fact that how much of your music listening do you do from the actual CDs and not the ripped tracks you've put onto your Kindle or whatever device is anyway, you can see why Al has made this decision. Not just this latest album but we have seen it on past albums as well, the benefits of being able to release a parody when the original is still fresh on the airwaves and not an oh yeah I remember that song, that was really popular six months ago but no one plays it anymore. I think Tacky if this album came out next year would be one those songs, as the fad of original Happy dies out and goes the way of Gangman Style, The Macarena and other novelty dance tunes. But being Happy is still on the airwaves, is no doubt why most people at my work asked for Tacky to be played again more than any other song on this album when I brought it in. I just hope the non parody original Al songs are around in the same numbers in the future too.\n\nMandatory Fun is obviously poking fun of North Korean style of we'll tell you what you love, such as we your glorious leaders. It's a bit a shame there's no song on here that's got anything to do with that. Would have been an interesting topic. Perhaps there was and it didn't make the cut, although time wise there was certainly room on here for a few more songs.\n\nThat's the thing some songs on here are pretty short. The most noticeable is Foil (parody of Royals). I have no idea how long the original is but surely it is longer than 2:22. Foil incidentally is about the topic of aluminium foil and its importance to the safe existence of the singer character. On first listen I was thinking, all right it's an original topic but, food storage safety preference isn't exactly that interesting a topic, but then half way through, we get to know a little bit more of what's going on inside the character's head. This would after repeated listening of all the parodies, be my clear cut favourite. I'll point out that I'm no huge fan of any of the original artist versions of the songs on here, in fact I haven't even heard some of them.\n\nTacky has clever funny lyrics too and sung in the spirit of the original Happy. Word Crimes, parody of Blurred lines, a song about grammar, only Al could write a song about grammar that you want to listen to. Google the lyrics as you play this one to appreciate just how brilliant it is. Doing so also lets you realise some things happening in the song you can't quite make out, such as the singer character gets fed up that the listener isn't following their advice gives up and tells them to go away at the end. I was surprised though that Al used the term spastic in the lyrics though. Perhaps this isn't taboo in America like it out here in Australia, or perhaps only someone like Al can get away with not being politically correct, or maybe his character was supposed to be a cranky old man who doesn't care for political correctness especially by a world not speaking correctly anyway and that's part of the joke. Anyway it's a very clever and well done song.\n\nInactive (parody of Radioactive) I barely remember the original, just the chorus and Al's version has some clever lyrics, they are just a little hard to make out at times being it's sung in the style of the original. Handy is apparently a parody of some song called Fancy, can't say I've heard of it or even plan to after listening to Al's version. Handy for me is the weakest of all the songs on the album, each time I listen to it I just think of The Plumbing Song and the better lyrics it had on the same topic and the fact even though I didn't like the original songs it parodied either, I've actually heard of Milli Vanilli.\n\nThe best of the original songs would easily be the final track Jackson Park Express, it's the extra long track Al puts on an album every now and then. It's a stalker song in the vain of Melanie, Good Old Days and others where Al makes an effort to cross that thin line between funny and going to far, and does a very good job of it. About a guy who catches a bus, sees a girl for the first time, who misreads all the signals from the girl who thinks he is a creep.\n\nAnother great original is My Own Eyes, again you'll need to look up the lyrics to fully appreciate this one as some are a bit hard to understand but this is a funny song, about weird observations the singer has seen out on the streets. Sport Song seems to be written in the style of a marching band like M I C K E Y M O U S E, basically about us being great and you suck. This line is repeated a lot in the song. Listenable but not one I'd play much. Perhaps if you've grown up with American high school sports, bands and cheerleaders and can appreciate this as a parody of that experience you'd get more out of it. Lame Claim to Fame was nothing special, sounds very similar to a lot of Al's other non parody songs sung in the first person.\n\nFirst World Problems is basically a character whining about things going wrong which are obviously quite minor compared to stuff going on in the rest of the world (or even other social circumstances in America) they no doubt don't care about if their even aware of. Mission Statement, now this is odd Weird Al song being that it's not full of funny lyrics. It uses a lot of stupid corporate sentences used in their memos, posters, guidelines and other communications to staff. Pretty much just flowing them together for 4:28, which incidentally is the second longest timeframe for a song on Mandatory Fun. The music side of the song instantly conjures up images of Hippies and Kombi vans, festivals and the like. Perhaps if old enough to have experienced that, (as Al is) then you'll get more out of this song than me.\n\nOf course we also have the polka medley Now That's What I Call Polka. Like them or hate them, Al has captured most of the biggest songs on the airwaves between his last album and this one. I have no idea what the song about Grandpa's clothes is, and unless they are opening verses to Wrecking Ball I don't know what the songs before that song appears are at the start either, but other than those Al does a good job of summing up what's been playing on the radio. It could have been slightly longer though, We Are Never Getting Back Together would be the only other chart domination song that I expected to be a part of the medley that wasn't.","Product: Brisbane twins make their long awaited return with their 3rd studio album, featuring the #1 single 'You Ruin Me'\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Album From A Talented Duo We Haven't Heard From (Album Wise) For a Few Years\n\nReview: Oddly most bands or singers usually have their self-titled album as their first one, yet The Veronicas have done so around eight years after they made the big time with a couple of albums under their belts. Still I guess they haven't released an album in a while and this one is their comeback. This one's good value to with 14 tracks, a lot more than most artists put on their albums these days, so even though there's two songs on here I'm not a huge fan of and am unlikely to keep in my playlist, they've still got 12 that I will and that's as good as most albums I rate 5 stars. This album is less pop, darker themed and in a little bit country sounding on some tracks then their previous albums. Each song is reviewed in the order they are on the album.\n\nSanctified if you didn't know what you're into with the Veronicas, it's not going to become immediately clear with the opening track. As it starts you're immediately picturing line dancing, a gothic church, Southern America True Blood type towns, by the instrumental sound anyway. Then you've got the constant imitation of an owl lyric wise on top. It's a pretty cool song but not one I think will get much airplay due to the ambiguity of what music genre radio station it belongs on and certainly not when this album isn't fresh. But I liked it, I liked it a lot.\n\nDid You Miss Me I'm a Veronica, why, why do record companies insist on featuring rap sampling into mainstream music? For those who can remember the 80's this song does have a nice nostalgic feel to it with a swear word used heavily in that decade about someone's sexual relationship with their mother prominent in this one. This is a fast song, but could have done without the rapping.\n\nThe third track Cruel is simply brilliant. Easily my favourite of the album. I don't know if they plan on releasing this as a single but they should. It's a lot better than If You Love Someone that they did release. The singer character doesn't like being treated like a stranger and her Summer being turned into Winter. She dreams of cutting some girl's hair in her sleep. Yeah not exactly sure what's going on with this story lyric wise, a little twist of the knife, dreaming of being someone's wife and other words, possibly another girl married the guy she likes I don't know but music sound wise this one is excellent. Even though the lyrics may be dark it's an upbeat song.\n\nLine of Fire starts off with some 80's arcade sounds which continue throughout the song. The song is sung emphasising each word in the sentence, except for the chorus where the singer apologises for being a really bad liar and tells the person being sung to they just blow them away. Then the other Veronica starts singing about feeling like a hunter. Sound wise other than the arcade game music in the background this is like the sort of thing you'd here in a bar with those little circle tables being played by a band on stage. It's a pretty good song.\n\nTeenage Millionaire is a light song as you would expect from the title. It's not as you might have assumed about how the sisters became millionaires when they hit the big time with their massive number of album sales of Secret Life of the Veronicas back in 2006. This one is very much a pop song. About being in a relationship that makes the singer character feel like a teenage millionaire. Something like you'd expect to see redone on Glee if that was still going. Something you might well not rip and add to your playlist from this album.\n\nBorn Bob Dylan is my second favourite song on here. It starts off a slow guitar riff song. The singer character is being kept up all night by a dilemma of needing to open up to some guy and wishes he could just read her mind. She wishes she was born Bob Dylan so she could communicate her message better. The song gets faster when this wish comes into play. Sort of has a country music sound to this one, it's very catchy, I could see this making it as a single if they choose to release it as one.\n\nAlways, no this isn't a cover of Bon Jovi's biggest selling song. It's not even about stalking, I think, although it is about the aftermath of something that has happened. Has a heavy repeating drum beat and piano action throughout. About a house and a guy where she's telling him what she didn't say. I think she may have killed him or at least sent him to the hospital. Both girls sing the words always preceded by oh a oh a ohhhooooo in unison before they tell us I said Always. The other words are fastly sung. A very good song.\n\nMad Love synthesized sounds at the start. Fast song has rapping in it (again why?) mixed with a Southern gospel sounding voice with a drum sound emulating clapping like Southern American church choir singers do. The singer is telling some guy who she knew was trouble from the day she metcha, one look in your eyes she cannot forget ya, is telling someone they make them feel oooooh ooooohhh mad love mad love! Those verses are sung a lot faster than the rest of the song.\n\nYou Ruin Me, you would have to have been in a coma or on a deserted island or something like that not to have heard this one, it certainly gets played at least once an hour on the radio and every TV music clip show. This is a good song which has relaunched this duo, it's powerful lyric impact full of emotion about how some guy has not only not appreciated the female character but ruined her as well. In the film clip he's tied up in the boot of their car and, well he's probably not going to be alive much longer. This song will still be played on radio in decades to come, in may well become The Veronicas signature song when their music careers are long and over.\n\nMore Like Me is an apology to some guy. She wishes he was more like her and therefore he would have kissed her longer, scratch a heart a little deeper, hit a little harder). Possibly she's just killed this guy who didn't realise she was a bigger psychopath than him and he underestimated her as a victim. He tells him he should have screamed a little louder. A cool song, if you appreciate stories in the lyrics.\n\nIf You Love Someone, I actually wondered what other singles were going to be released after You Ruin Me and upon playing this realised this one actually has been around for a while. I just never realised it was by The Veronicas. A fast lyric wise pace with the words If You Love Someone sung impactly. It didn't interest me much before I knew it was by them, I've listened to it a fair few times now that I have this album and it has grown on me a little.\n\nCold another song with a lot of piano action. Chanting fast talking like the song Popular from the 90's by Nada Surf, where the singer's character is having a go at some guy. Has the f word in it but it is done tastefully. With a nice softer voice song about someone making her shiver and she's dying here and crying for the you she remembers. Possibly she's just been stabbed.\n\nLet Me Out a slow lyric based song. A bit of piano in the background. She's too scared to sleep in case she sees him in her dreams. She's making it easy for some guy to leave her. She sings she can't take the pain. Possibly she's been held captive in an underground bunker or something by an ex boyfriend or a stalker. This one has a nice haunted sound to it.\n\nYou and Me, bit of a Dixie Chicks sound to this one. About a couple growing up so far and a reflection on the past asking where did those days go? What would I do without you? It even mentions a UFO at one stage.","Product: VARIOUS ARTISTS - TROLLS (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK) (WITH ANIMATED COVER) - CD\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: What a Fun Album, I'll Definitely Check Out the Trolls Movie Now!\n\nReview: I haven't seen the movie, but checked this soundtrack out because it had a song on it by Ariana Grande. I wasn't just impressed by her song but all the songs on here. Like Dreamworks films of the past such as Shrek, Trolls' soundtrack has a few original songs and the rest are covers sung by the actors in the voices of their characters. Like the Shrek soundtrack, this one is a lot of fun too. Some of the Troll actors have a fairly lengthy record of chart success on their own or from singing in movies/TV shows, such as Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel and Anna Kendrick. I remember the Trolls fad from when I was a kid, although I never got into myself. I remember Mimi on the Drew Carey Show embraced the collecting concept. Wonder if they give the actress who played her a cameo in the film? The songs seem to capture the big hair of those figures, with hair being substituted for feet in the third song on the album's medley Move Your Feet. The fun of this album definitely makes me want to check out the movie when it comes out on DVD.\n\nTrack 1 Hair Up - Has trolls I guess going nahhh nahhhh nahhhh nahhhh to the tune of In the Hall From the Mountain. Gwen Stefani and Justin Timeberlake adding some film related lyrics to the classical song.\n\nTrack 2 Can't Stop the Feeling has two versions on the album, this one the version you've probably heard on the radio, and the one at track 10, which is the version used in the movie. It's a fun fast dance song.\n\nTrack 3 Not sure why they didn't call this track Move Your Hair / D.A.N.C.E / It's A Sunshine Day since they never sing the word feet as originally sung in Junior Seniors 2003 hit, one of the three songs covered in this medly. This one has a lot of encouraging characters from the film to dance, so have the actors especially Kendrick singing in their character voice. It's another fun fast dance number.\n\nTrack 4 Get Back Up Again is sung by Anna Kendrick who does the whole spoken singing style she did on songs in previous movies like Into the Woods. It's a motivation song about not giving up, but is very kid aimed due to the spoken obviously done in character song.\n\nTrack 5 Sound of Silence - Another Kendrick lead singer song (sounds like Kermit is the lead background singer, it will be a movie character obviously but that's what it sounds like), it only goes for 48 seconds. I found the whole \"hello\" interpution voice hilarious at 12 seconds the first time I heard this, since it singing about silence. It's a version of the old Simon & Garfunkel song.\n\nTrack 6 Hello - Again a shortened version (1:37) of a classic older song, this time Lionel Richie's 1983 ballad. Zooey Deschanel does a nice version here.\n\nTrack 7 I'm Coming Out/ Mo Money Mo Problems - Not a track that did much for me but if you liked The Notorious B.I.G.'s version or are into hip hop you might like this one more than me.\n\nTrack 8 They Don't Know - This is a fun song by Ariana Grande, she sings about the wind on her pony, which I'm guessing is a ponytail hair reference and not a flatulence issue with her horse, since the Trolls are all about hair after all. Like most of this album this is another motivational song about not letting others darken your day, dance like it's us against the world and that sort of thing. But it's a nice tune without some hip hop artist no ones ever heard of ruining a good song by wrapping a few lines in the middle as is usually the case with Ariana's songs.\n\nTrack 9 True Colors - There's two versions of this cover song on here. This one is more original instrument and voice performance wise, the latter the final album track sounds more like Cyndi Lauper's original ballad. Depends more what your looking for with a cover to which you'll download. Perhaps you'll do both. Justin Timberlake sings most of the lyrics, but it is a duet with Anna Kendrick who appears around the minute 40 mark. She sings in her own great natural singing voice as opposed to the character voice in other songs on here. Both artists do the iconic song great justice here.\n\nTrack 10 Can't Stop This Feeling - The in movie version of the song, different to track 2.\n\nTrack 11 September - Timberlake and Kendrick cover Earth Wind and Fire's song singing to each other, one sings one verse, the other the next. Earth Wind and Fire sing the chorus. Can't say this song did much for me, but maybe it will mean more once I've seen the movie and know the song in context.\n\nTrack 12 What You Workin' With - Gwen Stefani and Timberlake. I'm pretty sure this is an original song. Not one of my favourites on the album but again maybe it will grow on me when I see where it was used in the movie.\n\nTrack 13 True Colors - Closer to Lauper's original than the other version.","Product: The Circle is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. The Circle takes the band back to the rock roots after their prior Nashville country music influenced album Lost Highway. The Circle was inspired by the economic meltdown and political turmoil around the world. The Circle debuted at the number-one position on the U.S. Billboard 200. Continuing with its vinyl reissue campaign UMe will be pressing this album on vinyl (180 gram) for the first time.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: No Masterpieces on Here But a Better Album than We've Heard for a While!\n\nReview: The Circle is by no means anywhere in the league that the masterpiece 80s and first half of the 90s albums were. It is the best album Bon Jovi have brought out since the only good for a frisbee album crush started the run of very, very average albums. There's no big hits on here, there's nothing that'll even probably be played in years to come on the radio, the only song that may make the concert playlist is the first We Weren't Born to Follow which seems to be what it was written for. By the way if you have never been to a Bon Jovi concert, definitely do so, a better live act you won't come across. The rest on this album are pretty much just fillers but they are mostly quite pleasant to listen to fillers background music pretty much. Lyric wise a lot are questionable, the time taken to write those lyrics seems rushed, music wise, there's nothing special in any of them and a few sample riffs from old big hits, others just seem like remakes of what they've done before.\n\nWhen Were Beautiful - sound like it should be on a soundtrack playing in the background of a scene with a big open sky or something. It's all right but nothing to recommend the album.\n\nWork for the Working Man - Samples the intro guitar riff from Livin' on a Prayer and plays it over and again throughout the song rather than coming up with something original. I like that riff, but if I want to hear it I'll put on Slippery When Wet. It's not bad for a filler song on this album but it's obviously has no potential to be a single. A thing about Bon Jovi's great albums was every song had the potential to be a smash hit. As far as songs representing the working class man though, there's a lot better out there. The lyrics aren't really clear on what this song is supposed to be telling us either. Is the working man in trouble? Is he prosperous? \"Whose going to work the working man, hurt for the working man?\" Did the working man just win lotto? Become a rock star? Who knows. Guess it's hard to write a song about the working man when you've had millions of dollars and women throwing themselves at you your whole adult life, however they did do it well in the past, Dry County for example.\n\nSuperman Tonight - Sounds like the soundtrack songs that used to play during low budget 80s TV shows like The Henderson Kids. Lyrics ask whose going to save you from a bunch of scenarios and the character singing wishes he could be your superman tonight? Why can't he? Unless he's dead or a ghost or something, I don't see the problem.\n\nBullet - Sounds a bit like Hey God from These Days lyrics and intro musically wise. It even mentions God in the same context \"God are you listening\". Run out of ideas fellas? With lyrics like \"What is the distance between a bullet and a gun?\" it's no wonder their stealing from past work. I mean what is that, couldn't find a tape measure? Why would you need to know this anyway. Won't it change when either of these items is picked up?\n\nThorn in My Side - Lyrics to a very basic guitar riff. Bon Jovi sings a song to a thorn, yes a thorn, that is embedded in his side. He basically tells the thorn his life story (well not his own, but the character he is portraying). Apparently there is some danger that this thorn will take his pride, is stopping him from running, and pestering him in other ways. Just pull it out Jon! Get some tweezers if you can't get a grip with your hands. Singing to it is not going to solve anything!\n\nLive Before You Die - When this first started playing I thought it was just a remake of the song These Days. It's not, it's basically a bunch of different people throughout his life that tell him you've got live before you die. Would have thought that was pretty obvious, but maybe not! And what's this there's one thing he never forgets \"when you're young you always think, the sun is going to shine\". Wtf is this? Is this an environmental message that pollution will block out the sun in the years ahead? Who knows!\n\nBrokenpromiseland - A song with a basic guitar riff rotated over and over again. Bon Jovi tells us to imagine a vision of angels falling out of the sky. I think there's some sort of war waging on between good and evil. Either that or God has broken his promise to the worshipers and the character singing is breaking out of the church/cult or whatever. Lyric wise it is refreshing to see something completely new but musically it is another filler. Surprisingly Desmond Child co-wrote this one.\n\nLoves the Only Rule - Computer game sounding background sounds with a guitar playing. Basically this upbeat song is telling the listener the only rule is love. Everything else you've heard is wrong and you should do what do most would just call you crazy for doing Eg \"Fly like an aeroplane, dance in the pouring rain, spit in the eye of a hurricane\", the advice is limited to what rhymes with these lines. Probably one the best of these songs on The Circle.\n\nFast Cars - This must be some game Bon Jovi, Richie, Tico or David plays with their kids that somehow got recorded as a song. In it Bon Jovi pretends they (him and whoever he's singing to) are fast cars and role plays through the lyrics. If you're under ten, you'll love it! Maybe if you've also got kids you'll enjoy playing it and singing along with them. If not you'll probably just press skip.\n\nHappy Now- Asks what you would say to him if he told you he had a dream. Then tells you he wants to start a fight and throw rocks and starts demanding that you don't try to drag him down. Is he drunk or insane, either way you're leaving the house for while and maybe returning with the cops.\n\nLearn to Love - Lots of piano action in this one. Sings in a slurred drunken manner (probably the same character from the song before after a few more drinks) that you've got to learn to love the world you're in . Then recounts some suicidal experience where he held a gun in his hands. If you didn't change the locks after the last song you will after this.\n\nThere's no songs on The Circle that will be requested on the radio in decades or even years to come. Nothing but We Weren't Born to Follow are likely to make the playlists in future concert years, fans won't be holding out to hear any of these. saying all that though, most are quite good as background music even if the lyrics are a bit average. An album of what would be fillers on early career albums are actually quite listenable to. Well except for Fast Cars, unless your ten!","Product: The Second Single to Be Lifted from Avril Lavigne's Debut Album 'let Go'. Includes the Exclusive B-sides \"Get Over It\" and a Live Version of \"Nobody's Fool\".\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Not as good as Complicated but still good\n\nReview: I love the single sk8er boy even though I'm not into skating. It's a catchy song and if you don't take it exactly at the context it's about people from different social groups who don't get together due to outside pressures then regret it later.\nGet Over is pretty good, not her best song but still good.\nThe live song isn't that great but I mean how long has she performing live. It may be worth having this to look back in twenty years and here how she used to sound live. She already has exceptional songwriting and singing sounds for the studio I'm sure with a bit more performing she'll become a lot better live.\nI would recommend buying the Complicated single instead if looking for other Avril Lavigne songs that aren't on the album.","Product: Grab some popcorn and a libation, and take a trip down Bowling for Soup's television and movie music lane with Bowling for Soup Goes to the Movies! This new album features the BFS-penned '5 O'Clock World' (Drew Carey Show theme), 'Here We Go', (from Scooby Doo 2 Soundtrack), 'Baby One More Time', (Britney Spears cover), several unreleased tracks and covers, and more! Jive. 2005.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Nice Collection of Movie/TV Tracks and Cover Songs\n\nReview: This is a pretty fun album. It does have a lot more covers of songs by other artists than their other albums, but they still all sound different to the originals. Downloading music has the severe disadvantage that you don't get liner notes. Where I know I've included the movie/TV show the song is from, but some I'm not sure. Feel free to comment if you know.\n\nJimmy Neutron Theme is from the movie version of the TV show. That show was a bit after my childhood. It's not a bad song but I'm not really into it.\n\n(Ready or Not) Omaha, Nebraska can't say I'm a fan of this one. Repeats a lot of lyrics including doo doo dooo.\n\nGreatest Day (Not to be confused with the Phineas and Ferb theme song Today is Gonna Be a Great Day also by BFS which you'll find on that show's official soundtrack). This is a pretty slow song about a guy who is determined to have his greatest day sort of Ferris style. Apparently this appeared in a Malcolm in the Middle episode and a few movies.\n\nBaby One More Time - Of course made famous when sung by Britney Spears. Don't know what the BFS version was used in. BFS sounds different to Spears' one. More like a punk version. I love this version. Who knows what the song is about? Is it just about a game of Poker, domestic violence where the singer taunts their partner to hit them one more time. Anyway it goes well with 99 Biker Friends.\n\nHere We Go - from Scooby Doo 2. A bit too childish sound wise for my tastes.\n\nUndertow - A pretty good song, normal BFS sound style with a bit of a Beachboys style whoooooo in the chorus obviously referencing the ocean. About a guy not quite understanding his girlfriend who is like the perfect wave in shark infested waters. No idea what movie/TV show this was used in though.\n\nSpanish Harlem - About a rose that only comes out when the moon is on the run but it has never seen the sun. This song wasn't something I kept. I don't know what it's from.\n\nLive it Up is a song that uses the words been too long quite a bit, well too often it gets a bit annoying. Again I don't know what this was used for.\n\nStar Song - A very good message about being beautiful the way you are. Lacks the humour of Normal Chicks and other songs by BFS that have covered this topic. An okay song but those others sound better. Not sure what this is from but it sounds like a female teen driven movie song.\n\nI Melt With You - From the film Sky High. A bit of a soppy love song, originally sung in the early 80's by the band Modern English. It was back in the 80's a song about sex when nuclear bombs were falling. BFS version has some different lyrics making this actually less controversial (opposite you usually expect with BFS). The second line for example is now more \"being friends with you\", it was \"making love to you\".\n\n5 O'clock World - Not sure what this version was used in, but the original by The Vogues is obviously famous as the theme song to the Drew Carey Show. Perhaps that's simply the reason it's on this album. BFS version has more guitar and drums and lacks the get up and move to it feel of the Vogues. It's still good but of the two I prefer the Vogues version.\n\nGilligan's Island Theme - If you were after a song making fun of the show like \"Weird Al\" did with Isle Thing you might be disappointed. BFS don't change the lyrics at all. It keeps mostly the same tune to the original but mixes in kid show pirate maritime music as well. I like it but I do have a lot of TV theme shows on my Kindle.\n\nLil' Red Riding Hood, it's a cover of Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs hit from the 60's. It's actually one of my favourite BFS songs. You will have heard the chorus before (by BFS or one of the many bands who have covered it over the years). \"Hey there little red riding hood, you sure are looking good, you're everything that a big bad wolf could want\" (followed by a howl). Whenever the Amanda Seyfried movie is coming up on TV they always play it as part of the commercial. BFS version was in some movie called Cursed, have to admit I've never heard of that movie either. BFS do a great version where it's obvious they are having a lot of fun recording it.\n\nSometimes is a slower paced song about how a girl makes the singer feel, and how he thinks about her but he only thinks that sometimes. Probably the most similar song to their regular albums, it's a good song.\n\nSick of Myself has a rolling style chorus. About being sick of yourself when you look at someone else. Cover of a song originally sung by Matthew Sweet in the mid 90s. No idea what movie/TV show this was used for.\n\nSOHO - (found on the deluxe version of Goes to the Movies). You'll also find this song on Let's Do it For Johnny (Australian version anyway). About a girl but also New York. Possibly seeing a girl, liking her but never connecting. Sort of like James Blunt's You're Beautiful, topic wise but definitely not sound wise. Again not sure what movie this is from.\n\nMajor Denial (also found of deluxe version of Goes to Movies) You might have this if you bought the single 1985 as it was one of the bonus tracks. Basically a stalker song about a guy who likes a girl who has a boyfriend who clearly isn't interested, she kicks him in the nuts, breaks his nose and does other interesting stuff to him. He has even an encounter with her dog amongst other things. He just wants to get married to her in Las Vegas.","Product: Bowling For Soup's follow-up to their gold-certified A Hangover You Don't Deserve, the new album The Great Burrito Extortion Case has the hit new single \"High School Never Ends\" as well as the heart-wrenching ballad \"When We Die.\" This album mixes wit with pop culture references and has a slew of guest producers from Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, P!nk, etc.) and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) as well as guest writers Butch Walker, Adam Schlesinger, Stacy Jones (American Hi Fi), Zac Malloy, and Mitch Allen.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Couple of BFS's Biggest Songs Are on This One\n\nReview: Great Burrito Extortion Case contains a couple of Bowling for Soup's biggest and most well known songs. Other than their hit single 1985 (not on this album), the most famous song of BFS's career would be High School Never Ends and that's the second track on here. It's basically a song about how judgement of others doesn't stop once you graduate high school and includes a number of popular culture references (actors in this case, comparing them to school stereotypes). It's also a very catchy song and one that can bring a room of people alive.\n\nContinuing on with actor references is Val Kilmer, earlier album songs had names where the lyrics had nothing to do with the title, not this one, it's about Kilmer, well some of it. Basically the singer is someone who wants become a successful actor, and is telling everyone he's the guy that gets the girl, the band mid performance even critics Kilmer's performances what he was good in and well Batman.\n\nBefore those two songs though the first track Epiphany is about a broken hearted guy who thinks he may have song in him that he thinks would be labelled by society as an epiphany. To me this song is nothing special just another ballad, that you'll find a similar sound on other BFS albums.\n\nThe fourth track I'm Gay isn't the band coming out of the closet, it is making fun of society's turning of a word known for being happy into a negative label for sexuality and wants everyone to shout they are happy with the words I'm Gay. They describe this song in its intro as being all personality. They would later use the starting guitar rif as the main one in their Merry Flippin' Christmas song on their second Christmas album.\n\nWhy Don't I Miss You is a slower paced ballad, asking why the singer character doesn't miss his ex.\n\nA Friendly Goodbye starts of with the words Freeze Frame. About a guy loving someone who has left him and apologising for his actions but then getting mad and telling her f u.\n\nLuckiest Loser has a nice simple guitar rif, with lyrics about being best friends as children with someone who is now dating the singer character's ex girlfriend, and the singer knows he is the luckiest loser due to the girl's characteristics.\n\nLove Sick Stomach Ache sound wise sort of reminds me of The Archie's song Sugar Sugar, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland and other songs from that era. Not one of my favourite BFS songs but if you're in the mood for it, is worth playing every now and then. Lyric wise it's basically another coping with a break up song.\n\nMuch More Beautiful Person is a nice fast paced song. Basically telling a couple of people who are struggling with life that they are a much more beautiful person than they'll ever know. Tommy and Jeanie are the characters, possibly a reference to the characters Tommy and Gina in Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer which they have referenced more directly in other songs.\n\nFriends Like You starts of with a crowd chant of the song's name which comes back throughout the song. Basically about a guy who isn't really much of friend, setting the singer character up with a girl from his work who used to be a guy, left the window open and the cat is gone, left incense burning and burnt down his house, didn't return his stuff and seems to maybe be dating his girlfriend.\n\nWhen We Die - Is a ballad of regret about not getting time back when you die, although he knows he will be fine, the singer wants the other person (doesn't mention if it is girlfriend or friend) to come over to fix whatever the problem is.\n\n99 Biker Friends is another career highlight BFS song and one of their most famous. It deals with the seldom tackled in music topic of domestic violence. Basically the singer character has 99 Biker friends who are going to give a cowardly girlfriend beater who beat up a female friend at taste of his own medicine. Even though it is about a serious subject, sound wise it's very upbeat and fun. Has a few cultural references of 80's action stars as well.\n\nDon't Let it Be Love - The singer character doesn't want to fall head over heals again for an ex. Don't let it be love, love, love and other lyrics such as time heals everything and don't don't don't are repeated in threes at times throughout the song.\n\nIf You Come Back to Me/Outro This track goes for over 20 minutes. The first part is actually one of BFS better songs, a slow sad song about being alone and okay but not wanting to answer the phone when he knows his ex (or maybe friend) is calling. Has a few cultural mentions relating to magic such as Harry Potter, David Copperfield, Shaquille O'Neill and so on, asking each where's the magic? Unfortunately though for some reason this song has a number of minutes of silence following the wrap up of the first part (song if you will) at the 5 minute thirty forty seven second mark. Then at around the 7 minute 50 second point the band start singing la la la la la for the rest of the track, occasionally talking snippets to each other in the background over the top of those las. I really wish they had made the silence and beyond parts a bonus or hidden separate tack instead of combining it with the song so you could leave it off a playlist.","Product: 2011 re-release with bonus disc featuring the demos of all musics from Charm School plus two remixes of She's Got Nothing on (But the Radio) and one of Speak to Me (the Bass flow Remix). EMI. 2011.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Demos Don't Contain Marie's Voice\n\nReview: This version of Roxette's 2011 album Charmed school contains the original album on one disc and on the second are the 15 tracks, 12 album songs in the same order plus remix (European nightclub techno sounding) versions of Speak to Me and She's Got Nothing on But the Radio (2 different remix versions). None of the Demos have Marie's voice on them, not sure if the demos were recorded for the studios to invest in the new album or was recorded for Marie to encourage her to tackle the hardships of recording an album while recovering from the aftermath of brain tumour surgery and cancer treatment. Whatever the purpose of the demo, in raw form with just Per's voice, and missing a lot of the instrument and computer sounds that make the finished album, they are really not something you're going to listen to much more than once. So you're probably really only going to be wanting to pay the extra money for this version if you're a musician yourself and can appreciate the differences between the raw and finished songs or are a huge Roxette fan who just has to own everything they've ever done. Charm School is mostly a dark mood sounding album in it's finished form, in demo form these songs are even more depressing which if that is the intention of the songs may well be what the listener is after but it just doesn't do anything for me. Apart from the album on its own, you can also get Charm School in a release which comes with a bonus live CD, have to admit if I'd known that at the time that's the one I would have gone with.\n\nThe album Charm School (first disc) isn't Roxette's best effort either. There's really no songs on here that I can see making much of an impact on the charts and so far as at Feb 2012 they haven't. However Roxette's on a world tour at the moment so this sometimes gives a new album single or two some momentum so that's yet to be seen. What I love about Roxette's previous albums and especially the Look Sharpe, Joy Ride era, is that they are really upbeat. There's a lot of songs that such as The Look, Joyride, How Do You Do, that aren't about anything serious (Per refers to them as bubblegum songs in those album's cover inserts information) but are just catchy little numbers, I guess celebrating the fact Summer has returned to Sweden. This album doesn't have any of those bright summery songs. The closest you've got to bubblegum songs are the initial track Way Out and She's Got Noting On (But the Radio). But even these aren't as light or as fun sounding as the Roxette songs of the past. This is understandable, dealing with your own or in the case of Per Gessel who writes the songs, your close colleague's battles with cancer you're not going to be feeling anything but down a lot of the time and this would reflect in the sounds your making with your instruments and lyrics you put down on paper. I imagine the last song Sitting on Top of the World is about being happy due not being taken by cancer and being happy on the outside even if you don't feel great on the inside, at least at a subconscious level. Plus chuck in the factor that both Marie and Per are entering their mid 50's so they've probably got their own children becoming at least late teens or even adults and this would again make you write different music than you did when you were in your twenties and thirties since stuff you get up to in your daily lives is very different. The cover insert does come with all the lyrics and a heap of photographs although the artwork and photos don't do anything to lift the depressive feel of the songs. Like the music the insert isn't like the bright inserts of past albums.\n\nAfter I play this I sort of need to put on an earlier Roxette album to lift the depressing feeling of Charm School. I'd recommend trying to get a hold of Charmed School somewhere before buying it so you can listen and see if you like it before buying the basic let alone higher priced bonus CD versions. Admittedly I didn't like it at all when I bought it a few months ago but I decided to give it another go a few days ago and some of the songs are growing on me a little, but the point is Roxette songs don't normally need to grow on you.","Product: UK holiday collection from the zany Alt-Rockers. A combination of old covers, newly recorded original songs and past released Christmas ditties, this is the first time these delightfully festive tunes are contained in one package. 2011.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Some Great Christmas Songs Done BFS Style\n\nReview: This is two Bowling For Soup Christmas albums, most of the songs come from the first album. You can find them separately or together as Amazon is selling them here.\n\nVolume 1 has the most songs on it and is mostly covers of older songs.\n\nThe first track Father Christmas was originally done by the Kinks. About a guy who plays Father Christmas and is mugged by kids, then the song switches to through the eyes of one on the kids who mugged him. A lot of guitar and prominent drum beat reminiscent of earlier BFS career album songs.\n\nSanta Looked a Lot Like Daddy originally by Buck Owens. About a kid who is supposed to be asleep, sneaks out and sees Santa who is not what he pictured him being like. Fast guitar riff behind the lyrics, not a bad song.\n\nAll I Want for Christmas is You - Originally more of a ballad, before Bowling for Soup got a hold of it, not sure if it was originally hers but most famous as being sung by Mariah Carey. Again lots of fast guitar riffs in the background.\n\nFeliz Navidad sounds the closest to the way the original does of all the songs on here. Originally by José Feliciano This version has got some little kids chanting the line a fair few times at the start that I could have done without but other than that it's pretty good. Again fast guitars in background more than the original version.\n\nFrosty the Snowman would be my favourite track on here. Again more guitar riffs than the original 1950 version, a lot of fun.\n\nI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is a remake of the 1952 Jimmy Boyd song with the same lyrics, but this time round starts off with a nice guitar riff that reappears throughout the rest of the song.\n\nBobby Wants a Puppy Dog For Christmas is a pretty average track to be nice. I thought BFS may have added some fun lyrics to this one but it remains as slow as the original about a kid with no friends so the parents want Santa to bring him a dog to keep him company.\n\nMerry Christmas I Don't Want to Fight Tonight is a cover of the Ramones song. The song is recorded like it is being sung live and the lyrics done with staggered words like the original artist. Not a bad song.\n\nWe're a Couple of Misfits rounds out the original volume one album. It was a song from a 1964 puppet movie called Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.\n\nVolume 2\nStarts of with Merry Frickin Christmas (Happy Freakin' New Year) and is both a song and intro to the second album with BFS telling us about this being their second Christmas album. It's actually quite a fun song on it's own.\n\nEven Santa Needs a Break Sometimes is an original song about what Santa does after Christmas and the other seasons. It's introduced by some kids (likely the bands') asking that question who reappear throughout the song and again at the end.\n\nI Miss You Most on Christmas is another original and is a ballad about the different times of years the singer character misses his ex.\n\nCorner Store on Christmas Day is a long song (over six minutes) done along the same sort of theme as 12 Days of Christmas. Doesn't sound anything like that song though. It has a nice chorus \"I hit the corner store on Christmas Day, and as my friend Gary Wiseman used to always say, If it's Convinience You Want Then You're Gonna Have to Pay\". It's just a little repetitive like 12 Days does it repeats everything the singer buys from the store with each additional purchase. I think you'll find it hard not to skip to the end with this one most times you play it. Does have a funny punch line at the end.\n\nWe Wish You a Merry Christmas closes the album. Pretty faithful to the original but includes beer and not going until they get some. Bit more of a guitar riff at the end than the original too.","Product: Original soundtrack recording from the feature film KICK ASS. Features the exclusive track from MIKA & REDONE as well as many more great tunes from the movie!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Soundtrack That Kicks Ass Just Like the Movie Did!\n\nReview: Have no idea why I didn't get this album after I watched the movie for the first time years ago, but upon re-watching it the other day, I just had to track down the soundtrack. I love how with most of the tracks they've included a bonus soundbite from the film, this instantly makes you recall the scene and sets up the mood for the song which follows. My only criticism when this is done on soundtracks is, that it is better when it is done as a short track for the soundbite and separate song that follows without any seconds gap so you can listen without the intros if you're in the mood for that. However that style does have its downside of if you aren't listening to it on the CD in order and ripped it into a playlist on your Kindlefire or whatever, and your playlist is on random then the soundbites and songs obviously play at random different times. So I can understand why they might choose to place them together. I would have loved if they'd used soundbites on all 14 songs, and even thrown in a few random between song ones but they didn't. A soundbite from Red Mist would have been fun for one.\n\nThe opening track, Stand Up by the Prodigy is instantly recognisable, it's a simple song in a repeated loop, to be honest the loop could have been a minute or more shorter but it takes you instantly back to the film in your mind. Kick Ass by Mika vs Redone is a lot of fun. I've always loved the song Bad Reputation (the theme song to Freaks and Geeks), it's been constantly covered by various artists in various soundtracks, Shrek for one, simply because it's a great song about a strong female character and The Hit Girls is a different but cool version which suits our 11 year old heroine in Kick Ass.\n\nI'd never heard of the band The Pretty Reckless, but I love the song Make Me Wanna Die which is introduced by Hit Girl telling her father she'd like a fluffy puppy and Bratz doll for her birthday and then telling him she's only joking and wants a particular butterfly knife. Banana Splits is a fun fast paced British punk sounding song, introduced by Hit Girl sarcastically explaining to Kick-Ass how to get in contact with herself and her father. Can't Go Back by Primal Scream also has a classic soundbite of the guy in the chair about to have his finger cut off because he said his team was beat up by a guy in a mask with a cape and the thugs surrounding him keep saying he said it was Batman. The other songs are pretty good too, the album ends with an Elvis song and Hit Girl telling us that the show's over.","Product: VARIOUS ARTISTS (SOUNDTRACK) - KICK-ASS 2 [ADVISORY] - CD\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: No Soundbites to Introduce These Songs\n\nReview: Unlike the first Kick Ass film's soundtrack, Kick Ass 2 doesn't include any movie soundbites at the start or end of any of the tracks. This was a disappointment for me, but reading some of the reviews of the first album, this may actually be a positive for some. But for me the disadvantage of not having the soundbites means you don't instantly memory wise connect the song to the part of the movie it is from so don't picture the scene it accompanied in your head.\n\nI'll point out that you can also buy the musical score as an album <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/here/dp/B00DJSUOT2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">here</a> but on this various artists album, a lot of the songs don't have any lyrics either. Yeah Yeah by James Flannigan, sort of replaces the Prodigy's song Stand Up from the first album. Korobeniki by Ozma, Bust Out Brigade by The Go! Team are a couple more examples of lyricless songs. They're still good but just don't have lyrics. Most of your lyric ones on this sequel album have British accents, which is kind of weird, I mean know the movie was filmed in London but it was set in New York. Jessie J would be the most well known artist of those with Hero. When the Saints Go Marching in by St. Snot is more of a ra ra ra chant and another no lyrics really song. A lot faster music wise than the traditional version of the song.\n\nDance is sort of a nursery rhyme story telling type fun song lyric wise with fast action sort of music underneath it. The biggest songs would be Moterhquake by DJ Fresh vs Diplo feat. Dominique Young Unique, as well as Carry You by Union J which has probably had the most radio airplay over the years since this album came out.","Product: Disney / Pixar Toy Story 3 Hot Wheels Die Cast Vehicle Turbo Chunk\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Hard to Find, and Such a Let Down When You Do\n\nReview: Turbo Chunk is the hardest to find of the 8 Hot Wheels Toy Story 3 character cars and therefore due to supply and demand the most expensive to obtain from online auctions and sellers. I'm guessing there's only one or two of these in a shipment box sent to stores with obviously the majority being for the more popular characters Wheelin' Woody, Rex Rider and Blastin Buzz. When you see the Turbo Chunk vehicle in the flesh (well metal) you can sort of understand why Mattel didn't have confidence to take the gamble of producing a lot of these things and hoping people would buy them. It's pretty much just a light orange semi truck without a trailer.\n\nThe only thing that links it at all to the toy character in the movie, besides the colour I guess, is the stalagmite type bumps on the roof of the cab. That's it nothing else. They could have at the very least put the stomach face thing from the character on the front grill of the truck. All that's there is a shiny reflective rectangle that's the same material they put in the windshield and side windows and what they made the engine out of. His arms with the distinctive hands could have extended backwards behind the cab maybe palms open where the rear wheel is. Really there's a lot of things that could have happened in the design faze. It's almost like they had decided and designed the other seven vehicles and then someone said, well you know we really should have eight vehicles and with no time left to design anything someone just grabbed a truck, said \"Let's just paint it orange and put some triangles on the roof and pass it off as this character\".\n\nWith nothing really identifying this vehicle as the character you've pretty much got to leave it in the packaging so people know what it is. The packaging isn't designed to be able to be opened without being destroyed, which is another negative for this item. Unless you absolutely have to collect every car in the series, I'd give this one a miss, especially if you can't get it for more than a few dollars.","Product: A Team Hot Wheels 2011 New Models 39/50 1:64 Die-Cast Van 39/244 copyright 2010 Mattel.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good to See the A-Team Join the List of Mass Produced TV/Movie Themed Hot Wheels Vehicles\n\nReview: This is a nice tribute to the van used in the 1983-87 TV show the A-Team. I say tribute because that's all it really is. Being all black it's the wrong colour, the one on the show was dark grey above the red stripe, not all black. And it was a different type of van to the van Hot Wheels is using, I'm guessing Hot Wheels just repainted a casting they already had used over the years rather than go to the expense of creating a new one. The van in the show was more square than this longer wheel based rectangular Hot Wheels casting. But this does sort of look like the van and remembering it only really costs a dollar or two when released in physical retail stores, it is well worth that price. However if you're reading this review in the years ahead and the price has gone up the fact it doesn't exactly resemble B.A. Baracus' van may well be a factor in if you'd pay much more than a few dollars for it. It's important if you're in that situation to remember that Mattel isn't the first company to make this van as a 1/64 sized die-cast vehicle. Ertl have done it a few times, some under the Racing Champions brand. They've got versions that are all black like this one, but also ones with the grey top half. They've got red hub capped ones (as well as ones that don't have red hubcaps) of both coloured versions and the casting they've used is a bit more square than this one Mattel used. All the ERTL vans do look better than this Hot Wheels one, but they are a bit more expensive to obtain these days compared to this mass produced one.\n\nIt's great to see in recent times Mattel releasing TV die-cast vehicles under the Hot Wheels brand even if they aren't making them entirely accurate to keep the costs down so they can appear in that mass produced range. We've seen <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Magnum-PI-s-Ferrari-308-GTS/dp/B004BIOR1K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Magnum PI's Ferrari 308 GTS</a> (unofficial which is why I've put in the link), the Delorian from Back to the Future and a few others in the 2011 range. Like happened with the Ghostbusters' 2010 released Ecto 1A it is likely this van could be re-released with a better paint job where the spot lights on the bullbar and headlights are white, as well as the roof lights orange and white. The sunroof, windshield and door windows could be redone with black plastic to better resemble the tinted windows of the one on the show, than the cheaper blue plastic used on this one does. However they will likely be rarer, probably released as some event like Comic Con and a lot more expensive.\n\nStill if The A-Team was just a show you watched as a kid when it first came out or well into its re-runs like when I was, and you don't need the van to be a perfect replica, this cheap mass produced version may well satisfy you.\n\nMid 2013 update - Hot Wheels have now re-released the A-Team van as part of a premium price promotional range called Retro, which included a few other movie/TV cars in that range. That one does have the better paintjob (grey top half above the red stripe), rubber tyres and better red hubcaps as well as general detailing in paint job such as the headlights, break lights, it also has a black plastic used for windshield, windows etc rather than the blue with this one. The <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/retro-range/dp/B00BF66IAO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">retro range</a> vehicle isn't found in as many stores or even a lot of countries that this mass produced Hot Wheels one was back in 2011, and this mass produced budget one was released in much, much, larger quantities. Meaning the price gap will likely widen over the years. The retro van also cost around 5 times the price off the rack in stores. Depending on the difference in price I'd probably go with the retro one though if you're a new collector. Maybe get a mass produced one to open and play with and keep the retro in the packaging for display.","Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars Luke Skywalker character car combines the essence of the Rebel Alliance hero in his X-Wing gear with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send your Luke Skywalker car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars vehicles to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Nice Luke in Pilot Attire as a Race Car\n\nReview: This is a pretty nice vehicle/Star Wars character merge. At 1/64 scale these cars display nicely amongst your standard mass produced vehicles. The colours (white and orange) nicely remind you of Luke as a pilot in the original film who of course destroyed the Death Star. Back when he still wanted to sleep with his sister. There's plenty of companies who have produced the actual X Wing fighter he flew, but I always like coming across these fun out of the ordinary vehicles too. The windshield nicely resembles his helmet visor, there's even scuff marks on the white to I guess resemble the black spaceship exhaust stains on the X Wing. It's not that prominent but on the side of the car under the door the vehicle has a full beamed blue light saber. I find that a nice touch.","Product: 2012 saw the release of 247 cars, hitting the line with lots of power was the Muscle Mania Series which includes the '70 Road Runner, '70 Ford Mach 1 and hard to find Super Treasure Hunt '66 Ford 427 Fairlane. 2012 also released store exclusives including Red Line '67 Pontiac Firebird 400 from Walmart, '69 Camaro from Toys R Us and the from '68 Mercury Cougar Kmart. For those who want to win on the track, The Faster Than Ever series features special wheels on the Aston Martin DBS, Infiniti G37, Datsun Bluebird 510 and more race cars. There are 50 New Models, 10 series of 10 cars, 15 Treasure Hunts, 15 Track Stars, 45 Thrill Racers and 22 Code Cars, totaling 247 cars. Hot Wheels 2012 New Models Chase 2011 Indycar Oval Course Race Dan Wheldon DW-1 Real Riders\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Cool Looking Green Pig Standard Hot Wheels Size Car\n\nReview: Minion is part of Hot Wheels 2012 mass produced line of budget 1/64 scale cars which sell for one or two dollars in supermarket, toy and department stores. Obviously there is no actual size green pig car out there that this is 1/64th the size of, but if you collect other Matchbox, Hot Wheel, Johnny Lightning and other brands, this is the same height as those. It is the same size as the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/red-Angry-Bird/dp/B009JKU3T0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">red Angry Bird</a> vehicle. For some reason Mattel released this inside a blister that is for a car with a long bonnet (hood) instead of making one specifically for it. So if looking at pictures online it does give the illusion that it is smaller, but when you see this thing you'll see it is the standard Hot Wheels car size. Both Angry Bird vehicles are shorter in length than some other vehicles, but I've got plenty of other 1/64 sized cars that are no longer than this. In fact with the ears this is actually one of my taller vehicles, and I've got over 100 Hot Wheels cars. I'm not 100% sure how accurate this thing looks to the character in the computer game as I've never played it, but it does resemble other merchandise of this pig character in the toy stores. I just bought it because it looks interesting, I collect non-conventional car looking creature, artwork and other odd 1/64 sized vehicles. I've also got <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Hamm-on-Wheels/dp/B003OUVSO0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Hamm on Wheels</a> a Hot Wheels car based on the moneybox from Toy Story and this looks a lot more like a pig than that car does. These are the only two pig themed die-cast vehicles that I know of.\n\nMinion is basically a green pig's head on wheels. Unlike the red bird character this one also has a visible engine, in the spot where a ute's tray would be if this was a real car. The black wheel guards over the tyres sot of resemble legs if you use your imagination. Note that it comes on a few different blister cards, some say HW imagination down the right in a green rectangle and others say Angry Birds Minion Pig down the right in a yellow rectangle. Both versions have a nice illustration of the vehicle on the blister card and have the same vehicle inside. It is a pretty popular car so you might be best to grab whichever blister card version is there when you see one in a store.","Product: OFFICIALLY LICENSED BASED ON THE FAMOUS 2013 MOVIE CARRIE A reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White, a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. This figure assortment includes Carrie as she unleashes her rage, covered in blood from head to toe, it's a frightening sight to behold!. Figures stand approx 6.5 tall. - 6.5\" Inches Tall - Highly detailed - NECA Guarantee\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Disappointing, Nowhere Near as Good at the Prototype Used to Promote This Figure's Release\n\nReview: I was so eagerly looking forward to this figure when Neca announced it on their Facebook page, and the prototype pictures looked so good. However the mass produced result is a big letdown. Be aware the version you get is not the same as the out of packaging photo that is often displayed (and is at the moment here on Amazon), on online auction and other websites. That was from Neca's upcoming releases website, you might also see the loose figure in front of the bottom of a Jason hockeymask picture, that was from an upcoming releases toy fair and is the prototype, not this figure. The one you get in the packaging does not have anywhere near as good a paintjob with the blood, as the prototype (out of packet one often being shown by dishonest sellers). With the prototype the blood has been hand painted onto the figure when it has been assembled, with the one you get in the blister pack obviously the blood was applied on the skirt half and top half separately, probably by a machine before joining them. Yes they are supposed to be the one dress, not a skirt and top but with the poor paint job you can clearly see the join and that's what it looks like. The skirt half has thicker different shades of red blood stripes whereas the top has thinner darker red all of the same shade. The prototype figure the blood all looks the same, and like it has flowed down Carrie's body after coming out of the bucket (I haven't seen the new movie version yet and assume this is what happens). The hair, face, especially the eyes also looks way better on the prototype and if you were after a resemblance to the actress Chole Grace Moretz, the prototype was a much better likeness.\n\nYou can see the joins of the arms onto Carrie's body. Why they didn't do it as one mould, since the figure has no articulation is anyone's guess. Why not allow articulation, Neca figures usually let you move the limbs, wrists, waist, and other parts, but this is more like a plastic statue. Everything is plastic by the way the hair and dress as well. Other figures have material for clothing and some sort of hair like substance, why not do so with Carrie?\n\nThe packaging is actually quite tall compared to your usual 7\" figure packaging which are usually more square such as with Slimer, various Gremlins and other movie staple horror characters you'll probably also collect if you get into the hobby. It's approx. 32cm (12 1/2\" tall if your into measurements, compared to the 21cm Neca blister pack norm. Being that the figure can't be posed or anything, the odds you'll end up keeping Carrie in the packaging are a lot higher. The white word logo CARRIE in capital letters with bits of blood on the letters C, R and I is prominent before the blister bubble juts out below it. There's flames on the cardboard behind the figure, as well as in the smaller bit of cardboard at the bottom in front which again has the word logo, but in a smaller size along with the chocking hazard, small parts not suitable for children under 3 years standard black rectangle white text/logo warning. Also the words Ages 17 and Up are in white text on that small bit of cardboard. The back has a photo of the prototype behind the clean non blood version figure which was also released at the same time as this, as well as a bit of text about the plot of the movie, and logos for Neca, Reel Toys, and MGM.\n\nAlso very disappointingly this figure comes with no accessories, the bucket with the pigs blood would be the most obvious omission, but a few accessories would be good as there's plenty of space to display them in the blister pack.\n\nA great idea for a figure, even though it's very disappointing when compared to the prototype, it's such a classic bit of horror culture (the first Stephen King book ever to be published after a heap of rejections) that you'll still want to own. You can't help but look at it though and wish Neca hadn't cut corners when they brought it to the marketplace.","Product: Hot Wheels Knight Rider K.A.R.R. 1:64 Die-Cast copyright 2012 Mattel.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good to See to See Something to Take on K.I.T.T. Finally Appearing on the Die-Cast Vehicle Streets\n\nReview: There's been plenty of versions of K.I.T.T. released by various toy manufacturers over the years in 1/64 scale but this is the first time to my knowledge K.A.A.R has hit the pegs. It's a pretty good likeness to its reborn self in the 1984 episode after it was brought back to the series by fan demand and mysteriously didn't meet its end when it drove off a cliff two years earlier and forced a young couple who found him to give him a car version of cosmetic surgery. Sure it still has the red laser thing in the dash from the first season, and admittedly I also would have preferred the amber coloured scanner, but who's to say when in the episode of its comeback the car is from. I don't remember that episode in great detail anymore but maybe the paintjob changed before the new amber scanner was installed. If it really bothers you, you can always go down the local toyshop and buy the correct colour model paint jar and fix it. Still I think it's great to see a car to display alongside or driving headfirst into each other with K.I.T.T. <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/K-I-T-T/dp/B00AQL6D7C/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">K.I.T.T.</a> was released in 2012 the year before K.A.R.R in the Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Collection with the same blister card if you wanted a version with the same packaging as this one to display together.\n\nThe Retro series packaging is slightly bigger than your mass produced Hot Wheels range but the cars all the same size (1/64 scale). It is better in that it can be displayed sitting flat on shelf and doesn't tilt forward at a severe angle like your mass produced ones do if you aren't leaning them against a wall or something. Disappointingly unlike a lot of other die-cast car manufacturer's premium priced vehicles (these are about 5 times the price of your budget Hot Wheels line on the pegs in physical stores) you cannot see the car through the back of the pack and the cardboard is not covered in plastic meaning it is more susceptible to getting bent or if it gets wet is not protected. For the price of these I would have really have liked to see the better blister pack technology used.","Product: The masked villain from Wes Craven's horror movie series Scream has been given the Pop! Vinyl treatment with this Scream Ghostface Pop! Vinyl Figure! The masked villain looks true to form with his eerie mask and the bloodied knife in his hand. When you see just how cool the 3 3/4-inch tall Scream Ghostface Pop! Vinyl Figure looks you'll want to collect the rest in the horror movie line from Funko! .\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Now Sid, Don't You Blame the Movies. Movies Don't Create Psychos. Movies Make Psychos more Creative!\n\nReview: Ghostface from Scream incorporates both the Funko look in the face and head, and is instantly recognisable as the character from the movies. He stands on any flat surface no problems at all, in fact you bump him a lot more than most Funkos and he'll remain standing. You can't remove his hunting knife from his right hand or move either of his arm to different poses but this is how Funkos are. You can however Exorcist style with this one rotate his head 180 degrees to display him a bit differently with other figures, including looking like he's using the knife as a microphone. His head is actually a bit spongier feeling than other Funko figures, you can sort of squeeze it a bit. He's quite durable the only bits of him that may damage easily are the bits of plastic hanging off his arms which could snap off.\n\nThe packaging is designed so you can open it, slide out the clear blister thing inside and remove Ghostface, then if you decide to display him in the box later, you can put him back. There is no tape of anything on the box so you don't damage it at all. I wish other figure companies would do this. The only downside to this sort of packaging though is that you have no idea if it ever has been opened before you buy and own it. The back of the box has a nice picture of the Scream movie poster/DVD image of the woman with the hand over her mouth stifling a scream you would imagine. You can view the figure from the front and one side while it is in the box too.","Product: The scariest doll in horror movie history has been given the Pop! Vinyl treatment with this Child's Play Chucky Pop! Vinyl Figure! The Lakeshore Strangler looks true to form wearing his blue overalls and carrying a bloodied knife. When you see just how cool the 3 3/4-inch tall Child's Play Chucky Pop! Vinyl Figure looks you'll want to collect the rest in the horror movie line from Funko!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Wanna Play? You'll Be Friends to the End!\n\nReview: I've collected quite a few of these Funko figures now, and I have to say Chucky is one of the best of them. Note you can also get a blood splattered version, although less of those were made so therefore it's more expensive to obtain online. But this clean mass produced version still looks pretty cool. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls, it obviously doesn't look exactly the same as the character in the movie. They're not supposed to. Do a search for Neca or Movie Maniacs figures if you want a more accurate looking figure. Funko Pops are I guess cuter versions, I would even say a more child like appearance of the character. Chucky was a doll so obviously was never a child but you know what I mean.\n\nChucky comes holding a large kitchen knife, it is clean (at the time of this review the product description incorrectly states it is bloody). Chucky hasn't killed anyone with it yet. It is permanently attached (well part of the mould). You can move chucky's head to different angle, but other than a posable head you can't move his limbs or any other parts of the figure. Again you might want to check out Neca or Movie Maniacs if that's what you want to do. Chucky is very light but pretty durable.\n\nThere's a lot of detail in this too, the words Good Guys on his overalls pocket, there's a lot of different coloured stripes on his shirt. The packaging is also pretty nicely done. One he displays well inside the box if you prefer to display him that way. The boxes of various Funko figures also stack well on top of each other. But you can also take him out of the box without ruining the box, you simply open up the top, slide out a clam like blister and remove the figure. It easily goes back in again. I really like this idea and I own many other brands of figures where you either keep them still in the packaging and never take them out, or if you do you're stuck with that choice. The downside to that though is you have no idea if the thing has ever been opened in the shop or by of before an online seller has got hold of it. So you've got to take the words never been opened with a pretty big grain of salt if wherever you're buying it is claiming that. Since Funko figures sometimes have blemishes, it's probably not a bad idea to ask the online seller to take it out and photograph it anyway.","Product: Mater as Darth Vader.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I Don't Even Like the Movie Cars, and I Bought This, it Looks That Good, Not Very Durable Though if Thinking to Give to a Child\n\nReview: This is a pretty cool looking vehicle that captures both the essence of Darth Vader and the character Mater from the Cars movie. I didn't even like the movie Cars and I still bought this as it looks seriously cool. It's a fair bit bigger than your usual die-cast car which are 1/64 scale. It's taller and longer than those, still fits in your hand but if you have purpose built shelves for die-cast vehicles, you're going to need to find somewhere else to display this one. The only part of this that is metal is the bit around the engine and side panels above the wheels. The wheels themselves aren't the best either, they are very cheap and thin. The helmet (or truck cabin) is plastic, as is the cape on the back, the rear tray, the crane thing and the ropes. The red light saber on the right side is also plastic and pretty bendy. It's really more of a display piece, I don't it would last long with rough play.","Product: 2014 Hot Wheels\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Nice UFO car, If You Want it as a Jetson's TV Show Replica You Might Want to Wait for the One Without Wheels in 2014\n\nReview: This a nice little UFO, or futuristic car in it's own right. Hot Wheels or any die-cast brand for that matter haven't brought out too many UFOs, spaceships or cars from the future, especially in their mass produced budget line, so I welcome this addition. Even if you're too young to know what the Jetsons cartoon is, or simply aren't a fan of that TV show, I'd recommend keeping an eye out on the pegs in the stores for this one, or even paying a bit more for one online if you're reading this in 2014 or later when these aren't on the racks anymore. It seriously is a nice little car. For a dollar or two if you find one in stores, there's nothing at all to complain about.\n\nFans of the Jetsons who are put off by the wheels may simply want to wait for next year, a 2014 version will be released in the Retro Entertainment range on a little stand, which of course more accurately portrays the one in the cartoon, although the one in the cartoon didn't sit on a stand either. But for kids who like to roll their cars around and play with them, the 2013 released one with wheels is probably better (note you can get a version where the front of the blister card has new for 2014 on it, not sure what country that's from but it clearly says 2013 on the back of the regular blister packet and the car itself), and the wheels are clear so are sort of giving the impression if you're playing with it that they're not there anyway. If you're a keeper in packaging collector, this one has a nice bit of artwork of the Jetson family in the car, although we could have done without the four motorbike riders in helmets above them, Mattel could have at least made them look futuristic.\n\nI really like this car and hope it gets re-released in the mass produced line in various colours as a non Jetsons car in the years ahead as well. The Jetsons actually drove (flew I guess might be more accurate), a yellow as well as red one too, so that would be an easy future years release for Mattel. Actually I'd really love to see this same packaging with the car image on it but just a briefcase sitting in the blister window as the vehicle ultimately transforms into at the end of the opening credits.","Product: Go back in time with Pop! Vinyl andBack to the Future! This Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine Pop! Vinyl Vehicle features Emmett \"Doc\" Brown's DeLorean sports car that Marty traveled in throughout the hitBack to the Futuretrilogy. The DeLorean is able to hold a single 3 3/4-inch Pop! Vinyl figure and includes Marty McFly.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Scott! It's a Delorean Pop Vinyl Figure Stand!\n\nReview: This thing is seriously cool. Basically what you are buying is a Delorean shaped display stand for the Marty figure (which also comes in the box), Doc (who you need to buy separately) and any other Funko pop figures you want to display on or around it. The wheels don't roll, the gull doors don't open up, there is no sound card playing sound bites from the movie or The Power of Love when you press a button. It's a display stand, that's it, although you can push around on carpet pretty easily. But as a display stand, it's a pretty cool one! Plus you've got to remember, you can get these in stores for less than the price of three funko pop figures so it's not like they are supposed to be really expensively made.\n\nMarty can be positioned to be facing forward or backwards in the car. On the soles of his shoes he has little holes so can clip into two raised things in the black rectangle but really he doesn't need to. If you are buying one of these second hand without Marty and are buying the loose Marty, he won't come with the holes in his shoes. Marty also stands easily on the bonnet (hood). He stands upright without leaning on any flat surface actually. Both Marty and the Delorean stand are pretty well made. I also bought the Breaking Bad Crystal Ship and Ghostbusters Ecto 1 at the same time. The Delorean has more of a vinyl feel to it than those two vehicles. It is not as smooth to touch. Marty can fit in those two cars by the way, as can those figures into this Delorean.\n\nThe detail on the Delorean is pretty good, it even has the Outatime number plate on the back. It also displays pretty nicely in the box if you choose to put it back in there, with windows in the box allowing you to see that car from above and three sides. You can open the box without damaging the box, which is always good. These pop rides do sit nicely on top of each other in their boxes if you've got limited space.","Product: Collectible Toy Car\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Steamroller Type Wheels Don't Roll, In Fact They Are Just a Bit of Moulded Plastic\n\nReview: This 2013 release of the Flintmobile was pretty disappointing for me. It's worth grabbing one from the store pegs for a few dollars but I wouldn't bother paying a fortune for one online. The steamroller type wheels don't actually roll, they are instead just a solid plastic mould (well the whole car is). There are little plastic wheels (the same light grey colour so they do blend in) under the plastic undercarriage. Now I don't know why Hot Wheels didn't just re-release their former Flintmobile which they released in their main budget line in 1994 <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/click-here/dp/B000OIVAK2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">click here</a> to see that one's Amazon page. That one also changed colour when you put it in a sink of hot water. Granted this one's colour scheme is better (you can also get a red wood, yellow wheels and interior version in the 2013 mass produced range). But the 94 version the wheels worked and the frame was metal. Being this whole car is made of plastic means it's pretty fragile. The other main difference is the 94 version had an extra vertical beam between the front and rear seats so this 2013 is more accurate in that respect to the cartoon. Although they are both 1/64 scale, this 2013 is slightly smaller than the 94 version.\n\nGranted the blister packaging artwork is a lot better in this 2013 release although I could have done without the helmeted motorbike racers on top of the Hot Wheels word in ribbon logo. Fred and Barney are on the blister card in front of the side of an illustration of the Flintmobile which looks quite like the Hot Wheels vehicle.\n\nNote you can also get the red and yellow version in more upmarket packaging as part of the Retro Entertainment Series. It was released around the same time as this one.","Product: The hitGhostbustersfilm comes to wonderfully stylized life with this fantastic Pop! Vinyl figure! The Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Pop! Vinyl Figure features an adorable and stylized huge 6-inch tall vinyl figure of the cute but frightening Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Fans of the fun and wackyGhostbustersfilms will not want to miss out on this awesome vinyl figure!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Peter Venkman: Well, there's something you don't see every day!\n\nReview: Funko Stay Puft is pretty cool. He is bigger than your usual sized Funko figure but not to the same high rise scale bigger as the one in the movie compared to the humans. He is still small enough that if you get the Ecto 1 display stand, as well he fits inside the driver rectangle (see my customer images). He is a pretty simple Funko, basically he is mostly white (and I have no problems with the paint job) with a Donald Duck style sailor shoulder covering with red ribbon tie and the hat. The hat has the words Stay Puft on it around the stem or whatever you'd call that part. You can't pose his arms or move his legs or anything, like the smaller Funkos he's set in the one stance. His head does rotate though, and Exorcist style he can rotate his head 180 degrees. He does look pretty cool, he captures the Funko essence with the resemblance to the other figures with the eyes, and same shaped head. Differently though he actually does have a mouth, the area around the mouth is slightly raised. The eyes have a white bit on the bottom of the back, I think this was to give the impression of the big cheeks he has in the movie but in reality just looks like his eyes are on upside down with he eyelids starting to shut. With these eyes he still looks good though. He also stands upright by himself no problem.\n\nInside the box he is the same height as the boxed display stand for the Crystal Ship if you bought that Breaking Bad one. It's the same box design just bigger than regular sized Funkos come in, so you can open it, slide out the blister and take him out. Then if you change your mind put him back inside later without having wrecked the packaging at all.","Product: The hitGhostbustersfilm comes to wonderfully stylized life with this fantastic Pop! Vinyl figure! The Ghostbusters Slimer Pop! Vinyl Figure features an adorable and stylized 3 3/4-inch tall vinyl figure of the green ooze-dripping ghost with an insatiable appetite, Slimer. Fans of the fun and wackyGhostbustersfilms will not want to miss out on this awesome vinyl figure!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fun Version of Slimer\n\nReview: Years ago I bought a Neca <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Slimer/dp/B0001NECKA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Slimer</a> figure, if you want a figure that looks like the ghost from the movie, that's the better one to go with, but if you want a fun mass produced (so should always be pretty cheap to obtain), version of Slimer, you won't go wrong with this Funko Pop version. Funko Pop figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the movie versions, they are more of a cute version, a cartoon version or you could even a say an as a child like version of the character. Slimer is the same size as your other Funko Pop figures, but it is a little different in that it comes attached to a stand. The stand compliments the ghost well, it looks like slime dripping off his body and limbs. Slimer can't be detached from the stand, it's all the one mould, but it does display well. Not only does Slimer stand on a flat surface, but Funko has taken into consideration that you might want to put Slimer inside the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Ecto-1-display-stand/dp/B00J5H1H74/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Ecto 1 display stand</a>, as he fits inside that no problem too, as you can see in my customer images.\n\nThis is really cool, you can also get a version with a red rectangle illustration mouth with triangle white teeth, but I think this version looks way better.","Product: The primary driver of the Ecto-1 and the Ecto-1 itself fromGhostbustersare now Pop! Vinyl! The Ghostbusters Winston Zeddemore and Ecto-1 Pop! Vinyl Vehicle are packaged as a set, with the Ghostbusters Winston Zeddemore Pop! Vinyl Figure being able to fit inside the Ecto-1 at 3 3/4-Inch tall. A cool recreation of driver and vehicle, this set makes a great collectible forGhostbustersand Ernie Hudson fans.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Nice Ecto 1 Shaped Pop Vinyl Figure Display Stand\n\nReview: This is a great display stand for displaying Winston (which comes inside the box too), Slimer, Staypuft and any other Ghostbusters figures you've got (you'll have to buy any of the others separately). Sure doors don't open, the wheels don't roll, the headlights and siren don't work either, but since when were they supposed to? The Ecto1 is made of hard plastic and is hollow so if you had it on a desk and the wheels rolled, the thing would roll off and smash on the floor when someone bumped the desk walking by. It's a display stand, display stands don't roll for a reason. If you do want to push it around, and make the British Ambulance type siren with your mouth, while Ray Parker Jr's song is playing in the background, it does move quite easily on carpet anyway. You certainly can have some fun with this thing as Winston can be removed, and Slimer or whoever you've got can fit in the big black gap on the roof, or can stand on the bonnet (hood). Winston is the standard size pop vinyl figure by the way. I certainly plan on buying more characters from the Ghostbusters universe to add to this display.\n\nThe detail on the Ecto1 is pretty good, it even has Ecto 1 number plates on the front and back. It also displays pretty nicely in the box if you choose to put it back in there, with windows in the box allowing you to see that car from above and three sides. Mine did come with a yellow bit of paint on the side of the roof, but for the price these sell for (in stores less than the cost of three figures), you can't really complain about the quality. Especially when you consider it comes with a full size figure too. You can open the box without damaging the box, which is always good. These pop rides do sit nicely on top of each other in their boxes if you've got limited space. I also bought the Crystal Ship from Breaking Bad and Delorean from Back to the Future at the same time, they're worth obtaining too.","Product: Snoopy Hot Wheels HW City Series Peanuts Cartoon 1:64 Scale Collectible Die Cast Metal Toy Car Model\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Nice Alternative to the Usual Car Vehicle, and One of the Few Hot Wheels Basic Line Vehicles to Ever Come WIth a Bonus Figure\n\nReview: Quite a nice piece from the 2013 mass produced Hot Wheels basic vehicle line, this means there's plenty out in supermarkets, department, toy and other stores and if you can find one, you'll own it for a couple of dollars. Even if you can't, or you're reading this a couple of years into the future the sheer quantity of these released should keep the prices somewhat reasonable on online retailers. It does come on a nice art worked blister card with a pretty good likeness to the actual vehicle, other than the illustration being closer to brown than the fire engine red of the dog house, there's not much difference, which is quite rare in the basic line. As is the fact the vehicle also comes with a figure (Snoopy) attached to it. There aren't many figure attached to vehicles found in 1/64 scale, in fact other than motorbikes I can't think of a time Hot Wheels has ever done it, let alone in the basic line with the exception of a special version of Hot Seat (toilet on wheels) with a rat in it called Scum Chums which also came with a bath on wheels with a croc in it. But from the basic budget line, I can't think of any.\n\nAnyway the figure is made of white plastic, to be honest the dog is pretty basic just a chunk of white plastic with a black spot on its back, ears, nose and eye stencilled on. The dog house though looks brilliant. I would have bought this without the figure and if they release it in other colours in the future I'll buy those. By the way the figure comes off if you want it to, there is a hole in the roof of the dog house, you can put Snoopy back facing in other directions too if you prefer. Could be a chocking hazard for an infant sibling if it comes off when an older child is playing with it though.\n\nThe wheels are basic ones, nothing special, no removable tyres, tread or anything fancy but being part of the budget line that's perfectly acceptable. The engine, side and rear exhausts are silver, you can see more of the engine by looking in the arched entrance of the dog house. The undercarriage is green, I guess to represent the grass in the backyard or something.","Product: From the popularBuffy the Vampire SlayerTV series by Joss Whedon! This Buffy the Vampire Slayer Buffy Summers Pop! Vinyl Figure features the main character from the show measuring 3 3/4-Inch tall. Rendered in Funko's awesome Pop! Vinyl Figure format, this fantastic figure is a must-have forBuffy the Vampire Slayerfans!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Doesn't Really Look Like Sarah Michelle Gellar But What Horror Hero/Villain Collection Would Be Complete Without Buffy?\n\nReview: Funko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. Buffy Funko though, looks a lot less like Sarah Michelle Gellar than other Funkos resemble their actors. So much so I actually passed on this when it was still in stores, but after getting into the whole Funko collecting thing, I realised I can't have the favourite shows from my childhood or even a serious horror hero and villain collection without Buffy. Don't get me wrong, if I ever accidentally anger someone who can cast curses and I end up a Funko figure, this version of Buffy is certainly one of the hotter Funko vinyls, if I was a Funko I would certainly want to date her, but she doesn't look like Gellar. I think the main difference is the hair, basically Sarah Michelle Gellar always had her hair falling over the front of her face when staring at something she was about to put a stake into, or reading the giant book on vampires in the library or something. Funko Buffy has her hair pushed back behind her ears. Sure as high school boys we all dreamt of being the one to push that blonde hair back but TV Buffy's look was hanging there. Funko have used that sort of look with other female figures, they should have used that hair with Buffy too.\n\nI'm not sure if Buffy is an earlier designed and produced figure than the other Funkos, or if this is just how the batch the one I got came out of the factory, but she has a lot more pink smoother looking skin than other female Funkos. It's a more plasticy look, that resembles the skin Barbie and dolls like this have. It's not better or worse than the usual, but it is different. Her eyes possibly due to the pinker skin look blacker than the other figures too. You can position her to stand on her own, but it takes a lot of time, she certainly doesn't stand easily like most other Funko figures, she does come with the usual clear circle stand which I don't normally bother with, but you'll probably want to use with her as she falls over with just the slightest knock to her or whatever surface you've got her on. She comes with a hole in her right boot and the clear plastic stand has a raised bit you insert in the hole. She slightly leans to the left though when on the stand but it isn't that noticeable. She is pretty much impossible to knock over on the stand unless you push her over.\n\nIf you didn't know to look for it, you might miss it in the plastic blister insert inside the box as it blends in quite well. There is no Buffy the Vampire Slayer logo or anything on the stand to enhance the figure's displayability, it simply just helps the figure stand on a surface that isn't completely flat.\nLike all Funko Pop Vinyl figures, there will likely be paint blemishes on the figure. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Mine came with a few bits of black paint on the white top that make it look like Buffy hasn't washed her top in a while, but you never know what blemishes yours will have. I guess if buying online you could ask the seller to take it out of the box and e-mail you the photos.\n\nHer head isn't oversized for her body, that's the look all Funko Pop Vinyls have. Most female Funkos have a similar stance with small feet. Like all these figures you can't move the limbs or pose the figure in any other way than rotating the head to different angles. In fact if you want Buffy to be possessed she can rotate her head 180 degrees. She is holding a wooden stake so is ready to defend your other Funkos from any vampires that come along.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: From the popularTrue BloodTV series! This True Blood Eric Northman Pop! Vinyl Figure features the vampire from the show measuring 3 3/4-Inch tall. Rendered in Funko's awesome Pop! Vinyl Figure format, this fantastic figure is a must-have forTrue Bloodfans!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Doesn't Look at All Like Alexander Skarsgrd But Eric Was Such a Cool Character, You've Just Got to Get One!\n\nReview: This one doesn't resemble Alexander Skarsgrd as Eric, much at all. Funko figures with their wide heads often don't with characters played by actors with narrower faces, but you've really got to use your imagination with this one and squint a fair bit for it to be Eric. If it didn't have the blood under the lower lip and the fanged mouth this could be pretty much any leather wearing character from TV or the movies. Add a goatee and it could be Jax from Sons of Anarchy for example. But the Sookie Funko didn't look much like Paquin either, and I needed a Funko figure to save her every time she hooks up with one of my other figures and gets into peril, so I ordered one. Plus Eric was by far the best character on True Blood!\n\nEric stands quite well, he doesn't come with a stand and definitely doesn't need one. Mine didn't come with any major paint blemishes but it does have some dark yellow paint in his hair like someone with paint on their hands touched the back of his head, although I doubt these things are hand painted. But be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. Even if I had bought this in a physical store I wouldn't have noticed that yellow paint unless I opened the box and took Eric out. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, although I would think you should probably ask the shop assistant first.\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Eric out of the box and display him with Sookie or whatever other Funkos you have, or put him back to display inside there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back are pictures of Eric and five other True Blood figures including Sookie that you can obtain. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space or need to put a vampire one in to avoid sunlight so it doesn't burst into flames!","Product: From the popularTrue BloodTV series! This True Blood Eric Northman Pop! Vinyl Figure features the human/fairy hybrid from the show measuring 3 3/4-Inch tall. Rendered in Funko's awesome Pop! Vinyl Figure format, this fantastic figure is a must-have forTrue Bloodfans!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Doesn't Really Look Like Anna Paquin, But They Nailed The Merlotte's Waitress Uniform and True Blood Bottle She's Carrying\n\nReview: Funko's Sookie Stackhouse, doesn't look a lot like Anna Paquin but the Merlotte's waitress uniform they have pretty much nailed. The True Blood bottle isn't that far off the ones on the TV show either. I never noticed in the online photos when I looked this up but for some reason she has red makeup on her cheeks which are quite prominent on the figure. Would have preferred they didn't do that since I don't ever recall her wearing that on the show.\n\nThe figure stands up by itself easily on a flat surface, but it also comes with a little clear stand that clips into a hole in her shoe, (I didn't even notice it in the box until I read some of these other reviews so you might have missed it as it has no True Blood or other logos on it), I guess you might want that if you're displaying her in a high traffic bumpable desk or something. But you don't need it otherwise.\n\nLike all Funko Pop figures, be prepared for some paint blemishes. Even if I had bought this in a physical store I wouldn't have noticed most of the ones on mine unless I opened the box and took her out. Basically mine has a few black marks on the back of the t-shirt as well as around the collar on the front, that makes it look like she is wearing a shirt that needs to be washed. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, but it's not something most people would feel comfortable doing or even asking if they can before purchasing. But something maybe to consider asking an online seller to do and send you the photographs if you really are concerned. You're unlikely to get a Funko figure completely paint blemish free though.\n\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Sookie out of the box or put her back to display her in there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back is a Sookie and five other characters from the show you can collect. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space too.","Product: From the hit AMC TV Series, Breaking Bad, it's Walter White! Funko has given Walter White the vinyl treatment with this Breaking Bad POP! Figure! Stands 3 3/4 Inch tall. A must have for all Breaking Bad fans!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"I Am Not in Danger, I am the Danger!\"\n\nReview: This is one of the best Funko figures out there. Walter stands up fine by himself (a lot better than some of the other Funkos with smaller feet) to display on a shelf, desk or somewhere, or if you buy one, you can recreate some cool scenes with the Crystal Ship (RV) stand. This version of Walter of course if from the classic first episode involving that RV and was also used to promote the show on posters and stuff at the time where Walt is standing without his pants (which were he had previously hung from the side mirror of the RV) with the gun in his hand. Besides the RV stand, you can also get Walter wearing different stuff as other Funko versions. I also grabbed one of Walt as Heisenberg but you can also get him in a few different hazmat suits, along with the other characters from the show like Jesse, Saul and a few others.\n\nOnce you start collecting a few of these things you'll become aware that most come with paint blemishes so unless you ask the store employee if you can take it out of the box before buying (or ask the online seller to and send you photos), these things are always going to be a bit of a gamble. Often it is the back of the figure with blemishes that you can't see from the front or the sides. That's the good thing about the box it comes in. The packaging is designed so you can open it, slide out the clear blister thing inside and remove Walter, then if you decide to display him in the box later, you can put him back. There is no tape of anything on the box so you don't damage it at all. I wish other figure companies would do this. The only downside to this sort of packaging though is that you have no idea if it ever has been opened before you buy and own it. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores.\n\nHe is quite durable but if a kid or someone was a bit rough with the glasses they could easily get pulled out at one of both ends. The glasses and gun don't come off, likewise the clothing is all part of the same mold. It would have been cool if they had included his pants as a bonus item bent so you could hang them over the RV's mirror if you bought the Crystal Ship display stand but you can't have everything.","Product: Better Call Saul! From the award winning AMC TV Series, Breaking Bad, it's Saul Goodman! Funko has given Saul the vinyl treatment with this Breaking Bad POP! Figure! Stands 3 3/4 Inch tall. A must have for all Breaking Bad fans!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Saul to Heisenberg - \"I Once Told a Woman I Was Kevin Costner and it Worked Because I Believed it!\"\n\nReview: This is a pretty nicely done Funko Pop Vinyl figure of Saul in a suit with a mobile phone ear piece. The ear piece and suit is all part of the one mold and can't be taken off. You can't pose his arms so he's always going to be pointing, but you can rotate his head, even 180 degrees Exorcist style if you want to pose him that way. He stands on a flat surface no problem at all. The figure nicely captures both the Funko figure essence as well as resembles pretty well (albeit with a much wider head) the character from Breaking Bad and lesser extent the spin off Better Call Saul (simply as he wore less expensive successful style suits and other clothing on the prequel TV show).\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of nine other Breaking Bad Funkos that were released before or at the same time. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels reimagines some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars Darth Vader character car combines the essence of one of films most sinister villains with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, command your Darth Vader car to go flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Luke I am Your Flat Car!\n\nReview: Hot Wheels has produced the much wanted for a replacement for the Disney Theme Park merchandise Darth Vader character car. For some reason though Hot Wheels made it's Vader vehicle hybrid, flat, sort of how a toad on the road looks after it's been run over by a semi, then blackened for days in the heat, but, well at least it doesn't have red eyes.\n\nIt does have red rims around the wheels though, but his light saber glows red so it fits, perhaps that's the reason for the red eyes in the competitor's product, but at least this is a bit more subtle. The artwork on the blister pack is also nice with Vader holding his red light saber in a fighting stance. It's a very detailed colourful illustration. The car is 1/64 scale (same as your mass produced Hot Wheels cars). If you want something a bit bigger you can get Vader as a hybrid with Mater from the cartoon movie Cars.\n\nOther than the flatness of the car it does have the prominent mouth area of Vader's helmet as the front grill. His eye and top of helmet is reproduced as the driver canopy, the car nicely resembles his head. Well if it was flattened.","Product: From the hit AMC TV Series, Breaking Bad, it's Heisenberg! Funko has given Walter White's alias Heisenberg the vinyl treatment with this Heisenberg Breaking Bad POP! Figure! Stands 3 3/4 Inch tall. A must have for all Breaking Bad fans!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"Sometimes it's Better Not to Talk! At All! About Anything To Anyone!\" - Heisenberg (But I Think He Would Allow Promoting This!)\n\nReview: Heisenberg is pretty cool. Displays well with Funko Jesse in the Funko Crystal Ship display stand I also bought. He stands well by himself, a lot more sturdy than some other funkos. He is holding a gun and sample of the blue stuff in bag in the other hand. Neither accessory or his hat or glasses can be removed from the figure, they are all the one mould. His head can rotate a little allowing you to pose him looking at different angles but that's all you can do, arms and legs are always in the one position.\n\nHeisenberg is a lot less fragile than some other Funkos. I didn't have any problems with the sunglasses being not aligned but since enough people have mentioned it in their reviews it might be something to look out for. Your always going to have some small paint blemish with Funko figures, mine has a small chip looking paint blemish on the back of the brim of the hat. Even if I had bought this in a physical store I wouldn't have noticed that unless I opened the box and took him out. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, although I would think you should probably ask the shop assistant first.\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Heisenberg out of the box and display him in scenes with other Breaking Bad characters you've bought, mix him into other TV show universes with other figures (I wish they'd do Malcolm in the Middle Funkos, how cool would Heisenberg interacting in that world be? Of course he stands well on the RV, but if you want you can easily put him back in the box to display inside there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back are pictures of Heisenberg and nine other Breaking Bad figures you can obtain. Be aware there were even more versions of Jesse and Walter after this was released. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space.","Product: He's alive! Frankenstein is alive as a Pop! Vinyl figure! The Universal Monsters Frankenstein comes as an adorable 3 3/4-inch Pop! Vinyl figure. The mean green giant is dressed in his gray suit and black boots as he stands with his arms outstretched. Frankenstein comes in a window box package and makes a great gift for any Universal Monsters fan!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: It's Alive! It's Alive! It's Alive! It's Alive! Well Not Really But It's a Pretty Cool Funko Figure!\n\nReview: Frankenstein's Monster is pretty well done as a Funko Pop figure. He both resembles the Funko line of figures with the rectangular head, no mouth, black eyes and everything else you'd expect to see there, as well as pays a decent homage to the creature from the various films and cartoons that have been based on Universal Studio's interpretation of the creature. He stands up no problem at all by himself. Like other Funkos he doesn't really do anything else, he's a display piece, you can rotate his head around though, even Exorcist style 180 degrees. So the bolts in the side of his neck Dr Frankenstein put there obviously aren't doing there job. They look pretty cool on the figure though. As does the jacket and clothes, which are all the same mold and don't come off. Frankenstein's monster is pretty durable if you were buying it to be played with.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of seven other Universal Monsters figures that were released at the same time. The only fault with this figure's box is that it calls Frankenstein's monster, Frankenstein who of course was the doctor who made him. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos. At the moment I display my figures standing on top of the boxes which are all turned to the side with the cartoon of the figure and beside each other. But you've got a lot of options with the packaging this way, that's why it's so good.","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The First Zombie \"Killed\" in the Walking Dead Immortalised as a Funko Figure\n\nReview: This is by far the coolest zombie figure I own, including non Funko ones. The details in this thing are amazing, including braces on the teeth, blood around the mouth and making the Funko style eyes white with red rims is brilliant. The detail in the bunny slippers and bear haven't been skimped on either. The bear and slippers are part of the body mold and don't come off by the way. This is from the first season of The Walking Dead when Rick hasn't quite accepted the changed world he is, but really you could slot this into any zombie movie/TV show display. The figure looks pretty close to the zombified version of Summer in the TV show, except that girl was wearing a light grey open dressing gown type coat over her pyjamas (which look pretty similar), in this figure the coat is also pink. Teddy Bear Girl unnecessarily comes with a clear stand as most female figures seem to do, as like them, she stands perfectly well without one. There is no Walking Dead logo on the stand or anything, it's just a clear circle with a jutting up bit that inserts into the hole on the sole of one of her bunny slippers. In fact it would be easy to miss and throw out the stand with the clear blister protective insert inside box. The box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of six other Walking Dead Funkos that were released at the same time (there's been plenty more since then as well). You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\n\nThe only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores. If you're unaware it's a pretty rare occurrence to obtain a blemish free figure, there's always a stray bit of paint somewhere on the figure, often on the back so even if you pick up a box in a store and the figure looks paint free, you won't know. Hence the reason customers are opening them up, or asking the online seller to do so and take photos for them to look at before purchasing. Mine has a few dark bits of paint in the hair but since she's a zombie who isn't exactly showering and keeping clean as she wanders the earth, it is not really a factor.","Product: 48' Ford Super De Luxe \"The Karate Kid\" Hot Wheels 2014 Retro Series Die Cast Vehicle\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Wax on Wax Off, Well it Was Sort of in That Scene\n\nReview: This isn't really a car that will be recognised by many if removed from the blister pack so you're going to want to make sure the one you get from here or wherever you're buying it online from is in good condition. It comes on a pretty tall card in relation to the blister, quite a few of these in the store I got it from were bent so best to check. The artwork on the blister pack is pretty decent, it has a shot used on the cover of many DVD versions of the film (although usually it's in the middle of side face photographs of Mr Miyagi and Daniel). It's a shame their faces aren't on this blister card too, I'm guessing maybe Mattel would have had to pay royalties or something if used. Since it is the same image as on the DVD covers I'm sure the silhouette is probably Ralph Macchio but for all we know it was taken years later for the DVD release with a stand in or something. Regardless it's a pretty cool image portraying the crane stance that made this movie big amongst kids like me in the 80's.\n\nI'd say this vehicle probably rates higher with me as a collector of movie die-cast vehicles for the nostalgia feelings of my childhood than perhaps it does for those older or younger than me. There aren't that many 80's movie vehicles out there so I appreciate that Mattel released this one. Even though the vehicle was in quite a few scenes, in fact both main actors are in it at some stage, you're probably immediately assuming it must have been in the wax on wax off scene. It was but it's not the vehicle the sponges in the arms of Daniel being guided by Miyagi saying wax on wax off are being used on. That was a blue car. This was however in the background with a heap of other cars which Daniel was supposed to wax as well. In fact this version looks more like the car did in the film after it was waxed.\n\nThis is actually one of the closest resemblance die-cast vehicles to the actual car that appears in the film of the Retro series. The colour is a bit lighter yellow in the film but this version isn't that much darker. The grill, headlights, white rimmed wheels are all pretty accurate. It even has the weird black thing in front of the rear wheel arches that looks like the paint wasn't applied like the one in the film does.\n\nIf this was one of the iconic films of your childhood, you'll want to get one of these, but as I said make sure the packaging is in good condition as you're probably not going to remove it from there.","Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Kids and collectors alike will love seeing their favorite Star Wars characters reimagined as Hot Wheels cars. Each 1:64-scale car is individually designed to retain the Force of an iconic Star Wars character and combines the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send the cars flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels Star Wars track set (sold separately) or display them with your other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary. Ages 3 and older.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: BB-8 Merged With a Buggy Racer\n\nReview: I was originally going to pass on this one since the look of the car doesn't really represent the ball body of BB8 in The Force Awakens with pretty much the same vehicle body Hot Wheels used for the R2D2 character car. But I just loved the droid so much in the film that I couldn't leave the vehicle representing him out of my Star Wars character car collection. I do think they could have done more to have the main part of the car more circular, the wheels maybe a bit more subtle and not as prominent, but it is what it is. This is sort of like BB-8 in the fighter and that area of the fighter's cockpit merged with a racing buggy.\n\nThe colours of the Hot Wheels car nicely match the droid in the film. You can of course get a similar looking car as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/R2-D2/dp/B00MZ8EKU6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">R2-D2</a>, as well as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/C-3PO/dp/B00MK0YS5G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">C-3PO</a> as a VW Kombi van. All these vehicles are 1/64 scale, the same size as your regular mass produced Hot Wheels line of cars.","Product: POP TV: Friends - Joey Tribbiani from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Joey and the Duck, A Great Funko Pop Vinyl\n\nReview: When I was in high school Friends was only second to Seinfeld as the biggest show on TV. The show maybe went on for a season or two too many but you can't think of the 90's TV without thinking of Friends. This is an Funko figure is an awesome representation of Joey and what swayed me to get one was the cool duck he's holding. Of course the duck and the chick were roommates with Chandler as well for quite a few seasons. Of course you can get <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Chandler-holding-the-chick/dp/B00X0Y47NE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Chandler holding the chick</a> too as a pop vinyl figure.\n\nFunko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. But Joey is a pretty good likeness to Matt Leblanc as the character. The hair of the figure nicely plays homage to the hair gel 90's and way most of us wore our hair back then. The duck is pretty well detailed and looks great, it's obviously the adult duck and is a bit smaller than the one on the show but it looks great. The clothes are also pretty close to an outfit worn on an episode on the show involving the duck and the chick. This is a really good figure.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars R2-D2 character car combines the essence of the heroic droid with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheelsthis is the droid youre looking for! Re-create your favorite storylines, send your R2-D2 car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: R2 is Now a Much Faster Droid\n\nReview: This is a pretty cool version of R2D2 as a character car. The only other company to have done character cars in the past (Disney Theme Park Merchandising) did a bit of an average job when they made R2. However that version more resembles the droid. This one however is a nice character/buggy racer type merge. You can also get this vehicle in a two pack, but for some reason the one in that looks like it was from a deleted scene in Return of the Jedi, where the big thing in the pit in Jabba's Palace ate the droid when it fell in while serving drinks during a match, and it re-emerged amongst its waste. Seriously it's an odd thing for Hot Wheels to have done, but if you want the dirty version, it comes in a two pack as well, it as you would imagine comes with C3PO, as maybe you wouldn't have imagined, a battered Kombi van.\n\nBut back to this single pack one, it's a very nice white and blue vehicle. Even the hubcaps on the wheels nicely match the blue of the droid. R2's head sits nicely in the driver's seat resembling how it looked in the back of Luke's fighter when he blew up the death star or went to visit Yoda. Unlike most of the other cars in this series, you instantly recognise this one as R2. But if you choose to keep it in the packaging, the packaging displays pretty nice with a detailed colour illustration that resembles the robot pretty closely from what I remember from the film.","Product: Hot Wheels Star Wars Diecast Cars Complete Set of 8 BUNDLE\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Buy Them For the Blister Card Artwork, The Cars Themsevles Are Pretty Average Though\n\nReview: Came across these in a department store today, they retail for just under double the price of your mass produced basic line Hot Wheels vehicles so are not a bad price. Of course online likely a bit more. The vehicles though are nothing special, I mean they're still metal 1/64 Hot Wheels cars, but they don't really shout out Star Wars or the specific movie. They are all vehicles that are used in the budget line just with different paintwork. They do have the film name in a really tiny font on them but no artwork or anything else. You're pretty unlikely to want to take these out of the packaging so check the seller feedback for postage quality from wherever you find these online as you'll want the blister cards to come unbent so will want them posted in a box.\n\nThe blister pack artwork is brilliant. Each car represents one of the six films, and there's also one for the cartoons Clone Wars and some other Star Wars cartoon show I've never heard of. The blister card artwork has a retro movie poster style image, and with the three original films, reminds me of the merchandising such as t-shirts, lunchboxes and the like from the 80's (sorry I wasn't born for the first two) promoting Return of the Jedi. The picture is very busy, with lots of different characters and scenes on it. It's a shame Hot Wheels didn't just use vans like Dairy Delivery or others with a big smooth roof and actually put that image on the blister card on the vehicle instead of the average looking ones they went with. With better vehicles, or better yet going with the actual spaceships from the movie, these could have been so much better.","Product: Insert the cord & pull it out, the minion will move forward along any smooth surface with move armes & eye.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Pretty Cheaply Made, Doesn't Really Roll and You Can See All the Screws Holding it Together From the Back.\n\nReview: I had seen these in stores for a few months now but always thought they were overpriced for what they were, so when this became an add on item and only cost a couple of bucks, I decided to throw it in the cart with other figures I was buying. This is worth a couple of dollars but not any more than that. First of all, for a product with such a high retail price, it comes in a cheap to produce blister on cardboard type of packaging. This means you've got to make a decision, do you display it in the packaging, or destroy the packaging and display it (or play with it). You can't change your mind later. Compare this to cheaper Funko Vinyl Figures which the figure itself is around the same size and come in a box you can open, take the figure out, then put it back later, and you can't tell at all. The blister card also takes up a lot of room as it is quite oversized compared to the figure so if you do keep it in the blister to display, you're limited to where you can put it due to how tall it is. Also means if you're buying it online the seller needs a bigger box that will cost more and weigh more. The blister card also is pretty average looking, it doesn't really enhance the display by keeping it in there. It is also isn't the easiest to get the figure out, you've got to cut plastic ties, which are clear and get lost, which wouldn't be good if you had an infant that likes eating stuff it finds on the floor, as they are hard to find.\n\nThe figure itself looks fairly good from the front. It heavy but fragile. It wouldn't survive much rough play. It comes with a bat on a long plastic strip which you insert into a hole at the back of its coat that comes out the front around where the minon's appendix would be. When you pull the bat out the arms and eyeball move, as do the teeth and some wheels underneath. If you ever owned a car with the same sort of insert and pull plastic thing or even ones you revved up by pulling them back and back and then letting go, this is the same concept. It makes that same loud sound too. The minion however doesn't move very well. It doesn't roll at all on carpet and on a hard smooth surface it rolls about ten centimetres before falling over. You can also move the arms and eyeball simply by rolling the wheels with your hand. So really it's more of a display piece.\n\nFrom behind it doesn't look that great you can see all the screws holding it together. It's plastic but hollow (except for the motor) so would likely smash if knocked off a shelf or desk onto the hard floor. The motor inside isn't obviously that secure as it rattles when you move or shake the minion. For me this is simply a cheaply made figure that I'm not really likely to ever use as a toy simply because it doesn't really work as one. As a figure you've got to compare it to other brand minions, including even the same character as Dracula's minion. I think they are better value and more durable. If this comes up here again for a couple of dollars or you can get it somewhere else really cheap give it a go, otherwise there's better minions figures out there.","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Truth That is Out There is That This is a Great Highly Detailed Addition to the Funko Pop Vinyl World\n\nReview: Fox Mulder is a very detailed addition to the Funko Pop Vinyl collection. I love how they even have a little illustration of the Pop Vinyl Mulder's head on the FBI ID that is hanging on his suit. Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie or in this case TV character. But that Funko character has a very good resemblance to Mulder including the 90's hair gel styled hair.\n\nMulder Pop Vinyl comes holding a gun, in fact he has a finger on the trigger. The gun itself has a fair bit of detail, with ridges, rectangles and stuff making it look fairly real. I would have liked them to have included Mulder's phone in his other hand. Back in the mid 90's when mobile phones were expensive and a phone call on one cost you about half as much as your landline phone bill, this was a show that made everyone (us teens at least) really want to have a mobile phone simply to look cool. When they upgraded to a flip phone on the show, everyone then wanted one of those. In fact when anyone got a phone often they would often answer it \"Hey Scully!\" But alas Mulder's other hand is simply clenched. Mulder's blue suit looks pretty good, he's even wearing a belt that looks like it has a little bit of wear on it. His dark and light blue striped tie and light blue business shirt also look quite good. If you're unfamiliar with these Pop Vinyls everything is the one plastic mold, the clothes aren't material or anything and you can't take them off. Likewise the gun is permanently attached to his hand and his arms can't be moved, they are always in that pose. You can however rotate his head, in fact Mulder's head can rotate 180 degrees so if he ever become possessed like in the Exorcist, he will be able to prove that to the unbelievers out there. Mulder stands up no problem at all on a flat surface.\n\nIf you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. My Mulder has a bit of green paint on the underside of his head. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are Mulder and the three other characters from The X-Files as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that the packaging design lets you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Scully is an Excellent Addition to the World of Funko Figures\n\nReview: Scully is a pretty well done Pop Vinyl by Funko (as is <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Mulder/dp/B00PX70TLA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Mulder</a>). Like Mulder she has a pretty cool FBI badge attached to her clothes with a little cartoon head on it. Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie or in this case TV character. But as was the case with Mulder that Funko character has a very good resemblance to Dana Scully.\n\nIf you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are Scully and the three other characters from The X-Files as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that the packaging design lets you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\n\nScully comes holding a flashlight, as with Mulder I would have loved her to be holding a mobile phone in her other hand, since their use on the show was so heavy it made everyone in a former landline dominant world want one back in the 90's. If you're unfamiliar with these Pop Vinyls everything is the one plastic mold, the clothes aren't material or anything and you can't take them off or remove the flashlight from her hand. You can't pose her arms or legs, however you can rotate her head. Scully stands up no problem at all on a flat surface..","Product: The Crystal Ship's been pretty good to us. Go back to the original roving lab where it all started for Walter White and Jesse Pinkman! The Breaking Bad The Crystal Ship RV with Jesse Pinkman Pop! Vinyl Vehicle includes Jesse wearing a green hoodie, riding along in an impressively painted Winnebago. The RV is covered in dust from the most recent cooking adventure in the desert, features a cracked window, and bullet holes in the door from the pilot episode!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: RV Drug Lab Display Stand for Breaking Bad Figures Looks Great!\n\nReview: The Crystal Ship is a little bigger than the Delorian and Ecto 1 display stands, in fact you can fit an additional four Funko Pop figures standing on the roof. The RV display stand comes with Jesse, he's a figure you probably wouldn't instantly recognise as being Jesse if he wasn't inside the RV. But there is some resemblance to the character/actor. You can of course buy other versions of Jesse, along with Walter White, and other characters. Jesse comes out and any other character can go into the black rectangle on the roof. He does have little holes in his feet to match two raised bits of plastic, but any others still fit in there. You can get a few different versions of the characters in Hazmat suits if you wanted the display to look like they'd just cooked up a batch. On the back of the box some of the other Breaking Bad figures are illustrated, but more came out after this RV display stand did.\n\nThe display is made of hard plastic and is hollow, so if you dropped it onto a hard floor it would likely smash. This is obviously why the wheels don't move as otherwise if someone bumped the desk or shelf it is on the thing would roll off. Even though the wheels don't roll though, you can easily push it around on carpet though. It doesn't have a hidden button to play the Breaking Bad theme song, sound bites from the TV show or anything like that either. You've got to remember these things sold in stores for less than the price of three Funko figures (and remember it comes with one) so you can't really be too picky on things it doesn't do when it was designed to be sold as a cheap display piece and maybe to get people interested in collecting the figures, or at least if they already were, the ones from Breaking Bad.\n\nYou can also of course keep it in the box and the box is designed quite well so that you can see the RV with Jesse in it from three sides as well as above. The box is also of the design that you can remove the RV and Jesse and put them back later without damaging the packaging which is great. It does however mean there is no way you're going to know if yours has ever been opened, especially if buying it a few years from now. If you're buying other Pop Rides the boxes stack well on top of each other.\n\nReally this is quite a good display stand. If you're going to get a few Breaking Bad figures, you're going to want this to display them on!","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Another Great Funko Pop Vinyl from the Orphan Black Range\n\nReview: You can't really collect Orphan Black Funkos without getting Helena. In fact if I didn't even watch the show I'd probably would have got her anyway as you don't come across too many blood splattered female figures holding a knife. But I do watch it and Helena is a cool character. This is the Wedding Dress version, you can also get a Parka wearing version of Helena. I can see other variations of this popular clone happening in the future, I'd love one of her with the black scorpion from a scene in the desert that I won't divulge more of just in case you haven't watched Season 3 yet. But back to this figure, if you do an image search for Helena wedding dress, you'll see they've done a pretty good job with the likeness on the figure's clothing. The dress of course has blood splatter on it, as does her head, but also the window pane on the box also is splattered with blood which is a nice touch too.\n\nHelena doesn't come with a stand like the other clones do and that's because she doesn't need one to stand on her own. Helena is a character that hasn't had the comforts of the other clones so of course isn't bothered with a stand that has no purpose other than for presentation. However if you're displaying them all together it does look a bit inconsistent that she doesn't have one if you are using the stand on the other clones, so perhaps it would have made sense if they'd thrown one in.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Excellent Representation of the Cosima Character from Orphan Black\n\nReview: Funko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. However this especially when you stand it beside Alison, or one of the other clones is instantly recognisable as Cosima from Orphan Black. So it achieves both the Funko look and resemblance to Cosima. If you do an image search on the character you'll see that they nailed her lab coat outfit, she's even worn the same purple clothes and boots in an episode. The glasses are also the same as the ones worn by the clone. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls hair never looks that close a resemblance to actual hair but Cosima's doesn't look bad. The back part you know is supposed to represent her braided hairstyle. The figure's kind of reminds me of some old toy I vaguely remember from my childhood which sort of transformers style folded from an animal to a plastic ball. The hair looks like the plastic ball stage with the curve and all.\n\nCosima's head isn't any bigger, or her body any smaller than most other female character Funkos. Like most of them she comes with a hole in her boot and a clear plastic stand with a raised bit you insert in the hole. Likely due to the dreadlock attachment part of her hair, she is harder to stand on her own without the stand. Most female Pop Vinyls that come with a stand you never use but if your surface isn't completely flat that your putting her on, or it gets knocked a bit, you'll probably use it with this one. I like to display my Funkos on top of their box and she does struggle to keep balance without the stand on the box's slightly curved top flap. The only thing using the stand though, if you're displaying her with the other clones, Helena doesn't come with a stand (she doesn't need one), but it looks a bit inconsistent. The stand is just a clear plastic circle and if you didn't know to look for it you might miss it in the plastic blister insert inside the box as it blends in quite well. There is no Orphan Black logo or anything on the stand to enhance the figure's displayability, it simply just helps the figure stand on a surface that isn't completely flat.\n\nLike all Funko Pop Vinyl figures, there will likely be paint blemishes on the figure. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Mine came with black paint on the bottom of her right glasses lens but you never know what blemishes yours will have. I guess if buying online you could ask the seller to do so and e-mail you the photos.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: Philip J. Fry accidentally landed himself in the year 2999, and now he's landed his very own Pop! Vinyl Figure! The Futurama Fry Pop! Vinyl Figure measures 3 3/4-inches tall. \"So I really am important? How I feel when I'm drunk is correct?\".\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"When you look this good, you don't have to know anything!' - Philip J. Fry\n\nReview: Fry is an excellent addition to the Funko Pop Vinyl universe. He's a bit different to the usual Funko figures in that his head is a bit narrower and he doesn't have the usual triangle nose. Instead he kind of has a Pinocchio type nose. He looks very much like the character in the cartoon, especially the hair. Still like other Funko Pop Vinyls he doesn't have a mouth, you can't move or pose his arms or legs. You can rotate his head 360 degrees for any Exorcist moments. Fry stands up on a flat surface no problems at all too.\n\nLike all Funko Pop Vinyls there are paint blemishes. Some you can't see unless you take the figure out of the box. My Fry has a mark on the back of one of the jeans legs. But it's perfectly something Fry in the cartoon would do and would still wear the pants. But anyway be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, if the paint blemishes really bother you, you could always ask the shop assistant to do so for you, which is something I'm seeing more and more.\n\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Fry out of the box or put him back to display him in there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back is Fry and colourful silhouettes of three other characters from Futurama that were released at the same time, Leela, Bender and Robot Devil. There were other characters released from the show after this was too. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space too.","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years. The Funko Vinyl Idols Collection is sure to bring a smile to any collector of all ages.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"I Feel so Funky!'\n\nReview: I'll point out that like another reviewer my figure also came with the box covered in brown paint on the front window, but unlike that reviewer I'm not going to rate a product down because the seller couldn't be bothered to use a drop cloth when doing some painting. It's not Funko or the product's fault either, sure the seller should let customers know and not send them out that way,sell them as seconds or whatever, but that's what seller feedback and the links to contact your seller are all about, not the product review page as everyone who sells one on here now or in the future (including those of us who've bought one if we need money one day) shouldn't be tainted with the same brown paint brush.\n\nThe figure is pretty well detailed, doesn't entirely look like Bill Murray of course, but it's a nice cartoon like version of him and you definitely know who he is if you take him out of the box. He stands perfectly fine by himself but there is also a stand (which is basically a black circle with a two pointy bits to insert into a hole in both his shoes. There is no Ghostbusters logo or anything on the stand to enhance the display so I don't bother with it. His clothes and pack are all part of the one mold, and don't come off, nor can you pose him in any other stance.\n\nThe Vinyl Idolz are a lot taller than your standard Pop Vinyl figures including the Ghostbuster versions, but they still look cool displayed beside the Ecto 1 display stand and the Pop Vinyl Winston driver. As far as I know they didn't make a Winston as a Vinyl Idolz but hopefully one day.\n\nDr. Peter Venkman: He slimed me.\nDr Ray Stantz: That's great. Actual physical contact. Can you move?\nDr. Egon Spengler: [over walkie-talkie] Ray, Ray, come in please.\nDr. Peter Venkman: I feel so funky.","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years. The Funko Vinyl Idols Collection is sure to bring a smile to any collector of all ages.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Dr. Egon Spengler: \"Not necessarily. There's definitely a 'very slim' chance we'll survive.\"\n\nReview: Dr Egon Spengler Vinyl Idolz is pretty well detailed, it looks very similar to how the late actor looked in the 80's film. You do have to be weary that Funko figures do come with paint blemishes on them, mine has a bit of white paint in the hair and one ear, so it's a bit of a gamble but these things are pretty inexpensive (at the time of review) so are pretty great for what you're paying for them. Even if you're in a physical store and can't see any on the front, often there's some on the back of the figure that you can't see. You do see more and more people asking to open the box in the shop so perhaps that's something you might want to ask the seller to do and photograph for you if the price is getting higher. The packaging is designed to do just that, without damaging it all.\n\nThe figure comes with a stand, although you don't need it as he stands fine by himself. The stand has no Ghostbusters symbol or anything else on it, it's just black, I've never bothered to use mine with any of the Vinyl Idolz figures when I've displayed them out of their boxes. That's the great thing about these figures and their packaging. They come in pretty cool phone booth style cardboard boxes. The box is pretty easy to open and take Egon out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not though. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\n\nThe clothes, pack and everything are all the one mold. You can't remove any or pose the figure in any other way. But it does look pretty cool. I display Ray, Egon and Venkman alongside the Pop Vinyl Ecto 1 display stand with Winston (Funko pop figure that comes with it) driving.\n\nI don't know what scene Egon's pose is from but here's a classic bit of the character's wit.\n\nDr. Egon Spengler: I have a radical idea. The door swings both ways, we could reverse the polarity flow through the gate.\nDr. Peter Venkman: How?\nDr. Egon Spengler: [hesitates] We'll cross the streams.\nDr. Peter Venkman: 'Scuse me Egon? You said crossing the streams was bad!\nDr Ray Stantz: Cross the streams...\nDr. Peter Venkman: You're gonna endanger us, you're gonna endanger our client - the nice lady, \"who paid us in advance\", before she became a dog...\nDr. Egon Spengler: Not necessarily. There's definitely a *very slim* chance we'll survive.\n[pause while they consider this]\nDr. Peter Venkman: [slaps Ray] I love this plan! I'm excited it could work! LET'S DO IT!","Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years. The Funko Vinyl Idols Collection is sure to bring a smile to any collector of all ages.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"What You Have There is What We Refer to as a Focused, Non-Terminal, Repeating Phantasm, or a Class Five full roaming vapor.\"\n\nReview: This and the other Ghostbusters character Vinyl Idolz are pretty well done and highly detailed. They are a lot taller than your usual Funko Pop figures, and resemble the character (in this case Dr Raymond Stantz) a lot more than the Funko Pop Figures. Ray is of course holding up the trap with Slimer inside it from the hotel around the time of the movie's classic lines.\n\nDr Ray Stantz: [holding ghost trap like a rat by the tail] We got it!\nHotel Manager: What is it? Will there be any more of them?\nDr Ray Stantz: Sir, what you have there is what we refer to as a focused, non-terminal, repeating phantasm, or a Class Five full roaming vapor. Real nasty one, too!\nDr. Peter Venkman: Now, let's talk seriously, now. For the entrapment, we're gonna have to ask you for...\nDr. Egon Spengler: [holds up four fingers]\nDr. Peter Venkman: ...four big ones. Four thousand dollars for that. But we are having a special this week on proton charging...\nDr. Egon Spengler: [holds up one finger]\nDr. Peter Venkman: ...one thousand dollars, fortunately.\nHotel Manager: Five thousand dollars? I had no idea it would be so much. I won't pay it.\nDr. Peter Venkman: Well, that's all right, we can just put it right back in there.\nDr Ray Stantz: We certainly can, Dr. Venkman.\n[turning back to ballroom]\nHotel Manager: No, no, no, no! All right! I'll pay anything!\nDr. Peter Venkman: Thanks so much.\n\nThe figure comes with a stand, although you don't need it as he stands fine by himself. The stand has no Ghostbusters symbol or anything else on it, it's just black, I've never bothered to use mine with any of the Vinyl Idolz figures when I've displayed them out of their boxes. That's the great thing about these figures and their packaging. They come in pretty cool phone booth style cardboard boxes. The box is pretty easy to open and take Ray out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not though. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\n\nThe clothes, trap, headgear and pack and everything are all the one mold. You can't remove any or pose the figure in any other way. But it does look pretty cool. I display Ray, Egon and Venkman alongside the Pop Vinyl Ecto 1 display stand with Winston (Funko pop figure that comes with it) driving.","Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Newman Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Newman Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \"Must See TV\" to must have for your collection!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: When You Control the Mail, You Control... Information!\n\nReview: I originally decided not to get a Newman since it doesn't really look much like Wayne Knight as Newman in the TV show. But having enjoyed the other four characters I bought and seeing how everyone else that sees them reacts to them, I figured I've got to get Newman too. With pretty much no merchandise out there on one of the most popular shows of all time, you've also got to take into the fact, it's not real likely there will ever be another better Newman figure ever made. Newman did look much better in the prototype (that is unethically used by some online sellers, there is even one on this site under a separate product page that is selling this version (I asked them). Anyway that prototype looked way better, Newman had a postal jacket that looked closer to the colour of the one in the show. It also seems to be the only one of the six prototype Seinfeld Vinyl Idolz that was altered. It was a bad decision. Not sure why they went with blue and there is no gold zipper area in the postal jacket warn on the show either.\n\nNewman Vinyl Idolz also is a lot thinner than his TV show version. It looks more like Wayne Knight did after the show when he'd lost a lot of weight. They really with this figure's width should have made the figure shorter to match the actor's body shape. His face as well doesn't look as close to Wayne Knight's as was achieved with some of the other Vinyl Idolz characters. If they ever make a George Costanza, I hope they don't make a thin one. Really hope they make a George though, and Jerry and Elaine as well as other one or few episode characters, such as lawyer Jackie Chiles or Babu Bhatt (hopefully the wheels are in motion for these).\n\nNewman comes in a pretty cool phone booth style cardboard box. The box is pretty easy to open and take him out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not though. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\n\nThe figure is fairly durable, you can't pose him or anything, he is just in his one stance with his hands together in a Mr Burns style evil pose. Also Simpsons style he only has four fingers, as do the other Seinfeld Vinyl Idolz for some reason. His clothes don't come off or anything, if you wanted to see Newman naked, you're dreams will go unfulfilled here. His head doesn't rotate like some of the other figures. He stands by himself, no problems at all on a flat surface but he is a lot heavier than the other ones so perhaps you wouldn't want him knocked over on a glass table for example. There is a circular black stand that you could put him on if you wanted, but I don't see the point. The stand has no Seinfeld logo or anything like that on it. The only logo is on the box. He'd be about 19.5cm high, so he's a decent size, a lot bigger than the regular Funko Vinyl Pop figures. If you're keeping him in the box, add another 5.5cm. Box is 13.5cm wide.\n\nMine doesn't have any paint blemishes on it but some of my other Seinfeld ones have some minor ones so unless you're going to take the figure out in the shop, it is a bit of a gamble with these things.\n\nNewman, even though it doesn't really look like Newman, you've got to have Newman! Here as some classic Newman moments you'll probably relive with your friends when this is on display.\n\nSome classic moments:\nMargaret: Hello.\n\nJerry: You two know each other?\n\nNewman: You might say that.\n\nMargaret: We used to go out.\n\nNewman: Well, tootle loo. And nice seeing you again Margaret, goodbye Jerry. Have fun. Hehe\n\nJerry: Okay, pudgy, lets stop playing games. What happened with margaret?\nNewman: There's no need to get excited. Can't we discuss this like gentlemen?\nJerry: No, we can't. My skin is crawling just being inside your little rat's nest. Now, what happened?\nNewman: Do you really want to know what happened? I'll tell you what Happened. She wasn't my type.\nJerry: Not your type?\nNewman: Not really.\nJerry: Well, how come?\nNewman: Ah, she just didn't do it for me.\nJerry: What, what is wrong with her?\nNewman: Well, h ha ha- if you're happy with her, that's all that matters.\nJerry: You don't think she's attractive?\nNewman: No. I need a really pretty face. But, Hey, that's me.\nJerry: Okay, Newman, thanks a lot.\nNewman: Care for some lemonade?\nJerry: No, thank you.\nNewman: Drop bye anytime, jerry. Hah, ha ha\n\nGeorge Costanza: Why are you home? You're supposed to be out on your route, and getting my calzones for Steinbrenner.\nNewman: Well, I saw that it's raining outside, so I called in sick. I don't work in the rain.\nGeorge Costanza: But... you're a mailman! 'Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow... ' It's the first one!\nNewman: I've never been much for credos.\nGeorge Costanza: But I'm paying you!\nNewman: Hey, thanks!\n\nElaine: \"Perhaps there's more to Newman than meets the eye.\"\nJerry: \"No, there's less.\"\nElaine: \"It's possible.\"\nJerry: \"No, it isn't. I've looked into his eyes. He's pure evil.\"\nElaine: \"Maybe he's an enigma. A mystery wrapped in a riddle.\"\nJerry: \"Yeah. He's a mystery wrapped in a Twinkie.\"\n\n\"When you control the mail, you control..... information!\"","Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Frank Costanza Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Frank Costanza Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \"Must See TV\" to must have for your collection!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"I Didn't Come All the Way to New York, to Sit at a Table!\"\n\nReview: I have to admit at first I wondered why Frank Costanza came attached to a stripper pole, I assumed it was just to help the figure stand up on its own, but upon doing an image search I worked out that this is Frank holding his Festivus pole. He's wearing the same red cardigan as in that episode, so it's a great likeness. Unfortunately you can't detach the pole from the figure, in fact you can't pose the figure in any other way either. There's no sound bites that play if you press a hidden button or anything. It's just a figure, but it is a great little figure. If you've also bought Kramer or some of the others you'll also find Frank is a bit smaller standing alongside them, which makes sense since Mr Stiller is smaller in height that the other actors. The figure does come with a round black display stand but since it stands on its own and there is no Seinfeld logo on it, I don't see the point to using it. The clothes aren't made of material or anything, they are just part of the vinyl figure and can't be removed if you were hoping to undress Frank or anything like this.\n\nThe box is pretty easy to open and take him out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about Frank and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.","Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Mr. Peterman Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Mr. Peterman Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \"Must See TV\" to must have for your collection!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The Clothing Traders Had Gone But a Different Sort of Trader Still Lurked About. Just a taste he said. That was all it took!\"\n\nReview: J Petermen had some classic lines on Seinfeld, obviously this is just a figure and he doesn't actually say any of them, but still, when this is on display people can't help but recite them. Such as when Elaine was sick of picking up the workload left by Bob, her colleague, and didn't believe he was deaf so tried to get a reaction by making suggestive remarks. Of course Peterman walked in and she ended up having to pretend she liked him and actually date him or lose her job. One of Peterman's spiels in response to this situation \"Elaine, I too am no stranger to love on the clock. As a youngster, my father apprenticed me to a honey factory in Belize. The chief bee keeper was this horrible hag of a woman with gnarled teeth and a giant wart that she called a nose. Wooh! She was not attractive, even by backwoods standards. But love is truly blind, Elaine, and as the days went on, working closer and closer together, that sweet smell of honey in the air, I knew I had to have that horrible creature. And I did. So you and Bob have a good time tonight.\"\n\nOf course the classic - J Peterman: Im afraid I have some bad news, Elaine. It appears you will not be accompanying me to Africa.\nElaine Benes: What? Why not?\nJ Peterman: Im afraid its your urine, Elaine. You tested positive for opium.\nElaine Benes: Opium?\nJ Peterman: Thats right, Elaine. White lotus. Yam-yam. Shanghai Sally.\nJ Peterman: \"I know what you're going through. I too once fell under the spell of opium. It was 1979. I was travelling the Yangtzee in search of a Mongolian horsehair vest. I had got to the market after sundown, all of the clothing traders had gone, but a different sort of trader still lurked about. Just a taste, he said. That was all it took!\"\n J Peterman: Oh, Elaine. The toll road of denial is a long and dangerous one. The price, your soul. Oh and by the way you have til five to clear out your desk. Youre fired.\n\nSo onto the figure itself, it's just a figure, you can't pose it in any other way. Basically you've got Peterman with a grumpy look on his face holding a coffee mug. He is wearing the clothes from the episode called The Friars Club. Peterman also appears to be wearing this when he is in the picture theatre with Elaine watching The English Patient. He also wore the same shirt with a darker coloured vest in the episode called the Shower Head. But this outfit is from The Friars Club, the one with Elaine reluctantly dating Bob so she doesn't get fired for making fun of someone with a disability. Out of the four Seinfeld character vinyl figures that I own (you can get six at the time of this review), J Peterman is the only one that I have bothered to use the stand with. He does stand up on his own but not very well and it takes a lot of positioning, the slightest bump or breeze knocks him over. Whereas, the others all stand up no problem. The stand itself has no Seinfeld logo or anything else making you want to use it for any sort of display purposes, it's just a black round bit of plastic with two raised bits that fit into holes found on the soles of Peterman's shoes.\n\nOf course you can also just display it in the box it comes in as it's pretty nice too and lets you see the figure from the front and both sides, you can't see it from the back in the box as there's a spiel about the character on the box. There's also a photo of the figure on the back. The box has a weird reflective green cardboard giving the figure an eerie X-Files feeling in the box if the light hits it right. The great thing about this figure's packaging is that you can open the box at either the top or bottom, simply slide out the clam shell like clear plastic bubble, open it up and take the figure out. Or put him back in. There's no tape or anything on the box. It's a simple couple of seconds procedure. The downside to this unfortunately obviously means you have no idea if the thing has ever been opened if you're buying one online or even in a physical shop.\n\nPeterman does look like the actor and his clothes do look like the clothes worn in the episode. However the paintwork on Peterman isn't as good as the other figures I have and I've ended up with two of these since the seller I bought this from put one in the box with my shipment with the top of the packaging torn off (there's no way a seller doesn't notice this and know what they're sending, if this happens to you complain). You can't judge a product on who its seller is. The first figure that arrived had a lot of greys and brown paint on the back of the head that made it look dirty. The second figure has white paint in the hair that gives it a Something About Mary hairstyle gel look and also like he has a white tear coming down his cheek. So quality control at the Funko factory isn't obviously the best. However I'll point out the other three Seinfeld figures I have, don't have any blemishes at all. So perhaps it's just Peterman (which also may explain why he doesn't stand on his own well) and maybe odds are you might have no blemishes at all on your Peterman figure.\n\nKramer is the only one of the four main characters that you can get as a vinyl figure (at time of this review anyway). I'd love to see Funko bring out Jerry, George and Elaine too. Other one or few episode supporting characters as well. Seinfeld is mentioned by most people as one of their favourite shows of all time so I imagine this would be quite a lucrative money earner for Funko. You hardly see any Seinfeld merchandise out there, so I'm glad Funko made the six figures they have so far and do recommend anyone who loved the show to get them.","Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Soup Nazi Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Soup Nazi Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \"Must See TV\" to must have for your collection!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I Didn't Get Any Bread! Let it Go......\n\nReview: I bought this pretty much at the same time I discovered it existed. You simply don't see much Seinfeld merchandise out there. Considering most people rate Seinfeld as their favourite show, you'd think there would be a ton of stuff out there. There's not though. But there is this (and five other Seinfeld characters as vinyl figures at the time of this review). The Soup Nazi, is simply awesome. It's bigger than I thought it would be, it comes in a pretty cool phone booth style cardboard box. The box is pretty easy to open and take him out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\n\nThe figure is fairly durable, you can't pose him or anything, he just has the one stance of holding up a finger on his right arm, with his left hand holding a ladle. His clothes don't come off or anything like that if you're into that sort of thing. His head rotates very slightly but not a great deal. He stands by himself, no problems at all on a flat surface. Like a Simpsons' character he only has four fingers though (as do the other figures). Have no idea why. There is a circular black stand that you could put him on if you wanted, but I don't see the point. The stand has no Seinfeld logo or anything like that on it. The only logo is on the box. He'd be about 20cm high, so he's a decent size, a lot bigger than the regular Funko Vinyl Pop figures. If you're keeping him in the box, add another 5.5cm. Box is 13.5cm wide.\n\nThe face has a lot of detail in it, he has a bit facial growth, a moustache, eye brows and serious forehead. He doesn't have any recorded sayings like No Soup for You! You're pushing you're luck little man! He's just a figure. But I honestly couldn't be happier with this. It has no paint blemishes or anything on it, the white of the chef's apron and shirt is clean. It's great! I hope they do more characters the future. Obviously Jerry and George would be the first I'd like to see but there's plenty of others too.","Product: Cousin Eddie fromNational Lampoon's Christmas Vacationhas been given the POP treatment with this National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Cousin Eddie POP! The idiot cousin who means well but just doesn't know any better stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Christmas Vacation figures from Funko! Collect them all!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Merry Christmas! \"Sh...er Was Full!\n\nReview: Cousin Eddie is a pretty well done Pop Vinyl, he has a cigar in his mouth and a beer can in his right hand. Most pop vinyls don't have a mouth so that's a rarity in itself. Would have been better if Eddie had at least the end of the hose from the RV's septic tank to complete the classic \"sh....er was full\" scene that the clothing (robe, hat with ear flaps and boots) are from. But it's still pretty cool.\n\nLike all Funko pop vinyls you can't move or pose his arms or legs. You can rotate his head 360 degrees for different looking over the shoulder poses or any Exorcist moments you wish Cousin Eddie to have. Even though he's got a beer can in hand and it's probably not his first, he stands up perfectly well on a flat surface. You can even bump him or knock him and he still stays upright. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls it's unlikely you'll get one without paint blemishes. Some you can't see unless you take the figure out of the box. However that's not that big an issues with Cousin Eddie, since we know he was a slob, so would have dirty or stained clothes and marks on his face or body. But anyway be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, if the paint blemishes really bother you, you could always ask the shop assistant (or online seller) to do so for you, which is something I'm seeing more and more in stores.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other if you like to create your own step like shelves to display them.","Product: POP TV: Friends - Rachel Green from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Great Addition to the Pop Vinyls World\n\nReview: After getting Chandler and Joey and loving the detail in them I immediately decided to get Rachel as well. It's a little disappointing that with Rachel (along with Monica) that they chose to put them in their work uniforms and since all the Friends Funko Pop Vinyls are holding something, she ends up holding an empty tea cup, but she still looks pretty cool. Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from anyway, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie or in this case TV character. But these features suit some actual actors more than others, and Rachel Green as a Pop Vinyl does have a pretty good resemblance to Jennifer Aniston as Rachel. Her hair is a bit shorter than her character had it while employed there but it has some resemblance to the famous 90's style.\n\nThe logo of Central Perk Cafe is on both the empty teacup, they could have put some coffee in it though. The logo is also on the waste apron. She is wearing boots and a jeans denim type shirt. Rachel comes attached to a small stand but can be removed. It's interesting that she comes in the box attached to the thing, I guess to many people who have difficulty standing up figures were complaining and had thrown out the stand that was hard to see with the packaging. Most female characters for some reason come with a clear stand, I don't know why, it's almost like there's some old guy working in the factory that still opens doors for women and insists all female characters need assistance to stand up. I own about twenty female character Funko Pop Vinyls, none of them need a stand to stay up on their feet on a flat surface. Rachel Green is no different she stands on her own just fine. Interestingly she has holes at the bottom of both boots, and the stand has two raised bits to attach her. Previously all these stands had just on raised thing and the figures just one of their feet had a hole. The stand doesn't have a Friends logo or anything that enhances the figure's display so I don't really see the point.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are the five other characters from Friends as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: 100% authentic true-to-scale detail, die-cast metal body, metal chassis, detailed wheels, chrome accents and accurate factory paint job. GreenLight Hollywood takes iconic film and television vehicles from past and present and brings them to life with four-wheeled die cast replicas. Breaking Bad, an American crime drama television series, is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time and was among the most-watched cable shows on TV receiving numerous awards. Officially licensed by respective movie and automobile companies.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The RV Was Pretty Much One of Characters in The First Seasons of the Show\n\nReview: This is pretty cool, it is a nice representation of the RV from the show and even comes with some pants hanging off the right side mirror. They should have positioned the RV to be facing the right instead of left in the blister packaging so you could see them easily but if you keep this in the packaging then you've just got to squint and look in the gap between the vehicle and the cardboard to see them. It's pretty good packaging though, with a nice photo of Walter White in the top left and the Breaking Bad word logo on the right. So you'll probably want to keep it in there. The packaging is pretty durable being it is completely covered in plastic. I've had a number of Johnny Lightning vehicles with this packaging and all you do is wipe the dust off, you can even run the thing under a tap if you want. The cardboard inside stays dry but the sun does fade it. I wish more die-cast cars came in this sort of packaging when it's pretty obvious most people won't be removing the vehicle from the pack. On the back is another promo photo or maybe even a still from the TV show with Walter (as Heisenberg) on the back next to Jesse. The RV is in the background in the middle of a field of long dry brown grass.\n\nYou can also find the same vehicle by Greenlight in a non Breaking Bad packaging. If you're planning on taking this out of the packaging you might want to consider that one if its cheaper, since the packaging isn't the type you can reuse. That one probably doesn't have the pants on the side mirror though.","Product: A Diamond Select Toys release! You only Liv twice! As a doctor who became a zombie, Liv Moore is the focus of the hit CW show iZombie, in which she solves crimes by eating the brains (and memories) of the victims. And now she's the newest action figure from Diamond Select Toys! Sculpted in a 7\" scale, this Liv Moore action figure includes both regular and red-eyed zombie-rage heads, plus an interchangeable chopsticks-holding hand, as well as a pipe, coffee cup, hot sauce bottle and a delicious brain casserole. The figure features approximately 16 points of articulation and comes packaged on a blister card. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Well You Don't Really Have a Choice as it's the Only iZombie Figure Out There, Doesn't Look Like Liv & Average Blister Packaging\n\nReview: Watched Season 1 of iZombie, loved it and immediately had a look to see what figures and merchandise there was out there. This Diamond Select Toys figure seems to be the only figure out there at the moment (there is also a red eyes rage version, but from what I can tell from online seller photos, it's exactly the same one, packaging and all, just with red eyes). Note this product page lists that this figure comes with interchangeable heads, it doesn't, just comes with the one, it's a variety of hands it comes with (five of them), including one holding chopsticks, that are interchangeable. It also comes with a non detailed black plastic oval stand that clips into holes in both of her boots, it has no iZombie word logo or anything to enhance the display of the figure on it. Other accessories are a hot sauce bottle, takeaway coffee cup, sushi dish with a brain in the center and a metal bit of pipe (all like the figure made of plastic of course).\n\nIt isn't a great likeness at all to Rose McIver as Olivia Moore on the show, the head is a lot narrower and less round than the actress'. Her skin isn't the pale white (which is how we the audience know she's a zombie) which is especially noticeable in the face, and the eyes look like a regular alive woman. It's sort of like it's Liv before she went to the boat party, although her hair has lost it's colour so that doesn't make sense. The clothing though is a very good likeness to an outfit warn on the show in season 1. They are part of the plastic figure mold and you can't remove the jacket or any other piece of clothing. You can see the joints in the arms and legs.\n\nThe figure comes in a disappointing cheap plastic bubble glued onto a bit of cardboard packaging that most figure manufacturers have done away with these days simply as they don't look new for long. It means not only do you have to make a decision, do you open it or not, as you've got to destroy the packaging to get the figure out, but the cardboard is exposed and easily bent hanging in a shop, let alone when shipped or on display in your house as it sticks out a bit higher than where the plastic bubble finishes and is prone to being affected by moisture in the air, bent corners and fraying like cardboard does after a while when not entombed in plastic, which is how most blister packs come these days. Or better yet the figures comes in a box so you can display the figure inside it, or take it out and display it then put it back in when you've changed your mind. In fact the whole blister pack is a lot taller than your usual 7 inch figure ones, meaning you're going to need a big high space on a desk or shelf to display it. Because of the fact it has a cardboard backing you can only see the figure from the front and sides. The back does have a nice spiel of what the show is about and a picture of the figure, although perhaps a still from the show or the actress in a promotional shot as the character would have been better, since you can see the figure through the front after all. The front of the cardboard and packaging isn't that visually exciting either, and there's some bland large square Licensed Products from Diamond Select Toys booklet behind the figure taking up most of the room. Again a promotional or screen shot from the show would have been better.\n\nBasically you don't have a lot of choice, if you want a figure from iZombie to add to your collection of horror movie/TV characters, this is the one you'll have to get. Hopefully some rival figure companies buy the rights to this show and we'll get a better figure down the track. Would love to see some of the other main characters too. But if you can come across one of these for a cheap price, you might as well get one, even though the packaging and figure itself (due mostly to the head not resembling the character or the fact she's a zombie) are pretty average. It's one you'll probably keep in the packaging, hoping something better comes out in the next couple of years so then you can sell this one.\n\nUpdate December 2016 - You actually do now have a choice. Funko has released four different versions of Olivia as Pop Vinyl figures. Even though Pop Vinyls aren't supposed to look exactly like the characters on TV, they are a lot closer than Diamond Select Toys' figure. Of the four different ones, there's two outfits, and three have the same head. I'd recommend the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/with-brains/dp/B01M4S8G1G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">with brains</a> one and the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Hooded/dp/B01MAUK3LX/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Hooded</a> version as then you have two different heads and two outfits.","Product: Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Collection: 1:64 scale replicas of popular vehicles from the world of Entertainment. Collect all of your favorites! Each sold separately.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"I Finally Bagged Me a Homer!\"\n\nReview: Part of 2014 mass produced budget line of 1/64 scale die-cast vehicles, so there's quite a few of these out there, but coming across one on the pegs in shops is pretty difficult, but when you do, it's pretty satisfying to quote Mindy's song lyric line from a different episode to your friends, \"I finally bagged me a Homer.\" Of course if you're impatient to own The Homer you can always pay a fair bit more than the dollar or two you'll pay in supermarkets, department stores and toy stores. But I would actually put off doing that, (at the time of this review) as over the last couple of years Hot Wheels seems to be re-releasing most of their popular mass produced TV/movie vehicles in more premium product ranges . They'll cost a bit more in physical stores, but once you add in postage, there's not a great difference in price when you track down a basic line car compared to a Retro Entertainment one online.\n\nSaying that, this basic one is a pretty good replica of the one that appeared in the episode where Homer learns he has a half brother named Herb, that Herb's loaded, and the owner of Powell Motors. After being told by the product developers that Americans don't want big cars, or ones with lots of pep, when he was picking out a vehicle gift from his brother, Homer is put in charge of designing a new car to get back market share, as he, as an average American, knows what the average American wants in a car. Of course we know Homer's mind is a little different to average . The Homer has two bubble domes, so that the driver isn't annoyed by fighting kids in the back one, it also comes with optional restraints and muzzles (not on the Hot Wheels version). The engine noise was so loud that people would think the world's coming to an end when it was started up. It has three horns, because you can never find a horn when you're mad, and they all play \"La Cucaracha.\" Even though Powell Motors vehicles already came with cup holders, they didn't fit Homer's choice of drink size, so The Homer comes with bigger cup holders.\n\nOne thing the episode version has that this mass produced line one doesn't (which is why if you're paying higher online prices I'd wait to see if this comes out in The Retro series or other premium line), is the tenpin bowler hood ornament. Also the domes have metal frames around them (like a normal cars does) and a metal roof in the cartoon version, where as they are all glass (plastic in our case) in this mass produced version. The rear canopy is a bit more simplistic design in our Hot Wheels version too than the one that appeared on the screen. The spare rear tyre is green (the same as the rest of the car) but black in the cartoon episode. Retro Entertainment cars also usually come with rubber tyres with tread rather than the mass produced budget line wheels this version has. Although granted the wheels are mostly hidden anyway. There's no guarantee Mattel will ever re-release a better version of The Homer than this one, but really, what else can they do with the casting, after they paid all the money to design it? Other than release into the budget line in different colours of course. But that's why I put off buying one online.\n\nStill for $1 or two if you can find this in store it's a sensational find! When you consider the real one from the Powell Motors showroom cost $82 000, (well before they went bankrupt) it's a bargain. Well worth continuing to check the pegs, every time you're in a supermarket or department store.\n\nYou might also be interested to know that a company called Johnny Lightning back in 2003 released other Springfield vehicles, including the two owned by the Simpson family. The <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/pink-car/dp/B003YNH4A4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">pink car</a>, the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Station-Wagon/dp/B001NI51YS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Station Wagon</a>, the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/school-bus/dp/B003YNAY38/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">school bus</a>, and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Chief-Wiggum-s-Police-Cruiser/dp/B001NIDCIA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Chief Wiggum's Police Cruiser</a> which was also re-released as the LA looking <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/black-and-white/dp/B002CYMOM4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">black and white </a> version used in some episodes. You'll have to track these down online here at Amazon or other online retailers though as they are no longer in department stores. When the Simpson's first hit the TV screens Hot Wheels also released a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Nuclear-Waste-Van/dp/B001E6M22I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Nuclear Waste Van</a>, and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Family-Camper/dp/B005IJSK5K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Family Camper</a>, although neither looks like ones from the TV show or appeared in episodes.","Product: Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Collection: 1:64 scale replicas of popular vehicles from the world of Entertainment. Collect all of your favorites! Each sold separately.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Who You Gonna Call? Hot Wheels Ghostbusters! Ecto 1\n\nReview: This is the second time the Ecto 1 has been released as part of the Hot Wheels Entertainment (formerly Retro Entertainment) line. The first release came on a blister card with Slimer on it. This one has an illustration of the Ecto 1 on it. There isn't a great deal of difference between the two actual Hot Wheels cars, if you can find either a lot cheaper price than the other, I'd go with that. The only difference is that they have different hubcaps to each other. Neither's hubcaps look like the ones on the actual vehicle in the movie.\n\nYou can of course go for the even cheaper option of one released earlier than both of these from the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/budget-mass-produced-line/dp/B0034YX6JQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">budget mass produced line</a> which also wasn't a bad replica, it just had a black plastic ladder and stuff on the roof racks. This entertainment one's roof and ladder have greens, blues and reds in them.","Product: One of the most requested Gremlins figures of all time is finally here! Our latest deluxe action figure from Gremlins 2: The New Batch is the spectacular Bat Gremlin, with a massive wingspan of nearly 18 inches. This detailed re-creation of the puppet seen in Gremlins 2 is fully articulated, including hinged ears, hinged jaw, and jointed arms that allow the wings to spread open and fold closed! At approximately 6 inches tall, it's perfectly in scale with our previous Gremlins action figures, too. Comes with a \"flight\" display stand.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Disappointing, Poor Design With the Unmoveable Wings as Well as a Very Cheap Looking Stand, Doesn't Display Well or Stand Up\n\nReview: I've been wanting a Bat Gremlin figure since I started collecting horror movie figures, and last year they finally released one. Getting one for a decent price, especially the postage side of things is a bit of a challenge. Inside the box packaging it isn't that big, nor does it weigh much more than your standard 7 inch Neca Gremlins figures, so there's really no justification for high postage fees. In fact due to the high postage cost most sellers are charging, I was expecting this to be a lot bigger than it is. The figure itself is exactly the same size as<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Flasher-Gremlin/dp/B005OO8QOY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Flasher Gremlin</a> and other 7 inch sized Gremlin figures by NECA. Of course the mogwais are a bit smaller. His wings make Bat Gremlin slightly about twice as wide though, but you can't stand Bat Gremlin up on his legs in an upright position, instead he comes with a clear stand that displays him in flight. If you remember how Jennifer Grey's character looked being held up by Swayze during I've Had the Time of My Life song, that's how Bat Gremlin displays. The Swayze stand although clear, is not invisible and is very noticeable and.really looks very cheap. Basically it's an incomplete curved bit of plastic that snips around Bat Gremlin's hips. He doesn't stay in it very well, if you bump him, or you put a fan on or something, he'll fall out. If you position him in front of a wall or something you can achieve more upright angles (such as I have in my customer image in front of a lounge, which also has the flash used so you can see more details than you would with the eye.\n\nThe biggest disappointment with this thing is that you can't move the wings at all. You can squash them with your hands or to put it back in the blister thing if you want to display the Gremlin back in the box, but as you let go they go back to their original position. So you're stuck in the one pose. You can only really fly it like a kid does a paper airplane while still in its hand, moving around the room. It would have been great to have been able to move the wings in and out like the Gremlin was flapping them or wrap them around something so you can display it that way (like the image on the box), but you can't. Also like the image on the box it would have been nice if this came with a decent stand, one resembling a Gothic building spire would have been great, until you get one of these you can't really see how bad the stand it comes with looks. It doesn't even the Gremlins logo or anything on it. There's holes in the Gremlins feet and also where in the palms of its hands, so obviously originally there was going to be a better stand, but I'm guessing the poor inflexible design of the wings or just budget cuts resulted in the terrible stand it comes with today.\n\nThey have put a fair bit of detail into Bat Gremlins head. You can move the ears, which does sort of change his expressions. Although being that he only has one stance (the Dirty Dancing one) it looks pretty stupid when the ears aren't up. You can also open and close his jaw, which again is great. His arms (non winged ones) and legs can be rotated at the wrists, elbows and other joins, but again due to only have the Jennifer Grey/Swayze option for display, there is little point to that.\n\nThe box this comes in boosts this items overall rating, as it's very good. It's the type of packaging you simply open one end of, slide out the blister and remove the figure and stand from. If you want you can put the figure and stand back in the blister and slide the thing back in the undamaged box. So I guess if you're buying one of these second hand, check if it still has the stand (which comes in three pieces you have to put together). Claims of never been opened would be impossible to verify. There's also some nice photographs of the prototype of this figure recreating scenes from the movies on all the sides of the box. You can view the actual figure through the front.\n\nThe figure with it's wingspan stretched to its limited is approximately 50cm wide. Depends on how much you tilt the Gremlin in the stand but generally due to the poor design of the stand clip the Gremlin will tilt to the right or left so the highest point of the upper wing will vary from the base of the stand. But with the Gremlins ear up it's about 21cm high from the base of the stand.\n\nThe paint job on the figure is fairly good, although nowhere near the league of Flasher Gremlin, Brain and other NECA figures from the sequel movie. The back is more detailed than the front, with the torso area only being very basic detail wise. There's a weird red colouring around his legs which sort of looks like someone has tried to spray paint underwear on him or something.\n\nIt's unlikely we'll see another Bat Gremlin figure come on the market, so this is probably the best you can hope for. I wouldn't pay any more than the regular Gremlin figures though. This also doesn't come with any accessories other than the stand, unlike those other characters do.","Product: In a time of crisis a hero must rise. from his sofa. Stop the zombie uprising and have some flesh-eating fun with the Shaun of the Dead Bloody Shaun Pop! Vinyl Figure! Armed with his cricket bat, the Shaun of the Dead Shaun Pop! Vinyl Figure measures approximately 3 3/4-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Rare Case Where the Pop Vinyl is Better Than the Vinyl Idolz Version\n\nReview: Funko also released Shaun and Ed as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Vinyl-Idolz/dp/B00VXOAE9Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Vinyl Idolz</a>, usually I would get the Idolz version over the Pop Vinyl, since these Pops in addition to resembling the movie character also keep a resemblance to a generic Funko Pop Character with the black eyes, oversized head, same nose on all figures, but I have to say in this case, I think the Pop Vinyl looks better, more like Simon Pegg as Shaun and is more detailed.\n\nYou can also get Shaun's roommate and best friend Ed. Like Ed, you can get either a clean version (this one) or a bloody version, which is exactly the same but with a bit of red spray paint on it. Both are in physical stores for the same price, don't pay extra for a so called exclusive one, as exclusive for Funko simply means a retailer has it for a few weeks before everyone else. Shaun in either case comes holding his trusty cricket bat in his right hand, you can't remove the bat or move his arm to pose him in any other manner. You can see the grains in the wood. The fact that he has a goatee gives Shaun the appearance of a mouth which most Funko Pop Vinyls don't have. His hair is a plastic mold but represents the appearance of the gelled up nerdy haircut his character in the movie had. His clothes (all part of the plastic mold) are a great likeness to that worn by the character, with the name badge, loosened tie and even the ink stain on his pocket (although granted it is just a red rectangle, probably the only area of the figure where they could have done a bit better job). Shaun stands upright by himself no problem at all. You can rotate his head around 360 degrees but that's it as far as posing him goes. He's pretty durable you can drop him without damaging him as he battles any zombie pop vinyls you've obtained from the Walking Dead or whatever (currently there are no zombies from Shaun of the Dead unless you count a zombie version of Ed).\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.","Product: Two of the most iconic brands in adventure - Hot Wheels and Star Wars- have formed an alliance! Kids and collectors alike will love seeing their favorite Star Wars characters reimagined as Hot Wheels cars. Each 1:64-scale car is individually designed to reflect the Force within an iconic Star Wars character, combined with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send the cars flying at light speed on a Hot Wheels Star Wars track set (sold separately), or display them with your other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy to choose from - collect them all! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: A Bit Average But They'll Probably Never Make Another Jabba Vehicle\n\nReview: Jabba van, doesn't look that great but when will they ever make another Jabba the Hutt character vehicle so like me you'll probably want to grab one. On the back it is officially called a garbage truck, but you'll have to use your imagination if you want it to be that. It doesn't really have a great resemblance to the Almighty Jabba, so you'll probably want to keep this one in the blister card, which has a nice illustration of the obese one. The van does have tow bar to represent his tail, but really he had a pretty big lizard like tail in Return of the Jedi not the little pinkie finger size (for him) one on the van. For some reason it has three windshield windows at the front, since Jabba had just two eyes, I'm not sure what the point of that was. The windows are a yellow colour so are the same colour of his eyes. The front of the van kind of resembles Jabba's face if he had lost a lot of weight and had a narrow head. The exhaust pipe comes out the left side of the front kind of giving a reminder of the creature's post strangulation tongue out look.\n\nThe roof of the van has a grate that according to the back of the blister card represents the one on top of Jabba's Rancor pit. It does have a bit of plastic in the back of the van that could be the Rancor, if you shine a light from your phone or a torch you can see something is there when still in the packaging. It doesn't look detailed enough that I'd open the blister at this stage to take a closer look, especially when you consider these things go for four times the price of a standard Hot Wheels car in the ever lessening number of physical retail stores that still carry this line of Star Wars themed characters as vehicles to have this 2016 addition to the range.\n\nThe vehicle is 1/64 scale but really in scale to the other characters it should have been a semi trailer compared to the other cars, since Jabba was a lot bigger than the human characters. As a van it would have been cooler if it had come with one of those little luggage trailers attached, designed to resemble Leia.","Product: POP Disney: Toy Story - Rex from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Captures the Stressed Look By the Detail Around the Eyes of the Rex Character Very Well! A Great Funko Figure!\n\nReview: This is the same size (box and figure) as most of the Funko Pop Vinyl figures, but one thing to note is that it's a lot heavier. If you're buying this from somewhere that doesn't divulge the postage price, it will likely be higher than you expect for this one. In fact Rex is heavier than Godzilla which is bigger sized Funko than him. Of the few of these I have seen in physical stores, all have had paint issues in the teeth area. None have been the same tooth. Even the one I picked up that looked like it was blemish free, one of the teeth on the angle you can't see through the window pane has a bit of a lightning bolt looking missing white paint part on it. Mine also has a few marks of black paint on his dark white underbelly scales. If you're just a Toy Story movie franchise fan who is unfamiliar with Funko Pop Vinyls, basically it's always a random lucky dip style situation where there will be paint blemishes on the figure, it's pretty rare to get one blemish free. It's not that big an issue for a character like Rex though who is supposed to be some kid's toy for a number of years in the first movie so you would imagine Rex would have got some marks on him from rough play or whatever, especially as he gets older in the sequels.\n\nFunko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character in the movie, they share similarities such as an over sized head, the same black eyes, usually they have the same nose and no mouth but they've chosen to keep Rex's snout and teeth with Rex. So if you're after a replica of the toy from the movie you'll find closer ones by other brands. But what I think Funko has done extremely well is capture the constantly stressed look that Rex has, they've achieved this simply with the scales design around his eyes and position and amount of mouth being open. It's just brilliant! In fact the whole figure has detailed scales in both the green and dark white parts of his body, only the souls of his feet are without scales. Like all Funko Pop Vinyl figures, you can't move his legs, or pose him in any other way other than moving his head. In fact you can rotate his head completely around so you can pretend he has become possessed Exorcist style if you desire. He stands up no problems at all, you can even bump him a fair bit before he falls over. You can see the joins where the top part of his head joins on to the bottom part, where his tail is attached, legs and arms as well, but the character in the movie also had these visible joins. This figure even has the Princess Leia style side hair do bumps behind his mouth that allowed the one in the film to open and close its mouth. There is a slight bit of give in this figure's jaws but you can't open his mouth.\n\nThe box it comes in is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has Rex and three other Toy Story characters released as Pop Vinyls. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos. The only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores.\n\nRex is a great little Funko figure though, I definitely recommend if you're thinking about it, to just grab one.","Product: POP TV: Voltron - Voltron from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Voltron - Defender of the Pop Vinyl Figure Universe!\n\nReview: I used to love this cartoon when I was a kid in the 80's and even had all the lions that joined together to form the giant robot. Like a lot of the toys from my childhood, I really wish I'd kept the Voltron Lions. Even had the little men (and one woman) who piloted the lions and fit inside the toys. So when I saw Funko had this thing coming out, I just had to get one. It has proved to be pretty popular in stores though, every time I've gone in, they always told it only lasted a few hours on the shelf, so I ultimately had to buy one on online. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls though there are paint blemishes, and not being able to pick one up in store and check it over makes these things a bit of a gamble. Mine has some white paint on the black part of his head, has a chip out of the upper jaw lion mouth part of his face visor and a few other bits of stray paint all over it. Funko Pop Vinyls are always a gamble, you never know what blemishes will be on there, but there will be some.\n\nThis is actually a pretty cool looking figure. It doesn't 100% look like Voltron from the 80's cartoon series but of course it's not supposed to. If you're unfamiliar with Pop Vinyls and are just getting this as it's cheap in relation to other Voltron toys out there, keep in mind that like say when the Muppets dress up as Treasure Island, Wizard of Oz or other characters, Funko Pop Vinyl figures all have some resemblance to a standard figure, let's call him Funko for want of a better name. The Pop Vinyls are basically Funko dressed up as movie and TV show characters. They all share the same small triangular nose (painted blue in this case), the same widely spaced circular eyes, (usually black but painted yellow in Volton's case), they have no mouth and all have an over sized head and small body. So things like the big red metal windmill wing things that usually stick out on his back over his head are smaller and don't reach the head in the Funko Pop Vinyl version. You can't move any limbs of Funko Pop Vinyl bodies, but you can rotate the head at the neck, to have him in slightly different poses. Obviously Voltron's body is a bit different to the norm being it is made up of the five lion vehicles, (four as the limbs and the leader larger black lion as the body and head). Nicely the red lion is also holding a large sword (which can't be removed). Still knowing all that it's still a pretty good resemblance, perhaps they could have made the black around his eyes blue like in the cartoon though would be my only gripe. It also wouldn't have been a bad idea to have made it the larger 6 inch size like Godzilla, Stay Puft and the other high rise building size creatures. I would also love to see Funko bring out the vehicle version Voltron.\n\nVoltron Pop Vinyl stands up by himself no problem, you can even brush up against him and he stays upright a lot better than most other Pop Vinyls do. Any kid who loved the Japanamation cartoons as a kid will want to own one of these as an adult.","Product: Officer Judy Hopps and Assistant Mayor Bellwether have one thing in common (besides their cotton-tails): they both believe that every bunny, even the small animals, can play a big part in Zootopia. The 3\" Judy Figure and 2.5\" Bellwether Figure are poseable and are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fairly Detailed Great Looking Cheap, Especially for Cheap Priced (When They Were in Stores) Figures\n\nReview: Of the Tomy two packs, Judy and May are the only ones where you get two large figures, rather than a large and a small sized one. The figures display pretty well in the packaging, if you're a keeper in packaging type collector. If you're an open packets kind of displayer, then I don't have the best news for you. First it's the basic plastic bubble on cardboard type of packaging, so you've got to destroy it to get the figures out so you can't change your mind afterward. Which is something you might consider doing when you realise these figures aren't that easy to squeeze out of the internal plastic mold thing their encased in. You'll struggle to get figures from this range out without their heads, tails or limbs coming off. They go back in easily, but I'm not sure they are intended to come off and on. There would obviously be chocking concerns for young kids, although to be fair, nowhere on the packaging does it state these figures are toys. Although the toy aisles are where a lot of shops, including the one I bought them from have them located. But that is often the case with movie figures. They are also tied down by clear rope like things that are a pain to unwind. They are completely unnecessary as like I said the figures are jammed into the plastic mold, they aren't moving on their own.\n\nThey are quite detailed figures though and when you consider these retailed in physical stores for only a couple of dollars, they aren't bad at all. Sure once they are of those shelves and you've got to buy these online you might want to consider what else is out there for the same money, but they were certainly worth the five bucks (so $2.50 each) I found these in store for. If you didn't see them in stores, they are around the same size as old Smurfs figurines. Or if you're not familiar with those, if you laid these down they are as long as a Matchbox car. You can rotate May's head, likewise Judy's who you can also move her arms and legs as well.","Product: Nick Wilde and Finnick are con-artists who scheme together to outfox the good citizens of Zootopia. The 2.5\" Nick Figure and 1.5\" Finnick figure are poseable and are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Not Bad For Cheap Priced (When They Were in Physical Stores) Figures\n\nReview: These are pretty cool for figures that you could get for a pretty cheap price when they were in physical retail stores. I bought mine for $5, so I wasn't expecting great quality, but for $2.50 a figure I think they are actually better value than most other figures around that price. Who knows what you'll pay here or elsewhere online once they are out of stores though, and you might want to take into consideration that they do come apart (by that I mean their heads come off and stuff), although I'm not sure they are supposed to. But they aren't difficult to put back together. Although if young kids put them in their mouths they could well be chocking hazards. But to be fair, nowhere on the packaging does it state that these things are toys. Although granted the store I found them in, they were in the toy aisle. Stores really struggle to know where to put figures. In fact you'll struggle to get the figures from this range out of the terrible packaging without their heads, tails or limbs coming off while the internal plastic blister has a death grip on them. For some bizarre reason too, they are tied down with that clear plastic rope that is a pain to untangle. Who knows why as they obviously aren't going to move until you pligh them out.\n\nThey also have holes in the feet, obviously these things originally were supposed to come with a stand. But they don't. They stand okay by themselves in the original pose they come out the pack. But if you move Nick's feet, he has more difficulty remaining upright.","Product: Vinyl Idolz: Xmas Vacation - Clark Griswold from Funko! Now you can bring your favorite characters home! Figure comes in a window display box. Check out all of Funko's collectible figures. Get them all!.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Great Looking Figure But the Moose Mug Attachment is Poorly Designed and Very Fragile\n\nReview: Clark Griswold certainly looks good as Funko Vinyl Idolz figure. There is a design flaw though with the Moose Mug he's holding, it is only attached to a couple of fingers, in the pinch barely holding on way someone would normally pick up something while going ewwww! In the movie the handle fit into his whole hand so not sure what the reason for just the tips of a few fingers is here. However it certainly makes the thing a lot more fragile. The original one I got, the left antler (handle) was completely broken off and the right had broken off from Clark's fingers. So if you're buying one of these in a physical store, take a close look at the area around his left hand. The packaging it comes in you can see through the box. That packaging is also good enough, with clear plastic blister mould inside that unless someone stomped on the figure in the box, it shouldn't break. However once the figure is out of the box it is obviously quite fragile, especially if someone tried to hold it by the moose mug. One of the great aspects of Funko Vinyl Idolz is that you can open the packaging without damaging that packaging, and put the figure back inside to display that way if you prefer. There's not even any tape or anything on the box. The downside to that is there's no way you'll know if the one you get has ever been opened. But at least if you buy it here Amazon will replace it for you no problems as was the case with me. But making sure the figure has the moose mug attached is something to pay close attention to if buying in store on a website where you can see a photo of the individual item, if its somewhere like Amazon that lets one image be used for multiple items, you might need to request the seller checks to see it is all still intact.\n\nThey would have been better off having the moose mug a separate accessory that you could clip into his hand. But I guess they are going with consistency with the other Vinyl Idolz figures where accessories are permanently attached to the figures. The moose mug looks quite good, and resembles the ones in the film, with the moose face and all, it even is half full of eggnog. Like all Funko Vinyl Idolz, the figure has a hole on the sole of each foot that you can clip a large flat round black circle with two raised bits of plastic into. The stand doesn't have Christmas Vacation written on it, any logos from the film or anything to enhance the display and like other Vinyl Idolz, Clark stands up perfectly well on his own, so there's not really any need for the stand. But it is there if you want it and I guess since the moose mug is so poorly attached, it may lessen the odds of Clark toppling over if bumped.\n\nThe detail in the figure is good. Aside from the suit coat thing being a darker grey in the movie, his outfit is pretty accurate. It's from the stage in the movie where he is carving the turkey, and the night goes onto his boss being presented by Cousin Eddy in a bow with the S.W.A.T. team not far behind. The Santa hat is even bent the same way with the three bells on it in more or less the correct places as the one he is wearing in the movie. His tie also looks pretty similar. The face although not a perfect resemblance to Chevy Chase's back then, is still a pretty good likeness. Like all Vinyl Idolz you can't rotate the head, move the limbs or pose the figure in any other way than it is.\n\nYou can also get Clark as the more basic smaller Funko Pop Vinyl figure along with Cousin Eddy. But this Pop Vinyl Idolz version looks a lot closer to how Chevy looked in the movie. Like is the case with both the Pop Vinyl figure range and this more expensive Vinyl Idolz range, there will be paint blemishes. Mine has some black paint in the white part of the Santa hat. Where yours will occur will be a lucky dip, which is why more and more people open these things in physical stores.","Product: Show off and display your favorite characters from video games, movies, sports, to television with Funko's vinyl figures! These figures are approximately 3.75\" and is in the likeness of your favorite character! Place them in your office, bedroom, or wherever you want to display your allegiance!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Exactly the Same as the Clean Version Just With Some Red Dots\n\nReview: There's a couple of things when you start to collect Funko Pop Vinyls that you'll quickly come to realise. The first is that quality control isn't the best out of the Funko factory. Paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free. Also prototype photographs used by a lot of sellers, the actual figure released to market, won't necessarily look quite as good. Always check out customer images or other sites where sellers have to use the actual image of the product your getting before making a decision to buy on the promo picture alone.\n\nFunko is also a company the re-releases popular figures, don't over pay for them because you can't find them on the shelves, as they're likely to be back. In cases like Blood-Spattered Ed from Shaun of the Dead that are so called exclusive Funko Pop Vinyls, the term exclusive means a completely different thing to Funko as it likely does for you. You're thinking probably that this is an exclusive version sold only through one store, in this case Entertainment Earth. Nothing could be further from the truth. As with the glow in the dark Jason, Back to the Future II pop vinyls, various versions of Godzilla, and well any blood splattered version of a movie/TV character, they can all be found in any physical store that sells pop vinyls and they usually sell for the exact same price as the clean version. So don't overpay. As far as I can tell Funko thinks the word exclusive means the shop that first sells a particular pop vinyl for a month or so before it is shipped out on mass to everyone else.\n\nSo anyway onto Blood Spattered Ed. Is he worth getting? You bet he is. However like with all blood spattered pops it's important to note that he is exactly the same figure as the clean version just with a little bit of red spray painted onto him. These obviously are painted by a machine using an assembly line conveyor belt type action, as each figure in the shop is identical with their blood pattern distribution and there is no blood splatter on the back half of the figure. But you'll find red spots on his shovel, hands, shoes, t-shirt, arms, and the left side of his face, mostly up near his hairline. Speaking of hair, the figure's facial hair is a bit more full than Nick Frost had grown it in the movie where Ed was probably simply too lazy to shave that day or past couple, and had a bit of growth rather than styled stubble look of the figure. Also (and this is where it's important not to judge a figure by the prototype image) the beard has obviously been painted on earlier in the production stage, as the gap that should be where his upper lip is giving his goatee a mustache bit on top of the mouth part of the upper lip, looks more like he's wearing a band aid over it, as the skin colour part has been pasted on top. That's what drops this figure a star for me, but you'll get that on the clean version too.\n\nEd is holding a shovel that looks pretty good. His I Got Wood t-shirt is a lot more yellower than the greenish grey one Nick Frost wore in the film. You can't pose the figure (or any Funko Pop Vinyl), his arms and legs don't move, you can't remove his shovel or clothing. You can rotate his head 360 degrees though to give him a few different looks but that's it. His hair and general appearance has a pretty close resemblance to the movie character but when you take into account that Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth (although if the goatee was done correctly this one should have had a mouth), then Ed doesn't look too bad overall. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie character and this one is fairly close.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other if you like to create your own step like shelves to display them.","Product: B017CBPSBU\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 1955 Version of Doc Emmett\n\nReview: This is the third Doc Emmett Brown as a pop vinyl figure by Funko. The first two (numbered 50 and 62 on their box) were the 1985 car park with remote in hands version, that controlled the Delorean with Einstein inside, before it went a minute into the future. Of course that Doc didn't have long to live before he was gunned down by Libyan terrorists in a Kombi. Unlike the second Doc (62), where they simply added bits of orange to his hazmat suit and repainted his light brown shoes, grey, this third Doc, (numbered 236) represents the younger 1955 Doc Emmett Brown, (so no wrinkle lines under the eyes) and isn't just a repaint, but a completely new figure design. His hair is the more eccentric scientist look, he's obviously wearing different clothing, which is pretty similar to the movie although the shirt under the old person dressing gown material type coat that people alive back then still wear today, is blue and has a different pattern as well to the one that appeared in the film. His green goggles are now clear lensed and are worn over his eyes. He also has some jumper lead type cables attached to a battery with a blue stream of sparks going between the two clamps which are being held in his hands. You can't remove the goggles, clamps or anything like that, you can't move his arms or legs, his head rotates slightly but not all the way round. Like a lot of Funko figures, including the non hoverboard version of Marty, he has no eyebrows. He does however have a gash over his left eye that looks similar to the one 1955 Doc gave to himself in the movie. Like say when the Muppets dress up as Treasure Island, Wizard of Oz or other characters, Funko Pop Vinyl figures all have some resemblance to a standard figure, let's call him Funko for want of a better name. The Pop Vinyls are basically Funko dressed up as movie and TV show characters. They all share the same small triangular nose, the same widely spaced circular black eyes, they have no mouth and all have an over sized head and small body.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\n\nDoc stands upright by himself no problem at all. If you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. My Doc has a bit of black paint in his hair, but for a character like Doc who got quite dirty at times, dirty hair is perfectly plausible. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging,","Product: Exclusive Funko Pop! Movies Back To The Future II Marty McFly on Hoverboard Vinyl Figure #245\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"Stop! Little Girl I Need to Borrow Your .... Hoverboard?\"\n\nReview: This is the second Marty Mcfly released by Funko as a pop vinyl figure. The first from the parking lot scene before Marty escapes the Libyans and goes back in time you could get either individually or as an inclusion with the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Delorean-display-stand/dp/B00FRHAMZE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Delorean display stand</a>. This Back to the Future II version of course comes with a hoverboard, making it instantly of course, way cooler. It is also permanently attached to a display stand, which is similar but a little different to the clip into a hole in the foot stands that come with a lot of female pop vinyl figures. It looks like you could easily snap the hoverboard off of the stand if you felt like it, but if you got the Delorean display stand, it does fit in the driver's rectangle stand and all. Marty sort of leans back a little when the stand is on a flat surface, sort of emulating riding the thing in the movie, but possibly gravity over time may eventually tip him over backwards. He has the same head as the first movie figure, with the exception that this time round he has eyebrows. The figure itself is the same height but the stand and hoverboard of course mean it displays higher. Body wise he has lost a little weight as he is a bit thinner, he of course has different clothes being that he has turned his original outfit inside out to blend in with the way kids wear it in 2015. The clothes do look quite accurate to how they looked in the movie. If you're unfamiliar with Funko Pop Vinyls, you can't remove the clothes or pose the arms or anything. You can rotate his head though, even Exorcist style 180 degrees if you want.\n\nAlso if you're unfamiliar with these figures be aware there will be paint blemishes. Mine has some black paint marks on the jeans. Basically it's always a random lucky dip style situation where there will be paint blemishes on the figure, it's pretty rare to get one blemish free. The box it comes in is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of Marty and the second release version of Doc. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos. The only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores, or asking the shop assistant to. These are in stores, besides poor quality control in the paint part of the assembly line, Funko also have a funny idea of what the word exclusive means. With this and all the other exclusive to whatever stores, perhaps they are first sold there for a month or something but they eventually all turn up in every other store too, so don't pay an over the top price for any exclusive Funko pop vinyl online.","Product: From the movie Zootopia, Judy Hopps, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Zootopia figures from Funko! Collect them all!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: After Seeing the Movie, I Just Had to Add Judy to My Funko Pop Vinyl Collection, to Maintain Law and Order Amongst the Others\n\nReview: After seeing Zootopia on DVD the other day I just had to add Judy and Nick to my collection of Funko figures. Sure you can get figures by other manufacturers that look closer to the characters from the film but these Funko versions still look pretty good. If you were being critical you could say the face of Judy resembles a little bit like Tweety Bird, with her nose kind of looking like a beak, but when you understand Funko figures all are trying for a common look you can understand that. Like all Funko figures Judy has the same black eyes and oversized heard you would expect. Nothing other than her head can move, which rotates 360 degrees, so you can pose her at different angles. She doesn't come with any other accessories.\n\nIf you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free.\n\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are Nick, Mr Big, Flash and Ele-Finnick, the other characters from Zootopia as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that the packaging design lets you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\n\nMy only real criticism of this is how big it is in relation to Nick Wilde (the fox). In the movie she only comes up to his shoulders in height, whereas when you put these two figures side by side, she is actually taller than him. Obviously they can't be completely accurate to size difference otherwise Mr Big would be minuscule, but most people likely would get both Judy and Nick, so Funko really should have made her shorter than him.\n\nHer uniform looks pretty good and is pretty close to what is drawn in the film. You instantly know what movie and character she is from if you see her out of the box, unlike a lot of other Funko figures. She stands up by herself no problems on a flat surface but like is the case with most female Funko pop vinyl characters, for some reason she comes with usual clear circle stand that clips into a hole in her foot. I don't normally bother with these as for one they look inconsistent with the figures on display that don't come with them (such as Nick) and they don't enhance the display at all being they have no movie logo or anything like that on them at all. If you didn't know to look for it, you might miss it in the plastic blister insert inside the box as it blends in quite well.","Product: From the movie Zootopia, Nick Wilde, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Zootopia figures from Funko! Collect them all!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Got Nick to Stop My Other Pop Vinyls Thinking They're Great and Getting a Big Head, Oh Wait!\n\nReview: After seeing Zootopia I just had to own Nick and Judy as pop vinyl figures. Nick does look more like his cartoon version than Judy does, although he has more of a worried look on his face than the crafty look. Funko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. But Nick looks cool and his body and clothes look like the ones in the movie. You can't move his arms or anything, if you're unfamiliar with Pop Vinyls, nothing moves except his head which you can rotate 360 degrees, giving him a few different poses. Unfortunately they made him shorter than Judy, which should have been the other way round, but it's no big deal.\n\nNick stands quite well, he doesn't come with a stand and definitely doesn't need one. Mine didn't come with any major paint blemishes but it does have some blue spots on his shirt, but I guess he could have been eating some of those blueberries in the film, or one of his iceblock scams melted on him. But anyway be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, if the paint blemishes really bother you, you could always ask the shop assistant to do so for you, which is something I'm seeing more and more.\n\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Nick out of the box or put him back to display him in there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back is Nick and five other characters from Zootopia you can collect. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space too.","Product: From Game of Thrones, Daenerys riding Drogon, as a stylized POP Rides vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 4 1/2 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Game of Thrones figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Very Detailed Both Drogon (the Black Dragon Display Stand) and Daenerys\n\nReview: Pop Rides Drogon and Daenerys is really cool and very well detailed. Daenerys comes in a different pose body wise to all her other Pop Vinyl versions (as well as all other pop vinyls I've come across). In this one she's got the Chinese martial arts film pose where they jump into the air with legs apart and arms in front with palms up facing the attackers and somehow can hover there for a few seconds before dispatching every attacker in the room. So on a desk or flat surface she doesn't actually stand on her legs, but tilts back onto the tail part of her dress that is flowing backwards. Of course you can put her on the Drogon display stand and she sits with one leg over each side behind Dragon's wings in front of his own back legs quite well. You can also display Drogon on his side and she sits nicely on his wing or side of his head. But I imagine he doesn't really like the latter two positions. You can also simply display Daenerys beside Drogon as unlike the other Pop Rides display stands, he doesn't have a rectangle bit in him for a Pop Vinyl to go inside, so therefore he is detailed all over. Even underneath. The detail is amazing, you can see heaps of clearly defined scales, he has pointy things coming out of him, the paint job is mostly black but is different shades or red where needed. Both Drogon and Daenerys look seriously good.\n\nComparing it to other Pop Ride display stands with this one, you can really only fit Daenerys on it, whereas the other display stands such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Breaking-Bad-RV/dp/B00S6X5HWO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Breaking Bad RV</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Back-to-The-Future-Delorean/dp/B00FRHAMZE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Back to The Future Delorean </a> and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Ghostbusters-Ecto-1/dp/B00J5H1H74/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Ghostbusters Ecto 1</a>, you can display three or four figures standing on the stand. You can put other figures on the Drogon display stand, the ones with the normal legs cowboy style stance stand easily on Drogon's back legs. Female Pop Vinyls such as with <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/baby-dragon-on-wrist/dp/B009B0YWDG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">baby dragon on wrist</a> and the other versions of Daenerys where their feet are together don't stay on Drogon as well but you can tuck one under one of his wings where it is sort of leaning on the side of his leg. You can't move Drogon's legs, tail, wings or head at all. His jaw doesn't open and shut, he just has the one stance. Likewise with Daenerys, her limbs don't move, her head can rotate slightly, but due to her hair catching on her hand or dress, you can't rotate her head all the way round like you can with most Pop Vinyls. By the Way she is the same size as other versions of herself and other Funko Pop Vinyls.\n\nThe box this comes in is the same width as other Pop Rides but is as tall the Breaking Bad Crystal Ship's one. It also displays pretty nicely in the box if you choose to put it back in there, with windows in the box allowing you to see Drogon and Daenerys from above and three sides. You can open the box without damaging it too, which is always good and something I wish other manufacturers of figures would learn from.\n\nUnfortunately like all Funko Pop Vinyls there are paint blemishes on both the stand and figure. On mine Drogon has some white paint behind his mouth on his lower jaw and Daenerys has some black paint in her hair which makes her look a bit dirty. But I imagine she would get quite dirty marching across different Kingdoms so I can live with that. Where the paint blemishes on the figure you get will be located, will likely be different. It's always a gamble with these things unfortunately.","Product: Exquisite replicas of the popular Batman vehicles! Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Batman Classic TV Series and other iconic Batmobiles from the DC Universe. The 1:50th scale assortment features the Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, and Batcopter. Also included are the Batmobile from Batman, the Batman Forever Batmobile and The Dark Knight Trilogy Batmobile. Last, but not least, this awesome collection showcases the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile! Hot Wheels collectors and Batman aficionados alike will appreciate this iconic collection celebrating 50 years of awesome Batman vehicles. Select your favorite or collect them all for the ultimate Batmobile collection! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Looks Like the One in the TV Show But Very Fragile, Made Mostly of Plastic, the Blades Don't Spin Freely and No Tail Rotor\n\nReview: Hot Wheels re-released the Batcopter in 2016 that they released a few years ago (2012) in 1:50 scale. It's the same die-cast vehicle, just on a blue with black around the edges cardboard backing blister card with the TV Batman logo inside a green splat design in the center of the card. The 2012 version the card looks like the wall of a cave with the TV Batman Logo on a yellow splat. This means there's no guarantee they won't re-release this helicopter again in future years, so this might impact how much you pay for it if you can't find it in physical stores.\n\nUnfortunately the Batcopter is about 90% plastic. Not the metal you're probably expecting. It is pretty fragile too, if you stepped on it the tail would likely snap, or it fell on the floor from a decent height, it likely won't stay in tact as the canopy would smash or the bat wings break off, so if you're buying it for a kid's toy, it won't last long. Looks wise though, it isn't that bad, with the exception of a missing tail rotor (well you could sort of say there is one painted the same colour as the tail but it's pretty much invisible and doesn't rotate anyway), the Batcopter looks pretty similar to the one that appeared in the 1996 TV series and spin off movie. Batman was already a couple of decades old by the time I watched it as a kid, but I can still remember the classic scene involving the Batcopter, a rope ladder hanging from it with Batman at the bottom, and an obviously fake plastic shark attached to his leg. Perhaps it was more believable when it first aired. But I remember Batman pulls out of his utility belt, a can of shark repellent. It doesn't come with a little Batman, ladder or shark but you could probably make one and attach it, then hang the helicopter up with fishing line if you wanted to.\n\nAs I said if you do an image search this Hot Wheels looks pretty similar. Apart from the shots filmed obviously in front of a green screen, the helicopter on screen seems to have four blades, rather than the two this comes with. The two snap together to form a straight line once you take it out of the packaging. I don't know why they didn't make the blister taller on the card so the blades don't look like a V if you decide to keep it in the packaging, but they didn't. The blades can be pushed around in a circle but don't rotate on their own at all, even with a flick of your finger. Most other helicopters as 1/64 die-cast vehicles the blades spin no problem, so that's definitely a let down with this. It actually is around the same size as those helicopters too, I'd say this is closer to 1:64 scale than 1:50 (so was the Batboat in the same line). Since you can see the interior of the cockpit which is seats and controls, it would have been so much better if they'd molded Batman and Robin to be in it. The landing undercarriage thing being made of plastic is also very flimsy, and really should have been made of metal as the helicopter doesn't sit completely flat.","Product: Exquisite replicas of the popular Batman vehicles! Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Batman Classic TV Series and other iconic Batmobiles from the DC Universe. The 1:50th scale assortment features the Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, and Batcopter. Also included are the Batmobile from Batman, the Batman Forever Batmobile and The Dark Knight Trilogy Batmobile. Last, but not least, this awesome collection showcases the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile! Hot Wheels collectors and Batman aficionados alike will appreciate this iconic collection celebrating 50 years of awesome Batman vehicles. Select your favorite or collect them all for the ultimate Batmobile collection! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Nice Pretty Accurate Die-cast Vehicle 1966 Batboat Replica\n\nReview: These have been re-released in 2016, so you should be able to find these 1:50 scale Bat Vehicles in stores. Although this is smaller in scale than the Batmobile, which if you've got a later re-release one also comes with a tow bar that you can attach the trailer. I'd actually say the boat is 1.64 scale and originally supposed to be released as such without the trailer. So it sort of looks like Batman is towing a tinnie version of the Batboat. So if you were like me, the two important questions you want to know are. Do the wheels on the trailer roll? Does the boat come off the trailer? The answer to both questions is yes. The two main (rear) wheels on the trailer do roll, so hence you can tow it, and it does roll by itself on a sloped surface. The front wheel is just a plastic mold and doesn't rotate so sort of acts like a brake if the thing starts rolling away.\n\nThe Batboat like a real boat does out of water due to the curved hull, tilts to one side if you plan on displaying it separately to the trailer on a shelf, desk or somewhere. So unless you're planing on making some sort of diorama with blue celophane or something as the water, then you'll likely keep it on the trailer anyway. The trailer is made of black plastic and is quite flimsy, if a child or someone was going to play with it, it likely will not last that long. It does have rubber tyres on the rear wheels with tread and silver hubcaps with the red bat symbol on them.\n\nThe boat itself is made of metal with the canopy windshield things both made of clear plastic. If you look up the images of the one used in the movie/show it is actually a very close resemblance. Before looking it up I thought Mattel must have just cheaped out with the paint job making the seats blue, but they are actually that way on the original. The paint job is pretty accurate, the flames on the side of this are a little more fire like than the seaweed like design in the original and the police light in the middle is a bit smaller and less prominent on this, but other than that, it's a pretty good replica.","Product: Exquisite replicas of the popular Batman vehicles! Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Batman Classic TV Series and other iconic Batmobiles from the DC Universe. The 1:50th scale assortment features the Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, and Batcopter. Also included are the Batmobile from Batman, the Batman Forever Batmobile and The Dark Knight Trilogy Batmobile. Last, but not least, this awesome collection showcases the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile! Hot Wheels collectors and Batman aficionados alike will appreciate this iconic collection celebrating 50 years of awesome Batman vehicles. Select your favorite or collect them all for the ultimate Batmobile collection! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Really Detailed, Looks Just Like the One on the 1966 TV Series and Also Has a Surprise Bonus Sled Car inside the SideCar Bit\n\nReview: This 1966 Batcycle is very well detailed. If you do an image search for the one from the TV show you'll see how close they got it to the one on there and they have done a really good job. It's been years since I saw the TV show and to be honest I wasn't that into it at the time, being I wasn't born until a couple of decades after it first aired, but I did watch the reruns as a kid. So I didn't really remember the bike from the show but it looked cool when I saw it on the shelf so I just grabbed one. So I was really surprised when I opened the packaging and started playing with it when a part of the sidecar lifted up and hey, there's a bonus little vehicle here. Some sort of motorized sled sort of like a little quad bike that I'm guessing due to the giant R in the circle on the windshield was something Robin used when the bad guys split up and went in different directions while Batman stayed with the main part of the bike. You can see it clearly in my customer photograph, it is seriously cool.\n\nThe bike is made of metal as is the sidecart, so is Robin's sled car. There's a raised little pole thing in the sidecart that the sled car clips into, similar to how some figures' feet clip into those circle display stands. It doesn't fall out when your playing with it unless you lift it up by the sled or tip it upside down, so the attachment pole part is really well done. Robin's sled even has tread on the tyres. The bike itself is pretty well detailed with the paint design looking the same as the one from the TV show. In fact the only thing that really looks different is the back of the side car has smaller exhaust pipes down the right. Being it has a sidecar, the bike stands up by itself no problem at all. There's quite a bit of detail in the seat, and the handlebars even have brakes on them. There's even a fuel tank cap. The canopy thing around the front wheel and handlebars is the only part of the entire vehicle made of plastic. It seems like if you really wanted to (but why would you), you could rip it off without much difficulty, although I don't know if you'd get it back on. The wheels of both the sled car and the main bike roll, although the main bike does seem to slam on the brakes by itself after rolling a short distance. But if your hand is pushing it, there's no problems.\n\nThis is a very detailed little car. It's actually around the same size as 1/64 scale vehicles rather than the 1/50 scale it says on the packaging. On the back of the blister card you'll see the other 1966 Batvehicles you can collect, including the Batboat on a trailer (which I can testify is also brilliant) and the Batcopter (not so good).","Product: 1979 Family Truckster Wagon Queen \"National Lampoon's Vacation\" (1983) in Blister Pack 1/64 by Greenlight 44720 A\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Taking the whole tribe cross-country, the Wagon Queen Family Truckster... you think you hate it now, wait 'til you drive it!\n\nReview: Collectors like myself of die-cast vehicles, especially those of us who like vehicles that have been in movies, have had the Truckster from National Lampoon's Vacation on their wish list since we've been collecting. A few years ago (in 2013) Hallmark brought out a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Truckster-plastic-ornament/dp/B00DP36B16/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Truckster plastic ornament</a> which was pretty good, but this 2016 released by Greenlight is the first time we've a 1/64 scale metal car (that's the same size as your regular mass produced Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars).\n\nUnfortunately Greenlight's distribution network is pretty poor, so you're probably going to have to find one of these online, and with postage it may take a while to find a decent priced one, but it is worth it. Importantly the die-cast car looks very similar to the one in the movie. Doesn't have the dead old lady on the roof, but that's my only major complaint, and there were plenty of previous scenes to that, and since it still has the hubcaps, she hadn't joined the trip yet in the film anyway. It does have luggage on the roof but it's not that well detailed and looks more like different coloured squares and other shapes. It does have rubber tyres with tread and the hubcaps even have little red crown silhouettes on them which obviously reinforce the whole Wagon Queen part of the vehicle's name. It has number plates on the front and back which are the same colours (red and white) as the dealership plates, they aren't movie accurate with what's on them though, but most people will probably prefer the Matchbox Star Car style of putting the word logo of the movie on them instead. The headlights look pretty similar with four square bulbs on each side of the bonnet, although the movie version had a dark yellow border around those headlight's, whereas Greenlight's version that border is red and is only on the top and bottom.\n\nThe packaging is pretty good, it is on a blister style on cardboard backing, but the whole blister is encased in plastic, meaning the blister card as well as the car will avoid damage a lot easier if you choose to keep it displayed within. Having had quite a few Johnny Lightning cars in this type of packaging, I can also tell you it's easier to keep clean when it gets dusty as you can just wipe it over with a damp cloth, or even get it wet under a tap if you want. You can't do that with exposed cardboard, which also frays and bends. The cardboard in this will still fade, and if you stepped on it or something heavy crushes it, the plastic will still chip or you'll get a crack in it, but you can't have everything, and I'd much prefer this sort of packaging to the bubble on card style. There is some artwork on the cardboard of an illustration of the Truckster airborne after it crashed through the freeway barrier on an overpass that wasn't finished yet. I would have preferred a screen shot or promotional photo from the film but this isn't that bad. On the back is a black silhouette of the truckster on a blue map without city or state names. Both the front and the back have the National Lampoon's and the Vacation word logos. You can't see the car through the back of the blister card unfortunately.","Product: From Pirates of the Caribbean, Ghost Barbosa, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! This Pop! Vinyl is a 2016 Summer Convention Exclusive! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Pirates of the Caribbean figures from Funko! Collect them all.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I've Never Seen This Movie, But This is a Really Cool Looking Zombie Looking Pirate That Comes With an Even Cooler Zombie Monkey\n\nReview: I'm not actually a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, I was buying the Burning Walker zombie pop vinyl and saw this one of the shelf beside it and thought, that's a cool zombie monkey. I really that zombie monkey. I could always use a zombie pirate, I'm sure someone in every zombie world would go to a fancy dress party as a pirate from iZombie, Sean of the Dead to The Walking Dead that I have pop vinyl displays of. Yeah this looks seriously cool. I think I'll buy it as well.\n\nThe monkey's head rotates like a full sized pop vinyl, in fact he's just as detailed. The pirate is also very detailed. When looking at him from underneath it does sort of look like he's wearing a mask, but from every other angle, this is a full on pirate zombie. He has sword that looks cool, and a hat with holes in it. If you're unfamiliar with Funko pops you can't move the limbs or remove their clothing.\n\nLike all pop vinyls this one is easy to take out the packaging (box and internal clear blister) without damaging that packaging at all. Something I wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. A lot of people ask shop assistants to take them out of the box as if you're unfamiliar with these things, they often have paint blemishes, a lot you can't see on the back of the figure. Not that really matters with a pirate who is going to be dirty anyway, and when he's a zombie even more so. You can see the figure through the front and one side of the box by the way if you choose to display it in there. I like to stand my figures on top of the boxes. Both these figures stand up easily on a flat surface.","Product: Includes: Meter Made, 2000 Chevrolet Suburban, Sport SUV, Dodge Charger Pursuit, GMC Wrecker\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: NYPD Logo Used and Not the Usual MBPD One For These 5 New York Police Vehicles\n\nReview: This a nice 5 pack that contains all New York police vehicles, which I got since you see them in every New York set movie. There's a tow truck and even one of those little vehicles we use as street cleaner machines out here in Australia but in movies they use to transport obese cops who can't walk around Central Park. Sometimes cops give out parking tickets in the movies driving these things too. This was released amongst current Matchbox basic line 5 packs in 2016. Usually Matchbox or Hot Wheels 5 packs that have police vehicles call them HWPD or MBPD but these actually use the NY police logo which is pretty cool.\n\nBeing they are basic 1/64 scale vehicles doors don't open or anything like that. You can tow other Matchbox cars with the tow truck, as long at they are also 1/64 scale cars you shouldn't have any issues with it. All five police roll pretty well, the small Central Park thing obviously has some limitations in that regard.","Product: Speed Racer 1:64 Die Cast Hot Wheels Car Mach 5 Race Car with Jump Jacks .\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Cheap Looking Plastic Bodied Mach 5! Better Competitor Products Out There\n\nReview: Hot Wheels Mach 5 is an absolute joke of a thing. If you are buying it as a toy for a child or you are collector it doesn't satisfy either market. A much better similar size (1:55) die-cast product is out there. I extensively researched small die-cast replicas of the Mach 5 and went with the better built and actual resembling the TV show/movie Mach 5's - <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Speed-Racer-Jada-Mach-5-1-55-Scale/dp/B0018OB6C8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Speed Racer Jada Mach 5 1:55 Scale</a>. It looks better and even if it is just a toy for a child, it is built better too!\n\nThe wheels on this Hot Wheels car look absolutely pathetic. Hot Wheels do usually have cheaper wheels than their competitors products but of their entire wheel selection they seem to have picked the cheapest looking non racing car ones they could find. They also looked over sized to the body of the car. The body itself is less pointed and more round looking than the cartoon and movie car it is supposed to be based on. Competitors have got the Mach 5's body more right.\n\nHot Wheels yes, is a cheaper brand more aimed at the children play item market but they can produce some good looking highly resembling TV show products as well, such as the other inspired by latest movie franchise out at the moment Batman 1966 Series .\n\nGranted this is probably the cheapest Mach 5 on the shelves but there isn't much difference between this disaster's price and its competitors. I only paid a little over $5 for the much better Jada Mach 5 and believe me it is well worth it","Product: This cute and collectable Gizmo figure features pull-back and go motorised action!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Nice Piece for Any Movie Die-Cast Vehicle or Horror Figure Collector\n\nReview: There's obviously been plenty of Gizmo figures over the years, some that make better toys for kids, some that are more detailed for collectors, but what makes Neca's latest effort great is that it is the right size to fit into any die-cast vehicle collection. I collect both die-cast vehicles from the movies as well as horror figures and this is a nice combination of both. Sure Gizmo itself isn't full bodied or you can't move and pose him as much as other similar cheaper retail price horror figures such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Neca-s-Gizmo-with-accessories/dp/B000MOF50E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Neca's Gizmo with accessories</a> from a couple of years ago. But this one isn't supposed to be a poseable figure, it's supposed to represent Gizmo driving Barbie's car from the first movie. So with that the obvious issue is that the car in the movie was pink, this one is red, the car looked a bit different too and there's no steering wheel for gizmo's hands to rest on. So this won't satisfy purists and there are actually old toy versions from the 80s of Gizmo in a pink car which you might find on an online auction site or something, but the important difference is that they are a lot bigger than this one.\n\nThis one comes on a blister pack which is the same height and within a couple of cms width of Johnny Lightning blister cards. Which means if you're into keeping some of your collection in their original packaging this looks great alongside them. And Gizmo in the corvette does display well in the packaging, with a nice silhouette of Spike's shadow with his arms in the air and the Gremlins word logo behind the toy. On the back of the card is a picture of this piece out of packaging along with two other motorized pull back and Go Action gizmos released at the same time, One has gizmo with a couple of eggs after he has gotten wet and the other has him coming out of a box jack in the box style. We also for some reason have a parody of the Inspector Gadget theme song chorus Go Gadget Go! with the words Go Gizmo Go! on there as well. Don't really know what that's all about.\n\nThe car itself is plastic, not metal as obviously is the gizmo figure. It's one of those pull the car back, release it and it speeds forward under its own momentum type toys. The car itself is 10cm long, would be 2.5cm high if Gizmo could come out (he can't) and about 5.5cm high with Gizmo inside. It's about twice the size of your mass produced Matchbox and other brands car, in fact it's the same size as your 1/43 sized vehicles such as Corgi often release in diorama packs such as this <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Harry-Potter-one/dp/B000NVLDDO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Harry Potter one</a>. So if you're a taker out of packaging displayer and you've got other 1/43 sized vehicles, it looks all right besides them, altough of course Gizmo inside makes it taller.\n\nThis is not the most heavily detailed of your Gremlins figures but to be fair it didn't cost in shops anywhere near the same price as ones that are. If you want heavy detailed Gremilns figures I'd check out <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/NECA-Cult-Classics-Gremlins-2-Brain/dp/B002PKXFYG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">NECA Cult Classics Gremlins 2 Brain</a> figure, it's one of the best and detailed horrors figures I own.","Product: The villainous Gremlin monsters join the Mogwais to celebrate the successful re-launch of the Gremlins Series 1 Action Figure line. This first assortment of Gremlins includes all new figures as seen in Gremlins 2. The Flasher Gremlin comes with flexible trenchcoat and removable sunglasses, George Gremlin includes his trademark cigar, and Daffy Gremlin includes gag glasses and noisemaker accessories. Figures stand nearly 6\" tall and feature incredible detail, articulation, and accessories.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Even Though He Was Only on Screen for About 5 Seconds, Everyone Remembers This Guy!\n\nReview: NECA released a few Gremlins in 2011 but none was more sought after than Flasher. Flasher comes with a trench coat which is moulded to be riding up, this is a disappointment as the figure is always flashing and cannot pose with the trench coat closed in pre flash anticipation pose. It would be possible to remove the coat completely, Gremlin is intact underneath, but since it's moulded a bit of challenge to put it back on if it can happen at all. Flasher also comes with two accessories, sunglasses and a cigarette. The cigarette is extremely small and likely to be lost quickly due to the fact it pretty easily falls out, unless you shove it almost horizontally in Flasher's mouth. It of course could easily be swallowed by a small child too if safety concerns are a factor to you. The cigarette is unlit which is another disappointment, it would have been cool to have a bit of smoke coming out of it so when he looks up in kind of a stoned manner while flashing like in the movie just before he was kicked rugby try conversion style, it would better resemble that scene. I would have preferred the cigarette to have been permanently attached within the mouth, seeing as the mouth doesn't open and close or anything, this would ensure the high probability of it getting lost doesn't happen. If you're buying this online loose I'd definitely be checking the cigarette is there.\n\nThe sunglass arms don't fold or anything but they do sit on Flasher's head, although obviously not over his ears. The poses Flasher can do are rather limited due to the inflexible trench coat, he can stand up on his own if you take the time to carefully manipulate his legs, but not in the promotion image looking up leaning back pose. That shot has also been photoshopped a bit as the underarms aren't smooth with the figure, you can clearly see the joints (see my customer images) where they attach to the body, although you can rotate the arms to minimise how much of them you see. As you can see the joints with one the legs such as the knees. Flasher is definitely more detailed than all previous year NECA both Gremlin movies characters such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Spike-and-Poker-Player/dp/B00198QFG0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Spike and Poker Player</a> from the first film, with the exception of the main gremlin from the sequel <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Brain/dp/B002PKXFYG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Brain</a> and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Mohawk/dp/B003DBUBDO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Mohawk</a> from the second film as well, who I think are slightly better done than Flasher where the head and limbs join the body. Flasher kind of looks like he's wearing a turtle type shell. But when it comes down to it if you like the detail of Flasher, you should check those two previous year released figures out too. The fingers, especially the long fingernails, detail wise are done well with Flasher and the paint job is really good with veins, scales and the like being able to be seen.\n\nStill even with Flasher's limitations, he's still extremely cool and a must add to your collection or even just to display somewhere as a single talking piece. If you're a keeper in the packaging type collector Flasher can be seen quite clearly while still in the packaging, although he is not in the iconic flashing pose. If he had been and had the accessories on/in his head I might have considered keeping him inside the packaging due to how loose, the cigarette especially is. However with that not being the case, you're pretty much missing out by not setting him free. The back of the blister pack (see my customer images) shows all the other Mogwai and Gremlin character same size 2011 releases (there were also three smaller Gizmos released by NECA in 2011 that were pull back powered such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Gizmo-in-a-Corvette/dp/B004CS5B9G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Gizmo in a Corvette</a> but they are not on there. What are though is the characters set to be released in 2012 who are Lenny, Lightning and Phantom (in Gremlin not Mogwai form). If they are releasing more gremlin characters from the sequel film, I'd love NECA to make the bat gremlin who became a gargoyle, Mohawk with his spider body, the gremlin with fruit and veg growing out of his head and body (maybe with the salad dressing IV drip as his accessories) and the girl gremlin. I'd also love to see some of the melting gremlins or even better the ones who have gotten wet with new gremlins emerging from their backs.","Product: A brand new line of fully poseable Mogwai figures based on the characters from Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.\n\nSeries 2 includes fan favorite Combat Gizmo, Mohawk, and Daffy. Each figure features ball jointed ears, necks, shoulders, forearms, wrists, hips, and fully movable eyes!\n\nA small ball carefully concealed on the back of the head allows you to move the pupils in all directions to create many different looks and expressions for your Mogwais.\n\nClamshell packaging.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: You're Going to Want One of These When Mohawk Spider Gremlin is Released Soon\n\nReview: I'd put off getting one of these, and didn't really plan on getting one as I already own quite a few Gizmos from earlier NECA releases and lets be honest all the Gizmo figures are pretty similar, especially with their facial expression. But days ago NECA announced on their Facebook page that the spider version of Mohawk from Gremlins 2 is going to be made. Spider Mohawk has been on the wish list of many collectors, since the Gremlin sequel hit the screen in 1990 so that will sell out pretty quick and cost a fortune to obtain if you don't get one quick. I anticipate when Spider Mohawk hits stores and websites, that many fans will also be after this version of Gizmo from a few years ago, (so it's unlikely you'll find it in physical stores anymore) where inspired by a Rambo clip he's previously watched back when he was in a cage in the shop, Gizmo bends a paperclip to make a bow, puts a pencil into a liquid paper bottle (of course an office building these days is more likely to have liquid paper pens so you may have to explain to your kids what that is), climbs into the air conditioning system, opens a vent, lights the liquid paper bottle on fire and fires it into Mohawk who seemed to be pretty much unstoppable on his rampage before Gizmo had finally had enough! So it you're tossing up wether to get a Combat Gizmo or not I'd probably do so before Spider Mohawk is released.\n\nWhen this arrived I must say it is a bit better Gizmo head wise than the previous ones I own. His ears are more like in the films, longer and pointier. Because he's obviously had enough and is mad, his mouth (snout, beak whatever you want to call it) is now in a frown rather than the smile of previous Gizmos. To be honest you could easily make the accessories this comes with yourself and attach them to a previous Gizmo figure, but the frown and squinted eyes on this figure resemble the scene slightly better than the older Gizmo figures portray. This like the other Mogwai characters released in the same year has the poseable eyes (which means eyes you move through a trackball on the back of his head. People either like this feature or hate it. To me it doesn't really add anything, since 99.9% of this figures life is going to be posed like a statue anyway, it's more of a gimmick, but it may be a reason for you to buy it.\n\nAs another reviewer has mentioned the paintjob is a bit sloppy. Maybe it's different on all figures and being you can't select these from a shelf in a store these days it's going to be a bit of a lucky dip for you. Mine has clearish brown paint on the fur where it looks like a vest in the white bit bordering it as well as brown in the white bits on the ears. The ears don't really matter as like a dog or a cat or something in real life Gizmo would have bits of brown in amongst the white. But the body clearly looks like a paint brush has gone somewhere it shouldn't. Even without the paint mistakes it's kind of weird that they've painted his brown like he's wearing a vest, on previous Gizmo figures the brown goes all the way down to where the torso ends and the separate mould that is the legs begins. Maybe they wanted to hide the separate legs and body join by making the lower part of the body white, who knows? Other than the paint mistakes, the general appearance of the figure does resemble fur with ridges and things like this. It's always going to be hard to make a soft furry creature look that way with a hard plastic figure, so NECA have done an all right job in that regard. The detail in his toes, toenails, fingers and hands and feet in general is a lot better than previous release Gizmos.\n\nGizmo is also wearing a rope belt which does actually resemble a rope and a red bandana that doesn't quite look right. The paperclip and rubber band bow looks okay. The pencil in liquid paper arrow isn't the correct proportions with the pencil being a lot longer than it would be compared to a real life liquid paper and pencil. Obviously it's not on fire so you might have to add some fake fire to the bottle for display. The bottle is also just white, it doesn't have the brand name and stuff that the movie one had. This is a criticism I have of all the Gremlin NECA figures but I would love Gizmo to be posed in the packaging holding the bow and arrow so that if you choose not to take it out of the clear blister packaging it's already posed. The packaging is the type that once you open it, it's destroyed so you can't put him back.\n\nSome sellers on some websites claim this (and other Mogwai for that matter) figures are 7\" tall. It doesn't claim that anywhere on the packaging. This one is just over 3\" (just under 9cm) high. The arrow from eraser to the bottom of the bottle is around 8cm in length is slightly shorter than the figure. If you are getting any of the Gremlins figures the Mogwai are smaller than the taller Gremlins like they are in the films.","Product: diecast ghostbusters car\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Slimer Possessed Ecto 1\n\nReview: Hot Wheels released 5 Halloween themed 1/64 sized vehicles, in 2012. They were exclusive to Kroger stores and this version of the Ecto-1, was easily the best. Not living in the US, I only had the option of searching for these online. I knew this vehicle would be good, but was completely surprised when it arrived to see Slimer on the bonnet (hood). Why don't online sellers take decent photos? Oh well, meant less bidders and a cheaper price for me, but check out the customer images section of this page to see Slimer on the hood and a few other angles of the vehicle I uploaded.\n\nThe artwork on the blister pack is easily the best Halloween themed packaging Hot Wheels has ever come up with. You are going to be seriously tossing up between keeping this in the packaging or giving it, it's freedom. So I'd get two if I was you if with postage there isn't much difference in price. If I'd known Slimer was on the bonnet I would have got two. Anyway the blister card imagery is set in a gas station and has a skeleton emerging from the building. There's four evil looking pumpkins, spider webs, some creatures with glowing eyes living in a knocked over oil barrel, a full moon with bats flying in front of it and a black hissing back arched cat. Seriously the artwork is simply awesome.\n\nIf you're familiar with the version of the Ecto 1 Hot Wheels released in 2010 (see it <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/here/dp/B0034YX6JQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">here</a> if you're not) the aspects that allowed it to be a cheap mass produced vehicle actually work better with this version as obviously it's not concerned about looking exactly like the one in the Ghostbusters movie. The blue plastic moulding that made up the windows and emergency light bar of the Ecto 1, this time round is transparent green. When the sun hits it, it mildly gives the illusion of glowing. It blends well with the Slimer image and slime down the sides of the car, this Ecto 1 easily could have been slimed or possessed. The plastic ladder and equipment on the roof, this time round is light grey, which enables you to see more of the detail then the black of the mass produced line 2010 one.\n\nThe black paint on the vehicle is a nice deep colour. Beside the water like long drops of slime flowing towards the rear of the vehicle on the sides, there is also an orange pumpkin Hot Wheels logo with ribbon containing the Hot Wheels words, on the door. That logo also appears on the rear hatch. Slimer sort of has the graffiti art on wall look, his mouth is open showing teeth and tongue.\n\nSeriously this is a great car that any Ghostbusters fan, movie or horror themed die-cast vehicle collector will want to add to their collection.","Product: Hot Wheels New For 2012! HW Imagination ANGRY BIRDS RED Bird 1:64 scale copyright 2012 Mattel\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Very Cool Looking Bird Head Themed Hot Wheels Car!\n\nReview: Angry Bird is part of Hot Wheels 2012 mass produced line of budget 1/64 scale cars which sell for one or two dollars in supermarket, toy and department stores. Obviously there is no actual size Angry Car out there that this is 1/64th the size of, but if you collect other Matchbox, Hot Wheel, Johnny Lightning and other brands, this is the same height as those. It's shorter in length than some other vehicles, but I've got plenty of other 1/64 sized cars that are no longer than this. I'm not 100% sure how accurate this thing looks to the character in the computer game as I've never played it, but it does resemble other merchandise of that character in the toy stores. I just bought it because it looks interesting, I collect non-conventional car looking creature, artwork and other odd 1/64 sized vehicles. This and the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/green-pig/dp/B009B1H2QE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">green pig</a> character (Minion) from the Angry Bird game fit right in with my collection. This does look like a red bird's head, with a yellow beak who is either angry, or just has a really prominent black mono eyebrow. Even though it is pretty much just a head on wheels it does also have a black tail. At the time of this review they are the only two characters released but a black, yellow as well as blue character seem to be pretty well marketed in other toys so hopefully Mattel will release those down the track as Hot Wheels vehicles too.\n\nCheck out my customer image to see this vehicle from different angles. For some reason these images don't come up on this page anymore and you need to click on the blue words link View and Share Related Imgages that are located under the seller's images to see them. Note that it comes on a few different blister cards, some say HW imagination down the right in a green rectangle and others say Angry Birds down the right in a yellow rectangle. Both versions have a nice illustration of the vehicle on the blister card and have the same vehicle inside.","Product: 2012 Edition THE MUPPETS School Bus Disney HOT WHEELS COLLECTOR\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Nice Paint Job, Wrong Sized/Type of Bus\n\nReview: It's great to see the Electric Mayhem Bus from the 1979 Muppets movie finally made into a 1/64 scale die-cast vehicle tribute. This of course comes inside a blister card with the cardboard backing promoting the 2011 Jason Siegel movie The Muppets, where a purposely run down faded cobweb covered looking replica had a cameo in the Muppet museum studio lot. This Hot Wheels version is a replica of the bus in its prime, but sadly Hot Wheels hasn't used the same type or even sized bus. This is more of a standard more common school bus repainted. I'd compare this to the old Matchbox Star Cars range where they used cars from their existing range and dressed them up to pretend they were movie star cars. It's better than nothing, and worth owning but the door is wide open for someone to do the job properly which would of course make the price of this one in your collection plummet when that happens. There is of course no guarantees that ever will happen.\n\nStill this version has some nice detailed artwork on it reminiscent of the style used on the original bus but not exact. If you can get this for a good price, it's worth owning.","Product: CONVOY CUSTOM * AC/DC * Hot Wheels 2013 Pop Culture Series Die-Cast Vehicle. Vehicle measures approximately 3 inches long. Vehicle may not be compatible with some Hot Wheels tracks and play sets. HOT WHEELS Pop Culture: This new series for 2013 pairs classic Hot Wheels casting with popular brands loved the world over. Properties include the Muppets, Looney Tunes, Hostess, Mars and characters from Sunday morning cartoons like Dennis the Menace, Popeye and Flash Gordon. The vehicles feature die-cast bodies and chassis with Real Riders tires. Ages 3 and up. From Mattel\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Thunderstruck by How Good This is!\n\nReview: Truck stamped 2012 on the metal undercarriage but released in 2013 as part of the Pop Culture promotion by Hot Wheels. There was a second orange smaller truck with storage crate on the back but it wasn't as good as this one. In earlier years Hot Wheels also released a Back in Black album ute (Ford Ranchero), and a van. This is a really nice semi trailer truck and easily the best of all four vehicles. It is also the most expensive and hardest to find of the four on online auction sites. It's a lot heavier than your usual 1/64 scale vehicle as a truck would be to a car in real life. On the side of the cab's sleeping area is a nice photo of Angus Young shirtless with a red guitar and I think Brian Johnson (lead singer) but to be honest the photo of him isn't the clearest. Not sure if there's a different image on the side that you can't see through the blister pack as this cost a bit much to justify taking it out (these weren't released in Australia, which is stupid being ACDC are an Australian band), but that seems to be the norm with most of Hot Wheels Pop Culture range. On the back is the ACDC word logo (the same as on the blister card) and there's also a really small one on the front bonnet (hood). Also on the bonnet is an arrow thin flame racing stripe, behind the visible engine on the sides are similar stripes. This vehicle has red rimmed tyres with tread. I love the front of the truck, it sort of suits the 70's Melbourne look of ACDC's arriving on the music scene era.\n\nIf you do a search you will also find 1/64 vehicles by Kiss, Elvis, Guns N' Roses, Beatles, Monkees, Led Zepplin, Iron Maiden some also by Hot Wheels, others by Johnny Lightning. It's a shame die-cast vehicle manufacturers don't release more iconic band themed artwork on 1/64 vehicles.","Product: Own the DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future ! Measures 7-inches long. Highly detailed 1:24 scale vehicle made with die-cast metal parts! The iconic DeLorean from the Back to the Future film trilogy gets the die-cast metal treatment in the 1:24 scale! This Back to the Future DeLorean 1981 Time Machine Die-Cast Metal 1:24 Scale Vehicle is highly detailed and screen accurate. Measuring 7-inches long in the 1:24 scale and made from die-cast metal parts, the detailing on this great vehicle is impressive. Not only can you open the doors on this fantastic DeLorean, but the interior is also packed full of delicate instrumentation, like the time circuits and flux capacitor! Ages 14 and up.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"You Mean to Tell Me, Welly Built a Replica Time Machine... Out of a Delorean, in 1:24 Scale?\"\n\nReview: This is pretty cool when you consider these things retail in stores for less than $15. The wheels move, the gull doors lift up and you can even attach the lightning rod (located underneath the purple cardboard diorama display stand, when you open the box and slide it out, you'll find it taped in a clear plastic bag to where the car is attached to the display stand. I never bothered detaching mine from that cardboard thing, but you can unscrew it if you want to roll the car around. I did attach the lightning rod, it just clips into a slot on the rear top of the Delorean, you can see it being attached in my photo. You can also see what this looks like with the doors up. You can also display it back in the box (the box just has some sticky tape to cut, then opens up without damage) with the doors up. I also like to like the lightning rod in front. Obviously the box isn't tall enough to keep it attached to the vehicle. You can't really see the background on the cardboard display well when it's in the box, the background is the backs of Marty and Doc. The box itself has pictures of the Delorean and the Back to the Future logo on the sides and top. On the back is a spiel similar to what you'd find on the back of a video in the 80's promoting the movie, starting with \"He was never in time for his classes... He wasn't in time for his dinner... The one day... he wasn't in time at all.\" There's also some screen shots of a street in 1955, and three of the Delorean on the back of the box.\n\nThe Welly Delorean is 1:24 scale, it's metal, with plastic inside and with bits of the time machine. The steering wheel pretty much touches the seat so even if you bought a little Marty or Doc figure it's unlikely it would be able to sit in the driver's seat. Although maybe you could position it like hes got his legs on the bitumen and is about to get out. The passenger seat would fit the other one sitting properly. There door windows are rolled down so its just air. Deloreans like most vehicles back in the 80's probably weren't air-conditioned I guess. For such a cheap retail priced replica, it is very well detailed. No Back to the Future fan should pass up owning one of these. Keep and eye out for it on the shelves, or even pay a bit more to get on online, it's worth it.\n\nYou can also get two other versions of the Delorean from each of the sequels.","Product: Hot Wheels The A Team Custom GMC Panel Van 1:64 Die-Cast copyright 2012 Mattel.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: B.A. Baracus Would Pity the Fool Who Didn't Collect One of These!\n\nReview: A few years ago Hot Wheels released Baracus' (played by actor Mr T) van as part of their mass produced budget range. It was good if you could get one off the rack for a dollar or two but didn't have the right paint job (ie it was black both beneath and above the red line) had cheap wheels and thing like this but for a few bucks, you really couldn't be too picky. However as we collector know who are collecting stuff that was around before we decided to join this great hobby, resell online prices in the years ahead, especially when you include postage, mean you aren't just paying a few bucks. Therefore the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/2011-HW-Premiere-A-Team-Van/dp/B005NUNNA6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">2011 HW Premiere A Team Van</a> really wasn't worth it if you couldn't didn't get one in stores.\n\nThis time round as part of the Retro range I think both those finding them in stores and paying the off the rack price (which is about 5 times the price of the basic Hot Wheels vehicles), or even those who have to pay the higher online prices in the future will look at this one and say, yeah that was worth it. This retro version does have the better paintjob (grey top half above the red stripe, even the stripe looks better, especially on the roof). It has rubber tyres, the back ones with white writing, and better red hubcaps are used as well, the general detailing in the paint job such as the headlights, break lights is far superior and it also has a black plastic used for windshield, windows etc rather than the blue with the mass produced one.\n\nThe retro range vehicle though isn't found in as many stores or even a lot of countries that the mass produced Hot Wheels one was back in 2011, and certainly not in the same quantities. Meaning the price gap will likely widen over the years between the two. Unless the retro ones you can find have skyrocketed to ridiculous prices if you're a new collector I'd definitely pay a little bit more to get this much better van. Maybe get a mass produced one to open and play with and keep the retro in the packaging for display. Packaging wise the Retro one is slightly better, it's still in a blister bubble on piece of cardboard that you have to destroy if you want to play with it, but it is a slightly larger card and the packaging sits upright on a flat surface, whereas your mass produced Hot Wheels range leans towards you on a severe angle on a flat surface so you've got to lean it against a wall or something. The retro range version arguably doesn't have as good an image on the card, as it is simply the A Team word logo in front of a resembling explosion looking yellow backdrop with the Hot Wheels banner above. Disappointingly unlike a lot of other die-cast car manufacturer's premium priced vehicles you cannot see the car through the back of the pack and the cardboard is not covered in plastic meaning it is more susceptible to getting bent or if it gets wet is not protected. For the price of these I would have really have liked to see the better blister pack technology used.\n\nOther companies such as ERTL have released this van over the years also in 1/64 size (which is your standard mass produced size) over the years but I'd have to say this Retro version is the one to collect. You will also find the A-Team white corvette in the same Retro range from Hot Wheels.","Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars C-3PO character car combines the essence of the logical droid with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheelsthis is the droid youre looking for! Re-create your favorite storylines, send your C-3PO car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary. Ages 3 and older.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: \"I am C3PO Kombi-Cyborg Relations!\"\n\nReview: I'd put off buying the two pack with R2D2 after he'd passed out of the small intestine of a Dewback and where C3PO had a rusted look, simply as they both didn't look good at all. So I'm glad to see they finally released C3PO in a single blister and an undamaged version too. The vehicle represents the Star Wars droid well, with the soft curves connecting the roof to the sides matching the body of the movie robot. The VW Kombi van is a pretty good choice too. It even has the exposed wires between the rear spoiler and the roof like C3PO has in his midriff.\n\nKombi vans seem to always be popular and not only retain their value but increase in it over time. You can't go wrong adding one of these to your collection.","Product: All 8 Hot-Wheels cars in the 2014 1-8 collection.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Buy For the Blister Card, Probably the Best Vehicle of the Eight Cars from the Star Wars Series, But it's Still Not That Great\n\nReview: Ballistic on a Return of the Jedi blister card is one you're probably going to want to keep in the packaging. It's probably the best (or most close to Star Wars themed) of the eight cars Hot Wheels released (one for each movie, plus two animated TV shows). These retail in shops in 2014 for less than double the price of the mass produced budget line so are worth picking up. You're doing so though for the blister card artwork, as the vehicle is really nothing special. Ballistic has been around since 2002 and released many times in different colours and themes. This time round it's white with black decals. This is the closest to Star Wars themed of the 8 cars as the colours remind of a storm trooper and the stickers of R2D2 type droids. But you could also say that's a bit of a stretch.\n\nThe blister card artwork has a retro movie poster style image, which kind of reminds me of the merchandising such as t-shirts, lunchboxes and the like from the 80's promoting Return of the Jedi. The picture has Luke and Vader crossing light sabres, the Millennium Falcon, two x-wing fighters, some other fighter ship, Yoda, C3PO,Jabba and Chewbacca.","Product: Ever since the dawn of time, the Minions have lived to serve the most despicable of masters. From T.rex to Napoleon, the easily distracted tribe has helped the biggest and the baddest of villains. Now, join protective leader Kevin, teenage rebel stuart and lovable little Bob on a global road trip where they'll earn a shot to work for a new boss - the world's first female super-villain - and try to save all of Minion kind... from themselves.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Bob With His Bear\n\nReview: Bob is one of thirteen Minion figures from the Depicable Me prequel movie Minions released by Thinkway Toys. Kevin and Stuart can also be found wearing blue overalls amongst the 13. Stuart has his guitar. Other than the bored silly era where they are all wearing brown winter coats, this is the only era of Minion existence with all three main characters in the same costume.\n\nBob is quite detailed. There is more detail on these small Thinkway Toys minions than their larger rivals by other manufacturers. Bob's eyes are even two different colours (green and brown). The arms move and can be posed at different angles but other than that the figure only have the one stance. The bear is very detailed and cannot be removed, likewise his eye goggles or clothing. Bob stands up no problem at all. Bob is about 4.5cm tall. If you are a keeper in the packaging displayer, the blister card is 19cm tall and 11.5cm wide.","Product: Gone Batty is given a fun, and funky, stylized look as an adorable collectible vinyl figure!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Smug in the Fact That He Knows Dracula's About to Be Impressed With The Surprise Cake and Party About to Be Thrown\n\nReview: Gone Batty is different to the Funko Pop Vinyl norm in that he appears to have no feet when standing and sort of looks like he is a hovering ghost. He actually does have feet, they are just really short but the only way you'll see them is if you pick him up or knock him over. Knocking him over is the only way he will fall over too, since his legs are so short the bottom of his cloak keeps him upright even on slightly angled or often bumped surfaces. He's also different from most Funkos in that he isn't keeping the common look. Most Funko Pops have no mouth, Gone Batty of course has a smug grin on his face with two drawn on fangs. Funkos usually have the small triangle nose, Gone Batty doesn't have one at all. The usual black button eyes are also missing replaced with the inside goggles half open ones with yellow eyelids. Although all the minion Funko vinyl's do this so he is consistent with them. The figure is slightly smaller than your standard Pop Vinyl figure too, but not as small as Tyrion Lannister. This kind of makes sense if you're going to buy Gru, as you wouldn't want them to be the same height, although the height difference certainly isn't to scale.\n\nThe box it comes in is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has some of the other minion characters released as Pop Vinyls. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\n\nThe only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores. If you're unaware it's a pretty rare occurrence to obtain a blemish free Funko figure, there's always a stray bit of paint somewhere on the figure, often on the back so even if you pick up a box in a store and the figure looks paint free, you won't know. Hence the reason customers are opening them up, or asking the online seller to do so and take photos for them to look at before purchasing. My Gone Batty came with a white paint mark on the front of his cloak.\n\nI also bought <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Minions-Deluxe-Action-Figure-Dracula-Minion-Stuart/dp/B00PDMJCX6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Minions Deluxe Action Figure - Dracula Minion Stuart</a> which is roughly the same size as this one. It is a lot less durable than Gone Batty and not as well made, but displays well next to it.","Product: Pint-sized and perfect for your shelf, the Jason Voorhees Dorbz figure measures 3 Inch tall and comes in a double window-box package to fully display the character from both front and back! Check out the other Dorbz figures from Funko! Collect them all.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Going Down to South Crystal Lake Park Where We're Gonna Have Some Fun!\n\nReview: I really only through this into my Amazon shopping cart as it was going cheap and the postage wasn't much with the rest of my order, but I really like this little guy. He kind of gives off a South Park vibe, I haven't watched that show in years, but he kind of reminds me of Kenny with the squinting eyes, oval head that is longer in length than height and small body, that has basic lines drawn onto it to look like a shirt and pants. He has no legs by the way, which makes him stand up on a flat surface easy. He comes with a machete although it looks more like a meat cleaver or even a cricket bat, it is grey with blood splatter on it.\n\nThis is the only Dorbz Vinyl Collectible I own, and well probably likely to, but if you're unfamiliar with them, they all come with the closed eyes and usually a big grin on their face. These are basically happy little figures. Being Jason is wearing a hockey mask you of course can't see his mouth. I do own a lot of Pop Vinyl figures by Funko and this comes in similar box packaging, albeit a little smaller, that has the number of the figure on the box, one side has a picture of the figure and the figure's character name, the other side of the box has Jason and three other horror characters you can get (on Pop Vinyls boxes this on the back), the front and back of the Dorbz box has a clear viewing window. There is a clear blister protecting and stopping the figure from moving around. You can take the figure out and put it back inside without damaging any of the packaging, which is great and something I wish other figure manufacturers would learn from.\n\nThe figure is smaller than your Pop Vinyl figures too, he comes up to eye height on most of my Pop Vinyls. He's around 7.5cm tall. You can rotate his head 360 degrees to have him in different stances, but you can't remove the machete or move his arms. You can't remove his mask either. If you grew up with the Friday the 13th sequels, this isn't a bad addition to your collection.","Product: Two of boys favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars Ewok character car combines the essence of the furry but fierce warriors with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send your Ewok car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary. Ages 3 and older.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: \"You're a jittery little thing, aren't you?\"\n\nReview: This is a cool little buggy that represents the cool little creatures of Endor. At first I thought the brown doors and bonnet (hood) were supposed to represent wood as in the forest and the tree houses, every kid in the 80's wanted to live in. But upon reading the back of the blister card and seeing the prototype illustration I realised it is supposed to be the fur of the Ewok. The headlights are supposed to be his eyes and the spotlights on the roof canopy its ears. There are also some rocks in the net type roof rack along with some logs and other stuff. It's a nice little car, I previously bought quite a few other characters in this rage when they first came out on the blue blister cards. Evidently when I looked this up to review it this one was also released earlier on those cards, but I've never seen one of those in physical stores. I actually like the black blister card better, there is a nice illustration of the Ewok on it.\n\nOf course it's 1/64 scale the same size as your mass produced Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.","Product: Claw Hauser is an honest police officer, however he's a bit of a cheetah when it comes to his diet, and he's not very fast- donuts are the main suspect. Claw Hauser often deals with eyewitnesses, like the Bat Eyewitness, who come to the station to report a crime. The poseable 3\" Claw Hauser Figure and 1\" Bat Eyewitness Figure are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice Cheap Moveable Figure of Clawhauser, Don't Remember the Bat From the Movie Though\n\nReview: These are quite nice small figures from the Zootopia movie, well one of them is, I don't recall the bat from the movie, although I've only watched it once. Perhaps it's in there as a drawn extra in the police station or something, but I don't think it was a main character. I imagine they included it as all these 2 packs seem to have a normal size figure and a really small character, perhaps they ran out of other small characters.\n\nThe figures display pretty well in the packaging, if you're a keeper in packaging type collector. If you're an open packets kind of displayer, then I don't have the best news for you. First it's the basic plastic bubble on cardboard type of packaging, so you've got to destroy it to get the figure out so you can't change your mind afterward. Which is something you might consider doing when you realise these figures aren't that easy to squeeze out of the internal plastic mold thing their encased in. These two figures aren't as bad as the others and the figures themselves aren't as fragile but you'll struggle to get figures from this range out without their heads, tails or limbs coming off. They are also tied down by clear rope like things that are a pain to unwind. They are completely unnecessary as like I said the figures are jammed into the plastic mold, they aren't moving on their own.\n\nThe figures stand up well in the pose they are already in when you get them out of the packaging. But if you move the legs (well you can't move anything on the bat), Clawhauser struggles to stand upright. But you can get a few different poses from him, just that he will fall over pretty quickly. His arms move and his neck rotates a little too. For some reason the figures both have holes in their feet, I guess they were originally going to come with a stand, but there isn't one. The paint job is pretty, there's a few minor defects, but it's no where near as bad a Funko Pop Vinyls or anything.\n\nThese figures are (or were depending when you're reading this review) pretty cheap figures in physical stores, I bought mine for $5, so I wasn't expecting great quality, but for $2.50 a figure I think they are actually better value than most other figures around that price. The bat is obviously pretty small and a chocking hazard to younger kids, and limbs come off pretty easy (they go back in easy though) so there's a high chance of losing parts of the figure or the bat altogether inside a vacuum cleaner or something. But in fairness nowhere on the packaging does it state these are toys, although the toy aisles were where I found the ones I bought as stores don't seem to know where else to put figures and movie merchandise","Product: Tundra town is the coldest district in Zootopia and is home to Mr. Big, the toughest and shrewdest crime boss around. And don't be fooled - his polarizing henchman Kevin shouldn't be messed around with either. The figures are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Pretty Nice for Budget Priced When in Physical Stores, Mr Big and Kevin Zootopia Figures\n\nReview: All of the Tomy Zootopia figure packs come with a large (or regular size) figure and a tiny figure. This is one of the few packs where that actually makes sense and it represents the movie, since Kevin (the polar bear) works for Mr Big. Other two packs, the Zootopia figures have more articulation than these two. Mr Big doesn't have any, but Kevin you can move his legs and arms so you can bend him over or have a poses, but there's not a lot you can do with him. He really only stands on his own on a flat surface in the pose he is in when you first get him out of the packaging. Being his limbs are more solid than the other figures, he is less fragile than them though.\n\nWhen you consider these were pretty cheap figures in physical stores, I bought this two pack for five bucks, I think they are pretty good quality and fairly well detailed. When next to the other figures from the two packs, Kevin is by far the biggest of all the Zootopia figures.","Product: From the 2016 Ghostbusters Movie, Gertrude Eldridge, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Ghostbusters figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Not Lit up and Colourful Like Gertrude in the Movie, But Still a Seriously Cool Looking Detailed Ghost in Various Shades of Grey\n\nReview: Gertrude Aldridge as a pop vinyl isn't as colourful as her character (in ghost form) in the Ghostbusters 2016 remake movie, in fact she's pretty much just different shades of grey with white eyes replacing the black eyes norm of pop vinyls. She still looks really cool though, and really angry! In the movie she is of course first encountered in the Aldridge Mansion Museum. The place she has haunted since she was locked in the mansions basement and fed through a slot in the door, after she killed all the mansion's servants, and her rich family didn't want that embarrassing sort of thing getting out. Erin is called in after a tour guide encounters her in ghost form. When Erin meets her she of course vomits ectoplasm over her and flies off through the wall. She also appears near the end of the movie, with the electrocuted ghost. In the movie she's blue bright light wearing a white and red striped dress which is also lit up. It would be pretty hard to paint that I would guess, without her looking like a smurf. So Gertrude more resembles your traditional movie ghost in colour, including torn up dress. She does seriously look cool though.\n\nSince she doesn't have any legs and her dress forms a flat surface at the bottom, she stands up no problems at all. She definitely doesn't need a stand or anything. Like all pop vinyls her limbs don't move or anything, but you can rotate her neck 360 degrees. If you've got her in exorcist pose, the weight of her head with her back as her front is too heavy for her to stay upright long. But any other angle pose of the head, and you've got to give her a serious bump to knock her over. Even if you don't like the Ghostbusters remake, she is a pretty cool looking undead looking pop vinyl. She could pass for a vampire with her sharp teeth which include fangs, or a zombie.\n\nNow if they'd only make the original movie library ghost as a pop vinyl. I'd buy that!","Product: Three sons, one massive fortune. The race to be the first to make GBP1,000,000 to win the inheritence is on! Harry Bingham is a wonderful new talent in the great bestselling storytelling tradition of Jeffrey Archer and Dick Francis. Three sons. One fortune. Who will win it? A wealthy Yorkshire industrialist dies and leaves his three sons and one daughter, all used to a life of extreme luxury! absolutely nothing. Except the chance to win the entire inheritance by whichever one of them has one million pounds in his bank account at the end of three years. Startled out of their indulgent lives, the three sons start competing against each other in their mad attempt to make a million pounds. Two of them go into the City, the eldest buys a run-down factory. Which one of them is going to be successful in their desperate bid and win the millions? With a knack for story-telling in the style of Jeffrey Archer, this compulsively readable and absolutely un-put-downable novel heralds the arrival of a new bestselling, extremely commercial talent on the scene.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The greatest winner takes all book ever written\n\nReview: This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. The plot is sensational, basically a rich tycoon dies and to inherit his vast fortune his three sons who have basically just been spoilt rich kids and never worked a day in their lives must earn at least one million pounds from nothing in three years. Only one of them can inherit the money, winner takes all. Meanwhile their sister who has been left a place on a secretarial course from her father's will must look after their mother who has become a vegetable through shock of the will's contents so all the moral questions of diverting funds they have made to help their struggling sister are tackled along with morals in making money.\nEach brother is completely different personality wise and you actually learn a fair bit about running businesses, share trading and everything else along the way. You get addicted to these characters and will not be able to put this book down. It is a riveting read. I honestly hadn't heard of Harry Bingham as an author before this but he's up there with James Patterson, Dean Koontz and other masters of thrillers.","Product: Gordon Ramsay\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: No One's Certainly Made Gordon Ramsay Eat Humble Pie!\n\nReview: I found Humble Pie to be a really interesting read, well written in the same style Gordon speaks when he's on camera, once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I knew nothing at all about Ramsay other than what I'd seen on Kitchen Nightmares and other TV programs. So I was surprised to read he almost made it as a professional footballer, and was raised in a family of domestic violence, where money which should have been spent on the basics of living was instead wasted on the music career of his father. Granted his father isn't alive to dispute Ramsay's version of events but on assumption that his memories are pretty accurate, you've got to have a huge respect for a man who didn't want to be like his father in wasting his life pursuing a dream on the slight chance he could make it (the football) and take on a less glamorous and fun, much more hard work career to become a top chef. This autobiography takes the reader on a journey into the various kitchens Ramsay learnt his skills, in both the UK and France and the hardships he had to deal with in reaching his dreams of earning his Michelin stars and ultimately owning his own restaurant. It includes the hardships of losing his best chef who died while robbing a house to feed his drug habit and Ramsay's determination to make sure his brother didn't also end up dead due to following the same path. Although like most autobiographies, self criticism doesn't take up too much of the word count, you can't help but admire the man. Certainly no one has made Gordon Ramsay eat humble pie, if they've done something wrong, he'll tell you about it in these pages.\n\nHow Gordon Ramsay's TV career started is also covered as well as behind the scenes on his initial Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and other UK shows is. The US spinoffs, which were more to Ramsay's liking are also covered but only the initial couple of seasons when this was starting. Humble Pie was published in 2006 so it obviously doesn't include TV shows and other events that have taken place since then.\n\nThere is a shortened version of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Humble-Pie-Quick-Reads/dp/0007270968/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Humble Pie (Quick Reads)</a> which was released two years later in 2008 as part of the Quick Reads short fiction and non fiction story initiative to increase global literacy. If this full length version nearly three times as long at 284 pages seems a bit much for you, you might want to consider grabbing a copy of that instead, you should be able to get it for much cheaper price as well, it definitely will be a lot cheaper to post. The full length Humble Pie was also released in North America under the title Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection. Under either title, I'd give the full length version a go.","Product: In the dazzling new thriller from the master of dark suspense, the hand of fate reaches out to touch an ordinary man with greatness. So long as he is ready. So long as he is, above all, afraid. Jimmy Tock comes into the world on the very night his grandfather leaves it. As a violent storm rages outside the hospital, Rudy Tock spends long hours walking the corridors between the expectant fathers' waiting room and his dying father's bedside. It's a strange vigil made all the stranger when, at the very height of the storm's fury, Josef Tock suddenly sits up in bed and speaks coherently for the first and last time since his stroke. What he says before he dies is that there will be five dark days in the life of his grandson -- five dates whose terrible events Jimmy will have to prepare himself to face. The first is to occur in his 20th year; the second in his 23rd year; the third in his 28th; the fourth in his 29th; the fifth in his 30th. Rudy is all too ready to discount his father's last words as a dying man's delusional rambling. But then he discovers that Josef also predicted the moment of his grandson's birth to the minute, as well as his exact height, weight, and the fact that Jimmy would be born with syndactyly -- the unexplained anomaly of fused digits on his left foot. Suddenly, the old man's predictions take on a chilling significance. What terrifying events await Jimmy on these five dark days? What nightmares will he face? What challenges must he survive? As the novel unfolds, picking up Jimmy's story at each of these crisis points, the path he must follow will defy every expectation. And with each crisis he faces, he will move closer to a fate he could never have imagined. For who Jimmy Tock is and what he must accomplish on the five days his world turns is a mystery as dangerous as it is wondrous -- a struggle against an evil so dark and pervasive only the most extraordinary of human spirits can shine through.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Masterpiece Koontz Quality is Back!\n\nReview: A few recent below average novels especially The Taking had many wondering if Dean Koontz could still produce the masterpiece novels he once did such as Watchers, Intensity and Night Chills to name but three and his latest novel Life Expectancy, is proof that he still can. This is definitely a must read Koontz thriller which will have you staying home and turning the pages until you're finished.\n\nLife Expectancy starts with the birth of James Tock or Jimmy as everyone will call him. A fact his dieing grandfather predicts who incidentally dies at the exact same time as James' birth. His grandfather has other predictions as well which he forced his son to write down with his last dying breaths of five dark days for his grandson. One for detail, he also provides the dates but there is no time to contemplate this or grieve for his father as a mad clown is on a murderous rampage shooting everyone he comes across in the maternity ward where of course James has just been born.\n\nThis is a sensational novel. I also found it amusing that the main characters of a book where a timeline is so important have the last name Tock and a maiden name of Greenwhich which of course both are of major importance in time.","Product: No. 1 new york times bestselling author dean koontz is at the peak of his storytelling powers with this major new novel a rich, multi-layered story that moves back and forth across decades and generations as a gifted musician relates the terrible and wonderful events that began in his city in 1967, when he was ten. This is the story of a boy and a cityjonah kirks childhood has been punctuated by extraordinary moments like the time a generous stranger helped him realize his dream of learning the piano. Nothing is more important to him than his family and friends, and the electrifying power of music. But now jonah has a terrifying secret. And it sets him on a collision course with a group of dangerous people who will change his life forever. For one bright morning, a single earth-shattering event will show jonah that in his city, good is entwined with malice, and sometimes the dark side of humanity triumphs. But it will also teach him that courage and honour are found in the most unexpected places, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart. If he can just survive to find it\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Boring Waffling Writing. With So Many Good Books Out There, You Won't Stick With This Long. Dean Koontz Used to Mean Great Read\n\nReview: The City really highlights the fact that the days of every time a new novel came out with the words Dean Koontz on the cover you knew you were in for a few days (novels used to be longer too) of reading pleasure are over. The City is so boring I think unless you really have to have nothing else on your Kindle or pile of books or electricity to watch TV or surf the net, there's no way you'll keep reading until the end. What happened to the author who wrote masterpieces like Watchers, Intensity, Night Chills, Mr Murder and so many others. Even a Koontz novel wasn't a masterpiece, it was at least worth the purchase price and a decent read to pass the time.\n\nThe last decade or so novels, well I wonder if they're even written by the same guy. Did Koontz decide to secretly retire and sell his name onto an author with less talent? The City is told through the words of a very boring character who just waffles on and on about a very uninteresting life instead of just getting on with the story. The tale is so boring, you do stick with it hoping that the Koontz of old will revitalise the story somewhere but eventually you just give up as there is so much other stuff out there to read.","Product: \"The book gave me that rare, greedy feeling of: this is so good I want to read it all at once but I mustn't or it will be over too soon. Haddon pulls off something extraordinary . . .\" -- \"The Observer\" \"Always surprising and often hilarious.\" -- \"The Globe and Mail\" \"One of the most affecting things I've read in years . . . it's brilliant.\" -- \"The Guardian\" \"Mark Haddon's new novel comes with glowing endorsements from Ian McEwan and Oliver Sacks . . . For once, the pundits speak the truth.\" -- \"The Economist\" \"A stark, funny and original first novel . . . [with] one of the strangest and most convincing characters in recent fiction.\" -- \"The New York Times Book Review\" \"A brilliant autism novel has been overdue -- and this is it! The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Mark Haddon shows great insight into the autistic mind, and he brings his young narrator protagonist quite wonderfully to life. I found it very moving, very plausible -- and \"very\" funny.\" -- Oliver Sacks, author of Uncle Tungsten \"I have never read anything quite like Mark Haddon's funny and agonizingly honest book, or encountered a narrator more vivid and memorable. I advise you to buy two copies; you won't want to lend yours out.\" -- Arthur Golden, author of Memoirs of a Geisha \"The Curious Incident brims with imagination, empathy, and vision -- plus it's a lot of fun to read.\" -- Myla Goldberg, author of Bee Season \"Mark Haddon's portrayal of an emotionally disassociated mind is a superb achievement. He is a wise and bleakly funny writer with rare gifts of empathy.\" -- Ian McEwan, author of Atonement \"From the Trade Paperback edition.\" \" A finely crafted debut ... conveys an astonishing intensity of emotion, almost Proustian in its sense of loss and regret.\" --\"Kirkus Reviews (Starred review) \"\" The assurance with which Mary Lawson handles both reflection and violence makes her a writer to read and watch ... has a resonance at once witty and poignant.\" \"-- The New York Times Book Review \"\" Crow Lake is the kind of book that keeps you reading well past midnight; you grieve when it' s over. Then you start pressing it on friends.\" \"-- The Washington Post Book World \"\" A touching meditation on the power of loyalty and loss, on the ways in which we pay our debts and settle old scores, and on what it means to love, to accept, to succeed-- and to negotiate fate' s obstacle courses.\" \"-- People \"\" Lawson' s tight focus on the emotional and moral effects of a drastic turn of events on a small human group has its closest contemporary analogue in the novels of Ian McEwan.\" \"-- The Toronto Star \" \"From the Hardcover edition.\" \"A finely crafted debut ... conveys an astonishing intensity of emotion, almost Proustian in its sense of loss and regret.\" --\"Kirkus Reviews (Starred review) \"\"The assurance with which Mary Lawson handles both reflection and violence makes her a writer to read and watch ... has a resonance at once witty and poignant.\" \"--The New York Times Book Review \"\"Crow Lake is the kind of book that keeps you reading well past midnight; you grieve when it's over. Then you start pressing it on friends.\" \"--The Washington Post Book World \"\"A touching meditation on the power of loyalty and loss, on the ways in which we pay our debts and settle old scores, and on what it means to love, to accept, to succeed--and to negotiate fate's obstacle courses.\" \"--People \"\"Lawson's tight focus on the emotional and moral effects of a drastic turn of events on a small human group has its closest contemporary analogue in the novels of Ian McEwan.\" \"--The Toronto Star \" \"From the Hardcover edition.\"\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Christopher chooses some actions, not all autistic actions\n\nReview: The book is basically a diary written by fifteen year old autistic Christopher, about the events after he found his neighbours dog Wellington, with a garden fork sticking out of its corpse. Initially against his father, neighbour (owner of the dead dog), teacher, police and other people's advice and wishes he keeps bugging everyone in the street to see if they know who killed Wellington.\nEventually he stumbles upon the truth then flees to London to escape the killer who will not stop until he gets hold of Christopher. All Christopher is really worried about is doing his A-Level Math test, because he likes Maths. Doesn't really care at all about his father or others who are sacrificing their lives to make him comfortable and happy.\nFor readers who are unfamilair with autistic people they may unfairly assume this is a symptom of the condition which it certainly is not. Most autistic people do not act in the selfish ways Christopher does. Sure some do, but so do some so called 'normal' people too. My main problem with this book is that at no point is the reader ever told by the author that Christopher like any other human is choosing some of the actions he takes and ways he treats others. People unfamiliar with autism may read this book and assume all autistic people will be violent or treat others with contmept etc. Sure some do but most do not. I understand this is Christopher's journal and he is unlikely to write anything critisising himself but since so many readers obviously assume he is a typical example of an autisitc individual the author needed to have made this clear in some way.\nThis book may not be very good in quality, is very predictable and the characters not very likeable, but make no mistake about it, it is very addictive. For reasons I really do not understand, there was no way I could put this thing down until the last page which is why I rate this book three stars. I think some people rate this book highly purely for the fact it contains an autistic lead character and this somehow makes them feel beter about themselves, rather than actually rating the book on its quality.","Product: Call it murdertube ...Minneapolis homicide cops Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth fish a murdered drag queen out of the Mississippi. Another day, another corpse. Except the victim's death throes quickly appear in a video posted online. And there are other videos, other murders. Unable to trace who is posting the videos, the cops turn to Grace MacBride and her crew of eccentric computer mavericks. But as the bodies and videos stack up, the team desperately try and answer a terrifying question: Is this the work of a lone individual? Or of several killers who have taken social networking to the darkest extreme...\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not as Good as the Previous Novels in This Great Series\n\nReview: Shoot to Thrill (also released under the title <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Play-to-Kill/dp/0718152751/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Play to Kill</a>) revolves around the characters from the previous books. Some of the previous novels can be read and enjoyed to their full extent as standalone reads but with this one I think I would have rated even less if I wasn't already familiar with the characters. This one like with the previous novel Snow Blind has the computer genius characters that make up the Monkeewrench team playing only a low word count role. I think it worked with Snow Blind, partly because that was a novelty for the series, but Minnesotan detectives Rolseth and Magozzi really just aren't as interesting as the Monkeewrench characters, which is what made the first three novels of the series such stand out reads. This book is also no where near as interesting as the plot of Snow Blind.\n\nPlay to Kill's storyline revolves around a number of snuff films appearing online. Most viewers assume they are fake, but since the police across various parts of America have the actual bodies from those murders, it seems there's a new serial killer in town, well lots of towns. Naturally detectives Rolseth and Magozzi become part of this investigation when the body of a man in a bridal dress they are investigating matches the footage of him being murdered online. Being that these are nation wide killings we've also got the introduction of a new character in FBI agent John Smith who is trying to convince the best illegal hackers, including the Monkeewrench team to help with the investigation.\n\nI'd recommend borrowing this novel first from your library to see if you still want to own it before forking over your hard earned money as it's not up to the same high standard of the previous novels. But if you do decide to buy it check the prices under both the Shoot to Thrill and Play to Kill titles as they are exactly the same book.","Product: Call it murdertube ...Minneapolis homicide cops Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth fish a murdered drag queen out of the Mississippi. Another day, another corpse. Except the victim's death throes quickly appear in a video posted online. And there are other videos, other murders. Unable to trace who is posting the videos, the cops turn to Grace MacBride and her crew of eccentric computer mavericks. But as the bodies and videos stack up, the team desperately try and answer a terrifying question: Is this the work of a lone individual? Or of several killers who have taken social networking to the darkest extreme...\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Same Book as Shoot to Thrill, With a Different Title\n\nReview: Play to Kill is the title that <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Shoot-to-Thrill/dp/0399155201/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Shoot to Thrill</a> was released under here in Australia in 2010. No doubt the book will later be released here under the Shoot to Thrill title as well. So don't buy both by mistake! This is actually not the first time this has happened with P J Tracy novels. The same thing happened with this mother daughter writing team's sensational first novel Monkeewrench which was also published under the title of Want to Play? I think Shoot to Thrill is a bit more catchier title than Play to Kill but compare the prices of both. Actually I'd recommend borrowing this novel first from your library to see if you still want to own it before forking over your hard earned money as it's not up to the same high standard of the previous novels.\n\nBasic plot of Play to Kill again revolves around the characters from the previous books. Some of the previous novels can be read and enjoyed to their full extent as standalone reads but with this one I think I would have rated even less if I wasn't already familiar with the characters. This one like with the previous novel Snow Blind has the computer genius characters that make up the Monkeewrench team playing only a low word count role. I think it worked with Snow Blind, partly because that was a novelty for the series, but Minnesotan detectives Rolseth and Magozzi really just aren't as interesting as the Monkeewrench characters, which is what made the first three novels of the series such stand out reads. This book is also no where near as interesting as the plot of Snow Blind.\n\nPlay to Kill's storyline revolves around a number of snuff films appearing online. Most viewers assume they are fake, but since the police across various parts of America have the actual bodies from those murders, it seems there's a new serial killer in town. Naturally detectives Rolseth and Magozzi are become part of this investigation when the body of a man in a bridal dress they are investigating matches the footage of him being murdered online. Being that these are nation wide killings we've also got the introduction of a new character in FBI agent John Smith who is trying to convince the best illegal hackers, including the Monkeewrench team to help with the investigation.","Product: Zoo\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: An Average Read, Nothing You'll Still Think About Again Once You've Read Your Next Book\n\nReview: James Patterson long ago gave up being a consistent high quality novel writer, early on in his career you eagerly anticipated his latest book knowing your hard earned cash would result in a day spent enjoying a masterpiece. But that was decades ago, co-authored books became the norm and we readers seriously doubt how much James Patterson actually contributes to these novels at all. Zoo looked interesting to me, the topic of war against the animals is an interesting one so I thought I'd give it a go. Recently I read an unknown first novel author who wrote book on the same topic, granted it wasn't a brilliant read either, but that amateur writer seemed to do a lot better job than these much more famous top selling authors have done with zoo. By the way that book was <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Apocalypse-Cow/dp/085752075X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Apocalypse Cow</a> if your war against the animals appetite hasn't been satisfied. I found Zoo also seems to borrow heavily from David Moody's <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Hater/dp/B003F76IFQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Hater</a> series where loving family members and best friends suddenly out of nowhere start violently attacking those who love them for no apparent reason with the unaffected human too stunned, confused and shocked to properly defend themselves in most cases. Patterson and Ledwidge though have gone with the furry friend or family member attacking instead of other human, but still I couldn't help but think of the similarities with the Hater series when reading Zoo. Of course without giving away what is behind the animals turning on humans a much bigger name than Patterson has also used that idea before.\n\nThe basic plot of Zoo revolves around a young guy called Jackson Oz, who has believed and tried to convince the world for quite some time that animal behaviour is changing and if nothing is done humanity is doomed. He receives word from one of his blog followers that over in Botswana lions are acting strangely, he decides to go with his camera and document this for himself. He is about to realise that his nightmare vision has come true. I found Oz to be an unbelievable narrator/main character simply because he was just so implausible. He believes animals are a huge threat to human safety yet keeps a stolen large primate in his New York flat. You could see where that part of the storyline was going to go. Plus how does he afford to keep a multiple room New York apartment with outdoor courtyard when he seems to be unemployed? He couldn't cope with the pressures to complete university to become qualified and give credibility for his ideas to be believed by the experts. Yet he knows the minutest detail about every animal, including insects he comes across, even when on a completely separate continent to the one he lives, pointing these aspects out as he encounters each one with a, wow that's peculiar this animal always behaves this way and is acting really different. Unlike some reviewers I didn't mind the cause behind the animals' desire to kill us all, but once it was revealed the rest of the book's events were pretty predictable.\n\nThis isn't the worst book you'll ever read and it is entertaining enough to pass the half or day or so it takes to read, but there's nothing memorable enough in here you'll be thinking about too long after you've finished the final page. It is worth getting from local library but it's not good enough to pay money for it. The rest of this paragraph contains slight plot spoilers if you haven't read this book yet but plan to, you may want to stop reading here. I would have liked to have seen more animal verse human conflicts, there's too much politics or why won't they believe me rants from the narrator filling the pages when action was needed. Maybe rather than tourists or children with pets being turned on by animals when we did see some action, more humans abusing animals getting their comeuppance would have made this a more satisfactory read, such as those who cut the fins off of sharks and dump them alive off the boats. I can't remember anything like that off hand that was in here. The whole farming and slaughter for our food industry was left out altogether. In fact at one point horses are used to pull trailers yet no one seems concerned that these horses might attack anyone or is it explained why the creatures are even still around. Also at times when there was supposed to be no power, big screen TVs are playing, computers are in use and so forth. Plus in the Botswana chapters a lot of tension is supposedly built by needing to smuggle footage out of the country. I find it hard to believe that a blogger would not have heard of online e-mail accounts or even Facebook to upload his camera footage. That sort of plot worked in 80s and earlier films like Crocodile Dundee II, before digital cameras were invented, but just seemed so ridiculous when reading it today. Also in a world where no believes his claims, shooting dead and wiping out large percentage of the animals people from around the world visit Botswana to see (and such as large and important part of their economy) would have made him pretty unpopular both there and throughout the rest of the world. Yet this aspect is never touched upon either. In fact a lot of aspects, such as surely he would have faced manslaughter charges for what happened in his apartment due to his harbouring a stolen ape and he maybe would have done jail time. Instead suddenly we the reader are just taken five years into the future and feeling somewhat slightly cheated with the turning of a page.","Product: Unusual book\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Book! If I Ever Can't Remember the Day Before and Had One Book to Read Over and Over Again it Would Be This!\n\nReview: Retirement Homes are Murder is not your typical murder mystery. For starters the body is found in a retirement complex, and secondly the main suspect Paul Jacobsen can't remember a thing from his recent past, with his mind pretty much resetting each day he awakens (like with Drew Barrymore's character in that her and Adam Sandler movie <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/50-First-Dates/dp/B0001Z3TX4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">50 First Dates</a>. With his most recent memories ten years or so in the past, he doesn't know where he is or why he's there. This makes for a pretty unique novel, throw in a lot of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Carl-Hiaasen/dp/0446677167/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Carl Hiaasen</a>/<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Bill-Fitzhugh/dp/0060815302/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Bill Fitzhugh</a> type eccentric characters in and outside of the Hawaiian retirement complex and you've a very fun and interesting read!\n\nThe basic plot is Paul Jacobson has moved into Kina Nani, an Hawaiian retirement complex. Each day he awakens with no memory of this or any other recent even in his life (think <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Groundhog-Day/dp/B00005U8EM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Groundhog Day</a> with instead of Bill Murray reliving each day every other character in the town constantly is reliving their first encounter with him). Upon the first day he is in residence Paul finds a dead body in the rubbish chute. Not remembering anything about the retirement home he is pretty sure this is not a usual way to get rid of those who passed away so calls the police. Paul is told the dead man is an arch enemy of his and that he the main suspect. His claims that he can't remember anything except the current day are met with severe skepticism, especially since one of the victims rare stamps is found in his room. Paul can't remember not doing it, but he's pretty sure he didn't. As the days go by more and more criminal events become linked to Paul, he's kept a journal at the request of one of his elderly friends so knows he was not responsible but is looking more and more like being locked up for one of these crimes. Paul knows he must catch the killer of his enemy if he's to clear his name.\n\nA good first novel, which I have no doubt will become a successful series if the author wishes it to. Paul Jacobson is a fairly unique and likeable character, as is his granddaughter who doesn't get a lot or text time in this adventure but I foresee becoming a bit more of a sidekick if this takes off as a series.\n\nIf you like novels with great elderly lead characters also check out T Richard Dawn's May List series, another crime series set in an eccentric character filled retirement home, the first book of which is <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Death-For-Dessert/dp/159414060X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Death For Dessert</a>.<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/On-the-Warpath/dp/0727863665/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">On the Warpath</a> by Gerald Hammond also has a great elderly lead hero. Rita Lakin also has a similar series to T Dawn Richards with books such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Getting-Old-Is-the-Best-Revenge/dp/0786286296/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Getting Old Is the Best Revenge</a>.","Product: DONALD E. WESTLAKE has written numerous novels over the past thirty-five years under his own name and pseudonyms, including Richard Stark. Many of his books have been made into movies, including The Hunter, which became the brilliant film noir Point Blank, and the 1999 smash hit Payback. He penned the Hollywood scripts for The Stepfather and The Grifters, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. The winner of three Edgar awards and a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, Donald E. Westlake was presented with The Eye, the Private Eye Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award, at the Shamus Awards. He lives with his wife, Abby Adams, in rural New York State.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: And Your Spies for Free\n\nReview: Josh receives a cheque for $1000 and has no idea why he received it. Month after month he receives another, and another. He tries to work out who is paying the money but no one answers the phone number on the cheque and the address is incomplete. After seven years Josh has become used to the money. He now has a family but he also has a man waiting for him at the bordering area to his daily ferry. It seems Josh has been paid to be a sleeper agent for the Russians without even knowing it and they have some evil plans for him.\nThis is a pretty good novel although it does move a bit slow at times. It is an enjoyable read though. I read the Ax also by Westlake before this which was brilliant so it did put my expectations up to masterpiece standards for this book which it did not quite achieve. Still a good book though. Definitely read the Ax if you are looking for a great Westlake novel.","Product: Richard Stark, who is also Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Donald E. Westlake, lives in upstate New York.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Breakout of that Boredom and Pick Up a Parker Novel\n\nReview: This is another quick and simple Parker adventure by Donald E Westlake writing under his pen name Richard Stark. Whilst there are certainly better Parker adventures where the reader gets to see Parker's skills in action, in Breakout the reader gets to see just how intelligent this criminal is. If you haven't checked out Westlake's novels under his own name definitely do so as well. His masterpiece The Ax as well as Corkscrew and the Scared Stiff are all great places to start. Short chapters make putting down Breakout when you have to a breeze.\n\nIn Breakout Parker is behind bars in the overcrowded Stoneveldt, a transit prison for those awaiting trial and the probable outcome of an even worse actual jail. Although the authorities can't work out who he actually is they do know one of his alter egos killed a prison guard and escaped from a California prison so it won't be long before he's extradited there. This is not a place Parker wants to go so he must escape Stoneveldt, where no one else has ever done so before. Stoneveldt isn't the only place he will have to escape from before leaving town.\n\nIf you like Westlake as Richard Stark or himself also check out James Pattinson (Pattinson not Patterson), a British author who writes very similar novels.","Product: Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up\nKids will love this lighthearted and fun tale about keeping clean, featuring an adorable character that bath-resistant little ones will really relate to. Its never bath time for Big Smelly Bear: he doesnt brush, he doesnt wash, and hes simply unBEARable. No one can stand to come close! Then, one day, he wakes up with a most awful, unreachable itch. He could really use a little scratch from a friend, but Big Fluffy Bear wont help because Big Smelly Bear stinks! Will he change his ways and bathe? The witty ending is sure to satisfy!\n\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Good Book That Teaches Kids the Societal Benefits of Good Hygiene\n\nReview: This is an excellent book which teaches children that others in society will act and think of them differently if they don't clean themselves up, wash their clothes and the like. Illustrates to children the benefits and interaction from their friends (and even the opposite gender but this will be over the head of younger readers) won't happen with poor hygiene as they'll want to keep their distance or avoid you is brilliantly portrayed through the two main characters (bears).\n\nIllustrations are more in the style of softer cartoon looking animals than more realistic looking style illustrations other illustrators of animals use, but I think it suits the story well. The basic plot is a bear doesn't really care that it smells and is known as Big Smelly Bear by the other animals. It refuses to bathe in the river and as its smell gets worse and worse its skin becomes itchy. It tries everything to get rid of the itch such as rubbing against a tree and using a stick to reach its back.\n\nOne day it notices a female bear in a tree. She tells him she is known as Fluffy Bear and he asks her to come down and scratch his itchy back. She tells him she will if he has a bath first which he refuses to even think about. Of course his desire for Fluffy Bear to scratch his back is starting to outweigh his desire to follow his non bathing stance!\n\nA good book with a very simple storyline and a bit of repetition between the two main characters which kids of course love but those who are really adults and don't understand that kids read and take in messages from books differently may well find simply annoying. Big Smelly Bear is of course a kids' picture book so if you're just an adult who likes to read books with pictures you may want to choose something a bit more mentally challenging.","Product: Sam the library mouse loves to write, and the children love his little books, which he leaves on the library shelves for them to find. But no one at the library has ever met him. When Tom can't find a partner for a book-making assignment and finds Sam's secret hole behind the children's reference section, will the pair be able to work together, or will Sam's secret identity be spoiled forever?\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Good Book to Inspire Children to Write Their Own Stories\n\nReview: I work in a public library so am always interested to read fiction geared at any level that is set is one. Library Mouse is one of the better (and there are heaps out there) picture books set in a library. The main difference to the message in this one to most of the others is that it is actually geared towards encouraging the reader to write books rather than the norm library set picture book which focuses on getting kids to read books or explore the library.\n\nLibrary Mouse is quite well written and the illustrations are also very well done although they are a bit strange at times and you do wonder what was going on in the illustrator's (who was also Daniel Kirk the author) mind at the time. For example a kid on page two reading a book with his eyes closed who probably was a ghost or something anyway, or if not the librarian was as she has obviously walked right through him. In fact as the book nears the end quite a few adults and kids walk/crawl around with their eyes closed, some carry stuff or even write books only seeing the back of their eye lids. I guess Daniel Kirk wanted to see what he could get away with, either that or he got sick of and couldn't be bothered drawing any more eyes. The illustrations are good though and lots of fun plus on most pages with humans you also have the opportunity to play a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Where-s-Wally/dp/1406313211/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Where's Wally?</a>/<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Where-s-Bin-Laden/dp/1741103320/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Where's Bin Laden?</a> type reading game finding the tiny Sam the mouse hidden on the bookshelves or somewhere else.\n\nA very good book Library Mouse is basically the tale of a mouse named Sam who lives behind the children's reference books in a library. Sam really enjoyed reading the books once everyone had gone home and one day decides to write books of his own and place them on the shelves in the library. Soon everyone wants to know who the author of these mysterious books is and a note goes up on the bulletin board asking for him to be a special guest at a meet the author day. Since Sam is a mouse who has lived anonymously in the library for years, can he divulge who the author is? You'll have to read and find out.\n\nTwo other great books about or set in a library are <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Goldie-Socks-and-the-Three-Libearians/dp/1932146989/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians</a> by Jackie Hopkins and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Library-Lion/dp/0763622621/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Library Lion</a> by Michelle Knudsen.","Product: Juicy novel...Real Love!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Underestimation of Others Can Complicate Things\n\nReview: With Peter Leonard's third novel All He Saw Was the Girl, the mistake of underestimating your victim is a reoccurring problem for pretty much all the characters in this entertaining fast paced Italy set thriller. We've got McCabe, the best friend and fellow foreign student of Chip, Chip's an up himself son of a US Senator who thinks Daddy will bail him out of anything including stealing a taxi in Rome. McCabe has developed some exceptional one on one combat skills, he doesn't take s from anyone and is always quick to come to the aid of others such as his rich friend or victim of a handbag snatch in the streets. His stepping into do the right thing has got him just about thrown out of the local university where he's on a scholarship. Since he was in the taxi at the time, Chip's behaviour hasn't helped him any. As a result of rescuing his friend's cigarettes from police cell bullies, he has caught the attention of mob enforcers who have mistaken him for Chip and see kidnapping him as a nice way to dish out a bit of vengeance and make some nice ransom money on the side.\n\nMeanwhile over in Detroit, full of himself Joey, the son of local mob boss has slept with the wrong woman. She's the husband of a secret agent, since she's disappeared, Ray the husband is determined to track her down, so Joey has been sent to Rome for his uncle to look after and hide him. His uncle is the real deal Italian mobster but Joey has no respect for him and believes he can do a much better job so when the opportunity arrives to take over events involving McCabe, he decides to take his opportunity with both hands.\n\nIt's a fun fast paced read. All characters are a bit unrealistic but it adds to the fun, the only one who is maybe a little bit too over the top is the secret agent Ray.","Product: Peter Leonard's debut novel, Quiver, was published to international acclaim in 2008, and was followed by Trust Me in 2009 and All He Saw Was the Girl in 2011.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Revenge Novel Which Changes What it's About After It Gets Going!\n\nReview: Peter Leonard's Voices of the Dead, set in 1971, starts off as a simple revenge novel by Harry Levin, a father wanting justice for his daughter, murdered through car crash by Hess, a German diplomat who had been drinking and ran a red light. Harry is told by the police there's nothing they can do about it, Hess has diplomatic immunity. Harry Levin tracks down the man and witnesses him drinking in a pub with his bodyguard and countrymen having a great time which sends him into a rage. Unable to carry out his vengeance at the bar Harry is determined to avenge his daughter. However Hess has returned to Germany, which Harry as Jewish child fled during World War II after narrowly avoiding an execution squad who murdered the rest of his family and other concentration camp prisoners who soldiers deemed didn't want to work anymore. Harry is determined to have his vengeance on Hess, but by reliving the past's memories may bring up some unexpected hurdles. Plus Hess owns a zeppelin empire and it is not long before Harry notices that those ships and Hess' security seem to be not only aware of his presence, but seem to be following him.\n\nVoices of the Dead is a brilliant fast paced novel. I've read Peter Leonard's previous three novels and this is easily the deepest, or historically realistic due to Harry's childhood flashbacks. The present (1971) parts of the book aren't maybe as realistic with both Hess and Harry being a bit far fetched, action filmish, but they are entertaining characters. The closest comparison wise the modern chapters are to Leonard's previous novels would be All He Saw Was the Girl. If you liked that one, you'll love this. There is a sequel to this as well called Back From the Dead, but rest assured this book does wrap up everything it needs to in this story, it is not one of those books where the story just stops and you're left with a to be continued in the next novel disappointment.","Product: Bad is the new good. In the not too distant future the European Union enacts its most far reaching human rights legislation ever. The incompetent have been persecuted for too long. After all it's not their fault they can't do it right, is it? So it is made illegal to sack or otherwise discriminate against anyone for being incompetent. And now a murder has been committed and our possibly incompetent detective must find out who the murderer is. As long as he can find directions to get him through the mean streets.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: An Adventure Set in a World Where Anti-Discrimination Has Gone Way Too Far!\n\nReview: Incompetence is one of those books that just gets better and better as it goes along. The second half of the book is great physical humour and the first a lot of dealing with incompetent bureaucratic humour. Some of the scenes at the start do drag on a little bit such as the interactions with Captain Zuccho, the Italian policeman with anger management issues. Also I pictured the character as a bit older at the start then in the second half when he was a lot better at performing physical stuff like jumping onto a moving train and winning hand to hand combat lethal fights. He doesn't seem to have this badass ability at the start such as the shotgun garbage scene. I think this inconsistency in the character's abilities and traits (well basically the difference in competence levels of Detective Harry Salt) was deliberate and part of the incompetence theme joke of the novel and it worked well.\n\nBasic plot of Incompetence - Detective Harry Salt is an undercover agent. He is summoned from London to Italy by Klingferm, his controller for a face to face meeting with the other two agents Klingferm is responsible for. Salt has never met the other two agents and only met Klingferm in person once or twice, so this in the flesh meeting, must mean something major is going down. Set in the near future where the United States of Europe has passed a law expanding the normal discrimination act to also include no person shall be discriminated against no matter how stupid they are or incompetently they do their job. This means nothing runs smoothly from government departments including the police, to hotels, train stations, car rental agencies and everything in between. Various incompetent staff encounters luckily delay Salt's arrival time for the scheduled meeting and he misses out on being in an elevator that has shot out of the top of a building and come crashing down outside many floors below. Salt investigates much to the anger of Italian authorities and knows someone deliberately tampered with the lift's control buttons and it wasn't just an incompetent lift mechanic, which would have meant no possible prosecution. As Salt tracks the killer he must overcome various incompetents who either deliberately, or just through plain stupidity impede his every move.","Product: A.J. Cosmos stories are crafted to help parents teach their children simple everyday lessons in an easy to understand manner. By artfully marrying beautiful illustrations and language, children are challenged to explore his magical worlds. Written for the transitional reader, A.J.s stories allow your child to develop and master a new level of reading. A.J. Cosmo has been on the Kids EBook Bestseller List consistently. His book, The Monster That Ate My Socks, first showed up on Amazons Children and Young Adult top ten section in November 2012 and stayed there until February 2013. His original artwork and book illustrations are also highly collected.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: What to Do When Something Keeps Eating Your Socks\n\nReview: I've read quite a few of this author's books, some are really good, some not so much, The Monster That Ate My Socks is a fairly good read, which plays on the sock disappearance mystery that a lot of people experience. This one the mystery is solved by the fact the monster on the cover is responsible, but what's a kid to do when his mother doesn't believe him and tells him to stop losing socks as she can't afford to keep buying new ones? The book also tackles the old Dog Ate My Homework myth with a new spin about half way through. Basically this is a junior fiction short story with illustrations in the style of the cover image throughout.\n\nI enjoyed it enough to recommend it but I don't think it's one that will be remembered years into the future by either the adult reader or the child reader or child being read to.","Product: 2018 Moonbeam Children's Book Silver Medal Winner! 2018 Mom's Choice Award Winner! Warning: Everyone says this book stinks! Hold your nose for this hilarious story about a young boy's search for why his book smells so bad....\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Really Fun Picture Book for Any Kid (or Adult) Who Likes Gross Stuff!\n\nReview: Len Foley's picture book Sigfried's Smelly Socks! is a lot of fun. The author has taken the time to format it, so the pictures and accompanying text appear on the one page (screen) together, like they would if you read a physical book. There's a lot of great self published picture book stories out there, but a lot of them display like a mess, which let down the overall reading experience. So I always like to point out when authors care enough about their readers (customers) and have taken the time to format their books. This one displays in landscape mode (horizontal screen).\n\nThe story is quite fun. Not so much about socks but the book does end the second half of the pages with them. Basically the book you are reading isn't in great condition anymore. Sigfried the boy who owns the book has done a lot more to it than just not read it with clean hands. He tells us how each stain got on each page, sometimes there's more than just a stain, like peanut butter or bits of the pizza still there. His dog contributed to a yellow stain, his brother Sherman another, and his baby sister, well it's kind of gross what she did.\n\nThe illustrations are a mixture of photo imagery on the page, along with cartoon illustration type ones. The book is a lot of fun. Hopefully Len Foley writes more picture books in the future.","Product: New Scientist is a science magazine for everyone, young and old, amateur and professional. With a circulation approaching 160,000 and a worldwide readership of more than half a million, it is among the most popular of all popular science magazines.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: NewScientist Readers Give Answers to Questions You May or May Not Have Thought of Before\n\nReview: There are many informative interesting fact books out there, what makes this one different from the rest is that they haven't actually gone and found experts to find out what the actual answers are, instead readers of popular magazine NewScientist (and granted some of these are scientists, lecturers and others who would know what they are talking about, but a lot are just every day people as well) have answered questions pondered by other readers. This book is a collection of a column that appears in each addition of the magazine. So it is comparable to logging onto a forum on Yahoo or somewhere else where questions are posted by one users for anyone else to answer, the answerer may be 100 per cent right then again the again they may be a hundred percent wrong. You could also compare this book to when researching a fact going online to Wikipedia where anything can be posted as fact, instead of looking up an actual encyclopaedia or specific topic research book.\n\nIf you like visiting these types of websites, and can take every answer with a grain of salt as they say, then this may well be the book for you. If you actually want answers you know are true to interesting questions or books of facts then there are far better alternatives out there such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Do-Blue-Bedsheets-Bring-Babies-The-Truth-Behind-Old-Wives-Tales/dp/0767921887/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Do Blue Bedsheets Bring Babies?: The Truth Behind Old Wives' Tales</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Great-Mythconceptions-The-Science-Behind-the-Myths/dp/0740753649/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Great Mythconceptions: The Science Behind the Myths</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Hippo-Eats-Dwarf-A-Field-Guide-to-Hoaxes-and-Other-B-S/dp/0156030837/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Hippo Eats Dwarf: A Field Guide to Hoaxes and Other B.S.</a> and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Shocking-Science/dp/0600585581/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Shocking Science</a> to name just four examples.","Product: Robin Parrish has written for over a decade as a journalist on the cutting edge of Christian culture, from books and music to film. Robin, his wife, and their children live in High Point, North Carolina.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Just Another Superhero Story, Nothing Original Here\n\nReview: I picked this up not realising it was a superhero type story. The back cover blurb indicates it to be a former elite soldier getting vengeance on the criminals of the city trying to change the world preventing one crime at a time. I guess technically it is that, but it's not the typical highly trained and skilled usually ex soldier tough guy giving criminals their comeuppance read. Instead it's your typical guy putting on a costume, using inventions made by a genius who hides behind the scenes back at the secret lair, all funded by large wads of cash, to intercept crimes taking place type read. This time round the media, inspired by his mass marketing on billboards across America announcing There's a Better Way, with a white hand, promoting his first public appearance, has given him the imaginative title of The Hand. Now I'm not really into superhero type reads, so I'm not widely read on the different ones out there, and there are probably countless superheros The Hand may be closer to, but for me Batman was an obvious parallel storyline. Nolan Gray's (soldier who fakes his death to put on the costume) background story pretty much paralleled David Morrell's Rambo, including he was the greatest soldier ever to be, trained and become the best ever student of a heap of martial arts and other weapon and unarmed combats. The inventor who made his suit and accessories, hacked into cameras and websites all over the city, an obvious copy of the characters in lab coats who come up with James Bond's gadgets and a lot of lad assistants in crime solving TV shows. And of course you've got the bad guy who takes something he assumes The Hand did personally, then plots his demise which pretty much just like every comic book you read as a kid had.\n\nThere really was nothing new on the pages of Vigilante. It's readable if you've ordered a copy thinking it was going to be a typical vengeance on criminals type novel. Unless you're into the whole superhero saving the day book, I'd give it a miss.","Product: Help me. 'when a young woman rushes into sam capra's san francisco bar and whispers these desperate words, sam feels compelled to help. A moment later she is attacked by two killers. With sam's aid, she manages to overpower the men, saving his life in the process before vanishing into the night. On discovering that one of the attackers is no mere thug, but, shockingly, one of the most powerfulinvestors in america, sam searches for the beguiling young woman who asked for help and unearths a deadly network run by some of the most powerful and influential people in the world. A gripping, addictive and exhilarating thriller from international bestseller jeff abbott, downfall will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the very last line.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Like a Fun 80s Action Film\n\nReview: The Sam Capra series of books read like an 80s action hero film, where any effort to try and make some situations realistic at all isn't even attempted if it gets in the way off a cool escape, pursuit or fight scene. Downfall continues on with that tradition from the first two novels which started with <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Adrenaline/dp/0446575186/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Adrenaline</a> then went onto <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Last-Minute/dp/0446575232/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Last Minute</a> with <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Sam-Capra-s-Last-Chance/dp/B007QYDGW2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Sam Capra's Last Chance</a> a Kindle short story later written bridging the gap between those two novel's plot. But officially Downfall is the third novel in the series (probably as the short story wasn't a novel) and takes up the plot where the Last Minute left off. Note you don't need to have read the other stories to read this one as a standalone read if that's what you want to do. The plot has its own villain, and the main plot doesn't rely on the events of the other books. Downfall basically revolves around the classic story of a young attractive woman is chased into a bar, the bartender minding his own business (Sam Capra) is not going to let a couple of thugs grab her and drag her out to whatever violence they have in mind so intervenes. The thugs assume they can easily beat up or kill the bartender if he doesn't mind his own business but they don't know who they're messing with. However the girl isn't just running from violence, but instead a powerful criminal organisation, something someone who wants to spend his days as a humble bartender, shouldn't be getting involved with.\n\nSometimes reading the action scenes in Downfall you can't help think Abbott is trying to sell the Sam Capra character to Hollywood studios as the next Ethan Hawke, Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher over the top fighting skills, keeps going no matter what, survive anything type franchise carrier.","Product: SC\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: When Aldo Forgets His Manners, His Bad Behaviours Don't Forget About Him\n\nReview: I thought this was going a bit off track of being a book about teaching manners when the first alien/creature thing appeared and started hanging around Aldo like a bad smell. To my surprise there was a purpose to this and the subsequent new characters that appeared every time Aldo did something unsocial. This ended up being a great book to teach kids about manners. The computer created style illustrations also add to the fun of the reading experience. I also liked how this book was formatted properly for the Kindle, with the pictures and text appearing together on the pages like a real book should. Unfortunately this isn't a common practice with Kindle picture books so it is great when you come across one that is created properly.","Product: *Starred Review* While on tour, actor Paul Cole is caught in flagrante delicto with another mans wife. The other man beats Paul into unconsciousness, and when he awakes in a hospital bed, he cant remember where he is or what happened to him. Can a man whose memory is irretrievably shattered hope to rebuild his life? This previously unpublished novel was written early in Westlakes career, and it feels that way: its written in the crisp, unadorned style of The Mercenaries, Killing Time, and 361, all of which were published in the early 1960s. Unlike most of Westlakes books, Memory isnt really a crime novel; its a psychological drama, the story of a man trying to find his way back to his own life. Westlakes fans will note the authors typically careful use of description and dialogue, but they may also be a bit stymied by his central character: Cole thinks of himself at one point as a steel marble in a pinball game . . . always in motion, and that seems just right for a man bouncing from moment to moment, reacting to events but never taking control of them. Compared to a typical Westlake protagonist, Paul Cole feels weak and ineffectuallikable but a bit pathetic. But this is no typical Westlake novel; in fact, in many ways its one of his most interesting books, simply because its so very different. For his fans, absolutely a must-read. --David Pitt\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Thanks for the Memories Westlake! A Great Final Book, by One of the Best Writers of all Time!\n\nReview: I put off reading Memory for a while. Having read all of Westlake's previous novels over the years, I knew when this was done, the great adventures, characters, tales, and just enjoyment that Westlake's stories produce, was going to be over for ever. Donald E Westlake died in December 2008, and unless some other unpublished book turns up somewhere, Memory is the final Westlake experience we the readers will have. Well new experience anyway, as his many masterpieces will be read over and over again throughout a lifetime. So anyway Memory, it's not my all time favourite Westlake novel, but it is as good, and well written, as any of them.\n\nPublished by Hard Case Crime may have many believing this will be a crime caper, simply due to the publisher's name. We're not along for the ride during the planning and implementing of a crime, instead we go along for the ride, inside the head of the victim of a violent crime. Paul Cole, a travelling actor, is brutally bashed around the head with a chair in a cowardly attack while in bed with a woman. Paul doesn't get justice though, as the police officer assigned to bring it to him is a moral extremist, and since Paul was sleeping with a married woman, all the officer wants is to run Paul out of town. Even when Paul asks about the welfare of the woman (whom he will soon forget) the officer is still insistent that the husband has done nothing wrong. Further crimes lead by the bully cop hinder Paul getting his life on track, he is discharged before he medically should be from the hospital, and the final pay cheque which included money to get him safely back to New York just happens to be just about the exact same figure as the hospital bill. Paul is dragged to the bus station but of course does not have enough money to get to anywhere near New York and can only afford to go two towns closer. He knows he must get a job to survive, and save to afford the trip home, but unhelpful bureaucrats make that a difficult task. With a worsening memory problem he finds he is forgetting not only why he is in the town, but what he ever did before coming there. It is only the ID in his wallet and some notes he has been leaving himself before he goes to sleep each night, that hold some clues, however he hasn't been completely clear in all the notes so many are just confusing. When a visit from some men in a car leave him with fast fading memories of what it was all about, but everlasting nightly nightmares of a shiny metal bar, Paul knows he must make it back to New York as surely once there his friends and surroundings will help him know who he is and what he needs to do.\n\nA great novel, where you experience the fear, highs and lows through Paul Cole's eyes.\n\nBy the way if you're into the whole memory loss crime novel genre check out <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Retirement-Homes-Are-Murder/dp/1594145156/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Retirement Homes Are Murder</a> by Mike Befeler, where a resident who wakes up each morning with no memory of the recent past has to solve the mystery of who is murdering his neighbours before he becomes the next victim.\n\nIf Memory was your first Westlake novel you've got a lot of great reading in front of you. Great standalone comic capers like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Spy-in-the-Ointment/dp/0445408812/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Spy in the Ointment</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Cops-and-Robbers/dp/0446401331/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Cops and Robbers</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Smoke/dp/044640344X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Smoke</a> and my all time favourite <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Help-I-am-being-held-prisoner/dp/B000VZRPR0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Help, I am being held prisoner</a> are masterpieces you must check out, along with of course the Dortmunder series. Non comic capers such as the sensational solution to unemployment - <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Ax/dp/0892965878/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Ax</a> are also must reads. Hard crime such as the Parker novels under the pen name Richard Stark await your reading pleasure in fact Westlake could write over many genres including a Western (Gangway) and even science fiction with novels such as Anarchaos. Thanks for the memories Mr Westlake!","Product: Go the Fuck to Sleep\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Brilliant Parody and Idea for a Gift to Give to Any Parent of Young Kids\n\nReview: Go the F to Sleep is a great picture book parody in resemblance (size, length, word count) and even the illustrations take it that one step further, being the warm cuddly safe feel type one with actual illustrations of a human family. The style of illustrations that extremist moral or paranoid parents who only want their kids to learn something and not read them anything that they think would possibly scare them or lead them astray would select. The illustrator could easily have gone with monsters, aliens or animals or other illustrations but the typical family interaction scenes, just make the parody work so much better.\n\nIt's important to point out that this is marketed as an adult picture book and not a book ever intended to be read to small children. It's a parody of a children's book and that's what makes it work. You can get this as an audio book (narrated by Samuel L Jackson) or even on Kindle and other e-book formats, but obviously you're losing the whole point of it without the physical product resembling the same sort of picture book that little kids read or have read to them.\n\nThe text alone isn't that brilliant. It does cover all the big frustrating scenarios such as the child wanting to get up to go to the toilet, have a drink, interrupting a relaxing moment between both parents while watching TV and so on. Parents, aunts, uncle, baby sitters, older brothers and sisters and most other people will certainly find plenty to relate to. It however isn't as smoothly written as a normal picture book author would do. The text doesn't rhyme or flow that well. It was written as a joke after all and word of mouth took it to the success it has today. As a joke gift, or a gift to say I feel for you, it's priceless though.","Product: J. F. Gonzalez is the author of numerous novels of horror and dark suspense including The Corporation, Back From the Dead, Primitive, and is co-author of the Clickers series.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Been There Read That Before Feeling as You Turn the Pages, If You've Read Gonzalez's Other Stuff\n\nReview: This one follows a guy who doesn't like his mother much at all, he hasn't spoken to her in a while, but a call from the small town sheriff where she lives has him revisiting the last home they shared one last time. His mother has been brutally murdered, the murderer did despicable things to her body and painted things on the wall that his extremist religious mother wouldn't have approved of. But she's not the end of the killing.\n\nPossibly and in fact even likely, if you haven't read much else of Gonzalez's work you'll enjoy this one a lot more than me. I just found it didn't have the payoff after going along for the journey with Vince for so long that you need to be satisfied. That was because it's not an original one and uses the same, I don't want to give it away but villain/entity if you will from another book. Which was adequately covered in that other book. With Gonzalez novels he always pads out his stories more so than most authors, or waffles on is maybe too strong a word, but for example in this one Vince gets a mysterious call telling him to meet the caller in a bar. Instead of the next scene being him walking through the door and seeing the guy for the first time, we instead travel from his home to the bar with Vince before getting to that scene with nothing happening in that meantime to justify reading it. This is done to stretch out the tension or get to know the characters more and is usually fine but that's when there's a pay off, and there isn't when it's the same story you've read before. Being that it was nothing new, I just found the overall experience of They to be boring, which definitely isn't the normal case with a Gonzalez novel. This novel after the opening flashback chapter also takes quite a while to get going to the meat of the story or anything exciting happening.\n\nThe best aspect about this book was actually in the copyright blurb. Gonzalez hasn't just cut and paste the standard spiel. Read that it's hilarious.","Product: Glen Robins is an adventurer, a family man, and a writer. He loves the outdoors, learning new things, finding new places, and meeting interesting people. All of these elements combine in his writing, which is aimed at breathing light and new hope into the lives of his readers. \"Off Kilter\" is his debut novel.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Not Believable But Still a Lot of Fun!\n\nReview: This is book one in a series of three, but you could leave at the end of this one, events aren't obviously wrapped up but it still sort of has an ending. Basically this is a fugitive type scenario with the realism level of a low budget TV show which it could easily be turned into, as Colin the main character, doesn't spend to long at any one location as he flees around the world. If you can accept banks giving millions of dollars in cash to client's they've never met when they ring them in the middle of the night and threaten to let them know they are a dissatisfied customer, or out running on foot pursuers when you've got a heavy backpack with a laptop and millions of dollars in cash, your clothes, numerous fake ID's (which never get discovered at customs) then you won't go wrong with this book. The main character is a bit annoying at first, but he grows on you after a while. We're yet to find out in this first novel if he got bitten by a radioactive animal, was abducted by aliens or what gave him the ability to quickly recover from injuries that would have others slipping in and out of a coma or survive the worst weather and elements of nature, but I'm sure we'll find out in the next two books. That's the odd thing about this book, we don't find out stuff for a while, it took ages for us to know why Colin is on the run, it's only near the end Colin mentions that apparently he has some latest technologically advanced bag that makes x-ray machines like at the airport put a different image to his cash actually inside it on the screens. Before that you're just shaking your head thinking, why haven't these professionally trained staff noticed that.\n\nThe ex girlfriend Emily is supposedly smart enough to be curing cancer but immediately upon being given a phone and told not to use her own as everyone Colin is associated' with's phones, home, internet accounts and so forth have probably been bugged, are being monitored etc, uses that very phone to ring Colin's mother. Luckily it seems the bad guys (an insurance company owner that likes to kill those he has to payout large settlements like Colins family's life insurance policy too), as well as the FBI, Interpol and other agencies he's conned to do his evil bidding, seem to have assigned really stupid people to this case that don't catch onto things like that, or Colin's dumb habit of ordering the exact same American newspapers to be delivered to his room door no matter where in the world he goes so when a guest does this they can be alerted.\n\nLike I said this isn't a believable story, but if you like Prison Break, NCIS (especially NCIS LA) and TV shows like this where they don't even bother trying to make the story believable but hey, we'll watch them anyway, then Off Kilter is probably the Kindle book for you.","Product: Jourdan is a USA Today, Audible, 5-time Wall Street Journal best selling authorand a former U.S. Senate Counsel to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Governmental Affairs. She has degrees from the University of Tennessee in Biomedical Engineering and Law. Carolyn lives on the family farm in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, with many stray animals.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Some Stories Really Good, Some Not So Much, All Really Short, Some Not Even About Bears\n\nReview: Bear Bloopers is an entertaining enough way to pass the very short amount of time it takes to read it. Since the stories are written by a number of different authors (using that term very loosely, as in this book's case it means rangers, hikers, tourists, cabin renters and others), it means the quality of both the writing and the quality of the tale itself greatly differs from page to page. Some stories such as one where a cabin renter books a cabin so he can relax in its outdoor hot tub only to find out someone else is using it when he arrives, possibly was based on there being a bear in or near the thing, but in this story the bear is relaxing in the hot bubbling water after a hard day in the woods, which clearly wouldn't be the case as why would the hot tub be turned on before the guest even arrived at the remote cabin. If he had turned it on then decided, to drive to the nearest petrol station or something to buy a newspaper or something to eat and came back to the find the bear that might have been believable, but in the way it is told it is obviously embellished.\n\nMost tales are fairly similar, some dumb human park visitors ignore the signs and bear's welfare in trying to get a photo or upclose experience which not only puts them in danger for that encounter but ultimately leads to the bear having to be destroyed since it now associates humans, or cars or whatever with a really tasty easy meal. There's countless stories where the same lesson is repeated over and over again such as never leave your backpack if encountering a bear as it will then associate every hiker as someone with food and charge them to get the backpack. At times the book feels more like a lesson reading about encounters with bears. Some stories there isn't much going on, there's one that's a couple of paragraphs which was not much more than I tell people not to eat food in the cabin and they seem to understand the importance what I'm saying, then I come back ten minutes later and they're eating crackers on the beds.\n\nBear Bloopers will pass the time, in some stories it gives a bit of an insight into what park rangers get up to (although I'm sure the majority of their work is less exciting), the stupidity and selfishness of some tourists, poachers and other park users, but each story doesn't have much substance, a lot just end abruptly. There's one where a ranger comes across a stupid old woman feeding a bear with food from her own mouth, but the story doesn't tell us what happened to the woman after the bear noticed the ranger and fled. If we're supposed to be learning not to do this sort of thing, surely telling us the consequences for the woman (fines, jail what?) would have reinforced that, not just the fact she obviously could have been killed, which would be pretty obvious to the reader already.\n\nThe book also has no photographs which would have enhanced the tale, especially when we know in the case of some of the stories, the person carried a camera. There's some not even about real bears, there's one where some guy wore a bear costume in the parade of some cultural event and disobeyed because he was hot what anyone is told is the number on rule when you wear on these things, don't take off the head. One occasion while without head he was televised on TV and the costume provider was furious. He then goes on about being surprised how much professional sport team mascots can make and that kids are on scholarships for university teams.","Product: Judy Alter is no stranger to college campuses. She attended the University of Chicago, Truman State University in Missouri, and Texas Christian University, where she earned a Ph.D. and taught English. For twenty years, she was director of TCU Press, the book publishing program of the university. The author of many books for both children and adults, she retired in 2010 and turned her attention to writing contemporary cozy mysteries. She is the author of the Kelly OConnell Mysteries and the Blue Plate Caf Mysteries. She holds awards from the Western Writers of America, the National Cowboy Museum and Hall of Fame, and the Texas Institute of Letters. She was inducted into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame and recognized as an Outstanding Woman of Fort Worth and a woman who has left her mark on Texas. Western Writers of America gave her the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Good Idea for a Plot But Gets Boring After a While, Plus a Character So Into Gender Equality Relies Too Much on Her Boyfriend\n\nReview: The Perfect Coed has an interesting premise for a plot, a controversial as being seen as pushing the feminist agenda teacher is summoned by her boyfriend, the campus head of security to her car, which has the corpse of one of her young female students in the boot. She is of course immediately seen as the main suspect by the police and a lot of the staff and faculty at the university also see her as the murderer. Life gets more and more hurdles such as a dead cat and seemingly attempts at her own murder which others dismiss as accidents as the reader turns the pages. It's up to her to work out who killed the girl and work out which of the terrible things she is coming across are actually being done by the person behind the crime or are simply her paranoia and overactive imagination coming into play.\n\nOverall though the book dragged in the middle with the addition of a visiting elderly aunt who frowns upon shacking up with a boyfriend before marriage and this sort of thing. An ex judge also added a fair bit of implausibility to the story. You also wondering the whole time why Susan who should be a woman who can handle things and show that women can achieve anything if that's what she is trying to instil on young girls, constantly needed her boyfriend to save her from situations and take care of her. Maybe another female lecturer would have made a better choice to assist her with solving the murder and staying out of jail than a big strong security guard type male.","Product: Tamia Sheldon is a freelance illustrator and designer working outside of Seattle, WA. She loves making up stories for her funny kid and spends all her free time drawing, reading and taking pictures.With a B.A. in Design and Culture Studies she is intent on creating work that has a positive impact on the world.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: If the Author Had Spent Their Time Proof Reading This, Rather Than Writing Fake Reviews, It Would Have Been Much Better\n\nReview: Wow with fifteen five star reviews I assumed this was going to be a pretty good picture book. If only I had clicked on see all my reviews of any of the initial ten or so reviewers and I would have known instantly they were written by the author since this is the only book each reviewer has ever reviewed. With the exception of the last review written, which is maybe legit, of the rest they only have two or three reviews to each account with those other product reviews dated 2008 and the like so I'm guessing they are friends or relatives of the author who have given the author the passwords to their accounts.\n\nIf the time spent on creating these accounts and writing the fake reviews had been spent on actually proof reading the Kindle book they would have noticed that The Hungry Shark isn't formatted correctly. The picture is one page with the first line of text and the rest of text you need to click onto the next page to read on a blank white page. Not what you want in a picture book when reading it to children when you're referring to the animal and it's not on the page to see. A simple reduction of the image size would have allowed this Kindle book to display correctly, but alas there were obviously fake reviews to write at the time.\n\nThe pictures themselves are fairly child friendly, not bad, they are in the style of the cover. Although what the circle on the side of the shark is supposed to be is never explained. The story itself revolves around a shark named Amelia who is very hungry. Every time she goes to eat another creature it displays its defence mechanisms and she doesn't eat it. Not sure how come it suddenly doesn't know what its prey is when it is a full grown sized shark so has obviously eaten before. Amelia is obviously not the type of shark to survive on the food source it finds at the end having the wrong type of teeth and such but it is a kids picture book after all so that doesn't matter so much in the scheme of things. There's also a pasta recipe at the end using that food source as its major ingredient as well as a link to a website to find a free colouring page to print out.","Product: Marie Tabler is a freelance creative media producer for children's material. She is currently the owner of The Art Mill ( www.theartmill.com ) and has done work for American Greetings, Compassion International, Children's Bible Hour, Kids 4 Truth and Nazarene Publishing House. Her desire to help children learn timeless truths as they are being entertained is evident in much of her work. She resides in a quiet midwest town with her husband, two children and a cat that showed up and decided to make herself at home.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Simple Illustrations Retell and Age Old Tale\n\nReview: This is a rewrite of the age old animal who doesn't gather food for Winter when it has plenty of time to do so before the snow comes because it has better things to do and can't be bothered tale, done by Aesop and other writers throughout time. The title mentions this to be a humorous book, I wonder if the author realises that word means the book is supposed to be funny. It doesn't have any humorous happenings at all. The illustrations are pretty simple, basically just shapes, for example there's an owl that's basically a circle, the cover is a good indication of the squirrels in the book.\n\nThe book is nothing special, if it's free and your kid is a big fan for anything to do with squirrels they may get something out of this, but you certainly wouldn't want to pay money for it.","Product: Gerry Gaston is the author of the best selling Quest series of interactive children's picture book adventures. His innovation has provided readers with a unique alternative path selection technique that incorporates the visually stunning illustrations with direct control of the storyline progression. His creative imagination fuels his efforts to craft exciting worlds for kids to explore, while motivating their continuing desire to read.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not as Bad a Story On its Own as Quest for the Dragons Treasure, But Still a Huge Letdown as a Choose Your Adventure Type Book\n\nReview: Having recently bought a Kindle Fire HD I downloaded this book along with another Choose Your Own Path book by this author called Quest for the Dragon's Treasure because I have fond memories of the times spent reading the old Choose Your Own Adventure junior paperbacks when I was a kid. Now as an adult I work in a public library, so when a new author has a go at this concept (and quite a few have over the years from picture books to adult fiction novels) I always give them a look. With this and the Dragon Treasure book I was particularly interested to see the concept done as a Kindle book and what that experience would be like.\n\nWhat I did like about this book was the nice, colourful detailed animation type illustrations on each page. This book is set in the world of pirates but the illustrations never at any time would create fear for a young child, the pirates themselves never look threatening (although not wussy and unintelligent either like say the ones in cartoons like Jake and the Neverland Pirates). The story takes place on a pirate ship, a small island and a bigger island. The pictures are a lot of fun. To some extent the story is good, this had a much better story than the Dragon book does reading it as a simple beginning to end story. However like the other book that's not why you're choosing to read it though, it's the Choose You Own Adventure aspect that made you click the Buy Now With One Click Button. This one's different to the other book in that before your choices in yellow rectangle come up you first click on a pink rectangle asking you to choose a path. Not sure which of the two books was done first but it is an unnecessary step if the other was written first. Like with the other book this one also ends up in the same places no matter which options you take, this book also had a lot more loops that took you back to a page you left three or four choices ago. No matter what choice you make you are always successful in your quest for the lost treasure, there's no getting captured by pirates ending, being forced to walk the plank, being stranded on the small island, breaking a leg by climbing up a cliff, finding a chest full of socks or any other way of ending the story other than with the treasure. The fun of the old Choose Your Own Adventure novels was the different outcomes, and you'd reread making other choices to hopefully get better ones. Or it would be a game against your friends who can keep the story alive for the most choices. This one you get to page where the story doesn't make sense at times if you didn't choose some of the loop paths beforehand such as \"remembering the rope you picked up on the pirate ship\", when I first read that page I'd never read anything where I had the opportunity to pick up a rope. To make matters worse a page before the final getting treasure one, you are asked if you have a key, you don't even need to have read the page where you find a key to advance to the ending as it lets you through anyway.\n\nThe basics are in place to turn this into a good Choose Your Own Adventure type experience, it's a lot better story than the Dragon Quest one, it just needs more story paths and endings.","Product: Author Kristen Otte writes books for children, teens, and adults. Her mission is to bring joy and laughter through stories to people young and old. When she isn't writing or reading, you may find her on the basketball court coaching her high school girls' team. If she isn't writing or coaching, she is probably chasing her husband and dogs around the house.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: How a Pug Dogs Sees the World, Written By a Pug Called Zelda\n\nReview: The Adventures of Zelda is another entry into the growing, books written by a dog genre. This time round the dog is a pug called Zelda. The book is entertaining and definitely worth checking out, but it isn't as believable that your listening to a dog's mind like better books in this genre such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/A-Dog-s-Purpose/dp/B003ZK68A8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">A Dog's Purpose</a> which would be the benchmark of canine narrator fiction. Zelda also doesn't really face any dangers or obstacles, other than the vacuum cleaner, a snowman and things like this we as the human reader know are completely harmless to her. There isn't any violence, hunger or struggle for the canine character, which might not necessarily be a bad thing for some potential readers, but just makes the book seem more like a kids book compared to other similar books. This is more like someone observing a dog's (and specifically a pug dog's unique) quirks, and behaviours that occur mostly in a house and explaining them through the dog's narration. For example it thinks the vacuum cleaner is a robot and a threat to one of it's owners. Zelda has a lot more of an understanding of human language, in fact she understands word for word most human conversations, especially ones about her, and she observes things such as the neighbour is raking the yard, which you wouldn't imagine she'd know the word raking let alone how to use it in a sentence, since she's never experienced falling leaves before. She also knows specific things about her breed, that other dogs don't have, such as a goose honk, things like something a breeder or owner would know, not the dog itself.\n\nAlthough it's not quite as good as other books in the genre, it's enjoyable enough that I'll definitely check out other books in the series. If you're looking for other books narrated by a dog some suggestions to check out include <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Book-Of-Riley/dp/B008RE1ZNC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Book Of Riley</a> by Mark Tufo, <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Dog/dp/B01I5I83T8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Dog</a> by Amy Cross, <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Dog-On-It/dp/B003LJRUV4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Dog On It</a> by Spencer Quinn and you definitely won't go wrong with <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Footrot-Flats/dp/1869711122/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Footrot Flats</a> by Murray Ball.","Product: George Mahood is an award-winning writer. Specifically, he was placed third in the Little Brington Village Fete's limerick competition (Under 10s category) in 1988. It was the same year that Mrs Marriott's legendary fruit loaf was beaten in the WI cake contest for the first time in six years. George studied Communication Studies and English Literature at Leeds University. After spending a year travelling in the USA (with clothes and money), he worked for several years in a variety of jobs including charity fund-raising, wedding photography and garlic bread making. George has been the lead singer and guitarist of a rubbish band and the chairman and midfielder of an awful Sunday-league football team. George has plenty more madcap ideas that will form the basis of future books. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch, see more photos, and to hear about future projects. http://www.facebook.com/georgemahood http://www.twitter.com/georgemahood\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Fun Look at the Significance of Every Day of the Year\n\nReview: This is quite good, although not something you're likely to read from the start to the finish in one go. I came back to this in between other books and was surprised when at one point the author mentions this his how he assumed people would read this. That's what I liked about the author he wasn't pretending this is the greatest book ever written or that it will even hold everyone's interest. Basically George is a stay at home dad who does some freelance photography for weddings to pay the bills. Having written a previously successful book (and I like how he acknowledges authors monitor Amazon, and talks about putting that book on the free list and things like this), he has decided to take up a new challenge of celebrating the day allocated to every date of the year, some days have multiple entries. He doesn't even know what many of them are before looking them up on the day. Although this isn't a really interesting thing to do for an adventure, he somehow makes this mundane adventure fun or at least mildly interesting at times. Although as I said you'll probably need a break from the entries from time to time.\n\nThe author comes across a guy you wouldn't mind sitting next to on a plane or something, as well as a great father and caring person towards others such as his neighbours who sort of kidnap his cat each day. If this book was that interesting with lets face it fairly boring in real life subject matter, I can't wait to check out what he has written with more active adventures.","Product: After playing video games with her children, Wendy Knuth was inspired to write books about zombies for kids. She hopes that humans of every age will enjoy reading these books as much as she loved writing them. Wendy is happily married to an old, bald guy, and they live in Arizona, where they continue to raise their two zoners.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: You'll Want More of the Moore Family, When You Finish This Fun Zombie Family Picture Book Mystery\n\nReview: The author has taken the time to format their book correctly so that the text is part of the illustration meaning that you don't get a few lines of text on one page, a picture on the next, and a few more lines on a page after that when it's all supposed to be on the one page. This should be a requirement to publish books on Amazon but unfortunately it's not the norm and so many authors don't bother to do this so I always like to mention when an author cares enough about their readers, and their own work to do this. The book displays in both landscape and portrait mode but the page takes up more of the screen in portrait. My only criticism is that it would have been better if it took up the entire screen so you could appreciate the great illustrations to their full extent. It has brilliant colourful illustrations and was full of interesting characters that I'd love to read again in future books.\n\nBasically we visit the Moore family who are all zombies, this book kind of reminded me of the Addams Family, where the characters get up to pretty much regular normal person things, just that they are in an environment that embraces bugs, spiders, reptiles and other so labelled gross stuff. The authors have added their own spin to zombie culture with the fact that zombies love tomato juice, their mothers are known as Mombie, they don't care about labels such as nerd and things like this. The basic plot of this one revolves around the three older Moore siblings coming to each other to help solve the mystery of their baby sister's missing Gargoy. You'll have to get to the end to find out what Gargoy is but whoever took it has left a few clues.","Product: Jeanie Franz Ransom is the author of several books, including WHAT PARENTS DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT HOME and GRANDMA U. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Did Humpty Really Fall? Or Was He Pushed Off That Wall?\n\nReview: This picture booked sized short story with the occasional comic book (graphic novel) page linking the text and picture pages forms an interesting sequel to the classic Humpty Dumpty tale. It also is a sequel to quite a few other children's fairy tales as well through their character's cameo appearances such as Goldilocks is now a house sitter at the three bears house. Plus there's a few other fairytales which this one seems to interrupt such as Little Red Riding Hood while she's getting the food for her basket in the pre visiting grandma part of that fairytale stressed due to no muffins being sold by the shopkeeper (of course who is the muffin man). Children you're reading it to/with, assuming you've read them those stories will immediately know and want to yell out that's whoever from whatever it is. This makes the story even more fun. Although you will probably have to track down those original stories shortly after reading this.\n\nThis is a through the eyes of the main character journey through Mother Gooseland. That main character is a private detective named Joe Dumpty. When he hears his brother Humpty has fallen off his Neighbourhood Watch chair on top of the wall he rushes to the scene. Joe knows his brother wouldn't just fall off the wall, after all he is an experienced wall sitter, however Miss Muffet who was the one to dial 911 swears it was windy and he just fell. Finding his binoculars hidden under her tuffet he knows she's not telling the truth but a spider backs up her story and that's good enough for police chief Mother Goose. She does however give Joe until 5pm to prove otherwise which is when she will file her report. Why when he's a private detective and not one of her officers he worries about this time frame is never explained but he is against the clock to solve his brother's assault before it is written off as an accident. Joe Humpty visits and interviews a number of other fairytale characters and the clues are easy enough for a child to enjoy working out what actually happened to Humpty before the final page is reached. An interesting and worthwhile read.\n\nIf you like Fairytale prequels or sequels check out the picture books <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Porkenstein/dp/059062380X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Porkenstein</a> a sequel to the Three Little Pigs by Kathryn Lasky where the remaining and now very lonely pig decides to make a new friend. <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-True-Story-of-the-Three-Little-Pigs-by-A-Wolf/dp/0140540563/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf</a> by Lane Smith is another great picture book told from the wolf's own mouth of what really occured surrounding the events of the destruction of the houses of straw and twigs and the demise of thier occupants. <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Whatever-Happened-to-The-Ultimate-Sequels-Book/dp/0285634011/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Whatever Happened to ....?: The Ultimate Sequels Book</a> is a paperback style book that interviews and tells the stories of what happened to many fairy tale characters in the years afterward. Dave Barry's <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Peter-and-the-Starcatchers/dp/B000BBS9CE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Peter and the Starcatchers</a> series is also a great paperback series prequel to Peter Pan.","Product: THE LAST BULLY ... a charming anti-bullying story Happiness Begins With Respect Hugo is a little starfish and so it is not surprising that in this story he comes across several bigger fish in the ocean. Sadly, they are bigger fish with the wrong attitude - they're bullies! After seeing his friend getting bullied, Hugo decides that enough is enough. He forms the Anti-Bully Club and teaches the bullies a valuable lesson about respect. By working together as a group, Hugo and his friends manage to show the bullies that there's always a bigger fish in the ocean and that happiness comes from respecting others, not bullying them. THE LAST BULLY is a confidence-boosting book for children, showing them that being different is OK and the best way to deal with bullies is to tell someone about it. This tale demonstrates how to deal with one of the biggest issues we face in today's world. Meet HUGO - a little starfish with a BIG HEART. His passion is to make others happy but he still has a lot to learn. Fortunately he has more than just a big heart, he also has a CURIOUS MIND. Through his adventures, Hugo learns many valuable lessons of character, life skills, and ecological alertness - all amid the backdrop of a magical underwater world and mystical islands. In Hugo, children, parents, and educators will discover a lovable and engaging role model with whom they can identify. We are sure you'll agree that life skills and character traits are two of the most important lessons to teach the young. Age-appropriate children's books are crucial to child development and well-written books that contain a message can expand not only a child's cognitive abilities, but also their emotional, moral, and spiritual capacities. HUGO stories support the different learner profiles and attitudes of the IB PYP curriculum. www.MyStarfish.org\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: This Book Actually Teaches Kids How to Deal With Bullies, in a lot More Realistic Way Than Most Anti Bully Picture Books\n\nReview: There are heaps of picture books out there dealing with bullies or teaching kids what they should do if they see someone being bullied. I liked the realism of this one though in that Hugo the starfish is actually targeted by the bully (an Orca) when he steps in to stop bullying he is witnessing. A lot of picture books live in the fantasy world where if you simply speak up the bullying will stop, which kids who live in the real world know through seeing it with their own eyes might occasionally work, but more likely you're going to have a bit of an argument or physical confrontation to get through before the bully backs down. So I really commend the author of this for not being politically correct and telling it like it is. The lesson to kids that if they stick together and confront a bully the bully is also a great one.\n\nThis tale uses quite a number of various sea creatures, all are drawn in a simple cartoon style and artistic liberties are taken, such as fish crying. The only thing I didn't like was the Orca was referred to as a fish instead of mammal but that takes a back seat to the great message within.","Product: Tarrin P. Lupo is and Author and Activist living in Savannah, Georgia. He is obsessed with his pets and shares his home with two dogs, Raja and Marcie and five cats. Raja spends his days barking at squirrels and begging for beef jerky. Marcie loves when Tarrin sings to her and wags her tail wildly when she hears Tom Jones. They love spending time as a family, taking long walks in Savannah's beautiful squares and parks.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Scary and Somewhat Disturbing Story if You Like Dogs, But Does Turn Out All Right in the End\n\nReview: Catch That Collie has a family visit some sort of dodgy animal shelter/dog farm that clearly doesn't do any background checks or asks questions of the would be adopters or try to educate them at all on the responsibilities of owning a pet. It's purely after the quick cash of selling as many dogs as possible. The family pick out a dog, the shelter worker tries to get them to take a second one as well because black ones are hard to move. Fortunately they stick with just the brown one because you know, they've never owned a dog before. The family treat the dog like a toy, interact with it when they are in the mood and ignore it by tying it to a tree and the things like this when they get bored. Of course the little kids get upset when the dog has chewed through it's painful ropes, dug its way out of the yard and so forth each time. They also only do things like give it water when it knocks over a birdbath in desperation, then they reach the conclusion, dogs need water to survive. This is the type of family who clearly should not be given the responsibility of owning a pet. It's a kids book so you as an adult know the dog is probably not going to die, or get seriously injured when it runs in front of a truck and things like this but young picture book age reading children who don't see a difference between fantasy and reality are going to become very concerned for the welfare of the dog as the deadbeat nature of the dog's owners becomes more and more apparent. So this means kids reading this need to be a bit older, and the lengthy paragraphs of text means their reading level needs to be that age anyway.\n\nNow saying all that, readers actually will eventually learn some of the basics of looking after an animal once they get to the final page. So overall although a scary story for the canine character the end result is a good thing. The illustrations are quite detailed and done in a fun cartoon style. Although I didn't like how nearly everyone has text in the image saying Catch That Collie! It's almost like these were promo artwork done to promote the book somewhere and they've decided to include them as illustrations at a later date. So it's somewhat a good read in the end but if it's just a good picture book teaching kids about responsible pet ownership there's better books out there such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/How-to-Greet-a-Dog-and-What-to-Avoid/dp/B005Q134XI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">How to Greet a Dog and What to Avoid</a> by Sophia Yin.","Product: Richard is a family man, with a wonderful wife and 7 beautiful children.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Tale of a Boy, a Dead Spider and the Fun They Have Together\n\nReview: You can't help but like this book as soon as you read the words \"Noah picked up the spider but it wasn't moving. Why isn't it moving dad? That's because it's dead son!\", you know it's going to be a lot of fun and a bit of dark humour pleases everyone.\n\nBasically it's the tale of a kid who finds a spider in the park and even though it's dead, still wants to take it home to be his friend, his mother of course is not thrilled. Noah has a great time playing a number of games with his new friend, however isn't noticing that he is destroying the corpse as he plays. I guess if you've never raised the topic of death with your child, this would be a great ice breaker read to do so about what happens to a body when it dies.\n\nThe illustrations are really well done, the text is typed and clear but may be a little small on handheld Kindle devices, especially for children to read. On a PC screen it's fine though.","Product: Pippa Pennington has taught children all her life. As a child she ran an after-school club for her friends, progressing as an adult to a teaching degree for children age 3-11. Pippa shares her time between the coast of Kent, England and the countryside of Casarabonela, in the Andalucia region of Spain. Dogs have always played an important role in Pippa's life and to date she has owned, adopted and cared for around thirty furry friends. The 'Sniffer' books were inspired by a story she made up for her young son, Joe. Pippa never reached the end of the story as he loved the bits when Sniffer said 'Pooh! What is that?' She had to repeat the phrase over and over using different items Sniffer found to smell while out on a walk. After that, Joe only ever wanted to hear about Sniffer and his escapades. Twenty-three years' later Pippa can still hear Joe giggling.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: A Disobedient Dog Gives into the Temptation of Sniffing Things\n\nReview: Okay short story with illustrations about a disobedient dog that gives into its love for sniffing temptations, even though it's mother has told it not to, digs a hole under the backyard it resides in fence and goes sniffing around town. Sniffer emulates 90's standup comedians who like to swear for emphasis, street cred or whatever and liked to use the s word every sentence, but since this is a kids' book it's written as pooh. This gets annoying after a while, and even confusing when he actually finds the real stuff, as up to then he'd used the word as something he liked but then suddenly he has a problem with the real thing. The book could be formatted better for the Kindle Fire, as it takes up around the middle third of the book for most pages, a bit more when there's more text. If it was formatted properly the illustrations would be better and the text a bit larger, which would add for a better reading experience. Remembering kids don't have the reading level that adults do is something often forgotten by Indie kid book authors, and smaller text is harder for them to read.\n\nWith the cover illustration I was expecting to run into some fleas somewhere, guess that's a different book. Not a great deal happens in the storyline, he sniffs a few things, gets chased by a bully dog, that's about it.","Product: Paperback-Acceptable-Red cover instead of white and same book.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: No Matter How Many Alphabet Letters are Used, it's Still Bad\n\nReview: Although it is not a sequel to Patterson's masterpiece Suzan's Diary for Nicholas, it is obviously a hastily put together piece trying to cash in on the success of that novel. It fails miserably in its ability to keep you turning the pages, the main character Jennifer is just not that interesting and you really couldn't care less if she makes it with old childhood friend Brendan who like all bad 'chick flick' type books is dying of a disease, in this case a brain tumour. The other main part of the story revolves around Jennifer discovering who the secret mystery lover was of her grandma Sam, who is lying in a coma whose letters Jennifer is now reading. The book is boring and predictable is a severe understatement. It is just not worth spending even one cent on. If you haven't read Suzan's Diary for Nicholas defiantly do so, but forget this rush job.","Product: Paperback-Acceptable-Red cover instead of white and same book.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: You'll Have Zero Time for Anything Else Once Read 1st Page\n\nReview: This is the second Meltzer novel I have read, the previous being The Millionaires and although that was great this is ten times better. Once you start this sensational thriller the fast pace and short chapters keep you turning pages until the end.\n\nWorking for congressmen, Harris and Matthew have discovered a secret thrilling game that is played inside Capitol Hill. Unimportant bills are bet upon to see if they will be passed or not. It is a secret game where they do not know any of the other players other than the person before them in the chain who brought them in. Matthew bets most of his life savings on what he knows will be a sure thing and paranoia makes him follow the page (courier) with deadly outcomes. Harris notices that his link to the game was also murdered and narrowly avoids an assassin named Janos who seems unstoppable. He is now on the run and enlists the help of a 17 year old page named Viv who isn't too happy when she learns of the danger he's put her in. Together they must uncover the secret of the bill which started this chain or events and expose it before they are both dead.","Product: A dark, chilling psychological thriller from the number one bestselling author of the \"Emperor\" series. \"Blackwater\" is being published as part of the Quick Reads initiative on World Book Day 2006. How do you know when you're in too deep? Davey has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, a smiling sociopath who will stop at nothing to protect himself and his family. But when the shadowy figure of Denis Tanter comes into Davey's life, how far will the bond of brotherhood reach?\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Brilliant Short Thriller, Best of its Genre in the Quick Reads Short Stories Series!\n\nReview: Blackwater by Conn Iggulden is one of the best short stories I've read in a while, from both novel sized anthology collections and the books in the Quick Reads series. It's a great dark thriller where you sort of wonder what you would do if faced with a similar situation to Davey the main character, although you'd hope you would be less of a doormat than Davey is, which gets him facing this terrifying situation in the first place. You see Davey's let others bully and walk all over him his whole life. Carol his wife, constantly cheats on him with the best concession he can get from her to wash the smell of her lovers off herself before sleeping beside him in their bed when she comes home in the early hours of the mornings. However one of her lovers isn't content to share Carol with Davey and hires a thug to come round his house while she's between his sheets, beat Davey up and threatening Davey he'll get a lot worse if he doesn't get lost.\n\nIf you're unfamiliar with the Quick Reads series, they are books published to increase literacy levels by encouraging those who don't like to read beyond magazines and comic books, to try fiction through cheap priced (current Quick Reads all sell of the rack for under two pounds in the UK, original Quick Reads like this 2006 published story were sold slightly more expensive at just under three pounds) short story length fiction and non fiction. I think Blackwater achieves these goals and those reading this as their first book ever, or just in a while, will definitely be encouraged to try other Quick Reads stories or regular length novels.","Product: A gripping, compulsive thriller set in a future where the cure for ageing has been discovered! to devastating consequences \"You got me. I don't want to die. I'm terrified of death. I fear there's nothing beyond it and that this existence is the only one I'll ever possess. That's why I'm here.\" (An excerpt from the digital journal of John Farrell, cure age 29) 2019. Humanity has witnessed its greatest scientific breakthrough yet: the cure for ageing. Three injections and you're immortal -- not bulletproof or disease-proof but you'll never have to fear death by old age. For John Farrell, documenting the cataclysmic shifts to life after the cure becomes an obsession. Cure parties, cycle marriages, immortal livestock: the world is revelling in the miracles of eternal youth. But immortality has a sinister side, and when a pro-death terrorist explosion kills his newly-cured best friend, John soon realizes that even in a world without natural death, there is always something to fear. Now, John must make a new choice: run and hide forever, or stay and fight those who try to make immortal life a living hell. The e-book edition contains exclusive extra content - for those who want to find out even more consequences of the cure for ageing.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Want to Never Grow Old and Avoid Dying of Old Age? You May Not After Reading This!\n\nReview: I wish I could stay young forever, is a common wish of many. Well in Drew Magary's The End Specialist, a scientist while trying to fight Alzheimer's, unwittingly discovers the gene for aging and comes up with that very cure. If you take three painful injections (which starts of illegal in this novel), you can still die by being stabbed, shot, poisoned, hit by a car or even by something like cancer, but your body will never age and wear out, so if you are cautious and look after yourself, you could well still be around for hundreds of years. The End Specialist is the cautionary tale of the way humanity could change if the Fountain of Youth is ever really discovered. What will happen to marriage when the commitment is no longer for 50 years or so at the most? What about religion? How will the world deal with its already overcrowded prisons and will a life sentence still only mean getting out when someone approaches 80 or so? What will this mean to armies, the police and other emergency services, would anyone risk their lives for others if instead of just risking around 50 more years, you're now risking possibly a thousand?\n\nWhat age would society see as having the perfect body to get the injection? Then what happens to those already past that when the cure was discovered, how will society treat these people who will fast become the minority? What about those who choose not to take the cure and grow old naturally? With the death rate plummeting how will this affect the earth's population and what effects will that have? Welfare, professional sports and many other things will change and Drew Magary outlines them all as we follow the discovered blog entries of a John Farrell who has documented 60 years of his and the world's experiences since getting the cure.\n\nThe first half of the book was one of those don't want to stop reading, can't put down brilliant novels. I thought it slowed down and wasn't as interesting once John takes up the profession of End Specialist (I'll let you discover what that is). But Drew Magary has joined the ranks of authors who have played out dreams with the positives and the negatives through a fictional novel. Previous authors such as H F Saint have shattered the dream of wanting to be invisible, Arthur C Clarke showed us there are positives and negatives to a world without guns in his book The Trigger. This is one book that if you've ever wanted to stay young and live pretty much forever, you'll definitely be re-evaluating once you start to turn these pages.\n\nNote this book was also republished under the title The Postmortal.","Product: The Slightly Annoying Elephant\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Slightly Worth Checking Out\n\nReview: This is a pretty large almost square picture book 28cm wide by almost 28cm tall (11 inches) with quite bright blue and other colours simple drawn style illustrations. If you're familiar with Tony Ross' other picture book contributions, it's the same style. The plot of The Slightly Annoying Elephant is pretty simple, a boy named Sam fills out an adopt an elephant form at the zoo and the next day answers a knock on his door while home alone and ignoring any stranger danger advice he has ever been taught, opens the door and finds an elephant demanding to come inside. The elephant is a terrible roommate and, well a bit of a jerk. He's bosses around the boy and breaks his stuff, constantly calls him silly boy and forces him to do stuff for him. But Sam's day is about to get a lot worse.\n\nFor me the tale didn't live up to what I anticipated it would be, I thought an annoying elephant would have got up to more stuff and not just acted like a bossy jerk. Sam also didn't seem that bright or have the will to stand up for himself.","Product: Join Me\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: And Thou Spoketh Unto Amazon Readers Saying, Readeth Thy Wallace's Book and for Those That Headeth Thy Advice Days of Gladness W\n\nReview: Join Me is a fascinating and entertaining read that will inspire you as well as have you laughing and laughing especially Danny's first experience at ordering a drink in Paris. This is a sensational read that you won't be able to put down until the last page. I especially like the couple of summary lines of each chapter written like biblical verses.\n\nDanny Wallace decides to put a small advertisement in Loot with simply the words JOIN ME Send one passport sized photo to .... just for the fun of seeing what would happen. He is ecstatic to receive a photograph from Christian Jones meets up with him and discovers he has no answers to his perfectly reasonable questions of what he is joining up to. The photos and new joinees continue to go on and Wallace must decide what his collective is about since he is being told by his friends that one of the joinees is acting like he's going to make a hostile takeover of his people. He must choose between a good and evil. Once this decision is made the flood gates open and his original goal of three people to beat his Swiss relative's achievements of starting a community is retargeted to 1000. Getting 1000 joinees becomes an obsession and his girlfriend is blissfully unaware having instructed him not to play any more stupid boy projects or they would be over.","Product: Ruth Rendell is celebrated around the world as a novelist at the peak of her craft. The British Crime Writer’s Association has honored her with four Gold Daggers, a Silver Dagger, and the Diamond Dagger for outstanding contribution to the genre. In the United States she has been acknowledged by a remarkable total of three Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America, as well as the organization’s Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Over the past forty years Ruth Rendell has created an extraordinary body of literary work. In addition to seven volumes of short stories, one novella, and two works of nonfiction, Dame Rendell has written fifty-two novels, including tales of psychological suspense, the Inspector Wexford mysteries, and eleven novels under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. She lives in London.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Starts of Well, But the Wussification of Main Character for the Second Half Lets Down This Short Story\n\nReview: Rendell's The Thief starts of really, really well. In fact until half way through I was thinking to myself, this is one of the best short stories I've ever read. Polly, the main character as a child and young adult was a brilliantly written strong minded girl, who knew how to handle herself and gave those who deserved it, wether an aunt who humiliates and assaults her for not letting her children come out on top in pool games, a school bully or bad boyfriend, everyone got their comeuppance. Granted it was through stealing stuff but she was a young, you can't expect her to come up with grandeur plans of vengeance. So when she's now in her 20s for the second half of the story and has put her thieving and lying days behind her you'd expect she's still the same strong female character. However when she experiences a bully in the airport, who ends up in the seat beside her on a flight to New York who burns her with hot coffee she doesn't stand up for herself at all. Then the bully is also on the flight back and when a thieving opportunity comes up she takes it. Then the rest of the story instead of fully ensuring this guy gets him comeuppance she instead decides she'll return his possessions to him, including even ironing his clothes, the only problem is she doesn't want her boyfriend to find out. You can predict what the bully is going to do which is exactly what he does. However your just waiting for the brilliant minded Polly from the childhood days to emerge, instead the wussified adult version never lets her make an appearance.\n\nThe Thief, is part of the Quick Reads series of books to increase literacy levels by encouraging those who don't like to read beyond magazines and comic books to try fiction through cheap priced short story length fiction and non fiction. The first half of the story would definitely have achieved that, however the weak second half won't encourage much further short story reading.","Product: More than four hundred years ago, seven people - five of them women - were beheaded in the Tower of London. Three had been queens of England. The others were found guilty of treason. Why were such important people put to death? Alison Weir's gripping book tells their stories: from the former friend betrayed by a man set on being king, to the young girl killed after just nine days on the throne. Alison Weir is a wonderful storyteller. Through her vivid writing, history comes alive.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: May Give You a Taste for Deeper Historical Researching But Written Style is a Little Boring\n\nReview: I've read most of the books that are part of the great initiative that is the Quick Reads series. Traitors of the Tower isn't as interesting or as fun a read as some of the other non fiction entries, but it is the only one (as at August 2011) that deals specifically with history. Since the Quick Reads series primary goal is to get those who currently don't read fiction and non fiction to sample what fiction novels or non fiction books can be like, encouraging them to read more instead of magazines, newspapers and comic books, through high quality written short stories, I would have to think that goal maybe wasn't achieved with Traitors of the Tower.\n\nThe first couple of stories are pretty much just text book style facts presented in order to tell the tale of the person who ultimately would meet their demise in front of the public at the Tower of London. They aren't presented in an interesting or fun way at all. Unless those particualar events in history were of interest to you, you're unlikely to want to finsh them. It's almost as if Alison Weir has a word count for each that couldn't be exceeded and had trouble fitting all the facts under that limit. Therefore she was left no room to try and tell those tales in a more interesting written way. However the way the stories are told does get better as they go along. The best would be the second last about Lady Jane Grey where we get to know her character a bit better and, can feel for the way she's treated and be more saddened by her plight, compared to the previous data like feel we had for the other men and women in the former tales.\n\nI think the final tales would however create and interest to further explore Jane Grey's and Robert Devereux's lives in more detail through other books. In turn after doing that the previous \"traitors\" lives may also be desired to be explored further.\n\nIf you're just after an entertaining non fiction read from the Quick Reads series, I'd go with something like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Danny-Wallace-and-the-Centre-of-the-Universe/dp/0091908949/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe</a>. If your goal is to get non readers interested in reading history (not necessarily the same topics covered in this one) I'd step outside the Quick Reads Series with books like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Encyclopaedia-of-Executions-The-Stories-Behind-Every-Execution/dp/1903402239/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Encyclopaedia of Executions: The Stories Behind Every Execution</a> or <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Badass-A-Relentless-Onslaught-of-the-Toughest-Warlords-Vikings-Samurai-Pirates-Gunfighters-and-Military-Commanders-to-Ever-Live/dp/0061749443/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Badass: A Relentless Onslaught of the Toughest Warlords, Vikings, Samurai, Pirates, Gunfighters, and Military Commanders to Ever Live</a>. Books like these present history in a lot more entertaining way than Traitors of the Tower does and in my opinion either though they are lengthier, are more likely to get a reluctant reader more interested in learning more about the past.","Product: From their first meeting at the student union over a decade ago, Jim and Alison successfully navigated their way through first dates, meeting parents, moving in together and more! Then they split up and divided their worldly goods (including a sofa, a cat and their flat) into his 'n' hers. Now, three years on and with new lives and new loves, they couldn't be happier. Until a chance encounter throws them back together, and causes them to embark on a journey through their past to ask themselves the big question: where did it all go wrong, and is it too late to put it all right?\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Well Written Book About Relationships, Although a Bit Confusing, an Inconsistent Character and Predictable Ending\n\nReview: His N Hers is the third book by Mike Gayle I've come across. It's a lot better written than his debut novel My Legendary Girlfriend, simply due to the fact that the two main characters Jim and Alison are much more likeable and interesting characters than Will Kelly the main character in that one. I like the written through the eyes of both Jim and Alison style, however at times I had no idea which character was narrating until someone else they interacted with referred to him or her. Maybe it would have worked if each had an alternate chapters rather than paragraphs which sometimes kept the same character for the subsequent one.\n\nOverall His N' Hers is an enjoyable novel albeit it with a very predictable ending. I also didn't really believe Jim's right hand turns in personality that happened twice in the novel, neither fit his personality up to then, but I guess they were needed to for the simple plot to work. There's not really a plot, we're just along for the ride as two people meet each other at university, eventually get together, have their relationship tested when one gets a career breaking job down in London, years later split up, then on the death of the cat who spent most of its life with the two of them decide to meet up before going to the vets to decide on how to dispose of the cat. The book doesn't occur in chronological order either, we know at the start the cat's dead, and they've been split for quite some time. I would have enjoyed the novel more if this had all come as a surprise, but that's not how it's written and it's still a good read anyway finding out why.\n\nIf you don't want to take a gamble on a full length novel by Mike Gayle check out his short story from the Quick Reads series <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Men-at-Work/dp/1444711776/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Men at Work</a>. That's the excellent book I first discovered this author's work with and decided to give a few of his full length novels a try.","Product: J. F. Gonzalez is the author of Conversion and Clickers (the latter written with Mark Williams). His short stories have appeared in various magazines and anthologies including Young Blood, Hear the Fear, Dread, Frightnet, and others. He lives in Pasadena, California with his family.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Ending is Missing Something, But a Good Simple Werewolf Tale Other Than That\n\nReview: First of all the cover image on the Midnight Library 2012 reprint of a story originally published in the year 2000 has got nothing to do with the story. At no time is a woman tied up, kidnapped or anything like this. What Shapeshifter is, is a very basic werewolf tale, where Gonzalez has pretty much just followed the standard werewolf fiction rules for his shapeshifter character. But this novel tells the tale a bit differently in that the guy who turns into a werewolf, Mark Wiseman, is being blackmailed by the CEO of a company he works for to be a hairy hit man during the cycle of the full moon. This is actually a really interesting twist on the standard novel that involves werewolves.\n\nIt's a basic non complicated plot, the writing style is simple, I've read most of Gonzalez other novels, this one doesn't have the lengthy describing everything in between the action that he has become renowned for. That's not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion. I believe Shapeshifter was only his second novel. My only gripe is we stop following a couple of characters in the book when we get to page 197 and never find out what happened involving them again. If this was a Kindle book I would have assumed a part of the tale was left out. We do have a few more chapters (211 pages all up) involving some minor characters then an epilogue with the other main one but it doesn't explain what happened to the characters we never heard from again on page 197. A couple of pages of a scene or two linking 197 to where we are at the epilogue would have made this a much better and satisfactory overall read. The book also has characters playing cassette tapes, using payphones and other items that I don't even recall being used much back in the year 2000, which you'd think would have updated with a republished version. There are no historical events in the background or anything else to suggest this is supposed to be a period piece. The outdated stuff doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the novel, but it is noticeable.","Product: Charmaine Clancy lives in Brisbane, Australia and loves to create characters for mystery, fantasy and adventure. All her stories are fictional, except maybe MY ZOMBIE DOG (some say to this day you can hear the dog softly moaning, 'braaains'). Charmaine was born the year man walked on the moon, and if more aware of the event, she probably would have thought it was a great setting for a murder. She grew up in the big city of Sydney. Her early school reports advised disapprovingly that she was always 'daydreaming'. Obviously her teachers did not recognise and value the art of plotting. Despite this feedback, Charmaine loved studying and would later go on to University to gain her BA in Professional and Creative Writing. She has worked editing articles for magazines, but her favourite jobs have been dog grooming and teaching. When not explaining the dangers of underestimating a fairy or the best spots to hide a body, Charmaine teaches high school English and sometimes runs creative writing classes for children and teenagers. She loves all things Agatha Christie and is often watching those around her with suspicious eyes; on the off chance they ever do commit a cleverly devised crime.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: How Embarassing to be Given a Small Rat Sized Dog to Take Care of, Especially a Smelly One That Wants to Bite Everyone\n\nReview: As an adult I don't read to many junior fiction novels, but when one catches my eye, like this one's cover did and the blurb on the back looks interesting, I'll give it a go. The basic plot of this one revolves around a social outcast type school kid who has been bugging his mother to buy him a dog, which he thinks will make him a bit cooler as he shows it off in the park. However on Zane's birthday she gives him a wussy looking little runt rat sized dog which to further bring humiliation for him is named fluffy. This is not what Zane wanted, but luckily for him Fluffy keels over and dies so going to bed after burying the dog in the backyard, Zane comes up with various plans to pester or convince his mother through the principle of the thing to make the pound give them a new dog, since the old one was faulty (you've got to love kid logic). However upon his mother leaving for work the next day screaming at him to clean his stinky room, he learns the source of the odour is in fact fluffy, and although fluffy looks dead, it's standing right there. He's never get a new dog now unless he can convince his mother to exchange it. Fluffy also isn't the nicest dog in the world, it is constantly trying to bite him and everyone/thing else, to make matters worse his adorable little sister wants to bite it, which is always her solution to making sick people better.\n\nI think kids will be able to relate to Zane a fair bit, as one like many kids are, he's not a popular kid and like a lot of kids he has a best friend that both his mother and a girl he has a crush on in school don't approve of. That girl doesn't really acknowledge his assistance either, a hurdle most kids with their first crush also face. Also kids will know of at least someone in their school if they are not in the same situation, who due to having a single parent and that mother being for want of a better word, a bit of deadbeat in the parenting department, blaming him for things he isn't responsible for, and who are like Zane and have had had to grow up faster than his friend's who can stay a bit immature a bit longer, by pretty much being the responsible parent figure for his younger sister. All of this makes Zane, who is telling the tale, a lot more likeable character. Although there are zombie animals and humans in this one, it is all very mild young child friendly level and very entertaining.\n\nI enjoyed this one and will definitely check out any sequels that come along.","Product: Blythe Ayne is the author and illustrator of The Rat Who Didn't Like Rats. She lives on ten acres of forest where there are not only forest rats, but many other creatures as well. She takes care of the forest so it can remain the safe home for rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, deer, bears, chipmunks, moles, rabbits, wild and domestic geese, bats, opossum, chameleons, owls, blue jays, robins, thousands of other birds, and millions of contented insects. Blythe also writes other types of books besides children's story books. She writes stories for adults, as well as non-fiction and poetry. The one thing her books have in common is to encourage people to discover what gives them the greatest joy, peace and enthusiasm in their lives. And to always be kind and loving to every living thing.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Maybe This Book's Message of Tolerance and Acceptance to All Would Have Worked Better if Reginald Wasn't a Rat\n\nReview: This is a book about a rat named Reginald who hates rats and constantly feels the need to voice his hatred to anyone he's talking to. So Reginald I guess represents the racists or other hate filled bigot groups towards genders, sexuality, social class, occupations and other groups. Now Reginald as you would have guessed from the book's title is also a rat, the very thing he despises, but he doesn't know he is one which seems a bit absurd. I mean obviously he would have had rat parents at the very least. That aside I also didn't like how the other animals excepted his racist behaviour, they would granted point out rats are the opposite of what he would say but as a society they really should have been giving him a good telling off and socially punishing him for behaving in that manner leaving him with no uncertain misgiving that being racist or a bigot is not acceptable at all. As you would expect the reader to do if there was a racist or homophobic or whatever kid in their school. Not just turn a blind eye to the rants.\n\nReginald overcomes his hatred through lust in this book. Granted probably the most effective means in the real world too but if that was the way to teach him in this story, surely it would have been a more convincing story if he was a mouse or some other animal and not a rat and fell in love with someone who was the very thing he irrationally hated all these years. It probably though would have been a better lesson for kids if a rat had saved his life, or helped him when he got lost, or saved him from some other bullies or anything else other than lust.\n\nThe book also has the odd error such as a goose asks who is that when a character enters the room then answers the question itself.","Product: Unusual book\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Main Character Still Not Very Intelligent, But a Lot More Likeable Than Main Characters From Other Barr Books\n\nReview: Emily Barr's books follow a formula of a female narrator who is pretty gullible and not too street smart who has to overcome those taking advantage of her through her stupidity. The character has to be not too bright for the plot to be plausible but usually the main character such as Tansy from the series starting with <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Backpack/dp/B004ULX5SE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Backpack</a> isn't too likeable. With the Perfect Lie, the main character Lucy Riddick, although a bit stupid is actually fairly likeable, someone maybe you would hang out with.\n\nThe Perfect Lie starts of in a modern day Cornish seaside town with regular flashbacks to the main characters childhood starting in 1988. Lucy (back then Marianne) slowly reveals a life of abuse starting with her deadbeat mother who demands she and her brother promise to follow an absurd track into their future. We know modern day Lucy is terrified of something from her past catching up with her, we don't know what it is (although it's pretty easy to predict, as are all events in the novel). All Lucy is telling us, which is even less than those she has come to know in her new town is that she needs to keep a low profile. Unfortunately for her, one of her best friend's young daughters need rescuing from a cliff and a fame hungry teen videotapes it all and sends it to the media. Has what she is running from noticed the footage? Will she have to flee and start again? Is there actually anything to run from at all or is Lucy just insane?\n\nI really liked this book, more so than Barr's others. I found the modern day side story revolving around Eliza and her depressed failed dating a bit unnecessary but some readers may see it as a bonus I guess."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Original Reliance DVD\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Thought it Was Going to Be a Fun Road Trip Movie\\n\\nReview: From the DVD cover I thought this was going to be a fun Indian road trip movie, but it's not. Basically the movie revolves around a 30 year old woman who for the first part of the movie is hated by numerous taxi drivers since she is rude to them and insists they speed and other things which results in a lot of crashes. She has an elderly 70 year old father who is just a selfish, sexist, rude, man with self entitlement issues. He treats his daughter like a slave and demeans some other guy who I guess is hired to be his assistant or something throughout the whole movie. The cleaning lady quits, since he keeps accusing her of stealing, and follows her mopping the floor with dirty feet around the house. She tells the daughter she will only return when he is gone. The vile old man also has constipation issues which he likes to talk about. For some reason he is also pregnant, seriously he's wearing one of those fake pregnancy bellies, I don't get the joke of that as him being pregnant is never referred to by any character including himself in the movie. He decides to visit his own home on the other side of India but refuses to fly, catch a train, bus or anything sensible. His daughter books a taxi, but the driver doesn't show up and all other drivers don't answer their phones when the boss rings them, so the boss decides to drive them himself.\\n\\nSo the driver shares in the abuse and put downs along the journey there, but points out to the daughter this isn't acceptable behaviour and if she's waiting around for him to die before getting on with her life she'll be 50 by that point. Really the father is just so unlikable, such as at one point he says women are for the bedroom at night and cooking in the day. That pretty much sums him up. I know unfortunately there are people like this out there in the real world, but I don't really need to watch a character like this for two hours.\\n\\nAnnoyingly the movie itself takes four minutes to get going, before that we've got logo after logo for every company in India I would imagine, and then opening credits. There is no intermission of Bollywood dance numbers in this one, which you may see as a plus or a minus.\",\n \"Product: For ten years, inventor David Kressen has lived in seclusion with his inventions, including Adam, a robot with incredible lifelike human qualities. When reporter Joy Andrews is given access to their unconventional facility, she is alternately repelled and attracted to the scientist and his creation. But as Adam exhibits emergent behavior of anger and jealousy towards her, she finds herself increasingly entangled in a web of deception where no ones motives are easily decipherable.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Predictable, Not as Good Actor Performance When Trying to Convince Us They Are a Robot\\n\\nReview: Also released under the title Android in other DVD region markets. Uncanny is a low budget slow paced movie which you can't help compare to the much more effort put into similar plot movies and TV shows out there. Actors portraying robots have been done so much better in Humans and movies such as Exmachinia, Eva and others. The actor playing Adam wasn't convincing at all as a robot which was essential for you to buy into the plot. The actor playing David couldn't have made the character any duller, it made little sense that the journalist was clearly trying to make herself hotter and hotter each day to impress him. The movie was also extremely predictable, I think the makers thought we'd be blindsided and so impressed by the ending that we would forget how bored we'd been up to then, but that ending has been done (and done better) in countless other scifi films. If you want something you've seen countless times before, with actors you've never heard of who don't do that great a job that you're likely to see much of them again on the screen, then Android/Uncanny might be the film for you.\",\n \"Product: When misleading photos are published of security chief Jessie Rogers caught in a compromising position with his uber-famous client, his humiliated wife Noelle swiftly files for divorce. Unable to convince her of his innocence, Jessie fights in vain to win her back when a blizzard strands the family at their cabin. With uninvited guests, intruding mothers and marriage proposals, this holiday season is a real comedy of errors. Being stuck in close quarters may be just what Noelle and Jessie need to face their unresolved feelings and save Christmas from being a total disaster!\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Unlikable Characters Make This an Annoying Film to Watch\\n\\nReview: Merry Ex-Mas is a made originally for TV in 2014 movie full of unlikable characters. The only likable character was Dean Cain's, Jessie, but even he's a doormat without much of a backbone. Basically his character is a bodyguard for some pop star, who tabloids as they do release a cropped photograph of his employer in his arms, stating they're having an affair. Since this doesn't do her career any harm, the pop star doesn't publicly deny it. But his wife Noelle (one of the few Christmas references in the movie, this isn't really a Christmas film you can watch it any time), throws all his possessions on the front lawn, and when he starts picking them up starts hitting golf balls at him. Her vile mother also joins in and he is forced to leave when she gets a shotgun. Now if you're wife wants a divorce over something you didn't do, commits domestic violence and flies off the handle like that, would you really want to stay married to her? That's the weakness of the plot, because she's got nothing to offer other than being hot (Kristy Swanson, Buffy back in the 1992 movie). Noelle runs a wedding planning business, hasn't paid her staff in a while. She's now dating (two years later) Flynn, an Irish businessman (Lochlyn Munro), who unbeknownst to her is about to get kicked out of the US when his visa expires. He's desperate to tie the knot so he doesn't loose a three million dollar business deal. Not real sure why it would matter which country he is a citizen of, but for this plot it does. Throw in an annoying spoilt brat teen daughter who enjoys sabotaging an important business call for Flynn, even though he offered to give her lift to her dad's cabin in his private jet, just so she could go to a sleepover party the night before. She's just obnoxious the whole movie, chews with her mouth open. Then you've also got an odd lawyer character who also treats Flynn with contempt, by while being on the clock on the phone to him gets into conversations with her son who likes to drop his guts all the time. There's a poorly spliced together conversation (the frames are all over the place, the kid is standing in one stance, then another, then another) between the lawyer and her son where the kid actor has obviously ad libbed a number of insults, and they've just put them all in, one after the other.\\n\\nThe movie is very predictable, you know exactly how it's going to play out early on, and there really isn't a fun journey in getting there.\",\n \"Product: Santa Claus has crashed his sleigh, lost his reindeer and finds himself on the run from police! Now it is up to a father and son to get Santa back and save Christmas for everyone.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Is an Old Man a Kid Finds in His Garage, Who is Now in Jail Really Santa?\\n\\nReview: This is a pretty enjoyable British film, where Steve gets out of prison, his ex has a new man, and he has a parole officer who tells him if he doesn't arrive in her office at 5pm every day, he's going back to jail. On the first night of his release his son rings him to say Santa is hiding in his garage and has asked Steve to come over to help him get his seized reindeer back. When the son refuses to give the phone to his mother, and tells him he's going back out to the garage, a concerned for his son's safety Steve, speeds to his ex's house to save his son from the creepy old man telling him he's Santa. At the garage after assaulting Santa, Steve is more convinced he's just an insane old man rather than a threat to his son, and since he as well needs to hide from his wife when she calls her son inside, he does but Santa is gone when he emerges. Later news footage will show them the old guy in the garage was arrested while trying to see-saw jump his reindeer over a fence. Steve is allowed to visit his son the next day, but his son blackmails him, that he will only go with him if they go and visit Santa in prison. Steve reluctantly agrees, Santa at the prison tells the boy to go find Prancer at the new location his reindeer have been moved to, Prancer will know what to do and can communicate with him. Steve still doesn't believe the old man is Santa but again does what his kid wants.\\n\\nThat's pretty much what the rest of the movie is as well. Steve doing what he needs to, so he doesn't loose his son's want to hang out with him. His son always believing the old man is Santa. The police of course not liking what the two are doing.\\n\\nThere's a few holes in the story (spoilers obviously) such as why would Santa still be wearing his red suit when he goes into general population. Surely street clothes are discarded as part of the check in process. Not you just change in your cell like in this movie. When Santa is in prison he comes across an inmate with dwarfism who he berates for not being at work. Now Santa has a backstory for every other person he encounters where he goes into a spiel about what they asked for when they were kids and what happened to that present. Why would he not have the same thoughts occurring for a guy with dwarfism? He should have instantly known he wasn't an elf. Even more so when we see the elves, and they don't look like people with dwarfism.\\n\\nBut the holes in the story don't matter for overall enjoyment. It is a kid's aimed family film, so there's a lot of missed opportunities on what could have happened to Santa behind bars storyline wise and in other areas. But still, this is definitely an a kid saves Christmas plot that is as good as any other out there.\",\n \"Product: Yale University, 1961. Stanley Milgram (Peter Sarsgaard) designs a psychology experiment that remains relevant to this day, in which people think they're delivering painful electric shocks to an affable stranger (Jim Gaffigan) strapped into a chair in another room. Disregarding his pleas for mercy, the majority of subjects do not stop the experiment, administering what they think are near-fatal electric shocks, simply because they ve been told to. Milgram's exploration of authority and conformity strikes a nerve in popular culture and the scientific community. Celebrated in some circles, he is also accused of being a deceptive, manipulative monster. His wife Sasha (Winona Ryder) anchors him through it all.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Boring Way of Presenting an Historical Significant Experiment and the Man Behind it\\n\\nReview: This film has an interesting way of telling a story I'll give it that. Basically we've got an embellished fictional version of the late Stanley Milgram, talking to the audience in a memory flashback from the grave, where we watch his memories from when he met his wife in an elevator going to a party, to his most famous experiment, seeing if strangers would keep increasing electric shocks to a fellow test subject when he was screaming in pain for them to stop, because they were being instructed to. The Stanford Prison Experiment movie did a similar thing, but that was actually entertaining, the Experimenter is pretty boring, and any small amount of interest is gone once the main experiment is over and we move onto pretty boring stuff like dropping mail to be posted addressed to different groups and seeing how many actually were, giving a letter for a stranger to someone who doesn't know them but they can only give it to someone they know who they think will most likely know them and seeing how many hands it takes to get there, taking peoples photographs and well I can't even remember the rest, the film was so boring.\",\n \"Product: Space travel runs in Mike Goldwing's family: both his father and grandfather were astronauts. But the plucky 12-year-old's estranged grandfather, Frank, has lived a life isolated from his family after missing out on the chance to make history as a member of the Apollo 11 crew. However, when Mike discovers that an eccentric billionaire plans to fly to the moon, claim its vast, valuable mineral resources, and destroy the American flag planted by the Apollo 11 astronauts, the countdown to a spectacular adventure begins! Mike, teamed with his grandfather, best friends Amy and Marty, and a clever chameleon, blasts off on an incredible moon-bound mission, determined to thwart the billionaire's evil plan, capture the flag, and reunite his divided family.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Fun Kid Character Led Film About Going to the Moon\\n\\nReview: This is an awesome family movie from Spain (it's in English) which is probably more patriotic towards Americans, than most American made cartoons. This one's plot revolves around NASA and a tycoon villain who convinces the world that America never landed on the moon and the video of it happening was a fake. He has built his own rocket and announces he will be the first person to set foot on the moon. Of course NASA (and our main characters who are kids of NASA employees) don't like this one bit. They plan to get the original rocket out of the museum and send up a new crew which includes one of the kids' father and show the world the original landing site with the American flag. However being they've got to rush they need the elderly now living in a retirement village original NASA employees, one of which is the grandfather of the same kid. So the film has a nice respecting old people as still being useful to society thing going on. They do refer to the grandfather before he is summoned by NASA as acting like an old f (passing wind word), because well frankly that's what's he's acting like, refusing to come out of his room on his birthday and not seeing his grand kids who have made the effort to visit him due to something that happened with his son when both were a lot younger (which you find out later in the film). There is mild course language like that a few times in the film, but it does fit the context of what is happening on the screen, it isn't mindless swearing like say in the non kids film Sausage Party. It's how a disappointed and angry at his grandfather kid in his younger teens would speak in real life. No one swears at a character in the film. If you watch kid aimed family films from the 80's when I was a kid, such as Goonies, there's swearing in those too. The government rating of PG on the cover mentions \\\"mild themes and coarse language\\\" so it's not like anyone watching this didn't know that going in.\\n\\nI thought it was quite a fun story. Obviously it's far fetched like any children's cartoon, there's things like just happening to be child sized space suits on board a rocket you've gotten into which was supposed to carry tall adult astronauts. The launch goes from 12 hours due to sabotage to a minute or something, yet even though they would be going in a different direction due to Earth rotation, they still end up going towards the moon. There's also a lizard that's rather intelligent that is a pet of one of the kids (who is an inventor and smarter than the NASA staff when they actually listen to him). There's also a tom boy type girl main character. Capture the Flag is the type of movie that you know how it's going to turn out before you even begin watching it, but the fun is in getting there.\\n\\nThe younger sister of the alpha boy kind of looked like the little girl from Despicable Me. The region 4 DVD also has a making of featurette that goes for fifteen minutes. That one is in Spanish with English subtitles so probably won't interest younger viewers. The subtitles aren't always that easy to read being sort of camouflaged against the background. But it is somewhat interesting for adult viewers.\",\n \"Product: Billy Wyatt (Emory Cohen) is a young man with tremendous promise, but a troubled past leads him to the Bernville Camp for Boys. Billy must navigate his way through dangerous inmates and a cruel and punishing staff, but during it all, he learns to inspire others and find out the truth about himself in the process. STEALING CARS is a compelling drama with powerful performances by Emory Cohen, John Leguizamo, Mike Epps and Academy Award nominees William H. Macy - Best Supporting Actor, FARGO, 1996 and Felicity Huffman - Best Actress, TRANSAMERICA, 2005.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Same Old Prison Movie Storylines, Not Done as Well as Others\\n\\nReview: Basically a kid who has no respect for society, we see him littering then stealing a car in the opening scenes before being arrested, is sent to Bernville Camp for Boys, some sort of juvie type place. We shortly learn this isn't his first incarcerated experience but the warden believes this forced boarding school will benefit the kid's future. But the kid shows the same lack of respect for the outside world to the juvie prison staff, he plays the class clown in the dining room, classroom and while the group of inmates is being punished (usually because of his lack of respect actions). Like all prison movies that can't be bothered thinking up their own original plot, this one has a prison guard who enjoys tormenting those who cross him as well as sadistically bullying a loner kid who would be the target of bullies in a normal school. A prison warden who says he cares about inmates future but has his own motives. The prison's lone female staff member the nurse in the infirmary feeling sorry for the misunderstood offender and being on his side against the rest of the authority who he of course has a crush on. Different races not interacting letting other races sit at their table.\\n\\nReally there's nothing new here. Those done to death prison storylines also are a bit inconsistent at times. Some spoilers- The warden is an inconsistent character we're not shown enough about him for his shoot him stance at the end to make sense. Likewise our sadistic guard, I'm not shooting a kid, wasn't consistent with a guy who would straight jacket and chain another kid clearly dying to a light pole. The main character's dislike and hostility to his mother when she visited was never explained. What did she do for this reaction from him? Perhaps she blamed him, beat him for the death of her husband and daughter, but we never saw that if it happened. Even if they had a low budget she could have confided in the warden when he walked her out. Were we supposed to be blindsided by their deaths by the way, it was pretty obvious that was what happened to them early on in the film.\\n\\nUnless you're really into prison films and just want to watch everything that's out there. or perhaps are a fan of one or more of the actors and want to watch everything they are in, I'd give this a miss. You're bigger names of Felicity Huffman and William H Macy have very small not much more than cameo roles in this by the way.\",\n \"Product: A lovable dog named Bandit is trained to pull off bank robberies, but after a heist gone wrong he's rescued by a down on her luck single mom and her son. When he starts stealing cash to help his adopted family, Bandit unwittingly sets them on a collision course with his dangerous ex-partners.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: You Won't Mind Bandit Taking Your Money So You Can Watch This\\n\\nReview: The Bandit Hound is low budget movie, but this isn't a story that needs a big budget to be pulled off. No special effects, CGI or anything like that. All you basically need is a trained dog, that can pick up objects (in this case money in the form of notes or a sack), carry it around for a while and then bring it to an actor. The canine actor, an Australian shepherd playing a dog named Bandit, does a brilliant job in this. The main screen time roles belong to kid characters, but there's plenty of recognisable faces in the minor parts played by adult actors from TV shows that went of air long ago. Catherine Bell (JAG) plays a single mother moving to town with her son. Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) plays the mentally challenged muscle that is always in kids movies, his partner and Bandit's owner is played by Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club). None of the adult actors have meaty roles or anything, the dog and Owen a kid with no friends (Nicholas Alexander) who still plays with an action figure outside even though he's obviously older than the usual age kids play with these are the main screen time takers. Basically due to some bank robbers stupidity, their dog Bandit is captured by police and sent to the pound. Now you'd think the dog would be evidence, but somehow the pound puts it up for adoption and since Owen got decent grades in his previous school in Ohio, along with the obvious fact that he has no friends, his mother gives in to his wish for a dog. Of course they get Bandit. Bandit helps Owen to get somewhere with neighbourhood hot chick, who previously had her own dog save him from bullies outside her house. But Bandit hasn't given up his stealing cash ways. Owen isn't too bright when it comes to proceeds of crime either using Bandit's loot to become the most popular kid amongst the female kids his own age, and some of the guys too. Meanwhile Bandit's original criminal owners want him back so they can rob banks again.\\n\\nIt's not the greatest movie you'll ever see, but it is entertaining enough to pass an hour and a half your time. It's a kids movie so at no time do you ever think Owen is any danger from bullies, bad guys or anything like that. Bombs have large digital countdown clocks on them and things like this. A tracking device the dog finds in the initial heist one of the bad guys tells the other \\\"Would you have seen it?\\\" Well it's pretty big so I would think the answer to that would be yes. When there's injuries there's no blood. Somehow old ladies are inside a bank when the bank is closed. I thought Owen was batting way out of his league with the first girl, and it became just a bit ridiculous when his he was getting compared to Zac Effron and was basically a chick magnet for every girl in the neighbourhood. But perhaps since the majority of male kid viewers more likely look like Owen than Zac Effron this will be some sort of inspirational film for the masses.\\n\\nThe region 4 DVD has no special features, although there are bloopers that play during the credits.\",\n \"Product: Note : This title is a Region is 1,2,3,4,5,6 PAL video. All TV System is PAL.If the customer's TV System is NTSC it will not play.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Really Fun Kid Character Driven 80's Action Film, With a Lot of Witty Lines in the Dialogue\\n\\nReview: Frog Dreaming was a movie, even as an Australian who was a kid in the 80's, I hadn't heard of before coming across it today. But it's a really fun film, and easily has the fun of Goonies and other child led character adventure films. Obviously they cast the lead actor kid from E.T. (Henry Thomas) to try and get an audience. An American in the lead role (it's set in rural Victoria, Australia), maybe back in the day wouldn't have gone down with Australian audiences, but his character being one is explained as being an orphan who for reasons never really gone into in any depth, lives with his parents' friend, some sort of tradesman with a huge workshop, who promised he would look after him and is his legal guardian, but clearly hasn't got much experience with kids. Although he'll stick up for him against any adult unfairly picking on or slandering him. Which a lot of the adults do, such as the town cop or a school girl's father, seeing him as a bad influence on their kids, since he likes to invent stuff, such as adapting his bike to go on the rail lines so he can get to school quicker. This outlook on life not caring about the rules of society of course impresses Wendy the small town's hot girl amongst those his age (Rachel Friend). He likes her too but seems oblivious to the way she looks at him. Wendy also has a cool little sister Jane, who has an 80's bad fringe hairstyle, who is perfectly aware of the situation between the two of them, and drops cool lame \\\"dad humour\\\" type observations and comes backs to lines in conversations. Not all are politically correct which is refreshing and highlights what the 80's was like in Australia. As was the fact kids could go wherever they wanted, ride bikes, jump in water fully clothed without worrying about runiing expensive phones and so forth. But the dialogue is so cool. In fact there's a lot witty lines throughout the film from a number of characters both adult and child, which just makes this film a lot of fun.\\n\\nThe film probably would have been more successful with a better title than Frog Dreaming which to me envisions some sort of princess kissing frog type film, which of course this is nothing of the sort. Frog Dreaming refers to the fact that Cody is trying to find out what is living in a waterhole he Wendy and Jane discovered that isn't on the local maps, where Cody believes some sort of Loch Ness legend style creature scared an adult friend of his whose corpse they found to death. The creature is part of Aboriginal mythology, in that region known as frog dreaming. Donkegin is some sort of Bunyip thing, that Cody must infiltrate remote Aboriginal communities in the area to learn more about. This 1986 film was also renamed The Quest, as well as The Go-Kids in some markets. If you've got a multizone DVD player, you might want to check other regions under those alternative titles. This product being reviewed is a region 4 DVD by the way.\\n\\nI just found this film a lot of fun. You will no doubt work out what Donkegin is early on in the film but that doesn't matter. Even though it's a kid market aimed film, there's plenty to keep adults entertained. Plus you can throw in the seeing some Australian actors when they were younger element. There's plenty of things to bring up nostalgic memories for anyone who was a kid or older in the 80's. The Australian accents are a bit stronger than reality, I'm guessing they were trying to sell this to the Americans on the heels of Crocodile Dundee that came out the same year. There's also lots of Australian animals randomly appearing in between scenes with humans. The aboriginals seem a little closer to American Indians in clothing, customs and behaviour as well.\\n\\nIt's a shame this movie wasn't more successful, as it is a damn good film. Especially when you consider, Australia produced a large number of very average movies in the 80's that made more money than this one. My advice is watch this one, just for the entertainment factor of the jokes in the dialogue alone.\",\n \"Product: WWE Superstars Dolph Ziggler and Kane star in this electrifying race against time to stop a mad bomber and save a child.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Like a High School Film Class Watched Lethal Weapon and Tried to Make a Film Like it\\n\\nReview: I've seen a few of these low budget made by WWE studios films, and this would easily be the worst of them. Granted you're not expecting much, they share the same sort of poorly written scripts as Lifetime or Hallmark channel made for TV movies, but also have a bit of a cheesiness to them and no real character development, they don't build why the hero is a tough guy, he just starts out as one on the screen and is really only a tough guy because his physic is huge.\\n\\nThe plot of this one basically revolves around your typical action cop movie character who doesn't go by the book, doesn't care about procedures as long he gets the results, even if it means the guy you caught going back on the streets or endangering the lives of other officers. Nic Nemeth, best known for his WWE identity Dolph Ziggler plays that role in this one as Ray, who has been suspended and told in all likelihood he's going to be fired for shooting his partner, so a Russian mob guy who claimed he was a cop would believe that he wasn't and go through with an arms deal. His boss is played by another actor best known as a wrestler Glenn Jacobs but doesn't really do anything in the movie in his couple of minutes of screen time other than look out of place with you thinking, gee crime must be pretty much non existent in Seattle, these cops must have a lot of time of their hands to be lifting weights all day. The other main character is the female internal affairs cop, whose division is despised as much as a parking inspector by the other cops. She is played by Katharine Isabelle, hadn't heard of her before and likely won't see her again if her acting performance in Countdown is anything to go by. Her character is a tough take no nonsense from cops or the public but she wasn't convincing as that. Plus the wardrobe person on this one has a lot to answer for, when do you ever see cops while on the clock, wearing jeans? Even if you wanted to argue perhaps undercover, well she's wearing a huge shiny gold badge on her belt. The other minor police and Russian gangsta actors also deliver a pretty lame performance, how much of this is their acting or a bad script is debatable.\\n\\nThe film starts with a guy talking Russian for a fair while, there's no subtitles and I'd originally thought maybe somehow they'd released a Russian language sound tracked film but eventually our main character turns up asking for some guy in English. There are fight scenes such as the one in front of the yellow police caution tape where the actors clearly aren't even coming close to connecting with each other. Apparently Russian consulates have next to no security in Seattle as well. Basically Russians are portrayed as incompetent fools in this film which even make your cold war era propaganda full movie Russians look smart. The stuff that goes on with the kid and the bomb attached to him is too stupid to bother to mention.\\n\\nWhilst you know you aren't going to be getting an A grade action movie under the WWE film studio brand, you should be able to expect at least a B grade action movie. You don't get that here.\",\n \"Product: Follow Ivy Moxam, a 26-year-old woman learning to live again after 13 years in captivity. When Ivy escapes the cellar that s been her prison since she was abducted, it s just the start of her story. She s beginning to pick up the threads of a life half-lived, but they re about to be pulled apart again. Her captor is on the run, and as cracks appear in Ivy s account of her ordeal, the police begin to doubt her motives. What happened in that\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Jodie Comer No Doubt Will Win Every Major TV Actor Award for Her Performance as Ivy Moxam\\n\\nReview: Thirteen is very well acted five episode UK made miniseries about who girl who calls 999 from a phone box and tells the operator she is Ivy Moxam, she was kidnapped thirteen years ago when she was thirteen, and has just escaped. The police are fairly skeptical of her story, especially the female detective of the two assigned to lead her case. To say that the character DS Lisa Merchant immediately probably becomes the most unlikable character in TV history would probably be an understatement. If audiences were supposed to hate her for her treatment of Ivy, Valene Kane does a brilliant acting job at achieving that. The best acting by far though goes to Jodie Comer, if she doesn't win all the major TV acting awards for her performance as Ivy, I'd be very surprised. She brilliantly portrays a girl who is now an adult, but still has somewhat a thirteen year old girl's mindset, as well a person who has been damaged by what her abductor has put her through.\\n\\nIvy has to not only cope with a world that has changed, where her little sister, boyfriend and others have grown up and moved on with their lives, but also a mother who takes the negative parental term smother to new heights. If it wasn't for DS Merchant, she'd be competing for a most unlikable character award too. She seems oblivious that her need to know everything her daughter says or does and to hover around her every moment is clearly doing more damage than whatever the mother benefits from alleviating her own guilt and paranoia achieve.\\n\\nI like how British shows unlike American TV shows that make as many episodes as their financers grant them, just make enough episodes to tell the story so we don't need a lot of filler story padding out the episodes. With Thirteen's five episodes there is still a lot of stuff that isn't wrapped up but in this scenario if it happened in real life, that would be the case.\",\n \"Product: For bickering siblings Ryan (John Paul Ruttan of Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas) and Emma (Ella Ballentine), it was going to be a fun weekend visit with their dad at his job in Africa. But when their small plane crash-lands in the Serengeti, they have only each other along with their fellow passenger, a Malamute named Chinook to rely on. The rescue teams are searching. Their mom (Jeri Ryan of Star Trek: Voyager and Boston Public) is panicked. Can brother, sister and one courageous dog now learn how to conquer their fears and trust each other in the most beautiful yet untamed wilderness of all?\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Pretty Much the Same Storyline as the Original, Just Set in Africa Instead of the Canadian Wilderness\\n\\nReview: Pretty much the same scenario as the first film, only instead of the Canadian wilderness these two kids and a dog have survived a light plane crash in Africa. Like the brother and sister in the first film these siblings abandon their adult pilot who isn't conscious much, so they decide to abandon him, travel away from the wreckage on foot to their dad's mine to get themselves and him help. Although the script with some animal behaviour, but especially the dialogue is still really poor, it doesn't quite have anything as bad as the holding fish scene from the first one, and the flying in the plane scenes looked somewhat more believable, the decision to concentrate on the views of the animals they are flying over was probably a good one.\\n\\nThe dog in this one seems older and less energetic than the one in the original film. There are times when the kids are fighting for their lives against hyenas or a lion when it's just sitting there panting contentedly as if nothing is happening. Obviously the kids are just stabbing fire on poles at the camera and there is no actual predator in the same space as them, (this is something they couldn't make look real in the first film with a bear and other animals either), but you'd think a dog trainer would have been behind the camera man prompting the dog to react or something. The camera as the predator is also fairly obvious when its supposedly stalking through long grass.\\n\\nAt times you expected the kids to go up in flames when they're lighting fires in long dry grass, these sort of scenes were usually shortly followed by the parents telling the army guy that their kids are really smart kids. The boy telling his sister lions can't climb trees was another proving their parents were lying memorable moment. I don't agree with other reviewers that the kids are bad actors, it's just as I said the script for these kid's dialogue was a bit unnatural. The girl constantly says Ryan at the start of sentences which becomes annoying after a while when who else would he think she'd be talking to? There's a water bottle that is filled up with realistic not clear water that in the next shot looks like it is newly bought from a store. I did like how the kids realistically looked sunburnt, most films with people wandering around the wilderness seem to forget this or the actors don't want to look like that or whatever.\\n\\nThe target market is obviously young kids, but I think even they would know a large predatory cat is faster than a dog. Not to mention a lion that should have caught humans They might believe that a crocodile would attack it's prey on the bank by swimming on top of the water towards it, instead of stealthily underwater positioning itself in front of them and leaping out and grabbing before they even knew it was there. Also we have a scene of a croc leaping at the dangling legs well within its strike zone but it's never explained or shown why it missed. At least they didn't use blow dried fur and dirt free captive animals like they did in the first film, these ones although looking at ease with humans at least look like they live in a wildlife sanctuary or something close to how they would if in the wild.\\n\\nThe region 4 DVD has some out takes, and one on one interviews with the cast. You don't need to have seen the first film to watch this as it's a completely separate family.\",\n \"Product: Rex is a loner and when he told he doesn't have long to live he embarks on an epic drive through the Australian outback from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms; but his journey reveals to him that before you can end your life, you have to live ...\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Very Well Told Tale That Doesn't Try and Force an Opinion on Controversial Topics its Characters Bring to the Screen\\n\\nReview: Obviously aspects of this film are targeted at an American market, as we call cabs taxis here in Australia, and the colour of the one in this film is yellow like a New York cab. This isn't a bad film though. I knew it was based on the story of a terminally ill guy who drove his taxi to Darwin to take advantage of the court decision to make euthanasia legal. But didn't know much else about what the movie was going to be about going in. I was surprised it was very heavy on indigenous Australians issues. Films that normally include this sort of thing can easily offend their audiences who don't like feeling lectured to or don't agree with the angle the film is taking on these topics. But Last Cab to Darwin somehow avoids either taking an angle or coming across as lecturing on the issues it raises. Such as in Broken Hill (where Rex the Taxi driver lives) the indigenous woman who lives across the street feels she isn't allowed in the pub and also wants to live a white fella life by having a job and living in a house in town by herself. Also Tilly a passenger who fixes a broken windshield for Rex and convinces him to take him along with him on the journey was good enough to be selected in a first grade AFL team but substance abuse derailed his success. Theres obviously been some editing before the movie was finished to avoid controversy or whatever as in the deleted scenes (assuming the US version has the same ones as the Australian DVD), Tilly uses a line where he tells the story of a really smart and determined mudcrab who works out how to escape from a bucket and while the fisherman isn't looking climbs to the rim. But the other crabs drag him back down and tell him bruva you're one of us you cant escape what you are. Its also refreshing to see the film gave other indigenous actors a go, rather than just using the usual Ernie Dingo, Jessica Mauboy or Deborah Mailman.\\n\\nBesides the indigenous issues the film obviously raises the right to die argument through Rexs character, as well as the euthanasia doctor and her determination to use Rex as a martyr, as well as through the eyes of Julie, a backpacker who is a nurse back in the UK who decides to help Rex do whatever he wants in his final days but isn't convinced the desire to die is really what Rex wants. Its well filmed, obviously theres a fair bit of outback scenery along the taxi journey. Rex is well played by Michael Caton, as are the other leads playing Tilly (Mark Coles Smith) and Julie (Emma Hamilton). Whether you are pro or anti the right to die on your own terms, youll still enjoy this movie, as it is a very well told tale.\",\n \"Product: An animal rights activist goes undercover at a large-scale dog breeding facility where the owner is suspected of animal abuse.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A Made for TV Script Quality Movie That Turns Into a Blatant Propaganda Film\\n\\nReview: The Dog Lover is one of those budget DVD films where the DVD cover image never appears in the movie, or most of the characters (as in canines) aren't even in the movie, such as the golden retriever she is patting. It is a propaganda film rather than a movie. It's not a movie with a subtle message, it actually lectures you at the end with text on the screen as to what it wants you to do. Which would be fine it is advertised the film that way on the DVD cover, but it doesn't, meaning a lot of people will buy/rent this one after a nice dog plot movie, but half way through realise they're not watching a movie but a promotional video that (spoilers follow) wants you not to donate money to vigilante animal surveillance/rescue groups.\\n\\nThe basic premise of this one is Sara (Allison Paige - Days of Our Lives), a vegetarian animal rights extremist after successfully filming the atrocious conditions dogs are in at a puppy mill, after going undercover as someone wanting to buy a dog, is offered a bigger target for an undercover gig. She is told a famous for opposing legislation the group wants passed in Washington, hunting dog breeder is mistreating animals for profit, and if she infiltrates by pretending to be a vet student wanting some live on the farm work experience, she'll not only save those dogs on that farm, but rid the opposition to the bill's power, by showing the true colours of their most vocal spokesman. Sara eagerly accepts this assignment. The realism of this is on par with the old Get Smart episodes where 99 would without any qualifications get a job in an organisation that was secretly a front for Chaos on a mission of evil. We're expected to believe a dog breeder farm one would need a veterinary student, when they've got a vet (Lea Thompson from Back to the Future movies). Two that if they did, they like any other potential employer would not run a back ground check, Google the applicant or, at least confirm with the university she claims to be studying a veterinary degree with that she is actually a student. Not to mention throughout the entire time she's on the farm, she never actually helps Lea Thompson's character to do any vet work.\\n\\nOnce she flies to the farm by private jet, (you'd think this would be another giveaway to the breeder who is meeting her at the airport on the runway that she's not a poor university student, not to mention the fact she's arriving at the airport would further make them question why she couldn't find a farm or facility to get veterinary experience somewhere a bit closer to where she lives than somewhere she needs to board a plane to fly to). It's not like they're at an exotic location where she can go skiing, or to the beach when not working. So the movie sort of has a made for TV feel to it with it's script. It seems to be a pretty obvious as soon as we get to the farm how the movie in relation to Sara's involvement on the farm is going to turn out. Although the dad on the farm does make it seem like her undercover placement might not be justified by flying off the handle with the fact she has a mobile phone, and telling her never to go up the hill to that wooden shack with the padlocks on it. The son also looks around sheepishly when exiting the place. Why not just tell her what is, if you tell someone not to go in a forbidden mysterious place, and you've got a valid reason, you mention that, especially if she's supposed to be a vet student and would understand that reason. Like I said the quality of the script is like a Lifetime/Hallmark movie writer wrote it. They even throw in the cheesy love interest with the breeders son, and the standard, I thought you were my friend line from the little girl. Even though the little girl and Sara don't seem to have ever had any quality time together, let alone a friend, or big sister little sister moment before that line. In fact the little girl didn't seem to trust her or believe she was a vet student at all.\\n\\nThen of course we have the propaganda film second half of the movie. The raid makes no sense, sure the breeder has to let the cops onto his farm and in his barns with the warrant, but the warrant doesn't let protesters and extremist groups accompany them with video cameras. It is supposed to be a potential crime scene after all, you don't contaminate that with more people. The acting by the prosecutor guy, well actually more so probably the script he is acting from is laughable at how bad it is in one scene. You'll know it when you see the scene. Overall the second half of the film tries to demonize organisations that have demonized the dog breeding industry. Of course the truth is probably somewhere in the middle for both. But the point is viewers don't like being propogandered and lectured to which is what this film ultimately is, rather than a movie about a girl who gets used by people with their own agenda.\\n\\nBeing the region 4 DVD is a budget DVD (Eagle Entertainment) there's no special features so you'll have to do your own research on the real story, the DVD cover claims with the words Based on a True Story. It would have been nice to have had a documentary on what really happened to see how little or how much it actually matches what happened in the movie. Since this is a propaganda film and not a movie, you've got to wonder why it's not there? Surely you'd have a lot of extras with experts talking to the camera supporting the claims of the movie if they rang at all true.\",\n \"Product: Champion gamer Max Troy discovers events in a new video game are being mirrored in the real world and that he must join forces with the game's protagonist, Orson Creed, to unravel the conspiracy before the game's sinister plot overwhelms the city.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Nothing Brilliant, But it Will Pass the Time\\n\\nReview: Beta Test sort of has a budget move feel to it, although it does have some actors in some of the supporting roles you'll recognise, not from blockbusters but they're familiar. Basic premise is a rich game developer after a pretty lengthy TV interview scene where he's going on about gun control for way too long, gets a thing put into the back of his neck allowing him to be controlled by a video game player. At first a top video player thinks he's playing a new game, but then begins to realise it's real when news reports match what he has just done. But his girlfriend (who's he's never met because he hasn't left his house in years) will be killed if he doesn't keep playing.\\n\\nThere's plenty of fight scenes, some it's a bit obvious kicks miss and arms don't connect with faces but the film is entertaining enough. It's nothing special but will pass the time.\",\n \"Product: Popular prank TV show Scare Campaign, has been entertaining audiences for the last 5 years with its mix of old school scares and hidden camera fun. But as we enter a new age of online TV the producers find themselves up against a new hard edged web series ...\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Only Goes For 77 Minutes, But it's a Great 77 Minutes With More Gore Than Your Normal Slasher Flick\\n\\nReview: Scare Campaign is only a short movie (77 minutes) but once it gets going it's pretty much non stop slasher fun the whole time. It's a fun and gory slasher flick too, taking the gore killing to a lot higher level than your Hollywood slasher norm. This one is filmed in rural Victoria (Beechworth) at an actual disused mental asylum. It starts off like the acting is a bit average, but that's because we're watching a TV show within the movie, the acting is actually really good as far as slasher films can be when the real action begins. That TV show is a Candid Camera type horror themed top rating show called Scare Campaign that is being pressured to up the intensity and humiliation and terror on the mark, due to a snuff online video group who are doing similar things to the show but actually killing people that of course with no boundaries, is getting millions of hits around the world. So the actors and crew of Scare Campaign wanting to keep their jobs decide to do their next episode at an old children's mental asylum. While improvising with the mark who is an applicant for a groundskeeping job there or something like that, the actress quickly learns he is familiar with the asylum, since he used to be a patient there. She wants to pull the plug but her director doesn't want her to, as his reactions will be the sort of thing they need for ratings.\\n\\nIt is a low budget but is done well. Interestingly for a horror movie it doesn't have the normal staple of sex scenes or even nudity. It just relies on the story to tell a great horror tale. Some of the disappointment by the short length is made up by the fact that the DVD (region 4) also comes with 44 minutes of extras where we see behind the scenes and how a lot of the gory killing scenes and their props were made. There's also a Q & A from Monsterfest (an Australian film festival) done straight after the movie was shown there. Granted the Q & A isn't that well filmed, probably done with someone's camera phone, and they are sitting a fair way back in the cinema in the rows to the extreme left, so the crew and actors are a fair way away, not front on and are hard to hear at times.\\n\\nScare Campaign is made by the same brothers who made 100 Bloody Acres. The only actor you'll probably recognise would be Olivia DeJonge (The Visit, Hiding) who plays Abby, a new young actress getting her break on this new episode of Scare Campaign. The main staple actress of the TV show Emma is brilliantly played by Meegan Warner, who has been in a few things but not stuff most people would have watched such as Turn:Washington's Spies. I anticipate we'll see a lot more of both these actresses after this movie. Ian Meadows (Home and Away, Rush, The Moodys) is again someone you're not likely to have seen before unless you watched those shows, but who also does a good job as Marcus the self centered career ambitious director, who cares more about his work than the welfare of his actors and crew. John Brumpton as George (the job applicant) does a great mentally disturbed character too.\\n\\nMy only criticism would be I would have liked it to be a bit longer, but with Scare Campaign you're watching quality over quantity.\",\n \"Product: The T-Mobile Nokia 1616 Prepaid Cell Phone is a robust, user-friendly phone with a large color display. Communicate effortlessly with the easy-to-use interface, shortcut keys and a large keypad. Play a game while on the move or plug in your headset to tune into music or news with the built-in FM radio.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Makes/Receives Phone Calls, Easy to Write Texts, Does What You Want a Phone to Do\\n\\nReview: This is simply a review of the actual Nokia 1616 handset, not T-Mobile or whatever carrier or prepay service Amazon is packaging with it on this page. This review is simply for people like I was, who when their old phone has died, need to get another cheap one, and are looking for info on the ones they've seen in junk mail catalogues, online websites or in the isles of department stores to make sure they are not buying a dud.\\n\\nTo be honest with you, I made the decision to buy this pretty much on price, it was the cheapest I came across at short notice when my old phone suddenly died, at $19. I don't need a phone to take photos, I've got a camera for that (although this phone can receive photo texts). I don't need it to go online to visit Facebook, E-bay, Amazon or other websites, I've got a computer to do that. I don't even really need it to send texts, I use Facebook to send messages to everyone I don't want to call, but I did send one to my mum who shuns fancy things like the Internet and it was simple, quick and easy to do using this phone. I've only owned three mobile phones in my life and this really is no better or worse than the other two which were both Motorolas, the last being the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/WX160/dp/B003ZX8998/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">WX160</a>, which also is a good cheap phone to get if you can still find one.\\n\\nIt is a bit heavier and bulkier than my previous phones but still overall is pretty light. You hardly notice it if you carry it in your pants pocket. Comes with a flashlight at the top, bit of a gimmick really, I always just used the display screen on my previous phones as a flashlight, however this one's display screen is not as illuminating as those phones and the flashlight does do a nice job with a small concentrated light beam. Possibly doing it this way saves battery power and lengthens the time between charges if you don't use the torch, I don't know. It's not powerful enough that you'd substitute it for a decent torch if camping or something and wanting to avoid stepping on a poisonous snake or falling down a hole, but it's decent enough if you're sleeping in a dorm room in a backpacker hostel or something and everyone else is asleep with the lights off to navigate your way past everyone's discarded belongings on the floor. It has a number of different wallpaper pictures you can set for the background, I must honest none of them really thrilled me with a wow isn't that cool moment. I went with the green lizard but there's flowers and patterns and things like this is you prefer. The menu is pretty easy to navigate, with easy to understand icons, things like setting the date are very easy. Has some games on it, they're not very good I looked at them but can't see myself ever doing so again. These may be different for whatever country you're in but on the phones sold in Australia they are Rapid Roll, Bounce and Forbidden Treasures. The Nokia 1616 has quite a number of ringtones including the Nokia theme. I wasn't overly excited by any of these either and if you're like me and have a mobile phone because you are on call for work and need to be able to hear your phone before the person on the other end hangs up if it is at the other end of your house, about two thirds of the ringtones are useless.\\n\\nLike most phones in this price range it comes with an FM radio. You can listen to it like a Walkman, the headphones are provided and it interrupts the radio if an incoming call happens. Like all similar priced phones though the only headphones that fit the hole to plug into the phone, are the set it comes with. My previous phone I misplaced those early on so expect that feature to not last that long as I'm likely to do that again. The radio is easy to tune into the station you want simply by typing the number like you would a text. The buttons on the keypad are each individually raised and a decent size by the way.\\n\\nThe phone actually comes with a nice little instruction booklet and not just the usual folded bit of double-sided large bit of paper. The battery comes slightly charged which is nice if like I was you're on call for work. Doesn't take too long to charge either. Putting in the Sim card is a bit tricky though, the illustrations on the box aren't that clear you've got to make sure it goes under that metal thing.\\n\\nThe only thing that really annoys me about this phone is that is sort of goes into computer monitor style sleep mode after a couple of seconds of non use. I used to love being able to see the time and even the date when needed on my old phone simply by glancing at it. You've got to hit the centre square button to wake up the phone and see the time with the Nokia 1616, meaning you've got to touch the phone and not just subtly glance at on the table it if in a meeting or just having a conversation with someone a lunchtime or something. I don't really know what the selling point of that feature is at all, it's something Nokia should get rid of on future phones. It's not like the time ever burnt into the display on my other phones. You can also get the clock to speak the time if you're into that sort of thing.\\n\\nIt does have quite a bulky recharger compared to my previous phones, meaning it sticks out a fair bit from the wall power point limiting due to furniture and things like this the places you can plug it in. It only lasts four or five days at most between charges especially if it has been receiving or making calls, which is about half the time of my previous two phones.\\n\\nIf you want a reliable phone to make and take calls as well as text, and this one is selling for a cheap price, it does the job. No more, and more importantly no less.\",\n \"Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Kramer Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Cosmo Kramer Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \\\"Must See TV\\\" to must have for your collection!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"I'm out there, Jerry.... and I'm lovin' every minute of it.\\\"\\n\\nReview: Kramer is the only one of the four main characters that you can get as a vinyl figure (at time of this review anyway). He's pretty well done, his hands are in a weird open palmed stance but then again, I guess what else were they going to do with his arms. Like with the other Seinfeld vinyl figures you can take him out of the packaging or put him back in without damaging it. In fact there's no way to know if the one you're buying has ever been opened or not. You simply open the top or bottom of the box, slide out the clam shell bubble, open it and take the figure out.\\n\\nYou can't do much with the figure, you can't repose his arms or anything, he simply stands there. He does stand up easily on a flat surface. The figure comes with a round black stand but I've never bothered with it myself. It doesn't have a Seinfeld logo or anything to enhance the display. There are no blemishes on the figure itself, it is painted very nicely. Kramer is the tallest of the four figures I bought (others were Soup Nazi, Peterman and Frank Costanza). Which makes sense being as Michael Richards was a taller actor than the ones that played those characters, although I wouldn't say the height differences are to scale or anything. Kramer stands around 22cm tall. If you're keeping him in the box, the box is about 25.5cm high (all character boxes are the same size). Box is about 13.5cm wide. If you are keeping Kramer in the box, the green backdrop sort of has an eerie glow when the sunlight hits it.\\n\\nThese figures are pretty cool. You don't come across much Seinfeld merchandise which is a shame as it was such a popular show. Most people you meet mention it as one of their favourites so I would think the merchandise market would be huge a lucrative one. I do hope Funko brings out more characters from the show. George and Jerry obviously, but other minor characters too would be great.\",\n \"Product: CD\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: This is So 1991 as Said by Ralph Wiggum\\n\\nReview: Back in 1990 (sorry Ralph but you were off by a year) the Simpsons were more about Bart than Homer and the huge hit at the time rumoured to be written by Michael Jackson was Do the Bartman. A very catchy number and the reason I decided to buy this album. The other released song from this album was Deep Deep Trouble also sung by Bart but it achieved no where near the success of Do the Bartman. Probably due to the fact that it was no where near as good. The song I really love on here is Look at All Those Idiots sung by Mr Burns. It's about his employees at the nuclear power plant. Pretty funny. I don't really listen to other seven songs much, most are sung in the blues theme. Not a bad album and a lot better the sequel The Yellow Album.\\nThe cover booklet has photographs of the voice actors who play the different characters with the cartoon character next to them. It is good to see what the faces behind the voices actually look like. If you are a Simpsons fan and feel like reliving the feeling of the Simpsons in the early nineties than you should buy this album.\",\n \"Product: Weird Al Yankovic ~ In 3-D\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Just buy it! Buy it! No one wants to be without it!\\n\\nReview: This is \\\"Weird Al's\\\" second album and home to his first major hit (in Australia anyway) Eat It (parody of Beat It). Other great parodies are Theme From Rocky XIII (parody of Eye of the Tiger) which is about the thirteenth rocky movie which at the time Al like everyone obviously else assumed would be made. It portrays Rocky as a fat overweight, but no bum fighter who has retired and is running his local deli. Extremely funny. King of Suede and That Boy Could Dance are other great parodies but I am unfamiliar with the actual names to those songs.\\nSome of the original song's background music are a bit dated but you would expect that from an album written in the early 80's. Their lyrics however are hilarious especially the second track Midnight Star. Midnight Star is about tabloid newspapers and all the garbage they contain such as Alien's from outer pace are sleeping in my car and eat jelly doughnuts (donuts for those in USA) and lose twenty pounds a day. This is one of the funniest songs ever written. Other great tracks are Nature Trail to Hell which is about Horror Movies and I lost on Jeopardy about Al's performance on the game show Jeopardy.\\nThis album is a must for all \\\"Weird Al\\\" fans and contains Al's first polka medley Polkas on 45.\",\n \"Product: Terminator ~ Terminator 2 - Judgment Day: Or\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Missing the lyric songs but the orchestral ones are good\\n\\nReview: This album isn't as good as it could have been. It only has the orchestral music by Brad Fiedel and does not contain the Guns N' Roses song You Could Be Mine that was played more than any of song in the actual movie other than the Main Title Theme. Bad to the Bone as well as other great lyric ones aren't here either. Now I'm not saying Brad's songs aren't fantastic but when you buy a soundtrack you expect it to have all the songs from the movie so when you listen to them you are taken back memory wise to that experience.\\nThe Main Title Theme is of course a sensational song up there with the Indiana Jones and Star Wars hall of fame instrumental pieces. The other songs on here are good as well. The back cover does tell you which scenes in the movies the different tracks are from but if it wasn't there you probably wouldn't know. Again if other artists songs were included you may have some idea which scene the next one was following.\\nThe CD cover is pretty disappointing with only a few black and white shots from the movie inside the single page cover and two colour photographs on the back of it one of Arnold on the motorbike and on of Linda Hamilton loading a gun. This cover could have been way better.\\nIf you're a fan of orchestra band type music this is a sensational album. If you're not you'll probably only listen to it for a few weeks before it enjoys a nice life of sitting idle on your shelf only coming out from time to time. It's a great album but unless you like classical type music you probably won't listen to it all that much.\",\n \"Product: Tracks include: 1. Neighbor 2. Goddamn Devil 3. Come Tomorrow 4. Panhandlin' Prince 5. Busy Bee 6. Don't Go 7. So Damn Cool 8. Same Side 9. Cat's in the Cradle 10. I'll Keep Tryin' 11. Everything About You 12. Madman ['92 Remix] 13. Mr. Recordman\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The best one album hit band, album out there\\n\\nReview: Ugly Kid Joe may have been one album hit wonders but the fact still remains this is a sensational album. Everything About You was a huge hit and a much needed song in the face of all the soppy love songs around. Neighbor was also a great song, in fact all the songs on this album are great there are no fillers. Of course the other big song from this album was Cats In the Cradle a much better version than Cat Stevens' one. Mr. Recordman although not released to my knowledge, was played a bit and became a bit of a cult hit anyway. I also particularly like Madman.\\n\\nDon't punish this album by not buying it because Ugly Kid Joe promised so much and created their terrible second album about Milkman's sons and other stuff. It's not the album's fault who it's parents are. This is a sensational no filler album and one you should add to your collection. Lyrics are also included.\",\n \"Product: Cassette is like New, Insert and case in great condition! Ships within 1-2 Business Days.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the greatest albums ever made\\n\\nReview: This is one of the classic Bon Jovi albums with every song at least good if not brilliant.\\nYou may recognise the first song form the start of the movie Spaceballs that is blaring out of the stereo in the spaceship. Let it Rock is it's name. Of course the next two songs need no introduction due to their legendary status being two of the biggest songs ever You Give Love A bad Name and of course Livin' On a Prayer about Tommy working down on the docks who is down on his luck. Social Disease is about how love is a social disease. You will have heard the guitar intro to Wanted Dead or Alive by anyone who has ever picked up a guitar. Raise Your Hands is an excellent rock song obviously designed to be played live. Without Love is another rock song. I'd Die For You would be the slowest song on the album but still rocks. I'd die for you is fairly self explanatory. Never Say Goodbye is about two people in love and Wild in The Street is just an awesome street party song.\\nLike New Jersey every one of these songs is a rock song with fast paced rock that easily transfers to a live concert performance.\",\n \"Product: BON JOVI BON JOVI\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: The Original But Not Their Best\\n\\nReview: Bon Jovi's self titled debut album contains nine tracks which are all right but with the exception of Runaway do not reach the musical heights of their later albums. You would purchase this album more for historical value if your fan of the greatest rock band of the 80's rather than for the actual songs on here. This album is where it all began and the tracks are not as substantial guitar wise or lyrically as the boys will achieve on their later masterpieces. Unless you are a huge Bon Jovi fan you probably will not want this album. Bon Jovi have created some of the greatest albums ever made and New Jersey and Slippery When Wet would be my recommendations if you do not own any of their albums at all and are looking to start.\",\n \"Product: BON JOVI JON BLAZE OF GLORY\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Not the Actual Soundtrack But a Great Album!\\n\\nReview: Note there is an actual Young Guns II soundtrack album that isn't Blaze of Glory. Only two Jon Bon Jovi songs from this ablum actually appear in the movie, Billy Get Your Guns (in the closing credits) and Blaze of Glory. If the great orchestral music score songs from the film are what you're really after then get Young Guns II original soundtrack by Alan Silvestri found <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/here/dp/B005PXHWZ8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">here</a> on Amazon. For a decent price though, it's pretty hard to find, Silvestri also wrote the music score main theme for Back to the Future, Forrest Gump and many other successful films so you may have to settle for a compilation album.\\n\\nThis album is Jon Bon Jovi's first attempt at a solo album away from the greatest band in the word Bon Jovi. There are some brilliant songs on this album none bigger than Blaze of Glory which nicely ends the film and takes the viewer into the credits of the Young Guns II movie.\\n\\nMiracle is another great song along with Guano City, Never Say Die and Dyin' Ain't Much of a Livin'. Billy Get Your Guns is a bit tacky but a very simple repetitious song. You don't need to press skip it is all right.\\n\\nObviously most songs on here are inspired by the Movie Young Guns II and a lot are about Billy the Kid or Pat Garret so if this is not your preferred genre then this might not be for you.\\n\\nYou also get to hear sound bytes from the movie by Keifer Sutherland and Emilio Estevez at the start of Billy Get Your Guns and Blaze of Glory which is pretty cool.\",\n \"Product: Catalog reissue.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: So Far Sooooooooooooo! Good\\n\\nReview: This is one of the better greatest hits albums out there although later albums do have some good songs on them as well. Summer of 69 is one of the biggest songs of all time and worth purchasing this album for alone. A lot of the other big hits such as Everything I Do I Do it For You are found on his album Waking Up the Neighbours so depending on which songs are your favourites you may wish to buy that one instead as it's just as good. Songs not on that album but on this one which are sensational are Please Forgive Me, Kids Wanna Rock, and Run to You. You really should purchase both albums.\\n\\nThis album doesn't contain the lyrics to the songs and has an address where you can send money to and get a booklet with them which is pretty disgraceful.\",\n \"Product: Songs are: The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You, Do To You, Let's Make A Night To Remember, 18 Til I Die, Star, Your Underwear, We're Gonna Win, I Think About You, I'll Always Be Right There, It Ain't A Party If You Can't Come 'Round, Black Pearl, You're Still Beautiful To Me, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not as good as Waking Up the Neighbours\\n\\nReview: This isn't as good as Waking Up the Neighbours but still has some really good songs you will want to own. 18 Til I Die and Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman are the two standouts. H Y E R L a W is a sensational Spanish sounding love song. Do to You is a great fast song. Star starts of like a movie soundtrack sound and is an all right slow song but not one you'll play over and over again. We're Gonna Win is a good one to play if you're trying to get pumped up for a sporting event. It's not a bad motivational song. I Think About You has a good drum beat and lyrics. It Ain't A Party if You Can't Come Round is pretty good too.\\n(I Wanna Be) Your Underwear and The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You are pretty stupid but are original sounding songs not like others on other albums. The other songs on here are pretty much the same as others on other albums just with different lyrics.\",\n \"Product: Bryan Adams was played a great deal on the radio in 1984/5; his music was the most radio-friendly rock to have been heard in a long time and where on earlier records Adams had spiced up his songs with traces of social consciousness, this set is back squarely in love-and-lust territory.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the greatest albums of all times\\n\\nReview: This 15 track huge album would easily be Bryan Adam's best and since most of his albums sound pretty similar this is the one you should buy. This album has your mix of fast rock songs as well as slow love ballads. Everything I Do I Do it For You was the song played in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and was of course one of the top selling songs of all time. Can't Stop This Thing We Started is a sensational fast song as is All I Want is You. Not Guilty, House Arrest and Vanishing are other gems. There are no bad songs on this album unlike his other albums which seem to have a few fillers.\\n\\nI think this album is better than So Far so Good which is an alternative album a lot of people buy instead of this, as it was a Greatest Hits so far album that cashed in on the success of this album, including all the singles from this one, primarily the song Everything I Do I Do it For You, with both albums out when a lot of these songs were yet to be released as singles. Although Waking Up the Neighbours of course doesn't have Summer of 69. If you want one Bryan Adams album but only one I'd buy this one.\\n\\nThis album also has the lyrics to all the songs whereas So Far so Good just has an address you post a cheque to get them sent to you.\",\n \"Product: When Deliverance made Dueling Banjos a smash in '72, the tune was united with Weissberg's 1963 New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass LP for a new release. It hit #1, and here it is: Dueling Banjos; Pony Express; Mountain Dew , and more!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A Great Soundtrack to Have Playing on Your Next Vacation into the Wilderness\\n\\nReview: There is no better album to have if planning a trip down the rapids of your local river. Of course most people buying it are doing so for one track alone but that by no means is the only good song on here. That song of course is from the scene at the start of the film with Drew and the hillbilly boy who initially is just mirroring Drews' guitar playing on his banjo but then to Drew's utter amazement and awe, the duel is on. I don't know how many times I've played that song over and over again, it's that good!\\n\\nThe soundtrack of this album is an excellent backdrop to have playing either on the river (if you've got some way to play it without the player getting wet) or just to have on the drive out there. Or to have on any roadtrip to have playing once you enter a a wilderness area for that matter (I also recommend getting Lindsey Buckingham's song Holiday Road available as a bonus track on <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/National-Lampoon-s-Christmas-Vacation-Soundtrack/dp/B000Q9H1VQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Soundtrack</a> for the journey while your still on the highway. But nothing beats the song Dueling Banjos to get the excitement in your group going and End of a Dream (track 9) a similar sounding although faster version of Dueling Banjos does the job quite nicely as well. The other songs are pretty good too all performed with banjos, creating that extremely unique sound. Dueling Banjos is also the best banjo playing album I have ever heard.\\n\\nBy the way if you can play yourself you might want to get the music score <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Duelling-Banjos-Sheet-Music-from-Deliverance/dp/B0009M2LR4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Duelling Banjos: Sheet Music from \\\"Deliverance\\\"</a> as well.\",\n \"Product: Certified at 3 million units by the RIAA. (6/98)\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not as good as You Might Be a Redneck if........\\n\\nReview: This is a lot more polished than his previous album. It's not as funny though but still is worth buying. There is one song on here Party All Night which isn't too bad a country song music wise has the Dukes of Hazard car's horn at the start then puts his Single Life Is Just to Hard stand up track from his album You Might Be a Redneck if... to music.\\nDoes have one You Might Be A Redneck Track with more extremely funny sentences such as If you own a home that's mobile and 14 cars that aren't you might be a redneck. If you've been married three times and still have the same in laws is another classic.\\nBuy it if it's a good price.\",\n \"Product: Poison - Open Up And Say...Ahh - Cassette\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Open Up and Say ... AHH Not Bad!\\n\\nReview: Up there with Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and other bands of the era, Poison helped create the greatest decade of rock music ever made. Although not the best Poison album Open Up and Say ...AHH! is still a worthwhile purchase. Their most covered song by pub bands Every Rose Has It's Thorn, a slow love ballad is on this album which most people either love or hate. The other huge hit Nothin' But A Good Time, on this album is a sensational rock song. Most of the other songs on here are pretty good too. I would also recommend buying their album Flesh & Blood as well for sensational songs like Unskinny Bop.\\nIf you like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, AC/DC and similar bands then you have to listen to Poison as well. The cover booklet also contains lyrics and photographs of the band.\",\n \"Product: Crowded House ~ Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Australians & Kiwis both claim them so u know they're great\\n\\nReview: This is a great album to own if you're not a huge fan but want the big Crowded House songs. Most of their big hits are on here but not all. Chocolate Cake is one I would have liked to have seen but you can't have everything.\\nWith both Australia and New Zealand claiming this band as their own, you know they're pretty good. Some songs do sound similar to others but there are 19 of them so even if you don't like them all, there will still be more that you do, than on most albums. If you can find the bonus edition of this album there are another 15 live songs as well although most are the same songs on the non live disc.\\nMy only disappointment was that there are no written lyrics in the CD cover. For those who have never heard of Crowded House their music is basically smooth, slow non heavy rock. You could even go so far as to say it's sort of relaxing music. Excellent CD to have playing in the background while working or to concentrate on and really listen to the music. Either way you'll enjoy this.\",\n \"Product: ROXETTE LOOK SHARP!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Listen sharp as every detail of this album is sensational\\n\\nReview: This is a great album and was the first huge album by the sensational Swedish duo.\\nThe album cover insert has all the song lyrics on the back and a newspaper called The Daily Roxette on the front. It tells you of Roxette's adventures, travels, their behind the scenes people, all as news paper hard news style stories. Also has some 50's style advertisements within, using song titles from this album.\\n\\nThis album is still worth owning if you own the Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus greatest hits album, as the songs which appear on both are different versions on each. The other songs on here are pretty good too.\\n\\nThe Look is of course one of the greatest songs of all time. It used to be my favourite song was I was in primary school back in 1989 and I still love it. It's one of the only Roxette songs where Per, (the guy) is the lead singer. Dressed for Success is another sensational song and you'll often here it being played in the background of news reports of catwalks and fashion shows.\\n\\nSleeping Single I'm pretty sure wasn't released and is a great song with a good drum beat in the background about a girl waiting for her guy to come back and prepared to sleep by herself until he does.\\n\\nPaint is an excellent fast 80's sounding song. Not really about paint for home renovators wanting a song about that, except that is about painting your love all over town. A great song. Dance Away a fast 80's dance style song is one that isn't too dated today. The lyrics are well written.\\n\\nCry is a slow paced love song similar style to Listen to Your Heart but completely different lyrics and music. Basically a girl asking why she should cry over you (well not you specifically but some guy she likes). Chances is another fast sensational song about a girl wanting a guy to take a chance on her.\\n\\nDangerous is of course one of the classics and was a hit single. It's a sensational fast song with a good beat. About a girl a guy is attracted to being dangerous. Per sings the guys voice with Marie singing the girl's response.\\n\\nHalf a Woman, Half a Shadow is about a girl who is sad therefore half a shadow. Another really good song. View from a Hill is another terrific 80's pop sounding song. I Could Never give You Up has a nice Mediterranean piano sound throughout as well as a consistent drum beat.\\n\\nShadow of A Doubt has a similar start to Europe's Final Countdown song before the da da diii doo part beings. Shadow of A Doubt becomes more original as the lyrics begin. It's a nice song to have playing in the background. Listen to Your Heart is one of the best love songs of all time.\\n\\nYou should definitely buy this album.\",\n \"Product: Subtitled - Roxette's Greatest Hits'. All of the best from the hit Swedish pop/ rock duo recorded between 1987-1995. 18 tracks including the-then previously unreleased songs 'She Doesn't Live Here Anymore' & 'I Don't Want To Get Hurt' alongside smashes like 'The Look', 'Listen To Your Heart' (Swedish Single Edit), 'Dangerous' (Single Version), 'It Must Have Been Love', 'Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave)' & 'Sleeping In My Car'. 1995.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the best greatest hits album ever releasesd\\n\\nReview: This sensational 18 track album contains all of Roxette's huge hits such as The Look, Joyride, Dressed for Success and It Must Have Been Love. If you've got the original albums you should still buy this one as most of the songs on here as the US single versions which are slightly different to the original album versions.\\nThis CD has a pretty thick booklet inside the cover. It sort of has the lyrics for each song jammed together in a paragraph like reading a story. There is also another paragraph with each song some are commentaries of the songs by Per or Marie others by other people are about events of the time or the song in general. Pretty interesting reading.\\nThe four previously unreleased tracks are brilliant as well and worth buying this album for alone. June Afternoon is a bright summer sounding happy modern song. You Don't Understand Me is also sensational slow paced but speeds up in parts to make it even more interesting. She Doesn't Live Here Anymore is another brilliant fast paced pop rock song about the singer's girl he loved who has moved away. The final previously unreleased song I Don't Want to get Hurt is a ballad which is okay to have playing in the background but not that great if actually consciously listening to the songs.\\nYou know the rest but just in case you're a little young to remember or you've been kept prisoner in a dungeon somewhere during the late 80's and throughout the 90's and couldn't here a radio I'll tell you about them.\\nThe Look is of course one of the greatest songs of all time. It used to be my favourite song was I was in primary school back in 1989 and I still love it. It's one of the only Roxette songs where Per, (the guy) is the lead singer. Dressed for Success is another sensational song and you'll often here it being played in the background of news reports of catwalks and fashion shows.\\nListen to Your Heart is one of the best love songs of all time. The edition on here is the one released in Sweden (yes song's are released in English). Dangerous is of course one of the classics and was a hit single. It's a sensational fast song with a good beat. About a girl a guy is attracted to being dangerous. Per sings the guys voice with Marie singing the girl's response.\\nIt Must Have Been Love was of course made famous from the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Another sensational love song. Joyride is another great song and one of the rare Per as lead vocal ones. Some excellent whistling solos too. Remember the film clip of them sitting on the bonnet of a red sports car as the scenery flew by? It was brilliant.\\nFading Like A Flower is another slow romantic ballad with great piano action which I don't think is as good as their others but some people love it. The Big L is about the big love. It's a fast paced great song similar sounding to Joyride but different enough not to sound like a remake.\\nSpending My Time is heavy on the lyrics and piano. About someone spending their time thinking about the person they love who has dumped them. How Do You Do! is a great song sort of deliberately stupid sounding but I like it.\\nAlmost Unreal is a motivational type hope giving magic sort of song. Sleeping In My Car is a sensational fast rock type of song about someone trying to get close to the person they like telling them what they will do for them in the back of their car.\\nCrash! Boom! Bang! is brilliant. It's slow paced but that let's you hear the lyrics clearly.\\nVulnerable is similar sounding to the previous song and again has sensational lyrics about how vulnerable a girl the singer loves is and how he doesn't want to hurt her.\\nYou have to own this album.\",\n \"Product: Limited Edition Release featuring a Bonus 15 Track Live CD.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Australians & Kiwis both claim them so u know they're great\\n\\nReview: This is a great album to own if you're not a huge fan but want the big Crowded House songs. Most of their big hits are on here but not all. Chocolate Cake is one I would have liked to have seen but you can't have everything.\\nWith both Australia and New Zealand claiming this band as their own, you know they're pretty good. Some songs do sound similar to others but there are 19 of them so even if you don't like them all, there will still be more that you do, than on most albums. If you can find the bonus edition of this album there are another 15 live songs as well although most are the same songs on the non live disc.\\nMy only disappointment was that there are no written lyrics in the CD cover. For those who have never heard of Crowded House their music is basically smooth, slow non heavy rock. You could even go so far as to say it's sort of relaxing music. Excellent CD to have playing in the background while working or to concentrate on and really listen to the music. Either way you'll enjoy this.\",\n \"Product: Drew Carey ~ Cleveland Rocks! Music From The\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the greatest TV soundtracks ever made\\n\\nReview: This is a great TV show album. Who can really say they don't feel like getting up and dancing to some of these songs when the show is playing and you're all alone. Well you've got more chance of being alone with the CD as the show is a bit too popular to be left watching by yourself.\\nThe main titles from different years are here Cleveland Rocks and Five O'Clock World. You really do feel like doing the dance moves when you here them. Buying the album for these two alone is worth the money.\\nOther songs will bring back flashbacks to your mind of the episodes they're from such as You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet when they were doing the Full Monty with the spinning brown paper boxes and The Time Warp from the episode they had the Rocky Horror Verse verse Priscilla Queen of the Desert dance off.\\nDrew Carey sings a couple of songs Moon Over Parma, 40 Cubic Feet and God Bless America. Mimi sings Christmas Parodies along with a boys choir. Other characters from the show can be heard in the songs Working in the Coal Mine and Tomorrow. The Horn Dogs who sing A Taste of Honey are Drew, Lewis, Oswald and Kate who sings out of tune with the surrounding hilarious scene of that episode also on this track. Bite Me Doughboy is actual short sentence scenes from the show mix to a fast paced music sort of song. It is pretty good.\\nFree Ride is a catchy song in the tradition of the main title songs you can dance to. Now Right Now is a fast paced great song. The sexual icecream tv commercial sounds of un homme et une femme is the music of the song A Man and A Woman. Lust for Life and Rocky Mountain Way are the other two songs in full version which only parts (not the main parts) of were actually in the episodes. They are not the best songs in the world but pleasant enough to have as background music if working. All of the songs on here appeared in some format on the episodes which aired during or before 1998. This CD also comes with a mini book inside the front cover which tells you exactly which episode each and every song is from, if you can not remember just by hearing them. It has some great photographs of the episodes. Even if you don't like every song there are 24 of them so there should be enough that you will like to get your moneys worth.\",\n \"Product: Crowded House - Woodface - Cd\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Face it this is a Great Album!\\n\\nReview: So many of the songs on this album were hugely successful hits and many you'll still hear at least once every couple of weeks on the radio even today. Chocolate Cake would be my favourite Crowded House song and the only reason I can see that it never made their greatest hits album was because so many of the other songs from this album were included and the record company still wanted people to sell lots of copies of Woodface. It's Only Natural, Fall at Your Feet, Weather With You and Four Seasons in One Day would easily be Crowded House's most played songs and they are all on this album. There's nothing wrong with the other not so famous tracks on this album either it's only because so many singles were sold of the other songs that customers figured out they should buy the album that the other songs didn't become hits as well.\\n\\nBoth Australians and New Zealanders claim this band as their own so you know you can't go wrong by buying it.\",\n \"Product: Frannie O'Neill, a dedicated young veterinarian, makes an astonishing discovery in the woods after her husband's murder\\nTitle: When the Wind Blows\\nAuthor: Patterson, James\\nPublisher: Replica Books\\nPublication Date: 1998/11/01\\nNumber of Pages: 416\\nBinding Type: HARDCOVER\\nLibrary of Congress: 98014367\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: When the wind blows kids fly\\n\\nReview: This book is a bit far fetched to be believable but it is still a good read. If you're after a sensational murder thriller book then you've come to the wrong place as this book isn't that sort of James Patterson novel.\\nThis book's about kids with wings, yeah you read right, kids with wings! Of course not everyone is happy for these kids to be out in the real world with their wings so the classic good verses evil Patterson style comes into effect.\\nIf you only read Patterson books for the serial killer theme then this book probably is not for you. If you like the fast paced short chapters and anything Patterson writes then you should get this. The Beach House and The Jester are better non detective/serial killer books in my opinion. This is a good read and worthwhile purchase but I would recommend every other Patterson book over this one. Buy this if you've read all the others first.\",\n \"Product: Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction - LP Vinyl Album\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Sweet Classic Album O' Mine\\n\\nReview: This is one of the classic 80's rock albums. The music although obviously 80's rock in style hasn't really dated much today. Sweet Child O Mine has one of the best guitar introductions ever thought of and recorded into a song. Paradise City and Welcome to the Jungle were the other two massive hits off this album but the other songs on here aren't bad either. There are no fillers on this album. This album would be a fair bit cleaner than their other albums but still contains a bit of language in the non release songs. Unlike other bands and even on some of their own albums the swearing isn't pointless and out of place but actually fits the songs.\\nIf you're only going to buy one Guns N Roses album you should buy this one. The cover booklet has all the lyrics and some weird 80's futuristic art.\",\n \"Product: Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released on March 23, 2004\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Good Collection, but Nothing on Here for Those Who Own the Original Albums\\n\\nReview: Guns N Roses had some massive hits back in the 80's then again with the simultaneous release of their Use Your Own Illusion comeback albums in the early 90's, and were certainly worthy of their place as one of the biggest bands in the world during these times. Their biggest hits from that era are all on this album which is great if your looking for something to play in your car and don't want to keep changing CDs and are morally opposed to burning your own album from your own copies of their other albums. However if you are not opposed to making your own compilation album then there is nothing new on this album for you here. If you're a new fan to the Gunners then you'll eventually want the other albums anyway so it's a bit of a waste of money purchasing this album.\\n\\nThe album is not actually the greatest hits in their single released (as you hear on the radio) versions. It is actually greatest hits of their album versions of these songs. It was disappointing on Use Your Illusion II that the song Knockin' On Heaven's Door did not contain the great voiceover intro that the single version did so this was one area where Geffen could have added something for those who have the original albums by putting the single version on this album. The only thing that this album really offers is the final track, Sympathy for the Devil which appeared on the 1994 Interview with a Vampire Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. So if you just want that song compare the price of that soundtrack against this album. Other than that you can just make this album yourself from their original albums.\",\n \"Product: Japanese Release featuring Two Bonus Tracks: \\\"i Always Get What I Want\\\", and \\\"Nobody's Home (Live Acoustic)\\\".\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Not as Sensational as Her Debut Album but Great None th Less\\n\\nReview: Another twelve superb songs by Canada's best new talent although not in the same masterpiece league as Let Go, Under My Skin is still a must have for anyone's collection. I always wait a month or so before reviewing a newly acquired album as you tend to listen to and like most albums more when they first come out which would reflect in your review if you wrote it straight away. I still listen to Under My Skin but to be honest I do listen to her first album Let Go a lot more. Still this a great collection and breath of fresh air when compared to most attractive young female singers who cannot write their own songs and rely more on image and tabloid marketing to sell their albums than raw talent. Who cares if Avril is really a punk or skater? I buy CDs for the music not the artist's image and this is another great album with no fillers.\",\n \"Product: One of the Boys is the second album from Capitol Music Group recording artist, Katy Perry. The album is Perry's first album since her Red Hill Records Christian rock debut, entitled Katy Hudson, which was recorded in 2001.The album features the singles, \\\"UR So Gay\\\" and \\\"I Kissed a Girl\\\".\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Refreshing to Hear Songs With Great Lyrics. I Listened to This Album and I Liked it! I Liked It!\\n\\nReview: A lot artists these days don't concentrate on having great lyrics anymore, especially young female artists who often rely on their looks and image created by their marketing company to sell albums rather than on the quality of the songs. Often their albums also contain the same sounding songs throughout the album but Perry has thankfully not followed suit. All songs on the album are actually telling a story and as a bonus for those who don't illegally download or copy her album the lyrics are included in the liner notes as well. The music accompaning those lyrics is great too! I didn't realise how many of the songs on here have been hits until I got this thing home and played it.\\n\\nHopefully we see Katy Perry around for years to come!\",\n \"Product: One of the Boys is the second album from Capitol Music Group recording artist, Katy Perry. The album is Perry's first album since her Red Hill Records Christian rock debut, entitled Katy Hudson, which was recorded in 2001.The album features the singles, \\\"UR So Gay\\\" and \\\"I Kissed a Girl\\\".\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Refreshing to Hear Songs With Great Lyrics. I Listened to This Album and I Liked it! I Liked It!\\n\\nReview: A lot artists these days don't concentrate on having great lyrics anymore, especially young female artists who often rely on their looks and image created by their marketing company to sell albums rather than on the quality of the songs. Often their albums also contain the same sounding songs throughout the album but Perry has thankfully not followed suit. All songs on the album are actually telling a story and as a bonus for those who don't illegally download or copy her album the lyrics are included in the liner notes as well. The music accompaning those lyrics is great too! I didn't realise how many of the songs on here have been hits until I got this thing home and played it.\\n\\nHopefully we see Katy Perry around for years to come!\",\n \"Product: Australian pressing of the 2008 album from the Aussie singer/songwriter. Curioser radiates a newfound sense of mutual certainty from the first song. \\\"The One Thing I Know\\\" is an audacious mash-up of primal percussion, stomp box, '80s Synth squiggles, oddball sound effects and operatic interjections that sticks together into a seamless three minutes of timeless radio pop. It's hard to detect any obvious lapses in potency in Kate's brief but prolific back pages. She cut her stage teeth as an annual high-school troubadour at the Woodford Folk Festival near her hometown of Brisbane: with the significant advantages of operatic training and a love of musical theatre that remains evident in her effervescent wordplay and striking visual sense. Sony/BMG.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Unique Sounding Fun Album\\n\\nReview: Had never heard of Kate Miller-Heidke before hearing a ten second sound bite of the song The Last Day on Earth on a TV commercial promoting some upcoming funeral scene or something in Neighbours (an Australian soapie show). So all I had was the name of the song and Kate's name, ridiculously there are no track listings for her albums here on Amazon so I'll provide them at the end of this review. This is not one of those get the album to get just one song buys though. Although some songs are better than others, there aren't really any fillers on here. As well as a cool mini poster of Kate living in 13 rooms inside a dolls house up to various activities, including being chased by an echidna in the attic and kneeling in a secret bomb shelter under the kitchen surrounded by just Vegemite, you also get all the songs' lyrics.\\n\\nDeep, well written and relevant to current events in society some of these lyrics are too. The most would be the regret about behaviour in high school song called Caught in the Crowd. Kate plays a character who connected with a kid who others called weird, then one day bullies beat him up and torment in front of everyone with the fact he has no friends and she wanting to be cool turned her back on him. A very relevant song in today's bullying get out of control and more and more children committing suicide as a result times.\\n\\nMusic wise these songs aren't sung like you're typical rock or pop songs. Kate Miller-Heidke uses her voice to reach high notes the other artists would rely on instruments to convey the same effects. There's still instruments in the songs but Kate's voice is by far the leading one. Although some songs are pretty deep, most are pretty fun.\\n\\nThe tracks on Curiouser are -\\n1. The Only Thing I Know\\n2. God's Gift to Women\\n3. Caught in the Crowd\\n4. Can't Shake It\\n5. The Last Day on Earth\\n6. I Like You Better When You're Not Around\\n7. Motorscooter\\n8. The End of School\\n9. Politics in Space\\n10. Supergirl\\n11. Our Song\\n12. No Truck\",\n \"Product: 2011 release from the biggest selling comedy recording artist of all time. Weird Al has returned with Alpocalypse, his first full-length studio album in nearly five years. The first single from the album was the Lady Gaga parody \\\"Perform This Way\\\". The song has Lady Gaga's full approval and blessing. Alpocalypse also features parodies of Miley Cyrus (\\\"Party In The CIA\\\"), Taylor Swift (\\\"TMZ\\\") and B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars (\\\"Another Tattoo\\\"). The album's requisite polka medley -\\\"Polka Face\\\" -features accordion-driven versions of songs by the biggest artists of the day, including Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, P!nk, Lady Antebellum and Katy Perry.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A Good Music Album but the DVD is Pretty Average\\n\\nReview: I'd rate the music CD half of Alpocalypse four stars but the DVD is pretty poor with only a few half decent film clips, all but two being animated and one of those is just various fonts of text. Many do not even have \\\"Weird Al\\\" in them at all and seem to be just some hastily put together university student fan art with Al's songs playing in the background. The DVD I'd rate 2 stars giving an overall average of three stars for the entire Deluxe Version of Alpocalypse. I think one of the main factors that lessen Alpocalypse from the peak of Al's career albums such as Even Worse and Off the Deep End is the selection of original songs to parody. Whilst the artists on here may well be the top sellers, they are pretty much artists who are marketed to the pre-teen female demographic, and not songs which people in ten years will have even heard of as they aren't songs that are likely to get much airplay beyond 2011 and are certainly not classic songs that will always be played decades into the future. Which pretty much means the parodies in the future will be pretty much listened to the same as the original songs. The original songs are good, but there's no masterpiece quality ones like You Don't Love Me Anymore, Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota, The Night Santa Went Crazy showing the talent Al has. The CD insert has all the printed lyrics.\\n\\nPerform This Way (parody of Born This Way by Gaga) is the main promotional song for Alpocalypse. It's an all right song but the initial refusal of permission by Lady Gaga has resulted in the DVD being made before that permission was granted and it's not on the DVD. This is a shame as it would have been the only one of two film clips to have Al appear in person (well his head anyway).\\n\\nCNR (an original song about deceased actor Charles Nelson Reilly) has been around since mid 2009 before it's inclusion on this album, its main attraction was that you could insert your own head into the film clip on the Jib Jab website. The film clip on the DVD is therefore pretty pointless as it's just the Jib Jab clip (complete with Jib Jab promo image at the start) without the Staring You part. Surely it would have been better to allow this clip to be an interactive program where you could add your photo on your computer or at least if you've got the DVD in your disc drive when you go onto Jib Jab you can add your photo for free (it's not free anymore).\\n\\nTMZ (parody of Taylor Swift's You Belong to Me) is a pretty good song, one of the best on the music CD, which Midnight Star style makes fun of tabloids. It's not quite as funny as Midnight Star and unfortunately the music video on the DVD is just awful. It doesn't follow the lyrics at all and is easily the most poorly drawn of all the film clips. Al's not in it, instead there's a woman and the illustrators never got past the flabby behind line with the woman's bottom appearing on screens throughout the whole song. So much missed potential for all the other funny lyrics from this song are never used in the clip at all.\\n\\nSkipper Dan's another song that seems to have been around for a few years, it's an original about a guy who expected to be an actor but instead works as a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise Ride. It's not a bad song but again the DVD clip doesn't have Al in it, however it does follow the lyrics with its imagery.\\n\\nPolka Face is the other song from the album which has no DVD film clip. It's the medley polka song that you get on most of Al's albums. Pink, Gaga, Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Katy Perry and others' songs are all given the polka treatment.\\n\\nCraigslist is an original song pretty similar to the idea of Al's former E-bay hit. Being that the website Craigslist isn't used outside of the US, this song doesn't have the global appeal though and the Doors style film clip on the DVD doesn't follow the lyrics in its imagery so therefore isn't funny. It is though the only film clip that Al appears in person.\\n\\nParty in the CIA (parody of Miley Cyrus Party in the USA). Got to admit if I have ever heard Cyrus' original song, I don't remember it so this is like an original song to me. Al's song though is very good and probably the funniest song on the entire album. The film clip is well drawn and does have imagery of all the funny lyrics but no Al character.\\n\\nRingtone (original song) and the film clip has Al in it. Interesting neither the film clip or the song actually play the annoying ringtone the song is about at any time. Basically Al keeps annoying everyone with this ringtone as he doesn't want to waste the $1.99 he spent on it.\\n\\nAnother Tattoo (parody of Nothin' on You by B.o. B) is great in the fact that a song about Tattoos is new topic for Al who has been criticised for too many food and TV songs on previous albums. It's a pretty good song and will no doubt outlast the original song it is a parody of. The film clip on the DVD though is very averagely drawn, it does follow the lyrics but has no Al character.\\n\\nIf That Isn't Love would be the best original song on Alpocalypse. It's you typical creepy guy love song where Al is probably more honest than most popular culture love songs. Again Al is not in the animated film clip which is characters with oversized heads. At times the film clip follows the lyrics and at others doesn't such as the warming freezing hands line.\\n\\nWhatever You Like (parody of Whatever You Like by T.I). You certainly don't hear the original song this is a parody of played anymore which just highlights the fact that Al is not picking timeless classics anymore. Hip Hop (or Rap) songs just don't stand the test of time, I don't know why Al includes them, especially one like this that never really was that successful in the first place. Al's new lyrics are quite funny. The film clip is quite good with photo animation with Al and others heads being rotated or shaken if you will to tell the story which does follow the lyrics. One of the best film clips on the DVD.\\n\\nThe final song Stop Forwarding This Crap to Me is an original song about a topic that was probably more relevant in the 90s when social e-mail was big and forwarding annoying e-mails was a big fad. Facebook and similar websites have pretty much brought to a stop this practice simply because no one really uses e-mail socially anymore. Still you can probably remember this annoying forwarding practice and will remember a lot of the examples Al uses in his lyrics. The film clip is very basic but would be effective if sending as an attachment to someone who still does this practice. It's simply various fonts of the lyrics going across the screen.\\n\\nThe parody song film clips really fall short in that they are not parodies of the original artist film clips like we have come to expect. Plus some just simply aren't very good. Unless you're a \\\"Weird Al\\\" film clip collector like myself, you're probably going to want to go with the stand alone much cheaper music CD only version of Alpocalypse. Al released many of these clips to view for free on YouTube and other sites over the last couple of years so you should be able to at least track them down and view them first to see if you want to spend the extra cash on the Deluxe CD and DVD version of this album.\",\n \"Product: Original soundtrack to the 2011 motion picture. Jam-packed with music, the movie has all of the Muppets performing classic and new songs that you will love to experience over and over again...including \\\"Rainbow Connection,\\\" \\\"Mahna, Mahna,\\\" \\\"Muppet Theme Song\\\" and more! Plus, newly recorded songs written by Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) like \\\"Man or Muppet\\\" featuring Jason Segel and Peter Linz, \\\"Life's A Happy Song\\\" and \\\"Me Party\\\" performed by Amy Adams and Miss Piggy.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: They're Back! What a Great Album! Makes We Want to Watch the Movie Now!\\n\\nReview: I haven't actually seen the movie yet but I was reading the tracks on the back of this soundtrack, it seemed like a lot of fun so I thought I'd give it a go. I wasn't disappointed, this album has a lot of modern music elements to it, but throws in a bit of nostalgia with old songs (new sounding, not the same versions) Mah Na Mah Na, and Rainbow Connection that I remember from my childhood on either the TV show or one of their other movies. I also liked how along with the 15 songs on here, that there are 15 sound bites from the film. They all flow naturally into the songs and unlike a lot of soundtracks, they have separated them into individual separate tracks from the following songs. This means you can memory your player to just play songs, or just play sound bites depending on your mood.\\n\\nActors Jason Segel and Amy Adams have great singing voices on here as well. Life's a Happy Song, is a nice number which brilliantly showcases their talents. Of course there's Muppet voiced songs too, I loved their versions of Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Forget You, sung by chicken boks is brilliant. This one may particularly annoy others if you play it over and over again, making it even more fun. There's a few original artist songs such as We Built This City by Starship and Paul Simon's Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard. I would have preferred the Muppets to have had a go at them but I guess they must have been in the film as original versions. They are still great songs anyway. I loved this album, it's made up my mind to watch the movie even though I haven't been a kid for a while.\\n\\nBy the way you get a nice little cover insert with this that has a lot of nice colour photo stills from the movie. All the main character Muppets are in there somewhere. Other than the original artist sung songs, all the others have the lyrics printed so you can sing along or prove once and for all in friendly arguments with your friends what the lyrics actually are. It also tells you who are the voices of the various characters, interestingly they are men, so Miss Piggy and the others, all voiced by guys!\",\n \"Product: 2012 album from the enormously popular Swedish duo. While zigzagging between airports, arenas, hotels and meeting with fans from all over the world, the band also has found time to record the album Travelling. The idea has been to tap into all the positive energy that has boosted the band during this dazzling trip, and channel it to new Roxette music. In short, an album that just like 1992's Tourism captures the feeling of a band on a roll-constantly on the move, snatching inspiration as they go; recording in hotel rooms, studios, at soundchecks and in concert. The result is a fascinating musical postcard with 15 superb songs, most of which are new, some that are revisited classics and others being pearls that for various reasons hasn't seen the light of day before. EMI.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Album is Like a Celebration that Roxette's Back!\\n\\nReview: Whilst Roxette's previous album Charmed School needed to grow on you through repeated playing, Travelling grips you by the ear with its upbeat nature from the first song. Travelling is very different sounding to Charmed School and definitely different to Look Sharp and Joyride their most successful chart wise albums that made these two a household name at the peak of their career in the late 80s/early 90s. When you hit the play button on Travelling it sounds like Roxette is simply celebrating life. The apprehensive times that were around when the more slower paced at time depressing previous album was written are clearly over, the hurdle of if Marie will make a successful recovery and comeback from her brain surgery and be able to contribute to both the studio songs and live at concerts to the extent she is happy with, has obviously been jumped over and is clearly evident in these songs. Travelling is just pure fun, it's an album that shouts \\\"We're Back!\\\" For that, if you've been a fan throughout this duo's career, you can't help but instantly like it and want to celebrate with Per, Marie and the lesser known band members.\\n\\nA lot of the initial songs have a bit of a Beatles era sound to them, Marie is even wearing a Beatles shirt in the cover insert photos, and even Cat Stevens seems to have been a bit in Per's mind by the time he wrote the fifth song Easy Way Out. It's a bit puzzling why they put two versions of It's Possible on here (tracks 6 and 14) when they are virtually identical sounding. The only difference lyric wise is the end of the sentence often repeated throughout the song \\\"When you give me that look I just wanna oh oh oh,\\\" changes to \\\"When you give me that look I just wanna let it show,\\\" the second time round. Not a bad song, but not sure it warrants being on here twice instead of some other new song or live version or rerecording of an old song that might have missed the cut.\\n\\nRerecordings of Stars as well as It Must Have Been Love are included on Travelling, a similar project to what Roxette did on their Tourism album. Both work well here. I really like what they did with It Must Have Been Love on here with the addition of a Rotterdam orchestra adding brass sounds as well as a drum intro to the old song. Even though the lyrics are still the same the song sounds different enough that you don't instantly picture the Pretty Woman film clip that you do when the original version plays, which is nice as it lets you really appreciate the lyrics.\\n\\nShe's Got Nothing on (But the Radio) is on here as a live version performed in front of a crowd in Rio De Janero. I actually think this song sounds better live than it did on Charmed School. This album was made on the road during their world tour where obviously this song was performed to promote their new album, the crowd cheers more so than sings the words, possibly because a large portion of them had never heard it before, being that it really didn't do anything impact wise on the charts.\\n\\nThis album also comes with the lyrics to all the songs in the CD insert and some photos performing, in hotels and things like this. It's a nice sounding album, probably more of something you'll put on in the background when working or surfing the net rather than forcing you to get up and dance or pretend your singing or playing guitar such as you no doubt did (or maybe that was just me) with songs like The Look, Dressed for Success, Joyride, Dangerous, The Big Love and How Do You Do from their earlier albums.\",\n \"Product: 2013 release, the second volume of songs featured in the first season of the hit TV series Nashville. The series stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, a legendary country music superstar, whose stardom begins fading, and Hayden Panettiere as rising teen star Juliette Barnes. In the series, Rayna James is the established \\\"Queen of Country\\\" music. However, her latest album is not selling well and her tour is playing to half empty venues. Her record label suggests that she open for Juliette Barnes, the young and sexy best selling singer of bubble gum country. However, Juliette, seeing Rayna as washed up, purposefully alienates her and Rayna, who dislikes Juliette's style of music, rejects a joint tour out of hand. The two women come into conflict as both try to get guitarist Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten), Rayna's bandmate and former lover, to sign onto their tour. The soundtrack features performances from the two starts as well as Charles Esten, Sam Palladio and others.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Still Not as Good as Later Seasons But A Lot Better Than Season 1 Volume 1\\n\\nReview: Still disappointing but a lot better than the first album Season 1 Volume 1. Volume 2 starts of strongly with Scarlett and Gunna (Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio)'s best duet of the first season Fade Into You. It's darker vibe than their other duets in this season. Likewise Ho Hey by the Stella sisters (Maddie and Daphne Conrad) would easily be their best song of well I'd actually say all first three season albums. Gunna's first solo on a Nashville soundtrack album Gun for a Mouth is also one of his best. But the quality of songs on this album drops off after the strong beginning only rising again a few times before the album's over with Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere)'s Hypnotizing, and hers and the album's final song Nothing in This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again, being pretty good too.\\n\\nJuliette's song We are Water, Scarlett (Clare Bowen)'s Looking for a Place to Shine, and Rayna James (Connie Britton)'s Stronger Than Me all are a bit new agey, hippieish sitting around a fire banging tambourine style with a bit of religious vibe thrown in for some reason. Can't say I'm a fan of those, I can't even remember them from the show. Rayna's Bitter Memory is faster and okay but like most of the first album songs suffers from repetition. Jonathan Jackson (Avery)'s Let There Be Lonely has a bit of piano action in it, it's not a bad sad ballad, but not something I'd add to a playlist. I will fall (Avery, Scarlett and Gunna) has some fiddle action but again is repetitive. Later album songs seem to have either better writers or have more effort put into them.\",\n \"Product: Top-selling comedian returns with 2014 album featuring parodies of Lorde, Pharrell Williams, Igyy Azalea etc.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Al's Last Ever Album Has Some Unique Topics\\n\\nReview: Al's mentioned this is his last ever album, in a way that's kind of sad as someone who bought every single one of them over the years, it will be a shame not to have a tangible little CD capturing what were the dominant songs of the era between albums in an historical collection of parodies of those songs along with some really cool and funny originals thrown in. But besides the fact that how much of your music listening do you do from the actual CDs and not the ripped tracks you've put onto your Kindle or whatever device is anyway, you can see why Al has made this decision. Not just this latest album but we have seen it on past albums as well, the benefits of being able to release a parody when the original is still fresh on the airwaves and not an oh yeah I remember that song, that was really popular six months ago but no one plays it anymore. I think Tacky if this album came out next year would be one those songs, as the fad of original Happy dies out and goes the way of Gangman Style, The Macarena and other novelty dance tunes. But being Happy is still on the airwaves, is no doubt why most people at my work asked for Tacky to be played again more than any other song on this album when I brought it in. I just hope the non parody original Al songs are around in the same numbers in the future too.\\n\\nMandatory Fun is obviously poking fun of North Korean style of we'll tell you what you love, such as we your glorious leaders. It's a bit a shame there's no song on here that's got anything to do with that. Would have been an interesting topic. Perhaps there was and it didn't make the cut, although time wise there was certainly room on here for a few more songs.\\n\\nThat's the thing some songs on here are pretty short. The most noticeable is Foil (parody of Royals). I have no idea how long the original is but surely it is longer than 2:22. Foil incidentally is about the topic of aluminium foil and its importance to the safe existence of the singer character. On first listen I was thinking, all right it's an original topic but, food storage safety preference isn't exactly that interesting a topic, but then half way through, we get to know a little bit more of what's going on inside the character's head. This would after repeated listening of all the parodies, be my clear cut favourite. I'll point out that I'm no huge fan of any of the original artist versions of the songs on here, in fact I haven't even heard some of them.\\n\\nTacky has clever funny lyrics too and sung in the spirit of the original Happy. Word Crimes, parody of Blurred lines, a song about grammar, only Al could write a song about grammar that you want to listen to. Google the lyrics as you play this one to appreciate just how brilliant it is. Doing so also lets you realise some things happening in the song you can't quite make out, such as the singer character gets fed up that the listener isn't following their advice gives up and tells them to go away at the end. I was surprised though that Al used the term spastic in the lyrics though. Perhaps this isn't taboo in America like it out here in Australia, or perhaps only someone like Al can get away with not being politically correct, or maybe his character was supposed to be a cranky old man who doesn't care for political correctness especially by a world not speaking correctly anyway and that's part of the joke. Anyway it's a very clever and well done song.\\n\\nInactive (parody of Radioactive) I barely remember the original, just the chorus and Al's version has some clever lyrics, they are just a little hard to make out at times being it's sung in the style of the original. Handy is apparently a parody of some song called Fancy, can't say I've heard of it or even plan to after listening to Al's version. Handy for me is the weakest of all the songs on the album, each time I listen to it I just think of The Plumbing Song and the better lyrics it had on the same topic and the fact even though I didn't like the original songs it parodied either, I've actually heard of Milli Vanilli.\\n\\nThe best of the original songs would easily be the final track Jackson Park Express, it's the extra long track Al puts on an album every now and then. It's a stalker song in the vain of Melanie, Good Old Days and others where Al makes an effort to cross that thin line between funny and going to far, and does a very good job of it. About a guy who catches a bus, sees a girl for the first time, who misreads all the signals from the girl who thinks he is a creep.\\n\\nAnother great original is My Own Eyes, again you'll need to look up the lyrics to fully appreciate this one as some are a bit hard to understand but this is a funny song, about weird observations the singer has seen out on the streets. Sport Song seems to be written in the style of a marching band like M I C K E Y M O U S E, basically about us being great and you suck. This line is repeated a lot in the song. Listenable but not one I'd play much. Perhaps if you've grown up with American high school sports, bands and cheerleaders and can appreciate this as a parody of that experience you'd get more out of it. Lame Claim to Fame was nothing special, sounds very similar to a lot of Al's other non parody songs sung in the first person.\\n\\nFirst World Problems is basically a character whining about things going wrong which are obviously quite minor compared to stuff going on in the rest of the world (or even other social circumstances in America) they no doubt don't care about if their even aware of. Mission Statement, now this is odd Weird Al song being that it's not full of funny lyrics. It uses a lot of stupid corporate sentences used in their memos, posters, guidelines and other communications to staff. Pretty much just flowing them together for 4:28, which incidentally is the second longest timeframe for a song on Mandatory Fun. The music side of the song instantly conjures up images of Hippies and Kombi vans, festivals and the like. Perhaps if old enough to have experienced that, (as Al is) then you'll get more out of this song than me.\\n\\nOf course we also have the polka medley Now That's What I Call Polka. Like them or hate them, Al has captured most of the biggest songs on the airwaves between his last album and this one. I have no idea what the song about Grandpa's clothes is, and unless they are opening verses to Wrecking Ball I don't know what the songs before that song appears are at the start either, but other than those Al does a good job of summing up what's been playing on the radio. It could have been slightly longer though, We Are Never Getting Back Together would be the only other chart domination song that I expected to be a part of the medley that wasn't.\",\n \"Product: Brisbane twins make their long awaited return with their 3rd studio album, featuring the #1 single 'You Ruin Me'\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Album From A Talented Duo We Haven't Heard From (Album Wise) For a Few Years\\n\\nReview: Oddly most bands or singers usually have their self-titled album as their first one, yet The Veronicas have done so around eight years after they made the big time with a couple of albums under their belts. Still I guess they haven't released an album in a while and this one is their comeback. This one's good value to with 14 tracks, a lot more than most artists put on their albums these days, so even though there's two songs on here I'm not a huge fan of and am unlikely to keep in my playlist, they've still got 12 that I will and that's as good as most albums I rate 5 stars. This album is less pop, darker themed and in a little bit country sounding on some tracks then their previous albums. Each song is reviewed in the order they are on the album.\\n\\nSanctified if you didn't know what you're into with the Veronicas, it's not going to become immediately clear with the opening track. As it starts you're immediately picturing line dancing, a gothic church, Southern America True Blood type towns, by the instrumental sound anyway. Then you've got the constant imitation of an owl lyric wise on top. It's a pretty cool song but not one I think will get much airplay due to the ambiguity of what music genre radio station it belongs on and certainly not when this album isn't fresh. But I liked it, I liked it a lot.\\n\\nDid You Miss Me I'm a Veronica, why, why do record companies insist on featuring rap sampling into mainstream music? For those who can remember the 80's this song does have a nice nostalgic feel to it with a swear word used heavily in that decade about someone's sexual relationship with their mother prominent in this one. This is a fast song, but could have done without the rapping.\\n\\nThe third track Cruel is simply brilliant. Easily my favourite of the album. I don't know if they plan on releasing this as a single but they should. It's a lot better than If You Love Someone that they did release. The singer character doesn't like being treated like a stranger and her Summer being turned into Winter. She dreams of cutting some girl's hair in her sleep. Yeah not exactly sure what's going on with this story lyric wise, a little twist of the knife, dreaming of being someone's wife and other words, possibly another girl married the guy she likes I don't know but music sound wise this one is excellent. Even though the lyrics may be dark it's an upbeat song.\\n\\nLine of Fire starts off with some 80's arcade sounds which continue throughout the song. The song is sung emphasising each word in the sentence, except for the chorus where the singer apologises for being a really bad liar and tells the person being sung to they just blow them away. Then the other Veronica starts singing about feeling like a hunter. Sound wise other than the arcade game music in the background this is like the sort of thing you'd here in a bar with those little circle tables being played by a band on stage. It's a pretty good song.\\n\\nTeenage Millionaire is a light song as you would expect from the title. It's not as you might have assumed about how the sisters became millionaires when they hit the big time with their massive number of album sales of Secret Life of the Veronicas back in 2006. This one is very much a pop song. About being in a relationship that makes the singer character feel like a teenage millionaire. Something like you'd expect to see redone on Glee if that was still going. Something you might well not rip and add to your playlist from this album.\\n\\nBorn Bob Dylan is my second favourite song on here. It starts off a slow guitar riff song. The singer character is being kept up all night by a dilemma of needing to open up to some guy and wishes he could just read her mind. She wishes she was born Bob Dylan so she could communicate her message better. The song gets faster when this wish comes into play. Sort of has a country music sound to this one, it's very catchy, I could see this making it as a single if they choose to release it as one.\\n\\nAlways, no this isn't a cover of Bon Jovi's biggest selling song. It's not even about stalking, I think, although it is about the aftermath of something that has happened. Has a heavy repeating drum beat and piano action throughout. About a house and a guy where she's telling him what she didn't say. I think she may have killed him or at least sent him to the hospital. Both girls sing the words always preceded by oh a oh a ohhhooooo in unison before they tell us I said Always. The other words are fastly sung. A very good song.\\n\\nMad Love synthesized sounds at the start. Fast song has rapping in it (again why?) mixed with a Southern gospel sounding voice with a drum sound emulating clapping like Southern American church choir singers do. The singer is telling some guy who she knew was trouble from the day she metcha, one look in your eyes she cannot forget ya, is telling someone they make them feel oooooh ooooohhh mad love mad love! Those verses are sung a lot faster than the rest of the song.\\n\\nYou Ruin Me, you would have to have been in a coma or on a deserted island or something like that not to have heard this one, it certainly gets played at least once an hour on the radio and every TV music clip show. This is a good song which has relaunched this duo, it's powerful lyric impact full of emotion about how some guy has not only not appreciated the female character but ruined her as well. In the film clip he's tied up in the boot of their car and, well he's probably not going to be alive much longer. This song will still be played on radio in decades to come, in may well become The Veronicas signature song when their music careers are long and over.\\n\\nMore Like Me is an apology to some guy. She wishes he was more like her and therefore he would have kissed her longer, scratch a heart a little deeper, hit a little harder). Possibly she's just killed this guy who didn't realise she was a bigger psychopath than him and he underestimated her as a victim. He tells him he should have screamed a little louder. A cool song, if you appreciate stories in the lyrics.\\n\\nIf You Love Someone, I actually wondered what other singles were going to be released after You Ruin Me and upon playing this realised this one actually has been around for a while. I just never realised it was by The Veronicas. A fast lyric wise pace with the words If You Love Someone sung impactly. It didn't interest me much before I knew it was by them, I've listened to it a fair few times now that I have this album and it has grown on me a little.\\n\\nCold another song with a lot of piano action. Chanting fast talking like the song Popular from the 90's by Nada Surf, where the singer's character is having a go at some guy. Has the f word in it but it is done tastefully. With a nice softer voice song about someone making her shiver and she's dying here and crying for the you she remembers. Possibly she's just been stabbed.\\n\\nLet Me Out a slow lyric based song. A bit of piano in the background. She's too scared to sleep in case she sees him in her dreams. She's making it easy for some guy to leave her. She sings she can't take the pain. Possibly she's been held captive in an underground bunker or something by an ex boyfriend or a stalker. This one has a nice haunted sound to it.\\n\\nYou and Me, bit of a Dixie Chicks sound to this one. About a couple growing up so far and a reflection on the past asking where did those days go? What would I do without you? It even mentions a UFO at one stage.\",\n \"Product: VARIOUS ARTISTS - TROLLS (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK) (WITH ANIMATED COVER) - CD\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: What a Fun Album, I'll Definitely Check Out the Trolls Movie Now!\\n\\nReview: I haven't seen the movie, but checked this soundtrack out because it had a song on it by Ariana Grande. I wasn't just impressed by her song but all the songs on here. Like Dreamworks films of the past such as Shrek, Trolls' soundtrack has a few original songs and the rest are covers sung by the actors in the voices of their characters. Like the Shrek soundtrack, this one is a lot of fun too. Some of the Troll actors have a fairly lengthy record of chart success on their own or from singing in movies/TV shows, such as Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel and Anna Kendrick. I remember the Trolls fad from when I was a kid, although I never got into myself. I remember Mimi on the Drew Carey Show embraced the collecting concept. Wonder if they give the actress who played her a cameo in the film? The songs seem to capture the big hair of those figures, with hair being substituted for feet in the third song on the album's medley Move Your Feet. The fun of this album definitely makes me want to check out the movie when it comes out on DVD.\\n\\nTrack 1 Hair Up - Has trolls I guess going nahhh nahhhh nahhhh nahhhh to the tune of In the Hall From the Mountain. Gwen Stefani and Justin Timeberlake adding some film related lyrics to the classical song.\\n\\nTrack 2 Can't Stop the Feeling has two versions on the album, this one the version you've probably heard on the radio, and the one at track 10, which is the version used in the movie. It's a fun fast dance song.\\n\\nTrack 3 Not sure why they didn't call this track Move Your Hair / D.A.N.C.E / It's A Sunshine Day since they never sing the word feet as originally sung in Junior Seniors 2003 hit, one of the three songs covered in this medly. This one has a lot of encouraging characters from the film to dance, so have the actors especially Kendrick singing in their character voice. It's another fun fast dance number.\\n\\nTrack 4 Get Back Up Again is sung by Anna Kendrick who does the whole spoken singing style she did on songs in previous movies like Into the Woods. It's a motivation song about not giving up, but is very kid aimed due to the spoken obviously done in character song.\\n\\nTrack 5 Sound of Silence - Another Kendrick lead singer song (sounds like Kermit is the lead background singer, it will be a movie character obviously but that's what it sounds like), it only goes for 48 seconds. I found the whole \\\"hello\\\" interpution voice hilarious at 12 seconds the first time I heard this, since it singing about silence. It's a version of the old Simon & Garfunkel song.\\n\\nTrack 6 Hello - Again a shortened version (1:37) of a classic older song, this time Lionel Richie's 1983 ballad. Zooey Deschanel does a nice version here.\\n\\nTrack 7 I'm Coming Out/ Mo Money Mo Problems - Not a track that did much for me but if you liked The Notorious B.I.G.'s version or are into hip hop you might like this one more than me.\\n\\nTrack 8 They Don't Know - This is a fun song by Ariana Grande, she sings about the wind on her pony, which I'm guessing is a ponytail hair reference and not a flatulence issue with her horse, since the Trolls are all about hair after all. Like most of this album this is another motivational song about not letting others darken your day, dance like it's us against the world and that sort of thing. But it's a nice tune without some hip hop artist no ones ever heard of ruining a good song by wrapping a few lines in the middle as is usually the case with Ariana's songs.\\n\\nTrack 9 True Colors - There's two versions of this cover song on here. This one is more original instrument and voice performance wise, the latter the final album track sounds more like Cyndi Lauper's original ballad. Depends more what your looking for with a cover to which you'll download. Perhaps you'll do both. Justin Timberlake sings most of the lyrics, but it is a duet with Anna Kendrick who appears around the minute 40 mark. She sings in her own great natural singing voice as opposed to the character voice in other songs on here. Both artists do the iconic song great justice here.\\n\\nTrack 10 Can't Stop This Feeling - The in movie version of the song, different to track 2.\\n\\nTrack 11 September - Timberlake and Kendrick cover Earth Wind and Fire's song singing to each other, one sings one verse, the other the next. Earth Wind and Fire sing the chorus. Can't say this song did much for me, but maybe it will mean more once I've seen the movie and know the song in context.\\n\\nTrack 12 What You Workin' With - Gwen Stefani and Timberlake. I'm pretty sure this is an original song. Not one of my favourites on the album but again maybe it will grow on me when I see where it was used in the movie.\\n\\nTrack 13 True Colors - Closer to Lauper's original than the other version.\",\n \"Product: The Circle is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. The Circle takes the band back to the rock roots after their prior Nashville country music influenced album Lost Highway. The Circle was inspired by the economic meltdown and political turmoil around the world. The Circle debuted at the number-one position on the U.S. Billboard 200. Continuing with its vinyl reissue campaign UMe will be pressing this album on vinyl (180 gram) for the first time.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: No Masterpieces on Here But a Better Album than We've Heard for a While!\\n\\nReview: The Circle is by no means anywhere in the league that the masterpiece 80s and first half of the 90s albums were. It is the best album Bon Jovi have brought out since the only good for a frisbee album crush started the run of very, very average albums. There's no big hits on here, there's nothing that'll even probably be played in years to come on the radio, the only song that may make the concert playlist is the first We Weren't Born to Follow which seems to be what it was written for. By the way if you have never been to a Bon Jovi concert, definitely do so, a better live act you won't come across. The rest on this album are pretty much just fillers but they are mostly quite pleasant to listen to fillers background music pretty much. Lyric wise a lot are questionable, the time taken to write those lyrics seems rushed, music wise, there's nothing special in any of them and a few sample riffs from old big hits, others just seem like remakes of what they've done before.\\n\\nWhen Were Beautiful - sound like it should be on a soundtrack playing in the background of a scene with a big open sky or something. It's all right but nothing to recommend the album.\\n\\nWork for the Working Man - Samples the intro guitar riff from Livin' on a Prayer and plays it over and again throughout the song rather than coming up with something original. I like that riff, but if I want to hear it I'll put on Slippery When Wet. It's not bad for a filler song on this album but it's obviously has no potential to be a single. A thing about Bon Jovi's great albums was every song had the potential to be a smash hit. As far as songs representing the working class man though, there's a lot better out there. The lyrics aren't really clear on what this song is supposed to be telling us either. Is the working man in trouble? Is he prosperous? \\\"Whose going to work the working man, hurt for the working man?\\\" Did the working man just win lotto? Become a rock star? Who knows. Guess it's hard to write a song about the working man when you've had millions of dollars and women throwing themselves at you your whole adult life, however they did do it well in the past, Dry County for example.\\n\\nSuperman Tonight - Sounds like the soundtrack songs that used to play during low budget 80s TV shows like The Henderson Kids. Lyrics ask whose going to save you from a bunch of scenarios and the character singing wishes he could be your superman tonight? Why can't he? Unless he's dead or a ghost or something, I don't see the problem.\\n\\nBullet - Sounds a bit like Hey God from These Days lyrics and intro musically wise. It even mentions God in the same context \\\"God are you listening\\\". Run out of ideas fellas? With lyrics like \\\"What is the distance between a bullet and a gun?\\\" it's no wonder their stealing from past work. I mean what is that, couldn't find a tape measure? Why would you need to know this anyway. Won't it change when either of these items is picked up?\\n\\nThorn in My Side - Lyrics to a very basic guitar riff. Bon Jovi sings a song to a thorn, yes a thorn, that is embedded in his side. He basically tells the thorn his life story (well not his own, but the character he is portraying). Apparently there is some danger that this thorn will take his pride, is stopping him from running, and pestering him in other ways. Just pull it out Jon! Get some tweezers if you can't get a grip with your hands. Singing to it is not going to solve anything!\\n\\nLive Before You Die - When this first started playing I thought it was just a remake of the song These Days. It's not, it's basically a bunch of different people throughout his life that tell him you've got live before you die. Would have thought that was pretty obvious, but maybe not! And what's this there's one thing he never forgets \\\"when you're young you always think, the sun is going to shine\\\". Wtf is this? Is this an environmental message that pollution will block out the sun in the years ahead? Who knows!\\n\\nBrokenpromiseland - A song with a basic guitar riff rotated over and over again. Bon Jovi tells us to imagine a vision of angels falling out of the sky. I think there's some sort of war waging on between good and evil. Either that or God has broken his promise to the worshipers and the character singing is breaking out of the church/cult or whatever. Lyric wise it is refreshing to see something completely new but musically it is another filler. Surprisingly Desmond Child co-wrote this one.\\n\\nLoves the Only Rule - Computer game sounding background sounds with a guitar playing. Basically this upbeat song is telling the listener the only rule is love. Everything else you've heard is wrong and you should do what do most would just call you crazy for doing Eg \\\"Fly like an aeroplane, dance in the pouring rain, spit in the eye of a hurricane\\\", the advice is limited to what rhymes with these lines. Probably one the best of these songs on The Circle.\\n\\nFast Cars - This must be some game Bon Jovi, Richie, Tico or David plays with their kids that somehow got recorded as a song. In it Bon Jovi pretends they (him and whoever he's singing to) are fast cars and role plays through the lyrics. If you're under ten, you'll love it! Maybe if you've also got kids you'll enjoy playing it and singing along with them. If not you'll probably just press skip.\\n\\nHappy Now- Asks what you would say to him if he told you he had a dream. Then tells you he wants to start a fight and throw rocks and starts demanding that you don't try to drag him down. Is he drunk or insane, either way you're leaving the house for while and maybe returning with the cops.\\n\\nLearn to Love - Lots of piano action in this one. Sings in a slurred drunken manner (probably the same character from the song before after a few more drinks) that you've got to learn to love the world you're in . Then recounts some suicidal experience where he held a gun in his hands. If you didn't change the locks after the last song you will after this.\\n\\nThere's no songs on The Circle that will be requested on the radio in decades or even years to come. Nothing but We Weren't Born to Follow are likely to make the playlists in future concert years, fans won't be holding out to hear any of these. saying all that though, most are quite good as background music even if the lyrics are a bit average. An album of what would be fillers on early career albums are actually quite listenable to. Well except for Fast Cars, unless your ten!\",\n \"Product: The Second Single to Be Lifted from Avril Lavigne's Debut Album 'let Go'. Includes the Exclusive B-sides \\\"Get Over It\\\" and a Live Version of \\\"Nobody's Fool\\\".\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Not as good as Complicated but still good\\n\\nReview: I love the single sk8er boy even though I'm not into skating. It's a catchy song and if you don't take it exactly at the context it's about people from different social groups who don't get together due to outside pressures then regret it later.\\nGet Over is pretty good, not her best song but still good.\\nThe live song isn't that great but I mean how long has she performing live. It may be worth having this to look back in twenty years and here how she used to sound live. She already has exceptional songwriting and singing sounds for the studio I'm sure with a bit more performing she'll become a lot better live.\\nI would recommend buying the Complicated single instead if looking for other Avril Lavigne songs that aren't on the album.\",\n \"Product: Grab some popcorn and a libation, and take a trip down Bowling for Soup's television and movie music lane with Bowling for Soup Goes to the Movies! This new album features the BFS-penned '5 O'Clock World' (Drew Carey Show theme), 'Here We Go', (from Scooby Doo 2 Soundtrack), 'Baby One More Time', (Britney Spears cover), several unreleased tracks and covers, and more! Jive. 2005.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Nice Collection of Movie/TV Tracks and Cover Songs\\n\\nReview: This is a pretty fun album. It does have a lot more covers of songs by other artists than their other albums, but they still all sound different to the originals. Downloading music has the severe disadvantage that you don't get liner notes. Where I know I've included the movie/TV show the song is from, but some I'm not sure. Feel free to comment if you know.\\n\\nJimmy Neutron Theme is from the movie version of the TV show. That show was a bit after my childhood. It's not a bad song but I'm not really into it.\\n\\n(Ready or Not) Omaha, Nebraska can't say I'm a fan of this one. Repeats a lot of lyrics including doo doo dooo.\\n\\nGreatest Day (Not to be confused with the Phineas and Ferb theme song Today is Gonna Be a Great Day also by BFS which you'll find on that show's official soundtrack). This is a pretty slow song about a guy who is determined to have his greatest day sort of Ferris style. Apparently this appeared in a Malcolm in the Middle episode and a few movies.\\n\\nBaby One More Time - Of course made famous when sung by Britney Spears. Don't know what the BFS version was used in. BFS sounds different to Spears' one. More like a punk version. I love this version. Who knows what the song is about? Is it just about a game of Poker, domestic violence where the singer taunts their partner to hit them one more time. Anyway it goes well with 99 Biker Friends.\\n\\nHere We Go - from Scooby Doo 2. A bit too childish sound wise for my tastes.\\n\\nUndertow - A pretty good song, normal BFS sound style with a bit of a Beachboys style whoooooo in the chorus obviously referencing the ocean. About a guy not quite understanding his girlfriend who is like the perfect wave in shark infested waters. No idea what movie/TV show this was used in though.\\n\\nSpanish Harlem - About a rose that only comes out when the moon is on the run but it has never seen the sun. This song wasn't something I kept. I don't know what it's from.\\n\\nLive it Up is a song that uses the words been too long quite a bit, well too often it gets a bit annoying. Again I don't know what this was used for.\\n\\nStar Song - A very good message about being beautiful the way you are. Lacks the humour of Normal Chicks and other songs by BFS that have covered this topic. An okay song but those others sound better. Not sure what this is from but it sounds like a female teen driven movie song.\\n\\nI Melt With You - From the film Sky High. A bit of a soppy love song, originally sung in the early 80's by the band Modern English. It was back in the 80's a song about sex when nuclear bombs were falling. BFS version has some different lyrics making this actually less controversial (opposite you usually expect with BFS). The second line for example is now more \\\"being friends with you\\\", it was \\\"making love to you\\\".\\n\\n5 O'clock World - Not sure what this version was used in, but the original by The Vogues is obviously famous as the theme song to the Drew Carey Show. Perhaps that's simply the reason it's on this album. BFS version has more guitar and drums and lacks the get up and move to it feel of the Vogues. It's still good but of the two I prefer the Vogues version.\\n\\nGilligan's Island Theme - If you were after a song making fun of the show like \\\"Weird Al\\\" did with Isle Thing you might be disappointed. BFS don't change the lyrics at all. It keeps mostly the same tune to the original but mixes in kid show pirate maritime music as well. I like it but I do have a lot of TV theme shows on my Kindle.\\n\\nLil' Red Riding Hood, it's a cover of Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs hit from the 60's. It's actually one of my favourite BFS songs. You will have heard the chorus before (by BFS or one of the many bands who have covered it over the years). \\\"Hey there little red riding hood, you sure are looking good, you're everything that a big bad wolf could want\\\" (followed by a howl). Whenever the Amanda Seyfried movie is coming up on TV they always play it as part of the commercial. BFS version was in some movie called Cursed, have to admit I've never heard of that movie either. BFS do a great version where it's obvious they are having a lot of fun recording it.\\n\\nSometimes is a slower paced song about how a girl makes the singer feel, and how he thinks about her but he only thinks that sometimes. Probably the most similar song to their regular albums, it's a good song.\\n\\nSick of Myself has a rolling style chorus. About being sick of yourself when you look at someone else. Cover of a song originally sung by Matthew Sweet in the mid 90s. No idea what movie/TV show this was used for.\\n\\nSOHO - (found on the deluxe version of Goes to the Movies). You'll also find this song on Let's Do it For Johnny (Australian version anyway). About a girl but also New York. Possibly seeing a girl, liking her but never connecting. Sort of like James Blunt's You're Beautiful, topic wise but definitely not sound wise. Again not sure what movie this is from.\\n\\nMajor Denial (also found of deluxe version of Goes to Movies) You might have this if you bought the single 1985 as it was one of the bonus tracks. Basically a stalker song about a guy who likes a girl who has a boyfriend who clearly isn't interested, she kicks him in the nuts, breaks his nose and does other interesting stuff to him. He has even an encounter with her dog amongst other things. He just wants to get married to her in Las Vegas.\",\n \"Product: Bowling For Soup's follow-up to their gold-certified A Hangover You Don't Deserve, the new album The Great Burrito Extortion Case has the hit new single \\\"High School Never Ends\\\" as well as the heart-wrenching ballad \\\"When We Die.\\\" This album mixes wit with pop culture references and has a slew of guest producers from Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, P!nk, etc.) and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) as well as guest writers Butch Walker, Adam Schlesinger, Stacy Jones (American Hi Fi), Zac Malloy, and Mitch Allen.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Couple of BFS's Biggest Songs Are on This One\\n\\nReview: Great Burrito Extortion Case contains a couple of Bowling for Soup's biggest and most well known songs. Other than their hit single 1985 (not on this album), the most famous song of BFS's career would be High School Never Ends and that's the second track on here. It's basically a song about how judgement of others doesn't stop once you graduate high school and includes a number of popular culture references (actors in this case, comparing them to school stereotypes). It's also a very catchy song and one that can bring a room of people alive.\\n\\nContinuing on with actor references is Val Kilmer, earlier album songs had names where the lyrics had nothing to do with the title, not this one, it's about Kilmer, well some of it. Basically the singer is someone who wants become a successful actor, and is telling everyone he's the guy that gets the girl, the band mid performance even critics Kilmer's performances what he was good in and well Batman.\\n\\nBefore those two songs though the first track Epiphany is about a broken hearted guy who thinks he may have song in him that he thinks would be labelled by society as an epiphany. To me this song is nothing special just another ballad, that you'll find a similar sound on other BFS albums.\\n\\nThe fourth track I'm Gay isn't the band coming out of the closet, it is making fun of society's turning of a word known for being happy into a negative label for sexuality and wants everyone to shout they are happy with the words I'm Gay. They describe this song in its intro as being all personality. They would later use the starting guitar rif as the main one in their Merry Flippin' Christmas song on their second Christmas album.\\n\\nWhy Don't I Miss You is a slower paced ballad, asking why the singer character doesn't miss his ex.\\n\\nA Friendly Goodbye starts of with the words Freeze Frame. About a guy loving someone who has left him and apologising for his actions but then getting mad and telling her f u.\\n\\nLuckiest Loser has a nice simple guitar rif, with lyrics about being best friends as children with someone who is now dating the singer character's ex girlfriend, and the singer knows he is the luckiest loser due to the girl's characteristics.\\n\\nLove Sick Stomach Ache sound wise sort of reminds me of The Archie's song Sugar Sugar, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland and other songs from that era. Not one of my favourite BFS songs but if you're in the mood for it, is worth playing every now and then. Lyric wise it's basically another coping with a break up song.\\n\\nMuch More Beautiful Person is a nice fast paced song. Basically telling a couple of people who are struggling with life that they are a much more beautiful person than they'll ever know. Tommy and Jeanie are the characters, possibly a reference to the characters Tommy and Gina in Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer which they have referenced more directly in other songs.\\n\\nFriends Like You starts of with a crowd chant of the song's name which comes back throughout the song. Basically about a guy who isn't really much of friend, setting the singer character up with a girl from his work who used to be a guy, left the window open and the cat is gone, left incense burning and burnt down his house, didn't return his stuff and seems to maybe be dating his girlfriend.\\n\\nWhen We Die - Is a ballad of regret about not getting time back when you die, although he knows he will be fine, the singer wants the other person (doesn't mention if it is girlfriend or friend) to come over to fix whatever the problem is.\\n\\n99 Biker Friends is another career highlight BFS song and one of their most famous. It deals with the seldom tackled in music topic of domestic violence. Basically the singer character has 99 Biker friends who are going to give a cowardly girlfriend beater who beat up a female friend at taste of his own medicine. Even though it is about a serious subject, sound wise it's very upbeat and fun. Has a few cultural references of 80's action stars as well.\\n\\nDon't Let it Be Love - The singer character doesn't want to fall head over heals again for an ex. Don't let it be love, love, love and other lyrics such as time heals everything and don't don't don't are repeated in threes at times throughout the song.\\n\\nIf You Come Back to Me/Outro This track goes for over 20 minutes. The first part is actually one of BFS better songs, a slow sad song about being alone and okay but not wanting to answer the phone when he knows his ex (or maybe friend) is calling. Has a few cultural mentions relating to magic such as Harry Potter, David Copperfield, Shaquille O'Neill and so on, asking each where's the magic? Unfortunately though for some reason this song has a number of minutes of silence following the wrap up of the first part (song if you will) at the 5 minute thirty forty seven second mark. Then at around the 7 minute 50 second point the band start singing la la la la la for the rest of the track, occasionally talking snippets to each other in the background over the top of those las. I really wish they had made the silence and beyond parts a bonus or hidden separate tack instead of combining it with the song so you could leave it off a playlist.\",\n \"Product: 2011 re-release with bonus disc featuring the demos of all musics from Charm School plus two remixes of She's Got Nothing on (But the Radio) and one of Speak to Me (the Bass flow Remix). EMI. 2011.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Demos Don't Contain Marie's Voice\\n\\nReview: This version of Roxette's 2011 album Charmed school contains the original album on one disc and on the second are the 15 tracks, 12 album songs in the same order plus remix (European nightclub techno sounding) versions of Speak to Me and She's Got Nothing on But the Radio (2 different remix versions). None of the Demos have Marie's voice on them, not sure if the demos were recorded for the studios to invest in the new album or was recorded for Marie to encourage her to tackle the hardships of recording an album while recovering from the aftermath of brain tumour surgery and cancer treatment. Whatever the purpose of the demo, in raw form with just Per's voice, and missing a lot of the instrument and computer sounds that make the finished album, they are really not something you're going to listen to much more than once. So you're probably really only going to be wanting to pay the extra money for this version if you're a musician yourself and can appreciate the differences between the raw and finished songs or are a huge Roxette fan who just has to own everything they've ever done. Charm School is mostly a dark mood sounding album in it's finished form, in demo form these songs are even more depressing which if that is the intention of the songs may well be what the listener is after but it just doesn't do anything for me. Apart from the album on its own, you can also get Charm School in a release which comes with a bonus live CD, have to admit if I'd known that at the time that's the one I would have gone with.\\n\\nThe album Charm School (first disc) isn't Roxette's best effort either. There's really no songs on here that I can see making much of an impact on the charts and so far as at Feb 2012 they haven't. However Roxette's on a world tour at the moment so this sometimes gives a new album single or two some momentum so that's yet to be seen. What I love about Roxette's previous albums and especially the Look Sharpe, Joy Ride era, is that they are really upbeat. There's a lot of songs that such as The Look, Joyride, How Do You Do, that aren't about anything serious (Per refers to them as bubblegum songs in those album's cover inserts information) but are just catchy little numbers, I guess celebrating the fact Summer has returned to Sweden. This album doesn't have any of those bright summery songs. The closest you've got to bubblegum songs are the initial track Way Out and She's Got Noting On (But the Radio). But even these aren't as light or as fun sounding as the Roxette songs of the past. This is understandable, dealing with your own or in the case of Per Gessel who writes the songs, your close colleague's battles with cancer you're not going to be feeling anything but down a lot of the time and this would reflect in the sounds your making with your instruments and lyrics you put down on paper. I imagine the last song Sitting on Top of the World is about being happy due not being taken by cancer and being happy on the outside even if you don't feel great on the inside, at least at a subconscious level. Plus chuck in the factor that both Marie and Per are entering their mid 50's so they've probably got their own children becoming at least late teens or even adults and this would again make you write different music than you did when you were in your twenties and thirties since stuff you get up to in your daily lives is very different. The cover insert does come with all the lyrics and a heap of photographs although the artwork and photos don't do anything to lift the depressive feel of the songs. Like the music the insert isn't like the bright inserts of past albums.\\n\\nAfter I play this I sort of need to put on an earlier Roxette album to lift the depressing feeling of Charm School. I'd recommend trying to get a hold of Charmed School somewhere before buying it so you can listen and see if you like it before buying the basic let alone higher priced bonus CD versions. Admittedly I didn't like it at all when I bought it a few months ago but I decided to give it another go a few days ago and some of the songs are growing on me a little, but the point is Roxette songs don't normally need to grow on you.\",\n \"Product: UK holiday collection from the zany Alt-Rockers. A combination of old covers, newly recorded original songs and past released Christmas ditties, this is the first time these delightfully festive tunes are contained in one package. 2011.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Some Great Christmas Songs Done BFS Style\\n\\nReview: This is two Bowling For Soup Christmas albums, most of the songs come from the first album. You can find them separately or together as Amazon is selling them here.\\n\\nVolume 1 has the most songs on it and is mostly covers of older songs.\\n\\nThe first track Father Christmas was originally done by the Kinks. About a guy who plays Father Christmas and is mugged by kids, then the song switches to through the eyes of one on the kids who mugged him. A lot of guitar and prominent drum beat reminiscent of earlier BFS career album songs.\\n\\nSanta Looked a Lot Like Daddy originally by Buck Owens. About a kid who is supposed to be asleep, sneaks out and sees Santa who is not what he pictured him being like. Fast guitar riff behind the lyrics, not a bad song.\\n\\nAll I Want for Christmas is You - Originally more of a ballad, before Bowling for Soup got a hold of it, not sure if it was originally hers but most famous as being sung by Mariah Carey. Again lots of fast guitar riffs in the background.\\n\\nFeliz Navidad sounds the closest to the way the original does of all the songs on here. Originally by José Feliciano This version has got some little kids chanting the line a fair few times at the start that I could have done without but other than that it's pretty good. Again fast guitars in background more than the original version.\\n\\nFrosty the Snowman would be my favourite track on here. Again more guitar riffs than the original 1950 version, a lot of fun.\\n\\nI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is a remake of the 1952 Jimmy Boyd song with the same lyrics, but this time round starts off with a nice guitar riff that reappears throughout the rest of the song.\\n\\nBobby Wants a Puppy Dog For Christmas is a pretty average track to be nice. I thought BFS may have added some fun lyrics to this one but it remains as slow as the original about a kid with no friends so the parents want Santa to bring him a dog to keep him company.\\n\\nMerry Christmas I Don't Want to Fight Tonight is a cover of the Ramones song. The song is recorded like it is being sung live and the lyrics done with staggered words like the original artist. Not a bad song.\\n\\nWe're a Couple of Misfits rounds out the original volume one album. It was a song from a 1964 puppet movie called Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.\\n\\nVolume 2\\nStarts of with Merry Frickin Christmas (Happy Freakin' New Year) and is both a song and intro to the second album with BFS telling us about this being their second Christmas album. It's actually quite a fun song on it's own.\\n\\nEven Santa Needs a Break Sometimes is an original song about what Santa does after Christmas and the other seasons. It's introduced by some kids (likely the bands') asking that question who reappear throughout the song and again at the end.\\n\\nI Miss You Most on Christmas is another original and is a ballad about the different times of years the singer character misses his ex.\\n\\nCorner Store on Christmas Day is a long song (over six minutes) done along the same sort of theme as 12 Days of Christmas. Doesn't sound anything like that song though. It has a nice chorus \\\"I hit the corner store on Christmas Day, and as my friend Gary Wiseman used to always say, If it's Convinience You Want Then You're Gonna Have to Pay\\\". It's just a little repetitive like 12 Days does it repeats everything the singer buys from the store with each additional purchase. I think you'll find it hard not to skip to the end with this one most times you play it. Does have a funny punch line at the end.\\n\\nWe Wish You a Merry Christmas closes the album. Pretty faithful to the original but includes beer and not going until they get some. Bit more of a guitar riff at the end than the original too.\",\n \"Product: Original soundtrack recording from the feature film KICK ASS. Features the exclusive track from MIKA & REDONE as well as many more great tunes from the movie!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Soundtrack That Kicks Ass Just Like the Movie Did!\\n\\nReview: Have no idea why I didn't get this album after I watched the movie for the first time years ago, but upon re-watching it the other day, I just had to track down the soundtrack. I love how with most of the tracks they've included a bonus soundbite from the film, this instantly makes you recall the scene and sets up the mood for the song which follows. My only criticism when this is done on soundtracks is, that it is better when it is done as a short track for the soundbite and separate song that follows without any seconds gap so you can listen without the intros if you're in the mood for that. However that style does have its downside of if you aren't listening to it on the CD in order and ripped it into a playlist on your Kindlefire or whatever, and your playlist is on random then the soundbites and songs obviously play at random different times. So I can understand why they might choose to place them together. I would have loved if they'd used soundbites on all 14 songs, and even thrown in a few random between song ones but they didn't. A soundbite from Red Mist would have been fun for one.\\n\\nThe opening track, Stand Up by the Prodigy is instantly recognisable, it's a simple song in a repeated loop, to be honest the loop could have been a minute or more shorter but it takes you instantly back to the film in your mind. Kick Ass by Mika vs Redone is a lot of fun. I've always loved the song Bad Reputation (the theme song to Freaks and Geeks), it's been constantly covered by various artists in various soundtracks, Shrek for one, simply because it's a great song about a strong female character and The Hit Girls is a different but cool version which suits our 11 year old heroine in Kick Ass.\\n\\nI'd never heard of the band The Pretty Reckless, but I love the song Make Me Wanna Die which is introduced by Hit Girl telling her father she'd like a fluffy puppy and Bratz doll for her birthday and then telling him she's only joking and wants a particular butterfly knife. Banana Splits is a fun fast paced British punk sounding song, introduced by Hit Girl sarcastically explaining to Kick-Ass how to get in contact with herself and her father. Can't Go Back by Primal Scream also has a classic soundbite of the guy in the chair about to have his finger cut off because he said his team was beat up by a guy in a mask with a cape and the thugs surrounding him keep saying he said it was Batman. The other songs are pretty good too, the album ends with an Elvis song and Hit Girl telling us that the show's over.\",\n \"Product: VARIOUS ARTISTS (SOUNDTRACK) - KICK-ASS 2 [ADVISORY] - CD\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: No Soundbites to Introduce These Songs\\n\\nReview: Unlike the first Kick Ass film's soundtrack, Kick Ass 2 doesn't include any movie soundbites at the start or end of any of the tracks. This was a disappointment for me, but reading some of the reviews of the first album, this may actually be a positive for some. But for me the disadvantage of not having the soundbites means you don't instantly memory wise connect the song to the part of the movie it is from so don't picture the scene it accompanied in your head.\\n\\nI'll point out that you can also buy the musical score as an album <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/here/dp/B00DJSUOT2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">here</a> but on this various artists album, a lot of the songs don't have any lyrics either. Yeah Yeah by James Flannigan, sort of replaces the Prodigy's song Stand Up from the first album. Korobeniki by Ozma, Bust Out Brigade by The Go! Team are a couple more examples of lyricless songs. They're still good but just don't have lyrics. Most of your lyric ones on this sequel album have British accents, which is kind of weird, I mean know the movie was filmed in London but it was set in New York. Jessie J would be the most well known artist of those with Hero. When the Saints Go Marching in by St. Snot is more of a ra ra ra chant and another no lyrics really song. A lot faster music wise than the traditional version of the song.\\n\\nDance is sort of a nursery rhyme story telling type fun song lyric wise with fast action sort of music underneath it. The biggest songs would be Moterhquake by DJ Fresh vs Diplo feat. Dominique Young Unique, as well as Carry You by Union J which has probably had the most radio airplay over the years since this album came out.\",\n \"Product: Disney / Pixar Toy Story 3 Hot Wheels Die Cast Vehicle Turbo Chunk\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Hard to Find, and Such a Let Down When You Do\\n\\nReview: Turbo Chunk is the hardest to find of the 8 Hot Wheels Toy Story 3 character cars and therefore due to supply and demand the most expensive to obtain from online auctions and sellers. I'm guessing there's only one or two of these in a shipment box sent to stores with obviously the majority being for the more popular characters Wheelin' Woody, Rex Rider and Blastin Buzz. When you see the Turbo Chunk vehicle in the flesh (well metal) you can sort of understand why Mattel didn't have confidence to take the gamble of producing a lot of these things and hoping people would buy them. It's pretty much just a light orange semi truck without a trailer.\\n\\nThe only thing that links it at all to the toy character in the movie, besides the colour I guess, is the stalagmite type bumps on the roof of the cab. That's it nothing else. They could have at the very least put the stomach face thing from the character on the front grill of the truck. All that's there is a shiny reflective rectangle that's the same material they put in the windshield and side windows and what they made the engine out of. His arms with the distinctive hands could have extended backwards behind the cab maybe palms open where the rear wheel is. Really there's a lot of things that could have happened in the design faze. It's almost like they had decided and designed the other seven vehicles and then someone said, well you know we really should have eight vehicles and with no time left to design anything someone just grabbed a truck, said \\\"Let's just paint it orange and put some triangles on the roof and pass it off as this character\\\".\\n\\nWith nothing really identifying this vehicle as the character you've pretty much got to leave it in the packaging so people know what it is. The packaging isn't designed to be able to be opened without being destroyed, which is another negative for this item. Unless you absolutely have to collect every car in the series, I'd give this one a miss, especially if you can't get it for more than a few dollars.\",\n \"Product: A Team Hot Wheels 2011 New Models 39/50 1:64 Die-Cast Van 39/244 copyright 2010 Mattel.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good to See the A-Team Join the List of Mass Produced TV/Movie Themed Hot Wheels Vehicles\\n\\nReview: This is a nice tribute to the van used in the 1983-87 TV show the A-Team. I say tribute because that's all it really is. Being all black it's the wrong colour, the one on the show was dark grey above the red stripe, not all black. And it was a different type of van to the van Hot Wheels is using, I'm guessing Hot Wheels just repainted a casting they already had used over the years rather than go to the expense of creating a new one. The van in the show was more square than this longer wheel based rectangular Hot Wheels casting. But this does sort of look like the van and remembering it only really costs a dollar or two when released in physical retail stores, it is well worth that price. However if you're reading this review in the years ahead and the price has gone up the fact it doesn't exactly resemble B.A. Baracus' van may well be a factor in if you'd pay much more than a few dollars for it. It's important if you're in that situation to remember that Mattel isn't the first company to make this van as a 1/64 sized die-cast vehicle. Ertl have done it a few times, some under the Racing Champions brand. They've got versions that are all black like this one, but also ones with the grey top half. They've got red hub capped ones (as well as ones that don't have red hubcaps) of both coloured versions and the casting they've used is a bit more square than this one Mattel used. All the ERTL vans do look better than this Hot Wheels one, but they are a bit more expensive to obtain these days compared to this mass produced one.\\n\\nIt's great to see in recent times Mattel releasing TV die-cast vehicles under the Hot Wheels brand even if they aren't making them entirely accurate to keep the costs down so they can appear in that mass produced range. We've seen <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Magnum-PI-s-Ferrari-308-GTS/dp/B004BIOR1K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Magnum PI's Ferrari 308 GTS</a> (unofficial which is why I've put in the link), the Delorian from Back to the Future and a few others in the 2011 range. Like happened with the Ghostbusters' 2010 released Ecto 1A it is likely this van could be re-released with a better paint job where the spot lights on the bullbar and headlights are white, as well as the roof lights orange and white. The sunroof, windshield and door windows could be redone with black plastic to better resemble the tinted windows of the one on the show, than the cheaper blue plastic used on this one does. However they will likely be rarer, probably released as some event like Comic Con and a lot more expensive.\\n\\nStill if The A-Team was just a show you watched as a kid when it first came out or well into its re-runs like when I was, and you don't need the van to be a perfect replica, this cheap mass produced version may well satisfy you.\\n\\nMid 2013 update - Hot Wheels have now re-released the A-Team van as part of a premium price promotional range called Retro, which included a few other movie/TV cars in that range. That one does have the better paintjob (grey top half above the red stripe), rubber tyres and better red hubcaps as well as general detailing in paint job such as the headlights, break lights, it also has a black plastic used for windshield, windows etc rather than the blue with this one. The <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/retro-range/dp/B00BF66IAO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">retro range</a> vehicle isn't found in as many stores or even a lot of countries that this mass produced Hot Wheels one was back in 2011, and this mass produced budget one was released in much, much, larger quantities. Meaning the price gap will likely widen over the years. The retro van also cost around 5 times the price off the rack in stores. Depending on the difference in price I'd probably go with the retro one though if you're a new collector. Maybe get a mass produced one to open and play with and keep the retro in the packaging for display.\",\n \"Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars Luke Skywalker character car combines the essence of the Rebel Alliance hero in his X-Wing gear with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send your Luke Skywalker car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars vehicles to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Luke in Pilot Attire as a Race Car\\n\\nReview: This is a pretty nice vehicle/Star Wars character merge. At 1/64 scale these cars display nicely amongst your standard mass produced vehicles. The colours (white and orange) nicely remind you of Luke as a pilot in the original film who of course destroyed the Death Star. Back when he still wanted to sleep with his sister. There's plenty of companies who have produced the actual X Wing fighter he flew, but I always like coming across these fun out of the ordinary vehicles too. The windshield nicely resembles his helmet visor, there's even scuff marks on the white to I guess resemble the black spaceship exhaust stains on the X Wing. It's not that prominent but on the side of the car under the door the vehicle has a full beamed blue light saber. I find that a nice touch.\",\n \"Product: 2012 saw the release of 247 cars, hitting the line with lots of power was the Muscle Mania Series which includes the '70 Road Runner, '70 Ford Mach 1 and hard to find Super Treasure Hunt '66 Ford 427 Fairlane. 2012 also released store exclusives including Red Line '67 Pontiac Firebird 400 from Walmart, '69 Camaro from Toys R Us and the from '68 Mercury Cougar Kmart. For those who want to win on the track, The Faster Than Ever series features special wheels on the Aston Martin DBS, Infiniti G37, Datsun Bluebird 510 and more race cars. There are 50 New Models, 10 series of 10 cars, 15 Treasure Hunts, 15 Track Stars, 45 Thrill Racers and 22 Code Cars, totaling 247 cars. Hot Wheels 2012 New Models Chase 2011 Indycar Oval Course Race Dan Wheldon DW-1 Real Riders\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Cool Looking Green Pig Standard Hot Wheels Size Car\\n\\nReview: Minion is part of Hot Wheels 2012 mass produced line of budget 1/64 scale cars which sell for one or two dollars in supermarket, toy and department stores. Obviously there is no actual size green pig car out there that this is 1/64th the size of, but if you collect other Matchbox, Hot Wheel, Johnny Lightning and other brands, this is the same height as those. It is the same size as the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/red-Angry-Bird/dp/B009JKU3T0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">red Angry Bird</a> vehicle. For some reason Mattel released this inside a blister that is for a car with a long bonnet (hood) instead of making one specifically for it. So if looking at pictures online it does give the illusion that it is smaller, but when you see this thing you'll see it is the standard Hot Wheels car size. Both Angry Bird vehicles are shorter in length than some other vehicles, but I've got plenty of other 1/64 sized cars that are no longer than this. In fact with the ears this is actually one of my taller vehicles, and I've got over 100 Hot Wheels cars. I'm not 100% sure how accurate this thing looks to the character in the computer game as I've never played it, but it does resemble other merchandise of this pig character in the toy stores. I just bought it because it looks interesting, I collect non-conventional car looking creature, artwork and other odd 1/64 sized vehicles. I've also got <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Hamm-on-Wheels/dp/B003OUVSO0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Hamm on Wheels</a> a Hot Wheels car based on the moneybox from Toy Story and this looks a lot more like a pig than that car does. These are the only two pig themed die-cast vehicles that I know of.\\n\\nMinion is basically a green pig's head on wheels. Unlike the red bird character this one also has a visible engine, in the spot where a ute's tray would be if this was a real car. The black wheel guards over the tyres sot of resemble legs if you use your imagination. Note that it comes on a few different blister cards, some say HW imagination down the right in a green rectangle and others say Angry Birds Minion Pig down the right in a yellow rectangle. Both versions have a nice illustration of the vehicle on the blister card and have the same vehicle inside. It is a pretty popular car so you might be best to grab whichever blister card version is there when you see one in a store.\",\n \"Product: OFFICIALLY LICENSED BASED ON THE FAMOUS 2013 MOVIE CARRIE A reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White, a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. This figure assortment includes Carrie as she unleashes her rage, covered in blood from head to toe, it's a frightening sight to behold!. Figures stand approx 6.5 tall. - 6.5\\\" Inches Tall - Highly detailed - NECA Guarantee\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Disappointing, Nowhere Near as Good at the Prototype Used to Promote This Figure's Release\\n\\nReview: I was so eagerly looking forward to this figure when Neca announced it on their Facebook page, and the prototype pictures looked so good. However the mass produced result is a big letdown. Be aware the version you get is not the same as the out of packaging photo that is often displayed (and is at the moment here on Amazon), on online auction and other websites. That was from Neca's upcoming releases website, you might also see the loose figure in front of the bottom of a Jason hockeymask picture, that was from an upcoming releases toy fair and is the prototype, not this figure. The one you get in the packaging does not have anywhere near as good a paintjob with the blood, as the prototype (out of packet one often being shown by dishonest sellers). With the prototype the blood has been hand painted onto the figure when it has been assembled, with the one you get in the blister pack obviously the blood was applied on the skirt half and top half separately, probably by a machine before joining them. Yes they are supposed to be the one dress, not a skirt and top but with the poor paint job you can clearly see the join and that's what it looks like. The skirt half has thicker different shades of red blood stripes whereas the top has thinner darker red all of the same shade. The prototype figure the blood all looks the same, and like it has flowed down Carrie's body after coming out of the bucket (I haven't seen the new movie version yet and assume this is what happens). The hair, face, especially the eyes also looks way better on the prototype and if you were after a resemblance to the actress Chole Grace Moretz, the prototype was a much better likeness.\\n\\nYou can see the joins of the arms onto Carrie's body. Why they didn't do it as one mould, since the figure has no articulation is anyone's guess. Why not allow articulation, Neca figures usually let you move the limbs, wrists, waist, and other parts, but this is more like a plastic statue. Everything is plastic by the way the hair and dress as well. Other figures have material for clothing and some sort of hair like substance, why not do so with Carrie?\\n\\nThe packaging is actually quite tall compared to your usual 7\\\" figure packaging which are usually more square such as with Slimer, various Gremlins and other movie staple horror characters you'll probably also collect if you get into the hobby. It's approx. 32cm (12 1/2\\\" tall if your into measurements, compared to the 21cm Neca blister pack norm. Being that the figure can't be posed or anything, the odds you'll end up keeping Carrie in the packaging are a lot higher. The white word logo CARRIE in capital letters with bits of blood on the letters C, R and I is prominent before the blister bubble juts out below it. There's flames on the cardboard behind the figure, as well as in the smaller bit of cardboard at the bottom in front which again has the word logo, but in a smaller size along with the chocking hazard, small parts not suitable for children under 3 years standard black rectangle white text/logo warning. Also the words Ages 17 and Up are in white text on that small bit of cardboard. The back has a photo of the prototype behind the clean non blood version figure which was also released at the same time as this, as well as a bit of text about the plot of the movie, and logos for Neca, Reel Toys, and MGM.\\n\\nAlso very disappointingly this figure comes with no accessories, the bucket with the pigs blood would be the most obvious omission, but a few accessories would be good as there's plenty of space to display them in the blister pack.\\n\\nA great idea for a figure, even though it's very disappointing when compared to the prototype, it's such a classic bit of horror culture (the first Stephen King book ever to be published after a heap of rejections) that you'll still want to own. You can't help but look at it though and wish Neca hadn't cut corners when they brought it to the marketplace.\",\n \"Product: Hot Wheels Knight Rider K.A.R.R. 1:64 Die-Cast copyright 2012 Mattel.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good to See to See Something to Take on K.I.T.T. Finally Appearing on the Die-Cast Vehicle Streets\\n\\nReview: There's been plenty of versions of K.I.T.T. released by various toy manufacturers over the years in 1/64 scale but this is the first time to my knowledge K.A.A.R has hit the pegs. It's a pretty good likeness to its reborn self in the 1984 episode after it was brought back to the series by fan demand and mysteriously didn't meet its end when it drove off a cliff two years earlier and forced a young couple who found him to give him a car version of cosmetic surgery. Sure it still has the red laser thing in the dash from the first season, and admittedly I also would have preferred the amber coloured scanner, but who's to say when in the episode of its comeback the car is from. I don't remember that episode in great detail anymore but maybe the paintjob changed before the new amber scanner was installed. If it really bothers you, you can always go down the local toyshop and buy the correct colour model paint jar and fix it. Still I think it's great to see a car to display alongside or driving headfirst into each other with K.I.T.T. <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/K-I-T-T/dp/B00AQL6D7C/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">K.I.T.T.</a> was released in 2012 the year before K.A.R.R in the Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Collection with the same blister card if you wanted a version with the same packaging as this one to display together.\\n\\nThe Retro series packaging is slightly bigger than your mass produced Hot Wheels range but the cars all the same size (1/64 scale). It is better in that it can be displayed sitting flat on shelf and doesn't tilt forward at a severe angle like your mass produced ones do if you aren't leaning them against a wall or something. Disappointingly unlike a lot of other die-cast car manufacturer's premium priced vehicles (these are about 5 times the price of your budget Hot Wheels line on the pegs in physical stores) you cannot see the car through the back of the pack and the cardboard is not covered in plastic meaning it is more susceptible to getting bent or if it gets wet is not protected. For the price of these I would have really have liked to see the better blister pack technology used.\",\n \"Product: The masked villain from Wes Craven's horror movie series Scream has been given the Pop! Vinyl treatment with this Scream Ghostface Pop! Vinyl Figure! The masked villain looks true to form with his eerie mask and the bloodied knife in his hand. When you see just how cool the 3 3/4-inch tall Scream Ghostface Pop! Vinyl Figure looks you'll want to collect the rest in the horror movie line from Funko! .\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Now Sid, Don't You Blame the Movies. Movies Don't Create Psychos. Movies Make Psychos more Creative!\\n\\nReview: Ghostface from Scream incorporates both the Funko look in the face and head, and is instantly recognisable as the character from the movies. He stands on any flat surface no problems at all, in fact you bump him a lot more than most Funkos and he'll remain standing. You can't remove his hunting knife from his right hand or move either of his arm to different poses but this is how Funkos are. You can however Exorcist style with this one rotate his head 180 degrees to display him a bit differently with other figures, including looking like he's using the knife as a microphone. His head is actually a bit spongier feeling than other Funko figures, you can sort of squeeze it a bit. He's quite durable the only bits of him that may damage easily are the bits of plastic hanging off his arms which could snap off.\\n\\nThe packaging is designed so you can open it, slide out the clear blister thing inside and remove Ghostface, then if you decide to display him in the box later, you can put him back. There is no tape of anything on the box so you don't damage it at all. I wish other figure companies would do this. The only downside to this sort of packaging though is that you have no idea if it ever has been opened before you buy and own it. The back of the box has a nice picture of the Scream movie poster/DVD image of the woman with the hand over her mouth stifling a scream you would imagine. You can view the figure from the front and one side while it is in the box too.\",\n \"Product: The scariest doll in horror movie history has been given the Pop! Vinyl treatment with this Child's Play Chucky Pop! Vinyl Figure! The Lakeshore Strangler looks true to form wearing his blue overalls and carrying a bloodied knife. When you see just how cool the 3 3/4-inch tall Child's Play Chucky Pop! Vinyl Figure looks you'll want to collect the rest in the horror movie line from Funko!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Wanna Play? You'll Be Friends to the End!\\n\\nReview: I've collected quite a few of these Funko figures now, and I have to say Chucky is one of the best of them. Note you can also get a blood splattered version, although less of those were made so therefore it's more expensive to obtain online. But this clean mass produced version still looks pretty cool. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls, it obviously doesn't look exactly the same as the character in the movie. They're not supposed to. Do a search for Neca or Movie Maniacs figures if you want a more accurate looking figure. Funko Pops are I guess cuter versions, I would even say a more child like appearance of the character. Chucky was a doll so obviously was never a child but you know what I mean.\\n\\nChucky comes holding a large kitchen knife, it is clean (at the time of this review the product description incorrectly states it is bloody). Chucky hasn't killed anyone with it yet. It is permanently attached (well part of the mould). You can move chucky's head to different angle, but other than a posable head you can't move his limbs or any other parts of the figure. Again you might want to check out Neca or Movie Maniacs if that's what you want to do. Chucky is very light but pretty durable.\\n\\nThere's a lot of detail in this too, the words Good Guys on his overalls pocket, there's a lot of different coloured stripes on his shirt. The packaging is also pretty nicely done. One he displays well inside the box if you prefer to display him that way. The boxes of various Funko figures also stack well on top of each other. But you can also take him out of the box without ruining the box, you simply open up the top, slide out a clam like blister and remove the figure. It easily goes back in again. I really like this idea and I own many other brands of figures where you either keep them still in the packaging and never take them out, or if you do you're stuck with that choice. The downside to that though is you have no idea if the thing has ever been opened in the shop or by of before an online seller has got hold of it. So you've got to take the words never been opened with a pretty big grain of salt if wherever you're buying it is claiming that. Since Funko figures sometimes have blemishes, it's probably not a bad idea to ask the online seller to take it out and photograph it anyway.\",\n \"Product: Mater as Darth Vader.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I Don't Even Like the Movie Cars, and I Bought This, it Looks That Good, Not Very Durable Though if Thinking to Give to a Child\\n\\nReview: This is a pretty cool looking vehicle that captures both the essence of Darth Vader and the character Mater from the Cars movie. I didn't even like the movie Cars and I still bought this as it looks seriously cool. It's a fair bit bigger than your usual die-cast car which are 1/64 scale. It's taller and longer than those, still fits in your hand but if you have purpose built shelves for die-cast vehicles, you're going to need to find somewhere else to display this one. The only part of this that is metal is the bit around the engine and side panels above the wheels. The wheels themselves aren't the best either, they are very cheap and thin. The helmet (or truck cabin) is plastic, as is the cape on the back, the rear tray, the crane thing and the ropes. The red light saber on the right side is also plastic and pretty bendy. It's really more of a display piece, I don't it would last long with rough play.\",\n \"Product: 2014 Hot Wheels\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice UFO car, If You Want it as a Jetson's TV Show Replica You Might Want to Wait for the One Without Wheels in 2014\\n\\nReview: This a nice little UFO, or futuristic car in it's own right. Hot Wheels or any die-cast brand for that matter haven't brought out too many UFOs, spaceships or cars from the future, especially in their mass produced budget line, so I welcome this addition. Even if you're too young to know what the Jetsons cartoon is, or simply aren't a fan of that TV show, I'd recommend keeping an eye out on the pegs in the stores for this one, or even paying a bit more for one online if you're reading this in 2014 or later when these aren't on the racks anymore. It seriously is a nice little car. For a dollar or two if you find one in stores, there's nothing at all to complain about.\\n\\nFans of the Jetsons who are put off by the wheels may simply want to wait for next year, a 2014 version will be released in the Retro Entertainment range on a little stand, which of course more accurately portrays the one in the cartoon, although the one in the cartoon didn't sit on a stand either. But for kids who like to roll their cars around and play with them, the 2013 released one with wheels is probably better (note you can get a version where the front of the blister card has new for 2014 on it, not sure what country that's from but it clearly says 2013 on the back of the regular blister packet and the car itself), and the wheels are clear so are sort of giving the impression if you're playing with it that they're not there anyway. If you're a keeper in packaging collector, this one has a nice bit of artwork of the Jetson family in the car, although we could have done without the four motorbike riders in helmets above them, Mattel could have at least made them look futuristic.\\n\\nI really like this car and hope it gets re-released in the mass produced line in various colours as a non Jetsons car in the years ahead as well. The Jetsons actually drove (flew I guess might be more accurate), a yellow as well as red one too, so that would be an easy future years release for Mattel. Actually I'd really love to see this same packaging with the car image on it but just a briefcase sitting in the blister window as the vehicle ultimately transforms into at the end of the opening credits.\",\n \"Product: Go back in time with Pop! Vinyl andBack to the Future! This Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine Pop! Vinyl Vehicle features Emmett \\\"Doc\\\" Brown's DeLorean sports car that Marty traveled in throughout the hitBack to the Futuretrilogy. The DeLorean is able to hold a single 3 3/4-inch Pop! Vinyl figure and includes Marty McFly.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Scott! It's a Delorean Pop Vinyl Figure Stand!\\n\\nReview: This thing is seriously cool. Basically what you are buying is a Delorean shaped display stand for the Marty figure (which also comes in the box), Doc (who you need to buy separately) and any other Funko pop figures you want to display on or around it. The wheels don't roll, the gull doors don't open up, there is no sound card playing sound bites from the movie or The Power of Love when you press a button. It's a display stand, that's it, although you can push around on carpet pretty easily. But as a display stand, it's a pretty cool one! Plus you've got to remember, you can get these in stores for less than the price of three funko pop figures so it's not like they are supposed to be really expensively made.\\n\\nMarty can be positioned to be facing forward or backwards in the car. On the soles of his shoes he has little holes so can clip into two raised things in the black rectangle but really he doesn't need to. If you are buying one of these second hand without Marty and are buying the loose Marty, he won't come with the holes in his shoes. Marty also stands easily on the bonnet (hood). He stands upright without leaning on any flat surface actually. Both Marty and the Delorean stand are pretty well made. I also bought the Breaking Bad Crystal Ship and Ghostbusters Ecto 1 at the same time. The Delorean has more of a vinyl feel to it than those two vehicles. It is not as smooth to touch. Marty can fit in those two cars by the way, as can those figures into this Delorean.\\n\\nThe detail on the Delorean is pretty good, it even has the Outatime number plate on the back. It also displays pretty nicely in the box if you choose to put it back in there, with windows in the box allowing you to see that car from above and three sides. You can open the box without damaging the box, which is always good. These pop rides do sit nicely on top of each other in their boxes if you've got limited space.\",\n \"Product: Collectible Toy Car\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Steamroller Type Wheels Don't Roll, In Fact They Are Just a Bit of Moulded Plastic\\n\\nReview: This 2013 release of the Flintmobile was pretty disappointing for me. It's worth grabbing one from the store pegs for a few dollars but I wouldn't bother paying a fortune for one online. The steamroller type wheels don't actually roll, they are instead just a solid plastic mould (well the whole car is). There are little plastic wheels (the same light grey colour so they do blend in) under the plastic undercarriage. Now I don't know why Hot Wheels didn't just re-release their former Flintmobile which they released in their main budget line in 1994 <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/click-here/dp/B000OIVAK2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">click here</a> to see that one's Amazon page. That one also changed colour when you put it in a sink of hot water. Granted this one's colour scheme is better (you can also get a red wood, yellow wheels and interior version in the 2013 mass produced range). But the 94 version the wheels worked and the frame was metal. Being this whole car is made of plastic means it's pretty fragile. The other main difference is the 94 version had an extra vertical beam between the front and rear seats so this 2013 is more accurate in that respect to the cartoon. Although they are both 1/64 scale, this 2013 is slightly smaller than the 94 version.\\n\\nGranted the blister packaging artwork is a lot better in this 2013 release although I could have done without the helmeted motorbike racers on top of the Hot Wheels word in ribbon logo. Fred and Barney are on the blister card in front of the side of an illustration of the Flintmobile which looks quite like the Hot Wheels vehicle.\\n\\nNote you can also get the red and yellow version in more upmarket packaging as part of the Retro Entertainment Series. It was released around the same time as this one.\",\n \"Product: The hitGhostbustersfilm comes to wonderfully stylized life with this fantastic Pop! Vinyl figure! The Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Pop! Vinyl Figure features an adorable and stylized huge 6-inch tall vinyl figure of the cute but frightening Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Fans of the fun and wackyGhostbustersfilms will not want to miss out on this awesome vinyl figure!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Peter Venkman: Well, there's something you don't see every day!\\n\\nReview: Funko Stay Puft is pretty cool. He is bigger than your usual sized Funko figure but not to the same high rise scale bigger as the one in the movie compared to the humans. He is still small enough that if you get the Ecto 1 display stand, as well he fits inside the driver rectangle (see my customer images). He is a pretty simple Funko, basically he is mostly white (and I have no problems with the paint job) with a Donald Duck style sailor shoulder covering with red ribbon tie and the hat. The hat has the words Stay Puft on it around the stem or whatever you'd call that part. You can't pose his arms or move his legs or anything, like the smaller Funkos he's set in the one stance. His head does rotate though, and Exorcist style he can rotate his head 180 degrees. He does look pretty cool, he captures the Funko essence with the resemblance to the other figures with the eyes, and same shaped head. Differently though he actually does have a mouth, the area around the mouth is slightly raised. The eyes have a white bit on the bottom of the back, I think this was to give the impression of the big cheeks he has in the movie but in reality just looks like his eyes are on upside down with he eyelids starting to shut. With these eyes he still looks good though. He also stands upright by himself no problem.\\n\\nInside the box he is the same height as the boxed display stand for the Crystal Ship if you bought that Breaking Bad one. It's the same box design just bigger than regular sized Funkos come in, so you can open it, slide out the blister and take him out. Then if you change your mind put him back inside later without having wrecked the packaging at all.\",\n \"Product: The hitGhostbustersfilm comes to wonderfully stylized life with this fantastic Pop! Vinyl figure! The Ghostbusters Slimer Pop! Vinyl Figure features an adorable and stylized 3 3/4-inch tall vinyl figure of the green ooze-dripping ghost with an insatiable appetite, Slimer. Fans of the fun and wackyGhostbustersfilms will not want to miss out on this awesome vinyl figure!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fun Version of Slimer\\n\\nReview: Years ago I bought a Neca <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Slimer/dp/B0001NECKA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Slimer</a> figure, if you want a figure that looks like the ghost from the movie, that's the better one to go with, but if you want a fun mass produced (so should always be pretty cheap to obtain), version of Slimer, you won't go wrong with this Funko Pop version. Funko Pop figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the movie versions, they are more of a cute version, a cartoon version or you could even a say an as a child like version of the character. Slimer is the same size as your other Funko Pop figures, but it is a little different in that it comes attached to a stand. The stand compliments the ghost well, it looks like slime dripping off his body and limbs. Slimer can't be detached from the stand, it's all the one mould, but it does display well. Not only does Slimer stand on a flat surface, but Funko has taken into consideration that you might want to put Slimer inside the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Ecto-1-display-stand/dp/B00J5H1H74/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Ecto 1 display stand</a>, as he fits inside that no problem too, as you can see in my customer images.\\n\\nThis is really cool, you can also get a version with a red rectangle illustration mouth with triangle white teeth, but I think this version looks way better.\",\n \"Product: The primary driver of the Ecto-1 and the Ecto-1 itself fromGhostbustersare now Pop! Vinyl! The Ghostbusters Winston Zeddemore and Ecto-1 Pop! Vinyl Vehicle are packaged as a set, with the Ghostbusters Winston Zeddemore Pop! Vinyl Figure being able to fit inside the Ecto-1 at 3 3/4-Inch tall. A cool recreation of driver and vehicle, this set makes a great collectible forGhostbustersand Ernie Hudson fans.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Ecto 1 Shaped Pop Vinyl Figure Display Stand\\n\\nReview: This is a great display stand for displaying Winston (which comes inside the box too), Slimer, Staypuft and any other Ghostbusters figures you've got (you'll have to buy any of the others separately). Sure doors don't open, the wheels don't roll, the headlights and siren don't work either, but since when were they supposed to? The Ecto1 is made of hard plastic and is hollow so if you had it on a desk and the wheels rolled, the thing would roll off and smash on the floor when someone bumped the desk walking by. It's a display stand, display stands don't roll for a reason. If you do want to push it around, and make the British Ambulance type siren with your mouth, while Ray Parker Jr's song is playing in the background, it does move quite easily on carpet anyway. You certainly can have some fun with this thing as Winston can be removed, and Slimer or whoever you've got can fit in the big black gap on the roof, or can stand on the bonnet (hood). Winston is the standard size pop vinyl figure by the way. I certainly plan on buying more characters from the Ghostbusters universe to add to this display.\\n\\nThe detail on the Ecto1 is pretty good, it even has Ecto 1 number plates on the front and back. It also displays pretty nicely in the box if you choose to put it back in there, with windows in the box allowing you to see that car from above and three sides. Mine did come with a yellow bit of paint on the side of the roof, but for the price these sell for (in stores less than the cost of three figures), you can't really complain about the quality. Especially when you consider it comes with a full size figure too. You can open the box without damaging the box, which is always good. These pop rides do sit nicely on top of each other in their boxes if you've got limited space. I also bought the Crystal Ship from Breaking Bad and Delorean from Back to the Future at the same time, they're worth obtaining too.\",\n \"Product: Snoopy Hot Wheels HW City Series Peanuts Cartoon 1:64 Scale Collectible Die Cast Metal Toy Car Model\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Nice Alternative to the Usual Car Vehicle, and One of the Few Hot Wheels Basic Line Vehicles to Ever Come WIth a Bonus Figure\\n\\nReview: Quite a nice piece from the 2013 mass produced Hot Wheels basic vehicle line, this means there's plenty out in supermarkets, department, toy and other stores and if you can find one, you'll own it for a couple of dollars. Even if you can't, or you're reading this a couple of years into the future the sheer quantity of these released should keep the prices somewhat reasonable on online retailers. It does come on a nice art worked blister card with a pretty good likeness to the actual vehicle, other than the illustration being closer to brown than the fire engine red of the dog house, there's not much difference, which is quite rare in the basic line. As is the fact the vehicle also comes with a figure (Snoopy) attached to it. There aren't many figure attached to vehicles found in 1/64 scale, in fact other than motorbikes I can't think of a time Hot Wheels has ever done it, let alone in the basic line with the exception of a special version of Hot Seat (toilet on wheels) with a rat in it called Scum Chums which also came with a bath on wheels with a croc in it. But from the basic budget line, I can't think of any.\\n\\nAnyway the figure is made of white plastic, to be honest the dog is pretty basic just a chunk of white plastic with a black spot on its back, ears, nose and eye stencilled on. The dog house though looks brilliant. I would have bought this without the figure and if they release it in other colours in the future I'll buy those. By the way the figure comes off if you want it to, there is a hole in the roof of the dog house, you can put Snoopy back facing in other directions too if you prefer. Could be a chocking hazard for an infant sibling if it comes off when an older child is playing with it though.\\n\\nThe wheels are basic ones, nothing special, no removable tyres, tread or anything fancy but being part of the budget line that's perfectly acceptable. The engine, side and rear exhausts are silver, you can see more of the engine by looking in the arched entrance of the dog house. The undercarriage is green, I guess to represent the grass in the backyard or something.\",\n \"Product: From the popularBuffy the Vampire SlayerTV series by Joss Whedon! This Buffy the Vampire Slayer Buffy Summers Pop! Vinyl Figure features the main character from the show measuring 3 3/4-Inch tall. Rendered in Funko's awesome Pop! Vinyl Figure format, this fantastic figure is a must-have forBuffy the Vampire Slayerfans!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Doesn't Really Look Like Sarah Michelle Gellar But What Horror Hero/Villain Collection Would Be Complete Without Buffy?\\n\\nReview: Funko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. Buffy Funko though, looks a lot less like Sarah Michelle Gellar than other Funkos resemble their actors. So much so I actually passed on this when it was still in stores, but after getting into the whole Funko collecting thing, I realised I can't have the favourite shows from my childhood or even a serious horror hero and villain collection without Buffy. Don't get me wrong, if I ever accidentally anger someone who can cast curses and I end up a Funko figure, this version of Buffy is certainly one of the hotter Funko vinyls, if I was a Funko I would certainly want to date her, but she doesn't look like Gellar. I think the main difference is the hair, basically Sarah Michelle Gellar always had her hair falling over the front of her face when staring at something she was about to put a stake into, or reading the giant book on vampires in the library or something. Funko Buffy has her hair pushed back behind her ears. Sure as high school boys we all dreamt of being the one to push that blonde hair back but TV Buffy's look was hanging there. Funko have used that sort of look with other female figures, they should have used that hair with Buffy too.\\n\\nI'm not sure if Buffy is an earlier designed and produced figure than the other Funkos, or if this is just how the batch the one I got came out of the factory, but she has a lot more pink smoother looking skin than other female Funkos. It's a more plasticy look, that resembles the skin Barbie and dolls like this have. It's not better or worse than the usual, but it is different. Her eyes possibly due to the pinker skin look blacker than the other figures too. You can position her to stand on her own, but it takes a lot of time, she certainly doesn't stand easily like most other Funko figures, she does come with the usual clear circle stand which I don't normally bother with, but you'll probably want to use with her as she falls over with just the slightest knock to her or whatever surface you've got her on. She comes with a hole in her right boot and the clear plastic stand has a raised bit you insert in the hole. She slightly leans to the left though when on the stand but it isn't that noticeable. She is pretty much impossible to knock over on the stand unless you push her over.\\n\\nIf you didn't know to look for it, you might miss it in the plastic blister insert inside the box as it blends in quite well. There is no Buffy the Vampire Slayer logo or anything on the stand to enhance the figure's displayability, it simply just helps the figure stand on a surface that isn't completely flat.\\nLike all Funko Pop Vinyl figures, there will likely be paint blemishes on the figure. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Mine came with a few bits of black paint on the white top that make it look like Buffy hasn't washed her top in a while, but you never know what blemishes yours will have. I guess if buying online you could ask the seller to take it out of the box and e-mail you the photos.\\n\\nHer head isn't oversized for her body, that's the look all Funko Pop Vinyls have. Most female Funkos have a similar stance with small feet. Like all these figures you can't move the limbs or pose the figure in any other way than rotating the head to different angles. In fact if you want Buffy to be possessed she can rotate her head 180 degrees. She is holding a wooden stake so is ready to defend your other Funkos from any vampires that come along.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: From the popularTrue BloodTV series! This True Blood Eric Northman Pop! Vinyl Figure features the vampire from the show measuring 3 3/4-Inch tall. Rendered in Funko's awesome Pop! Vinyl Figure format, this fantastic figure is a must-have forTrue Bloodfans!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Doesn't Look at All Like Alexander Skarsgrd But Eric Was Such a Cool Character, You've Just Got to Get One!\\n\\nReview: This one doesn't resemble Alexander Skarsgrd as Eric, much at all. Funko figures with their wide heads often don't with characters played by actors with narrower faces, but you've really got to use your imagination with this one and squint a fair bit for it to be Eric. If it didn't have the blood under the lower lip and the fanged mouth this could be pretty much any leather wearing character from TV or the movies. Add a goatee and it could be Jax from Sons of Anarchy for example. But the Sookie Funko didn't look much like Paquin either, and I needed a Funko figure to save her every time she hooks up with one of my other figures and gets into peril, so I ordered one. Plus Eric was by far the best character on True Blood!\\n\\nEric stands quite well, he doesn't come with a stand and definitely doesn't need one. Mine didn't come with any major paint blemishes but it does have some dark yellow paint in his hair like someone with paint on their hands touched the back of his head, although I doubt these things are hand painted. But be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. Even if I had bought this in a physical store I wouldn't have noticed that yellow paint unless I opened the box and took Eric out. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, although I would think you should probably ask the shop assistant first.\\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Eric out of the box and display him with Sookie or whatever other Funkos you have, or put him back to display inside there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back are pictures of Eric and five other True Blood figures including Sookie that you can obtain. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space or need to put a vampire one in to avoid sunlight so it doesn't burst into flames!\",\n \"Product: From the popularTrue BloodTV series! This True Blood Eric Northman Pop! Vinyl Figure features the human/fairy hybrid from the show measuring 3 3/4-Inch tall. Rendered in Funko's awesome Pop! Vinyl Figure format, this fantastic figure is a must-have forTrue Bloodfans!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Doesn't Really Look Like Anna Paquin, But They Nailed The Merlotte's Waitress Uniform and True Blood Bottle She's Carrying\\n\\nReview: Funko's Sookie Stackhouse, doesn't look a lot like Anna Paquin but the Merlotte's waitress uniform they have pretty much nailed. The True Blood bottle isn't that far off the ones on the TV show either. I never noticed in the online photos when I looked this up but for some reason she has red makeup on her cheeks which are quite prominent on the figure. Would have preferred they didn't do that since I don't ever recall her wearing that on the show.\\n\\nThe figure stands up by itself easily on a flat surface, but it also comes with a little clear stand that clips into a hole in her shoe, (I didn't even notice it in the box until I read some of these other reviews so you might have missed it as it has no True Blood or other logos on it), I guess you might want that if you're displaying her in a high traffic bumpable desk or something. But you don't need it otherwise.\\n\\nLike all Funko Pop figures, be prepared for some paint blemishes. Even if I had bought this in a physical store I wouldn't have noticed most of the ones on mine unless I opened the box and took her out. Basically mine has a few black marks on the back of the t-shirt as well as around the collar on the front, that makes it look like she is wearing a shirt that needs to be washed. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, but it's not something most people would feel comfortable doing or even asking if they can before purchasing. But something maybe to consider asking an online seller to do and send you the photographs if you really are concerned. You're unlikely to get a Funko figure completely paint blemish free though.\\n\\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Sookie out of the box or put her back to display her in there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back is a Sookie and five other characters from the show you can collect. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space too.\",\n \"Product: From the hit AMC TV Series, Breaking Bad, it's Walter White! Funko has given Walter White the vinyl treatment with this Breaking Bad POP! Figure! Stands 3 3/4 Inch tall. A must have for all Breaking Bad fans!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"I Am Not in Danger, I am the Danger!\\\"\\n\\nReview: This is one of the best Funko figures out there. Walter stands up fine by himself (a lot better than some of the other Funkos with smaller feet) to display on a shelf, desk or somewhere, or if you buy one, you can recreate some cool scenes with the Crystal Ship (RV) stand. This version of Walter of course if from the classic first episode involving that RV and was also used to promote the show on posters and stuff at the time where Walt is standing without his pants (which were he had previously hung from the side mirror of the RV) with the gun in his hand. Besides the RV stand, you can also get Walter wearing different stuff as other Funko versions. I also grabbed one of Walt as Heisenberg but you can also get him in a few different hazmat suits, along with the other characters from the show like Jesse, Saul and a few others.\\n\\nOnce you start collecting a few of these things you'll become aware that most come with paint blemishes so unless you ask the store employee if you can take it out of the box before buying (or ask the online seller to and send you photos), these things are always going to be a bit of a gamble. Often it is the back of the figure with blemishes that you can't see from the front or the sides. That's the good thing about the box it comes in. The packaging is designed so you can open it, slide out the clear blister thing inside and remove Walter, then if you decide to display him in the box later, you can put him back. There is no tape of anything on the box so you don't damage it at all. I wish other figure companies would do this. The only downside to this sort of packaging though is that you have no idea if it ever has been opened before you buy and own it. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores.\\n\\nHe is quite durable but if a kid or someone was a bit rough with the glasses they could easily get pulled out at one of both ends. The glasses and gun don't come off, likewise the clothing is all part of the same mold. It would have been cool if they had included his pants as a bonus item bent so you could hang them over the RV's mirror if you bought the Crystal Ship display stand but you can't have everything.\",\n \"Product: Better Call Saul! From the award winning AMC TV Series, Breaking Bad, it's Saul Goodman! Funko has given Saul the vinyl treatment with this Breaking Bad POP! Figure! Stands 3 3/4 Inch tall. A must have for all Breaking Bad fans!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Saul to Heisenberg - \\\"I Once Told a Woman I Was Kevin Costner and it Worked Because I Believed it!\\\"\\n\\nReview: This is a pretty nicely done Funko Pop Vinyl figure of Saul in a suit with a mobile phone ear piece. The ear piece and suit is all part of the one mold and can't be taken off. You can't pose his arms so he's always going to be pointing, but you can rotate his head, even 180 degrees Exorcist style if you want to pose him that way. He stands on a flat surface no problem at all. The figure nicely captures both the Funko figure essence as well as resembles pretty well (albeit with a much wider head) the character from Breaking Bad and lesser extent the spin off Better Call Saul (simply as he wore less expensive successful style suits and other clothing on the prequel TV show).\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of nine other Breaking Bad Funkos that were released before or at the same time. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels reimagines some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars Darth Vader character car combines the essence of one of films most sinister villains with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, command your Darth Vader car to go flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Luke I am Your Flat Car!\\n\\nReview: Hot Wheels has produced the much wanted for a replacement for the Disney Theme Park merchandise Darth Vader character car. For some reason though Hot Wheels made it's Vader vehicle hybrid, flat, sort of how a toad on the road looks after it's been run over by a semi, then blackened for days in the heat, but, well at least it doesn't have red eyes.\\n\\nIt does have red rims around the wheels though, but his light saber glows red so it fits, perhaps that's the reason for the red eyes in the competitor's product, but at least this is a bit more subtle. The artwork on the blister pack is also nice with Vader holding his red light saber in a fighting stance. It's a very detailed colourful illustration. The car is 1/64 scale (same as your mass produced Hot Wheels cars). If you want something a bit bigger you can get Vader as a hybrid with Mater from the cartoon movie Cars.\\n\\nOther than the flatness of the car it does have the prominent mouth area of Vader's helmet as the front grill. His eye and top of helmet is reproduced as the driver canopy, the car nicely resembles his head. Well if it was flattened.\",\n \"Product: From the hit AMC TV Series, Breaking Bad, it's Heisenberg! Funko has given Walter White's alias Heisenberg the vinyl treatment with this Heisenberg Breaking Bad POP! Figure! Stands 3 3/4 Inch tall. A must have for all Breaking Bad fans!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"Sometimes it's Better Not to Talk! At All! About Anything To Anyone!\\\" - Heisenberg (But I Think He Would Allow Promoting This!)\\n\\nReview: Heisenberg is pretty cool. Displays well with Funko Jesse in the Funko Crystal Ship display stand I also bought. He stands well by himself, a lot more sturdy than some other funkos. He is holding a gun and sample of the blue stuff in bag in the other hand. Neither accessory or his hat or glasses can be removed from the figure, they are all the one mould. His head can rotate a little allowing you to pose him looking at different angles but that's all you can do, arms and legs are always in the one position.\\n\\nHeisenberg is a lot less fragile than some other Funkos. I didn't have any problems with the sunglasses being not aligned but since enough people have mentioned it in their reviews it might be something to look out for. Your always going to have some small paint blemish with Funko figures, mine has a small chip looking paint blemish on the back of the brim of the hat. Even if I had bought this in a physical store I wouldn't have noticed that unless I opened the box and took him out. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, although I would think you should probably ask the shop assistant first.\\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Heisenberg out of the box and display him in scenes with other Breaking Bad characters you've bought, mix him into other TV show universes with other figures (I wish they'd do Malcolm in the Middle Funkos, how cool would Heisenberg interacting in that world be? Of course he stands well on the RV, but if you want you can easily put him back in the box to display inside there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back are pictures of Heisenberg and nine other Breaking Bad figures you can obtain. Be aware there were even more versions of Jesse and Walter after this was released. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space.\",\n \"Product: He's alive! Frankenstein is alive as a Pop! Vinyl figure! The Universal Monsters Frankenstein comes as an adorable 3 3/4-inch Pop! Vinyl figure. The mean green giant is dressed in his gray suit and black boots as he stands with his arms outstretched. Frankenstein comes in a window box package and makes a great gift for any Universal Monsters fan!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: It's Alive! It's Alive! It's Alive! It's Alive! Well Not Really But It's a Pretty Cool Funko Figure!\\n\\nReview: Frankenstein's Monster is pretty well done as a Funko Pop figure. He both resembles the Funko line of figures with the rectangular head, no mouth, black eyes and everything else you'd expect to see there, as well as pays a decent homage to the creature from the various films and cartoons that have been based on Universal Studio's interpretation of the creature. He stands up no problem at all by himself. Like other Funkos he doesn't really do anything else, he's a display piece, you can rotate his head around though, even Exorcist style 180 degrees. So the bolts in the side of his neck Dr Frankenstein put there obviously aren't doing there job. They look pretty cool on the figure though. As does the jacket and clothes, which are all the same mold and don't come off. Frankenstein's monster is pretty durable if you were buying it to be played with.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of seven other Universal Monsters figures that were released at the same time. The only fault with this figure's box is that it calls Frankenstein's monster, Frankenstein who of course was the doctor who made him. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos. At the moment I display my figures standing on top of the boxes which are all turned to the side with the cartoon of the figure and beside each other. But you've got a lot of options with the packaging this way, that's why it's so good.\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The First Zombie \\\"Killed\\\" in the Walking Dead Immortalised as a Funko Figure\\n\\nReview: This is by far the coolest zombie figure I own, including non Funko ones. The details in this thing are amazing, including braces on the teeth, blood around the mouth and making the Funko style eyes white with red rims is brilliant. The detail in the bunny slippers and bear haven't been skimped on either. The bear and slippers are part of the body mold and don't come off by the way. This is from the first season of The Walking Dead when Rick hasn't quite accepted the changed world he is, but really you could slot this into any zombie movie/TV show display. The figure looks pretty close to the zombified version of Summer in the TV show, except that girl was wearing a light grey open dressing gown type coat over her pyjamas (which look pretty similar), in this figure the coat is also pink. Teddy Bear Girl unnecessarily comes with a clear stand as most female figures seem to do, as like them, she stands perfectly well without one. There is no Walking Dead logo on the stand or anything, it's just a clear circle with a jutting up bit that inserts into the hole on the sole of one of her bunny slippers. In fact it would be easy to miss and throw out the stand with the clear blister protective insert inside box. The box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of six other Walking Dead Funkos that were released at the same time (there's been plenty more since then as well). You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\\n\\nThe only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores. If you're unaware it's a pretty rare occurrence to obtain a blemish free figure, there's always a stray bit of paint somewhere on the figure, often on the back so even if you pick up a box in a store and the figure looks paint free, you won't know. Hence the reason customers are opening them up, or asking the online seller to do so and take photos for them to look at before purchasing. Mine has a few dark bits of paint in the hair but since she's a zombie who isn't exactly showering and keeping clean as she wanders the earth, it is not really a factor.\",\n \"Product: 48' Ford Super De Luxe \\\"The Karate Kid\\\" Hot Wheels 2014 Retro Series Die Cast Vehicle\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Wax on Wax Off, Well it Was Sort of in That Scene\\n\\nReview: This isn't really a car that will be recognised by many if removed from the blister pack so you're going to want to make sure the one you get from here or wherever you're buying it online from is in good condition. It comes on a pretty tall card in relation to the blister, quite a few of these in the store I got it from were bent so best to check. The artwork on the blister pack is pretty decent, it has a shot used on the cover of many DVD versions of the film (although usually it's in the middle of side face photographs of Mr Miyagi and Daniel). It's a shame their faces aren't on this blister card too, I'm guessing maybe Mattel would have had to pay royalties or something if used. Since it is the same image as on the DVD covers I'm sure the silhouette is probably Ralph Macchio but for all we know it was taken years later for the DVD release with a stand in or something. Regardless it's a pretty cool image portraying the crane stance that made this movie big amongst kids like me in the 80's.\\n\\nI'd say this vehicle probably rates higher with me as a collector of movie die-cast vehicles for the nostalgia feelings of my childhood than perhaps it does for those older or younger than me. There aren't that many 80's movie vehicles out there so I appreciate that Mattel released this one. Even though the vehicle was in quite a few scenes, in fact both main actors are in it at some stage, you're probably immediately assuming it must have been in the wax on wax off scene. It was but it's not the vehicle the sponges in the arms of Daniel being guided by Miyagi saying wax on wax off are being used on. That was a blue car. This was however in the background with a heap of other cars which Daniel was supposed to wax as well. In fact this version looks more like the car did in the film after it was waxed.\\n\\nThis is actually one of the closest resemblance die-cast vehicles to the actual car that appears in the film of the Retro series. The colour is a bit lighter yellow in the film but this version isn't that much darker. The grill, headlights, white rimmed wheels are all pretty accurate. It even has the weird black thing in front of the rear wheel arches that looks like the paint wasn't applied like the one in the film does.\\n\\nIf this was one of the iconic films of your childhood, you'll want to get one of these, but as I said make sure the packaging is in good condition as you're probably not going to remove it from there.\",\n \"Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Kids and collectors alike will love seeing their favorite Star Wars characters reimagined as Hot Wheels cars. Each 1:64-scale car is individually designed to retain the Force of an iconic Star Wars character and combines the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send the cars flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels Star Wars track set (sold separately) or display them with your other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary. Ages 3 and older.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: BB-8 Merged With a Buggy Racer\\n\\nReview: I was originally going to pass on this one since the look of the car doesn't really represent the ball body of BB8 in The Force Awakens with pretty much the same vehicle body Hot Wheels used for the R2D2 character car. But I just loved the droid so much in the film that I couldn't leave the vehicle representing him out of my Star Wars character car collection. I do think they could have done more to have the main part of the car more circular, the wheels maybe a bit more subtle and not as prominent, but it is what it is. This is sort of like BB-8 in the fighter and that area of the fighter's cockpit merged with a racing buggy.\\n\\nThe colours of the Hot Wheels car nicely match the droid in the film. You can of course get a similar looking car as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/R2-D2/dp/B00MZ8EKU6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">R2-D2</a>, as well as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/C-3PO/dp/B00MK0YS5G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">C-3PO</a> as a VW Kombi van. All these vehicles are 1/64 scale, the same size as your regular mass produced Hot Wheels line of cars.\",\n \"Product: POP TV: Friends - Joey Tribbiani from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Joey and the Duck, A Great Funko Pop Vinyl\\n\\nReview: When I was in high school Friends was only second to Seinfeld as the biggest show on TV. The show maybe went on for a season or two too many but you can't think of the 90's TV without thinking of Friends. This is an Funko figure is an awesome representation of Joey and what swayed me to get one was the cool duck he's holding. Of course the duck and the chick were roommates with Chandler as well for quite a few seasons. Of course you can get <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Chandler-holding-the-chick/dp/B00X0Y47NE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Chandler holding the chick</a> too as a pop vinyl figure.\\n\\nFunko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. But Joey is a pretty good likeness to Matt Leblanc as the character. The hair of the figure nicely plays homage to the hair gel 90's and way most of us wore our hair back then. The duck is pretty well detailed and looks great, it's obviously the adult duck and is a bit smaller than the one on the show but it looks great. The clothes are also pretty close to an outfit worn on an episode on the show involving the duck and the chick. This is a really good figure.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars R2-D2 character car combines the essence of the heroic droid with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheelsthis is the droid youre looking for! Re-create your favorite storylines, send your R2-D2 car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: R2 is Now a Much Faster Droid\\n\\nReview: This is a pretty cool version of R2D2 as a character car. The only other company to have done character cars in the past (Disney Theme Park Merchandising) did a bit of an average job when they made R2. However that version more resembles the droid. This one however is a nice character/buggy racer type merge. You can also get this vehicle in a two pack, but for some reason the one in that looks like it was from a deleted scene in Return of the Jedi, where the big thing in the pit in Jabba's Palace ate the droid when it fell in while serving drinks during a match, and it re-emerged amongst its waste. Seriously it's an odd thing for Hot Wheels to have done, but if you want the dirty version, it comes in a two pack as well, it as you would imagine comes with C3PO, as maybe you wouldn't have imagined, a battered Kombi van.\\n\\nBut back to this single pack one, it's a very nice white and blue vehicle. Even the hubcaps on the wheels nicely match the blue of the droid. R2's head sits nicely in the driver's seat resembling how it looked in the back of Luke's fighter when he blew up the death star or went to visit Yoda. Unlike most of the other cars in this series, you instantly recognise this one as R2. But if you choose to keep it in the packaging, the packaging displays pretty nice with a detailed colour illustration that resembles the robot pretty closely from what I remember from the film.\",\n \"Product: Hot Wheels Star Wars Diecast Cars Complete Set of 8 BUNDLE\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Buy Them For the Blister Card Artwork, The Cars Themsevles Are Pretty Average Though\\n\\nReview: Came across these in a department store today, they retail for just under double the price of your mass produced basic line Hot Wheels vehicles so are not a bad price. Of course online likely a bit more. The vehicles though are nothing special, I mean they're still metal 1/64 Hot Wheels cars, but they don't really shout out Star Wars or the specific movie. They are all vehicles that are used in the budget line just with different paintwork. They do have the film name in a really tiny font on them but no artwork or anything else. You're pretty unlikely to want to take these out of the packaging so check the seller feedback for postage quality from wherever you find these online as you'll want the blister cards to come unbent so will want them posted in a box.\\n\\nThe blister pack artwork is brilliant. Each car represents one of the six films, and there's also one for the cartoons Clone Wars and some other Star Wars cartoon show I've never heard of. The blister card artwork has a retro movie poster style image, and with the three original films, reminds me of the merchandising such as t-shirts, lunchboxes and the like from the 80's (sorry I wasn't born for the first two) promoting Return of the Jedi. The picture is very busy, with lots of different characters and scenes on it. It's a shame Hot Wheels didn't just use vans like Dairy Delivery or others with a big smooth roof and actually put that image on the blister card on the vehicle instead of the average looking ones they went with. With better vehicles, or better yet going with the actual spaceships from the movie, these could have been so much better.\",\n \"Product: Insert the cord & pull it out, the minion will move forward along any smooth surface with move armes & eye.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Pretty Cheaply Made, Doesn't Really Roll and You Can See All the Screws Holding it Together From the Back.\\n\\nReview: I had seen these in stores for a few months now but always thought they were overpriced for what they were, so when this became an add on item and only cost a couple of bucks, I decided to throw it in the cart with other figures I was buying. This is worth a couple of dollars but not any more than that. First of all, for a product with such a high retail price, it comes in a cheap to produce blister on cardboard type of packaging. This means you've got to make a decision, do you display it in the packaging, or destroy the packaging and display it (or play with it). You can't change your mind later. Compare this to cheaper Funko Vinyl Figures which the figure itself is around the same size and come in a box you can open, take the figure out, then put it back later, and you can't tell at all. The blister card also takes up a lot of room as it is quite oversized compared to the figure so if you do keep it in the blister to display, you're limited to where you can put it due to how tall it is. Also means if you're buying it online the seller needs a bigger box that will cost more and weigh more. The blister card also is pretty average looking, it doesn't really enhance the display by keeping it in there. It is also isn't the easiest to get the figure out, you've got to cut plastic ties, which are clear and get lost, which wouldn't be good if you had an infant that likes eating stuff it finds on the floor, as they are hard to find.\\n\\nThe figure itself looks fairly good from the front. It heavy but fragile. It wouldn't survive much rough play. It comes with a bat on a long plastic strip which you insert into a hole at the back of its coat that comes out the front around where the minon's appendix would be. When you pull the bat out the arms and eyeball move, as do the teeth and some wheels underneath. If you ever owned a car with the same sort of insert and pull plastic thing or even ones you revved up by pulling them back and back and then letting go, this is the same concept. It makes that same loud sound too. The minion however doesn't move very well. It doesn't roll at all on carpet and on a hard smooth surface it rolls about ten centimetres before falling over. You can also move the arms and eyeball simply by rolling the wheels with your hand. So really it's more of a display piece.\\n\\nFrom behind it doesn't look that great you can see all the screws holding it together. It's plastic but hollow (except for the motor) so would likely smash if knocked off a shelf or desk onto the hard floor. The motor inside isn't obviously that secure as it rattles when you move or shake the minion. For me this is simply a cheaply made figure that I'm not really likely to ever use as a toy simply because it doesn't really work as one. As a figure you've got to compare it to other brand minions, including even the same character as Dracula's minion. I think they are better value and more durable. If this comes up here again for a couple of dollars or you can get it somewhere else really cheap give it a go, otherwise there's better minions figures out there.\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Truth That is Out There is That This is a Great Highly Detailed Addition to the Funko Pop Vinyl World\\n\\nReview: Fox Mulder is a very detailed addition to the Funko Pop Vinyl collection. I love how they even have a little illustration of the Pop Vinyl Mulder's head on the FBI ID that is hanging on his suit. Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie or in this case TV character. But that Funko character has a very good resemblance to Mulder including the 90's hair gel styled hair.\\n\\nMulder Pop Vinyl comes holding a gun, in fact he has a finger on the trigger. The gun itself has a fair bit of detail, with ridges, rectangles and stuff making it look fairly real. I would have liked them to have included Mulder's phone in his other hand. Back in the mid 90's when mobile phones were expensive and a phone call on one cost you about half as much as your landline phone bill, this was a show that made everyone (us teens at least) really want to have a mobile phone simply to look cool. When they upgraded to a flip phone on the show, everyone then wanted one of those. In fact when anyone got a phone often they would often answer it \\\"Hey Scully!\\\" But alas Mulder's other hand is simply clenched. Mulder's blue suit looks pretty good, he's even wearing a belt that looks like it has a little bit of wear on it. His dark and light blue striped tie and light blue business shirt also look quite good. If you're unfamiliar with these Pop Vinyls everything is the one plastic mold, the clothes aren't material or anything and you can't take them off. Likewise the gun is permanently attached to his hand and his arms can't be moved, they are always in that pose. You can however rotate his head, in fact Mulder's head can rotate 180 degrees so if he ever become possessed like in the Exorcist, he will be able to prove that to the unbelievers out there. Mulder stands up no problem at all on a flat surface.\\n\\nIf you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. My Mulder has a bit of green paint on the underside of his head. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are Mulder and the three other characters from The X-Files as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that the packaging design lets you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Scully is an Excellent Addition to the World of Funko Figures\\n\\nReview: Scully is a pretty well done Pop Vinyl by Funko (as is <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Mulder/dp/B00PX70TLA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Mulder</a>). Like Mulder she has a pretty cool FBI badge attached to her clothes with a little cartoon head on it. Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie or in this case TV character. But as was the case with Mulder that Funko character has a very good resemblance to Dana Scully.\\n\\nIf you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are Scully and the three other characters from The X-Files as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that the packaging design lets you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\\n\\nScully comes holding a flashlight, as with Mulder I would have loved her to be holding a mobile phone in her other hand, since their use on the show was so heavy it made everyone in a former landline dominant world want one back in the 90's. If you're unfamiliar with these Pop Vinyls everything is the one plastic mold, the clothes aren't material or anything and you can't take them off or remove the flashlight from her hand. You can't pose her arms or legs, however you can rotate her head. Scully stands up no problem at all on a flat surface..\",\n \"Product: The Crystal Ship's been pretty good to us. Go back to the original roving lab where it all started for Walter White and Jesse Pinkman! The Breaking Bad The Crystal Ship RV with Jesse Pinkman Pop! Vinyl Vehicle includes Jesse wearing a green hoodie, riding along in an impressively painted Winnebago. The RV is covered in dust from the most recent cooking adventure in the desert, features a cracked window, and bullet holes in the door from the pilot episode!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: RV Drug Lab Display Stand for Breaking Bad Figures Looks Great!\\n\\nReview: The Crystal Ship is a little bigger than the Delorian and Ecto 1 display stands, in fact you can fit an additional four Funko Pop figures standing on the roof. The RV display stand comes with Jesse, he's a figure you probably wouldn't instantly recognise as being Jesse if he wasn't inside the RV. But there is some resemblance to the character/actor. You can of course buy other versions of Jesse, along with Walter White, and other characters. Jesse comes out and any other character can go into the black rectangle on the roof. He does have little holes in his feet to match two raised bits of plastic, but any others still fit in there. You can get a few different versions of the characters in Hazmat suits if you wanted the display to look like they'd just cooked up a batch. On the back of the box some of the other Breaking Bad figures are illustrated, but more came out after this RV display stand did.\\n\\nThe display is made of hard plastic and is hollow, so if you dropped it onto a hard floor it would likely smash. This is obviously why the wheels don't move as otherwise if someone bumped the desk or shelf it is on the thing would roll off. Even though the wheels don't roll though, you can easily push it around on carpet though. It doesn't have a hidden button to play the Breaking Bad theme song, sound bites from the TV show or anything like that either. You've got to remember these things sold in stores for less than the price of three Funko figures (and remember it comes with one) so you can't really be too picky on things it doesn't do when it was designed to be sold as a cheap display piece and maybe to get people interested in collecting the figures, or at least if they already were, the ones from Breaking Bad.\\n\\nYou can also of course keep it in the box and the box is designed quite well so that you can see the RV with Jesse in it from three sides as well as above. The box is also of the design that you can remove the RV and Jesse and put them back later without damaging the packaging which is great. It does however mean there is no way you're going to know if yours has ever been opened, especially if buying it a few years from now. If you're buying other Pop Rides the boxes stack well on top of each other.\\n\\nReally this is quite a good display stand. If you're going to get a few Breaking Bad figures, you're going to want this to display them on!\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Another Great Funko Pop Vinyl from the Orphan Black Range\\n\\nReview: You can't really collect Orphan Black Funkos without getting Helena. In fact if I didn't even watch the show I'd probably would have got her anyway as you don't come across too many blood splattered female figures holding a knife. But I do watch it and Helena is a cool character. This is the Wedding Dress version, you can also get a Parka wearing version of Helena. I can see other variations of this popular clone happening in the future, I'd love one of her with the black scorpion from a scene in the desert that I won't divulge more of just in case you haven't watched Season 3 yet. But back to this figure, if you do an image search for Helena wedding dress, you'll see they've done a pretty good job with the likeness on the figure's clothing. The dress of course has blood splatter on it, as does her head, but also the window pane on the box also is splattered with blood which is a nice touch too.\\n\\nHelena doesn't come with a stand like the other clones do and that's because she doesn't need one to stand on her own. Helena is a character that hasn't had the comforts of the other clones so of course isn't bothered with a stand that has no purpose other than for presentation. However if you're displaying them all together it does look a bit inconsistent that she doesn't have one if you are using the stand on the other clones, so perhaps it would have made sense if they'd thrown one in.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent Representation of the Cosima Character from Orphan Black\\n\\nReview: Funko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. However this especially when you stand it beside Alison, or one of the other clones is instantly recognisable as Cosima from Orphan Black. So it achieves both the Funko look and resemblance to Cosima. If you do an image search on the character you'll see that they nailed her lab coat outfit, she's even worn the same purple clothes and boots in an episode. The glasses are also the same as the ones worn by the clone. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls hair never looks that close a resemblance to actual hair but Cosima's doesn't look bad. The back part you know is supposed to represent her braided hairstyle. The figure's kind of reminds me of some old toy I vaguely remember from my childhood which sort of transformers style folded from an animal to a plastic ball. The hair looks like the plastic ball stage with the curve and all.\\n\\nCosima's head isn't any bigger, or her body any smaller than most other female character Funkos. Like most of them she comes with a hole in her boot and a clear plastic stand with a raised bit you insert in the hole. Likely due to the dreadlock attachment part of her hair, she is harder to stand on her own without the stand. Most female Pop Vinyls that come with a stand you never use but if your surface isn't completely flat that your putting her on, or it gets knocked a bit, you'll probably use it with this one. I like to display my Funkos on top of their box and she does struggle to keep balance without the stand on the box's slightly curved top flap. The only thing using the stand though, if you're displaying her with the other clones, Helena doesn't come with a stand (she doesn't need one), but it looks a bit inconsistent. The stand is just a clear plastic circle and if you didn't know to look for it you might miss it in the plastic blister insert inside the box as it blends in quite well. There is no Orphan Black logo or anything on the stand to enhance the figure's displayability, it simply just helps the figure stand on a surface that isn't completely flat.\\n\\nLike all Funko Pop Vinyl figures, there will likely be paint blemishes on the figure. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Mine came with black paint on the bottom of her right glasses lens but you never know what blemishes yours will have. I guess if buying online you could ask the seller to do so and e-mail you the photos.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: Philip J. Fry accidentally landed himself in the year 2999, and now he's landed his very own Pop! Vinyl Figure! The Futurama Fry Pop! Vinyl Figure measures 3 3/4-inches tall. \\\"So I really am important? How I feel when I'm drunk is correct?\\\".\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"When you look this good, you don't have to know anything!' - Philip J. Fry\\n\\nReview: Fry is an excellent addition to the Funko Pop Vinyl universe. He's a bit different to the usual Funko figures in that his head is a bit narrower and he doesn't have the usual triangle nose. Instead he kind of has a Pinocchio type nose. He looks very much like the character in the cartoon, especially the hair. Still like other Funko Pop Vinyls he doesn't have a mouth, you can't move or pose his arms or legs. You can rotate his head 360 degrees for any Exorcist moments. Fry stands up on a flat surface no problems at all too.\\n\\nLike all Funko Pop Vinyls there are paint blemishes. Some you can't see unless you take the figure out of the box. My Fry has a mark on the back of one of the jeans legs. But it's perfectly something Fry in the cartoon would do and would still wear the pants. But anyway be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, if the paint blemishes really bother you, you could always ask the shop assistant to do so for you, which is something I'm seeing more and more.\\n\\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Fry out of the box or put him back to display him in there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back is Fry and colourful silhouettes of three other characters from Futurama that were released at the same time, Leela, Bender and Robot Devil. There were other characters released from the show after this was too. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space too.\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years. The Funko Vinyl Idols Collection is sure to bring a smile to any collector of all ages.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"I Feel so Funky!'\\n\\nReview: I'll point out that like another reviewer my figure also came with the box covered in brown paint on the front window, but unlike that reviewer I'm not going to rate a product down because the seller couldn't be bothered to use a drop cloth when doing some painting. It's not Funko or the product's fault either, sure the seller should let customers know and not send them out that way,sell them as seconds or whatever, but that's what seller feedback and the links to contact your seller are all about, not the product review page as everyone who sells one on here now or in the future (including those of us who've bought one if we need money one day) shouldn't be tainted with the same brown paint brush.\\n\\nThe figure is pretty well detailed, doesn't entirely look like Bill Murray of course, but it's a nice cartoon like version of him and you definitely know who he is if you take him out of the box. He stands perfectly fine by himself but there is also a stand (which is basically a black circle with a two pointy bits to insert into a hole in both his shoes. There is no Ghostbusters logo or anything on the stand to enhance the display so I don't bother with it. His clothes and pack are all part of the one mold, and don't come off, nor can you pose him in any other stance.\\n\\nThe Vinyl Idolz are a lot taller than your standard Pop Vinyl figures including the Ghostbuster versions, but they still look cool displayed beside the Ecto 1 display stand and the Pop Vinyl Winston driver. As far as I know they didn't make a Winston as a Vinyl Idolz but hopefully one day.\\n\\nDr. Peter Venkman: He slimed me.\\nDr Ray Stantz: That's great. Actual physical contact. Can you move?\\nDr. Egon Spengler: [over walkie-talkie] Ray, Ray, come in please.\\nDr. Peter Venkman: I feel so funky.\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years. The Funko Vinyl Idols Collection is sure to bring a smile to any collector of all ages.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Dr. Egon Spengler: \\\"Not necessarily. There's definitely a 'very slim' chance we'll survive.\\\"\\n\\nReview: Dr Egon Spengler Vinyl Idolz is pretty well detailed, it looks very similar to how the late actor looked in the 80's film. You do have to be weary that Funko figures do come with paint blemishes on them, mine has a bit of white paint in the hair and one ear, so it's a bit of a gamble but these things are pretty inexpensive (at the time of review) so are pretty great for what you're paying for them. Even if you're in a physical store and can't see any on the front, often there's some on the back of the figure that you can't see. You do see more and more people asking to open the box in the shop so perhaps that's something you might want to ask the seller to do and photograph for you if the price is getting higher. The packaging is designed to do just that, without damaging it all.\\n\\nThe figure comes with a stand, although you don't need it as he stands fine by himself. The stand has no Ghostbusters symbol or anything else on it, it's just black, I've never bothered to use mine with any of the Vinyl Idolz figures when I've displayed them out of their boxes. That's the great thing about these figures and their packaging. They come in pretty cool phone booth style cardboard boxes. The box is pretty easy to open and take Egon out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not though. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\\n\\nThe clothes, pack and everything are all the one mold. You can't remove any or pose the figure in any other way. But it does look pretty cool. I display Ray, Egon and Venkman alongside the Pop Vinyl Ecto 1 display stand with Winston (Funko pop figure that comes with it) driving.\\n\\nI don't know what scene Egon's pose is from but here's a classic bit of the character's wit.\\n\\nDr. Egon Spengler: I have a radical idea. The door swings both ways, we could reverse the polarity flow through the gate.\\nDr. Peter Venkman: How?\\nDr. Egon Spengler: [hesitates] We'll cross the streams.\\nDr. Peter Venkman: 'Scuse me Egon? You said crossing the streams was bad!\\nDr Ray Stantz: Cross the streams...\\nDr. Peter Venkman: You're gonna endanger us, you're gonna endanger our client - the nice lady, \\\"who paid us in advance\\\", before she became a dog...\\nDr. Egon Spengler: Not necessarily. There's definitely a *very slim* chance we'll survive.\\n[pause while they consider this]\\nDr. Peter Venkman: [slaps Ray] I love this plan! I'm excited it could work! LET'S DO IT!\",\n \"Product: Funko is a pop culture licensed-focused toy company located in Everett, WA. Funko currently holds more than 150 licenses including, but not limited to; Lucas Films, Marvel, Hasbro, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, NBA, Sanrio, and Disney. Funko's Pop! Vinyl is the number one stylized vinyl collectible in the world with over 10 million units sold in the last three years. The Funko Vinyl Idols Collection is sure to bring a smile to any collector of all ages.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"What You Have There is What We Refer to as a Focused, Non-Terminal, Repeating Phantasm, or a Class Five full roaming vapor.\\\"\\n\\nReview: This and the other Ghostbusters character Vinyl Idolz are pretty well done and highly detailed. They are a lot taller than your usual Funko Pop figures, and resemble the character (in this case Dr Raymond Stantz) a lot more than the Funko Pop Figures. Ray is of course holding up the trap with Slimer inside it from the hotel around the time of the movie's classic lines.\\n\\nDr Ray Stantz: [holding ghost trap like a rat by the tail] We got it!\\nHotel Manager: What is it? Will there be any more of them?\\nDr Ray Stantz: Sir, what you have there is what we refer to as a focused, non-terminal, repeating phantasm, or a Class Five full roaming vapor. Real nasty one, too!\\nDr. Peter Venkman: Now, let's talk seriously, now. For the entrapment, we're gonna have to ask you for...\\nDr. Egon Spengler: [holds up four fingers]\\nDr. Peter Venkman: ...four big ones. Four thousand dollars for that. But we are having a special this week on proton charging...\\nDr. Egon Spengler: [holds up one finger]\\nDr. Peter Venkman: ...one thousand dollars, fortunately.\\nHotel Manager: Five thousand dollars? I had no idea it would be so much. I won't pay it.\\nDr. Peter Venkman: Well, that's all right, we can just put it right back in there.\\nDr Ray Stantz: We certainly can, Dr. Venkman.\\n[turning back to ballroom]\\nHotel Manager: No, no, no, no! All right! I'll pay anything!\\nDr. Peter Venkman: Thanks so much.\\n\\nThe figure comes with a stand, although you don't need it as he stands fine by himself. The stand has no Ghostbusters symbol or anything else on it, it's just black, I've never bothered to use mine with any of the Vinyl Idolz figures when I've displayed them out of their boxes. That's the great thing about these figures and their packaging. They come in pretty cool phone booth style cardboard boxes. The box is pretty easy to open and take Ray out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not though. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\\n\\nThe clothes, trap, headgear and pack and everything are all the one mold. You can't remove any or pose the figure in any other way. But it does look pretty cool. I display Ray, Egon and Venkman alongside the Pop Vinyl Ecto 1 display stand with Winston (Funko pop figure that comes with it) driving.\",\n \"Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Newman Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Newman Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \\\"Must See TV\\\" to must have for your collection!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: When You Control the Mail, You Control... Information!\\n\\nReview: I originally decided not to get a Newman since it doesn't really look much like Wayne Knight as Newman in the TV show. But having enjoyed the other four characters I bought and seeing how everyone else that sees them reacts to them, I figured I've got to get Newman too. With pretty much no merchandise out there on one of the most popular shows of all time, you've also got to take into the fact, it's not real likely there will ever be another better Newman figure ever made. Newman did look much better in the prototype (that is unethically used by some online sellers, there is even one on this site under a separate product page that is selling this version (I asked them). Anyway that prototype looked way better, Newman had a postal jacket that looked closer to the colour of the one in the show. It also seems to be the only one of the six prototype Seinfeld Vinyl Idolz that was altered. It was a bad decision. Not sure why they went with blue and there is no gold zipper area in the postal jacket warn on the show either.\\n\\nNewman Vinyl Idolz also is a lot thinner than his TV show version. It looks more like Wayne Knight did after the show when he'd lost a lot of weight. They really with this figure's width should have made the figure shorter to match the actor's body shape. His face as well doesn't look as close to Wayne Knight's as was achieved with some of the other Vinyl Idolz characters. If they ever make a George Costanza, I hope they don't make a thin one. Really hope they make a George though, and Jerry and Elaine as well as other one or few episode characters, such as lawyer Jackie Chiles or Babu Bhatt (hopefully the wheels are in motion for these).\\n\\nNewman comes in a pretty cool phone booth style cardboard box. The box is pretty easy to open and take him out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not though. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\\n\\nThe figure is fairly durable, you can't pose him or anything, he is just in his one stance with his hands together in a Mr Burns style evil pose. Also Simpsons style he only has four fingers, as do the other Seinfeld Vinyl Idolz for some reason. His clothes don't come off or anything, if you wanted to see Newman naked, you're dreams will go unfulfilled here. His head doesn't rotate like some of the other figures. He stands by himself, no problems at all on a flat surface but he is a lot heavier than the other ones so perhaps you wouldn't want him knocked over on a glass table for example. There is a circular black stand that you could put him on if you wanted, but I don't see the point. The stand has no Seinfeld logo or anything like that on it. The only logo is on the box. He'd be about 19.5cm high, so he's a decent size, a lot bigger than the regular Funko Vinyl Pop figures. If you're keeping him in the box, add another 5.5cm. Box is 13.5cm wide.\\n\\nMine doesn't have any paint blemishes on it but some of my other Seinfeld ones have some minor ones so unless you're going to take the figure out in the shop, it is a bit of a gamble with these things.\\n\\nNewman, even though it doesn't really look like Newman, you've got to have Newman! Here as some classic Newman moments you'll probably relive with your friends when this is on display.\\n\\nSome classic moments:\\nMargaret: Hello.\\n\\nJerry: You two know each other?\\n\\nNewman: You might say that.\\n\\nMargaret: We used to go out.\\n\\nNewman: Well, tootle loo. And nice seeing you again Margaret, goodbye Jerry. Have fun. Hehe\\n\\nJerry: Okay, pudgy, lets stop playing games. What happened with margaret?\\nNewman: There's no need to get excited. Can't we discuss this like gentlemen?\\nJerry: No, we can't. My skin is crawling just being inside your little rat's nest. Now, what happened?\\nNewman: Do you really want to know what happened? I'll tell you what Happened. She wasn't my type.\\nJerry: Not your type?\\nNewman: Not really.\\nJerry: Well, how come?\\nNewman: Ah, she just didn't do it for me.\\nJerry: What, what is wrong with her?\\nNewman: Well, h ha ha- if you're happy with her, that's all that matters.\\nJerry: You don't think she's attractive?\\nNewman: No. I need a really pretty face. But, Hey, that's me.\\nJerry: Okay, Newman, thanks a lot.\\nNewman: Care for some lemonade?\\nJerry: No, thank you.\\nNewman: Drop bye anytime, jerry. Hah, ha ha\\n\\nGeorge Costanza: Why are you home? You're supposed to be out on your route, and getting my calzones for Steinbrenner.\\nNewman: Well, I saw that it's raining outside, so I called in sick. I don't work in the rain.\\nGeorge Costanza: But... you're a mailman! 'Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow... ' It's the first one!\\nNewman: I've never been much for credos.\\nGeorge Costanza: But I'm paying you!\\nNewman: Hey, thanks!\\n\\nElaine: \\\"Perhaps there's more to Newman than meets the eye.\\\"\\nJerry: \\\"No, there's less.\\\"\\nElaine: \\\"It's possible.\\\"\\nJerry: \\\"No, it isn't. I've looked into his eyes. He's pure evil.\\\"\\nElaine: \\\"Maybe he's an enigma. A mystery wrapped in a riddle.\\\"\\nJerry: \\\"Yeah. He's a mystery wrapped in a Twinkie.\\\"\\n\\n\\\"When you control the mail, you control..... information!\\\"\",\n \"Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Frank Costanza Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Frank Costanza Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \\\"Must See TV\\\" to must have for your collection!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"I Didn't Come All the Way to New York, to Sit at a Table!\\\"\\n\\nReview: I have to admit at first I wondered why Frank Costanza came attached to a stripper pole, I assumed it was just to help the figure stand up on its own, but upon doing an image search I worked out that this is Frank holding his Festivus pole. He's wearing the same red cardigan as in that episode, so it's a great likeness. Unfortunately you can't detach the pole from the figure, in fact you can't pose the figure in any other way either. There's no sound bites that play if you press a hidden button or anything. It's just a figure, but it is a great little figure. If you've also bought Kramer or some of the others you'll also find Frank is a bit smaller standing alongside them, which makes sense since Mr Stiller is smaller in height that the other actors. The figure does come with a round black display stand but since it stands on its own and there is no Seinfeld logo on it, I don't see the point to using it. The clothes aren't made of material or anything, they are just part of the vinyl figure and can't be removed if you were hoping to undress Frank or anything like this.\\n\\nThe box is pretty easy to open and take him out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about Frank and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\",\n \"Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Mr. Peterman Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Mr. Peterman Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \\\"Must See TV\\\" to must have for your collection!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The Clothing Traders Had Gone But a Different Sort of Trader Still Lurked About. Just a taste he said. That was all it took!\\\"\\n\\nReview: J Petermen had some classic lines on Seinfeld, obviously this is just a figure and he doesn't actually say any of them, but still, when this is on display people can't help but recite them. Such as when Elaine was sick of picking up the workload left by Bob, her colleague, and didn't believe he was deaf so tried to get a reaction by making suggestive remarks. Of course Peterman walked in and she ended up having to pretend she liked him and actually date him or lose her job. One of Peterman's spiels in response to this situation \\\"Elaine, I too am no stranger to love on the clock. As a youngster, my father apprenticed me to a honey factory in Belize. The chief bee keeper was this horrible hag of a woman with gnarled teeth and a giant wart that she called a nose. Wooh! She was not attractive, even by backwoods standards. But love is truly blind, Elaine, and as the days went on, working closer and closer together, that sweet smell of honey in the air, I knew I had to have that horrible creature. And I did. So you and Bob have a good time tonight.\\\"\\n\\nOf course the classic - J Peterman: Im afraid I have some bad news, Elaine. It appears you will not be accompanying me to Africa.\\nElaine Benes: What? Why not?\\nJ Peterman: Im afraid its your urine, Elaine. You tested positive for opium.\\nElaine Benes: Opium?\\nJ Peterman: Thats right, Elaine. White lotus. Yam-yam. Shanghai Sally.\\nJ Peterman: \\\"I know what you're going through. I too once fell under the spell of opium. It was 1979. I was travelling the Yangtzee in search of a Mongolian horsehair vest. I had got to the market after sundown, all of the clothing traders had gone, but a different sort of trader still lurked about. Just a taste, he said. That was all it took!\\\"\\n J Peterman: Oh, Elaine. The toll road of denial is a long and dangerous one. The price, your soul. Oh and by the way you have til five to clear out your desk. Youre fired.\\n\\nSo onto the figure itself, it's just a figure, you can't pose it in any other way. Basically you've got Peterman with a grumpy look on his face holding a coffee mug. He is wearing the clothes from the episode called The Friars Club. Peterman also appears to be wearing this when he is in the picture theatre with Elaine watching The English Patient. He also wore the same shirt with a darker coloured vest in the episode called the Shower Head. But this outfit is from The Friars Club, the one with Elaine reluctantly dating Bob so she doesn't get fired for making fun of someone with a disability. Out of the four Seinfeld character vinyl figures that I own (you can get six at the time of this review), J Peterman is the only one that I have bothered to use the stand with. He does stand up on his own but not very well and it takes a lot of positioning, the slightest bump or breeze knocks him over. Whereas, the others all stand up no problem. The stand itself has no Seinfeld logo or anything else making you want to use it for any sort of display purposes, it's just a black round bit of plastic with two raised bits that fit into holes found on the soles of Peterman's shoes.\\n\\nOf course you can also just display it in the box it comes in as it's pretty nice too and lets you see the figure from the front and both sides, you can't see it from the back in the box as there's a spiel about the character on the box. There's also a photo of the figure on the back. The box has a weird reflective green cardboard giving the figure an eerie X-Files feeling in the box if the light hits it right. The great thing about this figure's packaging is that you can open the box at either the top or bottom, simply slide out the clam shell like clear plastic bubble, open it up and take the figure out. Or put him back in. There's no tape or anything on the box. It's a simple couple of seconds procedure. The downside to this unfortunately obviously means you have no idea if the thing has ever been opened if you're buying one online or even in a physical shop.\\n\\nPeterman does look like the actor and his clothes do look like the clothes worn in the episode. However the paintwork on Peterman isn't as good as the other figures I have and I've ended up with two of these since the seller I bought this from put one in the box with my shipment with the top of the packaging torn off (there's no way a seller doesn't notice this and know what they're sending, if this happens to you complain). You can't judge a product on who its seller is. The first figure that arrived had a lot of greys and brown paint on the back of the head that made it look dirty. The second figure has white paint in the hair that gives it a Something About Mary hairstyle gel look and also like he has a white tear coming down his cheek. So quality control at the Funko factory isn't obviously the best. However I'll point out the other three Seinfeld figures I have, don't have any blemishes at all. So perhaps it's just Peterman (which also may explain why he doesn't stand on his own well) and maybe odds are you might have no blemishes at all on your Peterman figure.\\n\\nKramer is the only one of the four main characters that you can get as a vinyl figure (at time of this review anyway). I'd love to see Funko bring out Jerry, George and Elaine too. Other one or few episode supporting characters as well. Seinfeld is mentioned by most people as one of their favourite shows of all time so I imagine this would be quite a lucrative money earner for Funko. You hardly see any Seinfeld merchandise out there, so I'm glad Funko made the six figures they have so far and do recommend anyone who loved the show to get them.\",\n \"Product: The show about nothing! From NBC's Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, bring home your favorite character as a stylized vinyl figure. The Seinfeld Soup Nazi Vinyl Idolz Figure measures approximately 8-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box. This Seinfeld Soup Nazi Vinyl Idolz Figure goes from \\\"Must See TV\\\" to must have for your collection!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I Didn't Get Any Bread! Let it Go......\\n\\nReview: I bought this pretty much at the same time I discovered it existed. You simply don't see much Seinfeld merchandise out there. Considering most people rate Seinfeld as their favourite show, you'd think there would be a ton of stuff out there. There's not though. But there is this (and five other Seinfeld characters as vinyl figures at the time of this review). The Soup Nazi, is simply awesome. It's bigger than I thought it would be, it comes in a pretty cool phone booth style cardboard box. The box is pretty easy to open and take him out without causing any damage to the packaging. If you're buying one online, or even in a shop for that matter, there is no way you're going to know if it has ever been opened or not. There's no tape to cut or anything, you just open the box at the top or the bottom, slide out the bubble, open it up clam like, and take him out. I like this sort of packaging though, as you've always got the option to display him in the box, or out of it. The box has a little spiel about the character and a photo (of the doll) on the back. You can see the figure from both sides of the front while it's in the box, and for some reason it has a weird green shiny backing that sort of glows like he's from The X-files of something, when the sunlight hits it.\\n\\nThe figure is fairly durable, you can't pose him or anything, he just has the one stance of holding up a finger on his right arm, with his left hand holding a ladle. His clothes don't come off or anything like that if you're into that sort of thing. His head rotates very slightly but not a great deal. He stands by himself, no problems at all on a flat surface. Like a Simpsons' character he only has four fingers though (as do the other figures). Have no idea why. There is a circular black stand that you could put him on if you wanted, but I don't see the point. The stand has no Seinfeld logo or anything like that on it. The only logo is on the box. He'd be about 20cm high, so he's a decent size, a lot bigger than the regular Funko Vinyl Pop figures. If you're keeping him in the box, add another 5.5cm. Box is 13.5cm wide.\\n\\nThe face has a lot of detail in it, he has a bit facial growth, a moustache, eye brows and serious forehead. He doesn't have any recorded sayings like No Soup for You! You're pushing you're luck little man! He's just a figure. But I honestly couldn't be happier with this. It has no paint blemishes or anything on it, the white of the chef's apron and shirt is clean. It's great! I hope they do more characters the future. Obviously Jerry and George would be the first I'd like to see but there's plenty of others too.\",\n \"Product: Cousin Eddie fromNational Lampoon's Christmas Vacationhas been given the POP treatment with this National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Cousin Eddie POP! The idiot cousin who means well but just doesn't know any better stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Christmas Vacation figures from Funko! Collect them all!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Merry Christmas! \\\"Sh...er Was Full!\\n\\nReview: Cousin Eddie is a pretty well done Pop Vinyl, he has a cigar in his mouth and a beer can in his right hand. Most pop vinyls don't have a mouth so that's a rarity in itself. Would have been better if Eddie had at least the end of the hose from the RV's septic tank to complete the classic \\\"sh....er was full\\\" scene that the clothing (robe, hat with ear flaps and boots) are from. But it's still pretty cool.\\n\\nLike all Funko pop vinyls you can't move or pose his arms or legs. You can rotate his head 360 degrees for different looking over the shoulder poses or any Exorcist moments you wish Cousin Eddie to have. Even though he's got a beer can in hand and it's probably not his first, he stands up perfectly well on a flat surface. You can even bump him or knock him and he still stays upright. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls it's unlikely you'll get one without paint blemishes. Some you can't see unless you take the figure out of the box. However that's not that big an issues with Cousin Eddie, since we know he was a slob, so would have dirty or stained clothes and marks on his face or body. But anyway be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, if the paint blemishes really bother you, you could always ask the shop assistant (or online seller) to do so for you, which is something I'm seeing more and more in stores.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other if you like to create your own step like shelves to display them.\",\n \"Product: POP TV: Friends - Rachel Green from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Great Addition to the Pop Vinyls World\\n\\nReview: After getting Chandler and Joey and loving the detail in them I immediately decided to get Rachel as well. It's a little disappointing that with Rachel (along with Monica) that they chose to put them in their work uniforms and since all the Friends Funko Pop Vinyls are holding something, she ends up holding an empty tea cup, but she still looks pretty cool. Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from anyway, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie or in this case TV character. But these features suit some actual actors more than others, and Rachel Green as a Pop Vinyl does have a pretty good resemblance to Jennifer Aniston as Rachel. Her hair is a bit shorter than her character had it while employed there but it has some resemblance to the famous 90's style.\\n\\nThe logo of Central Perk Cafe is on both the empty teacup, they could have put some coffee in it though. The logo is also on the waste apron. She is wearing boots and a jeans denim type shirt. Rachel comes attached to a small stand but can be removed. It's interesting that she comes in the box attached to the thing, I guess to many people who have difficulty standing up figures were complaining and had thrown out the stand that was hard to see with the packaging. Most female characters for some reason come with a clear stand, I don't know why, it's almost like there's some old guy working in the factory that still opens doors for women and insists all female characters need assistance to stand up. I own about twenty female character Funko Pop Vinyls, none of them need a stand to stay up on their feet on a flat surface. Rachel Green is no different she stands on her own just fine. Interestingly she has holes at the bottom of both boots, and the stand has two raised bits to attach her. Previously all these stands had just on raised thing and the figures just one of their feet had a hole. The stand doesn't have a Friends logo or anything that enhances the figure's display so I don't really see the point.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are the five other characters from Friends as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: 100% authentic true-to-scale detail, die-cast metal body, metal chassis, detailed wheels, chrome accents and accurate factory paint job. GreenLight Hollywood takes iconic film and television vehicles from past and present and brings them to life with four-wheeled die cast replicas. Breaking Bad, an American crime drama television series, is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time and was among the most-watched cable shows on TV receiving numerous awards. Officially licensed by respective movie and automobile companies.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The RV Was Pretty Much One of Characters in The First Seasons of the Show\\n\\nReview: This is pretty cool, it is a nice representation of the RV from the show and even comes with some pants hanging off the right side mirror. They should have positioned the RV to be facing the right instead of left in the blister packaging so you could see them easily but if you keep this in the packaging then you've just got to squint and look in the gap between the vehicle and the cardboard to see them. It's pretty good packaging though, with a nice photo of Walter White in the top left and the Breaking Bad word logo on the right. So you'll probably want to keep it in there. The packaging is pretty durable being it is completely covered in plastic. I've had a number of Johnny Lightning vehicles with this packaging and all you do is wipe the dust off, you can even run the thing under a tap if you want. The cardboard inside stays dry but the sun does fade it. I wish more die-cast cars came in this sort of packaging when it's pretty obvious most people won't be removing the vehicle from the pack. On the back is another promo photo or maybe even a still from the TV show with Walter (as Heisenberg) on the back next to Jesse. The RV is in the background in the middle of a field of long dry brown grass.\\n\\nYou can also find the same vehicle by Greenlight in a non Breaking Bad packaging. If you're planning on taking this out of the packaging you might want to consider that one if its cheaper, since the packaging isn't the type you can reuse. That one probably doesn't have the pants on the side mirror though.\",\n \"Product: A Diamond Select Toys release! You only Liv twice! As a doctor who became a zombie, Liv Moore is the focus of the hit CW show iZombie, in which she solves crimes by eating the brains (and memories) of the victims. And now she's the newest action figure from Diamond Select Toys! Sculpted in a 7\\\" scale, this Liv Moore action figure includes both regular and red-eyed zombie-rage heads, plus an interchangeable chopsticks-holding hand, as well as a pipe, coffee cup, hot sauce bottle and a delicious brain casserole. The figure features approximately 16 points of articulation and comes packaged on a blister card. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Well You Don't Really Have a Choice as it's the Only iZombie Figure Out There, Doesn't Look Like Liv & Average Blister Packaging\\n\\nReview: Watched Season 1 of iZombie, loved it and immediately had a look to see what figures and merchandise there was out there. This Diamond Select Toys figure seems to be the only figure out there at the moment (there is also a red eyes rage version, but from what I can tell from online seller photos, it's exactly the same one, packaging and all, just with red eyes). Note this product page lists that this figure comes with interchangeable heads, it doesn't, just comes with the one, it's a variety of hands it comes with (five of them), including one holding chopsticks, that are interchangeable. It also comes with a non detailed black plastic oval stand that clips into holes in both of her boots, it has no iZombie word logo or anything to enhance the display of the figure on it. Other accessories are a hot sauce bottle, takeaway coffee cup, sushi dish with a brain in the center and a metal bit of pipe (all like the figure made of plastic of course).\\n\\nIt isn't a great likeness at all to Rose McIver as Olivia Moore on the show, the head is a lot narrower and less round than the actress'. Her skin isn't the pale white (which is how we the audience know she's a zombie) which is especially noticeable in the face, and the eyes look like a regular alive woman. It's sort of like it's Liv before she went to the boat party, although her hair has lost it's colour so that doesn't make sense. The clothing though is a very good likeness to an outfit warn on the show in season 1. They are part of the plastic figure mold and you can't remove the jacket or any other piece of clothing. You can see the joints in the arms and legs.\\n\\nThe figure comes in a disappointing cheap plastic bubble glued onto a bit of cardboard packaging that most figure manufacturers have done away with these days simply as they don't look new for long. It means not only do you have to make a decision, do you open it or not, as you've got to destroy the packaging to get the figure out, but the cardboard is exposed and easily bent hanging in a shop, let alone when shipped or on display in your house as it sticks out a bit higher than where the plastic bubble finishes and is prone to being affected by moisture in the air, bent corners and fraying like cardboard does after a while when not entombed in plastic, which is how most blister packs come these days. Or better yet the figures comes in a box so you can display the figure inside it, or take it out and display it then put it back in when you've changed your mind. In fact the whole blister pack is a lot taller than your usual 7 inch figure ones, meaning you're going to need a big high space on a desk or shelf to display it. Because of the fact it has a cardboard backing you can only see the figure from the front and sides. The back does have a nice spiel of what the show is about and a picture of the figure, although perhaps a still from the show or the actress in a promotional shot as the character would have been better, since you can see the figure through the front after all. The front of the cardboard and packaging isn't that visually exciting either, and there's some bland large square Licensed Products from Diamond Select Toys booklet behind the figure taking up most of the room. Again a promotional or screen shot from the show would have been better.\\n\\nBasically you don't have a lot of choice, if you want a figure from iZombie to add to your collection of horror movie/TV characters, this is the one you'll have to get. Hopefully some rival figure companies buy the rights to this show and we'll get a better figure down the track. Would love to see some of the other main characters too. But if you can come across one of these for a cheap price, you might as well get one, even though the packaging and figure itself (due mostly to the head not resembling the character or the fact she's a zombie) are pretty average. It's one you'll probably keep in the packaging, hoping something better comes out in the next couple of years so then you can sell this one.\\n\\nUpdate December 2016 - You actually do now have a choice. Funko has released four different versions of Olivia as Pop Vinyl figures. Even though Pop Vinyls aren't supposed to look exactly like the characters on TV, they are a lot closer than Diamond Select Toys' figure. Of the four different ones, there's two outfits, and three have the same head. I'd recommend the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/with-brains/dp/B01M4S8G1G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">with brains</a> one and the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Hooded/dp/B01MAUK3LX/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Hooded</a> version as then you have two different heads and two outfits.\",\n \"Product: Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Collection: 1:64 scale replicas of popular vehicles from the world of Entertainment. Collect all of your favorites! Each sold separately.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"I Finally Bagged Me a Homer!\\\"\\n\\nReview: Part of 2014 mass produced budget line of 1/64 scale die-cast vehicles, so there's quite a few of these out there, but coming across one on the pegs in shops is pretty difficult, but when you do, it's pretty satisfying to quote Mindy's song lyric line from a different episode to your friends, \\\"I finally bagged me a Homer.\\\" Of course if you're impatient to own The Homer you can always pay a fair bit more than the dollar or two you'll pay in supermarkets, department stores and toy stores. But I would actually put off doing that, (at the time of this review) as over the last couple of years Hot Wheels seems to be re-releasing most of their popular mass produced TV/movie vehicles in more premium product ranges . They'll cost a bit more in physical stores, but once you add in postage, there's not a great difference in price when you track down a basic line car compared to a Retro Entertainment one online.\\n\\nSaying that, this basic one is a pretty good replica of the one that appeared in the episode where Homer learns he has a half brother named Herb, that Herb's loaded, and the owner of Powell Motors. After being told by the product developers that Americans don't want big cars, or ones with lots of pep, when he was picking out a vehicle gift from his brother, Homer is put in charge of designing a new car to get back market share, as he, as an average American, knows what the average American wants in a car. Of course we know Homer's mind is a little different to average . The Homer has two bubble domes, so that the driver isn't annoyed by fighting kids in the back one, it also comes with optional restraints and muzzles (not on the Hot Wheels version). The engine noise was so loud that people would think the world's coming to an end when it was started up. It has three horns, because you can never find a horn when you're mad, and they all play \\\"La Cucaracha.\\\" Even though Powell Motors vehicles already came with cup holders, they didn't fit Homer's choice of drink size, so The Homer comes with bigger cup holders.\\n\\nOne thing the episode version has that this mass produced line one doesn't (which is why if you're paying higher online prices I'd wait to see if this comes out in The Retro series or other premium line), is the tenpin bowler hood ornament. Also the domes have metal frames around them (like a normal cars does) and a metal roof in the cartoon version, where as they are all glass (plastic in our case) in this mass produced version. The rear canopy is a bit more simplistic design in our Hot Wheels version too than the one that appeared on the screen. The spare rear tyre is green (the same as the rest of the car) but black in the cartoon episode. Retro Entertainment cars also usually come with rubber tyres with tread rather than the mass produced budget line wheels this version has. Although granted the wheels are mostly hidden anyway. There's no guarantee Mattel will ever re-release a better version of The Homer than this one, but really, what else can they do with the casting, after they paid all the money to design it? Other than release into the budget line in different colours of course. But that's why I put off buying one online.\\n\\nStill for $1 or two if you can find this in store it's a sensational find! When you consider the real one from the Powell Motors showroom cost $82 000, (well before they went bankrupt) it's a bargain. Well worth continuing to check the pegs, every time you're in a supermarket or department store.\\n\\nYou might also be interested to know that a company called Johnny Lightning back in 2003 released other Springfield vehicles, including the two owned by the Simpson family. The <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/pink-car/dp/B003YNH4A4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">pink car</a>, the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Station-Wagon/dp/B001NI51YS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Station Wagon</a>, the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/school-bus/dp/B003YNAY38/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">school bus</a>, and <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Chief-Wiggum-s-Police-Cruiser/dp/B001NIDCIA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Chief Wiggum's Police Cruiser</a> which was also re-released as the LA looking <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/black-and-white/dp/B002CYMOM4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">black and white </a> version used in some episodes. You'll have to track these down online here at Amazon or other online retailers though as they are no longer in department stores. When the Simpson's first hit the TV screens Hot Wheels also released a <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Nuclear-Waste-Van/dp/B001E6M22I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Nuclear Waste Van</a>, and <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Family-Camper/dp/B005IJSK5K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Family Camper</a>, although neither looks like ones from the TV show or appeared in episodes.\",\n \"Product: Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Collection: 1:64 scale replicas of popular vehicles from the world of Entertainment. Collect all of your favorites! Each sold separately.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Who You Gonna Call? Hot Wheels Ghostbusters! Ecto 1\\n\\nReview: This is the second time the Ecto 1 has been released as part of the Hot Wheels Entertainment (formerly Retro Entertainment) line. The first release came on a blister card with Slimer on it. This one has an illustration of the Ecto 1 on it. There isn't a great deal of difference between the two actual Hot Wheels cars, if you can find either a lot cheaper price than the other, I'd go with that. The only difference is that they have different hubcaps to each other. Neither's hubcaps look like the ones on the actual vehicle in the movie.\\n\\nYou can of course go for the even cheaper option of one released earlier than both of these from the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/budget-mass-produced-line/dp/B0034YX6JQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">budget mass produced line</a> which also wasn't a bad replica, it just had a black plastic ladder and stuff on the roof racks. This entertainment one's roof and ladder have greens, blues and reds in them.\",\n \"Product: One of the most requested Gremlins figures of all time is finally here! Our latest deluxe action figure from Gremlins 2: The New Batch is the spectacular Bat Gremlin, with a massive wingspan of nearly 18 inches. This detailed re-creation of the puppet seen in Gremlins 2 is fully articulated, including hinged ears, hinged jaw, and jointed arms that allow the wings to spread open and fold closed! At approximately 6 inches tall, it's perfectly in scale with our previous Gremlins action figures, too. Comes with a \\\"flight\\\" display stand.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Disappointing, Poor Design With the Unmoveable Wings as Well as a Very Cheap Looking Stand, Doesn't Display Well or Stand Up\\n\\nReview: I've been wanting a Bat Gremlin figure since I started collecting horror movie figures, and last year they finally released one. Getting one for a decent price, especially the postage side of things is a bit of a challenge. Inside the box packaging it isn't that big, nor does it weigh much more than your standard 7 inch Neca Gremlins figures, so there's really no justification for high postage fees. In fact due to the high postage cost most sellers are charging, I was expecting this to be a lot bigger than it is. The figure itself is exactly the same size as<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Flasher-Gremlin/dp/B005OO8QOY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Flasher Gremlin</a> and other 7 inch sized Gremlin figures by NECA. Of course the mogwais are a bit smaller. His wings make Bat Gremlin slightly about twice as wide though, but you can't stand Bat Gremlin up on his legs in an upright position, instead he comes with a clear stand that displays him in flight. If you remember how Jennifer Grey's character looked being held up by Swayze during I've Had the Time of My Life song, that's how Bat Gremlin displays. The Swayze stand although clear, is not invisible and is very noticeable and.really looks very cheap. Basically it's an incomplete curved bit of plastic that snips around Bat Gremlin's hips. He doesn't stay in it very well, if you bump him, or you put a fan on or something, he'll fall out. If you position him in front of a wall or something you can achieve more upright angles (such as I have in my customer image in front of a lounge, which also has the flash used so you can see more details than you would with the eye.\\n\\nThe biggest disappointment with this thing is that you can't move the wings at all. You can squash them with your hands or to put it back in the blister thing if you want to display the Gremlin back in the box, but as you let go they go back to their original position. So you're stuck in the one pose. You can only really fly it like a kid does a paper airplane while still in its hand, moving around the room. It would have been great to have been able to move the wings in and out like the Gremlin was flapping them or wrap them around something so you can display it that way (like the image on the box), but you can't. Also like the image on the box it would have been nice if this came with a decent stand, one resembling a Gothic building spire would have been great, until you get one of these you can't really see how bad the stand it comes with looks. It doesn't even the Gremlins logo or anything on it. There's holes in the Gremlins feet and also where in the palms of its hands, so obviously originally there was going to be a better stand, but I'm guessing the poor inflexible design of the wings or just budget cuts resulted in the terrible stand it comes with today.\\n\\nThey have put a fair bit of detail into Bat Gremlins head. You can move the ears, which does sort of change his expressions. Although being that he only has one stance (the Dirty Dancing one) it looks pretty stupid when the ears aren't up. You can also open and close his jaw, which again is great. His arms (non winged ones) and legs can be rotated at the wrists, elbows and other joins, but again due to only have the Jennifer Grey/Swayze option for display, there is little point to that.\\n\\nThe box this comes in boosts this items overall rating, as it's very good. It's the type of packaging you simply open one end of, slide out the blister and remove the figure and stand from. If you want you can put the figure and stand back in the blister and slide the thing back in the undamaged box. So I guess if you're buying one of these second hand, check if it still has the stand (which comes in three pieces you have to put together). Claims of never been opened would be impossible to verify. There's also some nice photographs of the prototype of this figure recreating scenes from the movies on all the sides of the box. You can view the actual figure through the front.\\n\\nThe figure with it's wingspan stretched to its limited is approximately 50cm wide. Depends on how much you tilt the Gremlin in the stand but generally due to the poor design of the stand clip the Gremlin will tilt to the right or left so the highest point of the upper wing will vary from the base of the stand. But with the Gremlins ear up it's about 21cm high from the base of the stand.\\n\\nThe paint job on the figure is fairly good, although nowhere near the league of Flasher Gremlin, Brain and other NECA figures from the sequel movie. The back is more detailed than the front, with the torso area only being very basic detail wise. There's a weird red colouring around his legs which sort of looks like someone has tried to spray paint underwear on him or something.\\n\\nIt's unlikely we'll see another Bat Gremlin figure come on the market, so this is probably the best you can hope for. I wouldn't pay any more than the regular Gremlin figures though. This also doesn't come with any accessories other than the stand, unlike those other characters do.\",\n \"Product: In a time of crisis a hero must rise. from his sofa. Stop the zombie uprising and have some flesh-eating fun with the Shaun of the Dead Bloody Shaun Pop! Vinyl Figure! Armed with his cricket bat, the Shaun of the Dead Shaun Pop! Vinyl Figure measures approximately 3 3/4-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Rare Case Where the Pop Vinyl is Better Than the Vinyl Idolz Version\\n\\nReview: Funko also released Shaun and Ed as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Vinyl-Idolz/dp/B00VXOAE9Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Vinyl Idolz</a>, usually I would get the Idolz version over the Pop Vinyl, since these Pops in addition to resembling the movie character also keep a resemblance to a generic Funko Pop Character with the black eyes, oversized head, same nose on all figures, but I have to say in this case, I think the Pop Vinyl looks better, more like Simon Pegg as Shaun and is more detailed.\\n\\nYou can also get Shaun's roommate and best friend Ed. Like Ed, you can get either a clean version (this one) or a bloody version, which is exactly the same but with a bit of red spray paint on it. Both are in physical stores for the same price, don't pay extra for a so called exclusive one, as exclusive for Funko simply means a retailer has it for a few weeks before everyone else. Shaun in either case comes holding his trusty cricket bat in his right hand, you can't remove the bat or move his arm to pose him in any other manner. You can see the grains in the wood. The fact that he has a goatee gives Shaun the appearance of a mouth which most Funko Pop Vinyls don't have. His hair is a plastic mold but represents the appearance of the gelled up nerdy haircut his character in the movie had. His clothes (all part of the plastic mold) are a great likeness to that worn by the character, with the name badge, loosened tie and even the ink stain on his pocket (although granted it is just a red rectangle, probably the only area of the figure where they could have done a bit better job). Shaun stands upright by himself no problem at all. You can rotate his head around 360 degrees but that's it as far as posing him goes. He's pretty durable you can drop him without damaging him as he battles any zombie pop vinyls you've obtained from the Walking Dead or whatever (currently there are no zombies from Shaun of the Dead unless you count a zombie version of Ed).\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\",\n \"Product: Two of the most iconic brands in adventure - Hot Wheels and Star Wars- have formed an alliance! Kids and collectors alike will love seeing their favorite Star Wars characters reimagined as Hot Wheels cars. Each 1:64-scale car is individually designed to reflect the Force within an iconic Star Wars character, combined with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send the cars flying at light speed on a Hot Wheels Star Wars track set (sold separately), or display them with your other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy to choose from - collect them all! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A Bit Average But They'll Probably Never Make Another Jabba Vehicle\\n\\nReview: Jabba van, doesn't look that great but when will they ever make another Jabba the Hutt character vehicle so like me you'll probably want to grab one. On the back it is officially called a garbage truck, but you'll have to use your imagination if you want it to be that. It doesn't really have a great resemblance to the Almighty Jabba, so you'll probably want to keep this one in the blister card, which has a nice illustration of the obese one. The van does have tow bar to represent his tail, but really he had a pretty big lizard like tail in Return of the Jedi not the little pinkie finger size (for him) one on the van. For some reason it has three windshield windows at the front, since Jabba had just two eyes, I'm not sure what the point of that was. The windows are a yellow colour so are the same colour of his eyes. The front of the van kind of resembles Jabba's face if he had lost a lot of weight and had a narrow head. The exhaust pipe comes out the left side of the front kind of giving a reminder of the creature's post strangulation tongue out look.\\n\\nThe roof of the van has a grate that according to the back of the blister card represents the one on top of Jabba's Rancor pit. It does have a bit of plastic in the back of the van that could be the Rancor, if you shine a light from your phone or a torch you can see something is there when still in the packaging. It doesn't look detailed enough that I'd open the blister at this stage to take a closer look, especially when you consider these things go for four times the price of a standard Hot Wheels car in the ever lessening number of physical retail stores that still carry this line of Star Wars themed characters as vehicles to have this 2016 addition to the range.\\n\\nThe vehicle is 1/64 scale but really in scale to the other characters it should have been a semi trailer compared to the other cars, since Jabba was a lot bigger than the human characters. As a van it would have been cooler if it had come with one of those little luggage trailers attached, designed to resemble Leia.\",\n \"Product: POP Disney: Toy Story - Rex from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Captures the Stressed Look By the Detail Around the Eyes of the Rex Character Very Well! A Great Funko Figure!\\n\\nReview: This is the same size (box and figure) as most of the Funko Pop Vinyl figures, but one thing to note is that it's a lot heavier. If you're buying this from somewhere that doesn't divulge the postage price, it will likely be higher than you expect for this one. In fact Rex is heavier than Godzilla which is bigger sized Funko than him. Of the few of these I have seen in physical stores, all have had paint issues in the teeth area. None have been the same tooth. Even the one I picked up that looked like it was blemish free, one of the teeth on the angle you can't see through the window pane has a bit of a lightning bolt looking missing white paint part on it. Mine also has a few marks of black paint on his dark white underbelly scales. If you're just a Toy Story movie franchise fan who is unfamiliar with Funko Pop Vinyls, basically it's always a random lucky dip style situation where there will be paint blemishes on the figure, it's pretty rare to get one blemish free. It's not that big an issue for a character like Rex though who is supposed to be some kid's toy for a number of years in the first movie so you would imagine Rex would have got some marks on him from rough play or whatever, especially as he gets older in the sequels.\\n\\nFunko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character in the movie, they share similarities such as an over sized head, the same black eyes, usually they have the same nose and no mouth but they've chosen to keep Rex's snout and teeth with Rex. So if you're after a replica of the toy from the movie you'll find closer ones by other brands. But what I think Funko has done extremely well is capture the constantly stressed look that Rex has, they've achieved this simply with the scales design around his eyes and position and amount of mouth being open. It's just brilliant! In fact the whole figure has detailed scales in both the green and dark white parts of his body, only the souls of his feet are without scales. Like all Funko Pop Vinyl figures, you can't move his legs, or pose him in any other way other than moving his head. In fact you can rotate his head completely around so you can pretend he has become possessed Exorcist style if you desire. He stands up no problems at all, you can even bump him a fair bit before he falls over. You can see the joins where the top part of his head joins on to the bottom part, where his tail is attached, legs and arms as well, but the character in the movie also had these visible joins. This figure even has the Princess Leia style side hair do bumps behind his mouth that allowed the one in the film to open and close its mouth. There is a slight bit of give in this figure's jaws but you can't open his mouth.\\n\\nThe box it comes in is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has Rex and three other Toy Story characters released as Pop Vinyls. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos. The only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores.\\n\\nRex is a great little Funko figure though, I definitely recommend if you're thinking about it, to just grab one.\",\n \"Product: POP TV: Voltron - Voltron from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other POP figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Voltron - Defender of the Pop Vinyl Figure Universe!\\n\\nReview: I used to love this cartoon when I was a kid in the 80's and even had all the lions that joined together to form the giant robot. Like a lot of the toys from my childhood, I really wish I'd kept the Voltron Lions. Even had the little men (and one woman) who piloted the lions and fit inside the toys. So when I saw Funko had this thing coming out, I just had to get one. It has proved to be pretty popular in stores though, every time I've gone in, they always told it only lasted a few hours on the shelf, so I ultimately had to buy one on online. Like all Funko Pop Vinyls though there are paint blemishes, and not being able to pick one up in store and check it over makes these things a bit of a gamble. Mine has some white paint on the black part of his head, has a chip out of the upper jaw lion mouth part of his face visor and a few other bits of stray paint all over it. Funko Pop Vinyls are always a gamble, you never know what blemishes will be on there, but there will be some.\\n\\nThis is actually a pretty cool looking figure. It doesn't 100% look like Voltron from the 80's cartoon series but of course it's not supposed to. If you're unfamiliar with Pop Vinyls and are just getting this as it's cheap in relation to other Voltron toys out there, keep in mind that like say when the Muppets dress up as Treasure Island, Wizard of Oz or other characters, Funko Pop Vinyl figures all have some resemblance to a standard figure, let's call him Funko for want of a better name. The Pop Vinyls are basically Funko dressed up as movie and TV show characters. They all share the same small triangular nose (painted blue in this case), the same widely spaced circular eyes, (usually black but painted yellow in Volton's case), they have no mouth and all have an over sized head and small body. So things like the big red metal windmill wing things that usually stick out on his back over his head are smaller and don't reach the head in the Funko Pop Vinyl version. You can't move any limbs of Funko Pop Vinyl bodies, but you can rotate the head at the neck, to have him in slightly different poses. Obviously Voltron's body is a bit different to the norm being it is made up of the five lion vehicles, (four as the limbs and the leader larger black lion as the body and head). Nicely the red lion is also holding a large sword (which can't be removed). Still knowing all that it's still a pretty good resemblance, perhaps they could have made the black around his eyes blue like in the cartoon though would be my only gripe. It also wouldn't have been a bad idea to have made it the larger 6 inch size like Godzilla, Stay Puft and the other high rise building size creatures. I would also love to see Funko bring out the vehicle version Voltron.\\n\\nVoltron Pop Vinyl stands up by himself no problem, you can even brush up against him and he stays upright a lot better than most other Pop Vinyls do. Any kid who loved the Japanamation cartoons as a kid will want to own one of these as an adult.\",\n \"Product: Officer Judy Hopps and Assistant Mayor Bellwether have one thing in common (besides their cotton-tails): they both believe that every bunny, even the small animals, can play a big part in Zootopia. The 3\\\" Judy Figure and 2.5\\\" Bellwether Figure are poseable and are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fairly Detailed Great Looking Cheap, Especially for Cheap Priced (When They Were in Stores) Figures\\n\\nReview: Of the Tomy two packs, Judy and May are the only ones where you get two large figures, rather than a large and a small sized one. The figures display pretty well in the packaging, if you're a keeper in packaging type collector. If you're an open packets kind of displayer, then I don't have the best news for you. First it's the basic plastic bubble on cardboard type of packaging, so you've got to destroy it to get the figures out so you can't change your mind afterward. Which is something you might consider doing when you realise these figures aren't that easy to squeeze out of the internal plastic mold thing their encased in. You'll struggle to get figures from this range out without their heads, tails or limbs coming off. They go back in easily, but I'm not sure they are intended to come off and on. There would obviously be chocking concerns for young kids, although to be fair, nowhere on the packaging does it state these figures are toys. Although the toy aisles are where a lot of shops, including the one I bought them from have them located. But that is often the case with movie figures. They are also tied down by clear rope like things that are a pain to unwind. They are completely unnecessary as like I said the figures are jammed into the plastic mold, they aren't moving on their own.\\n\\nThey are quite detailed figures though and when you consider these retailed in physical stores for only a couple of dollars, they aren't bad at all. Sure once they are of those shelves and you've got to buy these online you might want to consider what else is out there for the same money, but they were certainly worth the five bucks (so $2.50 each) I found these in store for. If you didn't see them in stores, they are around the same size as old Smurfs figurines. Or if you're not familiar with those, if you laid these down they are as long as a Matchbox car. You can rotate May's head, likewise Judy's who you can also move her arms and legs as well.\",\n \"Product: Nick Wilde and Finnick are con-artists who scheme together to outfox the good citizens of Zootopia. The 2.5\\\" Nick Figure and 1.5\\\" Finnick figure are poseable and are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Bad For Cheap Priced (When They Were in Physical Stores) Figures\\n\\nReview: These are pretty cool for figures that you could get for a pretty cheap price when they were in physical retail stores. I bought mine for $5, so I wasn't expecting great quality, but for $2.50 a figure I think they are actually better value than most other figures around that price. Who knows what you'll pay here or elsewhere online once they are out of stores though, and you might want to take into consideration that they do come apart (by that I mean their heads come off and stuff), although I'm not sure they are supposed to. But they aren't difficult to put back together. Although if young kids put them in their mouths they could well be chocking hazards. But to be fair, nowhere on the packaging does it state that these things are toys. Although granted the store I found them in, they were in the toy aisle. Stores really struggle to know where to put figures. In fact you'll struggle to get the figures from this range out of the terrible packaging without their heads, tails or limbs coming off while the internal plastic blister has a death grip on them. For some bizarre reason too, they are tied down with that clear plastic rope that is a pain to untangle. Who knows why as they obviously aren't going to move until you pligh them out.\\n\\nThey also have holes in the feet, obviously these things originally were supposed to come with a stand. But they don't. They stand okay by themselves in the original pose they come out the pack. But if you move Nick's feet, he has more difficulty remaining upright.\",\n \"Product: Vinyl Idolz: Xmas Vacation - Clark Griswold from Funko! Now you can bring your favorite characters home! Figure comes in a window display box. Check out all of Funko's collectible figures. Get them all!.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Looking Figure But the Moose Mug Attachment is Poorly Designed and Very Fragile\\n\\nReview: Clark Griswold certainly looks good as Funko Vinyl Idolz figure. There is a design flaw though with the Moose Mug he's holding, it is only attached to a couple of fingers, in the pinch barely holding on way someone would normally pick up something while going ewwww! In the movie the handle fit into his whole hand so not sure what the reason for just the tips of a few fingers is here. However it certainly makes the thing a lot more fragile. The original one I got, the left antler (handle) was completely broken off and the right had broken off from Clark's fingers. So if you're buying one of these in a physical store, take a close look at the area around his left hand. The packaging it comes in you can see through the box. That packaging is also good enough, with clear plastic blister mould inside that unless someone stomped on the figure in the box, it shouldn't break. However once the figure is out of the box it is obviously quite fragile, especially if someone tried to hold it by the moose mug. One of the great aspects of Funko Vinyl Idolz is that you can open the packaging without damaging that packaging, and put the figure back inside to display that way if you prefer. There's not even any tape or anything on the box. The downside to that is there's no way you'll know if the one you get has ever been opened. But at least if you buy it here Amazon will replace it for you no problems as was the case with me. But making sure the figure has the moose mug attached is something to pay close attention to if buying in store on a website where you can see a photo of the individual item, if its somewhere like Amazon that lets one image be used for multiple items, you might need to request the seller checks to see it is all still intact.\\n\\nThey would have been better off having the moose mug a separate accessory that you could clip into his hand. But I guess they are going with consistency with the other Vinyl Idolz figures where accessories are permanently attached to the figures. The moose mug looks quite good, and resembles the ones in the film, with the moose face and all, it even is half full of eggnog. Like all Funko Vinyl Idolz, the figure has a hole on the sole of each foot that you can clip a large flat round black circle with two raised bits of plastic into. The stand doesn't have Christmas Vacation written on it, any logos from the film or anything to enhance the display and like other Vinyl Idolz, Clark stands up perfectly well on his own, so there's not really any need for the stand. But it is there if you want it and I guess since the moose mug is so poorly attached, it may lessen the odds of Clark toppling over if bumped.\\n\\nThe detail in the figure is good. Aside from the suit coat thing being a darker grey in the movie, his outfit is pretty accurate. It's from the stage in the movie where he is carving the turkey, and the night goes onto his boss being presented by Cousin Eddy in a bow with the S.W.A.T. team not far behind. The Santa hat is even bent the same way with the three bells on it in more or less the correct places as the one he is wearing in the movie. His tie also looks pretty similar. The face although not a perfect resemblance to Chevy Chase's back then, is still a pretty good likeness. Like all Vinyl Idolz you can't rotate the head, move the limbs or pose the figure in any other way than it is.\\n\\nYou can also get Clark as the more basic smaller Funko Pop Vinyl figure along with Cousin Eddy. But this Pop Vinyl Idolz version looks a lot closer to how Chevy looked in the movie. Like is the case with both the Pop Vinyl figure range and this more expensive Vinyl Idolz range, there will be paint blemishes. Mine has some black paint in the white part of the Santa hat. Where yours will occur will be a lucky dip, which is why more and more people open these things in physical stores.\",\n \"Product: Show off and display your favorite characters from video games, movies, sports, to television with Funko's vinyl figures! These figures are approximately 3.75\\\" and is in the likeness of your favorite character! Place them in your office, bedroom, or wherever you want to display your allegiance!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Exactly the Same as the Clean Version Just With Some Red Dots\\n\\nReview: There's a couple of things when you start to collect Funko Pop Vinyls that you'll quickly come to realise. The first is that quality control isn't the best out of the Funko factory. Paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free. Also prototype photographs used by a lot of sellers, the actual figure released to market, won't necessarily look quite as good. Always check out customer images or other sites where sellers have to use the actual image of the product your getting before making a decision to buy on the promo picture alone.\\n\\nFunko is also a company the re-releases popular figures, don't over pay for them because you can't find them on the shelves, as they're likely to be back. In cases like Blood-Spattered Ed from Shaun of the Dead that are so called exclusive Funko Pop Vinyls, the term exclusive means a completely different thing to Funko as it likely does for you. You're thinking probably that this is an exclusive version sold only through one store, in this case Entertainment Earth. Nothing could be further from the truth. As with the glow in the dark Jason, Back to the Future II pop vinyls, various versions of Godzilla, and well any blood splattered version of a movie/TV character, they can all be found in any physical store that sells pop vinyls and they usually sell for the exact same price as the clean version. So don't overpay. As far as I can tell Funko thinks the word exclusive means the shop that first sells a particular pop vinyl for a month or so before it is shipped out on mass to everyone else.\\n\\nSo anyway onto Blood Spattered Ed. Is he worth getting? You bet he is. However like with all blood spattered pops it's important to note that he is exactly the same figure as the clean version just with a little bit of red spray painted onto him. These obviously are painted by a machine using an assembly line conveyor belt type action, as each figure in the shop is identical with their blood pattern distribution and there is no blood splatter on the back half of the figure. But you'll find red spots on his shovel, hands, shoes, t-shirt, arms, and the left side of his face, mostly up near his hairline. Speaking of hair, the figure's facial hair is a bit more full than Nick Frost had grown it in the movie where Ed was probably simply too lazy to shave that day or past couple, and had a bit of growth rather than styled stubble look of the figure. Also (and this is where it's important not to judge a figure by the prototype image) the beard has obviously been painted on earlier in the production stage, as the gap that should be where his upper lip is giving his goatee a mustache bit on top of the mouth part of the upper lip, looks more like he's wearing a band aid over it, as the skin colour part has been pasted on top. That's what drops this figure a star for me, but you'll get that on the clean version too.\\n\\nEd is holding a shovel that looks pretty good. His I Got Wood t-shirt is a lot more yellower than the greenish grey one Nick Frost wore in the film. You can't pose the figure (or any Funko Pop Vinyl), his arms and legs don't move, you can't remove his shovel or clothing. You can rotate his head 360 degrees though to give him a few different looks but that's it. His hair and general appearance has a pretty close resemblance to the movie character but when you take into account that Funko Figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character from the movie/TV show they are from, they all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth (although if the goatee was done correctly this one should have had a mouth), then Ed doesn't look too bad overall. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie character and this one is fairly close.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other if you like to create your own step like shelves to display them.\",\n \"Product: B017CBPSBU\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 1955 Version of Doc Emmett\\n\\nReview: This is the third Doc Emmett Brown as a pop vinyl figure by Funko. The first two (numbered 50 and 62 on their box) were the 1985 car park with remote in hands version, that controlled the Delorean with Einstein inside, before it went a minute into the future. Of course that Doc didn't have long to live before he was gunned down by Libyan terrorists in a Kombi. Unlike the second Doc (62), where they simply added bits of orange to his hazmat suit and repainted his light brown shoes, grey, this third Doc, (numbered 236) represents the younger 1955 Doc Emmett Brown, (so no wrinkle lines under the eyes) and isn't just a repaint, but a completely new figure design. His hair is the more eccentric scientist look, he's obviously wearing different clothing, which is pretty similar to the movie although the shirt under the old person dressing gown material type coat that people alive back then still wear today, is blue and has a different pattern as well to the one that appeared in the film. His green goggles are now clear lensed and are worn over his eyes. He also has some jumper lead type cables attached to a battery with a blue stream of sparks going between the two clamps which are being held in his hands. You can't remove the goggles, clamps or anything like that, you can't move his arms or legs, his head rotates slightly but not all the way round. Like a lot of Funko figures, including the non hoverboard version of Marty, he has no eyebrows. He does however have a gash over his left eye that looks similar to the one 1955 Doc gave to himself in the movie. Like say when the Muppets dress up as Treasure Island, Wizard of Oz or other characters, Funko Pop Vinyl figures all have some resemblance to a standard figure, let's call him Funko for want of a better name. The Pop Vinyls are basically Funko dressed up as movie and TV show characters. They all share the same small triangular nose, the same widely spaced circular black eyes, they have no mouth and all have an over sized head and small body.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\\n\\nDoc stands upright by himself no problem at all. If you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. My Doc has a bit of black paint in his hair, but for a character like Doc who got quite dirty at times, dirty hair is perfectly plausible. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging,\",\n \"Product: Exclusive Funko Pop! Movies Back To The Future II Marty McFly on Hoverboard Vinyl Figure #245\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"Stop! Little Girl I Need to Borrow Your .... Hoverboard?\\\"\\n\\nReview: This is the second Marty Mcfly released by Funko as a pop vinyl figure. The first from the parking lot scene before Marty escapes the Libyans and goes back in time you could get either individually or as an inclusion with the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Delorean-display-stand/dp/B00FRHAMZE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Delorean display stand</a>. This Back to the Future II version of course comes with a hoverboard, making it instantly of course, way cooler. It is also permanently attached to a display stand, which is similar but a little different to the clip into a hole in the foot stands that come with a lot of female pop vinyl figures. It looks like you could easily snap the hoverboard off of the stand if you felt like it, but if you got the Delorean display stand, it does fit in the driver's rectangle stand and all. Marty sort of leans back a little when the stand is on a flat surface, sort of emulating riding the thing in the movie, but possibly gravity over time may eventually tip him over backwards. He has the same head as the first movie figure, with the exception that this time round he has eyebrows. The figure itself is the same height but the stand and hoverboard of course mean it displays higher. Body wise he has lost a little weight as he is a bit thinner, he of course has different clothes being that he has turned his original outfit inside out to blend in with the way kids wear it in 2015. The clothes do look quite accurate to how they looked in the movie. If you're unfamiliar with Funko Pop Vinyls, you can't remove the clothes or pose the arms or anything. You can rotate his head though, even Exorcist style 180 degrees if you want.\\n\\nAlso if you're unfamiliar with these figures be aware there will be paint blemishes. Mine has some black paint marks on the jeans. Basically it's always a random lucky dip style situation where there will be paint blemishes on the figure, it's pretty rare to get one blemish free. The box it comes in is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has pictures of Marty and the second release version of Doc. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos. The only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores, or asking the shop assistant to. These are in stores, besides poor quality control in the paint part of the assembly line, Funko also have a funny idea of what the word exclusive means. With this and all the other exclusive to whatever stores, perhaps they are first sold there for a month or something but they eventually all turn up in every other store too, so don't pay an over the top price for any exclusive Funko pop vinyl online.\",\n \"Product: From the movie Zootopia, Judy Hopps, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Zootopia figures from Funko! Collect them all!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: After Seeing the Movie, I Just Had to Add Judy to My Funko Pop Vinyl Collection, to Maintain Law and Order Amongst the Others\\n\\nReview: After seeing Zootopia on DVD the other day I just had to add Judy and Nick to my collection of Funko figures. Sure you can get figures by other manufacturers that look closer to the characters from the film but these Funko versions still look pretty good. If you were being critical you could say the face of Judy resembles a little bit like Tweety Bird, with her nose kind of looking like a beak, but when you understand Funko figures all are trying for a common look you can understand that. Like all Funko figures Judy has the same black eyes and oversized heard you would expect. Nothing other than her head can move, which rotates 360 degrees, so you can pose her at different angles. She doesn't come with any other accessories.\\n\\nIf you haven't bought any Pop Vinyls before be aware that paint blemishes are always going to be an issue with these figures and it's going to be a bit of gamble unfortunately to where they appear on the figure you get. Even if you buy your Funko figures from physical stores there's often blemishes on the back you can't see without opening the packaging, although the packaging is well designed to be opened without damaging it so you are seeing more and more people asking the staff if they can open them and show them the figure before purchasing. Sometimes though you can get really lucky and the pop vinyl can be pretty much blemish free.\\n\\nThe box is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. As I said you can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. On the back of the box are Nick, Mr Big, Flash and Ele-Finnick, the other characters from Zootopia as Funko figures released at the same time. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great that the packaging design lets you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\\n\\nMy only real criticism of this is how big it is in relation to Nick Wilde (the fox). In the movie she only comes up to his shoulders in height, whereas when you put these two figures side by side, she is actually taller than him. Obviously they can't be completely accurate to size difference otherwise Mr Big would be minuscule, but most people likely would get both Judy and Nick, so Funko really should have made her shorter than him.\\n\\nHer uniform looks pretty good and is pretty close to what is drawn in the film. You instantly know what movie and character she is from if you see her out of the box, unlike a lot of other Funko figures. She stands up by herself no problems on a flat surface but like is the case with most female Funko pop vinyl characters, for some reason she comes with usual clear circle stand that clips into a hole in her foot. I don't normally bother with these as for one they look inconsistent with the figures on display that don't come with them (such as Nick) and they don't enhance the display at all being they have no movie logo or anything like that on them at all. If you didn't know to look for it, you might miss it in the plastic blister insert inside the box as it blends in quite well.\",\n \"Product: From the movie Zootopia, Nick Wilde, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Zootopia figures from Funko! Collect them all!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Got Nick to Stop My Other Pop Vinyls Thinking They're Great and Getting a Big Head, Oh Wait!\\n\\nReview: After seeing Zootopia I just had to own Nick and Judy as pop vinyl figures. Nick does look more like his cartoon version than Judy does, although he has more of a worried look on his face than the crafty look. Funko figures aren't supposed to look exactly like the character like some other brands of movie/TV show figure. They all share the same look of a wide oversized head, with black eyes, the same nose and no mouth. So they're basically the Funko character dressed as the movie/TV character. But Nick looks cool and his body and clothes look like the ones in the movie. You can't move his arms or anything, if you're unfamiliar with Pop Vinyls, nothing moves except his head which you can rotate 360 degrees, giving him a few different poses. Unfortunately they made him shorter than Judy, which should have been the other way round, but it's no big deal.\\n\\nNick stands quite well, he doesn't come with a stand and definitely doesn't need one. Mine didn't come with any major paint blemishes but it does have some blue spots on his shirt, but I guess he could have been eating some of those blueberries in the film, or one of his iceblock scams melted on him. But anyway be prepared for paint blemishes on any Funko Pop figure you buy. It is actually possible (and quite easy) to open the boxes that Funko Pop figures come in without damaging the packaging and I have seen people do this in stores, if the paint blemishes really bother you, you could always ask the shop assistant to do so for you, which is something I'm seeing more and more.\\n\\nThat great opening without damaging packaging though means you can take Nick out of the box or put him back to display him in there. The box has some cool looking cartoon drawings of the figure, and a front and side clear window to view the figure itself. On the back is Nick and five other characters from Zootopia you can collect. The boxes of various Funkos do stack well on each other if you don't have a lot of shelf space too.\",\n \"Product: From Game of Thrones, Daenerys riding Drogon, as a stylized POP Rides vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 4 1/2 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Game of Thrones figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Very Detailed Both Drogon (the Black Dragon Display Stand) and Daenerys\\n\\nReview: Pop Rides Drogon and Daenerys is really cool and very well detailed. Daenerys comes in a different pose body wise to all her other Pop Vinyl versions (as well as all other pop vinyls I've come across). In this one she's got the Chinese martial arts film pose where they jump into the air with legs apart and arms in front with palms up facing the attackers and somehow can hover there for a few seconds before dispatching every attacker in the room. So on a desk or flat surface she doesn't actually stand on her legs, but tilts back onto the tail part of her dress that is flowing backwards. Of course you can put her on the Drogon display stand and she sits with one leg over each side behind Dragon's wings in front of his own back legs quite well. You can also display Drogon on his side and she sits nicely on his wing or side of his head. But I imagine he doesn't really like the latter two positions. You can also simply display Daenerys beside Drogon as unlike the other Pop Rides display stands, he doesn't have a rectangle bit in him for a Pop Vinyl to go inside, so therefore he is detailed all over. Even underneath. The detail is amazing, you can see heaps of clearly defined scales, he has pointy things coming out of him, the paint job is mostly black but is different shades or red where needed. Both Drogon and Daenerys look seriously good.\\n\\nComparing it to other Pop Ride display stands with this one, you can really only fit Daenerys on it, whereas the other display stands such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Breaking-Bad-RV/dp/B00S6X5HWO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Breaking Bad RV</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Back-to-The-Future-Delorean/dp/B00FRHAMZE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Back to The Future Delorean </a> and <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Ghostbusters-Ecto-1/dp/B00J5H1H74/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Ghostbusters Ecto 1</a>, you can display three or four figures standing on the stand. You can put other figures on the Drogon display stand, the ones with the normal legs cowboy style stance stand easily on Drogon's back legs. Female Pop Vinyls such as with <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/baby-dragon-on-wrist/dp/B009B0YWDG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">baby dragon on wrist</a> and the other versions of Daenerys where their feet are together don't stay on Drogon as well but you can tuck one under one of his wings where it is sort of leaning on the side of his leg. You can't move Drogon's legs, tail, wings or head at all. His jaw doesn't open and shut, he just has the one stance. Likewise with Daenerys, her limbs don't move, her head can rotate slightly, but due to her hair catching on her hand or dress, you can't rotate her head all the way round like you can with most Pop Vinyls. By the Way she is the same size as other versions of herself and other Funko Pop Vinyls.\\n\\nThe box this comes in is the same width as other Pop Rides but is as tall the Breaking Bad Crystal Ship's one. It also displays pretty nicely in the box if you choose to put it back in there, with windows in the box allowing you to see Drogon and Daenerys from above and three sides. You can open the box without damaging it too, which is always good and something I wish other manufacturers of figures would learn from.\\n\\nUnfortunately like all Funko Pop Vinyls there are paint blemishes on both the stand and figure. On mine Drogon has some white paint behind his mouth on his lower jaw and Daenerys has some black paint in her hair which makes her look a bit dirty. But I imagine she would get quite dirty marching across different Kingdoms so I can live with that. Where the paint blemishes on the figure you get will be located, will likely be different. It's always a gamble with these things unfortunately.\",\n \"Product: Exquisite replicas of the popular Batman vehicles! Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Batman Classic TV Series and other iconic Batmobiles from the DC Universe. The 1:50th scale assortment features the Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, and Batcopter. Also included are the Batmobile from Batman, the Batman Forever Batmobile and The Dark Knight Trilogy Batmobile. Last, but not least, this awesome collection showcases the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile! Hot Wheels collectors and Batman aficionados alike will appreciate this iconic collection celebrating 50 years of awesome Batman vehicles. Select your favorite or collect them all for the ultimate Batmobile collection! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Looks Like the One in the TV Show But Very Fragile, Made Mostly of Plastic, the Blades Don't Spin Freely and No Tail Rotor\\n\\nReview: Hot Wheels re-released the Batcopter in 2016 that they released a few years ago (2012) in 1:50 scale. It's the same die-cast vehicle, just on a blue with black around the edges cardboard backing blister card with the TV Batman logo inside a green splat design in the center of the card. The 2012 version the card looks like the wall of a cave with the TV Batman Logo on a yellow splat. This means there's no guarantee they won't re-release this helicopter again in future years, so this might impact how much you pay for it if you can't find it in physical stores.\\n\\nUnfortunately the Batcopter is about 90% plastic. Not the metal you're probably expecting. It is pretty fragile too, if you stepped on it the tail would likely snap, or it fell on the floor from a decent height, it likely won't stay in tact as the canopy would smash or the bat wings break off, so if you're buying it for a kid's toy, it won't last long. Looks wise though, it isn't that bad, with the exception of a missing tail rotor (well you could sort of say there is one painted the same colour as the tail but it's pretty much invisible and doesn't rotate anyway), the Batcopter looks pretty similar to the one that appeared in the 1996 TV series and spin off movie. Batman was already a couple of decades old by the time I watched it as a kid, but I can still remember the classic scene involving the Batcopter, a rope ladder hanging from it with Batman at the bottom, and an obviously fake plastic shark attached to his leg. Perhaps it was more believable when it first aired. But I remember Batman pulls out of his utility belt, a can of shark repellent. It doesn't come with a little Batman, ladder or shark but you could probably make one and attach it, then hang the helicopter up with fishing line if you wanted to.\\n\\nAs I said if you do an image search this Hot Wheels looks pretty similar. Apart from the shots filmed obviously in front of a green screen, the helicopter on screen seems to have four blades, rather than the two this comes with. The two snap together to form a straight line once you take it out of the packaging. I don't know why they didn't make the blister taller on the card so the blades don't look like a V if you decide to keep it in the packaging, but they didn't. The blades can be pushed around in a circle but don't rotate on their own at all, even with a flick of your finger. Most other helicopters as 1/64 die-cast vehicles the blades spin no problem, so that's definitely a let down with this. It actually is around the same size as those helicopters too, I'd say this is closer to 1:64 scale than 1:50 (so was the Batboat in the same line). Since you can see the interior of the cockpit which is seats and controls, it would have been so much better if they'd molded Batman and Robin to be in it. The landing undercarriage thing being made of plastic is also very flimsy, and really should have been made of metal as the helicopter doesn't sit completely flat.\",\n \"Product: Exquisite replicas of the popular Batman vehicles! Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Batman Classic TV Series and other iconic Batmobiles from the DC Universe. The 1:50th scale assortment features the Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, and Batcopter. Also included are the Batmobile from Batman, the Batman Forever Batmobile and The Dark Knight Trilogy Batmobile. Last, but not least, this awesome collection showcases the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile! Hot Wheels collectors and Batman aficionados alike will appreciate this iconic collection celebrating 50 years of awesome Batman vehicles. Select your favorite or collect them all for the ultimate Batmobile collection! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Pretty Accurate Die-cast Vehicle 1966 Batboat Replica\\n\\nReview: These have been re-released in 2016, so you should be able to find these 1:50 scale Bat Vehicles in stores. Although this is smaller in scale than the Batmobile, which if you've got a later re-release one also comes with a tow bar that you can attach the trailer. I'd actually say the boat is 1.64 scale and originally supposed to be released as such without the trailer. So it sort of looks like Batman is towing a tinnie version of the Batboat. So if you were like me, the two important questions you want to know are. Do the wheels on the trailer roll? Does the boat come off the trailer? The answer to both questions is yes. The two main (rear) wheels on the trailer do roll, so hence you can tow it, and it does roll by itself on a sloped surface. The front wheel is just a plastic mold and doesn't rotate so sort of acts like a brake if the thing starts rolling away.\\n\\nThe Batboat like a real boat does out of water due to the curved hull, tilts to one side if you plan on displaying it separately to the trailer on a shelf, desk or somewhere. So unless you're planing on making some sort of diorama with blue celophane or something as the water, then you'll likely keep it on the trailer anyway. The trailer is made of black plastic and is quite flimsy, if a child or someone was going to play with it, it likely will not last that long. It does have rubber tyres on the rear wheels with tread and silver hubcaps with the red bat symbol on them.\\n\\nThe boat itself is made of metal with the canopy windshield things both made of clear plastic. If you look up the images of the one used in the movie/show it is actually a very close resemblance. Before looking it up I thought Mattel must have just cheaped out with the paint job making the seats blue, but they are actually that way on the original. The paint job is pretty accurate, the flames on the side of this are a little more fire like than the seaweed like design in the original and the police light in the middle is a bit smaller and less prominent on this, but other than that, it's a pretty good replica.\",\n \"Product: Exquisite replicas of the popular Batman vehicles! Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Batman Classic TV Series and other iconic Batmobiles from the DC Universe. The 1:50th scale assortment features the Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, and Batcopter. Also included are the Batmobile from Batman, the Batman Forever Batmobile and The Dark Knight Trilogy Batmobile. Last, but not least, this awesome collection showcases the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile! Hot Wheels collectors and Batman aficionados alike will appreciate this iconic collection celebrating 50 years of awesome Batman vehicles. Select your favorite or collect them all for the ultimate Batmobile collection! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Really Detailed, Looks Just Like the One on the 1966 TV Series and Also Has a Surprise Bonus Sled Car inside the SideCar Bit\\n\\nReview: This 1966 Batcycle is very well detailed. If you do an image search for the one from the TV show you'll see how close they got it to the one on there and they have done a really good job. It's been years since I saw the TV show and to be honest I wasn't that into it at the time, being I wasn't born until a couple of decades after it first aired, but I did watch the reruns as a kid. So I didn't really remember the bike from the show but it looked cool when I saw it on the shelf so I just grabbed one. So I was really surprised when I opened the packaging and started playing with it when a part of the sidecar lifted up and hey, there's a bonus little vehicle here. Some sort of motorized sled sort of like a little quad bike that I'm guessing due to the giant R in the circle on the windshield was something Robin used when the bad guys split up and went in different directions while Batman stayed with the main part of the bike. You can see it clearly in my customer photograph, it is seriously cool.\\n\\nThe bike is made of metal as is the sidecart, so is Robin's sled car. There's a raised little pole thing in the sidecart that the sled car clips into, similar to how some figures' feet clip into those circle display stands. It doesn't fall out when your playing with it unless you lift it up by the sled or tip it upside down, so the attachment pole part is really well done. Robin's sled even has tread on the tyres. The bike itself is pretty well detailed with the paint design looking the same as the one from the TV show. In fact the only thing that really looks different is the back of the side car has smaller exhaust pipes down the right. Being it has a sidecar, the bike stands up by itself no problem at all. There's quite a bit of detail in the seat, and the handlebars even have brakes on them. There's even a fuel tank cap. The canopy thing around the front wheel and handlebars is the only part of the entire vehicle made of plastic. It seems like if you really wanted to (but why would you), you could rip it off without much difficulty, although I don't know if you'd get it back on. The wheels of both the sled car and the main bike roll, although the main bike does seem to slam on the brakes by itself after rolling a short distance. But if your hand is pushing it, there's no problems.\\n\\nThis is a very detailed little car. It's actually around the same size as 1/64 scale vehicles rather than the 1/50 scale it says on the packaging. On the back of the blister card you'll see the other 1966 Batvehicles you can collect, including the Batboat on a trailer (which I can testify is also brilliant) and the Batcopter (not so good).\",\n \"Product: 1979 Family Truckster Wagon Queen \\\"National Lampoon's Vacation\\\" (1983) in Blister Pack 1/64 by Greenlight 44720 A\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Taking the whole tribe cross-country, the Wagon Queen Family Truckster... you think you hate it now, wait 'til you drive it!\\n\\nReview: Collectors like myself of die-cast vehicles, especially those of us who like vehicles that have been in movies, have had the Truckster from National Lampoon's Vacation on their wish list since we've been collecting. A few years ago (in 2013) Hallmark brought out a <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Truckster-plastic-ornament/dp/B00DP36B16/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Truckster plastic ornament</a> which was pretty good, but this 2016 released by Greenlight is the first time we've a 1/64 scale metal car (that's the same size as your regular mass produced Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars).\\n\\nUnfortunately Greenlight's distribution network is pretty poor, so you're probably going to have to find one of these online, and with postage it may take a while to find a decent priced one, but it is worth it. Importantly the die-cast car looks very similar to the one in the movie. Doesn't have the dead old lady on the roof, but that's my only major complaint, and there were plenty of previous scenes to that, and since it still has the hubcaps, she hadn't joined the trip yet in the film anyway. It does have luggage on the roof but it's not that well detailed and looks more like different coloured squares and other shapes. It does have rubber tyres with tread and the hubcaps even have little red crown silhouettes on them which obviously reinforce the whole Wagon Queen part of the vehicle's name. It has number plates on the front and back which are the same colours (red and white) as the dealership plates, they aren't movie accurate with what's on them though, but most people will probably prefer the Matchbox Star Car style of putting the word logo of the movie on them instead. The headlights look pretty similar with four square bulbs on each side of the bonnet, although the movie version had a dark yellow border around those headlight's, whereas Greenlight's version that border is red and is only on the top and bottom.\\n\\nThe packaging is pretty good, it is on a blister style on cardboard backing, but the whole blister is encased in plastic, meaning the blister card as well as the car will avoid damage a lot easier if you choose to keep it displayed within. Having had quite a few Johnny Lightning cars in this type of packaging, I can also tell you it's easier to keep clean when it gets dusty as you can just wipe it over with a damp cloth, or even get it wet under a tap if you want. You can't do that with exposed cardboard, which also frays and bends. The cardboard in this will still fade, and if you stepped on it or something heavy crushes it, the plastic will still chip or you'll get a crack in it, but you can't have everything, and I'd much prefer this sort of packaging to the bubble on card style. There is some artwork on the cardboard of an illustration of the Truckster airborne after it crashed through the freeway barrier on an overpass that wasn't finished yet. I would have preferred a screen shot or promotional photo from the film but this isn't that bad. On the back is a black silhouette of the truckster on a blue map without city or state names. Both the front and the back have the National Lampoon's and the Vacation word logos. You can't see the car through the back of the blister card unfortunately.\",\n \"Product: From Pirates of the Caribbean, Ghost Barbosa, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! This Pop! Vinyl is a 2016 Summer Convention Exclusive! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Pirates of the Caribbean figures from Funko! Collect them all.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I've Never Seen This Movie, But This is a Really Cool Looking Zombie Looking Pirate That Comes With an Even Cooler Zombie Monkey\\n\\nReview: I'm not actually a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, I was buying the Burning Walker zombie pop vinyl and saw this one of the shelf beside it and thought, that's a cool zombie monkey. I really that zombie monkey. I could always use a zombie pirate, I'm sure someone in every zombie world would go to a fancy dress party as a pirate from iZombie, Sean of the Dead to The Walking Dead that I have pop vinyl displays of. Yeah this looks seriously cool. I think I'll buy it as well.\\n\\nThe monkey's head rotates like a full sized pop vinyl, in fact he's just as detailed. The pirate is also very detailed. When looking at him from underneath it does sort of look like he's wearing a mask, but from every other angle, this is a full on pirate zombie. He has sword that looks cool, and a hat with holes in it. If you're unfamiliar with Funko pops you can't move the limbs or remove their clothing.\\n\\nLike all pop vinyls this one is easy to take out the packaging (box and internal clear blister) without damaging that packaging at all. Something I wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. A lot of people ask shop assistants to take them out of the box as if you're unfamiliar with these things, they often have paint blemishes, a lot you can't see on the back of the figure. Not that really matters with a pirate who is going to be dirty anyway, and when he's a zombie even more so. You can see the figure through the front and one side of the box by the way if you choose to display it in there. I like to stand my figures on top of the boxes. Both these figures stand up easily on a flat surface.\",\n \"Product: Includes: Meter Made, 2000 Chevrolet Suburban, Sport SUV, Dodge Charger Pursuit, GMC Wrecker\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: NYPD Logo Used and Not the Usual MBPD One For These 5 New York Police Vehicles\\n\\nReview: This a nice 5 pack that contains all New York police vehicles, which I got since you see them in every New York set movie. There's a tow truck and even one of those little vehicles we use as street cleaner machines out here in Australia but in movies they use to transport obese cops who can't walk around Central Park. Sometimes cops give out parking tickets in the movies driving these things too. This was released amongst current Matchbox basic line 5 packs in 2016. Usually Matchbox or Hot Wheels 5 packs that have police vehicles call them HWPD or MBPD but these actually use the NY police logo which is pretty cool.\\n\\nBeing they are basic 1/64 scale vehicles doors don't open or anything like that. You can tow other Matchbox cars with the tow truck, as long at they are also 1/64 scale cars you shouldn't have any issues with it. All five police roll pretty well, the small Central Park thing obviously has some limitations in that regard.\",\n \"Product: Speed Racer 1:64 Die Cast Hot Wheels Car Mach 5 Race Car with Jump Jacks .\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Cheap Looking Plastic Bodied Mach 5! Better Competitor Products Out There\\n\\nReview: Hot Wheels Mach 5 is an absolute joke of a thing. If you are buying it as a toy for a child or you are collector it doesn't satisfy either market. A much better similar size (1:55) die-cast product is out there. I extensively researched small die-cast replicas of the Mach 5 and went with the better built and actual resembling the TV show/movie Mach 5's - <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Speed-Racer-Jada-Mach-5-1-55-Scale/dp/B0018OB6C8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Speed Racer Jada Mach 5 1:55 Scale</a>. It looks better and even if it is just a toy for a child, it is built better too!\\n\\nThe wheels on this Hot Wheels car look absolutely pathetic. Hot Wheels do usually have cheaper wheels than their competitors products but of their entire wheel selection they seem to have picked the cheapest looking non racing car ones they could find. They also looked over sized to the body of the car. The body itself is less pointed and more round looking than the cartoon and movie car it is supposed to be based on. Competitors have got the Mach 5's body more right.\\n\\nHot Wheels yes, is a cheaper brand more aimed at the children play item market but they can produce some good looking highly resembling TV show products as well, such as the other inspired by latest movie franchise out at the moment Batman 1966 Series .\\n\\nGranted this is probably the cheapest Mach 5 on the shelves but there isn't much difference between this disaster's price and its competitors. I only paid a little over $5 for the much better Jada Mach 5 and believe me it is well worth it\",\n \"Product: This cute and collectable Gizmo figure features pull-back and go motorised action!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Nice Piece for Any Movie Die-Cast Vehicle or Horror Figure Collector\\n\\nReview: There's obviously been plenty of Gizmo figures over the years, some that make better toys for kids, some that are more detailed for collectors, but what makes Neca's latest effort great is that it is the right size to fit into any die-cast vehicle collection. I collect both die-cast vehicles from the movies as well as horror figures and this is a nice combination of both. Sure Gizmo itself isn't full bodied or you can't move and pose him as much as other similar cheaper retail price horror figures such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Neca-s-Gizmo-with-accessories/dp/B000MOF50E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Neca's Gizmo with accessories</a> from a couple of years ago. But this one isn't supposed to be a poseable figure, it's supposed to represent Gizmo driving Barbie's car from the first movie. So with that the obvious issue is that the car in the movie was pink, this one is red, the car looked a bit different too and there's no steering wheel for gizmo's hands to rest on. So this won't satisfy purists and there are actually old toy versions from the 80s of Gizmo in a pink car which you might find on an online auction site or something, but the important difference is that they are a lot bigger than this one.\\n\\nThis one comes on a blister pack which is the same height and within a couple of cms width of Johnny Lightning blister cards. Which means if you're into keeping some of your collection in their original packaging this looks great alongside them. And Gizmo in the corvette does display well in the packaging, with a nice silhouette of Spike's shadow with his arms in the air and the Gremlins word logo behind the toy. On the back of the card is a picture of this piece out of packaging along with two other motorized pull back and Go Action gizmos released at the same time, One has gizmo with a couple of eggs after he has gotten wet and the other has him coming out of a box jack in the box style. We also for some reason have a parody of the Inspector Gadget theme song chorus Go Gadget Go! with the words Go Gizmo Go! on there as well. Don't really know what that's all about.\\n\\nThe car itself is plastic, not metal as obviously is the gizmo figure. It's one of those pull the car back, release it and it speeds forward under its own momentum type toys. The car itself is 10cm long, would be 2.5cm high if Gizmo could come out (he can't) and about 5.5cm high with Gizmo inside. It's about twice the size of your mass produced Matchbox and other brands car, in fact it's the same size as your 1/43 sized vehicles such as Corgi often release in diorama packs such as this <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Harry-Potter-one/dp/B000NVLDDO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Harry Potter one</a>. So if you're a taker out of packaging displayer and you've got other 1/43 sized vehicles, it looks all right besides them, altough of course Gizmo inside makes it taller.\\n\\nThis is not the most heavily detailed of your Gremlins figures but to be fair it didn't cost in shops anywhere near the same price as ones that are. If you want heavy detailed Gremilns figures I'd check out <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/NECA-Cult-Classics-Gremlins-2-Brain/dp/B002PKXFYG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">NECA Cult Classics Gremlins 2 Brain</a> figure, it's one of the best and detailed horrors figures I own.\",\n \"Product: The villainous Gremlin monsters join the Mogwais to celebrate the successful re-launch of the Gremlins Series 1 Action Figure line. This first assortment of Gremlins includes all new figures as seen in Gremlins 2. The Flasher Gremlin comes with flexible trenchcoat and removable sunglasses, George Gremlin includes his trademark cigar, and Daffy Gremlin includes gag glasses and noisemaker accessories. Figures stand nearly 6\\\" tall and feature incredible detail, articulation, and accessories.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Even Though He Was Only on Screen for About 5 Seconds, Everyone Remembers This Guy!\\n\\nReview: NECA released a few Gremlins in 2011 but none was more sought after than Flasher. Flasher comes with a trench coat which is moulded to be riding up, this is a disappointment as the figure is always flashing and cannot pose with the trench coat closed in pre flash anticipation pose. It would be possible to remove the coat completely, Gremlin is intact underneath, but since it's moulded a bit of challenge to put it back on if it can happen at all. Flasher also comes with two accessories, sunglasses and a cigarette. The cigarette is extremely small and likely to be lost quickly due to the fact it pretty easily falls out, unless you shove it almost horizontally in Flasher's mouth. It of course could easily be swallowed by a small child too if safety concerns are a factor to you. The cigarette is unlit which is another disappointment, it would have been cool to have a bit of smoke coming out of it so when he looks up in kind of a stoned manner while flashing like in the movie just before he was kicked rugby try conversion style, it would better resemble that scene. I would have preferred the cigarette to have been permanently attached within the mouth, seeing as the mouth doesn't open and close or anything, this would ensure the high probability of it getting lost doesn't happen. If you're buying this online loose I'd definitely be checking the cigarette is there.\\n\\nThe sunglass arms don't fold or anything but they do sit on Flasher's head, although obviously not over his ears. The poses Flasher can do are rather limited due to the inflexible trench coat, he can stand up on his own if you take the time to carefully manipulate his legs, but not in the promotion image looking up leaning back pose. That shot has also been photoshopped a bit as the underarms aren't smooth with the figure, you can clearly see the joints (see my customer images) where they attach to the body, although you can rotate the arms to minimise how much of them you see. As you can see the joints with one the legs such as the knees. Flasher is definitely more detailed than all previous year NECA both Gremlin movies characters such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Spike-and-Poker-Player/dp/B00198QFG0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Spike and Poker Player</a> from the first film, with the exception of the main gremlin from the sequel <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Brain/dp/B002PKXFYG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Brain</a> and <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Mohawk/dp/B003DBUBDO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Mohawk</a> from the second film as well, who I think are slightly better done than Flasher where the head and limbs join the body. Flasher kind of looks like he's wearing a turtle type shell. But when it comes down to it if you like the detail of Flasher, you should check those two previous year released figures out too. The fingers, especially the long fingernails, detail wise are done well with Flasher and the paint job is really good with veins, scales and the like being able to be seen.\\n\\nStill even with Flasher's limitations, he's still extremely cool and a must add to your collection or even just to display somewhere as a single talking piece. If you're a keeper in the packaging type collector Flasher can be seen quite clearly while still in the packaging, although he is not in the iconic flashing pose. If he had been and had the accessories on/in his head I might have considered keeping him inside the packaging due to how loose, the cigarette especially is. However with that not being the case, you're pretty much missing out by not setting him free. The back of the blister pack (see my customer images) shows all the other Mogwai and Gremlin character same size 2011 releases (there were also three smaller Gizmos released by NECA in 2011 that were pull back powered such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Gizmo-in-a-Corvette/dp/B004CS5B9G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Gizmo in a Corvette</a> but they are not on there. What are though is the characters set to be released in 2012 who are Lenny, Lightning and Phantom (in Gremlin not Mogwai form). If they are releasing more gremlin characters from the sequel film, I'd love NECA to make the bat gremlin who became a gargoyle, Mohawk with his spider body, the gremlin with fruit and veg growing out of his head and body (maybe with the salad dressing IV drip as his accessories) and the girl gremlin. I'd also love to see some of the melting gremlins or even better the ones who have gotten wet with new gremlins emerging from their backs.\",\n \"Product: A brand new line of fully poseable Mogwai figures based on the characters from Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.\\n\\nSeries 2 includes fan favorite Combat Gizmo, Mohawk, and Daffy. Each figure features ball jointed ears, necks, shoulders, forearms, wrists, hips, and fully movable eyes!\\n\\nA small ball carefully concealed on the back of the head allows you to move the pupils in all directions to create many different looks and expressions for your Mogwais.\\n\\nClamshell packaging.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: You're Going to Want One of These When Mohawk Spider Gremlin is Released Soon\\n\\nReview: I'd put off getting one of these, and didn't really plan on getting one as I already own quite a few Gizmos from earlier NECA releases and lets be honest all the Gizmo figures are pretty similar, especially with their facial expression. But days ago NECA announced on their Facebook page that the spider version of Mohawk from Gremlins 2 is going to be made. Spider Mohawk has been on the wish list of many collectors, since the Gremlin sequel hit the screen in 1990 so that will sell out pretty quick and cost a fortune to obtain if you don't get one quick. I anticipate when Spider Mohawk hits stores and websites, that many fans will also be after this version of Gizmo from a few years ago, (so it's unlikely you'll find it in physical stores anymore) where inspired by a Rambo clip he's previously watched back when he was in a cage in the shop, Gizmo bends a paperclip to make a bow, puts a pencil into a liquid paper bottle (of course an office building these days is more likely to have liquid paper pens so you may have to explain to your kids what that is), climbs into the air conditioning system, opens a vent, lights the liquid paper bottle on fire and fires it into Mohawk who seemed to be pretty much unstoppable on his rampage before Gizmo had finally had enough! So it you're tossing up wether to get a Combat Gizmo or not I'd probably do so before Spider Mohawk is released.\\n\\nWhen this arrived I must say it is a bit better Gizmo head wise than the previous ones I own. His ears are more like in the films, longer and pointier. Because he's obviously had enough and is mad, his mouth (snout, beak whatever you want to call it) is now in a frown rather than the smile of previous Gizmos. To be honest you could easily make the accessories this comes with yourself and attach them to a previous Gizmo figure, but the frown and squinted eyes on this figure resemble the scene slightly better than the older Gizmo figures portray. This like the other Mogwai characters released in the same year has the poseable eyes (which means eyes you move through a trackball on the back of his head. People either like this feature or hate it. To me it doesn't really add anything, since 99.9% of this figures life is going to be posed like a statue anyway, it's more of a gimmick, but it may be a reason for you to buy it.\\n\\nAs another reviewer has mentioned the paintjob is a bit sloppy. Maybe it's different on all figures and being you can't select these from a shelf in a store these days it's going to be a bit of a lucky dip for you. Mine has clearish brown paint on the fur where it looks like a vest in the white bit bordering it as well as brown in the white bits on the ears. The ears don't really matter as like a dog or a cat or something in real life Gizmo would have bits of brown in amongst the white. But the body clearly looks like a paint brush has gone somewhere it shouldn't. Even without the paint mistakes it's kind of weird that they've painted his brown like he's wearing a vest, on previous Gizmo figures the brown goes all the way down to where the torso ends and the separate mould that is the legs begins. Maybe they wanted to hide the separate legs and body join by making the lower part of the body white, who knows? Other than the paint mistakes, the general appearance of the figure does resemble fur with ridges and things like this. It's always going to be hard to make a soft furry creature look that way with a hard plastic figure, so NECA have done an all right job in that regard. The detail in his toes, toenails, fingers and hands and feet in general is a lot better than previous release Gizmos.\\n\\nGizmo is also wearing a rope belt which does actually resemble a rope and a red bandana that doesn't quite look right. The paperclip and rubber band bow looks okay. The pencil in liquid paper arrow isn't the correct proportions with the pencil being a lot longer than it would be compared to a real life liquid paper and pencil. Obviously it's not on fire so you might have to add some fake fire to the bottle for display. The bottle is also just white, it doesn't have the brand name and stuff that the movie one had. This is a criticism I have of all the Gremlin NECA figures but I would love Gizmo to be posed in the packaging holding the bow and arrow so that if you choose not to take it out of the clear blister packaging it's already posed. The packaging is the type that once you open it, it's destroyed so you can't put him back.\\n\\nSome sellers on some websites claim this (and other Mogwai for that matter) figures are 7\\\" tall. It doesn't claim that anywhere on the packaging. This one is just over 3\\\" (just under 9cm) high. The arrow from eraser to the bottom of the bottle is around 8cm in length is slightly shorter than the figure. If you are getting any of the Gremlins figures the Mogwai are smaller than the taller Gremlins like they are in the films.\",\n \"Product: diecast ghostbusters car\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Slimer Possessed Ecto 1\\n\\nReview: Hot Wheels released 5 Halloween themed 1/64 sized vehicles, in 2012. They were exclusive to Kroger stores and this version of the Ecto-1, was easily the best. Not living in the US, I only had the option of searching for these online. I knew this vehicle would be good, but was completely surprised when it arrived to see Slimer on the bonnet (hood). Why don't online sellers take decent photos? Oh well, meant less bidders and a cheaper price for me, but check out the customer images section of this page to see Slimer on the hood and a few other angles of the vehicle I uploaded.\\n\\nThe artwork on the blister pack is easily the best Halloween themed packaging Hot Wheels has ever come up with. You are going to be seriously tossing up between keeping this in the packaging or giving it, it's freedom. So I'd get two if I was you if with postage there isn't much difference in price. If I'd known Slimer was on the bonnet I would have got two. Anyway the blister card imagery is set in a gas station and has a skeleton emerging from the building. There's four evil looking pumpkins, spider webs, some creatures with glowing eyes living in a knocked over oil barrel, a full moon with bats flying in front of it and a black hissing back arched cat. Seriously the artwork is simply awesome.\\n\\nIf you're familiar with the version of the Ecto 1 Hot Wheels released in 2010 (see it <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/here/dp/B0034YX6JQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">here</a> if you're not) the aspects that allowed it to be a cheap mass produced vehicle actually work better with this version as obviously it's not concerned about looking exactly like the one in the Ghostbusters movie. The blue plastic moulding that made up the windows and emergency light bar of the Ecto 1, this time round is transparent green. When the sun hits it, it mildly gives the illusion of glowing. It blends well with the Slimer image and slime down the sides of the car, this Ecto 1 easily could have been slimed or possessed. The plastic ladder and equipment on the roof, this time round is light grey, which enables you to see more of the detail then the black of the mass produced line 2010 one.\\n\\nThe black paint on the vehicle is a nice deep colour. Beside the water like long drops of slime flowing towards the rear of the vehicle on the sides, there is also an orange pumpkin Hot Wheels logo with ribbon containing the Hot Wheels words, on the door. That logo also appears on the rear hatch. Slimer sort of has the graffiti art on wall look, his mouth is open showing teeth and tongue.\\n\\nSeriously this is a great car that any Ghostbusters fan, movie or horror themed die-cast vehicle collector will want to add to their collection.\",\n \"Product: Hot Wheels New For 2012! HW Imagination ANGRY BIRDS RED Bird 1:64 scale copyright 2012 Mattel\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Very Cool Looking Bird Head Themed Hot Wheels Car!\\n\\nReview: Angry Bird is part of Hot Wheels 2012 mass produced line of budget 1/64 scale cars which sell for one or two dollars in supermarket, toy and department stores. Obviously there is no actual size Angry Car out there that this is 1/64th the size of, but if you collect other Matchbox, Hot Wheel, Johnny Lightning and other brands, this is the same height as those. It's shorter in length than some other vehicles, but I've got plenty of other 1/64 sized cars that are no longer than this. I'm not 100% sure how accurate this thing looks to the character in the computer game as I've never played it, but it does resemble other merchandise of that character in the toy stores. I just bought it because it looks interesting, I collect non-conventional car looking creature, artwork and other odd 1/64 sized vehicles. This and the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/green-pig/dp/B009B1H2QE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">green pig</a> character (Minion) from the Angry Bird game fit right in with my collection. This does look like a red bird's head, with a yellow beak who is either angry, or just has a really prominent black mono eyebrow. Even though it is pretty much just a head on wheels it does also have a black tail. At the time of this review they are the only two characters released but a black, yellow as well as blue character seem to be pretty well marketed in other toys so hopefully Mattel will release those down the track as Hot Wheels vehicles too.\\n\\nCheck out my customer image to see this vehicle from different angles. For some reason these images don't come up on this page anymore and you need to click on the blue words link View and Share Related Imgages that are located under the seller's images to see them. Note that it comes on a few different blister cards, some say HW imagination down the right in a green rectangle and others say Angry Birds down the right in a yellow rectangle. Both versions have a nice illustration of the vehicle on the blister card and have the same vehicle inside.\",\n \"Product: 2012 Edition THE MUPPETS School Bus Disney HOT WHEELS COLLECTOR\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Paint Job, Wrong Sized/Type of Bus\\n\\nReview: It's great to see the Electric Mayhem Bus from the 1979 Muppets movie finally made into a 1/64 scale die-cast vehicle tribute. This of course comes inside a blister card with the cardboard backing promoting the 2011 Jason Siegel movie The Muppets, where a purposely run down faded cobweb covered looking replica had a cameo in the Muppet museum studio lot. This Hot Wheels version is a replica of the bus in its prime, but sadly Hot Wheels hasn't used the same type or even sized bus. This is more of a standard more common school bus repainted. I'd compare this to the old Matchbox Star Cars range where they used cars from their existing range and dressed them up to pretend they were movie star cars. It's better than nothing, and worth owning but the door is wide open for someone to do the job properly which would of course make the price of this one in your collection plummet when that happens. There is of course no guarantees that ever will happen.\\n\\nStill this version has some nice detailed artwork on it reminiscent of the style used on the original bus but not exact. If you can get this for a good price, it's worth owning.\",\n \"Product: CONVOY CUSTOM * AC/DC * Hot Wheels 2013 Pop Culture Series Die-Cast Vehicle. Vehicle measures approximately 3 inches long. Vehicle may not be compatible with some Hot Wheels tracks and play sets. HOT WHEELS Pop Culture: This new series for 2013 pairs classic Hot Wheels casting with popular brands loved the world over. Properties include the Muppets, Looney Tunes, Hostess, Mars and characters from Sunday morning cartoons like Dennis the Menace, Popeye and Flash Gordon. The vehicles feature die-cast bodies and chassis with Real Riders tires. Ages 3 and up. From Mattel\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Thunderstruck by How Good This is!\\n\\nReview: Truck stamped 2012 on the metal undercarriage but released in 2013 as part of the Pop Culture promotion by Hot Wheels. There was a second orange smaller truck with storage crate on the back but it wasn't as good as this one. In earlier years Hot Wheels also released a Back in Black album ute (Ford Ranchero), and a van. This is a really nice semi trailer truck and easily the best of all four vehicles. It is also the most expensive and hardest to find of the four on online auction sites. It's a lot heavier than your usual 1/64 scale vehicle as a truck would be to a car in real life. On the side of the cab's sleeping area is a nice photo of Angus Young shirtless with a red guitar and I think Brian Johnson (lead singer) but to be honest the photo of him isn't the clearest. Not sure if there's a different image on the side that you can't see through the blister pack as this cost a bit much to justify taking it out (these weren't released in Australia, which is stupid being ACDC are an Australian band), but that seems to be the norm with most of Hot Wheels Pop Culture range. On the back is the ACDC word logo (the same as on the blister card) and there's also a really small one on the front bonnet (hood). Also on the bonnet is an arrow thin flame racing stripe, behind the visible engine on the sides are similar stripes. This vehicle has red rimmed tyres with tread. I love the front of the truck, it sort of suits the 70's Melbourne look of ACDC's arriving on the music scene era.\\n\\nIf you do a search you will also find 1/64 vehicles by Kiss, Elvis, Guns N' Roses, Beatles, Monkees, Led Zepplin, Iron Maiden some also by Hot Wheels, others by Johnny Lightning. It's a shame die-cast vehicle manufacturers don't release more iconic band themed artwork on 1/64 vehicles.\",\n \"Product: Own the DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future ! Measures 7-inches long. Highly detailed 1:24 scale vehicle made with die-cast metal parts! The iconic DeLorean from the Back to the Future film trilogy gets the die-cast metal treatment in the 1:24 scale! This Back to the Future DeLorean 1981 Time Machine Die-Cast Metal 1:24 Scale Vehicle is highly detailed and screen accurate. Measuring 7-inches long in the 1:24 scale and made from die-cast metal parts, the detailing on this great vehicle is impressive. Not only can you open the doors on this fantastic DeLorean, but the interior is also packed full of delicate instrumentation, like the time circuits and flux capacitor! Ages 14 and up.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"You Mean to Tell Me, Welly Built a Replica Time Machine... Out of a Delorean, in 1:24 Scale?\\\"\\n\\nReview: This is pretty cool when you consider these things retail in stores for less than $15. The wheels move, the gull doors lift up and you can even attach the lightning rod (located underneath the purple cardboard diorama display stand, when you open the box and slide it out, you'll find it taped in a clear plastic bag to where the car is attached to the display stand. I never bothered detaching mine from that cardboard thing, but you can unscrew it if you want to roll the car around. I did attach the lightning rod, it just clips into a slot on the rear top of the Delorean, you can see it being attached in my photo. You can also see what this looks like with the doors up. You can also display it back in the box (the box just has some sticky tape to cut, then opens up without damage) with the doors up. I also like to like the lightning rod in front. Obviously the box isn't tall enough to keep it attached to the vehicle. You can't really see the background on the cardboard display well when it's in the box, the background is the backs of Marty and Doc. The box itself has pictures of the Delorean and the Back to the Future logo on the sides and top. On the back is a spiel similar to what you'd find on the back of a video in the 80's promoting the movie, starting with \\\"He was never in time for his classes... He wasn't in time for his dinner... The one day... he wasn't in time at all.\\\" There's also some screen shots of a street in 1955, and three of the Delorean on the back of the box.\\n\\nThe Welly Delorean is 1:24 scale, it's metal, with plastic inside and with bits of the time machine. The steering wheel pretty much touches the seat so even if you bought a little Marty or Doc figure it's unlikely it would be able to sit in the driver's seat. Although maybe you could position it like hes got his legs on the bitumen and is about to get out. The passenger seat would fit the other one sitting properly. There door windows are rolled down so its just air. Deloreans like most vehicles back in the 80's probably weren't air-conditioned I guess. For such a cheap retail priced replica, it is very well detailed. No Back to the Future fan should pass up owning one of these. Keep and eye out for it on the shelves, or even pay a bit more to get on online, it's worth it.\\n\\nYou can also get two other versions of the Delorean from each of the sequels.\",\n \"Product: Hot Wheels The A Team Custom GMC Panel Van 1:64 Die-Cast copyright 2012 Mattel.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: B.A. Baracus Would Pity the Fool Who Didn't Collect One of These!\\n\\nReview: A few years ago Hot Wheels released Baracus' (played by actor Mr T) van as part of their mass produced budget range. It was good if you could get one off the rack for a dollar or two but didn't have the right paint job (ie it was black both beneath and above the red line) had cheap wheels and thing like this but for a few bucks, you really couldn't be too picky. However as we collector know who are collecting stuff that was around before we decided to join this great hobby, resell online prices in the years ahead, especially when you include postage, mean you aren't just paying a few bucks. Therefore the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/2011-HW-Premiere-A-Team-Van/dp/B005NUNNA6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">2011 HW Premiere A Team Van</a> really wasn't worth it if you couldn't didn't get one in stores.\\n\\nThis time round as part of the Retro range I think both those finding them in stores and paying the off the rack price (which is about 5 times the price of the basic Hot Wheels vehicles), or even those who have to pay the higher online prices in the future will look at this one and say, yeah that was worth it. This retro version does have the better paintjob (grey top half above the red stripe, even the stripe looks better, especially on the roof). It has rubber tyres, the back ones with white writing, and better red hubcaps are used as well, the general detailing in the paint job such as the headlights, break lights is far superior and it also has a black plastic used for windshield, windows etc rather than the blue with the mass produced one.\\n\\nThe retro range vehicle though isn't found in as many stores or even a lot of countries that the mass produced Hot Wheels one was back in 2011, and certainly not in the same quantities. Meaning the price gap will likely widen over the years between the two. Unless the retro ones you can find have skyrocketed to ridiculous prices if you're a new collector I'd definitely pay a little bit more to get this much better van. Maybe get a mass produced one to open and play with and keep the retro in the packaging for display. Packaging wise the Retro one is slightly better, it's still in a blister bubble on piece of cardboard that you have to destroy if you want to play with it, but it is a slightly larger card and the packaging sits upright on a flat surface, whereas your mass produced Hot Wheels range leans towards you on a severe angle on a flat surface so you've got to lean it against a wall or something. The retro range version arguably doesn't have as good an image on the card, as it is simply the A Team word logo in front of a resembling explosion looking yellow backdrop with the Hot Wheels banner above. Disappointingly unlike a lot of other die-cast car manufacturer's premium priced vehicles you cannot see the car through the back of the pack and the cardboard is not covered in plastic meaning it is more susceptible to getting bent or if it gets wet is not protected. For the price of these I would have really have liked to see the better blister pack technology used.\\n\\nOther companies such as ERTL have released this van over the years also in 1/64 size (which is your standard mass produced size) over the years but I'd have to say this Retro version is the one to collect. You will also find the A-Team white corvette in the same Retro range from Hot Wheels.\",\n \"Product: Two of kids favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars C-3PO character car combines the essence of the logical droid with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheelsthis is the droid youre looking for! Re-create your favorite storylines, send your C-3PO car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary. Ages 3 and older.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"I am C3PO Kombi-Cyborg Relations!\\\"\\n\\nReview: I'd put off buying the two pack with R2D2 after he'd passed out of the small intestine of a Dewback and where C3PO had a rusted look, simply as they both didn't look good at all. So I'm glad to see they finally released C3PO in a single blister and an undamaged version too. The vehicle represents the Star Wars droid well, with the soft curves connecting the roof to the sides matching the body of the movie robot. The VW Kombi van is a pretty good choice too. It even has the exposed wires between the rear spoiler and the roof like C3PO has in his midriff.\\n\\nKombi vans seem to always be popular and not only retain their value but increase in it over time. You can't go wrong adding one of these to your collection.\",\n \"Product: All 8 Hot-Wheels cars in the 2014 1-8 collection.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Buy For the Blister Card, Probably the Best Vehicle of the Eight Cars from the Star Wars Series, But it's Still Not That Great\\n\\nReview: Ballistic on a Return of the Jedi blister card is one you're probably going to want to keep in the packaging. It's probably the best (or most close to Star Wars themed) of the eight cars Hot Wheels released (one for each movie, plus two animated TV shows). These retail in shops in 2014 for less than double the price of the mass produced budget line so are worth picking up. You're doing so though for the blister card artwork, as the vehicle is really nothing special. Ballistic has been around since 2002 and released many times in different colours and themes. This time round it's white with black decals. This is the closest to Star Wars themed of the 8 cars as the colours remind of a storm trooper and the stickers of R2D2 type droids. But you could also say that's a bit of a stretch.\\n\\nThe blister card artwork has a retro movie poster style image, which kind of reminds me of the merchandising such as t-shirts, lunchboxes and the like from the 80's promoting Return of the Jedi. The picture has Luke and Vader crossing light sabres, the Millennium Falcon, two x-wing fighters, some other fighter ship, Yoda, C3PO,Jabba and Chewbacca.\",\n \"Product: Ever since the dawn of time, the Minions have lived to serve the most despicable of masters. From T.rex to Napoleon, the easily distracted tribe has helped the biggest and the baddest of villains. Now, join protective leader Kevin, teenage rebel stuart and lovable little Bob on a global road trip where they'll earn a shot to work for a new boss - the world's first female super-villain - and try to save all of Minion kind... from themselves.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Bob With His Bear\\n\\nReview: Bob is one of thirteen Minion figures from the Depicable Me prequel movie Minions released by Thinkway Toys. Kevin and Stuart can also be found wearing blue overalls amongst the 13. Stuart has his guitar. Other than the bored silly era where they are all wearing brown winter coats, this is the only era of Minion existence with all three main characters in the same costume.\\n\\nBob is quite detailed. There is more detail on these small Thinkway Toys minions than their larger rivals by other manufacturers. Bob's eyes are even two different colours (green and brown). The arms move and can be posed at different angles but other than that the figure only have the one stance. The bear is very detailed and cannot be removed, likewise his eye goggles or clothing. Bob stands up no problem at all. Bob is about 4.5cm tall. If you are a keeper in the packaging displayer, the blister card is 19cm tall and 11.5cm wide.\",\n \"Product: Gone Batty is given a fun, and funky, stylized look as an adorable collectible vinyl figure!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Smug in the Fact That He Knows Dracula's About to Be Impressed With The Surprise Cake and Party About to Be Thrown\\n\\nReview: Gone Batty is different to the Funko Pop Vinyl norm in that he appears to have no feet when standing and sort of looks like he is a hovering ghost. He actually does have feet, they are just really short but the only way you'll see them is if you pick him up or knock him over. Knocking him over is the only way he will fall over too, since his legs are so short the bottom of his cloak keeps him upright even on slightly angled or often bumped surfaces. He's also different from most Funkos in that he isn't keeping the common look. Most Funko Pops have no mouth, Gone Batty of course has a smug grin on his face with two drawn on fangs. Funkos usually have the small triangle nose, Gone Batty doesn't have one at all. The usual black button eyes are also missing replaced with the inside goggles half open ones with yellow eyelids. Although all the minion Funko vinyl's do this so he is consistent with them. The figure is slightly smaller than your standard Pop Vinyl figure too, but not as small as Tyrion Lannister. This kind of makes sense if you're going to buy Gru, as you wouldn't want them to be the same height, although the height difference certainly isn't to scale.\\n\\nThe box it comes in is great packaging that I really wish other figure manufacturers would learn from. You can open the box, slide out the blister and remove the figure without damaging the box at all. There isn't even any tape or anything to cut. Then you can put the figure back inside if you decide to display it that way. The back of the box has some of the other minion characters released as Pop Vinyls. You can view the figure from the front and one side of the box through the clear window. The boxes stack well on top of each other too, that's why it's great you can change your mind at how you want to display these Funkos.\\n\\nThe only downside to the packaging is that you've got no idea if someone has opened it before you buy. As more and more people are becoming aware of the paint blemish factor, you seem to see more and more people opening these Funkos up in stores. If you're unaware it's a pretty rare occurrence to obtain a blemish free Funko figure, there's always a stray bit of paint somewhere on the figure, often on the back so even if you pick up a box in a store and the figure looks paint free, you won't know. Hence the reason customers are opening them up, or asking the online seller to do so and take photos for them to look at before purchasing. My Gone Batty came with a white paint mark on the front of his cloak.\\n\\nI also bought <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Minions-Deluxe-Action-Figure-Dracula-Minion-Stuart/dp/B00PDMJCX6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Minions Deluxe Action Figure - Dracula Minion Stuart</a> which is roughly the same size as this one. It is a lot less durable than Gone Batty and not as well made, but displays well next to it.\",\n \"Product: Pint-sized and perfect for your shelf, the Jason Voorhees Dorbz figure measures 3 Inch tall and comes in a double window-box package to fully display the character from both front and back! Check out the other Dorbz figures from Funko! Collect them all.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Going Down to South Crystal Lake Park Where We're Gonna Have Some Fun!\\n\\nReview: I really only through this into my Amazon shopping cart as it was going cheap and the postage wasn't much with the rest of my order, but I really like this little guy. He kind of gives off a South Park vibe, I haven't watched that show in years, but he kind of reminds me of Kenny with the squinting eyes, oval head that is longer in length than height and small body, that has basic lines drawn onto it to look like a shirt and pants. He has no legs by the way, which makes him stand up on a flat surface easy. He comes with a machete although it looks more like a meat cleaver or even a cricket bat, it is grey with blood splatter on it.\\n\\nThis is the only Dorbz Vinyl Collectible I own, and well probably likely to, but if you're unfamiliar with them, they all come with the closed eyes and usually a big grin on their face. These are basically happy little figures. Being Jason is wearing a hockey mask you of course can't see his mouth. I do own a lot of Pop Vinyl figures by Funko and this comes in similar box packaging, albeit a little smaller, that has the number of the figure on the box, one side has a picture of the figure and the figure's character name, the other side of the box has Jason and three other horror characters you can get (on Pop Vinyls boxes this on the back), the front and back of the Dorbz box has a clear viewing window. There is a clear blister protecting and stopping the figure from moving around. You can take the figure out and put it back inside without damaging any of the packaging, which is great and something I wish other figure manufacturers would learn from.\\n\\nThe figure is smaller than your Pop Vinyl figures too, he comes up to eye height on most of my Pop Vinyls. He's around 7.5cm tall. You can rotate his head 360 degrees to have him in different stances, but you can't remove the machete or move his arms. You can't remove his mask either. If you grew up with the Friday the 13th sequels, this isn't a bad addition to your collection.\",\n \"Product: Two of boys favorite brandsHot Wheels and Star Warshave joined forces! Hot Wheels has reimagined some of the most iconic characters from Star Wars as 1:64-scale cars. The Hot Wheels Star Wars Ewok character car combines the essence of the furry but fierce warriors with the thrill and real racing excitement of Hot Wheels. Re-create your favorite storylines, send your Ewok car flying at lightspeed on a Hot Wheels track set (sold separately) or display it with other favorite Star Wars collectibles. Theres an entire galaxy of Hot Wheels Star Wars cars to choose fromcollect them all! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Colors and decorations may vary. Ages 3 and older.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: \\\"You're a jittery little thing, aren't you?\\\"\\n\\nReview: This is a cool little buggy that represents the cool little creatures of Endor. At first I thought the brown doors and bonnet (hood) were supposed to represent wood as in the forest and the tree houses, every kid in the 80's wanted to live in. But upon reading the back of the blister card and seeing the prototype illustration I realised it is supposed to be the fur of the Ewok. The headlights are supposed to be his eyes and the spotlights on the roof canopy its ears. There are also some rocks in the net type roof rack along with some logs and other stuff. It's a nice little car, I previously bought quite a few other characters in this rage when they first came out on the blue blister cards. Evidently when I looked this up to review it this one was also released earlier on those cards, but I've never seen one of those in physical stores. I actually like the black blister card better, there is a nice illustration of the Ewok on it.\\n\\nOf course it's 1/64 scale the same size as your mass produced Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.\",\n \"Product: Claw Hauser is an honest police officer, however he's a bit of a cheetah when it comes to his diet, and he's not very fast- donuts are the main suspect. Claw Hauser often deals with eyewitnesses, like the Bat Eyewitness, who come to the station to report a crime. The poseable 3\\\" Claw Hauser Figure and 1\\\" Bat Eyewitness Figure are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Cheap Moveable Figure of Clawhauser, Don't Remember the Bat From the Movie Though\\n\\nReview: These are quite nice small figures from the Zootopia movie, well one of them is, I don't recall the bat from the movie, although I've only watched it once. Perhaps it's in there as a drawn extra in the police station or something, but I don't think it was a main character. I imagine they included it as all these 2 packs seem to have a normal size figure and a really small character, perhaps they ran out of other small characters.\\n\\nThe figures display pretty well in the packaging, if you're a keeper in packaging type collector. If you're an open packets kind of displayer, then I don't have the best news for you. First it's the basic plastic bubble on cardboard type of packaging, so you've got to destroy it to get the figure out so you can't change your mind afterward. Which is something you might consider doing when you realise these figures aren't that easy to squeeze out of the internal plastic mold thing their encased in. These two figures aren't as bad as the others and the figures themselves aren't as fragile but you'll struggle to get figures from this range out without their heads, tails or limbs coming off. They are also tied down by clear rope like things that are a pain to unwind. They are completely unnecessary as like I said the figures are jammed into the plastic mold, they aren't moving on their own.\\n\\nThe figures stand up well in the pose they are already in when you get them out of the packaging. But if you move the legs (well you can't move anything on the bat), Clawhauser struggles to stand upright. But you can get a few different poses from him, just that he will fall over pretty quickly. His arms move and his neck rotates a little too. For some reason the figures both have holes in their feet, I guess they were originally going to come with a stand, but there isn't one. The paint job is pretty, there's a few minor defects, but it's no where near as bad a Funko Pop Vinyls or anything.\\n\\nThese figures are (or were depending when you're reading this review) pretty cheap figures in physical stores, I bought mine for $5, so I wasn't expecting great quality, but for $2.50 a figure I think they are actually better value than most other figures around that price. The bat is obviously pretty small and a chocking hazard to younger kids, and limbs come off pretty easy (they go back in easy though) so there's a high chance of losing parts of the figure or the bat altogether inside a vacuum cleaner or something. But in fairness nowhere on the packaging does it state these are toys, although the toy aisles were where I found the ones I bought as stores don't seem to know where else to put figures and movie merchandise\",\n \"Product: Tundra town is the coldest district in Zootopia and is home to Mr. Big, the toughest and shrewdest crime boss around. And don't be fooled - his polarizing henchman Kevin shouldn't be messed around with either. The figures are in scale with all of the other Zootopia Character Pack Figures. Collect the entire herd of the Zootopia Character Pack Figures and Vehicles so you can recreate the scenes from Zootopia!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Pretty Nice for Budget Priced When in Physical Stores, Mr Big and Kevin Zootopia Figures\\n\\nReview: All of the Tomy Zootopia figure packs come with a large (or regular size) figure and a tiny figure. This is one of the few packs where that actually makes sense and it represents the movie, since Kevin (the polar bear) works for Mr Big. Other two packs, the Zootopia figures have more articulation than these two. Mr Big doesn't have any, but Kevin you can move his legs and arms so you can bend him over or have a poses, but there's not a lot you can do with him. He really only stands on his own on a flat surface in the pose he is in when you first get him out of the packaging. Being his limbs are more solid than the other figures, he is less fragile than them though.\\n\\nWhen you consider these were pretty cheap figures in physical stores, I bought this two pack for five bucks, I think they are pretty good quality and fairly well detailed. When next to the other figures from the two packs, Kevin is by far the biggest of all the Zootopia figures.\",\n \"Product: From the 2016 Ghostbusters Movie, Gertrude Eldridge, as a stylized POP vinyl from Funko! Figure stands 3 3/4 inches and comes in a window display box. Check out the other Ghostbusters figures from Funko! Collect them all!.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Lit up and Colourful Like Gertrude in the Movie, But Still a Seriously Cool Looking Detailed Ghost in Various Shades of Grey\\n\\nReview: Gertrude Aldridge as a pop vinyl isn't as colourful as her character (in ghost form) in the Ghostbusters 2016 remake movie, in fact she's pretty much just different shades of grey with white eyes replacing the black eyes norm of pop vinyls. She still looks really cool though, and really angry! In the movie she is of course first encountered in the Aldridge Mansion Museum. The place she has haunted since she was locked in the mansions basement and fed through a slot in the door, after she killed all the mansion's servants, and her rich family didn't want that embarrassing sort of thing getting out. Erin is called in after a tour guide encounters her in ghost form. When Erin meets her she of course vomits ectoplasm over her and flies off through the wall. She also appears near the end of the movie, with the electrocuted ghost. In the movie she's blue bright light wearing a white and red striped dress which is also lit up. It would be pretty hard to paint that I would guess, without her looking like a smurf. So Gertrude more resembles your traditional movie ghost in colour, including torn up dress. She does seriously look cool though.\\n\\nSince she doesn't have any legs and her dress forms a flat surface at the bottom, she stands up no problems at all. She definitely doesn't need a stand or anything. Like all pop vinyls her limbs don't move or anything, but you can rotate her neck 360 degrees. If you've got her in exorcist pose, the weight of her head with her back as her front is too heavy for her to stay upright long. But any other angle pose of the head, and you've got to give her a serious bump to knock her over. Even if you don't like the Ghostbusters remake, she is a pretty cool looking undead looking pop vinyl. She could pass for a vampire with her sharp teeth which include fangs, or a zombie.\\n\\nNow if they'd only make the original movie library ghost as a pop vinyl. I'd buy that!\",\n \"Product: Three sons, one massive fortune. The race to be the first to make GBP1,000,000 to win the inheritence is on! Harry Bingham is a wonderful new talent in the great bestselling storytelling tradition of Jeffrey Archer and Dick Francis. Three sons. One fortune. Who will win it? A wealthy Yorkshire industrialist dies and leaves his three sons and one daughter, all used to a life of extreme luxury! absolutely nothing. Except the chance to win the entire inheritance by whichever one of them has one million pounds in his bank account at the end of three years. Startled out of their indulgent lives, the three sons start competing against each other in their mad attempt to make a million pounds. Two of them go into the City, the eldest buys a run-down factory. Which one of them is going to be successful in their desperate bid and win the millions? With a knack for story-telling in the style of Jeffrey Archer, this compulsively readable and absolutely un-put-downable novel heralds the arrival of a new bestselling, extremely commercial talent on the scene.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The greatest winner takes all book ever written\\n\\nReview: This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. The plot is sensational, basically a rich tycoon dies and to inherit his vast fortune his three sons who have basically just been spoilt rich kids and never worked a day in their lives must earn at least one million pounds from nothing in three years. Only one of them can inherit the money, winner takes all. Meanwhile their sister who has been left a place on a secretarial course from her father's will must look after their mother who has become a vegetable through shock of the will's contents so all the moral questions of diverting funds they have made to help their struggling sister are tackled along with morals in making money.\\nEach brother is completely different personality wise and you actually learn a fair bit about running businesses, share trading and everything else along the way. You get addicted to these characters and will not be able to put this book down. It is a riveting read. I honestly hadn't heard of Harry Bingham as an author before this but he's up there with James Patterson, Dean Koontz and other masters of thrillers.\",\n \"Product: Gordon Ramsay\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: No One's Certainly Made Gordon Ramsay Eat Humble Pie!\\n\\nReview: I found Humble Pie to be a really interesting read, well written in the same style Gordon speaks when he's on camera, once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I knew nothing at all about Ramsay other than what I'd seen on Kitchen Nightmares and other TV programs. So I was surprised to read he almost made it as a professional footballer, and was raised in a family of domestic violence, where money which should have been spent on the basics of living was instead wasted on the music career of his father. Granted his father isn't alive to dispute Ramsay's version of events but on assumption that his memories are pretty accurate, you've got to have a huge respect for a man who didn't want to be like his father in wasting his life pursuing a dream on the slight chance he could make it (the football) and take on a less glamorous and fun, much more hard work career to become a top chef. This autobiography takes the reader on a journey into the various kitchens Ramsay learnt his skills, in both the UK and France and the hardships he had to deal with in reaching his dreams of earning his Michelin stars and ultimately owning his own restaurant. It includes the hardships of losing his best chef who died while robbing a house to feed his drug habit and Ramsay's determination to make sure his brother didn't also end up dead due to following the same path. Although like most autobiographies, self criticism doesn't take up too much of the word count, you can't help but admire the man. Certainly no one has made Gordon Ramsay eat humble pie, if they've done something wrong, he'll tell you about it in these pages.\\n\\nHow Gordon Ramsay's TV career started is also covered as well as behind the scenes on his initial Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and other UK shows is. The US spinoffs, which were more to Ramsay's liking are also covered but only the initial couple of seasons when this was starting. Humble Pie was published in 2006 so it obviously doesn't include TV shows and other events that have taken place since then.\\n\\nThere is a shortened version of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Humble-Pie-Quick-Reads/dp/0007270968/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Humble Pie (Quick Reads)</a> which was released two years later in 2008 as part of the Quick Reads short fiction and non fiction story initiative to increase global literacy. If this full length version nearly three times as long at 284 pages seems a bit much for you, you might want to consider grabbing a copy of that instead, you should be able to get it for much cheaper price as well, it definitely will be a lot cheaper to post. The full length Humble Pie was also released in North America under the title Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection. Under either title, I'd give the full length version a go.\",\n \"Product: In the dazzling new thriller from the master of dark suspense, the hand of fate reaches out to touch an ordinary man with greatness. So long as he is ready. So long as he is, above all, afraid. Jimmy Tock comes into the world on the very night his grandfather leaves it. As a violent storm rages outside the hospital, Rudy Tock spends long hours walking the corridors between the expectant fathers' waiting room and his dying father's bedside. It's a strange vigil made all the stranger when, at the very height of the storm's fury, Josef Tock suddenly sits up in bed and speaks coherently for the first and last time since his stroke. What he says before he dies is that there will be five dark days in the life of his grandson -- five dates whose terrible events Jimmy will have to prepare himself to face. The first is to occur in his 20th year; the second in his 23rd year; the third in his 28th; the fourth in his 29th; the fifth in his 30th. Rudy is all too ready to discount his father's last words as a dying man's delusional rambling. But then he discovers that Josef also predicted the moment of his grandson's birth to the minute, as well as his exact height, weight, and the fact that Jimmy would be born with syndactyly -- the unexplained anomaly of fused digits on his left foot. Suddenly, the old man's predictions take on a chilling significance. What terrifying events await Jimmy on these five dark days? What nightmares will he face? What challenges must he survive? As the novel unfolds, picking up Jimmy's story at each of these crisis points, the path he must follow will defy every expectation. And with each crisis he faces, he will move closer to a fate he could never have imagined. For who Jimmy Tock is and what he must accomplish on the five days his world turns is a mystery as dangerous as it is wondrous -- a struggle against an evil so dark and pervasive only the most extraordinary of human spirits can shine through.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Masterpiece Koontz Quality is Back!\\n\\nReview: A few recent below average novels especially The Taking had many wondering if Dean Koontz could still produce the masterpiece novels he once did such as Watchers, Intensity and Night Chills to name but three and his latest novel Life Expectancy, is proof that he still can. This is definitely a must read Koontz thriller which will have you staying home and turning the pages until you're finished.\\n\\nLife Expectancy starts with the birth of James Tock or Jimmy as everyone will call him. A fact his dieing grandfather predicts who incidentally dies at the exact same time as James' birth. His grandfather has other predictions as well which he forced his son to write down with his last dying breaths of five dark days for his grandson. One for detail, he also provides the dates but there is no time to contemplate this or grieve for his father as a mad clown is on a murderous rampage shooting everyone he comes across in the maternity ward where of course James has just been born.\\n\\nThis is a sensational novel. I also found it amusing that the main characters of a book where a timeline is so important have the last name Tock and a maiden name of Greenwhich which of course both are of major importance in time.\",\n \"Product: No. 1 new york times bestselling author dean koontz is at the peak of his storytelling powers with this major new novel a rich, multi-layered story that moves back and forth across decades and generations as a gifted musician relates the terrible and wonderful events that began in his city in 1967, when he was ten. This is the story of a boy and a cityjonah kirks childhood has been punctuated by extraordinary moments like the time a generous stranger helped him realize his dream of learning the piano. Nothing is more important to him than his family and friends, and the electrifying power of music. But now jonah has a terrifying secret. And it sets him on a collision course with a group of dangerous people who will change his life forever. For one bright morning, a single earth-shattering event will show jonah that in his city, good is entwined with malice, and sometimes the dark side of humanity triumphs. But it will also teach him that courage and honour are found in the most unexpected places, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart. If he can just survive to find it\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Boring Waffling Writing. With So Many Good Books Out There, You Won't Stick With This Long. Dean Koontz Used to Mean Great Read\\n\\nReview: The City really highlights the fact that the days of every time a new novel came out with the words Dean Koontz on the cover you knew you were in for a few days (novels used to be longer too) of reading pleasure are over. The City is so boring I think unless you really have to have nothing else on your Kindle or pile of books or electricity to watch TV or surf the net, there's no way you'll keep reading until the end. What happened to the author who wrote masterpieces like Watchers, Intensity, Night Chills, Mr Murder and so many others. Even a Koontz novel wasn't a masterpiece, it was at least worth the purchase price and a decent read to pass the time.\\n\\nThe last decade or so novels, well I wonder if they're even written by the same guy. Did Koontz decide to secretly retire and sell his name onto an author with less talent? The City is told through the words of a very boring character who just waffles on and on about a very uninteresting life instead of just getting on with the story. The tale is so boring, you do stick with it hoping that the Koontz of old will revitalise the story somewhere but eventually you just give up as there is so much other stuff out there to read.\",\n \"Product: \\\"The book gave me that rare, greedy feeling of: this is so good I want to read it all at once but I mustn't or it will be over too soon. Haddon pulls off something extraordinary . . .\\\" -- \\\"The Observer\\\" \\\"Always surprising and often hilarious.\\\" -- \\\"The Globe and Mail\\\" \\\"One of the most affecting things I've read in years . . . it's brilliant.\\\" -- \\\"The Guardian\\\" \\\"Mark Haddon's new novel comes with glowing endorsements from Ian McEwan and Oliver Sacks . . . For once, the pundits speak the truth.\\\" -- \\\"The Economist\\\" \\\"A stark, funny and original first novel . . . [with] one of the strangest and most convincing characters in recent fiction.\\\" -- \\\"The New York Times Book Review\\\" \\\"A brilliant autism novel has been overdue -- and this is it! The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Mark Haddon shows great insight into the autistic mind, and he brings his young narrator protagonist quite wonderfully to life. I found it very moving, very plausible -- and \\\"very\\\" funny.\\\" -- Oliver Sacks, author of Uncle Tungsten \\\"I have never read anything quite like Mark Haddon's funny and agonizingly honest book, or encountered a narrator more vivid and memorable. I advise you to buy two copies; you won't want to lend yours out.\\\" -- Arthur Golden, author of Memoirs of a Geisha \\\"The Curious Incident brims with imagination, empathy, and vision -- plus it's a lot of fun to read.\\\" -- Myla Goldberg, author of Bee Season \\\"Mark Haddon's portrayal of an emotionally disassociated mind is a superb achievement. He is a wise and bleakly funny writer with rare gifts of empathy.\\\" -- Ian McEwan, author of Atonement \\\"From the Trade Paperback edition.\\\" \\\" A finely crafted debut ... conveys an astonishing intensity of emotion, almost Proustian in its sense of loss and regret.\\\" --\\\"Kirkus Reviews (Starred review) \\\"\\\" The assurance with which Mary Lawson handles both reflection and violence makes her a writer to read and watch ... has a resonance at once witty and poignant.\\\" \\\"-- The New York Times Book Review \\\"\\\" Crow Lake is the kind of book that keeps you reading well past midnight; you grieve when it' s over. Then you start pressing it on friends.\\\" \\\"-- The Washington Post Book World \\\"\\\" A touching meditation on the power of loyalty and loss, on the ways in which we pay our debts and settle old scores, and on what it means to love, to accept, to succeed-- and to negotiate fate' s obstacle courses.\\\" \\\"-- People \\\"\\\" Lawson' s tight focus on the emotional and moral effects of a drastic turn of events on a small human group has its closest contemporary analogue in the novels of Ian McEwan.\\\" \\\"-- The Toronto Star \\\" \\\"From the Hardcover edition.\\\" \\\"A finely crafted debut ... conveys an astonishing intensity of emotion, almost Proustian in its sense of loss and regret.\\\" --\\\"Kirkus Reviews (Starred review) \\\"\\\"The assurance with which Mary Lawson handles both reflection and violence makes her a writer to read and watch ... has a resonance at once witty and poignant.\\\" \\\"--The New York Times Book Review \\\"\\\"Crow Lake is the kind of book that keeps you reading well past midnight; you grieve when it's over. Then you start pressing it on friends.\\\" \\\"--The Washington Post Book World \\\"\\\"A touching meditation on the power of loyalty and loss, on the ways in which we pay our debts and settle old scores, and on what it means to love, to accept, to succeed--and to negotiate fate's obstacle courses.\\\" \\\"--People \\\"\\\"Lawson's tight focus on the emotional and moral effects of a drastic turn of events on a small human group has its closest contemporary analogue in the novels of Ian McEwan.\\\" \\\"--The Toronto Star \\\" \\\"From the Hardcover edition.\\\"\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Christopher chooses some actions, not all autistic actions\\n\\nReview: The book is basically a diary written by fifteen year old autistic Christopher, about the events after he found his neighbours dog Wellington, with a garden fork sticking out of its corpse. Initially against his father, neighbour (owner of the dead dog), teacher, police and other people's advice and wishes he keeps bugging everyone in the street to see if they know who killed Wellington.\\nEventually he stumbles upon the truth then flees to London to escape the killer who will not stop until he gets hold of Christopher. All Christopher is really worried about is doing his A-Level Math test, because he likes Maths. Doesn't really care at all about his father or others who are sacrificing their lives to make him comfortable and happy.\\nFor readers who are unfamilair with autistic people they may unfairly assume this is a symptom of the condition which it certainly is not. Most autistic people do not act in the selfish ways Christopher does. Sure some do, but so do some so called 'normal' people too. My main problem with this book is that at no point is the reader ever told by the author that Christopher like any other human is choosing some of the actions he takes and ways he treats others. People unfamiliar with autism may read this book and assume all autistic people will be violent or treat others with contmept etc. Sure some do but most do not. I understand this is Christopher's journal and he is unlikely to write anything critisising himself but since so many readers obviously assume he is a typical example of an autisitc individual the author needed to have made this clear in some way.\\nThis book may not be very good in quality, is very predictable and the characters not very likeable, but make no mistake about it, it is very addictive. For reasons I really do not understand, there was no way I could put this thing down until the last page which is why I rate this book three stars. I think some people rate this book highly purely for the fact it contains an autistic lead character and this somehow makes them feel beter about themselves, rather than actually rating the book on its quality.\",\n \"Product: Call it murdertube ...Minneapolis homicide cops Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth fish a murdered drag queen out of the Mississippi. Another day, another corpse. Except the victim's death throes quickly appear in a video posted online. And there are other videos, other murders. Unable to trace who is posting the videos, the cops turn to Grace MacBride and her crew of eccentric computer mavericks. But as the bodies and videos stack up, the team desperately try and answer a terrifying question: Is this the work of a lone individual? Or of several killers who have taken social networking to the darkest extreme...\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not as Good as the Previous Novels in This Great Series\\n\\nReview: Shoot to Thrill (also released under the title <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Play-to-Kill/dp/0718152751/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Play to Kill</a>) revolves around the characters from the previous books. Some of the previous novels can be read and enjoyed to their full extent as standalone reads but with this one I think I would have rated even less if I wasn't already familiar with the characters. This one like with the previous novel Snow Blind has the computer genius characters that make up the Monkeewrench team playing only a low word count role. I think it worked with Snow Blind, partly because that was a novelty for the series, but Minnesotan detectives Rolseth and Magozzi really just aren't as interesting as the Monkeewrench characters, which is what made the first three novels of the series such stand out reads. This book is also no where near as interesting as the plot of Snow Blind.\\n\\nPlay to Kill's storyline revolves around a number of snuff films appearing online. Most viewers assume they are fake, but since the police across various parts of America have the actual bodies from those murders, it seems there's a new serial killer in town, well lots of towns. Naturally detectives Rolseth and Magozzi become part of this investigation when the body of a man in a bridal dress they are investigating matches the footage of him being murdered online. Being that these are nation wide killings we've also got the introduction of a new character in FBI agent John Smith who is trying to convince the best illegal hackers, including the Monkeewrench team to help with the investigation.\\n\\nI'd recommend borrowing this novel first from your library to see if you still want to own it before forking over your hard earned money as it's not up to the same high standard of the previous novels. But if you do decide to buy it check the prices under both the Shoot to Thrill and Play to Kill titles as they are exactly the same book.\",\n \"Product: Call it murdertube ...Minneapolis homicide cops Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth fish a murdered drag queen out of the Mississippi. Another day, another corpse. Except the victim's death throes quickly appear in a video posted online. And there are other videos, other murders. Unable to trace who is posting the videos, the cops turn to Grace MacBride and her crew of eccentric computer mavericks. But as the bodies and videos stack up, the team desperately try and answer a terrifying question: Is this the work of a lone individual? Or of several killers who have taken social networking to the darkest extreme...\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Same Book as Shoot to Thrill, With a Different Title\\n\\nReview: Play to Kill is the title that <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Shoot-to-Thrill/dp/0399155201/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Shoot to Thrill</a> was released under here in Australia in 2010. No doubt the book will later be released here under the Shoot to Thrill title as well. So don't buy both by mistake! This is actually not the first time this has happened with P J Tracy novels. The same thing happened with this mother daughter writing team's sensational first novel Monkeewrench which was also published under the title of Want to Play? I think Shoot to Thrill is a bit more catchier title than Play to Kill but compare the prices of both. Actually I'd recommend borrowing this novel first from your library to see if you still want to own it before forking over your hard earned money as it's not up to the same high standard of the previous novels.\\n\\nBasic plot of Play to Kill again revolves around the characters from the previous books. Some of the previous novels can be read and enjoyed to their full extent as standalone reads but with this one I think I would have rated even less if I wasn't already familiar with the characters. This one like with the previous novel Snow Blind has the computer genius characters that make up the Monkeewrench team playing only a low word count role. I think it worked with Snow Blind, partly because that was a novelty for the series, but Minnesotan detectives Rolseth and Magozzi really just aren't as interesting as the Monkeewrench characters, which is what made the first three novels of the series such stand out reads. This book is also no where near as interesting as the plot of Snow Blind.\\n\\nPlay to Kill's storyline revolves around a number of snuff films appearing online. Most viewers assume they are fake, but since the police across various parts of America have the actual bodies from those murders, it seems there's a new serial killer in town. Naturally detectives Rolseth and Magozzi are become part of this investigation when the body of a man in a bridal dress they are investigating matches the footage of him being murdered online. Being that these are nation wide killings we've also got the introduction of a new character in FBI agent John Smith who is trying to convince the best illegal hackers, including the Monkeewrench team to help with the investigation.\",\n \"Product: Zoo\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: An Average Read, Nothing You'll Still Think About Again Once You've Read Your Next Book\\n\\nReview: James Patterson long ago gave up being a consistent high quality novel writer, early on in his career you eagerly anticipated his latest book knowing your hard earned cash would result in a day spent enjoying a masterpiece. But that was decades ago, co-authored books became the norm and we readers seriously doubt how much James Patterson actually contributes to these novels at all. Zoo looked interesting to me, the topic of war against the animals is an interesting one so I thought I'd give it a go. Recently I read an unknown first novel author who wrote book on the same topic, granted it wasn't a brilliant read either, but that amateur writer seemed to do a lot better job than these much more famous top selling authors have done with zoo. By the way that book was <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Apocalypse-Cow/dp/085752075X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Apocalypse Cow</a> if your war against the animals appetite hasn't been satisfied. I found Zoo also seems to borrow heavily from David Moody's <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Hater/dp/B003F76IFQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Hater</a> series where loving family members and best friends suddenly out of nowhere start violently attacking those who love them for no apparent reason with the unaffected human too stunned, confused and shocked to properly defend themselves in most cases. Patterson and Ledwidge though have gone with the furry friend or family member attacking instead of other human, but still I couldn't help but think of the similarities with the Hater series when reading Zoo. Of course without giving away what is behind the animals turning on humans a much bigger name than Patterson has also used that idea before.\\n\\nThe basic plot of Zoo revolves around a young guy called Jackson Oz, who has believed and tried to convince the world for quite some time that animal behaviour is changing and if nothing is done humanity is doomed. He receives word from one of his blog followers that over in Botswana lions are acting strangely, he decides to go with his camera and document this for himself. He is about to realise that his nightmare vision has come true. I found Oz to be an unbelievable narrator/main character simply because he was just so implausible. He believes animals are a huge threat to human safety yet keeps a stolen large primate in his New York flat. You could see where that part of the storyline was going to go. Plus how does he afford to keep a multiple room New York apartment with outdoor courtyard when he seems to be unemployed? He couldn't cope with the pressures to complete university to become qualified and give credibility for his ideas to be believed by the experts. Yet he knows the minutest detail about every animal, including insects he comes across, even when on a completely separate continent to the one he lives, pointing these aspects out as he encounters each one with a, wow that's peculiar this animal always behaves this way and is acting really different. Unlike some reviewers I didn't mind the cause behind the animals' desire to kill us all, but once it was revealed the rest of the book's events were pretty predictable.\\n\\nThis isn't the worst book you'll ever read and it is entertaining enough to pass the half or day or so it takes to read, but there's nothing memorable enough in here you'll be thinking about too long after you've finished the final page. It is worth getting from local library but it's not good enough to pay money for it. The rest of this paragraph contains slight plot spoilers if you haven't read this book yet but plan to, you may want to stop reading here. I would have liked to have seen more animal verse human conflicts, there's too much politics or why won't they believe me rants from the narrator filling the pages when action was needed. Maybe rather than tourists or children with pets being turned on by animals when we did see some action, more humans abusing animals getting their comeuppance would have made this a more satisfactory read, such as those who cut the fins off of sharks and dump them alive off the boats. I can't remember anything like that off hand that was in here. The whole farming and slaughter for our food industry was left out altogether. In fact at one point horses are used to pull trailers yet no one seems concerned that these horses might attack anyone or is it explained why the creatures are even still around. Also at times when there was supposed to be no power, big screen TVs are playing, computers are in use and so forth. Plus in the Botswana chapters a lot of tension is supposedly built by needing to smuggle footage out of the country. I find it hard to believe that a blogger would not have heard of online e-mail accounts or even Facebook to upload his camera footage. That sort of plot worked in 80s and earlier films like Crocodile Dundee II, before digital cameras were invented, but just seemed so ridiculous when reading it today. Also in a world where no believes his claims, shooting dead and wiping out large percentage of the animals people from around the world visit Botswana to see (and such as large and important part of their economy) would have made him pretty unpopular both there and throughout the rest of the world. Yet this aspect is never touched upon either. In fact a lot of aspects, such as surely he would have faced manslaughter charges for what happened in his apartment due to his harbouring a stolen ape and he maybe would have done jail time. Instead suddenly we the reader are just taken five years into the future and feeling somewhat slightly cheated with the turning of a page.\",\n \"Product: Unusual book\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Book! If I Ever Can't Remember the Day Before and Had One Book to Read Over and Over Again it Would Be This!\\n\\nReview: Retirement Homes are Murder is not your typical murder mystery. For starters the body is found in a retirement complex, and secondly the main suspect Paul Jacobsen can't remember a thing from his recent past, with his mind pretty much resetting each day he awakens (like with Drew Barrymore's character in that her and Adam Sandler movie <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/50-First-Dates/dp/B0001Z3TX4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">50 First Dates</a>. With his most recent memories ten years or so in the past, he doesn't know where he is or why he's there. This makes for a pretty unique novel, throw in a lot of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Carl-Hiaasen/dp/0446677167/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Carl Hiaasen</a>/<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Bill-Fitzhugh/dp/0060815302/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Bill Fitzhugh</a> type eccentric characters in and outside of the Hawaiian retirement complex and you've a very fun and interesting read!\\n\\nThe basic plot is Paul Jacobson has moved into Kina Nani, an Hawaiian retirement complex. Each day he awakens with no memory of this or any other recent even in his life (think <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Groundhog-Day/dp/B00005U8EM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Groundhog Day</a> with instead of Bill Murray reliving each day every other character in the town constantly is reliving their first encounter with him). Upon the first day he is in residence Paul finds a dead body in the rubbish chute. Not remembering anything about the retirement home he is pretty sure this is not a usual way to get rid of those who passed away so calls the police. Paul is told the dead man is an arch enemy of his and that he the main suspect. His claims that he can't remember anything except the current day are met with severe skepticism, especially since one of the victims rare stamps is found in his room. Paul can't remember not doing it, but he's pretty sure he didn't. As the days go by more and more criminal events become linked to Paul, he's kept a journal at the request of one of his elderly friends so knows he was not responsible but is looking more and more like being locked up for one of these crimes. Paul knows he must catch the killer of his enemy if he's to clear his name.\\n\\nA good first novel, which I have no doubt will become a successful series if the author wishes it to. Paul Jacobson is a fairly unique and likeable character, as is his granddaughter who doesn't get a lot or text time in this adventure but I foresee becoming a bit more of a sidekick if this takes off as a series.\\n\\nIf you like novels with great elderly lead characters also check out T Richard Dawn's May List series, another crime series set in an eccentric character filled retirement home, the first book of which is <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Death-For-Dessert/dp/159414060X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Death For Dessert</a>.<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/On-the-Warpath/dp/0727863665/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">On the Warpath</a> by Gerald Hammond also has a great elderly lead hero. Rita Lakin also has a similar series to T Dawn Richards with books such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Getting-Old-Is-the-Best-Revenge/dp/0786286296/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Getting Old Is the Best Revenge</a>.\",\n \"Product: DONALD E. WESTLAKE has written numerous novels over the past thirty-five years under his own name and pseudonyms, including Richard Stark. Many of his books have been made into movies, including The Hunter, which became the brilliant film noir Point Blank, and the 1999 smash hit Payback. He penned the Hollywood scripts for The Stepfather and The Grifters, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. The winner of three Edgar awards and a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, Donald E. Westlake was presented with The Eye, the Private Eye Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award, at the Shamus Awards. He lives with his wife, Abby Adams, in rural New York State.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: And Your Spies for Free\\n\\nReview: Josh receives a cheque for $1000 and has no idea why he received it. Month after month he receives another, and another. He tries to work out who is paying the money but no one answers the phone number on the cheque and the address is incomplete. After seven years Josh has become used to the money. He now has a family but he also has a man waiting for him at the bordering area to his daily ferry. It seems Josh has been paid to be a sleeper agent for the Russians without even knowing it and they have some evil plans for him.\\nThis is a pretty good novel although it does move a bit slow at times. It is an enjoyable read though. I read the Ax also by Westlake before this which was brilliant so it did put my expectations up to masterpiece standards for this book which it did not quite achieve. Still a good book though. Definitely read the Ax if you are looking for a great Westlake novel.\",\n \"Product: Richard Stark, who is also Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Donald E. Westlake, lives in upstate New York.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Breakout of that Boredom and Pick Up a Parker Novel\\n\\nReview: This is another quick and simple Parker adventure by Donald E Westlake writing under his pen name Richard Stark. Whilst there are certainly better Parker adventures where the reader gets to see Parker's skills in action, in Breakout the reader gets to see just how intelligent this criminal is. If you haven't checked out Westlake's novels under his own name definitely do so as well. His masterpiece The Ax as well as Corkscrew and the Scared Stiff are all great places to start. Short chapters make putting down Breakout when you have to a breeze.\\n\\nIn Breakout Parker is behind bars in the overcrowded Stoneveldt, a transit prison for those awaiting trial and the probable outcome of an even worse actual jail. Although the authorities can't work out who he actually is they do know one of his alter egos killed a prison guard and escaped from a California prison so it won't be long before he's extradited there. This is not a place Parker wants to go so he must escape Stoneveldt, where no one else has ever done so before. Stoneveldt isn't the only place he will have to escape from before leaving town.\\n\\nIf you like Westlake as Richard Stark or himself also check out James Pattinson (Pattinson not Patterson), a British author who writes very similar novels.\",\n \"Product: Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up\\nKids will love this lighthearted and fun tale about keeping clean, featuring an adorable character that bath-resistant little ones will really relate to. Its never bath time for Big Smelly Bear: he doesnt brush, he doesnt wash, and hes simply unBEARable. No one can stand to come close! Then, one day, he wakes up with a most awful, unreachable itch. He could really use a little scratch from a friend, but Big Fluffy Bear wont help because Big Smelly Bear stinks! Will he change his ways and bathe? The witty ending is sure to satisfy!\\n\\n\\n\\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Book That Teaches Kids the Societal Benefits of Good Hygiene\\n\\nReview: This is an excellent book which teaches children that others in society will act and think of them differently if they don't clean themselves up, wash their clothes and the like. Illustrates to children the benefits and interaction from their friends (and even the opposite gender but this will be over the head of younger readers) won't happen with poor hygiene as they'll want to keep their distance or avoid you is brilliantly portrayed through the two main characters (bears).\\n\\nIllustrations are more in the style of softer cartoon looking animals than more realistic looking style illustrations other illustrators of animals use, but I think it suits the story well. The basic plot is a bear doesn't really care that it smells and is known as Big Smelly Bear by the other animals. It refuses to bathe in the river and as its smell gets worse and worse its skin becomes itchy. It tries everything to get rid of the itch such as rubbing against a tree and using a stick to reach its back.\\n\\nOne day it notices a female bear in a tree. She tells him she is known as Fluffy Bear and he asks her to come down and scratch his itchy back. She tells him she will if he has a bath first which he refuses to even think about. Of course his desire for Fluffy Bear to scratch his back is starting to outweigh his desire to follow his non bathing stance!\\n\\nA good book with a very simple storyline and a bit of repetition between the two main characters which kids of course love but those who are really adults and don't understand that kids read and take in messages from books differently may well find simply annoying. Big Smelly Bear is of course a kids' picture book so if you're just an adult who likes to read books with pictures you may want to choose something a bit more mentally challenging.\",\n \"Product: Sam the library mouse loves to write, and the children love his little books, which he leaves on the library shelves for them to find. But no one at the library has ever met him. When Tom can't find a partner for a book-making assignment and finds Sam's secret hole behind the children's reference section, will the pair be able to work together, or will Sam's secret identity be spoiled forever?\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Book to Inspire Children to Write Their Own Stories\\n\\nReview: I work in a public library so am always interested to read fiction geared at any level that is set is one. Library Mouse is one of the better (and there are heaps out there) picture books set in a library. The main difference to the message in this one to most of the others is that it is actually geared towards encouraging the reader to write books rather than the norm library set picture book which focuses on getting kids to read books or explore the library.\\n\\nLibrary Mouse is quite well written and the illustrations are also very well done although they are a bit strange at times and you do wonder what was going on in the illustrator's (who was also Daniel Kirk the author) mind at the time. For example a kid on page two reading a book with his eyes closed who probably was a ghost or something anyway, or if not the librarian was as she has obviously walked right through him. In fact as the book nears the end quite a few adults and kids walk/crawl around with their eyes closed, some carry stuff or even write books only seeing the back of their eye lids. I guess Daniel Kirk wanted to see what he could get away with, either that or he got sick of and couldn't be bothered drawing any more eyes. The illustrations are good though and lots of fun plus on most pages with humans you also have the opportunity to play a <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Where-s-Wally/dp/1406313211/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Where's Wally?</a>/<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Where-s-Bin-Laden/dp/1741103320/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Where's Bin Laden?</a> type reading game finding the tiny Sam the mouse hidden on the bookshelves or somewhere else.\\n\\nA very good book Library Mouse is basically the tale of a mouse named Sam who lives behind the children's reference books in a library. Sam really enjoyed reading the books once everyone had gone home and one day decides to write books of his own and place them on the shelves in the library. Soon everyone wants to know who the author of these mysterious books is and a note goes up on the bulletin board asking for him to be a special guest at a meet the author day. Since Sam is a mouse who has lived anonymously in the library for years, can he divulge who the author is? You'll have to read and find out.\\n\\nTwo other great books about or set in a library are <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Goldie-Socks-and-the-Three-Libearians/dp/1932146989/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians</a> by Jackie Hopkins and <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Library-Lion/dp/0763622621/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Library Lion</a> by Michelle Knudsen.\",\n \"Product: Juicy novel...Real Love!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Underestimation of Others Can Complicate Things\\n\\nReview: With Peter Leonard's third novel All He Saw Was the Girl, the mistake of underestimating your victim is a reoccurring problem for pretty much all the characters in this entertaining fast paced Italy set thriller. We've got McCabe, the best friend and fellow foreign student of Chip, Chip's an up himself son of a US Senator who thinks Daddy will bail him out of anything including stealing a taxi in Rome. McCabe has developed some exceptional one on one combat skills, he doesn't take s from anyone and is always quick to come to the aid of others such as his rich friend or victim of a handbag snatch in the streets. His stepping into do the right thing has got him just about thrown out of the local university where he's on a scholarship. Since he was in the taxi at the time, Chip's behaviour hasn't helped him any. As a result of rescuing his friend's cigarettes from police cell bullies, he has caught the attention of mob enforcers who have mistaken him for Chip and see kidnapping him as a nice way to dish out a bit of vengeance and make some nice ransom money on the side.\\n\\nMeanwhile over in Detroit, full of himself Joey, the son of local mob boss has slept with the wrong woman. She's the husband of a secret agent, since she's disappeared, Ray the husband is determined to track her down, so Joey has been sent to Rome for his uncle to look after and hide him. His uncle is the real deal Italian mobster but Joey has no respect for him and believes he can do a much better job so when the opportunity arrives to take over events involving McCabe, he decides to take his opportunity with both hands.\\n\\nIt's a fun fast paced read. All characters are a bit unrealistic but it adds to the fun, the only one who is maybe a little bit too over the top is the secret agent Ray.\",\n \"Product: Peter Leonard's debut novel, Quiver, was published to international acclaim in 2008, and was followed by Trust Me in 2009 and All He Saw Was the Girl in 2011.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Revenge Novel Which Changes What it's About After It Gets Going!\\n\\nReview: Peter Leonard's Voices of the Dead, set in 1971, starts off as a simple revenge novel by Harry Levin, a father wanting justice for his daughter, murdered through car crash by Hess, a German diplomat who had been drinking and ran a red light. Harry is told by the police there's nothing they can do about it, Hess has diplomatic immunity. Harry Levin tracks down the man and witnesses him drinking in a pub with his bodyguard and countrymen having a great time which sends him into a rage. Unable to carry out his vengeance at the bar Harry is determined to avenge his daughter. However Hess has returned to Germany, which Harry as Jewish child fled during World War II after narrowly avoiding an execution squad who murdered the rest of his family and other concentration camp prisoners who soldiers deemed didn't want to work anymore. Harry is determined to have his vengeance on Hess, but by reliving the past's memories may bring up some unexpected hurdles. Plus Hess owns a zeppelin empire and it is not long before Harry notices that those ships and Hess' security seem to be not only aware of his presence, but seem to be following him.\\n\\nVoices of the Dead is a brilliant fast paced novel. I've read Peter Leonard's previous three novels and this is easily the deepest, or historically realistic due to Harry's childhood flashbacks. The present (1971) parts of the book aren't maybe as realistic with both Hess and Harry being a bit far fetched, action filmish, but they are entertaining characters. The closest comparison wise the modern chapters are to Leonard's previous novels would be All He Saw Was the Girl. If you liked that one, you'll love this. There is a sequel to this as well called Back From the Dead, but rest assured this book does wrap up everything it needs to in this story, it is not one of those books where the story just stops and you're left with a to be continued in the next novel disappointment.\",\n \"Product: Bad is the new good. In the not too distant future the European Union enacts its most far reaching human rights legislation ever. The incompetent have been persecuted for too long. After all it's not their fault they can't do it right, is it? So it is made illegal to sack or otherwise discriminate against anyone for being incompetent. And now a murder has been committed and our possibly incompetent detective must find out who the murderer is. As long as he can find directions to get him through the mean streets.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: An Adventure Set in a World Where Anti-Discrimination Has Gone Way Too Far!\\n\\nReview: Incompetence is one of those books that just gets better and better as it goes along. The second half of the book is great physical humour and the first a lot of dealing with incompetent bureaucratic humour. Some of the scenes at the start do drag on a little bit such as the interactions with Captain Zuccho, the Italian policeman with anger management issues. Also I pictured the character as a bit older at the start then in the second half when he was a lot better at performing physical stuff like jumping onto a moving train and winning hand to hand combat lethal fights. He doesn't seem to have this badass ability at the start such as the shotgun garbage scene. I think this inconsistency in the character's abilities and traits (well basically the difference in competence levels of Detective Harry Salt) was deliberate and part of the incompetence theme joke of the novel and it worked well.\\n\\nBasic plot of Incompetence - Detective Harry Salt is an undercover agent. He is summoned from London to Italy by Klingferm, his controller for a face to face meeting with the other two agents Klingferm is responsible for. Salt has never met the other two agents and only met Klingferm in person once or twice, so this in the flesh meeting, must mean something major is going down. Set in the near future where the United States of Europe has passed a law expanding the normal discrimination act to also include no person shall be discriminated against no matter how stupid they are or incompetently they do their job. This means nothing runs smoothly from government departments including the police, to hotels, train stations, car rental agencies and everything in between. Various incompetent staff encounters luckily delay Salt's arrival time for the scheduled meeting and he misses out on being in an elevator that has shot out of the top of a building and come crashing down outside many floors below. Salt investigates much to the anger of Italian authorities and knows someone deliberately tampered with the lift's control buttons and it wasn't just an incompetent lift mechanic, which would have meant no possible prosecution. As Salt tracks the killer he must overcome various incompetents who either deliberately, or just through plain stupidity impede his every move.\",\n \"Product: A.J. Cosmos stories are crafted to help parents teach their children simple everyday lessons in an easy to understand manner. By artfully marrying beautiful illustrations and language, children are challenged to explore his magical worlds. Written for the transitional reader, A.J.s stories allow your child to develop and master a new level of reading. A.J. Cosmo has been on the Kids EBook Bestseller List consistently. His book, The Monster That Ate My Socks, first showed up on Amazons Children and Young Adult top ten section in November 2012 and stayed there until February 2013. His original artwork and book illustrations are also highly collected.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: What to Do When Something Keeps Eating Your Socks\\n\\nReview: I've read quite a few of this author's books, some are really good, some not so much, The Monster That Ate My Socks is a fairly good read, which plays on the sock disappearance mystery that a lot of people experience. This one the mystery is solved by the fact the monster on the cover is responsible, but what's a kid to do when his mother doesn't believe him and tells him to stop losing socks as she can't afford to keep buying new ones? The book also tackles the old Dog Ate My Homework myth with a new spin about half way through. Basically this is a junior fiction short story with illustrations in the style of the cover image throughout.\\n\\nI enjoyed it enough to recommend it but I don't think it's one that will be remembered years into the future by either the adult reader or the child reader or child being read to.\",\n \"Product: 2018 Moonbeam Children's Book Silver Medal Winner! 2018 Mom's Choice Award Winner! Warning: Everyone says this book stinks! Hold your nose for this hilarious story about a young boy's search for why his book smells so bad....\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Really Fun Picture Book for Any Kid (or Adult) Who Likes Gross Stuff!\\n\\nReview: Len Foley's picture book Sigfried's Smelly Socks! is a lot of fun. The author has taken the time to format it, so the pictures and accompanying text appear on the one page (screen) together, like they would if you read a physical book. There's a lot of great self published picture book stories out there, but a lot of them display like a mess, which let down the overall reading experience. So I always like to point out when authors care enough about their readers (customers) and have taken the time to format their books. This one displays in landscape mode (horizontal screen).\\n\\nThe story is quite fun. Not so much about socks but the book does end the second half of the pages with them. Basically the book you are reading isn't in great condition anymore. Sigfried the boy who owns the book has done a lot more to it than just not read it with clean hands. He tells us how each stain got on each page, sometimes there's more than just a stain, like peanut butter or bits of the pizza still there. His dog contributed to a yellow stain, his brother Sherman another, and his baby sister, well it's kind of gross what she did.\\n\\nThe illustrations are a mixture of photo imagery on the page, along with cartoon illustration type ones. The book is a lot of fun. Hopefully Len Foley writes more picture books in the future.\",\n \"Product: New Scientist is a science magazine for everyone, young and old, amateur and professional. With a circulation approaching 160,000 and a worldwide readership of more than half a million, it is among the most popular of all popular science magazines.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: NewScientist Readers Give Answers to Questions You May or May Not Have Thought of Before\\n\\nReview: There are many informative interesting fact books out there, what makes this one different from the rest is that they haven't actually gone and found experts to find out what the actual answers are, instead readers of popular magazine NewScientist (and granted some of these are scientists, lecturers and others who would know what they are talking about, but a lot are just every day people as well) have answered questions pondered by other readers. This book is a collection of a column that appears in each addition of the magazine. So it is comparable to logging onto a forum on Yahoo or somewhere else where questions are posted by one users for anyone else to answer, the answerer may be 100 per cent right then again the again they may be a hundred percent wrong. You could also compare this book to when researching a fact going online to Wikipedia where anything can be posted as fact, instead of looking up an actual encyclopaedia or specific topic research book.\\n\\nIf you like visiting these types of websites, and can take every answer with a grain of salt as they say, then this may well be the book for you. If you actually want answers you know are true to interesting questions or books of facts then there are far better alternatives out there such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Do-Blue-Bedsheets-Bring-Babies-The-Truth-Behind-Old-Wives-Tales/dp/0767921887/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Do Blue Bedsheets Bring Babies?: The Truth Behind Old Wives' Tales</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Great-Mythconceptions-The-Science-Behind-the-Myths/dp/0740753649/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Great Mythconceptions: The Science Behind the Myths</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Hippo-Eats-Dwarf-A-Field-Guide-to-Hoaxes-and-Other-B-S/dp/0156030837/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Hippo Eats Dwarf: A Field Guide to Hoaxes and Other B.S.</a> and <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Shocking-Science/dp/0600585581/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Shocking Science</a> to name just four examples.\",\n \"Product: Robin Parrish has written for over a decade as a journalist on the cutting edge of Christian culture, from books and music to film. Robin, his wife, and their children live in High Point, North Carolina.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Just Another Superhero Story, Nothing Original Here\\n\\nReview: I picked this up not realising it was a superhero type story. The back cover blurb indicates it to be a former elite soldier getting vengeance on the criminals of the city trying to change the world preventing one crime at a time. I guess technically it is that, but it's not the typical highly trained and skilled usually ex soldier tough guy giving criminals their comeuppance read. Instead it's your typical guy putting on a costume, using inventions made by a genius who hides behind the scenes back at the secret lair, all funded by large wads of cash, to intercept crimes taking place type read. This time round the media, inspired by his mass marketing on billboards across America announcing There's a Better Way, with a white hand, promoting his first public appearance, has given him the imaginative title of The Hand. Now I'm not really into superhero type reads, so I'm not widely read on the different ones out there, and there are probably countless superheros The Hand may be closer to, but for me Batman was an obvious parallel storyline. Nolan Gray's (soldier who fakes his death to put on the costume) background story pretty much paralleled David Morrell's Rambo, including he was the greatest soldier ever to be, trained and become the best ever student of a heap of martial arts and other weapon and unarmed combats. The inventor who made his suit and accessories, hacked into cameras and websites all over the city, an obvious copy of the characters in lab coats who come up with James Bond's gadgets and a lot of lad assistants in crime solving TV shows. And of course you've got the bad guy who takes something he assumes The Hand did personally, then plots his demise which pretty much just like every comic book you read as a kid had.\\n\\nThere really was nothing new on the pages of Vigilante. It's readable if you've ordered a copy thinking it was going to be a typical vengeance on criminals type novel. Unless you're into the whole superhero saving the day book, I'd give it a miss.\",\n \"Product: Help me. 'when a young woman rushes into sam capra's san francisco bar and whispers these desperate words, sam feels compelled to help. A moment later she is attacked by two killers. With sam's aid, she manages to overpower the men, saving his life in the process before vanishing into the night. On discovering that one of the attackers is no mere thug, but, shockingly, one of the most powerfulinvestors in america, sam searches for the beguiling young woman who asked for help and unearths a deadly network run by some of the most powerful and influential people in the world. A gripping, addictive and exhilarating thriller from international bestseller jeff abbott, downfall will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the very last line.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Like a Fun 80s Action Film\\n\\nReview: The Sam Capra series of books read like an 80s action hero film, where any effort to try and make some situations realistic at all isn't even attempted if it gets in the way off a cool escape, pursuit or fight scene. Downfall continues on with that tradition from the first two novels which started with <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Adrenaline/dp/0446575186/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Adrenaline</a> then went onto <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Last-Minute/dp/0446575232/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Last Minute</a> with <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Sam-Capra-s-Last-Chance/dp/B007QYDGW2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Sam Capra's Last Chance</a> a Kindle short story later written bridging the gap between those two novel's plot. But officially Downfall is the third novel in the series (probably as the short story wasn't a novel) and takes up the plot where the Last Minute left off. Note you don't need to have read the other stories to read this one as a standalone read if that's what you want to do. The plot has its own villain, and the main plot doesn't rely on the events of the other books. Downfall basically revolves around the classic story of a young attractive woman is chased into a bar, the bartender minding his own business (Sam Capra) is not going to let a couple of thugs grab her and drag her out to whatever violence they have in mind so intervenes. The thugs assume they can easily beat up or kill the bartender if he doesn't mind his own business but they don't know who they're messing with. However the girl isn't just running from violence, but instead a powerful criminal organisation, something someone who wants to spend his days as a humble bartender, shouldn't be getting involved with.\\n\\nSometimes reading the action scenes in Downfall you can't help think Abbott is trying to sell the Sam Capra character to Hollywood studios as the next Ethan Hawke, Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher over the top fighting skills, keeps going no matter what, survive anything type franchise carrier.\",\n \"Product: SC\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: When Aldo Forgets His Manners, His Bad Behaviours Don't Forget About Him\\n\\nReview: I thought this was going a bit off track of being a book about teaching manners when the first alien/creature thing appeared and started hanging around Aldo like a bad smell. To my surprise there was a purpose to this and the subsequent new characters that appeared every time Aldo did something unsocial. This ended up being a great book to teach kids about manners. The computer created style illustrations also add to the fun of the reading experience. I also liked how this book was formatted properly for the Kindle, with the pictures and text appearing together on the pages like a real book should. Unfortunately this isn't a common practice with Kindle picture books so it is great when you come across one that is created properly.\",\n \"Product: *Starred Review* While on tour, actor Paul Cole is caught in flagrante delicto with another mans wife. The other man beats Paul into unconsciousness, and when he awakes in a hospital bed, he cant remember where he is or what happened to him. Can a man whose memory is irretrievably shattered hope to rebuild his life? This previously unpublished novel was written early in Westlakes career, and it feels that way: its written in the crisp, unadorned style of The Mercenaries, Killing Time, and 361, all of which were published in the early 1960s. Unlike most of Westlakes books, Memory isnt really a crime novel; its a psychological drama, the story of a man trying to find his way back to his own life. Westlakes fans will note the authors typically careful use of description and dialogue, but they may also be a bit stymied by his central character: Cole thinks of himself at one point as a steel marble in a pinball game . . . always in motion, and that seems just right for a man bouncing from moment to moment, reacting to events but never taking control of them. Compared to a typical Westlake protagonist, Paul Cole feels weak and ineffectuallikable but a bit pathetic. But this is no typical Westlake novel; in fact, in many ways its one of his most interesting books, simply because its so very different. For his fans, absolutely a must-read. --David Pitt\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Thanks for the Memories Westlake! A Great Final Book, by One of the Best Writers of all Time!\\n\\nReview: I put off reading Memory for a while. Having read all of Westlake's previous novels over the years, I knew when this was done, the great adventures, characters, tales, and just enjoyment that Westlake's stories produce, was going to be over for ever. Donald E Westlake died in December 2008, and unless some other unpublished book turns up somewhere, Memory is the final Westlake experience we the readers will have. Well new experience anyway, as his many masterpieces will be read over and over again throughout a lifetime. So anyway Memory, it's not my all time favourite Westlake novel, but it is as good, and well written, as any of them.\\n\\nPublished by Hard Case Crime may have many believing this will be a crime caper, simply due to the publisher's name. We're not along for the ride during the planning and implementing of a crime, instead we go along for the ride, inside the head of the victim of a violent crime. Paul Cole, a travelling actor, is brutally bashed around the head with a chair in a cowardly attack while in bed with a woman. Paul doesn't get justice though, as the police officer assigned to bring it to him is a moral extremist, and since Paul was sleeping with a married woman, all the officer wants is to run Paul out of town. Even when Paul asks about the welfare of the woman (whom he will soon forget) the officer is still insistent that the husband has done nothing wrong. Further crimes lead by the bully cop hinder Paul getting his life on track, he is discharged before he medically should be from the hospital, and the final pay cheque which included money to get him safely back to New York just happens to be just about the exact same figure as the hospital bill. Paul is dragged to the bus station but of course does not have enough money to get to anywhere near New York and can only afford to go two towns closer. He knows he must get a job to survive, and save to afford the trip home, but unhelpful bureaucrats make that a difficult task. With a worsening memory problem he finds he is forgetting not only why he is in the town, but what he ever did before coming there. It is only the ID in his wallet and some notes he has been leaving himself before he goes to sleep each night, that hold some clues, however he hasn't been completely clear in all the notes so many are just confusing. When a visit from some men in a car leave him with fast fading memories of what it was all about, but everlasting nightly nightmares of a shiny metal bar, Paul knows he must make it back to New York as surely once there his friends and surroundings will help him know who he is and what he needs to do.\\n\\nA great novel, where you experience the fear, highs and lows through Paul Cole's eyes.\\n\\nBy the way if you're into the whole memory loss crime novel genre check out <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Retirement-Homes-Are-Murder/dp/1594145156/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Retirement Homes Are Murder</a> by Mike Befeler, where a resident who wakes up each morning with no memory of the recent past has to solve the mystery of who is murdering his neighbours before he becomes the next victim.\\n\\nIf Memory was your first Westlake novel you've got a lot of great reading in front of you. Great standalone comic capers like <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Spy-in-the-Ointment/dp/0445408812/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Spy in the Ointment</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Cops-and-Robbers/dp/0446401331/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Cops and Robbers</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Smoke/dp/044640344X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Smoke</a> and my all time favourite <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Help-I-am-being-held-prisoner/dp/B000VZRPR0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Help, I am being held prisoner</a> are masterpieces you must check out, along with of course the Dortmunder series. Non comic capers such as the sensational solution to unemployment - <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Ax/dp/0892965878/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Ax</a> are also must reads. Hard crime such as the Parker novels under the pen name Richard Stark await your reading pleasure in fact Westlake could write over many genres including a Western (Gangway) and even science fiction with novels such as Anarchaos. Thanks for the memories Mr Westlake!\",\n \"Product: Go the Fuck to Sleep\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Brilliant Parody and Idea for a Gift to Give to Any Parent of Young Kids\\n\\nReview: Go the F to Sleep is a great picture book parody in resemblance (size, length, word count) and even the illustrations take it that one step further, being the warm cuddly safe feel type one with actual illustrations of a human family. The style of illustrations that extremist moral or paranoid parents who only want their kids to learn something and not read them anything that they think would possibly scare them or lead them astray would select. The illustrator could easily have gone with monsters, aliens or animals or other illustrations but the typical family interaction scenes, just make the parody work so much better.\\n\\nIt's important to point out that this is marketed as an adult picture book and not a book ever intended to be read to small children. It's a parody of a children's book and that's what makes it work. You can get this as an audio book (narrated by Samuel L Jackson) or even on Kindle and other e-book formats, but obviously you're losing the whole point of it without the physical product resembling the same sort of picture book that little kids read or have read to them.\\n\\nThe text alone isn't that brilliant. It does cover all the big frustrating scenarios such as the child wanting to get up to go to the toilet, have a drink, interrupting a relaxing moment between both parents while watching TV and so on. Parents, aunts, uncle, baby sitters, older brothers and sisters and most other people will certainly find plenty to relate to. It however isn't as smoothly written as a normal picture book author would do. The text doesn't rhyme or flow that well. It was written as a joke after all and word of mouth took it to the success it has today. As a joke gift, or a gift to say I feel for you, it's priceless though.\",\n \"Product: J. F. Gonzalez is the author of numerous novels of horror and dark suspense including The Corporation, Back From the Dead, Primitive, and is co-author of the Clickers series.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Been There Read That Before Feeling as You Turn the Pages, If You've Read Gonzalez's Other Stuff\\n\\nReview: This one follows a guy who doesn't like his mother much at all, he hasn't spoken to her in a while, but a call from the small town sheriff where she lives has him revisiting the last home they shared one last time. His mother has been brutally murdered, the murderer did despicable things to her body and painted things on the wall that his extremist religious mother wouldn't have approved of. But she's not the end of the killing.\\n\\nPossibly and in fact even likely, if you haven't read much else of Gonzalez's work you'll enjoy this one a lot more than me. I just found it didn't have the payoff after going along for the journey with Vince for so long that you need to be satisfied. That was because it's not an original one and uses the same, I don't want to give it away but villain/entity if you will from another book. Which was adequately covered in that other book. With Gonzalez novels he always pads out his stories more so than most authors, or waffles on is maybe too strong a word, but for example in this one Vince gets a mysterious call telling him to meet the caller in a bar. Instead of the next scene being him walking through the door and seeing the guy for the first time, we instead travel from his home to the bar with Vince before getting to that scene with nothing happening in that meantime to justify reading it. This is done to stretch out the tension or get to know the characters more and is usually fine but that's when there's a pay off, and there isn't when it's the same story you've read before. Being that it was nothing new, I just found the overall experience of They to be boring, which definitely isn't the normal case with a Gonzalez novel. This novel after the opening flashback chapter also takes quite a while to get going to the meat of the story or anything exciting happening.\\n\\nThe best aspect about this book was actually in the copyright blurb. Gonzalez hasn't just cut and paste the standard spiel. Read that it's hilarious.\",\n \"Product: Glen Robins is an adventurer, a family man, and a writer. He loves the outdoors, learning new things, finding new places, and meeting interesting people. All of these elements combine in his writing, which is aimed at breathing light and new hope into the lives of his readers. \\\"Off Kilter\\\" is his debut novel.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Believable But Still a Lot of Fun!\\n\\nReview: This is book one in a series of three, but you could leave at the end of this one, events aren't obviously wrapped up but it still sort of has an ending. Basically this is a fugitive type scenario with the realism level of a low budget TV show which it could easily be turned into, as Colin the main character, doesn't spend to long at any one location as he flees around the world. If you can accept banks giving millions of dollars in cash to client's they've never met when they ring them in the middle of the night and threaten to let them know they are a dissatisfied customer, or out running on foot pursuers when you've got a heavy backpack with a laptop and millions of dollars in cash, your clothes, numerous fake ID's (which never get discovered at customs) then you won't go wrong with this book. The main character is a bit annoying at first, but he grows on you after a while. We're yet to find out in this first novel if he got bitten by a radioactive animal, was abducted by aliens or what gave him the ability to quickly recover from injuries that would have others slipping in and out of a coma or survive the worst weather and elements of nature, but I'm sure we'll find out in the next two books. That's the odd thing about this book, we don't find out stuff for a while, it took ages for us to know why Colin is on the run, it's only near the end Colin mentions that apparently he has some latest technologically advanced bag that makes x-ray machines like at the airport put a different image to his cash actually inside it on the screens. Before that you're just shaking your head thinking, why haven't these professionally trained staff noticed that.\\n\\nThe ex girlfriend Emily is supposedly smart enough to be curing cancer but immediately upon being given a phone and told not to use her own as everyone Colin is associated' with's phones, home, internet accounts and so forth have probably been bugged, are being monitored etc, uses that very phone to ring Colin's mother. Luckily it seems the bad guys (an insurance company owner that likes to kill those he has to payout large settlements like Colins family's life insurance policy too), as well as the FBI, Interpol and other agencies he's conned to do his evil bidding, seem to have assigned really stupid people to this case that don't catch onto things like that, or Colin's dumb habit of ordering the exact same American newspapers to be delivered to his room door no matter where in the world he goes so when a guest does this they can be alerted.\\n\\nLike I said this isn't a believable story, but if you like Prison Break, NCIS (especially NCIS LA) and TV shows like this where they don't even bother trying to make the story believable but hey, we'll watch them anyway, then Off Kilter is probably the Kindle book for you.\",\n \"Product: Jourdan is a USA Today, Audible, 5-time Wall Street Journal best selling authorand a former U.S. Senate Counsel to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Governmental Affairs. She has degrees from the University of Tennessee in Biomedical Engineering and Law. Carolyn lives on the family farm in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, with many stray animals.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Some Stories Really Good, Some Not So Much, All Really Short, Some Not Even About Bears\\n\\nReview: Bear Bloopers is an entertaining enough way to pass the very short amount of time it takes to read it. Since the stories are written by a number of different authors (using that term very loosely, as in this book's case it means rangers, hikers, tourists, cabin renters and others), it means the quality of both the writing and the quality of the tale itself greatly differs from page to page. Some stories such as one where a cabin renter books a cabin so he can relax in its outdoor hot tub only to find out someone else is using it when he arrives, possibly was based on there being a bear in or near the thing, but in this story the bear is relaxing in the hot bubbling water after a hard day in the woods, which clearly wouldn't be the case as why would the hot tub be turned on before the guest even arrived at the remote cabin. If he had turned it on then decided, to drive to the nearest petrol station or something to buy a newspaper or something to eat and came back to the find the bear that might have been believable, but in the way it is told it is obviously embellished.\\n\\nMost tales are fairly similar, some dumb human park visitors ignore the signs and bear's welfare in trying to get a photo or upclose experience which not only puts them in danger for that encounter but ultimately leads to the bear having to be destroyed since it now associates humans, or cars or whatever with a really tasty easy meal. There's countless stories where the same lesson is repeated over and over again such as never leave your backpack if encountering a bear as it will then associate every hiker as someone with food and charge them to get the backpack. At times the book feels more like a lesson reading about encounters with bears. Some stories there isn't much going on, there's one that's a couple of paragraphs which was not much more than I tell people not to eat food in the cabin and they seem to understand the importance what I'm saying, then I come back ten minutes later and they're eating crackers on the beds.\\n\\nBear Bloopers will pass the time, in some stories it gives a bit of an insight into what park rangers get up to (although I'm sure the majority of their work is less exciting), the stupidity and selfishness of some tourists, poachers and other park users, but each story doesn't have much substance, a lot just end abruptly. There's one where a ranger comes across a stupid old woman feeding a bear with food from her own mouth, but the story doesn't tell us what happened to the woman after the bear noticed the ranger and fled. If we're supposed to be learning not to do this sort of thing, surely telling us the consequences for the woman (fines, jail what?) would have reinforced that, not just the fact she obviously could have been killed, which would be pretty obvious to the reader already.\\n\\nThe book also has no photographs which would have enhanced the tale, especially when we know in the case of some of the stories, the person carried a camera. There's some not even about real bears, there's one where some guy wore a bear costume in the parade of some cultural event and disobeyed because he was hot what anyone is told is the number on rule when you wear on these things, don't take off the head. One occasion while without head he was televised on TV and the costume provider was furious. He then goes on about being surprised how much professional sport team mascots can make and that kids are on scholarships for university teams.\",\n \"Product: Judy Alter is no stranger to college campuses. She attended the University of Chicago, Truman State University in Missouri, and Texas Christian University, where she earned a Ph.D. and taught English. For twenty years, she was director of TCU Press, the book publishing program of the university. The author of many books for both children and adults, she retired in 2010 and turned her attention to writing contemporary cozy mysteries. She is the author of the Kelly OConnell Mysteries and the Blue Plate Caf Mysteries. She holds awards from the Western Writers of America, the National Cowboy Museum and Hall of Fame, and the Texas Institute of Letters. She was inducted into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame and recognized as an Outstanding Woman of Fort Worth and a woman who has left her mark on Texas. Western Writers of America gave her the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Idea for a Plot But Gets Boring After a While, Plus a Character So Into Gender Equality Relies Too Much on Her Boyfriend\\n\\nReview: The Perfect Coed has an interesting premise for a plot, a controversial as being seen as pushing the feminist agenda teacher is summoned by her boyfriend, the campus head of security to her car, which has the corpse of one of her young female students in the boot. She is of course immediately seen as the main suspect by the police and a lot of the staff and faculty at the university also see her as the murderer. Life gets more and more hurdles such as a dead cat and seemingly attempts at her own murder which others dismiss as accidents as the reader turns the pages. It's up to her to work out who killed the girl and work out which of the terrible things she is coming across are actually being done by the person behind the crime or are simply her paranoia and overactive imagination coming into play.\\n\\nOverall though the book dragged in the middle with the addition of a visiting elderly aunt who frowns upon shacking up with a boyfriend before marriage and this sort of thing. An ex judge also added a fair bit of implausibility to the story. You also wondering the whole time why Susan who should be a woman who can handle things and show that women can achieve anything if that's what she is trying to instil on young girls, constantly needed her boyfriend to save her from situations and take care of her. Maybe another female lecturer would have made a better choice to assist her with solving the murder and staying out of jail than a big strong security guard type male.\",\n \"Product: Tamia Sheldon is a freelance illustrator and designer working outside of Seattle, WA. She loves making up stories for her funny kid and spends all her free time drawing, reading and taking pictures.With a B.A. in Design and Culture Studies she is intent on creating work that has a positive impact on the world.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: If the Author Had Spent Their Time Proof Reading This, Rather Than Writing Fake Reviews, It Would Have Been Much Better\\n\\nReview: Wow with fifteen five star reviews I assumed this was going to be a pretty good picture book. If only I had clicked on see all my reviews of any of the initial ten or so reviewers and I would have known instantly they were written by the author since this is the only book each reviewer has ever reviewed. With the exception of the last review written, which is maybe legit, of the rest they only have two or three reviews to each account with those other product reviews dated 2008 and the like so I'm guessing they are friends or relatives of the author who have given the author the passwords to their accounts.\\n\\nIf the time spent on creating these accounts and writing the fake reviews had been spent on actually proof reading the Kindle book they would have noticed that The Hungry Shark isn't formatted correctly. The picture is one page with the first line of text and the rest of text you need to click onto the next page to read on a blank white page. Not what you want in a picture book when reading it to children when you're referring to the animal and it's not on the page to see. A simple reduction of the image size would have allowed this Kindle book to display correctly, but alas there were obviously fake reviews to write at the time.\\n\\nThe pictures themselves are fairly child friendly, not bad, they are in the style of the cover. Although what the circle on the side of the shark is supposed to be is never explained. The story itself revolves around a shark named Amelia who is very hungry. Every time she goes to eat another creature it displays its defence mechanisms and she doesn't eat it. Not sure how come it suddenly doesn't know what its prey is when it is a full grown sized shark so has obviously eaten before. Amelia is obviously not the type of shark to survive on the food source it finds at the end having the wrong type of teeth and such but it is a kids picture book after all so that doesn't matter so much in the scheme of things. There's also a pasta recipe at the end using that food source as its major ingredient as well as a link to a website to find a free colouring page to print out.\",\n \"Product: Marie Tabler is a freelance creative media producer for children's material. She is currently the owner of The Art Mill ( www.theartmill.com ) and has done work for American Greetings, Compassion International, Children's Bible Hour, Kids 4 Truth and Nazarene Publishing House. Her desire to help children learn timeless truths as they are being entertained is evident in much of her work. She resides in a quiet midwest town with her husband, two children and a cat that showed up and decided to make herself at home.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Simple Illustrations Retell and Age Old Tale\\n\\nReview: This is a rewrite of the age old animal who doesn't gather food for Winter when it has plenty of time to do so before the snow comes because it has better things to do and can't be bothered tale, done by Aesop and other writers throughout time. The title mentions this to be a humorous book, I wonder if the author realises that word means the book is supposed to be funny. It doesn't have any humorous happenings at all. The illustrations are pretty simple, basically just shapes, for example there's an owl that's basically a circle, the cover is a good indication of the squirrels in the book.\\n\\nThe book is nothing special, if it's free and your kid is a big fan for anything to do with squirrels they may get something out of this, but you certainly wouldn't want to pay money for it.\",\n \"Product: Gerry Gaston is the author of the best selling Quest series of interactive children's picture book adventures. His innovation has provided readers with a unique alternative path selection technique that incorporates the visually stunning illustrations with direct control of the storyline progression. His creative imagination fuels his efforts to craft exciting worlds for kids to explore, while motivating their continuing desire to read.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not as Bad a Story On its Own as Quest for the Dragons Treasure, But Still a Huge Letdown as a Choose Your Adventure Type Book\\n\\nReview: Having recently bought a Kindle Fire HD I downloaded this book along with another Choose Your Own Path book by this author called Quest for the Dragon's Treasure because I have fond memories of the times spent reading the old Choose Your Own Adventure junior paperbacks when I was a kid. Now as an adult I work in a public library, so when a new author has a go at this concept (and quite a few have over the years from picture books to adult fiction novels) I always give them a look. With this and the Dragon Treasure book I was particularly interested to see the concept done as a Kindle book and what that experience would be like.\\n\\nWhat I did like about this book was the nice, colourful detailed animation type illustrations on each page. This book is set in the world of pirates but the illustrations never at any time would create fear for a young child, the pirates themselves never look threatening (although not wussy and unintelligent either like say the ones in cartoons like Jake and the Neverland Pirates). The story takes place on a pirate ship, a small island and a bigger island. The pictures are a lot of fun. To some extent the story is good, this had a much better story than the Dragon book does reading it as a simple beginning to end story. However like the other book that's not why you're choosing to read it though, it's the Choose You Own Adventure aspect that made you click the Buy Now With One Click Button. This one's different to the other book in that before your choices in yellow rectangle come up you first click on a pink rectangle asking you to choose a path. Not sure which of the two books was done first but it is an unnecessary step if the other was written first. Like with the other book this one also ends up in the same places no matter which options you take, this book also had a lot more loops that took you back to a page you left three or four choices ago. No matter what choice you make you are always successful in your quest for the lost treasure, there's no getting captured by pirates ending, being forced to walk the plank, being stranded on the small island, breaking a leg by climbing up a cliff, finding a chest full of socks or any other way of ending the story other than with the treasure. The fun of the old Choose Your Own Adventure novels was the different outcomes, and you'd reread making other choices to hopefully get better ones. Or it would be a game against your friends who can keep the story alive for the most choices. This one you get to page where the story doesn't make sense at times if you didn't choose some of the loop paths beforehand such as \\\"remembering the rope you picked up on the pirate ship\\\", when I first read that page I'd never read anything where I had the opportunity to pick up a rope. To make matters worse a page before the final getting treasure one, you are asked if you have a key, you don't even need to have read the page where you find a key to advance to the ending as it lets you through anyway.\\n\\nThe basics are in place to turn this into a good Choose Your Own Adventure type experience, it's a lot better story than the Dragon Quest one, it just needs more story paths and endings.\",\n \"Product: Author Kristen Otte writes books for children, teens, and adults. Her mission is to bring joy and laughter through stories to people young and old. When she isn't writing or reading, you may find her on the basketball court coaching her high school girls' team. If she isn't writing or coaching, she is probably chasing her husband and dogs around the house.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: How a Pug Dogs Sees the World, Written By a Pug Called Zelda\\n\\nReview: The Adventures of Zelda is another entry into the growing, books written by a dog genre. This time round the dog is a pug called Zelda. The book is entertaining and definitely worth checking out, but it isn't as believable that your listening to a dog's mind like better books in this genre such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/A-Dog-s-Purpose/dp/B003ZK68A8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">A Dog's Purpose</a> which would be the benchmark of canine narrator fiction. Zelda also doesn't really face any dangers or obstacles, other than the vacuum cleaner, a snowman and things like this we as the human reader know are completely harmless to her. There isn't any violence, hunger or struggle for the canine character, which might not necessarily be a bad thing for some potential readers, but just makes the book seem more like a kids book compared to other similar books. This is more like someone observing a dog's (and specifically a pug dog's unique) quirks, and behaviours that occur mostly in a house and explaining them through the dog's narration. For example it thinks the vacuum cleaner is a robot and a threat to one of it's owners. Zelda has a lot more of an understanding of human language, in fact she understands word for word most human conversations, especially ones about her, and she observes things such as the neighbour is raking the yard, which you wouldn't imagine she'd know the word raking let alone how to use it in a sentence, since she's never experienced falling leaves before. She also knows specific things about her breed, that other dogs don't have, such as a goose honk, things like something a breeder or owner would know, not the dog itself.\\n\\nAlthough it's not quite as good as other books in the genre, it's enjoyable enough that I'll definitely check out other books in the series. If you're looking for other books narrated by a dog some suggestions to check out include <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Book-Of-Riley/dp/B008RE1ZNC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Book Of Riley</a> by Mark Tufo, <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Dog/dp/B01I5I83T8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Dog</a> by Amy Cross, <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Dog-On-It/dp/B003LJRUV4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Dog On It</a> by Spencer Quinn and you definitely won't go wrong with <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Footrot-Flats/dp/1869711122/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Footrot Flats</a> by Murray Ball.\",\n \"Product: George Mahood is an award-winning writer. Specifically, he was placed third in the Little Brington Village Fete's limerick competition (Under 10s category) in 1988. It was the same year that Mrs Marriott's legendary fruit loaf was beaten in the WI cake contest for the first time in six years. George studied Communication Studies and English Literature at Leeds University. After spending a year travelling in the USA (with clothes and money), he worked for several years in a variety of jobs including charity fund-raising, wedding photography and garlic bread making. George has been the lead singer and guitarist of a rubbish band and the chairman and midfielder of an awful Sunday-league football team. George has plenty more madcap ideas that will form the basis of future books. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch, see more photos, and to hear about future projects. http://www.facebook.com/georgemahood http://www.twitter.com/georgemahood\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Fun Look at the Significance of Every Day of the Year\\n\\nReview: This is quite good, although not something you're likely to read from the start to the finish in one go. I came back to this in between other books and was surprised when at one point the author mentions this his how he assumed people would read this. That's what I liked about the author he wasn't pretending this is the greatest book ever written or that it will even hold everyone's interest. Basically George is a stay at home dad who does some freelance photography for weddings to pay the bills. Having written a previously successful book (and I like how he acknowledges authors monitor Amazon, and talks about putting that book on the free list and things like this), he has decided to take up a new challenge of celebrating the day allocated to every date of the year, some days have multiple entries. He doesn't even know what many of them are before looking them up on the day. Although this isn't a really interesting thing to do for an adventure, he somehow makes this mundane adventure fun or at least mildly interesting at times. Although as I said you'll probably need a break from the entries from time to time.\\n\\nThe author comes across a guy you wouldn't mind sitting next to on a plane or something, as well as a great father and caring person towards others such as his neighbours who sort of kidnap his cat each day. If this book was that interesting with lets face it fairly boring in real life subject matter, I can't wait to check out what he has written with more active adventures.\",\n \"Product: After playing video games with her children, Wendy Knuth was inspired to write books about zombies for kids. She hopes that humans of every age will enjoy reading these books as much as she loved writing them. Wendy is happily married to an old, bald guy, and they live in Arizona, where they continue to raise their two zoners.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: You'll Want More of the Moore Family, When You Finish This Fun Zombie Family Picture Book Mystery\\n\\nReview: The author has taken the time to format their book correctly so that the text is part of the illustration meaning that you don't get a few lines of text on one page, a picture on the next, and a few more lines on a page after that when it's all supposed to be on the one page. This should be a requirement to publish books on Amazon but unfortunately it's not the norm and so many authors don't bother to do this so I always like to mention when an author cares enough about their readers, and their own work to do this. The book displays in both landscape and portrait mode but the page takes up more of the screen in portrait. My only criticism is that it would have been better if it took up the entire screen so you could appreciate the great illustrations to their full extent. It has brilliant colourful illustrations and was full of interesting characters that I'd love to read again in future books.\\n\\nBasically we visit the Moore family who are all zombies, this book kind of reminded me of the Addams Family, where the characters get up to pretty much regular normal person things, just that they are in an environment that embraces bugs, spiders, reptiles and other so labelled gross stuff. The authors have added their own spin to zombie culture with the fact that zombies love tomato juice, their mothers are known as Mombie, they don't care about labels such as nerd and things like this. The basic plot of this one revolves around the three older Moore siblings coming to each other to help solve the mystery of their baby sister's missing Gargoy. You'll have to get to the end to find out what Gargoy is but whoever took it has left a few clues.\",\n \"Product: Jeanie Franz Ransom is the author of several books, including WHAT PARENTS DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT HOME and GRANDMA U. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Did Humpty Really Fall? Or Was He Pushed Off That Wall?\\n\\nReview: This picture booked sized short story with the occasional comic book (graphic novel) page linking the text and picture pages forms an interesting sequel to the classic Humpty Dumpty tale. It also is a sequel to quite a few other children's fairy tales as well through their character's cameo appearances such as Goldilocks is now a house sitter at the three bears house. Plus there's a few other fairytales which this one seems to interrupt such as Little Red Riding Hood while she's getting the food for her basket in the pre visiting grandma part of that fairytale stressed due to no muffins being sold by the shopkeeper (of course who is the muffin man). Children you're reading it to/with, assuming you've read them those stories will immediately know and want to yell out that's whoever from whatever it is. This makes the story even more fun. Although you will probably have to track down those original stories shortly after reading this.\\n\\nThis is a through the eyes of the main character journey through Mother Gooseland. That main character is a private detective named Joe Dumpty. When he hears his brother Humpty has fallen off his Neighbourhood Watch chair on top of the wall he rushes to the scene. Joe knows his brother wouldn't just fall off the wall, after all he is an experienced wall sitter, however Miss Muffet who was the one to dial 911 swears it was windy and he just fell. Finding his binoculars hidden under her tuffet he knows she's not telling the truth but a spider backs up her story and that's good enough for police chief Mother Goose. She does however give Joe until 5pm to prove otherwise which is when she will file her report. Why when he's a private detective and not one of her officers he worries about this time frame is never explained but he is against the clock to solve his brother's assault before it is written off as an accident. Joe Humpty visits and interviews a number of other fairytale characters and the clues are easy enough for a child to enjoy working out what actually happened to Humpty before the final page is reached. An interesting and worthwhile read.\\n\\nIf you like Fairytale prequels or sequels check out the picture books <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Porkenstein/dp/059062380X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Porkenstein</a> a sequel to the Three Little Pigs by Kathryn Lasky where the remaining and now very lonely pig decides to make a new friend. <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-True-Story-of-the-Three-Little-Pigs-by-A-Wolf/dp/0140540563/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf</a> by Lane Smith is another great picture book told from the wolf's own mouth of what really occured surrounding the events of the destruction of the houses of straw and twigs and the demise of thier occupants. <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Whatever-Happened-to-The-Ultimate-Sequels-Book/dp/0285634011/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Whatever Happened to ....?: The Ultimate Sequels Book</a> is a paperback style book that interviews and tells the stories of what happened to many fairy tale characters in the years afterward. Dave Barry's <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Peter-and-the-Starcatchers/dp/B000BBS9CE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Peter and the Starcatchers</a> series is also a great paperback series prequel to Peter Pan.\",\n \"Product: THE LAST BULLY ... a charming anti-bullying story Happiness Begins With Respect Hugo is a little starfish and so it is not surprising that in this story he comes across several bigger fish in the ocean. Sadly, they are bigger fish with the wrong attitude - they're bullies! After seeing his friend getting bullied, Hugo decides that enough is enough. He forms the Anti-Bully Club and teaches the bullies a valuable lesson about respect. By working together as a group, Hugo and his friends manage to show the bullies that there's always a bigger fish in the ocean and that happiness comes from respecting others, not bullying them. THE LAST BULLY is a confidence-boosting book for children, showing them that being different is OK and the best way to deal with bullies is to tell someone about it. This tale demonstrates how to deal with one of the biggest issues we face in today's world. Meet HUGO - a little starfish with a BIG HEART. His passion is to make others happy but he still has a lot to learn. Fortunately he has more than just a big heart, he also has a CURIOUS MIND. Through his adventures, Hugo learns many valuable lessons of character, life skills, and ecological alertness - all amid the backdrop of a magical underwater world and mystical islands. In Hugo, children, parents, and educators will discover a lovable and engaging role model with whom they can identify. We are sure you'll agree that life skills and character traits are two of the most important lessons to teach the young. Age-appropriate children's books are crucial to child development and well-written books that contain a message can expand not only a child's cognitive abilities, but also their emotional, moral, and spiritual capacities. HUGO stories support the different learner profiles and attitudes of the IB PYP curriculum. www.MyStarfish.org\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This Book Actually Teaches Kids How to Deal With Bullies, in a lot More Realistic Way Than Most Anti Bully Picture Books\\n\\nReview: There are heaps of picture books out there dealing with bullies or teaching kids what they should do if they see someone being bullied. I liked the realism of this one though in that Hugo the starfish is actually targeted by the bully (an Orca) when he steps in to stop bullying he is witnessing. A lot of picture books live in the fantasy world where if you simply speak up the bullying will stop, which kids who live in the real world know through seeing it with their own eyes might occasionally work, but more likely you're going to have a bit of an argument or physical confrontation to get through before the bully backs down. So I really commend the author of this for not being politically correct and telling it like it is. The lesson to kids that if they stick together and confront a bully the bully is also a great one.\\n\\nThis tale uses quite a number of various sea creatures, all are drawn in a simple cartoon style and artistic liberties are taken, such as fish crying. The only thing I didn't like was the Orca was referred to as a fish instead of mammal but that takes a back seat to the great message within.\",\n \"Product: Tarrin P. Lupo is and Author and Activist living in Savannah, Georgia. He is obsessed with his pets and shares his home with two dogs, Raja and Marcie and five cats. Raja spends his days barking at squirrels and begging for beef jerky. Marcie loves when Tarrin sings to her and wags her tail wildly when she hears Tom Jones. They love spending time as a family, taking long walks in Savannah's beautiful squares and parks.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Scary and Somewhat Disturbing Story if You Like Dogs, But Does Turn Out All Right in the End\\n\\nReview: Catch That Collie has a family visit some sort of dodgy animal shelter/dog farm that clearly doesn't do any background checks or asks questions of the would be adopters or try to educate them at all on the responsibilities of owning a pet. It's purely after the quick cash of selling as many dogs as possible. The family pick out a dog, the shelter worker tries to get them to take a second one as well because black ones are hard to move. Fortunately they stick with just the brown one because you know, they've never owned a dog before. The family treat the dog like a toy, interact with it when they are in the mood and ignore it by tying it to a tree and the things like this when they get bored. Of course the little kids get upset when the dog has chewed through it's painful ropes, dug its way out of the yard and so forth each time. They also only do things like give it water when it knocks over a birdbath in desperation, then they reach the conclusion, dogs need water to survive. This is the type of family who clearly should not be given the responsibility of owning a pet. It's a kids book so you as an adult know the dog is probably not going to die, or get seriously injured when it runs in front of a truck and things like this but young picture book age reading children who don't see a difference between fantasy and reality are going to become very concerned for the welfare of the dog as the deadbeat nature of the dog's owners becomes more and more apparent. So this means kids reading this need to be a bit older, and the lengthy paragraphs of text means their reading level needs to be that age anyway.\\n\\nNow saying all that, readers actually will eventually learn some of the basics of looking after an animal once they get to the final page. So overall although a scary story for the canine character the end result is a good thing. The illustrations are quite detailed and done in a fun cartoon style. Although I didn't like how nearly everyone has text in the image saying Catch That Collie! It's almost like these were promo artwork done to promote the book somewhere and they've decided to include them as illustrations at a later date. So it's somewhat a good read in the end but if it's just a good picture book teaching kids about responsible pet ownership there's better books out there such as <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/How-to-Greet-a-Dog-and-What-to-Avoid/dp/B005Q134XI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">How to Greet a Dog and What to Avoid</a> by Sophia Yin.\",\n \"Product: Richard is a family man, with a wonderful wife and 7 beautiful children.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Tale of a Boy, a Dead Spider and the Fun They Have Together\\n\\nReview: You can't help but like this book as soon as you read the words \\\"Noah picked up the spider but it wasn't moving. Why isn't it moving dad? That's because it's dead son!\\\", you know it's going to be a lot of fun and a bit of dark humour pleases everyone.\\n\\nBasically it's the tale of a kid who finds a spider in the park and even though it's dead, still wants to take it home to be his friend, his mother of course is not thrilled. Noah has a great time playing a number of games with his new friend, however isn't noticing that he is destroying the corpse as he plays. I guess if you've never raised the topic of death with your child, this would be a great ice breaker read to do so about what happens to a body when it dies.\\n\\nThe illustrations are really well done, the text is typed and clear but may be a little small on handheld Kindle devices, especially for children to read. On a PC screen it's fine though.\",\n \"Product: Pippa Pennington has taught children all her life. As a child she ran an after-school club for her friends, progressing as an adult to a teaching degree for children age 3-11. Pippa shares her time between the coast of Kent, England and the countryside of Casarabonela, in the Andalucia region of Spain. Dogs have always played an important role in Pippa's life and to date she has owned, adopted and cared for around thirty furry friends. The 'Sniffer' books were inspired by a story she made up for her young son, Joe. Pippa never reached the end of the story as he loved the bits when Sniffer said 'Pooh! What is that?' She had to repeat the phrase over and over using different items Sniffer found to smell while out on a walk. After that, Joe only ever wanted to hear about Sniffer and his escapades. Twenty-three years' later Pippa can still hear Joe giggling.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A Disobedient Dog Gives into the Temptation of Sniffing Things\\n\\nReview: Okay short story with illustrations about a disobedient dog that gives into its love for sniffing temptations, even though it's mother has told it not to, digs a hole under the backyard it resides in fence and goes sniffing around town. Sniffer emulates 90's standup comedians who like to swear for emphasis, street cred or whatever and liked to use the s word every sentence, but since this is a kids' book it's written as pooh. This gets annoying after a while, and even confusing when he actually finds the real stuff, as up to then he'd used the word as something he liked but then suddenly he has a problem with the real thing. The book could be formatted better for the Kindle Fire, as it takes up around the middle third of the book for most pages, a bit more when there's more text. If it was formatted properly the illustrations would be better and the text a bit larger, which would add for a better reading experience. Remembering kids don't have the reading level that adults do is something often forgotten by Indie kid book authors, and smaller text is harder for them to read.\\n\\nWith the cover illustration I was expecting to run into some fleas somewhere, guess that's a different book. Not a great deal happens in the storyline, he sniffs a few things, gets chased by a bully dog, that's about it.\",\n \"Product: Paperback-Acceptable-Red cover instead of white and same book.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: No Matter How Many Alphabet Letters are Used, it's Still Bad\\n\\nReview: Although it is not a sequel to Patterson's masterpiece Suzan's Diary for Nicholas, it is obviously a hastily put together piece trying to cash in on the success of that novel. It fails miserably in its ability to keep you turning the pages, the main character Jennifer is just not that interesting and you really couldn't care less if she makes it with old childhood friend Brendan who like all bad 'chick flick' type books is dying of a disease, in this case a brain tumour. The other main part of the story revolves around Jennifer discovering who the secret mystery lover was of her grandma Sam, who is lying in a coma whose letters Jennifer is now reading. The book is boring and predictable is a severe understatement. It is just not worth spending even one cent on. If you haven't read Suzan's Diary for Nicholas defiantly do so, but forget this rush job.\",\n \"Product: Paperback-Acceptable-Red cover instead of white and same book.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: You'll Have Zero Time for Anything Else Once Read 1st Page\\n\\nReview: This is the second Meltzer novel I have read, the previous being The Millionaires and although that was great this is ten times better. Once you start this sensational thriller the fast pace and short chapters keep you turning pages until the end.\\n\\nWorking for congressmen, Harris and Matthew have discovered a secret thrilling game that is played inside Capitol Hill. Unimportant bills are bet upon to see if they will be passed or not. It is a secret game where they do not know any of the other players other than the person before them in the chain who brought them in. Matthew bets most of his life savings on what he knows will be a sure thing and paranoia makes him follow the page (courier) with deadly outcomes. Harris notices that his link to the game was also murdered and narrowly avoids an assassin named Janos who seems unstoppable. He is now on the run and enlists the help of a 17 year old page named Viv who isn't too happy when she learns of the danger he's put her in. Together they must uncover the secret of the bill which started this chain or events and expose it before they are both dead.\",\n \"Product: A dark, chilling psychological thriller from the number one bestselling author of the \\\"Emperor\\\" series. \\\"Blackwater\\\" is being published as part of the Quick Reads initiative on World Book Day 2006. How do you know when you're in too deep? Davey has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, a smiling sociopath who will stop at nothing to protect himself and his family. But when the shadowy figure of Denis Tanter comes into Davey's life, how far will the bond of brotherhood reach?\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Brilliant Short Thriller, Best of its Genre in the Quick Reads Short Stories Series!\\n\\nReview: Blackwater by Conn Iggulden is one of the best short stories I've read in a while, from both novel sized anthology collections and the books in the Quick Reads series. It's a great dark thriller where you sort of wonder what you would do if faced with a similar situation to Davey the main character, although you'd hope you would be less of a doormat than Davey is, which gets him facing this terrifying situation in the first place. You see Davey's let others bully and walk all over him his whole life. Carol his wife, constantly cheats on him with the best concession he can get from her to wash the smell of her lovers off herself before sleeping beside him in their bed when she comes home in the early hours of the mornings. However one of her lovers isn't content to share Carol with Davey and hires a thug to come round his house while she's between his sheets, beat Davey up and threatening Davey he'll get a lot worse if he doesn't get lost.\\n\\nIf you're unfamiliar with the Quick Reads series, they are books published to increase literacy levels by encouraging those who don't like to read beyond magazines and comic books, to try fiction through cheap priced (current Quick Reads all sell of the rack for under two pounds in the UK, original Quick Reads like this 2006 published story were sold slightly more expensive at just under three pounds) short story length fiction and non fiction. I think Blackwater achieves these goals and those reading this as their first book ever, or just in a while, will definitely be encouraged to try other Quick Reads stories or regular length novels.\",\n \"Product: A gripping, compulsive thriller set in a future where the cure for ageing has been discovered! to devastating consequences \\\"You got me. I don't want to die. I'm terrified of death. I fear there's nothing beyond it and that this existence is the only one I'll ever possess. That's why I'm here.\\\" (An excerpt from the digital journal of John Farrell, cure age 29) 2019. Humanity has witnessed its greatest scientific breakthrough yet: the cure for ageing. Three injections and you're immortal -- not bulletproof or disease-proof but you'll never have to fear death by old age. For John Farrell, documenting the cataclysmic shifts to life after the cure becomes an obsession. Cure parties, cycle marriages, immortal livestock: the world is revelling in the miracles of eternal youth. But immortality has a sinister side, and when a pro-death terrorist explosion kills his newly-cured best friend, John soon realizes that even in a world without natural death, there is always something to fear. Now, John must make a new choice: run and hide forever, or stay and fight those who try to make immortal life a living hell. The e-book edition contains exclusive extra content - for those who want to find out even more consequences of the cure for ageing.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Want to Never Grow Old and Avoid Dying of Old Age? You May Not After Reading This!\\n\\nReview: I wish I could stay young forever, is a common wish of many. Well in Drew Magary's The End Specialist, a scientist while trying to fight Alzheimer's, unwittingly discovers the gene for aging and comes up with that very cure. If you take three painful injections (which starts of illegal in this novel), you can still die by being stabbed, shot, poisoned, hit by a car or even by something like cancer, but your body will never age and wear out, so if you are cautious and look after yourself, you could well still be around for hundreds of years. The End Specialist is the cautionary tale of the way humanity could change if the Fountain of Youth is ever really discovered. What will happen to marriage when the commitment is no longer for 50 years or so at the most? What about religion? How will the world deal with its already overcrowded prisons and will a life sentence still only mean getting out when someone approaches 80 or so? What will this mean to armies, the police and other emergency services, would anyone risk their lives for others if instead of just risking around 50 more years, you're now risking possibly a thousand?\\n\\nWhat age would society see as having the perfect body to get the injection? Then what happens to those already past that when the cure was discovered, how will society treat these people who will fast become the minority? What about those who choose not to take the cure and grow old naturally? With the death rate plummeting how will this affect the earth's population and what effects will that have? Welfare, professional sports and many other things will change and Drew Magary outlines them all as we follow the discovered blog entries of a John Farrell who has documented 60 years of his and the world's experiences since getting the cure.\\n\\nThe first half of the book was one of those don't want to stop reading, can't put down brilliant novels. I thought it slowed down and wasn't as interesting once John takes up the profession of End Specialist (I'll let you discover what that is). But Drew Magary has joined the ranks of authors who have played out dreams with the positives and the negatives through a fictional novel. Previous authors such as H F Saint have shattered the dream of wanting to be invisible, Arthur C Clarke showed us there are positives and negatives to a world without guns in his book The Trigger. This is one book that if you've ever wanted to stay young and live pretty much forever, you'll definitely be re-evaluating once you start to turn these pages.\\n\\nNote this book was also republished under the title The Postmortal.\",\n \"Product: The Slightly Annoying Elephant\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Slightly Worth Checking Out\\n\\nReview: This is a pretty large almost square picture book 28cm wide by almost 28cm tall (11 inches) with quite bright blue and other colours simple drawn style illustrations. If you're familiar with Tony Ross' other picture book contributions, it's the same style. The plot of The Slightly Annoying Elephant is pretty simple, a boy named Sam fills out an adopt an elephant form at the zoo and the next day answers a knock on his door while home alone and ignoring any stranger danger advice he has ever been taught, opens the door and finds an elephant demanding to come inside. The elephant is a terrible roommate and, well a bit of a jerk. He's bosses around the boy and breaks his stuff, constantly calls him silly boy and forces him to do stuff for him. But Sam's day is about to get a lot worse.\\n\\nFor me the tale didn't live up to what I anticipated it would be, I thought an annoying elephant would have got up to more stuff and not just acted like a bossy jerk. Sam also didn't seem that bright or have the will to stand up for himself.\",\n \"Product: Join Me\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: And Thou Spoketh Unto Amazon Readers Saying, Readeth Thy Wallace's Book and for Those That Headeth Thy Advice Days of Gladness W\\n\\nReview: Join Me is a fascinating and entertaining read that will inspire you as well as have you laughing and laughing especially Danny's first experience at ordering a drink in Paris. This is a sensational read that you won't be able to put down until the last page. I especially like the couple of summary lines of each chapter written like biblical verses.\\n\\nDanny Wallace decides to put a small advertisement in Loot with simply the words JOIN ME Send one passport sized photo to .... just for the fun of seeing what would happen. He is ecstatic to receive a photograph from Christian Jones meets up with him and discovers he has no answers to his perfectly reasonable questions of what he is joining up to. The photos and new joinees continue to go on and Wallace must decide what his collective is about since he is being told by his friends that one of the joinees is acting like he's going to make a hostile takeover of his people. He must choose between a good and evil. Once this decision is made the flood gates open and his original goal of three people to beat his Swiss relative's achievements of starting a community is retargeted to 1000. Getting 1000 joinees becomes an obsession and his girlfriend is blissfully unaware having instructed him not to play any more stupid boy projects or they would be over.\",\n \"Product: Ruth Rendell is celebrated around the world as a novelist at the peak of her craft. The British Crime Writer’s Association has honored her with four Gold Daggers, a Silver Dagger, and the Diamond Dagger for outstanding contribution to the genre. In the United States she has been acknowledged by a remarkable total of three Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America, as well as the organization’s Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Over the past forty years Ruth Rendell has created an extraordinary body of literary work. In addition to seven volumes of short stories, one novella, and two works of nonfiction, Dame Rendell has written fifty-two novels, including tales of psychological suspense, the Inspector Wexford mysteries, and eleven novels under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. She lives in London.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Starts of Well, But the Wussification of Main Character for the Second Half Lets Down This Short Story\\n\\nReview: Rendell's The Thief starts of really, really well. In fact until half way through I was thinking to myself, this is one of the best short stories I've ever read. Polly, the main character as a child and young adult was a brilliantly written strong minded girl, who knew how to handle herself and gave those who deserved it, wether an aunt who humiliates and assaults her for not letting her children come out on top in pool games, a school bully or bad boyfriend, everyone got their comeuppance. Granted it was through stealing stuff but she was a young, you can't expect her to come up with grandeur plans of vengeance. So when she's now in her 20s for the second half of the story and has put her thieving and lying days behind her you'd expect she's still the same strong female character. However when she experiences a bully in the airport, who ends up in the seat beside her on a flight to New York who burns her with hot coffee she doesn't stand up for herself at all. Then the bully is also on the flight back and when a thieving opportunity comes up she takes it. Then the rest of the story instead of fully ensuring this guy gets him comeuppance she instead decides she'll return his possessions to him, including even ironing his clothes, the only problem is she doesn't want her boyfriend to find out. You can predict what the bully is going to do which is exactly what he does. However your just waiting for the brilliant minded Polly from the childhood days to emerge, instead the wussified adult version never lets her make an appearance.\\n\\nThe Thief, is part of the Quick Reads series of books to increase literacy levels by encouraging those who don't like to read beyond magazines and comic books to try fiction through cheap priced short story length fiction and non fiction. The first half of the story would definitely have achieved that, however the weak second half won't encourage much further short story reading.\",\n \"Product: More than four hundred years ago, seven people - five of them women - were beheaded in the Tower of London. Three had been queens of England. The others were found guilty of treason. Why were such important people put to death? Alison Weir's gripping book tells their stories: from the former friend betrayed by a man set on being king, to the young girl killed after just nine days on the throne. Alison Weir is a wonderful storyteller. Through her vivid writing, history comes alive.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: May Give You a Taste for Deeper Historical Researching But Written Style is a Little Boring\\n\\nReview: I've read most of the books that are part of the great initiative that is the Quick Reads series. Traitors of the Tower isn't as interesting or as fun a read as some of the other non fiction entries, but it is the only one (as at August 2011) that deals specifically with history. Since the Quick Reads series primary goal is to get those who currently don't read fiction and non fiction to sample what fiction novels or non fiction books can be like, encouraging them to read more instead of magazines, newspapers and comic books, through high quality written short stories, I would have to think that goal maybe wasn't achieved with Traitors of the Tower.\\n\\nThe first couple of stories are pretty much just text book style facts presented in order to tell the tale of the person who ultimately would meet their demise in front of the public at the Tower of London. They aren't presented in an interesting or fun way at all. Unless those particualar events in history were of interest to you, you're unlikely to want to finsh them. It's almost as if Alison Weir has a word count for each that couldn't be exceeded and had trouble fitting all the facts under that limit. Therefore she was left no room to try and tell those tales in a more interesting written way. However the way the stories are told does get better as they go along. The best would be the second last about Lady Jane Grey where we get to know her character a bit better and, can feel for the way she's treated and be more saddened by her plight, compared to the previous data like feel we had for the other men and women in the former tales.\\n\\nI think the final tales would however create and interest to further explore Jane Grey's and Robert Devereux's lives in more detail through other books. In turn after doing that the previous \\\"traitors\\\" lives may also be desired to be explored further.\\n\\nIf you're just after an entertaining non fiction read from the Quick Reads series, I'd go with something like <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Danny-Wallace-and-the-Centre-of-the-Universe/dp/0091908949/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe</a>. If your goal is to get non readers interested in reading history (not necessarily the same topics covered in this one) I'd step outside the Quick Reads Series with books like <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Encyclopaedia-of-Executions-The-Stories-Behind-Every-Execution/dp/1903402239/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Encyclopaedia of Executions: The Stories Behind Every Execution</a> or <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Badass-A-Relentless-Onslaught-of-the-Toughest-Warlords-Vikings-Samurai-Pirates-Gunfighters-and-Military-Commanders-to-Ever-Live/dp/0061749443/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Badass: A Relentless Onslaught of the Toughest Warlords, Vikings, Samurai, Pirates, Gunfighters, and Military Commanders to Ever Live</a>. Books like these present history in a lot more entertaining way than Traitors of the Tower does and in my opinion either though they are lengthier, are more likely to get a reluctant reader more interested in learning more about the past.\",\n \"Product: From their first meeting at the student union over a decade ago, Jim and Alison successfully navigated their way through first dates, meeting parents, moving in together and more! Then they split up and divided their worldly goods (including a sofa, a cat and their flat) into his 'n' hers. Now, three years on and with new lives and new loves, they couldn't be happier. Until a chance encounter throws them back together, and causes them to embark on a journey through their past to ask themselves the big question: where did it all go wrong, and is it too late to put it all right?\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Well Written Book About Relationships, Although a Bit Confusing, an Inconsistent Character and Predictable Ending\\n\\nReview: His N Hers is the third book by Mike Gayle I've come across. It's a lot better written than his debut novel My Legendary Girlfriend, simply due to the fact that the two main characters Jim and Alison are much more likeable and interesting characters than Will Kelly the main character in that one. I like the written through the eyes of both Jim and Alison style, however at times I had no idea which character was narrating until someone else they interacted with referred to him or her. Maybe it would have worked if each had an alternate chapters rather than paragraphs which sometimes kept the same character for the subsequent one.\\n\\nOverall His N' Hers is an enjoyable novel albeit it with a very predictable ending. I also didn't really believe Jim's right hand turns in personality that happened twice in the novel, neither fit his personality up to then, but I guess they were needed to for the simple plot to work. There's not really a plot, we're just along for the ride as two people meet each other at university, eventually get together, have their relationship tested when one gets a career breaking job down in London, years later split up, then on the death of the cat who spent most of its life with the two of them decide to meet up before going to the vets to decide on how to dispose of the cat. The book doesn't occur in chronological order either, we know at the start the cat's dead, and they've been split for quite some time. I would have enjoyed the novel more if this had all come as a surprise, but that's not how it's written and it's still a good read anyway finding out why.\\n\\nIf you don't want to take a gamble on a full length novel by Mike Gayle check out his short story from the Quick Reads series <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Men-at-Work/dp/1444711776/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Men at Work</a>. That's the excellent book I first discovered this author's work with and decided to give a few of his full length novels a try.\",\n \"Product: J. F. Gonzalez is the author of Conversion and Clickers (the latter written with Mark Williams). His short stories have appeared in various magazines and anthologies including Young Blood, Hear the Fear, Dread, Frightnet, and others. He lives in Pasadena, California with his family.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Ending is Missing Something, But a Good Simple Werewolf Tale Other Than That\\n\\nReview: First of all the cover image on the Midnight Library 2012 reprint of a story originally published in the year 2000 has got nothing to do with the story. At no time is a woman tied up, kidnapped or anything like this. What Shapeshifter is, is a very basic werewolf tale, where Gonzalez has pretty much just followed the standard werewolf fiction rules for his shapeshifter character. But this novel tells the tale a bit differently in that the guy who turns into a werewolf, Mark Wiseman, is being blackmailed by the CEO of a company he works for to be a hairy hit man during the cycle of the full moon. This is actually a really interesting twist on the standard novel that involves werewolves.\\n\\nIt's a basic non complicated plot, the writing style is simple, I've read most of Gonzalez other novels, this one doesn't have the lengthy describing everything in between the action that he has become renowned for. That's not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion. I believe Shapeshifter was only his second novel. My only gripe is we stop following a couple of characters in the book when we get to page 197 and never find out what happened involving them again. If this was a Kindle book I would have assumed a part of the tale was left out. We do have a few more chapters (211 pages all up) involving some minor characters then an epilogue with the other main one but it doesn't explain what happened to the characters we never heard from again on page 197. A couple of pages of a scene or two linking 197 to where we are at the epilogue would have made this a much better and satisfactory overall read. The book also has characters playing cassette tapes, using payphones and other items that I don't even recall being used much back in the year 2000, which you'd think would have updated with a republished version. There are no historical events in the background or anything else to suggest this is supposed to be a period piece. The outdated stuff doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the novel, but it is noticeable.\",\n \"Product: Charmaine Clancy lives in Brisbane, Australia and loves to create characters for mystery, fantasy and adventure. All her stories are fictional, except maybe MY ZOMBIE DOG (some say to this day you can hear the dog softly moaning, 'braaains'). Charmaine was born the year man walked on the moon, and if more aware of the event, she probably would have thought it was a great setting for a murder. She grew up in the big city of Sydney. Her early school reports advised disapprovingly that she was always 'daydreaming'. Obviously her teachers did not recognise and value the art of plotting. Despite this feedback, Charmaine loved studying and would later go on to University to gain her BA in Professional and Creative Writing. She has worked editing articles for magazines, but her favourite jobs have been dog grooming and teaching. When not explaining the dangers of underestimating a fairy or the best spots to hide a body, Charmaine teaches high school English and sometimes runs creative writing classes for children and teenagers. She loves all things Agatha Christie and is often watching those around her with suspicious eyes; on the off chance they ever do commit a cleverly devised crime.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: How Embarassing to be Given a Small Rat Sized Dog to Take Care of, Especially a Smelly One That Wants to Bite Everyone\\n\\nReview: As an adult I don't read to many junior fiction novels, but when one catches my eye, like this one's cover did and the blurb on the back looks interesting, I'll give it a go. The basic plot of this one revolves around a social outcast type school kid who has been bugging his mother to buy him a dog, which he thinks will make him a bit cooler as he shows it off in the park. However on Zane's birthday she gives him a wussy looking little runt rat sized dog which to further bring humiliation for him is named fluffy. This is not what Zane wanted, but luckily for him Fluffy keels over and dies so going to bed after burying the dog in the backyard, Zane comes up with various plans to pester or convince his mother through the principle of the thing to make the pound give them a new dog, since the old one was faulty (you've got to love kid logic). However upon his mother leaving for work the next day screaming at him to clean his stinky room, he learns the source of the odour is in fact fluffy, and although fluffy looks dead, it's standing right there. He's never get a new dog now unless he can convince his mother to exchange it. Fluffy also isn't the nicest dog in the world, it is constantly trying to bite him and everyone/thing else, to make matters worse his adorable little sister wants to bite it, which is always her solution to making sick people better.\\n\\nI think kids will be able to relate to Zane a fair bit, as one like many kids are, he's not a popular kid and like a lot of kids he has a best friend that both his mother and a girl he has a crush on in school don't approve of. That girl doesn't really acknowledge his assistance either, a hurdle most kids with their first crush also face. Also kids will know of at least someone in their school if they are not in the same situation, who due to having a single parent and that mother being for want of a better word, a bit of deadbeat in the parenting department, blaming him for things he isn't responsible for, and who are like Zane and have had had to grow up faster than his friend's who can stay a bit immature a bit longer, by pretty much being the responsible parent figure for his younger sister. All of this makes Zane, who is telling the tale, a lot more likeable character. Although there are zombie animals and humans in this one, it is all very mild young child friendly level and very entertaining.\\n\\nI enjoyed this one and will definitely check out any sequels that come along.\",\n \"Product: Blythe Ayne is the author and illustrator of The Rat Who Didn't Like Rats. She lives on ten acres of forest where there are not only forest rats, but many other creatures as well. She takes care of the forest so it can remain the safe home for rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, deer, bears, chipmunks, moles, rabbits, wild and domestic geese, bats, opossum, chameleons, owls, blue jays, robins, thousands of other birds, and millions of contented insects. Blythe also writes other types of books besides children's story books. She writes stories for adults, as well as non-fiction and poetry. The one thing her books have in common is to encourage people to discover what gives them the greatest joy, peace and enthusiasm in their lives. And to always be kind and loving to every living thing.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Maybe This Book's Message of Tolerance and Acceptance to All Would Have Worked Better if Reginald Wasn't a Rat\\n\\nReview: This is a book about a rat named Reginald who hates rats and constantly feels the need to voice his hatred to anyone he's talking to. So Reginald I guess represents the racists or other hate filled bigot groups towards genders, sexuality, social class, occupations and other groups. Now Reginald as you would have guessed from the book's title is also a rat, the very thing he despises, but he doesn't know he is one which seems a bit absurd. I mean obviously he would have had rat parents at the very least. That aside I also didn't like how the other animals excepted his racist behaviour, they would granted point out rats are the opposite of what he would say but as a society they really should have been giving him a good telling off and socially punishing him for behaving in that manner leaving him with no uncertain misgiving that being racist or a bigot is not acceptable at all. As you would expect the reader to do if there was a racist or homophobic or whatever kid in their school. Not just turn a blind eye to the rants.\\n\\nReginald overcomes his hatred through lust in this book. Granted probably the most effective means in the real world too but if that was the way to teach him in this story, surely it would have been a more convincing story if he was a mouse or some other animal and not a rat and fell in love with someone who was the very thing he irrationally hated all these years. It probably though would have been a better lesson for kids if a rat had saved his life, or helped him when he got lost, or saved him from some other bullies or anything else other than lust.\\n\\nThe book also has the odd error such as a goose asks who is that when a character enters the room then answers the question itself.\",\n \"Product: Unusual book\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Main Character Still Not Very Intelligent, But a Lot More Likeable Than Main Characters From Other Barr Books\\n\\nReview: Emily Barr's books follow a formula of a female narrator who is pretty gullible and not too street smart who has to overcome those taking advantage of her through her stupidity. The character has to be not too bright for the plot to be plausible but usually the main character such as Tansy from the series starting with <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Backpack/dp/B004ULX5SE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Backpack</a> isn't too likeable. With the Perfect Lie, the main character Lucy Riddick, although a bit stupid is actually fairly likeable, someone maybe you would hang out with.\\n\\nThe Perfect Lie starts of in a modern day Cornish seaside town with regular flashbacks to the main characters childhood starting in 1988. Lucy (back then Marianne) slowly reveals a life of abuse starting with her deadbeat mother who demands she and her brother promise to follow an absurd track into their future. We know modern day Lucy is terrified of something from her past catching up with her, we don't know what it is (although it's pretty easy to predict, as are all events in the novel). All Lucy is telling us, which is even less than those she has come to know in her new town is that she needs to keep a low profile. Unfortunately for her, one of her best friend's young daughters need rescuing from a cliff and a fame hungry teen videotapes it all and sends it to the media. Has what she is running from noticed the footage? Will she have to flee and start again? Is there actually anything to run from at all or is Lucy just insane?\\n\\nI really liked this book, more so than Barr's others. I found the modern day side story revolving around Eliza and her depressed failed dating a bit unnecessary but some readers may see it as a bonus I guess.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":200,"string":"200"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1780,"string":"1,780"}}},{"rowIdx":1781,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A1BSZ4000U2UCK"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"E.O. WilsonOf Ants and Men chronicles the famed biologist lifelong love for the natural world and his groundbreaking research. His work with ants led to his remarkable studies of advanced social behavior in both ants and humans alike, and the controversial foundation of sociobiology. His work in the Gorongosa National Park brings together the great themes of his life and work: nature and humanitys place in it.\". The summary of the review text is \"a focus on some important aspects of Wilson's life and views\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This is a thought-provoking summary of some of Prof. Wilson's ideas and views, and captures a little of his life, of interest to his career, as well. I think that the visual impact of the various scenes, and the focus on certain ideas and things that he considers to be of particular importance, help one to understand his point of view better. Some of his ideas about social evolution are subtle. For example, I think that \"altruism\" gets \"hard-wired\" during a person's development. This does seem to relate to a group, not just a gene or replicator, level of evolution. However, I do not understand this well, nor does the film develop adequately some important subtleties. The film goes into very little depth, but because it is so focused on a number of very significant aspects of Prof. Wilson's thinking and biography, it is definitely worthwhile to view."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This is a thought-provoking summary of some of Prof. Wilson's ideas and views, and captures a little of his life, of interest to his career, as well. I think that the visual impact of the various scenes, and the focus on certain ideas and things that he considers to be of particular importance, help one to understand his point of view better. Some of his ideas about social evolution are subtle. For example, I think that \"altruism\" gets \"hard-wired\" during a person's development. This does seem to relate to a group, not just a gene or replicator, level of evolution. However, I do not understand this well, nor does the film develop adequately some important subtleties. The film goes into very little depth, but because it is so focused on a number of very significant aspects of Prof. Wilson's thinking and biography, it is definitely worthwhile to view."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock star in this award-winning sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarn. Seasoned astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) is on his final mission in space, while medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is making her first outing on the NASA Space Shuttle Explorer. While they are engaged in extra-vehicular activity, debris collides into the shuttle, damaging it irreparably. Kowalsky and Stone now find themselves drifting in space with low oxygen supplies and cut off from all communication on Earth. They work together in their attempt to survive but will they make it back to solid ground? The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won seven including Best Cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki), Best Director (Cuarn) and Best Original Score (Steven Price), and also picked up the Golden Globe for Best Director and BAFTAs for Best Director and Outstanding British Film.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: superb acting and special effects\n\nReview: The performances in this movie were superb, and the special effects extremely interesting. I interpreted the movie as something of a depiction of an avatar experience for the woman astronaut, since the circumstances presented were so obviously impossible to survive. It is interesting to think that the ability to realistically depict physics and make magical extrapolations seamlessly that introduce fantasy point to great improvements that have been made in movie-making in recent years, and the possibility that it will not be long before, at least for wealthy individuals able to afford it, such exciting avatar experiences may be open not just as movie depictions, but seamlessly woven into individual lives to experience fantasy-worlds in a realistic way. This film points in a new direction for imagination, from books, to movies, to actual immersion in a \"fantasy experience\".","Product: Astrophysicist Mario Livio, along with a colorful cast of mathematicians, physicists, and engineers, follow math from Pythagoras to Einstein and beyond, all leading to the ultimate riddle: Is math an invention or a discovery? Humankinds clever trick, or the language of the universe? Join NOVA for a mathematical mystery toura provocative exploration of maths astonishing power across the centuries.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: a good visual illustration of an important mystery\n\nReview: This program explores the idea that math is more than a language or tool for the scientist or an art or game for the mathematician, but, in itself, expresses a science, i.e. that axioms, definitions, theorems and proofs are not just logical and artistic creations, but are also discoveries about the world. This is a bit subtle, because the ancient Pythagoreans and Plato saw math not simply as a science of the natural world, but of an ideal world, inaccessible to the senses but not the intellect. Much of the choice of topics in the program were very elementary, directed more toward children than the educated adult. It is interesting that computation was not much discussed. However, the potential for turning mathematics into a science, even if it is not that now, has certainly grown exponentially with the consequences of the computer revolution. Although this was not discussed, the film is nonetheless of very broad scope. The mystery of the nature of mathematics is a deep one, and it is important to be aware of it. Therefore, I recommend this film, not just for children, but for others who perhaps are interested in math, but are not themselves mathematicians or scientists. Even I, as someone who is fairly knowledgeable about this mystery, found the show visually interesting, even if much of it was reviewing ideas with which I am already quite familiar.","Product: Neuroscientist David Eagleman explores the wonders of the human brain in an epic series that reveals the ultimate story of us, why we feel and think the things we do. This ambitious project blends science with innovative visual effects and compelling personal stories, and addresses some big questions. By understanding the human brain, we can come close to understanding humanity.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: an important view from the science of the brain\n\nReview: I read the book by Prof. Eagleman associated with this PBS series. The book was very informative and interesting. Nevertheless, it was very worthwhile to have watched this series of lectures on the brain, illustrating very well the discussions in the book. The speculative science opened up by the modern biological investigations of the brain add an entire dimension to classical problems from literature and philosophy, and other areas of the humanities and social sciences. It is interesting to consider that basic neuroscience may answer, from a biological perspective, some of the most perplexing problems about human beings. Questions about who and what we are seem, to some extent, to be addressed by neuroscience. A fascinating, if perhaps a little disturbing, aspect of this series, is its final episode, in which the future of humanity is considered. I strongly recommend this series for its timeliness and its scientific and speculative point of view. The investigations of the brain are unlocking something miraculous about life. When one puts this into perspective with the rest of biology, it is part of a science that has opened our eyes to the wonder and miracle of life. I think it is important to recognize that the brain is just one of our organs. It is remarkable to consider that, as organisms, we are systems of wondrous organs like the brain.","Product: Oxford Blank Index Cards are blank on both sides for versatile, reversible study. The classic 3\" x 5\" size is perfect for on-the-go study, presentations or liststhe ultimate life hack for successful preparation! Proudly made in the USA. White. 300 Per pack.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: appropriate for certain uses\n\nReview: These cards have been extremely useful to me in organizing my notes. There are just about the ideal size to be compactly stored, and yet permit one to describe a significant concept or idea on a single card. I recommend these cards to people who must take notes on relatively difficult subjects, and wish to have a more accessible and better-organized form than original notes. At this point in time, and for a relatively high level of compact organization, these cards are, for the most part, even superior to storing notes on a computer. There is, of course, the trade-off that one need not store hard copies of notes when one has a computer, but for certain levels of organization, it is appropriate to have notes in compact, well-organized chunks represented by notes on these cards.","Product: Book by Feist, Raymond E.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: the illusion of tradition\n\nReview: This book is about young people reaching adulthood in a world of tradition about to be overrun by change and uncertainty. The world of tradition offers modest opportunities for the young, but it also gives their lives a certain predictability. This is shattered by the coming of the rift in space and time that connects their world to an alien world, and the ensuing struggles and wars start to shatter the cocoon of tradition. The result is that this book sets the stage for a sequel: What does the coming of this chaos mean for their lives and for their world? One has a sense of time \"before\" the establishment of the \"traditions\", i.e. that even the traditions were not as stable and comfortable as they originally seemed to the young people in the tale. While the book is perhaps not as exciting a tale of adventure as some might want, it was interesting and well-written, with well-drawn characters, and it does pull you into their world, a world seemingly on the edge of change and chaos. It did draw me in, enough for me, that I was intent on reading the second volume in the series.","Product: One choice can transform you. Pass initiation. Do not fail! Thrilling urban dystopian fiction debut from exciting young author. In sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior's world, society is divided into five factions -- Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent) -- each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, in the attempt to form a \"perfect society.\" At the age of sixteen, teens must choose the faction to which they will devote their lives. On her Choosing Day, Beatrice renames herself Tris, rejects her family's group, and chooses another faction. After surviving a brutal initiation, Tris finds romance with a super-hot boy, but also discovers unrest and growing conflict in their seemingly \"perfect society.\" To survive and save those they love, they must use their strengths to uncover the truths about their identities, their families, and the order of their society itself.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: a dark utopian vision\n\nReview: This book concerns adolescent \"rite of passage\" into the adult world, and depicts a \"utopian\" world in which the specific types of adult activities are grouped, and the groups correspond to physical groupings of people, each group living apart from the others. Ms. Roth calls these groups factions, and has names for each: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless and Erudite. She carefully describes the \"philosophical\" inclinations of each group, but does not detail the interconnectedness in this utopian world and how each group fits in to contribute to the social, political and economic structure of the world.\n\nThe story unfolds around a girl who comes from Abnegation, and has chosen the faction of Dauntless as her adult place, once she has gone through the various rituals necessary for the entrance into this faction. There is an evaluation that is made of the person, by using their responses to scenarios in virtual settings that seem to be created partially by using drugs, and partly by computer interface with the brains of the people being assessed. In this sense, the world the book describes is not simply some utopian world, but one in which the technology and science seems to be somewhat extrapolated from the actual world. Although assessments of each person are made, it is clear that they are free ultimately to choose the faction they are interested in for their adult lives. Although the story is a first-person narrative, told from the viewpoint of the girl, whose name is Tris (a name, incidentally, that one chooses when one selects a faction), it is made clear that the choice of faction is an extremely serious matter, and that not everyone succeeds in getting through the rite of passage. In fact, there is an entire group of \"factionless\" adults in this world, whose role in the society is very limited, and individuals in this group appear to lead the lives of aimless vagabonds (at least that is how they are portrayed).\n\nOne quickly recognizes that although this is largely a utopian world, it is also an extremely harsh world in which people who choose a certain faction, in the hurdles they must overcome, are given no special treatment over the people who grew up in that faction and chose it. An outsider is trained in the ways of the faction, but the rite itself is a sorting-out process for the \"best fit\" among the candidates going through the rituals of entry into the adult world of the faction. This is a filtering process, and the \"unfit\" are gradually weeded out, with failure signifying their death or maiming sometimes, and the standards of the faction not being completely ethical or moral standards, so that really, quite hard, cold people who are prone to violence, can succeed in becoming members of a particular faction. Many start in this process, but few are selected, and selection depends on a combination of fitness and luck. Tris, who grew up in the Abnegation faction, and therefore knew of the Dauntless faction only as an outsider, turns out to be rather well suited for Dauntless. It is of some interest that Ms. Roth chose to sculpt this main character in ways that are not always appealing.\n\nThis utopia gets people placed in neat boxes, and then all runs smoothly. Love and romance has its little acknowledged biological role to play, and the Ms. Roth develops some nice romances in the course of the novel. However, mostly one is witnessing the fine workings out of biological evolution and the survival of the fittest.\n\nUnfortunately, something awful is happening in this stagnant world, somewhat associated with the fact that Tris is \"divergent\". The word \"divergent\" is puzzling to Tris, and to us, but as a sequence of terrible events unfold, intruding in everyone's lives, we understand that something pretty interesting has been boiling beneath the surface of this world. However, what it is, and the fearsome turn of events is not resolved by the end of the novel. This involves us in quite a bit of excitement and mystery, and makes the latter part of the book packed with action that draws the reader in. I have to say, it certainly piqued my interest in reading the second volume of the series.\n\nI can recommend the book, for the action, the engaging romance, and for the interesting utopia of interconnected \"factions\" that Ms. Roth has created. The disturbing turn of events toward the end of the book leads one to wonder what the \"flaw\" is in this seemingly ideal world. One feels that there is something terrible and crushing at stake here.","Product: Can Agatha and Sophie find the perfect ending to their story in this epic conclusion to this bestselling series. Once best friends, Agatha and Sophie were pulled apart like strangers, each in the arms of a boy, Good with Good, Evil with Evil...is their friendship lost forever after...But as they settle into their new lives, their story begs to be re-written, and this time, theirs isn't the only one. With the girls apart, Evil has taken over and the villains of the past have come back to change their tales and turn the world of Good and Evil upside down. With Evers being murdered and Nevers reigning supreme, the girls need to restore the balance, find the end to their story, and-hopefully-become friends again\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: the power of love\n\nReview: I was very impressed with this book. The underlying idea being developed in the book, in my view, seemed to be that each of us is like a garden containing the seeds of both good and evil. Then, a lot depends on the particular circumstances of our lives. If one finds oneself in the school of Good, the good is nourished, and the evil is not, while, on the other hand, to find oneself in the school of Evil, evil will be nourished. Thus, one expects little love between those for whom good has fluorished and those growing in an environment that favors evil in this fairy tale, but two friends who love each other and find themselves in different schools (and contrary to appearances) experience the power of love to cross almost uncrossable gaps.","Product: Dataclysm, an unprecedented deluge of digital information reshaping our view of the world. Christian Rudder maps and charts this data from out online wanderings resulting in a new way of looking at human behavior.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: has some worthwhile insights\n\nReview: This book addresses the significance, statistically, for understanding people from online data. The author paints with a broad, superficial brush, and has several useful ideas about data analysis. He had been a math major in college, and so he has a fairly good background to address mathematical questions in a meaningful way, without discussing math explicitly. I found reading the book went remarkably rapidly: Intellectually, there does not seem to be much to it. But as far as providing some insight into analyzing big data from a pop culture point of view, it is satisfactory. It deals with timely, fashionable topics in an informative fashion, and so can be recommended for anyone interested in the social implications of big data. At this point in time, the data clearly does not tell us who we are: it is still much too superficial. Mr. Rudder makes us aware that there will be much more significant possibilities, from his graphs and tables. The book holds a few useful insights. I do not think that one can expect much more of a book dedicated to statistical studies, which eschews virtually all explicit mathematical references.","Product: Who Moved My Cheese? is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them and make them happy. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life - whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money or a possession, health or spirital peace of mind. And the maze is where you look for what you want - the organisation you work in, or the family or community you live in. This profound book from bestselling author, Spencer Johnson, will show you how to anticipate change, adapt to change quickly, enjoy change and be ready to change quickly again and again. Discover the secret for yourself and learn how to deal with change, so that you suffer from less stress and enjoy more success in your work and in life. Written for all ages, this story takes less than an hour to read, but its unique insights can last for a lifetime.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: superficial, but potentially helpful for the young and naive to face dependency\n\nReview: This book seems to be addressed to a younger generation than mine. It is about being given something (perhaps not a physical thing) that is nourishing and just lasts a while. Then, we are forced to face the reality of deficiency and that we are nothing special, and wander through life's maze, with uncertainties, ambiguities and risks. This maze is, more often than not, a \"desert of the real\". We all have problems facing reality, facing the pain of existence, and wandering alone sometimes, when our sustenance has been lost. This is especially picked up on in post-apocalyptic fiction. Sometimes we have to encounter the harshness of being nothing special or significant in the vastness of the world. A few harsh incidents like that can really shake a person. This is especially true about the puzzle of existence and facing our mortality. More often than not, people just nourish themselves on dreams and illusions. While I cannot recommend this book for adults of my generation, I think that it has a lot of relevance for children and for young people who have been given a lot in some ways. It is very helpful on putting a perspective on problems with addictions and dependencies, especially for the young and naive. It is much too superficial to lend much insight for older people.","Product: EXPANDED THIRD EDITION includes Charlie's 2007 USC Law School Commencement address. Edited by Peter D. Kaufman. Brand New.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: insights into particularly powerful and practical points of view\n\nReview: I felt that Mr. Munger and the others who contributed to this book really communicated a feel for someone who had a brilliant mind, and acquired practical wisdom from a very young age. His clear practical perspective, ability to synthesize many disparate elements into a coherent theory, and his broad, multidisciplinary, far-reaching approach to life come through very clearly. I think, too, one gets a sense of someone who wants to make the world a better place. I struggled in places, because I am unfamiliar with the business world that he haunted most of his career. On the other hand, I do feel that I learned some significant things about business and investing. I thought his attacks on the lack of practicality in the science of psychology also helped me to see a little better his points of view on life. The idea of going down a check list and the idea of using a lattice of theories to help him seemed very important. His quickness and brilliance shines through in this book, despite the fact that he was not young when he worked on it. There is also a sense in which he avoids and has been able to avoid some of the very painful sides to life that many other people have not. The book displays the impact of a thinker very broad, quick and brilliant in scope. I can recommend the book on this basis, as it does give some insight into a particular way of life and an effective, powerful and practical point of view.","Product: 'What is a self, and how can a self come out of inaminate matter?' This is the riddle that drove Hofstadter to write this extraordinary book. Linking together the music of J.S. Bach, the graphic art of Escher and the mathematical theorems of Godel, as well as ideas drawn from logic, biology, psychology, physics and linguistics, Douglas Hofstadter illuminates one of the greatest mysteries of modern science: the nature of human thought processes. 'Every few decades an unknown author brings outa book of such depth, clarity, range, wit, beauty and originality that it is recognized at once as a major literary event. This is such a work' - Martin Gardner.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: a work of great brilliance and originality\n\nReview: Overall, Godel, Escher and Bach was pretty interesting. I am much more familiar with mathematics and mathematical logic than with art or music, so I did not understand all discussions in those latter areas. This was especially true with respect to music, as I have only a slight acquaintance with the technical references made in the book. The author, overall, displayed a lot of enthusiasm for connecting math, logic, computer science, art and music, especially with respect to the works of Godel, Escher and Bach. Unfortunately, he does not always explain concepts or terminology well enough to understand adequately what he is writing about. I think, to a certain extent, however, he does try to give explanations, heuristics and didactic material. For a popular book, that addresses fairly technical material, I think he does about as well as one can, short of writing a textbook intended for a technically sophisticated audience.\n\nDr. Hofstadter made quite a bit of effort to explain some of the technical aspects of Godels important work, and some of the related math, logic and computer science. In this sense, his book seemed to be partly intended to teach some of the technical facets of these areas in a way that a popular audience could benefit from. I do think, however, that without some background in math or logic, some of his semi-technical discussion would be hard to follow and learn from. Also, as the book was originally published in 1979, it is now dated in some ways with respect to computer science. But I think the work of Godel remains very important, as well as its influence on the evolution of computer science, and Godel's work is still not that well known, so that this book remains worth reading for its technical insights, despite the fact that computer science has progressed enormously since 1979.\n\nThe point of view of the author is one of a significant level of sophistication, especially with respect to computer science. The focus is very much on self-reference, and levels of abstraction. This is more meaningful for idealizations and abstractions, rather than the reality of human experience. The author does try to address the importance for real concerns. Dr. Hofstadter feels that the self-referential aspect of logic, mathematics and language, even between different levels of abstraction, gives us huge insights into the workings of intelligence and the nature of consciousness. He refers to this as loops, as with loops in computer programs, and the unusual characteristics that can arise in considering such loops, as strange loops. He uses numerous analogies between computer science and art or music to sharpen our awareness of the significance of these loops. In computer science, he relates this to the notion of recursion. There is a lot of complexity involved in this, and Dr. Hofstadter uses amusing dialogues to help us appreciate this. He is also very playful, using many puns and metaphors. At times, this can seem rather strained, but overall the effect is fairly enlightening.\n\nWould I recommend this book? Well, the major detractors in recommending the book are that some of it is dated with respect to computer science, the author sometimes comes across as a sophisticated amateur or diletante without deep insight, signalled by numerous digressions, outside the main focus of his concerns, and lastly, these digressions have led, overall, to a very lengthy book at over 700 pages. It is the case, however, that he displays brilliance and the workings of a very sharp mind, that often penetrate to insights that are still worth reading about. I think that, especially, if one is curious about the evolution of computer science, and a very interesting and valuable point of view on Godels work in mathematical logic, which was one of the major achievements of the twentieth century, and penetrates deeply into modern computer science, this book can still be highly recommended. It is a somewhat unique work of great brilliance and originality, written out of the exuberance of youth, and can also be fun to read in parts.","Product: Uncle Petros is a family joke - an ageing recluse in a suburb of Athens, playing chess and gardening. His young nephew soon discovers his uncle was once a celebrated mathematician who staked all on solving the problem of Goldbach's Conjecture.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: a secretive obsession directed toward an esoteric goal\n\nReview: This book tells the story of a man, who at a young age, was identified and fostered as a math prodigy. He focused, in his young life, on trying to solve Goldbach's conjecture. This choice led to much directed effort on his part, where he produced some good mathematical work (which he kept secret). This pursuit eventually proved totally defeating, and he lived the latter part of his life as someone who felt embittered \"by the system\". It seemed clear that he would have had a chance to live a much more successful, richer life as a mathematician had he been open about his projects with his working companions. He had the great fortune to have worked with some of the greats of the twentieth century in mathematics, such as Ramanujan and Hardy. This was a tale that his nephew worked out. In the process, he was hurt unfairly by the bitterness of his uncle. It is the case, however, that I came away feeling that the nephew had grown greatly as a person in unraveling this tale. I feel this gives some insight into the behavior of certain mathematicians, perhaps of Ramanujan, himself. There is a sense of a person embarked obsessively, on a secretive endeavor, that has great potential for enriching an entire field. I recommend this as a book that gives some insight into the secretive obsession that is sometimes an indicator of genius. Goldbach's conjecture is a good basis for such a tale, because it is very easy to understand, and its formidable difficulty can also be easy to understand. Why do people chase these relatively esoteric goals? We get, I think, a little insight into this."],"string":"[\n \"Product: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock star in this award-winning sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarn. Seasoned astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) is on his final mission in space, while medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is making her first outing on the NASA Space Shuttle Explorer. While they are engaged in extra-vehicular activity, debris collides into the shuttle, damaging it irreparably. Kowalsky and Stone now find themselves drifting in space with low oxygen supplies and cut off from all communication on Earth. They work together in their attempt to survive but will they make it back to solid ground? The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won seven including Best Cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki), Best Director (Cuarn) and Best Original Score (Steven Price), and also picked up the Golden Globe for Best Director and BAFTAs for Best Director and Outstanding British Film.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: superb acting and special effects\\n\\nReview: The performances in this movie were superb, and the special effects extremely interesting. I interpreted the movie as something of a depiction of an avatar experience for the woman astronaut, since the circumstances presented were so obviously impossible to survive. It is interesting to think that the ability to realistically depict physics and make magical extrapolations seamlessly that introduce fantasy point to great improvements that have been made in movie-making in recent years, and the possibility that it will not be long before, at least for wealthy individuals able to afford it, such exciting avatar experiences may be open not just as movie depictions, but seamlessly woven into individual lives to experience fantasy-worlds in a realistic way. This film points in a new direction for imagination, from books, to movies, to actual immersion in a \\\"fantasy experience\\\".\",\n \"Product: Astrophysicist Mario Livio, along with a colorful cast of mathematicians, physicists, and engineers, follow math from Pythagoras to Einstein and beyond, all leading to the ultimate riddle: Is math an invention or a discovery? Humankinds clever trick, or the language of the universe? Join NOVA for a mathematical mystery toura provocative exploration of maths astonishing power across the centuries.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: a good visual illustration of an important mystery\\n\\nReview: This program explores the idea that math is more than a language or tool for the scientist or an art or game for the mathematician, but, in itself, expresses a science, i.e. that axioms, definitions, theorems and proofs are not just logical and artistic creations, but are also discoveries about the world. This is a bit subtle, because the ancient Pythagoreans and Plato saw math not simply as a science of the natural world, but of an ideal world, inaccessible to the senses but not the intellect. Much of the choice of topics in the program were very elementary, directed more toward children than the educated adult. It is interesting that computation was not much discussed. However, the potential for turning mathematics into a science, even if it is not that now, has certainly grown exponentially with the consequences of the computer revolution. Although this was not discussed, the film is nonetheless of very broad scope. The mystery of the nature of mathematics is a deep one, and it is important to be aware of it. Therefore, I recommend this film, not just for children, but for others who perhaps are interested in math, but are not themselves mathematicians or scientists. Even I, as someone who is fairly knowledgeable about this mystery, found the show visually interesting, even if much of it was reviewing ideas with which I am already quite familiar.\",\n \"Product: Neuroscientist David Eagleman explores the wonders of the human brain in an epic series that reveals the ultimate story of us, why we feel and think the things we do. This ambitious project blends science with innovative visual effects and compelling personal stories, and addresses some big questions. By understanding the human brain, we can come close to understanding humanity.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: an important view from the science of the brain\\n\\nReview: I read the book by Prof. Eagleman associated with this PBS series. The book was very informative and interesting. Nevertheless, it was very worthwhile to have watched this series of lectures on the brain, illustrating very well the discussions in the book. The speculative science opened up by the modern biological investigations of the brain add an entire dimension to classical problems from literature and philosophy, and other areas of the humanities and social sciences. It is interesting to consider that basic neuroscience may answer, from a biological perspective, some of the most perplexing problems about human beings. Questions about who and what we are seem, to some extent, to be addressed by neuroscience. A fascinating, if perhaps a little disturbing, aspect of this series, is its final episode, in which the future of humanity is considered. I strongly recommend this series for its timeliness and its scientific and speculative point of view. The investigations of the brain are unlocking something miraculous about life. When one puts this into perspective with the rest of biology, it is part of a science that has opened our eyes to the wonder and miracle of life. I think it is important to recognize that the brain is just one of our organs. It is remarkable to consider that, as organisms, we are systems of wondrous organs like the brain.\",\n \"Product: Oxford Blank Index Cards are blank on both sides for versatile, reversible study. The classic 3\\\" x 5\\\" size is perfect for on-the-go study, presentations or liststhe ultimate life hack for successful preparation! Proudly made in the USA. White. 300 Per pack.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: appropriate for certain uses\\n\\nReview: These cards have been extremely useful to me in organizing my notes. There are just about the ideal size to be compactly stored, and yet permit one to describe a significant concept or idea on a single card. I recommend these cards to people who must take notes on relatively difficult subjects, and wish to have a more accessible and better-organized form than original notes. At this point in time, and for a relatively high level of compact organization, these cards are, for the most part, even superior to storing notes on a computer. There is, of course, the trade-off that one need not store hard copies of notes when one has a computer, but for certain levels of organization, it is appropriate to have notes in compact, well-organized chunks represented by notes on these cards.\",\n \"Product: Book by Feist, Raymond E.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: the illusion of tradition\\n\\nReview: This book is about young people reaching adulthood in a world of tradition about to be overrun by change and uncertainty. The world of tradition offers modest opportunities for the young, but it also gives their lives a certain predictability. This is shattered by the coming of the rift in space and time that connects their world to an alien world, and the ensuing struggles and wars start to shatter the cocoon of tradition. The result is that this book sets the stage for a sequel: What does the coming of this chaos mean for their lives and for their world? One has a sense of time \\\"before\\\" the establishment of the \\\"traditions\\\", i.e. that even the traditions were not as stable and comfortable as they originally seemed to the young people in the tale. While the book is perhaps not as exciting a tale of adventure as some might want, it was interesting and well-written, with well-drawn characters, and it does pull you into their world, a world seemingly on the edge of change and chaos. It did draw me in, enough for me, that I was intent on reading the second volume in the series.\",\n \"Product: One choice can transform you. Pass initiation. Do not fail! Thrilling urban dystopian fiction debut from exciting young author. In sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior's world, society is divided into five factions -- Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent) -- each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, in the attempt to form a \\\"perfect society.\\\" At the age of sixteen, teens must choose the faction to which they will devote their lives. On her Choosing Day, Beatrice renames herself Tris, rejects her family's group, and chooses another faction. After surviving a brutal initiation, Tris finds romance with a super-hot boy, but also discovers unrest and growing conflict in their seemingly \\\"perfect society.\\\" To survive and save those they love, they must use their strengths to uncover the truths about their identities, their families, and the order of their society itself.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: a dark utopian vision\\n\\nReview: This book concerns adolescent \\\"rite of passage\\\" into the adult world, and depicts a \\\"utopian\\\" world in which the specific types of adult activities are grouped, and the groups correspond to physical groupings of people, each group living apart from the others. Ms. Roth calls these groups factions, and has names for each: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless and Erudite. She carefully describes the \\\"philosophical\\\" inclinations of each group, but does not detail the interconnectedness in this utopian world and how each group fits in to contribute to the social, political and economic structure of the world.\\n\\nThe story unfolds around a girl who comes from Abnegation, and has chosen the faction of Dauntless as her adult place, once she has gone through the various rituals necessary for the entrance into this faction. There is an evaluation that is made of the person, by using their responses to scenarios in virtual settings that seem to be created partially by using drugs, and partly by computer interface with the brains of the people being assessed. In this sense, the world the book describes is not simply some utopian world, but one in which the technology and science seems to be somewhat extrapolated from the actual world. Although assessments of each person are made, it is clear that they are free ultimately to choose the faction they are interested in for their adult lives. Although the story is a first-person narrative, told from the viewpoint of the girl, whose name is Tris (a name, incidentally, that one chooses when one selects a faction), it is made clear that the choice of faction is an extremely serious matter, and that not everyone succeeds in getting through the rite of passage. In fact, there is an entire group of \\\"factionless\\\" adults in this world, whose role in the society is very limited, and individuals in this group appear to lead the lives of aimless vagabonds (at least that is how they are portrayed).\\n\\nOne quickly recognizes that although this is largely a utopian world, it is also an extremely harsh world in which people who choose a certain faction, in the hurdles they must overcome, are given no special treatment over the people who grew up in that faction and chose it. An outsider is trained in the ways of the faction, but the rite itself is a sorting-out process for the \\\"best fit\\\" among the candidates going through the rituals of entry into the adult world of the faction. This is a filtering process, and the \\\"unfit\\\" are gradually weeded out, with failure signifying their death or maiming sometimes, and the standards of the faction not being completely ethical or moral standards, so that really, quite hard, cold people who are prone to violence, can succeed in becoming members of a particular faction. Many start in this process, but few are selected, and selection depends on a combination of fitness and luck. Tris, who grew up in the Abnegation faction, and therefore knew of the Dauntless faction only as an outsider, turns out to be rather well suited for Dauntless. It is of some interest that Ms. Roth chose to sculpt this main character in ways that are not always appealing.\\n\\nThis utopia gets people placed in neat boxes, and then all runs smoothly. Love and romance has its little acknowledged biological role to play, and the Ms. Roth develops some nice romances in the course of the novel. However, mostly one is witnessing the fine workings out of biological evolution and the survival of the fittest.\\n\\nUnfortunately, something awful is happening in this stagnant world, somewhat associated with the fact that Tris is \\\"divergent\\\". The word \\\"divergent\\\" is puzzling to Tris, and to us, but as a sequence of terrible events unfold, intruding in everyone's lives, we understand that something pretty interesting has been boiling beneath the surface of this world. However, what it is, and the fearsome turn of events is not resolved by the end of the novel. This involves us in quite a bit of excitement and mystery, and makes the latter part of the book packed with action that draws the reader in. I have to say, it certainly piqued my interest in reading the second volume of the series.\\n\\nI can recommend the book, for the action, the engaging romance, and for the interesting utopia of interconnected \\\"factions\\\" that Ms. Roth has created. The disturbing turn of events toward the end of the book leads one to wonder what the \\\"flaw\\\" is in this seemingly ideal world. One feels that there is something terrible and crushing at stake here.\",\n \"Product: Can Agatha and Sophie find the perfect ending to their story in this epic conclusion to this bestselling series. Once best friends, Agatha and Sophie were pulled apart like strangers, each in the arms of a boy, Good with Good, Evil with Evil...is their friendship lost forever after...But as they settle into their new lives, their story begs to be re-written, and this time, theirs isn't the only one. With the girls apart, Evil has taken over and the villains of the past have come back to change their tales and turn the world of Good and Evil upside down. With Evers being murdered and Nevers reigning supreme, the girls need to restore the balance, find the end to their story, and-hopefully-become friends again\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: the power of love\\n\\nReview: I was very impressed with this book. The underlying idea being developed in the book, in my view, seemed to be that each of us is like a garden containing the seeds of both good and evil. Then, a lot depends on the particular circumstances of our lives. If one finds oneself in the school of Good, the good is nourished, and the evil is not, while, on the other hand, to find oneself in the school of Evil, evil will be nourished. Thus, one expects little love between those for whom good has fluorished and those growing in an environment that favors evil in this fairy tale, but two friends who love each other and find themselves in different schools (and contrary to appearances) experience the power of love to cross almost uncrossable gaps.\",\n \"Product: Dataclysm, an unprecedented deluge of digital information reshaping our view of the world. Christian Rudder maps and charts this data from out online wanderings resulting in a new way of looking at human behavior.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: has some worthwhile insights\\n\\nReview: This book addresses the significance, statistically, for understanding people from online data. The author paints with a broad, superficial brush, and has several useful ideas about data analysis. He had been a math major in college, and so he has a fairly good background to address mathematical questions in a meaningful way, without discussing math explicitly. I found reading the book went remarkably rapidly: Intellectually, there does not seem to be much to it. But as far as providing some insight into analyzing big data from a pop culture point of view, it is satisfactory. It deals with timely, fashionable topics in an informative fashion, and so can be recommended for anyone interested in the social implications of big data. At this point in time, the data clearly does not tell us who we are: it is still much too superficial. Mr. Rudder makes us aware that there will be much more significant possibilities, from his graphs and tables. The book holds a few useful insights. I do not think that one can expect much more of a book dedicated to statistical studies, which eschews virtually all explicit mathematical references.\",\n \"Product: Who Moved My Cheese? is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them and make them happy. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life - whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money or a possession, health or spirital peace of mind. And the maze is where you look for what you want - the organisation you work in, or the family or community you live in. This profound book from bestselling author, Spencer Johnson, will show you how to anticipate change, adapt to change quickly, enjoy change and be ready to change quickly again and again. Discover the secret for yourself and learn how to deal with change, so that you suffer from less stress and enjoy more success in your work and in life. Written for all ages, this story takes less than an hour to read, but its unique insights can last for a lifetime.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: superficial, but potentially helpful for the young and naive to face dependency\\n\\nReview: This book seems to be addressed to a younger generation than mine. It is about being given something (perhaps not a physical thing) that is nourishing and just lasts a while. Then, we are forced to face the reality of deficiency and that we are nothing special, and wander through life's maze, with uncertainties, ambiguities and risks. This maze is, more often than not, a \\\"desert of the real\\\". We all have problems facing reality, facing the pain of existence, and wandering alone sometimes, when our sustenance has been lost. This is especially picked up on in post-apocalyptic fiction. Sometimes we have to encounter the harshness of being nothing special or significant in the vastness of the world. A few harsh incidents like that can really shake a person. This is especially true about the puzzle of existence and facing our mortality. More often than not, people just nourish themselves on dreams and illusions. While I cannot recommend this book for adults of my generation, I think that it has a lot of relevance for children and for young people who have been given a lot in some ways. It is very helpful on putting a perspective on problems with addictions and dependencies, especially for the young and naive. It is much too superficial to lend much insight for older people.\",\n \"Product: EXPANDED THIRD EDITION includes Charlie's 2007 USC Law School Commencement address. Edited by Peter D. Kaufman. Brand New.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: insights into particularly powerful and practical points of view\\n\\nReview: I felt that Mr. Munger and the others who contributed to this book really communicated a feel for someone who had a brilliant mind, and acquired practical wisdom from a very young age. His clear practical perspective, ability to synthesize many disparate elements into a coherent theory, and his broad, multidisciplinary, far-reaching approach to life come through very clearly. I think, too, one gets a sense of someone who wants to make the world a better place. I struggled in places, because I am unfamiliar with the business world that he haunted most of his career. On the other hand, I do feel that I learned some significant things about business and investing. I thought his attacks on the lack of practicality in the science of psychology also helped me to see a little better his points of view on life. The idea of going down a check list and the idea of using a lattice of theories to help him seemed very important. His quickness and brilliance shines through in this book, despite the fact that he was not young when he worked on it. There is also a sense in which he avoids and has been able to avoid some of the very painful sides to life that many other people have not. The book displays the impact of a thinker very broad, quick and brilliant in scope. I can recommend the book on this basis, as it does give some insight into a particular way of life and an effective, powerful and practical point of view.\",\n \"Product: 'What is a self, and how can a self come out of inaminate matter?' This is the riddle that drove Hofstadter to write this extraordinary book. Linking together the music of J.S. Bach, the graphic art of Escher and the mathematical theorems of Godel, as well as ideas drawn from logic, biology, psychology, physics and linguistics, Douglas Hofstadter illuminates one of the greatest mysteries of modern science: the nature of human thought processes. 'Every few decades an unknown author brings outa book of such depth, clarity, range, wit, beauty and originality that it is recognized at once as a major literary event. This is such a work' - Martin Gardner.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: a work of great brilliance and originality\\n\\nReview: Overall, Godel, Escher and Bach was pretty interesting. I am much more familiar with mathematics and mathematical logic than with art or music, so I did not understand all discussions in those latter areas. This was especially true with respect to music, as I have only a slight acquaintance with the technical references made in the book. The author, overall, displayed a lot of enthusiasm for connecting math, logic, computer science, art and music, especially with respect to the works of Godel, Escher and Bach. Unfortunately, he does not always explain concepts or terminology well enough to understand adequately what he is writing about. I think, to a certain extent, however, he does try to give explanations, heuristics and didactic material. For a popular book, that addresses fairly technical material, I think he does about as well as one can, short of writing a textbook intended for a technically sophisticated audience.\\n\\nDr. Hofstadter made quite a bit of effort to explain some of the technical aspects of Godels important work, and some of the related math, logic and computer science. In this sense, his book seemed to be partly intended to teach some of the technical facets of these areas in a way that a popular audience could benefit from. I do think, however, that without some background in math or logic, some of his semi-technical discussion would be hard to follow and learn from. Also, as the book was originally published in 1979, it is now dated in some ways with respect to computer science. But I think the work of Godel remains very important, as well as its influence on the evolution of computer science, and Godel's work is still not that well known, so that this book remains worth reading for its technical insights, despite the fact that computer science has progressed enormously since 1979.\\n\\nThe point of view of the author is one of a significant level of sophistication, especially with respect to computer science. The focus is very much on self-reference, and levels of abstraction. This is more meaningful for idealizations and abstractions, rather than the reality of human experience. The author does try to address the importance for real concerns. Dr. Hofstadter feels that the self-referential aspect of logic, mathematics and language, even between different levels of abstraction, gives us huge insights into the workings of intelligence and the nature of consciousness. He refers to this as loops, as with loops in computer programs, and the unusual characteristics that can arise in considering such loops, as strange loops. He uses numerous analogies between computer science and art or music to sharpen our awareness of the significance of these loops. In computer science, he relates this to the notion of recursion. There is a lot of complexity involved in this, and Dr. Hofstadter uses amusing dialogues to help us appreciate this. He is also very playful, using many puns and metaphors. At times, this can seem rather strained, but overall the effect is fairly enlightening.\\n\\nWould I recommend this book? Well, the major detractors in recommending the book are that some of it is dated with respect to computer science, the author sometimes comes across as a sophisticated amateur or diletante without deep insight, signalled by numerous digressions, outside the main focus of his concerns, and lastly, these digressions have led, overall, to a very lengthy book at over 700 pages. It is the case, however, that he displays brilliance and the workings of a very sharp mind, that often penetrate to insights that are still worth reading about. I think that, especially, if one is curious about the evolution of computer science, and a very interesting and valuable point of view on Godels work in mathematical logic, which was one of the major achievements of the twentieth century, and penetrates deeply into modern computer science, this book can still be highly recommended. It is a somewhat unique work of great brilliance and originality, written out of the exuberance of youth, and can also be fun to read in parts.\",\n \"Product: Uncle Petros is a family joke - an ageing recluse in a suburb of Athens, playing chess and gardening. His young nephew soon discovers his uncle was once a celebrated mathematician who staked all on solving the problem of Goldbach's Conjecture.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: a secretive obsession directed toward an esoteric goal\\n\\nReview: This book tells the story of a man, who at a young age, was identified and fostered as a math prodigy. He focused, in his young life, on trying to solve Goldbach's conjecture. This choice led to much directed effort on his part, where he produced some good mathematical work (which he kept secret). This pursuit eventually proved totally defeating, and he lived the latter part of his life as someone who felt embittered \\\"by the system\\\". It seemed clear that he would have had a chance to live a much more successful, richer life as a mathematician had he been open about his projects with his working companions. He had the great fortune to have worked with some of the greats of the twentieth century in mathematics, such as Ramanujan and Hardy. This was a tale that his nephew worked out. In the process, he was hurt unfairly by the bitterness of his uncle. It is the case, however, that I came away feeling that the nephew had grown greatly as a person in unraveling this tale. I feel this gives some insight into the behavior of certain mathematicians, perhaps of Ramanujan, himself. There is a sense of a person embarked obsessively, on a secretive endeavor, that has great potential for enriching an entire field. I recommend this as a book that gives some insight into the secretive obsession that is sometimes an indicator of genius. Goldbach's conjecture is a good basis for such a tale, because it is very easy to understand, and its formidable difficulty can also be easy to understand. Why do people chase these relatively esoteric goals? We get, I think, a little insight into this.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":12,"string":"12"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1781,"string":"1,781"}}},{"rowIdx":1782,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A1UINGIK3UG77D"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"Emerson Eggerichs and his wife Sarah travel the country conducting the Love and Respect marriage conferences. Before launching Love and Respect Ministries, Emerson was senior pastor of Trinity Church in East Lansing, Michigan, for nearly twenty years. Emerson received his B.A. in Biblical Studies and M.A. in Communications from Wheaton College and Graduate School. He was later awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Dubuque Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Child and Family Ecology from Michigan State University. Married since 1973, he and Sarah have three adult children. He is the president of Love and Respect Ministries.\". The summary of the review text is \"More on Love & Respect\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"The most recent in the Love & Respect family is a fine edition to expand on how men and women should communicate. Remembering that, in general, men want respect and women want love is the basis for how we should communicate, according to the author. This is a book based on Christian principles, and the \"rewarded\" cycle where God alone may reward you for speaking respectfully to your husband no matter what or lovingly to your wife no matter what will not impress those who do not believe in God. In the \"energized\" cycle, both halves of a couple do their part to be respectful/loving, both are forgiving of mistakes, and both benefit from a healthier relationship.\n\nThe acronyms are annoying and repetitive without being necessarily helpful memory aids. Also, this is a book about generalities. Because most men or women think something does not necessarily mean your particular mate will think the same thing. I would say that talking with your mate while reading the book is essential for it to work well. If you need a review of the original Love and Respect <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Love-Respect-The-Love-She-Most-Desires-The-Respect-He-Desperately-Needs/dp/1591451876/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs</a>, this book is fine. If haven't read the original, read that first."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"The most recent in the Love & Respect family is a fine edition to expand on how men and women should communicate. Remembering that, in general, men want respect and women want love is the basis for how we should communicate, according to the author. This is a book based on Christian principles, and the \"rewarded\" cycle where God alone may reward you for speaking respectfully to your husband no matter what or lovingly to your wife no matter what will not impress those who do not believe in God. In the \"energized\" cycle, both halves of a couple do their part to be respectful/loving, both are forgiving of mistakes, and both benefit from a healthier relationship.\n\nThe acronyms are annoying and repetitive without being necessarily helpful memory aids. Also, this is a book about generalities. Because most men or women think something does not necessarily mean your particular mate will think the same thing. I would say that talking with your mate while reading the book is essential for it to work well. If you need a review of the original Love and Respect <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Love-Respect-The-Love-She-Most-Desires-The-Respect-He-Desperately-Needs/dp/1591451876/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs</a>, this book is fine. If haven't read the original, read that first."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: The arts and crafts pedestal desk and hutch is made of solid hardwood. Comes with rich cottage oak finish including clear coat finish helps guard against wear and tear from normal use. It has a practical blend of artistry and utility. Designed for home office use with a left pedestal having a CPU storage cabinet and a box drawer and the right pedestal having two box drawers plus a file drawer. It also features a center, drop-front keyboard tray. The hutch provides extra storage without taking up extra floor space. It has an open area with a fixed and adjustable shelf along with two cabinets, each having an adjustable shelf. Easy to assemble. Measures 58-inch width by 25-inch depth by 63-1/2-inch height.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice desk, but lots of e-mails to customer service required\n\nReview: The final product looks like it will be just as pictured. For the most part, the holes are drilled in the correct places; the directions are good; and the pieces are labelled correctly. Unfortunately, the product comes in several boxes, and the quality from box to box varies. The first box was excellent. The second box was OK. The third box was missing a piece and hardware (two right sides of the drawer were included with no left side). The fourth box had a cracked piece. The customer service e-mail address is included with the directions, and they have shipped the pieces needed to complete the desk; but in the meantime, the office has been taken over by a large wooden jigsaw puzzle rather than being finished in a day or two as it could have been if everything had been correct the first time. I'm not sure I would buy this again, but once it is done, I think it will be fine.","Product: Quickly create a sensational homemade meal worth savoring with the Oster Electric Pressure Cooker. This 5 quart Electric Pressure Cooker seals in steam and nutrients to keep foods hotter and healthier. The unit features 6 easy-to-use digital programs to perfectly cook chicken, fish, vegetables, rice, stews, and beef. A 2-hour delay timer allows you to start cooking your food at any time, and the automatic keep warm function will keep your food toasty warm until you are ready to serve it. The 900 watt motor is capable of cooking your food in minutes! Comfortable handles allow for easy grip while moving. Multiple safety features ensure the lid will stay tightly locked while cooking, and the non-stick inner pot allows for easy clean-up afterwards.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Sturdy, easy to use cooker\n\nReview: This is the first pressure cooker I have ever owned, and it has made dinner easier to fix already. The meat cooked in it is more tender than frying and does not require constant tending. It is faster than a crock pot, and the delay timer option is nice (but only works for 2 hours in half hour increments). It has different programs that determine whether food is being cooked on \"low\" or \"high\" and for how long, though you can adjust that manually. (Do not forget the minimum 14 minute warm-up when figuring out delays or not.) I'm not sure that the valves are ever going to come completely clean because they aren't removable, but I can hope that the steam released through them will sterilize any bugs. This is a heavy appliance and takes up quite a bit of room, but the convenience of cooking things that normally take hours in less than a single hour is great. The directions give a few recipes, but I imagine almost any \"slow cooker\" recipe would work. The actual maximum fill volume is 2/3 of the inside pot, so this might not be a good option for a large family (or one with teenage boys).\n\nCleaning the inside of the top cover and around the plastic valves is a \"hand wash only\" job, but just pulling the tiny handle opens the top to make that easier.\n\nI think this particular addition to my cooking tools arsenal will be very helpful once school starts, as I'll be able to fix things when I get home to be ready at dinner time rather than having to start crock pot meals before I leave in the morning. So far, a nice addition to the kitchen.","Product: At Ado, our goal is to develop lifestyle accessories for kitchen and table top, which combine highest quality standards with aesthetic and functional design. Products made for now. All Ado Mills have a high efficiency ceramic grinder made of hi-tech ceramic that has been burned at 1600Degree, making it 30% harder than Steel. All mills are spring loaded for easy operation. Corrosion & wear-free as ceramic is resistant to acids, oils and salts, the grinding mechanism. Due to its strength it can easily break down coarse materials such as Salt, Pepper & dried spices. Odor & taste free, ceramic does not absorb any food elements, offering multiple uses for each mill. All pepper mills work the same way: A grooved and serrated rotating nut, which is attached to a metal shaft, fits into a stationary, serrated ring. As the nut rotates, its grooved channels lead peppercorns toward the serrations (on both the ring and the nut), first cracking then slicing the peppercorns between them. When the adjustment knob is turned, the spring at the center presses the nut and the ring together to change the grind size: tighter for fine, looser for coarse. Our mills have well-proportioned springs that allow the ring and nut to be cranked to just the right distance for the ideal grind.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: No instructions, but I figured it out\n\nReview: I've never used a pepper mill quite like this one. After pulling out the wood top, one can pour spices to be ground (I picked black peppercorns) into the small hole at the top. There are 5 grinds, with 1 being quite fine. Be careful when you turn the selector, as the edges are not rounded. I have no idea how the mill works inside as it does not seem to come apart in any way...cleaning would not be possible, and changing spices might take a while for the first one to work out before the second was pure. It does grind easily and produces nice ground pepper (in my case). If you like to grind your small sized spices, this mill could be for you.","Product: Neato Botvac D Series Robot Vacuum for Everyday Cleaning\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Cute little robot vac\n\nReview: Our house has hardwood floors and other non-carpet on the area where Neato has been working, and it still gets an amazing amount of dirt, dust, an dog hair when it cleans. It does a pretty good job on the baseboards, and it is definitely efficient in the rectangular rooms. Unfortunately, it cannot be left on its own to clean as it has gotten stuck at least once every time I've run it. It doesn't quit cleaning, even when it is finished and has a tendency to \"start over\" in the dining room, even when it has cleaned that room thoroughly. I've taken to putting the chairs on top of the table so that it can just do the room and leave. It will try to get under all the chairs, and the banging and turning and trouble it has aren't worth it. The \"boundaries\" work well, though I could have used more than 15 feet of boundary strip. The menus are OK, but they don't always move when I touch them. Neato can work on the floors while I work on other things, and that is great. If you can be available to help the little guy out when he gets stuck, Neato can get rid of floor dirt for you.","Product: Zak! Designs brings you an innovative solution for hydration tracking with the re-usable HydraTrak Tumbler. Staying hydrated is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and any weight loss program. It can be challenging to keep enough water by your side and to track how much you have actually consumed over the course of the day is even more difficult. This insulated tumbler makes the whole process easy to do! It comes with 8 silicone bands that are integrated into the design and are intended to help monitor how many ounces of water you drink. Every time you finish the 20 oz. tumbler, roll one band up to the top of the tumbler or slip it on your wrist as bracelet; by the end of the day you can count the number of bands at the top of the cup or on your wrist and do a quick calculation of your fluid intake! The tumbler is insulated with double wall construction so it will keep your drinks colder longer and will eliminate condensation, reducing damage to table tops or fabrics. The lid has a silicone gasket, for a solid, secure and leak-proof seal with a straw for convenient sipping. The built in silicone stopper prevents the straw from falling out and use it for spill proof travel, just remove the straw and plug the hole with the stopper. The 20 oz. tumbler measures 9.25-inches high and 2.75-inches in diameter; it fits in most car cup holders so you can use it to stay hydrated while on the go, at the gym, office or at home! It is made of BPA-free Tritan plastic, which is durable and break-resistant. It is easy to clean and dishwasher safe; do not use in the microwave. Zak! Designs offers a wide variety of innovative products at the forefront of tabletop trends for contemporary and on-the-go lifestyles. Pieces that are functional, playful, unexpected, spirited, colorful, modern, crisp and clean.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Bands are the best\n\nReview: Colored bands keep track of how many 20 oz bottles you've finished in a day, with a recommendation to finish 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight. Most people will not need all the bands! The straw is necessary to drink from this bottle, and though it does fit in a car's drink holder, it is so top heavy that it tips on most curves. The top of the bottle is just a plastic sealed lid that pushes into the bottle, and the hole through which the straw passes can be sealed...but only if you remove the bottle's cap. Seems an odd design. Bands move easily, and I take mine off for washing. If you are needing to drink more water, especially in a \"desk job\"--no major bottle movement or adjustment through the day required--this would be a fully acceptable BPA free water bottle.","Product: Keys-To-Go is the super slender, uber handy, fit anywhere, go everywhere Bluetooth keyboard. Packs light, types comfortably and wipes clean so you're never at a loss for words.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Tiny, but powerful. Good key feel!\n\nReview: I am super impressed with the touch of this little keyboard--the key response is as nice as much thicker ones. It knows more than I do about the shortcuts on my computer, with a host of icons including music, mail, and photos. It has volume control as well. Some of the keys are shorter than usual, but they are large enough that the part one usually hits is in the right place--backspace, tab, and shift are visibly shorter than a full keyboard, but I'm having no problems with any of them. I'm actually typing this review with fewer mistakes than I do on a regular keyboard. Connection to my bluetooth device was effortless. I think this keyboard is only slightly thicker than my mouse pad! Very nice product!\n\nAlso, the range is amazing. It can type on the upstairs computer from downstairs, around the hall, and certainly anywhere in the room where your bluetooth device is located.","Product: Style Name: Super Mario Brothers; Color: Multicolored. Zak Designs has been committed to making mealtime fun for people around the world. Whether it's through dinnerware and on-the-go products that feature children's favorite characters or tableware and kitchen prep products that represent the latest global fashion statements, Zak gives people the mealtime products that fit their appetites.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Bands are the best\n\nReview: Colored bands keep track of how many 20 oz bottles you've finished in a day, with a recommendation to finish 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight. Most people will not need all the bands! The straw is necessary to drink from this bottle, and though it does fit in a car's drink holder, it is so top heavy that it tips on most curves. The top of the bottle is just a plastic sealed lid that pushes into the bottle, and the hole through which the straw passes can be sealed...but only if you remove the bottle's cap. Seems an odd design. Bands move easily, and I take mine off for washing. If you are needing to drink more water, especially in a \"desk job\"--no major bottle movement or adjustment through the day required--this would be a fully acceptable BPA free water bottle.","Product: Each Swiss+Tech BodyGard ESC 5-in-1 will break out side window glass in an instant; slash through inoperable seat belts without fear of getting cut; flash an emergency signal for help; set off a piercing audio alarm; then light the way with a bright white LED flashlight. These are all quick and easy to do in an emergency with this handy tool. Features include: glass breaker, seat belt cutter, sonic alarm, white LED flashlight, and red emergency flasher. This multitool is great for women's or men's gifts or for automotive or personal security!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not a great \"BodyGard\"\n\nReview: This little tool is not very practical. The lack of any kind of cover on the sonic alarm means that I don't want to carry it in a pocket or purse. The light is OK bright but not great (both white and flashing red). The blade looks sharp, but I'm not about to test it on one of my seatbelts, and the window breaker only works on tempered glass of SIDE windows...not a windshield. I may keep it in the central pocket in my car in case of extreme emergencies, but it is not loud enough for a real screamer, bright enough for a good flash light, nor small enough to fit on my keys for \"every day\" use. Furthermore, the holder for the keys is not as well attached to the body of the tool as I would like for any kind of real security. Not recommended for anything more than a novelty.","Product: Launch your way through cool "glow in the dark" tracks with the Techno Gears Marble Mania Vortex 2.0. The automatic marble launcher is just one feature of this 300+ piece construction set. Fun space sounds, 3-D connectors and glowing channels will have the entire family enjoying this new twist on a traditional marble run. Requires three AA batteries (not included). Ages 8+ years.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Interesting to watch and build\n\nReview: The building of this \"toy\" took about 4 hours for my 8-year-old to build, mostly by herself after the first layer (with which I helped some). The engine that shoots marbles up works most of the time, but the marbles hang occasionally in the loop (even with added supports that were not in the directions). This is NOT really a \"toy\" with which to be played but more of a 3D puzzle with directions. If you think \"complicated legos,\" you will have the right idea. The instructions were color coded and mostly clear, though they definitely require excellent 3D perception for the Vortex to work correctly. Sometimes the marbles jump the track, and sometimes they get stuck. This is not the most wonderful marble run I've seen, and you will NOT want to rearrange it after it is built...not that you could do so easily. The pieces were both difficult to snap together and difficult to snap apart if a mistake was made. I can see this as a display on a counter in a physics class, but as a toy, it really doesn't work.","Product: Paperback. Pub Date: 2013-09-01 Pages: 176 Language: English Publisher: HarperCollins UK Stick Dog is back in his second hilarious and hugely illustrated adventure. This time he and his' PALS are hungry for hot dogs but they need a plan...A must - have for fans of WIMPY KID and BIG NATE. Everyone 's favourite canine cartoon hero. the Stick is Dog is back!This time he and his friends. Mutt. Stripes. Karen and Poo Poo - are determined to snaffle more a delicious snack from the hot dog stand. But they are going to need a plan...Especially if they are to outwit their Nemesis - a raccoon called Phyllis...With laugh - out - loud. artwork. and an adorable four - legged hero. Stick Dog 's quest for a delicious dinner is destined to be the Top Dog. More Stick Dog adventures coming soon.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Will appeal to younger readers\n\nReview: My 7-year-old finished this in about an hour one afternoon and insisted I read it next because \"it is so funny!\" I finished it pretty quickly as the text is in a large font with plenty of illustrations interspersed. It is the story of how Stick Dog and his friends plan to get hamburgers from humans in the park. All the dogs are strays, and their plans include larceny of various types with different distractions. Stick Dog is the smartest of the pack and does use a fair amount of flattery to distract from the less promising plans of his compatriots. Overall, there are some funny parts, and I liked the story. I'm not sure I would recommend it wholeheartedly because of the plans the dogs make to steal hamburgers and because being a stray dog is put forth as not a bad life.","Product: LILY CHIN was named a \"Master Knitter\" by Vogue Knitting International and has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for more than 25 years. She has worked alongside several of the world's most accomplished fashion designers. She is the author of four previous books. Visit her online at lilychinsignaturecollection.com.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A great book for fixing mistakes.\n\nReview: The first half of this book has the usual \"how to make stitches,\" \"how to start,\" \"make a swatch,\" and so on that you will see in almost any other how to book. What distinguishes this book from others is the extensive sections on how not to need to rip out everything and how to join without sewing. Ms. Chin also does a better than fair job of showing smooth joins. I have been crocheting for nearly 10 years, and this is the first clear presentation of how to remove bad sections without ripping from the top. I have done what she's described before, but the clear directions were a good review. That said, if you are a real perfectionist crocheter, much of what is in this book won't help--you'll rip back to the mistake to fix it, no matter what. Also, trying to join pieces as you crochet may seem like a good idea, but if you can do that, why not rework the pattern to crochet in the round for the sections from armpits to hips?\n\nI would have liked a few more diagrams/pictures of some of the more complicated ideas (joining as you crochet for sweaters, etc.), but the explanations were clear. The book is very readable, and the index is good. If you already have a \"tips and tricks\" book of some sort, you probably don't need this one as well; however, if you do make \"big\" mistakes and hate to rip, this has very nice solutions for fixing that.","Product: Laura Landon taught high school for ten years before leaving the classroom to open her own ice-cream shop. As much as she loved serving up sundaes and malts from behind the counter, she closed up shop after penning her first novel. Now she spends nearly every waking minute writing, guiding her heroes and heroines to happily ever after. She is the author of more than a dozen historical novels, and her books are enjoyed by readers around the world. She lives with her family in the rural Midwest, where she devotes what free time she has to volunteering in her community.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Story line utterly predictable\n\nReview: Silent comes from the fact that the heroine is deaf. Revenge comes from her eventual husband's desire to take revenge on her brother-in-law who behaved despicably when they were both in India. This is a typical heroine must marry, groom is destitute sort of \"romance.\" The heroine seriously worries too much about being deaf, as her new husband truly doesn't care. Someone mentioned that the heroine was deaf from birth, but there are scenes that indicate she became deaf because of a fever when she was much older. The \"marriage\" quickly moves from one of convenience to one where good sex produces genuine feelings...I guess it could happen, but the heroine's motivations for having sex with someone she thinks has only married her for her money were not well explored. There were lots of \"demanding\" kisses, fiery touches, and excessive longing. This is not a book from which you should expect too much.","Product: Mitch Stokes is a Fellow of Philosophy at New St. Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Notre Dame under the direction of Alvin Plantinga and Peter van Inwagen. At Yale, he earned an M.A. in religion under the direction of Nicholas Wolterstorff. He also holds an M.S. in mechanical engineering and, prior to his philosophy career, worked for an international engineering firm where he earned five patents in aeroderivative gas turbine technology. He and his wife, Christine, have four children.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Isaac Newton, man of faith and discipline\n\nReview: This book was provided to me through the Vine program.\n\nThe Christian Encounters Series has produced a very nice book about Isaac Newton. It details much of his important scientific work, including gravity, calculus, and optics. It describes his character as solitary, yet doggedly brilliant. Many of trials Newton faced after publishing his ideas are described, as are his withdrawals from society following anything that kept him from research. His later life in public service is also interesting.\n\nThe text is somewhat repetitive, however. Many times after some bit of Newton's writing is described, we are told that \"he wrote more on theology and prophecy than anything else.\" I didn't count how many times, but the author seemed to think the repetition of the thought would make it memorable. His actual ideas on theology and prophecy are only briefly outlined, though saying that he took the Bible as his first authority may cover his views adequately for some.\n\nMitch Stokes has done an admirable job in describing Isaac Newton, the scientist, the man, the genius. His version of Newton's life is definitely worth reading."],"string":"[\n \"Product: The arts and crafts pedestal desk and hutch is made of solid hardwood. Comes with rich cottage oak finish including clear coat finish helps guard against wear and tear from normal use. It has a practical blend of artistry and utility. Designed for home office use with a left pedestal having a CPU storage cabinet and a box drawer and the right pedestal having two box drawers plus a file drawer. It also features a center, drop-front keyboard tray. The hutch provides extra storage without taking up extra floor space. It has an open area with a fixed and adjustable shelf along with two cabinets, each having an adjustable shelf. Easy to assemble. Measures 58-inch width by 25-inch depth by 63-1/2-inch height.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice desk, but lots of e-mails to customer service required\\n\\nReview: The final product looks like it will be just as pictured. For the most part, the holes are drilled in the correct places; the directions are good; and the pieces are labelled correctly. Unfortunately, the product comes in several boxes, and the quality from box to box varies. The first box was excellent. The second box was OK. The third box was missing a piece and hardware (two right sides of the drawer were included with no left side). The fourth box had a cracked piece. The customer service e-mail address is included with the directions, and they have shipped the pieces needed to complete the desk; but in the meantime, the office has been taken over by a large wooden jigsaw puzzle rather than being finished in a day or two as it could have been if everything had been correct the first time. I'm not sure I would buy this again, but once it is done, I think it will be fine.\",\n \"Product: Quickly create a sensational homemade meal worth savoring with the Oster Electric Pressure Cooker. This 5 quart Electric Pressure Cooker seals in steam and nutrients to keep foods hotter and healthier. The unit features 6 easy-to-use digital programs to perfectly cook chicken, fish, vegetables, rice, stews, and beef. A 2-hour delay timer allows you to start cooking your food at any time, and the automatic keep warm function will keep your food toasty warm until you are ready to serve it. The 900 watt motor is capable of cooking your food in minutes! Comfortable handles allow for easy grip while moving. Multiple safety features ensure the lid will stay tightly locked while cooking, and the non-stick inner pot allows for easy clean-up afterwards.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Sturdy, easy to use cooker\\n\\nReview: This is the first pressure cooker I have ever owned, and it has made dinner easier to fix already. The meat cooked in it is more tender than frying and does not require constant tending. It is faster than a crock pot, and the delay timer option is nice (but only works for 2 hours in half hour increments). It has different programs that determine whether food is being cooked on \\\"low\\\" or \\\"high\\\" and for how long, though you can adjust that manually. (Do not forget the minimum 14 minute warm-up when figuring out delays or not.) I'm not sure that the valves are ever going to come completely clean because they aren't removable, but I can hope that the steam released through them will sterilize any bugs. This is a heavy appliance and takes up quite a bit of room, but the convenience of cooking things that normally take hours in less than a single hour is great. The directions give a few recipes, but I imagine almost any \\\"slow cooker\\\" recipe would work. The actual maximum fill volume is 2/3 of the inside pot, so this might not be a good option for a large family (or one with teenage boys).\\n\\nCleaning the inside of the top cover and around the plastic valves is a \\\"hand wash only\\\" job, but just pulling the tiny handle opens the top to make that easier.\\n\\nI think this particular addition to my cooking tools arsenal will be very helpful once school starts, as I'll be able to fix things when I get home to be ready at dinner time rather than having to start crock pot meals before I leave in the morning. So far, a nice addition to the kitchen.\",\n \"Product: At Ado, our goal is to develop lifestyle accessories for kitchen and table top, which combine highest quality standards with aesthetic and functional design. Products made for now. All Ado Mills have a high efficiency ceramic grinder made of hi-tech ceramic that has been burned at 1600Degree, making it 30% harder than Steel. All mills are spring loaded for easy operation. Corrosion & wear-free as ceramic is resistant to acids, oils and salts, the grinding mechanism. Due to its strength it can easily break down coarse materials such as Salt, Pepper & dried spices. Odor & taste free, ceramic does not absorb any food elements, offering multiple uses for each mill. All pepper mills work the same way: A grooved and serrated rotating nut, which is attached to a metal shaft, fits into a stationary, serrated ring. As the nut rotates, its grooved channels lead peppercorns toward the serrations (on both the ring and the nut), first cracking then slicing the peppercorns between them. When the adjustment knob is turned, the spring at the center presses the nut and the ring together to change the grind size: tighter for fine, looser for coarse. Our mills have well-proportioned springs that allow the ring and nut to be cranked to just the right distance for the ideal grind.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: No instructions, but I figured it out\\n\\nReview: I've never used a pepper mill quite like this one. After pulling out the wood top, one can pour spices to be ground (I picked black peppercorns) into the small hole at the top. There are 5 grinds, with 1 being quite fine. Be careful when you turn the selector, as the edges are not rounded. I have no idea how the mill works inside as it does not seem to come apart in any way...cleaning would not be possible, and changing spices might take a while for the first one to work out before the second was pure. It does grind easily and produces nice ground pepper (in my case). If you like to grind your small sized spices, this mill could be for you.\",\n \"Product: Neato Botvac D Series Robot Vacuum for Everyday Cleaning\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute little robot vac\\n\\nReview: Our house has hardwood floors and other non-carpet on the area where Neato has been working, and it still gets an amazing amount of dirt, dust, an dog hair when it cleans. It does a pretty good job on the baseboards, and it is definitely efficient in the rectangular rooms. Unfortunately, it cannot be left on its own to clean as it has gotten stuck at least once every time I've run it. It doesn't quit cleaning, even when it is finished and has a tendency to \\\"start over\\\" in the dining room, even when it has cleaned that room thoroughly. I've taken to putting the chairs on top of the table so that it can just do the room and leave. It will try to get under all the chairs, and the banging and turning and trouble it has aren't worth it. The \\\"boundaries\\\" work well, though I could have used more than 15 feet of boundary strip. The menus are OK, but they don't always move when I touch them. Neato can work on the floors while I work on other things, and that is great. If you can be available to help the little guy out when he gets stuck, Neato can get rid of floor dirt for you.\",\n \"Product: Zak! Designs brings you an innovative solution for hydration tracking with the re-usable HydraTrak Tumbler. Staying hydrated is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and any weight loss program. It can be challenging to keep enough water by your side and to track how much you have actually consumed over the course of the day is even more difficult. This insulated tumbler makes the whole process easy to do! It comes with 8 silicone bands that are integrated into the design and are intended to help monitor how many ounces of water you drink. Every time you finish the 20 oz. tumbler, roll one band up to the top of the tumbler or slip it on your wrist as bracelet; by the end of the day you can count the number of bands at the top of the cup or on your wrist and do a quick calculation of your fluid intake! The tumbler is insulated with double wall construction so it will keep your drinks colder longer and will eliminate condensation, reducing damage to table tops or fabrics. The lid has a silicone gasket, for a solid, secure and leak-proof seal with a straw for convenient sipping. The built in silicone stopper prevents the straw from falling out and use it for spill proof travel, just remove the straw and plug the hole with the stopper. The 20 oz. tumbler measures 9.25-inches high and 2.75-inches in diameter; it fits in most car cup holders so you can use it to stay hydrated while on the go, at the gym, office or at home! It is made of BPA-free Tritan plastic, which is durable and break-resistant. It is easy to clean and dishwasher safe; do not use in the microwave. Zak! Designs offers a wide variety of innovative products at the forefront of tabletop trends for contemporary and on-the-go lifestyles. Pieces that are functional, playful, unexpected, spirited, colorful, modern, crisp and clean.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Bands are the best\\n\\nReview: Colored bands keep track of how many 20 oz bottles you've finished in a day, with a recommendation to finish 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight. Most people will not need all the bands! The straw is necessary to drink from this bottle, and though it does fit in a car's drink holder, it is so top heavy that it tips on most curves. The top of the bottle is just a plastic sealed lid that pushes into the bottle, and the hole through which the straw passes can be sealed...but only if you remove the bottle's cap. Seems an odd design. Bands move easily, and I take mine off for washing. If you are needing to drink more water, especially in a \\\"desk job\\\"--no major bottle movement or adjustment through the day required--this would be a fully acceptable BPA free water bottle.\",\n \"Product: Keys-To-Go is the super slender, uber handy, fit anywhere, go everywhere Bluetooth keyboard. Packs light, types comfortably and wipes clean so you're never at a loss for words.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Tiny, but powerful. Good key feel!\\n\\nReview: I am super impressed with the touch of this little keyboard--the key response is as nice as much thicker ones. It knows more than I do about the shortcuts on my computer, with a host of icons including music, mail, and photos. It has volume control as well. Some of the keys are shorter than usual, but they are large enough that the part one usually hits is in the right place--backspace, tab, and shift are visibly shorter than a full keyboard, but I'm having no problems with any of them. I'm actually typing this review with fewer mistakes than I do on a regular keyboard. Connection to my bluetooth device was effortless. I think this keyboard is only slightly thicker than my mouse pad! Very nice product!\\n\\nAlso, the range is amazing. It can type on the upstairs computer from downstairs, around the hall, and certainly anywhere in the room where your bluetooth device is located.\",\n \"Product: Style Name: Super Mario Brothers; Color: Multicolored. Zak Designs has been committed to making mealtime fun for people around the world. Whether it's through dinnerware and on-the-go products that feature children's favorite characters or tableware and kitchen prep products that represent the latest global fashion statements, Zak gives people the mealtime products that fit their appetites.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Bands are the best\\n\\nReview: Colored bands keep track of how many 20 oz bottles you've finished in a day, with a recommendation to finish 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight. Most people will not need all the bands! The straw is necessary to drink from this bottle, and though it does fit in a car's drink holder, it is so top heavy that it tips on most curves. The top of the bottle is just a plastic sealed lid that pushes into the bottle, and the hole through which the straw passes can be sealed...but only if you remove the bottle's cap. Seems an odd design. Bands move easily, and I take mine off for washing. If you are needing to drink more water, especially in a \\\"desk job\\\"--no major bottle movement or adjustment through the day required--this would be a fully acceptable BPA free water bottle.\",\n \"Product: Each Swiss+Tech BodyGard ESC 5-in-1 will break out side window glass in an instant; slash through inoperable seat belts without fear of getting cut; flash an emergency signal for help; set off a piercing audio alarm; then light the way with a bright white LED flashlight. These are all quick and easy to do in an emergency with this handy tool. Features include: glass breaker, seat belt cutter, sonic alarm, white LED flashlight, and red emergency flasher. This multitool is great for women's or men's gifts or for automotive or personal security!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not a great \\\"BodyGard\\\"\\n\\nReview: This little tool is not very practical. The lack of any kind of cover on the sonic alarm means that I don't want to carry it in a pocket or purse. The light is OK bright but not great (both white and flashing red). The blade looks sharp, but I'm not about to test it on one of my seatbelts, and the window breaker only works on tempered glass of SIDE windows...not a windshield. I may keep it in the central pocket in my car in case of extreme emergencies, but it is not loud enough for a real screamer, bright enough for a good flash light, nor small enough to fit on my keys for \\\"every day\\\" use. Furthermore, the holder for the keys is not as well attached to the body of the tool as I would like for any kind of real security. Not recommended for anything more than a novelty.\",\n \"Product: Launch your way through cool "glow in the dark" tracks with the Techno Gears Marble Mania Vortex 2.0. The automatic marble launcher is just one feature of this 300+ piece construction set. Fun space sounds, 3-D connectors and glowing channels will have the entire family enjoying this new twist on a traditional marble run. Requires three AA batteries (not included). Ages 8+ years.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Interesting to watch and build\\n\\nReview: The building of this \\\"toy\\\" took about 4 hours for my 8-year-old to build, mostly by herself after the first layer (with which I helped some). The engine that shoots marbles up works most of the time, but the marbles hang occasionally in the loop (even with added supports that were not in the directions). This is NOT really a \\\"toy\\\" with which to be played but more of a 3D puzzle with directions. If you think \\\"complicated legos,\\\" you will have the right idea. The instructions were color coded and mostly clear, though they definitely require excellent 3D perception for the Vortex to work correctly. Sometimes the marbles jump the track, and sometimes they get stuck. This is not the most wonderful marble run I've seen, and you will NOT want to rearrange it after it is built...not that you could do so easily. The pieces were both difficult to snap together and difficult to snap apart if a mistake was made. I can see this as a display on a counter in a physics class, but as a toy, it really doesn't work.\",\n \"Product: Paperback. Pub Date: 2013-09-01 Pages: 176 Language: English Publisher: HarperCollins UK Stick Dog is back in his second hilarious and hugely illustrated adventure. This time he and his' PALS are hungry for hot dogs but they need a plan...A must - have for fans of WIMPY KID and BIG NATE. Everyone 's favourite canine cartoon hero. the Stick is Dog is back!This time he and his friends. Mutt. Stripes. Karen and Poo Poo - are determined to snaffle more a delicious snack from the hot dog stand. But they are going to need a plan...Especially if they are to outwit their Nemesis - a raccoon called Phyllis...With laugh - out - loud. artwork. and an adorable four - legged hero. Stick Dog 's quest for a delicious dinner is destined to be the Top Dog. More Stick Dog adventures coming soon.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Will appeal to younger readers\\n\\nReview: My 7-year-old finished this in about an hour one afternoon and insisted I read it next because \\\"it is so funny!\\\" I finished it pretty quickly as the text is in a large font with plenty of illustrations interspersed. It is the story of how Stick Dog and his friends plan to get hamburgers from humans in the park. All the dogs are strays, and their plans include larceny of various types with different distractions. Stick Dog is the smartest of the pack and does use a fair amount of flattery to distract from the less promising plans of his compatriots. Overall, there are some funny parts, and I liked the story. I'm not sure I would recommend it wholeheartedly because of the plans the dogs make to steal hamburgers and because being a stray dog is put forth as not a bad life.\",\n \"Product: LILY CHIN was named a \\\"Master Knitter\\\" by Vogue Knitting International and has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for more than 25 years. She has worked alongside several of the world's most accomplished fashion designers. She is the author of four previous books. Visit her online at lilychinsignaturecollection.com.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A great book for fixing mistakes.\\n\\nReview: The first half of this book has the usual \\\"how to make stitches,\\\" \\\"how to start,\\\" \\\"make a swatch,\\\" and so on that you will see in almost any other how to book. What distinguishes this book from others is the extensive sections on how not to need to rip out everything and how to join without sewing. Ms. Chin also does a better than fair job of showing smooth joins. I have been crocheting for nearly 10 years, and this is the first clear presentation of how to remove bad sections without ripping from the top. I have done what she's described before, but the clear directions were a good review. That said, if you are a real perfectionist crocheter, much of what is in this book won't help--you'll rip back to the mistake to fix it, no matter what. Also, trying to join pieces as you crochet may seem like a good idea, but if you can do that, why not rework the pattern to crochet in the round for the sections from armpits to hips?\\n\\nI would have liked a few more diagrams/pictures of some of the more complicated ideas (joining as you crochet for sweaters, etc.), but the explanations were clear. The book is very readable, and the index is good. If you already have a \\\"tips and tricks\\\" book of some sort, you probably don't need this one as well; however, if you do make \\\"big\\\" mistakes and hate to rip, this has very nice solutions for fixing that.\",\n \"Product: Laura Landon taught high school for ten years before leaving the classroom to open her own ice-cream shop. As much as she loved serving up sundaes and malts from behind the counter, she closed up shop after penning her first novel. Now she spends nearly every waking minute writing, guiding her heroes and heroines to happily ever after. She is the author of more than a dozen historical novels, and her books are enjoyed by readers around the world. She lives with her family in the rural Midwest, where she devotes what free time she has to volunteering in her community.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Story line utterly predictable\\n\\nReview: Silent comes from the fact that the heroine is deaf. Revenge comes from her eventual husband's desire to take revenge on her brother-in-law who behaved despicably when they were both in India. This is a typical heroine must marry, groom is destitute sort of \\\"romance.\\\" The heroine seriously worries too much about being deaf, as her new husband truly doesn't care. Someone mentioned that the heroine was deaf from birth, but there are scenes that indicate she became deaf because of a fever when she was much older. The \\\"marriage\\\" quickly moves from one of convenience to one where good sex produces genuine feelings...I guess it could happen, but the heroine's motivations for having sex with someone she thinks has only married her for her money were not well explored. There were lots of \\\"demanding\\\" kisses, fiery touches, and excessive longing. This is not a book from which you should expect too much.\",\n \"Product: Mitch Stokes is a Fellow of Philosophy at New St. Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Notre Dame under the direction of Alvin Plantinga and Peter van Inwagen. At Yale, he earned an M.A. in religion under the direction of Nicholas Wolterstorff. He also holds an M.S. in mechanical engineering and, prior to his philosophy career, worked for an international engineering firm where he earned five patents in aeroderivative gas turbine technology. He and his wife, Christine, have four children.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Isaac Newton, man of faith and discipline\\n\\nReview: This book was provided to me through the Vine program.\\n\\nThe Christian Encounters Series has produced a very nice book about Isaac Newton. It details much of his important scientific work, including gravity, calculus, and optics. It describes his character as solitary, yet doggedly brilliant. Many of trials Newton faced after publishing his ideas are described, as are his withdrawals from society following anything that kept him from research. His later life in public service is also interesting.\\n\\nThe text is somewhat repetitive, however. Many times after some bit of Newton's writing is described, we are told that \\\"he wrote more on theology and prophecy than anything else.\\\" I didn't count how many times, but the author seemed to think the repetition of the thought would make it memorable. His actual ideas on theology and prophecy are only briefly outlined, though saying that he took the Bible as his first authority may cover his views adequately for some.\\n\\nMitch Stokes has done an admirable job in describing Isaac Newton, the scientist, the man, the genius. His version of Newton's life is definitely worth reading.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":13,"string":"13"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1782,"string":"1,782"}}},{"rowIdx":1783,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A1XVYE0A34BDKR"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"Listen to the music! The first truly complete single-disc retrospective covering the Doobies' extended career. Twenty hits released between 1971 and 1991, including \"Jesus Is Just Alright,\" \"China Grove,\" and \"What A Fool Believes.\"\". The summary of the review text is \"Tom Johnston was the man\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"The Doobie Brothers were really two bands: The Tom Johnston era and the Michael McDonald era. The two eras sounded so different, one almost wonders why they didn't rename themselves. However, as luck would have it, both versions of the band were pretty terrific (although I'm partial to Tom Johnston). These chaps predated fellow Californians the Eagles and there's no doubt that they were an influence.\n\nPatrick Simmons was the thread that connected the two versions of the band. When he provided almost no creative input for the clunker album \"One Step Closer\", it was clear that the end was nigh. The one hit from that album, \"Real Love\", sounded like a Michael McDonald self parody. It's the only song from this hits collection that I didn't upload to my iPod.\n\nIf you were a big fan of classic DB albums like Toulouse Street, The Captain And Me, and Minute By Minute, you're best off getting the original albums. But if what you know of the Doobies is their radio hits (or if you weren't around back then but are curious), then this is the only disc you need.\n\nSince the Johnston and McDonald songs are so different sounding, you might want to try putting your playlist or CD on shuffle. That creates some nice variety. All the McDonald songs (except Real Love) are good, but his voice can be hard to take for 8-9 songs in a row."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"The Doobie Brothers were really two bands: The Tom Johnston era and the Michael McDonald era. The two eras sounded so different, one almost wonders why they didn't rename themselves. However, as luck would have it, both versions of the band were pretty terrific (although I'm partial to Tom Johnston). These chaps predated fellow Californians the Eagles and there's no doubt that they were an influence.\n\nPatrick Simmons was the thread that connected the two versions of the band. When he provided almost no creative input for the clunker album \"One Step Closer\", it was clear that the end was nigh. The one hit from that album, \"Real Love\", sounded like a Michael McDonald self parody. It's the only song from this hits collection that I didn't upload to my iPod.\n\nIf you were a big fan of classic DB albums like Toulouse Street, The Captain And Me, and Minute By Minute, you're best off getting the original albums. But if what you know of the Doobies is their radio hits (or if you weren't around back then but are curious), then this is the only disc you need.\n\nSince the Johnston and McDonald songs are so different sounding, you might want to try putting your playlist or CD on shuffle. That creates some nice variety. All the McDonald songs (except Real Love) are good, but his voice can be hard to take for 8-9 songs in a row."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Two childhood rivals grow into adult enemies and go to war over ownership of their old territory, in this action-filled movie.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Horror does not have to be supernatural\n\nReview: Stephen King finally got around to revealing that real horror is what evil people do in real life and this movie captures it perfectly. Yes Kathy Bates is terrific but, for me, this was David Strathairn's best role ever. Should have been an Oscar nomination but the Academy does not reward portrayal of unsympathetic characters. However I was unconvinced by Jennifer Jason Leigh's portrayal of Dolores' daughter, the role required more nuance.\n\nAll together, though, this is a terrific story of revenge. If you think there's no such thing as justifiable homicide, this film will give you pause to reconsider. The sequence during which Dolores' husband (Strathairn) gets his comeuppance during a solar eclipse is cinematic glory.\n\nRiveting from start to finish.","Product: This CD is an out of print collectible! Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Ultradisc II, limited edition 24-karat gold plated. Catalog UDCD 642. In the original jewel case. There are punch holes through the UPC.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Test Of Time\n\nReview: I know for sure that this CD stands the test of time because I just bought it and heard it for the first time in June 2005 and I love it. This is not a fond reminescence of the old days back in college.\n\nI first got into REM with \"Fables Of The Reconstruction\" and bought every album until \"Monster\" (which singlehandedly eliminated my loyalty to the band). Somewhere along the way I also picked up \"Reckoning\", but as I grew disenchanted with the band after \"Automatic...\" I never acquired \"Murmur\". Until now. It actually didn't grab me on first listen (often the case with some of my favorite CDs). But after 10 listens, I know this will rank, along with \"Fables...\" and \"Automatic...\", with my favorite REM CDs.\n\nClearly the time spent honing their skills in Athens, GA paid off hugely in their first full length release. There are few artists in rock history that have produced such assured first releases. (Led Zeppelin springs to mind as one of the others). What really drew me in after multiple listens was the incredible musical textures of the songs. This may end up ranking among my favorite guitar albums ever, but not because of flashy pyrotechnics. It's the way Mike Mills, in almost every song, uses his guitar as counterpoint to the primary melody and, by doing so, creates an even more beautiful musical texture. Just listen to the fills he provides between Michael Stipe's lines in \"Sitting Still\". It's not about showmanship, it's about creating beautiful melodic music.\n\nFor that matter, Peter Buck also demonstrates inventive bass playing, much better than you should expect on such an early effort. Just check out \"Radio Free Europe\" or \"West Of The Fields\". REM was not a case of having a singer with some anonymous sidemen, this was a real working band that had something that was both \"alternative\" to the current mainstream, but that was also highly accessible.\n\nInterestingly, after 10 listens I still have no idea what any of these songs are about. And I'm not sure I ever will. More interstingly, this music is so darned good that I don't care.","Product: This CD is an out of print collectible! A Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Ultradisc II, limited edition 24-karat gold plated. Catalog UDCD 505. In the original jewel case.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fantastic, start to finish\n\nReview: There's so much good about this album, one doesn't know where to start. Easily one of the best prog-rock albums of all time, I can only think of Dark Side Of The Moon eclipsing this. Breakfast In America sold more, but this is their best. Each song alternating lead vocals between Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson may have been due to competing egos but it totally worked. You just can't imagine Rick Davies singing Dreamer or Roger Hodgson singing Bloody Well Right. The piano gave this album a really unique sound, but all in the service of exceptional songs and melodys. Man, there is some real drama here. Meant to be listened to as an album from start to finish.","Product: Rod Stewart - Never A Dull Moment - Cd\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Best Rock Singer Ever\n\nReview: Back in the day, Rod Stewart was, quite simply, the best rock singer in the world. If that sounds like a grand claim, pick up this CD and listen. Case closed. A lot of younger people listening to Rod's most recent output must wonder why he was once so revered. I'd say the first 20 seconds of this album would be a pretty good clue. As Rod rips into \"True Blue\", it's the start of a powerhouse album of great rock singing. Essential from start to finish. \"You Wear It Well\" may have been the (deservedly) big hit here, but the rest of the material is outstanding.\n\nOf course, nobody would have noticed if the material and the support from the band weren't consistently excellent. They are. This album is astonishingly good from start to finish. The only song that didn't grab me from the start was the cover of Sam Cooke's \"Twistin' the Night Away\", played quite slower than the original. Now I realize it was just that this song about twisting was reinterpreted as a hard rock song. Not really twistable, but darned good nevertheless.\n\nArguments about whether this or \"Every Picture Tells A Story\" are Rod's best album are irrelevant. If you're a serious fan of Rock music and you don't own both, you're doing yourself a diservice.","Product: Beautiful Autographed Album Cover with Vinyl \"Mob Rules\" Signed by Black Sabbath (Ozzy Osbourne AKA \"The Prince of Darkness\", Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward)\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: What's in a name?\n\nReview: With Bill Ward now also out (replaced by Vinnie Appice) this resembles the original Sabbath even less. There's some irony here as this album often sounds as much (or more) like Judas Priest or Iron Maiden than the original lineup. In other words, they're emulating heavy metal acts whose very existence would have been inconceivable had it not been for Black Sabbath ca. 1969-71. Fear not though, this is mostly really good, and sometimes terrific, metal. Country Girl is the only song that's a dud to these ears. Thanks to Tony Iommi, there is no doubt that this is still Black Sabbath, especially on outstanding tracks like \"Sign Of The Southern Cross\" and \"Falling Off The End Of The World\" which hold their own against the best of the Ozzy era - high praise indeed. \"Over and Over\" is one of those songs so catchy it will hook you on first listen. \"Turn Up The Night\" kicks things off with a wallop, sending a clear message that Sabbath mach 2 will play second fiddle to nobody. A very solid outing all around.","Product: Two years after sparking a buzz with their self-titled debut, the Tragically Hip dispelled any lingering questions of beginner's luck with the rock-solid Up to Here. The album laid pavement over the impressive path carved out by its predecessor, offering bold, blues-infused rock with image-rich, provocative lyrics from enigmatic frontman Gord Downie. Challenging as Downie's vocals and words can be, the band's straightforward approach to its craft ensures widespread accessibility. The first track, \"Blow at High Dough,\" proved an instant Can-rock radio anthem, with \"New Orleans Is Sinking\" following suit. Yet another single, \"38 Years Old,\" put up similar numbers, and by the time the '80s became the '90s the Hip's fate as the nation's pre-eminent rock combo was sealed. Up to Here captures the youthful energy of a legendary outfit still finding its feet, while charting the course for great things to come. --Chuck Molgat\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: One of the best unknown CDs in America\n\nReview: I can only assume that the Tragically Hip did not get sufficient support from their record label. That's the only reason I can think of that this album wasn't a monster hit like it was in Canada. I was just lucky to have a Canadian friend turn me on to this and everyone I play it for is also blown away - but has never heard of it. How did that happen?\n\nOh well, this is muscular hard rock in the traditional (i.e. pre-grunge) style that just kicks. After a thunderous opening with \"Blow at High Dough\" the momentum is lost a bit with \"I Believe in You\" and you're thinking, uh oh, one of those albums with a great opening that then lets you down. Not this time, because the next track, \"New Orleans is Sinking\", is one of the greatest pure rock and roll songs of the late 80s. Canadian Schmanadian, great music has no boundaries and this is compelling stuff.\n\nThe rest of the album kicks and all of the songs are very catchy. There's a couple of excellent mellower tunes (like \"Boots or Hearts\") that show that this band has a lot of depth. The album closes as ferociously as it began with \"Opiated\".\n\nI have since bought several other Tragically Hip CDs and all of them are very good. However, to these ears, \"Up to Here\" is the best. It's a shame and a mystery that this didn't become a classic south of the U.S.-Canada border.","Product: ORIGINAL CASE AND DISC.. PLAYS FINE AND FAST SHIPPING WITH CONFIRMATION.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: One of the all-time-best greatest hits CDs\n\nReview: Tom Petty's Greatest Hits is one of those CDs that every rock fan has to own (and most probably do). It's a superb greatest hits package for multiple reasons.\n\n* It was one of the first greatest hits packages by a major artist in the CD era and it took advantage of the additional length the new medium offered. 18 tracks vs. the 10-12 that was typical in the vinyl area.\n\n* With ten albums already under his belt, there was a wealth of material to draw from, so 18 tracks wouldn't be cluttered with filler.\n\n* Wisely, there is no attempt to represent each of those ten albums equally. There are four tracks from \"Damn The Torpedoes\" but none from \"Let Me Up\". That's as it should be. In Tom Petty's case, his most popular songs are also his best.\n\n* New tracks added to greatest hits packages are usually failures. In this case, care was taken to include two new songs that stood up to the excellence of the rest of the CD. \"Mary Jane's Last Dance\" and \"Something in the Air\" easily rank among the best songs in Petty's large catalog.\n\n* It avoided the tendency of many such packages to include alternate versions or live versions of the hits. These are the versions fans remember and therefore want.\n\nPlayed from beginning to end, this is simply one of the best pure rock and roll CDs there is. You've heard most of these songs relentlessly on \"classic\" rock radio, but the impact of hearing all 18 songs in one setting is impressive. A must own for Petty fans and the place to start for the unacquainted (not that there's many).","Product: AUDIO CASSETTE! IMPORT FROM THE PHILIPPINES! PLAY TESTED. CASSETTE. NO SQUEALS OR HISS. COMPLETE WITH COVER AND ART WORK. COVER SHOWS SIGNS OF SHELF WEAR. ALL ORDERS OVER $25 FREE UPGRADE TO PRIORITY SHIPPING.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: One of the All Time Best\n\nReview: No question, Abbey Road is one of the all time greatest rock albums. Whether it's top 5, top 10, or top 20 is moot, it's way up there. In retrospect, the Beatles' break up after this album is understandable. Their prolific output and musical development over the previous six years was staggering. Abbey Road showed the world that there was nowhere left to go, this was the summit of what rock music could be. From Please Please Me to Abbey Road is a heck of a leap. (Consider that most major artists currently are lucky to produce 2-3 albums in six years and that there's typically only a handful of good tunes on any of them).\n\nPerhaps because they knew they were breaking up, the lads gave it their all. The passion of Paul's singing on \"Oh Darling\", John's on \"I Want You\", the gorgeous harmonizing on \"Because\", the quality of George's contributions (\"Something\", Here Comes The Sun\") easily the equal of John's and Paul's. Even Ringo's drumming had matured, he sounds like a full fledged Beatle (although he is credited with the album's only failure \"OCtopus's Garden\". Not as bad musically as many make it but the lyrics are an embarrassment on an album of this exceptionally high calibre).\n\nOther than the aforementioned song, this album is one continuum of excellent songs with great melodies. It ranges stylistically from folk rock (Here Comes the Sun) to hard rock (I Want You) to melodic pop (Something, Golden Slumbers) to psychedelia (Come Together) to flat out rock and roll (Polythene Pam, The End). Being able to pull off so many styles on the same album yet make the album feel like a cohesive whole is a testament to the Beatles' genius. Abbey Road hasn't dated a day since its release and it sounds immensely better than the vast majority of popular music being released now.","Product: CD\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Great for a rainy day\n\nReview: Erik Satie certainly was not a giant among the classical Impressionists - nobody would mistake him for Debussy. But Pascal Roge has recorded a very successful disc by concentrating on thematically similar material. Considering some of the duds in Satie's catalogue, the works here were very well selected, focusing on softer meditative pieces.\n\nSome of the music is so light it almost seems in danger of floating away. But Roge's playing is very sympathetic and he manages to hold the listener's interest throughout. In his hands, the playing is melancholy but not sombre. In other hands, these pieces could have been dull.\n\nThe recorded sound comes across as very realistic. This is a great CD to play while reading the newspaper on a gray drizzly morning. Those who are wary of Satie should really consider this disc. Fans should consider it as essential.","Product: Best of Collection that Spans Almost the Entire Career of the Brisbane, Australia-Formed Pop Titans. Features the Time-Honored Classics \"Nights on Broadway\", \"You Should Be Dancing\", \"New York Mining Disaster\", \"Tragedy\", \"Too Much Heaven\" and More.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Too Much Is Missing\n\nReview: The opportunity for a killer single disc Bee Gees greatest hits collection has somehow been missed. Other collections focus only on the early (pre disco) period or only the disco period. \"1's\" misses too many great hits. Only \"The Record\" has everything, but it's two discs.\n\nThis could have been the elusive single disc that collects the very cream of the crop, but it isn't. I can understand one or even two omissions, but consider the songs omitted here: Holiday, I Started A Joke, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, My World, Fanny, Love So Right, Love You Inside Out. That's an omission of eight of their biggest hits. Most of these were Billboard Top Tens. Instead we get \"hits\" that didn't crack the Billboard top 40 (except one at # 37) like World, First Of May, Don't Forget To Remember, Saved By The Bell, You Win Again, and Ordinary Lives. If those titles don't ring a bell, trust me, you won't recognize them when you play the CD either.\n\nBy replacing the major hits that were omitted with the minor (or non) hits that were included, this really would have been \"The Very Best Of The Bee Gees\". Since no such single disc collection exists yet, this isn't bad, there's still a lot of good stuff. But if you want all of the big hits, you're only option currently is to spring for the double disc \"The Record\".","Product: Robbie Williams - Ego Has Landed - Cd\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good intro to Brit phenomenon\n\nReview: I lived in London from 1999 to 2003 and it's impossible to explain to Americans what a huge phenomenon Robbie Wiliams was (is) in the UK and Europe. That doesn't necessarily mean much because the same could be said for (gag) Kylie Minogue. But Williams broke completely clear of his boy-band background and made some very convincing and entertaining pop/rock. Stylistically, he could be seen as a 20th century successor to Elton John's 70s period. Which leaves me dumbstruck that he never really broke huge in America.\n\nThis CD actually combined the best stuff from his first two UK releases for introduction to the U.S. market. So it's all pretty good stuff. But U.S. radio has long become so formulaic that there doesn't seem to be room for someone who can do a gorgeous piano ballad (\"Angels\"), a muscular rocker (\"Win Some, Lose Some\") and a melodic modern pop singalong (\"Millennium\") on the same album. That's too bad because we could use a few more versatile pop/rockers like this to break the monotony on the airwaves.","Product: The Words \"Singer\" and \"Songwriter\" Are Not Always Mutually Exclusive, but in this Case, They Truly Mean Something Very Special. Damien Rice is Irish and a Contemporary of Another Acclaimed Singer Songwriter David Kitt. Rice Showcases his Very Special Talents for Creating Stories and Songs of Depth and Emotion with a Meticulousness that is Envied by Many He Has Passed on his Way to Fame. Just a Couple of Listens to this Album Will have You Admiring Him, in Awe of his Immense Talent. (Must Run in the Family...his Cousin is Renowned Composer David Arnold.)\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Heaven sounds like this\n\nReview: When's the last time you put a new CD on and felt like the speakers were grabbing hold of your ears and commanding you to listen? If you want to enrich your life, buy this CD. Read on if you must, but that's all you need to know. I picked up O after reading a magazine article on \"the best CDs of 2003 you never heard\". Recommendations like that usually end up disappointing me. Not this time.\n\nIn critiquing music we inevitably try to draw a frame of reference that the reader will relate to. Can't do that here because O is unlike anything you've heard. It's acoustic not electric, that's the best I can do without pigeonholing it. This music is just achingly beautiful. The use of cello, the female backing vocal, the opera singer on \"Eskimo\", it all works perfectly. The arrangemnet and the recording are so up front and personal, it feels like you're attending a private concert in your house.\n\nI'm at a loss to describe how beautiful this music is. What an absolute breath of fresh air this is in the new millenium.","Product: Japanese edition of the New York based power pop band's 2003 album features 17 tracks including 1 bonus track, 'Elevator Up'. Virgin. 2003.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Diversity: a good thing\n\nReview: This is a really fun CD. No individual song is destined to become a classic but it's a thoroughly engaging listen throughout.\n\nYou might want to play \"spot the influence\" here.\n\nMexican Wine: Blink 182\n\nStacey's Mom: The Cars\n\nLittle Red Light: Radiohead\n\nHalley's Waitress: Prefab Sprout\n\nSupercollider: Oasis\n\nHung Up On You: Gram Parsons\n\nAnd so on. I could be cynical about it if the playing wasn't so consistently reverent. There's never a feeling that there's an intent to play tongue in cheek here, these lads move from one style to another graciously and, on each song, sound like they mean it. Far more entertaining than many 2003 releases that sold 10 times as many units.\n\nIf you loved \"Stacy's Mom\" and were hoping to get a CD with 15 other soundalikes, you're out of luck. But if you think the huge stylistic variety of the Beatles' White Album is a good thing, then giddyup.","Product: Green Day - American Idiot (CD). The Grammy winning album, American Idiot, was Green Day's first since 2000.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: One of the best of 2004\n\nReview: I didn't think Green Day had this album in them. It's as big a leap from Dookie to American Idiot as the Beatles' leap from Please Please Me to Abbey Road. I can't honestly say I follow the whole storyline on this CD but with songs this catchy, who cares? \"American Idiot\" get's things off to a roaring start although it harkens back to GD's more traditional punk style. The next track \"Jesus Of Suburbia: (great title or what?) is actually a suite of five short songs segued together and from there we know we're in for a very different Green Day experience. \"Are We The Waiting\" is incredibly anthemic - bound to be a highlight in concert. And \"Whatsername\" is pure Beatlesque pop - would fit in on a Fountains Of Wayne CD. Hats Off to Green Day for making angry music so much fun to listen to. Instead of fading away into oblivion they've come up with an assured mature work that catapults then to the top of the punk/pop heap. Definitely one of the best CDs of 2004 - although there wasn't a lot of competition.","Product: That's a dark shade of blue Nina creates with the aching performances on this 1967 LP (her RCA debut): Do I Move You; Backlash Blues; Real Real; in the Dark; the House of the Rising Sun; My Man's Gone Now, and more. Includes two rare bonus cuts and a poignant foreword by Nina's daughter.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: ... always been difficult to classify although this album is pretty close to a straight ahead R&B / Soul outin ...\n\nReview: Nina Simone has always been difficult to classify although this album is pretty close to a straight ahead R&B / Soul outin with some vocal pop thrown in. The only nod to jazz is the Porgy & Bess number \"My Man's Gone Now\". Although Ms. Simone can tend to be self indulgent at times, she reins in that tendency here with a selection of songs (4 are self penned) that really fit the Blues theme which is very fitting to her style and persona. The arrangements are also excellent with a tight band that supports but does not overwhelm the songs - no strings, no brass.\nMy favorite thing here is a rollicking barrelhouse version of \"House of the Rising Sun\", completely unlike the version made famous by The Animals. While not everything works as well as that, there is never any doubt about NS's commitment to the material.","Product: The individual voices of the legendary Brothers Gibb—Maurice, Barry, and Robin—are each wonderfully distinctive in their own right. In combination, they lock together for extraordinary harmonies, perfectly blending and magically complementing each other. This vocal wizardry is at the heart of their phenomenal success, which spanned five decades and transcended multiple genres with chart-busting glory. From their Beatles-esque ‘60s roots and the subsequent flowering of their own progressive pop-rock songwriting and performance style through their blue-eyed R&B superstardom and Saturday Night Fever disco-era domination, the Bee Gees constantly evolved and never stopped delivering timeless hits. The trio’s beautifully crafted, sonically enchanting work is one of the cornerstones of contemporary popular music, and this hit-packed compilation spotlights their career-spanning best.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The essential Bee Gees retrospective\n\nReview: There is no single disc collection of the Bee Gees hits that doesn't leave off several major hits, some of them number ones. So, if you want a complete restrospective of the Bee Gees very considerable hit catalog, but you're not such a big fan that you need all the material in a boxed set, then this two disc set \"The Record\" is a perfect compilation. It has every major hit, and several minor-but-very-good ones, from the Bee Gees' pop and disco periods. If you're heart was beating when the Bee Gees ruled the pop charts, I defy you not to sing along.\nI have only one minor quibble. This set is in chronological order from start to finish, which means that the last seven songs on disc one are from the disco period - which honestly sounds like a completely different group. The latter part of disc 2 is the post disco period which harkens back to their earlier work. So this could have been reordered to have one all-pop CD and one all-disco CD. No problem in the digital age theough, you can just create playlists two segment the two styles.","Product: Atlantic recording artist Paolo Nutini returns with his eagerly awaited second album Sunny Side Up. Produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon, Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne), Sunny Side Up sees Nutini continuing to mine his arresting brand of soulful modern pop. Songs such as 'Ten Out Of Ten' and 'Coming Up Easy' display the gifted tunesmith's ever-growing knack for irrepressible melodies melded with insightful and intimate lyricism, all held together by Paolo's gritty and unpredictable vocal stylings.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: After loving most of Caustic Love, I purchased Sunny Side Up and was a ...\n\nReview: I only recently became familiar with PN so I'm going in reverse order. After loving most of Caustic Love, I purchased Sunny Side Up and was a bit disappointed at first. The retro soul that pervades CL is not a factor on SSU at all, creeping in on just one or two tracks. But repeated listenings reveal that this album rewards with pleasures of its own. There are quite a few styles represented here, from ska to soul to pop to skiffle and so on. It all works because the songwriting is consistently very good with tuneful melodies, great arrangements and breezy playing. What really binds this all together is Paolo's terrific voice - he has a beautifully raspy style that he suits to whatever the song demands.\nAs the title implies, the overall mood is very upbeat. Put this on to chase the blues away or, if you're already in a good mood, to just sing along to.","Product: New product. Never used!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The highlights are great\n\nReview: A little perspective: Rolling Stone ranking this as the best album of 2012 means either it was a pretty mediocre year for music or they are hyper-infatuated with Springsteen. Probably a little truth in both. That said, this is a very good album. It's really good to see him trying new sounds on songs like Rocky Ground and Death To My Hometown. All the better that this really works as these are among his best songs in years.\n\nThere are no bad songs here but there are several that are a bit too repetitive in style from so much of his other material. The lyrics are a far cry from his 70s and 80s work, delivered without any subtlety whatsoever. However, to his credit, this was clearly Bruce's intent as he titled the album Wrecking Ball. He clearly felt so strongly that he wanted to deliver the messages with no wiggle room for misinterpretation.\n\nAll in all, not quite up there with his best, but certainly his best album since The Rising.","Product: Produced by FOGERTY, one of rock's most important artists and a national treasure who s sold over 100 million records, WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE is a celebration of his iconic songbook and a collection of 12 classics and deep tracks from his remarkable canon of hits as well as two brand new songs, Mystic Highway and Train of Fools. FOGERTY performed alongside an array of today's biggest superstars from the country, pop and rock worlds including Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Keith Urban, Jennifer Hudson, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, the Zac Brown Band, My Morning Jacket, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and more. The album also sees FOGERTY teaming with an acclaimed new band like Dawes, who were eager to acknowledge the groundbreaking songwriter/guitarist's titanic influence. FOGERTY also recorded his classic Lodi with his sons Shane and Tyler Fogerty at Abbey Road Studios in London.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Indispensible, not just for CCR fans\n\nReview: The cynic in me thought, oh here we go again, another R&R veteran cashing in on his old hits. But then Rolling Stone rated this 5 stars and that got my attention. And wow, this is just terrific.\n\nOne mark of truly great songs (vs. great recordings) is that they can be reworked many times and sound fresh and new each time, as long as care is taken with the arrangement. Case in point: Proud Mary. The original with CCR, Tina Turner's smoking version, and the version here with Jennifer Hudson and a New Orleans all-star cast are all very different. And each is exceptional.\n\nIt becomes completely obvious after only one listen that Fogerty absolutely wanted to avoid the \"cashing in\" scenario. This is a labor of love. The first clue is that almost every song was recorded in a different studio, meaning Fogerty traveled to wherever was convenient for the collaborators to ensure that the recordings were done together live in the studio, not tacked on after-the-fact overdubs. It makes a huge difference as the collaborators are clearly thrilled to be involved with one of the greatest rock-and-roll songwriters of all time. You can't fake this. For evidence, just listen to the Foo Fighters absolutely shred the opening track \"Fortunate Son\". Is it possible to be filled with even more venom and bile than the original? Apparently so, but who'd have thought it?\n\nSome of the tracks are quite true to the original, some deviate significantly. No matter. All are terrific. There's also two lesser known solo songs and two new songs. Thankfully, these are interspersed with the rest of the album, not just tacked on to the end as \"bonus\" tracks. Those four songs might not be anthems that everybody knows by heart but they are damn good and kudos to Mr. Fogerty to ensuring they get some air time.\n\nI can safely say you shouldn't have to make a choice between the classic originals and the versions presented here. Make sure to own them both. For old timers that still sometimes buy actual CDs and not just downloads, I recommend the CD because the booklet has excellent personal notes from Fogerty about each song.\n\nThis is going to stay on my playlist for the summer of '13.","Product: 2013 Japanese pressing SHM-CD. Concord.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A vocal jazz classic\n\nReview: I get frustrated with reviewers bemoaning that Diana Reeves doesn't always stay true to the \"pure\" vocal jazz tradition (Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, etc.). Say what? How about outstanding melodic vocal music and so what if some of it bends genres outside jazz.\nThe first two songs on this album are sure to satisfy the \"purists\" and they are terrific. Then we go into a breathtaking cover of Fleetwood Mac's \"Dreams\", which is a complete and outstanding reworking of this classic; followed by \"Satiated\" which might be considered straight R&B (and with very sympathetic vocals from Gregory Porter) if it were not for the improvised guitar fills from Marvin Sewell; followed by another incredible reworked remake, this time of Bob Marley's \"Waiting In Vain\".\nAnd so it goes. A lot of care went into the making of this album and the genre-bending exercises - including \"Tango\", a terrific Afro-Cuban number - only strengthen the whole outing. It is still unquestionably a vocal jazz album and an outstanding one at that. My only minor complaint is that the last song, \"Long Road Ahead\", is not up to the standard of the rest of the album. Not an issue in the days of digital media as you can choose whether or not to include that song in your playlist. Everything else is indispensable.","Product: Keith Richards is releasing his highly anticipated third studio album Crosseyed Heart from Republic Records on September 18th. Singer, Songwriter and original member of legendary rock band The Rolling Stones, Richards is a rock legend and is among the greatest guitarists of all time. This upcoming album features debut single Trouble .\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A pleasant relaxed outing\n\nReview: \"Keef\" stopped having anything left to prove about 40 years ago which works to the benefit of this album. This man really loves music and especially loves making music. He crosses a lot of musical styles here, form acoustic Blues to folk to country to reggae to (of course) straight ahead rock n roll. But this is a cohesive album, it sounds of one piece. The playing is very polished without ever being showy. Ultimately, this just sounds really ... comfortable.\nMaybe 2-3 songs won't make my playlist but that still leaves a good dozen and that's plenty. Nothing here really sounds like the Stones, and I think that's the point. Mr. Richards has a love of music that goes well beyond what would fit stylistically on a Stones album. I'm glad he shared this with us.","Product: 2LP set\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Hopefully not their last album\n\nReview: I've been a big fan of Coldplay right from Parachutes. Seem them in concert twice, both really memorable. Regrettably, they seem to have peaked with \"Viva La Vida\" which was a really outstanding album. \"Mylo Xyloto\" was good but not great. And \"Ghost Stories\" was clearly meant to be a holding pattern while Chris Martin was laboring over his breakup with Gwyneth. But it was pretty good at that.\n\nDon't get me wrong, I'm all for bands going in new directions. It's just that Coldplay went in this dance/pop direction without having really memorable songs. Nothing on this album is bad, but \"Amazing Day\" is the only truly great song here.\n\nI hope they have at least one more album in them, because this is not the way they should go out.","Product: BOWIE DAVID BLACKSTAR\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Destined to be a classic\n\nReview: Upon hearing this album for the first time, my first thought that it was unlike any of Bowie's other recorded output. But how many other times could the same thing have been said over this legend's career? Quite a few times. One thing is certain was that there was absolutely no inclination to produce something that would have wide commercial appeal. The absolutely haunting 10 minute title track that opens the album makes that clear.\nThis is not an easy listen but it's a very engaging and compelling one. It sure as heck isn't background music.\nThis is a very difficult album to describe as there's no obvious frame of reference. But if you're a fan of Bowie through all of his stylistic periods, there's every reason to believe that this is an essential purchase for you.\nOnly time determines whether something is considered a classic - that's the meaning of the term classic. As for me, after listing to Blackstar 10 times, I'm going to put it away to let is absorb and pull it back out after a couple of months. I'm expecting that even more depth and richness to this marvelously textured work will reveal itself at that point.","Product: The Cars: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar); Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass); Elliot Easton (guitar, background vocals); Gregg Hawkes (keyboards, saxophone, percussion, background vocals); David Robinson (drums, percussion, background vocals). Recorded at AIR Studios, London, England in Feburary, 1978. All tracks have been digitally remastered using HDCD technology. The Cars: Ric Ocasek (guitar, vocals), Elliot Easton (lead guitar, background vocals), Gregg Hawkes (keyboards, saxophone, percussion, background vocals), Benjamin Orr (bass, vocals), David Robinson (drums, percussion, background vocals). Recorded at AIR Recording Studios, London, England in February, 1978. Digitally remastered by Steve Hoffman (February 1993). The Cars: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar); Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass); Elliot Easton (guitar); Greg Hawkes (keyboards); David Robinson (drums). Producer: Roy Thomas Baker. Compilation producer: David McLees. Ric Ocasek's songs were influenced by the Velvet Underground and the punk rock movement, but had a slick pop/rock sheen which proved very successful. After a demo version of \"Just What I Needed\" became a listener favorite on WBCN in Boston (the bands' homebase), they were pursued by record companies. THE CARS was recorded in 2 weeks in London, England. This ranks as one of the best debut albums from a rock band. The Cars are filed under rock, but they are closer to power pop than any other genre. Ric Ocasek sounded like a cross between the Raspberries and Television, punk sound with a pop attitude. The giveaway was the irresistible harmony-ridden hooks in just about every one of his songs. Listen again to \"You're All I've Got Tonight,\" \"Just What I Needed\" or \"My Best Friend's Girl\" and be thrilled. Lots of chunka chunka guitar and Mamas And Papas harmonies, and rarely a dull moment. They managed only six albums in 20 years, but they never bettered this.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: In 1978, it was just what I needed\n\nReview: There are precious few flawless albums in rock and roll history. This is one of them. Just as Nirvana's \"Nevermind\" singlehandedly turned Grunge into a mainstream phenomenon, so it was for New Wave with the Cars' debut album - And just like Nirvana fostered countless unlistenable imitators, so did the Cars. But I have a choice not to listen to all of the bad New Wave that followed this, and I also have a choice to listen to this impossibly catchy album as long as I have functioning ear drums.\n\nFor those who are only familiar with the Cars through classic rock radio, this is the Cars CD to get. It's a rare instance where one of the band's original albums is the first choice over a greatest hits package.","Product: The 1971 live album that proved to be Aretha's crossover hit!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A showcase of virtuoso soul singing\n\nReview: This is how it's done. It just blows away all the modern pop divas who try to impress with their voices while Aretha uses her voice as an instrument to elevate any song to greatness,\nThis sizzling live recording is broken down into two sections: The first is a collection of covers of songs popular at that time (1970) which is highly illustrative of Aretha's massive talent. I wouldn't include the opener \"Respect\" in that bunch because, although a cover of an Otis song, Aretha all but made this her own. You may look at the next four songs and think \"WTF?\": \"Love The One You're With\" (Stephen Stills), \"Bridge Over Troubled Water\", \"Eleanor Rigby\", \"Make It With You\" (Bread). The arrangements here are almost unrecognizable from the originals but these reworkings are fabulous. It convincingly persuades the listener that Aretha could pick any song at random, no matter how unsoulful the original (\"Make It With You\") and turn it into a soul classic. I'm not sure I've ever heard anything like it.\nThe second section is Aretha performing some of her originals and making sure you will never forget them. The highlight for me is an extended version of \"Spirit In The Dark\", with Ray Charles guesting, that must have shook the rafters at the venerable Fillmore West. It is among the greatest live soul performances ever put to acetate.\nMuch credit must go to King Curtis and his band, which included Billy Preston here, for delivering the high energy crack backup that this greatly deserved, This performance would not have been so legendary had Aretha's voice been the only outstanding instrument on the stage.","Product: Audio CD (May 15, 2001)\nOriginal Release Date: 1976\nNumber of Discs: 1\nLabel: Island\nASIN: B00005J711\nAverage Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)\nAmazon Bestsellers Rank: #22,150 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Get the early stuff\n\nReview: I think this explains why the Beatles broke up. How could someone who created some of the greatest albums of the 70s (Honky Chateau and Madman Across The Water, to name a couple) have degenerated into this \"adult contemporary\" singer? There's a few essential songs here - \"Empty Garden\" illustrates that losing a friend who just happens to possibly be the greatest rock star of all time can provoke some real emotion - but this mostly pales in comparison to anything EJ did before Rock Of The Westies.\nSo why the four stars? If you feel the need to own any EJ music after 1975, then this is probably all you need. Just make sure to buy every single album he recorded before then."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Two childhood rivals grow into adult enemies and go to war over ownership of their old territory, in this action-filled movie.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Horror does not have to be supernatural\\n\\nReview: Stephen King finally got around to revealing that real horror is what evil people do in real life and this movie captures it perfectly. Yes Kathy Bates is terrific but, for me, this was David Strathairn's best role ever. Should have been an Oscar nomination but the Academy does not reward portrayal of unsympathetic characters. However I was unconvinced by Jennifer Jason Leigh's portrayal of Dolores' daughter, the role required more nuance.\\n\\nAll together, though, this is a terrific story of revenge. If you think there's no such thing as justifiable homicide, this film will give you pause to reconsider. The sequence during which Dolores' husband (Strathairn) gets his comeuppance during a solar eclipse is cinematic glory.\\n\\nRiveting from start to finish.\",\n \"Product: This CD is an out of print collectible! Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Ultradisc II, limited edition 24-karat gold plated. Catalog UDCD 642. In the original jewel case. There are punch holes through the UPC.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Test Of Time\\n\\nReview: I know for sure that this CD stands the test of time because I just bought it and heard it for the first time in June 2005 and I love it. This is not a fond reminescence of the old days back in college.\\n\\nI first got into REM with \\\"Fables Of The Reconstruction\\\" and bought every album until \\\"Monster\\\" (which singlehandedly eliminated my loyalty to the band). Somewhere along the way I also picked up \\\"Reckoning\\\", but as I grew disenchanted with the band after \\\"Automatic...\\\" I never acquired \\\"Murmur\\\". Until now. It actually didn't grab me on first listen (often the case with some of my favorite CDs). But after 10 listens, I know this will rank, along with \\\"Fables...\\\" and \\\"Automatic...\\\", with my favorite REM CDs.\\n\\nClearly the time spent honing their skills in Athens, GA paid off hugely in their first full length release. There are few artists in rock history that have produced such assured first releases. (Led Zeppelin springs to mind as one of the others). What really drew me in after multiple listens was the incredible musical textures of the songs. This may end up ranking among my favorite guitar albums ever, but not because of flashy pyrotechnics. It's the way Mike Mills, in almost every song, uses his guitar as counterpoint to the primary melody and, by doing so, creates an even more beautiful musical texture. Just listen to the fills he provides between Michael Stipe's lines in \\\"Sitting Still\\\". It's not about showmanship, it's about creating beautiful melodic music.\\n\\nFor that matter, Peter Buck also demonstrates inventive bass playing, much better than you should expect on such an early effort. Just check out \\\"Radio Free Europe\\\" or \\\"West Of The Fields\\\". REM was not a case of having a singer with some anonymous sidemen, this was a real working band that had something that was both \\\"alternative\\\" to the current mainstream, but that was also highly accessible.\\n\\nInterestingly, after 10 listens I still have no idea what any of these songs are about. And I'm not sure I ever will. More interstingly, this music is so darned good that I don't care.\",\n \"Product: This CD is an out of print collectible! A Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Ultradisc II, limited edition 24-karat gold plated. Catalog UDCD 505. In the original jewel case.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fantastic, start to finish\\n\\nReview: There's so much good about this album, one doesn't know where to start. Easily one of the best prog-rock albums of all time, I can only think of Dark Side Of The Moon eclipsing this. Breakfast In America sold more, but this is their best. Each song alternating lead vocals between Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson may have been due to competing egos but it totally worked. You just can't imagine Rick Davies singing Dreamer or Roger Hodgson singing Bloody Well Right. The piano gave this album a really unique sound, but all in the service of exceptional songs and melodys. Man, there is some real drama here. Meant to be listened to as an album from start to finish.\",\n \"Product: Rod Stewart - Never A Dull Moment - Cd\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Best Rock Singer Ever\\n\\nReview: Back in the day, Rod Stewart was, quite simply, the best rock singer in the world. If that sounds like a grand claim, pick up this CD and listen. Case closed. A lot of younger people listening to Rod's most recent output must wonder why he was once so revered. I'd say the first 20 seconds of this album would be a pretty good clue. As Rod rips into \\\"True Blue\\\", it's the start of a powerhouse album of great rock singing. Essential from start to finish. \\\"You Wear It Well\\\" may have been the (deservedly) big hit here, but the rest of the material is outstanding.\\n\\nOf course, nobody would have noticed if the material and the support from the band weren't consistently excellent. They are. This album is astonishingly good from start to finish. The only song that didn't grab me from the start was the cover of Sam Cooke's \\\"Twistin' the Night Away\\\", played quite slower than the original. Now I realize it was just that this song about twisting was reinterpreted as a hard rock song. Not really twistable, but darned good nevertheless.\\n\\nArguments about whether this or \\\"Every Picture Tells A Story\\\" are Rod's best album are irrelevant. If you're a serious fan of Rock music and you don't own both, you're doing yourself a diservice.\",\n \"Product: Beautiful Autographed Album Cover with Vinyl \\\"Mob Rules\\\" Signed by Black Sabbath (Ozzy Osbourne AKA \\\"The Prince of Darkness\\\", Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward)\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: What's in a name?\\n\\nReview: With Bill Ward now also out (replaced by Vinnie Appice) this resembles the original Sabbath even less. There's some irony here as this album often sounds as much (or more) like Judas Priest or Iron Maiden than the original lineup. In other words, they're emulating heavy metal acts whose very existence would have been inconceivable had it not been for Black Sabbath ca. 1969-71. Fear not though, this is mostly really good, and sometimes terrific, metal. Country Girl is the only song that's a dud to these ears. Thanks to Tony Iommi, there is no doubt that this is still Black Sabbath, especially on outstanding tracks like \\\"Sign Of The Southern Cross\\\" and \\\"Falling Off The End Of The World\\\" which hold their own against the best of the Ozzy era - high praise indeed. \\\"Over and Over\\\" is one of those songs so catchy it will hook you on first listen. \\\"Turn Up The Night\\\" kicks things off with a wallop, sending a clear message that Sabbath mach 2 will play second fiddle to nobody. A very solid outing all around.\",\n \"Product: Two years after sparking a buzz with their self-titled debut, the Tragically Hip dispelled any lingering questions of beginner's luck with the rock-solid Up to Here. The album laid pavement over the impressive path carved out by its predecessor, offering bold, blues-infused rock with image-rich, provocative lyrics from enigmatic frontman Gord Downie. Challenging as Downie's vocals and words can be, the band's straightforward approach to its craft ensures widespread accessibility. The first track, \\\"Blow at High Dough,\\\" proved an instant Can-rock radio anthem, with \\\"New Orleans Is Sinking\\\" following suit. Yet another single, \\\"38 Years Old,\\\" put up similar numbers, and by the time the '80s became the '90s the Hip's fate as the nation's pre-eminent rock combo was sealed. Up to Here captures the youthful energy of a legendary outfit still finding its feet, while charting the course for great things to come. --Chuck Molgat\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the best unknown CDs in America\\n\\nReview: I can only assume that the Tragically Hip did not get sufficient support from their record label. That's the only reason I can think of that this album wasn't a monster hit like it was in Canada. I was just lucky to have a Canadian friend turn me on to this and everyone I play it for is also blown away - but has never heard of it. How did that happen?\\n\\nOh well, this is muscular hard rock in the traditional (i.e. pre-grunge) style that just kicks. After a thunderous opening with \\\"Blow at High Dough\\\" the momentum is lost a bit with \\\"I Believe in You\\\" and you're thinking, uh oh, one of those albums with a great opening that then lets you down. Not this time, because the next track, \\\"New Orleans is Sinking\\\", is one of the greatest pure rock and roll songs of the late 80s. Canadian Schmanadian, great music has no boundaries and this is compelling stuff.\\n\\nThe rest of the album kicks and all of the songs are very catchy. There's a couple of excellent mellower tunes (like \\\"Boots or Hearts\\\") that show that this band has a lot of depth. The album closes as ferociously as it began with \\\"Opiated\\\".\\n\\nI have since bought several other Tragically Hip CDs and all of them are very good. However, to these ears, \\\"Up to Here\\\" is the best. It's a shame and a mystery that this didn't become a classic south of the U.S.-Canada border.\",\n \"Product: ORIGINAL CASE AND DISC.. PLAYS FINE AND FAST SHIPPING WITH CONFIRMATION.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the all-time-best greatest hits CDs\\n\\nReview: Tom Petty's Greatest Hits is one of those CDs that every rock fan has to own (and most probably do). It's a superb greatest hits package for multiple reasons.\\n\\n* It was one of the first greatest hits packages by a major artist in the CD era and it took advantage of the additional length the new medium offered. 18 tracks vs. the 10-12 that was typical in the vinyl area.\\n\\n* With ten albums already under his belt, there was a wealth of material to draw from, so 18 tracks wouldn't be cluttered with filler.\\n\\n* Wisely, there is no attempt to represent each of those ten albums equally. There are four tracks from \\\"Damn The Torpedoes\\\" but none from \\\"Let Me Up\\\". That's as it should be. In Tom Petty's case, his most popular songs are also his best.\\n\\n* New tracks added to greatest hits packages are usually failures. In this case, care was taken to include two new songs that stood up to the excellence of the rest of the CD. \\\"Mary Jane's Last Dance\\\" and \\\"Something in the Air\\\" easily rank among the best songs in Petty's large catalog.\\n\\n* It avoided the tendency of many such packages to include alternate versions or live versions of the hits. These are the versions fans remember and therefore want.\\n\\nPlayed from beginning to end, this is simply one of the best pure rock and roll CDs there is. You've heard most of these songs relentlessly on \\\"classic\\\" rock radio, but the impact of hearing all 18 songs in one setting is impressive. A must own for Petty fans and the place to start for the unacquainted (not that there's many).\",\n \"Product: AUDIO CASSETTE! IMPORT FROM THE PHILIPPINES! PLAY TESTED. CASSETTE. NO SQUEALS OR HISS. COMPLETE WITH COVER AND ART WORK. COVER SHOWS SIGNS OF SHELF WEAR. ALL ORDERS OVER $25 FREE UPGRADE TO PRIORITY SHIPPING.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the All Time Best\\n\\nReview: No question, Abbey Road is one of the all time greatest rock albums. Whether it's top 5, top 10, or top 20 is moot, it's way up there. In retrospect, the Beatles' break up after this album is understandable. Their prolific output and musical development over the previous six years was staggering. Abbey Road showed the world that there was nowhere left to go, this was the summit of what rock music could be. From Please Please Me to Abbey Road is a heck of a leap. (Consider that most major artists currently are lucky to produce 2-3 albums in six years and that there's typically only a handful of good tunes on any of them).\\n\\nPerhaps because they knew they were breaking up, the lads gave it their all. The passion of Paul's singing on \\\"Oh Darling\\\", John's on \\\"I Want You\\\", the gorgeous harmonizing on \\\"Because\\\", the quality of George's contributions (\\\"Something\\\", Here Comes The Sun\\\") easily the equal of John's and Paul's. Even Ringo's drumming had matured, he sounds like a full fledged Beatle (although he is credited with the album's only failure \\\"OCtopus's Garden\\\". Not as bad musically as many make it but the lyrics are an embarrassment on an album of this exceptionally high calibre).\\n\\nOther than the aforementioned song, this album is one continuum of excellent songs with great melodies. It ranges stylistically from folk rock (Here Comes the Sun) to hard rock (I Want You) to melodic pop (Something, Golden Slumbers) to psychedelia (Come Together) to flat out rock and roll (Polythene Pam, The End). Being able to pull off so many styles on the same album yet make the album feel like a cohesive whole is a testament to the Beatles' genius. Abbey Road hasn't dated a day since its release and it sounds immensely better than the vast majority of popular music being released now.\",\n \"Product: CD\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Great for a rainy day\\n\\nReview: Erik Satie certainly was not a giant among the classical Impressionists - nobody would mistake him for Debussy. But Pascal Roge has recorded a very successful disc by concentrating on thematically similar material. Considering some of the duds in Satie's catalogue, the works here were very well selected, focusing on softer meditative pieces.\\n\\nSome of the music is so light it almost seems in danger of floating away. But Roge's playing is very sympathetic and he manages to hold the listener's interest throughout. In his hands, the playing is melancholy but not sombre. In other hands, these pieces could have been dull.\\n\\nThe recorded sound comes across as very realistic. This is a great CD to play while reading the newspaper on a gray drizzly morning. Those who are wary of Satie should really consider this disc. Fans should consider it as essential.\",\n \"Product: Best of Collection that Spans Almost the Entire Career of the Brisbane, Australia-Formed Pop Titans. Features the Time-Honored Classics \\\"Nights on Broadway\\\", \\\"You Should Be Dancing\\\", \\\"New York Mining Disaster\\\", \\\"Tragedy\\\", \\\"Too Much Heaven\\\" and More.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Too Much Is Missing\\n\\nReview: The opportunity for a killer single disc Bee Gees greatest hits collection has somehow been missed. Other collections focus only on the early (pre disco) period or only the disco period. \\\"1's\\\" misses too many great hits. Only \\\"The Record\\\" has everything, but it's two discs.\\n\\nThis could have been the elusive single disc that collects the very cream of the crop, but it isn't. I can understand one or even two omissions, but consider the songs omitted here: Holiday, I Started A Joke, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, My World, Fanny, Love So Right, Love You Inside Out. That's an omission of eight of their biggest hits. Most of these were Billboard Top Tens. Instead we get \\\"hits\\\" that didn't crack the Billboard top 40 (except one at # 37) like World, First Of May, Don't Forget To Remember, Saved By The Bell, You Win Again, and Ordinary Lives. If those titles don't ring a bell, trust me, you won't recognize them when you play the CD either.\\n\\nBy replacing the major hits that were omitted with the minor (or non) hits that were included, this really would have been \\\"The Very Best Of The Bee Gees\\\". Since no such single disc collection exists yet, this isn't bad, there's still a lot of good stuff. But if you want all of the big hits, you're only option currently is to spring for the double disc \\\"The Record\\\".\",\n \"Product: Robbie Williams - Ego Has Landed - Cd\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good intro to Brit phenomenon\\n\\nReview: I lived in London from 1999 to 2003 and it's impossible to explain to Americans what a huge phenomenon Robbie Wiliams was (is) in the UK and Europe. That doesn't necessarily mean much because the same could be said for (gag) Kylie Minogue. But Williams broke completely clear of his boy-band background and made some very convincing and entertaining pop/rock. Stylistically, he could be seen as a 20th century successor to Elton John's 70s period. Which leaves me dumbstruck that he never really broke huge in America.\\n\\nThis CD actually combined the best stuff from his first two UK releases for introduction to the U.S. market. So it's all pretty good stuff. But U.S. radio has long become so formulaic that there doesn't seem to be room for someone who can do a gorgeous piano ballad (\\\"Angels\\\"), a muscular rocker (\\\"Win Some, Lose Some\\\") and a melodic modern pop singalong (\\\"Millennium\\\") on the same album. That's too bad because we could use a few more versatile pop/rockers like this to break the monotony on the airwaves.\",\n \"Product: The Words \\\"Singer\\\" and \\\"Songwriter\\\" Are Not Always Mutually Exclusive, but in this Case, They Truly Mean Something Very Special. Damien Rice is Irish and a Contemporary of Another Acclaimed Singer Songwriter David Kitt. Rice Showcases his Very Special Talents for Creating Stories and Songs of Depth and Emotion with a Meticulousness that is Envied by Many He Has Passed on his Way to Fame. Just a Couple of Listens to this Album Will have You Admiring Him, in Awe of his Immense Talent. (Must Run in the Family...his Cousin is Renowned Composer David Arnold.)\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Heaven sounds like this\\n\\nReview: When's the last time you put a new CD on and felt like the speakers were grabbing hold of your ears and commanding you to listen? If you want to enrich your life, buy this CD. Read on if you must, but that's all you need to know. I picked up O after reading a magazine article on \\\"the best CDs of 2003 you never heard\\\". Recommendations like that usually end up disappointing me. Not this time.\\n\\nIn critiquing music we inevitably try to draw a frame of reference that the reader will relate to. Can't do that here because O is unlike anything you've heard. It's acoustic not electric, that's the best I can do without pigeonholing it. This music is just achingly beautiful. The use of cello, the female backing vocal, the opera singer on \\\"Eskimo\\\", it all works perfectly. The arrangemnet and the recording are so up front and personal, it feels like you're attending a private concert in your house.\\n\\nI'm at a loss to describe how beautiful this music is. What an absolute breath of fresh air this is in the new millenium.\",\n \"Product: Japanese edition of the New York based power pop band's 2003 album features 17 tracks including 1 bonus track, 'Elevator Up'. Virgin. 2003.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Diversity: a good thing\\n\\nReview: This is a really fun CD. No individual song is destined to become a classic but it's a thoroughly engaging listen throughout.\\n\\nYou might want to play \\\"spot the influence\\\" here.\\n\\nMexican Wine: Blink 182\\n\\nStacey's Mom: The Cars\\n\\nLittle Red Light: Radiohead\\n\\nHalley's Waitress: Prefab Sprout\\n\\nSupercollider: Oasis\\n\\nHung Up On You: Gram Parsons\\n\\nAnd so on. I could be cynical about it if the playing wasn't so consistently reverent. There's never a feeling that there's an intent to play tongue in cheek here, these lads move from one style to another graciously and, on each song, sound like they mean it. Far more entertaining than many 2003 releases that sold 10 times as many units.\\n\\nIf you loved \\\"Stacy's Mom\\\" and were hoping to get a CD with 15 other soundalikes, you're out of luck. But if you think the huge stylistic variety of the Beatles' White Album is a good thing, then giddyup.\",\n \"Product: Green Day - American Idiot (CD). The Grammy winning album, American Idiot, was Green Day's first since 2000.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: One of the best of 2004\\n\\nReview: I didn't think Green Day had this album in them. It's as big a leap from Dookie to American Idiot as the Beatles' leap from Please Please Me to Abbey Road. I can't honestly say I follow the whole storyline on this CD but with songs this catchy, who cares? \\\"American Idiot\\\" get's things off to a roaring start although it harkens back to GD's more traditional punk style. The next track \\\"Jesus Of Suburbia: (great title or what?) is actually a suite of five short songs segued together and from there we know we're in for a very different Green Day experience. \\\"Are We The Waiting\\\" is incredibly anthemic - bound to be a highlight in concert. And \\\"Whatsername\\\" is pure Beatlesque pop - would fit in on a Fountains Of Wayne CD. Hats Off to Green Day for making angry music so much fun to listen to. Instead of fading away into oblivion they've come up with an assured mature work that catapults then to the top of the punk/pop heap. Definitely one of the best CDs of 2004 - although there wasn't a lot of competition.\",\n \"Product: That's a dark shade of blue Nina creates with the aching performances on this 1967 LP (her RCA debut): Do I Move You; Backlash Blues; Real Real; in the Dark; the House of the Rising Sun; My Man's Gone Now, and more. Includes two rare bonus cuts and a poignant foreword by Nina's daughter.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: ... always been difficult to classify although this album is pretty close to a straight ahead R&B / Soul outin ...\\n\\nReview: Nina Simone has always been difficult to classify although this album is pretty close to a straight ahead R&B / Soul outin with some vocal pop thrown in. The only nod to jazz is the Porgy & Bess number \\\"My Man's Gone Now\\\". Although Ms. Simone can tend to be self indulgent at times, she reins in that tendency here with a selection of songs (4 are self penned) that really fit the Blues theme which is very fitting to her style and persona. The arrangements are also excellent with a tight band that supports but does not overwhelm the songs - no strings, no brass.\\nMy favorite thing here is a rollicking barrelhouse version of \\\"House of the Rising Sun\\\", completely unlike the version made famous by The Animals. While not everything works as well as that, there is never any doubt about NS's commitment to the material.\",\n \"Product: The individual voices of the legendary Brothers Gibb—Maurice, Barry, and Robin—are each wonderfully distinctive in their own right. In combination, they lock together for extraordinary harmonies, perfectly blending and magically complementing each other. This vocal wizardry is at the heart of their phenomenal success, which spanned five decades and transcended multiple genres with chart-busting glory. From their Beatles-esque ‘60s roots and the subsequent flowering of their own progressive pop-rock songwriting and performance style through their blue-eyed R&B superstardom and Saturday Night Fever disco-era domination, the Bee Gees constantly evolved and never stopped delivering timeless hits. The trio’s beautifully crafted, sonically enchanting work is one of the cornerstones of contemporary popular music, and this hit-packed compilation spotlights their career-spanning best.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The essential Bee Gees retrospective\\n\\nReview: There is no single disc collection of the Bee Gees hits that doesn't leave off several major hits, some of them number ones. So, if you want a complete restrospective of the Bee Gees very considerable hit catalog, but you're not such a big fan that you need all the material in a boxed set, then this two disc set \\\"The Record\\\" is a perfect compilation. It has every major hit, and several minor-but-very-good ones, from the Bee Gees' pop and disco periods. If you're heart was beating when the Bee Gees ruled the pop charts, I defy you not to sing along.\\nI have only one minor quibble. This set is in chronological order from start to finish, which means that the last seven songs on disc one are from the disco period - which honestly sounds like a completely different group. The latter part of disc 2 is the post disco period which harkens back to their earlier work. So this could have been reordered to have one all-pop CD and one all-disco CD. No problem in the digital age theough, you can just create playlists two segment the two styles.\",\n \"Product: Atlantic recording artist Paolo Nutini returns with his eagerly awaited second album Sunny Side Up. Produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon, Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne), Sunny Side Up sees Nutini continuing to mine his arresting brand of soulful modern pop. Songs such as 'Ten Out Of Ten' and 'Coming Up Easy' display the gifted tunesmith's ever-growing knack for irrepressible melodies melded with insightful and intimate lyricism, all held together by Paolo's gritty and unpredictable vocal stylings.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: After loving most of Caustic Love, I purchased Sunny Side Up and was a ...\\n\\nReview: I only recently became familiar with PN so I'm going in reverse order. After loving most of Caustic Love, I purchased Sunny Side Up and was a bit disappointed at first. The retro soul that pervades CL is not a factor on SSU at all, creeping in on just one or two tracks. But repeated listenings reveal that this album rewards with pleasures of its own. There are quite a few styles represented here, from ska to soul to pop to skiffle and so on. It all works because the songwriting is consistently very good with tuneful melodies, great arrangements and breezy playing. What really binds this all together is Paolo's terrific voice - he has a beautifully raspy style that he suits to whatever the song demands.\\nAs the title implies, the overall mood is very upbeat. Put this on to chase the blues away or, if you're already in a good mood, to just sing along to.\",\n \"Product: New product. Never used!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The highlights are great\\n\\nReview: A little perspective: Rolling Stone ranking this as the best album of 2012 means either it was a pretty mediocre year for music or they are hyper-infatuated with Springsteen. Probably a little truth in both. That said, this is a very good album. It's really good to see him trying new sounds on songs like Rocky Ground and Death To My Hometown. All the better that this really works as these are among his best songs in years.\\n\\nThere are no bad songs here but there are several that are a bit too repetitive in style from so much of his other material. The lyrics are a far cry from his 70s and 80s work, delivered without any subtlety whatsoever. However, to his credit, this was clearly Bruce's intent as he titled the album Wrecking Ball. He clearly felt so strongly that he wanted to deliver the messages with no wiggle room for misinterpretation.\\n\\nAll in all, not quite up there with his best, but certainly his best album since The Rising.\",\n \"Product: Produced by FOGERTY, one of rock's most important artists and a national treasure who s sold over 100 million records, WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE is a celebration of his iconic songbook and a collection of 12 classics and deep tracks from his remarkable canon of hits as well as two brand new songs, Mystic Highway and Train of Fools. FOGERTY performed alongside an array of today's biggest superstars from the country, pop and rock worlds including Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Keith Urban, Jennifer Hudson, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, the Zac Brown Band, My Morning Jacket, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and more. The album also sees FOGERTY teaming with an acclaimed new band like Dawes, who were eager to acknowledge the groundbreaking songwriter/guitarist's titanic influence. FOGERTY also recorded his classic Lodi with his sons Shane and Tyler Fogerty at Abbey Road Studios in London.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Indispensible, not just for CCR fans\\n\\nReview: The cynic in me thought, oh here we go again, another R&R veteran cashing in on his old hits. But then Rolling Stone rated this 5 stars and that got my attention. And wow, this is just terrific.\\n\\nOne mark of truly great songs (vs. great recordings) is that they can be reworked many times and sound fresh and new each time, as long as care is taken with the arrangement. Case in point: Proud Mary. The original with CCR, Tina Turner's smoking version, and the version here with Jennifer Hudson and a New Orleans all-star cast are all very different. And each is exceptional.\\n\\nIt becomes completely obvious after only one listen that Fogerty absolutely wanted to avoid the \\\"cashing in\\\" scenario. This is a labor of love. The first clue is that almost every song was recorded in a different studio, meaning Fogerty traveled to wherever was convenient for the collaborators to ensure that the recordings were done together live in the studio, not tacked on after-the-fact overdubs. It makes a huge difference as the collaborators are clearly thrilled to be involved with one of the greatest rock-and-roll songwriters of all time. You can't fake this. For evidence, just listen to the Foo Fighters absolutely shred the opening track \\\"Fortunate Son\\\". Is it possible to be filled with even more venom and bile than the original? Apparently so, but who'd have thought it?\\n\\nSome of the tracks are quite true to the original, some deviate significantly. No matter. All are terrific. There's also two lesser known solo songs and two new songs. Thankfully, these are interspersed with the rest of the album, not just tacked on to the end as \\\"bonus\\\" tracks. Those four songs might not be anthems that everybody knows by heart but they are damn good and kudos to Mr. Fogerty to ensuring they get some air time.\\n\\nI can safely say you shouldn't have to make a choice between the classic originals and the versions presented here. Make sure to own them both. For old timers that still sometimes buy actual CDs and not just downloads, I recommend the CD because the booklet has excellent personal notes from Fogerty about each song.\\n\\nThis is going to stay on my playlist for the summer of '13.\",\n \"Product: 2013 Japanese pressing SHM-CD. Concord.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A vocal jazz classic\\n\\nReview: I get frustrated with reviewers bemoaning that Diana Reeves doesn't always stay true to the \\\"pure\\\" vocal jazz tradition (Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, etc.). Say what? How about outstanding melodic vocal music and so what if some of it bends genres outside jazz.\\nThe first two songs on this album are sure to satisfy the \\\"purists\\\" and they are terrific. Then we go into a breathtaking cover of Fleetwood Mac's \\\"Dreams\\\", which is a complete and outstanding reworking of this classic; followed by \\\"Satiated\\\" which might be considered straight R&B (and with very sympathetic vocals from Gregory Porter) if it were not for the improvised guitar fills from Marvin Sewell; followed by another incredible reworked remake, this time of Bob Marley's \\\"Waiting In Vain\\\".\\nAnd so it goes. A lot of care went into the making of this album and the genre-bending exercises - including \\\"Tango\\\", a terrific Afro-Cuban number - only strengthen the whole outing. It is still unquestionably a vocal jazz album and an outstanding one at that. My only minor complaint is that the last song, \\\"Long Road Ahead\\\", is not up to the standard of the rest of the album. Not an issue in the days of digital media as you can choose whether or not to include that song in your playlist. Everything else is indispensable.\",\n \"Product: Keith Richards is releasing his highly anticipated third studio album Crosseyed Heart from Republic Records on September 18th. Singer, Songwriter and original member of legendary rock band The Rolling Stones, Richards is a rock legend and is among the greatest guitarists of all time. This upcoming album features debut single Trouble .\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A pleasant relaxed outing\\n\\nReview: \\\"Keef\\\" stopped having anything left to prove about 40 years ago which works to the benefit of this album. This man really loves music and especially loves making music. He crosses a lot of musical styles here, form acoustic Blues to folk to country to reggae to (of course) straight ahead rock n roll. But this is a cohesive album, it sounds of one piece. The playing is very polished without ever being showy. Ultimately, this just sounds really ... comfortable.\\nMaybe 2-3 songs won't make my playlist but that still leaves a good dozen and that's plenty. Nothing here really sounds like the Stones, and I think that's the point. Mr. Richards has a love of music that goes well beyond what would fit stylistically on a Stones album. I'm glad he shared this with us.\",\n \"Product: 2LP set\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Hopefully not their last album\\n\\nReview: I've been a big fan of Coldplay right from Parachutes. Seem them in concert twice, both really memorable. Regrettably, they seem to have peaked with \\\"Viva La Vida\\\" which was a really outstanding album. \\\"Mylo Xyloto\\\" was good but not great. And \\\"Ghost Stories\\\" was clearly meant to be a holding pattern while Chris Martin was laboring over his breakup with Gwyneth. But it was pretty good at that.\\n\\nDon't get me wrong, I'm all for bands going in new directions. It's just that Coldplay went in this dance/pop direction without having really memorable songs. Nothing on this album is bad, but \\\"Amazing Day\\\" is the only truly great song here.\\n\\nI hope they have at least one more album in them, because this is not the way they should go out.\",\n \"Product: BOWIE DAVID BLACKSTAR\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Destined to be a classic\\n\\nReview: Upon hearing this album for the first time, my first thought that it was unlike any of Bowie's other recorded output. But how many other times could the same thing have been said over this legend's career? Quite a few times. One thing is certain was that there was absolutely no inclination to produce something that would have wide commercial appeal. The absolutely haunting 10 minute title track that opens the album makes that clear.\\nThis is not an easy listen but it's a very engaging and compelling one. It sure as heck isn't background music.\\nThis is a very difficult album to describe as there's no obvious frame of reference. But if you're a fan of Bowie through all of his stylistic periods, there's every reason to believe that this is an essential purchase for you.\\nOnly time determines whether something is considered a classic - that's the meaning of the term classic. As for me, after listing to Blackstar 10 times, I'm going to put it away to let is absorb and pull it back out after a couple of months. I'm expecting that even more depth and richness to this marvelously textured work will reveal itself at that point.\",\n \"Product: The Cars: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar); Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass); Elliot Easton (guitar, background vocals); Gregg Hawkes (keyboards, saxophone, percussion, background vocals); David Robinson (drums, percussion, background vocals). Recorded at AIR Studios, London, England in Feburary, 1978. All tracks have been digitally remastered using HDCD technology. The Cars: Ric Ocasek (guitar, vocals), Elliot Easton (lead guitar, background vocals), Gregg Hawkes (keyboards, saxophone, percussion, background vocals), Benjamin Orr (bass, vocals), David Robinson (drums, percussion, background vocals). Recorded at AIR Recording Studios, London, England in February, 1978. Digitally remastered by Steve Hoffman (February 1993). The Cars: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar); Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass); Elliot Easton (guitar); Greg Hawkes (keyboards); David Robinson (drums). Producer: Roy Thomas Baker. Compilation producer: David McLees. Ric Ocasek's songs were influenced by the Velvet Underground and the punk rock movement, but had a slick pop/rock sheen which proved very successful. After a demo version of \\\"Just What I Needed\\\" became a listener favorite on WBCN in Boston (the bands' homebase), they were pursued by record companies. THE CARS was recorded in 2 weeks in London, England. This ranks as one of the best debut albums from a rock band. The Cars are filed under rock, but they are closer to power pop than any other genre. Ric Ocasek sounded like a cross between the Raspberries and Television, punk sound with a pop attitude. The giveaway was the irresistible harmony-ridden hooks in just about every one of his songs. Listen again to \\\"You're All I've Got Tonight,\\\" \\\"Just What I Needed\\\" or \\\"My Best Friend's Girl\\\" and be thrilled. Lots of chunka chunka guitar and Mamas And Papas harmonies, and rarely a dull moment. They managed only six albums in 20 years, but they never bettered this.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: In 1978, it was just what I needed\\n\\nReview: There are precious few flawless albums in rock and roll history. This is one of them. Just as Nirvana's \\\"Nevermind\\\" singlehandedly turned Grunge into a mainstream phenomenon, so it was for New Wave with the Cars' debut album - And just like Nirvana fostered countless unlistenable imitators, so did the Cars. But I have a choice not to listen to all of the bad New Wave that followed this, and I also have a choice to listen to this impossibly catchy album as long as I have functioning ear drums.\\n\\nFor those who are only familiar with the Cars through classic rock radio, this is the Cars CD to get. It's a rare instance where one of the band's original albums is the first choice over a greatest hits package.\",\n \"Product: The 1971 live album that proved to be Aretha's crossover hit!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A showcase of virtuoso soul singing\\n\\nReview: This is how it's done. It just blows away all the modern pop divas who try to impress with their voices while Aretha uses her voice as an instrument to elevate any song to greatness,\\nThis sizzling live recording is broken down into two sections: The first is a collection of covers of songs popular at that time (1970) which is highly illustrative of Aretha's massive talent. I wouldn't include the opener \\\"Respect\\\" in that bunch because, although a cover of an Otis song, Aretha all but made this her own. You may look at the next four songs and think \\\"WTF?\\\": \\\"Love The One You're With\\\" (Stephen Stills), \\\"Bridge Over Troubled Water\\\", \\\"Eleanor Rigby\\\", \\\"Make It With You\\\" (Bread). The arrangements here are almost unrecognizable from the originals but these reworkings are fabulous. It convincingly persuades the listener that Aretha could pick any song at random, no matter how unsoulful the original (\\\"Make It With You\\\") and turn it into a soul classic. I'm not sure I've ever heard anything like it.\\nThe second section is Aretha performing some of her originals and making sure you will never forget them. The highlight for me is an extended version of \\\"Spirit In The Dark\\\", with Ray Charles guesting, that must have shook the rafters at the venerable Fillmore West. It is among the greatest live soul performances ever put to acetate.\\nMuch credit must go to King Curtis and his band, which included Billy Preston here, for delivering the high energy crack backup that this greatly deserved, This performance would not have been so legendary had Aretha's voice been the only outstanding instrument on the stage.\",\n \"Product: Audio CD (May 15, 2001)\\nOriginal Release Date: 1976\\nNumber of Discs: 1\\nLabel: Island\\nASIN: B00005J711\\nAverage Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)\\nAmazon Bestsellers Rank: #22,150 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Get the early stuff\\n\\nReview: I think this explains why the Beatles broke up. How could someone who created some of the greatest albums of the 70s (Honky Chateau and Madman Across The Water, to name a couple) have degenerated into this \\\"adult contemporary\\\" singer? There's a few essential songs here - \\\"Empty Garden\\\" illustrates that losing a friend who just happens to possibly be the greatest rock star of all time can provoke some real emotion - but this mostly pales in comparison to anything EJ did before Rock Of The Westies.\\nSo why the four stars? If you feel the need to own any EJ music after 1975, then this is probably all you need. Just make sure to buy every single album he recorded before then.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":26,"string":"26"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1783,"string":"1,783"}}},{"rowIdx":1784,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"AOP2ZRNSHY2Z3"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"3.0\" for a product with description \"Stunning 6-inch Quad HD display is great for movies, videos, gaming, e-books, and surfing the web, with round-the-clock battery life. It includes Phone, Charger and Quick Guides. Compatible with Google Project Fi wireless network (Google invite required), see details at https://fi.google.com/about/faq/\". The summary of the review text is \"Screens are literally past shelf-life\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I used (and reviewed) a Nexus 6 back in 2013-2014, and gave it high marks. At the time there was very little going against it, except for the somewhat slow performance that cropped up intermittently due to the locked-in device encryption. Some probably saw that as a positive thing; it was a neutral feature for me. But now, in 2017, I tried to return to this phone as a low-cost alternative to the expensive Samsung I have been paying on for so long. There ended up being a lot of negatives I don't remember from my earlier experiences with the device.\n\nPerformance hasn't gotten much worse, but it's not great by today's standards. If Motorola had ever unlocked the encryption option, this phone might still be something of a powerhouse for the price. But it's still mandatory, unless you root the phone. That wasn't a deal-killer for me. But the screen was. I tried three different devices from a couple different eBay sellers and had to return all three for defective screens. The first phone had bad, very noticeable burn-in on the bottom navigation tray and the top status bar. When watching YouTube or using similar apps in rotated fullscreen format the effect was all too noticeable. My second example, from a different seller, only had a vague level of burn-in that I could put up with, but part of the screen was dimmer than the rest, which was annoying whenever I used an app with a white screen (I read a lot). The seller replaced the phone for me, but the replacement was the worst of the three, with strong burn-in in the usual areas and the whole left side of the screen being much darker than the right.\n\nGiven these experiences, I'm loathe to recommend this phone anymore. I like it - it's a massive, sturdy phone with what was - once - a lovely screen, but I honestly believe the technology used in this particular AMOLED screen has a shelf life, and these 2012-2013 manufactured devices just tend to have screens which have gone bad. It's a shame, but perhaps with the falling price of the Huawei-made Nexus 6P there is still a good budget performer in the Nexus line."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I used (and reviewed) a Nexus 6 back in 2013-2014, and gave it high marks. At the time there was very little going against it, except for the somewhat slow performance that cropped up intermittently due to the locked-in device encryption. Some probably saw that as a positive thing; it was a neutral feature for me. But now, in 2017, I tried to return to this phone as a low-cost alternative to the expensive Samsung I have been paying on for so long. There ended up being a lot of negatives I don't remember from my earlier experiences with the device.\n\nPerformance hasn't gotten much worse, but it's not great by today's standards. If Motorola had ever unlocked the encryption option, this phone might still be something of a powerhouse for the price. But it's still mandatory, unless you root the phone. That wasn't a deal-killer for me. But the screen was. I tried three different devices from a couple different eBay sellers and had to return all three for defective screens. The first phone had bad, very noticeable burn-in on the bottom navigation tray and the top status bar. When watching YouTube or using similar apps in rotated fullscreen format the effect was all too noticeable. My second example, from a different seller, only had a vague level of burn-in that I could put up with, but part of the screen was dimmer than the rest, which was annoying whenever I used an app with a white screen (I read a lot). The seller replaced the phone for me, but the replacement was the worst of the three, with strong burn-in in the usual areas and the whole left side of the screen being much darker than the right.\n\nGiven these experiences, I'm loathe to recommend this phone anymore. I like it - it's a massive, sturdy phone with what was - once - a lovely screen, but I honestly believe the technology used in this particular AMOLED screen has a shelf life, and these 2012-2013 manufactured devices just tend to have screens which have gone bad. It's a shame, but perhaps with the falling price of the Huawei-made Nexus 6P there is still a good budget performer in the Nexus line."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Classic pepperoni flavor. Crafted with lean, humanely-raised turkey, peppers, paprika and garlic for nourishing real meat protein.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Great, except when they're bad.\n\nReview: I wanted to like these meat sticks, and I was willing to put up with the, uh, different, texture, knowing as I do that the ingredients are a lot higher quality and the taste is pretty good. But unfortunately half of the box went bad within a few months of purchase, well under the best by date, developing spots of what looks like mold, and, in a couple cases, the wrapper ballooning up from the inside. I have been in contact with the company, and was originally told that I'd be refunded for the sticks that were bad, but that communication sort of petered out and I never obtained a refund. I'd also like to see a little more urgency in dealing with a matter like this, seeing as it could conceivably make people sick. But I guess that's what companies are like these days. I will say the first box I got had no such issues, so it's hit or miss it seems.\n\nEdit, 2/16/17: The company contacted me through the comment on my review here and replaced my bad meat sticks with a fresh box of a flavor I requested. I'm looking at the bad ones in the previous box as an understandable accident based on the other boxes I've ordered and consumed, which had no problems. I'll continue to do business with this company based on their willingness this time around to fix their mistake, and the fact that I like the product and ingredients. Changed this review from a two-star to a three-star. I think their other products are a bit better in texture than this particular turkey recipe, so I probably won't buy this particular one again, but I like their other varieties.","Product: MODEL- MS-CD13682WI VENDOR- MICROSOFT CORPORATION FEATURES- Microsoft Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends PC Take the next big leap in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre. Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends is the highly anticipated second installment in the award-winning RTS franchise for Windows Rise of Nations.* Conquer the World Campaign The immensely popular Conquer the World (CTW) campaign returns with exciting updates.* Genre-defining graphics and special effects Cutting-edge industry-leading technology combines with awe-inspiring art design to create gameplay and environments unlike anything ever seen.* Innovations in the RTS genre Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends evolves the franchise's trademark gameplay features--such as borders attrition huge armies clashing and the building of cities--but with innovative twists.* Streamlined and intuitive gameplay Improved army and research interfaces make for easier and more streamlined gameplay with less emphasis on micromanagement.* New options for multiplayer and online play Several new innovative multiplayer features allow even a 20-minute game to be a rewarding experience.* Compelling and integrated story line Transport yourself into a fantastical world where you must guide a young inventor's struggle to unravel his world's ancient past and unite its people against an unimaginable threat. -- SPECIFICATIONs ----------------------------------ESRB RATING - T for TeenGENRE/CATEGORY- Real-Time Strategy (RTS)SYSTEM - PCREQUIREMENTS - Windows XP/Windows Vista 1.4 GHz Processor 4.5 GB free hard drive space 64MB Video Card with hardware transform and lighting DX9 hardware compatibility and audio board with speakers and/or headphones. Internet Connection 56.6 kbps or better for internet play\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Inspired - and largely overlooked - achievement\n\nReview: This is an edit of my original review, which I posted soon after acquiring the game. Since then, I've edged a fair way into the campaign and played numerous \"quick battles\".\n\nWhat's been said about the campaign is mostly true - it's neither polished nor very appealing. To be sure, there are some good strong characters, but they are not fleshed out very well, and the story feels overall quite by-the-books and predictable.\n\nNot so the world behind the game, though. It takes a lot for an RTS setting to come alive, which has put me off from them somewhat. But Rise of Legends rises to the challenge, with three very distinct cultures, each of which has a well-developed internal realism. The steam and clockwork of the Vinci feels worlds apart from the more traditional eastern-based magic of the Alin, and the strange Mayan-style of the Cuotl is rarely portrayed in recent video games. Along with these are excellent game mechanics, oriented for those who prefer combat to endless nation-building and running after resources. National borders appear as colored lines on the minimap, soldiers take attrition damage when traveling through hostile territory, and the capitol city is one's prime target. Added to this, the units are quite diverse and complex; even basic soldiers have multiple combat styles/abilities, and the many heroes available are powerful and help your nation in various ways. Each culture can obtain a master unit, which is an alternate way of achieving victory - save enough for a master unit, then, if you use it wisely, your game is won. This is often more enjoyable than simply sending hordes of lesser warriors into enemy territory. It takes some time to master these details, but the game's AI choices are varied and quite well-balanced, so you won't be crushed time and again as a beginner, nor wind up trouncing the hardest settings easily.\n\nGraphics are quite stunning, as well. The game camera changes elevation based on terrain, and very realistic atmosphere responds to this. Flora is beautifully detailed, and some of the more exotic maps especially are incrediblly well rendered. Those with a computer powerful enough for maximum settings are in for a real treat. I mostly make do with medium-low settings on my laptop, which is in need of RAM. While the minimum requirements list 256MB, my 384MB doesn't cut it; this game needs about 1GB to really do it justice. Also, a 256MB video card is required for a couple of the highest-end effects. Fortunately and finally, each graphics setting provides detailed information as to what part of your system it will affect, making fine-tuning astronomically easier.\n\nRise of Legends will probably never be as popular as, say, Company of Heroes, for the sometimes strange fantasy world will not appeal to all. As well, the campaign leaves much to be desired. But if you, like me, buy an RTS much more for the skirmishes than the campaign, you'd have to try hard not to like it. Quick, intense games, good strategic combat, and probably the prettiest RTS world to date, combined with all the originality this title commands, it's well worth trying. You might well be inspired, yourself.","Product: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade features two new playable races, the Tau Empire and the Necrons, bringing the number of totally unique races to an unprecedented seven. In addition to the two new playable races, Dark Crusade will feature an all-new single player campaign centering on the conquest of a \"meta-map,\" with each territory captured giving tangible rewards to the occupying force. A greatly expanded multiplayer component and a completely unique economy model for the Necrons will present gamers with the most compelling Dawn of War game to-date. Customize and manage a persistent army as you sweep across the planet Customize the appearance and abilities of your commander unit as he grows in power and influence Discover the dark secrets of a planet shrouded in mystery\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A game that's hard to fault!\n\nReview: Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War is hugely popular, and for good reason. Strong art development, streamlined and no-nonsense resource management with a uniquely tactical twist, well-balanced races with enough individualities in playing style, and a highly efficient, visually impressive game engine gave this game the boost it needed right out of the gate. Dark Crusade adds a lot more to the game, and is to be commended for its stand-alone style, meaning that you can fully experience the campaign and skirmish mode without owning or installing the original Dawn of War.\n\nOne thing which makes DoW such a rich experience is the depth of background to the Warhammer 40K universe. These races weren't just designed, conceptually or artistically, from scratch for the purposes of the game. They're the product of many years of dedicated efforts by fans of the tabletop game, and the heavy attention focused on the miniature art translates very well to game graphic art. Also, the game sounds very good, with each race given appropriate voices and script. While much of it is dramatic, it's not over-the-top, due mostly to good vocal talent. And there's a very convincing ring of sincerity to a Space Marine's loathing utterance of the word \"heretic\" when confronted with a Chaos Marine (long-ago split from the loyal Space Marines to follow the black arts). The game's rendition of the Warhammer 40K universe is just top-notch.\n\nGameplay is another strong point in this series. With only two resources, players may focus a lot more on combat - in fact, they have to, as one of the resources, requisition, is gained by controlling important points on the map. This requires that one fight to gain and maintain enough resource to function, and very little of the battling that goes on is unimportant. The effect of this is very powerful on gameplay as a whole.\n\nAnother very popular game, Company of Heroes, is built upon a version of the same game engine, and this tells you how good this rather-aged engine really is. Given the moderate system requirements called for, this game produces beautiful graphics, and functions very well even at minimum specs. Company of Heroes also uses the same resource and tactics system, and I would venture to say that these two aspects, game engine and gameplay style, are the cornerstone of CoH's success. It's sure not the tired WWII setting that sells that game.\n\nAll in all, DoW does a terrific job of catapulting the player into a grim, bloody Warhammer 40K atmosphere, and providing adrenaline-infused, tactical gameplay. One of the few strategy games to be rated M, the gore level is very high, but it goes well with the style portrayed. If you've not yet experienced Dawn of War, this is a great place to begin. If you have DoW, this game will provide you some great new content - as well as (ding! Take note) support for widescreen monitors, important to those of us who enjoy our widescreen aspect ratios, and dislike vertical black bars.","Product: Tom Clancy's The Division - Xbox One\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: The Division is less than the sum of its parts\n\nReview: The Division set out from the beginning, it seems, to gun towards Destiny and the space it has carved out for itself. A widening field, to be sure, as Blizzard gets ready to release a similarly always-online shooter which will no doubt be a big deal (although the Blizzard game seems to be more of a pure multiplayer experience, whereas Destiny offers a good selection of both PvP and PvE, and The Division currently provides no real PvP mode), but advertising for The Div took some potshots directly at Destiny's face. Turns out this was braggadocio, as The Division really doesn't have its stuff together.\n\nFor starters, the game world doesn't live up to its promise. An infected NYC, which you can free-roam? Awesome! Except as time and game-hours pass, it gets really samey. While it looks beautiful and grungy to the extreme, there's not enough variety, nor unique things to do, to make it stand the test of time. Encounters, missions and side missions are mostly the same, with a story which develops but never achieves greatness. Overall, most of the experience is the same, and it is never more apparent than in the acquisition of gear. There is both gear leveling relative to character level, and different grades of gear which offer individual abilities, perks and attack/defense values. Problem is, it's all the same gear. It seems like only a few different weapons fill each weapon type, and regardless of the grade or level or assigned perks, a Police M4 is a Police M4 is a Police M4. Compared to Destiny's incredibly unique exotics, Div is simply lackluster in the gear department.\n\nOne standout is the Dark Zone, which is a truly exciting and unique experience. I've had some great, tense fights with AI enemies who outleveled me, only to lose the hard-earned gear they dropped when an agent went rogue with no warning and shot me in the back. Conversely, many agents will fight alongside you, and it's all the more meaningful when they do considering they could turn on you and steal your stuff. One of my most recent games saw me trying to call in an extraction, when a group of three rogues popped in and shot me on sight. It was more of a reflex move on their part, though (after all, since they were rogue I presented a threat), and I heard one of them through proximity chat, almost guiltily saying \"don't take his stuff.\" Upon respawning I raced back to the atrocity's location, and sure enough, my gear was there, along with the helicopter I'd called in. I was able to extract my gear just in time, before again being shot by the same group of rogue agents.\n\nExperiences like that are great, and The Division did a good job creating a sandbox where such things can emerge, but the DZ isn't without its share of problems, like overactive enemy respawns, agents who are only in there to wreck people's day, and the like. Not to mention you're still at the mercy of the random number generator in regards to rewards. In the long run, the Dark Zone can't quite balance out a lopsided game.\n\nNaturally, future updates will offer more content, and may even fix some of the issues. But The Division has revealed its core, its loot treadmill, and it's just not that much fun. Locations, activities and gear are just too samey, and I can't get myself to care about spending hours working towards getting the same shotgun with a better stat, in an environment that might be a different brilliantly-recreated district of NYC, but is really just the same assortment of tall buildings and trash bags.","Product: Be the first to experience the Xbox One X designed for the biggest fansthe Project Scorpio Edition featuring a custom design, Project Scorpio inscribed on both the console and controller, and a vertical stand. With 40% more power than any other console, experience immersive true 4K gaming. Blockbuster titles look great, run smoothly, and load quickly even on a 1080p screen. Xbox One X also works with all your Xbox One games and accessories as well as Xbox Live, the most advanced multiplayer network, giving you more ways to play.2 Games play better on Xbox One X. Whats in the box: Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition 1TB Console, Project Scorpio Edition Wireless Controller, Xbox One X Vertical Stand, 1 month Game Pass subscription trial, 14-day Xbox Live Gold trial9, HDMI cable (4K capable), and AC Power cable.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Stings like a Scorpio\n\nReview: Microsoft has been on a roll lately with pleasing their fans. I think they realize that, with the market share Sony has this console generation, the fans are their greatest asset (in lieu of first party exclusives, of course). Microsoft has always had cool project names for their products (remember Natal, which became Kinect? RIP), and it's great to see them embrace the coolness with this limited release of the new X version of the console. While there isn't a ton of differences between this and the regular One X console, remember that this is just a special edition branding, and you can't expect Microsoft to build a whole different console style for a limited release.\n\nI'm actually pretty impressed with what they did do. The top of the console as well as the underside of the controller have a very sleek and good looking texturing that offsets the plainness of the matte finish on the One X (I prefer the matte after owning an original Xbox One which picked up dust, light scuffs and fingerprints very easily on the glossy plastic finish). The understated \"Xbox green\" printing on the console and the controller looks awesome in person, and is great fan service to the Xbox brand. I also like the monochrome look of the controller - the gray buttons contrast nicely with the green Scorpio lettering. The included stand is substantial and feels quite secure for mounting the console upright.\n\nAs for the One X console itself, it's a heavy (very heavy!) and well-made, beautifully designed, piece of technology. Nearly everything you do is benefitted by the enhanced internals, especially the 12GB of super fast RAM. Just like upgrading RAM on a PC is a better overall experience, the same can be said of the Xbox One. I have yet to own a 4K TV, though that is definitely a focus now, but even at 1080 everything looks better, even the dashboard UI. When I first booted the system and began to set it up, there was (of course) a patch to download, but while it downloaded, a message displayed which let me know that I could get a head start on setup by inputting a code into the Xbox app on my phone: a nice touch. As I am a busy person I have yet to play any real games, but I will update my review with my impressions of gameplay and graphic quality. All in all, at this point, color me impressed!\n\nUPDATE 11/14/17: The One X forces something like 16X anisotropic filtering at all times, and it shows immediately. I booted up Destiny 2, already a beautiful game, and the colors and detail popped much more on a 1080p monitor than on the regular Xbox One. I still saw some aliasing, which isn't surprising since it's still running the basic assets. Next month, Bungie will patch the game to 4K, at which point the aliasing should disappear and the game will look eye-bleedingly good.\n\nUPDATE 11/16/17: Halo 5 is the only game I currently own which has the 4K patch available. The result on a 1080p monitor is unbelievable. I have never seen a game look this good on a console. Can't wait for a 4K TV.","Product: In Celtic Kings: Rage of War, you play the role a young Celtic warrior who seeks nothing more than revenge! Choose to support the Romans or the druidic priests and collect magic artifacts as you complete your quest Find yourself exploring the ancient world as you complete your quest in this thrilling new game!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Simple, But Sensible and Exciting\n\nReview: Celtic Kings is an RTS game of its own. It's design is unique, rather than being a spin-off of other common games like Age of Empires. The main differences are: less technologies (it is more based on fighting), no building, and different unit control. Units are level-based, gaining HP and attack/defense points as their levels increase. This I like very much, as it adds the facet of \"veteran\" warriors. Units can be grouped under a leader, a Hero, giving them a higher fighting ability under his leadership. This makes control of large armies much easier. Units must be fed, or they will slowly starve. This is an added concern, but also very realistic, and adds a major aspect to the game. Items can be carried by units which give certain advantages. And lastly, due to the excellent game machine capabilities, large (even huge) armies can be created and sustained large battles can be fought, without adverse effects to quality. To me, it is a trmendous advantage over AOE or Age of Mythology to be able to lead two hundred units into battle against a foe of the same size.\n\nThe downside to the game is its smallness, with only two civilizations to choose from. Also the RPG campaign is rather hard to play. And the game editor, though simple and practical, is not easy to use. With practice, however, one can build campaigns.\n\nOn the whole, I have found this game a hugely enjoyable and interesting one, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys RTS games, and is looking for something different.","Product: Ask any coffee connoisseur and they'll tell you that in order for coffee beans to develop their full flavor profile, they must be ground right before coming in contact with hot water. This is where the bistro electric burr coffee grinder comes in and becomes part of the coffee making ritual. The Bistro is continuously adjustable - twisting the upper bean container determines how finely ground the beans will be. With over 14 settings from coarse to fine, you can deliver the ideal grind for any brewing method. But there's more to it than that. Most coffee grinders use plastic containers to receive the ground coffee but plastic and ground coffee don't go together well. The powder gets statically charged and spills all over the place. The new Bistro comes with a borosilicate glass container to catch the grounds. The glass catcher is inherently static-free, reducing the amount of overall static and \"jumping\" coffee grounds. This and the tight silicone/nylon lid make for an excellent, no-spill coffee grinder. The borosilicate glass container comes with a silicone band to make it slip-proof, an especially important feature when touched with wet hands. The Bistro is made from borosilicate glass, steel, plastic, rubber and silicone and comes in black, orange, red, green, and white.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Good coffee grinds my gears\n\nReview: If you're a coffee enthusiast, one thing is clear: drip coffeemakers don't produce very good coffee. If you want the good stuff, you're going to want to brew it with a french press, pour-over, moka or espresso maker, and for that you're going to need the most evenly-ground beans you can get. Sure, you can use the industrial grinder at your grocery store, but the ground beans are going to go stale before you go through them. Enter the burr grinder.\n\nBefore you leave this review thinking I'm some kind of pinky-up, sissy hipster whose beard is his only sign of masculinity, let me say that I brew a pot of french press coffee every single morning, and their is no manlier way to drink coffee. The results are rich, creamy and packed with flavor. In all seriousness, though, if you think higher-quality coffee brewing methods are overrated, you're missing out.\n\nThe Bodum Bistro is an awesome-looking device, very Bauhaus in design - mine is lime green. Looks great on the counter, but the key thing is that it works well. Durable steel bit and bore, with a heavy duty plastic housing which I was initially unsure of, but has stood up to almost a year's faithful grinding with no visible wear and tear. I have found the top bin, which also rotates the grind selector from fine to coarse, to be loose when set on the coarsest (french press) setting, which requires me to put a hand on top of the bin while grinding. Not sure if that's something a good cleaning will fix, and it doesn't bother me, but aside from that the whole unit is a one-touch button press to grind just the right amount of coffee. I set it to 11 seconds for a 32-oz. french press, and the whole thing takes not more than 20 seconds to get from whole bean to the french press carafe. Definitely shortens the prep time compared to grinding beans for a drip maker using a traditional cheap blade grinder.","Product: Rest easy knowing you'll enjoy an exceptional night's sleep on the Lightspeed Outdoors Deluxe TPU Air Bed with Battery-Operated Pump due to the patented stabilizer system providing adjustable but even firmness.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Makes sleeping in the great outdoors great again\n\nReview: We wanted something comfortable for tent camping, but wanted to avoid the standard PVC or latex air mattresses which have a nasty habit of expanding over time and requiring more air over and over. In my experience, unless you opt for a massive double-height mattress, which is also very heavy and bulky, you'll find hip touching the ground at some point during the night. When I saw how well this mattress fit the criteria we had for a bed, I decided to try it. Impressions after using on a 2.5-day camp; it's great! The material is the same as a 1-person self-inflating pad I used to own, so I figured it would be fairly rugged and would inflate nice and firm. It definitely does that, and is comfortable but firm, with no hint of hitting bottom due to expanding or losing air. It handles plenty of weight without wobbling all over the place, and is much, much lighter than an equivalent queen PVC bed. Well worth the extra $20-30 you will pay for this over something by Intex or similar.","Product: Deep clean essential, upright deep cleaner, cleans better with less effort, patented heat Wave technology provides constant source of heat to help maintain water & formula temperature, large 1. 25 gallon Capacity tank, 3 inch tough stain tool, dual rotating power brushes with 10 cleaning rows lift embedded dirt out of carpets & rugs, comes with 8 oz Bissell 2x formula, 3 year limited warranty, requires 8852 #160-1542 belt.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: At least it doesn't suck...\n\nReview: ... or rather, it does. Sort of. This isn't a vacuum, for those who are led astray by the look of the thing. I couldn't tell completely from the documentation, either, whether you could use the machine to vacuum areas you want to clean, but it became clear in operation that, while you can do a little spot-vacuuming to gather stray bits, this is meant for wet cleaning.\n\nWhich it does well, at least the wetting part. The machine and tools lay down a good fine mist, and the loading and unloading of the solution is easy to figure out. But the drying/suction part is really the crucial part of any wet carpet clean, and I was disappointed with the amount of suction this machine produces. It feels like less than your typical vacuum cleaner, while with a wet cleaner I'd prefer extra power. I've wet cleaned carpets professionally, so I know how important this is.\n\nIt's not the end of the world, however. You just have to carefully regulate how much you wet the carpet or upholstery you're cleaning. Less is always better, and more doesn't equal a better clean. More spray equals deeper penetration of the solution, but you have to have enough suction to pull that back up and out of the carpet, or you've done nothing.\n\nI'd advise using quick wet strokes, and then slower dry ones, and make at least twice the recommended amount of dry strokes per wet stroke. Never heavily wet a certain spot, use the pre-spray bottle for heavily soiled areas, ang go light with that as well. If you clean like that, I can see this being a useful tool. Not a replacement for a deep clean every couple years (DeepClean is just marketing lingo on this machine, it isn't a deep cleaner at all) with a good truck mount machine, but it will maintain a cleaner carpet for sure.\n\nThe build quality of the machine is pretty good, if slightly flimsy. Just don't abuse it too much. And the included features were decent; a couple of hand tools and a crevice type tool, although I'd have liked the hard floor cleaner accessory, which is of course sold separately.","Product: Fashionista. A Coco Puff Chair is a sophisticated mix of texture and color. Like a good wool coat, this piece will stand out while perfectly complimenting your fashion forward style. This Coco Coral piece is 66% polyester 34% acrylic finished in rich terra cotta red-orange. Overall item dimensions: 40-inches wide by 37-inches deep by 40-inches high. The high-style design and high-end materials in the chairs are what set Howard Elliott apart from the competition. Howard Elliotts innovative product line is carefully designed and packaged to ensure low damage rates for their high quality and custom items. Howard Elliott has been redefining the home furnishing and hospitality industry with innovative designs of decorative mirrors, accessories, and occasional furniture since 2001. Lifestyles change the way we live and Howard Elliotts mission is to create exceptional products which truly finish a room. Howard Elliott distinguishes itself from competitors with the effortless adaptability of their product line. Versatility, style and customization are just a few of the features built into every item produced. Howard Elliott is constantly refreshing their look with new finishes, fabrics and designs to stay ahead of the game. With everything they offer, Howard Elliott is sure to be a valuable accessory and occasional furniture resource. Cleaning Instructions: Dry Clean Only.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not the belle of the ball...\n\nReview: My wife and I have pondered just what sort of design ethos went into the making of this chair, but with little success. Is it modern? Mid-century? Does it convey an impression of wealth, or not?? It's hard to say. This chair is ambiguous in everything except its ugliness. It's a rather ugly chair, even more so than in the picture. But are we willing to sacrifice a fashion sense for comfort? Alright, you've got us listening. This chair is very comfortable, amply cushioned and since it is suspended from the frame you don't have a hard surface underneath you.\n\nConstruction seems excellent, with four of what appear to be solid (shaped) wood pieces which come firmly together to make a very sturdy seat. The top merely slides over the four end-points on the upper part of the frame, but the fabric used for the pockets feels very tough. No complaints here.\n\nFor the price, however, I find it hard to recommend. $400 is a lot to pay for a chair this simple. It's three pieces, plus screws, and doesn't have any features to speak of. On top of that, it's unattractive and aesthetically doesn't go with much. It's reasonable quality and quite satisfactory comfort, but I find myself wanting to hide it.","Product: The contemporary milena TV stand with electric fireplace will be a star in any room. Accommodating your flat screen TV up to 60 inches and up to 75 pounds, this curved-front stand has a clean, fresh look. The electric fireplace provides supplemental zone heating for rooms up to 400 square feet, so you can set the thermostat lower and save money. An open center shelf holds AV components and Gaming systems, while the glass-front side cabinets with adjustable shelves provide storage for decorative items and most media components. This TV stand with electric fireplace features flame effects that can be used with or without heat for year-round ambiance. All hardware is included and assembly is easy for simple set-up and quick enjoyment. Tip restraint hardware included to help prevent accidents and damage to the TV stand. A touch-up pen is included to keep your TV stand looking like new.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Decent piece of furniture, boring aesthetic\n\nReview: I'm not sure I'm a fan of the white color compared to the wood color that's currently being advertised on Amazon, but it's not a bad look. Definitely not a design that will stand out in your living room, however. I do like the fireplace effect - as far as these somewhat cheesy fake fires go, it looks better than any of the others I have seen. We have not had any issues with the build or electronics.\n\nKeep in mind when you order something like this from Amazon, you'll be getting a huge box (almost surprised by the size of the box compared to the finished product) that is very heavy. Setup is a bit of a pain in the neck, but not exceptionally hard. Just expect to set aside several hours for the work.\n\nHonestly I feel it is overpriced for what it is (I'd expect to get something a lot nicer looking, with better materials, for the $389 price it's currently going for) and I can't say the white, Wal-Mart, \"functional\" aesthetic works in its favor, but it is what it is.","Product: Belkin Surge Protector 12 Outlet With USB\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Power + protection = win\n\nReview: Belkin has a good name in home electronics. While they do put out some lower-end electronics, many of their products boast great construction, great materials and solid value. This surge protector is no exception. There is a virtually dazzling array of 12 outlets packed very well into a fairly compact sized unit, and the inclusion of two USB power ports makes things much easier for me. I don't use a desktop, and my laptop, when not in use, is typically powered off. Hence, what USB-powered devices I do use (a mini speaker and USB power bank, in addition to my phone) don't have a ready means of charging (the phone is the only one with a wall adapter). This unit allows for fast, efficient USB charging. Excellent design, excellent execution.","Product: External Live View Finder for DMC-GX1, DMC-LX7\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The view is excellent!\n\nReview: Mirrorless cameras are a marvel - to be able to pull major image quality from a small digital body is a joy, and you don't have to put up with the foibles of the Big Two's DSLRs and their large lenses. However, the only real downside to the smaller mirrorless bodies is the lack of a viewfinder. Personally, taking photos using the LCD screen just dessicates the experience for me. It doesn't feel like taking \"real\" photos, in some elementary way that's hard to put a finger on. Not to mention the bright daylight scenes where you can't really see what's there.\n\nEnter the LVF-2. I bought my GX1 for a good price when stock was being liquidated, and in many ways I warmed to it immediately. Only the aforementioned lack of viewfinder held me back, but I equivocated over purchasing this add-on for a long time. $150 is a lot to pay for just the ability to compose in a viewfinder. However the praise this thing has received eventually won out, and I ordered it.\n\nThe experience is better than I thought it would be. The GX1 with LVF-2 transformed, somehow, into a unit that oozes distinction and classic photographic experience. What you get is a screen that is about as high-resolution as the LCD, but packed into a bright viewfinder. It makes ascertaining focus using legacy manual focus lenses not only possible but easy, even without magnifying the screen. Also, the extra steadiness provided by the \"three points of contact\" (eye, right and left hand) makes framing and obtaining steady shots much easier than when you must hold the camera away from you to see the LCD. Basically this addition pulls the camera away from a point-and-shoot user experience into the classic rangefinder camp, which is where it belongs.\n\nThere are minor quibbles which have been mentioned, such as the propensity to wash out in really bright sunlight, the extra bulk on the camera, and the fact that this is not the latest and greatest viewfinder in terms of technology. In regards to the first, it's true that you may have areas of the scene wash out, but use the histogram (since you should be doing that anyway) and you can be confident of where your exposure is actually at. The extra bulk hasn't been much of a concern to me, since the GX1 has never really been pocketable except with one of the pancake lenses, and then only just. And yes, the newest cameras, such as the GX7, or Olympus's OMD line, have better viewfinders, but this one does everything you need it to. Anything more is just gravy. If you like your GX1, get this tool, and transform it!","Product: Ncredible NPulse over-ear headphones\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 'N' to the power of great music!\n\nReview: Big headphones have entered the pop culture eye, there's no mistaking that. Oddly, in the age of low-fi mp3 audio, hi-fi sound has become somewhat of a thing, and the likes of Monster, Beats and others have ridden this particular consumer tide.\n\nI'm not going to compare these to Beats, since I haven't owned a pair, but the general consensus seems to be that Beats are overblown and overpriced. Now, there's something to be said for cans which do a good job of amplifying the audio data that's present in mp3s, which, as any audiophile will tell you, leaves a lot to be desired. But Beats seem to be tuned for that, and can draw a huge amount of thumping bass from your standard mp3. They fall short, however, in other pieces of the audio pie, specifically the mids and highs.\n\nThe NPulse headphones are considerably better in this category. Yes, bass is still an important part of most music, and these headphones definitely deliver. But there's a crispness and clarity to the other end of the spectrum that I haven't heard in the competition. It's as if, while bass is slightly cranked, the rest of the sound spectrum has been similarly amped up to deliver a strong, pure, gutsy sound that is extremely enjoyable to sit and listen to.\n\nI owned a pair of Sol Republic Tracks HD before receiving these from Amazon, and while they're not precisely the same ballpark (the Tracks HD's are around $150 retail for the edition I owned, while these go for $200), I will still compare them a little since they're the only other moderately high-end phones I've used for very long. The Sols are an on-ear model, while these are over-ear, and they delivered a much more bass-focused sound, which while it was very enjoyable to listen to (especially out and about - those headphones are better for carrying around, as they're both smaller and come with a better carrying case), still had me straining some to hear finer details which registered in the higher end. They had a bit more bass rumble than the NPulse, but the overall experience was not as dynamic.\n\nMy only minor gripe with the NPulse is its over-ear design, and large overall size. I realize that over-ear phones deliver better noise reduction, but my Sols were just so comfortable, in a way that these are not. They're a tad heavy, however it must be noted that in the couple weeks I've owned them, I'm already acclimating to the size and weight.\n\nThese headphones come in a large box, much larger and more expensive-looking than my Sols. Inside you get a booklet (mostly warnings on hearing loss, with some valuable information on the nature of loud sounds), a microfiber cloth bag, stickers, and headphones. The Sols, by comparison, came with a thick neoprene bag with a metal grommet for carry, much better and more protective, but that is alright since they are designed more for portability than these Monsters.\n\nOverall I am highly impressed with the quality and sound of these headphones, and won't be shopping around for a very long time. They perform better than the bitrate of most mp3 audio files allows for, so you could probably get even better results with a high end soundcard or amp and a lossless digital audio format. I'm eager to try it out when I get the chance.","Product: Sol Republic's 1298-01 TKDK Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones are a direct result of a passion to create something extraordinary by fusing art and music. Characters, colors and lines reveal the unique world of TKDK, while the one-of-a-kind design and sound of SOL REPUBLIC lets you feel the music. It's a perfect blend of style and sound. V10 Sound Engines deliver deeper bass, higher vocal clarity and crisp vocals. The SonicSoft Speaker Pads with extra-wide, noise-isolating ear cushions let you enjoy your music in comfort for hours. Constructed of polymer compound, the FlexTech Sound Track headband is built to withstand heavy abuse. Twist it, bend it, drop it, these headbands are virtually indestructible. The 3-button mic + music control lets you adjust the volume, pause/resume/skip music and answer/hang-up calls. Plus, the high clarity mic captures every word possible.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: You've got SOL, you are a soldier!\n\nReview: I've always been a fan of high quality audio and music, and I've been on the lookout for a good pair of headphones for some time. When I saw this pair at Fred Meyer on clearance, I couldn't help falling for the style, and after I read some reviews I decided to pick them up.\n\nSOL Republic really gets style; from the opening of the box I was impressed. Every component of these classy-funky headphones is impressive in quality and build. The design is nothing short of extraordinary, with fully interchangeable parts, an indestructible headband, even removable cables, should something happen to them. The Deadmau5 artwork is very cool. But of course, the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the listening.\n\nHaving made do with in-ear headphones for a long time, I was instantly impressed by the sound quality, particularly the rumbly bass. It is true that the bass is somewhat overpowering, however nowhere near as bad as Dr. Dre's offerings. In fact, I'm of the opinion that SOL Republic beats Beats at their own game, namely consumer-focused, bass-heavy audio, at close to half the price.\nOf course, these headphones can't compare with true studio headphones. Their sound is nowhere close to true, neutral audio. However, for what they are intended, they perform the job admirably, and look great doing it. I actually found that, during a majority of the time, such as when I am out and about, I prefer the punchy, bass-heavy bias of these puppies. A small part of me does miss the high end, however these headphones don't wash out mids and highs, its simply that they are hard to hear with all the bass.\n\nWhat you get in the box are the drivers, the headband, cable and a very nice neoprene carrying case. I wouldn't hesitate to take these things anywhere I went, as they're both sturdy and slick as heck. Bottom line, if you want headphones that are biased towards great listening, and don't mind sacrificing a slight amount of studio integrity, you'd be hard pressed to find better.","Product: 20mm focal length, equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm film camera F1.7 brightness for beautiful, soft focus Comprised of seven lenses in five groups Used with Lumix G Micro System Cameras, allows for use of the advanced contrast Auto Focus (AF) system\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Legendary Lens on a Little Camera\n\nReview: Having picked up a Panasonic GM1 as a small backup camera, I wanted the best image quality in a pancake lens. I've owned a 14mm f2.5 and 17mm f2.8 in the past, but decided to give this one a try. I sold the 17mm I had (at a profit, love used gear!) and put that towards the 20mm.\n\nI didn't expect the lens to be quite as large as it is (guess I've been spoiled by the size of the 17mm pancake). Yes, it's still a small pancake lens but it has a pretty significant girth that actually dwarfs the GM1 body. Incidentally I use the Panasonic grip with the camera, and the size of this lens limits the space for your fingers on the front of the camera, between the metal grip post and the lens barrel.\n\nBuild quality is great, although the shiny plastic on the front surprises me. It actually seems easier to scuff and looks cheaper than the matte plastic of the previous generation of Panasonic lenses, and also seems to pick up dust more than the front plate of previous lenses I've owned.\n\nUpon fixing the lens to the camera, my first and most pressing question was: how slow is the AF? It's the frequent con listed by users of this lens, and I do find it to be pretty darn slow, at least on first impression. The lens barrel moves at what can best be termed a stately pace. I was surprised to find it doesn't focus any faster on my EM10 or GM1 than it does on my older EP1 (whereas the Olympus 17mm f2.8 is slow to focus on the EP1 but the focus motor moves much faster on new bodies). However, in its defense, the focus drive seems to hunt less than the 17mm lens, which while faster to operate could take longer hunting back and forth in low-contrast situations.\n\nImage quality is very good, even impressive. The other pancake lenses can't touch the out-of-camera sharpness offered by the 20mm. I also found the contrast and rendering pleasant, better than the 14mm, and perhaps better than the 17mm (I always liked the rendering out of the Olympus pancake). Background blur is harder to get with this lens, as it is wider than a typical standard lens, but it can be great if you are fairly close to the subject.\n\nOverall, especially since the price for this new version of the lens seems to have stabilized at $299 most everywhere, I have found the 20mm f/1.7 II to be a great lens, with a few caveats.","Product: Introducing the all-new 2014 E-Series 32\" (31.50\" diag.) Full-Array LED TV with an ultra-narrow 10mm frame, and vibrant LED-lit picture. Full-Array LED delivers brilliant picture quality as it distributes LEDs behind the entire screen for superior light uniformity. Enjoy high definition TV in crisp, clear 720p HD resolution. With a near borderless design, a 30% thinner profile and space-saving, slimmer base, the new E-Series 32\" Full-Array LED TV is a perfect upgrade to any room. VIZIO E-Series: Picture-Perfect Brilliance.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: You're not being LED on with Vizio\n\nReview: I remember back to thinking of Vizio as a cheap brand - mostly due to their prominence at WalMart - but they have gained a well-deserved reputation for making really good TVs. If you're in the market for a simple, smallish TV you can do much worse and probably not much better at this price point. 720P really isn't a downside at this screen size. It's easier on the eyes than a 1080P display at similar sizes and viewing distances. Color and contrast are great. I do notice that when the screen is powered on, but black (no feed is currently being \"fed\") you can see uneven backlighting, which might belie the product blurb a little bit, but is par for the course with LCD screens. Recommended!","Product: The Manfrotto PIXI is the perfect mini tripod for compact system cameras (CSC). it has been designed to satisfy the needs of those consumers That are looking for a support that is lightweight, portable and easy to use. The PIXI is great for achieving hard to get video shots while keeping your camera steady. Close the legs to use it as a comfortable grip to capture great videos that stand out from the crowd. The new push-button mechanism enables you to position and lock the ball head in one rapid, intuitive movement. Pushing the button releases the ball joint to move freely. When the button is released, the ball is locked automatically in the selected position. Pixi has a minimal Italian style and is manufactured from stainless steel and adaptor for high quality and a tactile finish. With this solid construction, It provides a secure base in every situation and the rubber feet guarantee a stable and slip-free purchase on any surface. Dslr compatibility thanks to the universal 1/4 screw thread and the excellent stability, PIXI can be used with a huge variety of digital devices; The iPhone (with klyp), compact cameras, csc's and even entry level DSLRs. Pixi has been developed for entry level DSLRs fitting These basic requirements: • Body: maximum weight of 650G/1.4lbs • focal length: Maximum 85mm (standard Non professional lens) • total equipment payload: maximum 1kg/2.2lbs Please consider that any Semi-professional and professional equipment exceeds these requirements.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Pixi size for mini cameras\n\nReview: There are a ton of mini tripods out there, of varying degrees of quality - and price. Manfrotto's entry seemed surprisingly inexpensive for their brand, and of course the product is made in China. However, I've been pleasantly surprised. I typically use a very light camera, such as the Panasonic GM1 with 20mm f1.7 pancake lens. When combined with the Panasonic smartphone app, this was a hiker's dream kit. The small size and contoured shape of the tripod made it fit well into a pocket, and when set up, the adjustable head made it easy to get just the angle I wanted. Of course, without an app to check your framing, you'd be laying your face to the ground to check the LCD of a camera without a flip-up LCD feature. All in all, this has been a very sturdy and easy to pack miniature option for small cameras.","Product: With a 25mm focal length and 47 degree angle of view, this lens sits right between wide and telephoto designs, making it a great choice as an all-around lens for your photography. A fast f1.8 circular aperture delivers beautifully soft defocused backgrounds for impressive portraits or when subject emphasis is the desired photographic effect. An inner focusing mechanism assures fast and accurate auto-focusing, and because it is an MSC design, it offers nearly silent focusing operation a great feature when shooting HD movies.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 25mm is a modern classic on the E-M10\n\nReview: Well, there's not a lot I can say about this lens that hasn't been said already. It is an excellent performer with almost no downsides. Price is the only real drawback, as $400 is frankly too much to pay for a traditional 50mm field of view, with no special abilities like macro and a respectable but not extraordinary f/1.8 aperture, not to mention a plastic build (though very excellent - I have no qualms about the build quality). However, the street price for this lens is coming down, and I was able to find a new copy for $270. For that price it is a stellar choice.\n\nI've used the Olympus 17mm f2.8 for quite a while, and until recently a Sigma 30mm f2.8. I never found a consistent use for the Sigma, even though it was an excellent lens, it was rather too long for general use. If you're wondering whether the extra 5mm makes a difference, it really does. The 25mm is long enough to flatten out perspectives, but it seems like you can fit a lot more into the frame, making composition easier, than with the 30mm. Perhaps it's just due to the fact that the 50mm field of view is so classic - it's been drilled into our brains through the images we've seen.\n\nI am by nature a wider-angle type of shooter. I like the 35mm equivalent a lot, however there is a neatness about 50mm images that drew me to them. Flattening of perspective is more noticeable, giving images a more painterly style than the 35mm. The enhanced subject isolation, combined with excellent contrast and sharpness, makes the lens a joy to use. An unexpected feature is the flat front element, which reminds me of old OM lenses and is easy to keep clean. The included lens hood looks nice and is deep enough to make a difference. All around, this is a classic made to top-notch quality.","Product: The Thinnest, Toughest, Most Versatile iPad Case on the Planet. The needs of the Mobile Workforce are varying and often extreme. That is why every modulR iPad Case is engineered for toughness, comfort and versatility. Superior protection in the smallest footprint, ergonomic comfort and task-specific mobility is built-into every corner of the Tough Case + Flip Cover for iPad Air 2\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A modular case for your top secret ops\n\nReview: First off, this is a well-made case that is definitely tough. I like the feel and the different options for wear and handling.\n\nAlthough, I'm having a little trouble coming up with a good use-case scenario for a ruggedized iPad Mini case that is oriented more toward on-the-job or outdoor use. Simply because I haven't seen iPad Minis deployed in those kinds of contexts. The Mini is really a consumption device, first and last, and is operated more comfortably without a large case. This case definitely changes the user experience (not in a good way in my opinion). So, if you really have a need for shock-and-wear-proofing your little iPad for outdoor or on-the-job applications where the multiple handle and wearing options are a necessity, this is a great option. If you're not in need of that particular feature-set, however (and most aren't) you might want to stick with a smaller and lighter case.","Product: Beware of Punk from Sol Republic. Smaller, tougher and louder than you would expect, the Punk Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is the ultimate sidekick to make your music heard. Surprisingly loud for its size, Punk is fearless. Crank up the volume and fill your room with music or take the party outside. Water resistant, Punk can lounge poolside. Shock resistant, Punk is not afraid of ruthless backpacks. Even dust doesn't bother Punk, so mount it to your bike using the 1/4-inch threaded mount and head up to the mountains. Punk goes with you anywhere, all day with long-lasting 8-hour battery life. Super social, Punk lets you connect any non-Bluetooth audio devices using the 3.5mm cable. You can even connect to that old stereo using Punk as a Bluetooth hub. If you won't break the rules, Punk will.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: This punk won't rip you off.\n\nReview: I have a soft spot for SOL Republic, ever since owning a set of Tracks HD headphones awhile back. They bring a mix of style, ease of use and poppy, gutsy sound that is just a delight to the eye and ear. Their first foray into bluetooth devices, the Deck speaker, was above my price range but always impressed me. So when this Punk speaker was announced I sought it out, and I do believe they are keeping up the quality, even at this lower price point.\n\nSized like a hockey puck, it has a surprising amount of heft without feeling heavy. The build quality and size/weight are reassuring, and the device doesn't suffer any of the vibrations at loud volumes that smaller, cheaper speakers do. You can turn it all the way up and distortion will still be nearly non-existent. Mids and highs especially are very crisp and full, while the lower end of the bass is of course less full, as one would expect from a speaker this small, however the advantage is that the bass elements do not distort, so far as I can tell.\n\nOne downside is battery life, or rather there is confusion around the battery life. While it's advertised as 8 hours, you won't get nearly that long at higher volumes. Using a fully charged Punk at a few notches above default, you will probably get closer to 4 hours before needing to recharge. Personally this isn't an issue for me, as I use it mostly around the house, and am nearly always close to an outlet.\n\nAside from the sound and general quality of the Punk, my favorite feature is the blazing-fast bluetooth, which connects regularly in about 2 seconds. Range lasts throughout my (small) house. A feature which I have yet to use, but was among my reasons for purchasing it, is the bluetooth receiver utility, which is as simple as using the line out to connect with my home stereo. So far my use has been limited to an around-the-house tool for music and podcasts while doing chores, but it serves the purpose better than any of the (somewhat cheaper) bluetooth speakers I've had in the past.","Product: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 SonicPro Over-Ear Headphones - (Black)\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Be a Sonic Pro\n\nReview: Although I don't consider myself a high-grade audiophile (I'm more like an apprentice audiophile, but a master technophile) I have used a few of the mid-range headphones within the price range of this pair. My previous everyday over-ear cans were a set of Monster N-Pulse at approx $199. Those are good, but have a few downsides which these Audio Technicas correct quite well.\n\nFirst the Monsters are very bulky. I mean, good headphones should be sized accordingly, but whenever I caught a glimpse of my shadow with those I felt sure I was being stalked by a \"Spaceman\" (cue gratuitous Killers reference). I will add build quality, fit and finish to this category, for those were very plasticky. The Audio Technicas are pleasingly well-constructed, and while they fit over my ears just fine, they form a little closer to the profile of my head so I don't have to turn sideways to fit through doors. There are metal accents and very nice faux leather. Also, the adjustments truly fit a variety of heads, from my average one down to smaller, younger people and larger people - the Monsters felt like they were created for a monster; even at minimum expansion the band felt loose over my skull. These are a very high quality pair of headphones, and you can feel it.\n\nAnother nice touch are the three (!) included cords - one normal, one with smartphone/mp3 player controls, and one massively long one cord which is quite nice when I want to game and hook the headphones up to my sound system.\n\nThe real proof is in the pudding, or rather, the range of sound goodness that is delivered to my ears. Whereas most phones in this price range tend to overemphasize the bass, this set has a very balanced sound that is still very punchy, but distributes the punch evenly through the highs, mids and lows. I believe the mids are slightly prominent, but with a clear, spacious sound that doesn't compress or clip the richer background aspects of music.\n\nOverall, while I try to still use my old pair for exercise and listening to podcasts while doing work around the house, it's only because I want to keep these in tiptop condition. They're a definite favorite, and look great too.","Product: Eyefi Mobi Pro is a 32GB Wi-Fi SDHC memory card that connects cameras to smartphones, tablets or computers. Selectively transfer RAW and JPEG images via an existing Wi-Fi network or via Mobi Pro's own private Wi-Fi network. Includes 1-yr subscription to Eyefi Cloud for syncing photos to any Web-enabled device.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Transfer photos like a Pro\n\nReview: I've dabbled with Eye-Fi cards in the past, starting with a lowly original 4GB version, which was a pretty buggy experience most of the time. Frustrating, to say the least, because the user gets a strong sense of what could be, but was marred by endless connection problems.\n\nThe New Mobi Pro version has shored up the experience pretty solidly. To begin with, the transfer experience to a mobile device can't be beat now, as the card detects when new pictures are taken and only activates the Wi-Fi when there are photos to send. So you can use the Eye-Fi card for the whole outing, leaving your device Wi-Fi on and not worry too much about draining the battery on either device. best of all, there's no actual transfer experience back home - your photos are just there, full size jpegs (unfortunately no raw transfer to my Android phone, although there's not a lot I can do with raws from my camera on the smartphone). Whereas the original Eye-Fi card needed configured through a buggy desktop application, the Mobi Pro only needs to have the app installed, plus the activation code entered.\n\nYou may ask the question, if my camera has Wi-Fi already, what use is this card? I use a Panasonic GM5, which has a robust smartphone companion app allowing for remote transfer as well as different remote shooting options. However, camera Wi-Fi features still require a process to be initiated by the user. The Panasonic implementation even requires me to select each photo I wish to transfer. There are times when I still want to use the camera Wi-Fi feature, which of course is not interfered with by having the Eye-Fi card equipped. The rest of the time, the card does a terrific job offloading files to my device so I never have to spend the five minutes doing it myself.","Product: The hi-res Panasonic RP-HD10C over-the-ear headphones faithfully reproduce even the most subtle rhythms, tones and lyrics. Their 50mm HD drivers and eye-catching multi-layer diaphragms complement anti-vibration drive frames to efficiently suppress unnecessary resonance and vibration. Elegant textures and finishes, and soft, synthetic leather padding provide a comfortable and luxurious listening experience. A precision, horizontal slide adjustment system shifts earcup and driver placement to suit individual ear positions. Plus, ergonomic 3D earpads vary in thickness to form a perfect fit around the ears for superb noise isolation. Managing music and calls is quick and simple. The HD10C headphones work seamlessly with iPhone/iPod/iPad, Blackberry and Android devices to adjust volume, and switch from music to calls and back again with one-touch ease. Two detachable audio cords are included: a 3.9 ft. cord with inline remote and mic and 90 mini-plug for use with mobile devices, plus an 9.8 ft. cord with a straight mini-jack plug. A gold-plated sleeve adapter is also included to convert both mini-jacks into 6.3mm full-size plugs. For travel and storage, the HD10C features flat-fold earcups and a convenient draw-string pouch.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Hi-Res (but rather Huge)\n\nReview: I've been able to test several headphones in this price range, and most of them are great. Good quality materials, good frequency range (provided you have good quality audio files) and comfort are key features when you shell out this much for a set of cans. This Panasonic delivers on those fronts quite acceptably. It's not my favorite I have tested (that recognition goes to the Audio-Technica SonicPro ATH-MSR7GM), but matches most of what I like about that headset. My only quibble with this particular gadget is the size - it's uncomfortably large for me, and I have a normal-size male head. The earphones are larger than they need to be for me and the band, even when at its minimum fit, is too large. Only a very large noggin would need to extend it! So keep this in mind if you are interested in purchasing this particular headset.","Product: Bulldog combines the efforts of Corsair's class-leading cooling, chassis, and PSU technology to produce the ultimate small form factor barebones kit for 4K gaming. It includes the Hydro Series H5 SF liquid CPU cooler, the SF600 80 Plus Gold-rated power supply, and an overclocking-ready Gigabyte Z170N-WiFi mini-ITX motherboard all wrapped in a stylish chassis capable of supporting an additional 120mm radiator.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Smaller form factor, well-built, the Bulldog bites hard (updated)\n\nReview: I jumped on the opportunity to use and review this barebones system, as I had been wanting to build a PC for some time now, especially with the upcoming release of No Mans Sky, which has me intrigued to say the least. Corsair makes fine cases, and this is no exception. Having the motherboard and power supply preinstalled made for a nice jumping-off-place for a newbie like me, as well as an included hydro cooler thats well-matched to the case and form factor. On the whole, all of the included parts are high-quality, and while the price may not be anything to write home about at $399 (you save about $15-20 over buying the parts individually) I expect to see it gradually drop a bit more as it spends time on the market, and it has the potential of being a great deal. Certainly it saves you some time, and I was able to put the computer together with all of my parts in an evening.\n\nMy kit consisted of the i5 6600K CPU, 2x4GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3000 RAM, OCZ 120GB SSD and Asus GTX 750 Ti STRIX graphics card, for a relatively inexpensive mid-range system with some overclocking capabilities. I spent some time weighing GPU options, especially since the upcoming GTX 1060 looks to be the best deal in NVidia graphics in some time. But I ended up getting a very nice deal on the 750 Ti STRIX ($90) so its worthwhile for me until the point where I feel the need for an upgrade (I play most games on the Xbox One, while No Mans Sky is not coming to that platform at least in the near future and has rather modest system requirements on PC). This build should also speed up my photo editing software I intend on adding a second hard drive for extra capacity, either a second SSD or a 7200 RPM spinning drive. The drive bay has room for 2 additional SSDs or an additional 3.5 drive.\n\nInstallation wasn't too hard. The cables, of which there are many, could be a little better marked for someone like me who is new to building a PC, but the Bulldog manual is pretty clear and the instructional video you can find on their site is top notch. I followed the video through the majority of the installation. It included tips like setting the heatsink on the CPU as far as possible from the capacitors on the board to ensure a good contact. Thermal interface came preinstalled on the Hydro heatsink, so I am hoping it will do its job. Installing the Hydro cooler was probably the trickiest part, as the water tubes are short and bulky, but thankfully they swivel on the heatsink, making the process slightly easier. Mounting the cooler assembly onto the riser pins was kind of a chore, especially with cables working against you underneath, and one of the screws was very hard to insert due to the water tube heading to the heatsink being right next to the screw slot. Cables are mostly fairly short, being matched to the form factor of the case, which also makes them a little harder to manage, but the end result isn't too bad and leaves decent room for airflow in what is definitely not a giant case.\n\nIts worth noting that the case fans aren't controlled by the motherboard. The slot on the MB is 4-prong but the fan connector is 3-prong, so the motherboard cant vary fan speed youll need to go into BIOS to do that.\n\nThe graphics card space, which is below the drive bay (which is removed for installation of the GPU), is rather cramped. I believe there is plenty of actual room for a larger-sized card, but getting it into the space around cables and installing a GPU heatsink would be tricky. Luckily the 750 Ti is a fairly tiny card, and doesnt require any power beyond that provided by the motherboard. The 750 Ti is known to be a cool-running card, so it is a good fit for this system if you don't need top-end graphics processing power.\n\nIll be receiving a cheap external DVD drive today so I can install the OS easily. Then comes the driver updates. Thus far, however, the system seems to be happy upon powering up. The fans are a tad louder than I expected, but as mentioned elsewhere they seem to be set to high rather than normal by default.\n\nUPDATE: I've installed the OS and updated drivers, and am quite happy with my setup! The case has remained quite cool, which is good for a smaller case, and the Hydro cooler seems to be working well, although it is rather loud when it spools up under a heavy CPU load. This has only happened a few times, and usually the fan will kick up to high speed and higher decibels for only a few seconds. All in all, however, the system runs like a top and has extremely snappy performance all around. It will run Skyrim at a locked 60 FPS with everything on the highest settings except antialiasing 8X, which is a very minimal gain anyway over 4X. My monitor is an ultrawide with a horizontal resolution of 2560p but the GPU handles this with no problem.\n\nUPDATE 2: I've integrated this PC into my office as my main desktop. The form factor does make it a little oddball when you take a typical home office setup and add this to the mix. I ended up buying a small, 2-level coffee table from the local Swedish mass-made furniture store to house the case, which sits right next to my computer desk (on the top of the coffee table is a massive Canon photo printer). It definitely necessitated some creative thinking to get this comfortably situated.\n\nSince building, I've upgraded to 16GB of Corsair Vengeance LED RAM. I was surprised to find that this RAM, which is somewhat large and has metal fenders on top that accent the LED lighting, does not fit between the motherboard and the liquid cooler. There is not enough space for the RAM to sit vertically beneath the cooler when everything is screwed down. However, I was able to slide off the decorative metal fenders on the RAM sticks and the resulting few mm of space gained from that was enough to make everything fit, just barely. Maybe steer your RAM purchase toward smaller RAM sticks to avoid doing the tinkering I did.","Product: PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GM1 Compact System Camera (DSLM) with 12-32mm Silver Kit Lens\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Pocket rocket from Panasonic\n\nReview: I debated giving this product four stars instead of five, but when it all comes down to it, the quality of this camera shines through. At current prices, like the $450 Amazon is offering with the kit zoom currently, this is a five star camera. My own quibbles with certain features are personal, not universal. If you're interested in those, read on.\n\nI wanted a backup camera to complement my Olympus EM10, and decided that smallest is best. With a far better sensor than the old GF3 I used in the past, yet at an even smaller footprint, this is a tiny camera that can always be packed along. But for something so small the build quality is excellent, with lots of metal, a very scratch-resistant screen that has great contrast, and solid, metal buttons and dial. Yes, the controls are all small, but they're better than the similar functions on the old GF3, and really make the most sense for something that doesn't have much space to begin with.\n\nThe 12-32mm pancake zoom is a very handly little lens, and gets consistently good reviews for image quality. Personally, it isn't what I wanted (I'm more of a prime guy) so I sold it and primarily use a Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, but I do see the appeal of the GM1 body with the 12-32mm lens. It's almost exactly like a premium compact camera, but very competitively priced with something of this build and image quality, with the added benefits of interchangeable lenses. The Olympus 17mm f/2.8 and Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 are a couple more excellent tiny prime lenses for this camera, though you can of course mount and use larger lenses without too much problem. My Sigma 60mm f/2.8 functions quite nicely and is not terribly off-balance.\n\nI did decide that there is not enough of a grip on the front, and purchased the Panasonic accessory grip, which adds nicely to the aesthetic of the camera and gives my two fingers on the front of the camera a lot more positive of a grip. That grip is unfortunately ridiculously overpriced on its own, being a little piece of machined aluminum with a thread screw for the tripod mount that costs $100 MSRP. Fortunately you can find it bundled with other accessories for half the price, at which point it's just a personal decision whether it's worth it to you. I wanted the extra height provided by this grip, but there are others out there that are much less costly and will provide the needed addition to the front part of the grip.\n\nPanasonic did a very good job with the sensor, and the results are completely on par with my larger EM10. There are also a lot of good features like HDR, filtered B&W, and phenomenally implemented peaking that make it easy to shoot and get creative. Raw files are great, noise performance is good, and the dreaded shutter shock is totally absent. The camera has electronic first curtain shutter all of the time, using a purely electronic shutter for speeds over 1/500, but regardless the little shutter in this camera is the lightest and least capable of inducing vibration of any micro four thirds camera. it's almost as quiet as the silent shutter modes on other cameras, and sounds a lot like a leaf shutter.\n\nA camera that is not without its concessions, all of them related to the diminutive size, that nonetheless capitalizes on the promise of the micro four thirds system, with so much functionality and flexibility in such a small package that it's enough to win almost anyone over, unless you've got extra large hands.","Product: Portable USB DAC / Portable Headphone Amp\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Amped up price tag\n\nReview: It's rather hard for me to review a product like this, as it has such a narrow usage at which it excels. In the remainder of situations (the large majority) it is simply too expensive and unspectacular for what it is.\n\nNow, don't even hook this thing up unless you've done two things: invested in high-end headphones, and; obtained high-fi sound files. Otherwise all this thing is going to do is amplify the volume of your meager mp3s. Even with a set of middle-quality Monster over-ear phones which are a step above the initial consumer-grade level, I didn't hear anything I didn't before. You really need to be listening to hi-fi audio.\n\nWhich brings me to my next point: because hi-fi sound files are massive compared to mp3s, you're more likely to have those on your computer than on a mobile device. But I contend that you'll get better sound out of a little tube amp at a quarter of the price than you will out of this. It's a high quality, mobility-focused device, which is certainly packaged nice and with a plethora of accessories, but who is really going to walk around with a mobile device loaded with gigantic sound files hooked up to this device in the (thoughtfully included) leatherette belt pouch, from there piped into $600 headphones? I just don't see the point.\n\nThere's nothing to complain about with this device's quality. But for the price it simply isn't a good buy. Look into tube headphone amps and start out with something small unless you're an audiophile for whom this is a necessary buy.","Product: The Hydro Series H5 SF is a low profile liquid CPU cooler that provides efficient cooling for small form factor cases. The H5 SF's high-pressure blower fan provides powerful and quiet liquid cooling while exhausting hot air from inside the case. The H5 SF not only keeps your CPU cool, but also cools the components on the motherboard by constantly pulling cool air across them. Easy to install to any Mini-ITX motherboard the H5 SF is perfect for all small form factor cooling needs. The H5 SF delivers excellent cooling performance without sacrificing noise or case compatibility. Customer Service/QA /Technical Assistance Team: customer service/tech support: 1-888-222-4346 opt. 1.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Keeps a low profile in a small mini-ITX case (update)\n\nReview: I received this as part of the Corsair Bulldog PC kit, which uses a mini-ITX motherboard and is a somewhat small form-factor case. Not tiny by any means, but still doesn't leave a whole lot of room for a liquid cooler. The heatsink and cooler assembly are both a bit difficult to mount, since the liquid tubes are very short and quite stiff, although you can rotate them on the heatsink to get the cooler assembly at least partially out of your way when installing the heatsink. I also found mounting the assembly to be a bit of a pain, as the risers from the MB are pretty cramped and the tube gets in the way of inserting one of the screws. Once installation was completed, though, everything is smooth sailing from there!\n\nUpdate: having put some more use into the PC where this is installed, I can agree with reviewers who are calling it loud. Most of the time it's pretty silent, but when it spools up it is pretty loud. Most of the time it only runs that way for a short time. It may be intrusive for some, I personally am not too bothered by it.","Product: Redefine your style with the handsome Timberland EK Brook Park Chukka. Great for everyday use, this handsome boot is versatile enough to be dressed up or down. Boasting of a premium full-grain leather upper, it features a 100% cotton lace and TPR welt for added style and convenience. Featuring 100% recycled PET herringbone lining that wicks away moisture, it also boasts of a leather-lined footbed with exclusive anti-fatigue comfort technology that provides all-day comfort and support like no other. Unique L7 lug design features multi-directional leading edges for added ease, while Green rubber outsole enhances your every step with dependable traction for maximum support. Pair the Timberland EK Brook Park Chukka with any casual or work related outfit and get ready to feel like your stepping on clouds all-day long.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A more refined take on the Desert Boot\n\nReview: I like chukka/desert boots for their utility as dressy shoes and dress-down weekend wear with jeans. Previously, I had the original Clarks desert boot (the version with the rubber sole instead of the crepe one, so very like the sole on this boot) and loved them, wore them out to the point that I could have resoled them, but would probably benefit from just starting afresh. I put a lot of day-to-day wear on this sort of boot.\n\nI like the other pair of Timberland shoes I have, so I decided to give these a try. They are quite comfortable to wear, more so than the Clarks (which take a little time to wear in and are geared more for light weight and minimalism than support). However I like the quality of the leather uppers better on the Clarks. The glossy finished leather here feels like it will show creases more readily. Only time will tell, and I'll update the review to show my findings.\n\nAll in all, these are nice, comfortable chukka boots, but the cost is a little bit more and the quality not that more than the classic Clarks desert boot. If the more refined nature of these suits you better, they're a quality pair of shoes. But if you want the true classic from whence this entire class of shoe originated, at a lower price point, then give the Clarks a try.","Product: Introducing the new Dickies khaki made from a premium cotton blend providing comfort, style and long-lasting durability to keep you looking professional any time of the day.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Khakis first, flat front second\n\nReview: I don't often order pants online, but I thought I would give these a try. I've worn them, put them through the wash and worn them again, so I'll give my take on them now.\n\nFor a comfortable, professional looking khaki, Dickies did a good job. The material is rugged, has a nice feel and look, and sheds stains pretty well. The fit is true (a bit long) and not particularly slim even though described as such. The only part of the design that I don't particularly like is that the front and thighs are a little narrow, which results in a little bit of wrinkling at the top of the thigh (you can sort of see the effect in the product photo). It makes the pants seem less fitted and is less neat than flat front slacks. But it's not bad, and may be particular to my fit. Good set of khakis at a good price.","Product: Outwardly, Savane's Flat Front Premium Flex Gabardine Dress Pant appear to be the epitome of no-nonsense, stylish sophistication. Experience the freedom of versatility thanks to Stretch Performance Fabric granting unparalleled range of motion. Add No-Iron Performance and the deal becomes a no-brainer. Say hello to your new favorite pair of pants!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not a great fit for flex fit slacks\n\nReview: Not a bad pair of slacks as far as construction is concerned, and a very light, durable fabric. However, while these are advertised as stretch fit, and they do have a tiny bit of stretch in the waist, they are also tailored to be fitted. So the waist might be looser, but the rest of the pants are tight-fitting. Overall, this just doesn't work for me, since it restricts movement in the thighs while not fitting closely at the waist. Also, while I am typically a 32\" inseam, I can often get by with a 30\" inseam with pants that are cut generously. These 30\" inseam pants are very much not for someone who normally wears a slightly longer fit. They border on too short even for the size they're aimed at.","Product: Introducing the new Dickies khaki made from a premium cotton blend providing comfort, style and long-lasting durability to keep you looking professional any time of the day.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Khakis first, flat front second\n\nReview: I don't often order pants online, but I thought I would give these a try. I've worn them, put them through the wash and worn them again, so I'll give my take on them now.\n\nFor a comfortable, professional looking khaki, Dickies did a good job. The material is rugged, has a nice feel and look, and sheds stains pretty well. The fit is true (a bit long) and not particularly slim even though described as such. The only part of the design that I don't particularly like is that the front and thighs are a little narrow, which results in a little bit of wrinkling at the top of the thigh (you can sort of see the effect in the product photo). It makes the pants seem less fitted and is less neat than flat front slacks. But it's not bad, and may be particular to my fit. Good set of khakis at a good price.","Product: Your everyday t-shirt, reinvented for work. The IQ series t-shirt is available in both short and long sleeve variations, so you can enjoy the lightweight, moisture-wicking material all year round. Underarm gussets allow you to reach, without your shirt coming untucked, while hidden ribbing in the cuffs keeps long sleeves in place. Contrast stitching gives these shirts a contemporary and stylish look, while a concealed chest pocket with pencil stall provides safe storage. Protection level is clearly marked with cat2 and 2112 labels easily visible on the sleeve.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not much of a Bulwark for your pocketbook...\n\nReview: Perhaps I just need to do more research, but I had not realized that this shirt is designed to be fire-resistant. Not something I typically need for a work shirt. That's not an issue, except that if you want to retain the flame resistance you need to follow their washing directions to the letter. What I found an issue was the size - it's way too big. I normally wear an XL from most stores (Macy's, etc) but this shirt isn't just a little big - it feels like it's a full two sizes too large. Keep this in mind when ordering.\n\nI really don't see the reason for this shirt's premium price tag. It's a tough shirt, certainly, and I'm sure the flame resistance is an added cost. But it's still more costly than I would normally feel comfortable paying for a T-shirt.","Product: Ideal for backpacking, camping as well as home and auto emergency kits, the small, ultralight Esbit Pocket Stove folds compact enough to fit in a pocket. Constructed from durable, electrolytic galvanized steel that resists corrosion, the Esbit Pocket Stove features two selectable cooking grades and is suitable for use with cups, pots, and pans (not included). Includes 6 smokeless, Esbit 14 g solid fuel tablets that will burn about 12 minutes each with each tablet able to boil 500 ml of water in about 8 minutes. The solid fuel tablets work at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, are smokeless and have almost no combustion residue, can also be used as a fire starter for a campfire or BBQ, and if kept dry will last for 10+ years. Solid fuel tablets light easily with a sustained flame, can be snuffed out, and if kept dry, will relight when needed again. Extra fuel tablets can also be stored inside the stove to conserve space. The Esbit Pocket Stove makes an excellent survival or emergency stove and works equally as well for the solo hiker at camp. Dimensions-closed: 3.9 inches x 3 inches x 0.9 inches (9.8 cm x 7.7 cm x 2.3 cm); Weight, including solid fuel: 6.3 ounces (180 g). Made in Germany; 2-year manufacturer's warranty.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Ultralight stove of the past\n\nReview: Ah, the classic Esbit stove. You'd have to look long and hard to find a more beautifully early-20th-century design in a backpacking stove. It's built with the same sturdiness andsimplicity it has been since the 1930s. But, does it work?\n\nDuring my tests, the Esbit sometimes struggled getting a large sierra cup of water to boil at ~900' above sea level. Using military trioxane fuel had the worst effect, while the included Esbit fuel tabs worked considerably better. If you're serious about getting a freeze-dried meal hot and ready, or boiling a cup of questionable water, you might want to use two fuel tabs instead of one. Thankfully the tabs are inexpensive and quite compact. Even compared to small denatured alcohol stoves or ultralight backpacking gas stoves, this is an extremely light and compact choice.\n\nPersonally, for everyday use I would go with a gas stove over this one, since they are hotter, easier to control the heat output, and require less cleanup. But for a low-tech, survival kit or backup item this is the one to get. Pack in enough fuel tabs for the projected amount of meals or drinks you need to heat and you can totally rely on this stove to be ready to go when it's needed.","Product: Priorities in a survival situation: escape the elements, stay warm, and signal rescuers so you're easy to find. The Scout has you covered on all fronts: a heat-reflective 2-person survival blanket provides warmth and shelter from wind, rain, and snow, while the one-hand operated Fire Lite striker and waterproof tinder produce multiple campfires. A 100dB Slim Rescue Howler rescue whistle and Rescue Flash signal mirror with retro-reflective aiming aid make it easy for you to signal your position to rescuers, and a compass, duct-tape and fishing/sewing kit round out the package. A professional-grade RF-welded waterproof bag keeps contents dry in any conditions.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Great form factor for a pocket kit\n\nReview: I debated on whether to rate this product four or five stars, since for what you're getting, the price is most excellent. It's the foundation of a solid kit with a great form factor. In the end, this is an unfinished kit, however, and so I felt like rating it four stars felt most appropriate.\n\nThe tin is the foundational element for the kit, since it sculpts the items and their bulkiness, quality, etc. I've never been a fan of the Altoids tin, as there just isn't enough equipment that's that small yet provides the utility you might need in an emergency situation. This tin is considerably larger, large enough to be a functional emergency cooking pot, as well as good for stowing the unavoidably bulky items like a space blanket (included) and water bags for use in purification (also included). It's shaped so that you ought to have a pocket into which it can fit when you leave camp for a short hike. Any larger and it would start being challenged by normal pockets. Any smaller and you'd have to forego something that could be crucial in surviving a cold night in inclement weather, alone in the wild.\n\nThe contents are, as I mentioned, not sufficient for a real survival kit, however they are mostly very good, and the product itself admits that you will (and should) add to it. There is plenty of room even without removing anything for adding more gear. I actually applaud SOL for not including chintzy, low-quality approximations of important gear, like a knife, in this particular kit. I will personally remove the small number of water purification tablets and replace them with a bottle of Potable Aqua (and possibly the accompanying bottle of neutralizer if space allows). Otherwise, the included gear is good and will remain inside the tin. The slim whistle, spark fire lighter and tinder, reflective blanket and small duct tape roll are items I would have sought out anyway.\n\nMajor additions to this kit would be a dependable knife (either a small fixed blade, full tang knife or a sturdy folder or multitool, combined with a chopping tool - see CRKT's Persevere compact do-it-yourself axe head), waterproof/windproof matches, a small LED light, first aid, fishing and/or snare gear if applicable, et cetera.","Product: The okc Kukri knife is designed and manufactured to be tough and reliable. You will be amazed at the outstanding durability, quality, and performance of this product. Situated in new York State's scenic Southern Tier, Ontario Knife Company produces one of the most comprehensive, wide-ranging product lines in the Cutlery industry today. While being a worldwide supplier, the Ontario Knife Company is also a Major supplier to the U.S. Government and its military. Ontario has built its reputation on a heritage of uncompromising craftsmanship, quality materials and components, and a Steadfast commitment to its workforce. Distinctive Kukri blade shape. Non-reflective black blade finish. G-10 handle with finger grooves for secure grip. Includes lanyard. Includes nylon sheath with belt loop.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nothing fancy, but powerful\n\nReview: I've owned Ontario knives with the same blade and handle materials as this kukri, and found them to be very solid and dependable, if not overly fancy tools. That's just what you'd want in a kukri blade, so I decided to give this one a try. I was not too concerned about the sheath, as I intended for this to spend the majority of its time in my bug-out bag, and I have plenty of options for fixing the knife to my bag or person without wearing the sheath on my belt.\n\nThe Ontario Kukri does live up to its heritage, with a grippy kraton handle and tough black finish on the 1095 steel blade (the blade finish will scuff a lot with use, but this isn't meant to look pretty). I believe Ontario uses a nearly full tang that is secured firmly in the handle (the brass grommet on the hilt goes through the tang). HOWEVER the one annoyance that my knife has is some give or wobble between the blade and handle toward the front of the knife. This is not really a major fault, since the kraton material has a rubbery, flexy nature, but it does mean that near the front of the handle, the material is not molded totally close to the tang, but there is some \"air\" at some point. It doesn't bother me since the integrity of the blade/handle seems solid, but I am deducting a star for an imperfect fit.\n\nThis blade is slightly less thick than a traditional Gurkha kukri, and of course less weighty since the full wedge grind goes all the way to the spine. It's still very solid and has decent heft, but it feels like a step down from a camp axe (my original Gurkha model feels about on par with a Coleman camp axe in chopping prowess). All in all, it's a mostly high quality version of the characteristic blade shape that is very capable.","Product: The FastHawk is a small, heavy-duty multiuse axe designed for the tactician as well as the practical user a great all-around camping axe, backpacking axe, survival axe and throwing axe with a versatile ballistic nylon carry sheath. Use the FastHawk at home, in camp and on the trail, and even discover the ease of using it at a distance as a very formidable throwing hatchet and tactical axe.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fast and nimble tomahawk!\n\nReview: I've used and abused my Fasthawk for quite a while now, and I continue to be impressed with it. It would be hard to find as solid of a tool for under $30 that you can chop, throw or split with (of course you could always get a totally not-fancy Coleman camp axe for around $10 that will split better due to being heavier, and will basically never die, but it lacks the portability and nimbleness of this tool). I've taken it to harder woods, thrown it at tree stumps, taken it on camping trips to clear branches and prepare kindling, and it keeps on going. There is a little bit of play between the handle and the head sometimes, but I'm talking a very slight amount, and there isn't any damage, just wear and tear that has exploited the small amount of machining tolerances and introduced a slight play when extricating the head from a tight wedge. Nothing that affects the performance of the tool. I'm actually impressed that the ballistic polymer handle has held up to the amount of shocks I've given it.\n\nSince this is a light tool, it's not going to split larger pieces of wood into smaller pieces. But it will split smaller pieces, and the lightness contributes to correct aim when processing smaller wood. It's also easy to pack on the belt and small enough to fit into most backpacks without jutting halfway out. SOG did a great job with this tool.","Product: Broadcast your position when lost in the wilderness with the Survive Outdoors Longer Slim Rescue Howler Whistle. Emitting a piercing 100-decibel signal, this slim single-frequency whistle is audible from over a mile away. These whistles are ideal for signaling for a variety of outdoor activities, whether you are on the trail, on the slope, the water, and more. Pea-less design ensures that the whistle works in any outdoor conditions without jamming or freezing. Weighing less than an ounce, this ultra-portable whistle fits in any pocket and attaches to zipper pulls. Each pack contains two whistles to share or distribute among gear like a rain jacket or go bag.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Small and packable insurance against separation in the wild\n\nReview: These whistles are so flat that they fit in virtually anything, and are easy to pack into an Altoids tin or similarly diminutive wilderness survival kit. Despite that, they are good and loud. A two-pack of these makes an important piece of preparedness for couples, families or parties venturing into the wilds. These aren't for rescue, particularly, though they could be used to get the attention of others if within a close wooded area or slightly further in more open ground. Rather, they are ideal for keeping together when separated in inclement weather and limited visibility. They carry better than a shout and are easier to make oneself heard if you are hurt or otherwise unable to keep up a sustained shouting.","Product: This Mtech Xtreme Axe measures 8.25\" overall in length with a stainless steel blade. The axe has a 5.2MM thickness blade and features a stonewash design. The axe is made with full tang construction for durability and includes a sheath for easy transport and safety.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Xtreme-ly useful little axe!\n\nReview: MTech doesn't stand as a premium knife and tool company, and I usually steer clear of their stuff. But upon handling this, I could tell at once that this was a bit different. G10 handle scales are super tough and feel great in the hand, and are firmly affixed to the blade with removable screws. 440A steel is a great choice for this small of an axe blade, as it's a reliable and resilient steel, but holds an edge reasonably well. The finish on the blade is also striking, as well as quite durable.\n\nWith an axe as small as this (your hand takes up most of the handle length) you're not going to get the leverage for any serious chopping. However it takes a pretty good edge and is good for smaller work, like splitting small kindling off from a larger softwood like pitchy pine, and it even serves for light cutting since you can get really fine control over the cutting edge. Is it a high-dollar tool? No, but for this price it's a no-brainer. Get one and throw it in your vehicle or your camp kit.","Product: The otherworldly landscape of Iceland lends an appropriate touch of dark fantasy to this modern retelling of Beowulf, the oldest epic poem in the English language. Gerard Butler (The Phantom of the Opera) brings the right balance of physical\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: A sneering take on the epic\n\nReview: \"No, no no!\" This was no doubt my most common reaction to what I saw in this film. Rewritten with a total disdain of the mood and theme of the original epic, this movie take instead decides to show a groveling, nose-wiping Nordic culture, where everyone save the couple of women in the film are cheap, below-the-belt people. Even Beowulf himself is shown to be an overweight braggart, and Hrothgar, an honorable model for a king in the epic, is a mead-oozing disaster zone.\n\nAdded are a couple of meaningless characters, an Irish priest who provides a sneering look towards Dark-Age Christianity, and a witch-woman who is of course a completely misunderstood, sensitive person. Can anyone say stereotypes?\n\nGrendel is the worst part of the film: a 'troll', really nothing more than a slightly taller man who cannot speak language, supposedly very hairy but really no more so than any number of Danes or Geats! This movie nonsensically decides to portray Grendel (the \"God-cursed brute\", \"monster\", etc.) as ANOTHER misunderstood soul, mellow and loyal toward his 'family'... I say, what? Indeed. A pitiful lack of special effects makes him no more than a tall man with fake hair all over his body. His performance is anything but memorable.\n\nFrom a technical aspect, this movie is horrible. I don't care what your tastes are, it is pathetically filmed. bad camera angles, bad setup, and terrible light metering. Most of the film is underexposed, while its bright moments are too bright. Continuity is just as bad as you might expect given the general lack of skill here, and dialogue is right awful - accents are unrefined; not exactly bad, but there are many lines that are just unintelligible.\n\nAll in all, nearly everything in this story is retold in cheap-postmodern-novel form, with a dispensing of the fresh and dynamic Christianity of the original (made the more interesting for pieces of its character still echoing the pagan days) for a silly modern neo-paganism, most unauthentic, as wicca so often is, and it goes so far as to bash the Christian religion multiple times. This is a film which has no loyalty to the classic story beloved by many for not decades, not centuries, but a millenium.\n\nI am not a complainer by nature; if you take a look at my other reviews you'll see that this is so. But I must open my mouth when it comes to this one. If you want to experience Beowulf in the form that made it what it is, find poet Seamus Heaney's recital of his excellent verse translation on compact disk. That is the best Beowulf out there, short of the Anglo-Saxon we don't speak.","Product: The Kodiak mini is a rugged, portable power bank. This is one of your most trusted Friends for when you're in a bind to charge your device\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Attack of the Kodiak\n\nReview: There are about a billion USB power devices on the market, and they struggle mightily to win any sort of brand recognition in an oversaturated market. What you would need to win that fight would be a small device that fights above its weight... like the Kodiak Mini.\n\nMy requirements for a charging device would be a) good value for the cost, b) reliability over time, c) good recharge capacity, and d) the right finish to avoid damaging expensive devices if knocking around in the same pocket/bag etc.\n\n-- Value for the cost is just about right. It's not an expensive device but the fit and finish feels really good, and the packaging seemed like a higher-end product (even came with a couple of decals bearing the brand design, a yeti). Great attention to detail.\n\n-- I feel reliability is pretty good. It's slowish to charge and slow to disburse that charge to a device, but frequently for NiMH batteries like this the speed of charging and discharging can negatively affect longevity of the battery capacity. I suspect this one will last a good long while.\n\n-- Recharge capacity is the only drawback; it's not great. Enough for recharging one device once, but 2600 MAH isn't particularly voluminous. You can easily find devices over 10K MAH, albeit for considerably higher cost. Still, if you need to charge multiple devices, or might not have time to recharge the device between uses, you might want to find a bigger capacity. Only for this reason did I dock a star off the review score.\n\n-- Right fit and finish. Something most manufacturers miss out on in my opinion is how well the device plays with other devices in small areas. If you want to charge an iPad, smartphone or USB-charging laptop you may have to have the two devices knocking about together, and if the charger has hard surfaces or corners it can scratch or damage your expensive mini-computational contraption. This charger is all ruggedized silicone, so it presents only soft, impact-resistant edges which won't hurt anything. Not only that, it's water and dust resistant.\n\nAll in all, a fine choice for a small and light backup charger.","Product: Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen, Black, Fine Nib Classic Sport black barrel fountain pen, by Kaweco of Germany. The Classic Sport closely follows an original 1935 Kaweco octogonal design. Compact size feels just right in your hand. Made from tough, but exceptionally lightweight ABS/Terlux plastic. The cap screws securely on to close the pen and protect your pocket and the nib. The German-made nib is gold plated stainless steel. Utilizes the standard international size mini ink cartridge. Made in Germany. Length: 4.1\" (104mm) closed, 5.2\" (132mm) open; Diameter: slightly over 1/2\" (14mm)\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: It's an instant classic, sport!\n\nReview: I've always had quite a soft spot for dip and fountain pens, the more so since I have an irksome, pesky hobby of writing. However, I'm also left-handed, which makes any sort of pen which doesn't dry nearly instantaneously pretty hard to use, unless the ergonomics are just so. Generally I have reluctantly stayed away from fountain pens. But I picked this Kaweco Sport up on a whim, and it has actually performed better than I ever expected. It has gone from occasional, novelty use to the main pen I'm reaching for when writing longhand lately.\n\nThis is quite a small pen, and uses cartridges which are a little bit miniaturized. However, you can eke out a lot of writing from a single small tube, and there is no sign of leakage, either at the cartridge or at the tip, except for a small bit of wipeable residue near the nib's breathing point. Nothing that has gotten messy. Ergonomically, I don't like writing with it unless the large, comfortable cap is reversed onto the barrel, but doing so makes the pen super easy to hold even at the awkward angles I'm used to using.\n\nI'm impressed with the quality of the nib. It writes somewhat bold, but spare and quick drying, not leaving any puddles for me to smear. Also even though I have to hold the pen such that the top of the nib points to about 180 degrees, ink flow is smooth and consistent. The dip pens I've used before had lots of trouble with my hand position, since they need the two flexing points of the nib to be slightly parted by pressure applied from a 0 degree angle, but this pen has no problems being held weirdly.\n\nI bought the optional metal clip, which marries smartly with the gold colored nib and top of the cap and logo. I'm quite pleased with this little pen.","Product: The Guide 10 Plus Solar Recharging Kit is a go-anywhere, mobile solar power kit that keeps your handheld gear going strong. Charge AA/AAA batteries from the sun with included Nomad 7 Solar Panel or any USB port, then power your phone, MP3, GPS, or perk up your tablet in a pinch. Use with most USB powered devices and all devices using AA/AAA batteries. The Guide 10 Plus is best used with your smaller USB power devices.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Solar + batteries, zero complexity\n\nReview: The solar recharger is a different animal. On the one hand you have absolutely free power, self-sustaining, and, in the case of this kit, not a lot of hoops to jump through. On the other hand, you're dependant on weather conditions, solar charging is very slow, and the weight/bulk to usefulness ratio is actually worse than spare batteries unless you've got a lot to charge over an extended period of time.\n\nStill, it's an uniquely efficient piece of gear. Should you choose to use one, definitely look for one set up such as this, with rechargable batteries to hold the energy you harvest for recharging at a later date. Trying to directly charge something like a smartphone probably won't even work, as the charge rate will be so slow. But with this charger, you get standard rechargable AA batteries, which can be used directly in electronics or enclosed in the charge pack to power USB output. It's not the slickest system ever, and is somewhat bulky/heavy, with multiple parts that could break or get lost, but it's still one of the best ways to go about it.\n\nGet this kit if you want flexibility, and don't mind packing a little extra. Bring along your device's charging cable(s), and charge the included batteries when sunlight is available, so you'll be sure to have the juice you need when you need it.","Product: CANIDAE Grain Free PURE formulas use simple recipes for sensitive cats. Each limited ingredient diet is made with 78 key ingredients that are easily recognizable. And even if your cat isnt sensitive to ingredients, theyll still love the great taste. Choose from a variety of formulas made with fresh meat or sh rst, paired with whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, or chickpeasnever corn, wheat or soy. Feed your cat all the great taste they crave and all the nutrition they need.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Cats barely consider this to be food\n\nReview: Alright, so we have two cats, who are both indoor/outdoor (sleep indoors but spend a large part of the day outdoors roaming around the property) and have never, ever turned their noses up at food before. I typically buy mid-range cat food but will shop for a deal and have fed them all sorts of food. They are indiscriminate - until this food showed up! They hate it. They went for at least 12 hours barely touching the food, pleading for something else, before they finally ate it. Needless to say, they're not happy about it. I would not be happy either if I'd spent ~$30 on the bag; luckily I received it as part of the Vine program at no cost.","Product: CANIDAE Grain Free PURE formulas use simple recipes for sensitive cats. Each limited ingredient diet is made with 710 key ingredients that are easily recognizable. And even if your cat isnt sensitive to ingredients, theyll still love the great taste. Choose from a variety of formulas made with real meat or fish first, paired with whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, or chickpeasnever corn, wheat or soy. Feed your cat all the great taste they crave and all the nutrition they need.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Cats barely consider this to be food\n\nReview: Alright, so we have two cats, who are both indoor/outdoor (sleep indoors but spend a large part of the day outdoors roaming around the property) and have never, ever turned their noses up at food before. I typically buy mid-range cat food but will shop for a deal and have fed them all sorts of food. They are indiscriminate - until this food showed up! They hate it. They went for at least 12 hours barely touching the food, pleading for something else, before they finally ate it. Needless to say, they're not happy about it. I would not be happy either if I'd spent ~$30 on the bag; luckily I received it as part of the Vine program at no cost.","Product: This item is part of the Direct Service range. This range of products are intended as accessories for or additions to existing Playmobil sets. For this reason these items come in clear plastic bags or brown cardboard boxes instead of a colorful retail box. Please consider when gifting.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Wait for it... Ramming speed!\n\nReview: Playmobil reaches back to my earliest childhood memories, where I spent countless hours with castles, pirates and wild west toys. The really defined my imagination to a large extent, and I credit those toys with my love of history now.\n\nThere were no Romans around the Playmobil world when I was a kid, but that didn't stop me from buying this ship as a display piece (whether I have kids, and allow then anywhere near this 'toy' of mine, remains to be seen). It's beautiful, really large, and intricate. I have always loved Playmobil ships the best, because they are so detailed, with lots of string rigging, and real felt sails. Combined with the quality of the plastic used, these pieces end up feeling like works of art rather than toys, with a wealth of textures and new things to discover at every angle you view it.\n\nThis particular version of the Roman Galley does not come with figures or accessories, so you only get everything you need to set up the ship. It would have to be crewed separately. One piece of advice: the Romans have been discontinued, as Playmobil only produces some lines for a limited time. If you like this ship, buy while you can. They are already going for a higher price in online auctions. If you like Romans or Playmobil, act now!","Product: Argh Matty! let's set sail in our cannon boat. Set includes figures, boat, cannon, parrot, and lots of accessories.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A steal for the piratical-at-heart!\n\nReview: Playmobil consistently presents one of the best values and most educational experiences available in children's toys. Their careful attention to historical detail and artistic, fun representation has been reliable as the sunrise since I was a small child.\n\nThis Pirate Dinghy offers one of the best values I've seen in Playmobil in years. Though the craft is small, it is detailed to the point that it feels extremely substantial for a sub-$20 purchase. The good old \"papery-felt\" sail and string rigging is back, and the varying textures and materials which make up this toy help to make it feel richer and finer than any of the competition. When fully set up, it makes a great display for kid or adult (I like to straddle the dividing line), but has the robustness and adaptability for true play! Treat yourself or your kid!","Product: trade edition paperback, fine (as new)\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Gibson's mind is blindingly bright sometimes.\n\nReview: I'm quite a fan of Neuromancer; the post-apocalyptic, trans-human, electronically vivified world he presents in that novel and some others of his work is just plumb fascinating. Even when his dystopian environments and noiresque antiheroes are off-putting, I can stay totally enthralled by the glamour and cerebralness of the pure cyberpunk atmosphere.\n\nVirtual Light is not one of those books, not in the least, but it might even be something better. It is a VERY near-future kind of story, one where everything has a ring of truth, of everyday, yet at the same time is pulled back enough to make the reader notice just how weird this modern age is. Along with this is a subtle layer of fiction, of cyberpunkness, so to speak - just a hair, a note in the wind of something alien. Megacorporations are hinted at, technical spywork in law enforcement, some highly crazy speculative fictional elements, but everything feels like it is just budding, undeveloped, ominous. And, so well blended with postmodernism - stuff you see on the city streets, everyday - that I found it at once intriguing and unsettling, deeply so. After finishing Virtual Light, I seem to see our world going a scary direction much more effortlessly, and Neuromancer doesn't seem so strange after all.\n\nI grew up in Southern California, where much of the story is set, and am familiar with San Francisco too. The book digs right into the cultural atmosphere there, but in a very dirty, sleazy, unsettling part of it, and magnifies that, letting us see a potential fractured culture leftover from massive earthquakes that devastated the region, that frankly makes my skin crawl, it's so believable. I've lived far enough away from that culture (in Oregon, incidentally, where the girl Chevette hails from in the book) for long enough that its normalcy is wearing off, and the deeply skewed and dangerous attitude that is marginally present there is much more obvious. Into the middle of that, Gibson thrusts characters which are very believable, and easier to relate to, even admire, than his characters usually are. I ended up genuinely liking the main characters, feel like I've seen them grow into decent people out of the chaos that formed their early lives. In the end, it was these characters, not the setting, that kept me going, since I found much of the setting so disturbing. But the contrast of people and place might have been all the more powerful for that reason.\n\nVirtual Light, like most of Gibson's work, is not for the fainthearted. There is a lot of profanity, twistedness and weird religious fanaticism going on in here, and if that kind of thing disturbs you, maybe pass this one on. But if you're willing to stomach all that, and the nomenclature I've described sounds appealing to you, by all means go for it, this is one of Gibson's best."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Classic pepperoni flavor. Crafted with lean, humanely-raised turkey, peppers, paprika and garlic for nourishing real meat protein.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Great, except when they're bad.\\n\\nReview: I wanted to like these meat sticks, and I was willing to put up with the, uh, different, texture, knowing as I do that the ingredients are a lot higher quality and the taste is pretty good. But unfortunately half of the box went bad within a few months of purchase, well under the best by date, developing spots of what looks like mold, and, in a couple cases, the wrapper ballooning up from the inside. I have been in contact with the company, and was originally told that I'd be refunded for the sticks that were bad, but that communication sort of petered out and I never obtained a refund. I'd also like to see a little more urgency in dealing with a matter like this, seeing as it could conceivably make people sick. But I guess that's what companies are like these days. I will say the first box I got had no such issues, so it's hit or miss it seems.\\n\\nEdit, 2/16/17: The company contacted me through the comment on my review here and replaced my bad meat sticks with a fresh box of a flavor I requested. I'm looking at the bad ones in the previous box as an understandable accident based on the other boxes I've ordered and consumed, which had no problems. I'll continue to do business with this company based on their willingness this time around to fix their mistake, and the fact that I like the product and ingredients. Changed this review from a two-star to a three-star. I think their other products are a bit better in texture than this particular turkey recipe, so I probably won't buy this particular one again, but I like their other varieties.\",\n \"Product: MODEL- MS-CD13682WI VENDOR- MICROSOFT CORPORATION FEATURES- Microsoft Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends PC Take the next big leap in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre. Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends is the highly anticipated second installment in the award-winning RTS franchise for Windows Rise of Nations.* Conquer the World Campaign The immensely popular Conquer the World (CTW) campaign returns with exciting updates.* Genre-defining graphics and special effects Cutting-edge industry-leading technology combines with awe-inspiring art design to create gameplay and environments unlike anything ever seen.* Innovations in the RTS genre Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends evolves the franchise's trademark gameplay features--such as borders attrition huge armies clashing and the building of cities--but with innovative twists.* Streamlined and intuitive gameplay Improved army and research interfaces make for easier and more streamlined gameplay with less emphasis on micromanagement.* New options for multiplayer and online play Several new innovative multiplayer features allow even a 20-minute game to be a rewarding experience.* Compelling and integrated story line Transport yourself into a fantastical world where you must guide a young inventor's struggle to unravel his world's ancient past and unite its people against an unimaginable threat. -- SPECIFICATIONs ----------------------------------ESRB RATING - T for TeenGENRE/CATEGORY- Real-Time Strategy (RTS)SYSTEM - PCREQUIREMENTS - Windows XP/Windows Vista 1.4 GHz Processor 4.5 GB free hard drive space 64MB Video Card with hardware transform and lighting DX9 hardware compatibility and audio board with speakers and/or headphones. Internet Connection 56.6 kbps or better for internet play\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Inspired - and largely overlooked - achievement\\n\\nReview: This is an edit of my original review, which I posted soon after acquiring the game. Since then, I've edged a fair way into the campaign and played numerous \\\"quick battles\\\".\\n\\nWhat's been said about the campaign is mostly true - it's neither polished nor very appealing. To be sure, there are some good strong characters, but they are not fleshed out very well, and the story feels overall quite by-the-books and predictable.\\n\\nNot so the world behind the game, though. It takes a lot for an RTS setting to come alive, which has put me off from them somewhat. But Rise of Legends rises to the challenge, with three very distinct cultures, each of which has a well-developed internal realism. The steam and clockwork of the Vinci feels worlds apart from the more traditional eastern-based magic of the Alin, and the strange Mayan-style of the Cuotl is rarely portrayed in recent video games. Along with these are excellent game mechanics, oriented for those who prefer combat to endless nation-building and running after resources. National borders appear as colored lines on the minimap, soldiers take attrition damage when traveling through hostile territory, and the capitol city is one's prime target. Added to this, the units are quite diverse and complex; even basic soldiers have multiple combat styles/abilities, and the many heroes available are powerful and help your nation in various ways. Each culture can obtain a master unit, which is an alternate way of achieving victory - save enough for a master unit, then, if you use it wisely, your game is won. This is often more enjoyable than simply sending hordes of lesser warriors into enemy territory. It takes some time to master these details, but the game's AI choices are varied and quite well-balanced, so you won't be crushed time and again as a beginner, nor wind up trouncing the hardest settings easily.\\n\\nGraphics are quite stunning, as well. The game camera changes elevation based on terrain, and very realistic atmosphere responds to this. Flora is beautifully detailed, and some of the more exotic maps especially are incrediblly well rendered. Those with a computer powerful enough for maximum settings are in for a real treat. I mostly make do with medium-low settings on my laptop, which is in need of RAM. While the minimum requirements list 256MB, my 384MB doesn't cut it; this game needs about 1GB to really do it justice. Also, a 256MB video card is required for a couple of the highest-end effects. Fortunately and finally, each graphics setting provides detailed information as to what part of your system it will affect, making fine-tuning astronomically easier.\\n\\nRise of Legends will probably never be as popular as, say, Company of Heroes, for the sometimes strange fantasy world will not appeal to all. As well, the campaign leaves much to be desired. But if you, like me, buy an RTS much more for the skirmishes than the campaign, you'd have to try hard not to like it. Quick, intense games, good strategic combat, and probably the prettiest RTS world to date, combined with all the originality this title commands, it's well worth trying. You might well be inspired, yourself.\",\n \"Product: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade features two new playable races, the Tau Empire and the Necrons, bringing the number of totally unique races to an unprecedented seven. In addition to the two new playable races, Dark Crusade will feature an all-new single player campaign centering on the conquest of a \\\"meta-map,\\\" with each territory captured giving tangible rewards to the occupying force. A greatly expanded multiplayer component and a completely unique economy model for the Necrons will present gamers with the most compelling Dawn of War game to-date. Customize and manage a persistent army as you sweep across the planet Customize the appearance and abilities of your commander unit as he grows in power and influence Discover the dark secrets of a planet shrouded in mystery\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A game that's hard to fault!\\n\\nReview: Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War is hugely popular, and for good reason. Strong art development, streamlined and no-nonsense resource management with a uniquely tactical twist, well-balanced races with enough individualities in playing style, and a highly efficient, visually impressive game engine gave this game the boost it needed right out of the gate. Dark Crusade adds a lot more to the game, and is to be commended for its stand-alone style, meaning that you can fully experience the campaign and skirmish mode without owning or installing the original Dawn of War.\\n\\nOne thing which makes DoW such a rich experience is the depth of background to the Warhammer 40K universe. These races weren't just designed, conceptually or artistically, from scratch for the purposes of the game. They're the product of many years of dedicated efforts by fans of the tabletop game, and the heavy attention focused on the miniature art translates very well to game graphic art. Also, the game sounds very good, with each race given appropriate voices and script. While much of it is dramatic, it's not over-the-top, due mostly to good vocal talent. And there's a very convincing ring of sincerity to a Space Marine's loathing utterance of the word \\\"heretic\\\" when confronted with a Chaos Marine (long-ago split from the loyal Space Marines to follow the black arts). The game's rendition of the Warhammer 40K universe is just top-notch.\\n\\nGameplay is another strong point in this series. With only two resources, players may focus a lot more on combat - in fact, they have to, as one of the resources, requisition, is gained by controlling important points on the map. This requires that one fight to gain and maintain enough resource to function, and very little of the battling that goes on is unimportant. The effect of this is very powerful on gameplay as a whole.\\n\\nAnother very popular game, Company of Heroes, is built upon a version of the same game engine, and this tells you how good this rather-aged engine really is. Given the moderate system requirements called for, this game produces beautiful graphics, and functions very well even at minimum specs. Company of Heroes also uses the same resource and tactics system, and I would venture to say that these two aspects, game engine and gameplay style, are the cornerstone of CoH's success. It's sure not the tired WWII setting that sells that game.\\n\\nAll in all, DoW does a terrific job of catapulting the player into a grim, bloody Warhammer 40K atmosphere, and providing adrenaline-infused, tactical gameplay. One of the few strategy games to be rated M, the gore level is very high, but it goes well with the style portrayed. If you've not yet experienced Dawn of War, this is a great place to begin. If you have DoW, this game will provide you some great new content - as well as (ding! Take note) support for widescreen monitors, important to those of us who enjoy our widescreen aspect ratios, and dislike vertical black bars.\",\n \"Product: Tom Clancy's The Division - Xbox One\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: The Division is less than the sum of its parts\\n\\nReview: The Division set out from the beginning, it seems, to gun towards Destiny and the space it has carved out for itself. A widening field, to be sure, as Blizzard gets ready to release a similarly always-online shooter which will no doubt be a big deal (although the Blizzard game seems to be more of a pure multiplayer experience, whereas Destiny offers a good selection of both PvP and PvE, and The Division currently provides no real PvP mode), but advertising for The Div took some potshots directly at Destiny's face. Turns out this was braggadocio, as The Division really doesn't have its stuff together.\\n\\nFor starters, the game world doesn't live up to its promise. An infected NYC, which you can free-roam? Awesome! Except as time and game-hours pass, it gets really samey. While it looks beautiful and grungy to the extreme, there's not enough variety, nor unique things to do, to make it stand the test of time. Encounters, missions and side missions are mostly the same, with a story which develops but never achieves greatness. Overall, most of the experience is the same, and it is never more apparent than in the acquisition of gear. There is both gear leveling relative to character level, and different grades of gear which offer individual abilities, perks and attack/defense values. Problem is, it's all the same gear. It seems like only a few different weapons fill each weapon type, and regardless of the grade or level or assigned perks, a Police M4 is a Police M4 is a Police M4. Compared to Destiny's incredibly unique exotics, Div is simply lackluster in the gear department.\\n\\nOne standout is the Dark Zone, which is a truly exciting and unique experience. I've had some great, tense fights with AI enemies who outleveled me, only to lose the hard-earned gear they dropped when an agent went rogue with no warning and shot me in the back. Conversely, many agents will fight alongside you, and it's all the more meaningful when they do considering they could turn on you and steal your stuff. One of my most recent games saw me trying to call in an extraction, when a group of three rogues popped in and shot me on sight. It was more of a reflex move on their part, though (after all, since they were rogue I presented a threat), and I heard one of them through proximity chat, almost guiltily saying \\\"don't take his stuff.\\\" Upon respawning I raced back to the atrocity's location, and sure enough, my gear was there, along with the helicopter I'd called in. I was able to extract my gear just in time, before again being shot by the same group of rogue agents.\\n\\nExperiences like that are great, and The Division did a good job creating a sandbox where such things can emerge, but the DZ isn't without its share of problems, like overactive enemy respawns, agents who are only in there to wreck people's day, and the like. Not to mention you're still at the mercy of the random number generator in regards to rewards. In the long run, the Dark Zone can't quite balance out a lopsided game.\\n\\nNaturally, future updates will offer more content, and may even fix some of the issues. But The Division has revealed its core, its loot treadmill, and it's just not that much fun. Locations, activities and gear are just too samey, and I can't get myself to care about spending hours working towards getting the same shotgun with a better stat, in an environment that might be a different brilliantly-recreated district of NYC, but is really just the same assortment of tall buildings and trash bags.\",\n \"Product: Be the first to experience the Xbox One X designed for the biggest fansthe Project Scorpio Edition featuring a custom design, Project Scorpio inscribed on both the console and controller, and a vertical stand. With 40% more power than any other console, experience immersive true 4K gaming. Blockbuster titles look great, run smoothly, and load quickly even on a 1080p screen. Xbox One X also works with all your Xbox One games and accessories as well as Xbox Live, the most advanced multiplayer network, giving you more ways to play.2 Games play better on Xbox One X. Whats in the box: Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition 1TB Console, Project Scorpio Edition Wireless Controller, Xbox One X Vertical Stand, 1 month Game Pass subscription trial, 14-day Xbox Live Gold trial9, HDMI cable (4K capable), and AC Power cable.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Stings like a Scorpio\\n\\nReview: Microsoft has been on a roll lately with pleasing their fans. I think they realize that, with the market share Sony has this console generation, the fans are their greatest asset (in lieu of first party exclusives, of course). Microsoft has always had cool project names for their products (remember Natal, which became Kinect? RIP), and it's great to see them embrace the coolness with this limited release of the new X version of the console. While there isn't a ton of differences between this and the regular One X console, remember that this is just a special edition branding, and you can't expect Microsoft to build a whole different console style for a limited release.\\n\\nI'm actually pretty impressed with what they did do. The top of the console as well as the underside of the controller have a very sleek and good looking texturing that offsets the plainness of the matte finish on the One X (I prefer the matte after owning an original Xbox One which picked up dust, light scuffs and fingerprints very easily on the glossy plastic finish). The understated \\\"Xbox green\\\" printing on the console and the controller looks awesome in person, and is great fan service to the Xbox brand. I also like the monochrome look of the controller - the gray buttons contrast nicely with the green Scorpio lettering. The included stand is substantial and feels quite secure for mounting the console upright.\\n\\nAs for the One X console itself, it's a heavy (very heavy!) and well-made, beautifully designed, piece of technology. Nearly everything you do is benefitted by the enhanced internals, especially the 12GB of super fast RAM. Just like upgrading RAM on a PC is a better overall experience, the same can be said of the Xbox One. I have yet to own a 4K TV, though that is definitely a focus now, but even at 1080 everything looks better, even the dashboard UI. When I first booted the system and began to set it up, there was (of course) a patch to download, but while it downloaded, a message displayed which let me know that I could get a head start on setup by inputting a code into the Xbox app on my phone: a nice touch. As I am a busy person I have yet to play any real games, but I will update my review with my impressions of gameplay and graphic quality. All in all, at this point, color me impressed!\\n\\nUPDATE 11/14/17: The One X forces something like 16X anisotropic filtering at all times, and it shows immediately. I booted up Destiny 2, already a beautiful game, and the colors and detail popped much more on a 1080p monitor than on the regular Xbox One. I still saw some aliasing, which isn't surprising since it's still running the basic assets. Next month, Bungie will patch the game to 4K, at which point the aliasing should disappear and the game will look eye-bleedingly good.\\n\\nUPDATE 11/16/17: Halo 5 is the only game I currently own which has the 4K patch available. The result on a 1080p monitor is unbelievable. I have never seen a game look this good on a console. Can't wait for a 4K TV.\",\n \"Product: In Celtic Kings: Rage of War, you play the role a young Celtic warrior who seeks nothing more than revenge! Choose to support the Romans or the druidic priests and collect magic artifacts as you complete your quest Find yourself exploring the ancient world as you complete your quest in this thrilling new game!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Simple, But Sensible and Exciting\\n\\nReview: Celtic Kings is an RTS game of its own. It's design is unique, rather than being a spin-off of other common games like Age of Empires. The main differences are: less technologies (it is more based on fighting), no building, and different unit control. Units are level-based, gaining HP and attack/defense points as their levels increase. This I like very much, as it adds the facet of \\\"veteran\\\" warriors. Units can be grouped under a leader, a Hero, giving them a higher fighting ability under his leadership. This makes control of large armies much easier. Units must be fed, or they will slowly starve. This is an added concern, but also very realistic, and adds a major aspect to the game. Items can be carried by units which give certain advantages. And lastly, due to the excellent game machine capabilities, large (even huge) armies can be created and sustained large battles can be fought, without adverse effects to quality. To me, it is a trmendous advantage over AOE or Age of Mythology to be able to lead two hundred units into battle against a foe of the same size.\\n\\nThe downside to the game is its smallness, with only two civilizations to choose from. Also the RPG campaign is rather hard to play. And the game editor, though simple and practical, is not easy to use. With practice, however, one can build campaigns.\\n\\nOn the whole, I have found this game a hugely enjoyable and interesting one, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys RTS games, and is looking for something different.\",\n \"Product: Ask any coffee connoisseur and they'll tell you that in order for coffee beans to develop their full flavor profile, they must be ground right before coming in contact with hot water. This is where the bistro electric burr coffee grinder comes in and becomes part of the coffee making ritual. The Bistro is continuously adjustable - twisting the upper bean container determines how finely ground the beans will be. With over 14 settings from coarse to fine, you can deliver the ideal grind for any brewing method. But there's more to it than that. Most coffee grinders use plastic containers to receive the ground coffee but plastic and ground coffee don't go together well. The powder gets statically charged and spills all over the place. The new Bistro comes with a borosilicate glass container to catch the grounds. The glass catcher is inherently static-free, reducing the amount of overall static and \\\"jumping\\\" coffee grounds. This and the tight silicone/nylon lid make for an excellent, no-spill coffee grinder. The borosilicate glass container comes with a silicone band to make it slip-proof, an especially important feature when touched with wet hands. The Bistro is made from borosilicate glass, steel, plastic, rubber and silicone and comes in black, orange, red, green, and white.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Good coffee grinds my gears\\n\\nReview: If you're a coffee enthusiast, one thing is clear: drip coffeemakers don't produce very good coffee. If you want the good stuff, you're going to want to brew it with a french press, pour-over, moka or espresso maker, and for that you're going to need the most evenly-ground beans you can get. Sure, you can use the industrial grinder at your grocery store, but the ground beans are going to go stale before you go through them. Enter the burr grinder.\\n\\nBefore you leave this review thinking I'm some kind of pinky-up, sissy hipster whose beard is his only sign of masculinity, let me say that I brew a pot of french press coffee every single morning, and their is no manlier way to drink coffee. The results are rich, creamy and packed with flavor. In all seriousness, though, if you think higher-quality coffee brewing methods are overrated, you're missing out.\\n\\nThe Bodum Bistro is an awesome-looking device, very Bauhaus in design - mine is lime green. Looks great on the counter, but the key thing is that it works well. Durable steel bit and bore, with a heavy duty plastic housing which I was initially unsure of, but has stood up to almost a year's faithful grinding with no visible wear and tear. I have found the top bin, which also rotates the grind selector from fine to coarse, to be loose when set on the coarsest (french press) setting, which requires me to put a hand on top of the bin while grinding. Not sure if that's something a good cleaning will fix, and it doesn't bother me, but aside from that the whole unit is a one-touch button press to grind just the right amount of coffee. I set it to 11 seconds for a 32-oz. french press, and the whole thing takes not more than 20 seconds to get from whole bean to the french press carafe. Definitely shortens the prep time compared to grinding beans for a drip maker using a traditional cheap blade grinder.\",\n \"Product: Rest easy knowing you'll enjoy an exceptional night's sleep on the Lightspeed Outdoors Deluxe TPU Air Bed with Battery-Operated Pump due to the patented stabilizer system providing adjustable but even firmness.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Makes sleeping in the great outdoors great again\\n\\nReview: We wanted something comfortable for tent camping, but wanted to avoid the standard PVC or latex air mattresses which have a nasty habit of expanding over time and requiring more air over and over. In my experience, unless you opt for a massive double-height mattress, which is also very heavy and bulky, you'll find hip touching the ground at some point during the night. When I saw how well this mattress fit the criteria we had for a bed, I decided to try it. Impressions after using on a 2.5-day camp; it's great! The material is the same as a 1-person self-inflating pad I used to own, so I figured it would be fairly rugged and would inflate nice and firm. It definitely does that, and is comfortable but firm, with no hint of hitting bottom due to expanding or losing air. It handles plenty of weight without wobbling all over the place, and is much, much lighter than an equivalent queen PVC bed. Well worth the extra $20-30 you will pay for this over something by Intex or similar.\",\n \"Product: Deep clean essential, upright deep cleaner, cleans better with less effort, patented heat Wave technology provides constant source of heat to help maintain water & formula temperature, large 1. 25 gallon Capacity tank, 3 inch tough stain tool, dual rotating power brushes with 10 cleaning rows lift embedded dirt out of carpets & rugs, comes with 8 oz Bissell 2x formula, 3 year limited warranty, requires 8852 #160-1542 belt.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: At least it doesn't suck...\\n\\nReview: ... or rather, it does. Sort of. This isn't a vacuum, for those who are led astray by the look of the thing. I couldn't tell completely from the documentation, either, whether you could use the machine to vacuum areas you want to clean, but it became clear in operation that, while you can do a little spot-vacuuming to gather stray bits, this is meant for wet cleaning.\\n\\nWhich it does well, at least the wetting part. The machine and tools lay down a good fine mist, and the loading and unloading of the solution is easy to figure out. But the drying/suction part is really the crucial part of any wet carpet clean, and I was disappointed with the amount of suction this machine produces. It feels like less than your typical vacuum cleaner, while with a wet cleaner I'd prefer extra power. I've wet cleaned carpets professionally, so I know how important this is.\\n\\nIt's not the end of the world, however. You just have to carefully regulate how much you wet the carpet or upholstery you're cleaning. Less is always better, and more doesn't equal a better clean. More spray equals deeper penetration of the solution, but you have to have enough suction to pull that back up and out of the carpet, or you've done nothing.\\n\\nI'd advise using quick wet strokes, and then slower dry ones, and make at least twice the recommended amount of dry strokes per wet stroke. Never heavily wet a certain spot, use the pre-spray bottle for heavily soiled areas, ang go light with that as well. If you clean like that, I can see this being a useful tool. Not a replacement for a deep clean every couple years (DeepClean is just marketing lingo on this machine, it isn't a deep cleaner at all) with a good truck mount machine, but it will maintain a cleaner carpet for sure.\\n\\nThe build quality of the machine is pretty good, if slightly flimsy. Just don't abuse it too much. And the included features were decent; a couple of hand tools and a crevice type tool, although I'd have liked the hard floor cleaner accessory, which is of course sold separately.\",\n \"Product: Fashionista. A Coco Puff Chair is a sophisticated mix of texture and color. Like a good wool coat, this piece will stand out while perfectly complimenting your fashion forward style. This Coco Coral piece is 66% polyester 34% acrylic finished in rich terra cotta red-orange. Overall item dimensions: 40-inches wide by 37-inches deep by 40-inches high. The high-style design and high-end materials in the chairs are what set Howard Elliott apart from the competition. Howard Elliotts innovative product line is carefully designed and packaged to ensure low damage rates for their high quality and custom items. Howard Elliott has been redefining the home furnishing and hospitality industry with innovative designs of decorative mirrors, accessories, and occasional furniture since 2001. Lifestyles change the way we live and Howard Elliotts mission is to create exceptional products which truly finish a room. Howard Elliott distinguishes itself from competitors with the effortless adaptability of their product line. Versatility, style and customization are just a few of the features built into every item produced. Howard Elliott is constantly refreshing their look with new finishes, fabrics and designs to stay ahead of the game. With everything they offer, Howard Elliott is sure to be a valuable accessory and occasional furniture resource. Cleaning Instructions: Dry Clean Only.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not the belle of the ball...\\n\\nReview: My wife and I have pondered just what sort of design ethos went into the making of this chair, but with little success. Is it modern? Mid-century? Does it convey an impression of wealth, or not?? It's hard to say. This chair is ambiguous in everything except its ugliness. It's a rather ugly chair, even more so than in the picture. But are we willing to sacrifice a fashion sense for comfort? Alright, you've got us listening. This chair is very comfortable, amply cushioned and since it is suspended from the frame you don't have a hard surface underneath you.\\n\\nConstruction seems excellent, with four of what appear to be solid (shaped) wood pieces which come firmly together to make a very sturdy seat. The top merely slides over the four end-points on the upper part of the frame, but the fabric used for the pockets feels very tough. No complaints here.\\n\\nFor the price, however, I find it hard to recommend. $400 is a lot to pay for a chair this simple. It's three pieces, plus screws, and doesn't have any features to speak of. On top of that, it's unattractive and aesthetically doesn't go with much. It's reasonable quality and quite satisfactory comfort, but I find myself wanting to hide it.\",\n \"Product: The contemporary milena TV stand with electric fireplace will be a star in any room. Accommodating your flat screen TV up to 60 inches and up to 75 pounds, this curved-front stand has a clean, fresh look. The electric fireplace provides supplemental zone heating for rooms up to 400 square feet, so you can set the thermostat lower and save money. An open center shelf holds AV components and Gaming systems, while the glass-front side cabinets with adjustable shelves provide storage for decorative items and most media components. This TV stand with electric fireplace features flame effects that can be used with or without heat for year-round ambiance. All hardware is included and assembly is easy for simple set-up and quick enjoyment. Tip restraint hardware included to help prevent accidents and damage to the TV stand. A touch-up pen is included to keep your TV stand looking like new.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Decent piece of furniture, boring aesthetic\\n\\nReview: I'm not sure I'm a fan of the white color compared to the wood color that's currently being advertised on Amazon, but it's not a bad look. Definitely not a design that will stand out in your living room, however. I do like the fireplace effect - as far as these somewhat cheesy fake fires go, it looks better than any of the others I have seen. We have not had any issues with the build or electronics.\\n\\nKeep in mind when you order something like this from Amazon, you'll be getting a huge box (almost surprised by the size of the box compared to the finished product) that is very heavy. Setup is a bit of a pain in the neck, but not exceptionally hard. Just expect to set aside several hours for the work.\\n\\nHonestly I feel it is overpriced for what it is (I'd expect to get something a lot nicer looking, with better materials, for the $389 price it's currently going for) and I can't say the white, Wal-Mart, \\\"functional\\\" aesthetic works in its favor, but it is what it is.\",\n \"Product: Belkin Surge Protector 12 Outlet With USB\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Power + protection = win\\n\\nReview: Belkin has a good name in home electronics. While they do put out some lower-end electronics, many of their products boast great construction, great materials and solid value. This surge protector is no exception. There is a virtually dazzling array of 12 outlets packed very well into a fairly compact sized unit, and the inclusion of two USB power ports makes things much easier for me. I don't use a desktop, and my laptop, when not in use, is typically powered off. Hence, what USB-powered devices I do use (a mini speaker and USB power bank, in addition to my phone) don't have a ready means of charging (the phone is the only one with a wall adapter). This unit allows for fast, efficient USB charging. Excellent design, excellent execution.\",\n \"Product: External Live View Finder for DMC-GX1, DMC-LX7\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The view is excellent!\\n\\nReview: Mirrorless cameras are a marvel - to be able to pull major image quality from a small digital body is a joy, and you don't have to put up with the foibles of the Big Two's DSLRs and their large lenses. However, the only real downside to the smaller mirrorless bodies is the lack of a viewfinder. Personally, taking photos using the LCD screen just dessicates the experience for me. It doesn't feel like taking \\\"real\\\" photos, in some elementary way that's hard to put a finger on. Not to mention the bright daylight scenes where you can't really see what's there.\\n\\nEnter the LVF-2. I bought my GX1 for a good price when stock was being liquidated, and in many ways I warmed to it immediately. Only the aforementioned lack of viewfinder held me back, but I equivocated over purchasing this add-on for a long time. $150 is a lot to pay for just the ability to compose in a viewfinder. However the praise this thing has received eventually won out, and I ordered it.\\n\\nThe experience is better than I thought it would be. The GX1 with LVF-2 transformed, somehow, into a unit that oozes distinction and classic photographic experience. What you get is a screen that is about as high-resolution as the LCD, but packed into a bright viewfinder. It makes ascertaining focus using legacy manual focus lenses not only possible but easy, even without magnifying the screen. Also, the extra steadiness provided by the \\\"three points of contact\\\" (eye, right and left hand) makes framing and obtaining steady shots much easier than when you must hold the camera away from you to see the LCD. Basically this addition pulls the camera away from a point-and-shoot user experience into the classic rangefinder camp, which is where it belongs.\\n\\nThere are minor quibbles which have been mentioned, such as the propensity to wash out in really bright sunlight, the extra bulk on the camera, and the fact that this is not the latest and greatest viewfinder in terms of technology. In regards to the first, it's true that you may have areas of the scene wash out, but use the histogram (since you should be doing that anyway) and you can be confident of where your exposure is actually at. The extra bulk hasn't been much of a concern to me, since the GX1 has never really been pocketable except with one of the pancake lenses, and then only just. And yes, the newest cameras, such as the GX7, or Olympus's OMD line, have better viewfinders, but this one does everything you need it to. Anything more is just gravy. If you like your GX1, get this tool, and transform it!\",\n \"Product: Ncredible NPulse over-ear headphones\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 'N' to the power of great music!\\n\\nReview: Big headphones have entered the pop culture eye, there's no mistaking that. Oddly, in the age of low-fi mp3 audio, hi-fi sound has become somewhat of a thing, and the likes of Monster, Beats and others have ridden this particular consumer tide.\\n\\nI'm not going to compare these to Beats, since I haven't owned a pair, but the general consensus seems to be that Beats are overblown and overpriced. Now, there's something to be said for cans which do a good job of amplifying the audio data that's present in mp3s, which, as any audiophile will tell you, leaves a lot to be desired. But Beats seem to be tuned for that, and can draw a huge amount of thumping bass from your standard mp3. They fall short, however, in other pieces of the audio pie, specifically the mids and highs.\\n\\nThe NPulse headphones are considerably better in this category. Yes, bass is still an important part of most music, and these headphones definitely deliver. But there's a crispness and clarity to the other end of the spectrum that I haven't heard in the competition. It's as if, while bass is slightly cranked, the rest of the sound spectrum has been similarly amped up to deliver a strong, pure, gutsy sound that is extremely enjoyable to sit and listen to.\\n\\nI owned a pair of Sol Republic Tracks HD before receiving these from Amazon, and while they're not precisely the same ballpark (the Tracks HD's are around $150 retail for the edition I owned, while these go for $200), I will still compare them a little since they're the only other moderately high-end phones I've used for very long. The Sols are an on-ear model, while these are over-ear, and they delivered a much more bass-focused sound, which while it was very enjoyable to listen to (especially out and about - those headphones are better for carrying around, as they're both smaller and come with a better carrying case), still had me straining some to hear finer details which registered in the higher end. They had a bit more bass rumble than the NPulse, but the overall experience was not as dynamic.\\n\\nMy only minor gripe with the NPulse is its over-ear design, and large overall size. I realize that over-ear phones deliver better noise reduction, but my Sols were just so comfortable, in a way that these are not. They're a tad heavy, however it must be noted that in the couple weeks I've owned them, I'm already acclimating to the size and weight.\\n\\nThese headphones come in a large box, much larger and more expensive-looking than my Sols. Inside you get a booklet (mostly warnings on hearing loss, with some valuable information on the nature of loud sounds), a microfiber cloth bag, stickers, and headphones. The Sols, by comparison, came with a thick neoprene bag with a metal grommet for carry, much better and more protective, but that is alright since they are designed more for portability than these Monsters.\\n\\nOverall I am highly impressed with the quality and sound of these headphones, and won't be shopping around for a very long time. They perform better than the bitrate of most mp3 audio files allows for, so you could probably get even better results with a high end soundcard or amp and a lossless digital audio format. I'm eager to try it out when I get the chance.\",\n \"Product: Sol Republic's 1298-01 TKDK Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones are a direct result of a passion to create something extraordinary by fusing art and music. Characters, colors and lines reveal the unique world of TKDK, while the one-of-a-kind design and sound of SOL REPUBLIC lets you feel the music. It's a perfect blend of style and sound. V10 Sound Engines deliver deeper bass, higher vocal clarity and crisp vocals. The SonicSoft Speaker Pads with extra-wide, noise-isolating ear cushions let you enjoy your music in comfort for hours. Constructed of polymer compound, the FlexTech Sound Track headband is built to withstand heavy abuse. Twist it, bend it, drop it, these headbands are virtually indestructible. The 3-button mic + music control lets you adjust the volume, pause/resume/skip music and answer/hang-up calls. Plus, the high clarity mic captures every word possible.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: You've got SOL, you are a soldier!\\n\\nReview: I've always been a fan of high quality audio and music, and I've been on the lookout for a good pair of headphones for some time. When I saw this pair at Fred Meyer on clearance, I couldn't help falling for the style, and after I read some reviews I decided to pick them up.\\n\\nSOL Republic really gets style; from the opening of the box I was impressed. Every component of these classy-funky headphones is impressive in quality and build. The design is nothing short of extraordinary, with fully interchangeable parts, an indestructible headband, even removable cables, should something happen to them. The Deadmau5 artwork is very cool. But of course, the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the listening.\\n\\nHaving made do with in-ear headphones for a long time, I was instantly impressed by the sound quality, particularly the rumbly bass. It is true that the bass is somewhat overpowering, however nowhere near as bad as Dr. Dre's offerings. In fact, I'm of the opinion that SOL Republic beats Beats at their own game, namely consumer-focused, bass-heavy audio, at close to half the price.\\nOf course, these headphones can't compare with true studio headphones. Their sound is nowhere close to true, neutral audio. However, for what they are intended, they perform the job admirably, and look great doing it. I actually found that, during a majority of the time, such as when I am out and about, I prefer the punchy, bass-heavy bias of these puppies. A small part of me does miss the high end, however these headphones don't wash out mids and highs, its simply that they are hard to hear with all the bass.\\n\\nWhat you get in the box are the drivers, the headband, cable and a very nice neoprene carrying case. I wouldn't hesitate to take these things anywhere I went, as they're both sturdy and slick as heck. Bottom line, if you want headphones that are biased towards great listening, and don't mind sacrificing a slight amount of studio integrity, you'd be hard pressed to find better.\",\n \"Product: 20mm focal length, equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm film camera F1.7 brightness for beautiful, soft focus Comprised of seven lenses in five groups Used with Lumix G Micro System Cameras, allows for use of the advanced contrast Auto Focus (AF) system\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Legendary Lens on a Little Camera\\n\\nReview: Having picked up a Panasonic GM1 as a small backup camera, I wanted the best image quality in a pancake lens. I've owned a 14mm f2.5 and 17mm f2.8 in the past, but decided to give this one a try. I sold the 17mm I had (at a profit, love used gear!) and put that towards the 20mm.\\n\\nI didn't expect the lens to be quite as large as it is (guess I've been spoiled by the size of the 17mm pancake). Yes, it's still a small pancake lens but it has a pretty significant girth that actually dwarfs the GM1 body. Incidentally I use the Panasonic grip with the camera, and the size of this lens limits the space for your fingers on the front of the camera, between the metal grip post and the lens barrel.\\n\\nBuild quality is great, although the shiny plastic on the front surprises me. It actually seems easier to scuff and looks cheaper than the matte plastic of the previous generation of Panasonic lenses, and also seems to pick up dust more than the front plate of previous lenses I've owned.\\n\\nUpon fixing the lens to the camera, my first and most pressing question was: how slow is the AF? It's the frequent con listed by users of this lens, and I do find it to be pretty darn slow, at least on first impression. The lens barrel moves at what can best be termed a stately pace. I was surprised to find it doesn't focus any faster on my EM10 or GM1 than it does on my older EP1 (whereas the Olympus 17mm f2.8 is slow to focus on the EP1 but the focus motor moves much faster on new bodies). However, in its defense, the focus drive seems to hunt less than the 17mm lens, which while faster to operate could take longer hunting back and forth in low-contrast situations.\\n\\nImage quality is very good, even impressive. The other pancake lenses can't touch the out-of-camera sharpness offered by the 20mm. I also found the contrast and rendering pleasant, better than the 14mm, and perhaps better than the 17mm (I always liked the rendering out of the Olympus pancake). Background blur is harder to get with this lens, as it is wider than a typical standard lens, but it can be great if you are fairly close to the subject.\\n\\nOverall, especially since the price for this new version of the lens seems to have stabilized at $299 most everywhere, I have found the 20mm f/1.7 II to be a great lens, with a few caveats.\",\n \"Product: Introducing the all-new 2014 E-Series 32\\\" (31.50\\\" diag.) Full-Array LED TV with an ultra-narrow 10mm frame, and vibrant LED-lit picture. Full-Array LED delivers brilliant picture quality as it distributes LEDs behind the entire screen for superior light uniformity. Enjoy high definition TV in crisp, clear 720p HD resolution. With a near borderless design, a 30% thinner profile and space-saving, slimmer base, the new E-Series 32\\\" Full-Array LED TV is a perfect upgrade to any room. VIZIO E-Series: Picture-Perfect Brilliance.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: You're not being LED on with Vizio\\n\\nReview: I remember back to thinking of Vizio as a cheap brand - mostly due to their prominence at WalMart - but they have gained a well-deserved reputation for making really good TVs. If you're in the market for a simple, smallish TV you can do much worse and probably not much better at this price point. 720P really isn't a downside at this screen size. It's easier on the eyes than a 1080P display at similar sizes and viewing distances. Color and contrast are great. I do notice that when the screen is powered on, but black (no feed is currently being \\\"fed\\\") you can see uneven backlighting, which might belie the product blurb a little bit, but is par for the course with LCD screens. Recommended!\",\n \"Product: The Manfrotto PIXI is the perfect mini tripod for compact system cameras (CSC). it has been designed to satisfy the needs of those consumers That are looking for a support that is lightweight, portable and easy to use. The PIXI is great for achieving hard to get video shots while keeping your camera steady. Close the legs to use it as a comfortable grip to capture great videos that stand out from the crowd. The new push-button mechanism enables you to position and lock the ball head in one rapid, intuitive movement. Pushing the button releases the ball joint to move freely. When the button is released, the ball is locked automatically in the selected position. Pixi has a minimal Italian style and is manufactured from stainless steel and adaptor for high quality and a tactile finish. With this solid construction, It provides a secure base in every situation and the rubber feet guarantee a stable and slip-free purchase on any surface. Dslr compatibility thanks to the universal 1/4 screw thread and the excellent stability, PIXI can be used with a huge variety of digital devices; The iPhone (with klyp), compact cameras, csc's and even entry level DSLRs. Pixi has been developed for entry level DSLRs fitting These basic requirements: • Body: maximum weight of 650G/1.4lbs • focal length: Maximum 85mm (standard Non professional lens) • total equipment payload: maximum 1kg/2.2lbs Please consider that any Semi-professional and professional equipment exceeds these requirements.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Pixi size for mini cameras\\n\\nReview: There are a ton of mini tripods out there, of varying degrees of quality - and price. Manfrotto's entry seemed surprisingly inexpensive for their brand, and of course the product is made in China. However, I've been pleasantly surprised. I typically use a very light camera, such as the Panasonic GM1 with 20mm f1.7 pancake lens. When combined with the Panasonic smartphone app, this was a hiker's dream kit. The small size and contoured shape of the tripod made it fit well into a pocket, and when set up, the adjustable head made it easy to get just the angle I wanted. Of course, without an app to check your framing, you'd be laying your face to the ground to check the LCD of a camera without a flip-up LCD feature. All in all, this has been a very sturdy and easy to pack miniature option for small cameras.\",\n \"Product: With a 25mm focal length and 47 degree angle of view, this lens sits right between wide and telephoto designs, making it a great choice as an all-around lens for your photography. A fast f1.8 circular aperture delivers beautifully soft defocused backgrounds for impressive portraits or when subject emphasis is the desired photographic effect. An inner focusing mechanism assures fast and accurate auto-focusing, and because it is an MSC design, it offers nearly silent focusing operation a great feature when shooting HD movies.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 25mm is a modern classic on the E-M10\\n\\nReview: Well, there's not a lot I can say about this lens that hasn't been said already. It is an excellent performer with almost no downsides. Price is the only real drawback, as $400 is frankly too much to pay for a traditional 50mm field of view, with no special abilities like macro and a respectable but not extraordinary f/1.8 aperture, not to mention a plastic build (though very excellent - I have no qualms about the build quality). However, the street price for this lens is coming down, and I was able to find a new copy for $270. For that price it is a stellar choice.\\n\\nI've used the Olympus 17mm f2.8 for quite a while, and until recently a Sigma 30mm f2.8. I never found a consistent use for the Sigma, even though it was an excellent lens, it was rather too long for general use. If you're wondering whether the extra 5mm makes a difference, it really does. The 25mm is long enough to flatten out perspectives, but it seems like you can fit a lot more into the frame, making composition easier, than with the 30mm. Perhaps it's just due to the fact that the 50mm field of view is so classic - it's been drilled into our brains through the images we've seen.\\n\\nI am by nature a wider-angle type of shooter. I like the 35mm equivalent a lot, however there is a neatness about 50mm images that drew me to them. Flattening of perspective is more noticeable, giving images a more painterly style than the 35mm. The enhanced subject isolation, combined with excellent contrast and sharpness, makes the lens a joy to use. An unexpected feature is the flat front element, which reminds me of old OM lenses and is easy to keep clean. The included lens hood looks nice and is deep enough to make a difference. All around, this is a classic made to top-notch quality.\",\n \"Product: The Thinnest, Toughest, Most Versatile iPad Case on the Planet. The needs of the Mobile Workforce are varying and often extreme. That is why every modulR iPad Case is engineered for toughness, comfort and versatility. Superior protection in the smallest footprint, ergonomic comfort and task-specific mobility is built-into every corner of the Tough Case + Flip Cover for iPad Air 2\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A modular case for your top secret ops\\n\\nReview: First off, this is a well-made case that is definitely tough. I like the feel and the different options for wear and handling.\\n\\nAlthough, I'm having a little trouble coming up with a good use-case scenario for a ruggedized iPad Mini case that is oriented more toward on-the-job or outdoor use. Simply because I haven't seen iPad Minis deployed in those kinds of contexts. The Mini is really a consumption device, first and last, and is operated more comfortably without a large case. This case definitely changes the user experience (not in a good way in my opinion). So, if you really have a need for shock-and-wear-proofing your little iPad for outdoor or on-the-job applications where the multiple handle and wearing options are a necessity, this is a great option. If you're not in need of that particular feature-set, however (and most aren't) you might want to stick with a smaller and lighter case.\",\n \"Product: Beware of Punk from Sol Republic. Smaller, tougher and louder than you would expect, the Punk Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is the ultimate sidekick to make your music heard. Surprisingly loud for its size, Punk is fearless. Crank up the volume and fill your room with music or take the party outside. Water resistant, Punk can lounge poolside. Shock resistant, Punk is not afraid of ruthless backpacks. Even dust doesn't bother Punk, so mount it to your bike using the 1/4-inch threaded mount and head up to the mountains. Punk goes with you anywhere, all day with long-lasting 8-hour battery life. Super social, Punk lets you connect any non-Bluetooth audio devices using the 3.5mm cable. You can even connect to that old stereo using Punk as a Bluetooth hub. If you won't break the rules, Punk will.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This punk won't rip you off.\\n\\nReview: I have a soft spot for SOL Republic, ever since owning a set of Tracks HD headphones awhile back. They bring a mix of style, ease of use and poppy, gutsy sound that is just a delight to the eye and ear. Their first foray into bluetooth devices, the Deck speaker, was above my price range but always impressed me. So when this Punk speaker was announced I sought it out, and I do believe they are keeping up the quality, even at this lower price point.\\n\\nSized like a hockey puck, it has a surprising amount of heft without feeling heavy. The build quality and size/weight are reassuring, and the device doesn't suffer any of the vibrations at loud volumes that smaller, cheaper speakers do. You can turn it all the way up and distortion will still be nearly non-existent. Mids and highs especially are very crisp and full, while the lower end of the bass is of course less full, as one would expect from a speaker this small, however the advantage is that the bass elements do not distort, so far as I can tell.\\n\\nOne downside is battery life, or rather there is confusion around the battery life. While it's advertised as 8 hours, you won't get nearly that long at higher volumes. Using a fully charged Punk at a few notches above default, you will probably get closer to 4 hours before needing to recharge. Personally this isn't an issue for me, as I use it mostly around the house, and am nearly always close to an outlet.\\n\\nAside from the sound and general quality of the Punk, my favorite feature is the blazing-fast bluetooth, which connects regularly in about 2 seconds. Range lasts throughout my (small) house. A feature which I have yet to use, but was among my reasons for purchasing it, is the bluetooth receiver utility, which is as simple as using the line out to connect with my home stereo. So far my use has been limited to an around-the-house tool for music and podcasts while doing chores, but it serves the purpose better than any of the (somewhat cheaper) bluetooth speakers I've had in the past.\",\n \"Product: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 SonicPro Over-Ear Headphones - (Black)\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Be a Sonic Pro\\n\\nReview: Although I don't consider myself a high-grade audiophile (I'm more like an apprentice audiophile, but a master technophile) I have used a few of the mid-range headphones within the price range of this pair. My previous everyday over-ear cans were a set of Monster N-Pulse at approx $199. Those are good, but have a few downsides which these Audio Technicas correct quite well.\\n\\nFirst the Monsters are very bulky. I mean, good headphones should be sized accordingly, but whenever I caught a glimpse of my shadow with those I felt sure I was being stalked by a \\\"Spaceman\\\" (cue gratuitous Killers reference). I will add build quality, fit and finish to this category, for those were very plasticky. The Audio Technicas are pleasingly well-constructed, and while they fit over my ears just fine, they form a little closer to the profile of my head so I don't have to turn sideways to fit through doors. There are metal accents and very nice faux leather. Also, the adjustments truly fit a variety of heads, from my average one down to smaller, younger people and larger people - the Monsters felt like they were created for a monster; even at minimum expansion the band felt loose over my skull. These are a very high quality pair of headphones, and you can feel it.\\n\\nAnother nice touch are the three (!) included cords - one normal, one with smartphone/mp3 player controls, and one massively long one cord which is quite nice when I want to game and hook the headphones up to my sound system.\\n\\nThe real proof is in the pudding, or rather, the range of sound goodness that is delivered to my ears. Whereas most phones in this price range tend to overemphasize the bass, this set has a very balanced sound that is still very punchy, but distributes the punch evenly through the highs, mids and lows. I believe the mids are slightly prominent, but with a clear, spacious sound that doesn't compress or clip the richer background aspects of music.\\n\\nOverall, while I try to still use my old pair for exercise and listening to podcasts while doing work around the house, it's only because I want to keep these in tiptop condition. They're a definite favorite, and look great too.\",\n \"Product: Eyefi Mobi Pro is a 32GB Wi-Fi SDHC memory card that connects cameras to smartphones, tablets or computers. Selectively transfer RAW and JPEG images via an existing Wi-Fi network or via Mobi Pro's own private Wi-Fi network. Includes 1-yr subscription to Eyefi Cloud for syncing photos to any Web-enabled device.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Transfer photos like a Pro\\n\\nReview: I've dabbled with Eye-Fi cards in the past, starting with a lowly original 4GB version, which was a pretty buggy experience most of the time. Frustrating, to say the least, because the user gets a strong sense of what could be, but was marred by endless connection problems.\\n\\nThe New Mobi Pro version has shored up the experience pretty solidly. To begin with, the transfer experience to a mobile device can't be beat now, as the card detects when new pictures are taken and only activates the Wi-Fi when there are photos to send. So you can use the Eye-Fi card for the whole outing, leaving your device Wi-Fi on and not worry too much about draining the battery on either device. best of all, there's no actual transfer experience back home - your photos are just there, full size jpegs (unfortunately no raw transfer to my Android phone, although there's not a lot I can do with raws from my camera on the smartphone). Whereas the original Eye-Fi card needed configured through a buggy desktop application, the Mobi Pro only needs to have the app installed, plus the activation code entered.\\n\\nYou may ask the question, if my camera has Wi-Fi already, what use is this card? I use a Panasonic GM5, which has a robust smartphone companion app allowing for remote transfer as well as different remote shooting options. However, camera Wi-Fi features still require a process to be initiated by the user. The Panasonic implementation even requires me to select each photo I wish to transfer. There are times when I still want to use the camera Wi-Fi feature, which of course is not interfered with by having the Eye-Fi card equipped. The rest of the time, the card does a terrific job offloading files to my device so I never have to spend the five minutes doing it myself.\",\n \"Product: The hi-res Panasonic RP-HD10C over-the-ear headphones faithfully reproduce even the most subtle rhythms, tones and lyrics. Their 50mm HD drivers and eye-catching multi-layer diaphragms complement anti-vibration drive frames to efficiently suppress unnecessary resonance and vibration. Elegant textures and finishes, and soft, synthetic leather padding provide a comfortable and luxurious listening experience. A precision, horizontal slide adjustment system shifts earcup and driver placement to suit individual ear positions. Plus, ergonomic 3D earpads vary in thickness to form a perfect fit around the ears for superb noise isolation. Managing music and calls is quick and simple. The HD10C headphones work seamlessly with iPhone/iPod/iPad, Blackberry and Android devices to adjust volume, and switch from music to calls and back again with one-touch ease. Two detachable audio cords are included: a 3.9 ft. cord with inline remote and mic and 90 mini-plug for use with mobile devices, plus an 9.8 ft. cord with a straight mini-jack plug. A gold-plated sleeve adapter is also included to convert both mini-jacks into 6.3mm full-size plugs. For travel and storage, the HD10C features flat-fold earcups and a convenient draw-string pouch.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Hi-Res (but rather Huge)\\n\\nReview: I've been able to test several headphones in this price range, and most of them are great. Good quality materials, good frequency range (provided you have good quality audio files) and comfort are key features when you shell out this much for a set of cans. This Panasonic delivers on those fronts quite acceptably. It's not my favorite I have tested (that recognition goes to the Audio-Technica SonicPro ATH-MSR7GM), but matches most of what I like about that headset. My only quibble with this particular gadget is the size - it's uncomfortably large for me, and I have a normal-size male head. The earphones are larger than they need to be for me and the band, even when at its minimum fit, is too large. Only a very large noggin would need to extend it! So keep this in mind if you are interested in purchasing this particular headset.\",\n \"Product: Bulldog combines the efforts of Corsair's class-leading cooling, chassis, and PSU technology to produce the ultimate small form factor barebones kit for 4K gaming. It includes the Hydro Series H5 SF liquid CPU cooler, the SF600 80 Plus Gold-rated power supply, and an overclocking-ready Gigabyte Z170N-WiFi mini-ITX motherboard all wrapped in a stylish chassis capable of supporting an additional 120mm radiator.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Smaller form factor, well-built, the Bulldog bites hard (updated)\\n\\nReview: I jumped on the opportunity to use and review this barebones system, as I had been wanting to build a PC for some time now, especially with the upcoming release of No Mans Sky, which has me intrigued to say the least. Corsair makes fine cases, and this is no exception. Having the motherboard and power supply preinstalled made for a nice jumping-off-place for a newbie like me, as well as an included hydro cooler thats well-matched to the case and form factor. On the whole, all of the included parts are high-quality, and while the price may not be anything to write home about at $399 (you save about $15-20 over buying the parts individually) I expect to see it gradually drop a bit more as it spends time on the market, and it has the potential of being a great deal. Certainly it saves you some time, and I was able to put the computer together with all of my parts in an evening.\\n\\nMy kit consisted of the i5 6600K CPU, 2x4GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3000 RAM, OCZ 120GB SSD and Asus GTX 750 Ti STRIX graphics card, for a relatively inexpensive mid-range system with some overclocking capabilities. I spent some time weighing GPU options, especially since the upcoming GTX 1060 looks to be the best deal in NVidia graphics in some time. But I ended up getting a very nice deal on the 750 Ti STRIX ($90) so its worthwhile for me until the point where I feel the need for an upgrade (I play most games on the Xbox One, while No Mans Sky is not coming to that platform at least in the near future and has rather modest system requirements on PC). This build should also speed up my photo editing software I intend on adding a second hard drive for extra capacity, either a second SSD or a 7200 RPM spinning drive. The drive bay has room for 2 additional SSDs or an additional 3.5 drive.\\n\\nInstallation wasn't too hard. The cables, of which there are many, could be a little better marked for someone like me who is new to building a PC, but the Bulldog manual is pretty clear and the instructional video you can find on their site is top notch. I followed the video through the majority of the installation. It included tips like setting the heatsink on the CPU as far as possible from the capacitors on the board to ensure a good contact. Thermal interface came preinstalled on the Hydro heatsink, so I am hoping it will do its job. Installing the Hydro cooler was probably the trickiest part, as the water tubes are short and bulky, but thankfully they swivel on the heatsink, making the process slightly easier. Mounting the cooler assembly onto the riser pins was kind of a chore, especially with cables working against you underneath, and one of the screws was very hard to insert due to the water tube heading to the heatsink being right next to the screw slot. Cables are mostly fairly short, being matched to the form factor of the case, which also makes them a little harder to manage, but the end result isn't too bad and leaves decent room for airflow in what is definitely not a giant case.\\n\\nIts worth noting that the case fans aren't controlled by the motherboard. The slot on the MB is 4-prong but the fan connector is 3-prong, so the motherboard cant vary fan speed youll need to go into BIOS to do that.\\n\\nThe graphics card space, which is below the drive bay (which is removed for installation of the GPU), is rather cramped. I believe there is plenty of actual room for a larger-sized card, but getting it into the space around cables and installing a GPU heatsink would be tricky. Luckily the 750 Ti is a fairly tiny card, and doesnt require any power beyond that provided by the motherboard. The 750 Ti is known to be a cool-running card, so it is a good fit for this system if you don't need top-end graphics processing power.\\n\\nIll be receiving a cheap external DVD drive today so I can install the OS easily. Then comes the driver updates. Thus far, however, the system seems to be happy upon powering up. The fans are a tad louder than I expected, but as mentioned elsewhere they seem to be set to high rather than normal by default.\\n\\nUPDATE: I've installed the OS and updated drivers, and am quite happy with my setup! The case has remained quite cool, which is good for a smaller case, and the Hydro cooler seems to be working well, although it is rather loud when it spools up under a heavy CPU load. This has only happened a few times, and usually the fan will kick up to high speed and higher decibels for only a few seconds. All in all, however, the system runs like a top and has extremely snappy performance all around. It will run Skyrim at a locked 60 FPS with everything on the highest settings except antialiasing 8X, which is a very minimal gain anyway over 4X. My monitor is an ultrawide with a horizontal resolution of 2560p but the GPU handles this with no problem.\\n\\nUPDATE 2: I've integrated this PC into my office as my main desktop. The form factor does make it a little oddball when you take a typical home office setup and add this to the mix. I ended up buying a small, 2-level coffee table from the local Swedish mass-made furniture store to house the case, which sits right next to my computer desk (on the top of the coffee table is a massive Canon photo printer). It definitely necessitated some creative thinking to get this comfortably situated.\\n\\nSince building, I've upgraded to 16GB of Corsair Vengeance LED RAM. I was surprised to find that this RAM, which is somewhat large and has metal fenders on top that accent the LED lighting, does not fit between the motherboard and the liquid cooler. There is not enough space for the RAM to sit vertically beneath the cooler when everything is screwed down. However, I was able to slide off the decorative metal fenders on the RAM sticks and the resulting few mm of space gained from that was enough to make everything fit, just barely. Maybe steer your RAM purchase toward smaller RAM sticks to avoid doing the tinkering I did.\",\n \"Product: PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GM1 Compact System Camera (DSLM) with 12-32mm Silver Kit Lens\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Pocket rocket from Panasonic\\n\\nReview: I debated giving this product four stars instead of five, but when it all comes down to it, the quality of this camera shines through. At current prices, like the $450 Amazon is offering with the kit zoom currently, this is a five star camera. My own quibbles with certain features are personal, not universal. If you're interested in those, read on.\\n\\nI wanted a backup camera to complement my Olympus EM10, and decided that smallest is best. With a far better sensor than the old GF3 I used in the past, yet at an even smaller footprint, this is a tiny camera that can always be packed along. But for something so small the build quality is excellent, with lots of metal, a very scratch-resistant screen that has great contrast, and solid, metal buttons and dial. Yes, the controls are all small, but they're better than the similar functions on the old GF3, and really make the most sense for something that doesn't have much space to begin with.\\n\\nThe 12-32mm pancake zoom is a very handly little lens, and gets consistently good reviews for image quality. Personally, it isn't what I wanted (I'm more of a prime guy) so I sold it and primarily use a Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, but I do see the appeal of the GM1 body with the 12-32mm lens. It's almost exactly like a premium compact camera, but very competitively priced with something of this build and image quality, with the added benefits of interchangeable lenses. The Olympus 17mm f/2.8 and Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 are a couple more excellent tiny prime lenses for this camera, though you can of course mount and use larger lenses without too much problem. My Sigma 60mm f/2.8 functions quite nicely and is not terribly off-balance.\\n\\nI did decide that there is not enough of a grip on the front, and purchased the Panasonic accessory grip, which adds nicely to the aesthetic of the camera and gives my two fingers on the front of the camera a lot more positive of a grip. That grip is unfortunately ridiculously overpriced on its own, being a little piece of machined aluminum with a thread screw for the tripod mount that costs $100 MSRP. Fortunately you can find it bundled with other accessories for half the price, at which point it's just a personal decision whether it's worth it to you. I wanted the extra height provided by this grip, but there are others out there that are much less costly and will provide the needed addition to the front part of the grip.\\n\\nPanasonic did a very good job with the sensor, and the results are completely on par with my larger EM10. There are also a lot of good features like HDR, filtered B&W, and phenomenally implemented peaking that make it easy to shoot and get creative. Raw files are great, noise performance is good, and the dreaded shutter shock is totally absent. The camera has electronic first curtain shutter all of the time, using a purely electronic shutter for speeds over 1/500, but regardless the little shutter in this camera is the lightest and least capable of inducing vibration of any micro four thirds camera. it's almost as quiet as the silent shutter modes on other cameras, and sounds a lot like a leaf shutter.\\n\\nA camera that is not without its concessions, all of them related to the diminutive size, that nonetheless capitalizes on the promise of the micro four thirds system, with so much functionality and flexibility in such a small package that it's enough to win almost anyone over, unless you've got extra large hands.\",\n \"Product: Portable USB DAC / Portable Headphone Amp\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Amped up price tag\\n\\nReview: It's rather hard for me to review a product like this, as it has such a narrow usage at which it excels. In the remainder of situations (the large majority) it is simply too expensive and unspectacular for what it is.\\n\\nNow, don't even hook this thing up unless you've done two things: invested in high-end headphones, and; obtained high-fi sound files. Otherwise all this thing is going to do is amplify the volume of your meager mp3s. Even with a set of middle-quality Monster over-ear phones which are a step above the initial consumer-grade level, I didn't hear anything I didn't before. You really need to be listening to hi-fi audio.\\n\\nWhich brings me to my next point: because hi-fi sound files are massive compared to mp3s, you're more likely to have those on your computer than on a mobile device. But I contend that you'll get better sound out of a little tube amp at a quarter of the price than you will out of this. It's a high quality, mobility-focused device, which is certainly packaged nice and with a plethora of accessories, but who is really going to walk around with a mobile device loaded with gigantic sound files hooked up to this device in the (thoughtfully included) leatherette belt pouch, from there piped into $600 headphones? I just don't see the point.\\n\\nThere's nothing to complain about with this device's quality. But for the price it simply isn't a good buy. Look into tube headphone amps and start out with something small unless you're an audiophile for whom this is a necessary buy.\",\n \"Product: The Hydro Series H5 SF is a low profile liquid CPU cooler that provides efficient cooling for small form factor cases. The H5 SF's high-pressure blower fan provides powerful and quiet liquid cooling while exhausting hot air from inside the case. The H5 SF not only keeps your CPU cool, but also cools the components on the motherboard by constantly pulling cool air across them. Easy to install to any Mini-ITX motherboard the H5 SF is perfect for all small form factor cooling needs. The H5 SF delivers excellent cooling performance without sacrificing noise or case compatibility. Customer Service/QA /Technical Assistance Team: customer service/tech support: 1-888-222-4346 opt. 1.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Keeps a low profile in a small mini-ITX case (update)\\n\\nReview: I received this as part of the Corsair Bulldog PC kit, which uses a mini-ITX motherboard and is a somewhat small form-factor case. Not tiny by any means, but still doesn't leave a whole lot of room for a liquid cooler. The heatsink and cooler assembly are both a bit difficult to mount, since the liquid tubes are very short and quite stiff, although you can rotate them on the heatsink to get the cooler assembly at least partially out of your way when installing the heatsink. I also found mounting the assembly to be a bit of a pain, as the risers from the MB are pretty cramped and the tube gets in the way of inserting one of the screws. Once installation was completed, though, everything is smooth sailing from there!\\n\\nUpdate: having put some more use into the PC where this is installed, I can agree with reviewers who are calling it loud. Most of the time it's pretty silent, but when it spools up it is pretty loud. Most of the time it only runs that way for a short time. It may be intrusive for some, I personally am not too bothered by it.\",\n \"Product: Redefine your style with the handsome Timberland EK Brook Park Chukka. Great for everyday use, this handsome boot is versatile enough to be dressed up or down. Boasting of a premium full-grain leather upper, it features a 100% cotton lace and TPR welt for added style and convenience. Featuring 100% recycled PET herringbone lining that wicks away moisture, it also boasts of a leather-lined footbed with exclusive anti-fatigue comfort technology that provides all-day comfort and support like no other. Unique L7 lug design features multi-directional leading edges for added ease, while Green rubber outsole enhances your every step with dependable traction for maximum support. Pair the Timberland EK Brook Park Chukka with any casual or work related outfit and get ready to feel like your stepping on clouds all-day long.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A more refined take on the Desert Boot\\n\\nReview: I like chukka/desert boots for their utility as dressy shoes and dress-down weekend wear with jeans. Previously, I had the original Clarks desert boot (the version with the rubber sole instead of the crepe one, so very like the sole on this boot) and loved them, wore them out to the point that I could have resoled them, but would probably benefit from just starting afresh. I put a lot of day-to-day wear on this sort of boot.\\n\\nI like the other pair of Timberland shoes I have, so I decided to give these a try. They are quite comfortable to wear, more so than the Clarks (which take a little time to wear in and are geared more for light weight and minimalism than support). However I like the quality of the leather uppers better on the Clarks. The glossy finished leather here feels like it will show creases more readily. Only time will tell, and I'll update the review to show my findings.\\n\\nAll in all, these are nice, comfortable chukka boots, but the cost is a little bit more and the quality not that more than the classic Clarks desert boot. If the more refined nature of these suits you better, they're a quality pair of shoes. But if you want the true classic from whence this entire class of shoe originated, at a lower price point, then give the Clarks a try.\",\n \"Product: Introducing the new Dickies khaki made from a premium cotton blend providing comfort, style and long-lasting durability to keep you looking professional any time of the day.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Khakis first, flat front second\\n\\nReview: I don't often order pants online, but I thought I would give these a try. I've worn them, put them through the wash and worn them again, so I'll give my take on them now.\\n\\nFor a comfortable, professional looking khaki, Dickies did a good job. The material is rugged, has a nice feel and look, and sheds stains pretty well. The fit is true (a bit long) and not particularly slim even though described as such. The only part of the design that I don't particularly like is that the front and thighs are a little narrow, which results in a little bit of wrinkling at the top of the thigh (you can sort of see the effect in the product photo). It makes the pants seem less fitted and is less neat than flat front slacks. But it's not bad, and may be particular to my fit. Good set of khakis at a good price.\",\n \"Product: Outwardly, Savane's Flat Front Premium Flex Gabardine Dress Pant appear to be the epitome of no-nonsense, stylish sophistication. Experience the freedom of versatility thanks to Stretch Performance Fabric granting unparalleled range of motion. Add No-Iron Performance and the deal becomes a no-brainer. Say hello to your new favorite pair of pants!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not a great fit for flex fit slacks\\n\\nReview: Not a bad pair of slacks as far as construction is concerned, and a very light, durable fabric. However, while these are advertised as stretch fit, and they do have a tiny bit of stretch in the waist, they are also tailored to be fitted. So the waist might be looser, but the rest of the pants are tight-fitting. Overall, this just doesn't work for me, since it restricts movement in the thighs while not fitting closely at the waist. Also, while I am typically a 32\\\" inseam, I can often get by with a 30\\\" inseam with pants that are cut generously. These 30\\\" inseam pants are very much not for someone who normally wears a slightly longer fit. They border on too short even for the size they're aimed at.\",\n \"Product: Introducing the new Dickies khaki made from a premium cotton blend providing comfort, style and long-lasting durability to keep you looking professional any time of the day.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Khakis first, flat front second\\n\\nReview: I don't often order pants online, but I thought I would give these a try. I've worn them, put them through the wash and worn them again, so I'll give my take on them now.\\n\\nFor a comfortable, professional looking khaki, Dickies did a good job. The material is rugged, has a nice feel and look, and sheds stains pretty well. The fit is true (a bit long) and not particularly slim even though described as such. The only part of the design that I don't particularly like is that the front and thighs are a little narrow, which results in a little bit of wrinkling at the top of the thigh (you can sort of see the effect in the product photo). It makes the pants seem less fitted and is less neat than flat front slacks. But it's not bad, and may be particular to my fit. Good set of khakis at a good price.\",\n \"Product: Your everyday t-shirt, reinvented for work. The IQ series t-shirt is available in both short and long sleeve variations, so you can enjoy the lightweight, moisture-wicking material all year round. Underarm gussets allow you to reach, without your shirt coming untucked, while hidden ribbing in the cuffs keeps long sleeves in place. Contrast stitching gives these shirts a contemporary and stylish look, while a concealed chest pocket with pencil stall provides safe storage. Protection level is clearly marked with cat2 and 2112 labels easily visible on the sleeve.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not much of a Bulwark for your pocketbook...\\n\\nReview: Perhaps I just need to do more research, but I had not realized that this shirt is designed to be fire-resistant. Not something I typically need for a work shirt. That's not an issue, except that if you want to retain the flame resistance you need to follow their washing directions to the letter. What I found an issue was the size - it's way too big. I normally wear an XL from most stores (Macy's, etc) but this shirt isn't just a little big - it feels like it's a full two sizes too large. Keep this in mind when ordering.\\n\\nI really don't see the reason for this shirt's premium price tag. It's a tough shirt, certainly, and I'm sure the flame resistance is an added cost. But it's still more costly than I would normally feel comfortable paying for a T-shirt.\",\n \"Product: Ideal for backpacking, camping as well as home and auto emergency kits, the small, ultralight Esbit Pocket Stove folds compact enough to fit in a pocket. Constructed from durable, electrolytic galvanized steel that resists corrosion, the Esbit Pocket Stove features two selectable cooking grades and is suitable for use with cups, pots, and pans (not included). Includes 6 smokeless, Esbit 14 g solid fuel tablets that will burn about 12 minutes each with each tablet able to boil 500 ml of water in about 8 minutes. The solid fuel tablets work at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, are smokeless and have almost no combustion residue, can also be used as a fire starter for a campfire or BBQ, and if kept dry will last for 10+ years. Solid fuel tablets light easily with a sustained flame, can be snuffed out, and if kept dry, will relight when needed again. Extra fuel tablets can also be stored inside the stove to conserve space. The Esbit Pocket Stove makes an excellent survival or emergency stove and works equally as well for the solo hiker at camp. Dimensions-closed: 3.9 inches x 3 inches x 0.9 inches (9.8 cm x 7.7 cm x 2.3 cm); Weight, including solid fuel: 6.3 ounces (180 g). Made in Germany; 2-year manufacturer's warranty.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Ultralight stove of the past\\n\\nReview: Ah, the classic Esbit stove. You'd have to look long and hard to find a more beautifully early-20th-century design in a backpacking stove. It's built with the same sturdiness andsimplicity it has been since the 1930s. But, does it work?\\n\\nDuring my tests, the Esbit sometimes struggled getting a large sierra cup of water to boil at ~900' above sea level. Using military trioxane fuel had the worst effect, while the included Esbit fuel tabs worked considerably better. If you're serious about getting a freeze-dried meal hot and ready, or boiling a cup of questionable water, you might want to use two fuel tabs instead of one. Thankfully the tabs are inexpensive and quite compact. Even compared to small denatured alcohol stoves or ultralight backpacking gas stoves, this is an extremely light and compact choice.\\n\\nPersonally, for everyday use I would go with a gas stove over this one, since they are hotter, easier to control the heat output, and require less cleanup. But for a low-tech, survival kit or backup item this is the one to get. Pack in enough fuel tabs for the projected amount of meals or drinks you need to heat and you can totally rely on this stove to be ready to go when it's needed.\",\n \"Product: Priorities in a survival situation: escape the elements, stay warm, and signal rescuers so you're easy to find. The Scout has you covered on all fronts: a heat-reflective 2-person survival blanket provides warmth and shelter from wind, rain, and snow, while the one-hand operated Fire Lite striker and waterproof tinder produce multiple campfires. A 100dB Slim Rescue Howler rescue whistle and Rescue Flash signal mirror with retro-reflective aiming aid make it easy for you to signal your position to rescuers, and a compass, duct-tape and fishing/sewing kit round out the package. A professional-grade RF-welded waterproof bag keeps contents dry in any conditions.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Great form factor for a pocket kit\\n\\nReview: I debated on whether to rate this product four or five stars, since for what you're getting, the price is most excellent. It's the foundation of a solid kit with a great form factor. In the end, this is an unfinished kit, however, and so I felt like rating it four stars felt most appropriate.\\n\\nThe tin is the foundational element for the kit, since it sculpts the items and their bulkiness, quality, etc. I've never been a fan of the Altoids tin, as there just isn't enough equipment that's that small yet provides the utility you might need in an emergency situation. This tin is considerably larger, large enough to be a functional emergency cooking pot, as well as good for stowing the unavoidably bulky items like a space blanket (included) and water bags for use in purification (also included). It's shaped so that you ought to have a pocket into which it can fit when you leave camp for a short hike. Any larger and it would start being challenged by normal pockets. Any smaller and you'd have to forego something that could be crucial in surviving a cold night in inclement weather, alone in the wild.\\n\\nThe contents are, as I mentioned, not sufficient for a real survival kit, however they are mostly very good, and the product itself admits that you will (and should) add to it. There is plenty of room even without removing anything for adding more gear. I actually applaud SOL for not including chintzy, low-quality approximations of important gear, like a knife, in this particular kit. I will personally remove the small number of water purification tablets and replace them with a bottle of Potable Aqua (and possibly the accompanying bottle of neutralizer if space allows). Otherwise, the included gear is good and will remain inside the tin. The slim whistle, spark fire lighter and tinder, reflective blanket and small duct tape roll are items I would have sought out anyway.\\n\\nMajor additions to this kit would be a dependable knife (either a small fixed blade, full tang knife or a sturdy folder or multitool, combined with a chopping tool - see CRKT's Persevere compact do-it-yourself axe head), waterproof/windproof matches, a small LED light, first aid, fishing and/or snare gear if applicable, et cetera.\",\n \"Product: The okc Kukri knife is designed and manufactured to be tough and reliable. You will be amazed at the outstanding durability, quality, and performance of this product. Situated in new York State's scenic Southern Tier, Ontario Knife Company produces one of the most comprehensive, wide-ranging product lines in the Cutlery industry today. While being a worldwide supplier, the Ontario Knife Company is also a Major supplier to the U.S. Government and its military. Ontario has built its reputation on a heritage of uncompromising craftsmanship, quality materials and components, and a Steadfast commitment to its workforce. Distinctive Kukri blade shape. Non-reflective black blade finish. G-10 handle with finger grooves for secure grip. Includes lanyard. Includes nylon sheath with belt loop.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nothing fancy, but powerful\\n\\nReview: I've owned Ontario knives with the same blade and handle materials as this kukri, and found them to be very solid and dependable, if not overly fancy tools. That's just what you'd want in a kukri blade, so I decided to give this one a try. I was not too concerned about the sheath, as I intended for this to spend the majority of its time in my bug-out bag, and I have plenty of options for fixing the knife to my bag or person without wearing the sheath on my belt.\\n\\nThe Ontario Kukri does live up to its heritage, with a grippy kraton handle and tough black finish on the 1095 steel blade (the blade finish will scuff a lot with use, but this isn't meant to look pretty). I believe Ontario uses a nearly full tang that is secured firmly in the handle (the brass grommet on the hilt goes through the tang). HOWEVER the one annoyance that my knife has is some give or wobble between the blade and handle toward the front of the knife. This is not really a major fault, since the kraton material has a rubbery, flexy nature, but it does mean that near the front of the handle, the material is not molded totally close to the tang, but there is some \\\"air\\\" at some point. It doesn't bother me since the integrity of the blade/handle seems solid, but I am deducting a star for an imperfect fit.\\n\\nThis blade is slightly less thick than a traditional Gurkha kukri, and of course less weighty since the full wedge grind goes all the way to the spine. It's still very solid and has decent heft, but it feels like a step down from a camp axe (my original Gurkha model feels about on par with a Coleman camp axe in chopping prowess). All in all, it's a mostly high quality version of the characteristic blade shape that is very capable.\",\n \"Product: The FastHawk is a small, heavy-duty multiuse axe designed for the tactician as well as the practical user a great all-around camping axe, backpacking axe, survival axe and throwing axe with a versatile ballistic nylon carry sheath. Use the FastHawk at home, in camp and on the trail, and even discover the ease of using it at a distance as a very formidable throwing hatchet and tactical axe.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fast and nimble tomahawk!\\n\\nReview: I've used and abused my Fasthawk for quite a while now, and I continue to be impressed with it. It would be hard to find as solid of a tool for under $30 that you can chop, throw or split with (of course you could always get a totally not-fancy Coleman camp axe for around $10 that will split better due to being heavier, and will basically never die, but it lacks the portability and nimbleness of this tool). I've taken it to harder woods, thrown it at tree stumps, taken it on camping trips to clear branches and prepare kindling, and it keeps on going. There is a little bit of play between the handle and the head sometimes, but I'm talking a very slight amount, and there isn't any damage, just wear and tear that has exploited the small amount of machining tolerances and introduced a slight play when extricating the head from a tight wedge. Nothing that affects the performance of the tool. I'm actually impressed that the ballistic polymer handle has held up to the amount of shocks I've given it.\\n\\nSince this is a light tool, it's not going to split larger pieces of wood into smaller pieces. But it will split smaller pieces, and the lightness contributes to correct aim when processing smaller wood. It's also easy to pack on the belt and small enough to fit into most backpacks without jutting halfway out. SOG did a great job with this tool.\",\n \"Product: Broadcast your position when lost in the wilderness with the Survive Outdoors Longer Slim Rescue Howler Whistle. Emitting a piercing 100-decibel signal, this slim single-frequency whistle is audible from over a mile away. These whistles are ideal for signaling for a variety of outdoor activities, whether you are on the trail, on the slope, the water, and more. Pea-less design ensures that the whistle works in any outdoor conditions without jamming or freezing. Weighing less than an ounce, this ultra-portable whistle fits in any pocket and attaches to zipper pulls. Each pack contains two whistles to share or distribute among gear like a rain jacket or go bag.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Small and packable insurance against separation in the wild\\n\\nReview: These whistles are so flat that they fit in virtually anything, and are easy to pack into an Altoids tin or similarly diminutive wilderness survival kit. Despite that, they are good and loud. A two-pack of these makes an important piece of preparedness for couples, families or parties venturing into the wilds. These aren't for rescue, particularly, though they could be used to get the attention of others if within a close wooded area or slightly further in more open ground. Rather, they are ideal for keeping together when separated in inclement weather and limited visibility. They carry better than a shout and are easier to make oneself heard if you are hurt or otherwise unable to keep up a sustained shouting.\",\n \"Product: This Mtech Xtreme Axe measures 8.25\\\" overall in length with a stainless steel blade. The axe has a 5.2MM thickness blade and features a stonewash design. The axe is made with full tang construction for durability and includes a sheath for easy transport and safety.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Xtreme-ly useful little axe!\\n\\nReview: MTech doesn't stand as a premium knife and tool company, and I usually steer clear of their stuff. But upon handling this, I could tell at once that this was a bit different. G10 handle scales are super tough and feel great in the hand, and are firmly affixed to the blade with removable screws. 440A steel is a great choice for this small of an axe blade, as it's a reliable and resilient steel, but holds an edge reasonably well. The finish on the blade is also striking, as well as quite durable.\\n\\nWith an axe as small as this (your hand takes up most of the handle length) you're not going to get the leverage for any serious chopping. However it takes a pretty good edge and is good for smaller work, like splitting small kindling off from a larger softwood like pitchy pine, and it even serves for light cutting since you can get really fine control over the cutting edge. Is it a high-dollar tool? No, but for this price it's a no-brainer. Get one and throw it in your vehicle or your camp kit.\",\n \"Product: The otherworldly landscape of Iceland lends an appropriate touch of dark fantasy to this modern retelling of Beowulf, the oldest epic poem in the English language. Gerard Butler (The Phantom of the Opera) brings the right balance of physical\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: A sneering take on the epic\\n\\nReview: \\\"No, no no!\\\" This was no doubt my most common reaction to what I saw in this film. Rewritten with a total disdain of the mood and theme of the original epic, this movie take instead decides to show a groveling, nose-wiping Nordic culture, where everyone save the couple of women in the film are cheap, below-the-belt people. Even Beowulf himself is shown to be an overweight braggart, and Hrothgar, an honorable model for a king in the epic, is a mead-oozing disaster zone.\\n\\nAdded are a couple of meaningless characters, an Irish priest who provides a sneering look towards Dark-Age Christianity, and a witch-woman who is of course a completely misunderstood, sensitive person. Can anyone say stereotypes?\\n\\nGrendel is the worst part of the film: a 'troll', really nothing more than a slightly taller man who cannot speak language, supposedly very hairy but really no more so than any number of Danes or Geats! This movie nonsensically decides to portray Grendel (the \\\"God-cursed brute\\\", \\\"monster\\\", etc.) as ANOTHER misunderstood soul, mellow and loyal toward his 'family'... I say, what? Indeed. A pitiful lack of special effects makes him no more than a tall man with fake hair all over his body. His performance is anything but memorable.\\n\\nFrom a technical aspect, this movie is horrible. I don't care what your tastes are, it is pathetically filmed. bad camera angles, bad setup, and terrible light metering. Most of the film is underexposed, while its bright moments are too bright. Continuity is just as bad as you might expect given the general lack of skill here, and dialogue is right awful - accents are unrefined; not exactly bad, but there are many lines that are just unintelligible.\\n\\nAll in all, nearly everything in this story is retold in cheap-postmodern-novel form, with a dispensing of the fresh and dynamic Christianity of the original (made the more interesting for pieces of its character still echoing the pagan days) for a silly modern neo-paganism, most unauthentic, as wicca so often is, and it goes so far as to bash the Christian religion multiple times. This is a film which has no loyalty to the classic story beloved by many for not decades, not centuries, but a millenium.\\n\\nI am not a complainer by nature; if you take a look at my other reviews you'll see that this is so. But I must open my mouth when it comes to this one. If you want to experience Beowulf in the form that made it what it is, find poet Seamus Heaney's recital of his excellent verse translation on compact disk. That is the best Beowulf out there, short of the Anglo-Saxon we don't speak.\",\n \"Product: The Kodiak mini is a rugged, portable power bank. This is one of your most trusted Friends for when you're in a bind to charge your device\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Attack of the Kodiak\\n\\nReview: There are about a billion USB power devices on the market, and they struggle mightily to win any sort of brand recognition in an oversaturated market. What you would need to win that fight would be a small device that fights above its weight... like the Kodiak Mini.\\n\\nMy requirements for a charging device would be a) good value for the cost, b) reliability over time, c) good recharge capacity, and d) the right finish to avoid damaging expensive devices if knocking around in the same pocket/bag etc.\\n\\n-- Value for the cost is just about right. It's not an expensive device but the fit and finish feels really good, and the packaging seemed like a higher-end product (even came with a couple of decals bearing the brand design, a yeti). Great attention to detail.\\n\\n-- I feel reliability is pretty good. It's slowish to charge and slow to disburse that charge to a device, but frequently for NiMH batteries like this the speed of charging and discharging can negatively affect longevity of the battery capacity. I suspect this one will last a good long while.\\n\\n-- Recharge capacity is the only drawback; it's not great. Enough for recharging one device once, but 2600 MAH isn't particularly voluminous. You can easily find devices over 10K MAH, albeit for considerably higher cost. Still, if you need to charge multiple devices, or might not have time to recharge the device between uses, you might want to find a bigger capacity. Only for this reason did I dock a star off the review score.\\n\\n-- Right fit and finish. Something most manufacturers miss out on in my opinion is how well the device plays with other devices in small areas. If you want to charge an iPad, smartphone or USB-charging laptop you may have to have the two devices knocking about together, and if the charger has hard surfaces or corners it can scratch or damage your expensive mini-computational contraption. This charger is all ruggedized silicone, so it presents only soft, impact-resistant edges which won't hurt anything. Not only that, it's water and dust resistant.\\n\\nAll in all, a fine choice for a small and light backup charger.\",\n \"Product: Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen, Black, Fine Nib Classic Sport black barrel fountain pen, by Kaweco of Germany. The Classic Sport closely follows an original 1935 Kaweco octogonal design. Compact size feels just right in your hand. Made from tough, but exceptionally lightweight ABS/Terlux plastic. The cap screws securely on to close the pen and protect your pocket and the nib. The German-made nib is gold plated stainless steel. Utilizes the standard international size mini ink cartridge. Made in Germany. Length: 4.1\\\" (104mm) closed, 5.2\\\" (132mm) open; Diameter: slightly over 1/2\\\" (14mm)\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: It's an instant classic, sport!\\n\\nReview: I've always had quite a soft spot for dip and fountain pens, the more so since I have an irksome, pesky hobby of writing. However, I'm also left-handed, which makes any sort of pen which doesn't dry nearly instantaneously pretty hard to use, unless the ergonomics are just so. Generally I have reluctantly stayed away from fountain pens. But I picked this Kaweco Sport up on a whim, and it has actually performed better than I ever expected. It has gone from occasional, novelty use to the main pen I'm reaching for when writing longhand lately.\\n\\nThis is quite a small pen, and uses cartridges which are a little bit miniaturized. However, you can eke out a lot of writing from a single small tube, and there is no sign of leakage, either at the cartridge or at the tip, except for a small bit of wipeable residue near the nib's breathing point. Nothing that has gotten messy. Ergonomically, I don't like writing with it unless the large, comfortable cap is reversed onto the barrel, but doing so makes the pen super easy to hold even at the awkward angles I'm used to using.\\n\\nI'm impressed with the quality of the nib. It writes somewhat bold, but spare and quick drying, not leaving any puddles for me to smear. Also even though I have to hold the pen such that the top of the nib points to about 180 degrees, ink flow is smooth and consistent. The dip pens I've used before had lots of trouble with my hand position, since they need the two flexing points of the nib to be slightly parted by pressure applied from a 0 degree angle, but this pen has no problems being held weirdly.\\n\\nI bought the optional metal clip, which marries smartly with the gold colored nib and top of the cap and logo. I'm quite pleased with this little pen.\",\n \"Product: The Guide 10 Plus Solar Recharging Kit is a go-anywhere, mobile solar power kit that keeps your handheld gear going strong. Charge AA/AAA batteries from the sun with included Nomad 7 Solar Panel or any USB port, then power your phone, MP3, GPS, or perk up your tablet in a pinch. Use with most USB powered devices and all devices using AA/AAA batteries. The Guide 10 Plus is best used with your smaller USB power devices.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Solar + batteries, zero complexity\\n\\nReview: The solar recharger is a different animal. On the one hand you have absolutely free power, self-sustaining, and, in the case of this kit, not a lot of hoops to jump through. On the other hand, you're dependant on weather conditions, solar charging is very slow, and the weight/bulk to usefulness ratio is actually worse than spare batteries unless you've got a lot to charge over an extended period of time.\\n\\nStill, it's an uniquely efficient piece of gear. Should you choose to use one, definitely look for one set up such as this, with rechargable batteries to hold the energy you harvest for recharging at a later date. Trying to directly charge something like a smartphone probably won't even work, as the charge rate will be so slow. But with this charger, you get standard rechargable AA batteries, which can be used directly in electronics or enclosed in the charge pack to power USB output. It's not the slickest system ever, and is somewhat bulky/heavy, with multiple parts that could break or get lost, but it's still one of the best ways to go about it.\\n\\nGet this kit if you want flexibility, and don't mind packing a little extra. Bring along your device's charging cable(s), and charge the included batteries when sunlight is available, so you'll be sure to have the juice you need when you need it.\",\n \"Product: CANIDAE Grain Free PURE formulas use simple recipes for sensitive cats. Each limited ingredient diet is made with 78 key ingredients that are easily recognizable. And even if your cat isnt sensitive to ingredients, theyll still love the great taste. Choose from a variety of formulas made with fresh meat or sh rst, paired with whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, or chickpeasnever corn, wheat or soy. Feed your cat all the great taste they crave and all the nutrition they need.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Cats barely consider this to be food\\n\\nReview: Alright, so we have two cats, who are both indoor/outdoor (sleep indoors but spend a large part of the day outdoors roaming around the property) and have never, ever turned their noses up at food before. I typically buy mid-range cat food but will shop for a deal and have fed them all sorts of food. They are indiscriminate - until this food showed up! They hate it. They went for at least 12 hours barely touching the food, pleading for something else, before they finally ate it. Needless to say, they're not happy about it. I would not be happy either if I'd spent ~$30 on the bag; luckily I received it as part of the Vine program at no cost.\",\n \"Product: CANIDAE Grain Free PURE formulas use simple recipes for sensitive cats. Each limited ingredient diet is made with 710 key ingredients that are easily recognizable. And even if your cat isnt sensitive to ingredients, theyll still love the great taste. Choose from a variety of formulas made with real meat or fish first, paired with whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, or chickpeasnever corn, wheat or soy. Feed your cat all the great taste they crave and all the nutrition they need.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Cats barely consider this to be food\\n\\nReview: Alright, so we have two cats, who are both indoor/outdoor (sleep indoors but spend a large part of the day outdoors roaming around the property) and have never, ever turned their noses up at food before. I typically buy mid-range cat food but will shop for a deal and have fed them all sorts of food. They are indiscriminate - until this food showed up! They hate it. They went for at least 12 hours barely touching the food, pleading for something else, before they finally ate it. Needless to say, they're not happy about it. I would not be happy either if I'd spent ~$30 on the bag; luckily I received it as part of the Vine program at no cost.\",\n \"Product: This item is part of the Direct Service range. This range of products are intended as accessories for or additions to existing Playmobil sets. For this reason these items come in clear plastic bags or brown cardboard boxes instead of a colorful retail box. Please consider when gifting.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Wait for it... Ramming speed!\\n\\nReview: Playmobil reaches back to my earliest childhood memories, where I spent countless hours with castles, pirates and wild west toys. The really defined my imagination to a large extent, and I credit those toys with my love of history now.\\n\\nThere were no Romans around the Playmobil world when I was a kid, but that didn't stop me from buying this ship as a display piece (whether I have kids, and allow then anywhere near this 'toy' of mine, remains to be seen). It's beautiful, really large, and intricate. I have always loved Playmobil ships the best, because they are so detailed, with lots of string rigging, and real felt sails. Combined with the quality of the plastic used, these pieces end up feeling like works of art rather than toys, with a wealth of textures and new things to discover at every angle you view it.\\n\\nThis particular version of the Roman Galley does not come with figures or accessories, so you only get everything you need to set up the ship. It would have to be crewed separately. One piece of advice: the Romans have been discontinued, as Playmobil only produces some lines for a limited time. If you like this ship, buy while you can. They are already going for a higher price in online auctions. If you like Romans or Playmobil, act now!\",\n \"Product: Argh Matty! let's set sail in our cannon boat. Set includes figures, boat, cannon, parrot, and lots of accessories.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A steal for the piratical-at-heart!\\n\\nReview: Playmobil consistently presents one of the best values and most educational experiences available in children's toys. Their careful attention to historical detail and artistic, fun representation has been reliable as the sunrise since I was a small child.\\n\\nThis Pirate Dinghy offers one of the best values I've seen in Playmobil in years. Though the craft is small, it is detailed to the point that it feels extremely substantial for a sub-$20 purchase. The good old \\\"papery-felt\\\" sail and string rigging is back, and the varying textures and materials which make up this toy help to make it feel richer and finer than any of the competition. When fully set up, it makes a great display for kid or adult (I like to straddle the dividing line), but has the robustness and adaptability for true play! Treat yourself or your kid!\",\n \"Product: trade edition paperback, fine (as new)\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Gibson's mind is blindingly bright sometimes.\\n\\nReview: I'm quite a fan of Neuromancer; the post-apocalyptic, trans-human, electronically vivified world he presents in that novel and some others of his work is just plumb fascinating. Even when his dystopian environments and noiresque antiheroes are off-putting, I can stay totally enthralled by the glamour and cerebralness of the pure cyberpunk atmosphere.\\n\\nVirtual Light is not one of those books, not in the least, but it might even be something better. It is a VERY near-future kind of story, one where everything has a ring of truth, of everyday, yet at the same time is pulled back enough to make the reader notice just how weird this modern age is. Along with this is a subtle layer of fiction, of cyberpunkness, so to speak - just a hair, a note in the wind of something alien. Megacorporations are hinted at, technical spywork in law enforcement, some highly crazy speculative fictional elements, but everything feels like it is just budding, undeveloped, ominous. And, so well blended with postmodernism - stuff you see on the city streets, everyday - that I found it at once intriguing and unsettling, deeply so. After finishing Virtual Light, I seem to see our world going a scary direction much more effortlessly, and Neuromancer doesn't seem so strange after all.\\n\\nI grew up in Southern California, where much of the story is set, and am familiar with San Francisco too. The book digs right into the cultural atmosphere there, but in a very dirty, sleazy, unsettling part of it, and magnifies that, letting us see a potential fractured culture leftover from massive earthquakes that devastated the region, that frankly makes my skin crawl, it's so believable. I've lived far enough away from that culture (in Oregon, incidentally, where the girl Chevette hails from in the book) for long enough that its normalcy is wearing off, and the deeply skewed and dangerous attitude that is marginally present there is much more obvious. Into the middle of that, Gibson thrusts characters which are very believable, and easier to relate to, even admire, than his characters usually are. I ended up genuinely liking the main characters, feel like I've seen them grow into decent people out of the chaos that formed their early lives. In the end, it was these characters, not the setting, that kept me going, since I found much of the setting so disturbing. But the contrast of people and place might have been all the more powerful for that reason.\\n\\nVirtual Light, like most of Gibson's work, is not for the fainthearted. There is a lot of profanity, twistedness and weird religious fanaticism going on in here, and if that kind of thing disturbs you, maybe pass this one on. But if you're willing to stomach all that, and the nomenclature I've described sounds appealing to you, by all means go for it, this is one of Gibson's best.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":48,"string":"48"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1784,"string":"1,784"}}},{"rowIdx":1785,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A28PSM8NWK7W4W"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"Farberware is the #1 selling cutlery brand in the U.S. (Source: The NPD Group, Inc./Retail Tracking Service. 52 weeks ending March 2016). Set includes one 3-1/2-inch paring knife with blade sheath and one Euro peeler. Ceramic knives made of Zirconia have a thinner, sharper, and stronger blade for fine slicing. Cutting with Ceramic cutlery offers precision and mastery with every cut. Both tools feature ergonomic, soft-grip handles for enhanced comfort and control during everyday cooking and prep tasks. Dishwasher safe for easy and quick clean up.\". The summary of the review text is \"they're a good knife to have around\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"We had wondered about these Ceramic blades for some time, and was at a store where someone chimed in and offered, --\"for slicing meat, and only that, they can't be beat for general use\"; so, we bought the larger blade and then this, to us is a \"utility\" size blade.\n\nFor us, \"for slicing meat, and only that for general use\", they're a good knife to have around; especially, if only an occasional, \"holiday\" time, sharp knife need person/family. I hate shredding a Turkey, etc. -- really ruins \"it\" for me and that special meal moment.\n\n -- I use them, immediately wipe/wash off, paper towel, dab off carefully, and put away with blade guard.\n\nI would not, for me, put them in a dish washer, or leave in a large Sink Dryer Rack with many other items for the reason it can be damaged since Ceramic and not \"metal\"; and, you'll give yourself or someone else one heck of a Cut, if not worse time of it. The \"white\" plastic looking blade, and peoples tendency to see how sharp (why?) is just to tempting to have around \"even\" *adults, not to mention children (they have a plastic, toy \"look\" and are *not).\n\nThey cut, by *slicing action, so may not \"appear\" as sharp as your pro-Ginsu, which I love and use also, -- but they cut, nonetheless.\n\nIn retrospect, I feel the medium general use larger blade is a good \"one\" to have since, the 3-inch while great to have, offers no real advantage over the larger blade; unless you handle blades differently, --there's not a lot of slicing action to a 3-inch blade. We'll keep it. But, access your skills and needs, which for me, in this defined review means, a 7 - 8 inch long blade, 10 inch maximum."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"We had wondered about these Ceramic blades for some time, and was at a store where someone chimed in and offered, --\"for slicing meat, and only that, they can't be beat for general use\"; so, we bought the larger blade and then this, to us is a \"utility\" size blade.\n\nFor us, \"for slicing meat, and only that for general use\", they're a good knife to have around; especially, if only an occasional, \"holiday\" time, sharp knife need person/family. I hate shredding a Turkey, etc. -- really ruins \"it\" for me and that special meal moment.\n\n -- I use them, immediately wipe/wash off, paper towel, dab off carefully, and put away with blade guard.\n\nI would not, for me, put them in a dish washer, or leave in a large Sink Dryer Rack with many other items for the reason it can be damaged since Ceramic and not \"metal\"; and, you'll give yourself or someone else one heck of a Cut, if not worse time of it. The \"white\" plastic looking blade, and peoples tendency to see how sharp (why?) is just to tempting to have around \"even\" *adults, not to mention children (they have a plastic, toy \"look\" and are *not).\n\nThey cut, by *slicing action, so may not \"appear\" as sharp as your pro-Ginsu, which I love and use also, -- but they cut, nonetheless.\n\nIn retrospect, I feel the medium general use larger blade is a good \"one\" to have since, the 3-inch while great to have, offers no real advantage over the larger blade; unless you handle blades differently, --there's not a lot of slicing action to a 3-inch blade. We'll keep it. But, access your skills and needs, which for me, in this defined review means, a 7 - 8 inch long blade, 10 inch maximum."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: The MXL 770 condenser microphone continues to amaze recording artists all over the world with its incredible price/performance ratio. Singers, especially rappers, love the 770 for its solid bass, as well as its upfront high-end. The MXL 770 even uses a high quality FET preamp with balanced output for a wide dynamic range. This is a perfect piece for seasoned pros or newbie musicians who want a quality condenser mic that won't break the bank.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone\n\nReview: Great mic.\n\nSlightly different from MXL 990 due to the two switchs built in, same sound using side by side, this 770 with 990.\n -- I don't use the rolloff or spl but nice to have if needed.\n\nBe aware that this 770 does not come with Solid Mic Stand Adapter (suspended only) - so unlike with the 990 that comes with it, make sure you don't need that, or get one when ordering. Most importantly, ---the \"Threaded Washer\" for the solid mount is **not included. So, you'd need the Adapter that comes **with that that threaded washer so may attach it.\n\nNote: MXL *direct to me over the phone said (concering washer and solid mount), -- it's just the way it's sold and that's that. In their attempt to assist, I was then promised a threaded washer, sent at their espense, during that call as a favor but **never arrived, from 5 months ago to date... sort of, non-pro customer phone help when I called. Howver, I've never had any troubhle with these mics, so don't think their cust-srvc being iffy is an issue against buying.\n\nIf you can wait for a sale -- hard to beat for what it is versus what else is availble.","Product: Cecilio CCO-500 cello is ideal for intermediate cellist. This cello features a solid spruce wood top, flamed maple back, neck and sides. It is finished beautifully with a high-luster golden brown varnish and hand inlaid purfling. This cello is equipped with durable ebony fingerboard, pegs, and tailpiece with four nickel plated fine tuners. This outfit also includes two cases: one featherweight hard-shell case and soft case. Hard-shell case features an adjustable backpack straps, two bow holders, compartments for accessories, large zippered pocket on the back exterior for music sheets. Soft-case is lightweight and well-padded with pockets and adjustable backpack straps (making it convenient to carry to school or orchestra). The following accessories are also included: a Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, cello stand, rosin cake, and an extra set of cello strings. Please note that bridge will not be setup before shipment to avoid damage to the cello body during transit.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Cecilio 4/4 CCO-500 Ebony Fitted Flamed Solid Wood Cello with Hard and Soft Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge, Strings and Stand\n\nReview: My original review grew to 3+ Screens of text, and I had as well uploaded a video too -- OMG! :-). I removed all of that.\n\nMoreover, I had accumulated many pictures documenting the issues as requested by Cecilio for review----lots of time spent on this Christmas Gift Purchase.\n\nI then attempted to revise this review here a couple of times as I worked thorough the return, replacement process. However, I could not keep the narration of the experience accurate in brief as appropriate for this context.\n\n -- So, I'll just leave the 1-Star concerning this\n\nHowever, kudos to Amazon's Staff! who implement and make real the Business Process/Enforced Customer Advocate Policies concerning providing a safe buying experience nonetheless----it's why I've been a daily customer for nearly a decade. Best regards to all.","Product: The Pyle Professional Moving Coil Microphone is a unidirectional, dynamic handheld microphone for the serious musician recording in the studio or performing on stage. Its perfect for voice recording due to the high-quality moving coil unidirectional dynamic element. Thanks to the durable zinc alloy metal construction and steel mesh ball-shaped grille, you know your equipment is secure.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Compared in hand to several excellent clones and a real SM57\n\nReview: Compared in hand to several excellent clones and a real SM57. Using the Pyle cable that comes with it on all compared Mics, including the SM57, by ear, same output device, -- no difference.\n\nThe lesser weight is due to no transformer in the Pyle, and therefor lower price. Otherwise, is a SM57 without the transformer, so to speak. Now, someone using a scope may say different, but, considering all the output devices, again, -- you won't hear it. So, yes, do make sure the Phantom power is off with this one. No transformer means that voltage does go to the diaphragm. I don't know that it would withstand a full phantom power source. It might ... just watch your powered boards, etc.\n\nWithout the transformer in it, these will always be a much lower priced item. I did not diseasemble it and compare anthing else. My feeling is, the guts of it are essentially a commodity item at this point. Copper is copper, etc.; actually the gauge wire in this Pyle appeared heavier, however slight. Since the metal case is grounded that makes it a shielded container if in the ground chain in your circuit.\n\nThe metal Screen over the diaphragm appears slightly different from the SM57, a non-issue for me. Also, is use a foam screen over mine anyway, since like to keep any mic clean/sanitary. A foam sock is easy to rinse, or otherwise pull off for close speaker, instrument micing.\n\nAll things staying the same, I will buy again, as needed. I just don't need to spend the extra ~$90 to look at a Name.","Product: Mahogany body 18 silver nickel frets Rosewood fingerboard and bridge Mahogany neck Tenor Sized\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele Bundle...\n\nReview: I was surprised by my experience with this unit, versus the prior reveiws.\n\nGenerally, it is what I expected, on quick overview and look at it while unpacking it. And, for the price point, again, --good value, I agree if NO issues --there are.\n\nHowever, there were sever Quality Assurance Issues others may not be aware of, experienced enough to know of, consider, and do have what I have here, that I comment here, but are unaware of it.\n\nFirst, the tone -- for me, my ear, it was 6 - 7 out of 10. It was marginal for me. I may have otherwise kept it if not for the following.\n\nNow, the issue -- this unit does come with a Truss Rod in the Neck, -- which is excellent. However, the Hex Nut End located in the Sound Hole, was, as it appears, as **installed off center, sideways, and **crushing into the top; into the Underside of the Soundboard.\n\nI attempt to include pictures to show this. The pictures are **\"flattering\" ... it actually looks MORE off center in person (worse, the cheap phone Lens may be effecting this). And, the Truss Rod I am sure, I'd have to pry it down to get a Hex-wrench in it. Remember, it's to the side, so would not be sure if would WARP the neck to the Treble Side if tightened, or on it's own, in time. I would not want to put Sideways pressure for any reason out of concern for Twisting.\n\nAs I see this, the only way for this to occur as in the Pics, is, it was installed this way, and crushed into the top soundboard. There was not Truss Rod Hex Wrench included and would not have tried to use it anyway, --but, if you see the wood left in the hole, and \"if\" I could get the wrench on it, -- I would be very concerned with the result.\n\nThe Case is 6 of 10. The inside lid was warped. The Tuner was left to bounce freely in the case and the case, is not \"heavy duty\", but OK value, I guess for the Price Point.\n\nMy issue is, -- within minutes of turning it up, and looking it over, I saw this issue with the Truss Rod. No one at Kala saw it, thought to fix it, or not let this one leave the factory? How many others? -- Well, we can only guess. And, you-all would need to check your units to see. Or if you ever tried to adjust your Truss rod and had issues, well, you may not have seen \"this\" - first.\n\nFortunately, it's an Amazon Purchase, so returns are not an issue and I am protected. However, I am \"done\" with online instrument purchases for a while. I know Amazon would stick with me. But, it's a return/refund, no exchange. I am not ready to do yet another online search and repurchase. It takes a lot of time too.\n\nI have to say, add, that this Baritone, compared to my Tenor Ukulele with a Solid Sitka Spruce top, just, --was marginal in comparison to the Tenor size. Yes, the sheer size of the Baritone gave the bit more of bass boominess, --but the \"tone\", the overtones, the \"sweetness\" was not there. It has a funny overtone, and a bit dead. Since is a Laminated Top, I knew \"this\" was \"it\".\n\nI'll add, yes per other reveiws, the Action is a bit high. But, honestly to shave the Saddle is, for me, nothing to do, not an issue. But, it ma be for you if you have to pay for it. Actually, it looked like it had a Spacer to remove ? ... but, immediately repacked it for return so can not say more than this concerning that.","Product: With 99 adjustable rhythm patterns, the VOX MINI5 Rhythm allows you to practice with precision wherever the road takes you. Powered by six AA batteries, or the included adapter, the MINI5 Rhythm is the ideal amplifier for dressing room rehearsals or writing new tunes in between shows. 11 authentic amp models and on-board 8 effects make this little amp a tremendously versatile tool, allowing you to obtain a variety of both classic and inventive guitar tones! With microphone and auxiliary inputs and a headphone out, you can collaborate with others or practice silently.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Vox Mini5 Rhythm 1 x 6.5\" 5-Watt Battery Powered Amp with Rhythm and E-String Tuner\n\nReview: I have a DA5 (predecessor to this model), and thought it was starting to fail, --so, looked for another which turns out to be this.\n\nSome things are changed around, which is fine this way too. This unit uses AA Batt., not the C size of the other, --would hope the same amazing time to play on the AA's is the same... time will tell. But, this one comes with AC Power chord, --excellent. (Wish it came with rechargeable Batt.'s and charged with AC plugged in like some others do. However, then what would the price point be. No complaints, just \"would be nice\".\n\nThe addition of the Tuner for the E string, --very nice.\n\nThe built in rhythm, drum samples, with desperate level and tempo control, --excellent.\n\nThe tone is different from the DA5, in that this is not as \"bright\", --the speaking on this is 5W RMS, the DA5 was 10W RMS. Nonetheless, the tone is great and seems to have the same range as far as I can tell so far. I occasionally used the DA5 as Line Out with great results too, ... time will tell with this one. But, don't see why it won't sound good.\n\nI have many Amps, and Speakers to compare this with (having built an occasional Tube-amp myself), --and I don't see any tone or volume issues at all with this. This 5W has excellent presence, all around.\n\nThis unit, from me, gets a rare from me, 5-Stars. With all the amplifiers, etc. I have, this one sits next to my \"main\" relaxing chair where I always have an instrument in hand, --plugged into this, or the other DA5.\n\nMy extended hope is the rechargeable AA Batt.'s I may try with this will last for the extended time as the original iteration did.","Product: The M-Series ATH-M40x professional monitor headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate audio monitoring across an extended frequency range. Your studio experience is enhanced with superior sound isolation and swiveling earcups for convenient one-ear monitoring. Engineered with pro-grade materials and robust construction, the M40x excels in professional studio tracking and mixing, as well as DJ monitoring. Collapsible for space-saving portability.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: I had been using KRK's and like them, for \"me\"\n\nReview: I had been using KRK's and like them, for \"me\", IMO.\n\nI had been doing more rough track recordings, wav, mp3 and knowing specifically most if not all would be listening with earbuds, if not headphones. Most would preview through a Cell phone speaker, iPad, or PC speaker -so knew bass would be stripped out no matter what anyway. Most do not use \"hi-fi\" stereo speakers, so to speak.\n\nSo, these marketed as Studio Head Phones and me NOT using \"Studio Montor Speakers\" ... (again, for me, --what for?)... they seemed to fit my need.\n\nIndeed, there is a difference.\n\nActually, I like, prefer this/these \"uncolored\" sound.\n\nI considered if my, e.g. KRK's were coloring the sound in my rough tracks, it would be \"adding\" bass and presence. Well, it may have, --then, I'd me mixing it with *less Bass and would not be \"in the middle\", so to speak. Amazingly, the KRK's were not really coloring the tracks Mix, maybe slightly more Bass, but not much.\n\nHowever, other tracks, seem to sound different, or I am hearing more. When I compared to my Shure earbuds, --tremendous difference... the high end is tremendously reduced in those, favoring mid and low... and if used right after, the ATH-M40x's sounds \"muddy\" in the Shure earbuds.\n\nI think the KRK's to me, are more mid's focused, but close to these. However, I do simply prefer these M40x's as general use now, in my iPad, cell phone, PC and of course when Mixing.\n\nI seem to get good responses for the tracks I send for folks to use in many different Contexts. It's a \"singer song-writer\", rough track environment, but is best to have as good a mix, in vocal, guitar, other seperation, and minimal, minimal use of Reverb and Compression for L/R spacial feel to make it \"sound\" as it in fact does in person. (Some dry tracks, do not represent, an \"in the room\" in person feel/sound at all.)\n\nSo, not being to A/B test a whole bunch of units on \"my\" equipment, relied on general research. And, for the \"reasonable\" to me price, --I like these. I tend to hear much more than others, while I am able to \"filter\" stuff not to be bothered as some seem to be. I use them, for what I explain. I am not a \"cork sniffer\" audiophile as they are negatively (?) referred to. I did not like using the Shure earbuds right after, --but those are for \"in-ear\" monitoring for on stage Venue stuff. (Those come in an audiophile version --but I would not use \"buds\" for mixing or general use.)\n\nSo, againg, I like these. And a 4-Star rating is about as good as I give, reserving 5-Stars for really significant differences; not just getting what I expect and paid for anyway.","Product: The Major Diatonic harmonica is the most commonly used tuning for playing Blues, Rock, Country Folk & Jazz. Major Diatonic harps are produced by several manufacturers using various names such as Blues Harp, Marine Band, Golden Melody, Big River, Special 20, Pro Harp, Folk Master, Star Performer, etc. Although the cover plates are stamped with a variety of different names for marketing purposes, all of these harmonicas have the exact same notation layout as the Lee Oskar Major Diatonic. The most important difference is in the quality of materials, construction, design and sound. Lee Oskars are the best harmonicas in the world, and that's not just our opinion. All over the world, professional players prefer Lee Oskar Harps over any other brand.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Major Key Low F\" -- great instrument. I'm a life long musician\n\nReview: The \"Lee Oskar Harmonica, Major Key Low F\" -- great instrument. I'm a life long musician. I just started to overdub harp on my singer songwriter tracks about a year ago and began searching for what I liked. I love Special 20's and have the Low C, D too.\n\nThis Major Diatonic, -- has great tone, feel and playability.\n\nThe price is significantly better than the Special 20 Low's.\n\nThe minor issues I find with all are the small finish things, --more that you can see, not feel or effecting play. I've played a couple of very expensive units and saw the same issues. They only make the metal just so thick and when they form it, they don't polish it, then chrome it, and fine hand fit the pieces as if will be their own, not some strangers.\n\nThe fact that this played so well out of the box, --no play-in like the Special 20's was nice and confidence building in the product. I never owned or played one. I really needed, wanted a unit to play in Low C, Cross harp. So, I'm very glad this was what I hoped it would be. It's so hard to find decent harps for some reason. I don't get it.\n\nIt's not an instrument costing 3-4x's this... not flawless or build like a tank, but it's a \"pro level\" unit as it is. Even the ones costing 4x's are not what they should be either!","Product: Perfect for most 10-Hole Harmonicas, this high quality, adjustable harmonica holder comes to you Brand New and Factory Sealed! \n\nIt is a Spring Loaded holder designed for fast harmonica changes. With padding to protect your harmonica from marks or residues, and padding for your neck, this harmonica holder will adjust to your perfect comfort angle. It folds flat for easy storage as well.\n\nWhere the harmonica fits measures 4.5 inches wide.\n\n\nWith this harmonica holder and a little bit of practice, who knows.... you could be the next Bob Dylan or Neil Young!\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Harmonica Holder HH-002 - Neck Holder for a 10...\n\nReview: Wow, this is pretty bad. Now I notice the reviews are from a few years ago. No, not even at this price point is it worth it. It appears as a simple paint job (not powder coat) over coat hanger wire.\n\nThe end bends where the spring plate sits has the brownish, rust tint since the paint for some reason is not there or has rubbed out somehow, but how, if new?\n\nThe spring seats sit on pinched out, or pinged flat spots in the wire, --barely. As ridiculously stiff as these spring are, I am concerned these will push through and vwah lah, it's useless. It may never happen but looks like it could happen any day, any time.\n\nAs far as not marking the harmonica, eh, it will when the useless three little rubber tabs push out from trying to pry the harmonica in.\n\nI just don't expect it to last, --all the way to the Wing Nuts and Washers... it's not a bargain.","Product: CM217 Condenser Mic - Buy Two and Save. This is a really well-designed special deal. If there is any single microphone category in which it is likely that you will be buying two of them, it is in the category of overhead condensers. Designed for drum overheads, the CAD CM217 solves your cymbal capture at a fantastic price. In order to get a clear picture of your drummer's cymbal blends, you need two overhead condensers. The CM217 is equipped with a high-pass filter to avoid rumble and an attenuator to accommodate drummers of varying heavy-handedness. Mic clips included. The CM217 is additionally good for acoustic guitars, string instruments, cymbals, hi-hats, and more. A great way to record acoustic guitar is to use one CM217 aimed at the lower bout and another aimed toward the neck. You get a lovely mix of attack and body that is adjustable in the mix.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: for me it's a good vocal mic too --bright and airy which can be ...\n\nReview: It's what it said it was, and as expected for it's intended use. Actually, for me it's a good vocal mic too --bright and airy which can be stepped on in the mix, if even live. So, it is a quality sound, but is wide open not colored in any way, but not an unwieldy. If one were to compare to a common mic in the same \"range\" of customer niche, so to speak, -- like the MXL 990, the 990 in comparison drops the crispy highs, and handles the mids a bit different. So, if felt you were getting \"muddy\" with that mic, and was challenged to mix it as you like, swap it out for this, a few others to compare as I did. So, aside from overheads, strings, -- I'd ad voice without hesitation.\n\nFor me, the signal gets stepped on in the \"venue\", FOH speakers, etc., this mic doesn't step on it too -- is the best way I can descrbe it","Product: BLACK + DECKER CHV1410L 16 volt Lithium Cordless Dust Buster Hand Vac Ideal for Any Quick Pick Up Ideal for Quick Pick Up The sleek CHV1410L boasts lithium technology, strong suction and fade-free power. With a translucent bag less dirt bowl, the dirt is easy to see and empty. Ever ready, the hand vac can hold a charge for up to 18 months when off the charger, and is lightweight enough to tackle quick pick ups around the home. Smart Charge Technology High efficiency Lithium ion chargers help to protect your BLACK+DECKER hand vac by automatically shutting off when the battery is charged, allowing you to conveniently store your BLACK+DECKER hand vac on the charger while maintaining long run times, year after year. About Black + Decker Since 1910, Black + Decker has been setting the standard for innovation and design of power tools, accessories, outdoor yard care equipment, home cleaning products, automotive and lighting products, hardware and other home improvement products. The inventor of the first portable electric drill with pistol grip and trigger switch, Black + Decker has evolved from a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland to a global manufacturing and marketing powerhouse with a broad line of quality products used in and around the home and for commercial applications. When users need to get work done, they trust Black + Decker for the products that will do the job efficiently and reliably 16V MAX Lithium Ion Dust Buster 16V MAX Lithium Ion Dust buster This hand vac provides consumers with everything they need in a hand vac, plus long battery life, year after year. The CHV1410L features great power and suction for use on everything from carpet to ceramic tile to furniture and more. Cyclonic Action Cyclonic Action The cyclonic action spins dust and debris away from the filter keeping suction strong. It delivers powerful suction where users need it most. Crevice Tool and Brush. Note:Charging instructions can be seen in Page 4 to 5 and Direction for cleaning filters and canisters can be seen in Page 5 to 7 on Installation Manual available under technical specification. Charge Duration 4 hours\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: The motor does seem to loose \"gusto\" after the first ...\n\nReview: The motor does seem to loose \"gusto\" after the first 30 secs or so of use. They use to call them dust busters, (for dust), for a reason. The wine, wind down tone in the motor is not notes anywhere as normal, etc. There are so many, same OEM, different volts... I am not in hand up to comparing them all. My hope is, it will last beyond the warranty. I expect if even exchanged, the next would be the same, so, will remain an unhappy purchase. There are no in store tries in my area. So, be aware of this if gifting. I remember the old, original dust busters as simply not having any issues, and lasted till the batt., was finished. Oh, well.","Product: Universal Wheel Kit for all Lifan Power USA's Water Pumps or any equipment with round 1\" tubing roll cage type frames. Lifan USA prides itself in standing behind all Lifan products.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: It is a good, universal design\n\nReview: Mine was missing parts too.\n\nThe general quaity, is what I expected, \"OK\", certainly functional, (not crazy about tubed tires vs. solid ones), --aside from parts missing.\n\nAnd, no, there are no instructions.\n\nHowever, there are Pictures you can pull up from various vendors showing how it is installed in the generator/pump-frame they used it on. It is a good, universal design, you'd likely get to work in most instances, --all the \"frames\" these things sit in, round/box pipe are the \"same\", --would not matter to me.\n\nAgain, howver, --if you don't have all the pieces, and don't have a picture, no diagram, or instructions of any kind, with a parts list of what should be in the box, --you may not \"figure it out\". This is an expensive wheel-kit for this kind of issue in my opinion.\n\nI could diagram, or pic this in no time, but not a vendor?","Product: Nordic Ware 15040 Cast Aluminum Stovetop Belgium Waffler\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: I like it. I expected a bit more substantial as ...\n\nReview: It's OK. I like it. I expected a bit more substantial as per other reviews, -- but adequite. I don't think you need a special \"fork\" to pull waffles out... actually if lightly coat (as you can, not easy) with oil, or add oil to your batch as per most recipes -- I don't see these stilking. I was able to just let it fall out with a little nudge with finger. So, while a bit expensive in my opinion - OK if want an iron for stove top. Preheat, flip and get a feel for how much each side - it's not the same timing for each side it seems - it seemed like the initial pour side was darker, so could go less time and be same golden color on both sides while still cooked well.","Product: Never look for a matching lid to your pans again with the universal lid from RSVP. This durable 18/8 stainless steel lid has a polished finish and fits frying and saut pans from 7 to 12 inches in diameter. The lid also features an adjustable vent for steam. Oven safe to 425F and dishwasher safe.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Universal Lid... RSVP\n\nReview: It's OK. From me a 3 for a product like this is truly \"OK\".\n\nFor me to get a 4 or 5 even it would have to be a heavier guage Stainless since we here are more pro cookers looking for anything to make the kitchen simpler, more efficient. Also, a \"D-ring\" on the edge from which could hang it would be nice. However, the design of it makes it easy to stand on end back of the counter next to the stove (the thin, wide perimeter), out of the way and a quick grab or put out of the way.\n\nAlso, for me, the \"Vent\" slot is useless and don't get why it's there. It's a point of failure, always open anyway, loose and the lid design by the nature of it, --it is a loose fit. If it was a Threaded port that I could have on/off maybe. But, that's overthinking what it simple a good universal lid.\n\nGood job here, but all things considered, price and etc., --glad I have it, but a 3 presently.","Product: Vogelzang's Three Quart Tea Kettle is constructed entirely of cast iron for durable, practical use while also serving as a decorative addition to your stove. Steaming hot water adds humidity in the room and the cool touch chrome spring handle make it safe and easy to use. A must-have accessory for every wood, coal, pellet or corn burning stove.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Vogelzang TK-02 Fireplace Kettles, Cast Iron, 3 Quart Vogelzang\n\nReview: It, for me, it is as described, and great for it's intended purpose.\n\n -- It looks better than what we were using to keep the air moist.\n\nThe only disadvantage, if one can call it that is, --be mindful that you need to be careful when filling it in your sink since will more easily chip a ceramic sink, of course is by nature *heavier than a cheap old pot, and make sure you fill with hot water if already hot or let it cool down prior to filling. We occasionally catch it at a cooler time, not yet boiled out moment, and carefully add more on the cooler stove. If it's a blazing hot stove, and dry, -- *think*, --carefully place it on a stone \"hearth\", wait a moment, chock down your fire, *then when cool, re-fill and replace it (if you need to be told that?).\n\nIt seems for us, with the lid mostly open (to keep from \"boiling\" to easily) we get through a night with some water remaining. If it's a blazing hot stove, -- maybe 2 - 3 hours. Again, be careful. It's purpose, for us, is to decoratively keep the air \"moister\" than it might otherwise be with a very dehumidifying wood fire. We keep a fire going, mostly 24 x 7 x 7 at 45F or cooler with heat backup as needed.\n\n -- If it gets to be to much of a hassle, the old stainless steel 4-quart pot will be put back, --it didn't look that bad :-)","Product: There is no substitute for a genuine Johnny Apple Peeler by VICTORIO! Built to last for virtually a lifetime, it's backed by a full 5 year warranty, superior Customer Service and an informative website. The Slicing Blade produces even 1/4 inch slices ready to eat, dry or use in a recipe.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Victorio VKP1010 Apple and Potato Peeler, Suction Base\n\nReview: Works as advertised. I went with the casting with name brand -- hard to tell from the pictures but looked sturdier. It looks like it will last a while. Not sure if would in a commercial kitchen, but not bad for occassional home use.\n\nThe suction cup appears to work well enough, --hope it remains that way.\n\nWhat seems \"light\" duty is the general thickness of blades, handle to screw and the end-fort for which one shoves it into the potato/apple.\n\nIf all were, something like 2x's as heavy and if even 2x's the cost, --that'd be the one I'd look for.\n\nAgain, good enough, but I would not plan on peeling a bushel of apples and not expect some kind of problem.\n\nAlso, the depth of knife to cut the peel is again, a bit \"iffy\". If heavier one might be able to save a bit of veg/fruit with the peel.\n\nHowever, if this is \"it\", --I'd buy again, if needed to. I would not buy any \"less expensive\" and expect usefulness.","Product: The fine tradition of the Bormioli Rocco Group coincides with the very history of glass: the first glassworks was established in Parma in 1825. The company has always demonstrated a great drive to pioneer innovation: in machinery, materials and design. Over the years it has developed a special talent, that of combining time-honoured craftsmanship and the passion of master glassmakers with modern industrial processes. Bormioli Rocco is the leading company in its sector in Italy and a great ambassador of the Made in Italy label on international markets. These wonderful glasses can be used for water bottles, serving your favorite beverage or even displaying flowers.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Bormioli Rocco Giara Bottle Set of 6, Sky Blue - Red\n\nReview: Considering the price, if even a \"warehouse\" deal, this is still expensive for what it is, --so what is it? Well, not entirely as described if even one considers omission to some degree, or the other reviews from folks who many not know a difference.\n\nSo, what do I see in hand?\n\n1) This is, as per the manufacturers label, \"...colours...exclusive spraying process applied to the outside of the bottle\"; and hand-wash to preserve the coating it comments.\n\n2) The snap-caps in my opinion are \"cheap\", so to speak. How do I define \"cheap\", well, --they are not as I expected from other Retail Beverage distributors where the caps were not Plastic as these are, rather a \"solid\" ceramic material and that are very tightly fitting, and sealing.\n\n3) Since for me, these snap-caps are not tightly fitting and are plastic, --I would not use it to \"bottle\" something as opposed to simply storing or decanting from it, or as a \"crafty\" gift.\n\n4) I have to assume this is food \"safe\" since the coating of an unstated material is on the outside of the simple, clear glass. The manufacturers label says the \"colours\" are \"...safe and eco-friendly\". Not to be to semantic, but for a USA consumer of many \"off-shore\" manufactured items that wind up as questionable, --I hope that, that does mean that the material of which the colour is made of, is safe.\n\nThere is no phone number or otherwise contact information of the Bormioli Rocco brand to ask further, etc. I assume the option if unsatisfied it return, if concerned, or further tracking down.\n\nAgain, as this price point, --is not what I expected to receive, here, on Amazon directly.","Product: A scalloped profile adorned with gothic ornament, gold in color, define this robust picture frame. The 3.5\" wide Gotham frame series is a perfect complimentary piece to a wide range of decor styles. At the heart of this moulding is a solid wood corecapped with a polished composite, finished in brushed Gold & Bronze. The stoutness of the Gotham picture frame will take command in any environment.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Craig Frames 8081 24 by 36-Inch Picture Frame, Ornate Finish, 3.6-Inch...\n\nReview: Helpful if need to know their recommended way of installing the wire kit, --suggestions not in the kit:\nhttp://www.craigframes.com/v/vspfiles/files/HowToInstallYourWireKit.pdf\n\nNice frame.\n\nIs a composite type, --I guess is wood. A tad heavy, so may or may not be all wood composite since see frames as \"wood\", yet are, e.g. plaster formed design over it.... you find out the first move, nick, fall, etc.\n\nHowever, appears as described.\n\nFor me, I feel are on the high side concerning pricing, and from \"online\". It is what it is, and I could not find many other options that did not add up quickly in price. Why are frames, \"moldings\" pieced together so high priced anyway?!\n\nAs part of the product, apparently, as packaged, --excellent, for what this is.\n\nI have an BA in Studio Art, worked in galleries years ago, and wonder how this was going to be packaged, since I felt would be \"part\" of \"it\" --you don't just stick a frame like this in a box. Again, I was happily surprised.\n\nI may, therefore, buy others, --so, hope, that part of it is consistent.\n\nUnless, it gets pricier, or there is a better source, this is worth a try for the occassional framer, \"artist\" on a budget, etc.","Product: The perfect Size for making one gallon batches of wine. Also great for small batches of beer, mead, Cider, or for 1 - 1.5 gallon yeast starters.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: 2 Gallon Plastic Fermenter w/ drilled lid\n\nReview: These are marked at 1-Gal and 1.5 Gal, with approximately 3in. of \"head space\" to the rim/lid.\n\nOne could functionally use for up to 1.75-Gal if one had to.\n\nHowever, at the 1.5-Gal line, one can easily \"swirly\" the liquid without removing the lid as I like to do with a primary-fermentation.\n\nAs far as air tight, I'd have to say, yes. Define that?\n\n - Well, I would not expect to drop it and not have it leak, or the lid to pop off (especially after the locking-band is pealed off of it). However, for what it is intended to be used for, --primary fermentation, it is perfect. Again, what does that mean?\n\n - Specifically, the Lid and drilled-hole-gasket does seal well enough that if fermentation exists, the \"fermentation gases\", quickly enough pressurize the container, displacing the \"air\" and causing \"bubbling\" in the \"Air-lock\". With standard, and good, sanitizing practice I have only had a good result with these.\n\n - For the price point I paid, I am satisfied with it.\n\nI would expect to use it for many numbers of primary-fermentation's. It appears the Lids inner, soft gasket can be replaced; and if those can be found to do so, --I would consider that. I would not expect the Lid, or Pail to fail or wear out for this use (aside from the gasket), for what I provide a guess at of, two-years of use.\n\nUse for me for this \"use\", would be 6 - 8 times a year, possibly up to 20 uses in two-years, --offered as an impression of use quality.\n\nThe quality seems consistent across several lids/pails I have in hand.\n\nI would not want to pay more that I did and feel good about what it is, and is for.\n\nTo offer further qualification of use by me to gauge for yourself:\nPresently 5-Gal batches are to big and/since I like have three batches of different things going, offset by a week or two.\n\nHowever, 1-Gal is a bit \"small\". Ideally a 2.5-Gal would be great for me and could just use the 5-Gal items for it; however, I am concerned by the amount of head space in the 5-Gal sized, and the general size for home-kitchen use (kitchen sink, etc.), and if one does not have a vigorous fermentation on occasion, --the 3in head space when these pails are at 1.5-Gal line seems ideal overall. And all equipment at this capacity can be handled well enough in a Kitchen space; not having to use a \"slop-sink\" or garden hose, etc. for maintenance.","Product: With its sleek, stainless-steel front and silver wrap, the powerful Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SD372S Countertop/Built-In with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor makes a stylish and convenient addition to any home, apartment, dorm room or condo kitchen. This exceptional 950-Watt, 0.8-cubic-foot capacity stainless steel microwave with 11-1/4-inch turntable evenly heats and cooks breakfast foods, after-school snacks, dinners, appetizers and more, while the compact design makes it ideal for individuals or small families. This innovative microwave oven includes patented Inverter Technology which, unlike traditional microwaves that rely on pulse-on, pulse-off power at lower temperatures, delivers a constant stream of cooking power at every temperature for more evenly cooked meals - edges to centers - every time. With the touch of the Genius Sensor cooking button, this microwave takes the guesswork out of creating a great meal by automatically setting power levels and adjusting cooking or defrosting time for added time-saving convenience. The sensor measures the amount of steam produced during cooking and signals the microprocessor to calculate the remaining cooking time at the appropriate power level. A selection of auto cook options enable you to quickly prepare your favorite foods, such as pizza, popcorn, pasta, soup, oatmeal and other dishes. This Panasonic microwave oven externally measures 11-inch x 19-3/16-inch x 15-9/16-inch (H x W x D).\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Panasonic NN-SD372S 0.8 Cubic Feet 950-Watt Inverter Microwave, Stainless, by Panasonic\n\nReview: It is, and functions as described. I did call their customer service about a question I had of which they did not have an answer, -- quickly got back to me with a moment on hold with the right answer.\n\nFor me, some of the functions are layered to far below to re-do if change, e.g. the Clock. Also, the minimum time is 1-min, so have to watch for 30 secs if all I need at full power, or would have to set power (again, layered button/menu pick).\n\nOverall, it looks like the better of what's offered compared to others in it's market niche. For me the 950-Watts is perfect for what it's intended for, no more or less power configuration.\n\nAnd, yes, a Fan does run on after use to keep the module cool, which is normal. My question to them was a different one, but that one about the Fan/Running sound, seems asked often, -- it is noted in the manual, however not \"NOTED\", so would have to read for it.\n\nHaving bought many of this kind of appliance, -- this appears as will be in service without an expected end date. Many of these kinds of appliances seem to have a one year life span, two if lucky, but this one appears to give more hope than that. If it fails sooner than later, I'll update this. So, if this review is here unaltered years from now, -- that's the result.","Product: Gibson's Green Soho Lounge Dinnerware Set features classic stoneware dinnerware. The set has an green exterior with an ivory interior and is made from ceramic material. Durable thick dinnerware is difficult to scratch or break. 16-piece stoneware set includes four place settings each of 12.75-inch dinner plate, 9-inch dessert plate, 6.25-inch bowl and 12 ounce mug (plates and bowls measured diagonally). Bold designs for the bold at heart. Traditional finishing techniques produce differences in color, size and texture, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike. Set is dishwasher and microwave safe for easy clean.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Gibson Soho Lounge 16-Piece Square Reactive... Gibson\n\nReview: Gibson Soho Lounge 16-Piece Square Reactive...\n\n -- Nice plate. Did not get \"hot\" in the microwave which for me is the test. I can actually make oatmeal, boiling it and remove w/o burning my hand or needing a plate to slide the bowl onto\n\nThey, like any plate can chip, or chip the glazing. But, it takes a good shot. Actually just got one but was the glazing down to the white base plate material. However, not concerned with it proceeding from there on it's own.\n\nIn my area, it seemed less expensive from Amazon, rather than in store too.\n\nHowever, -- it seems shipped in it's OEM Boxing. I guess that's enough, none broken. Nevertheless was surprised not second boxed. If chucked from the delivery van, actually, --I guess it could survive. So, just saying, since part of this purchase was to see if plates would arrive as a 16 piece, or a 10016 piece set ;)","Product: The Tel-Tru 12\" thermometer by cheesemaking.com is made in the USA from the highest-quality stainless steel. The 12\" stem is equipped with a pan clip for easy use and the large 2\" dial is great for quick temperature checking. This is the thermometer the pros use because of its accuracy and durability. TO CLEAN: Wash stem only in hot, soapy water after use and sanitize well before use. Tel-Tru is known as one of the world's premier thermometer manufacturers.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Tel-Tru 12\" Stainless Steel Cheesemaking Thermometer 0/220 degrees F Tel-Tru\n\nReview: After several batches of 1 - 2 Gal cheese making, -- this is helpful.\n\nThe Clip on the side to clip to the, on my high quality, major brand very expensive stainless steel pot, does not really work well, --seems almost bent opposite of what it should be.\n\nTherefore, plan on bending and adjusting, etc., pending the lip of your pot. (They all look the same to me, so don't get this glitch, --is fully unexpected for me.)\n\nI did not notch my Lids for this to pass through on the side. With how I finally bent it, the clip (*not :-) the meter), ---- if I don't hit it when stirring, it stays in place (an annoyance to be concerned with at this price and level of specialty use offering quality, in my opinion), and sort of swings to the side when I lid my pot without falling out, with enough in the liquid to get some kind of reading.\n\nTherefore, aside from the Clip as a major feature of this purchase, it is a helpful addition. Again, I don't get, how that clip could be gotten wrong for any *major brand, mainstream, conventional, very expensive stainless pot that all are built the same from what I can see, -- why the clip is not flawless since such a part of this, again, is annoying.\n\nBut, since there's nothing else at any price, -- it's a good addition with that qualification.\n\nAdditionally, if the OEM reads this, it seems if the outside metal was a long as the inside length of the clip of longer (reverse of the present design), and \"even\" in length, and possibly had additionally a threaded, light thumb screw on the outside tab to hold it in place, --that would be nice. Again, if even the lengths were \"reverse\" or identically the longer length! That short tab on the outside of the Pot barely works to \"hang\" it on the edge, not to mention the implied \"clipping\" tension that may be offered. As a matter of fact, opening it up, and simply \"hanging\" it, is the only way it remains useful for me as a \"third\" hand (or would have returned it). A really bad design in my functional experience with it. Did a cook ever UAT it for you? It appears to me, as not so.\n\nAnyone can now, clearly look at the pictures you provide and see the short tab on the Clip and imagine the flipping sideways that may occur on their Pots, too, in my opinion. If there is some \"trick to its use\", supply a picture of that instruction. I've been cooking for decades in many contexts and don't typically need instruction (the very nature of this \"hobby\" customer niche), --but, I'm open to having missed something and being educated.","Product: The Merit Dark Brown Glider Recliner is the perfect companion for any media room or living room. It 's elegant style and comfort gives relaxation a whole new meaning.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Avoid buying unless Prime --Merit Black Leather Recliner/Glider Chair ... Great Deal Furniture\n\nReview: Arrived missing a piece never installed, --the protective covering on the sharp metal rocker stand. If not there, it will cut into the floor/carpet.\n\nUpdate: I am still waiting for this part, they didn't consider that I could have just returned the chair at their expense and then re-order. Being a nice guy, gets you waiting weeks for action. So, it's going to be 2 weeks or possibly more or even just an ultimate return, --with this blocking my front door since can't move it, --it will dig into the floor without this part I hope I can install. So for the cost of an overnight envelope, --no concern at all for me at all. So, if not 100% correct, don't let it in, get it picked up for return, --or risk waiting weeks since will, like this, ship some super cheap 2 week bulk rate for a 7 inch packaged, tiny part. The worst customer service and quality I have ever see in over a decade on Amazon buying big items as well as small.\n\nSo, again, generally speaking to me, it appears very light duty and may not hold up. I was surprised to see the delivery man carrying it like a box of groceries, --I was not sure what it was, --the chair? How could it be a chair. It was.\n\nThe wings at the top slide on and will slide off, as well, very easily, --just for the look of the chair.\n\nNo way to lock the rocking and really rocks allot, annoyingly, --moves when going to sit.\n\nEven in full upright, is somewhat *reclined which is very uncomfortable.\n\nThe fact that it fully reclines is of no use to me, especially since appears light duty would not want to wear it out that quickly by actually sleeping in it.\n\nThere is no return arm to assist you to lock it in when returning from recline which means I have to stand, catch it with one leg and push it shut with the other, unless I catch it just right, to lock it so may rise from the chair easily and safely.\n\nIt's generally just a marginal chair and barely of value for the price compared to what else I've purchased. I regret the purchase and won't consider this again, though was anticipating getting another to match it in a larger room, --not now.","Product: Relax in style with this recliner club chair featuring a solid frame and sturdy feet for added stability and strength. This comfortable reclining chair is great for small spaces and functions as a great place to take a nap or read a book.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Best Selling Leather Recliner Club Chair ...\n\nReview: It is OK. The prior reviews are more or less accurate. It does appear to be a decently made \"Club Chair\", that can recline.\n\nIt went together without any issues. I did need help carrying the bottom half into the house, --two pieces in an \"adequate\" box, not over boxed by any means, but \"functionally\" if all goes well in transit. I mention this since if the box is damaged and seeing how it un-boxes... I would refuse it or send it right back, right then --don't un-box to see if effected, ripped or etc. It's not heavy double boxed, it'd be damaged in my experience.\n\nI think in a house of \"adults\" who just sit in a chair, --it should last a good long while.\n\nOne negative was on the legs you screw in, --had a \"made in china\" bright red sticker, so peeled it off. Left sticky gum. Man, it would not rub off, just smear. No house hold cleaner, or paper helped. So, I dabbed a bit of rubbing alcohol to rub it off, --the brown finsh is Alcohol based and started to lift, --wow. So, it's some Varnish base if alcohol solvent. Fortunately it's sprayed on heavy enough I gently wiped it smooth. So, don't use alcohol to do that. Leave the sticker(s) or some other method may get the gum off, --would be a dust collector which is why I did that anyway. (And, bright red? geese)\n\nKeep in mind it's a \"Club\" chair, a medium sized chair, and it not an overstuffed recliner you can camp out in :) It reminds me of a Dentist Chair when fully reclined flat.\n\nAnyway, since arrived in good shape and for this price point, I could see getting a matching one if needed later. One may need a chair pillow since is somewhat deep seated. There will be no head support for anyone over five foot.","Product: Master Lock 4841DATSEN Auto Sentry Wireless Anti- Theft Vehicle Alarm System is a plug and play alarm system that utilizes sophisticated sensors to detect any unauthorized entry into the passenger cabin and sends a wireless signal to sound a remote alarm mounted in the engine compartment. It provides a visible and audible deterrent to thieves targeting the vehicle itself or any loose valuables inside the vehicle.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Master Lock 4841DATSEN Auto Sentry Wireless Alarm\n\nReview: It's a great idea and think it could work, or apparently does for some (?), --if they fully understand what's supposed to work (not sure from the reviews).\n\nI see the \"installer\" gets blamed for not setting the side screw for the inside vehicle pressure switch,----*not valid here. Here's my experience:\n\n1)\nI went to the \"Masterlock\" web sight for support and could not find this unit anywhere. The special URL under the products name in the instructions redirects to their main sight, and searching produces irrelevant hits (there or anywhere).\n\nI went there per the instructions for the \"adjustment\" instructions. (Adjustments?, there's only one documented.)\n\nThe third party \"reviews\", or \"help\" only comment to turn the screw on the pressure sensor clock wise for more \"sensitive\" setting. It arrived all the way in and did not \"Alarm\". I sat in the Vehicle, \"Armed\", and actually so tight, my ear and hair on the Drivers Door side got that \"swoosh\" from normal door opening, and did not \"Alarm\" on full \"Sensitivity\".\n\n2)\nI had a Volt Meter attached, and with significant drop, no \"Alarm\".\n\n3)\nThe \"bump\" alarm did work.\n\nHowever, as describe here from others, with a *hard door slam -- I mean with more force needed then to simply close the door -- the vehicle did have to visibly move with a jolt to sound. So yes a \"tap\" (?, define \"tap\") would set it off.\n\n4)\nMoreover:\nNo instruction on how *long it would alarm, so was concerned it may *drain my battery, since *all 3rd party input said the only way to stop it was to use the remote or pull the Fuse (or add a switch?, I'd guess). I don't live in an area that I could sit with it \"Alarming\" to see how long or if it would \"time out\" (?).\n\n5)\nTo be as accurate as I can I want to add that I actually deliberately purchased a \"Returned\" item -- said to be \"Tested\" known to work properly but Packaging may be \"damaged\". I can't know how it may have been tested, if it *was in fact.\n\nConclusion:\nI wish it **did work as described -- this would have been the best solution for me. (Again, I can't have a \"bump\" alarm that may never shut off and no one to confirm to ask for support. I guess when one see a lot of 3rd party \"help\" me, \"how-to\" that should be a flag to consider.)\n\nI'll add that, I'd *gladly *have *paid 2-3x's for this if worked and was of a \"heavy\" duty quality, ----it did seem a bit light duty, but can't compare since only ever installed the older stuff (aside from this), from years ago.\n\nI guess, my journey continues and will have to drill holes etc. for these other alarms, or pay an installer and hope a good job is done.\n\nOh well, very disappointing.","Product: An Amazon Brand.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: AmazonBasics Ultra-Thin Amplified Indoor HDTV...\n\nReview: Indeed, it does make otherwise non-viewabel channels, viewable. I simpy unplugged the amplifier to see the difference - as expeceted those channels went away and returned when plugged back in (the amplifiew part AC-USB or TV units - USB powered). It is incorrect the other reveiws stating it onlhy boost \"noise\", not in the digital world - it boosted the digital packet data to make the channel viewable, or if to weak, was pixeleated as occurs. I observed getting 2x's the channels I would otherwise have had.\n\nAdditionally, do (DO) move the Antenna around - true, for me, even a \"foot\" made a difference and being near a winder. Mine hangs hidden behind curtains. I'm not sure an external, roof antenna would do better. There's many channels out there - and I \"manually removed\" the many of not use to me.\n\nGenerally, this was a great value from Amazon.","Product: Now you can deter robbery, theft, and vandalism without the high cost of a real security camera. When placed in your home or business, even the most sophisticated criminals will think the premise is guarded by a high-tech surveillance system and go in search of an easier target. In fact, this is an actual surveillance camera that has been modified into a dummy or fake security camera. It even appears that it has infrared capabilities with 30 Illuminating Night Vision LEDs which come on during darkness just like real infrared LEDs. The camera features authentic video cable and a fully adjustable mounting bracket that will let you install the camera quickly and easily using the included stainless steel screws. Dimensions of the camera are 5 one half inches x 3 inches x 2 and one half inches (without rain shield). With the rain shield the dimensions increase to 7 x 3 x 3 inches. The camera requires 2 AA batteries that are not included.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Outdoor Fake , Dummy Security Camera with Blinking Light\n\nReview: They mount, how shown, and that's about it. For me, that aspect limited their use. However, for the price, was workable.\n\nAs well, the battery maintenance for the light, --would be problematic, --I see many \"real\" cameras w/o lights, so think that through. In a year, you may not feel up to taking them out, and out have to if leaking, etc.\n\nI think these make good *supplemental cameras with other real ones for a limited system.\n\nThe decal is a bit fake looking, \"CCTV...\"--I cut out the camera part only, and used it. I feel if someone is looking, they're \"looking\", and this would do. I know I would not \"advertise\" my type of system and would not use a branded warning sticker, so that worked, as I explain.\n\nThey are what they are, as advertised. So, if usable as-is, for this price, for supplemental cameras with other working ones, they are \"OK\".\n\nAs prices go down on this stuff, just buying another real camera and mounting it not activated will just occur. I mention that since considered it with this purchase.","Product: Ever want to walk around recording with your iphone XR XS X 8 7 6s Plus Galaxy S9 Edge or Galaxy phone but need something to help stabilize your phone? Want to use your own tripod to make a professional video recording movie or selfie? Need an additional accessory with your GOPRO Recording experience? With the AccessoryBasics Smartphone /GOPRO Hero 4 3 2 Camera Mini Hand Grip Stabilizer kit, you can do all that as simply as 1-2-3. 1) Connect the Holder to the 1/4-20 Hand grip tip, 2) Connect the 360 smartphone holder 3) Put your phone into the holder. No Tools needed and you can install everything in less than a minute. *Compatible with Apple iphone 6s Plus 6 5s 5C 5 SE Gold Samsung Galaxy S S4 S5 S6 S7 Edge HTC ONE Motorola Moto X Google Nexus 4 5 LG G5 G4 Pro* (Holder Can Expend up to 90mm/ 3.5\" wide)\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: I think it's a great accessory at a great price and works as expected\n\nReview: It's light duty, with what is for me, light plastic. I think it's a great accessory at a great price and works as expected, however, unsure how long it may last since the plastic looks, feels thin, light weight. It it lasts, then great! But, does not make me feel confident.\n\nSo, for example, I will surely have an additional safety strap (this being a function of that as \"grip\" on he phone) with this and would not load on additional gear as one review said they did. Maybe if used in like, your living room with a soft non-messy landing but not running around on vacation out and about in the streets.\n\nI'd gladly pay more, for a more robust rendition.\n\nAlso, it lacks what I thought it may do, --the ability to stand the phone on a desk when talking. It does help with that, but not on it's own.","Product: This is a fully lined single breasted business dress suit. Conservative but fashionable, its been constructed to look great and keep you comfortable year-round. Includes a three button jacket and pants. The jacket has one chest pocket, two side pockets, and three inside pockets. This suit is perfect for the office or any occasion, so buy now!\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: New Men's 3 Button Single Breasted Black Dress Suit\n\nReview: I have no issue with the quality. However, regardless of how marked concerning size, and did order as per their chart, -- was at least one full size smaller. I had no confidence in re-ordering since consistency was my concern. The next one might be \"that\" larger size?\n\nWhat am I comparing to?\nI compared to two other major brands I had (*unaltered) that were bigger and smaller and consistent with each other as different brands/makers too. Additionally, I've been wearing suits for decades, and have no issue with alterations.\n\nHowever, the cloth has to be there to be let out, etc. If they get the sizing for USA correct, and I could have confidence in this, I would reconsider purchasing at this present period price point. Moreover, I expect pants to be \"unfinished\", however, in this too, concerning the Jacket, --the sleeve length was beyond ridiculous in length. I would expect a Tailor to charge me as much as paid for, to properly alter to fit; then, for me, it's not a good deal. I was surprisingly for \"me\" disappointed as a long time buyer on Amazon.\n\nI'll conclude with, be sure your are \"right\" or expect a challenged return -- was my feeling in how i was engaged. --Again, Amazon buyer protection for reasonable history customers saves the day.","Product: Leather slip on\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: I looks like the same shoe\n\nReview: I had a pair of these from 2015, today is June '18, and while did not wear well I thought to try again.\n\nI ordered the same order.\n\nI looks like the same shoe, generally speaking. The inner lining looks more substantial, so considered they may have addressed the show wearing out (then, I think it was inner sole walked through, etc. and I was recovering from surgery so, no, --not running marathons in it, quite the opposite). The lining is different too. The older shoe had what appeared to me to be a more robust canvas type lamination, --better in that regard.\n\nAs far as size, the 2015 iteration, I was concerned with the relaxed fit, since was afraid of a sloppy fit or looking to wide, -- however as far as size went D or USA Medium and if \"relaxed\" fit, -- was perfect. This order was truly no less than a C or narrow. compared to the older one. Moreover, the Tongue Elastic was sewn nearly fully, -- holding the tongue down and making it very, very challenging to \"slip on\". I *literally broke my 24in shoe horn, the first 3/4in snapped off trying to wiggle my foot in, thinking once in, would \"feel\" OK, -- no. My foot immediately went numb, tingly, --squashed.\n\nI've learned that \"walking in\" a shoe may work, but, today since only the outer upper may be leather there is not much give and \"breaking in\" a shoe is iffy, --for me anyway. And I just can't risk hurting my feet. Moreover, it is supposed to be a \"Relaxed Fit\", and was previously, as I said, almost looking sloppy, but was what it was supposed to be.\n\nI fully expected to love it and hope for durability. I normally would do an exchange, but this time and lately am not fully sure that provides a good alternative. The Length was the same, --compared both pre-molded soles and identicle. The Upper is made differently now. It looked narrow out of the box, but I expected the Tongue Elastic to \"give\", -- no, as I said, sewn down, provides, maybe 1/4 in of give and right at the very end. The rest was sewn mostly tight when I pulled on it.\n\nSo, consider that. Maybe order at the same time the next wider version and compare, maybe this was an anomaly, -- who knows. But, in fact the sizing has changed and is not what I expected.","Product: Men's & Women's 2-Way Plastic Shoe Stretcher Shapers\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: in the slots and on the threads to smooth out the workings of it (used olive oil which worked well and now does not smell like t\n\nReview: It is what I expected it to be. I felt the plastic would be more functional, and long lasting than the soft wood offerings.\n\nI did splash a few drops of oil, in the slots and on the threads to smooth out the workings of it (used olive oil which worked well and now does not smell like the garage). Anyway, it looks like it will last, and worked well for both Instep length relief and width. I just ran the shoe quickly under water inside and out, and left it in the stretcher for a couple hours near a heater. I went a bit medium on the tension, and did I great. I then added the Toe Button for specific spots. By 2nd try on one and third on other, --nice painfree nudge for a more custom fit.\n\nFor me to give it a 5, it would have to be a Pair for that price, nicely oiled/waxed for smooth action, and instruction (none at all, -- just used common sense? Still, who knows to set it inside and out, well (-- dress shoes, so did not soak long term in water like I would for a heavier work shoe).","Product: This is a fully lined double breasted business dress suit. Conservative but fashionable. It includes a suit jacket and pants. The jacket has three inside pockets, and three outside pockets. The suit is fully lined and will keep you comfortable and looking great year-round. It's perfect for a day in the office or any occasion, so buy now!\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: New Double Breasted (DB) Black Men's Business Dress Suit\n\nReview: I have no issue with the quality. However, regardless of how marked concerning size, and did order as per their chart, -- was at least one full size smaller (Jacket was as expected in needing alterations, but not the pants). I had no confidence in re-ordering since consistency regardless of size-label was my concern. The next one might be \"that\" size as expected, bigger, smaller? I was sent the next size \"range\" to big.\n\nWhat am I comparing to?\nI compared to at least, two other major brands I had (*unaltered) that were bigger and smaller and the \"ordered size\", and consistent with each other for comparison as different brands/makers too. Additionally, I've been wearing suits for decades, and have no issue with alterations.\n\nHowever, the cloth has to be there to be let out, etc. If they get the sizing for USA correct, and I could have confidence in this, I would reconsider purchasing at this present period price point. Moreover, I expect pants to be \"unfinished\", however, in this too, concerning the Jacket, --the sleeve length was more reasonable in length but *would require shortening which has to reasonably be expected. Nonetheless, I would expect a Tailor to charge me as much as paid for, for all of this work I've never needed, to properly alter to fit (if the cloth was there to let out); then, for me, it's not a good deal.\n\nI'll conclude with, be sure your are \"right\" or expect a challenged return -- was my feeling in how i was engaged. I see as per the prior reviews I read prior to purchase, some got what they ordered, and was the correct size regardless of size-label. Again, Amazon buyer protection for reasonable history customers saves the day, and was formally engaged with this purchase return. As a first response I was told I ordered incorrectly, but didn't, -- and would not have mattered concerning what I received.","Product: To fit chest (recommended): S 34"-37", M 37"-39", L 39"-42", XL 42"-45", XXL 45"-48", 3XL 48"-52", 4XL 52"-54", 5XL 54"-56". This warm and hard wearing M65 Hydro US Field Jacket from Surplus is based on the well-known M65 field jacket, a model originally designed for the US Armed Forces. The jacket features high quality and strong Nylon shell material and warm, removable long-sleeved inner liner, which is suitable for the autumn, winter and spring. The M65 Hydro fastens with a zipper and snaps and features four front pockets, waist and bottom drawstrings and a concealed hood in the collar.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Not your fathers M65 by a long shot...\n\nReview: Yeah, fits way small, I got a 5x and GLAD I did... OMG! And, the sleeves ... LONG, geese. AND, the Plastic Zipper (not brass) is on the LEFT side, wow. Good luck returning it. Be sure if you really want one. I loved the idea of Nylon and that part is as expected. It's a bit dressier, so to speak for this king of jacket. Arm length for an orangutan.\n\nI'm a life long wearer of the M65 from when real military ones could be had in camo for $20 (still have that one, but got shrunk... when someone helped me by washing it and Dryer'ing it!) I think if this manufacturer just simply sized it how it's supposed to be and kept the sleeve length for human beings they'd sell out ever year.\n\nThe seller offers some kind of return program that I just didn't understand really. I'm guessing it's just a few dollars through some program. I'm just so disgusted... it's wearable and hope to adjust to the \"chicks side\" Zipper. Really, \"european standard\", really? Who knew.","Product: Rothco's Kerosene Lantern features a classic hurricane style design with a wire covered glass globe. Rothco is the foremost supplier of military, tactical, outdoor, survival clothing and gear.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: this appears as not to bad. I'd love it \"heavier\"\n\nReview: As far as \"back up\" alternative light source, along with hours long burning candles, flashlights, etc., this appears as not to bad. I'd love it \"heavier\", and would gladly pay more for it, but is what it is. It beats out the \"Lamplight 110 Chamber Lamp\" bought with it to compare which, while works, I'd classify as novelty ornamental. This Rothco, China made, while not a \"daily\" use quality, is good for alternative times, if stands at the ready that is. Like a flash light, it's only good if it works in an emergency and does not burn other than the intended fuel. Be careful with it, check it well prior to use and occasionally in non-emergency times and may be OK at this \"quality\" level, price point.","Product: Outers Universal .25 & up 25-Piece 70084 gun cleaning kit in wooden box. Hunting gun cleaning kits. Made of the highest quality materials\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Outers 25 - Piece Universal Wood Gun Cleaning Tool Chest (.22 Caliber and... Outers\n\nReview: I read the reviews, looked at the pictures and thought, how bad could it be.\n\nI'll guess now, looking back, --the positive reveiws are due to being a gift from \"mom/wife\".\n\nHowever, actually knownig what this should be, purports to be, --I'd never gift it. I'd be embarrassed to do so.\n\nIt looked used to me.\n\nI took pics, as I unboxed it as I usually do, and was going to post them, but figured why? Again, to me, it looks used, poorly handled prior to packing, --not aged, used! Aged oak look? No, not to me. Cheap, badly handled, dinged up, and beat up, --to me, yes. I looks like it rolled down the basement stairs, --\"a g e d\"? Again, no. There's a big difference in distressed, aged, crafted wood and a \"way\" to get by with dinged up, soft, poorly finished wood. I say that, since I would love an \"aged, repurposed, sun bleached, old oak, barn wood\" box. I'd pay twice this price point for a finely crafted piece like that, --this ain't that.\n\nIt's a cheap, sloppilly put together, light weight box of nondistinguishable wood-like material, with a drawer that will fly out since not fastened, stopped, frictioned in any way. Moreover, the box itself, will otherwise fall over upon opening the lid (no it does not stand up like in the pictures in this listing, --it flops back, all the way over without stops, taking the box over with it. So, first the drawer flew out, then flopped back, slamming back in when flopped over from the lid. Again, seeing the splash of stain inside the unfinhished inside, and other poorly stained front pieces, dings and chips, just left me speechless wthin five minutes of unboxing it.\n\nThe wood, \"made\", handle, is completely misaligned. This is for folks with precision fit, 0.0001 mic'ed firearms, maintenance? Or even combat tolerance, grade weapons?\n\nThe inside has a large splash of stain, --no not finished inside; someone with a brush got careless it would seem.\n\nThe Latch was bent, so once open, the very first time, --I could not close without bending the lock tab straight allowing it to do so.\n\nThe plastic form for the TOOLS in the drawer, is thin packing type tray material, --not what I'd call a quality drawer organizer for the brushes, et al., for a Firearm.\n\nThere are large numbers in black marker on the drawer and box, --I mean large, \"#48\", --assuming matching the drawer to the box, but with what seems was wrote with one of those large grafitti type, black ink markers more than 1 x 1 inch.\n\nIt's light weight, poorly put together and a real dissapointment.\n\nIf you're a \"gun-smith\" of any kind, living life 0.25mm at a time --this will give you a stroke to own.\n\nI don't get why it's just not made as it I thought it would be, described to be. If the OEM can't make a profit at this price point, double it for the description, --I'd be glad there was anything out there I could by for a $80-ish price tag for a quality aged oak firearms cleaning storage box. It makes me wonder if this is *really from \"Outers\"?","Product: Enjoy hours of fun in the sun with the timeless backyard game of croquet. Our Baden 6-player Champions Croquet Set is the perfect yard games set for enjoying hours of outdoor competition with friends and families. If youre trying to find a way to spend less time indoors and more time outside enjoying mother nature look no further. This Champions Croquet Set comes complete with everything youll need to quickly set up a match whenever you feel the urge to play. This sets detachable croquet mallet heads make it easy to fit everything included with this set conveniently back into its portable carry case. The soft grip handles are our added spin to the games classic mallet construction. The soft padded handles make the mallet feel extremely comfortable in the hand while eliminates slippage from wet or sweaty palms. Oh, you dont know how to play croquet? No worries weve got you covered, weve included a full set of official croquet rules which will have you mastering the game in no time. Grab your set today and become an outdoor games champion yourself.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Baden Champions Series Croquet Set with Soft...\n\nReview: Eh, somewhat as described. The Mallet heads are \"hardwood\" but not handles (looks like poplar, or other light wood, -head looks like an Oak variety type, but lots of knots, not fine grain or grade 01 wood IMO).\n\nI have not set up and use, but did wack a few balls... I could see where folks may have under normal use, broke a mallet head off, or split a handle. We will see if holds up -- I am gentle with my stuff too; only adults playing this, gently, correctly.\n\nThe carrying case, eh, again, all sort of falls to the middle even strapped in. Funny but in e.g. the \"music\" market, the hard, softshell cases cost nothing, given with guitars... not in \"this\" market.... wow.\n\nI noticed I purchased just prior to the July 4th weekend 20% price increase... wow... would not have purchase at that price.\n\nFor me, is marginally worth the price --a sale, significant one would make me feel better about it. But, new to this so, there you go. Wanted it for the 4th ironically too. So, again, 3-stars is fair. Frankly it's weird to me that in the \"sports\" nice stuff badly made is so expensive. I buy a Guitar from China :) well made for less than this, --generally speaking as market niche comparison and what I am used to getting for my money. Esp., foreign made.\n\nAlso, came without a \"complete\" Rules book. Called and got a very marginal PDF. On-line is far better for that, -go there I'd adise. But, to boot not to have the \"Rules/Instr\" book? I never played this, --how would I know?","Product: Over 50 body-shaping exercises: This versatile system offers 50-plus exercises to define and shape your arms, shoulders, back, abs, hips, thighs, and calves. 4 adjustable power bands: These durable resistance bands increase weight resistance beyond your own body weight, giving you up to 50 lbs. of additional resistance. Space-saving design: The Ultimate Body Works features convenient slide-away technology that allows for quick and easy storage. Workout guide: It lists which exercises focus on which muscle groups and how to properly perform specific exercises, along with additional exercise suggestions. Body weight resistance system: The Ultimate Body Works innovative resistance mechanism turns your body weight into natural resistance for a wide variety of exercises. Flexibility-strength training: An unrestricted cable and pulley system gives you greater versatility and greater range of motion, allowing for a wider variety of exercises that strengthen muscle and increase flexibility. Adjustable incline: Easily increase or decrease the intensity of your workout by simply changing the incline of the glide board, giving you 7 easy-to-change incline options. Built to last: Made of durable steel tubing, this system is designed for years of use. Features pulley system, squat stand, nylon strap handles, padded glide board, 4 power bands, and workout guide. Minimal assembly required. A renowned brand of fitness equipment manufactured by ICON Health & Fitness, Weider has remained one of the most trusted names in strength training for over 25 years. Weider manufactures free weight benches, variable rod resistance machines, and quality home gyms, ensuring that everyone, even those with busy schedules, can stay fit and healthy. The Weider name comes from Joe Weider, the publisher of Muscle and Fitness Magazine and the trainer of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The name continues to set the same standards for gym equipment that it did decades ago. Assembled dimensions: 71L x 25.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: I wanted to like it, I really do/did\n\nReview: I wanted to like it, I really do/did, still do.\n\nI actually use (*use) my health equipment, --wear it out even at times.\n\nCount on call them for the \"chart\" user \"manual\" (poster of possible exercises).\n\nAlso, check it over well, --not all may be bolted up, etc, mine was not entirely together... rush job, half bolted.... so look it over.\n\n -- The one issue is, and I am using this for specific post op 1 - 2 exercises, cheaper than the PT clinic to do myself.... anyway is... if the Slide had a mid point Lock (like on the bow-flex units...) so one can START, **Reach the Cables more reasonably that would go a long way in \"liking\" it.\n\nEven, an \"healthy\" person, I see, using this -- is challenged to get into position and then get hold of the Cables to do the exercise. Of course, \"releasing\" the mid point lock would have to be like a \"ratchet\" release, since now ---- your HANDS ARE FULL of the cable handles... :)\n\nSo, mindful of that, -- at this price, it works. If even I then throw it out (?) ... I'm still ahead of it considering the PT pay/co-pay saved.\n\nSo, don't get picky, it is what it is. You'll bond with it, or not. I'll likely keep it around. It does (though claims so many exercise :).... it does one or two well... nice in a rotation of stuff to do. And, I think, if got stiffer stretch bands or springs clipped on... (careful :) ... can get the value out of it for what it is.\n\nI see it as a good, post op recovery device, --anyway. (This to me, IMO, -- looks like a liquidation, and when gone --gone... )","Product: Stop manhandling those heavy, bulky backyard beasts and show off as the grill master with the Coleman RoadTrip LXE Propane Grill. It's easy to tote around and set up. Just fold it up, roll it with one hand to your favorite cooking spot and set it up in a matter of seconds with the lift and lock system. The grill comes equipped with durable cast-iron grilling surfaces. (Coleman RoadTrip pot support and griddles are available separately.) When you're ready to grill, push a button to ignite the InstaStart matchless lighting system. Cook for more than an hour on one propane cylinder with 20,000 BTUs of power on 285 sq. in. (1838.7 sq. cm) of cooking surface. It's perfect for BBQs, picnics, tailgating, camping or a night on the patio. When you're ready to leave, it folds down small enough to fit in the back of most car trunks.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill LXE ... The Coleman Company, Inc.\n\nReview: I want to like it but find it hard. Prior to using it, we were delighted. I find now even the lesser reveiws are accurate. The boxing was tight and we never expected to want to return it. I am sure we probably could with amazon, w/o the original boxing, --but it was allot of cardboard and styro form white pilly stuff all over. So, consider if you may want to return it hassle free, --put up with all the boxing.\n\nFor us, yes, a good wind did blow out our flame --as I read here. I was very surprised, but it happened. The Top does not cover over the grill as more typical ones do with an overlap lip. It is gapped all around and has the slotted top, --so if windy, you will have to shield it, run it full on and risk burning. It being a \"camp\" grill that would likley be in the wide open, --that's an issue. I was on my back covered porch and it blew out with medium wind. Hey, I was grilling, so it was not a hurricane, -- \"windy\", so what? Well, it blew out.\n\nI find once I light one burner, the second one does not light immediately, easily. You do need to use the igniter since will not light from the already burning burner, it needs a spark or match. I am using a 20lb tank adapter so feel my line pressure is fine so is a product thing. Plan on making sure the second burner is lite, -- don't assume it lite as I used to do since did. Not with this one.\n\nThe grills, -- are a hybrid type as I see it, a partially closed grill. As written here as well, --yes the middle is that very hot spot.\n\nThe most dissappointing thing is how hard it is to clean! Hey, I'm grilling greasy burger and dogs, --you? I even tried to line it with aluminum foil which helped somewhat. But, man, it caked at the bottom near the burner, down inside the burner near the igniter (hard to clean) and the air vent for the burner in that tight screen, and what did make it to the grease tray... wow --hard to pull out the tray and not have disconnect all, whether can or adapter hose only.\n\nI honestly feel like I am using a prototype to a good idea that needs to be finished for actual camping, grilling.\n\nI've never had such a clean up job ever. Makes me want to go back to charcoal. The bottom of the *heavy griddle held allot of grease. I would be afraid to leave a grill that greasy since a grease fire will product black smoke and spoil the food taste. So I am really unhappy but again, feel bad I got rid of the boxing and feel it could be to much a hassle to return it, --but would really like to.\n\nThe other thing, -- the folding legs is not easy at all to do. Wear goods shoes to protect you feet to hook it in and then unhook it to fold, --wow did not expect that level of challenge. Remember, it is *heavy! The top and grills. But, where I feel it should be *heavy it is not, --like the top hinges and lid lock to keep it closed.\n\nIf it had been more expensive, --back it would go no question. I am just so dissapointed and surprised since read so many favorable reviews. But, when I look at the pictures see the grease in them. I guess folks don't worry about grease fires or are not simply grilling \"burgers and franks\".\n\nI guess if you treat it like a stove top and use pans and etc., --well, that may be what we do so can use it until can replace it.\n\nSo, maybe the favorable reviews see it like a portable stove top and not a grill-grill. To camp with this and not be near a way to clean it after 5 or 6 80-20 (standard 20% fat ground angus beef) beef burgers, --I would not be a happy camper at all.\n\nOh, let me comment that manual comments to unscrew the little phillips head screws that hold down the bottom tray under the grill to clean. Wow, not convenient to camp with. The manual stresses the alignment of the gas ports and keeping it clear, clean. It's just not realistic for what it is marketed for in my experience and now use of it. I will keep a charcoal grill handy now.","Product: The strop is double sided with a fabric side to clean any rust or blemish off of the blade as well as a leather side to help realign the edges of blades after the shave. This straightens out the edge that might become bent during shaving.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Straight Razor Strop Leather Sharpening Strap... Red Deer\n\nReview: Straight Razor Strop Leather Sharpening Strap...by Red Deer:\n\nThe one I received came sealed, and yet, from that bag the right side of the finished side of the leather had edge cuts. It is as the ends, the end 2 inches of each side. It is a triple laminate strap, a finished side a middle filler and the suede side. If it were an actual e.g. 9 oz belt of leather this kind of defect would be much harder to inflict by manufacturing alone.\n\nSo now, far easier to not return it since not amazon prime, -- I will have to fine sand off the cuts then \"Burnish\" the hide down, \"finish\" it (make it wet and use a metal spoon or similar).\n\nAs new for any price, --it should not have been shipped like this. And as happens I regret it since never expected to possibly have to return it, which for this price and being vendor shipped will likely be a hassle.\n\nSadly, I found another pro-level 3in for slightly more than 2x's this cost. Oh well.\n\nPossibly it can be used for kitchen knives or in the shop, but not a hundred dollar plus Dovo razor. I honestly thought is was a simple 9 oz slicke of hide which is what it should be, but is not.\n\nI see some here from a year ago quite happy, so, -- there you go, not consistent and is simple a slice of leather or should be.","Product: Gorilla Automotive carries a complete line of lug nuts with unfailing quality and finish controlled through every step of manufacturing to deliver lug nuts that outperform. Gorilla features lug nuts with long lasting durability and precision engineered to meet manufacturer’s specification. Available for all popular styles and sizes\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Gorilla Automotive VS401C Outer Mount Valve Stems\n\nReview: These come with two sized bushings to seal it, --though no, -- *no instructions are included. Yes, there are different valve sizes, but this appears to accommodate that from what I could tell, and hoped for. I was not sure what I needed and these worked with the smaller bushing.\n\nI guess, as some do, they assume they are selling to knowledgeable resellers (?). Not novice end users who \"need' instructions.\n\nAs far as \"tightness\", tight enough to not leak. Where did this \"wrenching it down\" thing come from and snapping it off. You're using 30 - 65lb, how tight do they need to be?\n\nThat negative, for me, was not even a remote issue --good quality.\n\nRemember, to emery cloth the opening where it seals and even give it a shot of primer (?) if you have that time when doing this. I did not, --but sealed well.","Product: Dorman Products, Inc. is well-known as a leader in providing quality auto parts to the aftermarket. We've earned our reputation for excellence from over three decades of experience in providing automotive replacement parts, fasteners and service line products primarily for the automotive aftermarket. Our prestigious position stems from a unique combination of application expertise, innovative product design, and breadth of product offerings, many of which are not conveniently or economically available elsewhere. At Dorman, we take pride in the quality of our products and in your satisfaction.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Dorman 13911 HELP! Master Cylinder Bleeder Kit\n\nReview: It was great others commented to buy two kits, -- yes, do so. Buy two kits and clear tubing. I used Teflon Tape too, since had it on hand (no issues with leaking). Remember, you may be doing this for about 1 hour.\n\n -- Again, 2 kits, Clear tubing, Teflon Tape\n\nDorman's choice of providing the *opaque black tubing is a very strange choice for this IMO.\n\nIn my opinion as well, Dorman (some supplier), should just a) double the Fittings in this kit, b) supply a 6ft roll of clear tubing to cut to proper length, and a roll of Teflon Tape. For me, that would make it a complete \"kit\" for the non-pro mechanic project seeking to have it all ready to go.\n\nSince this is a product review which involves \"method/use\" of a product, I'll go further. Dorman (some supplier) should provide their own Video \"how-to\" (YouTube) since is the OEM expert, and include tips. I try to share too, such as 1) do a dry-run assembly of your MC *first, prior to Bench-bleeding, 2) initially you may want to pinch the tubing on some of the Back-strokes when initially priming; keeping the tube air from returning, and sucking in the reservoir fluid--you need to keep topped up, 3) once really \"primed\", make sure the tube is ideally only below the fluid surface mid-way in the reservoir (if you can't see it I can't, it may be curled back above the fluid and suck air,--keep it topped up, 3) a \"turkey\" baster type bulb can adjust a too high level at the end, which I never found to be an issue since bleeding it at the line fittings during installation, then the wheels again, 4) I had 2 Quarts of fluid on hand since this is likely going to be a system fluid change as well anyway, 5) unless you're using DOT 5/Silicone, protect your paint, keep a soapy-water spray bottle on hand and wear eye-protection, mechanics-solvent-gloves -- it is a messy job","Product: The Sportsman Propane 4000 Watt Portable Generator can power common household appliances and power tools. It is equipped with two 120 volt outlets and a 12 volt DC outlet for battery charging. A generator of this size is ideal for small camping or tailgating parties or to have on hand in case you need some temporary power in an emergency situation. It has a 7HP 4-Stroke OHV Recoil Start engine. Its affordable but well thought out with full featured options such as Automatic Low Oil Shutdown and Automatic Voltage Regulator. It boasts an engine run time of 10 hours at 50% on a common 20Lb (gas grill type) cylinder (LPG cylinder not included). A 5 foot propane fuel hose with a regulator is included for your added convenience. The engine is surprisingly quiet; it runs at less than 68 Db. This is a great generator for anyone who needs affordable power. Propane has several distinct advantages over gas generators. Propane burns cleaner than gas engines. Carbon monoxide emissions run up to 40% lower. Propane will not degrade, so you can keep several propane tanks on hand for emergencies and store them for an unlimited amount of time. Since this generator runs on propane you never have to worry about the fuel going bad or having the carburetor getting fouled due to degenerated gas - a common problem with gas powered small engines. Unfortunately, this model cannot be converted to operate with natural gas. 4000 surge watts/3250 running watts. Uses a standard gas grill style LPG tank. The 7 HP, 4 stroke OHV, recoil start engine, delivers maximum performance. The generator runs on clean, quiet and efficient liquid propane gas (LPG), so you never have to worry about bad gas fouling the engine. 5 ft. Regulator hose is included in box. LPG propane tank is not included Air cooled, AVR automatic voltage regulation, recoil start, low oil shut off, spark arrestor, full power panel, engine shut off switch, overload protected outlets Two 120 volt outlets and one 12 volt DC outlet for battery charging Run time:10 hours at 50 percent load per 20 lbs. of LPG fuel Decibel rating: less than 68 decibels EPA approved, Non-CARB compliant/Not for sale in California\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Sportsman GEN4000LP, from the OEM Buffalo Tools\n\nReview: I did a fair amount of researching and comparing, etc. and even with some of the negatives concerning quality of assembly, and delivery issues, and a seasonal price up-tick, -- I ordered one.\n\nThe concerns about quality of assembly stated in other reviews, --remains an issue. I don't get why a company would be so stubborn?, so to speak, to have functional issues remain. For example, the very tight, and bendy, plastic Choke Lever is a concern for immediate breakage, unless is a nylon type plastic that won't snap off (?). It may benefit from a touch of Vaseline and maybe dry graphite powder in the choke/butterfly rod connect points. I will get around to that and hope for the best.\n\nGenerally, in how I define it, -- there is not \"heavy duty\", or ironically \"light\" either, about this. I have, and have had other \"industrial\" or heavy duty units, and did not expect \"that\", in this unit, since a --\"sports-mans\" edition. However, one does not \"pic-nic\" with this either, and unit failure (or worse \"gerry-riggin\") is not a good way to go \"camping\" if this is needed. (Who would drag it there if not needed, --plenty of 2-stroke, 9-amp, light units, around.) This, in my opinion, is as light duty as one can get and still be worth keeping around for an \"emergency\", and hope it will work reliably in an \"emergency\" as marketed.\n\nMoving on ... -- yes the delivery concern is still valid. Mine, with no damage to the very thin box, had a significant frame dent and cross members bent where the unit bolts to it. One could argue it was Packed that way. Certainly the thin box it's sent in is not enough, even for \"reasonable\" delivery services. Add in negligence of any kind and something is going to break since there is no Packing of any kind in mine. It would benefit from hard-foam corner blocks and plastic banding of the box flaps, at a minimum; and, with LARGE sign-age of bottom only, no dropping, two-person lift, etc. Again, one drop from a shipping conveyor belt, or roll end to end, since not easily \"handled\", and something significant will break as noted elsewhere in other reviews.\n\nUnless they're (OEM) is willing to unbolt from the frame, and make that an end-user assembly step, --it needs packing. Or, in the future, not something I'd consider for on-line purchasing ever again. Not even with the gentlest of shippers, --and haven't seen any in decades, or ever, anyway.\n\nAgain, moving on, ... it started/ran, immediately and easily. However, (as per other reviews), I did not put on a Volt, Amp meter, etc. but appeared to handle, i.e. a Hand Hair Dryer to test that load. It, did the typical rev-down, and back up under load. Beyond that, --now since getting to be cold (November) ... I'll hope to not have to use it, and if do, that it is \"OK\" as described. As of this moment I do not have tremendous confidence. However, I also did not have $1K+ either. However, so what!? Well, that's how it goes at this price point it would seem.\n\nNow, onto the \"support\" part. Possibly most important to me, I called the Company directly (not Amazon, the OEM).\n\nAs of this review, I have received no response (the OEM).\n\nWhen you unpack this unit, there is, ample printed matter to --not return or call the \"store\", seller (Amazon), rather, to call them only. I did.\n\nNo one was there.\n\nI left a message as instructed (invited to send an email too?), my name and number, clearly, --explained the issue, the un-boxing damage and expected a call back.\n\n -- None yet.\n\nHowever, I did immediately notify Amazon who, as always, rectified the issue with *several choices for me to choose from, --all, the most any seller can do.\n\n -- Concerning Amazon, they get 5 - Stars as always. I'm never concerned here, on Amazon, -- a 20 year customer of on-line buying, before it was mainstreamed.\n\nHowever, concerning this company offering this, to call them only, --I feel very much on my own and would seek other in the future, and specifically not on line in particular, --not how this is serviced and remains so regardless of prior experience as mine, --again. As I see this, --I don't see how anyone gets one undamaged, as I did, --hoping the prior reviews had been addressed by \"now\".\n\nI love the idea of LP Gas for so many reasons. Additionally, to have, in emergency, an \"alternate\" Fuel requirement if, as happened to me during \"Sandy\", Gas was unavailable for a significant period. I would have considered a Diesel unit, if offered, to run off of home heating oil if needed. However, Gas, and LP are it, for now in this price point. In an emergency, I feel very much, as on my own, --period. This kind of experience does not help, in that preparation!\n\nIn addition to the LP benefit, yes, this kind of engine is substantially lower in db Volume, and vibration. In comparison to my industrial, cast iron, gas unit, it is about, generally speaking 1/4 the db and vibration, and much less overall \"smell\" (fuel type). I don't see how they could make it \"lighter\", --however, if packed better, and removal of on-line shopping/service/shipping issues as a barre, the quality may be adequate aside from the wiring issue stated, and things like the choke-lever.","Product: Airtex mechanical fuel pumps are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications for fit and performance. Precision castings and hardened rockers help ensure a long life. Advanced polymer pump diaphragms help ensure consistent performance in multiple fuel blends. Coverage for classic, performance and non-fuel injected vehicles. A new fuel filter is recommended when replacing. Free technical assistance is available at 800-424-7839.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: visually I thought I was good to go\n\nReview: So far, ok. Fits, but slightly different design it appears to me. Some parts look servicable, but less robust. I wish this could just be rebuilt, since only needs a diaphragm, nothing else. Anyway, -- look careful at how your fuel line hooks up. I had a leak at the In-let fitting, but because it was not clear which one to use. Of course after I figured it out, it was obvious. But, if you have not replace an old style in a while, look carefully at if the pressure fit coupling is used on the inlet. To me, visually I thought I was good to go. I was happy I *didn't keep *tightening, versus reconsidering what didn't look correct, but was. Make sense!? Hope so. I am pretty capable, and surprised I didn't see this right off. Better diagrams of fitment would have helped me save an hour here. Or, you may be repurchasing it, for wrenching on it incorrectly. This style should barely leak at finger tight, it's low pressure, so, if tightening and tightening, have a look.","Product: Gates Rubber Company 42007 Ld W/Pumps\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Gates 42007 Water Pump -- fits certain year MGB's\n\nReview: Generally:\nIt appears made well enough, --however is not \"branded\" or Cast-marked in any way. An etched number is added post production.\n\nSpecifically as a negative for me:\nIt is, or mine appears to have been made in China. The Gasket thrown in the box to survive or not (*not Amazon, *their product box), or just bend a bit as mine was,--why pack that way? (Amazon packed appropriately)\n\nNow, additionally, had \"I\" known that, before purchase it was China made, I would likely have not purchased it and bought the brand known to, at least, be made in Japan.\n\nI look for made in the USA parts, but did not/don't find them.\n\n--Yes, price matters, \"hypocritically\" speaking, but only, to a *serviceable degree. I will spend the extra \"few\" dollars for a known better service part *and especially if *made in the USA.\n\nPositives:\nNot stated in the description, it does come with a Gasket, --which extends to the Alternator mount which needs to be trimmed off (be careful to cut correctly/*sharp razor too), for the car I used it on.\n\nThe Aluminum Core, appears cast/machined/cleaned up well enough, but would be great if Cast Iron, --for me. (No one is recycling these as far as I know.)\n\nThe impeller is Cast Iron and of a design that appears may push the water into the block as well/better than the OEM/Stock cut/bent Steel impeller, design. (I have no empirical knowledge for that opinion --would be great to have if Gates offered it specifically with a flow/longevity test. They do them, correct? Someone approved this design for a reason, correct? Offer the data, --they're Gates.)\n\nDoes this apply to this product review,--yes; for me it does. (Cheaper price is not always \"cheaper\" when dealing with a project like this, hours long and full of inconvenience.)\n\nGeneral Suggestions:\nNo one \"kits\" these, but, do consider changing the a) T-Stat (need a gasket there too), b) top/bottom hoses/clamps, and c) Belts. (All together, the same price, or less then this parts cost, as I bought them here on Amazon too. Get it all in one box/one project.)\n\nAt a cost savings of $98/hr-Labor-charge, for a do it yourselfer, --you've then rebuilt the front if your engine within a 3hr (?) project, or two 3hr sessions as I did, ordering after disassembly to have all I needed. (Time to do, is hard to gauge, since your project may be covered in 1in. of grease and rust, etc. --To me a proficient Mechanic might do it in 2-3hrs, --but all would have to go well, no broken bolts, etc.)\n\nBeing \"Gates\", you'd think they'd \"kit\" these as a all in one listing. Tracking down all these pieces is fun, but time consuming and not sure it's all a good fit. Maybe Amazon could build that into their \"suggestions\" logic for product purchases, all of them.\n\nTech Tip (?), since that kind of product:\nThe Torque is not specified -- \"instructions\", kinda useless. Most books/shop manuals say 17lbs of torque. A standard/generic torque chart advised 10lbs for my grade/thread count on my unit. To me 10lb is minimum and 17lbs, that's *max (I'd be afraid to go that high, stopping at 15lbs, --and if you use an *accurate torque wrench. Start with, 10-12 with a thin smear of glycol resistant gasket maker both sides of the gasket would do. Nonetheless, then, go around a couple of times to seat it \"flat\" using good technique on this soft-aluminum. I came back a \"while\" later and was able to easily *retorque it again, going around several times carefully/accurately. The gasket itself flattens it seems (the *thin, silicone smear, is only to fill micro-gaps). (I comment this since, once the pulley is installed, that bottom bolt would be hard/impossible to get to. Don't rush the torquing. You won't know if it leaks until fully finished.","Product: 175/65R14 General Altimax RT43 82T BSW\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: General AltiMAX RT43 Radial Tire - 175/65R14 82T\n\nReview: - Quality tire\n - For me, a high value price point\n - It did fit my vehicle, --more closely than others, per original tire size spec (stated it did not, --know your sizes, use)\n - Having driven on them a few hundred miles now,----I like them\n - Was not happy they came without any wrapping/OEM packaging, etc., and that therefore, appeared had been stepped on, rough handled, etc. Even a brown paper spiral wrap may have discouraged that. I realize they are tires, yet, one wonders what happens with merchandise between OEM/Customer, --tires can puncture, gouge, etc. This is not a shipping issue, it is a merchandise packaging issue, so include it to be aware of, or as notice to General tire in Canada (where they shipped from).\n\nNevertheless, I give 5 stars, since for me, was a great opportunity for tires I would not have been able to have, otherwise. Thank you General/Amazon.","Product: Monochrome laser multifunction copier. Connect via wireless networking or USB. Print/ copy speed up to 30 ppm. Adjustable 250 sheet capacity paper tray. 35 page auto document feeder. Mobile device printing over wireless network.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: wireless is fine! I have not fully checked all aspects of ...\n\nReview: So far, all is well. Setup with USB cable definitely required to enable my WiFi, --keep that in mind if need one, you will! Then, wireless is fine! I have not fully checked all aspects of this unit. I had an older model and needed that AirPrint for a new MAC coming and iPad I have. I expect it to do as well. We'll see.\n\nThe new software manger looks like a nice upgrade. I do need to scan to file via WiFi... if I have issues, I will update relevant the above new use needs. It appears to do some complex printing ... so if need that, looks like this is one to try. The price was stunningly low... omg!... times have changed!","Product: Rear Wheel Drive System provides a better traction and control on hilly terrain and large, easy empty bag makes emptying the bag fast and easy.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Lawn-Boy 10730 Kohler High Wheel Push Gas Walk Mower ...\n\nReview: I hate saying \"for the money\" - but it applies. For price paid, if lasts would then prove to be a \"good deal\". HOWEVER, yes DO CHECK THE FRONT, BACK WHEELS. If not for the reivews here, indeed, my front Wheels were NOT \"snapped\" into the \"v\", plastic, axel retainer. To me, it appears as having never been \"installed\" entirely (one side only). Meaning, the box came perfect and don't see how a \"drop\" or other to the package when shipped would/could dislodge the axel. I can see, varify, yes, if the axel and wheels had come off while in use - that could have been catestophicly bad. So DO check the axels are snapped in prior to filing wiht oil, etc. -- it may look installed, look closer, it may not be, like mine.\n\nOtherwise, - it needs no priming, has no way to prime and did start on 2nd pull. So, far, only a couple of uses, appears \"OK\". The enginne stop, the brake-band when stopping the engine causes it to \"misfire\" vs. just stopping as I am accumtomed. The bag, the material appears as \"light\" duty - but may well last - only time, and care of use would tell. I plan on only mulching.\n\nRegarding the cut, as one would hope, being new, appeared OK, good. Moreover, as a push mower, this own feels easier to manage than the prior, replaced mower without the large back wheels. However, overall, it has a marginal quality appearance. Even with gentle use, and care, I don't expect this to be a \"10 year\" mower - but, again, who knows. The nylon/plastic wheels could last more than appear as may not.\n\nAnnecdotally speaking, it seems to use less gas. However, the Oil filling is a pain to \"screw back in\". It's the old, to me, very old style cap-stick at the base of the engine. A push and twist with a bit of a neck is what I am now used to. I hope to never \"side thread\" it. I don't expect it to \"use\" oil, no other mowers ever did - but do always check as \"habbit\".\n\nAgain, -- other than the Weel Axel \"dangerously\" needing to be snapped in, if AWARE of it - just ad the Oil provided. However, the \"Stop Handle\" on mine was not installed, and no instruction was provided. Someone \"less mechanical\" ... ? mahy be frustrated or \"insecure\" about installing it. I don't understand why it was not simply installed, leaving only the Stop-cable to be connected (again, no instructions for that) - but, that's how mine was.\n\nI would love to have given it 5 Stars, since came quick and in a pristine box (rare these days?)... but for all others, with varying capabilities seeking bargains - be advised of my experience.","Product: Rear Wheel Drive System provides a better traction and control on hilly terrain and large, easy empty bag makes emptying the bag fast and easy.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Lawn-Boy 10730 Kohler High Wheel Push Gas Walk Mower ...\n\nReview: I hate saying \"for the money\" - but it applies. For price paid, if lasts would then prove to be a \"good deal\". HOWEVER, yes DO CHECK THE FRONT, BACK WHEELS. If not for the reivews here, indeed, my front Wheels were NOT \"snapped\" into the \"v\", plastic, axel retainer. To me, it appears as having never been \"installed\" entirely (one side only). Meaning, the box came perfect and don't see how a \"drop\" or other to the package when shipped would/could dislodge the axel. I can see, varify, yes, if the axel and wheels had come off while in use - that could have been catestophicly bad. So DO check the axels are snapped in prior to filing wiht oil, etc. -- it may look installed, look closer, it may not be, like mine.\n\nOtherwise, - it needs no priming, has no way to prime and did start on 2nd pull. So, far, only a couple of uses, appears \"OK\". The enginne stop, the brake-band when stopping the engine causes it to \"misfire\" vs. just stopping as I am accumtomed. The bag, the material appears as \"light\" duty - but may well last - only time, and care of use would tell. I plan on only mulching.\n\nRegarding the cut, as one would hope, being new, appeared OK, good. Moreover, as a push mower, this own feels easier to manage than the prior, replaced mower without the large back wheels. However, overall, it has a marginal quality appearance. Even with gentle use, and care, I don't expect this to be a \"10 year\" mower - but, again, who knows. The nylon/plastic wheels could last more than appear as may not.\n\nAnnecdotally speaking, it seems to use less gas. However, the Oil filling is a pain to \"screw back in\". It's the old, to me, very old style cap-stick at the base of the engine. A push and twist with a bit of a neck is what I am now used to. I hope to never \"side thread\" it. I don't expect it to \"use\" oil, no other mowers ever did - but do always check as \"habbit\".\n\nAgain, -- other than the Weel Axel \"dangerously\" needing to be snapped in, if AWARE of it - just ad the Oil provided. However, the \"Stop Handle\" on mine was not installed, and no instruction was provided. Someone \"less mechanical\" ... ? mahy be frustrated or \"insecure\" about installing it. I don't understand why it was not simply installed, leaving only the Stop-cable to be connected (again, no instructions for that) - but, that's how mine was.\n\nI would love to have given it 5 Stars, since came quick and in a pristine box (rare these days?)... but for all others, with varying capabilities seeking bargains - be advised of my experience.","Product: Tiffany Style Barouque Torchiere. The base is made of white zinc metal.The dimensions are 13''L x 70''H x 13''W. The Primary colors are Rustic, Red and Green.It has cord switch in it.It Requires 1 bulb with a max of 60watts. It has more than 200pcs. of cut glass.Each glass is individually cut wrap around copper foil and sotterred together.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Tiffany-style Barouque Torchiere ...\n\nReview: It's what I expected, however, could be described such that ----the shade is as described, colored glass which is foilded and soldered like \"stained glass\"; the base is cast-metal; however the lamp-stand is three piece cast plastic.\n\nI thought the lamp-stand pieces were cast-metal as well (since not describe otherwise, --plasic), again, they are screwed together cast plastic. I supposed that may make them more easlity assured of being \"straight\", --but, as the \"bad-english\" diagram-instructions comment, for one to keep turning it until it appears straight. I did, and it appears as \"straight\" in line next to the door-way it is next to. However, the floor is carpeted, so can't say if is a top heavy weight issue, or the cast bottom coud be shimmed with thicker rubber \"feet\" tabs, or the cast plastic 3-piece lamp-stand pieces were not \"square\" with each other and the base. I would expect that all do not appear as entirely straight, and will have to be \"turned\" until appears so in your line of sight with, e.g. the wall-corner, etc.\n\nSo, for me, it seems worth keeping for the price (which is an ambiguous way to say it that way), and may be as nice as a \"lamp-store\" purchase for twice the price as rediculously high as they are too. However, if you think it's a circa 1900's -something reproduction, it is not. Those were \"straight\" and all metal, etc. And, if you find one, will be rediculously priced anyway, too.\n\nAs far as the Shade not \"looking\" like what it is, --I don't get it. It is and does look like any other new/old \"milk-glass\" or \"stained-glass\", foiled and soldered glass piece assembly. I can only comment on what I have, --it in no way looks \"plastic\" or better or worse farther/closer... it looks like what it is. Actually, for the price of the lamp, the shade could be said to be worth it alone.\n\nThe other annoiance for me is that I don't like the foot switch. It's cheap, to me, and in the middle of the, I'll guess 6 - 8 ft cord, why?... --who walks three to four feet away from a lamp to turn it on with their foot?... moreover, if plugged next too, therefore behind furniture, how to turn it on!? Bad design to me. A Key-switch out the side or \"touch\" on/off or foot switch on the Base, or a switch on the lamp-stand pieces, --so for me a bit of a cheapness to it, aside from the comments above. Therefore, that switch issue makes it unusuable since assembled and waiting for use, --be prepared for this if an isssue for your use. ----I'll expect to add another, silly, foot switch, next to the base, since the touch switches don't come highly recommended here. Otherwise, you're doing a major mod to get a key switch out the metal base that the shade sits within.","Product: Use the power of the sun to light dark areas and add extra security with the Sunforce 80 LED Solar Motion Light. This light automatically turns on when motion is detected and comes equipped with 80 super-bright white LEDs, ensuring reliable lighting power for whenever, wherever you need it.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Sunforce 82080 80-LED Solar Motion Light ... Sunforce\n\nReview: It's OK. The plastic is a bit soft -- concerns me for several reasons, strength, other. Anyway, as some said the distance for the motion to respond even set to high is, for me, about 8 ft if coming from the side. Possibly coming straight at it and at a mounted height of 9ft or so, it may be farther out. Fortunately close proximity on, is ok, not great but ok for my needs. But if you need like 35 feet of distance on, from its sweep of vision, --not happening with mine and I have two. It looks like 10ft of distance, on, is about it.\n\nAlso, the wire is very light, and light gauge, so careful handling it, --a bit like stereo speaker wire, delicate, soft easily cut coating.\n\nOne other tip they don't tell you concerning mounting the Solar Panel, is --take off the Mount Bracket first, attach it first. However, reattaching the panel to the ball is, or can be a bit tricky with the two small screws, but is easier than being on a ladder with a manual hand screw driver --the Head of the Drill won't clear the panel unless you have a long, 6-8 screw bit. Or you can pilot the holes and use a manual hand screw driver. They should really rethink the design on that mount bracket for being on a ladder to mount it, and needing a screw gun. They now tell you to take off the other light bracket first. Again, if on a ladder... be dexterous, or that will be tricky too.","Product: The BLACK+DECKER BDCS20C 4v Max Lithium Cordless Rechargeable Screwdriver features a compact handle and a powerful 180 RPM motor for easy driving and removing of screws in tight spaces. Its inline trigger grip provides comfort and control when installing mini blinds, hanging curtain rods, assembling furniture and a variety of other household tasks. 180 RPMs and 35 in-lbs of torque provide plenty of power for a variety of applications. This unit is also attachment capable, allowing for compatibility with all of Black & Decker's future attachments. Includes: (1) BDCS20C 4-volt max Li-ion cordless rechargeable screwdriver, (1) charger, and (2) screwdriving bits.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: BLACK+DECKER BDCS20C 4-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion...\n\nReview: It would have been \"ok\" and is serviceable I would guess, --just got it. However, there is no is/not charging indicator. It just says plug it in and charge for 16hrs at first. Then, never use past weak operation, immediately charge, and/or charge after very use. Well can it be over charged? Can it be left on Charge indefinitely? Dunno... didn't say.\n\nAlso, what battery in the 4v range does not use USB chargers? This has a very convoluted plug with two poles, -- I just know, one day someone is going to twist since looks like a cannon, barrel, round type plug in and give ti a twist and break it. They're gonna twist it right off and out and break it.\n\nSo, regardless of price, a) needs a charing/done indicator, more explanation on charging this kind of battery and I think my iPad charger could handle this if used that plug end. I need (NEED) yet another (ANOTHER) charging plug Wall Wart, right?!"],"string":"[\n \"Product: The MXL 770 condenser microphone continues to amaze recording artists all over the world with its incredible price/performance ratio. Singers, especially rappers, love the 770 for its solid bass, as well as its upfront high-end. The MXL 770 even uses a high quality FET preamp with balanced output for a wide dynamic range. This is a perfect piece for seasoned pros or newbie musicians who want a quality condenser mic that won't break the bank.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone\\n\\nReview: Great mic.\\n\\nSlightly different from MXL 990 due to the two switchs built in, same sound using side by side, this 770 with 990.\\n -- I don't use the rolloff or spl but nice to have if needed.\\n\\nBe aware that this 770 does not come with Solid Mic Stand Adapter (suspended only) - so unlike with the 990 that comes with it, make sure you don't need that, or get one when ordering. Most importantly, ---the \\\"Threaded Washer\\\" for the solid mount is **not included. So, you'd need the Adapter that comes **with that that threaded washer so may attach it.\\n\\nNote: MXL *direct to me over the phone said (concering washer and solid mount), -- it's just the way it's sold and that's that. In their attempt to assist, I was then promised a threaded washer, sent at their espense, during that call as a favor but **never arrived, from 5 months ago to date... sort of, non-pro customer phone help when I called. Howver, I've never had any troubhle with these mics, so don't think their cust-srvc being iffy is an issue against buying.\\n\\nIf you can wait for a sale -- hard to beat for what it is versus what else is availble.\",\n \"Product: Cecilio CCO-500 cello is ideal for intermediate cellist. This cello features a solid spruce wood top, flamed maple back, neck and sides. It is finished beautifully with a high-luster golden brown varnish and hand inlaid purfling. This cello is equipped with durable ebony fingerboard, pegs, and tailpiece with four nickel plated fine tuners. This outfit also includes two cases: one featherweight hard-shell case and soft case. Hard-shell case features an adjustable backpack straps, two bow holders, compartments for accessories, large zippered pocket on the back exterior for music sheets. Soft-case is lightweight and well-padded with pockets and adjustable backpack straps (making it convenient to carry to school or orchestra). The following accessories are also included: a Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, cello stand, rosin cake, and an extra set of cello strings. Please note that bridge will not be setup before shipment to avoid damage to the cello body during transit.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Cecilio 4/4 CCO-500 Ebony Fitted Flamed Solid Wood Cello with Hard and Soft Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge, Strings and Stand\\n\\nReview: My original review grew to 3+ Screens of text, and I had as well uploaded a video too -- OMG! :-). I removed all of that.\\n\\nMoreover, I had accumulated many pictures documenting the issues as requested by Cecilio for review----lots of time spent on this Christmas Gift Purchase.\\n\\nI then attempted to revise this review here a couple of times as I worked thorough the return, replacement process. However, I could not keep the narration of the experience accurate in brief as appropriate for this context.\\n\\n -- So, I'll just leave the 1-Star concerning this\\n\\nHowever, kudos to Amazon's Staff! who implement and make real the Business Process/Enforced Customer Advocate Policies concerning providing a safe buying experience nonetheless----it's why I've been a daily customer for nearly a decade. Best regards to all.\",\n \"Product: The Pyle Professional Moving Coil Microphone is a unidirectional, dynamic handheld microphone for the serious musician recording in the studio or performing on stage. Its perfect for voice recording due to the high-quality moving coil unidirectional dynamic element. Thanks to the durable zinc alloy metal construction and steel mesh ball-shaped grille, you know your equipment is secure.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Compared in hand to several excellent clones and a real SM57\\n\\nReview: Compared in hand to several excellent clones and a real SM57. Using the Pyle cable that comes with it on all compared Mics, including the SM57, by ear, same output device, -- no difference.\\n\\nThe lesser weight is due to no transformer in the Pyle, and therefor lower price. Otherwise, is a SM57 without the transformer, so to speak. Now, someone using a scope may say different, but, considering all the output devices, again, -- you won't hear it. So, yes, do make sure the Phantom power is off with this one. No transformer means that voltage does go to the diaphragm. I don't know that it would withstand a full phantom power source. It might ... just watch your powered boards, etc.\\n\\nWithout the transformer in it, these will always be a much lower priced item. I did not diseasemble it and compare anthing else. My feeling is, the guts of it are essentially a commodity item at this point. Copper is copper, etc.; actually the gauge wire in this Pyle appeared heavier, however slight. Since the metal case is grounded that makes it a shielded container if in the ground chain in your circuit.\\n\\nThe metal Screen over the diaphragm appears slightly different from the SM57, a non-issue for me. Also, is use a foam screen over mine anyway, since like to keep any mic clean/sanitary. A foam sock is easy to rinse, or otherwise pull off for close speaker, instrument micing.\\n\\nAll things staying the same, I will buy again, as needed. I just don't need to spend the extra ~$90 to look at a Name.\",\n \"Product: Mahogany body 18 silver nickel frets Rosewood fingerboard and bridge Mahogany neck Tenor Sized\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele Bundle...\\n\\nReview: I was surprised by my experience with this unit, versus the prior reveiws.\\n\\nGenerally, it is what I expected, on quick overview and look at it while unpacking it. And, for the price point, again, --good value, I agree if NO issues --there are.\\n\\nHowever, there were sever Quality Assurance Issues others may not be aware of, experienced enough to know of, consider, and do have what I have here, that I comment here, but are unaware of it.\\n\\nFirst, the tone -- for me, my ear, it was 6 - 7 out of 10. It was marginal for me. I may have otherwise kept it if not for the following.\\n\\nNow, the issue -- this unit does come with a Truss Rod in the Neck, -- which is excellent. However, the Hex Nut End located in the Sound Hole, was, as it appears, as **installed off center, sideways, and **crushing into the top; into the Underside of the Soundboard.\\n\\nI attempt to include pictures to show this. The pictures are **\\\"flattering\\\" ... it actually looks MORE off center in person (worse, the cheap phone Lens may be effecting this). And, the Truss Rod I am sure, I'd have to pry it down to get a Hex-wrench in it. Remember, it's to the side, so would not be sure if would WARP the neck to the Treble Side if tightened, or on it's own, in time. I would not want to put Sideways pressure for any reason out of concern for Twisting.\\n\\nAs I see this, the only way for this to occur as in the Pics, is, it was installed this way, and crushed into the top soundboard. There was not Truss Rod Hex Wrench included and would not have tried to use it anyway, --but, if you see the wood left in the hole, and \\\"if\\\" I could get the wrench on it, -- I would be very concerned with the result.\\n\\nThe Case is 6 of 10. The inside lid was warped. The Tuner was left to bounce freely in the case and the case, is not \\\"heavy duty\\\", but OK value, I guess for the Price Point.\\n\\nMy issue is, -- within minutes of turning it up, and looking it over, I saw this issue with the Truss Rod. No one at Kala saw it, thought to fix it, or not let this one leave the factory? How many others? -- Well, we can only guess. And, you-all would need to check your units to see. Or if you ever tried to adjust your Truss rod and had issues, well, you may not have seen \\\"this\\\" - first.\\n\\nFortunately, it's an Amazon Purchase, so returns are not an issue and I am protected. However, I am \\\"done\\\" with online instrument purchases for a while. I know Amazon would stick with me. But, it's a return/refund, no exchange. I am not ready to do yet another online search and repurchase. It takes a lot of time too.\\n\\nI have to say, add, that this Baritone, compared to my Tenor Ukulele with a Solid Sitka Spruce top, just, --was marginal in comparison to the Tenor size. Yes, the sheer size of the Baritone gave the bit more of bass boominess, --but the \\\"tone\\\", the overtones, the \\\"sweetness\\\" was not there. It has a funny overtone, and a bit dead. Since is a Laminated Top, I knew \\\"this\\\" was \\\"it\\\".\\n\\nI'll add, yes per other reveiws, the Action is a bit high. But, honestly to shave the Saddle is, for me, nothing to do, not an issue. But, it ma be for you if you have to pay for it. Actually, it looked like it had a Spacer to remove ? ... but, immediately repacked it for return so can not say more than this concerning that.\",\n \"Product: With 99 adjustable rhythm patterns, the VOX MINI5 Rhythm allows you to practice with precision wherever the road takes you. Powered by six AA batteries, or the included adapter, the MINI5 Rhythm is the ideal amplifier for dressing room rehearsals or writing new tunes in between shows. 11 authentic amp models and on-board 8 effects make this little amp a tremendously versatile tool, allowing you to obtain a variety of both classic and inventive guitar tones! With microphone and auxiliary inputs and a headphone out, you can collaborate with others or practice silently.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Vox Mini5 Rhythm 1 x 6.5\\\" 5-Watt Battery Powered Amp with Rhythm and E-String Tuner\\n\\nReview: I have a DA5 (predecessor to this model), and thought it was starting to fail, --so, looked for another which turns out to be this.\\n\\nSome things are changed around, which is fine this way too. This unit uses AA Batt., not the C size of the other, --would hope the same amazing time to play on the AA's is the same... time will tell. But, this one comes with AC Power chord, --excellent. (Wish it came with rechargeable Batt.'s and charged with AC plugged in like some others do. However, then what would the price point be. No complaints, just \\\"would be nice\\\".\\n\\nThe addition of the Tuner for the E string, --very nice.\\n\\nThe built in rhythm, drum samples, with desperate level and tempo control, --excellent.\\n\\nThe tone is different from the DA5, in that this is not as \\\"bright\\\", --the speaking on this is 5W RMS, the DA5 was 10W RMS. Nonetheless, the tone is great and seems to have the same range as far as I can tell so far. I occasionally used the DA5 as Line Out with great results too, ... time will tell with this one. But, don't see why it won't sound good.\\n\\nI have many Amps, and Speakers to compare this with (having built an occasional Tube-amp myself), --and I don't see any tone or volume issues at all with this. This 5W has excellent presence, all around.\\n\\nThis unit, from me, gets a rare from me, 5-Stars. With all the amplifiers, etc. I have, this one sits next to my \\\"main\\\" relaxing chair where I always have an instrument in hand, --plugged into this, or the other DA5.\\n\\nMy extended hope is the rechargeable AA Batt.'s I may try with this will last for the extended time as the original iteration did.\",\n \"Product: The M-Series ATH-M40x professional monitor headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate audio monitoring across an extended frequency range. Your studio experience is enhanced with superior sound isolation and swiveling earcups for convenient one-ear monitoring. Engineered with pro-grade materials and robust construction, the M40x excels in professional studio tracking and mixing, as well as DJ monitoring. Collapsible for space-saving portability.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: I had been using KRK's and like them, for \\\"me\\\"\\n\\nReview: I had been using KRK's and like them, for \\\"me\\\", IMO.\\n\\nI had been doing more rough track recordings, wav, mp3 and knowing specifically most if not all would be listening with earbuds, if not headphones. Most would preview through a Cell phone speaker, iPad, or PC speaker -so knew bass would be stripped out no matter what anyway. Most do not use \\\"hi-fi\\\" stereo speakers, so to speak.\\n\\nSo, these marketed as Studio Head Phones and me NOT using \\\"Studio Montor Speakers\\\" ... (again, for me, --what for?)... they seemed to fit my need.\\n\\nIndeed, there is a difference.\\n\\nActually, I like, prefer this/these \\\"uncolored\\\" sound.\\n\\nI considered if my, e.g. KRK's were coloring the sound in my rough tracks, it would be \\\"adding\\\" bass and presence. Well, it may have, --then, I'd me mixing it with *less Bass and would not be \\\"in the middle\\\", so to speak. Amazingly, the KRK's were not really coloring the tracks Mix, maybe slightly more Bass, but not much.\\n\\nHowever, other tracks, seem to sound different, or I am hearing more. When I compared to my Shure earbuds, --tremendous difference... the high end is tremendously reduced in those, favoring mid and low... and if used right after, the ATH-M40x's sounds \\\"muddy\\\" in the Shure earbuds.\\n\\nI think the KRK's to me, are more mid's focused, but close to these. However, I do simply prefer these M40x's as general use now, in my iPad, cell phone, PC and of course when Mixing.\\n\\nI seem to get good responses for the tracks I send for folks to use in many different Contexts. It's a \\\"singer song-writer\\\", rough track environment, but is best to have as good a mix, in vocal, guitar, other seperation, and minimal, minimal use of Reverb and Compression for L/R spacial feel to make it \\\"sound\\\" as it in fact does in person. (Some dry tracks, do not represent, an \\\"in the room\\\" in person feel/sound at all.)\\n\\nSo, not being to A/B test a whole bunch of units on \\\"my\\\" equipment, relied on general research. And, for the \\\"reasonable\\\" to me price, --I like these. I tend to hear much more than others, while I am able to \\\"filter\\\" stuff not to be bothered as some seem to be. I use them, for what I explain. I am not a \\\"cork sniffer\\\" audiophile as they are negatively (?) referred to. I did not like using the Shure earbuds right after, --but those are for \\\"in-ear\\\" monitoring for on stage Venue stuff. (Those come in an audiophile version --but I would not use \\\"buds\\\" for mixing or general use.)\\n\\nSo, againg, I like these. And a 4-Star rating is about as good as I give, reserving 5-Stars for really significant differences; not just getting what I expect and paid for anyway.\",\n \"Product: The Major Diatonic harmonica is the most commonly used tuning for playing Blues, Rock, Country Folk & Jazz. Major Diatonic harps are produced by several manufacturers using various names such as Blues Harp, Marine Band, Golden Melody, Big River, Special 20, Pro Harp, Folk Master, Star Performer, etc. Although the cover plates are stamped with a variety of different names for marketing purposes, all of these harmonicas have the exact same notation layout as the Lee Oskar Major Diatonic. The most important difference is in the quality of materials, construction, design and sound. Lee Oskars are the best harmonicas in the world, and that's not just our opinion. All over the world, professional players prefer Lee Oskar Harps over any other brand.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Major Key Low F\\\" -- great instrument. I'm a life long musician\\n\\nReview: The \\\"Lee Oskar Harmonica, Major Key Low F\\\" -- great instrument. I'm a life long musician. I just started to overdub harp on my singer songwriter tracks about a year ago and began searching for what I liked. I love Special 20's and have the Low C, D too.\\n\\nThis Major Diatonic, -- has great tone, feel and playability.\\n\\nThe price is significantly better than the Special 20 Low's.\\n\\nThe minor issues I find with all are the small finish things, --more that you can see, not feel or effecting play. I've played a couple of very expensive units and saw the same issues. They only make the metal just so thick and when they form it, they don't polish it, then chrome it, and fine hand fit the pieces as if will be their own, not some strangers.\\n\\nThe fact that this played so well out of the box, --no play-in like the Special 20's was nice and confidence building in the product. I never owned or played one. I really needed, wanted a unit to play in Low C, Cross harp. So, I'm very glad this was what I hoped it would be. It's so hard to find decent harps for some reason. I don't get it.\\n\\nIt's not an instrument costing 3-4x's this... not flawless or build like a tank, but it's a \\\"pro level\\\" unit as it is. Even the ones costing 4x's are not what they should be either!\",\n \"Product: Perfect for most 10-Hole Harmonicas, this high quality, adjustable harmonica holder comes to you Brand New and Factory Sealed! \\n\\nIt is a Spring Loaded holder designed for fast harmonica changes. With padding to protect your harmonica from marks or residues, and padding for your neck, this harmonica holder will adjust to your perfect comfort angle. It folds flat for easy storage as well.\\n\\nWhere the harmonica fits measures 4.5 inches wide.\\n\\n\\nWith this harmonica holder and a little bit of practice, who knows.... you could be the next Bob Dylan or Neil Young!\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Harmonica Holder HH-002 - Neck Holder for a 10...\\n\\nReview: Wow, this is pretty bad. Now I notice the reviews are from a few years ago. No, not even at this price point is it worth it. It appears as a simple paint job (not powder coat) over coat hanger wire.\\n\\nThe end bends where the spring plate sits has the brownish, rust tint since the paint for some reason is not there or has rubbed out somehow, but how, if new?\\n\\nThe spring seats sit on pinched out, or pinged flat spots in the wire, --barely. As ridiculously stiff as these spring are, I am concerned these will push through and vwah lah, it's useless. It may never happen but looks like it could happen any day, any time.\\n\\nAs far as not marking the harmonica, eh, it will when the useless three little rubber tabs push out from trying to pry the harmonica in.\\n\\nI just don't expect it to last, --all the way to the Wing Nuts and Washers... it's not a bargain.\",\n \"Product: CM217 Condenser Mic - Buy Two and Save. This is a really well-designed special deal. If there is any single microphone category in which it is likely that you will be buying two of them, it is in the category of overhead condensers. Designed for drum overheads, the CAD CM217 solves your cymbal capture at a fantastic price. In order to get a clear picture of your drummer's cymbal blends, you need two overhead condensers. The CM217 is equipped with a high-pass filter to avoid rumble and an attenuator to accommodate drummers of varying heavy-handedness. Mic clips included. The CM217 is additionally good for acoustic guitars, string instruments, cymbals, hi-hats, and more. A great way to record acoustic guitar is to use one CM217 aimed at the lower bout and another aimed toward the neck. You get a lovely mix of attack and body that is adjustable in the mix.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: for me it's a good vocal mic too --bright and airy which can be ...\\n\\nReview: It's what it said it was, and as expected for it's intended use. Actually, for me it's a good vocal mic too --bright and airy which can be stepped on in the mix, if even live. So, it is a quality sound, but is wide open not colored in any way, but not an unwieldy. If one were to compare to a common mic in the same \\\"range\\\" of customer niche, so to speak, -- like the MXL 990, the 990 in comparison drops the crispy highs, and handles the mids a bit different. So, if felt you were getting \\\"muddy\\\" with that mic, and was challenged to mix it as you like, swap it out for this, a few others to compare as I did. So, aside from overheads, strings, -- I'd ad voice without hesitation.\\n\\nFor me, the signal gets stepped on in the \\\"venue\\\", FOH speakers, etc., this mic doesn't step on it too -- is the best way I can descrbe it\",\n \"Product: BLACK + DECKER CHV1410L 16 volt Lithium Cordless Dust Buster Hand Vac Ideal for Any Quick Pick Up Ideal for Quick Pick Up The sleek CHV1410L boasts lithium technology, strong suction and fade-free power. With a translucent bag less dirt bowl, the dirt is easy to see and empty. Ever ready, the hand vac can hold a charge for up to 18 months when off the charger, and is lightweight enough to tackle quick pick ups around the home. Smart Charge Technology High efficiency Lithium ion chargers help to protect your BLACK+DECKER hand vac by automatically shutting off when the battery is charged, allowing you to conveniently store your BLACK+DECKER hand vac on the charger while maintaining long run times, year after year. About Black + Decker Since 1910, Black + Decker has been setting the standard for innovation and design of power tools, accessories, outdoor yard care equipment, home cleaning products, automotive and lighting products, hardware and other home improvement products. The inventor of the first portable electric drill with pistol grip and trigger switch, Black + Decker has evolved from a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland to a global manufacturing and marketing powerhouse with a broad line of quality products used in and around the home and for commercial applications. When users need to get work done, they trust Black + Decker for the products that will do the job efficiently and reliably 16V MAX Lithium Ion Dust Buster 16V MAX Lithium Ion Dust buster This hand vac provides consumers with everything they need in a hand vac, plus long battery life, year after year. The CHV1410L features great power and suction for use on everything from carpet to ceramic tile to furniture and more. Cyclonic Action Cyclonic Action The cyclonic action spins dust and debris away from the filter keeping suction strong. It delivers powerful suction where users need it most. Crevice Tool and Brush. Note:Charging instructions can be seen in Page 4 to 5 and Direction for cleaning filters and canisters can be seen in Page 5 to 7 on Installation Manual available under technical specification. Charge Duration 4 hours\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: The motor does seem to loose \\\"gusto\\\" after the first ...\\n\\nReview: The motor does seem to loose \\\"gusto\\\" after the first 30 secs or so of use. They use to call them dust busters, (for dust), for a reason. The wine, wind down tone in the motor is not notes anywhere as normal, etc. There are so many, same OEM, different volts... I am not in hand up to comparing them all. My hope is, it will last beyond the warranty. I expect if even exchanged, the next would be the same, so, will remain an unhappy purchase. There are no in store tries in my area. So, be aware of this if gifting. I remember the old, original dust busters as simply not having any issues, and lasted till the batt., was finished. Oh, well.\",\n \"Product: Universal Wheel Kit for all Lifan Power USA's Water Pumps or any equipment with round 1\\\" tubing roll cage type frames. Lifan USA prides itself in standing behind all Lifan products.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: It is a good, universal design\\n\\nReview: Mine was missing parts too.\\n\\nThe general quaity, is what I expected, \\\"OK\\\", certainly functional, (not crazy about tubed tires vs. solid ones), --aside from parts missing.\\n\\nAnd, no, there are no instructions.\\n\\nHowever, there are Pictures you can pull up from various vendors showing how it is installed in the generator/pump-frame they used it on. It is a good, universal design, you'd likely get to work in most instances, --all the \\\"frames\\\" these things sit in, round/box pipe are the \\\"same\\\", --would not matter to me.\\n\\nAgain, howver, --if you don't have all the pieces, and don't have a picture, no diagram, or instructions of any kind, with a parts list of what should be in the box, --you may not \\\"figure it out\\\". This is an expensive wheel-kit for this kind of issue in my opinion.\\n\\nI could diagram, or pic this in no time, but not a vendor?\",\n \"Product: Nordic Ware 15040 Cast Aluminum Stovetop Belgium Waffler\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: I like it. I expected a bit more substantial as ...\\n\\nReview: It's OK. I like it. I expected a bit more substantial as per other reviews, -- but adequite. I don't think you need a special \\\"fork\\\" to pull waffles out... actually if lightly coat (as you can, not easy) with oil, or add oil to your batch as per most recipes -- I don't see these stilking. I was able to just let it fall out with a little nudge with finger. So, while a bit expensive in my opinion - OK if want an iron for stove top. Preheat, flip and get a feel for how much each side - it's not the same timing for each side it seems - it seemed like the initial pour side was darker, so could go less time and be same golden color on both sides while still cooked well.\",\n \"Product: Never look for a matching lid to your pans again with the universal lid from RSVP. This durable 18/8 stainless steel lid has a polished finish and fits frying and saut pans from 7 to 12 inches in diameter. The lid also features an adjustable vent for steam. Oven safe to 425F and dishwasher safe.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Universal Lid... RSVP\\n\\nReview: It's OK. From me a 3 for a product like this is truly \\\"OK\\\".\\n\\nFor me to get a 4 or 5 even it would have to be a heavier guage Stainless since we here are more pro cookers looking for anything to make the kitchen simpler, more efficient. Also, a \\\"D-ring\\\" on the edge from which could hang it would be nice. However, the design of it makes it easy to stand on end back of the counter next to the stove (the thin, wide perimeter), out of the way and a quick grab or put out of the way.\\n\\nAlso, for me, the \\\"Vent\\\" slot is useless and don't get why it's there. It's a point of failure, always open anyway, loose and the lid design by the nature of it, --it is a loose fit. If it was a Threaded port that I could have on/off maybe. But, that's overthinking what it simple a good universal lid.\\n\\nGood job here, but all things considered, price and etc., --glad I have it, but a 3 presently.\",\n \"Product: Vogelzang's Three Quart Tea Kettle is constructed entirely of cast iron for durable, practical use while also serving as a decorative addition to your stove. Steaming hot water adds humidity in the room and the cool touch chrome spring handle make it safe and easy to use. A must-have accessory for every wood, coal, pellet or corn burning stove.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Vogelzang TK-02 Fireplace Kettles, Cast Iron, 3 Quart Vogelzang\\n\\nReview: It, for me, it is as described, and great for it's intended purpose.\\n\\n -- It looks better than what we were using to keep the air moist.\\n\\nThe only disadvantage, if one can call it that is, --be mindful that you need to be careful when filling it in your sink since will more easily chip a ceramic sink, of course is by nature *heavier than a cheap old pot, and make sure you fill with hot water if already hot or let it cool down prior to filling. We occasionally catch it at a cooler time, not yet boiled out moment, and carefully add more on the cooler stove. If it's a blazing hot stove, and dry, -- *think*, --carefully place it on a stone \\\"hearth\\\", wait a moment, chock down your fire, *then when cool, re-fill and replace it (if you need to be told that?).\\n\\nIt seems for us, with the lid mostly open (to keep from \\\"boiling\\\" to easily) we get through a night with some water remaining. If it's a blazing hot stove, -- maybe 2 - 3 hours. Again, be careful. It's purpose, for us, is to decoratively keep the air \\\"moister\\\" than it might otherwise be with a very dehumidifying wood fire. We keep a fire going, mostly 24 x 7 x 7 at 45F or cooler with heat backup as needed.\\n\\n -- If it gets to be to much of a hassle, the old stainless steel 4-quart pot will be put back, --it didn't look that bad :-)\",\n \"Product: There is no substitute for a genuine Johnny Apple Peeler by VICTORIO! Built to last for virtually a lifetime, it's backed by a full 5 year warranty, superior Customer Service and an informative website. The Slicing Blade produces even 1/4 inch slices ready to eat, dry or use in a recipe.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Victorio VKP1010 Apple and Potato Peeler, Suction Base\\n\\nReview: Works as advertised. I went with the casting with name brand -- hard to tell from the pictures but looked sturdier. It looks like it will last a while. Not sure if would in a commercial kitchen, but not bad for occassional home use.\\n\\nThe suction cup appears to work well enough, --hope it remains that way.\\n\\nWhat seems \\\"light\\\" duty is the general thickness of blades, handle to screw and the end-fort for which one shoves it into the potato/apple.\\n\\nIf all were, something like 2x's as heavy and if even 2x's the cost, --that'd be the one I'd look for.\\n\\nAgain, good enough, but I would not plan on peeling a bushel of apples and not expect some kind of problem.\\n\\nAlso, the depth of knife to cut the peel is again, a bit \\\"iffy\\\". If heavier one might be able to save a bit of veg/fruit with the peel.\\n\\nHowever, if this is \\\"it\\\", --I'd buy again, if needed to. I would not buy any \\\"less expensive\\\" and expect usefulness.\",\n \"Product: The fine tradition of the Bormioli Rocco Group coincides with the very history of glass: the first glassworks was established in Parma in 1825. The company has always demonstrated a great drive to pioneer innovation: in machinery, materials and design. Over the years it has developed a special talent, that of combining time-honoured craftsmanship and the passion of master glassmakers with modern industrial processes. Bormioli Rocco is the leading company in its sector in Italy and a great ambassador of the Made in Italy label on international markets. These wonderful glasses can be used for water bottles, serving your favorite beverage or even displaying flowers.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Bormioli Rocco Giara Bottle Set of 6, Sky Blue - Red\\n\\nReview: Considering the price, if even a \\\"warehouse\\\" deal, this is still expensive for what it is, --so what is it? Well, not entirely as described if even one considers omission to some degree, or the other reviews from folks who many not know a difference.\\n\\nSo, what do I see in hand?\\n\\n1) This is, as per the manufacturers label, \\\"...colours...exclusive spraying process applied to the outside of the bottle\\\"; and hand-wash to preserve the coating it comments.\\n\\n2) The snap-caps in my opinion are \\\"cheap\\\", so to speak. How do I define \\\"cheap\\\", well, --they are not as I expected from other Retail Beverage distributors where the caps were not Plastic as these are, rather a \\\"solid\\\" ceramic material and that are very tightly fitting, and sealing.\\n\\n3) Since for me, these snap-caps are not tightly fitting and are plastic, --I would not use it to \\\"bottle\\\" something as opposed to simply storing or decanting from it, or as a \\\"crafty\\\" gift.\\n\\n4) I have to assume this is food \\\"safe\\\" since the coating of an unstated material is on the outside of the simple, clear glass. The manufacturers label says the \\\"colours\\\" are \\\"...safe and eco-friendly\\\". Not to be to semantic, but for a USA consumer of many \\\"off-shore\\\" manufactured items that wind up as questionable, --I hope that, that does mean that the material of which the colour is made of, is safe.\\n\\nThere is no phone number or otherwise contact information of the Bormioli Rocco brand to ask further, etc. I assume the option if unsatisfied it return, if concerned, or further tracking down.\\n\\nAgain, as this price point, --is not what I expected to receive, here, on Amazon directly.\",\n \"Product: A scalloped profile adorned with gothic ornament, gold in color, define this robust picture frame. The 3.5\\\" wide Gotham frame series is a perfect complimentary piece to a wide range of decor styles. At the heart of this moulding is a solid wood corecapped with a polished composite, finished in brushed Gold & Bronze. The stoutness of the Gotham picture frame will take command in any environment.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Craig Frames 8081 24 by 36-Inch Picture Frame, Ornate Finish, 3.6-Inch...\\n\\nReview: Helpful if need to know their recommended way of installing the wire kit, --suggestions not in the kit:\\nhttp://www.craigframes.com/v/vspfiles/files/HowToInstallYourWireKit.pdf\\n\\nNice frame.\\n\\nIs a composite type, --I guess is wood. A tad heavy, so may or may not be all wood composite since see frames as \\\"wood\\\", yet are, e.g. plaster formed design over it.... you find out the first move, nick, fall, etc.\\n\\nHowever, appears as described.\\n\\nFor me, I feel are on the high side concerning pricing, and from \\\"online\\\". It is what it is, and I could not find many other options that did not add up quickly in price. Why are frames, \\\"moldings\\\" pieced together so high priced anyway?!\\n\\nAs part of the product, apparently, as packaged, --excellent, for what this is.\\n\\nI have an BA in Studio Art, worked in galleries years ago, and wonder how this was going to be packaged, since I felt would be \\\"part\\\" of \\\"it\\\" --you don't just stick a frame like this in a box. Again, I was happily surprised.\\n\\nI may, therefore, buy others, --so, hope, that part of it is consistent.\\n\\nUnless, it gets pricier, or there is a better source, this is worth a try for the occassional framer, \\\"artist\\\" on a budget, etc.\",\n \"Product: The perfect Size for making one gallon batches of wine. Also great for small batches of beer, mead, Cider, or for 1 - 1.5 gallon yeast starters.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: 2 Gallon Plastic Fermenter w/ drilled lid\\n\\nReview: These are marked at 1-Gal and 1.5 Gal, with approximately 3in. of \\\"head space\\\" to the rim/lid.\\n\\nOne could functionally use for up to 1.75-Gal if one had to.\\n\\nHowever, at the 1.5-Gal line, one can easily \\\"swirly\\\" the liquid without removing the lid as I like to do with a primary-fermentation.\\n\\nAs far as air tight, I'd have to say, yes. Define that?\\n\\n - Well, I would not expect to drop it and not have it leak, or the lid to pop off (especially after the locking-band is pealed off of it). However, for what it is intended to be used for, --primary fermentation, it is perfect. Again, what does that mean?\\n\\n - Specifically, the Lid and drilled-hole-gasket does seal well enough that if fermentation exists, the \\\"fermentation gases\\\", quickly enough pressurize the container, displacing the \\\"air\\\" and causing \\\"bubbling\\\" in the \\\"Air-lock\\\". With standard, and good, sanitizing practice I have only had a good result with these.\\n\\n - For the price point I paid, I am satisfied with it.\\n\\nI would expect to use it for many numbers of primary-fermentation's. It appears the Lids inner, soft gasket can be replaced; and if those can be found to do so, --I would consider that. I would not expect the Lid, or Pail to fail or wear out for this use (aside from the gasket), for what I provide a guess at of, two-years of use.\\n\\nUse for me for this \\\"use\\\", would be 6 - 8 times a year, possibly up to 20 uses in two-years, --offered as an impression of use quality.\\n\\nThe quality seems consistent across several lids/pails I have in hand.\\n\\nI would not want to pay more that I did and feel good about what it is, and is for.\\n\\nTo offer further qualification of use by me to gauge for yourself:\\nPresently 5-Gal batches are to big and/since I like have three batches of different things going, offset by a week or two.\\n\\nHowever, 1-Gal is a bit \\\"small\\\". Ideally a 2.5-Gal would be great for me and could just use the 5-Gal items for it; however, I am concerned by the amount of head space in the 5-Gal sized, and the general size for home-kitchen use (kitchen sink, etc.), and if one does not have a vigorous fermentation on occasion, --the 3in head space when these pails are at 1.5-Gal line seems ideal overall. And all equipment at this capacity can be handled well enough in a Kitchen space; not having to use a \\\"slop-sink\\\" or garden hose, etc. for maintenance.\",\n \"Product: With its sleek, stainless-steel front and silver wrap, the powerful Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SD372S Countertop/Built-In with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor makes a stylish and convenient addition to any home, apartment, dorm room or condo kitchen. This exceptional 950-Watt, 0.8-cubic-foot capacity stainless steel microwave with 11-1/4-inch turntable evenly heats and cooks breakfast foods, after-school snacks, dinners, appetizers and more, while the compact design makes it ideal for individuals or small families. This innovative microwave oven includes patented Inverter Technology which, unlike traditional microwaves that rely on pulse-on, pulse-off power at lower temperatures, delivers a constant stream of cooking power at every temperature for more evenly cooked meals - edges to centers - every time. With the touch of the Genius Sensor cooking button, this microwave takes the guesswork out of creating a great meal by automatically setting power levels and adjusting cooking or defrosting time for added time-saving convenience. The sensor measures the amount of steam produced during cooking and signals the microprocessor to calculate the remaining cooking time at the appropriate power level. A selection of auto cook options enable you to quickly prepare your favorite foods, such as pizza, popcorn, pasta, soup, oatmeal and other dishes. This Panasonic microwave oven externally measures 11-inch x 19-3/16-inch x 15-9/16-inch (H x W x D).\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Panasonic NN-SD372S 0.8 Cubic Feet 950-Watt Inverter Microwave, Stainless, by Panasonic\\n\\nReview: It is, and functions as described. I did call their customer service about a question I had of which they did not have an answer, -- quickly got back to me with a moment on hold with the right answer.\\n\\nFor me, some of the functions are layered to far below to re-do if change, e.g. the Clock. Also, the minimum time is 1-min, so have to watch for 30 secs if all I need at full power, or would have to set power (again, layered button/menu pick).\\n\\nOverall, it looks like the better of what's offered compared to others in it's market niche. For me the 950-Watts is perfect for what it's intended for, no more or less power configuration.\\n\\nAnd, yes, a Fan does run on after use to keep the module cool, which is normal. My question to them was a different one, but that one about the Fan/Running sound, seems asked often, -- it is noted in the manual, however not \\\"NOTED\\\", so would have to read for it.\\n\\nHaving bought many of this kind of appliance, -- this appears as will be in service without an expected end date. Many of these kinds of appliances seem to have a one year life span, two if lucky, but this one appears to give more hope than that. If it fails sooner than later, I'll update this. So, if this review is here unaltered years from now, -- that's the result.\",\n \"Product: Gibson's Green Soho Lounge Dinnerware Set features classic stoneware dinnerware. The set has an green exterior with an ivory interior and is made from ceramic material. Durable thick dinnerware is difficult to scratch or break. 16-piece stoneware set includes four place settings each of 12.75-inch dinner plate, 9-inch dessert plate, 6.25-inch bowl and 12 ounce mug (plates and bowls measured diagonally). Bold designs for the bold at heart. Traditional finishing techniques produce differences in color, size and texture, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike. Set is dishwasher and microwave safe for easy clean.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Gibson Soho Lounge 16-Piece Square Reactive... Gibson\\n\\nReview: Gibson Soho Lounge 16-Piece Square Reactive...\\n\\n -- Nice plate. Did not get \\\"hot\\\" in the microwave which for me is the test. I can actually make oatmeal, boiling it and remove w/o burning my hand or needing a plate to slide the bowl onto\\n\\nThey, like any plate can chip, or chip the glazing. But, it takes a good shot. Actually just got one but was the glazing down to the white base plate material. However, not concerned with it proceeding from there on it's own.\\n\\nIn my area, it seemed less expensive from Amazon, rather than in store too.\\n\\nHowever, -- it seems shipped in it's OEM Boxing. I guess that's enough, none broken. Nevertheless was surprised not second boxed. If chucked from the delivery van, actually, --I guess it could survive. So, just saying, since part of this purchase was to see if plates would arrive as a 16 piece, or a 10016 piece set ;)\",\n \"Product: The Tel-Tru 12\\\" thermometer by cheesemaking.com is made in the USA from the highest-quality stainless steel. The 12\\\" stem is equipped with a pan clip for easy use and the large 2\\\" dial is great for quick temperature checking. This is the thermometer the pros use because of its accuracy and durability. TO CLEAN: Wash stem only in hot, soapy water after use and sanitize well before use. Tel-Tru is known as one of the world's premier thermometer manufacturers.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Tel-Tru 12\\\" Stainless Steel Cheesemaking Thermometer 0/220 degrees F Tel-Tru\\n\\nReview: After several batches of 1 - 2 Gal cheese making, -- this is helpful.\\n\\nThe Clip on the side to clip to the, on my high quality, major brand very expensive stainless steel pot, does not really work well, --seems almost bent opposite of what it should be.\\n\\nTherefore, plan on bending and adjusting, etc., pending the lip of your pot. (They all look the same to me, so don't get this glitch, --is fully unexpected for me.)\\n\\nI did not notch my Lids for this to pass through on the side. With how I finally bent it, the clip (*not :-) the meter), ---- if I don't hit it when stirring, it stays in place (an annoyance to be concerned with at this price and level of specialty use offering quality, in my opinion), and sort of swings to the side when I lid my pot without falling out, with enough in the liquid to get some kind of reading.\\n\\nTherefore, aside from the Clip as a major feature of this purchase, it is a helpful addition. Again, I don't get, how that clip could be gotten wrong for any *major brand, mainstream, conventional, very expensive stainless pot that all are built the same from what I can see, -- why the clip is not flawless since such a part of this, again, is annoying.\\n\\nBut, since there's nothing else at any price, -- it's a good addition with that qualification.\\n\\nAdditionally, if the OEM reads this, it seems if the outside metal was a long as the inside length of the clip of longer (reverse of the present design), and \\\"even\\\" in length, and possibly had additionally a threaded, light thumb screw on the outside tab to hold it in place, --that would be nice. Again, if even the lengths were \\\"reverse\\\" or identically the longer length! That short tab on the outside of the Pot barely works to \\\"hang\\\" it on the edge, not to mention the implied \\\"clipping\\\" tension that may be offered. As a matter of fact, opening it up, and simply \\\"hanging\\\" it, is the only way it remains useful for me as a \\\"third\\\" hand (or would have returned it). A really bad design in my functional experience with it. Did a cook ever UAT it for you? It appears to me, as not so.\\n\\nAnyone can now, clearly look at the pictures you provide and see the short tab on the Clip and imagine the flipping sideways that may occur on their Pots, too, in my opinion. If there is some \\\"trick to its use\\\", supply a picture of that instruction. I've been cooking for decades in many contexts and don't typically need instruction (the very nature of this \\\"hobby\\\" customer niche), --but, I'm open to having missed something and being educated.\",\n \"Product: The Merit Dark Brown Glider Recliner is the perfect companion for any media room or living room. It 's elegant style and comfort gives relaxation a whole new meaning.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Avoid buying unless Prime --Merit Black Leather Recliner/Glider Chair ... Great Deal Furniture\\n\\nReview: Arrived missing a piece never installed, --the protective covering on the sharp metal rocker stand. If not there, it will cut into the floor/carpet.\\n\\nUpdate: I am still waiting for this part, they didn't consider that I could have just returned the chair at their expense and then re-order. Being a nice guy, gets you waiting weeks for action. So, it's going to be 2 weeks or possibly more or even just an ultimate return, --with this blocking my front door since can't move it, --it will dig into the floor without this part I hope I can install. So for the cost of an overnight envelope, --no concern at all for me at all. So, if not 100% correct, don't let it in, get it picked up for return, --or risk waiting weeks since will, like this, ship some super cheap 2 week bulk rate for a 7 inch packaged, tiny part. The worst customer service and quality I have ever see in over a decade on Amazon buying big items as well as small.\\n\\nSo, again, generally speaking to me, it appears very light duty and may not hold up. I was surprised to see the delivery man carrying it like a box of groceries, --I was not sure what it was, --the chair? How could it be a chair. It was.\\n\\nThe wings at the top slide on and will slide off, as well, very easily, --just for the look of the chair.\\n\\nNo way to lock the rocking and really rocks allot, annoyingly, --moves when going to sit.\\n\\nEven in full upright, is somewhat *reclined which is very uncomfortable.\\n\\nThe fact that it fully reclines is of no use to me, especially since appears light duty would not want to wear it out that quickly by actually sleeping in it.\\n\\nThere is no return arm to assist you to lock it in when returning from recline which means I have to stand, catch it with one leg and push it shut with the other, unless I catch it just right, to lock it so may rise from the chair easily and safely.\\n\\nIt's generally just a marginal chair and barely of value for the price compared to what else I've purchased. I regret the purchase and won't consider this again, though was anticipating getting another to match it in a larger room, --not now.\",\n \"Product: Relax in style with this recliner club chair featuring a solid frame and sturdy feet for added stability and strength. This comfortable reclining chair is great for small spaces and functions as a great place to take a nap or read a book.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Best Selling Leather Recliner Club Chair ...\\n\\nReview: It is OK. The prior reviews are more or less accurate. It does appear to be a decently made \\\"Club Chair\\\", that can recline.\\n\\nIt went together without any issues. I did need help carrying the bottom half into the house, --two pieces in an \\\"adequate\\\" box, not over boxed by any means, but \\\"functionally\\\" if all goes well in transit. I mention this since if the box is damaged and seeing how it un-boxes... I would refuse it or send it right back, right then --don't un-box to see if effected, ripped or etc. It's not heavy double boxed, it'd be damaged in my experience.\\n\\nI think in a house of \\\"adults\\\" who just sit in a chair, --it should last a good long while.\\n\\nOne negative was on the legs you screw in, --had a \\\"made in china\\\" bright red sticker, so peeled it off. Left sticky gum. Man, it would not rub off, just smear. No house hold cleaner, or paper helped. So, I dabbed a bit of rubbing alcohol to rub it off, --the brown finsh is Alcohol based and started to lift, --wow. So, it's some Varnish base if alcohol solvent. Fortunately it's sprayed on heavy enough I gently wiped it smooth. So, don't use alcohol to do that. Leave the sticker(s) or some other method may get the gum off, --would be a dust collector which is why I did that anyway. (And, bright red? geese)\\n\\nKeep in mind it's a \\\"Club\\\" chair, a medium sized chair, and it not an overstuffed recliner you can camp out in :) It reminds me of a Dentist Chair when fully reclined flat.\\n\\nAnyway, since arrived in good shape and for this price point, I could see getting a matching one if needed later. One may need a chair pillow since is somewhat deep seated. There will be no head support for anyone over five foot.\",\n \"Product: Master Lock 4841DATSEN Auto Sentry Wireless Anti- Theft Vehicle Alarm System is a plug and play alarm system that utilizes sophisticated sensors to detect any unauthorized entry into the passenger cabin and sends a wireless signal to sound a remote alarm mounted in the engine compartment. It provides a visible and audible deterrent to thieves targeting the vehicle itself or any loose valuables inside the vehicle.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Master Lock 4841DATSEN Auto Sentry Wireless Alarm\\n\\nReview: It's a great idea and think it could work, or apparently does for some (?), --if they fully understand what's supposed to work (not sure from the reviews).\\n\\nI see the \\\"installer\\\" gets blamed for not setting the side screw for the inside vehicle pressure switch,----*not valid here. Here's my experience:\\n\\n1)\\nI went to the \\\"Masterlock\\\" web sight for support and could not find this unit anywhere. The special URL under the products name in the instructions redirects to their main sight, and searching produces irrelevant hits (there or anywhere).\\n\\nI went there per the instructions for the \\\"adjustment\\\" instructions. (Adjustments?, there's only one documented.)\\n\\nThe third party \\\"reviews\\\", or \\\"help\\\" only comment to turn the screw on the pressure sensor clock wise for more \\\"sensitive\\\" setting. It arrived all the way in and did not \\\"Alarm\\\". I sat in the Vehicle, \\\"Armed\\\", and actually so tight, my ear and hair on the Drivers Door side got that \\\"swoosh\\\" from normal door opening, and did not \\\"Alarm\\\" on full \\\"Sensitivity\\\".\\n\\n2)\\nI had a Volt Meter attached, and with significant drop, no \\\"Alarm\\\".\\n\\n3)\\nThe \\\"bump\\\" alarm did work.\\n\\nHowever, as describe here from others, with a *hard door slam -- I mean with more force needed then to simply close the door -- the vehicle did have to visibly move with a jolt to sound. So yes a \\\"tap\\\" (?, define \\\"tap\\\") would set it off.\\n\\n4)\\nMoreover:\\nNo instruction on how *long it would alarm, so was concerned it may *drain my battery, since *all 3rd party input said the only way to stop it was to use the remote or pull the Fuse (or add a switch?, I'd guess). I don't live in an area that I could sit with it \\\"Alarming\\\" to see how long or if it would \\\"time out\\\" (?).\\n\\n5)\\nTo be as accurate as I can I want to add that I actually deliberately purchased a \\\"Returned\\\" item -- said to be \\\"Tested\\\" known to work properly but Packaging may be \\\"damaged\\\". I can't know how it may have been tested, if it *was in fact.\\n\\nConclusion:\\nI wish it **did work as described -- this would have been the best solution for me. (Again, I can't have a \\\"bump\\\" alarm that may never shut off and no one to confirm to ask for support. I guess when one see a lot of 3rd party \\\"help\\\" me, \\\"how-to\\\" that should be a flag to consider.)\\n\\nI'll add that, I'd *gladly *have *paid 2-3x's for this if worked and was of a \\\"heavy\\\" duty quality, ----it did seem a bit light duty, but can't compare since only ever installed the older stuff (aside from this), from years ago.\\n\\nI guess, my journey continues and will have to drill holes etc. for these other alarms, or pay an installer and hope a good job is done.\\n\\nOh well, very disappointing.\",\n \"Product: An Amazon Brand.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: AmazonBasics Ultra-Thin Amplified Indoor HDTV...\\n\\nReview: Indeed, it does make otherwise non-viewabel channels, viewable. I simpy unplugged the amplifier to see the difference - as expeceted those channels went away and returned when plugged back in (the amplifiew part AC-USB or TV units - USB powered). It is incorrect the other reveiws stating it onlhy boost \\\"noise\\\", not in the digital world - it boosted the digital packet data to make the channel viewable, or if to weak, was pixeleated as occurs. I observed getting 2x's the channels I would otherwise have had.\\n\\nAdditionally, do (DO) move the Antenna around - true, for me, even a \\\"foot\\\" made a difference and being near a winder. Mine hangs hidden behind curtains. I'm not sure an external, roof antenna would do better. There's many channels out there - and I \\\"manually removed\\\" the many of not use to me.\\n\\nGenerally, this was a great value from Amazon.\",\n \"Product: Now you can deter robbery, theft, and vandalism without the high cost of a real security camera. When placed in your home or business, even the most sophisticated criminals will think the premise is guarded by a high-tech surveillance system and go in search of an easier target. In fact, this is an actual surveillance camera that has been modified into a dummy or fake security camera. It even appears that it has infrared capabilities with 30 Illuminating Night Vision LEDs which come on during darkness just like real infrared LEDs. The camera features authentic video cable and a fully adjustable mounting bracket that will let you install the camera quickly and easily using the included stainless steel screws. Dimensions of the camera are 5 one half inches x 3 inches x 2 and one half inches (without rain shield). With the rain shield the dimensions increase to 7 x 3 x 3 inches. The camera requires 2 AA batteries that are not included.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Outdoor Fake , Dummy Security Camera with Blinking Light\\n\\nReview: They mount, how shown, and that's about it. For me, that aspect limited their use. However, for the price, was workable.\\n\\nAs well, the battery maintenance for the light, --would be problematic, --I see many \\\"real\\\" cameras w/o lights, so think that through. In a year, you may not feel up to taking them out, and out have to if leaking, etc.\\n\\nI think these make good *supplemental cameras with other real ones for a limited system.\\n\\nThe decal is a bit fake looking, \\\"CCTV...\\\"--I cut out the camera part only, and used it. I feel if someone is looking, they're \\\"looking\\\", and this would do. I know I would not \\\"advertise\\\" my type of system and would not use a branded warning sticker, so that worked, as I explain.\\n\\nThey are what they are, as advertised. So, if usable as-is, for this price, for supplemental cameras with other working ones, they are \\\"OK\\\".\\n\\nAs prices go down on this stuff, just buying another real camera and mounting it not activated will just occur. I mention that since considered it with this purchase.\",\n \"Product: Ever want to walk around recording with your iphone XR XS X 8 7 6s Plus Galaxy S9 Edge or Galaxy phone but need something to help stabilize your phone? Want to use your own tripod to make a professional video recording movie or selfie? Need an additional accessory with your GOPRO Recording experience? With the AccessoryBasics Smartphone /GOPRO Hero 4 3 2 Camera Mini Hand Grip Stabilizer kit, you can do all that as simply as 1-2-3. 1) Connect the Holder to the 1/4-20 Hand grip tip, 2) Connect the 360 smartphone holder 3) Put your phone into the holder. No Tools needed and you can install everything in less than a minute. *Compatible with Apple iphone 6s Plus 6 5s 5C 5 SE Gold Samsung Galaxy S S4 S5 S6 S7 Edge HTC ONE Motorola Moto X Google Nexus 4 5 LG G5 G4 Pro* (Holder Can Expend up to 90mm/ 3.5\\\" wide)\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: I think it's a great accessory at a great price and works as expected\\n\\nReview: It's light duty, with what is for me, light plastic. I think it's a great accessory at a great price and works as expected, however, unsure how long it may last since the plastic looks, feels thin, light weight. It it lasts, then great! But, does not make me feel confident.\\n\\nSo, for example, I will surely have an additional safety strap (this being a function of that as \\\"grip\\\" on he phone) with this and would not load on additional gear as one review said they did. Maybe if used in like, your living room with a soft non-messy landing but not running around on vacation out and about in the streets.\\n\\nI'd gladly pay more, for a more robust rendition.\\n\\nAlso, it lacks what I thought it may do, --the ability to stand the phone on a desk when talking. It does help with that, but not on it's own.\",\n \"Product: This is a fully lined single breasted business dress suit. Conservative but fashionable, its been constructed to look great and keep you comfortable year-round. Includes a three button jacket and pants. The jacket has one chest pocket, two side pockets, and three inside pockets. This suit is perfect for the office or any occasion, so buy now!\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: New Men's 3 Button Single Breasted Black Dress Suit\\n\\nReview: I have no issue with the quality. However, regardless of how marked concerning size, and did order as per their chart, -- was at least one full size smaller. I had no confidence in re-ordering since consistency was my concern. The next one might be \\\"that\\\" larger size?\\n\\nWhat am I comparing to?\\nI compared to two other major brands I had (*unaltered) that were bigger and smaller and consistent with each other as different brands/makers too. Additionally, I've been wearing suits for decades, and have no issue with alterations.\\n\\nHowever, the cloth has to be there to be let out, etc. If they get the sizing for USA correct, and I could have confidence in this, I would reconsider purchasing at this present period price point. Moreover, I expect pants to be \\\"unfinished\\\", however, in this too, concerning the Jacket, --the sleeve length was beyond ridiculous in length. I would expect a Tailor to charge me as much as paid for, to properly alter to fit; then, for me, it's not a good deal. I was surprisingly for \\\"me\\\" disappointed as a long time buyer on Amazon.\\n\\nI'll conclude with, be sure your are \\\"right\\\" or expect a challenged return -- was my feeling in how i was engaged. --Again, Amazon buyer protection for reasonable history customers saves the day.\",\n \"Product: Leather slip on\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: I looks like the same shoe\\n\\nReview: I had a pair of these from 2015, today is June '18, and while did not wear well I thought to try again.\\n\\nI ordered the same order.\\n\\nI looks like the same shoe, generally speaking. The inner lining looks more substantial, so considered they may have addressed the show wearing out (then, I think it was inner sole walked through, etc. and I was recovering from surgery so, no, --not running marathons in it, quite the opposite). The lining is different too. The older shoe had what appeared to me to be a more robust canvas type lamination, --better in that regard.\\n\\nAs far as size, the 2015 iteration, I was concerned with the relaxed fit, since was afraid of a sloppy fit or looking to wide, -- however as far as size went D or USA Medium and if \\\"relaxed\\\" fit, -- was perfect. This order was truly no less than a C or narrow. compared to the older one. Moreover, the Tongue Elastic was sewn nearly fully, -- holding the tongue down and making it very, very challenging to \\\"slip on\\\". I *literally broke my 24in shoe horn, the first 3/4in snapped off trying to wiggle my foot in, thinking once in, would \\\"feel\\\" OK, -- no. My foot immediately went numb, tingly, --squashed.\\n\\nI've learned that \\\"walking in\\\" a shoe may work, but, today since only the outer upper may be leather there is not much give and \\\"breaking in\\\" a shoe is iffy, --for me anyway. And I just can't risk hurting my feet. Moreover, it is supposed to be a \\\"Relaxed Fit\\\", and was previously, as I said, almost looking sloppy, but was what it was supposed to be.\\n\\nI fully expected to love it and hope for durability. I normally would do an exchange, but this time and lately am not fully sure that provides a good alternative. The Length was the same, --compared both pre-molded soles and identicle. The Upper is made differently now. It looked narrow out of the box, but I expected the Tongue Elastic to \\\"give\\\", -- no, as I said, sewn down, provides, maybe 1/4 in of give and right at the very end. The rest was sewn mostly tight when I pulled on it.\\n\\nSo, consider that. Maybe order at the same time the next wider version and compare, maybe this was an anomaly, -- who knows. But, in fact the sizing has changed and is not what I expected.\",\n \"Product: Men's & Women's 2-Way Plastic Shoe Stretcher Shapers\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: in the slots and on the threads to smooth out the workings of it (used olive oil which worked well and now does not smell like t\\n\\nReview: It is what I expected it to be. I felt the plastic would be more functional, and long lasting than the soft wood offerings.\\n\\nI did splash a few drops of oil, in the slots and on the threads to smooth out the workings of it (used olive oil which worked well and now does not smell like the garage). Anyway, it looks like it will last, and worked well for both Instep length relief and width. I just ran the shoe quickly under water inside and out, and left it in the stretcher for a couple hours near a heater. I went a bit medium on the tension, and did I great. I then added the Toe Button for specific spots. By 2nd try on one and third on other, --nice painfree nudge for a more custom fit.\\n\\nFor me to give it a 5, it would have to be a Pair for that price, nicely oiled/waxed for smooth action, and instruction (none at all, -- just used common sense? Still, who knows to set it inside and out, well (-- dress shoes, so did not soak long term in water like I would for a heavier work shoe).\",\n \"Product: This is a fully lined double breasted business dress suit. Conservative but fashionable. It includes a suit jacket and pants. The jacket has three inside pockets, and three outside pockets. The suit is fully lined and will keep you comfortable and looking great year-round. It's perfect for a day in the office or any occasion, so buy now!\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: New Double Breasted (DB) Black Men's Business Dress Suit\\n\\nReview: I have no issue with the quality. However, regardless of how marked concerning size, and did order as per their chart, -- was at least one full size smaller (Jacket was as expected in needing alterations, but not the pants). I had no confidence in re-ordering since consistency regardless of size-label was my concern. The next one might be \\\"that\\\" size as expected, bigger, smaller? I was sent the next size \\\"range\\\" to big.\\n\\nWhat am I comparing to?\\nI compared to at least, two other major brands I had (*unaltered) that were bigger and smaller and the \\\"ordered size\\\", and consistent with each other for comparison as different brands/makers too. Additionally, I've been wearing suits for decades, and have no issue with alterations.\\n\\nHowever, the cloth has to be there to be let out, etc. If they get the sizing for USA correct, and I could have confidence in this, I would reconsider purchasing at this present period price point. Moreover, I expect pants to be \\\"unfinished\\\", however, in this too, concerning the Jacket, --the sleeve length was more reasonable in length but *would require shortening which has to reasonably be expected. Nonetheless, I would expect a Tailor to charge me as much as paid for, for all of this work I've never needed, to properly alter to fit (if the cloth was there to let out); then, for me, it's not a good deal.\\n\\nI'll conclude with, be sure your are \\\"right\\\" or expect a challenged return -- was my feeling in how i was engaged. I see as per the prior reviews I read prior to purchase, some got what they ordered, and was the correct size regardless of size-label. Again, Amazon buyer protection for reasonable history customers saves the day, and was formally engaged with this purchase return. As a first response I was told I ordered incorrectly, but didn't, -- and would not have mattered concerning what I received.\",\n \"Product: To fit chest (recommended): S 34"-37", M 37"-39", L 39"-42", XL 42"-45", XXL 45"-48", 3XL 48"-52", 4XL 52"-54", 5XL 54"-56". This warm and hard wearing M65 Hydro US Field Jacket from Surplus is based on the well-known M65 field jacket, a model originally designed for the US Armed Forces. The jacket features high quality and strong Nylon shell material and warm, removable long-sleeved inner liner, which is suitable for the autumn, winter and spring. The M65 Hydro fastens with a zipper and snaps and features four front pockets, waist and bottom drawstrings and a concealed hood in the collar.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Not your fathers M65 by a long shot...\\n\\nReview: Yeah, fits way small, I got a 5x and GLAD I did... OMG! And, the sleeves ... LONG, geese. AND, the Plastic Zipper (not brass) is on the LEFT side, wow. Good luck returning it. Be sure if you really want one. I loved the idea of Nylon and that part is as expected. It's a bit dressier, so to speak for this king of jacket. Arm length for an orangutan.\\n\\nI'm a life long wearer of the M65 from when real military ones could be had in camo for $20 (still have that one, but got shrunk... when someone helped me by washing it and Dryer'ing it!) I think if this manufacturer just simply sized it how it's supposed to be and kept the sleeve length for human beings they'd sell out ever year.\\n\\nThe seller offers some kind of return program that I just didn't understand really. I'm guessing it's just a few dollars through some program. I'm just so disgusted... it's wearable and hope to adjust to the \\\"chicks side\\\" Zipper. Really, \\\"european standard\\\", really? Who knew.\",\n \"Product: Rothco's Kerosene Lantern features a classic hurricane style design with a wire covered glass globe. Rothco is the foremost supplier of military, tactical, outdoor, survival clothing and gear.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: this appears as not to bad. I'd love it \\\"heavier\\\"\\n\\nReview: As far as \\\"back up\\\" alternative light source, along with hours long burning candles, flashlights, etc., this appears as not to bad. I'd love it \\\"heavier\\\", and would gladly pay more for it, but is what it is. It beats out the \\\"Lamplight 110 Chamber Lamp\\\" bought with it to compare which, while works, I'd classify as novelty ornamental. This Rothco, China made, while not a \\\"daily\\\" use quality, is good for alternative times, if stands at the ready that is. Like a flash light, it's only good if it works in an emergency and does not burn other than the intended fuel. Be careful with it, check it well prior to use and occasionally in non-emergency times and may be OK at this \\\"quality\\\" level, price point.\",\n \"Product: Outers Universal .25 & up 25-Piece 70084 gun cleaning kit in wooden box. Hunting gun cleaning kits. Made of the highest quality materials\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Outers 25 - Piece Universal Wood Gun Cleaning Tool Chest (.22 Caliber and... Outers\\n\\nReview: I read the reviews, looked at the pictures and thought, how bad could it be.\\n\\nI'll guess now, looking back, --the positive reveiws are due to being a gift from \\\"mom/wife\\\".\\n\\nHowever, actually knownig what this should be, purports to be, --I'd never gift it. I'd be embarrassed to do so.\\n\\nIt looked used to me.\\n\\nI took pics, as I unboxed it as I usually do, and was going to post them, but figured why? Again, to me, it looks used, poorly handled prior to packing, --not aged, used! Aged oak look? No, not to me. Cheap, badly handled, dinged up, and beat up, --to me, yes. I looks like it rolled down the basement stairs, --\\\"a g e d\\\"? Again, no. There's a big difference in distressed, aged, crafted wood and a \\\"way\\\" to get by with dinged up, soft, poorly finished wood. I say that, since I would love an \\\"aged, repurposed, sun bleached, old oak, barn wood\\\" box. I'd pay twice this price point for a finely crafted piece like that, --this ain't that.\\n\\nIt's a cheap, sloppilly put together, light weight box of nondistinguishable wood-like material, with a drawer that will fly out since not fastened, stopped, frictioned in any way. Moreover, the box itself, will otherwise fall over upon opening the lid (no it does not stand up like in the pictures in this listing, --it flops back, all the way over without stops, taking the box over with it. So, first the drawer flew out, then flopped back, slamming back in when flopped over from the lid. Again, seeing the splash of stain inside the unfinhished inside, and other poorly stained front pieces, dings and chips, just left me speechless wthin five minutes of unboxing it.\\n\\nThe wood, \\\"made\\\", handle, is completely misaligned. This is for folks with precision fit, 0.0001 mic'ed firearms, maintenance? Or even combat tolerance, grade weapons?\\n\\nThe inside has a large splash of stain, --no not finished inside; someone with a brush got careless it would seem.\\n\\nThe Latch was bent, so once open, the very first time, --I could not close without bending the lock tab straight allowing it to do so.\\n\\nThe plastic form for the TOOLS in the drawer, is thin packing type tray material, --not what I'd call a quality drawer organizer for the brushes, et al., for a Firearm.\\n\\nThere are large numbers in black marker on the drawer and box, --I mean large, \\\"#48\\\", --assuming matching the drawer to the box, but with what seems was wrote with one of those large grafitti type, black ink markers more than 1 x 1 inch.\\n\\nIt's light weight, poorly put together and a real dissapointment.\\n\\nIf you're a \\\"gun-smith\\\" of any kind, living life 0.25mm at a time --this will give you a stroke to own.\\n\\nI don't get why it's just not made as it I thought it would be, described to be. If the OEM can't make a profit at this price point, double it for the description, --I'd be glad there was anything out there I could by for a $80-ish price tag for a quality aged oak firearms cleaning storage box. It makes me wonder if this is *really from \\\"Outers\\\"?\",\n \"Product: Enjoy hours of fun in the sun with the timeless backyard game of croquet. Our Baden 6-player Champions Croquet Set is the perfect yard games set for enjoying hours of outdoor competition with friends and families. If youre trying to find a way to spend less time indoors and more time outside enjoying mother nature look no further. This Champions Croquet Set comes complete with everything youll need to quickly set up a match whenever you feel the urge to play. This sets detachable croquet mallet heads make it easy to fit everything included with this set conveniently back into its portable carry case. The soft grip handles are our added spin to the games classic mallet construction. The soft padded handles make the mallet feel extremely comfortable in the hand while eliminates slippage from wet or sweaty palms. Oh, you dont know how to play croquet? No worries weve got you covered, weve included a full set of official croquet rules which will have you mastering the game in no time. Grab your set today and become an outdoor games champion yourself.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Baden Champions Series Croquet Set with Soft...\\n\\nReview: Eh, somewhat as described. The Mallet heads are \\\"hardwood\\\" but not handles (looks like poplar, or other light wood, -head looks like an Oak variety type, but lots of knots, not fine grain or grade 01 wood IMO).\\n\\nI have not set up and use, but did wack a few balls... I could see where folks may have under normal use, broke a mallet head off, or split a handle. We will see if holds up -- I am gentle with my stuff too; only adults playing this, gently, correctly.\\n\\nThe carrying case, eh, again, all sort of falls to the middle even strapped in. Funny but in e.g. the \\\"music\\\" market, the hard, softshell cases cost nothing, given with guitars... not in \\\"this\\\" market.... wow.\\n\\nI noticed I purchased just prior to the July 4th weekend 20% price increase... wow... would not have purchase at that price.\\n\\nFor me, is marginally worth the price --a sale, significant one would make me feel better about it. But, new to this so, there you go. Wanted it for the 4th ironically too. So, again, 3-stars is fair. Frankly it's weird to me that in the \\\"sports\\\" nice stuff badly made is so expensive. I buy a Guitar from China :) well made for less than this, --generally speaking as market niche comparison and what I am used to getting for my money. Esp., foreign made.\\n\\nAlso, came without a \\\"complete\\\" Rules book. Called and got a very marginal PDF. On-line is far better for that, -go there I'd adise. But, to boot not to have the \\\"Rules/Instr\\\" book? I never played this, --how would I know?\",\n \"Product: Over 50 body-shaping exercises: This versatile system offers 50-plus exercises to define and shape your arms, shoulders, back, abs, hips, thighs, and calves. 4 adjustable power bands: These durable resistance bands increase weight resistance beyond your own body weight, giving you up to 50 lbs. of additional resistance. Space-saving design: The Ultimate Body Works features convenient slide-away technology that allows for quick and easy storage. Workout guide: It lists which exercises focus on which muscle groups and how to properly perform specific exercises, along with additional exercise suggestions. Body weight resistance system: The Ultimate Body Works innovative resistance mechanism turns your body weight into natural resistance for a wide variety of exercises. Flexibility-strength training: An unrestricted cable and pulley system gives you greater versatility and greater range of motion, allowing for a wider variety of exercises that strengthen muscle and increase flexibility. Adjustable incline: Easily increase or decrease the intensity of your workout by simply changing the incline of the glide board, giving you 7 easy-to-change incline options. Built to last: Made of durable steel tubing, this system is designed for years of use. Features pulley system, squat stand, nylon strap handles, padded glide board, 4 power bands, and workout guide. Minimal assembly required. A renowned brand of fitness equipment manufactured by ICON Health & Fitness, Weider has remained one of the most trusted names in strength training for over 25 years. Weider manufactures free weight benches, variable rod resistance machines, and quality home gyms, ensuring that everyone, even those with busy schedules, can stay fit and healthy. The Weider name comes from Joe Weider, the publisher of Muscle and Fitness Magazine and the trainer of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The name continues to set the same standards for gym equipment that it did decades ago. Assembled dimensions: 71L x 25.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: I wanted to like it, I really do/did\\n\\nReview: I wanted to like it, I really do/did, still do.\\n\\nI actually use (*use) my health equipment, --wear it out even at times.\\n\\nCount on call them for the \\\"chart\\\" user \\\"manual\\\" (poster of possible exercises).\\n\\nAlso, check it over well, --not all may be bolted up, etc, mine was not entirely together... rush job, half bolted.... so look it over.\\n\\n -- The one issue is, and I am using this for specific post op 1 - 2 exercises, cheaper than the PT clinic to do myself.... anyway is... if the Slide had a mid point Lock (like on the bow-flex units...) so one can START, **Reach the Cables more reasonably that would go a long way in \\\"liking\\\" it.\\n\\nEven, an \\\"healthy\\\" person, I see, using this -- is challenged to get into position and then get hold of the Cables to do the exercise. Of course, \\\"releasing\\\" the mid point lock would have to be like a \\\"ratchet\\\" release, since now ---- your HANDS ARE FULL of the cable handles... :)\\n\\nSo, mindful of that, -- at this price, it works. If even I then throw it out (?) ... I'm still ahead of it considering the PT pay/co-pay saved.\\n\\nSo, don't get picky, it is what it is. You'll bond with it, or not. I'll likely keep it around. It does (though claims so many exercise :).... it does one or two well... nice in a rotation of stuff to do. And, I think, if got stiffer stretch bands or springs clipped on... (careful :) ... can get the value out of it for what it is.\\n\\nI see it as a good, post op recovery device, --anyway. (This to me, IMO, -- looks like a liquidation, and when gone --gone... )\",\n \"Product: Stop manhandling those heavy, bulky backyard beasts and show off as the grill master with the Coleman RoadTrip LXE Propane Grill. It's easy to tote around and set up. Just fold it up, roll it with one hand to your favorite cooking spot and set it up in a matter of seconds with the lift and lock system. The grill comes equipped with durable cast-iron grilling surfaces. (Coleman RoadTrip pot support and griddles are available separately.) When you're ready to grill, push a button to ignite the InstaStart matchless lighting system. Cook for more than an hour on one propane cylinder with 20,000 BTUs of power on 285 sq. in. (1838.7 sq. cm) of cooking surface. It's perfect for BBQs, picnics, tailgating, camping or a night on the patio. When you're ready to leave, it folds down small enough to fit in the back of most car trunks.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill LXE ... The Coleman Company, Inc.\\n\\nReview: I want to like it but find it hard. Prior to using it, we were delighted. I find now even the lesser reveiws are accurate. The boxing was tight and we never expected to want to return it. I am sure we probably could with amazon, w/o the original boxing, --but it was allot of cardboard and styro form white pilly stuff all over. So, consider if you may want to return it hassle free, --put up with all the boxing.\\n\\nFor us, yes, a good wind did blow out our flame --as I read here. I was very surprised, but it happened. The Top does not cover over the grill as more typical ones do with an overlap lip. It is gapped all around and has the slotted top, --so if windy, you will have to shield it, run it full on and risk burning. It being a \\\"camp\\\" grill that would likley be in the wide open, --that's an issue. I was on my back covered porch and it blew out with medium wind. Hey, I was grilling, so it was not a hurricane, -- \\\"windy\\\", so what? Well, it blew out.\\n\\nI find once I light one burner, the second one does not light immediately, easily. You do need to use the igniter since will not light from the already burning burner, it needs a spark or match. I am using a 20lb tank adapter so feel my line pressure is fine so is a product thing. Plan on making sure the second burner is lite, -- don't assume it lite as I used to do since did. Not with this one.\\n\\nThe grills, -- are a hybrid type as I see it, a partially closed grill. As written here as well, --yes the middle is that very hot spot.\\n\\nThe most dissappointing thing is how hard it is to clean! Hey, I'm grilling greasy burger and dogs, --you? I even tried to line it with aluminum foil which helped somewhat. But, man, it caked at the bottom near the burner, down inside the burner near the igniter (hard to clean) and the air vent for the burner in that tight screen, and what did make it to the grease tray... wow --hard to pull out the tray and not have disconnect all, whether can or adapter hose only.\\n\\nI honestly feel like I am using a prototype to a good idea that needs to be finished for actual camping, grilling.\\n\\nI've never had such a clean up job ever. Makes me want to go back to charcoal. The bottom of the *heavy griddle held allot of grease. I would be afraid to leave a grill that greasy since a grease fire will product black smoke and spoil the food taste. So I am really unhappy but again, feel bad I got rid of the boxing and feel it could be to much a hassle to return it, --but would really like to.\\n\\nThe other thing, -- the folding legs is not easy at all to do. Wear goods shoes to protect you feet to hook it in and then unhook it to fold, --wow did not expect that level of challenge. Remember, it is *heavy! The top and grills. But, where I feel it should be *heavy it is not, --like the top hinges and lid lock to keep it closed.\\n\\nIf it had been more expensive, --back it would go no question. I am just so dissapointed and surprised since read so many favorable reviews. But, when I look at the pictures see the grease in them. I guess folks don't worry about grease fires or are not simply grilling \\\"burgers and franks\\\".\\n\\nI guess if you treat it like a stove top and use pans and etc., --well, that may be what we do so can use it until can replace it.\\n\\nSo, maybe the favorable reviews see it like a portable stove top and not a grill-grill. To camp with this and not be near a way to clean it after 5 or 6 80-20 (standard 20% fat ground angus beef) beef burgers, --I would not be a happy camper at all.\\n\\nOh, let me comment that manual comments to unscrew the little phillips head screws that hold down the bottom tray under the grill to clean. Wow, not convenient to camp with. The manual stresses the alignment of the gas ports and keeping it clear, clean. It's just not realistic for what it is marketed for in my experience and now use of it. I will keep a charcoal grill handy now.\",\n \"Product: The strop is double sided with a fabric side to clean any rust or blemish off of the blade as well as a leather side to help realign the edges of blades after the shave. This straightens out the edge that might become bent during shaving.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Straight Razor Strop Leather Sharpening Strap... Red Deer\\n\\nReview: Straight Razor Strop Leather Sharpening Strap...by Red Deer:\\n\\nThe one I received came sealed, and yet, from that bag the right side of the finished side of the leather had edge cuts. It is as the ends, the end 2 inches of each side. It is a triple laminate strap, a finished side a middle filler and the suede side. If it were an actual e.g. 9 oz belt of leather this kind of defect would be much harder to inflict by manufacturing alone.\\n\\nSo now, far easier to not return it since not amazon prime, -- I will have to fine sand off the cuts then \\\"Burnish\\\" the hide down, \\\"finish\\\" it (make it wet and use a metal spoon or similar).\\n\\nAs new for any price, --it should not have been shipped like this. And as happens I regret it since never expected to possibly have to return it, which for this price and being vendor shipped will likely be a hassle.\\n\\nSadly, I found another pro-level 3in for slightly more than 2x's this cost. Oh well.\\n\\nPossibly it can be used for kitchen knives or in the shop, but not a hundred dollar plus Dovo razor. I honestly thought is was a simple 9 oz slicke of hide which is what it should be, but is not.\\n\\nI see some here from a year ago quite happy, so, -- there you go, not consistent and is simple a slice of leather or should be.\",\n \"Product: Gorilla Automotive carries a complete line of lug nuts with unfailing quality and finish controlled through every step of manufacturing to deliver lug nuts that outperform. Gorilla features lug nuts with long lasting durability and precision engineered to meet manufacturer’s specification. Available for all popular styles and sizes\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Gorilla Automotive VS401C Outer Mount Valve Stems\\n\\nReview: These come with two sized bushings to seal it, --though no, -- *no instructions are included. Yes, there are different valve sizes, but this appears to accommodate that from what I could tell, and hoped for. I was not sure what I needed and these worked with the smaller bushing.\\n\\nI guess, as some do, they assume they are selling to knowledgeable resellers (?). Not novice end users who \\\"need' instructions.\\n\\nAs far as \\\"tightness\\\", tight enough to not leak. Where did this \\\"wrenching it down\\\" thing come from and snapping it off. You're using 30 - 65lb, how tight do they need to be?\\n\\nThat negative, for me, was not even a remote issue --good quality.\\n\\nRemember, to emery cloth the opening where it seals and even give it a shot of primer (?) if you have that time when doing this. I did not, --but sealed well.\",\n \"Product: Dorman Products, Inc. is well-known as a leader in providing quality auto parts to the aftermarket. We've earned our reputation for excellence from over three decades of experience in providing automotive replacement parts, fasteners and service line products primarily for the automotive aftermarket. Our prestigious position stems from a unique combination of application expertise, innovative product design, and breadth of product offerings, many of which are not conveniently or economically available elsewhere. At Dorman, we take pride in the quality of our products and in your satisfaction.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Dorman 13911 HELP! Master Cylinder Bleeder Kit\\n\\nReview: It was great others commented to buy two kits, -- yes, do so. Buy two kits and clear tubing. I used Teflon Tape too, since had it on hand (no issues with leaking). Remember, you may be doing this for about 1 hour.\\n\\n -- Again, 2 kits, Clear tubing, Teflon Tape\\n\\nDorman's choice of providing the *opaque black tubing is a very strange choice for this IMO.\\n\\nIn my opinion as well, Dorman (some supplier), should just a) double the Fittings in this kit, b) supply a 6ft roll of clear tubing to cut to proper length, and a roll of Teflon Tape. For me, that would make it a complete \\\"kit\\\" for the non-pro mechanic project seeking to have it all ready to go.\\n\\nSince this is a product review which involves \\\"method/use\\\" of a product, I'll go further. Dorman (some supplier) should provide their own Video \\\"how-to\\\" (YouTube) since is the OEM expert, and include tips. I try to share too, such as 1) do a dry-run assembly of your MC *first, prior to Bench-bleeding, 2) initially you may want to pinch the tubing on some of the Back-strokes when initially priming; keeping the tube air from returning, and sucking in the reservoir fluid--you need to keep topped up, 3) once really \\\"primed\\\", make sure the tube is ideally only below the fluid surface mid-way in the reservoir (if you can't see it I can't, it may be curled back above the fluid and suck air,--keep it topped up, 3) a \\\"turkey\\\" baster type bulb can adjust a too high level at the end, which I never found to be an issue since bleeding it at the line fittings during installation, then the wheels again, 4) I had 2 Quarts of fluid on hand since this is likely going to be a system fluid change as well anyway, 5) unless you're using DOT 5/Silicone, protect your paint, keep a soapy-water spray bottle on hand and wear eye-protection, mechanics-solvent-gloves -- it is a messy job\",\n \"Product: The Sportsman Propane 4000 Watt Portable Generator can power common household appliances and power tools. It is equipped with two 120 volt outlets and a 12 volt DC outlet for battery charging. A generator of this size is ideal for small camping or tailgating parties or to have on hand in case you need some temporary power in an emergency situation. It has a 7HP 4-Stroke OHV Recoil Start engine. Its affordable but well thought out with full featured options such as Automatic Low Oil Shutdown and Automatic Voltage Regulator. It boasts an engine run time of 10 hours at 50% on a common 20Lb (gas grill type) cylinder (LPG cylinder not included). A 5 foot propane fuel hose with a regulator is included for your added convenience. The engine is surprisingly quiet; it runs at less than 68 Db. This is a great generator for anyone who needs affordable power. Propane has several distinct advantages over gas generators. Propane burns cleaner than gas engines. Carbon monoxide emissions run up to 40% lower. Propane will not degrade, so you can keep several propane tanks on hand for emergencies and store them for an unlimited amount of time. Since this generator runs on propane you never have to worry about the fuel going bad or having the carburetor getting fouled due to degenerated gas - a common problem with gas powered small engines. Unfortunately, this model cannot be converted to operate with natural gas. 4000 surge watts/3250 running watts. Uses a standard gas grill style LPG tank. The 7 HP, 4 stroke OHV, recoil start engine, delivers maximum performance. The generator runs on clean, quiet and efficient liquid propane gas (LPG), so you never have to worry about bad gas fouling the engine. 5 ft. Regulator hose is included in box. LPG propane tank is not included Air cooled, AVR automatic voltage regulation, recoil start, low oil shut off, spark arrestor, full power panel, engine shut off switch, overload protected outlets Two 120 volt outlets and one 12 volt DC outlet for battery charging Run time:10 hours at 50 percent load per 20 lbs. of LPG fuel Decibel rating: less than 68 decibels EPA approved, Non-CARB compliant/Not for sale in California\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Sportsman GEN4000LP, from the OEM Buffalo Tools\\n\\nReview: I did a fair amount of researching and comparing, etc. and even with some of the negatives concerning quality of assembly, and delivery issues, and a seasonal price up-tick, -- I ordered one.\\n\\nThe concerns about quality of assembly stated in other reviews, --remains an issue. I don't get why a company would be so stubborn?, so to speak, to have functional issues remain. For example, the very tight, and bendy, plastic Choke Lever is a concern for immediate breakage, unless is a nylon type plastic that won't snap off (?). It may benefit from a touch of Vaseline and maybe dry graphite powder in the choke/butterfly rod connect points. I will get around to that and hope for the best.\\n\\nGenerally, in how I define it, -- there is not \\\"heavy duty\\\", or ironically \\\"light\\\" either, about this. I have, and have had other \\\"industrial\\\" or heavy duty units, and did not expect \\\"that\\\", in this unit, since a --\\\"sports-mans\\\" edition. However, one does not \\\"pic-nic\\\" with this either, and unit failure (or worse \\\"gerry-riggin\\\") is not a good way to go \\\"camping\\\" if this is needed. (Who would drag it there if not needed, --plenty of 2-stroke, 9-amp, light units, around.) This, in my opinion, is as light duty as one can get and still be worth keeping around for an \\\"emergency\\\", and hope it will work reliably in an \\\"emergency\\\" as marketed.\\n\\nMoving on ... -- yes the delivery concern is still valid. Mine, with no damage to the very thin box, had a significant frame dent and cross members bent where the unit bolts to it. One could argue it was Packed that way. Certainly the thin box it's sent in is not enough, even for \\\"reasonable\\\" delivery services. Add in negligence of any kind and something is going to break since there is no Packing of any kind in mine. It would benefit from hard-foam corner blocks and plastic banding of the box flaps, at a minimum; and, with LARGE sign-age of bottom only, no dropping, two-person lift, etc. Again, one drop from a shipping conveyor belt, or roll end to end, since not easily \\\"handled\\\", and something significant will break as noted elsewhere in other reviews.\\n\\nUnless they're (OEM) is willing to unbolt from the frame, and make that an end-user assembly step, --it needs packing. Or, in the future, not something I'd consider for on-line purchasing ever again. Not even with the gentlest of shippers, --and haven't seen any in decades, or ever, anyway.\\n\\nAgain, moving on, ... it started/ran, immediately and easily. However, (as per other reviews), I did not put on a Volt, Amp meter, etc. but appeared to handle, i.e. a Hand Hair Dryer to test that load. It, did the typical rev-down, and back up under load. Beyond that, --now since getting to be cold (November) ... I'll hope to not have to use it, and if do, that it is \\\"OK\\\" as described. As of this moment I do not have tremendous confidence. However, I also did not have $1K+ either. However, so what!? Well, that's how it goes at this price point it would seem.\\n\\nNow, onto the \\\"support\\\" part. Possibly most important to me, I called the Company directly (not Amazon, the OEM).\\n\\nAs of this review, I have received no response (the OEM).\\n\\nWhen you unpack this unit, there is, ample printed matter to --not return or call the \\\"store\\\", seller (Amazon), rather, to call them only. I did.\\n\\nNo one was there.\\n\\nI left a message as instructed (invited to send an email too?), my name and number, clearly, --explained the issue, the un-boxing damage and expected a call back.\\n\\n -- None yet.\\n\\nHowever, I did immediately notify Amazon who, as always, rectified the issue with *several choices for me to choose from, --all, the most any seller can do.\\n\\n -- Concerning Amazon, they get 5 - Stars as always. I'm never concerned here, on Amazon, -- a 20 year customer of on-line buying, before it was mainstreamed.\\n\\nHowever, concerning this company offering this, to call them only, --I feel very much on my own and would seek other in the future, and specifically not on line in particular, --not how this is serviced and remains so regardless of prior experience as mine, --again. As I see this, --I don't see how anyone gets one undamaged, as I did, --hoping the prior reviews had been addressed by \\\"now\\\".\\n\\nI love the idea of LP Gas for so many reasons. Additionally, to have, in emergency, an \\\"alternate\\\" Fuel requirement if, as happened to me during \\\"Sandy\\\", Gas was unavailable for a significant period. I would have considered a Diesel unit, if offered, to run off of home heating oil if needed. However, Gas, and LP are it, for now in this price point. In an emergency, I feel very much, as on my own, --period. This kind of experience does not help, in that preparation!\\n\\nIn addition to the LP benefit, yes, this kind of engine is substantially lower in db Volume, and vibration. In comparison to my industrial, cast iron, gas unit, it is about, generally speaking 1/4 the db and vibration, and much less overall \\\"smell\\\" (fuel type). I don't see how they could make it \\\"lighter\\\", --however, if packed better, and removal of on-line shopping/service/shipping issues as a barre, the quality may be adequate aside from the wiring issue stated, and things like the choke-lever.\",\n \"Product: Airtex mechanical fuel pumps are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications for fit and performance. Precision castings and hardened rockers help ensure a long life. Advanced polymer pump diaphragms help ensure consistent performance in multiple fuel blends. Coverage for classic, performance and non-fuel injected vehicles. A new fuel filter is recommended when replacing. Free technical assistance is available at 800-424-7839.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: visually I thought I was good to go\\n\\nReview: So far, ok. Fits, but slightly different design it appears to me. Some parts look servicable, but less robust. I wish this could just be rebuilt, since only needs a diaphragm, nothing else. Anyway, -- look careful at how your fuel line hooks up. I had a leak at the In-let fitting, but because it was not clear which one to use. Of course after I figured it out, it was obvious. But, if you have not replace an old style in a while, look carefully at if the pressure fit coupling is used on the inlet. To me, visually I thought I was good to go. I was happy I *didn't keep *tightening, versus reconsidering what didn't look correct, but was. Make sense!? Hope so. I am pretty capable, and surprised I didn't see this right off. Better diagrams of fitment would have helped me save an hour here. Or, you may be repurchasing it, for wrenching on it incorrectly. This style should barely leak at finger tight, it's low pressure, so, if tightening and tightening, have a look.\",\n \"Product: Gates Rubber Company 42007 Ld W/Pumps\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Gates 42007 Water Pump -- fits certain year MGB's\\n\\nReview: Generally:\\nIt appears made well enough, --however is not \\\"branded\\\" or Cast-marked in any way. An etched number is added post production.\\n\\nSpecifically as a negative for me:\\nIt is, or mine appears to have been made in China. The Gasket thrown in the box to survive or not (*not Amazon, *their product box), or just bend a bit as mine was,--why pack that way? (Amazon packed appropriately)\\n\\nNow, additionally, had \\\"I\\\" known that, before purchase it was China made, I would likely have not purchased it and bought the brand known to, at least, be made in Japan.\\n\\nI look for made in the USA parts, but did not/don't find them.\\n\\n--Yes, price matters, \\\"hypocritically\\\" speaking, but only, to a *serviceable degree. I will spend the extra \\\"few\\\" dollars for a known better service part *and especially if *made in the USA.\\n\\nPositives:\\nNot stated in the description, it does come with a Gasket, --which extends to the Alternator mount which needs to be trimmed off (be careful to cut correctly/*sharp razor too), for the car I used it on.\\n\\nThe Aluminum Core, appears cast/machined/cleaned up well enough, but would be great if Cast Iron, --for me. (No one is recycling these as far as I know.)\\n\\nThe impeller is Cast Iron and of a design that appears may push the water into the block as well/better than the OEM/Stock cut/bent Steel impeller, design. (I have no empirical knowledge for that opinion --would be great to have if Gates offered it specifically with a flow/longevity test. They do them, correct? Someone approved this design for a reason, correct? Offer the data, --they're Gates.)\\n\\nDoes this apply to this product review,--yes; for me it does. (Cheaper price is not always \\\"cheaper\\\" when dealing with a project like this, hours long and full of inconvenience.)\\n\\nGeneral Suggestions:\\nNo one \\\"kits\\\" these, but, do consider changing the a) T-Stat (need a gasket there too), b) top/bottom hoses/clamps, and c) Belts. (All together, the same price, or less then this parts cost, as I bought them here on Amazon too. Get it all in one box/one project.)\\n\\nAt a cost savings of $98/hr-Labor-charge, for a do it yourselfer, --you've then rebuilt the front if your engine within a 3hr (?) project, or two 3hr sessions as I did, ordering after disassembly to have all I needed. (Time to do, is hard to gauge, since your project may be covered in 1in. of grease and rust, etc. --To me a proficient Mechanic might do it in 2-3hrs, --but all would have to go well, no broken bolts, etc.)\\n\\nBeing \\\"Gates\\\", you'd think they'd \\\"kit\\\" these as a all in one listing. Tracking down all these pieces is fun, but time consuming and not sure it's all a good fit. Maybe Amazon could build that into their \\\"suggestions\\\" logic for product purchases, all of them.\\n\\nTech Tip (?), since that kind of product:\\nThe Torque is not specified -- \\\"instructions\\\", kinda useless. Most books/shop manuals say 17lbs of torque. A standard/generic torque chart advised 10lbs for my grade/thread count on my unit. To me 10lb is minimum and 17lbs, that's *max (I'd be afraid to go that high, stopping at 15lbs, --and if you use an *accurate torque wrench. Start with, 10-12 with a thin smear of glycol resistant gasket maker both sides of the gasket would do. Nonetheless, then, go around a couple of times to seat it \\\"flat\\\" using good technique on this soft-aluminum. I came back a \\\"while\\\" later and was able to easily *retorque it again, going around several times carefully/accurately. The gasket itself flattens it seems (the *thin, silicone smear, is only to fill micro-gaps). (I comment this since, once the pulley is installed, that bottom bolt would be hard/impossible to get to. Don't rush the torquing. You won't know if it leaks until fully finished.\",\n \"Product: 175/65R14 General Altimax RT43 82T BSW\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: General AltiMAX RT43 Radial Tire - 175/65R14 82T\\n\\nReview: - Quality tire\\n - For me, a high value price point\\n - It did fit my vehicle, --more closely than others, per original tire size spec (stated it did not, --know your sizes, use)\\n - Having driven on them a few hundred miles now,----I like them\\n - Was not happy they came without any wrapping/OEM packaging, etc., and that therefore, appeared had been stepped on, rough handled, etc. Even a brown paper spiral wrap may have discouraged that. I realize they are tires, yet, one wonders what happens with merchandise between OEM/Customer, --tires can puncture, gouge, etc. This is not a shipping issue, it is a merchandise packaging issue, so include it to be aware of, or as notice to General tire in Canada (where they shipped from).\\n\\nNevertheless, I give 5 stars, since for me, was a great opportunity for tires I would not have been able to have, otherwise. Thank you General/Amazon.\",\n \"Product: Monochrome laser multifunction copier. Connect via wireless networking or USB. Print/ copy speed up to 30 ppm. Adjustable 250 sheet capacity paper tray. 35 page auto document feeder. Mobile device printing over wireless network.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: wireless is fine! I have not fully checked all aspects of ...\\n\\nReview: So far, all is well. Setup with USB cable definitely required to enable my WiFi, --keep that in mind if need one, you will! Then, wireless is fine! I have not fully checked all aspects of this unit. I had an older model and needed that AirPrint for a new MAC coming and iPad I have. I expect it to do as well. We'll see.\\n\\nThe new software manger looks like a nice upgrade. I do need to scan to file via WiFi... if I have issues, I will update relevant the above new use needs. It appears to do some complex printing ... so if need that, looks like this is one to try. The price was stunningly low... omg!... times have changed!\",\n \"Product: Rear Wheel Drive System provides a better traction and control on hilly terrain and large, easy empty bag makes emptying the bag fast and easy.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Lawn-Boy 10730 Kohler High Wheel Push Gas Walk Mower ...\\n\\nReview: I hate saying \\\"for the money\\\" - but it applies. For price paid, if lasts would then prove to be a \\\"good deal\\\". HOWEVER, yes DO CHECK THE FRONT, BACK WHEELS. If not for the reivews here, indeed, my front Wheels were NOT \\\"snapped\\\" into the \\\"v\\\", plastic, axel retainer. To me, it appears as having never been \\\"installed\\\" entirely (one side only). Meaning, the box came perfect and don't see how a \\\"drop\\\" or other to the package when shipped would/could dislodge the axel. I can see, varify, yes, if the axel and wheels had come off while in use - that could have been catestophicly bad. So DO check the axels are snapped in prior to filing wiht oil, etc. -- it may look installed, look closer, it may not be, like mine.\\n\\nOtherwise, - it needs no priming, has no way to prime and did start on 2nd pull. So, far, only a couple of uses, appears \\\"OK\\\". The enginne stop, the brake-band when stopping the engine causes it to \\\"misfire\\\" vs. just stopping as I am accumtomed. The bag, the material appears as \\\"light\\\" duty - but may well last - only time, and care of use would tell. I plan on only mulching.\\n\\nRegarding the cut, as one would hope, being new, appeared OK, good. Moreover, as a push mower, this own feels easier to manage than the prior, replaced mower without the large back wheels. However, overall, it has a marginal quality appearance. Even with gentle use, and care, I don't expect this to be a \\\"10 year\\\" mower - but, again, who knows. The nylon/plastic wheels could last more than appear as may not.\\n\\nAnnecdotally speaking, it seems to use less gas. However, the Oil filling is a pain to \\\"screw back in\\\". It's the old, to me, very old style cap-stick at the base of the engine. A push and twist with a bit of a neck is what I am now used to. I hope to never \\\"side thread\\\" it. I don't expect it to \\\"use\\\" oil, no other mowers ever did - but do always check as \\\"habbit\\\".\\n\\nAgain, -- other than the Weel Axel \\\"dangerously\\\" needing to be snapped in, if AWARE of it - just ad the Oil provided. However, the \\\"Stop Handle\\\" on mine was not installed, and no instruction was provided. Someone \\\"less mechanical\\\" ... ? mahy be frustrated or \\\"insecure\\\" about installing it. I don't understand why it was not simply installed, leaving only the Stop-cable to be connected (again, no instructions for that) - but, that's how mine was.\\n\\nI would love to have given it 5 Stars, since came quick and in a pristine box (rare these days?)... but for all others, with varying capabilities seeking bargains - be advised of my experience.\",\n \"Product: Rear Wheel Drive System provides a better traction and control on hilly terrain and large, easy empty bag makes emptying the bag fast and easy.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Lawn-Boy 10730 Kohler High Wheel Push Gas Walk Mower ...\\n\\nReview: I hate saying \\\"for the money\\\" - but it applies. For price paid, if lasts would then prove to be a \\\"good deal\\\". HOWEVER, yes DO CHECK THE FRONT, BACK WHEELS. If not for the reivews here, indeed, my front Wheels were NOT \\\"snapped\\\" into the \\\"v\\\", plastic, axel retainer. To me, it appears as having never been \\\"installed\\\" entirely (one side only). Meaning, the box came perfect and don't see how a \\\"drop\\\" or other to the package when shipped would/could dislodge the axel. I can see, varify, yes, if the axel and wheels had come off while in use - that could have been catestophicly bad. So DO check the axels are snapped in prior to filing wiht oil, etc. -- it may look installed, look closer, it may not be, like mine.\\n\\nOtherwise, - it needs no priming, has no way to prime and did start on 2nd pull. So, far, only a couple of uses, appears \\\"OK\\\". The enginne stop, the brake-band when stopping the engine causes it to \\\"misfire\\\" vs. just stopping as I am accumtomed. The bag, the material appears as \\\"light\\\" duty - but may well last - only time, and care of use would tell. I plan on only mulching.\\n\\nRegarding the cut, as one would hope, being new, appeared OK, good. Moreover, as a push mower, this own feels easier to manage than the prior, replaced mower without the large back wheels. However, overall, it has a marginal quality appearance. Even with gentle use, and care, I don't expect this to be a \\\"10 year\\\" mower - but, again, who knows. The nylon/plastic wheels could last more than appear as may not.\\n\\nAnnecdotally speaking, it seems to use less gas. However, the Oil filling is a pain to \\\"screw back in\\\". It's the old, to me, very old style cap-stick at the base of the engine. A push and twist with a bit of a neck is what I am now used to. I hope to never \\\"side thread\\\" it. I don't expect it to \\\"use\\\" oil, no other mowers ever did - but do always check as \\\"habbit\\\".\\n\\nAgain, -- other than the Weel Axel \\\"dangerously\\\" needing to be snapped in, if AWARE of it - just ad the Oil provided. However, the \\\"Stop Handle\\\" on mine was not installed, and no instruction was provided. Someone \\\"less mechanical\\\" ... ? mahy be frustrated or \\\"insecure\\\" about installing it. I don't understand why it was not simply installed, leaving only the Stop-cable to be connected (again, no instructions for that) - but, that's how mine was.\\n\\nI would love to have given it 5 Stars, since came quick and in a pristine box (rare these days?)... but for all others, with varying capabilities seeking bargains - be advised of my experience.\",\n \"Product: Tiffany Style Barouque Torchiere. The base is made of white zinc metal.The dimensions are 13''L x 70''H x 13''W. The Primary colors are Rustic, Red and Green.It has cord switch in it.It Requires 1 bulb with a max of 60watts. It has more than 200pcs. of cut glass.Each glass is individually cut wrap around copper foil and sotterred together.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Tiffany-style Barouque Torchiere ...\\n\\nReview: It's what I expected, however, could be described such that ----the shade is as described, colored glass which is foilded and soldered like \\\"stained glass\\\"; the base is cast-metal; however the lamp-stand is three piece cast plastic.\\n\\nI thought the lamp-stand pieces were cast-metal as well (since not describe otherwise, --plasic), again, they are screwed together cast plastic. I supposed that may make them more easlity assured of being \\\"straight\\\", --but, as the \\\"bad-english\\\" diagram-instructions comment, for one to keep turning it until it appears straight. I did, and it appears as \\\"straight\\\" in line next to the door-way it is next to. However, the floor is carpeted, so can't say if is a top heavy weight issue, or the cast bottom coud be shimmed with thicker rubber \\\"feet\\\" tabs, or the cast plastic 3-piece lamp-stand pieces were not \\\"square\\\" with each other and the base. I would expect that all do not appear as entirely straight, and will have to be \\\"turned\\\" until appears so in your line of sight with, e.g. the wall-corner, etc.\\n\\nSo, for me, it seems worth keeping for the price (which is an ambiguous way to say it that way), and may be as nice as a \\\"lamp-store\\\" purchase for twice the price as rediculously high as they are too. However, if you think it's a circa 1900's -something reproduction, it is not. Those were \\\"straight\\\" and all metal, etc. And, if you find one, will be rediculously priced anyway, too.\\n\\nAs far as the Shade not \\\"looking\\\" like what it is, --I don't get it. It is and does look like any other new/old \\\"milk-glass\\\" or \\\"stained-glass\\\", foiled and soldered glass piece assembly. I can only comment on what I have, --it in no way looks \\\"plastic\\\" or better or worse farther/closer... it looks like what it is. Actually, for the price of the lamp, the shade could be said to be worth it alone.\\n\\nThe other annoiance for me is that I don't like the foot switch. It's cheap, to me, and in the middle of the, I'll guess 6 - 8 ft cord, why?... --who walks three to four feet away from a lamp to turn it on with their foot?... moreover, if plugged next too, therefore behind furniture, how to turn it on!? Bad design to me. A Key-switch out the side or \\\"touch\\\" on/off or foot switch on the Base, or a switch on the lamp-stand pieces, --so for me a bit of a cheapness to it, aside from the comments above. Therefore, that switch issue makes it unusuable since assembled and waiting for use, --be prepared for this if an isssue for your use. ----I'll expect to add another, silly, foot switch, next to the base, since the touch switches don't come highly recommended here. Otherwise, you're doing a major mod to get a key switch out the metal base that the shade sits within.\",\n \"Product: Use the power of the sun to light dark areas and add extra security with the Sunforce 80 LED Solar Motion Light. This light automatically turns on when motion is detected and comes equipped with 80 super-bright white LEDs, ensuring reliable lighting power for whenever, wherever you need it.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Sunforce 82080 80-LED Solar Motion Light ... Sunforce\\n\\nReview: It's OK. The plastic is a bit soft -- concerns me for several reasons, strength, other. Anyway, as some said the distance for the motion to respond even set to high is, for me, about 8 ft if coming from the side. Possibly coming straight at it and at a mounted height of 9ft or so, it may be farther out. Fortunately close proximity on, is ok, not great but ok for my needs. But if you need like 35 feet of distance on, from its sweep of vision, --not happening with mine and I have two. It looks like 10ft of distance, on, is about it.\\n\\nAlso, the wire is very light, and light gauge, so careful handling it, --a bit like stereo speaker wire, delicate, soft easily cut coating.\\n\\nOne other tip they don't tell you concerning mounting the Solar Panel, is --take off the Mount Bracket first, attach it first. However, reattaching the panel to the ball is, or can be a bit tricky with the two small screws, but is easier than being on a ladder with a manual hand screw driver --the Head of the Drill won't clear the panel unless you have a long, 6-8 screw bit. Or you can pilot the holes and use a manual hand screw driver. They should really rethink the design on that mount bracket for being on a ladder to mount it, and needing a screw gun. They now tell you to take off the other light bracket first. Again, if on a ladder... be dexterous, or that will be tricky too.\",\n \"Product: The BLACK+DECKER BDCS20C 4v Max Lithium Cordless Rechargeable Screwdriver features a compact handle and a powerful 180 RPM motor for easy driving and removing of screws in tight spaces. Its inline trigger grip provides comfort and control when installing mini blinds, hanging curtain rods, assembling furniture and a variety of other household tasks. 180 RPMs and 35 in-lbs of torque provide plenty of power for a variety of applications. This unit is also attachment capable, allowing for compatibility with all of Black & Decker's future attachments. Includes: (1) BDCS20C 4-volt max Li-ion cordless rechargeable screwdriver, (1) charger, and (2) screwdriving bits.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: BLACK+DECKER BDCS20C 4-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion...\\n\\nReview: It would have been \\\"ok\\\" and is serviceable I would guess, --just got it. However, there is no is/not charging indicator. It just says plug it in and charge for 16hrs at first. Then, never use past weak operation, immediately charge, and/or charge after very use. Well can it be over charged? Can it be left on Charge indefinitely? Dunno... didn't say.\\n\\nAlso, what battery in the 4v range does not use USB chargers? This has a very convoluted plug with two poles, -- I just know, one day someone is going to twist since looks like a cannon, barrel, round type plug in and give ti a twist and break it. They're gonna twist it right off and out and break it.\\n\\nSo, regardless of price, a) needs a charing/done indicator, more explanation on charging this kind of battery and I think my iPad charger could handle this if used that plug end. I need (NEED) yet another (ANOTHER) charging plug Wall Wart, right?!\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":50,"string":"50"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1785,"string":"1,785"}}},{"rowIdx":1786,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A2HJB9J5O5CLPB"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"3.0\" for a product with description \"VHS\". The summary of the review text is \"Jenn Aniston is Right\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This film, made in the late 90's, highlights a newcomer, Vince Vaughn. Frankly, I've missed his stuff till he showed up in the National Enquirer dating Jenn Aniston. Recently I saw Thumbsucker, where he had a minor part, a be-glassed school teacher and chess coach. Then the Wedding Crasher thing happened and we saw a kind of motor mouth, gen-x, comic. Well that quick retort was foreshadowed in A Cool, Dry Place. There's a wonderful manliness and sensitivity in Vaughn's acting that's tough to project simultaneously. Think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. We can hardly blame Joey Lauren Adams from falling for him instantaneously. Hell, I'd marry him. Er, okay, maybe not.\n\nTherefore, a reluctant dad loses his high-powered attorney job because he needs to rush home and relieve the baby sitter. Mom had taken a hike, finding a man better than Vince. Hmm not too believable, but that's the plot. The kid is cute, dad is cute, and new girlfriend is red-hot cute, but then mom shows up. Thereafter the drama goes for tears. Folks from the Mid-West do move along a little slowly, so the pace may get you drowsy here and there. Still, I liked this film."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This film, made in the late 90's, highlights a newcomer, Vince Vaughn. Frankly, I've missed his stuff till he showed up in the National Enquirer dating Jenn Aniston. Recently I saw Thumbsucker, where he had a minor part, a be-glassed school teacher and chess coach. Then the Wedding Crasher thing happened and we saw a kind of motor mouth, gen-x, comic. Well that quick retort was foreshadowed in A Cool, Dry Place. There's a wonderful manliness and sensitivity in Vaughn's acting that's tough to project simultaneously. Think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. We can hardly blame Joey Lauren Adams from falling for him instantaneously. Hell, I'd marry him. Er, okay, maybe not.\n\nTherefore, a reluctant dad loses his high-powered attorney job because he needs to rush home and relieve the baby sitter. Mom had taken a hike, finding a man better than Vince. Hmm not too believable, but that's the plot. The kid is cute, dad is cute, and new girlfriend is red-hot cute, but then mom shows up. Thereafter the drama goes for tears. Folks from the Mid-West do move along a little slowly, so the pace may get you drowsy here and there. Still, I liked this film."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Ben Stiller (directing his first feature film) star in this wildly romantic comedy that looks at life, love and the pursuit of gainful employment through the eyes of a generation sandwiched somewhere between The Brady Bunch and Melrose Place! As her college valedictorian, Lelaina Pierce (Ryder) should be destined for greatness. In reality she is a lowly production assistant for an obnoxious TV morning show host (John Mahoney). In her free time, Lelaina is making a biting, often outrageous video documentary about her peers: promiscuous, '70's-crazed roommate Vickie (Janeane Garafalo), sexually repressed Sammy (Steve Zahn) and best friend Troy (Hawke), a brilliant but unmotivated rebel. Meanwhile, Lelaina meets Michael (Stiller), an ambitious video executive who wants to showcase her documentary on \"In Your Face TV.\" Suddenly, she finds herself at the center of a very odd love triangle with dependable, fast-track Michael on the one side and a sexy, brooding Troy on the other.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Almost as Good as Funny Ha Ha\n\nReview: This film reminds me why I like Winona Ryder so much. She lights up the screen, really she carries the story though the cast was good, a real group of generation X'ers before they end up making babies and paying mortgages. I thought the generation thing floundered a bit. I guess young Ben Stiller gave this one his all; my god, his Hollywood family gave him a chance to do a thirty or forty million-dollar film. It's certainly better than the 80's saga St Elmo's Fire, and it's far better than any Robbie Benson film from the 70's.\n\nRyder and handsome Ethan Hawke are pretty believable, but they don't seem like Texans to me, Houston? Get out of here. They live more like University of Pennsylvania pretend slackers. Ben Stiller cannot play it straight, so he does muck-it-up, which makes it easy for Ryder and the audience to not care whether he feels anything about this girl-woman.\n\nA much better film, really a classic that was surely influenced by this flick was Funny Ha Ha. Shot in 16 mm, it's making its way around college campuses. Believe me. It cost a lot less and it's just as satisfying.\n\nPS I can't stand Janeane Garofalo's politics, but she's good in the slacker chick works at The Gap role.","Product: OUT OF PRINT\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Nice Young Chick Flick\n\nReview: Sam Waterston plays a father that is a dying breed. He actually disciplines his 1957 teen daughters with the strap if necessary. And he'll decide if it's necessary. Not that dad isn't a softy inside for his daughters; he is. Loving your young daughters is sweet and The Man In the Moon captures these timeless moments and delivers a nice coming of age film with 14 year-old Reese Witherspoon showing some early sass.\n\nBeing alone with a handsome neighbor at the old watering hole can make a young girl's heart flutter. She may take chances. Older sister Maureen is taking some chances too of a more adult kind. The town is a white version of 50's Southern shtick, and we wished we could see more of the folks that inhabit this Louisiana backwater, but the film mainly stays focused on the melodrama of mom's pregnancy, the dad's anger around the boyfriends, and the girl's single-minded yearnings for true love.\n\nI recommend, a chick flick, but your boyfriend will have a tear in his eye and a hand up your blouse.","Product: Oscar-winning cinematography and a deftly woven script turn the simple story of an American writer (Joseph Cotten) who travels to Vienna to meet his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) into a haunting noir masterpiece. 1949, b&w, 100 min.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Coo Coo Clock Perfect\n\nReview: Orsen Welles wrote his coo coo clock speech for the Ferris wheel scene. That's the one everyone remembers, but in truth Graham Greene, a wry British post-modern wrote the screenplay. He had Kim Colby, Stalin's, suave foreign office spy in mind. Carol Reed directed a very Citizen Kane like film in the ruins of 1946 Austria. Everyone will recognize the unusual film angles, scene cuts, and black and white shadows as Orwellian. However, I'm taking nothing away from Reed. This film is as good a European Film Noir as you'll find. The film glides effortlessly till the ending in the sewers under Vienna.\n\nCotton plays the naive American that arrives in Vienna to take up a job with a flamboyant, immoral, schoolboy friend, Harry Lime (Welles). However, Harry Lime in reality is running a black market scheme in stolen penicillin, which results in the death of hundreds of innocents. Cotton learns Harry has been killed in a suspicious car crash. Cotton then runs into Trevor Howard, a British Military, Lime's girlfriend, actress Alida Valli, and assorted suspicious characters. Nothing is what it seems and Cotton is soon involved in international intrigue. A mandolin plays in the background and it's very unsettling.\n\nFilms about the gray area between good and evil and the unintentional foolishness of do-gooders are not easy to complete without created cardboard characters, but there's no need to fear for The Third Man is damn near perfect, one of the best films ever made.","Product: vintage 80s movie valley girl when nick cage was still sane\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Grotty to the Max\n\nReview: I'm writing a novel about young people and heard \"Valley Girl\" was the classic of its type. Made in 1983 with Nick Gage and Deb Foreman, I had hopes that the silly \"Valley Talk\" would entertain. I was wrong. This is a trite soft-porn movie. If your kid watches this movie, they'll be scarred for life. I recommend this one for desperate men that dig Internet teen-porn. Cage is sort-of-Elvis like as a bad-boy punk. He meets non-grody to the max Deb Foreman and a good girl-bad boy crush begins. The beach scene has bikinis and young bods, but then the camera shows teenager Cage in swim trunks. My gal and I started laughing. Cage has a V-shaped bush of hair on his upper chest that looks like it was from the Planet of the Apes wardrobe room. Notice that all actors shave their chest these days, but I guess body hair was in in 83. Thank goodness for director John Hughes. Later in the 80's, he showed Hollywood how to give real character and motivation to young people. Rent \"Pretty in Pink\" and pass on \"Valley Girls.\"","Product: VHS TAPE\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Mindless Video Game Chases\n\nReview: 2016 is only ten years from now and The Island is packed with visuals of technology that probably won't be available for at least a hundred years. A small point I know, but the expense of rail lines that float on air and gigantic towers, skyscrapers that are really underground in an old missile silo, well, I didn't believe it.\n\nThe Island did poorly in the theatres. The huge cost of the special effects were not recouped and Michael Bay of the low-brow visual extravaganzas like Pearl Harbor lays an egg with an overly long tale of cloning for human harvest. Ewan McGregor and Scarlet Johansson are nice to look at though they have little to work with. The reason a gal like Scarlet gets film work, her appearance can keep an overwrought production interesting for a scene here and there. I wonder if she has undergone some Hollywood plastic surgery since Lost in Translation because her face and body are beginning to resemble Angelina Jolie.\n\nI think the theme of human greed versus humanity is an unusually Conservative idea for Bay, a Hollywood guy. The screenwriter takes a poke at the American President which sounded eerily like the Bush haters of today; yet, this theme is Pro-Life. That's right? Cloning is wrong. Body part harvesting for pay is wrong. I salute the director on this score. Otherwise, there are too many same, same, video game-like, hair-raising chase scenes, too many mindless escapes, and too few sensible lines uttered by pretty faces.","Product: VHS TAPE.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: We'll Always Have Paris\n\nReview: For we English majors, Paris in 1926 is like Woodstock 1969. The cerebral high jinks of the period are familiar. The Dada movement, which is a self-parody of European artiness, has a cameo during a surrealistic funeral of the movie's cad. Hemingway and Gertrude Stein are also parodied. The literary icons are not treated well. Hemingway is a failure with two Parisian painted ladies and Stein comes off as a bully and a boxing fan, which is ridiculous.\n\nI'm reading the life of Scott Fitzgerald now and I must admit that this fellow met everyone in Paris and New York with his mad wife in tow. I wish someone would do a film about Scott and Zelda. This wistfulness to experience the lives of the Celebes of an artistic and sociological watershed is the stuff dreams are made of.\n\nThe Moderns is really a forged masterpiece scam movie. It is handled deftly, but we are not there for the crime and it's amusing consequences. Art critics are satirized as pompous know it alls, which is always satisfying. Tom Wolfe has already written books about modern art and architecture, which describes the fraud in art's periphery. This film handles that well I think.\n\nThe problem with a bad movie: bad acting and a bad script, can harm a film, but not enough for aficionados such as myself, to abandon Paris in 1926.","Product: With the runaway international acclaim of this film, Taiwanese director Edward Yang could no longer be called Asian cinemas best-kept secret. Yi Yi swiftly follows a middle-class family in Taipei over the course of one year, beginning with a wedding and ending with a funeral. Whether chronicling middle-aged father NJs tenuous flirtations with an old flame or precocious young son Yang-Yangs attempts at capturing reality with his beloved camera, Yang imbues every gorgeous frame with a deft, humane clarity. Warm, sprawling, and dazzling, this intimate epic is one of the undisputed masterworks of the new century.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: kicking little men and screechy women\n\nReview: I'm not going to try to get all the characters names right in Yi Yi. And there are a lot of characters, an extended family and various lovers and children. Taiwan is a modern, impressive city, a place rarely seen on American television or film. I might be looking at Manhattan rather than Taipei. The computer engineer's family, the wife with spiritual emptiness, the teen daughter involved in her first serious sexual activity, the grandmother on life support, and the eight-year old son teased to exhaustion by little girls, they live in a high-rise condominium over a raised superhighway. Then there's the ner-do-well brother-in-law, so superstitious that he marries his pregnant wife only on a Chinese lucky day. His old girlfriend shows up at the wedding to raise hell. She returns at the babies Chinese confirmation for more of the same. A fight breaks out, kicking little men and screechy women.\n\nOur engineer had walked away from a young love, and while wife is with the monks, he renews the relationship on a business trip to Tokyo. He is in love. So is she, but, I can't tell you what happens without giving away this poignant part of the plot. Engineer's daughter is having a rather unusual fling as well. I've left out a ton of information as this film was close to three hours long, but watch the beautiful cinematography of Edward Yang, and his brilliant pacing. One thinks it is real life.","Product: Sometimes, to follow your dreamsyou've go to bend the rules! Audiences and critics alike are cheering wildly for this \"exhilaratingterrific comedy\" (Entertainment Weekly) about a young girl who is torn between adhering to family traditions and attaining super-stardom on the soccer field. Hailed as the year's must-see crowd pleaser that \"makes you feel good and laugh out loud\" (Chicago Sun-Times), \"Bend It Like Beckham\" scores! (Time Magazine)\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Four Problems for Starters\n\nReview: Well, let me go the other way on some of the more worshipful reviews. If you want an age appropriate film for mid-teens then try New Waterford Girl, 1999. There's a teen girl buddy story that tackles some tricky problems with wit and script.\n\nProblem 1: The happy talk about the ethnic differences and PC drivel about the immigrants that have swarmed into England for a better life, especially the Muslims, this is a bitter pill to swallow after the 2005 bombings of innocents in London. To be fair, Parmider Nagra's family is a discriminated upon group of folks with turbans, the Sikh's. They are non-Muslims in secular white England. You can't happy talk folks into being more tolerant. Sorry, you can't.\n\nProblem 2: The sports action scenes are so predictable. They go on and on for half the movie. Nagra overcomes all obstacles and scores the winning goal. No kidding! I didn't see that one coming.\n\nProblem 3: Neither Nagra or her bosom bud, Keira Knightley look like first class athletes. They are either too short or too skinny. They look better with teased up hair and disco outfits dancing for their skinny ex-soccer prodigy, their coach.\n\nProblem 4: I like ethnic comedies; My Big Fat Greek Wedding comes to mind. But at this point, the generation gap between old country dopes and their offspring in modern Western civilization is tiring. Hey, if your old ways and old country were so great, why don't you go back there? I'll tell you why, because there is no opportunity where you came from and people live in dirt. No, we wouldn't want to be like those Westerners, would we?\n\nBeckman, now he's a real product of Old England, fierce, determined, and a product of meritocracy, not dimwitted old ways.","Product: From Academy Awad Nominee Jim Sheridan comes this deeply personal and poignant tale of a poor Irish family searching for a better life In America. Through the eyes of their spunky daughters, two anguished parents find hope and the ability to once again believe in love and magiceven amidst the dangers of New York's harrowing Hell's Kitchen. With mesmerizing performances by Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou, In America is \"a classic\" (USA Today) you won't ever forget.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Bawl Your Eyes Out\n\nReview: I watched In America with two savvy co-eds jaded by Kill Bill movies and Hollywood special effects. So I got them to watch this movie and when it was all over they were bawling their eyes out for at least an hour. This movie is very touching. It's told with a terrific script. The minor characters are bigger than life, New York low life types, very believable. The family of Irish illegals live in a horrible ruin of an apartment because the Paddy Considine can't find work as an actor, so his wife, Samantha Morton, of the short haircut, takes up the slack by waitressing. The story is told through the eyes of the oldest sister, Christy, so we have a narrator that sees the world innocently. This gives the film a fable quality, like any of this could happen in NYC, but the viewer wants the love of family and the resolution of a family tragedy to be true. I'm going to cry.","Product: Starring Uma Thurman (THE AVENGERS, PULP FICTION), Gerard Depardieu (THE CLOSET), and Tim Roth (ROB ROY), VATEL is based on the true story of an ordinary man, a decadent king, and the woman caught between them! In the west of France, Prince de Conde has a scheme to save his bankrupt province: he'll regain the favor of King Louis XIV with a weekend of spectacle and merriment. The plan's success rests with Vatel (Depardieu), the one man who can deliver sumptuous food, elaborate amusements, and all-out decadence fit for this king. But in the midst of it all, Vatel catches the eye of the beautiful Anne (Thurman) ... and places himself in direct competition with the King! Visually stunning and grandly entertaining, it's a motion picture you must see to believe!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Gerard Depardieu is Brilliant\n\nReview: Vatel, perhaps a weak title to a spectacular film; it recreates the excesses of the French court in its pre-off-with-their-heads-phase. In order to escape bankruptcy, the gout afflicted Viscount must entertain the King so sumptuously and so entreatingly, that the King may commission a war with Holland, thereby paying the Viscount's debts. To keep the King and his courtiers entertained, it was no small thing, so the entire countryside is enlisted in the feasts and entertainment. None will be paid unless the banquets are a success. Louis' entourage of Queen, mistresses, and waggish cavaliers run riot through the festivities. The fete is essentially an Olympic opening parade that goes on for three days in dazzling costume orchestrated by one great artist, the Viscount's steward, Vatel.\n\nVatel orchestrates the extravaganzas and falls for Uma Thurman, the King's new mistress. She is not yet the jaded courtesan and sees greatness in Vatel's can-do veneer. Indeed, Vatel is a man of integrity, denying the King's pedophile brother a young kitchen boy at the risk of his life. Vatel swats away meddling noblemen and women for the entire feast while making love to Thurman, star-crossed lovers though they are. Gerard Depardieu is brilliant even with his modest grasp of English.","Product: Riveting in his intensity, Ben Kingsley delivers \"his best performance ever\" (Premiere Magazine) in this high-voltage crime thriller that crackles with chilling style and wit. A savage gangstere name Don Logan (Kingsley) is met with resistance when he tries to recruit a retired pal (Ray Winstone) for \"one last job.\" But Logan just won't take no for an answer...\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not Belivable but Posh\n\nReview: Yeah, Ben Kingsley is menacing, but personally, I'd have punched his muscled-up Gandhi face early on if I were Ray Winstone.\n\nWinstone is a retired gangster living with his ex-porn star wife and a few ex-gangster friends in a villa in Spain. Life is good, but then the feared ex-partner, Kingsley shows up to insult everybody and generally ruffle feathers, the ultimate party pooper. Okay, okay, Winstone will help with the heist after a disagreement, a serious disagreement. Back in London, Teddy, played by Deadwood's leering Ian McShane has created a plan to steal from a high security vault a gazillion pounds. The team dives into the most unlikely underwater heist scheme ever devised.\n\nIt's all very posh and not very believable, but quite entertaining.","Product: During the mid-'70s, gifted 15-year-old Mooney Pottie dreams of life beyond the confines of her small coal-mining town of New Waterford on the island of Cape Breton, but things only begin to look up when Lou, a fun-loving teen from New York, moves in next door.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Teen Girls Will Love It\n\nReview: Quirky provincials Canadian style highlight New Waterford Girl. Apparently the southern United States has been spared the you-alls and we get Cape Breton brogues to make fun of. Liane Balaban, Mooney is smarter than her neighbors and family. She yearns to get out of the desolate coastal mining town she wanders in a daze.\n\n It is hard to date this pictures' era, but I'm guessing, because all the cars look like rusted late 60's, the boy's hair-do's are over the ears, and because the music played at the local teen beer bash are from 8-tracks, Mooney and her new girlfriend from the States, Tara Spencer-Naim, are living in late 70's, maybe early 80's.\n\n Quirkiness requires exaggeration. Moony's dad has a funeral and a wedding together to save money. Moony is told by her family to forget her dreams and be like them, accepting of small town life. Tara comes into Mooney's world and they go on a drinking, boy kissing, cad-bashing spree. Are any of the convolutions of this plot realistic? No, but we do sympathize with Moony's desire to get to New York City. This is a sweet movie with some cursing, and teen girls will love it.","Product: Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay, this magical comedy earned overwhelming acclaim nationwide! A painfully shy waitress working at a tiny Paris cafe, Amlie makes a surprising discovery and sees her life drastically changed for the better! From then on, Amlie dedicates herself to helping others find happiness ... in the most delightfully unexpected way! But will she have the courage to do for herself what she has done for others?\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: I'm Too Cynical For This One\n\nReview: Amelie is so French. Paris is so beautiful. Is it really that lovely? I don't think Goddard thought it was. The great French director, Renoir, well he saw the disastrous 30's as a parable of misery. And I was dodging Paris con men and not dodging prostitutes in the early 70's, but Amelie will have none of that cynicism. No Socialist French nightmare of unbelievable unemployment and crappy free, healthcare for the young woman, Amelie. She's in a fantasy world.\n\nI loved the warm colors of 19th century painter Renoir. This is a movie that is a canvas-a-scene. The dialogue is quirky; the scenes go by fade in, fade out, little odd twists and turns. Fantasy animation scenes intermingle with romantic notions. Love wins out for most while the foolish and mean come to see their way. If only...","Product: dvd\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: The Stuff Dreams are Made Of\n\nReview: Hollywood is a place of fantasy, a composite of all our American dreams. Sure, I read Schulberg's, What Makes Sammy Run. That one covered the first golden age of American Film. The second golden age happened because a young Jewish businessman from New York ran into silent film legend Norma Shearer at a Beverley Hills hotel, and then was propelled into acting. He played the Spanish matador in The Sun Also Rises, a film based on Ernest Hemingway's book. This led to a minor film career that went poof in the fifties, so the young man bought rights to a few novels for peanuts: you know, The Godfather, Love Story, Marathon Man, and Serpico. The next thing he knew, he was running Paramount Pictures and dating every beautiful woman in California. He also discovered cocaine in the 80's and at the same time, a distant association with a murdered producer tarnished his image, so that he couldn't work in this town again. Then he got his job back and made more pictures. This all happened to Robert Evans. The 1994 documentary is really a home movie with Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson, ex-wife, Allie McGraw, and a supporting cast of thousands. I wonder what he's doing now?","Product: Tully Coates Jr. (Anson Mount), with his good looks and chiseled body is the local heartthrob. While he has a new girlfriend virtually every night, he's incapable of getting close to anyone. His younger brother Earl is the shy and sensitive type. The only\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Better than the Title\n\nReview: Sometimes movie titles (Tully) are weaker than the movies. This story line of mid-western farm people from a vague time period, I'm guessing the late 1980's or mid-90's, is well developed. We care about young stud Tully,his dorky brother, and weather beaten dad. The farm is in danger from a mysterious debt and Tully is gradually falling for the freckled good-girl neighbor back from vet school. These are people that work. How many movies are about real people that work? No detectives or super-models here, no; these are rural folks that honky-tonk on a Saturday night and swim in the local water hole with their girlfriends, or make love down a lonely road on top of the hood of a 82 Cadillac. I cared about the characters.","Product: Item is brand new, in sealed factory packaging. Always stored in a smoke-free, animal-free home. Ships from Arizona to U.S. addresses only.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Raven Never More\n\nReview: There is one thing that the French do better than almost any country, they produce first class cinema. Le Corbeau (The Raven) is no exception. Director Henri-Georges Clouzot makes a fine film from a popular novel about real poison pen strife in Tulane France during Vichy France in the early 40's.\n\nThe first thing an American would notice about the film, there are references, nay, there are actual scenes of passion and sex, clothed, but obvious between Pierre Fresnay of the pencil mustache and Ginette Leclerc of the lacquered lips in a 1943 film. It's subdued, and the biting of the hand scene is a little pulpy, but these folks want to do it. Americans would have to wait for Bogart and Bacall before they got some steam.\n\nSince the Nazi's were essentially in control of France at the time, they thought an anti-informant film a bad idea. They hated it, but the French audience's ground down by what was essentially a military defeat and then an occupation, were thrilled by the tension and mystery of Le Corbeau. There are many secrets about the townspeople that complicate life in this tense little town until the culprit has a comeuppance. There are a number of classic original scenes like the light bulb scene or the avenging angel scene. This one holds up very well.","Product: Academy Award(R) winner for Best Foreign Language Film in 2003, THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS is a provocative look at the many ties that bind a group of friends and lovers. It's not easy for a narrow-minded professor (Rmy Girard) to reconcile with his equally stubborn son. But soon, father and son find themselves gathering with their wide and colorful circle of family and friends to confront their differences, confess their secrets, and celebrate life! Winner of the Best Actress (Marie-Jose Croze) and Best Screenplay awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival -- critics everywhere hailed this outstanding motion picture as one of the year's best!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Who are the Barbarians?\n\nReview: The European style Medicare system, the fair medical practice, free for all good Canadians fostered upon liberal society, it kills patients' everyday. If you learn nothing else from The Invasion of Barbarians, you will learn that Liberalism, Socialism, and Communism in every form destroy society, killing the innocent, transforming the naive into the corrupt. Am I wrong? Isn't this the lesson we learn from our dying Liberal Social Studies Professor, Remy?\n\nPoor Remy, he's as liberal as his young piers at Berkley; yet they have won the Socialist beauty prize, The Pulitzer. He's a Canadian, so no wonder those statues go to Americans. Those ugly Americans down there take everything from the poor French speaking Quebecians. Nevertheless, if you want a brain scan on demand, cross the St Lawrence because it ain't gonna happen in the new Canada of diversity.\n\nRemy is a child of the 60's and as an academic propagandizing to empty-headed freshmen, he like his piers hate George Bush. That is too easy to exploit for a Righty like myself. I have always understood the Liberal Elite to be contemptuous of anyone that disagrees with the geniuses of Socialism. And Remy's Liberal pals rain down Al Gore platitudes and disdain for America, those pesky, over-fed capitalists. Remy's elitist pals tell randy stories of ribald action amidst their class, the class of divorce and infidelity. They offer lovely bromides right out of a swanky yuppie magazine. Their children, well, they could turn out as genius commodity millionaires like Remy's son Sebastian, or they could be heroin addicts like cropped-hair Natalie.\n\nI can't help but wonder if the Barbarians the director lambastes may be his own political caste.","Product: Good girl Mary (Jena Malone) and her best friend Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) are at the top of the food chain at American Eagle Christian High School. But all that is about to change in this \"subversively funny\" (USA Today) teen comedy about hype, hypocrisy and high school. Also starring Macaulay Culkin and Patrick Fugit, Saved! is \"a boldly hilarious satire\" (Rolling Stone)!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Yes, Some Christians Go Bonkers but...\n\nReview: Hilary Faye is role made for Mandy Moore, the perfect prom queen. I believe she's done that one before and in this case her persona is less than flattering. Brian Dannelly writes and directs what could only be a personal statement of which he must know a great deal. Or does he? The Evangelical Movement in America ebbs and flows for 100's of years. It has found fertile ground especially in the South and West, but really everywhere there's a group of folks that want to worship Jesus. There's nothing like it in Europe and other continents. It must thrive in a place of respected Religious Freedom.\n\nI have observed first hand the parishioners and churches in my locality. For the most part, the service relates the travails of Jesus, his life and times, and the universal message, redemption from sin, original or less consequential by acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. Our little Jesus High School gives the otherwise noncommittal an opportunity to check out those funny nut cases and their rabid Mandy Moore church dictator and her zombie friends. Then Jena Malone tries to prove her boyfriend is straight by fornicating and it's downhill from there. When Parker Posey plays mom and Martin Donavan plays the Minister then the series Weeds cannot be far away. Oh, that perfect Liberal worldview in the grand finale, see for yourself if I'm kidding.","Product: Laura Linney and Topher Grace shine in this bittersweet tale of losing love and finding it again. When divorced, thirty-something Columbia University admissions officer Louise Harrington meets one of the school's young applicants, she is floored by his uncanny resemblance to her deceased high school sweetheart - and haunted by the notion that he may be her love reincarnated.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Topher Grace Gets Lucky\n\nReview: There are so few examples of real lust and other adult stuff going on in 9000 R rated films in the last 30 years. In PS, 39 year-old Laura Linney practically throws young Topher Grace on her couch. She is absolutely licking her chops since Grace looks, indeed has the same name, as her teen love. Teen love had been killed in a car accident. He had loved both Linney and Linney's best friend, Marcia Gay. Anyhow, Grace's twenty year-old personality and looks resembles the dead lover, so Linney thinks he's a gift from heaven. Her life with an ex-husband had been less than satisfying. Yes, she's got a descent job at Columbia, but she's not having sex with anyone for years; hence, Topher Grace not only gets lucky, he gets involved in a weird and wonderful love situation.\n\nPS, Dylan Kid made an even better film for adults called Rodger Dodger. Check that one out. It's a classic. God, I love films for adults without the X.","Product: John Clasky (Adam Sandler) is a devoted dad whose skills as a chef have afforded his family (Ta Leoni, Cloris Leachman) a very upscale life, including a summer home in Malibu and a breathtaking new housekeeper, Flor (Paz Vega), who has recently immigrated to L.A. from Mexico, and is trying to finda better life for her remarkable daughter, Cristina (Shelbie Bruce), who is rapidly embracing the American way of life. When Flor and Cristina move in with the Claskys for the summer, Flor has to fight for her daughter's soul as she discovers that life in a new country is perilous...especially when you're being embraced by an affluent, eccentric American family!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Tia and Cloris Steal Film\n\nReview: This is a sweet film, not exactly realistic; everyone seems to be a little too much on type. Now I did not say everyone was stereotyped, just actors playing a type. Cloris Leachman is the drunken mother ignored by her striving, seemingly perfect daughter, Tea Leoni. Adam Sandler plays, er Adam Sandler, a successful, quirky, restrained Jewish guy. Paz Vega is smart, wise, Mexican, immigrant, and poor housekeeper to Sandler's two kids and cloying, controlling wife. Flour has a daughter out of wedlock (How did that happen to such a wise woman?)and then takes the unhappy rich family under her wings as much as the language barrier will bear. That is it. Sandler is unhappy with narcissistic Leoni and well he should be. He pouts and grovels. Gradually he comes to appreciate Vega as the counterpoint to his neurotic wife.\n\nI commend Sandler's attempt to move on from his dopey caricature, his screwball, gross-out roles. I am thinking of the underrated, Punch Drunk Love, when I say he's going adult in comedy or drama situations. Keep trying Adam. Someday you will be real.","Product: FUNNY HA HA - DVD Movie\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Soup Bowl of Ironies\n\nReview: I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Funny Ha Ha is an important film, maybe a pivotal film showing a new direction for filmmakers, maybe not filmmakers, but digital filmmakers. Sure, made with 16 mm, but really, Andrew Bujalski, director and actor, could have filmed for far less money with a digital camera. For those of us writing our own stuff and lining up our amateur actors, Funny Ha Ha is a wild success.\n\nA nerds dream, Kate Dollenmayer, not so pretty that the good lookin' guys whisk her away, but quirky, and cute enough for the nerds to go bananas. As a twenty-three year-old ex-college student, she is bored out of her mind by paper shuffling jobs and a social whirl that is not unlike dorm life, but more urban trendy in a run down apartment way. Ah, how we remember all those crash pads of yore. Nothing has changed since the sixties. Kate drinks too much, wanders around in a daze too much, and is in love with a guy as dazed and unsure as she. She could have sex anytime with anyone to relieve tension, but has sex not at all. A couple of kisses with a boy here and there are as much as our slackers will chance. I got a kick out of the Russian Scholar Woman's interpretation of Marnie's lifestyle in the commentary feature. She claims that two-hundred years ago falling in love was dangerous. Either you got married, had a family, or you killed yourself. Today, these slackers of the last half century take no risk in love. They merely move in circular social sets defined by their lack of articulation. No one ever says I love you aloud seriously. Every dude and dudette subsists in a soup bowl of ironies.","Product: As the extremely withdrawn Don Johnston is dumped by his latest woman, he receives an anonymous letter from a former lover informing him that he has a son who may be looking for him. A freelance sleuth neighbor moves Don to embark on a cross-country search for his old flames in search of answers.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: For IQ's Over 120\n\nReview: I gave a thumbs up for all reviews both hating and loving. The truth is, this film is good awful.\n\nBill Murray takes his Lost in Translation, emotion dead character to further extremes. It's almost like watching the Weekend with Bernie, dead guy, visiting his four ex's of a certain time to find out which one sent the letter telling about a son he has sired twenty years before. Don Johnston is sort of a Don Juan, but we never see his talents as a Romeo, but rather, we see the results.\n\nGo ahead; suddenly show up at an ex-lover's door twenty years after the fact. What's their reaction? Sharon Stone jumps back into bed with him. Her daughter is Lolita. Then he visits the Real Estate woman. Are the pearls she's wearing the one's he gave her? Julie Deloy plays it deliciously restrained; yet, she is very attractive for a middle-age gal. Her husband is a silver-fox fake. Then there's the pet whisperer. She's a bitch. Then there's the biker girl with a real bad attitude, but watch out for her boyfriends.\n\nYes, there's too many shots of Murray just sitting there, but there are also true shots of kitch Americana. You must have an IQ over 120 to view this material.","Product: Young VietNam vet stumbles upon remnants of a drug deal gone bad in W. Texas 1980 -- he's hunted by two vicious assassins who want t he money back.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Coen's Have Jumped the Shark, Awful!\n\nReview: I really think that without Big Studio guidance, or even the old Hays Office, Hollywood filmmaking has deteriorated badly. I'm all for freedom, but films are collaborative affairs with huge budgets and when the artiste runs the show, we get disaster after disaster. Now the Coen's have jumped the shark.\n\nLook, I liked the Josh Brolin character, gritty, poor, but resourceful when he finds the money in the midst of a bad drug deal. But just because you're in old Indian country on the Mexican border, it doesn't mean that there's no human compassion out there. All the existential, it don't matter anymore crap, the cheap killing and philosophizing before execution, all of that has no artistic merit unless someone believes in something. I don't care if it's God or Marx, we can't relate unless it touches our heart.\n\nFinally, okay, A Fist Full of Dollars kind of adventure, gritty and the good-guy shoots the bad guys, you won't get that here. The good-guys just retire and mumble something about the good old days when dudes get shot on a porch or something. Awful!","Product: Young VietNam vet stumbles upon remnants of a drug deal gone bad in W. Texas 1980 -- he's hunted by two vicious assassins who want t he money back.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Coen's Have Jumped the Shark, Awful!\n\nReview: I really think that without Big Studio guidance, or even the old Hays Office, Hollywood filmmaking has deteriorated badly. I'm all for freedom, but films are collaborative affairs with huge budgets and when the artiste runs the show, we get disaster after disaster. Now the Coen's have jumped the shark.\n\nLook, I liked the Josh Brolin character, gritty, poor, but resourceful when he finds the money in the midst of a bad drug deal. But just because you're in old Indian country on the Mexican border, it doesn't mean that there's no human compassion out there. All the existential, it don't matter anymore crap, the cheap killing and philosophizing before execution, all of that has no artistic merit unless someone believes in something. I don't care if it's God or Marx, we can't relate unless it touches our heart.\n\nFinally, okay, A Fist Full of Dollars kind of adventure, gritty and the good-guy shoots the bad guys, you won't get that here. The good-guys just retire and mumble something about the good old days when dudes get shot on a porch or something. Awful!","Product: Morrie's (Matthew Perry) life is unraveling. As his family's antics infuriate his boss and neighbor, Morrie's dreams of success are quickly destroyed. Morrie gets a wake-up call and he comes to realize that the people who really care for him will stand by his side no matter what.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Downhill After the Titles\n\nReview: The title is the best thing about this stinker. Sounds like a new age novelist dispensing second rate wisdom. And what we get is third rate wisdom. Poor Matthew Perry must raise his young siblings after dad offs himself and mom konks out. Sis, Ginnifer Goodwin, is a you know what and Ben Foster wanders around like a dazed holy man. The mentally ill are supposed to be smarter than us in these films. Send the local DPA more of your tax money because these losers need to be locked up for sure. They're nuts.\n\nThe scene of liberation where Matt Perry has to do something really awful to his daffy neighbors lawn, jeech, embarrassing, awful, so uncool. Couldn't he just poison the dog?","Product: United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Making Of, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: If you know the British filmmaker Mike Leigh's work - early and later titles like \"Bleak Moments,\" \"Naked\" and \"Vera Drake\" - you may find yourself watching his most recent movie, \"Happy-Go-Lucky,\" with mounting unease, a tinge of dread. Despite the extraordinary human parade that has passed in front of his lens, laughing and raging, yearning for love and asking for cuddles, Mr. Leigh has never been an artist for whom happy (word or idea) has been an easy fit. Life is sweet, as the title of another of his films puts it with a heart-swelling yes, but it's also an eternal fight against doom and gloom, the soul-crushing no. The push and pull between yes and no animates all of his work, investing it with narrative tension and a sense of artistic purpose that is, whether overtly articulated or not, also insistently, vigorously left-leaning. The hard-working and often besieged characters who populate his stories live in worlds partly defined, if not wholly circumscribed, by ideology and the state. Nobody mounts a soapbox or whistles \"The Internationale\" in \"Happy-Go-Lucky,\" but the film is so closely tuned to the pulse of communal life, to the rhythms of how people work, play and struggle together, it captures the larger picture along with the smaller. Like Poppy, the bright focus of this expansive, moving film, Mr. Leigh isn't one to go it alone. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Berlin International Film Festival, British Independent Film Awards, European Film Awards, ...Happy-Go-Lucky ( Happy Go Lucky )\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Should Have Bought a New Bike\n\nReview: Well, Poppy's bright personality put me off at first. It's relentlessly, ah, happy-go-lucky. She's perceptive. She's a pretty neat teacher. The film is an advertisement for the Teachers Unions I think. Bully in the schoolyard: she'll get the social worker on the job, mate. On the other hand, she's a thirty-year-old single lady with time on her hands, as her gal pals are dressing up for dance night or Flamingo lessons. There's a very funny moment in that dance lesson, but you'll see for yourself.\n\nAnyhow, Poppy grows on you. Her nemesis, the gruff, angry, Scott, the driving instructor with a mother complex and bad teeth, well, there's really uncomfortable moments for drama in a slice of life Brit comedy. It also should be noted: if you're used to fast cutting, quick action angles, this one develops slowly, sort of as if it were a BBC sitcom.","Product: One of the all-time great comedy classics, René Clair's À Nous la Liberté is a skillful satire of the industrial revolution and the blind quest for wealth. Deftly integrating his signature musical-comedy technique with pointed social criticism, Clair tells the story of an escaped convict who becomes a wealthy industrialist. Unfortunately his past returns to upset his carefully laid plans. Featuring lighthearted wit, tremendous visual innovation, and masterful manipulation of sound, À Nous la Liberté is both a potent indictment of mechanized modern society and an uproarious comic delight.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: An Early Talkie Comedy\n\nReview: It's obvious Clair is a Charles Chaplain fan. Movies had come out of their infancy with Chaplain as the comedy pioneer. Today critics are not as enamored with the little tramp as the critics from the Twenties and Thirties, but Rene Clair makes the most of slapstick comedy or should I say he subdues it just enough to find his own signature.\n\nClearly, the new talkies confused comedy directors. A Nous la Liberte, the story of two escaped French convicts, was conceived as a silent film. Then music, songs and spare dialogue were inserted tentatively. The actors, Raymond Cordy as the nuevo rich industrialist and Henri Marchard as the Chaplain like tramp speak sparingly, but they do gesture as silent film actors.\n\nMuch has been discussed about Chaplain's supposed rip off. City Lights was made five years later and Chaplain and all his production people swore they never saw the French film. Clair himself declared his admiration for Chaplain, his delight that his master would use Clair's material. So this is a bit confusing. The scenes of industrial automation, assembly line inhumanity, were indeed similar in both films. The 20th Century factory was a discussion of that time. Was it dehumanizing or did it provide a better life than the idealized farm memory of the fading 19th Century? Are these films declarations for 1930's Socialism or Fascism? Personally, knowing the politics of Chaplain at least, we can see that the intellectuals preferred Socialism."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Ben Stiller (directing his first feature film) star in this wildly romantic comedy that looks at life, love and the pursuit of gainful employment through the eyes of a generation sandwiched somewhere between The Brady Bunch and Melrose Place! As her college valedictorian, Lelaina Pierce (Ryder) should be destined for greatness. In reality she is a lowly production assistant for an obnoxious TV morning show host (John Mahoney). In her free time, Lelaina is making a biting, often outrageous video documentary about her peers: promiscuous, '70's-crazed roommate Vickie (Janeane Garafalo), sexually repressed Sammy (Steve Zahn) and best friend Troy (Hawke), a brilliant but unmotivated rebel. Meanwhile, Lelaina meets Michael (Stiller), an ambitious video executive who wants to showcase her documentary on \\\"In Your Face TV.\\\" Suddenly, she finds herself at the center of a very odd love triangle with dependable, fast-track Michael on the one side and a sexy, brooding Troy on the other.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Almost as Good as Funny Ha Ha\\n\\nReview: This film reminds me why I like Winona Ryder so much. She lights up the screen, really she carries the story though the cast was good, a real group of generation X'ers before they end up making babies and paying mortgages. I thought the generation thing floundered a bit. I guess young Ben Stiller gave this one his all; my god, his Hollywood family gave him a chance to do a thirty or forty million-dollar film. It's certainly better than the 80's saga St Elmo's Fire, and it's far better than any Robbie Benson film from the 70's.\\n\\nRyder and handsome Ethan Hawke are pretty believable, but they don't seem like Texans to me, Houston? Get out of here. They live more like University of Pennsylvania pretend slackers. Ben Stiller cannot play it straight, so he does muck-it-up, which makes it easy for Ryder and the audience to not care whether he feels anything about this girl-woman.\\n\\nA much better film, really a classic that was surely influenced by this flick was Funny Ha Ha. Shot in 16 mm, it's making its way around college campuses. Believe me. It cost a lot less and it's just as satisfying.\\n\\nPS I can't stand Janeane Garofalo's politics, but she's good in the slacker chick works at The Gap role.\",\n \"Product: OUT OF PRINT\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Young Chick Flick\\n\\nReview: Sam Waterston plays a father that is a dying breed. He actually disciplines his 1957 teen daughters with the strap if necessary. And he'll decide if it's necessary. Not that dad isn't a softy inside for his daughters; he is. Loving your young daughters is sweet and The Man In the Moon captures these timeless moments and delivers a nice coming of age film with 14 year-old Reese Witherspoon showing some early sass.\\n\\nBeing alone with a handsome neighbor at the old watering hole can make a young girl's heart flutter. She may take chances. Older sister Maureen is taking some chances too of a more adult kind. The town is a white version of 50's Southern shtick, and we wished we could see more of the folks that inhabit this Louisiana backwater, but the film mainly stays focused on the melodrama of mom's pregnancy, the dad's anger around the boyfriends, and the girl's single-minded yearnings for true love.\\n\\nI recommend, a chick flick, but your boyfriend will have a tear in his eye and a hand up your blouse.\",\n \"Product: Oscar-winning cinematography and a deftly woven script turn the simple story of an American writer (Joseph Cotten) who travels to Vienna to meet his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) into a haunting noir masterpiece. 1949, b&w, 100 min.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Coo Coo Clock Perfect\\n\\nReview: Orsen Welles wrote his coo coo clock speech for the Ferris wheel scene. That's the one everyone remembers, but in truth Graham Greene, a wry British post-modern wrote the screenplay. He had Kim Colby, Stalin's, suave foreign office spy in mind. Carol Reed directed a very Citizen Kane like film in the ruins of 1946 Austria. Everyone will recognize the unusual film angles, scene cuts, and black and white shadows as Orwellian. However, I'm taking nothing away from Reed. This film is as good a European Film Noir as you'll find. The film glides effortlessly till the ending in the sewers under Vienna.\\n\\nCotton plays the naive American that arrives in Vienna to take up a job with a flamboyant, immoral, schoolboy friend, Harry Lime (Welles). However, Harry Lime in reality is running a black market scheme in stolen penicillin, which results in the death of hundreds of innocents. Cotton learns Harry has been killed in a suspicious car crash. Cotton then runs into Trevor Howard, a British Military, Lime's girlfriend, actress Alida Valli, and assorted suspicious characters. Nothing is what it seems and Cotton is soon involved in international intrigue. A mandolin plays in the background and it's very unsettling.\\n\\nFilms about the gray area between good and evil and the unintentional foolishness of do-gooders are not easy to complete without created cardboard characters, but there's no need to fear for The Third Man is damn near perfect, one of the best films ever made.\",\n \"Product: vintage 80s movie valley girl when nick cage was still sane\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Grotty to the Max\\n\\nReview: I'm writing a novel about young people and heard \\\"Valley Girl\\\" was the classic of its type. Made in 1983 with Nick Gage and Deb Foreman, I had hopes that the silly \\\"Valley Talk\\\" would entertain. I was wrong. This is a trite soft-porn movie. If your kid watches this movie, they'll be scarred for life. I recommend this one for desperate men that dig Internet teen-porn. Cage is sort-of-Elvis like as a bad-boy punk. He meets non-grody to the max Deb Foreman and a good girl-bad boy crush begins. The beach scene has bikinis and young bods, but then the camera shows teenager Cage in swim trunks. My gal and I started laughing. Cage has a V-shaped bush of hair on his upper chest that looks like it was from the Planet of the Apes wardrobe room. Notice that all actors shave their chest these days, but I guess body hair was in in 83. Thank goodness for director John Hughes. Later in the 80's, he showed Hollywood how to give real character and motivation to young people. Rent \\\"Pretty in Pink\\\" and pass on \\\"Valley Girls.\\\"\",\n \"Product: VHS TAPE\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Mindless Video Game Chases\\n\\nReview: 2016 is only ten years from now and The Island is packed with visuals of technology that probably won't be available for at least a hundred years. A small point I know, but the expense of rail lines that float on air and gigantic towers, skyscrapers that are really underground in an old missile silo, well, I didn't believe it.\\n\\nThe Island did poorly in the theatres. The huge cost of the special effects were not recouped and Michael Bay of the low-brow visual extravaganzas like Pearl Harbor lays an egg with an overly long tale of cloning for human harvest. Ewan McGregor and Scarlet Johansson are nice to look at though they have little to work with. The reason a gal like Scarlet gets film work, her appearance can keep an overwrought production interesting for a scene here and there. I wonder if she has undergone some Hollywood plastic surgery since Lost in Translation because her face and body are beginning to resemble Angelina Jolie.\\n\\nI think the theme of human greed versus humanity is an unusually Conservative idea for Bay, a Hollywood guy. The screenwriter takes a poke at the American President which sounded eerily like the Bush haters of today; yet, this theme is Pro-Life. That's right? Cloning is wrong. Body part harvesting for pay is wrong. I salute the director on this score. Otherwise, there are too many same, same, video game-like, hair-raising chase scenes, too many mindless escapes, and too few sensible lines uttered by pretty faces.\",\n \"Product: VHS TAPE.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: We'll Always Have Paris\\n\\nReview: For we English majors, Paris in 1926 is like Woodstock 1969. The cerebral high jinks of the period are familiar. The Dada movement, which is a self-parody of European artiness, has a cameo during a surrealistic funeral of the movie's cad. Hemingway and Gertrude Stein are also parodied. The literary icons are not treated well. Hemingway is a failure with two Parisian painted ladies and Stein comes off as a bully and a boxing fan, which is ridiculous.\\n\\nI'm reading the life of Scott Fitzgerald now and I must admit that this fellow met everyone in Paris and New York with his mad wife in tow. I wish someone would do a film about Scott and Zelda. This wistfulness to experience the lives of the Celebes of an artistic and sociological watershed is the stuff dreams are made of.\\n\\nThe Moderns is really a forged masterpiece scam movie. It is handled deftly, but we are not there for the crime and it's amusing consequences. Art critics are satirized as pompous know it alls, which is always satisfying. Tom Wolfe has already written books about modern art and architecture, which describes the fraud in art's periphery. This film handles that well I think.\\n\\nThe problem with a bad movie: bad acting and a bad script, can harm a film, but not enough for aficionados such as myself, to abandon Paris in 1926.\",\n \"Product: With the runaway international acclaim of this film, Taiwanese director Edward Yang could no longer be called Asian cinemas best-kept secret. Yi Yi swiftly follows a middle-class family in Taipei over the course of one year, beginning with a wedding and ending with a funeral. Whether chronicling middle-aged father NJs tenuous flirtations with an old flame or precocious young son Yang-Yangs attempts at capturing reality with his beloved camera, Yang imbues every gorgeous frame with a deft, humane clarity. Warm, sprawling, and dazzling, this intimate epic is one of the undisputed masterworks of the new century.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: kicking little men and screechy women\\n\\nReview: I'm not going to try to get all the characters names right in Yi Yi. And there are a lot of characters, an extended family and various lovers and children. Taiwan is a modern, impressive city, a place rarely seen on American television or film. I might be looking at Manhattan rather than Taipei. The computer engineer's family, the wife with spiritual emptiness, the teen daughter involved in her first serious sexual activity, the grandmother on life support, and the eight-year old son teased to exhaustion by little girls, they live in a high-rise condominium over a raised superhighway. Then there's the ner-do-well brother-in-law, so superstitious that he marries his pregnant wife only on a Chinese lucky day. His old girlfriend shows up at the wedding to raise hell. She returns at the babies Chinese confirmation for more of the same. A fight breaks out, kicking little men and screechy women.\\n\\nOur engineer had walked away from a young love, and while wife is with the monks, he renews the relationship on a business trip to Tokyo. He is in love. So is she, but, I can't tell you what happens without giving away this poignant part of the plot. Engineer's daughter is having a rather unusual fling as well. I've left out a ton of information as this film was close to three hours long, but watch the beautiful cinematography of Edward Yang, and his brilliant pacing. One thinks it is real life.\",\n \"Product: Sometimes, to follow your dreamsyou've go to bend the rules! Audiences and critics alike are cheering wildly for this \\\"exhilaratingterrific comedy\\\" (Entertainment Weekly) about a young girl who is torn between adhering to family traditions and attaining super-stardom on the soccer field. Hailed as the year's must-see crowd pleaser that \\\"makes you feel good and laugh out loud\\\" (Chicago Sun-Times), \\\"Bend It Like Beckham\\\" scores! (Time Magazine)\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Four Problems for Starters\\n\\nReview: Well, let me go the other way on some of the more worshipful reviews. If you want an age appropriate film for mid-teens then try New Waterford Girl, 1999. There's a teen girl buddy story that tackles some tricky problems with wit and script.\\n\\nProblem 1: The happy talk about the ethnic differences and PC drivel about the immigrants that have swarmed into England for a better life, especially the Muslims, this is a bitter pill to swallow after the 2005 bombings of innocents in London. To be fair, Parmider Nagra's family is a discriminated upon group of folks with turbans, the Sikh's. They are non-Muslims in secular white England. You can't happy talk folks into being more tolerant. Sorry, you can't.\\n\\nProblem 2: The sports action scenes are so predictable. They go on and on for half the movie. Nagra overcomes all obstacles and scores the winning goal. No kidding! I didn't see that one coming.\\n\\nProblem 3: Neither Nagra or her bosom bud, Keira Knightley look like first class athletes. They are either too short or too skinny. They look better with teased up hair and disco outfits dancing for their skinny ex-soccer prodigy, their coach.\\n\\nProblem 4: I like ethnic comedies; My Big Fat Greek Wedding comes to mind. But at this point, the generation gap between old country dopes and their offspring in modern Western civilization is tiring. Hey, if your old ways and old country were so great, why don't you go back there? I'll tell you why, because there is no opportunity where you came from and people live in dirt. No, we wouldn't want to be like those Westerners, would we?\\n\\nBeckman, now he's a real product of Old England, fierce, determined, and a product of meritocracy, not dimwitted old ways.\",\n \"Product: From Academy Awad Nominee Jim Sheridan comes this deeply personal and poignant tale of a poor Irish family searching for a better life In America. Through the eyes of their spunky daughters, two anguished parents find hope and the ability to once again believe in love and magiceven amidst the dangers of New York's harrowing Hell's Kitchen. With mesmerizing performances by Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou, In America is \\\"a classic\\\" (USA Today) you won't ever forget.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Bawl Your Eyes Out\\n\\nReview: I watched In America with two savvy co-eds jaded by Kill Bill movies and Hollywood special effects. So I got them to watch this movie and when it was all over they were bawling their eyes out for at least an hour. This movie is very touching. It's told with a terrific script. The minor characters are bigger than life, New York low life types, very believable. The family of Irish illegals live in a horrible ruin of an apartment because the Paddy Considine can't find work as an actor, so his wife, Samantha Morton, of the short haircut, takes up the slack by waitressing. The story is told through the eyes of the oldest sister, Christy, so we have a narrator that sees the world innocently. This gives the film a fable quality, like any of this could happen in NYC, but the viewer wants the love of family and the resolution of a family tragedy to be true. I'm going to cry.\",\n \"Product: Starring Uma Thurman (THE AVENGERS, PULP FICTION), Gerard Depardieu (THE CLOSET), and Tim Roth (ROB ROY), VATEL is based on the true story of an ordinary man, a decadent king, and the woman caught between them! In the west of France, Prince de Conde has a scheme to save his bankrupt province: he'll regain the favor of King Louis XIV with a weekend of spectacle and merriment. The plan's success rests with Vatel (Depardieu), the one man who can deliver sumptuous food, elaborate amusements, and all-out decadence fit for this king. But in the midst of it all, Vatel catches the eye of the beautiful Anne (Thurman) ... and places himself in direct competition with the King! Visually stunning and grandly entertaining, it's a motion picture you must see to believe!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Gerard Depardieu is Brilliant\\n\\nReview: Vatel, perhaps a weak title to a spectacular film; it recreates the excesses of the French court in its pre-off-with-their-heads-phase. In order to escape bankruptcy, the gout afflicted Viscount must entertain the King so sumptuously and so entreatingly, that the King may commission a war with Holland, thereby paying the Viscount's debts. To keep the King and his courtiers entertained, it was no small thing, so the entire countryside is enlisted in the feasts and entertainment. None will be paid unless the banquets are a success. Louis' entourage of Queen, mistresses, and waggish cavaliers run riot through the festivities. The fete is essentially an Olympic opening parade that goes on for three days in dazzling costume orchestrated by one great artist, the Viscount's steward, Vatel.\\n\\nVatel orchestrates the extravaganzas and falls for Uma Thurman, the King's new mistress. She is not yet the jaded courtesan and sees greatness in Vatel's can-do veneer. Indeed, Vatel is a man of integrity, denying the King's pedophile brother a young kitchen boy at the risk of his life. Vatel swats away meddling noblemen and women for the entire feast while making love to Thurman, star-crossed lovers though they are. Gerard Depardieu is brilliant even with his modest grasp of English.\",\n \"Product: Riveting in his intensity, Ben Kingsley delivers \\\"his best performance ever\\\" (Premiere Magazine) in this high-voltage crime thriller that crackles with chilling style and wit. A savage gangstere name Don Logan (Kingsley) is met with resistance when he tries to recruit a retired pal (Ray Winstone) for \\\"one last job.\\\" But Logan just won't take no for an answer...\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Belivable but Posh\\n\\nReview: Yeah, Ben Kingsley is menacing, but personally, I'd have punched his muscled-up Gandhi face early on if I were Ray Winstone.\\n\\nWinstone is a retired gangster living with his ex-porn star wife and a few ex-gangster friends in a villa in Spain. Life is good, but then the feared ex-partner, Kingsley shows up to insult everybody and generally ruffle feathers, the ultimate party pooper. Okay, okay, Winstone will help with the heist after a disagreement, a serious disagreement. Back in London, Teddy, played by Deadwood's leering Ian McShane has created a plan to steal from a high security vault a gazillion pounds. The team dives into the most unlikely underwater heist scheme ever devised.\\n\\nIt's all very posh and not very believable, but quite entertaining.\",\n \"Product: During the mid-'70s, gifted 15-year-old Mooney Pottie dreams of life beyond the confines of her small coal-mining town of New Waterford on the island of Cape Breton, but things only begin to look up when Lou, a fun-loving teen from New York, moves in next door.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Teen Girls Will Love It\\n\\nReview: Quirky provincials Canadian style highlight New Waterford Girl. Apparently the southern United States has been spared the you-alls and we get Cape Breton brogues to make fun of. Liane Balaban, Mooney is smarter than her neighbors and family. She yearns to get out of the desolate coastal mining town she wanders in a daze.\\n\\n It is hard to date this pictures' era, but I'm guessing, because all the cars look like rusted late 60's, the boy's hair-do's are over the ears, and because the music played at the local teen beer bash are from 8-tracks, Mooney and her new girlfriend from the States, Tara Spencer-Naim, are living in late 70's, maybe early 80's.\\n\\n Quirkiness requires exaggeration. Moony's dad has a funeral and a wedding together to save money. Moony is told by her family to forget her dreams and be like them, accepting of small town life. Tara comes into Mooney's world and they go on a drinking, boy kissing, cad-bashing spree. Are any of the convolutions of this plot realistic? No, but we do sympathize with Moony's desire to get to New York City. This is a sweet movie with some cursing, and teen girls will love it.\",\n \"Product: Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay, this magical comedy earned overwhelming acclaim nationwide! A painfully shy waitress working at a tiny Paris cafe, Amlie makes a surprising discovery and sees her life drastically changed for the better! From then on, Amlie dedicates herself to helping others find happiness ... in the most delightfully unexpected way! But will she have the courage to do for herself what she has done for others?\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: I'm Too Cynical For This One\\n\\nReview: Amelie is so French. Paris is so beautiful. Is it really that lovely? I don't think Goddard thought it was. The great French director, Renoir, well he saw the disastrous 30's as a parable of misery. And I was dodging Paris con men and not dodging prostitutes in the early 70's, but Amelie will have none of that cynicism. No Socialist French nightmare of unbelievable unemployment and crappy free, healthcare for the young woman, Amelie. She's in a fantasy world.\\n\\nI loved the warm colors of 19th century painter Renoir. This is a movie that is a canvas-a-scene. The dialogue is quirky; the scenes go by fade in, fade out, little odd twists and turns. Fantasy animation scenes intermingle with romantic notions. Love wins out for most while the foolish and mean come to see their way. If only...\",\n \"Product: dvd\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: The Stuff Dreams are Made Of\\n\\nReview: Hollywood is a place of fantasy, a composite of all our American dreams. Sure, I read Schulberg's, What Makes Sammy Run. That one covered the first golden age of American Film. The second golden age happened because a young Jewish businessman from New York ran into silent film legend Norma Shearer at a Beverley Hills hotel, and then was propelled into acting. He played the Spanish matador in The Sun Also Rises, a film based on Ernest Hemingway's book. This led to a minor film career that went poof in the fifties, so the young man bought rights to a few novels for peanuts: you know, The Godfather, Love Story, Marathon Man, and Serpico. The next thing he knew, he was running Paramount Pictures and dating every beautiful woman in California. He also discovered cocaine in the 80's and at the same time, a distant association with a murdered producer tarnished his image, so that he couldn't work in this town again. Then he got his job back and made more pictures. This all happened to Robert Evans. The 1994 documentary is really a home movie with Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson, ex-wife, Allie McGraw, and a supporting cast of thousands. I wonder what he's doing now?\",\n \"Product: Tully Coates Jr. (Anson Mount), with his good looks and chiseled body is the local heartthrob. While he has a new girlfriend virtually every night, he's incapable of getting close to anyone. His younger brother Earl is the shy and sensitive type. The only\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Better than the Title\\n\\nReview: Sometimes movie titles (Tully) are weaker than the movies. This story line of mid-western farm people from a vague time period, I'm guessing the late 1980's or mid-90's, is well developed. We care about young stud Tully,his dorky brother, and weather beaten dad. The farm is in danger from a mysterious debt and Tully is gradually falling for the freckled good-girl neighbor back from vet school. These are people that work. How many movies are about real people that work? No detectives or super-models here, no; these are rural folks that honky-tonk on a Saturday night and swim in the local water hole with their girlfriends, or make love down a lonely road on top of the hood of a 82 Cadillac. I cared about the characters.\",\n \"Product: Item is brand new, in sealed factory packaging. Always stored in a smoke-free, animal-free home. Ships from Arizona to U.S. addresses only.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Raven Never More\\n\\nReview: There is one thing that the French do better than almost any country, they produce first class cinema. Le Corbeau (The Raven) is no exception. Director Henri-Georges Clouzot makes a fine film from a popular novel about real poison pen strife in Tulane France during Vichy France in the early 40's.\\n\\nThe first thing an American would notice about the film, there are references, nay, there are actual scenes of passion and sex, clothed, but obvious between Pierre Fresnay of the pencil mustache and Ginette Leclerc of the lacquered lips in a 1943 film. It's subdued, and the biting of the hand scene is a little pulpy, but these folks want to do it. Americans would have to wait for Bogart and Bacall before they got some steam.\\n\\nSince the Nazi's were essentially in control of France at the time, they thought an anti-informant film a bad idea. They hated it, but the French audience's ground down by what was essentially a military defeat and then an occupation, were thrilled by the tension and mystery of Le Corbeau. There are many secrets about the townspeople that complicate life in this tense little town until the culprit has a comeuppance. There are a number of classic original scenes like the light bulb scene or the avenging angel scene. This one holds up very well.\",\n \"Product: Academy Award(R) winner for Best Foreign Language Film in 2003, THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS is a provocative look at the many ties that bind a group of friends and lovers. It's not easy for a narrow-minded professor (Rmy Girard) to reconcile with his equally stubborn son. But soon, father and son find themselves gathering with their wide and colorful circle of family and friends to confront their differences, confess their secrets, and celebrate life! Winner of the Best Actress (Marie-Jose Croze) and Best Screenplay awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival -- critics everywhere hailed this outstanding motion picture as one of the year's best!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Who are the Barbarians?\\n\\nReview: The European style Medicare system, the fair medical practice, free for all good Canadians fostered upon liberal society, it kills patients' everyday. If you learn nothing else from The Invasion of Barbarians, you will learn that Liberalism, Socialism, and Communism in every form destroy society, killing the innocent, transforming the naive into the corrupt. Am I wrong? Isn't this the lesson we learn from our dying Liberal Social Studies Professor, Remy?\\n\\nPoor Remy, he's as liberal as his young piers at Berkley; yet they have won the Socialist beauty prize, The Pulitzer. He's a Canadian, so no wonder those statues go to Americans. Those ugly Americans down there take everything from the poor French speaking Quebecians. Nevertheless, if you want a brain scan on demand, cross the St Lawrence because it ain't gonna happen in the new Canada of diversity.\\n\\nRemy is a child of the 60's and as an academic propagandizing to empty-headed freshmen, he like his piers hate George Bush. That is too easy to exploit for a Righty like myself. I have always understood the Liberal Elite to be contemptuous of anyone that disagrees with the geniuses of Socialism. And Remy's Liberal pals rain down Al Gore platitudes and disdain for America, those pesky, over-fed capitalists. Remy's elitist pals tell randy stories of ribald action amidst their class, the class of divorce and infidelity. They offer lovely bromides right out of a swanky yuppie magazine. Their children, well, they could turn out as genius commodity millionaires like Remy's son Sebastian, or they could be heroin addicts like cropped-hair Natalie.\\n\\nI can't help but wonder if the Barbarians the director lambastes may be his own political caste.\",\n \"Product: Good girl Mary (Jena Malone) and her best friend Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) are at the top of the food chain at American Eagle Christian High School. But all that is about to change in this \\\"subversively funny\\\" (USA Today) teen comedy about hype, hypocrisy and high school. Also starring Macaulay Culkin and Patrick Fugit, Saved! is \\\"a boldly hilarious satire\\\" (Rolling Stone)!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Yes, Some Christians Go Bonkers but...\\n\\nReview: Hilary Faye is role made for Mandy Moore, the perfect prom queen. I believe she's done that one before and in this case her persona is less than flattering. Brian Dannelly writes and directs what could only be a personal statement of which he must know a great deal. Or does he? The Evangelical Movement in America ebbs and flows for 100's of years. It has found fertile ground especially in the South and West, but really everywhere there's a group of folks that want to worship Jesus. There's nothing like it in Europe and other continents. It must thrive in a place of respected Religious Freedom.\\n\\nI have observed first hand the parishioners and churches in my locality. For the most part, the service relates the travails of Jesus, his life and times, and the universal message, redemption from sin, original or less consequential by acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. Our little Jesus High School gives the otherwise noncommittal an opportunity to check out those funny nut cases and their rabid Mandy Moore church dictator and her zombie friends. Then Jena Malone tries to prove her boyfriend is straight by fornicating and it's downhill from there. When Parker Posey plays mom and Martin Donavan plays the Minister then the series Weeds cannot be far away. Oh, that perfect Liberal worldview in the grand finale, see for yourself if I'm kidding.\",\n \"Product: Laura Linney and Topher Grace shine in this bittersweet tale of losing love and finding it again. When divorced, thirty-something Columbia University admissions officer Louise Harrington meets one of the school's young applicants, she is floored by his uncanny resemblance to her deceased high school sweetheart - and haunted by the notion that he may be her love reincarnated.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Topher Grace Gets Lucky\\n\\nReview: There are so few examples of real lust and other adult stuff going on in 9000 R rated films in the last 30 years. In PS, 39 year-old Laura Linney practically throws young Topher Grace on her couch. She is absolutely licking her chops since Grace looks, indeed has the same name, as her teen love. Teen love had been killed in a car accident. He had loved both Linney and Linney's best friend, Marcia Gay. Anyhow, Grace's twenty year-old personality and looks resembles the dead lover, so Linney thinks he's a gift from heaven. Her life with an ex-husband had been less than satisfying. Yes, she's got a descent job at Columbia, but she's not having sex with anyone for years; hence, Topher Grace not only gets lucky, he gets involved in a weird and wonderful love situation.\\n\\nPS, Dylan Kid made an even better film for adults called Rodger Dodger. Check that one out. It's a classic. God, I love films for adults without the X.\",\n \"Product: John Clasky (Adam Sandler) is a devoted dad whose skills as a chef have afforded his family (Ta Leoni, Cloris Leachman) a very upscale life, including a summer home in Malibu and a breathtaking new housekeeper, Flor (Paz Vega), who has recently immigrated to L.A. from Mexico, and is trying to finda better life for her remarkable daughter, Cristina (Shelbie Bruce), who is rapidly embracing the American way of life. When Flor and Cristina move in with the Claskys for the summer, Flor has to fight for her daughter's soul as she discovers that life in a new country is perilous...especially when you're being embraced by an affluent, eccentric American family!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Tia and Cloris Steal Film\\n\\nReview: This is a sweet film, not exactly realistic; everyone seems to be a little too much on type. Now I did not say everyone was stereotyped, just actors playing a type. Cloris Leachman is the drunken mother ignored by her striving, seemingly perfect daughter, Tea Leoni. Adam Sandler plays, er Adam Sandler, a successful, quirky, restrained Jewish guy. Paz Vega is smart, wise, Mexican, immigrant, and poor housekeeper to Sandler's two kids and cloying, controlling wife. Flour has a daughter out of wedlock (How did that happen to such a wise woman?)and then takes the unhappy rich family under her wings as much as the language barrier will bear. That is it. Sandler is unhappy with narcissistic Leoni and well he should be. He pouts and grovels. Gradually he comes to appreciate Vega as the counterpoint to his neurotic wife.\\n\\nI commend Sandler's attempt to move on from his dopey caricature, his screwball, gross-out roles. I am thinking of the underrated, Punch Drunk Love, when I say he's going adult in comedy or drama situations. Keep trying Adam. Someday you will be real.\",\n \"Product: FUNNY HA HA - DVD Movie\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Soup Bowl of Ironies\\n\\nReview: I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Funny Ha Ha is an important film, maybe a pivotal film showing a new direction for filmmakers, maybe not filmmakers, but digital filmmakers. Sure, made with 16 mm, but really, Andrew Bujalski, director and actor, could have filmed for far less money with a digital camera. For those of us writing our own stuff and lining up our amateur actors, Funny Ha Ha is a wild success.\\n\\nA nerds dream, Kate Dollenmayer, not so pretty that the good lookin' guys whisk her away, but quirky, and cute enough for the nerds to go bananas. As a twenty-three year-old ex-college student, she is bored out of her mind by paper shuffling jobs and a social whirl that is not unlike dorm life, but more urban trendy in a run down apartment way. Ah, how we remember all those crash pads of yore. Nothing has changed since the sixties. Kate drinks too much, wanders around in a daze too much, and is in love with a guy as dazed and unsure as she. She could have sex anytime with anyone to relieve tension, but has sex not at all. A couple of kisses with a boy here and there are as much as our slackers will chance. I got a kick out of the Russian Scholar Woman's interpretation of Marnie's lifestyle in the commentary feature. She claims that two-hundred years ago falling in love was dangerous. Either you got married, had a family, or you killed yourself. Today, these slackers of the last half century take no risk in love. They merely move in circular social sets defined by their lack of articulation. No one ever says I love you aloud seriously. Every dude and dudette subsists in a soup bowl of ironies.\",\n \"Product: As the extremely withdrawn Don Johnston is dumped by his latest woman, he receives an anonymous letter from a former lover informing him that he has a son who may be looking for him. A freelance sleuth neighbor moves Don to embark on a cross-country search for his old flames in search of answers.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: For IQ's Over 120\\n\\nReview: I gave a thumbs up for all reviews both hating and loving. The truth is, this film is good awful.\\n\\nBill Murray takes his Lost in Translation, emotion dead character to further extremes. It's almost like watching the Weekend with Bernie, dead guy, visiting his four ex's of a certain time to find out which one sent the letter telling about a son he has sired twenty years before. Don Johnston is sort of a Don Juan, but we never see his talents as a Romeo, but rather, we see the results.\\n\\nGo ahead; suddenly show up at an ex-lover's door twenty years after the fact. What's their reaction? Sharon Stone jumps back into bed with him. Her daughter is Lolita. Then he visits the Real Estate woman. Are the pearls she's wearing the one's he gave her? Julie Deloy plays it deliciously restrained; yet, she is very attractive for a middle-age gal. Her husband is a silver-fox fake. Then there's the pet whisperer. She's a bitch. Then there's the biker girl with a real bad attitude, but watch out for her boyfriends.\\n\\nYes, there's too many shots of Murray just sitting there, but there are also true shots of kitch Americana. You must have an IQ over 120 to view this material.\",\n \"Product: Young VietNam vet stumbles upon remnants of a drug deal gone bad in W. Texas 1980 -- he's hunted by two vicious assassins who want t he money back.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Coen's Have Jumped the Shark, Awful!\\n\\nReview: I really think that without Big Studio guidance, or even the old Hays Office, Hollywood filmmaking has deteriorated badly. I'm all for freedom, but films are collaborative affairs with huge budgets and when the artiste runs the show, we get disaster after disaster. Now the Coen's have jumped the shark.\\n\\nLook, I liked the Josh Brolin character, gritty, poor, but resourceful when he finds the money in the midst of a bad drug deal. But just because you're in old Indian country on the Mexican border, it doesn't mean that there's no human compassion out there. All the existential, it don't matter anymore crap, the cheap killing and philosophizing before execution, all of that has no artistic merit unless someone believes in something. I don't care if it's God or Marx, we can't relate unless it touches our heart.\\n\\nFinally, okay, A Fist Full of Dollars kind of adventure, gritty and the good-guy shoots the bad guys, you won't get that here. The good-guys just retire and mumble something about the good old days when dudes get shot on a porch or something. Awful!\",\n \"Product: Young VietNam vet stumbles upon remnants of a drug deal gone bad in W. Texas 1980 -- he's hunted by two vicious assassins who want t he money back.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Coen's Have Jumped the Shark, Awful!\\n\\nReview: I really think that without Big Studio guidance, or even the old Hays Office, Hollywood filmmaking has deteriorated badly. I'm all for freedom, but films are collaborative affairs with huge budgets and when the artiste runs the show, we get disaster after disaster. Now the Coen's have jumped the shark.\\n\\nLook, I liked the Josh Brolin character, gritty, poor, but resourceful when he finds the money in the midst of a bad drug deal. But just because you're in old Indian country on the Mexican border, it doesn't mean that there's no human compassion out there. All the existential, it don't matter anymore crap, the cheap killing and philosophizing before execution, all of that has no artistic merit unless someone believes in something. I don't care if it's God or Marx, we can't relate unless it touches our heart.\\n\\nFinally, okay, A Fist Full of Dollars kind of adventure, gritty and the good-guy shoots the bad guys, you won't get that here. The good-guys just retire and mumble something about the good old days when dudes get shot on a porch or something. Awful!\",\n \"Product: Morrie's (Matthew Perry) life is unraveling. As his family's antics infuriate his boss and neighbor, Morrie's dreams of success are quickly destroyed. Morrie gets a wake-up call and he comes to realize that the people who really care for him will stand by his side no matter what.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Downhill After the Titles\\n\\nReview: The title is the best thing about this stinker. Sounds like a new age novelist dispensing second rate wisdom. And what we get is third rate wisdom. Poor Matthew Perry must raise his young siblings after dad offs himself and mom konks out. Sis, Ginnifer Goodwin, is a you know what and Ben Foster wanders around like a dazed holy man. The mentally ill are supposed to be smarter than us in these films. Send the local DPA more of your tax money because these losers need to be locked up for sure. They're nuts.\\n\\nThe scene of liberation where Matt Perry has to do something really awful to his daffy neighbors lawn, jeech, embarrassing, awful, so uncool. Couldn't he just poison the dog?\",\n \"Product: United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Making Of, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: If you know the British filmmaker Mike Leigh's work - early and later titles like \\\"Bleak Moments,\\\" \\\"Naked\\\" and \\\"Vera Drake\\\" - you may find yourself watching his most recent movie, \\\"Happy-Go-Lucky,\\\" with mounting unease, a tinge of dread. Despite the extraordinary human parade that has passed in front of his lens, laughing and raging, yearning for love and asking for cuddles, Mr. Leigh has never been an artist for whom happy (word or idea) has been an easy fit. Life is sweet, as the title of another of his films puts it with a heart-swelling yes, but it's also an eternal fight against doom and gloom, the soul-crushing no. The push and pull between yes and no animates all of his work, investing it with narrative tension and a sense of artistic purpose that is, whether overtly articulated or not, also insistently, vigorously left-leaning. The hard-working and often besieged characters who populate his stories live in worlds partly defined, if not wholly circumscribed, by ideology and the state. Nobody mounts a soapbox or whistles \\\"The Internationale\\\" in \\\"Happy-Go-Lucky,\\\" but the film is so closely tuned to the pulse of communal life, to the rhythms of how people work, play and struggle together, it captures the larger picture along with the smaller. Like Poppy, the bright focus of this expansive, moving film, Mr. Leigh isn't one to go it alone. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Berlin International Film Festival, British Independent Film Awards, European Film Awards, ...Happy-Go-Lucky ( Happy Go Lucky )\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Should Have Bought a New Bike\\n\\nReview: Well, Poppy's bright personality put me off at first. It's relentlessly, ah, happy-go-lucky. She's perceptive. She's a pretty neat teacher. The film is an advertisement for the Teachers Unions I think. Bully in the schoolyard: she'll get the social worker on the job, mate. On the other hand, she's a thirty-year-old single lady with time on her hands, as her gal pals are dressing up for dance night or Flamingo lessons. There's a very funny moment in that dance lesson, but you'll see for yourself.\\n\\nAnyhow, Poppy grows on you. Her nemesis, the gruff, angry, Scott, the driving instructor with a mother complex and bad teeth, well, there's really uncomfortable moments for drama in a slice of life Brit comedy. It also should be noted: if you're used to fast cutting, quick action angles, this one develops slowly, sort of as if it were a BBC sitcom.\",\n \"Product: One of the all-time great comedy classics, René Clair's À Nous la Liberté is a skillful satire of the industrial revolution and the blind quest for wealth. Deftly integrating his signature musical-comedy technique with pointed social criticism, Clair tells the story of an escaped convict who becomes a wealthy industrialist. Unfortunately his past returns to upset his carefully laid plans. Featuring lighthearted wit, tremendous visual innovation, and masterful manipulation of sound, À Nous la Liberté is both a potent indictment of mechanized modern society and an uproarious comic delight.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: An Early Talkie Comedy\\n\\nReview: It's obvious Clair is a Charles Chaplain fan. Movies had come out of their infancy with Chaplain as the comedy pioneer. Today critics are not as enamored with the little tramp as the critics from the Twenties and Thirties, but Rene Clair makes the most of slapstick comedy or should I say he subdues it just enough to find his own signature.\\n\\nClearly, the new talkies confused comedy directors. A Nous la Liberte, the story of two escaped French convicts, was conceived as a silent film. Then music, songs and spare dialogue were inserted tentatively. The actors, Raymond Cordy as the nuevo rich industrialist and Henri Marchard as the Chaplain like tramp speak sparingly, but they do gesture as silent film actors.\\n\\nMuch has been discussed about Chaplain's supposed rip off. City Lights was made five years later and Chaplain and all his production people swore they never saw the French film. Clair himself declared his admiration for Chaplain, his delight that his master would use Clair's material. So this is a bit confusing. The scenes of industrial automation, assembly line inhumanity, were indeed similar in both films. The 20th Century factory was a discussion of that time. Was it dehumanizing or did it provide a better life than the idealized farm memory of the fading 19th Century? Are these films declarations for 1930's Socialism or Fascism? Personally, knowing the politics of Chaplain at least, we can see that the intellectuals preferred Socialism.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":27,"string":"27"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1786,"string":"1,786"}}},{"rowIdx":1787,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A56PCDBOVXXSR"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"year 2002\". The summary of the review text is \"The True Horrors & Sacrifice Of War.\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Having watched this film now on two occasions I felt compelled to write a review. Yet having sat down I felt lost for words. How does one do justice to such a film as this ?\nAs a Christian I abhor war and all that it stands for. Yet having served in the military I appreciate all the values depicted here, not least the sacrifice and the bravery of all those who suffered and died on both sides.\nThis is a story that must be told. It must be told to the American and Vietnamese people whose soldiers fought on that November day in 1965 and the world must be made aware of the horrors that were faced on the battlefield in the Ia Drang Valley, known as 'The Valley of Death'.\nMany might be unaware that this film is indeed based on a true story. A true story of a place in Vietnam where some 400 US soldiers found themselves isolated and surrounded by an opposing force of roughly 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and the ensuing conflict.\nThis is not a film for the squeamish. War is horrific, barbaric and full of butchery and the scenes depicted in this film portray these properties in no mean measure.\nThe film proceeds at heart-racing pace from beginning to end. The acting is absolutely superb. This film will no doubt rank as a classic amongst it's genre. The battle-scenes are as realistic as they come.\nThis is not a film that glorifies war, or that seeks to do so. It clearly seeks to tell a story. A story of the men who were there and the horrors that they endured & suffered and the casualties that were sustained. To it's credit it also includes the stories of the families, wives and children left at home whilst their loved ones faced the ultimate sacrifice..\nOne of the characters in the film, notably the battle scenes, is depicted as a photographer. Might I respectfully suggest that anyone with an interest in the historics of this battle, this war and the suffering of those involved, take some further time to examine a book entitled \"REQUIEM\". It is a book entirely devoted to the story of combatants such as these. A book devoted to the photographs of those war photographers who did not return. Photographers whose lives were also sacrificed in the process of bringing us the story of those soldiers who suffered.\nThis film will choke you and might very well bring a tear to the most hardened of viewers. We need to be aware of the horrors of such conflicts and ensure that we do all we can to prevent them. Highly recommended viewing."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Having watched this film now on two occasions I felt compelled to write a review. Yet having sat down I felt lost for words. How does one do justice to such a film as this ?\nAs a Christian I abhor war and all that it stands for. Yet having served in the military I appreciate all the values depicted here, not least the sacrifice and the bravery of all those who suffered and died on both sides.\nThis is a story that must be told. It must be told to the American and Vietnamese people whose soldiers fought on that November day in 1965 and the world must be made aware of the horrors that were faced on the battlefield in the Ia Drang Valley, known as 'The Valley of Death'.\nMany might be unaware that this film is indeed based on a true story. A true story of a place in Vietnam where some 400 US soldiers found themselves isolated and surrounded by an opposing force of roughly 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and the ensuing conflict.\nThis is not a film for the squeamish. War is horrific, barbaric and full of butchery and the scenes depicted in this film portray these properties in no mean measure.\nThe film proceeds at heart-racing pace from beginning to end. The acting is absolutely superb. This film will no doubt rank as a classic amongst it's genre. The battle-scenes are as realistic as they come.\nThis is not a film that glorifies war, or that seeks to do so. It clearly seeks to tell a story. A story of the men who were there and the horrors that they endured & suffered and the casualties that were sustained. To it's credit it also includes the stories of the families, wives and children left at home whilst their loved ones faced the ultimate sacrifice..\nOne of the characters in the film, notably the battle scenes, is depicted as a photographer. Might I respectfully suggest that anyone with an interest in the historics of this battle, this war and the suffering of those involved, take some further time to examine a book entitled \"REQUIEM\". It is a book entirely devoted to the story of combatants such as these. A book devoted to the photographs of those war photographers who did not return. Photographers whose lives were also sacrificed in the process of bringing us the story of those soldiers who suffered.\nThis film will choke you and might very well bring a tear to the most hardened of viewers. We need to be aware of the horrors of such conflicts and ensure that we do all we can to prevent them. Highly recommended viewing."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: 3-Button USB wired mouse (Black) An Amazon Brand.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Impressed! Cheap but does the job perfectly.\n\nReview: My first impressions were that this mouse seemed rather cheap and 'plasticky'. After plugging the mouse into my laptop via the usb port, I was instantly informed that it was 'installing the driver device software'. Moments later confirmation appeared that the mouse was installed, and I was up and running without any problems.\n\nI have used this mouse regularly for over a week now and I am absolutely thrilled with it. I have found it works easily on all types of surfaces and tracks very well indeed. It rests easy in the hand and feels comfortable at all times. Both the mouse wheel and both left & right buttons are simple, large and positive to use, and I have yet to found any reason to criticise any of its functions. Indeed, I have stopped using my more expensive Micrsoft cordless mouse, and my old trusted HP mouse, since I acquired the Amazon basics model.\n\nIf you are looking for a simple, affordable mouse for your desktop, or to with your laptop, this will take some beating, especially for the price. I have rather large hands and I personally find it ideal. For someone with smaller hands they may possibly find it a little on the large size. As for everything else, it may look rather cheap and plasticky to some, but it does the job very well indeed. I am impressed, and would highly recommend this item to everyone. I hope this is of some assistance to potential buyers.","Product: Canon Tripod Mount Ring for the Canon 70-200mm F4 IS USM Lens (ONLY) This is the White Finish Ring\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Are the cheaper non-Canon versions good enough ?\n\nReview: Having unsuccessfully tried two of the cheaper non-Canon versions of this product on my Canon 70-200mm lens I was eventually forced to consider purchasing this far more expensive Canon tripod mount.\n\nBoth of the cheaper versions appeared to hold/support the lens adequately but any attempt to manoeuvre the lens from portrait to landscape settings within the mount itself resulted in the tripod mount scratching the paintwork of the Canon lens. An item which I had already paid a significant amount for. Not wanting to damage my lens I explained my situation to a local camera dealer who had apparently heard about this same problem from other users.\n\nUsing the genuine Canon mount was an immediate and vast improvement & it was instantly obvious that the tripod mount was specifically designed for the lens (I understand it also fits the Canon 300mm F/4 & 400mm F/5.6 as well).\n\nManoeuvring the lens within the tripod mount was easily done without any damage & the lens also felt far more secure when being moved around from place to place - warnings having also been received that the cheaper versions were not as secure during movement and damage to the lens could possibly ensue if the lens became disconnected from the mount during the process.\n\nWhile I understand that some users will be quite happy with the cheaper non-Canon versions this was sadly not my own personal experience.\n\nLike many others I was reluctant and grieved to spend such an amount on the genuine Canon tripod mount in addition to the considerable outlay for the lens itself. With hindsight I feel that the tripod mount should have been provided by Canon together with the lens upon initial purchase.\n\nPerhaps it is the view from many that this lens can easily be hand-held that prevents Canon from doing this. However I personally feel that the aid to increased image quality when using a tripod/monopod is ultimately worth both the expense and convenience. This item makes such use possible. Thank you for your time.","Product: EXCELLENT TAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Could Have Been Better.\n\nReview: I had waited ever so eagerly to see this film, but it was nowhere near the Biblical blockbuster that I had hoped to see.\nWhilst appreciating that any subject relating to Biblical prophecy must be a very difficult theme to tackle and convert into a film, there is far too much missing here for it to have the credibility & detail that really shown have blown an audience's mind at this moment in time.\nThere is no reference to the Rapture or the 'Mark of the Beast'.\nThe central role of Jerusalem, The Temple and Israel in end times events receives hardly any mention whatsoever. With these subjects being vital to any interpretation of end time prophecies their absence is disturbing.\nI appreciate that Megiddo is in Israel, (I have actually visited the scene), but the less informed would perhaps miss even this factor due to the lack of reference and detail.\nI applaud those concerned for tackling this subject. The public really need an awesome, epic publication along these lines. A film that can stand scrutiny, ooze truth & integrity and grab the attention. One that can really attract and inform the masses as we approach the actual time period itself. The world is crying out for such a film.\nPlease try again and concentrate on the prophecies, inform the viewers of the actual prophecies themselves and their context and then base the characters around them. I have studied Biblical prophecy for a number of years but whilst watching this film I found myself guessing at times as to what exactly was being referred to.","Product: When Hitler announced that the result of the war in Europe would be 'the complete annihilation of the Jews', he did so in 1942, not only in public, but before an enormous crowd in Berlin. The Allies heard, but, astonishingly, they did not listen. In 1944, Allied reconnaissance pilots, searching out industrial targets in the area, repeatedly photographed Auschwitz. The pictures, apparently overlooked by the Allies, were routinely filed in government archives and not examined until 1979. First-hand reports on the horrors of the death camps came to the West by 1944 in the person of two escaped Auschwitz prisoners. Their testimonies, and those of subsequent escapees, were either ignored or dismissed. Despite the fact that, the same year, Churchill himself had ordered feasibility studies for air strikes on Auschwitz, the RAF not only did nothing, but eventually passed the buck to the Americans, who also did nothing. This book explains the reasons why.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Turning our backs on genocide. A disturbing study.\n\nReview: This is an excellent study by Sir Martin Gilbert surrounding the most horrific period in Jewish history, the Holocaust, and the 'role' of the Allies.\nWe are confronted with the disturbing revelation that, although supplied with considerable information about the decimation of Jewish communities in the Nazi Concentration Camps & gas ovens of Europe, the Allies turned a blind and incredulous eye to the suffering and slaughter.\nIn relation to the British involvement (or lack of it), the book quotes from a letter by Winston Churchill to Anthony Eden dated July 1944 pertaining to the Nazi slaughter of Jews in Europe;-\"...there is no doubt that this is probably the greatest and most horrible single crime ever committed in the whole history of the world...\"\nOne would think that this expression of apparent concern would have led to the most aggressive intervention possible to rescue the vast numbers facing genocide. Not so ! The book shows that Churchill did indeed order a so-called feasibility study for possible air-strikes on Auschwitz, but subsequently did nothing. The issue was passed to the Americans who also did...nothing.\nBefore some say that it was too late in 1944 anyway, the book clearly illustrates the Allied possession of such knowledge of an ongoing genocide in 1942.\nHitler himself being shown to have publically announced during 1942, before an enormous crowd & film crews, that the war in Europe would result in the complete annihilation of the Jews. Some 11,000,000 in Europe. The Allied Government's all heard this, but looked away.\nThe book details a number of British newspaper headlines and extensive reports, some of which follow;-\n\"Nazis murder 700,000 Jews in Poland\". - Daily Telegraph, 25 June 1942, which also included a follow up report under the heading \"Travelling Gas Chambers\".\nAdditionally, the following reports were published publically on 30 June 1942;\n\"Massacre of Jews - Over 1,000,000 have died since the war began\". - The Times.\n\"Greatest pogrom - one million Jews die\". - Daily Mail.\n\nOther such references are also included, all of which show an alarming knowledge of the Nazis agenda and operations for the last 3-4 years of the war.\nThe contents of this study clearly show that the Allies had both the equipment and technology to bomb/destroy the railway lines and bridges leading to Nazi Concentration Camps and even the gas chambers themselves at Auschwitz. Allied aircrews and far-reaching amounts of aircraft were even risked to drop supplies to assist the Polish resistance during the Warsaw Uprising against the Germans.\nMissions that even entailed overflying Auschwitz itself whilst en-route to Warsaw, yet not a single bomb or supply was dropped to assist the Jews. Having served in the British armed forces, I feel an incredible level of shame whilst writing this.\nThe book proceeds to examine whether it was not perhaps `politically expedient' for the Allies to intervene on behalf of the Jews. The British situation in Palestine is studied, in particular the restrictions placed upon Jewish immigration into Palestine and British interests in the Middle East in parallel with the latter's relationship with the Arab world.\nReference is made amongst others to the incident surrounding what the British called the `illegal' refugee ship `Struma', carrying some 750 men, women and children, forbidden entry into Palestine and sent back to the Black Sea. Despite there being little food or sanitary provisions for these poor people and their vessel being declared as unseaworthy, no help was forthcoming. Indeed, the book shows that neither humanitarian or military considerations would change British policy towards the Jews. The `Struma' mysteriously blowing-up in the Black Sea with all but one of the 750 refugees being allowed to perish.\nThis is an essential contribution towards Holocaust studies. Might I respectfully recommend another book upon this same subject entitled \"The Abandonment of the Jews: America and the Holocaust 1941-1945\" by David Wyman.","Product: Precept Ministries International was founded by Jack and Kay Arthur in 1970, and their son, David Arthur, serves as CEO. Kay is a four-time Gold Medallion award-winning author, member of the NRB Hall of Fame, and beloved international Bible teacher. Precept Ministries International developed The New Inductive Study Bible and is committed to equipping believers with inductive Bible study tools and training so they can understand God's Word and make it a real part of their lives.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Superbly Presented Study Bible. Every Home Should Have One!\n\nReview: Everything about this product exudes quality. From the cover, binding, paper and presentation, everything radiates excellence.\nI have many \"study Bibles\", each of which I value on it's own merits and each providing individual characteristics which I find helpful in my studies of Scripture. Yet few, if any match this one on an overall basis.\nAlthough a relative stranger to the Updated New American Standard Translation, it is \"growing on me\" and I have been warmly surprised with it's accuracy in a number of areas. Most of my previous experience being among the NIV, KJV and NKJV translations.\nThe text here is very clear, relatively large and extremely easy to read, It is presented in what is best described as a \"single column text\". The latter is a rare feature but in my experience it makes reference to the Scriptures far easier and facilitates study and reading. Alongside the text are some of the best margins that I have come across. The margins measuring approximately 1 3/4\", are located on the outside of each page. Ideal for making personal notes and references.\nEach book of the Bible has it's own introduction and study guide amongst other references/features. A thorough concordance and \"Helps\" section are also included. There is even a section with advice on how to approach the interpretation of Biblical prophecy, as well as an outline on how to read through the entire Bible in one year.\nThe colourful maps are plentiful and accurate in their historical reference. Up-to-date maps pertaining to the current time are also provided. It is so refreshing to see the correct terminology used on the maps. Gone are the inaccurate quotations of \"Palestine in the time of Christ\" etc., which are frequently used in some versions. (Palestine not existing at the `time of Christ' and only coming into fruition following the Roman changing of the Jewish nation's name into Syria Palestina around AD135. This eventually becoming \"anglicised\" into Palestine)\nA chronological history of the Jewish people and the nation of Israel is also provided, together with a study on the Tabernacle and the two Jewish Temples. The coloured graphics are superb. Numerous blank pages are also provided for your personal notes etc..\nA section is also devoted to the \"Major Events In Israel's History\" with a time-line stemming from Adam/Abraham, the Exodus to the Birth Of Christ & the Destruction of Jerusalem (AD70 & AD132), including the renaming of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina by the occupying Roman forces etc..\nAlso covered are the occupations of the Holy Land by the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Ayyubids, Mamluks, Muslims, Ottomans and the British. The British Mandate and the Arab-Israeli conflicts of the modern era are also mentioned together with a reference to the ongoing `peace process'.\nAppropriately there are no political observations, just relevant comments on these events and appropriate Scriptural references. There is no \"Replacement Theology\" in this excellent presentation, just Scriptural accuracy showing the true place of both the Jewish People and the Christian Church in God's Purposes & Plans.\nAlthough initially provided for use with the \"inductive study system\", (which is clearly outlined/described), I do not use that particular system, preferring to use this Bible as per my own personal method of study.\nAnother reviewer has described this as perhaps \"the last study Bible you'll ever need\". It will certainly take some beating !\nHighly recommended.","Product: The quest for mystical experiences has been going on since the beginning of time. This book, by an award-winning New York Times investigative journalist, McCandish Phillips, will open your eyes to the vast and fascinating realm of Jewish spiritual lives. Because of the unique role of the Jewish people, according to God's promises, Jews are especially subjected to the supernatural. Scriptural illustrations abound in the pages of this comprehensive and well-researched work. You wull learn some surprising facts.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Excellent, essential read on the Bible, Jews & Supernatural!\n\nReview: This is one of the best books that I have ever had the privilege of reading. The author is completely new to me, but the subjects of the Bible, the Supernatural & the Jews are not.\nThe author declares during the preface of this book that he had in fact initially sat down to diligently write another book on another subject, when suddenly & with no prior announcement, a theme was struck and words began to inexplicably flow with such a rapidity that three & a half days later, some 167 un-chaptered pages had piled up which form the basis of this book.\nI appreciate that there will be many scoffers, and many who will undoubtedly approach this book with a degree of apathy or scepticism, but all I can say is that having studied the subjects concerned for many years, I fail to find any errors within what is written here on any of the subjects concerned or matters discussed.\nThe writer maintains that, above and beyond the natural realm, exists another realm peopled by unseen, intelligent beings. A supernatural domain of angels, demons exactly as outlined in the Bible, that are intensifying their involvement and contact with the human race in what the Bible describes as these `last days'.\nA plethora of examples describes with incredible clarity and precision, this spiritual realm together with it's implications for each individual, the human race and the nations.\nThe book eloquently describes an affirmation of the Biblical and `spiritual reality' beyond `human reality'. Further to this the author describes the person of [evil], his reality, origin, intent, nature & agenda, together with a detailed explanation of the dangers associated with the occult & it's widespread disposition in so much of today's society and the world in general.\nThe book also examines the unique relationship of the Jewish people to Almighty God, a people who were chosen to be separate and distinct from other peoples and through whom God would provide blessing and the message of redemption to the whole world. The Jewish foundations of Christianity are also examined, as indeed are all the above matters in relation to their Biblical context.\nI cannot recommend this book highly enough. I commend this even to the sceptics amongst you. It is so well written that no prior knowledge of these subjects is required.\nAlthough sadly now out of print, this book is still readily available second hand. I shall continue to treasure my copy.","Product: As a Jerusalem-based broadcast journalist for CBS and other networks for many years, David Dolan has covered many important events in the Middle East. He is recognized as an expert on a region of vital interest to Christians. He is the author of Holy War for the Promised Land and Israel in Crisis: What Lies Ahead?\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Gripping, thought provoking read.\n\nReview: Based on the writer's own personal interpretation of Biblical prophecy, the reader is presented with an extremely plausible, albeit fictional story, surrounding future events which is extremely thought provoking when one considers the present circumstances relating to the many issues and subjects addressed.\nAlthough not a great fan of fiction I was pleasantly surprised as to how this book held my attention throughout. The characters were extremely believable and the manner in which future events were described will captivate many readers who are familiar with the present situation in the Middle East. The book pulls no punches in bringing the immediacy and relevance of Biblical prophecy to the reader's attention.\nMy interest in buying this particular book primarily arose from having listened to the writer speak and also having read a number of his other FACTUAL studies in relation to Israel, Islam, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Biblical message relating to the regions history & the relevance of these issues in relation to Biblical prophecy. I have found the source to be very knowledgeable in these subjects and someone who can relate to the matter first hand, living in Jerusalem itself, and with much first hand experience of the conflict.\nThe \"End Of Days\" begins with another Middle Eastern war, yet on this occasion with weapons of mass destruction being used between Syria and Israel. The book then charts the rise of the \"Anti-christ\" and other issues which will be familiar to students of Biblical prophecy.\nThese include the signing of a false \"peace\" agreement in the Middle East, the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple on Jerusalem's Temple Mount and the \"Mark of the Beast\". The gathering of the nations against Jerusalem/Israel, an invasion of Israel by a confederation of nations plus the persecution of the Jews & Christians are also covered together with a number of other conflicts including the battle of Armageddon.\nThese events are described in detail and culminate with the return of Jesus Christ. (Due to differing interpretations amongst some scholars in relation to the timing of the \"Rapture\" of the Church, this issue has not been included.)\nAlthough some readers might disagree with some of the interpretations of Scripture presented through the storyline, this should not detract from the gripping manner in which the story unfolds. This is an extremely well written and enjoyable book which will especially attract readers with an interest in the Middle East conflict and also fans of both fiction and non-fiction alike.\nThose readers who have studied Bible prophecy/eschatologic issues to any degree will find themselves presented with an extremely realistic end-time scenario which illustrates how present International events could play themselves out.\nFor those who may be interested in the factual studies of the source, might I respectfully recommend two of his other books source entitled \"Israel In Crisis; What Lies Ahead ?\" and \"Holy War For The Promised Land; Israel At The Crossroads\". Thank you.","Product: A Messianic Jewish scholar, Dan Juster is well able to discuss many difficult questions that face Messianic Jews. From examining God's call on Israel to Paul and the Law, Dan Juster presents a solid foundation for biblical theology that includes its Jewish Roots.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: God Has Not Finished With Israel.\n\nReview: This excellent book should be required reading in all Theological Seminaries, Bible Colleges/Schools and is a book which should also be read by all Ministers of the Gospel.\nThe author, himself a senior Pastor, has personally attended five Bible Colleges, obtained four degrees and engaged in three decades of study, providing an enormous wealth of understanding of this crucial subject. This book presents the results of an absorbing research into the heritage given to us by the Jewish people which is so vital for our own Christian faith and which underlies our own Salvation. (\"..Salvation is of the Jews\"; John 4;22.)\nThis book is quite detailed and is not to be taken lightly. The seriousness, gravity and implications of this work are likewise so important that they cannot be ignored.\nDue to hostility and criticism I have recently been required to restrict my reviews to virtually the \"bare bones\" in relation to expressions supportive of Israel & the Jews or in criticism of Islam in relation to the Middle East conflict. Such have prevented me from portraying all that I wish to say & what I have felt needed to be said. I therefore will not go into detail about the message delivered here, as I do not wish to cast the precious pearls of this commendable work under the feet of those hostile to this subject.\nAs a reader, if you are interested in the Truth then you will readily access these essential facts fundamental to our faith. If not, then perhaps you will already have chosen your own path. I can only exhort both Jew and Gentile alike to examine this presentation of our history in relation to Holy Scripture.\nIn addition to this splendid work I would respectfully recommend Arnold Fruchtenbaum's book entitled \"Jesus Was (is) A Jew\" (bracketed emphasis is mine).","Product: KENNETH LEVIN earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from the Univ. of Penn., a B.A./M.A. in English language and literature from Oxford University, his M.D. degree from Penn and a Ph.D. in history from Princeton University. He is a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has taught at various psychoanalytic training institutes in Boston and maintains a private practice in psychiatry. His previous books include Freud's Early Psychology of the Neuroses: A Historical Perspective and Unconscious Fantasy in Psychotherapy. Dr. Levin has written extensively on Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict. His articles have appeared in The New Republic, The Boston Globe, The Washington Times, The Jerusalem Post and elsewhere. Recent articles published by Kenneth Levin may be found in NEW YORK JEWISH WEEK (February 25, 2005), in THE JEWISH PRESS (May 19, 2005) and in AM NEW YORK (June 1, 2005).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Important, powerful and sometimes disturbing.\n\nReview: With particular reference to the basis of the Oslo Accords, and quite disturbing at times, this book delves into the \"mind-set\" of Israelis which has resulted in their pursuit of \"peace\" with the Palestinian/Arab world.\n\nThe book outlines how in 1993, the Israeli leadership made the decision to embrace Yasser Arafat as it's \"peace partner\", installing him and what is cited as a \"nascent Palestinian government\" in Gaza and the \"West Bank\" (Biblical Judea & Samaria).\n\nIsraeli leaders are shown to have allowed Yasser Arafat to bring some 7,000 Palestinian gunmen along with him and provide them with the weaponry which was intended for use by his security services. Weapons which are depicted to have been subsequently used for attacks upon Israelis.\n\nThe Israeli pursuit of \"peace\" under what is called an \"unprecedented wave of anti-Israeli terror\", the subsequent effects upon Israeli society and the \"peace process\" itself, are all investigated in some detail.\n\nMany pertinent questions are asked as to \"why\" such a path was trodden,whilst Yasser Arafat and his PLO are described as addressing Arab audiences to the effect that, any/all territory acquired from Israel is only part of the PLO's own \"phased plan\" to eradicate the Jewish state. Due reference being provided throughout.\n\nLiving in a country which the book describes as being \"under perpetual siege\", the reader is provided with an extraordinary insight into how \"psychological and historical forces\" have spawned such Israeli policies.\n\nThis is provided specifically in the context of how such a political process is still being allowed to proceed when the cited agendas of Arafat and the PLO are still being met with further, territorial, financial and related concessions without any reciprocity from the Arab side.\n\nReferences revealing that Israel's \"peace partner\" was allegedly becoming accustomed to receiving Israeli concessions without giving anything in return and that unilateral withdrawals were only accelerating that phenomenon.\n\nFurther significant reference is also made to how Israelis have purportedly been confronted with what is termed \"revisionist history\".\n\nMany pivotal and foundational issues cited to have been distorted to such a degree that innocent \"peace-famished\" Israeli civilians are described as being colluded into falsely believing that \"anti-Jewish sentiment was grounded in a fair and truthful assessment of the Jews\".\n\nThis giving rise to the perception that, through \"submission\", the Jewish community could pave the way to it's eventual \"acceptance\" and that it was subsequently possible to achieve peace through territorial and other concessions, irrespective of the ongoing terrorism. The delusional nature of this impression is examined in some depth.\n\nThe cover of this work carries two photographs;-\n\nOne photograph is of the late Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat and the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, shaking each other's hands under the auspices of former US President Clinton on the White House lawn during 1993.\n\nThe other photograph is that of an Israeli bus, blown apart by a Palestinian suicide bomber. The carnage is horrifying.\n\nThe reader is left to his own interpretation of these presentations but their relevance & significance are as difficult to ignore as the implications of this study upon the ongoing \"mind-set\" behind the current \"peace process\" at this time.\n\nWhether or not the individual reader agrees with the assertions of this work, this is a book that desperately needs reading by anyone who seeks to understand the feelings of those on the ground. It's importance cannot be under-estimated.\n\nHighly recommended."],"string":"[\n \"Product: 3-Button USB wired mouse (Black) An Amazon Brand.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Impressed! Cheap but does the job perfectly.\\n\\nReview: My first impressions were that this mouse seemed rather cheap and 'plasticky'. After plugging the mouse into my laptop via the usb port, I was instantly informed that it was 'installing the driver device software'. Moments later confirmation appeared that the mouse was installed, and I was up and running without any problems.\\n\\nI have used this mouse regularly for over a week now and I am absolutely thrilled with it. I have found it works easily on all types of surfaces and tracks very well indeed. It rests easy in the hand and feels comfortable at all times. Both the mouse wheel and both left & right buttons are simple, large and positive to use, and I have yet to found any reason to criticise any of its functions. Indeed, I have stopped using my more expensive Micrsoft cordless mouse, and my old trusted HP mouse, since I acquired the Amazon basics model.\\n\\nIf you are looking for a simple, affordable mouse for your desktop, or to with your laptop, this will take some beating, especially for the price. I have rather large hands and I personally find it ideal. For someone with smaller hands they may possibly find it a little on the large size. As for everything else, it may look rather cheap and plasticky to some, but it does the job very well indeed. I am impressed, and would highly recommend this item to everyone. I hope this is of some assistance to potential buyers.\",\n \"Product: Canon Tripod Mount Ring for the Canon 70-200mm F4 IS USM Lens (ONLY) This is the White Finish Ring\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Are the cheaper non-Canon versions good enough ?\\n\\nReview: Having unsuccessfully tried two of the cheaper non-Canon versions of this product on my Canon 70-200mm lens I was eventually forced to consider purchasing this far more expensive Canon tripod mount.\\n\\nBoth of the cheaper versions appeared to hold/support the lens adequately but any attempt to manoeuvre the lens from portrait to landscape settings within the mount itself resulted in the tripod mount scratching the paintwork of the Canon lens. An item which I had already paid a significant amount for. Not wanting to damage my lens I explained my situation to a local camera dealer who had apparently heard about this same problem from other users.\\n\\nUsing the genuine Canon mount was an immediate and vast improvement & it was instantly obvious that the tripod mount was specifically designed for the lens (I understand it also fits the Canon 300mm F/4 & 400mm F/5.6 as well).\\n\\nManoeuvring the lens within the tripod mount was easily done without any damage & the lens also felt far more secure when being moved around from place to place - warnings having also been received that the cheaper versions were not as secure during movement and damage to the lens could possibly ensue if the lens became disconnected from the mount during the process.\\n\\nWhile I understand that some users will be quite happy with the cheaper non-Canon versions this was sadly not my own personal experience.\\n\\nLike many others I was reluctant and grieved to spend such an amount on the genuine Canon tripod mount in addition to the considerable outlay for the lens itself. With hindsight I feel that the tripod mount should have been provided by Canon together with the lens upon initial purchase.\\n\\nPerhaps it is the view from many that this lens can easily be hand-held that prevents Canon from doing this. However I personally feel that the aid to increased image quality when using a tripod/monopod is ultimately worth both the expense and convenience. This item makes such use possible. Thank you for your time.\",\n \"Product: EXCELLENT TAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Could Have Been Better.\\n\\nReview: I had waited ever so eagerly to see this film, but it was nowhere near the Biblical blockbuster that I had hoped to see.\\nWhilst appreciating that any subject relating to Biblical prophecy must be a very difficult theme to tackle and convert into a film, there is far too much missing here for it to have the credibility & detail that really shown have blown an audience's mind at this moment in time.\\nThere is no reference to the Rapture or the 'Mark of the Beast'.\\nThe central role of Jerusalem, The Temple and Israel in end times events receives hardly any mention whatsoever. With these subjects being vital to any interpretation of end time prophecies their absence is disturbing.\\nI appreciate that Megiddo is in Israel, (I have actually visited the scene), but the less informed would perhaps miss even this factor due to the lack of reference and detail.\\nI applaud those concerned for tackling this subject. The public really need an awesome, epic publication along these lines. A film that can stand scrutiny, ooze truth & integrity and grab the attention. One that can really attract and inform the masses as we approach the actual time period itself. The world is crying out for such a film.\\nPlease try again and concentrate on the prophecies, inform the viewers of the actual prophecies themselves and their context and then base the characters around them. I have studied Biblical prophecy for a number of years but whilst watching this film I found myself guessing at times as to what exactly was being referred to.\",\n \"Product: When Hitler announced that the result of the war in Europe would be 'the complete annihilation of the Jews', he did so in 1942, not only in public, but before an enormous crowd in Berlin. The Allies heard, but, astonishingly, they did not listen. In 1944, Allied reconnaissance pilots, searching out industrial targets in the area, repeatedly photographed Auschwitz. The pictures, apparently overlooked by the Allies, were routinely filed in government archives and not examined until 1979. First-hand reports on the horrors of the death camps came to the West by 1944 in the person of two escaped Auschwitz prisoners. Their testimonies, and those of subsequent escapees, were either ignored or dismissed. Despite the fact that, the same year, Churchill himself had ordered feasibility studies for air strikes on Auschwitz, the RAF not only did nothing, but eventually passed the buck to the Americans, who also did nothing. This book explains the reasons why.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Turning our backs on genocide. A disturbing study.\\n\\nReview: This is an excellent study by Sir Martin Gilbert surrounding the most horrific period in Jewish history, the Holocaust, and the 'role' of the Allies.\\nWe are confronted with the disturbing revelation that, although supplied with considerable information about the decimation of Jewish communities in the Nazi Concentration Camps & gas ovens of Europe, the Allies turned a blind and incredulous eye to the suffering and slaughter.\\nIn relation to the British involvement (or lack of it), the book quotes from a letter by Winston Churchill to Anthony Eden dated July 1944 pertaining to the Nazi slaughter of Jews in Europe;-\\\"...there is no doubt that this is probably the greatest and most horrible single crime ever committed in the whole history of the world...\\\"\\nOne would think that this expression of apparent concern would have led to the most aggressive intervention possible to rescue the vast numbers facing genocide. Not so ! The book shows that Churchill did indeed order a so-called feasibility study for possible air-strikes on Auschwitz, but subsequently did nothing. The issue was passed to the Americans who also did...nothing.\\nBefore some say that it was too late in 1944 anyway, the book clearly illustrates the Allied possession of such knowledge of an ongoing genocide in 1942.\\nHitler himself being shown to have publically announced during 1942, before an enormous crowd & film crews, that the war in Europe would result in the complete annihilation of the Jews. Some 11,000,000 in Europe. The Allied Government's all heard this, but looked away.\\nThe book details a number of British newspaper headlines and extensive reports, some of which follow;-\\n\\\"Nazis murder 700,000 Jews in Poland\\\". - Daily Telegraph, 25 June 1942, which also included a follow up report under the heading \\\"Travelling Gas Chambers\\\".\\nAdditionally, the following reports were published publically on 30 June 1942;\\n\\\"Massacre of Jews - Over 1,000,000 have died since the war began\\\". - The Times.\\n\\\"Greatest pogrom - one million Jews die\\\". - Daily Mail.\\n\\nOther such references are also included, all of which show an alarming knowledge of the Nazis agenda and operations for the last 3-4 years of the war.\\nThe contents of this study clearly show that the Allies had both the equipment and technology to bomb/destroy the railway lines and bridges leading to Nazi Concentration Camps and even the gas chambers themselves at Auschwitz. Allied aircrews and far-reaching amounts of aircraft were even risked to drop supplies to assist the Polish resistance during the Warsaw Uprising against the Germans.\\nMissions that even entailed overflying Auschwitz itself whilst en-route to Warsaw, yet not a single bomb or supply was dropped to assist the Jews. Having served in the British armed forces, I feel an incredible level of shame whilst writing this.\\nThe book proceeds to examine whether it was not perhaps `politically expedient' for the Allies to intervene on behalf of the Jews. The British situation in Palestine is studied, in particular the restrictions placed upon Jewish immigration into Palestine and British interests in the Middle East in parallel with the latter's relationship with the Arab world.\\nReference is made amongst others to the incident surrounding what the British called the `illegal' refugee ship `Struma', carrying some 750 men, women and children, forbidden entry into Palestine and sent back to the Black Sea. Despite there being little food or sanitary provisions for these poor people and their vessel being declared as unseaworthy, no help was forthcoming. Indeed, the book shows that neither humanitarian or military considerations would change British policy towards the Jews. The `Struma' mysteriously blowing-up in the Black Sea with all but one of the 750 refugees being allowed to perish.\\nThis is an essential contribution towards Holocaust studies. Might I respectfully recommend another book upon this same subject entitled \\\"The Abandonment of the Jews: America and the Holocaust 1941-1945\\\" by David Wyman.\",\n \"Product: Precept Ministries International was founded by Jack and Kay Arthur in 1970, and their son, David Arthur, serves as CEO. Kay is a four-time Gold Medallion award-winning author, member of the NRB Hall of Fame, and beloved international Bible teacher. Precept Ministries International developed The New Inductive Study Bible and is committed to equipping believers with inductive Bible study tools and training so they can understand God's Word and make it a real part of their lives.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Superbly Presented Study Bible. Every Home Should Have One!\\n\\nReview: Everything about this product exudes quality. From the cover, binding, paper and presentation, everything radiates excellence.\\nI have many \\\"study Bibles\\\", each of which I value on it's own merits and each providing individual characteristics which I find helpful in my studies of Scripture. Yet few, if any match this one on an overall basis.\\nAlthough a relative stranger to the Updated New American Standard Translation, it is \\\"growing on me\\\" and I have been warmly surprised with it's accuracy in a number of areas. Most of my previous experience being among the NIV, KJV and NKJV translations.\\nThe text here is very clear, relatively large and extremely easy to read, It is presented in what is best described as a \\\"single column text\\\". The latter is a rare feature but in my experience it makes reference to the Scriptures far easier and facilitates study and reading. Alongside the text are some of the best margins that I have come across. The margins measuring approximately 1 3/4\\\", are located on the outside of each page. Ideal for making personal notes and references.\\nEach book of the Bible has it's own introduction and study guide amongst other references/features. A thorough concordance and \\\"Helps\\\" section are also included. There is even a section with advice on how to approach the interpretation of Biblical prophecy, as well as an outline on how to read through the entire Bible in one year.\\nThe colourful maps are plentiful and accurate in their historical reference. Up-to-date maps pertaining to the current time are also provided. It is so refreshing to see the correct terminology used on the maps. Gone are the inaccurate quotations of \\\"Palestine in the time of Christ\\\" etc., which are frequently used in some versions. (Palestine not existing at the `time of Christ' and only coming into fruition following the Roman changing of the Jewish nation's name into Syria Palestina around AD135. This eventually becoming \\\"anglicised\\\" into Palestine)\\nA chronological history of the Jewish people and the nation of Israel is also provided, together with a study on the Tabernacle and the two Jewish Temples. The coloured graphics are superb. Numerous blank pages are also provided for your personal notes etc..\\nA section is also devoted to the \\\"Major Events In Israel's History\\\" with a time-line stemming from Adam/Abraham, the Exodus to the Birth Of Christ & the Destruction of Jerusalem (AD70 & AD132), including the renaming of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina by the occupying Roman forces etc..\\nAlso covered are the occupations of the Holy Land by the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Ayyubids, Mamluks, Muslims, Ottomans and the British. The British Mandate and the Arab-Israeli conflicts of the modern era are also mentioned together with a reference to the ongoing `peace process'.\\nAppropriately there are no political observations, just relevant comments on these events and appropriate Scriptural references. There is no \\\"Replacement Theology\\\" in this excellent presentation, just Scriptural accuracy showing the true place of both the Jewish People and the Christian Church in God's Purposes & Plans.\\nAlthough initially provided for use with the \\\"inductive study system\\\", (which is clearly outlined/described), I do not use that particular system, preferring to use this Bible as per my own personal method of study.\\nAnother reviewer has described this as perhaps \\\"the last study Bible you'll ever need\\\". It will certainly take some beating !\\nHighly recommended.\",\n \"Product: The quest for mystical experiences has been going on since the beginning of time. This book, by an award-winning New York Times investigative journalist, McCandish Phillips, will open your eyes to the vast and fascinating realm of Jewish spiritual lives. Because of the unique role of the Jewish people, according to God's promises, Jews are especially subjected to the supernatural. Scriptural illustrations abound in the pages of this comprehensive and well-researched work. You wull learn some surprising facts.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent, essential read on the Bible, Jews & Supernatural!\\n\\nReview: This is one of the best books that I have ever had the privilege of reading. The author is completely new to me, but the subjects of the Bible, the Supernatural & the Jews are not.\\nThe author declares during the preface of this book that he had in fact initially sat down to diligently write another book on another subject, when suddenly & with no prior announcement, a theme was struck and words began to inexplicably flow with such a rapidity that three & a half days later, some 167 un-chaptered pages had piled up which form the basis of this book.\\nI appreciate that there will be many scoffers, and many who will undoubtedly approach this book with a degree of apathy or scepticism, but all I can say is that having studied the subjects concerned for many years, I fail to find any errors within what is written here on any of the subjects concerned or matters discussed.\\nThe writer maintains that, above and beyond the natural realm, exists another realm peopled by unseen, intelligent beings. A supernatural domain of angels, demons exactly as outlined in the Bible, that are intensifying their involvement and contact with the human race in what the Bible describes as these `last days'.\\nA plethora of examples describes with incredible clarity and precision, this spiritual realm together with it's implications for each individual, the human race and the nations.\\nThe book eloquently describes an affirmation of the Biblical and `spiritual reality' beyond `human reality'. Further to this the author describes the person of [evil], his reality, origin, intent, nature & agenda, together with a detailed explanation of the dangers associated with the occult & it's widespread disposition in so much of today's society and the world in general.\\nThe book also examines the unique relationship of the Jewish people to Almighty God, a people who were chosen to be separate and distinct from other peoples and through whom God would provide blessing and the message of redemption to the whole world. The Jewish foundations of Christianity are also examined, as indeed are all the above matters in relation to their Biblical context.\\nI cannot recommend this book highly enough. I commend this even to the sceptics amongst you. It is so well written that no prior knowledge of these subjects is required.\\nAlthough sadly now out of print, this book is still readily available second hand. I shall continue to treasure my copy.\",\n \"Product: As a Jerusalem-based broadcast journalist for CBS and other networks for many years, David Dolan has covered many important events in the Middle East. He is recognized as an expert on a region of vital interest to Christians. He is the author of Holy War for the Promised Land and Israel in Crisis: What Lies Ahead?\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Gripping, thought provoking read.\\n\\nReview: Based on the writer's own personal interpretation of Biblical prophecy, the reader is presented with an extremely plausible, albeit fictional story, surrounding future events which is extremely thought provoking when one considers the present circumstances relating to the many issues and subjects addressed.\\nAlthough not a great fan of fiction I was pleasantly surprised as to how this book held my attention throughout. The characters were extremely believable and the manner in which future events were described will captivate many readers who are familiar with the present situation in the Middle East. The book pulls no punches in bringing the immediacy and relevance of Biblical prophecy to the reader's attention.\\nMy interest in buying this particular book primarily arose from having listened to the writer speak and also having read a number of his other FACTUAL studies in relation to Israel, Islam, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Biblical message relating to the regions history & the relevance of these issues in relation to Biblical prophecy. I have found the source to be very knowledgeable in these subjects and someone who can relate to the matter first hand, living in Jerusalem itself, and with much first hand experience of the conflict.\\nThe \\\"End Of Days\\\" begins with another Middle Eastern war, yet on this occasion with weapons of mass destruction being used between Syria and Israel. The book then charts the rise of the \\\"Anti-christ\\\" and other issues which will be familiar to students of Biblical prophecy.\\nThese include the signing of a false \\\"peace\\\" agreement in the Middle East, the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple on Jerusalem's Temple Mount and the \\\"Mark of the Beast\\\". The gathering of the nations against Jerusalem/Israel, an invasion of Israel by a confederation of nations plus the persecution of the Jews & Christians are also covered together with a number of other conflicts including the battle of Armageddon.\\nThese events are described in detail and culminate with the return of Jesus Christ. (Due to differing interpretations amongst some scholars in relation to the timing of the \\\"Rapture\\\" of the Church, this issue has not been included.)\\nAlthough some readers might disagree with some of the interpretations of Scripture presented through the storyline, this should not detract from the gripping manner in which the story unfolds. This is an extremely well written and enjoyable book which will especially attract readers with an interest in the Middle East conflict and also fans of both fiction and non-fiction alike.\\nThose readers who have studied Bible prophecy/eschatologic issues to any degree will find themselves presented with an extremely realistic end-time scenario which illustrates how present International events could play themselves out.\\nFor those who may be interested in the factual studies of the source, might I respectfully recommend two of his other books source entitled \\\"Israel In Crisis; What Lies Ahead ?\\\" and \\\"Holy War For The Promised Land; Israel At The Crossroads\\\". Thank you.\",\n \"Product: A Messianic Jewish scholar, Dan Juster is well able to discuss many difficult questions that face Messianic Jews. From examining God's call on Israel to Paul and the Law, Dan Juster presents a solid foundation for biblical theology that includes its Jewish Roots.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: God Has Not Finished With Israel.\\n\\nReview: This excellent book should be required reading in all Theological Seminaries, Bible Colleges/Schools and is a book which should also be read by all Ministers of the Gospel.\\nThe author, himself a senior Pastor, has personally attended five Bible Colleges, obtained four degrees and engaged in three decades of study, providing an enormous wealth of understanding of this crucial subject. This book presents the results of an absorbing research into the heritage given to us by the Jewish people which is so vital for our own Christian faith and which underlies our own Salvation. (\\\"..Salvation is of the Jews\\\"; John 4;22.)\\nThis book is quite detailed and is not to be taken lightly. The seriousness, gravity and implications of this work are likewise so important that they cannot be ignored.\\nDue to hostility and criticism I have recently been required to restrict my reviews to virtually the \\\"bare bones\\\" in relation to expressions supportive of Israel & the Jews or in criticism of Islam in relation to the Middle East conflict. Such have prevented me from portraying all that I wish to say & what I have felt needed to be said. I therefore will not go into detail about the message delivered here, as I do not wish to cast the precious pearls of this commendable work under the feet of those hostile to this subject.\\nAs a reader, if you are interested in the Truth then you will readily access these essential facts fundamental to our faith. If not, then perhaps you will already have chosen your own path. I can only exhort both Jew and Gentile alike to examine this presentation of our history in relation to Holy Scripture.\\nIn addition to this splendid work I would respectfully recommend Arnold Fruchtenbaum's book entitled \\\"Jesus Was (is) A Jew\\\" (bracketed emphasis is mine).\",\n \"Product: KENNETH LEVIN earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from the Univ. of Penn., a B.A./M.A. in English language and literature from Oxford University, his M.D. degree from Penn and a Ph.D. in history from Princeton University. He is a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has taught at various psychoanalytic training institutes in Boston and maintains a private practice in psychiatry. His previous books include Freud's Early Psychology of the Neuroses: A Historical Perspective and Unconscious Fantasy in Psychotherapy. Dr. Levin has written extensively on Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict. His articles have appeared in The New Republic, The Boston Globe, The Washington Times, The Jerusalem Post and elsewhere. Recent articles published by Kenneth Levin may be found in NEW YORK JEWISH WEEK (February 25, 2005), in THE JEWISH PRESS (May 19, 2005) and in AM NEW YORK (June 1, 2005).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Important, powerful and sometimes disturbing.\\n\\nReview: With particular reference to the basis of the Oslo Accords, and quite disturbing at times, this book delves into the \\\"mind-set\\\" of Israelis which has resulted in their pursuit of \\\"peace\\\" with the Palestinian/Arab world.\\n\\nThe book outlines how in 1993, the Israeli leadership made the decision to embrace Yasser Arafat as it's \\\"peace partner\\\", installing him and what is cited as a \\\"nascent Palestinian government\\\" in Gaza and the \\\"West Bank\\\" (Biblical Judea & Samaria).\\n\\nIsraeli leaders are shown to have allowed Yasser Arafat to bring some 7,000 Palestinian gunmen along with him and provide them with the weaponry which was intended for use by his security services. Weapons which are depicted to have been subsequently used for attacks upon Israelis.\\n\\nThe Israeli pursuit of \\\"peace\\\" under what is called an \\\"unprecedented wave of anti-Israeli terror\\\", the subsequent effects upon Israeli society and the \\\"peace process\\\" itself, are all investigated in some detail.\\n\\nMany pertinent questions are asked as to \\\"why\\\" such a path was trodden,whilst Yasser Arafat and his PLO are described as addressing Arab audiences to the effect that, any/all territory acquired from Israel is only part of the PLO's own \\\"phased plan\\\" to eradicate the Jewish state. Due reference being provided throughout.\\n\\nLiving in a country which the book describes as being \\\"under perpetual siege\\\", the reader is provided with an extraordinary insight into how \\\"psychological and historical forces\\\" have spawned such Israeli policies.\\n\\nThis is provided specifically in the context of how such a political process is still being allowed to proceed when the cited agendas of Arafat and the PLO are still being met with further, territorial, financial and related concessions without any reciprocity from the Arab side.\\n\\nReferences revealing that Israel's \\\"peace partner\\\" was allegedly becoming accustomed to receiving Israeli concessions without giving anything in return and that unilateral withdrawals were only accelerating that phenomenon.\\n\\nFurther significant reference is also made to how Israelis have purportedly been confronted with what is termed \\\"revisionist history\\\".\\n\\nMany pivotal and foundational issues cited to have been distorted to such a degree that innocent \\\"peace-famished\\\" Israeli civilians are described as being colluded into falsely believing that \\\"anti-Jewish sentiment was grounded in a fair and truthful assessment of the Jews\\\".\\n\\nThis giving rise to the perception that, through \\\"submission\\\", the Jewish community could pave the way to it's eventual \\\"acceptance\\\" and that it was subsequently possible to achieve peace through territorial and other concessions, irrespective of the ongoing terrorism. The delusional nature of this impression is examined in some depth.\\n\\nThe cover of this work carries two photographs;-\\n\\nOne photograph is of the late Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat and the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, shaking each other's hands under the auspices of former US President Clinton on the White House lawn during 1993.\\n\\nThe other photograph is that of an Israeli bus, blown apart by a Palestinian suicide bomber. The carnage is horrifying.\\n\\nThe reader is left to his own interpretation of these presentations but their relevance & significance are as difficult to ignore as the implications of this study upon the ongoing \\\"mind-set\\\" behind the current \\\"peace process\\\" at this time.\\n\\nWhether or not the individual reader agrees with the assertions of this work, this is a book that desperately needs reading by anyone who seeks to understand the feelings of those on the ground. It's importance cannot be under-estimated.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":9,"string":"9"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1787,"string":"1,787"}}},{"rowIdx":1788,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A1YUL9PCJR3JTY"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"2.0\" for a product with description \"Fruit of the loom offers the plus consumer the comfort of cotton for the perfect fit\". The summary of the review text is \"These Ride Up--Not Recommended\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"**\nI have bought Fruit of the Loom \"Fit for Me\" regular underwear in a plus size for several years. I purchased these panties in the Hi Cut thinking they would be as comfortable or perhaps even more comfortable. They were not. They did fit just fine (so I'm sure I'm an 11 like in my full cut \"Fit for Me\" briefs), but the elastic is so weak around the legs that they ride right up and feel really uncomfortable with whatever I wear. They give you an odd feeling, like when your bra strap is falling down, that there is something you should be adjusting to get them to cover. So I'd pull on one side of my buttock cheek, and the other one would fall out--there was just no adjusting them. Finally I gave up and decided to donate the other 4 pairs that I hadn't worn. They are just too uncomfortable and not made well enough to stay put on a full-figured woman.\n\nNot recommended.\n**"},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"**\nI have bought Fruit of the Loom \"Fit for Me\" regular underwear in a plus size for several years. I purchased these panties in the Hi Cut thinking they would be as comfortable or perhaps even more comfortable. They were not. They did fit just fine (so I'm sure I'm an 11 like in my full cut \"Fit for Me\" briefs), but the elastic is so weak around the legs that they ride right up and feel really uncomfortable with whatever I wear. They give you an odd feeling, like when your bra strap is falling down, that there is something you should be adjusting to get them to cover. So I'd pull on one side of my buttock cheek, and the other one would fall out--there was just no adjusting them. Finally I gave up and decided to donate the other 4 pairs that I hadn't worn. They are just too uncomfortable and not made well enough to stay put on a full-figured woman.\n\nNot recommended.\n**"},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Pamper and sooth even the driest, most neglected feet with Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream. This cream helps prevent and protect dry, cracked and rough skin with deeply penetrating emollient botanical oils. Enriched with a softening blend of super-saturated coconut oil and other natural emollient ingredients. The rosemary and peppermint extracts refresh while coconut oil, lanolin and vegetable glycerin revive and rejuvenate. Apply daily to keep your feet feeling soft and smooth and sandal ready year round.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Special Pampering for Your Feet\n\nReview: *****\nWow, is this foot cream amazing! First of all, the scent is coconutt-y and peppermint-y, very luscious. It contains vegetable glycerin, olive oil, oat protein, lanolin, water, coconut oil (the real stuff!), tocopheral (vitamin E), peppermint oil, rosemary extract, and fragrance. It has a texture that is like Vaseline or petroleum jelly; however, the crme is absorbed into your foot so that you don't walk around with greasy feet all day. And it feels sooo good!\n\nIt's a real treat to use this foot crme to moisturize and just to pamper my poor callused, pummeled feet. The directions say to put it on your feet before bed and to then to wear cotton socks. Since I don't wear socks to bed, I've just put the foot creme on after my bath in the morning and I've had wonderful results. I wait about 5 minutes for it to soak in and just r-e-l-a-x.\n\nBurt's Bees Coconut Foot Crme is not tested on animals. A little goes a long way, and a small amount will last forever, making it a great value.\n\nHighly recommended---the best!\n*****","Product: The Rubbermaid Commercial Products 1902465 Executive Janitorial Housekeeping Quick Cart is the industrys most durable mobile cart solution for housekeeping, janitorial and maintenance environments. Heavy-duty strap secures stick tools; large front pockets can hold a flexible flat mop or sweeper. Teflon fabric protector coating protects cart from unsightly stains in the course of daily use. Lightweight, polypropylene fabric construction provides years of service life. Adjustable dividers helps organize amenities and supplies. Quick cart caddy included with cart.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Super-High Quality and Portable Mobile Cart\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a super-high quality, yet relatively light carrier for cleaning products, or for any other collection of supplies that would lend itself to a mobile-type of organization like this. So things like pet grooming supplies, craft supplies, or anything that needed large areas to store supplies along with some minor smaller areas. There are lots of different types of pockets (many of which are adjustable) and storage in this one carrier. My favorite is the removable small carry caddy--it's reinforced and probably on its own would sell for forty or fifty dollars.\n\nThe entire cart is very sturdy. It is also easy to clean; it includes a removable inner liner that is treated with Teflon fabric protector and if that's not enough, Rubbermaid offers additional replacement liners for a cost.\n\nIt has the ability to be locked (although you need to supply the lock itself). It weighs 18 pounds (but for its size that is light) and can hold a maximum of 60 pounds (important!). Its outer dimensions are 16.50\" x 14.25\" x 25.00\".\n\nI don't know how you'd make this better without making it much heavier and less portable. It's a great solution to many commercial, small-business, and household problems.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: You will find multiple uses for this plastic dishpan besides doing dishes. Yes, this dishpan is great for washing and soaking your everyday dishes and fine china and crystal, but you can also use this dishpan for soaking the stains out of laundry items, dying fabric and doing art projects. Also nice to have as part of your camping supplies too. The molded handles allow for easy transport between tasks. 18-quart capacity measures 13-1/4-inch long by 15-1/2-inch wide by 7-3/4-inch high. Item #BA0006\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Thinnest Possible Plastic for Foot Soak Tub\n\nReview: **\nThe item description says that this foot soak tub is made of \"durable plastic that will not chip or crack\"; I really wonder about that. The plastic is so thin that it seems like it is almost a disposable item; I'm not sure I've seen anything made of plastic like this that was NOT disposable. The foot soak tub is barely big enough for my feet (I'm a women's size 9) and would not fit anyone with larger feet. The liter mark is a simple piece of paper--like a price tag--with a sheen, so it may be waterproof, and mine was put on at an angle, not straight. When you put water in it and try to carry it, it's unwieldy, as though the whole thing could suddenly twist and spill. I should have purchased one of the blow-up foot soak tubs, but this was a key complaint people had with those so I avoided them--now I think one of those would have been better.\n\nI wouldn't pay more than a dollar for this item.\n\nNot recommended, unless you want to buy an expensive semi-disposable foot soak tub.\n**\n\nUPDATE 7/2/13: This item was previously marketed as a \"foot soak tub\", not a dishpan--thus my review! I would not use it as a dishpan, except for as a disposable dishpan in a camping or other similar situation. The plastic used for this item when I purchased it was thinner than that on those temporary disposable food storage containers! As I mentioned, if it were only a dollar or so, I would recommend it for unusual situations where a very light and disposable dishpan was needed.","Product: Home And Office Scissors Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Top of the Line Small Craft Scissors\n\nReview: *****\nThese are light and sturdy little scissors that are easily maneuverable and handy. They are so easy to work with when I do crafts that I think I will go to them before any of my other scissors. They are very comfortable to hold. The \"micro-tip\" is a special tip design that is very, very sharp and is supposed to stay that way, solving a common problem I've had with scissors of the tip dulling ahead of the rest of the blades. It also enables an extremely precise cut and extra-fine accuracy. I love these!\n\nI know that they are more expensive than several other similar scissors by other manufacturers but I would spend a bit more for these, as they have the Fiskars name for quality and I expect them to last a long time. Plus for just a few more dollars you get something that will really do the job.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Perfect for Use as Gardening Snips\n\nReview: *****\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Perfect for Use as Gardening Snips\n\nReview: *****\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Our Micro-Tip Easy Action Scissors make cutting intricate details and tight patterns easy for people with arthritis or limited hand strength, so easy, they have earned the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. A spring-action design opens the blades after each cut to reduce hand strain, and the high-grade, stainless-steel blades feature a precision-ground edge that stays sharp longer and cuts all the way to the tip, essential for anyone who cuts fabric. Additionally, a range of colorful handle choices makes it easy to find a style that fits your tastes. Micro-Tip Easy Action Scissors also include a Softgrip handle for a more comfortable grip.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Attractive, Useful, Long-Lasting--Perfect Snips!\n\nReview: *****\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\n\nThis new version comes in such a beautiful pastel design, too, much more attractive than the old black and orange Fiskars scissors!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: RANGER-My Creative Journal Journey. Join Dyan Reaveley on her Creative Journal Journey book. Using step-by-step photos and instructions is just like having Dyan by your side showing you how she creates her original art journal pages. This book is chock-full of inspiration step-by-step photos and instructions to walk you through inking painting and journaling techniques to create your own art journal. Author: Dyan Reaveley. Softcover 51 pages. Published 2012. Made in USA.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Good for Die-Hard Fans, A Let-Down For Others\n\nReview: ***\nI love anything from Dyan Reaveley and really looked forward to this book. I also have a lot of Ranger products; in fact it is my favorite line of craft products. If you are a big fan of both you will probably enjoy this book; however there are some things you should know before you buy it.\n\n(1) It is more of a booklet rather than a book. It is 52 pages stapled together, that's all.\n(2) It is a step-by-step description of Dyan Reaveley's creative process. This is great, and I enjoyed that, but this is also available for free in YouTube videos all over the Internet. I am a fan, so I don't mind the duplication. You may not like paying for something available for free, especially at this price.\n(3) The book is mostly about one journal page she does. Just one. Some others are featured a bit on the last few pages, but most of the book is just this one page.\n(4) The book is filled with basically advertisements for Ranger products. I love them, but even I got a bit tired of this.\n\nI would enjoy this more if it was an inexpensive e-book or PDF book rather than what looks like a regular craft book and then isn't. I would say to get it for big fans of Dyan, or if you know little to nothing about Ranger. Otherwise, you might be a bit let down.\n\nRecommended for Dyan Reaveley fans and for people who want to find out what Ranger is all about and what types of products they sell.\n***","Product: Advantage Punch System. Create perfect borders and ribbons with interchangeable design cartridges. It features a magnetic paper clamp to hold paper firmly and a spring-action handle that makes punching easier. This punch system also accommodates Fiskars standard-size interchangeable border punch cartridges when used with the adapter plate. This package contains one base one adapter and one design cartridge - Flower Garden.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Great Quality Border Punch Set\n\nReview: ****\nIf you do a lot of work with paper craft, you will like this tool from Fiskars. It has the quality and ease-of-use that Fiskars is known for and produces beautiful borders. It is easy to use. It is a tad high maintenance in that it does take up a lot of space and the additional punches are pricey--you can end up spending a lot on them. I decided to gift mine to my friend who makes cards every day (not just occasionally like me) and who can afford to buy the additional cartridges. Look at the cost of refill cartridges before you purchase this item to see if it is something doable for you. That said, it's a fine product!\n\nRecommended, if you can afford the price of the additional cartridges.\n****","Product: Size:10 Inch Titanium, 2Pack Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great As Gardening Snips\n\nReview: *****\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Size:10 Inch Titanium, 2Pack Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Perfect for Use as Gardening Snips\n\nReview: *****\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: RANGER-My Creative Journal Journey. Join Dyan Reaveley on her Creative Journal Journey book. Using step-by-step photos and instructions is just like having Dyan by your side showing you how she creates her original art journal pages. This book is chock-full of inspiration step-by-step photos and instructions to walk you through inking painting and journaling techniques to create your own art journal. Author: Dyan Reaveley. Softcover 51 pages. Published 2012. Made in USA.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Disappointing For All But the Most Die-Hard Fans of Dyan Reaveley\n\nReview: ***\nI love anything from Dyan Reaveley and really looked forward to this book. I also have a lot of Ranger products; in fact it is my favorite line of craft products. If you are a big fan of both you will probably enjoy this book; however there are some things you should know before you buy it.\n\n(1) It is more of a booklet rather than a book. It is 52 pages stapled together, that's all.\n(2) It is a step-by-step description of Dyan Reaveley's creative process. This is great, and I enjoyed that, but this is also available for free in YouTube videos all over the Internet. I am a fan, so I don't mind the duplication. You may not like paying for something available for free, especially at this price.\n(3) The book is mostly about one journal page she does. Just one. Some others are featured a bit on the last few pages, but most of the book is just this one page.\n(4) The book is filled with basically advertisements for Ranger products. I love them, but even I got a bit tired of this.\n\nI would enjoy this more if it was an inexpensive e-book or PDF book rather than what looks like a regular craft book and then isn't. I would say to get it for big fans of Dyan, or if you know little to nothing about Ranger. Otherwise, you might be a bit let down. Dyan's newer book looks to be a bit more substantial; I will be getting that soon and hope to find improvements over this first effort.\n\nBe sure to price-compare over the Internet. I find a wide variety of prices for this book here at Amazon!\n\nRecommended for Dyan Reaveley fans and for people who want to find out what Ranger is all about and what types of products they sell.\n***","Product: RANGER-My Creative Journal Journey. Join Dyan Reaveley on her Creative Journal Journey book. Using step-by-step photos and instructions is just like having Dyan by your side showing you how she creates her original art journal pages. This book is chock-full of inspiration step-by-step photos and instructions to walk you through inking painting and journaling techniques to create your own art journal. Author: Dyan Reaveley. Softcover 51 pages. Published 2012. Made in USA.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Disappointing Except for Super-Devoted Fans\n\nReview: ***\nI love anything from Dyan Reaveley and really looked forward to this book. I also have a lot of Ranger products; in fact it is my favorite line of craft products. If you are a big fan of both you will probably enjoy this book; however there are some things you should know before you buy it.\n\n(1) It is more of a booklet rather than a book. It is 52 pages stapled together, that's all.\n(2) It is a step-by-step description of Dyan Reaveley's creative process. This is great, and I enjoyed that, but this is also available for free in YouTube videos all over the Internet. I am a fan, so I don't mind the duplication. You may not like paying for something available for free, especially at this price.\n(3) The book is mostly about one journal page she does. Just one. Some others are featured a bit on the last few pages, but most of the book is just this one page.\n(4) The book is filled with basically advertisements for Ranger products. I love them, but even I got a bit tired of this.\n\nI would enjoy this more if it was an inexpensive e-book or PDF book rather than what looks like a regular craft book and then isn't. I would say to get it for big fans of Dyan, or if you know little to nothing about Ranger. Otherwise, you might be a bit let down. I plan to buy Dyan's newest book and hope that it is an improvement over this first effort.\n\nRecommended for Dyan Reaveley fans and for people who want to find out what Ranger is all about and what types of products they sell.\n***","Product: Junior Mixture Bristle/Nylon Mix Hair Brush BN2\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Lovely Brush, Heirloom Quality\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a review for a Junior (medium-size) Mason Pearson brush made of seven rings of mixed boar bristle and nylon. The longer bristles are nylon and the shorter ones are boar bristle. It is a beautiful heirloom brush worth every penny of the incredibly high price.\n\nAll of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a cleaning brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\n\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\n\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want a mixed bristle brush like this one that is part boar bristle and part nylon? What is most comfortable and performs the best with your hair. This mixed bristle brush will work well for you if your hair is fine to normal and not too long or too thick. Otherwise, you'll need to go with the Detangler because the bristles are stiffer and can reach down through all of your hair to the scalp; the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. Mason Pearson also makes an All Boar Bristle Brush for finer or shorter hair but I have never tried it.\n\nSo, this mixed bristle brush is for normal, finer, and shorter hair. I bought it for myself but my husband uses it; although I have short hair it is very thick and straight and coarse and the brush bristles won't reach all the way to my scalp, but slides over the top hairs. My husband loves it dearly though, and really enjoys using it himself, or as a special treat, allowing me to brush his hair. This makes the expense of a Mason Pearson brush well worth the money--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\n\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Developed and patented more than 100 years ago, our Mason Pearson Hair Brush is the ultimate grooming tool. Only the finest, premium-grade boar bristle, which is gentle to the hair and scalp, is used. Brushing with a Mason Pearson Hair Brush is the best way to distribute the natural oils while exfoliating the scalp and stimulating circulation to the hair follicles. The patented pneumatic cushion conforms to the contours of the scalp, which optimizes brushing with minimal effort. All Mason Pearson Hair Brushes are hand made in England and carry a one year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. The animals are not harmed in the collection of the boar bristle. (Nylon cleaning brush is included.)\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Brush To Treasure Throughout the Years\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a review for a pocket or small (about 6 3/4 inches long) Mason Pearson brush made of five rings of mixed boar bristle and nylon. The longer bristles are nylon and the shorter ones are boar bristle. It is a beautiful heirloom brush worth every penny of the incredibly high price.\n\nAll of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a cleaning brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\n\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\n\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want a mixed bristle brush like this one that is part boar bristle and part nylon? What is most comfortable and performs the best with your hair. This mixed bristle brush will work well for you if your hair is fine to normal and not too long or too thick. Otherwise, you'll need to go with the Detangler because the bristles are stiffer and can reach down through all of your hair to the scalp; the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. Mason Pearson also makes an All Boar Bristle Brush for finer or shorter hair but I have never tried it.\n\nSo, this mixed bristle brush is for normal, finer, and shorter hair. I bought it for myself but my husband uses it; although I have short hair it is very thick and straight and coarse and the brush bristles won't reach all the way to my scalp, but slides over the top hairs. My husband loves it dearly though, and really enjoys using it himself, or as a special treat, allowing me to brush his hair. This makes the expense of a Mason Pearson brush well worth the money--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\n\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Heirloom Brush to Treasure Forever\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\n\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\n\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\n\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\n\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\n\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Mason Pearson Heirloom Brush\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\n\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\n\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\n\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\n\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\n\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Best Brush Money Can Buy\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\n\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\n\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\n\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\n\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\n\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Beautiful Brush Worth the Money\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\n\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\n\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\n\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\n\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\n\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The Euro-Pro Shark 800-watt turbo hand vacuum offers powerful cleaning in an easy-to-use, hand-held. The suction is the same as a full-size vacuum! Features include the True HEPA filter with Intelli-sense monitor, which removes air impurities from your home. The pet-hair removal tool is also included to help keep your home fur free. For easy usability, this vacuum comes with an extension hose, brush, and shoulder strap off.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Sucks (In the Way You Want It To)\n\nReview: *****\n\nThis Shark is a great little vacuum---what a bargain for the money! The listed price is a little high, but now having owned it, I can say that I would pay $70 for this vacuum if it lasts, and I hope it does. I've had mine for a month and use it multiple times per day.\n\nYes, it is noisy, but that's because it is small yet has suction that works like nobody's business. I use it by my woodstove, and after everything cools, I use it to clean up ashes, small flecks of wood and dirt, etc.---stuff you'd find around a woodstove---and it gets everything. It sucks so hard that it almost \"sticks\" to the tile! Sometimes I get dark marks from charred wood on the tile by the woodstove, and it even sucks those up.\n\nI like having so many attachments, and they seem to work well. I don't use the shoulder strap, as it isn't heavy for me to carry around. Note that this Shark has a cord, and so must be plugged in. Also note that this vacuum is for small areas. You'd get really tired trying to do large areas with it, as the brushes are not very wide. It is absolutely perfect for any small area.\n\nI've used my sturdy little Shark on tile, hardwood, and on the carpet we have near the fireplace, which is heavy and fireproof. I wouldn't use it with a flimsy carpet (like a rag rug) as it would suck it up.\n\nHighly recommended.\n\n*****","Product: OXO revolutionized liquid measuring with the Good Grips Angled Measuring Cups. A patented angled surface lets you read measurement markings by looking straight down into the Cup and eliminates the need to fill, check and adjust the amount of liquid you are measuring. The handle is soft and nonslip for a firm grip. Cup, ounce and milliliter measurement markings increase convenience. Dishwasher safe. Set of 3, 1 each: 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Measuring Cups, Great Value!\n\nReview: *****\nI love these measuring cups because I can see exactly how much I'm putting into them from above instead of peering and squinting at the measuring lines from the side. They are priced well, and very useful. They come in all sizes, from mini-size (1/4 cup) all the way up to 4 cups, and come in sets as well. They are made of a sturdy type of hard plastic. The measuring cups are dishwasher safe, but should not be used in the microwave.\n\nI haven't had any problems with them. My husband recently began to use one of them for measuring his boiling water for oatmeal in one, and so far it has held up great. However, I like them so much, that I'm worried that the markings on the inside may wear off in time, so I'm getting him a special glass one of his own. I would therefore recommend them ideally for dry ingredients or for cool wet ingredients.\n\nUPDATE: A commenter noted that she has been using them for at least two years for measuring boiling water, and has had no trouble with the markings! (Please see comments.)\n\nThey are handy, easy to store (I can stack mine by staggering the handles) and easy to clean. The handles are made of rubber for easy gripping, very nice. I still have some of my old traditional measuring cups but I only use these.\n*****","Product: These 10-ounce glass custard cups are ideal for making and serving individual baked or frozen desserts like crème caramel or ice cream. The oven-safe glass transfers heat steadily and efficiently, so food cooks evenly in any oven. Pyrex glass will not absorb or leach flavors or odors, and it cleans up easily either by hand or in the dishwasher. Since 1915, Corning Pyrex cookware has been a vital part of every kitchen, and because it is safe in the oven, freezer, and microwave, it is even more versatile today than when it was first introduced. Pyrex bakeware is covered by a 1-year limited warranty.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Lovely Little Bowls For Great Price\n\nReview: *****\n\nI bought two sets of four bowls to complement my nice set of everyday dishes for times when you want just a little bit of something---like a little yogurt, or some granola, some fresh raspberries---and we use them all the time. I agree with a previous reviewer that they would be wonderful for food prep.\n\nThey are not thin, as a previous reviewer has noted. They are not thick or bulky either, though, just perfect. They seem like they will last a long time and wear quite well. They almost look, well...elegant, which seems kind of cool for just Pyrex and for the price.\n\nThe bowls come well-packaged, and although the price is very low, they definitely don't seem cheaply made. I haven't seen them in stores, either. Great buy!\n\n*****","Product: Twirl a tie is a stylish spinning tie holder that holds up to 20 ties in a minimum amount of closet space. Hangs from a standard closet rail to keep your ties neatly displayed and organized. Fingertip spinning provides for easy selection.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Handy Organizer I Use for My Necklaces\n\nReview: ****\nI use this clever little gadget to store necklaces in my closet so that I can grab one to wear with my clothes. The Twirl-a-Tie works well for my necklaces as long as they're somewhat balanced around the rack--which they are since I only wear one or two at a time. The gadget is pretty simple--two pieces of plastic that easily snap together--and I think you're paying more for the idea than for the gadget itself. It's a simple but useful idea, too!\n\nTies would be more stable than necklaces of course (but then I don't wear ties) and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of these for the man in my life. I wouldn't probably get it as a gift though because although it's very functional it does look as though it probably is worth only a couple of dollars.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: SoftWorks Locking Tongs are sturdy, brushed stainless steel. The Tongs feature soft, comfortable, non-slip grip pads and they lock closed for easy storage. 9-inch length is ideal for cooking and serving. Dishwasher safe.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fine Set of Tongs\n\nReview: *****\n\nThese tongs are sturdy, and fine for all tong tasks. OXO makes these tongs in the 9-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch size. Note that these tongs do NOT have nylon tips at the bottom edges, like another version of OXO tongs that I much prefer. These would not be safe for using on non-stick cookware; however, you could use these tongs for many things you couldn't use the nylon head tongs for because there is no nylon to potentially melt, so you wouldn't have to be as careful with them.\n\nThese stainless steel tongs are a great alternative to the cheap aluminum tongs that feel flimsy and break easily. OXO products, including this one, are always easier to use and of high quality.\n\nThey store easily in a smaller space because of the locking mechanism at the top and they have a loop if you want to hang them. They clean easily, too. They should be good to go for any kitchen task.\n\n*****","Product: Rubbermaid Premier 20-piece Set #7J12 includes: (3) 1.25 cup (3) 2.0 cup (2) 3.0 cup and (2) 5.0 cup. Featuring Easy Seal: Flex & Seal lids that lock in freshness and are easy to seal & remove. Rubbermaid Premier food storage containers are easy to clean featuring durable shatterproof plastic that resists stains & odors for lifetime of clarity. Rubbermaid Premier is exceptionally easy to store using Easy Find lids that snap to the bottom of the container and to each other. Another great storage feature is that the Rubbermaid Premier base and lid nest inside each other. With Rubbermaid Premier one lid fits multiple bases. Rubbermaid Premier is guaranteed for life. Microwave, Dishwasher, Freezer Safe.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: WOW what a value!\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a great set---10 separate pieces each with lids---and a stunning value! They stack so that storage is easy---they come in a 9\" x 8\" x 11\" box, so they fit into a very small space. This is a great all-around set, with items of all different sizes, a good starter set, too.\n\nI have other Rubbermaid Stain Shield items, and I really love them. They are made from a very hard plastic (polycarbonate) which is made to last forever. The lids fit well and seal very tightly, but aren't too hard for me to get off at all. They don't stain even with tomato products and are really easy to clean.\n\nThis product looks like it will last a long time. Some reviewers have occasionally mentioned cracking and breaking; however, I can't imagine this as a potential problem for me because these items are really sturdy and we're not overly rough with our containers. Our other Rubbermaid Stain Series items have lasted for months with no problems. They definitely are not made of the same material as typical Rubbermaid plastic, but that's because polycarbonate is not porous, not made to absorb stains or odors. I love the polycarbonate material, and have never had anything ever made with it break or crack, only cloud up a bit with age and heavy use (I also scrub them with steel wool sometimes, though, which is probably why).\n\nThis Rubbermaid Stain Shield set comes with a Lifetime Warranty which is printed on the box. They say they will compensate you for any product defects and will not charge you for labor, service, or parts, and then give you an 800 number to call to make a claim. The warranty does not cover damage due to accident, misuse, or abuse of the storage pieces, which they say includes melting, warping, burning, or scratches. So...don't stick these in your oven, or drive over them with your car, throw them in your woodstove in the winter, or try to hack them in two with an ax, and I think you'll be just fine. If you have any other type of problem, you get your money back (even plus the sales tax, they say). Hey, I'm totally satisfied---not many products are this great and then have a warranty like this to boot!\n*****","Product: Fiskars Desktop Scissors Sharpener makes it easy to keep all your scissors sharp for clean cuts. Simply insert a scissors with the Fiskars logo facing you and apply gentle pressure to the blades as you pull the scissors toward you. Usually, four strokes are enough to smooth worn blades, returning them to a sharp edge.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Way to Save Money on Scissors\n\nReview: *****\nThis handy little scissors sharpener does what it is supposed to, and with just a few swipes sharpens scissors easily. It is light and easy to store in a drawer. You put the scissors in the two slots like you're cutting something, and then you close the scissors and--voila!--the scissors are sharpened after a few \"cuts\" or swipes. You don't need to line anything up because the slots do it for you.\n\nIt can be adapted to be used either right-handed or left-handed. The instructions that come with the sharpener says that it can be used on \"any stainless steel scissors that have a 30 degree cutting edge angle\". I used mine on all of my scissors, which appear to be aluminum or some other inexpensive metal (I doubt they are stainless steel) and they sharpened them just fine. It does however also say not to use this sharpener with left-handed scissors or scissors with specialty edges. I think that this would be best used on any type of inexpensive scissors that most of us have around the house for general and craft use. It will save you lots of money in the long run because your scissors will last and last and while they last they'll be nice and sharp!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Prevent burned fingers and arms -- no more reaching into hot ovens to move the rack. Notches at the end of the stick allow you to push the oven rack in and pull the oven rack out, conveniently and safely. This quality european hardwood utensil is 11-inches long and features top hole for hanging-or it lies easily in a drawer. Also works great with toaster oven racks. Made in Slovenia.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Ugly But Essential Kitchen Tool\n\nReview: *****\nThis kitchen utensil is definitely ugly, just a piece of unadorned wood, but the brilliance here is in the design and usefulness. There are prettier and fancier oven-push-pulls out there, but this little tool grabs the oven rack in either of my two ovens--the big one and the tiny toaster oven--and pulls it right out or pushes it back in. Even though it's wood, it hold up just fine and doesn't burn. I bought one in the spring and use it all the time; I just bought four more and am going to decorate them up a bit and give them out as Christmas gifts. The wood will take a bit of decoration, as long as you are careful and don't put anything flammable on it.\n\nYou pull with the groove on the side (to pull the oven rack out) and then you push with the slot at the end (to push the oven rack in). It works so well and is super-handy. Even a non-cook would like this as a gift because perhaps they put pizza in the oven to reheat or some other crispy snack. I heat up lots of packaged food in the oven and fine this invaluable.\n\nI only gave this item four stars because it really is ugly. With a braided loop on the end, and a little bit of decoration on the handle though, it would be a five star gift. Really.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Get crackin' with the CrackPot! Limit shell fragments when cracking eggs with the CrackPot's built-in plastic \"blade.\" The kid-friendly plastic \"blade\" allows for easy and clean egg cracking, freeing you of pesky shells in your breakfasts and batters! The ergonomic handle and non-slip rubber bottomgive you a solid grip while whisking up eggs or stirring up favorite baked goods. Made of FDA/EU food-safe melamine the CrackPot has a 1.5qt capacity. Designed in USA\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I Really Love My Crackpot!\n\nReview: *****\nThis little bowl is great--I use it for eggs and more because it's so handy and has so many design features that I like. First of course, is the built-in blade for cracking eggs. The whole bowl is melamine (a type of hard plastic) and the blade is too, so it's not anything you'd cut yourself on. But it certainly does help by providing a convenient place to crack an egg. I don't tend to be good at this and end up getting egg white on whatever I normally use, so this blade really helps and does truly minimize shell fragments. The bowl is sturdy too, so it doesn't rock when you crack an egg hard. Also, it doesn't move because of the non-slip rubber ring on the bottom. And the handle sticks out so that you can hold it while you're mixing whatever is in the bowl; the handle is nice and big and suitable for both right and left-handers.\n\nThe bowl holds up to a dozen eggs and is safe for the dishwasher, but cleans easily by hand too (I don't have a dishwasher). It's such a nice size (1.5 quarts) that I use it for lots of different things; the handle makes it very useful. Plus it's yellow and white, just like an egg--too cute! I think kids would like this too--it would help them to learn how to work with eggs, it's fun and colorful, and it doesn't slip around. Great bowl!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Woolite Mesh Wash Bags allows maximum circulation of detergent and water while protecting your garments from damage. The everyday care cleaning your garments has never been easier.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My Favorite Bra Wash Bag\n\nReview: *****\nI love this bra wash bag. It has a lot of support in it, enough for my larger size bras. I am a 42 B and wear Le Mystere bras, so I am really careful with them. When they are in this bag they are washed thoroughly, something I just can't do to the degree I prefer by hand. I wash them on cold on a delicate cycle with other delicates. I also don't put jeans or towels or anything heavy in the load with them, so I am really careful, since my bras are so expensive. They have underwires too, so I put the cups inside each other and I do like the way they fit in this bag. I would say they seem to last about 30-50 washes; they do eventually fall apart, but I have not yet found other products of this type that do not eventually fail.\n\nI take the bra out of the bag to go into the dryer on \"extra low\" and dry them both separately. I could hang the bra to dry, which would prolong its life but I like how they come out of my dryer on that setting, so I don't. I am careful to fasten the bra in the back so that it doesn't twist or catch onto other things in the dryer. It works for me.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Train Your Dog from Barking, Walking, Leash Training, Sitting, Aggression, and Other Behavioral Obedience with Premium Dog Training Shock Collar! Would you like your puppy to behave, obey to simple commands and stop using barking as a response to every single stimuli? This is most effective, professional remote controlled, behavior correction anti-bark dog training collar is bound to meet all your demands! Make it yours now and become a true dog trainer yourself using high quality tool. 4 Modes of Safety training will help you provide your pets with enough behavior, teaching them how to behave in a very short period of time. Combine Static shock, Vibration And Beeping Sound To Create The Perfect Training Method For Your Little Buddy This durable obedience dog training collar will provide you with countless possibilities to control your dog from distance. You can pick among 100 shock levels and 100 vibration levels, combine them with the distinctive beeping sound and find what works best for your dog. Moreover, no matter what your dogs breed, size or hunting dog , this Corrective training e-collar will provide unmatched comfort. All you have to do is adjust the remote control collars length. Train Indoor Or Outdoor This top notch pet trainer electronic shock collar comes with a handy rechargeable remote control. The 330 yard perimeter range allows you to practice in your backyard or at the park. In addition, the waterproof construction and the LCD display with the blue back light will give you the chance to use it during rain or during night-time. There are no limits for you and your furry friend! Package Contents and Accessories: 1 x Transmitter 1 x Receiver 1 x Nylon Strap 1 x Charging Cable 1 x Charging Adapter 1 x Test Bulb 3 x Sets of Contact Points Do Not Waste Time And Place Your Order Now!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: High-End Brush For Extreme Pampering\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\n\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\n\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\n\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\n\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\n\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Elegant and festive, the Holiday Teacup Cinnamon Candle will add the sweet scent of cinnamon to your Christmas gathering. Crafted of beautiful gold accented porcelain, the teacup is decorated with the iconic Holiday holly and berries motif. A delicate accent, perfect with Holiday dinnerware, this lovely candle also makes a great hostess gift. The candle includes a long exaggerated wick to mimic a teabag. When your ready to burn, simply cut the wick down and fill the room with the delicious holiday cinnamon scent.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Lovely Tea Kettle, Holiday Pattern--Use It To Make Memories!\n\nReview: *****\nThis is another winner from Lenox's Holiday collection, a stainless steel tea kettle with a lovely pattern that matches all of Lenox's various winter patterns, so that you can mix and match. This tea kettle is covered in enamel (over the stainless steel) with a wooden lid knob and handle piece--a beautiful light wood. The enamel inside is black. This teakettle is NOT dishwasher safe or microwave safe. It can be lovingly hand-washed.\n\nThis tea kettle is covered by Lenox's lifetime breakage guarantee if you register your purchase. The guarantee reads: \"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because: We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\" Compared to other types of products, this seems pretty good to me.\n\nIt is one of Lenox's products that is made in China (some are still made in the US). It is well-packaged and seems to be of very good quality. It is a smaller, lighter kettle, so it could be used for a couple or single person, or an older person since it is so lightweight. The pattern is striking and would look lovely displayed on your stove; the pattern has been popular since 1974!\n\nThere have been some questions asked about whether or not this tea kettle can be used on a stove--I am using mine in just that way--and as no instructions or literature was included with this item I can't imagine why anyone would not! I would encourage a buyer to not use this just for display, but for regular tea kettle duty on the stove.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Artistic splendor to brighten your holiday table, Winter Greetings is one of Lenox's most treasured heritage patterns. Bearing the acclaimed artistry of Catherine McClung, the festive design is an intricate composition of garden birds, red and gold bows and holly. Rich in color, decorate your table to warm cranberry and pine hughes. With our corporate office located in Pennsylvania and our fine dinnerware factory in Kinston, North Carolina we are proud to be a part of American tradition. With all of the craftsmanship and quality for which a pattern is known, it is no surprise that Winter Greetings is a treasured collection in homes worldwide. Best of all, this classic collection is created by Lenox, America's first name in home entertaining, known around the world for offering a unique combination of design artistry and superior quality for over 125 years. The confidence that Lenox has in the unmatched durability of every product they offer is backed by a lifetime breakage replacement policy to guarantee many years of enjoyment to each customer.The Winter Greetings Cookie Jar makes a great gift starting with the beautiful Red Cardinal design and 24 karat gold accents.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Lenox Craftsmanship In A Cookie Jar!\n\nReview: *****\nI am madly in love with the entire Lenox Holiday China Collection--all the patterns--all the pieces. In another life, if I were wealthy, I would buy them all. The ones I have seen are super-high quality, so pleasing to look at--gorgeous and with fine attention to detail. The pictures cannot capture the vibrance of the colors or the gold glimmer of the trim!\n\nI was sent an entirely different cookie jar than the picture. The cookie jar I was sent was the Lenox Holiday Tree Cookie Jar, which is part of the Holiday pattern, not the Winter Greetings pattern. However, it is a larger and more expensive cookie jar, so I am more than satisfied. Both patterns have similar colors and could be mixed and matched, including the cookie jars. However, if you want the larger tree-shaped cookie jar (and to see what I'm referring to in order to compare, visit here: <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Lenox-Holiday-Tree-Cookie-Jar/dp/B00K2SL0WC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Lenox Holiday Tree Cookie Jar</a>.\n\nI especially love the idea of mixing and matching the pieces to create a unique set with the exact types of pieces you can best use. What a festive Christmas table and surrounding home that would make!\n\nFortunately, Lenox has a lifetime breakage guarantee, which reads: \"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because:We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\" So register your china!\n\nAs other reviewers have mentioned, Lenox's packaging is great and gift quality; however, Amazon's packaging is typically quite rough. If damage does occur, be sure to contact Amazon for a replacement. However, plan some time ahead for this as if you need the china quickly you many have to go through the whole replacement process with Amazon which takes more time.\n\nUpon reading reviews of other Lenox holiday china pieces I have noticed that a few Amazon customers are getting knock-offs and imitation products, which would be very obvious. Please order ahead just in case, and know that if you get something that doesn't impress you with its craftsmanship, it's probably a reproduction--return it for the real thing!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Jam Funnels are indispensable when it comes to filling your jam jars. Fill up jam and puree easy and smoothly in jars with the Jonas Jam Funnel. Handy and easy to clean. 4\"H x 5\"W (at the top). Made of polypropylene.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Handy, Affordable Funnel for Kitchen\n\nReview: *****\nI really do like this jam funnel. I don't use it for jam.\n\nIt is pretty sturdy for a plastic funnel. The top diameter measures just under 5 inches. The funnel is 1 1/4 (1 and 2/8) inches across on the inside, and about 1 5/8 on the outside. So this means that the plastic thickness adds 3/8 inches to whatever it fits INTO.\n\nI was tired of funnels that get so skinny at the end. I have a hard time getting powder through those. And the ultra-wide canning funnels don't fit into the jars I have because they are too big. So this funnel is incredibly handy--kind of an in-between compromise between a regular funnel and a canning funnel.\n\nRecommended, nice product!\n*****","Product: The OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatulas are a new take on a classic tool. Whether you're mixing, scraping, scooping or stirring, our line of Silicone Spatulas can get the job done. Easy-to-clean silicone covers the head and neck of the Spatulas and they are heat-resistant up to 600DegreeF, so they won't discolor, warp or melt. Each Spatula features a soft, comfortable, non-slip grip and are safe for coated or non-stick cookware and bake ware.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great, Sturdy, High-Quality Spatula\n\nReview: *****\nI like this spatular. It is made of silicone and looks like it would be floppy, but it is only floppy around the edges--right where you need it to be--and not in the center where you need it to be firm. It feels very sturdy and of high quality--typical for the OXO brand. Since this spatula is heat-resistant up to 600F it won't melt or get damaged for most spatula-type tasks. It is also good to use on non-stick pans since it won't scratch them. It is also safe in the dishwasher.\n\nI have the white, and so far it hasn't stained, but if I bought it again, I might get it in a different color. It looks like it will stain, and other reviewers said that theirs had. Still, I really like it a lot and wouldn't mind too much if it did stain...when one uses things, they are going to look like it sometimes...\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The most popular casual dinnerware collection in America, Butterfly Meadow is truly a contemporary mix and match classic. Inspired by the artistry of Louise Le Luyer, there are many delightful pattern varriations to choose from, each offering an exquisite array of butterflies, blooms and other wonders of nature, all rendered in a soft color palette. Crafted of the finest Lenox porcelain, Butterfly Meadow is the perfect choice for today. All of the dinnerware is safe for use in the dishwasher, the microwave and guarantees superior freezer to oven to table performance. Designed for chip-resistant durability, Butterfly Meadow will take a cherished place in your home for many years and offers the opportunity to expand your collection with the incredible range of dining, decor and gift giving choices available. Best of all, this versatile, stylish and fun collection is created by Lenox, America's first name in home entertaining. Known around the world for offering a unique combination of design, artistry and superior quality for over 125 years, Lenox has unmatched durability and is backed up by a lifetime replacement program to guarantee many years of enjoyment. Enjoy hot or cold beverages on the go with a double-walled thermal travel mug personalized with your initial \"S\". Hand wash only. Giftboxed.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Unremarkable Sweet Petite Dish\n\nReview: ****\nLike all Lenox products, I enjoy this tiny little dish---the Lenox Butterfly Meadow Dish Initial E. It is very lightly colored, similar to the picture, but perhaps a little lighter. It is sturdier than most Lenox that I own, but less \"fine\", less \"special\"--quite ordinary looking and nothing anyone would remark about, unlike virtually all of my other pieces, which are not of this set. The inside is curved slightly so that you could put a small set of car keys on it, or a few rings perhaps. It is only 12.7 centimeters wide (5 inches), so if you imagine a saucer for a teacup without the interior ring for the cup, you have an idea of how petite this dish is.\n\nLenox makes things of such fine, quality, and I'm sure this is as well, just unimpressive. I think that if you knew someone with the initial \"E\" it would make a nice small gift.\n\nRecommended, with some caveats.\n****","Product: Washing multiple delicates can often be a chore. Bags are often too small to meet the need or too big and delicates snag each other. Eliminate that problem with the sturdy, polyester mesh Hosiery Bag from Household Essentials. With four compartments separated by fine weave mesh, this ingenious bag provides individual protection to multiple items at once. Keep your delicates cared for and your own peace of mind in one load of laundry. Measures 7\"h x 16.5\"w x 7\"d. Item No.130.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Handy Concept, Not Executed Well With This Hosiery Bag\n\nReview: ***\nThis hosiery bag is cheaply made, but does the job. The material is flimsy and I am uncertain that it will hold up long in my washer, which has a strong spin cycle.\n\nThe major problem I have with it is that the compartments do not go all of the way to the top. Thus, smaller items like socks end up in another compartment and get mixed up. All of my socks are the same and I end up having to match them up for wear anyway, but at least there are only four that I have to do this with.\n\nI would love to find a hosiery bag with compartments that truly separate---or else small bags for single pairs of socks, small gloves, children's socks, etc. I also bought another bag at the same time: The Whitmor 6154-988 Mesh Hosiery Wash Bag--which is almost identical to this Household Essentials bag. I am so disappointed with both. They serve the purpose, but cheaply, and not well.\n\nNot recommended; buy something of better quality if you can find it.\n***","Product: The George foreman 8-serving classic plate grill is a kitchen cornerstone. With heavy-duty, nonstick plates, you can grill steak, chicken, veggies, and more in no time! plus, with a 1\" adjustable hinge, you can even use the grill to toast and heat-through Panini. It has the exclusive George foreman slope to remove up to 42% of fat from 1/4 lb. Of uncooked 80/20 ground chuck, and a dishwasher-safe drip tray to catch all the greasy runoff.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not Too Exciting, Only Suitable as a Beginner Grill\n\nReview: ***\nThis grill requires no assembly. It is a grill rated for 8 servings. The minimum counter area required taking into consideration a 3\" buffer zone from all surfaces is 17\" X 19\" (43.2cm X 48.3cm). It has a sleek, shiny black plastic outer shell and nonstick cooking surfaces. The cooking surface measures exactly 10\" X 12.5\" (25.4cm X 31.8cm). This model boasts two cooking positions, flat and angled. It has a disarticulating hinged upper cooking plate to handle thick items you might want to cook. The cooking surfaces are not detachable for easy cleaning as seen in other models. The drip tray is dishwasher safe as long as it is on the top rack only. The power cord is only 24\" (61cm) long. It is a two prong cord.\n\nAs far as function; it does get very hot, but slowly and delivers the heat necessary to completely cook most meats and vegetables. There is no temperature control so it's either on maximum or it's off. It takes awhile to cool off so make sure no children have access to it at any time or it could become a safety hazard. I've almost burned myself thinking it was cool when it hadn't cooled off yet.\n\nThis grill would be adequate for a beginner grill. To be a better grill it would need these improvements which some other George Foreman grills have:\n 1. Removable cooking surfaces for easy cleaning\n 2. Temperature control\n 3. Ceramic cooking surfaces - they last longer and are easier to clean because foods don't stick to it is as much\n 4. Longer power cord\n\nSorry, but it's just okay. I'm not excited about this grill. Not recommended, except as a beginner grill.\n***","Product: Designed with simple sophistication and clean lines, the Around the Table 13.50\" Three Tiered Server celebrates special moments with friends and family. Crafted of creamy white stoneware and decorated with chalkboard black motifs of dots, stripes, and wish , this contemporary three tiered server and coordinating dinnerware are inviting and fun. Perfect for a casual get together.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: A Lenox Compromise, 3 Tier Server Not Recommended\n\nReview: **\nI wanted to love this Lenox server. It is beautiful---especially trendy, yet tasteful, with three complementary designs in black and white on each tier. Unfortunately, I could not assemble it nor figure out any way to use it, especially without any instructions. This is really sad as it's a gorgeous piece. Hopefully, Lenox will correct this in future shipments. I received this server in exchange for my honest review. All I can tell you honestly, is not to purchase this for yourself or as a gift unless and until you can be certain that Lenox has resolved this problem. This is not up to typical Lenox standards at all.\n\nI own many other pieces of Lenox tableware, and have for many years. This is unusual and hopefully not a trend that will continue.\n\nNot recommended, unless assembly problem is corrected.\n**","Product: Marathon's Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light is the perfect marriage of form and function. It features an elegant, classic design with modern touches to create the perfect bedside instrument. The ambient light sensor ensures the face of the clock is illuminated in the dark and easy to read. A sweeping second hand does not emit an audible tick. The Alarm ON/OFF and SNOOZE/LIGHT buttons are conveniently located on the top of the clock and are easily accessible even in the dark. Available in a variety of colors: Black, White, Blue, Gold, and Silver.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Excellent Design and Great Value in An Alarm Clock\n\nReview: *****\nI love this little alarm clock! For the price it is very sweet. It's also annoying, which means it can get me up, unlike other more pleasant alarms that don't have a beeping sound. The alarm isn't super loud, but it's annoying enough to get you up and break through your dreams or heavy sleep. It is a quick beep made up of four quick little staccato chirps.\n\nIn the picture you can see the red button on top that activates the alarm, which is set on the back with a post that is turned. The other button on the top is a light that lights up the whole dial so that you can see the time when it's dark. The other button is large and to the right so that you won't accidentally turn off the alarm. It also functions as a snooze button. The dial light can be customized to be on demand or to vary with the room lighting.\n\nIt is a totally silent clock. The second hand is smooth and moves around without jerking with each second. It runs on two AA batteries.\n\nThe only thing I don't like about it is that the alarm is supposed to (according to the instructions) only beep for two minutes and then it is supposed to go off. My alarm has never done that though, which pleases me much, much more. It doesn't go off until I turn it off. I am doing a test for this review and it has been continuing as I've written this entire review. So I don't know how yours will work, but I'm glad mine is not as the instructions say. I've been listening to it so far for 15 minutes; it may go for longer, but I'm going to give in now.\n\nIt is a well-made EXTREMELY well-designed clock that offers a good value for the money. I'm very happy with my purchase. For the price, I don't know how you could beat it.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Turbo-charged with an extra large stainless-steel soleplate for smooth gliding on virtually any fabric and a pointed tip for easily getting into pleats, between buttons and along seams. Powerful shot of steam and vertical shot of steam features offer an extra burst of steam on flat surfaces for traditional ironing of shirts, slacks, table linens or Vertically steaming out wrinkles from hanging garments, draperies, upholstery and more. 3-Way motion smart auto-off technology shuts the iron off automatically after 15 minutes when upright or 30 seconds if lying flat or on its side. The 12-foot power cord with 360-degree swivel is designed for hassle-free maneuverability. Anti-drip system prevents water leakage at any temperature setting to eliminate unwanted drips and a self-cleaning system helps to ensure optimal performance. Lifetime soleplate and 3-year limited warranties.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Terrific Iron, Packed With Features and Value\n\nReview: *****\nI love this latest iron from Sunbeam--lightweight, easy to use, safe because of smart shut-off system, with steam that performs however you need it to, and with a long cord so that I don't need an extension!\n\nFirst the smart shut-off system: 15 minutes if standing upright, and only 30 seconds if you leave it flat or on its side--which would indicate an accidental misplacement. This makes sense to me. The iron is designed with a tip that can maneuver into difficult places. It comes with a graduated fabric setting dial, an anti-calcium system, and an extra long 12 foot 360 degree swivel cord. There are several basic steam settings that can be pulsed at 3 second intervals.\n\nThe iron has a vertical \"shot of steam\" feature that is wonderful, kind of like a steamer--this function is easy and works great for places that are too intricate to iron, or just for convenience.\n\nThis iron has a self-cleaning feature that I have not used yet, but that the instructions say helps to ensure optimal functioning and that should be done monthly. The instructions for the self-clean come with the iron and they seem very, very specific, so save your instruction booklet. The iron uses tap water, and ours is full of minerals, so I will push myself to clean it.\n\nThis is a great iron. I am a big fan of Rowenta irons, and in the past many years have stuck with that brand, but this Sunbeam has won me over. For the price, the value is here.\n\nGreat iron, highly recommended.\n*****","Product: The 45\" Memory Foam Folding Ottoman Bench adds seating and storage space to any of your room. It can store a variety of items in your room. If the ottoman itself needs to be stored, it can be folded flat to save space. Our Unique, faux-leather storage ottoman with memory foam padded seat is designed to refresh your room for modern looking and comfort you. Great for home or office. Super sturdy, holds up to 250lbs in weight;.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Inexpensive, But Decent Ottoman, Will Blend With Nice Decor!\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a likable and very, very inexpensive ottoman. I use it in my bedroom like an expensive chest (one that I could never afford), but even though it is so cheap it isn't obvious, so it works! I think that based on the price, this is an ottoman that could be used in lots of places for storage and look classy (as long as you don't check it super-closely). Even so, it's not really poor quality, just inexpensive, and so it will definitely store clothes and other light items easily. Yes, you can sit on it, but I want mine to last a long time, and so I wouldn't; if you are planning on using it for seating you could exceed the weight limit (250 pounds) and it could collapse.\n\nOne of the things I like best about it is that even though it's heavy, I can assemble it myself. It literally pops up into place. You arrange a few things that snap into place or lay into place and you're done in 5 minutes, faster than it takes to open and break down the box it comes in.\n\nThis is a great buy, and something that will go with many different decors. My bedroom has some nice furniture in it, so people will probably assume it's a several hundred dollar ottoman (again, unless they inspect it closely), which works for me. It would be great if there were more products like this!\n\nRecommended.\n*****","Product: Originally introduced in 1917, Lowell is distinctive for its elaborate band of gold, etched in an ornate style reminiscent of services privately commissioned at the turn of the century. This service is crafted of the same ivory fine china found in the five official state services Lenox was commissioned to create for the White House.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Stately, Impressive, 24K Gold Accented Fine Bone China\n\nReview: *****\nThis is certainly the most beautiful set of Lenox china I have ever seen. This pattern--Lowell--is breathtakingly crafted with 24 carat gold. It is one of the same ivory fine china's that Lenox was commissioned to create for the White House--they commissioned five official state services in all. Today Lenox is the only manufacturer of fine bone china in the United States; they send some of their pieces to China, but this is not one of them--this one is made entirely in the USA. To say that this china is impressive is an understatement.\n\nThe gold band is raised in some places where there is a pattern, but not in other places (like the handle of the teacup and the bottom of the teacup); despite all of this gold and formality the set is dishwasher safe. I would never put it in a dishwasher though! It is thin, fine, complete quality in every way. The 5-piece place-setting includes a dinner plate (10.5 inches), a salad plate (8.25 inches), a bread plate (6.375 inches), a cup (holding 7 oz), and a saucer (5.75 inches).\n\nLenox has a lifetime breakage guarantee for their fine bone china, which reads: \"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because:We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\" So register your china, especially something so special as the Lowell.\n\nThis is an impressive set of fine bone china.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Mario Batali oven mitt. 100% yarn-dyed cotton twill with terrycloth interior and center loop for hanging. Available in persimmon.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Just What I Was Looking For\n\nReview: *****\nI have many fancy oven mitts, including those made out of silicone (stiff and bulky) and those made out of cloth but with silicone strips (unwieldy), and I found myself falling back on the good old fabric only ones all the time. Unfortunately all of the fabric ones I had were old and worn out. So I took a chance on these, buying them because of the reviews and because they looked to be a bit higher quality than your average fabric oven mitt.\n\nWell, they are much better than I'd thought. First of all, they appear to be superior quality, not flimsy at all. The exterior is a heavy canvas material. They do fully cover my wrist and go more than halfway up to my elbow, which I really like. Best of all, on the inside there is a heavy duty cotton terry cloth instead of the common muslin or cheaper thin quilted interior. These will be protective of my hands, just like I wanted. But they are not stiff or bulky--this is probably the biggest challenge in designing an oven mitt--protection without bulkiness, keeping maneuverability. These oven mitts rock!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Tired of seeing the same items strewn about your bathroom, kitchen and dressing counter? This York Apothecary Jar by interDesign is made of durable glass. Its attractive and removable chrome polished lid combines good looks and functionality. It is ideal for the kitchen, bath room or bedroom and matches almost any decor and color.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Average Jar, Expensive for Quality\n\nReview: **\nThis average-looking little jar is quite expensive for the price. I expected something quaint and vintage-looking; as it was, the jar is some kind of \"acrylic glass\" and very ordinary looking, not real glass and not as nice as the picture. I am using it for q-tips on my bathroom sink.\n\nIn addition, mine arrived with damage to the rim; rather than go through an elaborate return process and waste my time, I took a few minutes and repaired it with some polymers I had here at home. It was frustrating though to spend that amount of money and get so little. I would have been more satisfied had it arrived intact and at about one-third the cost.\n\nNot recommended.\n**","Product: The Tribest Dynablend Horsepower Plus gives you all the performance of other high power blenders, but at half the price. The Dynablend comes standard with an elegant, heavy duty tempered glass pitcher, unlike other competitors. It is the only blender on the market equipped with an innovative stainless steel utility scoop. Use the stainless steel scoop to sample, stir and add ingredients while the machine is in use. Three pre-programmed buttons and a variable speed dial provides a simplistic yet more effective approach to most blenders.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Quality Personal Blender--Use Carefully!\n\nReview: ****\nThere are many things to like about this blender: (1) It has a very easy cleanupyou just clean the container you used to mix your beverage or food, (2) It is made of heavy tempered glass, (3) The silicone seals look to be high quality, (4) Everything fits together well before you turn the blades on, (5) It sits on the counter easily because the three containers can be stored separately, (6) There is a 5-year warranty, (7) The three containers are 8, 16, and 24 ouncesgreat sizes, (8) The blender is really powerful and can handle anything that I put into it, but is especially convenient and easy for protein shakesthere is very little cleanup and you can leave the base and the sharp blades behind and take the shake with you, and (9) Its really easy to figure out how to use.\n\nOn the negative side:\n(1) BIGGEST NEGATIVE: Each time you remove the glass container with your food in it, you must unfasten the sharp blade and silicone seal. This is definitely not a blender for children to use or to be around--they need to be protected from the blades. I live alone, so Im fine, but I wouldnt use this in a house with kids. An accidental drop of the raw blades could be tough for little ones or pets. The blades are super-scary to handle, honestly!\n(2) The containers have plastic lids.\n(3) You can only run the motor for 30 seconds at a time. I am guessing it will overheat.\n(4) It is not made in the USA (in Korea).\n(5) Its really, really expensive for what you get--handy-ness and convenience.\n\nI would recommend it if you have the money to spend or a pressing need for any of the features.\n****","Product: Warm gold tones in a delicate pattern create the vivid elegance of Jeweled Jardin dinnerware. Trimmed in precious gold and detailed with raised dots, the Sharon Sacks design is masterfully crafted by Lenox and is perfect for both formal and casual occasions. The five-piece place setting includes a dinner plate, salad plate, butter plate, cup and saucer.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Stunning Setting, Best of Lenox & Modern Technology, Made in the USA\n\nReview: *****\nThis is another stunning Lenox place setting--actually, a piece of art in itself. This Lenox pattern is fine bone china, accented with platinum, and dishwasher safe. To me, it looks like gold, though--possibly even two shades of gold--and the pattern wherever you see a \"dot\" or a \"circle\" is slightly raised, to give a kind of embossed feel. The outer edges of each piece look like pure gold leaf! The whole set has a modern feel to it because of the intricate patterns and the style of the cup. This must be the advantage of designing with platinum; I have truly not seen anything like this before!\n\nIncluded in the set is a dinner plate (10.75 inches), a salad plate (8 inches), a butter plate (6 inches), a saucer (4.75 inches) and a very modern looking cup (holds 7 ounces). The entire set was made in the USA. It would be fine enough to use for any formal occasion. It also would be celebratory to use for every day as well, and a true treat--just don't put it in the microwave of course. It has a thin, fine feel to it, and is quality through and through.\n\nLenox has a lifetime breakage guarantee, which reads: \"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because: We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\" So register your china!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Mepra offers innovation in process, design, and product. Made from the highest quality of material, Mepra products appear on the Tables of the most prestigious hotels in the world, award-winning restaurants and hundreds of thousands of people's homes. Now you can bring a piece of Made in Italy history to your Table.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Stellar Flatware, Worth the Price\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a beautiful set of cutlery, easily earning a five star rating. I did not, like some other reviewers, take off a star for price. This set is very expensive, and I expect that the enormous price is earned in its durability over time. It also seems to me that each of the five pieces could be worth the 1/5th of the price, given the style and prestigious Italian manufacturer (Mepra).\n\nThe pieces are smooth, well-crafted with no flaws. The black finish looks steel-ish also, kind of like regular silver that has tarnished yet sparkles--it is hard to describe. It is not a dull black but a shiny black. The flatware is smooth and lustrous. The forks are quite sharp, which I like; they will not cut your mouth yet they pick up food well (this is hard to describe as well). The small spoon is very small, almost like a child's spoon, but I enjoy it's uniqueness also. The butter knife also cuts extremely well, like a steak knife.\n\nI would say this is the nicest everyday wear flatware (non-silver) that I have ever seen. Highly recommended.\n*****","Product: Cool and Comfortable Gumy Headphone\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\n\nReview: ***\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\n\nI ended up buying some \"Koss \"The Plug\" Portable Headphones\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\n\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\n\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\n***","Product: JVC's Gumy headphones let you enjoy your favorite music from your digital media palyer. The soft material covers the lightweight earbuds to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\n\nReview: ***\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\n\nI ended up buying some \"Koss \"The Plug\" Portable Headphones\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\n\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\n\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\n***","Product: JVC's Gumy headphones let you enjoy your favorite music from your digital media palyer. The soft material covers the lightweight earbuds to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\n\nReview: ***\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\n\nI ended up buying some \"Koss \"The Plug\" Portable Headphones\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\n\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\n\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\n***","Product: JVC's Gumy headphones let you enjoy your favorite music from your digital media palyer. The soft material covers the lightweight earbuds to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\n\nReview: ***\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\n\nI ended up buying some \"Koss \"The Plug\" Portable Headphones\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\n\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\n\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\n***","Product: GUMY PHONE SENSITIVITY: 109 DB/MW CORD LENGTH: 3.9 FT L-SHAPE GOLD-PLATED PLUG MAX INPUT CAPABILITY: 30 MW WEIGHT: .19 OZ WHITE\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\n\nReview: ***\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\n\nI ended up buying some \"Koss \"The Plug\" Portable Headphones\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\n\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\n\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\n***","Product: Crafted in Italy of 925 sterling silver.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Gorgeous, High Quality Silver Necklace\n\nReview: *****\nThis necklace is so lovely and of such high quality; I was so pleased to receive it. It is shinier and more beautiful than the picture! Note the lobster clasp, which is very sturdy and pretty as well.\n\nSince the vendor does not list it as \"nickel free\" I researched it on the Internet and found that apparently .925 sterling silver is always nickel free; I am mentioning this in case you are like me and were wondering about this because of allergies.\n\nThe vendor ships very, very quickly (I had my item within 4 days) and for the price, I found everything about this necklace to be superb. I would have gladly paid twice the cost for it.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The 31\" Long Handle Shoe Horn is one of the longest shoehorns you will ever find. This shoe horn was specifically engineered to put your shoes on while standing, with less effort, and virtually no bending required. The flexible spring provides you the flexibility that is needed to easily slip your foot into virtually any shoe from any angle. The spring also allows the shoe horn to flex and bend without breaking. The 31? Long Handle Shoe Horn is comprised of eight individual pieces and is assembled by hand. It consists of a polished solid maple wood spindle attached by means of a strong but flexible spring to a high quality plastic shoe horn. The shoe horn is topped off with a hanger cap for convenient storage. It makes a perfect gift idea for various occasions (Holiday gift, Corporate / Business gift, etc.). We offer three (3) different size shoe horns (19?, 25?, and 31? shoe horns) with a variety of hard wood species (Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Oak, and Mahogany) on Amazon.com. To view a complete selection of our American made shoe horns we offer on Amazon, please click on our name ?Long Handle Shoe horn? at the top of this listing that states: ?Ships from and sold by Long Handle Shoe Horn?. YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Amazing Shoe Horn, Worth the Money\n\nReview: *****\nI just bought this shoe horn last week and LOVE it! I was skeptical at first because of the high cost over regular plastic or even wooden long shoe horns, but was convinced by the Amazon reviews. I agree with them now wholeheartedly. I also wanted to explain that the spring that people write about is just above the shoe horn part, and enables you to maneuver your shoe and foot around so that you can easily slip into the shoes. It is a really sturdy spring; in fact the whole shoe horn is very sturdy, and ends in a hook so that it can be easily stored on the wall. I will be buying another one of these for our home, because despite the expense, they are so easy to use that I don't want to struggle with others at all.\n\nEven if you don't have trouble bending over, who wants to sit down on the floor in dress clothes to struggle with their shoes? It's so easy just to slip them on with this. I'm very glad that this was invented to address a common problem.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Pamper your feet and your pedicure! This ultra low profile liner stretches comfortably over the toes and around the heel. Elastic topline and silicone at heel keeps this sock in place and out of sight.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good Enough Sock Liner, A Few Problems\n\nReview: ****\nI like these liner socks...they have a small silicone pad at the heel that keeps them in place there. This pad can be positioned all different kinds of ways to make the sock-shoe combination more comfortable. They fit a little tight, but still okay, but my feet are really wide and a 9.5, so I expected that. They don't show in the shoes I have. I will wear them instead of pantyhose (I took a vow to never wear them again after I turned 50) but I wouldn't consider them with walking shoes or for doing any kind of athletic activity, because they are not comfortable enough.\n\nOne of the eight socks was defective, but for my time and trouble, the cost of doing so wasn't worth it to me to return it. Also, they are of course not 100% cotton (the title is a bit misleading) but a blend so that they can stay on your foot.\n\nI plan to compare them to some other liners, but if they end up being the best and I reorder, I'll amend my review here. So far I also bought \"sheec\" liners and those are more comfortable, have more coverage and more cotton. It remains to be seen how sturdy either of them are, though.\n\nMostly recommended, with caveats.\n****","Product: This amazing Finejewelers 14K Yellow Gold 22 Inch bright-cut Adjustable Round Wheat Chain Necklace Lobster Clasp and Small Heart, crafted in 14 kt Yellow Gold . This design measures 1.00 mm wide.Warranty: - This item is covered by our exclusive Silver Shield Lifetime Warranty. This exclusive lifetime coverage is offered ONLY by Finejewelers so please shop with confidence, our quality is guaranteed for life!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Gorgeous Singapore Chain Ready for Gifting or Presentation\n\nReview: *****\nI was extremely happy with this Singapore Chain. It is finely made and sturdy without being heavy and weighty on the neck. The longest it is is 22 inches; by pulling on the heart charm gently the chain can shorten so that it can be worn at all lengths less than 22 inches! I have never seen an adjustable chain that was made like this. The lobster clasp is beautiful as well.\n\nThe chain comes in a nice gift package along with a satiny gift bag. If you are a gentleman looking for a beautiful chain for a lady, this will fit the bill. On most women the length will be perfect as for this weight chain you probably wouldn't want it any longer, and you can make it shorter! This is a great gift chain. You can give her the gift as is, or you can purchase a pendant separately that is something you like. I bought a vintage pendant on ebay for myself and will wear this chain with the pendant. It is a sentimental purchase that commemorates an important milestone in my marriage to my husband; he is value-minded, and I think it is perfect for the price as well.\n\nI could not recommend this chain nor this vendor--Finejewelers--any higher. The necklace comes with a guarantee and certificate of its authenticity and a free lifetime warranty. Plus all of the gift packaging you will need, gentlemen--no need to buy wrapping paper or have it professionally wrapped. It comes that way in a box that can be opening and shut again as the wrapping and bow are cleverly just on the top. So elegant!\n\nHighly recommended!\n*****","Product: A favorite among globetrotting Timbuk2 fans, the Copilot is lightweight and easy to pack. Its sleek new styling works downtown or way out of town and its bike-inspired handle system and broad-base skateboard wheels yield a smooth roll. Its clamshell structure makes it easy to pack and repack, while always providing the opportunity to quarantine things as needed. The Copilot features multiple reinforced grab straps for an easy heave-ho into overhead bins and its expandable top stash pocket is designed for easy access in said bins. Light, organized and subtly chic, the Copilot is ready to board.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: High Quality Carryon or Overnighter (Medium Size Roller)--Delightful!\n\nReview: *****\nThis is the nicest small suitcase/carry-on bag I have ever owned. It displays quality in every aspect. Although it is expensive, in this case, you will get what you pay for. This model of Copilot has been updated for 2014. I have the 22 inch model or medium case. It comes with a lifetime warranty that guarantees the Copilot against defects and craftsmanship forever.\n\nIt is easy to access the contents of the suitcase. Seated down in an airline seat or in an airport waiting area and without getting up, I can reach in from above and access many of the pockets, including some of the inside contents by opening the top zipper. If you need to look inside the bag or pockets of the red-on-black bag (which is the one I have) it is easy to see belongings because the inside lining is a red heavy-duty material. There is also a special slash pocket under the large outside front pocket that yields access to the inside of the suitcase from the side, intended to be used to reach inside the suitcase when it is laying in an overhead binthat way you don't have to haul it out of the bin to get inside!\n\nThe front zipper pocket is padded and it will hold a smaller MacBook Pro (up to 13) and other electronic devices. If you have a larger MacBook Pro (I have a 15) it can fit inside and then be accessed with the slash pocket described above.\n\nThere are ultra-reinforced grab handles everywhere for lifting and maneuvering. There are literally handles on all sides of the Copilot; however, they are so well-designed that they don't get in the way. At the same time, you can easily pull it out of overhead bins, taxis, wherever.\n\nThe wheels are urethane skateboard wheelsvery sturdy and very quiet.\n\nThe aluminum double post handle is sturdy, extends smoothly, and is covered with a comfortable rubbery grip inspired by a bicycle hand grip.\n\nThe outside is made of a durable nylon and fabric reinforced tarpaulin fabric construction. I had to look that up. A tarpaulin (or tarp) is a sheet of strong, flexible, tough material used for heavy-duty tasks.\n\nThe inside is a clamshell designtwo separate compartments. The top compartment is really reinforced but softer and the bottom compartment is a hard shell covered with that tarp material. The compartments are separated by mesh covers with zippers. These keep the things inside organized. There are two pockets on top of the mesh dividers on the top side for additional organization, toiletries, etc. All but these additional pockets have dual zippers.\n\nThe medium Copilot is 14.6 inches wide, 21.6 inches high, 9.8 inches deep, and weighs only 6.6 pounds. It really is an amazing balance of sturdiness and light weight for travel and maneuvering.\n\nTimbuk2 bags cost more, but they are a quality product.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The SIGG screw bottle cap with integrated seal is guaranteed leak-proof even in the most extreme conditions. Loop top can be clipped to your belt or backpack with a carabiner or similar attachment for easy transport. Replaces any misplaced or lost SIGG cap. Convenient to have on hand as a spare. Cap fits all SIGG Reusable Bottles. Specify Style.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Secure, Interchangeable Screw Top for Sigg Bottles\n\nReview: *****\nThese are replacement screw tops for your wonderful Sigg bottles. You may have lost yours, or you may have a different type of top cap and want to try this type. This is my favorite top cap, as it is very secure, and when you unscrew it you drink straight from the Sigg bottle. I prefer it to the sports top, which is quicker to open, but shoots out a thin stream of water, which is never enough for me. It takes a couple of seconds to unscrew the top with this screw top, but I don't mind.\n\nNote that not only are the colors interchangeable, but these fit all Sigg bottle sizes, so if you view your Sigg bottle as a fashion accessory (as I do), you can change your look too with these tops :)\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The Sigg cleaning brush also comes with a smaller one for claning the bottle caps. Tobe sure clean, fresh tasting drinks time after time, always clean SIGG bottles after use with the speial SIGG cleaning brushes\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Brush for Those Into Sigg Bottles\n\nReview: *****\nI have many Sigg bottles, and so found this investment into a special brush to clean them worthwhile. This brush can get into any nook or cranny of any Sigg bottle.\n\nHowever, there are many ways to clean Sigg bottles. You can use Sigg tablets (like those you clean dentures with), or you can use bleach, or you can use boiling water and a small scrubber. For the best and most thorough cleaning, however, I would use this brush, too, even if you use the tablets or bleach, and no brush is better than one specifically created for Sigg bottles.\n\nIf you have more than one Sigg bottle, definitely get this brush, as it makes things very easy, and works perfectly. Sigg bottles are guaranteed to last for a lifetime, and having a useful brush to clean them with is just a part of the whole package.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: SIGG Swiss Quality Bottle 0.6L Proprietary Liner: baked-on, water-based epoxy resin; exceeds FDA requirements; flexible and crack resistant; resists fruit acids and isotonic drinks Exterior: solvent-free, eco-friendly, powder-based coating Closure: leak-proof and interchangeable from one SIGG to the next Twist top Extruded from single piece of pure aluminum for no seams Leak-proof performance Virtually unbreakable Swiss made All Lifestyle SIGG All 0.6-Liter SIGG bottles Sigg is a member of 1% for the Planet , so a portio of their annual sales go to environmental causes worldwide.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Classic Sigg Water Bottle, Personal Accessory\n\nReview: *****\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line, and so much fun. The designs Of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous, from the plain, solid color bottles, to the ones with intricate designs. They are simply beautiful! I switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, thinking it would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning fun. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design. Yes, all in a water bottle!\n\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap.\n\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. I bought this screw top (also called a \"loop top\") because I don't like sports tops, and I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak-proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabiner. I get comments on it all the time, \"What's that? I love it!\" The sports top version is ok; I just am not a fan, as I don't feel like I can get enough water from the little stream from the sports top. However, for convenience, you might prefer it. For children, there is a cap-type top. All are leak-proof. If you like the design and size but prefer a different top, you can buy a screw top separately to fit your Sigg bottle.\n\nPick a style and pattern you like, as this bottle is a personal accessory, and should reflect your style. The colors are vibrant and even prettier than they seem in the pictures on Amazon.\n\nOne consideration in case you are buying this Sigg bottle for your children: They do dent, but I and others regard this as a type of \"seasoning\" affecting only the appearance, since the dents do not go through to the inside of the bottle or affect the inside at all.\n\nThey are expensive, but they are so durable that you can plan on them lasting many years. I consider them both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: SIGG bottles are innovative, functional, go-anywhere and totally suited for leisure and sporting activities. Small wonder, then, that the market leader is also the winner in consumer tests and sets the competitive pace. Just as one would expect of a true original! Holds over 4 cups (33 ounces).\n\nCASE IS NOT INCLUDED\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Safe, Healthy, Quality Bottle---And Groovy, Too!\n\nReview: *****\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line in every way. The designs of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous--even the plain, solid color bottles are beautiful--but the ones with designs are even better, in my opinion. This one is not only beautiful but carries a cool message in a seventies-type font---\"Make Love Not Landfill\"!\n\nI switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, even though I thought a permanent bottle like this would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning less of a chore. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design.\n\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap. They do dent if dropped on a hard surface at a particular angle, but Sigg fans (including me) view this as a type of \"seasoning\", so that your bottle acquires character. The dents are on the outside layer of the bottle, not the inside layer and so don't interfere with any functionality.\n\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. This bottle has a screw top, which I prefer. I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabineer. If you ever lose the top, you can buy them separately.\n\nSigg makes their personal water bottle in many sizes. I have quite a few, and like this 1L size for my car and other uses that require a lot of water (like a long hike).\n\nThis bottle may seem expensive, but it is so durable that you can plan on it lasting many years. I consider Sigg bottles both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\n\nNote that Sigg water bottles should not be used to contain boiling water, as this will damage the outer coating. They also cannot be left in the freezer, as it may crack. They can be used for carbonated beverages, if you leave about a half inch of room at the top.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: SIGG bottles are innovative, functional, go-anywhere and totally suited for leisure and sporting activities. Small wonder, then, that the market leader is also the winner in consumer tests and sets the competitive pace. Just as one would expect of a true original! Holds over 4 cups (33 ounces).\n\nCASE IS NOT INCLUDED\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Safe, Healthy, Quality Bottle---And Groovy, Too!\n\nReview: *****\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line in every way. The designs of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous--even the plain, solid color bottles are beautiful--but the ones with designs are even better, in my opinion. This one is not only beautiful but carries a cool message in a seventies-type font---\"Make Love Not Landfill\"!\n\nI switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, even though I thought a permanent bottle like this would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning less of a chore. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design.\n\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap. They do dent if dropped on a hard surface at a particular angle, but Sigg fans (including me) view this as a type of \"seasoning\", so that your bottle acquires character. The dents are on the outside layer of the bottle, not the inside layer and so don't interfere with any functionality.\n\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. This bottle has a screw top, which I prefer. I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabineer. If you ever lose the top, you can buy them separately.\n\nSigg makes their personal water bottle in many sizes. I have quite a few, and like this 1L size for my car and other uses that require a lot of water (like a long hike).\n\nThis bottle may seem expensive, but it is so durable that you can plan on it lasting many years. I consider Sigg bottles both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\n\nNote that Sigg water bottles should not be used to contain boiling water, as this will damage the outer coating. They also cannot be left in the freezer, as it may crack. They can be used for carbonated beverages, if you leave about a half inch of room at the top.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Roll your way to a stronger, healthier you. The Gaiam Restore Muscle Therapy Foam Roller loosens tight muscles to help improve mobility. The 18-Inch length allows for simultaneous double arm and double leg work to soothe soreness effectively.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My New Favorite Muscle Massager\n\nReview: *****\nI really love this muscle massager. I have several, and I prefer this one for a couple of reasons:\n(1) The design of the green discs is such that I can really dig into my muscles, moreso that with the massagers that have identical discs.\n(2) Its best feature: that the bar that holds the green discs bends a lot so that (again), I can really dig into my sore muscles.\nIt is so easy to use and really works. I can't really compare the relief I get from this to the other ones I have...it is just vastly better! I use it not just on my quadriceps, but all over my body for relief after activity, since I am over 50 years old and have regular stiffness and sore muscles.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Recycled Glass; 22 oz. capacity; 9.75 x 3 inches; Includes silicone cap and matching silicone rings; Translucent, food-grade silicone caps, create a leak-proof seal. Roll over lip creates a sanitary, easy \"on-off\" function.; Rounded milk-bottle lip. Wide mouth for easy cleaning.; Matching silicone rings slide into the ribs for better 'gription.'; Manufactured in North America\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Work of Art, Specialty Glass Water Bottle\n\nReview: *****\nI bought this water bottle in black but wanted to included the review here as well, since this is an exceptional water bottle that warrants more information.\n\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. Still, it is something you'd need to be careful with, because it is breakable, something to keep in mind. I don't mind as I would use another type of bottle for a sports application--this one is my daily water or kombucha bottle.\n\nThe silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping. I noticed no smell whatsoever (mentioned in another review) with mine; I am very sensitive to such things and was pleased, so perhaps the problem has been rectified.\n\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\n\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\n\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The Modern Classic SIGG, reusable water bottle a perfect blend of functionality and design. Made in Switzerland, the SIGG Classic Bottle features our EcoCare liner, made from BPA-free and phthalate-free ingredients, ensures a fresh, clean taste every time. SIGG Aluminum Bottles deliver all the benefits of a lightweight, durable, eco-friendly, leak-proof water bottle in a sophisticated style and comes with our standard SIGG Screw Top\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Top of the Line Every Day Water Bottle\n\nReview: *****\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line in every way. The designs of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous, from the plain, solid color bottles (like this one), to others with intricate designs. I switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, even though I thought a permanent bottle like this would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning less of a chore. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design.\n\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap. They do dent if dropped on a hard surface at a particular angle, but Sigg fans (including me) view this as a type of \"seasoning\", so that your bottle acquires character. The dents are on the outside layer of the bottle, not the inside layer and so don't interfere with any functionality.\n\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. This bottle has a screw top, which I prefer. I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabineer. If you ever lose the top, you can buy them separately.\n\nSigg makes their personal water bottle in many sizes. I use the .6L size as my basic every day size, and keep it in my briefcase. It is a bit too large for my purse, although if you carry a tote it is an ideal size. It is also good for sports activities that require less water, like shorter walks. For my car and other uses I use the larger 1L size.\n\nThis bottle may seem expensive, but it is so durable that you can plan on it lasting many years. I consider Sigg bottles both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\n\nNote that Sigg water bottles should not be used to contain boiling water, as this will damage the outer coating. They also cannot be left in the freezer, as it may crack. They can be used for carbonated beverages, if you leave about a half inch of room at the top.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: A BottlesUp glass water bottle truly stands on its own. A gleaming textured bottle crafted from recycled glass. The sturdy glass and unique food grade silicone snap-on cap and gripper rings assure that it can withstand the everyday tumble.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Gorgeous Water Bottle, The Difference is Design and Quality\n\nReview: *****\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. The silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping.\n\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\n\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\n\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: A BottlesUp glass water bottle truly stands on its own. A gleaming textured bottle crafted from recycled glass. The sturdy glass and unique food grade silicone snap-on cap and gripper rings assure that it can withstand the everyday tumble.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Spectacular Water Bottle: A Work of Art Yet So Functional\n\nReview: *****\nI bought this water bottle in black but wanted to included the review here as well, since this is an exceptional water bottle that warrants more information.\n\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. The silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping.\n\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\n\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\n\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: BottlesUp Glass Water Bottles are beautiful textured art glass water bottles. The hand-blown glass design allows for water to sparkle and dance in the reflection from the glass. Blown glass is also a sturdy glass so this is more than a piece of art, it is a water bottle designed to last for years of use for yourself or as a gift. Features: Wide-mouth and a comfortable rounded lip which makes easy to drink from and to refill. Food-Grade Silicone Caps and Matching Rings Naturally BPA & PVC Free Reusable 75% Post Consumer Recycled Glass; Lowest Carbon Footprint of any water bottle on the market Designed by Architectural Glass Artist Laurel Herter in Bluffton, SC and artfully sculpted from a glass-blower in Savannah, GA Made in North America Assembled by PEP/Program for Exceptional People Supports 1% for the Planet & Save Our Shores What are the benefits of glass? Glass is the natural choice for clean, pure taste as it doesnt leach chemicals or odors into the products it holds, like some plastics and metals Its been around long before we were, and can be recycled endlessly after were gone Youll save money by refilling at the tap See what you are cleaning able to make sure\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Best Water Bottle, Great Investment\n\nReview: *****\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. The silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping.\n\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\n\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\n\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come. This is my third purchase of this water bottle--I have the other two still after several years and they are holding up fine. I just love them and want to use them for other things--like storing my green smoothies in the refrigerator so that I can grab them and run.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: This traditional combination of chamomile and lavender with lemon balm is useful for nervous stomach and restlessness associated with upset stomach.* The use of these herbs alone and in combinations for nervous stomach has been approved by European health authorities and is supported by clinical data. How does it taste? A pleasantly aromatic balance of slightly bitter, with lemon and a hint of apple\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My New Favorite Tea, Marvelous, Delightful\n\nReview: *****\n\nOk, I love lavender, so I'm biased. Still, this Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile with Lavender Tea is just spectacular. I've never tasted an herbal tea so good. I'm not sure if I just love the tea or if it truly has \"digestive and nervous system sedating properties\" but I feel relaxed when I drink it.\n\nThe ingredients in Traditional Medicinals' Organic Chamomile with Lavender Tea are: organic chamomile flower 1,200 mg., proprietary blend: organic English lavender flower, organic lemon balm leaf . The tea tastes like chamomile with a strong, delicious lavender taste. It is a very fresh taste because there are no flavorings and everything is organic. The smell is yummy, too, even before brewing, as the lavender smell stands out; you could put the tea bags in your drawers to use as sachet fresheners!\n\nTraditional Medicinals seems to be a very responsible company. They adhere to sustainable and fair trade practices, use organic ingredients when feasible, and base their tea formulations on sound research and knowledge.\n\nThe manufacturer writes on the box: \"The combination of chamomile and lavender with lemon balm has digestive and nervous system sedating properties useful for nervous stomach and restlessness associated with upset stomach. The use of these herbs alone and in combinations for nervous stomach has been approved by European health authorities and is supported by clinical data. Organic Chamomile with Lavender has a pleasantly aromatic and balanced taste.\".\n\nAlso note the following caution from the box: \"Contraindications: Do not use if your have known allergies to plants of the Asteraceae family (daisy) such as blessed thistle, calendula, chamomile, echinacea, safflower or yarrow.\"\n\nHighly recommended.\n\n*****","Product: Numi rainforest green tea mate lemon. Description: this infusion of yerba mate with Australian rainforest's lemon myrtle and china's chun me green tea has a delightful lemon taste. It is an energizing blend that uplifts the senses. Organic. Kosher. For hundreds of years, yerba mate has long been a ceremonial drink of friendship, hospitality, strength, and courage to the people of the south American rainforest. This evergreen leaf is known for its pleasant stimulating effect and for evoking a cheerful mental lucidity. We are proud to introduce this delightful tasting infusion of organic mate with the Australian rainforest's organic lemon myrtle, touted as 'herb of the millennium\" for its high citral content. Organic chun me green tea, skillfully hand-rolled into the 'eyebrow' contour of its name, unfolds a subtle, plum-like sweetness to the leafy lemon piquancy of mate and myrtle. This energizing blend uplifts ones senses, as clarity arrives like birdsong after fresh rain. Disclaimer: these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Terrific Pick-Me-Up Tea Blend\n\nReview: *****\n\nNumi Tea Rainforest Green-Mate Lemon Myrtle Green Tea is a premium Numi tea, both certified organic and kosher. The ingredients are organic South American yerba mate blend, organic lemon myrtle, and fair trade certified Chun Mee Green Tea. There is nothing artificial in this or in any Numi tea.\n\nOn the box, the manufacturer writes: \"For hundreds of years, Yerba Mate has long been a ceremonial drink of friendship, hospitality, strength, and courage to the people of the South American rainforest. This evergreen leaf is known for its pleasantly stimulating effect and for evoking a cheerful mental lucidity. We are proud to introduce this delightful tasting infusion of organic Mate with the Australian rainforests' organic Lemon Myrtle, touted as herb of the millennium for its high citral content. Organic Chun Mee green tea, skillfully hand-rolled into the eyebrow contour of its name, unfolds a subtle, plum-like sweetness to the leafy lemon piquancy of Mate and Myrtle. This energizing blend uplifts one's senses, as clarity arrives like birdsong after fresh rain.\" It's a nice combination of yerba mate and green tea, a terrific pick-me-up (it does contain some caffeine).\n\nIf you like Numi teas, get it---you won't be sorry. If you are new to Numi but enjoy yerba mate and/or green tea, this will probably be the best you've ever had.\n\n*****","Product: Yogi Woman's Energy Herbal Tea Caffeine Free Description: Helps Balance Hormones Woman's Energy is an effective and organic way to reduce fatigue, restore energy and help balance hormones. This special formula contains Dong Quai, the queen of Chinese herbs, which has been traditionally used to support reproductive organs and to help regulate the menstrual cycle. This powerful herb is complemented by Organic Nettle Leaf, used by herbalists to help restore energy, as well as Dandelion Root and Juniper Berry to help maintain proper water balance. Relax, drink a daily cup of Woman's Energy and feel like your healthy, strong, graceful self. Free Of Caffeine. Disclaimer These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Impressive Cup of Tea, Could Be Helpful with Women's Health Issues\n\nReview: *****\n\nThis Woman's Dong Quai Tonic from Yogi Tea is for hormone balance. I'm pretty finicky with my tea tastes and I like it. It has an herby and slightly spicy, slightly sweet taste to it that makes it a pleasure to drink. I usually brew two bags in one cup, which is recommended on the package for overall health and fatigue relief. It is stronger that way, and more intense of an experience, although it still tastes great with just one bag. I'd been having lots of hot flashes and wanted to get down to business with this tea.\n\nWoman's Dong Quai Tonic comes with an expiration date (a good thing, because it's not full of preservatives, plus you can tell if it is fresh) and is organic.\n\nThe ingredients in Woman's Dong Quai Tonic are: dong quai root extract, juniper berry extract, and a proprietary blend of herbs, including all organic: cinnamon bark, orange peel, ginger root, fennel seed, chamomile flower, dandelion root, anise seed, stinging nettle leaf, dong quai root (I guess as opposed to the extract), black pepper, and orange oil. Amazingly, I can taste some of these, like the chamomile, and the anise seed and the ginger, making for a lovely and complex cup of tea. I'm impressed!\n\nYogi Tea seems to be another company (like Numi, Aspen, Traditional Medicinals) that values sustainable and healthy practices. Their web site has a helpful glossary of tea ingredients and is beautifully designed, with info about each tea they make.\n\nYogi Tea writes this on the box about the tea's benefits: \"Organic Woman's Dong Quai Tonic is an effective and organic way to lessen fatigue, restore your energy and balance a woman's hormones. This healing tonic is formulated to ease what traditional Chinese medicine practitioners refer to as \"blood deficiency,\" resulting from stress, poor digestion, or improper eating and health habits. We've included in our tonic the potent \"Queen of Herbs\" Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), shown to be effective in supporting the reproductive organs, addressing common female hormone imbalances, helping to regulate the menstrual cycle and building all-around health. Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (1995) indicates Dong Quai is useful for a wide range of female conditions, including minor symptoms of PMS (such as mild mood changes) and menopause (such as hot flashes). This powerful herb is complemented by Organic Nettle to help detox your body, as well as Organic Dandelion Root and Juniper Berry to help maintain proper water balance. According to yogic wisdom, women have greater emotional awareness and intuitive powers. A woman can choose to be balanced, happy and healthy. Choose to drink a daily cup of Woman's Dong Quai Tonic and feel like your healthy, beautiful, graceful self.\" I don't know about that, but I do like the tea, and it seems like it might be helping with my hot flashes (I've been having fewer...whether or not it's due to the tea, I don't know!), which is why I bought it---for menopausal support.\n\nThere are no cautions or warnings on the box except the standard disclaimer that the tea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.\n\nHighly recommended.\n\n*****","Product: Roobios Red Mellow Bush 18 Tea Bags\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Wonderful Rooibos---The \"Miracle Tea\"!\n\nReview: *****\n\nRed Mellow Bush is a premium Numi tea. This herbal tea (caffeine-free) is certified organic and is kosher.\n\nOn the box, the manufacturer says it better than I ever could: \"Grown in the high desert regions of the Cederberg Mountains, the shoots of Rooibos have been hand gathered by South Africans for generations. It is prepared like a traditional tea, undergoing meticulous drying (oxidation) and cutting. Organic Red Mellow Bush has an earthy vanilla taste and pleasing orange color with hints of autumn straw. With an anti-oxidant level comparable to green tea, Rooibos has no caffeine, is rich in minerals, very low in tannin, and is relaxing to the nerves. No wonder they call it the miracle tea. Discover the wonders of Rooibos!\" What an invitation!\n\nIt is my husband's favorite tea, and is pure premium rooibos. If you haven't tasted rooibos before, it is a pleasant, earthy, herbal flavor that most people like.\n\nIf you like Numi teas, get it---you won't be sorry. If you are new to Numi but love rooibos, I do not think you could find a better source than Numi.\n\n*****","Product: Spicy Organic Ginger And Fresh Organic Lemongrass Blended With GreenTeaCreates A Smooth And Invigorating Cup. The Stash Tea Company is headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. Founded in 1972, Stash Tea originally operated out of an old Portland Victorian style house, supplying loose herbal teas and bulk herbs to natural food stores. Starting in 1975, the company broadened its focus to include bagged teas and then began to sell a full line of traditional, specialty blend and herbal teas directly to fine restaurants and through a mail-order catalog to consumers. Today, Stash Tea is enjoying steady growth and has become one of the largest specialty tea companies in the United States, with products available through foodservice, grocery stores, tea and coffee shops, club stores, mass merchandisers, natural foods stores, mail order, and the Internet. Stash Tea is also available in Canada and in several foreign countries.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Lovely Lemon Ginger Green Tea\n\nReview: *****\nStash's Organic Premium Lemon Ginger Green Tea has the pure, true flavor of ginger and lemongrass---not flavorings. I am not usually a fan of Stash's teas, but this premium tea is as good as much more expensive and higher-end teas. Everything in this tea is organic---the organic ginger, the organic green tea, and the organic lemongrass. Although it does contain caffeine, I think it is a much milder green tea, because I tasted the ginger and lemongrass dramatically more than the green tea. This balance made the tea even more enjoyable---a sort of different kind of teasan, one balanced with a little green tea.\n\nStash Tea has been around for over 35 years, and I love the direction they are moving with their teas, towards more organic and loose teas, more true flavors instead of artificial flavorings.\n\nI would highly recommend Stash's Organic Premium Lemon Ginger Green Tea unless you do not care for ginger or for spicier teas; otherwise you are certain to be delighted!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Three very different women. One daring leap of faith. Kyra Sedgwick (Something to Talk About), Parker Posey (Best in Show) and Fairuza Balk (Almost Famous) star in this completely compelling (The Hollywood Reporter) drama about three women who set out to change their lives. Winner of the 2002 Sundance Festival's Grand Jury Prize, this passionate, poignant and bracingfilm delivers a muscular punch (Screen International)! Delia (Sedgwick) escapes from an abusive husband. Greta (Posey) risks everything on a new career. And Paula (Balk) takes flight after a tragic accident. These women must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles that confinethem. But are they really on their way to new livesor are they just making new versions of old mistakes?\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Movie for Women But What A Movie!\n\nReview: *****\n\nThis is a rave review for an unusual movie. One of the previous reviewers said that the more she thought about the movie, the more she liked it. I feel the same way.\n\nThis is the story of three women at pivotal points of their lives. The three women are not linked except that the movie takes place at the same point in time for all of them. One woman is escaping a domestic violence situation from a man she loves. Another woman is very ambitious and sexual, trying to reconcile who she is with who she thinks she is supposed to be. The third woman is dealing with trauma and what she has made of her life. All three situations are thought-provoking and beautifully portrayed by the accomplished actresses in their roles.\n\nI rented this movie, watched some of the Special Features, and then ordered it on Amazon. I truly loved this movie. I'm not sure how men might view this film; although some are reviewers, I have difficulty understanding how men might appreciate and empathize with the depth of this movie, which is exclusively from a female perspective. I think that most women will enjoy not only the depth of exploration of women's life situations, feelings, and complexity. I don't think that this film is appropriate in any way for children; I think children will find it dull and not understand its themes. In addition, there are adult situations (including abuse, masturbation, and violence) that make it inappropriate for children; none of these are gratuitous, however, and all contribute to make this movie as powerful as it is.\n\nThis is a haunting and beautiful movie for thinking and feeling women, and for those men that can appreciate powerful filmmaking even when it involves female themes.","Product: From the director of Driving Miss Daisy comes this compelling, heartwarming and inspiring true story of a father (Pierce Brosnan) who faces impossible odds to keep his family together. Times are tough in Dublin, Ireland. But no one has it tougher than Desmond Doyle when his wife runs off and his beloved daughter Evelyn and two young sons are sent to an orphanage by the government.Enlisting the help of loyal friends (Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea) and a feisty American lawyer (Aidan Quinn), he takes his case to Ireland's Supreme Court in a history-making quest to topple an ironclad law and win back the custody of his children!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Family Values, Enduring Values\n\nReview: *****\n\nWhy had I not heard of this movie? If you are reading my review, rent, watch, or better, buy it, as it will be an enduring favorite of yours, I guarantee it.\n\nI watched this movie because it was recommended to me as a clean, family values-type movie. That is like calling the Taj Mahal a \"big house\". This movie has everything a movie can have, including a universal appeal, even to those who shun typical \"family values\" movies. It is a masterpiece.\n\nIt stars Pierce Brosnan, an actor I normally do not enjoy, and whom I've sterotyped as playing shallow roles. In \"Evelyn\" he is marvelous, incredible, a great actor. \"Evelyn\" is based on the true story of Desmond Doyle, a father who loses custody of his three children in 1950's Ireland, when his wife abandons both him and her children. At that time, fathers had limited rights when up against the Catholic Church and the Irish government. The film centers around the struggle of one man to be reunited with his children.\n\nHowever, there is so much more to the movie than just Desmond Doyle's legal struggles. There are his personal challenges, which are many. Ther is the acting of Aidan quinn, Julianna Marguilies, alan Bates, and the children---all so talented, entertaining, exciting. There is the relationship between Evelyn and her beloved grandfather. There is the Irish spirit. This is a film about faith, forgiveness, human failings, and how sometimes so many things can go wrong while everyone is truly trying to do the right thing.\n\nIt is of special mention that, unlike other films of this genre, no one was \"demonized\" or portrayed a \"villan\". It woudl have been temptin to have done this to either the Catholic Church, the Irish justice system, the legal profession, etc.---but instead institutions and professions were portrayed realistically and accurately---in that htye are composed of complex people of various types, all tryin to do the best they can.\n\nUnlike other films with a PG rating---which spells \"BORING\" normally in my view (sorry)---this film is riveting, poignant, inspirational, uplifting, and complicated. How many PG movies are there tha you could discuss for hours with freinds at the coffee shop or pub? This is one of those movies.\n\nIt is my new favorite movie. Grandma and Grandpa will love it and it wil rmeind them of the great films of their day. Teens will love it, too, and maybe wonder why, since it's probably unlike any other movie the've seen before. Intelligent film goers will have discussions about it. Little children will enjoy it on a different level. It's not a chick flick, either. And even though there are no car chases or sex scenes or typeical violence, men will love it because it's about a man being a real man, something that will appeal to any male, no matter what his character, values, lifestyle, or usual movie preferences.\n\nThis movie is about what we are all looking for in life, and what Desmond Doyle found.\n\n*****","Product: Germany released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), German ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), German ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Anamorphic Widescreen, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: After his impetuous musician girlfriend, Samantha, dies in an accident shortly after they had a fight (and nearly broke up), a grief-stricken British businessman, Ian Wyndham, living in London gets a chance to relive the day all over again, in the hope of changing the events that led up to her getting killed. ...If Only\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Very creative and intriguing, sappy and fun\n\nReview: ****\n\nHow can a movie be so creative and enjoyable, make you think, entertain you, keep you in suspense, make you cry, make you cringe at its sappiness and maudlin acting---do all of these things at the same time? That's \"If Only\". It is a love story, and sort of a psychological thriller, based on an interesting idea: what if we could live our lives over again...and change the outcome...or could we change the outcome? Without spoiling the plot, there's not a lot more I can say about that.\n\nIt's a movie about the importance and impact of love, what it means to truly care about another person, how differently we might think about those we love if we were to be on the verge of losing them, and much more. The value in this film is in its creativity and in how it makes you think.\n\nOn the negative side, the acting is not great...it highlights Jennifer Love Hewitt's singing way too much...it is obviously a lower-budget more B-grade type movie...it is maudlin...still these negatives don't ruin all of the positives. It is a meaningful movie, not just entertaining, and as I said before, will definitely make you think about your life and how you are living it---relatively few movies do this as well. Maybe someone will take the idea behind this movie and redo it with great acting and writing---then it would be absolutely incredible!\n\nI think you'll be glad you watched it, and if you have friends or a date to talk it over with afterwards, you'll have some really provocative discussions.\n\n****","Product: Passion has no boundaries. A woman (Joan Allen), feeling betrayed by her husband (Sam Neill), turns to a man from a world away (Simon Abkarian) to fulfill her deepest desires. Their sensuous affairtakes them on a tumultuous journey across continents and cultures that is seen through the eyes of her maid (Shirley Henderson). YES, a lyrical love story directed by Sally Potter (The Man Who Cried, The Tango Lesson, Orlando), will arouse your emotions and capture your heart long after the last frame fades.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Different movie, worth hanging in there, not for everyone\n\nReview: ****\n\nYES is not your stereotypical movie. What an understatement! It is written in iambic pentameter (a style of poetry) and is, I suppose, a film that will most appeal to those of us who are intellectuals and literate...however...I STILL liked it! I can see how it would appear boring to many people, because it is deep and intense and it drags when you can't hear the dialogue (because of low volume) or when it is so heavily accented (by the dialects of many different cultures) that you can't figure out what is going on. Nevertheless, it is still a wonderous and marvelous film.\n\nYES is ostensibly the story of a romance between an unsatisfied married Western woman and an Islamic lover. However, it touches on many existential issues beyond romance in the dialogue that is really poetry, but spoken as naturally as possible (NOTE: there are no subtitles...subtitles would have changed this movie from one that is good to one that is great). How hard is it to read poetry and make it sound natural? Really hard...but the actors did their job. I am going to buy this movie and watch it again and again, as it is such a deep movie with such intense acting and themes that it warrants more than one viewing. And I'm hoping that with multiple viewings I'll picked up what I missed even without subtitles.\n\nThe acting is incredible and irresistable. The film features a multi-cultural cast and characters...and is so unusual that it is hard to put into words. If you like deep and meaningful movies and don't need a lot of action, but enjoy mulling over existential ideas instead, you will love YES. Probably film critics will love YES. I loved YES. However, if you are a fan of run-of-the-mill American movies, this probably is one to pass on. There isn't a lot of action or entertainment and it is the opposite of shallow; however, it makes you think and feel and reflect about life, love, wars, conflict, relationships, and more.\n\nI would recommend YES for those people who read instead of watch movies, and/or who think deeply about life and relish the idea of a movie that explores the most important issues of our day.\n\n****","Product: Lt. Jake Neeley has lived alone in the woods since the Vietnam War hiding from long buried memories. His gruff exterior and lonely routines are suddenly broken down by a young and fiesty girl who drops into his life and works her way into his heart, changing him forever.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Beautiful film, adult themes\n\nReview: ****\n\nThis is a special film that I would recommend for adults. It is about the difficult recovery of the Vietnam veteran community in a rural area of the Pacific Northwest. They live isolated and impoverished lives, trapped in the past. When one of them, played by Danny Glover, takes care of a friend's young daughter, everything changes, and not only does Danny Glover's character begin to learn to love again, but the entire community comes closer.\n\nI would not recommend this film for children, because I think that the adult themes of war recovery, war trauma, and intense grief would be too much for them; probably over 18 would be best for this film. It is not depressing, as you might think reading the synopsis, but is an inspirational film about interdependency, love, and forgiveness. It is not a \"happy\" film either, though. I would best call it a deep, poignant, and intense film that is an excellent use of the viewer's time. It would be good for an evening when you want to be moved and drawn into something to forget about your own problems or to help you deal with your own grief.\n\nThe acting is remarkable, the scenery lovely, and the young actress---Zoe Weizenbaum---who plays the friend's daughter---is perfect for her role. Danny Glover is marvelous, as is Linda Hamilton. An unlikely grouping of actors in a gem of a movie. You won't regret watching it.\n\n****","Product: The journey continues with tim holtz includes over 2 hours of projects and tips to inspire your creativity. Tim demonstrates step-by-step how to transform ink embossing powder and polymer clay into everything from jewelry and home decor items to scrapbook pages and greeting cards. Also demonstrated in this DVD are projects such as discovering distress, adventures in embossing, fireless raku, alcohol ink exploration, glazed mosaics, custom correspondence, dichroic illusions and expressions on canvas. Run time 152 minutes. Made in USA.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: WOW! Distressing on Steroids, UTEE, Mixed Media, and So Much More!\n\nReview: *****\nI wondered how any DVD could match Tim Holtz's first PageSage DVD \"An Altered Journey\". Well this one does! It is over two and half hours of ideas and techniques that are creative, innovative, and inspiring.\n\nYou don't need to have watched the first DVD to appreciate this one. In addition, compared to his first DVD, this one has more information about his materials and usage. Both DVDs complement each other. The first gave me ideas and the second helped me to understand so much more.\n\nThe DVD includes new ideas for distressing, distressing with embossing powders, melting pot distressing, creating custom molds, glazed mosaics made with shrink wrap, creating custom stamp pads for custom correspondence, creating the look of dichroic glass using embossing powders, and encaustic collage with beeswax. It also includes many, many more ideas for using alcohol inks!\n\nSome ideas were more esoteric and required some expensive supplies, but they were still inspirational, like fireless raku.\n\nLike other PageSage DVDs, there is a great gallery feature that includes comments on the projects and shows variations. Extras include tips from projects (this is a compilation of all the tips from all the projects arranged in an index-like fashion---cool!), hilarious bloopers, and all sources for supplies.\n\nWhat a value for the money, a fantastic class that can and will be watched over and over and over again!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: FloTool, by Hopkins Manufacturing, offers the most comprehensive and highest quality offering of fluid handling products. Driven by innovative, no-mess product solutions, whether youre changing your oil, topping off the antifreeze, or checking all your automotive fluid levels, FloTool has the right application. No brand offers more \"just right\" fluid handling products than FloTool.Part of the task-specific funnel series from Hopkins, FloTool's Radiator Funnel locks in most radiators and is convenient for use with radiator fluid filling. It offers quick and easy pouring with wide spout opening and a built-in bottle rest. Made in the USA.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Inexpensive and Useful in the Kitchen\n\nReview: ****\nThis is an expensive funnel of a very convenient size. I use it in my kitchen (not for my car!) for powders because it is almost 3 1/2 inches in diameter at the top and 1 inch at the bottom. The length of the funnel part at the bottom is one inch as well.\n\nI've been tired of funnels that get so skinny at the end. I have a hard time getting powder through those. And the ultra-wide canning funnels don't fit into the jars I have because they are too big. So this funnel is handy--kind of an in-between compromise between a regular funnel and a canning funnel. I have a sturdier one for the kitchen--the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Linden-Sweden-Jam-Funnel/dp/B00BP3ZQZ0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Linden Sweden Jam Funnel</a>, but this one is nice too, just a flimsier version of the Linden Sweden jam funnel with slightly different measurements.\n\nRecommended for the kitchen.\n****","Product: Sticky notes tin set featuring 5 To Do (480 stickies)\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Very Nice Gift Idea, Fun, Retro, and Great for Sticky Note Lovers\n\nReview: *****\nThis notes are retro, fun, and beautiful--plus they are high-quality notes that compete with the best commercial brands out there in stickiness! I would call these the perfect gift for anyone who is a writer, an organizer, a reader, a journaller, or someone who just plain likes sticky notes. They are that nice. They come in a gorgeous tin with a clear face that will not only be a nice gift presentation but will keep the sticky notes from becoming dog-eared. There are five different notes and they are all easily available when you open the case. I love luxury office supplies (especially affordable ones) and I am very impressed with these. I hope they keep making these for a very long time!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Oxford Ruled Index Cards are ruled on one side for easy note taking. The design offers top-quality commercial stock for superior durability and performance. The 3\" x 5\" size is versatile enough for studying, presenting, and list-making. Paper made from 10% recycled fiber with 10% post-consumer fiber. There are 100 white cards per pack.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice Basic Index Card, Great With Fountain Pens\n\nReview: ****\nI am looking for the best index cards available, and in the process tried these out. These are officially called \"Oxford Esselte Pendaflex\"; in some places they are only called by one or two of these labels, but they are all the same card. They are much more expensive than others, so I had high hopes for them.\n\nPRO: These cards are absolutely fabulous for fountain pens. No feathering, no deep absorption (with subsequent widening) of line of ink into the paper. My work involves exclusively fountain pens, and it is hard to find a card to accommodate them. The surface of the card is not coated, so it works with any type of pen or marker, and I am delighted with this.\n\nCON: The cards are not as thick as I'd hoped. They are not flimsy, just thinner than other index cards. I couldn't find any info about whether or not they yellow with age, so I think they probably do.\n\nI think that these are still pretty good index cards and if you don't mind that they are a tad thin, you will be pleased.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Use flags to mark, tab, highlight important pages or points in a textbook or document. Flags stick securely and remove cleanly. This convenient two-pack gives you a total of 100 flags, 24 packs/case.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Bulk Value Package of Inch-Wide Yellow Post-It Flags, Work Great\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the yellow bulk package of 12 dispensers.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Use flags to mark, tab, highlight important pages or points in a textbook or document. Flags stick securely and remove cleanly. This convenient two-pack gives you a total of 100 flags, 24 packs/case.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Bulk Value Pack of Inch-Wide Post-It Flags\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the kelly green bulk package of 12 dispensers.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Use flags to mark, tab, highlight important pages or points in a textbook or document. Flags stick securely and remove cleanly. This convenient two-pack gives you a total of 100 flags, 24 packs/case.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Value Pack of Post-It Flags\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the value pack of 12 dispensers.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice Bright Yellow Post-It Flags\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright yellow single dispenser pack.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Single Dispenser of Bright Blue Post-It Flags--Work Well\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright blue single dispenser pack.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Make sure you're always in the right spot. Easily find your place in books, reports, catalogs and more with the help of these Write-On Tabs. Attach brightly colored self-stick tabs to help you flip back to specific pages. Flag important facts and figures, gain quick access to favorite quotes or assign sections in a notebook or personal organizer. And when you're done, the tabs remove easily. Write on the tabs with virtually any writing instrument to remind yourself why you marked a particular spot. Now you can always land right where you want to be.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Reusable, Durable, High Quality Tabs\n\nReview: *****\nThese tabs are just great, everything one could want in an index tab, and very high quality. They are very easy to write on, to use and then reuse again--you would think that if you can reuse them they wouldn't be very sticky, but they are sticky enough to stay on forever if need be but very easy to remove. The colors stand out and are fluorescent--in the photo they look yellow, blue and purple, but they are actually yellow, blue and pink. The color is the part you write on and it is non-smearing and will accommodate any kind of pen. Apparently Avery has software that you can use to print on them as well, but I haven't tried to use that (this is beyond my level of computer expertise). I am really satisfied with these and wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Bold to the max and permanent to the core, Sharpie Permanent Markers inspire you to transform ordinary surfaces into passionately creative statements. Made to write practically everywhere, vivid Sharpie markers eliminate dull and boring. The original permanent marker, Sharpie has iconic ink that dries quickly and resists both water and fading. While pale imitations wither away, Sharpie markers make creations that endure. Featuring a bold fine point built for jaw-dropping marks, Sharpie Permanent Markers ignite courageous self-expression.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Set for Art Journalers!\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a great set of Sharpies for artists, because there are so many different colors. You can see from the picture that quite a few of the colors are really light and wouldn't be good for use as markers for signs or other types of usage; however, they are great for any kind of art work. I found that even though the colors are light, the markers are strong and mark very well in the lighter shade.\n\nThese Sharpies will write over many different kinds of paint and ink without any problem. When you apply watercolor or a mixture of ink and water over them they don't run at all. I use them for my art journal, and will use this set until it wears out and then buy another. They are economical and I can't find a better deal on them anywhere.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Lucky Line Flex-O-Loc Key Ring - Flex-O-Loc. Made of strong, flexible corrosion-resistant aircraft cable with a patented ball-knob and socket that locks and unlocks easily. Nylon-coated cable in assorted colors: Clear, black, blue, green, red, and yellow. 4-3/4\" long. 1 per card. - Material: Steel Braided Cable, Finish: Nylon Coated, Key Ring Size: 5\", Pkg Qty: 1, Package Type: Card\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Secure With Careful Use\n\nReview: ****\nI am satisfied with this key ring; still, it seems as though I'm going to have to be careful with it so that it doesn't accidentally unlock itself. The key ring opens by making the loop into a heart shape with the clasp in the center and then popping one side out from the other. I don't think the best usage of this would be for something that is in a purse or bag and might accidentally be pushed around by other gear and then popped. I use it to hang FROM my purse and so there is weight on it pulling it at all times so that it never makes that heart-shape that it the precursor for opening it. Used like this, it seems very, very secure, yet at the same time easy to open when I need to.\n\nIt does come in assorted colors and I got one not mentioned above--a sort of pinkish-purple that is pretty bright and not compatible with many things. It would be easy to find. I would not order this item if you need a particular color, as your chances of getting it could be slim.\n\nRecommended if used as described above.\n****","Product: Unruled Index Cards, 3 x 5, White, 500 per Pack\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Average Economy Index Cards\n\nReview: ***\nI am on a search for the best index cards available, and in the process tried these out. Note that these cards are unruled.\n\nThese cards are okay for fountain pens, but not great. There is some very slight feathering and absorption of the line of ink into the paper. My work involves exclusively fountain pens, and it is hard to find a card to accommodate them. This card will do fine, but I find Oxford/Esselte/Pendaflex cards much better--however they cost a lot more too.\n\nThe cards are also a bit flimsy. I couldn't find any info about whether or not they yellow with age, so I think they probably do.\n\nThey are not bad index cards, just not great. For the price, I would recommend them as economy index cards.\n***","Product: Unruled Index Cards, 3 x 5, White, 500 per Pack\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Average Economy Index Cards\n\nReview: ***\nI am on a search for the best index cards available, and in the process tried these out. Note that these cards are unruled.\n\nThese cards are okay for fountain pens, but not great. There is some very slight feathering and absorption of the line of ink into the paper. My work involves exclusively fountain pens, and it is hard to find a card to accommodate them. This card will do fine, but I find Oxford/Esselte/Pendaflex cards much better--however they cost a lot more too.\n\nThe cards are also a bit flimsy. I couldn't find any info about whether or not they yellow with age, so I think they probably do.\n\nThey are not bad index cards, just not great. For the price, I would recommend them as economy index cards.\n***","Product: Post-it Flags in. a colorful 4-Pack. Includes 40 sheets each of Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green .94 in. Flags.160 flags total. Packaged in. two, clear portable dispensers.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Fine Flags for Annotating Books and Documents\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab..\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Flags in. a colorful 4-Pack. Includes 40 sheets each of Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green .94 in. Flags.160 flags total. Packaged in. two, clear portable dispensers.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Fine Flags for Annotating\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents. They are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. With most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Non-stick coated, black color stainless steel blades with black/purple soft grip handles, 8\", straight design. Durable and corrosion resistant. Allows easy cutting and cleaning of adhesives. Great for general office use or for school or craf projects.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Perfectly Perfect General Purpose Scissors\n\nReview: *****\nThese scissors aren't just \"perfectly fine\"--they're perfectly PERFECT for most any general purpose use. They have a nice comfortable, design and soft grips so that they're easy to use. They are made of stainless steel and coated with titanium, so they seem like they're going to last a long time--they certainly are sturdy. And with those gold blades they are fine-looking too. They are also very lightweight, despite their strength.\n\nI would think that these scissors could also be used around water or other liquids (say, for example, in the kitchen) because the packaging says that the blades are \"corrosion resistant\". I tend to take good care of my scissors and clean them if something is sticking to the blades, but it's good to know that the blades are made to withstand corrosion.\n\nSo, all in all, even though these scissors aren't a brand that is very well known, I think they perform quite well, and fantastically well for such a low price. The well-known brands have some competition!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The same labels you've come to trust are now conveniently stacked in a portable pad, so you can keep them right at your fingertips. Just write on the label, peel away from the pad and stick. You'll never have to wonder what's in your file folders again. Label Size - text: 2/3 x 3 7/16; Label Color(s): Assorted; Machine Compatibility: Handwrite Only; Sheet (W x L): 3 x 4.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Fine File Folder Labels\n\nReview: ****\nThese file folder labels are fine and pretty economical. I like that they are in a convenient pack and that they are the Avery brand, which in my experience is high quality. However, the reason I gave them only four stars is that Avery now makes a product that is much better: their new \"TrueBlock Technology\" labels--a special process that makes the label completely opaque--so that you can't see through it at all no matter what is under it. So, I probably will not buy these again because now Avery makes something that is SO much better. With these, if the writing is dark you'll have to layer the labels so that you can't see through. This takes more time and is frustrating.\n\nThe Avery TrueBlock Technology labels don't come in a nifty little pack like these, but in every other way they are better. Still if you don't care, these are still fine.\n\nRecommended, if you don't need TrueBlock.\n****","Product: Post-it Study Kit includes eight products sure to help you get organized and create a system that is a smarter way to study. These products will help you Find what you're looking for, Remind you of key information, and Remember the important stuff. Kit includes Tabs for dividing sections in books and binders; Flags to mark and pinpoint information; Label Pads to label binders, notebooks and more; a variety of Notes and a Flag+ Highlighter combining yellow flags and a highlighter in one convenient device. All of this in a sturdy box that will be easy to throw in your back pack so all those study essentials are with you when you need them.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Gift for Students, Help In Studying and Organization\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a nice kit filled with help from Post-It to get you organized. I use a lot of Post-It products already and love them. My favorite thing about them is that I have tried other brands to save money and invariably I am sorry because they don't stick or hold up. Post-It products are a consistent quality and you can even reuse them again and again--the stickiness lasts and so justifies the higher cost.\n\nThis kit is like a huge sampler of Post-It favorites to get you started. You may find you like some but not others, and this way you can find out with them assembled like this--all packaged together in one place. If you like something you can then buy a larger quantity of that item. The items themselves though, are not \"sample size\" but a full version of the item.\n\nOne of my favorite items in this set is the pen form of highlighter plus flags. This item is very handy to take with you in your purse or briefcase. It is not, though, a 3 in 1 pen as one description from the vendor says--there is no ballpoint pen included. Even without it, it's a great product though--very handy.\n\nThe set includes larger notes with graph paper on one side and plain unlined paper on the reverse. The other Post-It Notes look like normal pads, but they are not--they are label pads. This means that most of the area of the reverse side of the pad is sticky, with just a smaller part not sticky to be a tab or label. These label pads are so handy for organizing notebooks and books. And there are 5 different label pads--different colors and sizes, lined and unlined. The set includes some basic flags (arrow flags) as well as some heavier labeling flags--very nice.\n\nThe one item I had never seen before was the \"On Test, Study, To Do\" flags. These are just what they say, and a great way to organize notes for a test or to mark action items. What a great help for students!\n\nThis is a great gift for students from a quality company.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Get some extra storage capacity and keep everything in one place with the xpanz 2\" zipper binder. 3 ring zipper binder. Holds up to 380 sheets of paper. Undated. 8-1/2 x 11\" page size. Expands to add extra storage capacity. Exterior zipper pocket for easy access. Matching Five Star removable Pencil pouch included. Durable poly interior to last all year.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Four Star Binder, But Light and Sturdy\n\nReview: ****\nThis is a very lightweight large zippered three-ring binder. It's incredibly light and sturdy! It has a really large capacity for everything except notebook paper (which is why it lost a star from me). The binder is large and when it is filled with notebook paper, the papers get pulled around and then you need to put reinforcers on the holes. Does anyone still do this? (I do.) It really needed D-rings for a notebook this size so that the notebook paper (it holds up to 380 sheets of paper) will not pull and rip and be hard to move through, especially with all of the other pockets filled.\n\nThis binder has many large pockets throughout as well as a smaller removable pencil pouch. It's fine, but sadly, this Five Star Binder is a Four Star Binder or less for my purposes.\n\nRecommended, with caveats.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Single Dispenser of Wider Post-It Flags, Work Well\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of orange flags.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Pricey Flags That Do The Job, But I'd Shop and Save\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of blue flags. Note to buyer: at the current price, each of these flags costs twenty-three cents, so you might want to price these out for far more affordable choices here on Amazon.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice Wider (1 Inch) Green Post-It Flags\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of kelly green flags.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice Bright Green Post-It Flags\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of green flags.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice Little White Post-It Flags\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of white flags.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Does The Job, Single Bright Purple Dispenser\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright purple single dispenser pack.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Works Well, Nice Post-It Flag Single Dispenser\n\nReview: ****\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\n\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \"Durable\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\n\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright pink single dispenser pack.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Multi-purpose pen-shaped barrel with 7ml/0.23ml fl. oz. of white correction fluid. Features a fine point metal tip and pocket clip. Ideal for marking or labeling dark surfaces such as plastic, PVC pipes, metal, or rubber\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Pen is Great, But Check to See if You're Getting a Box or A Single Pen\n\nReview: ***\nThese pens are amazing for corrections and for arts and crafts (which is what I use them for. But be very, very careful. The seller says this is a \"Box of 12\", and at least a few weeks ago when I ordered it, I got a single pen! At the price I paid, a box would be a screaming deal, but a single pen would be grossly overpriced.\n\nThe seller blamed Amazon and after emailing each other back and forth, he agreed to send me 3 more pens (giving me 4 pens in all). This was very nice of him and established himself in my mind as a reasonable person; I tended to believe him that he was doing the best he could by living with Amazon's mistake. It was a lot of work for me to get those four pens though. I would suggest that a prospective buyer contact the seller directly and verify that he is in fact, now selling a whole box of 12 pens, just to be sure. Or else be willing to do some work to settle things after the purchase is made, and not be surprised if they get just one pen instead of the box!\n\nGreat product, confirm transaction before purchase.\n***","Product: BAZIC 100 Count 3 inches by 5 inches Ruled Colored Index Card\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Basic Colored Index Cards\n\nReview: ****\nThese index cards come in an assortment of four colors: yellow, pink, green, and blue. They are generally well-made, sturdy, and of a nice weight. I do however, agree with another reviewer who said that they are a little thin; I have not been able to find any that are thicker than these and similar to quality white index cards, unfortunately. So these are the best of the bunch.\n\nI tested several different types of colored index cards and these and another brand--the Top Flight Multi-Colored index cards--were definitely the best; in fact I can tell no difference between the two, and both seem to be of quite decent quality. Both types are far superior to the other brands I tested. They both are crisply ruled in the front and have a plain back. These cards are made in China and the Top Flight cards in Indonesia.\n\nI wanted to sample several of the various types of colored ruled index cards available to see which ones I would buy in quantity, and these would be fine for that purpose.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: The flexible organization tool that combines the best of notes, tabs, and flags in one. Made of a durable film material with a paper tab overlay. Sturdy, extra-thick tabs make it easy to turn pages like a divider for easy reference. See-through, removable and repositionable, without lifting ink from the page. Write - or even highlight - anywhere on the tab or see-through surface area without leaving a mark on the actual page.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Sturdy, Useful Small Note Tabs\n\nReview: ****\nThese Note Tabs are small but sturdy. They are very high quality. The sticky part of the tabs is transparent, and the colored part has a paper surface on top of the plastic so that they can be written on by any sort of pen, pencil, or marker. These could definitely be used as index tabs.\n\nThe colors in the picture are soft and pastel-like; the note tabs I received are the same general colors, but the fluorescent version--not as pictured, but still nice. If you are matching these with springtime color-scheme or book, they will be not pastel pink, but hot pink, not soft yellow, but bright yellow, etc. I am just using them as general tabs, so I'm very pleased with them.\n\nRecommended.\n****","Product: Get back to grilling with the George Foreman Grill Cleaning Sponges. The specially designed sponges fit into the grooves of your George Foreman Grill to quickly remove grease and grime. Theyre safe on all nonstick grilling surfaces and tough enough to hold up through consistent usage. The George Foreman Grill Cleaning Sponges take the hassle out of cleanup so you can get back to the grilling.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Pricey, But Essential Sponge for Cleaning Foreman Grill\n\nReview: *****\nI just bought my first George Foreman grill and after cooking a hamburger, tried to clean it using a plastic scrubber. I couldn't get it clean. So I tried a paper towel and scrubbed and scrubbed. Still didn't work. Then (finally) I remembered the sponge (this sponge) that came with it. I tried it and instantly the grill came clean---easily---no fuss! Both sides are really helpful. And of course, a warm grill with the wet sponge makes the job super quick. I immediately ordered this three-pack.\n\nThere are other sponges without the grooves in them that may work too, but these really get into the grooves so well that I doubt that anything could work as well as they do. If you have a Foreman grill, they are an essential accessory.\n\nEven though they are pretty expensive for a little sponge, it does look like it is sturdy and will last a long time if cared for, and more importantly, it's a huge time-saver that makes the whole grilling and cleanup process easy instead of a hassle. So to me this means I'll look forward to using the grill and actually use it instead of storing it in the back of my pantry :)\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Invite one of nature's most elusive and colorful creatures into your garden with this kinetic wind sculpture. A charming trio of dragonflies adorns each of two 16-inch spinners and every breeze causes them to dart and dance around a pale pink flower. Makes a great gift for mom, dad, or any garden lover.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Solid Spinner, Recommended with Caveats\n\nReview: ***\nThis is a very high quality spinner, but very overpriced for what it is; if it were 1/3 the price, it would be worth it--$30-$40 at most. It is a heavy, sturdy spinner that works just okay. The wind has to be very, very strong to move it. It requires some simple assembly and adjustment, which I was able to do; at the same time I was very careful so that I didn't break the item, since it seemed that it would be possible if I adjusted it hastily. It has stood on our porch in a potting container very well and looks attractive. It rarely ever moves, yet is pretty.\n\nRecommended, if you are careful, have a nice strong breeze much of the time, and don't overpay for this item.\n***","Product: The tables have turned on your pup's boredom! Nina Ottosson's Dog Spinny treat game is an excellent introduction to the world of interactive dog games. Simply place some treats in the 8 compartments and watch your smarty pup spin the game to uncover a delicious reward. Once they've got the hang of it, increase the challenge by adding the white bone block to lock the spinner in place. Every dog's a winner with Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Games! Bring out the genius in your dog with our interactive, treat-seeking puzzles and exercise toys. Difficulty level 1 Easy. Perfect for your pup scout.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Easy First Game for Dogs\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a super-easy game for a small dog. I love all of the Nina Ottosson games. This one is pretty simple, all wood. The compartments are tiny so the dog's mouth has to be able to get in there...unless she/he wants to turn the game over...which she/he could do but would not be ideal. My little Yorkie mix had this figured out the first time and the game was short-lived. I keep it though for variety so that he can have different kinds of fun. If I just put one piece of kibble in each compartment the fun can last for a while if we repeat it. I have trained my dog to think that regular kibble is a treat as he is on a special veterinary diet and this works well for my purposes. It's hard to clean--I just use dry food in it as I have other games that are plastic that he prefers.\n\nThis would be a great first game/puzzle for a puppy or for a dog new to intelligent play like this.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The tables have turned on your pup's boredom! Nina Ottosson's Dog Spinny treat game is an excellent introduction to the world of interactive dog games. Simply place some treats in the 8 compartments and watch your smarty pup spin the game to uncover a delicious reward. Once they've got the hang of it, increase the challenge by adding the white bone block to lock the spinner in place. Every dog's a winner with Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Games! Bring out the genius in your dog with our interactive, treat-seeking puzzles and exercise toys. Difficulty level 1 Easy. Perfect for your pup scout.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Easy First Game for Dogs\n\nReview: *****\nThis is a super-easy game for a small dog. I love all of the Nina Ottosson games. This one is pretty simple, all wood. The compartments are tiny so the dog's mouth has to be able to get in there...unless she/he wants to turn the game over...which she/he could do but would not be ideal. My little Yorkie mix had this figured out the first time and the game was short-lived. I keep it though for variety so that he can have different kinds of fun. If I just put one piece of kibble in each compartment the fun can last for a while if we repeat it. I have trained my dog to think that regular kibble is a treat as he is on a special veterinary diet and this works well for my purposes. It's hard to clean--I just use dry food in it as I have other games that are plastic that he prefers.\n\nThis would be a great first game/puzzle for a puppy or for a dog new to intelligent play like this.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: This 34'' Pet Playpen 2 Panel Add-On, includes two panels; each panel measures 24.6\"W x 34\"H with two 32'' metal connecting rods; four non-skid rubber feet to protect floors. Made in the USA of durable, heavy-duty molded plastic, and the panel will never rust! The This 34'' Pet Playpen Panel Add-On is perfect to create a more spacious exercise pet playpen!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Pet Pen, Great Customer Service\n\nReview: *****\nI bought this pet pen for my small Yorkie and he adores it--thus, so do I! It is easy to assemble, even for me; I am notoriously NOT handy. I love that I can break it down into smaller parts and use it in different places. Because my dog is so lightweight (11 pounds), he can't push hard enough against it to get out, even if I don't fasten it tightly to surrounding structures. It's really sturdy and attractive too. It is highly portable for camping and visiting others.\n\nWhen the pet pen arrived, it was missing some parts when I called the company, they immediately sent out the missing pieces. I think I got them three days from the day I called, and at no cost to me of course. I've been so pleased with this purchase because of its quality, versatility, and ease of use, storage, and transport.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: Multipet Dawdler Dudes are elongated 20\" plush dog toys that contain a long bodied squeaker. These soft plush filled toys are great for fetch and play.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My Doggie's Favorite Toy\n\nReview: *****\nMy little dog loves this toy and so do I. He just plays with it and chases it and carries it but doesn't chew it, so I don't know how it would hold up to heavy chewing. I like the shape, the ease of making it \"squeal\", and the squealing sound--which is high-pitched and loud and much better than other toys he has. Whenever I sit down in my chair to watch television, my dog is on my lap and so is his giraffe! I am probably entertained as much by the squeaking sound as he is; it brings me out of my concerns and worries and focuses me on the moment and on my pet.\n\nIt is very reasonably priced and I agree with other reviewers that it's a good idea to buy multiples for when it wears out. One time I tried to wash the giraffe and the squeaker did not hold up to washing; I just immediately re-bought it.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: These 9 inch harps are the perfect fit for the ALZO 27W CFL Light Bulb or any bulb of 30W or less, see respective bulb dimensions in diagram. The harp (yoke) in a standard table lamp or floor lamp is too small for a CFL energy saving bulb, and the right-sized harp is hard to find (stores usually have to order them). Sold as pack of 2. Color: Brass.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Nice Harp That Fits the New CFL Light Bulbs\n\nReview: *****\nThis harp was just what I was looking for. I'd purchased some CFL lights and was disappointed to find that they didn't fit into my old lamp harps. So at the hardware store I bought some that were wide enough but they were way too high--the lamp shade sat up so high that it looked funny--you could see the switch and it looked silly. I wondered how to get a lamp harp that was wide enough but not so high that my lampshade wouldn't fit? I first looked for longer lampshade, but they were very expensive. Then I found this harp that was a perfect fit.\n\nI'm going to run into this more and more as I gradually switch all of my lights over to CFL lights. So it is handy to have an extra harp, too.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: The circle of revolution displayed by the Caboche Series introduces spontaneous brilliance that reflects powerfully throughout any room. Adorning its bearer, the glass globe is a crown of experiential motion. This item is a high quality reproduction of the original.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Very Poorly Made Lamp, Renamed Yet Again!\n\nReview: *\nI ordered this lamp and paid several hundred dollars for it; I would approximate its value at around thirty dollars maximum. It is almost unbelievable that it is selling for this price!\n\nThe white metal base is cheap and flimsy, not \"solid\" at all as described. The lighting is provided by a small white LED strip that gives about as much light as a single light on a Christmas tree. The \"shade\" is made of cheap plastic ribs that are loosely attached to a metal ring and the entire shade must be assembled--each sphere must be attached (they snap into the plastic), which would be quite a trick to achieve without breaking one of the plastic housings. My husband and I put one on and started laughing because it was so poorly made we could not even believe that it was being sold as an actual lamp, instead of something that came from a vending machine or Cracker Jack box. The manufacturer includes several replacement plastic \"ribs\" that form the \"shade\" since obviously some would break, even very likely while assembly is attempted.\n\nAlso included was a tiny pair of white gloves! We speculated as to what these could be for. We tried them on, and they were so tiny that they would fit a small child.\n\nThere is no dimmer switch as described, but there is an on/off switch that looks like it perhaps was intended to be a dimmer switch and is defective.\n\nThere was no screen and nothing whatsoever that appeared to be made of blown glass; the entire lamp was made of a light plastic material except for a heavier housing around the LED light that may have been glass (but not blown).\n\nNote that this lamp is also sold as Kirch & Co. The Thurman Piccola Table Lamp, and sold as NeXtime LS665T1 The Thurman piccola table lamp, and sold as Control Brand LS-665T2 The Thurman Maxima Table Lamp. The lamp is the same. It is reported as retailing for as much as $1,008 all the way down to $329.00, then discounted to a lower price here on Amazon. The cheapness of it is laughable, especially at these far-out prices. If anyone has purchased this and is satisfied, I would appreciate them explaining to all of us in the comments. Apparently the manufacturers keep renaming it, but it is the same cheap lamp. I really want to make sure that no one else is taken in on this as we were.\n\nI am really disappointed, because I want the nice lamp that is pictured and that is \"luxurious\" and made of blown glass! This cheap imitation is thankfully returnable, and I can imagine no one who would keep this.\n\nNot recommended, not for anyone.\n*","Product: Masterful, Pulitzer-prize winning literary epic about the painful and complex realities of slave life on a Southern plantation. An utterly original exploration of race, trust and the cruel truths of human nature, this is a landmark in modern American literature. Henry Townsend, a black farmer, boot maker, and former slave, becomes proprietor of his own plantation -- as well as his own slaves. When he dies, his widow, Caldonia, succumbs to profound grief, and things begin to fall apart: slaves take to escaping under the cover of night, and families who had once found love beneath the weight of slavery begin to betray one another. Beyond the Townsend household, the known world also unravels: low-paid white patrollers stand watch as slave 'speculators' sell free black people into slavery, and rumours of slave rebellions set white families against slaves who have served them for years. An ambitious, luminously written novel that ranges from the past to the present, The Known World seamlessly weaves together the lives of the freed and the enslaved -- and allows all of us a deeper understanding of the enduring multi-dimensional world created by the institution of slavery.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Truly a Book for Every Thoughtful Person\n\nReview: *****\n\nThe Known World was unique among fiction books I have read in the last twenty years or so. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would not call it an easy read, because it was some work to keep track of all of the different characters, but nevertheless, so very well worth it. Despite the work, it was entertaining. Like other reviewers, it kept me up at night, and kept me reading.\n\nThe book caused me to wonder how I would behave had I the same cultural background as the various characters in the book---the white slave owners, black slave owners, the black slaves. I had always thought before that I \"of course\" would be against slavery, would fight for rights for all races, and absolutely never do anything so repulsive as to own slaves. I wondered how anyone ever could! The Known World opened my eyes to how this could happen, and how easily one of those slaveowners---black or white---could have been me. Or how easily I could have been a slave. It also provided insight into the psychological world of the slave. All of this was done by showing, not telling, so the reading was more of a powerful emotional experience rather than an intellectual experience.\n\nWhat made this so different for me is that I picked this book soley upon the Amazon reviews and rankings. I had no inherent interest in American history or race relations or the Civil War era, but this book GOT me interested. I think that the only person who would not enjoy this book would be the person who is not open or interested in challenging themselves, not interested in thinking, or afraid to find out about or explore the dark side of the human experience.\n\nBecause of the complexity of the book, as far as the feelings of the characters, the layers of meaning, and the strong impact, I know that I will read this book again and again, and am therefore glad that I spent the money to get it in hardback. It is well worth the money, and is a beautiful \"rough cut\" book. I have thought about its message again and again since reading it; I would call it haunting, thought-provoking, disturbing, and honest.\n\n*****","Product: Masterful, Pulitzer-prize winning literary epic about the painful and complex realities of slave life on a Southern plantation. An utterly original exploration of race, trust and the cruel truths of human nature, this is a landmark in modern American literature. Henry Townsend, a black farmer, boot maker, and former slave, becomes proprietor of his own plantation -- as well as his own slaves. When he dies, his widow, Caldonia, succumbs to profound grief, and things begin to fall apart: slaves take to escaping under the cover of night, and families who had once found love beneath the weight of slavery begin to betray one another. Beyond the Townsend household, the known world also unravels: low-paid white patrollers stand watch as slave 'speculators' sell free black people into slavery, and rumours of slave rebellions set white families against slaves who have served them for years. An ambitious, luminously written novel that ranges from the past to the present, The Known World seamlessly weaves together the lives of the freed and the enslaved -- and allows all of us a deeper understanding of the enduring multi-dimensional world created by the institution of slavery.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Truly a Book for Every Thoughtful Person\n\nReview: *****\nThe Known World was unique among fiction books I have read in the last twenty years or so. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would not call it an easy read, because it was some work to keep track of all of the different characters, but nevertheless, so very well worth it. Despite the work, it was entertaining. Like other reviewers, it kept me up at night, and kept me reading.\nThe book caused me to wonder how I would behave had I the same cultural background as the various characters in the book---the white slave owners, black slave owners, the black slaves. I had always thought before that I \"of course\" would be against slavery, would fight for rights for all races, and absolutely never do anything so repulsive as to own slaves. I wondered how anyone ever could! The Known World opened my eyes to how this could happen, and how easily one of those slaveowners---black or white---could have been me. Or how easily I could have been a slave. It also provided insight into the psychological world of the slave. All of this was done by showing, not telling, so the reading was more of a powerful emotional experience rather than an intellectual experience.\nWhat made this so different for me is that I picked this book soley upon the Amazon reviews and rankings. I had no inherent interest in American history or race relations or the Civil War era, but this book GOT me interested. I think that the only person who would not enjoy this book would be the person who is not open or interested in challenging themselves, not interested in thinking, or afraid to find out about or explore the dark side of the human experience.\nBecause of the complexity of the book, as far as the feelings of the characters, the layers of meaning, and the strong impact, I know that I will read this book again and again, and am therefore glad that I spent the money to get it in hardback. It is well worth the money, and is a beautiful \"rough cut\" book. I have thought about its message again and again since reading it; I would call it haunting, thought-provoking, disturbing, and honest.","Product: Joel and Kathy read the full book onto Nine CD's. OVER TEN HOURS of reading in this AUDIO BOOK on CD. Joel and Kathy have done it again! The authors of the best selling Amazon book, \"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His!\" (#13 on Amazon in November of 2006) have released their second book dedicated to helping couples with troubled marriages. These principles are helping thousands of couples to experience miracles in their marriage! This book contains 372 easy-to-read pages that detail what God has taught Joel and Kathy since releasing their first blockbuster book. They tackle sticky subjects such as headship, help-meet, respect and past baggage. Chapters also cover advice to men who have lost their wives, women who commit adultery and men who refuse to make love to their wives! Joel and Kathy's second book is just like their first one.. it is radical, different, it teaches marriage the way that marriage should be taught (which is opposite the traditional teachings that the church has propogated for years) and most importantly, the way that Joel and Kathy teaches marriage ACTUALLY WORKS! If you have not yet read volume one, be sure to check it out here at Amazon also. It is simply titled, \"The Man of Her Dreams/The Woman of His!\" Volume one is also available in audio book form here on Amazon also.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Part Two of A New, Fresh, Scriptural Approach to Healing Marriages\n\nReview: *****\nThis book is the second book of the Davisson's two-part series on transforming Christian marriages. It extends the concepts from their first book and gives many more ideas and examples of implementation. It is longer and more in-depth than their first book, \"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His!\"\n\nHere is my review of their first book, which touches on the Davisson's controversial and refreshing approach:\n\n\"This book introduces and effectively communicates a radically different message to Christian couples regarding marriage. In my opinion, it is more Scripturally accurate and far, far more effective than what is currently being taught in American churches---which has not so far been able to significantly impact a 50% plus divorce rate among Christian couples. If the tenets of this book are implemented, the healing of marriages will result.\n\nThe book is written in a conversational style and in a gentle way, slowly leading the reader to be able to accept of the harder and more challenging aspects of this route to healing. I will detail some of the points here, but I hesitate to go into too much depth because they do put a great deal of responsibility on husbands who, just reading them in a list here and out of the context of the book, may just reject them as being too hard or undoable. They are not easy, but they are absolutely doable.\n\nHere are some points:\nMarriage is God's gift to men and women.\nTo have a happy and enduring marriage, couples must overcome their carnal natures.\nMen must take the initiative in doing this; if they accept this responsibility and implement it, women will be successful in responding.\nIf men will not initiate, the marriage will be miserable and possibly or even probably fail.\nIf women initiate instead, they will prolong the marriage, but also enable the men to persist in selfishness and immaturity. In this case, it probably also means that the marriage will fail.\n\nI recommend this book especially to husbands in troubled marriages because it will equip them to begin to find a way to save their marriages. To continue the process, I also recommend the second book in this series by Joe and Kathy Davisson, \"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His 2 - Livin' It and Lovin' It! (Volume 2)\".\n\nI recommend this book to wives in troubled marriages because it will comfort and empower them. This is what it did for me. It pointed out and highlighted the error in current Christian teaching that had trapped me in unhealthy ways of thinking, especially unconditional submission.\n\nI recommend this book to anyone in Christian ministry or who works with troubled Christian marriages. It would also be helpful to couples of other faiths who would be interested in applying the principles; however, the book is heavily Christian in orientation and filled with Bible verses. WARNING: They are not the usual \"submissive wife\" and \"leader husband\" interpretations that are prevalent in churches today. If you are tired of what seems to be ineffective Biblical interpretations and truly want a happy and loving and Christian marriage, do not miss this book.\n\nEspecially---especially---if you are a woman who has submitted for years to a selfish and immature man---and are at the end of your rope---but you love God and want to be obedient---read this book!\n\nVery highly recommended.\"\n\nI feel the same about this second book and am glad that the authors have written more.\n*****","Product: Joel and Kathy Davisson experienced a troubled marriage for ten years while in the ministry. Their troubles culminated in adultery while pastoring their first church in 1991. For three years they struggled and then began to learn fresh, life-giving principles of how to have an outrageously happy marriage. God taught them that marriage has been presented 'upside down' in the church for 45 years. The principles that Joel and Kathy started to live in 1994 set their marriage right side up and will do the same thing for yours. Joel and Kathy lived this successful and new paradigm for ten years before writing their story and sharing the lessons learned. Be sure to look for book two, also for sale here at Amazon! \"The Man of Her Dreams/The Woman of His! Volume 2: Livin' It and Lovin' It!\"\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A New, Fresh, Scriptural Approach to Healing Marriages\n\nReview: *****\nThis book introduces and effectively communicates a radically different message to Christian couples regarding marriage. In my opinion, it is more Scripturally accurate and far, far more effective than what is currently being taught in American churches---which has not so far been able to significantly impact a 50% plus divorce rate among Christian couples. If the tenets of this book are implemented, the healing of marriages will result.\n\nThe book is written in a conversational style and in a gentle way, slowly leading the reader to be able to accept of the harder and more challenging aspects of this route to healing. I will detail some of the points here, but I hesitate to go into too much depth because they do put a great deal of responsibility on husbands who, just reading them in a list here and out of the context of the book, may just reject them as being too hard or undoable. They are not easy, but they are absolutely doable.\n\nHere are some points:\nMarriage is God's gift to men and women.\nTo have a happy and enduring marriage, couples must overcome their carnal natures.\nMen must take the initiative in doing this; if they accept this responsibility and implement it, women will be successful in responding.\nIf men will not initiate, the marriage will be miserable and possibly or even probably fail.\nIf women initiate instead, they will prolong the marriage, but also enable the men to persist in selfishness and immaturity. In this case, it probably also means that the marriage will fail.\n\nI recommend this book especially to husbands in troubled marriages because it will equip them to begin to find a way to save their marriages. To continue the process, I also recommend the second book in this series by Joe and Kathy Davisson, \"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His 2 - Livin' It and Lovin' It! (Volume 2)\".\n\nI recommend this book to wives in troubled marriages because it will comfort and empower them. This is what it did for me. It pointed out and highlighted the error in current Christian teaching that had trapped me in unhealthy ways of thinking, especially unconditional submission.\n\nI recommend this book to anyone in Christian ministry or who works with troubled Christian marriages. It would also be helpful to couples of other faiths who would be interested in applying the principles; however, the book is heavily Christian in orientation and filled with Bible verses. WARNING: They are not the usual \"submissive wife\" and \"leader husband\" interpretations that are prevalent in churches today. If you are tired of what seems to be ineffective Biblical interpretations and truly want a happy and loving and Christian marriage, do not miss this book.\n\nEspecially---especially---if you are a woman who has submitted for years to a selfish and immature man---and are at the end of your rope---but you love God and want to be obedient---read this book!\n\nVery highly recommended.\n*****","Product: Kim's personal journey is one of courage and success, recovery from addiction, alcoholism, anxiety and more. This journey allows her to combine her education and experience working with clients with the newly evolving field of energy psychology. Kim J Jewell is a Certified NLP Trainer and Master Practitioner, Behavioral specialist and Drug & Alcohol counsellor has worked with people for twenty-five years transforming lives. She is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist and Faster EFT Level III practitioner. Drawing on her many life experiences, talents and expertise, Kim blends principles from NLP, Faster EFT, The Journey, The Law of Attraction, Present Moment Awareness, Energy Psychology, Reiki and more, to facilitate the uncovering and discovery of ones highest potential. Kim has written From Stress to Success, Faster Emotionally Focused Transformations after experiencing first hand the profound effects Faster EFT had on her own personal transformation and out of the desire to share with the world a healing modality that, while so simple and easy, has the power to free others from the limitations of stress and anxiety that rule their life. There will be more books in this transformation series so keep on the lookout for the next installment in the healing journey... A Caring and warm mother of three, Kim also enjoys speaking professionally, teaching at Workshops, Events & Community Groups. Visit her website at: www.fastereft.net.au\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: First Primer for FasterEFT--\"The Defragmenter of Our Unconscious Programs\"\n\nReview: *****\nHave you ever wondered about the new healing tool FasterEFT (Emotionally Focused Transformations)? Many, especially those familiar with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques, developed by the amazing Gary Craig) have wondered about what it is, and how it is different from EFT in theory and practice. This book is the first primer about what FasterEFT is, why it works, how it can help you, and the theory and belief system behind it. It also includes brief instruction on how to tap FasterEFT style along with some of the basic FasterEFT protocols. This book is simple and easy to understand, even for those readers with no background in any of the new healing modalities.\n\nFasterEFT evolved over many years and is a combination of hypnosis, EFT, NLP, Matrix Re-Imprinting, and several other tools for effecting rapid change. It was developed by the self-taught savant and human potential genius Robert G. Smith. This book tells the FasterEFT story in a gentle, easy way, paving the way for many more people to find out more about what may be the most cutting-edge new healing modality of our time.\n\nI am a FasterEFT Practitioner; often potential clients ask me for \"something to read\" before they have their first session, or even, before they decide if FasterEFT is something they want to try. In addition, other life coaches and EFT practitioners have asked me for more information about FasterEFT. Until now, there has been no concise resource for this information. The author is not only a FasterEFT Practitioner, but someone with an extensive background in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and with multiple certifications in various healing modalities. She also has the gift of being able to make complex ideas simple and interesting and to organize them in a way that is helpful.\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****","Product: A MORNING CUP OF YOGA. Allow yourself fifteen minutes a day to relax and recharge--you deserve it! A MORNING CUP OF YOGA offers twenty-three stretches to wake up your mind and body in just fifteen minutes a day. Adapted for busy people of every fitness level, the routine is easy to follow andhas been modified for use in your kitchen. A perfect 'cup\" to start your day!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Very practical, bargain price!\n\nReview: *****\n\nThis is a brief (80 page) book with a short (15\") morning wakeup yoga/stretch routine that can be done by people of all levels of fitness. Even experienced yoga practitioners can enhance their practice with this convenient routine.\n\nHowever, I think it will appeal strongest to beginners---especially those who think that yoga is \"too hard\", or they are too fat or too old or too ill for yoga, people who are really busy but want something doable in 15 minutes while their coffee (or even better, green tea!) brews. No props, special clothes, or other equipment are needed.\n\nThe book comes with a 15\" CD that is both quickly paced and peaceful. First, you learn the exercises by reading the book. This should take a few days to feel comfortable with the exercises. I want to stress again that modifications are included so that anyone can do these. Then, once you are familiar with the stretches, you can \"whisk\" through them peacefully (I know it sounds impossible, but it's not!).\n\nI love this series (called \"A Morning Cup\" series with compact and value-packed books like this on Pilates, Massage, Meditation, Balancing, Stretching, Strengthening, and Tai Chi, too) and this book especially!\n\n*****","Product: Christina Sell is a certified Anusara Yoga teacher and author of the book Yoga From The Inside Out: Making Peace with your Body Through Yoga. Known for her precise teaching style, her passionate presentation and her sense of humor, Christinas classes are challenging fun and inspiring. Her second book, My Body is a Temple, My Heart is the Shrine was recently released Spring 2011. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, three cats and two retired greyhounds.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Beautiful Book for Almost All Women\n\nReview: *****\n\nThis book really spoke to me about weight issues, body acceptance, self-image, and how yoga can be used to deal with all of these. The subtitle of the book is \"Making Peace with Your Body Through Yoga\", and every time I read it (I've read it three times so far) this book helps me to accomplish this. I have the parts I like best highlighted and often reread them for inspiration; it is a beautifully written book.\n\nThe book focuses on a type of yoga called Anusara Yoga, but as other reviewers have said, you don't really have to be interested in yoga to benefit from the book. It's more about mindfulness, philosophy, attitude, being with feelings, and acceptance than it is yoga and yoga positions. The women modeling the poses are women of all shapes and sizes, all obviously content with their bodies and enjoying their practice.\n\nThe only part of the book I did not relate to was about having a guru, which is part of the philosophy of the author, and I just skip over those parts when I reread it. That part is peripheral, and the book is more than worth it for the rest.\n\nHighest recommendation.\n\n*****","Product: Language:Chinese.Paperback. Pub a Date: Jan 2011 Pages: 203 in Publisher: of NO STARCH PRESS LoveYou own the world's most versatile. customizable camera: your the iPhone. Out of the box. your the iPhone camera is the no-frills. but you can transform it into a digital darkroom. photo editing suite. and photoblogging tool all rolled into one ... if you know how\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I Never Knew I Could Do So Much With My iPhone Camera!\n\nReview: *****\nI never knew that the camera in my iPhone was so powerful! This book explores the iPhone camera from a beginner level, but also includes many advanced and professional apps for readers who are more advanced photographers. I just skipped over those as there was more than enough for me as a photography and camera newbie. The book explains the iPhone camera thoroughly, shows which apps do what types of functions, and shows examples of how professionals use them, too, not just amateurs. I\n\nI like the book because it shows you everything you need to know to decide if an app is for you or not. It tells you why someone would want to use it, and who would not be a good candidate for using it. It's great to be able to see how the apps work in advance.\n\nThe book covered features of the iPhone camera, how to customize the camera, how to edit photos right on the iPhone, using filters and effects, making photos retro, fun and offbeat effects, sharing your photo's, and photoblogging. It was a fun book to read, too, not dry at all, and got me so excited about using my iPhone camera. I just got a dozen or so apps (which the book showed me how to organize) and I'm off to shoot some pictures!\n\nHighly recommended.\n*****"],"string":"[\n \"Product: Pamper and sooth even the driest, most neglected feet with Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream. This cream helps prevent and protect dry, cracked and rough skin with deeply penetrating emollient botanical oils. Enriched with a softening blend of super-saturated coconut oil and other natural emollient ingredients. The rosemary and peppermint extracts refresh while coconut oil, lanolin and vegetable glycerin revive and rejuvenate. Apply daily to keep your feet feeling soft and smooth and sandal ready year round.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Special Pampering for Your Feet\\n\\nReview: *****\\nWow, is this foot cream amazing! First of all, the scent is coconutt-y and peppermint-y, very luscious. It contains vegetable glycerin, olive oil, oat protein, lanolin, water, coconut oil (the real stuff!), tocopheral (vitamin E), peppermint oil, rosemary extract, and fragrance. It has a texture that is like Vaseline or petroleum jelly; however, the crme is absorbed into your foot so that you don't walk around with greasy feet all day. And it feels sooo good!\\n\\nIt's a real treat to use this foot crme to moisturize and just to pamper my poor callused, pummeled feet. The directions say to put it on your feet before bed and to then to wear cotton socks. Since I don't wear socks to bed, I've just put the foot creme on after my bath in the morning and I've had wonderful results. I wait about 5 minutes for it to soak in and just r-e-l-a-x.\\n\\nBurt's Bees Coconut Foot Crme is not tested on animals. A little goes a long way, and a small amount will last forever, making it a great value.\\n\\nHighly recommended---the best!\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The Rubbermaid Commercial Products 1902465 Executive Janitorial Housekeeping Quick Cart is the industrys most durable mobile cart solution for housekeeping, janitorial and maintenance environments. Heavy-duty strap secures stick tools; large front pockets can hold a flexible flat mop or sweeper. Teflon fabric protector coating protects cart from unsightly stains in the course of daily use. Lightweight, polypropylene fabric construction provides years of service life. Adjustable dividers helps organize amenities and supplies. Quick cart caddy included with cart.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Super-High Quality and Portable Mobile Cart\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a super-high quality, yet relatively light carrier for cleaning products, or for any other collection of supplies that would lend itself to a mobile-type of organization like this. So things like pet grooming supplies, craft supplies, or anything that needed large areas to store supplies along with some minor smaller areas. There are lots of different types of pockets (many of which are adjustable) and storage in this one carrier. My favorite is the removable small carry caddy--it's reinforced and probably on its own would sell for forty or fifty dollars.\\n\\nThe entire cart is very sturdy. It is also easy to clean; it includes a removable inner liner that is treated with Teflon fabric protector and if that's not enough, Rubbermaid offers additional replacement liners for a cost.\\n\\nIt has the ability to be locked (although you need to supply the lock itself). It weighs 18 pounds (but for its size that is light) and can hold a maximum of 60 pounds (important!). Its outer dimensions are 16.50\\\" x 14.25\\\" x 25.00\\\".\\n\\nI don't know how you'd make this better without making it much heavier and less portable. It's a great solution to many commercial, small-business, and household problems.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: You will find multiple uses for this plastic dishpan besides doing dishes. Yes, this dishpan is great for washing and soaking your everyday dishes and fine china and crystal, but you can also use this dishpan for soaking the stains out of laundry items, dying fabric and doing art projects. Also nice to have as part of your camping supplies too. The molded handles allow for easy transport between tasks. 18-quart capacity measures 13-1/4-inch long by 15-1/2-inch wide by 7-3/4-inch high. Item #BA0006\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Thinnest Possible Plastic for Foot Soak Tub\\n\\nReview: **\\nThe item description says that this foot soak tub is made of \\\"durable plastic that will not chip or crack\\\"; I really wonder about that. The plastic is so thin that it seems like it is almost a disposable item; I'm not sure I've seen anything made of plastic like this that was NOT disposable. The foot soak tub is barely big enough for my feet (I'm a women's size 9) and would not fit anyone with larger feet. The liter mark is a simple piece of paper--like a price tag--with a sheen, so it may be waterproof, and mine was put on at an angle, not straight. When you put water in it and try to carry it, it's unwieldy, as though the whole thing could suddenly twist and spill. I should have purchased one of the blow-up foot soak tubs, but this was a key complaint people had with those so I avoided them--now I think one of those would have been better.\\n\\nI wouldn't pay more than a dollar for this item.\\n\\nNot recommended, unless you want to buy an expensive semi-disposable foot soak tub.\\n**\\n\\nUPDATE 7/2/13: This item was previously marketed as a \\\"foot soak tub\\\", not a dishpan--thus my review! I would not use it as a dishpan, except for as a disposable dishpan in a camping or other similar situation. The plastic used for this item when I purchased it was thinner than that on those temporary disposable food storage containers! As I mentioned, if it were only a dollar or so, I would recommend it for unusual situations where a very light and disposable dishpan was needed.\",\n \"Product: Home And Office Scissors Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Top of the Line Small Craft Scissors\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThese are light and sturdy little scissors that are easily maneuverable and handy. They are so easy to work with when I do crafts that I think I will go to them before any of my other scissors. They are very comfortable to hold. The \\\"micro-tip\\\" is a special tip design that is very, very sharp and is supposed to stay that way, solving a common problem I've had with scissors of the tip dulling ahead of the rest of the blades. It also enables an extremely precise cut and extra-fine accuracy. I love these!\\n\\nI know that they are more expensive than several other similar scissors by other manufacturers but I would spend a bit more for these, as they have the Fiskars name for quality and I expect them to last a long time. Plus for just a few more dollars you get something that will really do the job.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Perfect for Use as Gardening Snips\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Perfect for Use as Gardening Snips\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Our Micro-Tip Easy Action Scissors make cutting intricate details and tight patterns easy for people with arthritis or limited hand strength, so easy, they have earned the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. A spring-action design opens the blades after each cut to reduce hand strain, and the high-grade, stainless-steel blades feature a precision-ground edge that stays sharp longer and cuts all the way to the tip, essential for anyone who cuts fabric. Additionally, a range of colorful handle choices makes it easy to find a style that fits your tastes. Micro-Tip Easy Action Scissors also include a Softgrip handle for a more comfortable grip.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Attractive, Useful, Long-Lasting--Perfect Snips!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\\n\\nThis new version comes in such a beautiful pastel design, too, much more attractive than the old black and orange Fiskars scissors!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: RANGER-My Creative Journal Journey. Join Dyan Reaveley on her Creative Journal Journey book. Using step-by-step photos and instructions is just like having Dyan by your side showing you how she creates her original art journal pages. This book is chock-full of inspiration step-by-step photos and instructions to walk you through inking painting and journaling techniques to create your own art journal. Author: Dyan Reaveley. Softcover 51 pages. Published 2012. Made in USA.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Good for Die-Hard Fans, A Let-Down For Others\\n\\nReview: ***\\nI love anything from Dyan Reaveley and really looked forward to this book. I also have a lot of Ranger products; in fact it is my favorite line of craft products. If you are a big fan of both you will probably enjoy this book; however there are some things you should know before you buy it.\\n\\n(1) It is more of a booklet rather than a book. It is 52 pages stapled together, that's all.\\n(2) It is a step-by-step description of Dyan Reaveley's creative process. This is great, and I enjoyed that, but this is also available for free in YouTube videos all over the Internet. I am a fan, so I don't mind the duplication. You may not like paying for something available for free, especially at this price.\\n(3) The book is mostly about one journal page she does. Just one. Some others are featured a bit on the last few pages, but most of the book is just this one page.\\n(4) The book is filled with basically advertisements for Ranger products. I love them, but even I got a bit tired of this.\\n\\nI would enjoy this more if it was an inexpensive e-book or PDF book rather than what looks like a regular craft book and then isn't. I would say to get it for big fans of Dyan, or if you know little to nothing about Ranger. Otherwise, you might be a bit let down.\\n\\nRecommended for Dyan Reaveley fans and for people who want to find out what Ranger is all about and what types of products they sell.\\n***\",\n \"Product: Advantage Punch System. Create perfect borders and ribbons with interchangeable design cartridges. It features a magnetic paper clamp to hold paper firmly and a spring-action handle that makes punching easier. This punch system also accommodates Fiskars standard-size interchangeable border punch cartridges when used with the adapter plate. This package contains one base one adapter and one design cartridge - Flower Garden.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Quality Border Punch Set\\n\\nReview: ****\\nIf you do a lot of work with paper craft, you will like this tool from Fiskars. It has the quality and ease-of-use that Fiskars is known for and produces beautiful borders. It is easy to use. It is a tad high maintenance in that it does take up a lot of space and the additional punches are pricey--you can end up spending a lot on them. I decided to gift mine to my friend who makes cards every day (not just occasionally like me) and who can afford to buy the additional cartridges. Look at the cost of refill cartridges before you purchase this item to see if it is something doable for you. That said, it's a fine product!\\n\\nRecommended, if you can afford the price of the additional cartridges.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Size:10 Inch Titanium, 2Pack Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great As Gardening Snips\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Size:10 Inch Titanium, 2Pack Fiskars is a global brand bringing tools that empower people in the garden, home, office, and classroom. Our tools are smarter and easier to use.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Perfect for Use as Gardening Snips\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love my new snips--they are light, sharp, sturdy, and lock easily. I use them only for light gardening use, primarily floral. They are most handy for trimming all of the flowers my husband brings in from the garden in summer. I am ordering another because I am so pleased with them, and want one for outside and one for inside the house. They are comfortable to hold because of the padded handle. They are smaller than I'd thought but so far they've handled every job I've done with them. I am being careful with them and not using them for heavy pruning (I have pruners for this). I think that if you want some inexpensive quality snips you'll be very pleased with these.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: RANGER-My Creative Journal Journey. Join Dyan Reaveley on her Creative Journal Journey book. Using step-by-step photos and instructions is just like having Dyan by your side showing you how she creates her original art journal pages. This book is chock-full of inspiration step-by-step photos and instructions to walk you through inking painting and journaling techniques to create your own art journal. Author: Dyan Reaveley. Softcover 51 pages. Published 2012. Made in USA.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Disappointing For All But the Most Die-Hard Fans of Dyan Reaveley\\n\\nReview: ***\\nI love anything from Dyan Reaveley and really looked forward to this book. I also have a lot of Ranger products; in fact it is my favorite line of craft products. If you are a big fan of both you will probably enjoy this book; however there are some things you should know before you buy it.\\n\\n(1) It is more of a booklet rather than a book. It is 52 pages stapled together, that's all.\\n(2) It is a step-by-step description of Dyan Reaveley's creative process. This is great, and I enjoyed that, but this is also available for free in YouTube videos all over the Internet. I am a fan, so I don't mind the duplication. You may not like paying for something available for free, especially at this price.\\n(3) The book is mostly about one journal page she does. Just one. Some others are featured a bit on the last few pages, but most of the book is just this one page.\\n(4) The book is filled with basically advertisements for Ranger products. I love them, but even I got a bit tired of this.\\n\\nI would enjoy this more if it was an inexpensive e-book or PDF book rather than what looks like a regular craft book and then isn't. I would say to get it for big fans of Dyan, or if you know little to nothing about Ranger. Otherwise, you might be a bit let down. Dyan's newer book looks to be a bit more substantial; I will be getting that soon and hope to find improvements over this first effort.\\n\\nBe sure to price-compare over the Internet. I find a wide variety of prices for this book here at Amazon!\\n\\nRecommended for Dyan Reaveley fans and for people who want to find out what Ranger is all about and what types of products they sell.\\n***\",\n \"Product: RANGER-My Creative Journal Journey. Join Dyan Reaveley on her Creative Journal Journey book. Using step-by-step photos and instructions is just like having Dyan by your side showing you how she creates her original art journal pages. This book is chock-full of inspiration step-by-step photos and instructions to walk you through inking painting and journaling techniques to create your own art journal. Author: Dyan Reaveley. Softcover 51 pages. Published 2012. Made in USA.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Disappointing Except for Super-Devoted Fans\\n\\nReview: ***\\nI love anything from Dyan Reaveley and really looked forward to this book. I also have a lot of Ranger products; in fact it is my favorite line of craft products. If you are a big fan of both you will probably enjoy this book; however there are some things you should know before you buy it.\\n\\n(1) It is more of a booklet rather than a book. It is 52 pages stapled together, that's all.\\n(2) It is a step-by-step description of Dyan Reaveley's creative process. This is great, and I enjoyed that, but this is also available for free in YouTube videos all over the Internet. I am a fan, so I don't mind the duplication. You may not like paying for something available for free, especially at this price.\\n(3) The book is mostly about one journal page she does. Just one. Some others are featured a bit on the last few pages, but most of the book is just this one page.\\n(4) The book is filled with basically advertisements for Ranger products. I love them, but even I got a bit tired of this.\\n\\nI would enjoy this more if it was an inexpensive e-book or PDF book rather than what looks like a regular craft book and then isn't. I would say to get it for big fans of Dyan, or if you know little to nothing about Ranger. Otherwise, you might be a bit let down. I plan to buy Dyan's newest book and hope that it is an improvement over this first effort.\\n\\nRecommended for Dyan Reaveley fans and for people who want to find out what Ranger is all about and what types of products they sell.\\n***\",\n \"Product: Junior Mixture Bristle/Nylon Mix Hair Brush BN2\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Lovely Brush, Heirloom Quality\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a review for a Junior (medium-size) Mason Pearson brush made of seven rings of mixed boar bristle and nylon. The longer bristles are nylon and the shorter ones are boar bristle. It is a beautiful heirloom brush worth every penny of the incredibly high price.\\n\\nAll of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a cleaning brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\\n\\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\\n\\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want a mixed bristle brush like this one that is part boar bristle and part nylon? What is most comfortable and performs the best with your hair. This mixed bristle brush will work well for you if your hair is fine to normal and not too long or too thick. Otherwise, you'll need to go with the Detangler because the bristles are stiffer and can reach down through all of your hair to the scalp; the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. Mason Pearson also makes an All Boar Bristle Brush for finer or shorter hair but I have never tried it.\\n\\nSo, this mixed bristle brush is for normal, finer, and shorter hair. I bought it for myself but my husband uses it; although I have short hair it is very thick and straight and coarse and the brush bristles won't reach all the way to my scalp, but slides over the top hairs. My husband loves it dearly though, and really enjoys using it himself, or as a special treat, allowing me to brush his hair. This makes the expense of a Mason Pearson brush well worth the money--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\\n\\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Developed and patented more than 100 years ago, our Mason Pearson Hair Brush is the ultimate grooming tool. Only the finest, premium-grade boar bristle, which is gentle to the hair and scalp, is used. Brushing with a Mason Pearson Hair Brush is the best way to distribute the natural oils while exfoliating the scalp and stimulating circulation to the hair follicles. The patented pneumatic cushion conforms to the contours of the scalp, which optimizes brushing with minimal effort. All Mason Pearson Hair Brushes are hand made in England and carry a one year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. The animals are not harmed in the collection of the boar bristle. (Nylon cleaning brush is included.)\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Brush To Treasure Throughout the Years\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a review for a pocket or small (about 6 3/4 inches long) Mason Pearson brush made of five rings of mixed boar bristle and nylon. The longer bristles are nylon and the shorter ones are boar bristle. It is a beautiful heirloom brush worth every penny of the incredibly high price.\\n\\nAll of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a cleaning brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\\n\\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\\n\\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want a mixed bristle brush like this one that is part boar bristle and part nylon? What is most comfortable and performs the best with your hair. This mixed bristle brush will work well for you if your hair is fine to normal and not too long or too thick. Otherwise, you'll need to go with the Detangler because the bristles are stiffer and can reach down through all of your hair to the scalp; the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. Mason Pearson also makes an All Boar Bristle Brush for finer or shorter hair but I have never tried it.\\n\\nSo, this mixed bristle brush is for normal, finer, and shorter hair. I bought it for myself but my husband uses it; although I have short hair it is very thick and straight and coarse and the brush bristles won't reach all the way to my scalp, but slides over the top hairs. My husband loves it dearly though, and really enjoys using it himself, or as a special treat, allowing me to brush his hair. This makes the expense of a Mason Pearson brush well worth the money--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\\n\\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Heirloom Brush to Treasure Forever\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\\n\\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\\n\\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\\n\\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\\n\\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\\n\\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Mason Pearson Heirloom Brush\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\\n\\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\\n\\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\\n\\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\\n\\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\\n\\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Best Brush Money Can Buy\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\\n\\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\\n\\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\\n\\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\\n\\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\\n\\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: All nylon bristle for very thick, coarse hair and for brushing wet hair. After shampooing or exercise, use only pure nylon, not bristle, to brush hair. Well suited for all-round use for dense or coarse hair. Great for working out knots and tangles after shampooing.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Beautiful Brush Worth the Money\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\\n\\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\\n\\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\\n\\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\\n\\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\\n\\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The Euro-Pro Shark 800-watt turbo hand vacuum offers powerful cleaning in an easy-to-use, hand-held. The suction is the same as a full-size vacuum! Features include the True HEPA filter with Intelli-sense monitor, which removes air impurities from your home. The pet-hair removal tool is also included to help keep your home fur free. For easy usability, this vacuum comes with an extension hose, brush, and shoulder strap off.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Sucks (In the Way You Want It To)\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nThis Shark is a great little vacuum---what a bargain for the money! The listed price is a little high, but now having owned it, I can say that I would pay $70 for this vacuum if it lasts, and I hope it does. I've had mine for a month and use it multiple times per day.\\n\\nYes, it is noisy, but that's because it is small yet has suction that works like nobody's business. I use it by my woodstove, and after everything cools, I use it to clean up ashes, small flecks of wood and dirt, etc.---stuff you'd find around a woodstove---and it gets everything. It sucks so hard that it almost \\\"sticks\\\" to the tile! Sometimes I get dark marks from charred wood on the tile by the woodstove, and it even sucks those up.\\n\\nI like having so many attachments, and they seem to work well. I don't use the shoulder strap, as it isn't heavy for me to carry around. Note that this Shark has a cord, and so must be plugged in. Also note that this vacuum is for small areas. You'd get really tired trying to do large areas with it, as the brushes are not very wide. It is absolutely perfect for any small area.\\n\\nI've used my sturdy little Shark on tile, hardwood, and on the carpet we have near the fireplace, which is heavy and fireproof. I wouldn't use it with a flimsy carpet (like a rag rug) as it would suck it up.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: OXO revolutionized liquid measuring with the Good Grips Angled Measuring Cups. A patented angled surface lets you read measurement markings by looking straight down into the Cup and eliminates the need to fill, check and adjust the amount of liquid you are measuring. The handle is soft and nonslip for a firm grip. Cup, ounce and milliliter measurement markings increase convenience. Dishwasher safe. Set of 3, 1 each: 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Measuring Cups, Great Value!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love these measuring cups because I can see exactly how much I'm putting into them from above instead of peering and squinting at the measuring lines from the side. They are priced well, and very useful. They come in all sizes, from mini-size (1/4 cup) all the way up to 4 cups, and come in sets as well. They are made of a sturdy type of hard plastic. The measuring cups are dishwasher safe, but should not be used in the microwave.\\n\\nI haven't had any problems with them. My husband recently began to use one of them for measuring his boiling water for oatmeal in one, and so far it has held up great. However, I like them so much, that I'm worried that the markings on the inside may wear off in time, so I'm getting him a special glass one of his own. I would therefore recommend them ideally for dry ingredients or for cool wet ingredients.\\n\\nUPDATE: A commenter noted that she has been using them for at least two years for measuring boiling water, and has had no trouble with the markings! (Please see comments.)\\n\\nThey are handy, easy to store (I can stack mine by staggering the handles) and easy to clean. The handles are made of rubber for easy gripping, very nice. I still have some of my old traditional measuring cups but I only use these.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: These 10-ounce glass custard cups are ideal for making and serving individual baked or frozen desserts like crème caramel or ice cream. The oven-safe glass transfers heat steadily and efficiently, so food cooks evenly in any oven. Pyrex glass will not absorb or leach flavors or odors, and it cleans up easily either by hand or in the dishwasher. Since 1915, Corning Pyrex cookware has been a vital part of every kitchen, and because it is safe in the oven, freezer, and microwave, it is even more versatile today than when it was first introduced. Pyrex bakeware is covered by a 1-year limited warranty.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Lovely Little Bowls For Great Price\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nI bought two sets of four bowls to complement my nice set of everyday dishes for times when you want just a little bit of something---like a little yogurt, or some granola, some fresh raspberries---and we use them all the time. I agree with a previous reviewer that they would be wonderful for food prep.\\n\\nThey are not thin, as a previous reviewer has noted. They are not thick or bulky either, though, just perfect. They seem like they will last a long time and wear quite well. They almost look, well...elegant, which seems kind of cool for just Pyrex and for the price.\\n\\nThe bowls come well-packaged, and although the price is very low, they definitely don't seem cheaply made. I haven't seen them in stores, either. Great buy!\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Twirl a tie is a stylish spinning tie holder that holds up to 20 ties in a minimum amount of closet space. Hangs from a standard closet rail to keep your ties neatly displayed and organized. Fingertip spinning provides for easy selection.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Handy Organizer I Use for My Necklaces\\n\\nReview: ****\\nI use this clever little gadget to store necklaces in my closet so that I can grab one to wear with my clothes. The Twirl-a-Tie works well for my necklaces as long as they're somewhat balanced around the rack--which they are since I only wear one or two at a time. The gadget is pretty simple--two pieces of plastic that easily snap together--and I think you're paying more for the idea than for the gadget itself. It's a simple but useful idea, too!\\n\\nTies would be more stable than necklaces of course (but then I don't wear ties) and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of these for the man in my life. I wouldn't probably get it as a gift though because although it's very functional it does look as though it probably is worth only a couple of dollars.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: SoftWorks Locking Tongs are sturdy, brushed stainless steel. The Tongs feature soft, comfortable, non-slip grip pads and they lock closed for easy storage. 9-inch length is ideal for cooking and serving. Dishwasher safe.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fine Set of Tongs\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nThese tongs are sturdy, and fine for all tong tasks. OXO makes these tongs in the 9-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch size. Note that these tongs do NOT have nylon tips at the bottom edges, like another version of OXO tongs that I much prefer. These would not be safe for using on non-stick cookware; however, you could use these tongs for many things you couldn't use the nylon head tongs for because there is no nylon to potentially melt, so you wouldn't have to be as careful with them.\\n\\nThese stainless steel tongs are a great alternative to the cheap aluminum tongs that feel flimsy and break easily. OXO products, including this one, are always easier to use and of high quality.\\n\\nThey store easily in a smaller space because of the locking mechanism at the top and they have a loop if you want to hang them. They clean easily, too. They should be good to go for any kitchen task.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Rubbermaid Premier 20-piece Set #7J12 includes: (3) 1.25 cup (3) 2.0 cup (2) 3.0 cup and (2) 5.0 cup. Featuring Easy Seal: Flex & Seal lids that lock in freshness and are easy to seal & remove. Rubbermaid Premier food storage containers are easy to clean featuring durable shatterproof plastic that resists stains & odors for lifetime of clarity. Rubbermaid Premier is exceptionally easy to store using Easy Find lids that snap to the bottom of the container and to each other. Another great storage feature is that the Rubbermaid Premier base and lid nest inside each other. With Rubbermaid Premier one lid fits multiple bases. Rubbermaid Premier is guaranteed for life. Microwave, Dishwasher, Freezer Safe.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: WOW what a value!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a great set---10 separate pieces each with lids---and a stunning value! They stack so that storage is easy---they come in a 9\\\" x 8\\\" x 11\\\" box, so they fit into a very small space. This is a great all-around set, with items of all different sizes, a good starter set, too.\\n\\nI have other Rubbermaid Stain Shield items, and I really love them. They are made from a very hard plastic (polycarbonate) which is made to last forever. The lids fit well and seal very tightly, but aren't too hard for me to get off at all. They don't stain even with tomato products and are really easy to clean.\\n\\nThis product looks like it will last a long time. Some reviewers have occasionally mentioned cracking and breaking; however, I can't imagine this as a potential problem for me because these items are really sturdy and we're not overly rough with our containers. Our other Rubbermaid Stain Series items have lasted for months with no problems. They definitely are not made of the same material as typical Rubbermaid plastic, but that's because polycarbonate is not porous, not made to absorb stains or odors. I love the polycarbonate material, and have never had anything ever made with it break or crack, only cloud up a bit with age and heavy use (I also scrub them with steel wool sometimes, though, which is probably why).\\n\\nThis Rubbermaid Stain Shield set comes with a Lifetime Warranty which is printed on the box. They say they will compensate you for any product defects and will not charge you for labor, service, or parts, and then give you an 800 number to call to make a claim. The warranty does not cover damage due to accident, misuse, or abuse of the storage pieces, which they say includes melting, warping, burning, or scratches. So...don't stick these in your oven, or drive over them with your car, throw them in your woodstove in the winter, or try to hack them in two with an ax, and I think you'll be just fine. If you have any other type of problem, you get your money back (even plus the sales tax, they say). Hey, I'm totally satisfied---not many products are this great and then have a warranty like this to boot!\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Fiskars Desktop Scissors Sharpener makes it easy to keep all your scissors sharp for clean cuts. Simply insert a scissors with the Fiskars logo facing you and apply gentle pressure to the blades as you pull the scissors toward you. Usually, four strokes are enough to smooth worn blades, returning them to a sharp edge.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Way to Save Money on Scissors\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis handy little scissors sharpener does what it is supposed to, and with just a few swipes sharpens scissors easily. It is light and easy to store in a drawer. You put the scissors in the two slots like you're cutting something, and then you close the scissors and--voila!--the scissors are sharpened after a few \\\"cuts\\\" or swipes. You don't need to line anything up because the slots do it for you.\\n\\nIt can be adapted to be used either right-handed or left-handed. The instructions that come with the sharpener says that it can be used on \\\"any stainless steel scissors that have a 30 degree cutting edge angle\\\". I used mine on all of my scissors, which appear to be aluminum or some other inexpensive metal (I doubt they are stainless steel) and they sharpened them just fine. It does however also say not to use this sharpener with left-handed scissors or scissors with specialty edges. I think that this would be best used on any type of inexpensive scissors that most of us have around the house for general and craft use. It will save you lots of money in the long run because your scissors will last and last and while they last they'll be nice and sharp!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Prevent burned fingers and arms -- no more reaching into hot ovens to move the rack. Notches at the end of the stick allow you to push the oven rack in and pull the oven rack out, conveniently and safely. This quality european hardwood utensil is 11-inches long and features top hole for hanging-or it lies easily in a drawer. Also works great with toaster oven racks. Made in Slovenia.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Ugly But Essential Kitchen Tool\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis kitchen utensil is definitely ugly, just a piece of unadorned wood, but the brilliance here is in the design and usefulness. There are prettier and fancier oven-push-pulls out there, but this little tool grabs the oven rack in either of my two ovens--the big one and the tiny toaster oven--and pulls it right out or pushes it back in. Even though it's wood, it hold up just fine and doesn't burn. I bought one in the spring and use it all the time; I just bought four more and am going to decorate them up a bit and give them out as Christmas gifts. The wood will take a bit of decoration, as long as you are careful and don't put anything flammable on it.\\n\\nYou pull with the groove on the side (to pull the oven rack out) and then you push with the slot at the end (to push the oven rack in). It works so well and is super-handy. Even a non-cook would like this as a gift because perhaps they put pizza in the oven to reheat or some other crispy snack. I heat up lots of packaged food in the oven and fine this invaluable.\\n\\nI only gave this item four stars because it really is ugly. With a braided loop on the end, and a little bit of decoration on the handle though, it would be a five star gift. Really.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Get crackin' with the CrackPot! Limit shell fragments when cracking eggs with the CrackPot's built-in plastic \\\"blade.\\\" The kid-friendly plastic \\\"blade\\\" allows for easy and clean egg cracking, freeing you of pesky shells in your breakfasts and batters! The ergonomic handle and non-slip rubber bottomgive you a solid grip while whisking up eggs or stirring up favorite baked goods. Made of FDA/EU food-safe melamine the CrackPot has a 1.5qt capacity. Designed in USA\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I Really Love My Crackpot!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis little bowl is great--I use it for eggs and more because it's so handy and has so many design features that I like. First of course, is the built-in blade for cracking eggs. The whole bowl is melamine (a type of hard plastic) and the blade is too, so it's not anything you'd cut yourself on. But it certainly does help by providing a convenient place to crack an egg. I don't tend to be good at this and end up getting egg white on whatever I normally use, so this blade really helps and does truly minimize shell fragments. The bowl is sturdy too, so it doesn't rock when you crack an egg hard. Also, it doesn't move because of the non-slip rubber ring on the bottom. And the handle sticks out so that you can hold it while you're mixing whatever is in the bowl; the handle is nice and big and suitable for both right and left-handers.\\n\\nThe bowl holds up to a dozen eggs and is safe for the dishwasher, but cleans easily by hand too (I don't have a dishwasher). It's such a nice size (1.5 quarts) that I use it for lots of different things; the handle makes it very useful. Plus it's yellow and white, just like an egg--too cute! I think kids would like this too--it would help them to learn how to work with eggs, it's fun and colorful, and it doesn't slip around. Great bowl!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Woolite Mesh Wash Bags allows maximum circulation of detergent and water while protecting your garments from damage. The everyday care cleaning your garments has never been easier.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My Favorite Bra Wash Bag\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love this bra wash bag. It has a lot of support in it, enough for my larger size bras. I am a 42 B and wear Le Mystere bras, so I am really careful with them. When they are in this bag they are washed thoroughly, something I just can't do to the degree I prefer by hand. I wash them on cold on a delicate cycle with other delicates. I also don't put jeans or towels or anything heavy in the load with them, so I am really careful, since my bras are so expensive. They have underwires too, so I put the cups inside each other and I do like the way they fit in this bag. I would say they seem to last about 30-50 washes; they do eventually fall apart, but I have not yet found other products of this type that do not eventually fail.\\n\\nI take the bra out of the bag to go into the dryer on \\\"extra low\\\" and dry them both separately. I could hang the bra to dry, which would prolong its life but I like how they come out of my dryer on that setting, so I don't. I am careful to fasten the bra in the back so that it doesn't twist or catch onto other things in the dryer. It works for me.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Train Your Dog from Barking, Walking, Leash Training, Sitting, Aggression, and Other Behavioral Obedience with Premium Dog Training Shock Collar! Would you like your puppy to behave, obey to simple commands and stop using barking as a response to every single stimuli? This is most effective, professional remote controlled, behavior correction anti-bark dog training collar is bound to meet all your demands! Make it yours now and become a true dog trainer yourself using high quality tool. 4 Modes of Safety training will help you provide your pets with enough behavior, teaching them how to behave in a very short period of time. Combine Static shock, Vibration And Beeping Sound To Create The Perfect Training Method For Your Little Buddy This durable obedience dog training collar will provide you with countless possibilities to control your dog from distance. You can pick among 100 shock levels and 100 vibration levels, combine them with the distinctive beeping sound and find what works best for your dog. Moreover, no matter what your dogs breed, size or hunting dog , this Corrective training e-collar will provide unmatched comfort. All you have to do is adjust the remote control collars length. Train Indoor Or Outdoor This top notch pet trainer electronic shock collar comes with a handy rechargeable remote control. The 330 yard perimeter range allows you to practice in your backyard or at the park. In addition, the waterproof construction and the LCD display with the blue back light will give you the chance to use it during rain or during night-time. There are no limits for you and your furry friend! Package Contents and Accessories: 1 x Transmitter 1 x Receiver 1 x Nylon Strap 1 x Charging Cable 1 x Charging Adapter 1 x Test Bulb 3 x Sets of Contact Points Do Not Waste Time And Place Your Order Now!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: High-End Brush For Extreme Pampering\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a high-end luxury brush that truly delivers.\\n\\nThere are two things you need to know when you're ready to buy a Mason Pearson brush of any sort. One is the size: full-size (the largest size), handy (medium sized), or pocket (the smallest size). This is important not so much because of where the brush will be kept (say, in your handbag), but because of the bristle length of the various sizes. The smaller sizes have shorter bristles. The bristles have to be able to reach your scalp, and massage it and distribute the oils throughout your hair. If you want a small brush but you have thick or long hair, you'd do better with a larger size.\\n\\nThe other consideration is the bristle type. Do you want all nylon, like this Detangler? Even though the Detangler is all nylon, some of the bristles are longer and some are shorter, just like the mixed bristle brush. It's hard to see in the picture. You should know that the Detangler is the only Mason Pearson brush that can reach the scalp of extremely thick hair. All of the larger Mason Pearson brushes, including this one, come with a bristle brush, so that you can easily clean loose hairs out of your brush.\\n\\nThe Detangler is a brush just like the other brushes, not something just to be used when your hair is tangled or your done shampooing. It is a fantastic brush for people with coarse hair or long hair or thick hair also. Even though my hair is very short, it is the only brush that works for me because my hair is so thick. This handy size is about eight inches long.\\n\\nIt's quite a large expense to buy any Mason Pearson product compared to other manufacturers of hair care items--it's a luxury item and the purchase is an investment--but it's worth it. If you're the type of person who would rather enjoy an evening at home having your hair brushed by your spouse instead of going to dinner and a movie, then you can justify the cost. That's how we did it :)\\n\\nFor additional information on Mason Pearson visit their web site at masonpearson dot com.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Elegant and festive, the Holiday Teacup Cinnamon Candle will add the sweet scent of cinnamon to your Christmas gathering. Crafted of beautiful gold accented porcelain, the teacup is decorated with the iconic Holiday holly and berries motif. A delicate accent, perfect with Holiday dinnerware, this lovely candle also makes a great hostess gift. The candle includes a long exaggerated wick to mimic a teabag. When your ready to burn, simply cut the wick down and fill the room with the delicious holiday cinnamon scent.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Lovely Tea Kettle, Holiday Pattern--Use It To Make Memories!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is another winner from Lenox's Holiday collection, a stainless steel tea kettle with a lovely pattern that matches all of Lenox's various winter patterns, so that you can mix and match. This tea kettle is covered in enamel (over the stainless steel) with a wooden lid knob and handle piece--a beautiful light wood. The enamel inside is black. This teakettle is NOT dishwasher safe or microwave safe. It can be lovingly hand-washed.\\n\\nThis tea kettle is covered by Lenox's lifetime breakage guarantee if you register your purchase. The guarantee reads: \\\"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because: We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\\\" Compared to other types of products, this seems pretty good to me.\\n\\nIt is one of Lenox's products that is made in China (some are still made in the US). It is well-packaged and seems to be of very good quality. It is a smaller, lighter kettle, so it could be used for a couple or single person, or an older person since it is so lightweight. The pattern is striking and would look lovely displayed on your stove; the pattern has been popular since 1974!\\n\\nThere have been some questions asked about whether or not this tea kettle can be used on a stove--I am using mine in just that way--and as no instructions or literature was included with this item I can't imagine why anyone would not! I would encourage a buyer to not use this just for display, but for regular tea kettle duty on the stove.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Artistic splendor to brighten your holiday table, Winter Greetings is one of Lenox's most treasured heritage patterns. Bearing the acclaimed artistry of Catherine McClung, the festive design is an intricate composition of garden birds, red and gold bows and holly. Rich in color, decorate your table to warm cranberry and pine hughes. With our corporate office located in Pennsylvania and our fine dinnerware factory in Kinston, North Carolina we are proud to be a part of American tradition. With all of the craftsmanship and quality for which a pattern is known, it is no surprise that Winter Greetings is a treasured collection in homes worldwide. Best of all, this classic collection is created by Lenox, America's first name in home entertaining, known around the world for offering a unique combination of design artistry and superior quality for over 125 years. The confidence that Lenox has in the unmatched durability of every product they offer is backed by a lifetime breakage replacement policy to guarantee many years of enjoyment to each customer.The Winter Greetings Cookie Jar makes a great gift starting with the beautiful Red Cardinal design and 24 karat gold accents.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Lenox Craftsmanship In A Cookie Jar!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI am madly in love with the entire Lenox Holiday China Collection--all the patterns--all the pieces. In another life, if I were wealthy, I would buy them all. The ones I have seen are super-high quality, so pleasing to look at--gorgeous and with fine attention to detail. The pictures cannot capture the vibrance of the colors or the gold glimmer of the trim!\\n\\nI was sent an entirely different cookie jar than the picture. The cookie jar I was sent was the Lenox Holiday Tree Cookie Jar, which is part of the Holiday pattern, not the Winter Greetings pattern. However, it is a larger and more expensive cookie jar, so I am more than satisfied. Both patterns have similar colors and could be mixed and matched, including the cookie jars. However, if you want the larger tree-shaped cookie jar (and to see what I'm referring to in order to compare, visit here: <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Lenox-Holiday-Tree-Cookie-Jar/dp/B00K2SL0WC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Lenox Holiday Tree Cookie Jar</a>.\\n\\nI especially love the idea of mixing and matching the pieces to create a unique set with the exact types of pieces you can best use. What a festive Christmas table and surrounding home that would make!\\n\\nFortunately, Lenox has a lifetime breakage guarantee, which reads: \\\"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because:We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\\\" So register your china!\\n\\nAs other reviewers have mentioned, Lenox's packaging is great and gift quality; however, Amazon's packaging is typically quite rough. If damage does occur, be sure to contact Amazon for a replacement. However, plan some time ahead for this as if you need the china quickly you many have to go through the whole replacement process with Amazon which takes more time.\\n\\nUpon reading reviews of other Lenox holiday china pieces I have noticed that a few Amazon customers are getting knock-offs and imitation products, which would be very obvious. Please order ahead just in case, and know that if you get something that doesn't impress you with its craftsmanship, it's probably a reproduction--return it for the real thing!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Jam Funnels are indispensable when it comes to filling your jam jars. Fill up jam and puree easy and smoothly in jars with the Jonas Jam Funnel. Handy and easy to clean. 4\\\"H x 5\\\"W (at the top). Made of polypropylene.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Handy, Affordable Funnel for Kitchen\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI really do like this jam funnel. I don't use it for jam.\\n\\nIt is pretty sturdy for a plastic funnel. The top diameter measures just under 5 inches. The funnel is 1 1/4 (1 and 2/8) inches across on the inside, and about 1 5/8 on the outside. So this means that the plastic thickness adds 3/8 inches to whatever it fits INTO.\\n\\nI was tired of funnels that get so skinny at the end. I have a hard time getting powder through those. And the ultra-wide canning funnels don't fit into the jars I have because they are too big. So this funnel is incredibly handy--kind of an in-between compromise between a regular funnel and a canning funnel.\\n\\nRecommended, nice product!\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatulas are a new take on a classic tool. Whether you're mixing, scraping, scooping or stirring, our line of Silicone Spatulas can get the job done. Easy-to-clean silicone covers the head and neck of the Spatulas and they are heat-resistant up to 600DegreeF, so they won't discolor, warp or melt. Each Spatula features a soft, comfortable, non-slip grip and are safe for coated or non-stick cookware and bake ware.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great, Sturdy, High-Quality Spatula\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI like this spatular. It is made of silicone and looks like it would be floppy, but it is only floppy around the edges--right where you need it to be--and not in the center where you need it to be firm. It feels very sturdy and of high quality--typical for the OXO brand. Since this spatula is heat-resistant up to 600F it won't melt or get damaged for most spatula-type tasks. It is also good to use on non-stick pans since it won't scratch them. It is also safe in the dishwasher.\\n\\nI have the white, and so far it hasn't stained, but if I bought it again, I might get it in a different color. It looks like it will stain, and other reviewers said that theirs had. Still, I really like it a lot and wouldn't mind too much if it did stain...when one uses things, they are going to look like it sometimes...\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The most popular casual dinnerware collection in America, Butterfly Meadow is truly a contemporary mix and match classic. Inspired by the artistry of Louise Le Luyer, there are many delightful pattern varriations to choose from, each offering an exquisite array of butterflies, blooms and other wonders of nature, all rendered in a soft color palette. Crafted of the finest Lenox porcelain, Butterfly Meadow is the perfect choice for today. All of the dinnerware is safe for use in the dishwasher, the microwave and guarantees superior freezer to oven to table performance. Designed for chip-resistant durability, Butterfly Meadow will take a cherished place in your home for many years and offers the opportunity to expand your collection with the incredible range of dining, decor and gift giving choices available. Best of all, this versatile, stylish and fun collection is created by Lenox, America's first name in home entertaining. Known around the world for offering a unique combination of design, artistry and superior quality for over 125 years, Lenox has unmatched durability and is backed up by a lifetime replacement program to guarantee many years of enjoyment. Enjoy hot or cold beverages on the go with a double-walled thermal travel mug personalized with your initial \\\"S\\\". Hand wash only. Giftboxed.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Unremarkable Sweet Petite Dish\\n\\nReview: ****\\nLike all Lenox products, I enjoy this tiny little dish---the Lenox Butterfly Meadow Dish Initial E. It is very lightly colored, similar to the picture, but perhaps a little lighter. It is sturdier than most Lenox that I own, but less \\\"fine\\\", less \\\"special\\\"--quite ordinary looking and nothing anyone would remark about, unlike virtually all of my other pieces, which are not of this set. The inside is curved slightly so that you could put a small set of car keys on it, or a few rings perhaps. It is only 12.7 centimeters wide (5 inches), so if you imagine a saucer for a teacup without the interior ring for the cup, you have an idea of how petite this dish is.\\n\\nLenox makes things of such fine, quality, and I'm sure this is as well, just unimpressive. I think that if you knew someone with the initial \\\"E\\\" it would make a nice small gift.\\n\\nRecommended, with some caveats.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Washing multiple delicates can often be a chore. Bags are often too small to meet the need or too big and delicates snag each other. Eliminate that problem with the sturdy, polyester mesh Hosiery Bag from Household Essentials. With four compartments separated by fine weave mesh, this ingenious bag provides individual protection to multiple items at once. Keep your delicates cared for and your own peace of mind in one load of laundry. Measures 7\\\"h x 16.5\\\"w x 7\\\"d. Item No.130.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Handy Concept, Not Executed Well With This Hosiery Bag\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis hosiery bag is cheaply made, but does the job. The material is flimsy and I am uncertain that it will hold up long in my washer, which has a strong spin cycle.\\n\\nThe major problem I have with it is that the compartments do not go all of the way to the top. Thus, smaller items like socks end up in another compartment and get mixed up. All of my socks are the same and I end up having to match them up for wear anyway, but at least there are only four that I have to do this with.\\n\\nI would love to find a hosiery bag with compartments that truly separate---or else small bags for single pairs of socks, small gloves, children's socks, etc. I also bought another bag at the same time: The Whitmor 6154-988 Mesh Hosiery Wash Bag--which is almost identical to this Household Essentials bag. I am so disappointed with both. They serve the purpose, but cheaply, and not well.\\n\\nNot recommended; buy something of better quality if you can find it.\\n***\",\n \"Product: The George foreman 8-serving classic plate grill is a kitchen cornerstone. With heavy-duty, nonstick plates, you can grill steak, chicken, veggies, and more in no time! plus, with a 1\\\" adjustable hinge, you can even use the grill to toast and heat-through Panini. It has the exclusive George foreman slope to remove up to 42% of fat from 1/4 lb. Of uncooked 80/20 ground chuck, and a dishwasher-safe drip tray to catch all the greasy runoff.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Too Exciting, Only Suitable as a Beginner Grill\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis grill requires no assembly. It is a grill rated for 8 servings. The minimum counter area required taking into consideration a 3\\\" buffer zone from all surfaces is 17\\\" X 19\\\" (43.2cm X 48.3cm). It has a sleek, shiny black plastic outer shell and nonstick cooking surfaces. The cooking surface measures exactly 10\\\" X 12.5\\\" (25.4cm X 31.8cm). This model boasts two cooking positions, flat and angled. It has a disarticulating hinged upper cooking plate to handle thick items you might want to cook. The cooking surfaces are not detachable for easy cleaning as seen in other models. The drip tray is dishwasher safe as long as it is on the top rack only. The power cord is only 24\\\" (61cm) long. It is a two prong cord.\\n\\nAs far as function; it does get very hot, but slowly and delivers the heat necessary to completely cook most meats and vegetables. There is no temperature control so it's either on maximum or it's off. It takes awhile to cool off so make sure no children have access to it at any time or it could become a safety hazard. I've almost burned myself thinking it was cool when it hadn't cooled off yet.\\n\\nThis grill would be adequate for a beginner grill. To be a better grill it would need these improvements which some other George Foreman grills have:\\n 1. Removable cooking surfaces for easy cleaning\\n 2. Temperature control\\n 3. Ceramic cooking surfaces - they last longer and are easier to clean because foods don't stick to it is as much\\n 4. Longer power cord\\n\\nSorry, but it's just okay. I'm not excited about this grill. Not recommended, except as a beginner grill.\\n***\",\n \"Product: Designed with simple sophistication and clean lines, the Around the Table 13.50\\\" Three Tiered Server celebrates special moments with friends and family. Crafted of creamy white stoneware and decorated with chalkboard black motifs of dots, stripes, and wish , this contemporary three tiered server and coordinating dinnerware are inviting and fun. Perfect for a casual get together.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: A Lenox Compromise, 3 Tier Server Not Recommended\\n\\nReview: **\\nI wanted to love this Lenox server. It is beautiful---especially trendy, yet tasteful, with three complementary designs in black and white on each tier. Unfortunately, I could not assemble it nor figure out any way to use it, especially without any instructions. This is really sad as it's a gorgeous piece. Hopefully, Lenox will correct this in future shipments. I received this server in exchange for my honest review. All I can tell you honestly, is not to purchase this for yourself or as a gift unless and until you can be certain that Lenox has resolved this problem. This is not up to typical Lenox standards at all.\\n\\nI own many other pieces of Lenox tableware, and have for many years. This is unusual and hopefully not a trend that will continue.\\n\\nNot recommended, unless assembly problem is corrected.\\n**\",\n \"Product: Marathon's Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light is the perfect marriage of form and function. It features an elegant, classic design with modern touches to create the perfect bedside instrument. The ambient light sensor ensures the face of the clock is illuminated in the dark and easy to read. A sweeping second hand does not emit an audible tick. The Alarm ON/OFF and SNOOZE/LIGHT buttons are conveniently located on the top of the clock and are easily accessible even in the dark. Available in a variety of colors: Black, White, Blue, Gold, and Silver.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent Design and Great Value in An Alarm Clock\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love this little alarm clock! For the price it is very sweet. It's also annoying, which means it can get me up, unlike other more pleasant alarms that don't have a beeping sound. The alarm isn't super loud, but it's annoying enough to get you up and break through your dreams or heavy sleep. It is a quick beep made up of four quick little staccato chirps.\\n\\nIn the picture you can see the red button on top that activates the alarm, which is set on the back with a post that is turned. The other button on the top is a light that lights up the whole dial so that you can see the time when it's dark. The other button is large and to the right so that you won't accidentally turn off the alarm. It also functions as a snooze button. The dial light can be customized to be on demand or to vary with the room lighting.\\n\\nIt is a totally silent clock. The second hand is smooth and moves around without jerking with each second. It runs on two AA batteries.\\n\\nThe only thing I don't like about it is that the alarm is supposed to (according to the instructions) only beep for two minutes and then it is supposed to go off. My alarm has never done that though, which pleases me much, much more. It doesn't go off until I turn it off. I am doing a test for this review and it has been continuing as I've written this entire review. So I don't know how yours will work, but I'm glad mine is not as the instructions say. I've been listening to it so far for 15 minutes; it may go for longer, but I'm going to give in now.\\n\\nIt is a well-made EXTREMELY well-designed clock that offers a good value for the money. I'm very happy with my purchase. For the price, I don't know how you could beat it.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Turbo-charged with an extra large stainless-steel soleplate for smooth gliding on virtually any fabric and a pointed tip for easily getting into pleats, between buttons and along seams. Powerful shot of steam and vertical shot of steam features offer an extra burst of steam on flat surfaces for traditional ironing of shirts, slacks, table linens or Vertically steaming out wrinkles from hanging garments, draperies, upholstery and more. 3-Way motion smart auto-off technology shuts the iron off automatically after 15 minutes when upright or 30 seconds if lying flat or on its side. The 12-foot power cord with 360-degree swivel is designed for hassle-free maneuverability. Anti-drip system prevents water leakage at any temperature setting to eliminate unwanted drips and a self-cleaning system helps to ensure optimal performance. Lifetime soleplate and 3-year limited warranties.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Terrific Iron, Packed With Features and Value\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI love this latest iron from Sunbeam--lightweight, easy to use, safe because of smart shut-off system, with steam that performs however you need it to, and with a long cord so that I don't need an extension!\\n\\nFirst the smart shut-off system: 15 minutes if standing upright, and only 30 seconds if you leave it flat or on its side--which would indicate an accidental misplacement. This makes sense to me. The iron is designed with a tip that can maneuver into difficult places. It comes with a graduated fabric setting dial, an anti-calcium system, and an extra long 12 foot 360 degree swivel cord. There are several basic steam settings that can be pulsed at 3 second intervals.\\n\\nThe iron has a vertical \\\"shot of steam\\\" feature that is wonderful, kind of like a steamer--this function is easy and works great for places that are too intricate to iron, or just for convenience.\\n\\nThis iron has a self-cleaning feature that I have not used yet, but that the instructions say helps to ensure optimal functioning and that should be done monthly. The instructions for the self-clean come with the iron and they seem very, very specific, so save your instruction booklet. The iron uses tap water, and ours is full of minerals, so I will push myself to clean it.\\n\\nThis is a great iron. I am a big fan of Rowenta irons, and in the past many years have stuck with that brand, but this Sunbeam has won me over. For the price, the value is here.\\n\\nGreat iron, highly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The 45\\\" Memory Foam Folding Ottoman Bench adds seating and storage space to any of your room. It can store a variety of items in your room. If the ottoman itself needs to be stored, it can be folded flat to save space. Our Unique, faux-leather storage ottoman with memory foam padded seat is designed to refresh your room for modern looking and comfort you. Great for home or office. Super sturdy, holds up to 250lbs in weight;.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Inexpensive, But Decent Ottoman, Will Blend With Nice Decor!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a likable and very, very inexpensive ottoman. I use it in my bedroom like an expensive chest (one that I could never afford), but even though it is so cheap it isn't obvious, so it works! I think that based on the price, this is an ottoman that could be used in lots of places for storage and look classy (as long as you don't check it super-closely). Even so, it's not really poor quality, just inexpensive, and so it will definitely store clothes and other light items easily. Yes, you can sit on it, but I want mine to last a long time, and so I wouldn't; if you are planning on using it for seating you could exceed the weight limit (250 pounds) and it could collapse.\\n\\nOne of the things I like best about it is that even though it's heavy, I can assemble it myself. It literally pops up into place. You arrange a few things that snap into place or lay into place and you're done in 5 minutes, faster than it takes to open and break down the box it comes in.\\n\\nThis is a great buy, and something that will go with many different decors. My bedroom has some nice furniture in it, so people will probably assume it's a several hundred dollar ottoman (again, unless they inspect it closely), which works for me. It would be great if there were more products like this!\\n\\nRecommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Originally introduced in 1917, Lowell is distinctive for its elaborate band of gold, etched in an ornate style reminiscent of services privately commissioned at the turn of the century. This service is crafted of the same ivory fine china found in the five official state services Lenox was commissioned to create for the White House.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Stately, Impressive, 24K Gold Accented Fine Bone China\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is certainly the most beautiful set of Lenox china I have ever seen. This pattern--Lowell--is breathtakingly crafted with 24 carat gold. It is one of the same ivory fine china's that Lenox was commissioned to create for the White House--they commissioned five official state services in all. Today Lenox is the only manufacturer of fine bone china in the United States; they send some of their pieces to China, but this is not one of them--this one is made entirely in the USA. To say that this china is impressive is an understatement.\\n\\nThe gold band is raised in some places where there is a pattern, but not in other places (like the handle of the teacup and the bottom of the teacup); despite all of this gold and formality the set is dishwasher safe. I would never put it in a dishwasher though! It is thin, fine, complete quality in every way. The 5-piece place-setting includes a dinner plate (10.5 inches), a salad plate (8.25 inches), a bread plate (6.375 inches), a cup (holding 7 oz), and a saucer (5.75 inches).\\n\\nLenox has a lifetime breakage guarantee for their fine bone china, which reads: \\\"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because:We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\\\" So register your china, especially something so special as the Lowell.\\n\\nThis is an impressive set of fine bone china.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Mario Batali oven mitt. 100% yarn-dyed cotton twill with terrycloth interior and center loop for hanging. Available in persimmon.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Just What I Was Looking For\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI have many fancy oven mitts, including those made out of silicone (stiff and bulky) and those made out of cloth but with silicone strips (unwieldy), and I found myself falling back on the good old fabric only ones all the time. Unfortunately all of the fabric ones I had were old and worn out. So I took a chance on these, buying them because of the reviews and because they looked to be a bit higher quality than your average fabric oven mitt.\\n\\nWell, they are much better than I'd thought. First of all, they appear to be superior quality, not flimsy at all. The exterior is a heavy canvas material. They do fully cover my wrist and go more than halfway up to my elbow, which I really like. Best of all, on the inside there is a heavy duty cotton terry cloth instead of the common muslin or cheaper thin quilted interior. These will be protective of my hands, just like I wanted. But they are not stiff or bulky--this is probably the biggest challenge in designing an oven mitt--protection without bulkiness, keeping maneuverability. These oven mitts rock!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Tired of seeing the same items strewn about your bathroom, kitchen and dressing counter? This York Apothecary Jar by interDesign is made of durable glass. Its attractive and removable chrome polished lid combines good looks and functionality. It is ideal for the kitchen, bath room or bedroom and matches almost any decor and color.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Average Jar, Expensive for Quality\\n\\nReview: **\\nThis average-looking little jar is quite expensive for the price. I expected something quaint and vintage-looking; as it was, the jar is some kind of \\\"acrylic glass\\\" and very ordinary looking, not real glass and not as nice as the picture. I am using it for q-tips on my bathroom sink.\\n\\nIn addition, mine arrived with damage to the rim; rather than go through an elaborate return process and waste my time, I took a few minutes and repaired it with some polymers I had here at home. It was frustrating though to spend that amount of money and get so little. I would have been more satisfied had it arrived intact and at about one-third the cost.\\n\\nNot recommended.\\n**\",\n \"Product: The Tribest Dynablend Horsepower Plus gives you all the performance of other high power blenders, but at half the price. The Dynablend comes standard with an elegant, heavy duty tempered glass pitcher, unlike other competitors. It is the only blender on the market equipped with an innovative stainless steel utility scoop. Use the stainless steel scoop to sample, stir and add ingredients while the machine is in use. Three pre-programmed buttons and a variable speed dial provides a simplistic yet more effective approach to most blenders.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Quality Personal Blender--Use Carefully!\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThere are many things to like about this blender: (1) It has a very easy cleanupyou just clean the container you used to mix your beverage or food, (2) It is made of heavy tempered glass, (3) The silicone seals look to be high quality, (4) Everything fits together well before you turn the blades on, (5) It sits on the counter easily because the three containers can be stored separately, (6) There is a 5-year warranty, (7) The three containers are 8, 16, and 24 ouncesgreat sizes, (8) The blender is really powerful and can handle anything that I put into it, but is especially convenient and easy for protein shakesthere is very little cleanup and you can leave the base and the sharp blades behind and take the shake with you, and (9) Its really easy to figure out how to use.\\n\\nOn the negative side:\\n(1) BIGGEST NEGATIVE: Each time you remove the glass container with your food in it, you must unfasten the sharp blade and silicone seal. This is definitely not a blender for children to use or to be around--they need to be protected from the blades. I live alone, so Im fine, but I wouldnt use this in a house with kids. An accidental drop of the raw blades could be tough for little ones or pets. The blades are super-scary to handle, honestly!\\n(2) The containers have plastic lids.\\n(3) You can only run the motor for 30 seconds at a time. I am guessing it will overheat.\\n(4) It is not made in the USA (in Korea).\\n(5) Its really, really expensive for what you get--handy-ness and convenience.\\n\\nI would recommend it if you have the money to spend or a pressing need for any of the features.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Warm gold tones in a delicate pattern create the vivid elegance of Jeweled Jardin dinnerware. Trimmed in precious gold and detailed with raised dots, the Sharon Sacks design is masterfully crafted by Lenox and is perfect for both formal and casual occasions. The five-piece place setting includes a dinner plate, salad plate, butter plate, cup and saucer.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Stunning Setting, Best of Lenox & Modern Technology, Made in the USA\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is another stunning Lenox place setting--actually, a piece of art in itself. This Lenox pattern is fine bone china, accented with platinum, and dishwasher safe. To me, it looks like gold, though--possibly even two shades of gold--and the pattern wherever you see a \\\"dot\\\" or a \\\"circle\\\" is slightly raised, to give a kind of embossed feel. The outer edges of each piece look like pure gold leaf! The whole set has a modern feel to it because of the intricate patterns and the style of the cup. This must be the advantage of designing with platinum; I have truly not seen anything like this before!\\n\\nIncluded in the set is a dinner plate (10.75 inches), a salad plate (8 inches), a butter plate (6 inches), a saucer (4.75 inches) and a very modern looking cup (holds 7 ounces). The entire set was made in the USA. It would be fine enough to use for any formal occasion. It also would be celebratory to use for every day as well, and a true treat--just don't put it in the microwave of course. It has a thin, fine feel to it, and is quality through and through.\\n\\nLenox has a lifetime breakage guarantee, which reads: \\\"As an owner of Lenox products, you'll want to take advantage of our Breakage Replacement Program. With this program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because: We'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price, plus tax and shipping and handling. This offer is good from the date you register your Lenox items for as long as you own the product.\\\" So register your china!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Mepra offers innovation in process, design, and product. Made from the highest quality of material, Mepra products appear on the Tables of the most prestigious hotels in the world, award-winning restaurants and hundreds of thousands of people's homes. Now you can bring a piece of Made in Italy history to your Table.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Stellar Flatware, Worth the Price\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a beautiful set of cutlery, easily earning a five star rating. I did not, like some other reviewers, take off a star for price. This set is very expensive, and I expect that the enormous price is earned in its durability over time. It also seems to me that each of the five pieces could be worth the 1/5th of the price, given the style and prestigious Italian manufacturer (Mepra).\\n\\nThe pieces are smooth, well-crafted with no flaws. The black finish looks steel-ish also, kind of like regular silver that has tarnished yet sparkles--it is hard to describe. It is not a dull black but a shiny black. The flatware is smooth and lustrous. The forks are quite sharp, which I like; they will not cut your mouth yet they pick up food well (this is hard to describe as well). The small spoon is very small, almost like a child's spoon, but I enjoy it's uniqueness also. The butter knife also cuts extremely well, like a steak knife.\\n\\nI would say this is the nicest everyday wear flatware (non-silver) that I have ever seen. Highly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Cool and Comfortable Gumy Headphone\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\\n\\nI ended up buying some \\\"Koss \\\"The Plug\\\" Portable Headphones\\\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\\n\\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\\n\\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\\n***\",\n \"Product: JVC's Gumy headphones let you enjoy your favorite music from your digital media palyer. The soft material covers the lightweight earbuds to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\\n\\nI ended up buying some \\\"Koss \\\"The Plug\\\" Portable Headphones\\\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\\n\\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\\n\\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\\n***\",\n \"Product: JVC's Gumy headphones let you enjoy your favorite music from your digital media palyer. The soft material covers the lightweight earbuds to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\\n\\nI ended up buying some \\\"Koss \\\"The Plug\\\" Portable Headphones\\\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\\n\\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\\n\\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\\n***\",\n \"Product: JVC's Gumy headphones let you enjoy your favorite music from your digital media palyer. The soft material covers the lightweight earbuds to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\\n\\nI ended up buying some \\\"Koss \\\"The Plug\\\" Portable Headphones\\\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\\n\\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\\n\\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\\n***\",\n \"Product: GUMY PHONE SENSITIVITY: 109 DB/MW CORD LENGTH: 3.9 FT L-SHAPE GOLD-PLATED PLUG MAX INPUT CAPABILITY: 30 MW WEIGHT: .19 OZ WHITE\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Cute, Sounds Great, But Uncomfortable!\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis earbuds are as cute as could be, sound great, and are durable, but are very, very uncomfortable. I can only wear mine for about a half hour before they begin to hurt and after an hour I have to take them out---then that's it for the whole day. They are a somewhat soft rubber on the outside but the inside is hard plastic; they are comparable in quality to the earbuds that come with iPod nanos. For the price they are adequate, but you can spend about the same or a bit more and get earbuds that are all this and that you can wear for longer as well.\\n\\nI ended up buying some \\\"Koss \\\"The Plug\\\" Portable Headphones\\\" for under $20 and can wear them all day; I would recommend something like this instead.\\n\\nI do like the colors that these earbuds come in, but they are more than an accessory for me and have to be usable as well. The sound quality is just fine for a cheaper ear bud---no complaints here.\\n\\nMine often fall out because they do not change their shape to accommodate your ear; your ear must change shape to fit this earbud, hence the discomfort.\\n***\",\n \"Product: Crafted in Italy of 925 sterling silver.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Gorgeous, High Quality Silver Necklace\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis necklace is so lovely and of such high quality; I was so pleased to receive it. It is shinier and more beautiful than the picture! Note the lobster clasp, which is very sturdy and pretty as well.\\n\\nSince the vendor does not list it as \\\"nickel free\\\" I researched it on the Internet and found that apparently .925 sterling silver is always nickel free; I am mentioning this in case you are like me and were wondering about this because of allergies.\\n\\nThe vendor ships very, very quickly (I had my item within 4 days) and for the price, I found everything about this necklace to be superb. I would have gladly paid twice the cost for it.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The 31\\\" Long Handle Shoe Horn is one of the longest shoehorns you will ever find. This shoe horn was specifically engineered to put your shoes on while standing, with less effort, and virtually no bending required. The flexible spring provides you the flexibility that is needed to easily slip your foot into virtually any shoe from any angle. The spring also allows the shoe horn to flex and bend without breaking. The 31? Long Handle Shoe Horn is comprised of eight individual pieces and is assembled by hand. It consists of a polished solid maple wood spindle attached by means of a strong but flexible spring to a high quality plastic shoe horn. The shoe horn is topped off with a hanger cap for convenient storage. It makes a perfect gift idea for various occasions (Holiday gift, Corporate / Business gift, etc.). We offer three (3) different size shoe horns (19?, 25?, and 31? shoe horns) with a variety of hard wood species (Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Oak, and Mahogany) on Amazon.com. To view a complete selection of our American made shoe horns we offer on Amazon, please click on our name ?Long Handle Shoe horn? at the top of this listing that states: ?Ships from and sold by Long Handle Shoe Horn?. YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Amazing Shoe Horn, Worth the Money\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI just bought this shoe horn last week and LOVE it! I was skeptical at first because of the high cost over regular plastic or even wooden long shoe horns, but was convinced by the Amazon reviews. I agree with them now wholeheartedly. I also wanted to explain that the spring that people write about is just above the shoe horn part, and enables you to maneuver your shoe and foot around so that you can easily slip into the shoes. It is a really sturdy spring; in fact the whole shoe horn is very sturdy, and ends in a hook so that it can be easily stored on the wall. I will be buying another one of these for our home, because despite the expense, they are so easy to use that I don't want to struggle with others at all.\\n\\nEven if you don't have trouble bending over, who wants to sit down on the floor in dress clothes to struggle with their shoes? It's so easy just to slip them on with this. I'm very glad that this was invented to address a common problem.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Pamper your feet and your pedicure! This ultra low profile liner stretches comfortably over the toes and around the heel. Elastic topline and silicone at heel keeps this sock in place and out of sight.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Enough Sock Liner, A Few Problems\\n\\nReview: ****\\nI like these liner socks...they have a small silicone pad at the heel that keeps them in place there. This pad can be positioned all different kinds of ways to make the sock-shoe combination more comfortable. They fit a little tight, but still okay, but my feet are really wide and a 9.5, so I expected that. They don't show in the shoes I have. I will wear them instead of pantyhose (I took a vow to never wear them again after I turned 50) but I wouldn't consider them with walking shoes or for doing any kind of athletic activity, because they are not comfortable enough.\\n\\nOne of the eight socks was defective, but for my time and trouble, the cost of doing so wasn't worth it to me to return it. Also, they are of course not 100% cotton (the title is a bit misleading) but a blend so that they can stay on your foot.\\n\\nI plan to compare them to some other liners, but if they end up being the best and I reorder, I'll amend my review here. So far I also bought \\\"sheec\\\" liners and those are more comfortable, have more coverage and more cotton. It remains to be seen how sturdy either of them are, though.\\n\\nMostly recommended, with caveats.\\n****\",\n \"Product: This amazing Finejewelers 14K Yellow Gold 22 Inch bright-cut Adjustable Round Wheat Chain Necklace Lobster Clasp and Small Heart, crafted in 14 kt Yellow Gold . This design measures 1.00 mm wide.Warranty: - This item is covered by our exclusive Silver Shield Lifetime Warranty. This exclusive lifetime coverage is offered ONLY by Finejewelers so please shop with confidence, our quality is guaranteed for life!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Gorgeous Singapore Chain Ready for Gifting or Presentation\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI was extremely happy with this Singapore Chain. It is finely made and sturdy without being heavy and weighty on the neck. The longest it is is 22 inches; by pulling on the heart charm gently the chain can shorten so that it can be worn at all lengths less than 22 inches! I have never seen an adjustable chain that was made like this. The lobster clasp is beautiful as well.\\n\\nThe chain comes in a nice gift package along with a satiny gift bag. If you are a gentleman looking for a beautiful chain for a lady, this will fit the bill. On most women the length will be perfect as for this weight chain you probably wouldn't want it any longer, and you can make it shorter! This is a great gift chain. You can give her the gift as is, or you can purchase a pendant separately that is something you like. I bought a vintage pendant on ebay for myself and will wear this chain with the pendant. It is a sentimental purchase that commemorates an important milestone in my marriage to my husband; he is value-minded, and I think it is perfect for the price as well.\\n\\nI could not recommend this chain nor this vendor--Finejewelers--any higher. The necklace comes with a guarantee and certificate of its authenticity and a free lifetime warranty. Plus all of the gift packaging you will need, gentlemen--no need to buy wrapping paper or have it professionally wrapped. It comes that way in a box that can be opening and shut again as the wrapping and bow are cleverly just on the top. So elegant!\\n\\nHighly recommended!\\n*****\",\n \"Product: A favorite among globetrotting Timbuk2 fans, the Copilot is lightweight and easy to pack. Its sleek new styling works downtown or way out of town and its bike-inspired handle system and broad-base skateboard wheels yield a smooth roll. Its clamshell structure makes it easy to pack and repack, while always providing the opportunity to quarantine things as needed. The Copilot features multiple reinforced grab straps for an easy heave-ho into overhead bins and its expandable top stash pocket is designed for easy access in said bins. Light, organized and subtly chic, the Copilot is ready to board.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: High Quality Carryon or Overnighter (Medium Size Roller)--Delightful!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is the nicest small suitcase/carry-on bag I have ever owned. It displays quality in every aspect. Although it is expensive, in this case, you will get what you pay for. This model of Copilot has been updated for 2014. I have the 22 inch model or medium case. It comes with a lifetime warranty that guarantees the Copilot against defects and craftsmanship forever.\\n\\nIt is easy to access the contents of the suitcase. Seated down in an airline seat or in an airport waiting area and without getting up, I can reach in from above and access many of the pockets, including some of the inside contents by opening the top zipper. If you need to look inside the bag or pockets of the red-on-black bag (which is the one I have) it is easy to see belongings because the inside lining is a red heavy-duty material. There is also a special slash pocket under the large outside front pocket that yields access to the inside of the suitcase from the side, intended to be used to reach inside the suitcase when it is laying in an overhead binthat way you don't have to haul it out of the bin to get inside!\\n\\nThe front zipper pocket is padded and it will hold a smaller MacBook Pro (up to 13) and other electronic devices. If you have a larger MacBook Pro (I have a 15) it can fit inside and then be accessed with the slash pocket described above.\\n\\nThere are ultra-reinforced grab handles everywhere for lifting and maneuvering. There are literally handles on all sides of the Copilot; however, they are so well-designed that they don't get in the way. At the same time, you can easily pull it out of overhead bins, taxis, wherever.\\n\\nThe wheels are urethane skateboard wheelsvery sturdy and very quiet.\\n\\nThe aluminum double post handle is sturdy, extends smoothly, and is covered with a comfortable rubbery grip inspired by a bicycle hand grip.\\n\\nThe outside is made of a durable nylon and fabric reinforced tarpaulin fabric construction. I had to look that up. A tarpaulin (or tarp) is a sheet of strong, flexible, tough material used for heavy-duty tasks.\\n\\nThe inside is a clamshell designtwo separate compartments. The top compartment is really reinforced but softer and the bottom compartment is a hard shell covered with that tarp material. The compartments are separated by mesh covers with zippers. These keep the things inside organized. There are two pockets on top of the mesh dividers on the top side for additional organization, toiletries, etc. All but these additional pockets have dual zippers.\\n\\nThe medium Copilot is 14.6 inches wide, 21.6 inches high, 9.8 inches deep, and weighs only 6.6 pounds. It really is an amazing balance of sturdiness and light weight for travel and maneuvering.\\n\\nTimbuk2 bags cost more, but they are a quality product.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The SIGG screw bottle cap with integrated seal is guaranteed leak-proof even in the most extreme conditions. Loop top can be clipped to your belt or backpack with a carabiner or similar attachment for easy transport. Replaces any misplaced or lost SIGG cap. Convenient to have on hand as a spare. Cap fits all SIGG Reusable Bottles. Specify Style.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Secure, Interchangeable Screw Top for Sigg Bottles\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThese are replacement screw tops for your wonderful Sigg bottles. You may have lost yours, or you may have a different type of top cap and want to try this type. This is my favorite top cap, as it is very secure, and when you unscrew it you drink straight from the Sigg bottle. I prefer it to the sports top, which is quicker to open, but shoots out a thin stream of water, which is never enough for me. It takes a couple of seconds to unscrew the top with this screw top, but I don't mind.\\n\\nNote that not only are the colors interchangeable, but these fit all Sigg bottle sizes, so if you view your Sigg bottle as a fashion accessory (as I do), you can change your look too with these tops :)\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The Sigg cleaning brush also comes with a smaller one for claning the bottle caps. Tobe sure clean, fresh tasting drinks time after time, always clean SIGG bottles after use with the speial SIGG cleaning brushes\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Brush for Those Into Sigg Bottles\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI have many Sigg bottles, and so found this investment into a special brush to clean them worthwhile. This brush can get into any nook or cranny of any Sigg bottle.\\n\\nHowever, there are many ways to clean Sigg bottles. You can use Sigg tablets (like those you clean dentures with), or you can use bleach, or you can use boiling water and a small scrubber. For the best and most thorough cleaning, however, I would use this brush, too, even if you use the tablets or bleach, and no brush is better than one specifically created for Sigg bottles.\\n\\nIf you have more than one Sigg bottle, definitely get this brush, as it makes things very easy, and works perfectly. Sigg bottles are guaranteed to last for a lifetime, and having a useful brush to clean them with is just a part of the whole package.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: SIGG Swiss Quality Bottle 0.6L Proprietary Liner: baked-on, water-based epoxy resin; exceeds FDA requirements; flexible and crack resistant; resists fruit acids and isotonic drinks Exterior: solvent-free, eco-friendly, powder-based coating Closure: leak-proof and interchangeable from one SIGG to the next Twist top Extruded from single piece of pure aluminum for no seams Leak-proof performance Virtually unbreakable Swiss made All Lifestyle SIGG All 0.6-Liter SIGG bottles Sigg is a member of 1% for the Planet , so a portio of their annual sales go to environmental causes worldwide.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Classic Sigg Water Bottle, Personal Accessory\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line, and so much fun. The designs Of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous, from the plain, solid color bottles, to the ones with intricate designs. They are simply beautiful! I switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, thinking it would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning fun. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design. Yes, all in a water bottle!\\n\\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap.\\n\\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. I bought this screw top (also called a \\\"loop top\\\") because I don't like sports tops, and I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak-proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabiner. I get comments on it all the time, \\\"What's that? I love it!\\\" The sports top version is ok; I just am not a fan, as I don't feel like I can get enough water from the little stream from the sports top. However, for convenience, you might prefer it. For children, there is a cap-type top. All are leak-proof. If you like the design and size but prefer a different top, you can buy a screw top separately to fit your Sigg bottle.\\n\\nPick a style and pattern you like, as this bottle is a personal accessory, and should reflect your style. The colors are vibrant and even prettier than they seem in the pictures on Amazon.\\n\\nOne consideration in case you are buying this Sigg bottle for your children: They do dent, but I and others regard this as a type of \\\"seasoning\\\" affecting only the appearance, since the dents do not go through to the inside of the bottle or affect the inside at all.\\n\\nThey are expensive, but they are so durable that you can plan on them lasting many years. I consider them both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: SIGG bottles are innovative, functional, go-anywhere and totally suited for leisure and sporting activities. Small wonder, then, that the market leader is also the winner in consumer tests and sets the competitive pace. Just as one would expect of a true original! Holds over 4 cups (33 ounces).\\n\\nCASE IS NOT INCLUDED\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Safe, Healthy, Quality Bottle---And Groovy, Too!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line in every way. The designs of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous--even the plain, solid color bottles are beautiful--but the ones with designs are even better, in my opinion. This one is not only beautiful but carries a cool message in a seventies-type font---\\\"Make Love Not Landfill\\\"!\\n\\nI switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, even though I thought a permanent bottle like this would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning less of a chore. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design.\\n\\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap. They do dent if dropped on a hard surface at a particular angle, but Sigg fans (including me) view this as a type of \\\"seasoning\\\", so that your bottle acquires character. The dents are on the outside layer of the bottle, not the inside layer and so don't interfere with any functionality.\\n\\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. This bottle has a screw top, which I prefer. I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabineer. If you ever lose the top, you can buy them separately.\\n\\nSigg makes their personal water bottle in many sizes. I have quite a few, and like this 1L size for my car and other uses that require a lot of water (like a long hike).\\n\\nThis bottle may seem expensive, but it is so durable that you can plan on it lasting many years. I consider Sigg bottles both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\\n\\nNote that Sigg water bottles should not be used to contain boiling water, as this will damage the outer coating. They also cannot be left in the freezer, as it may crack. They can be used for carbonated beverages, if you leave about a half inch of room at the top.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: SIGG bottles are innovative, functional, go-anywhere and totally suited for leisure and sporting activities. Small wonder, then, that the market leader is also the winner in consumer tests and sets the competitive pace. Just as one would expect of a true original! Holds over 4 cups (33 ounces).\\n\\nCASE IS NOT INCLUDED\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Safe, Healthy, Quality Bottle---And Groovy, Too!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line in every way. The designs of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous--even the plain, solid color bottles are beautiful--but the ones with designs are even better, in my opinion. This one is not only beautiful but carries a cool message in a seventies-type font---\\\"Make Love Not Landfill\\\"!\\n\\nI switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, even though I thought a permanent bottle like this would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning less of a chore. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design.\\n\\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap. They do dent if dropped on a hard surface at a particular angle, but Sigg fans (including me) view this as a type of \\\"seasoning\\\", so that your bottle acquires character. The dents are on the outside layer of the bottle, not the inside layer and so don't interfere with any functionality.\\n\\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. This bottle has a screw top, which I prefer. I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabineer. If you ever lose the top, you can buy them separately.\\n\\nSigg makes their personal water bottle in many sizes. I have quite a few, and like this 1L size for my car and other uses that require a lot of water (like a long hike).\\n\\nThis bottle may seem expensive, but it is so durable that you can plan on it lasting many years. I consider Sigg bottles both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\\n\\nNote that Sigg water bottles should not be used to contain boiling water, as this will damage the outer coating. They also cannot be left in the freezer, as it may crack. They can be used for carbonated beverages, if you leave about a half inch of room at the top.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Roll your way to a stronger, healthier you. The Gaiam Restore Muscle Therapy Foam Roller loosens tight muscles to help improve mobility. The 18-Inch length allows for simultaneous double arm and double leg work to soothe soreness effectively.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My New Favorite Muscle Massager\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI really love this muscle massager. I have several, and I prefer this one for a couple of reasons:\\n(1) The design of the green discs is such that I can really dig into my muscles, moreso that with the massagers that have identical discs.\\n(2) Its best feature: that the bar that holds the green discs bends a lot so that (again), I can really dig into my sore muscles.\\nIt is so easy to use and really works. I can't really compare the relief I get from this to the other ones I have...it is just vastly better! I use it not just on my quadriceps, but all over my body for relief after activity, since I am over 50 years old and have regular stiffness and sore muscles.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Recycled Glass; 22 oz. capacity; 9.75 x 3 inches; Includes silicone cap and matching silicone rings; Translucent, food-grade silicone caps, create a leak-proof seal. Roll over lip creates a sanitary, easy \\\"on-off\\\" function.; Rounded milk-bottle lip. Wide mouth for easy cleaning.; Matching silicone rings slide into the ribs for better 'gription.'; Manufactured in North America\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Work of Art, Specialty Glass Water Bottle\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI bought this water bottle in black but wanted to included the review here as well, since this is an exceptional water bottle that warrants more information.\\n\\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. Still, it is something you'd need to be careful with, because it is breakable, something to keep in mind. I don't mind as I would use another type of bottle for a sports application--this one is my daily water or kombucha bottle.\\n\\nThe silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping. I noticed no smell whatsoever (mentioned in another review) with mine; I am very sensitive to such things and was pleased, so perhaps the problem has been rectified.\\n\\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\\n\\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\\n\\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The Modern Classic SIGG, reusable water bottle a perfect blend of functionality and design. Made in Switzerland, the SIGG Classic Bottle features our EcoCare liner, made from BPA-free and phthalate-free ingredients, ensures a fresh, clean taste every time. SIGG Aluminum Bottles deliver all the benefits of a lightweight, durable, eco-friendly, leak-proof water bottle in a sophisticated style and comes with our standard SIGG Screw Top\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Top of the Line Every Day Water Bottle\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is an upscale designer water bottle, top of the line in every way. The designs of Sigg's water bottles are gorgeous, from the plain, solid color bottles (like this one), to others with intricate designs. I switched from regular plastic water bottles because of health concerns, even though I thought a permanent bottle like this would take more work to maintain. These do necessitate regular cleaning (I clean mine every day), but having something so beautiful to drink from makes the cleaning less of a chore. Sort of like my rings, glasses, and watch, I now consider my Sigg personal water bottle a vital accessory, reminding me to drink more water, making a statement about my values, and expressing myself with a special design.\\n\\nSigg of Switzerland water bottles are very high quality, made of light aluminum on the outside, slightly insulated, and covered with a special powder coat on the inside that prevents any leaching whatsoever, unlike plastic and polycarbonate water bottles. They are light, durable, and perfect for any activity. Well water tastes spectacular in these bottles, just like from the tap. They do dent if dropped on a hard surface at a particular angle, but Sigg fans (including me) view this as a type of \\\"seasoning\\\", so that your bottle acquires character. The dents are on the outside layer of the bottle, not the inside layer and so don't interfere with any functionality.\\n\\nSigg bottles come with several different types of tops. This bottle has a screw top, which I prefer. I don't mind unscrewing the top when I want a drink. It is totally leak proof, which is important to me. The top is pretty and can be hooked onto a carabineer. If you ever lose the top, you can buy them separately.\\n\\nSigg makes their personal water bottle in many sizes. I use the .6L size as my basic every day size, and keep it in my briefcase. It is a bit too large for my purse, although if you carry a tote it is an ideal size. It is also good for sports activities that require less water, like shorter walks. For my car and other uses I use the larger 1L size.\\n\\nThis bottle may seem expensive, but it is so durable that you can plan on it lasting many years. I consider Sigg bottles both an accessory and an investment in my health, so they are well worth it value-wise for me.\\n\\nNote that Sigg water bottles should not be used to contain boiling water, as this will damage the outer coating. They also cannot be left in the freezer, as it may crack. They can be used for carbonated beverages, if you leave about a half inch of room at the top.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: A BottlesUp glass water bottle truly stands on its own. A gleaming textured bottle crafted from recycled glass. The sturdy glass and unique food grade silicone snap-on cap and gripper rings assure that it can withstand the everyday tumble.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Gorgeous Water Bottle, The Difference is Design and Quality\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. The silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping.\\n\\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\\n\\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\\n\\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: A BottlesUp glass water bottle truly stands on its own. A gleaming textured bottle crafted from recycled glass. The sturdy glass and unique food grade silicone snap-on cap and gripper rings assure that it can withstand the everyday tumble.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Spectacular Water Bottle: A Work of Art Yet So Functional\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI bought this water bottle in black but wanted to included the review here as well, since this is an exceptional water bottle that warrants more information.\\n\\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. The silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping.\\n\\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\\n\\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\\n\\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: BottlesUp Glass Water Bottles are beautiful textured art glass water bottles. The hand-blown glass design allows for water to sparkle and dance in the reflection from the glass. Blown glass is also a sturdy glass so this is more than a piece of art, it is a water bottle designed to last for years of use for yourself or as a gift. Features: Wide-mouth and a comfortable rounded lip which makes easy to drink from and to refill. Food-Grade Silicone Caps and Matching Rings Naturally BPA & PVC Free Reusable 75% Post Consumer Recycled Glass; Lowest Carbon Footprint of any water bottle on the market Designed by Architectural Glass Artist Laurel Herter in Bluffton, SC and artfully sculpted from a glass-blower in Savannah, GA Made in North America Assembled by PEP/Program for Exceptional People Supports 1% for the Planet & Save Our Shores What are the benefits of glass? Glass is the natural choice for clean, pure taste as it doesnt leach chemicals or odors into the products it holds, like some plastics and metals Its been around long before we were, and can be recycled endlessly after were gone Youll save money by refilling at the tap See what you are cleaning able to make sure\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Best Water Bottle, Great Investment\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis water bottle is really a work of art rather than just a water bottle. It has a high-quality hand-made look to it. The glass is thick and wavy with tiny bubbles in it, so sturdy. The silicone grips are soft and secure. The silicone top is also soft but strong; it hangs down when it is off rather than sticking out and dripping.\\n\\nAll of the silicone parts can be removed to clean occasionally; only the top would need to be cleaned every time. The bottle has a wide mouth and is very easy to clean with a bottle brush. The company suggests that if your bottle is used for water, then a quick warm water rinse would work; for the occasional deep clean, you can shake with warm soapy water and rinse.\\n\\nThe glass bottle is optimal for the taste and safety of your water, plus you can see just how much liquid is in the bottle. The bottle is also very safe--the silicone is food grade and BPA-free and PVC-free. The bottle is made from at least 75% post-consumer recycled glass and has no plastic whatsoever.\\n\\nIt is very expensive, but it is for me worth every penny. I hope to use it for many years to come. This is my third purchase of this water bottle--I have the other two still after several years and they are holding up fine. I just love them and want to use them for other things--like storing my green smoothies in the refrigerator so that I can grab them and run.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: This traditional combination of chamomile and lavender with lemon balm is useful for nervous stomach and restlessness associated with upset stomach.* The use of these herbs alone and in combinations for nervous stomach has been approved by European health authorities and is supported by clinical data. How does it taste? A pleasantly aromatic balance of slightly bitter, with lemon and a hint of apple\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My New Favorite Tea, Marvelous, Delightful\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nOk, I love lavender, so I'm biased. Still, this Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile with Lavender Tea is just spectacular. I've never tasted an herbal tea so good. I'm not sure if I just love the tea or if it truly has \\\"digestive and nervous system sedating properties\\\" but I feel relaxed when I drink it.\\n\\nThe ingredients in Traditional Medicinals' Organic Chamomile with Lavender Tea are: organic chamomile flower 1,200 mg., proprietary blend: organic English lavender flower, organic lemon balm leaf . The tea tastes like chamomile with a strong, delicious lavender taste. It is a very fresh taste because there are no flavorings and everything is organic. The smell is yummy, too, even before brewing, as the lavender smell stands out; you could put the tea bags in your drawers to use as sachet fresheners!\\n\\nTraditional Medicinals seems to be a very responsible company. They adhere to sustainable and fair trade practices, use organic ingredients when feasible, and base their tea formulations on sound research and knowledge.\\n\\nThe manufacturer writes on the box: \\\"The combination of chamomile and lavender with lemon balm has digestive and nervous system sedating properties useful for nervous stomach and restlessness associated with upset stomach. The use of these herbs alone and in combinations for nervous stomach has been approved by European health authorities and is supported by clinical data. Organic Chamomile with Lavender has a pleasantly aromatic and balanced taste.\\\".\\n\\nAlso note the following caution from the box: \\\"Contraindications: Do not use if your have known allergies to plants of the Asteraceae family (daisy) such as blessed thistle, calendula, chamomile, echinacea, safflower or yarrow.\\\"\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Numi rainforest green tea mate lemon. Description: this infusion of yerba mate with Australian rainforest's lemon myrtle and china's chun me green tea has a delightful lemon taste. It is an energizing blend that uplifts the senses. Organic. Kosher. For hundreds of years, yerba mate has long been a ceremonial drink of friendship, hospitality, strength, and courage to the people of the south American rainforest. This evergreen leaf is known for its pleasant stimulating effect and for evoking a cheerful mental lucidity. We are proud to introduce this delightful tasting infusion of organic mate with the Australian rainforest's organic lemon myrtle, touted as 'herb of the millennium\\\" for its high citral content. Organic chun me green tea, skillfully hand-rolled into the 'eyebrow' contour of its name, unfolds a subtle, plum-like sweetness to the leafy lemon piquancy of mate and myrtle. This energizing blend uplifts ones senses, as clarity arrives like birdsong after fresh rain. Disclaimer: these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Terrific Pick-Me-Up Tea Blend\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nNumi Tea Rainforest Green-Mate Lemon Myrtle Green Tea is a premium Numi tea, both certified organic and kosher. The ingredients are organic South American yerba mate blend, organic lemon myrtle, and fair trade certified Chun Mee Green Tea. There is nothing artificial in this or in any Numi tea.\\n\\nOn the box, the manufacturer writes: \\\"For hundreds of years, Yerba Mate has long been a ceremonial drink of friendship, hospitality, strength, and courage to the people of the South American rainforest. This evergreen leaf is known for its pleasantly stimulating effect and for evoking a cheerful mental lucidity. We are proud to introduce this delightful tasting infusion of organic Mate with the Australian rainforests' organic Lemon Myrtle, touted as herb of the millennium for its high citral content. Organic Chun Mee green tea, skillfully hand-rolled into the eyebrow contour of its name, unfolds a subtle, plum-like sweetness to the leafy lemon piquancy of Mate and Myrtle. This energizing blend uplifts one's senses, as clarity arrives like birdsong after fresh rain.\\\" It's a nice combination of yerba mate and green tea, a terrific pick-me-up (it does contain some caffeine).\\n\\nIf you like Numi teas, get it---you won't be sorry. If you are new to Numi but enjoy yerba mate and/or green tea, this will probably be the best you've ever had.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Yogi Woman's Energy Herbal Tea Caffeine Free Description: Helps Balance Hormones Woman's Energy is an effective and organic way to reduce fatigue, restore energy and help balance hormones. This special formula contains Dong Quai, the queen of Chinese herbs, which has been traditionally used to support reproductive organs and to help regulate the menstrual cycle. This powerful herb is complemented by Organic Nettle Leaf, used by herbalists to help restore energy, as well as Dandelion Root and Juniper Berry to help maintain proper water balance. Relax, drink a daily cup of Woman's Energy and feel like your healthy, strong, graceful self. Free Of Caffeine. Disclaimer These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Impressive Cup of Tea, Could Be Helpful with Women's Health Issues\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nThis Woman's Dong Quai Tonic from Yogi Tea is for hormone balance. I'm pretty finicky with my tea tastes and I like it. It has an herby and slightly spicy, slightly sweet taste to it that makes it a pleasure to drink. I usually brew two bags in one cup, which is recommended on the package for overall health and fatigue relief. It is stronger that way, and more intense of an experience, although it still tastes great with just one bag. I'd been having lots of hot flashes and wanted to get down to business with this tea.\\n\\nWoman's Dong Quai Tonic comes with an expiration date (a good thing, because it's not full of preservatives, plus you can tell if it is fresh) and is organic.\\n\\nThe ingredients in Woman's Dong Quai Tonic are: dong quai root extract, juniper berry extract, and a proprietary blend of herbs, including all organic: cinnamon bark, orange peel, ginger root, fennel seed, chamomile flower, dandelion root, anise seed, stinging nettle leaf, dong quai root (I guess as opposed to the extract), black pepper, and orange oil. Amazingly, I can taste some of these, like the chamomile, and the anise seed and the ginger, making for a lovely and complex cup of tea. I'm impressed!\\n\\nYogi Tea seems to be another company (like Numi, Aspen, Traditional Medicinals) that values sustainable and healthy practices. Their web site has a helpful glossary of tea ingredients and is beautifully designed, with info about each tea they make.\\n\\nYogi Tea writes this on the box about the tea's benefits: \\\"Organic Woman's Dong Quai Tonic is an effective and organic way to lessen fatigue, restore your energy and balance a woman's hormones. This healing tonic is formulated to ease what traditional Chinese medicine practitioners refer to as \\\"blood deficiency,\\\" resulting from stress, poor digestion, or improper eating and health habits. We've included in our tonic the potent \\\"Queen of Herbs\\\" Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), shown to be effective in supporting the reproductive organs, addressing common female hormone imbalances, helping to regulate the menstrual cycle and building all-around health. Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (1995) indicates Dong Quai is useful for a wide range of female conditions, including minor symptoms of PMS (such as mild mood changes) and menopause (such as hot flashes). This powerful herb is complemented by Organic Nettle to help detox your body, as well as Organic Dandelion Root and Juniper Berry to help maintain proper water balance. According to yogic wisdom, women have greater emotional awareness and intuitive powers. A woman can choose to be balanced, happy and healthy. Choose to drink a daily cup of Woman's Dong Quai Tonic and feel like your healthy, beautiful, graceful self.\\\" I don't know about that, but I do like the tea, and it seems like it might be helping with my hot flashes (I've been having fewer...whether or not it's due to the tea, I don't know!), which is why I bought it---for menopausal support.\\n\\nThere are no cautions or warnings on the box except the standard disclaimer that the tea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Roobios Red Mellow Bush 18 Tea Bags\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Wonderful Rooibos---The \\\"Miracle Tea\\\"!\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nRed Mellow Bush is a premium Numi tea. This herbal tea (caffeine-free) is certified organic and is kosher.\\n\\nOn the box, the manufacturer says it better than I ever could: \\\"Grown in the high desert regions of the Cederberg Mountains, the shoots of Rooibos have been hand gathered by South Africans for generations. It is prepared like a traditional tea, undergoing meticulous drying (oxidation) and cutting. Organic Red Mellow Bush has an earthy vanilla taste and pleasing orange color with hints of autumn straw. With an anti-oxidant level comparable to green tea, Rooibos has no caffeine, is rich in minerals, very low in tannin, and is relaxing to the nerves. No wonder they call it the miracle tea. Discover the wonders of Rooibos!\\\" What an invitation!\\n\\nIt is my husband's favorite tea, and is pure premium rooibos. If you haven't tasted rooibos before, it is a pleasant, earthy, herbal flavor that most people like.\\n\\nIf you like Numi teas, get it---you won't be sorry. If you are new to Numi but love rooibos, I do not think you could find a better source than Numi.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Spicy Organic Ginger And Fresh Organic Lemongrass Blended With GreenTeaCreates A Smooth And Invigorating Cup. The Stash Tea Company is headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. Founded in 1972, Stash Tea originally operated out of an old Portland Victorian style house, supplying loose herbal teas and bulk herbs to natural food stores. Starting in 1975, the company broadened its focus to include bagged teas and then began to sell a full line of traditional, specialty blend and herbal teas directly to fine restaurants and through a mail-order catalog to consumers. Today, Stash Tea is enjoying steady growth and has become one of the largest specialty tea companies in the United States, with products available through foodservice, grocery stores, tea and coffee shops, club stores, mass merchandisers, natural foods stores, mail order, and the Internet. Stash Tea is also available in Canada and in several foreign countries.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Lovely Lemon Ginger Green Tea\\n\\nReview: *****\\nStash's Organic Premium Lemon Ginger Green Tea has the pure, true flavor of ginger and lemongrass---not flavorings. I am not usually a fan of Stash's teas, but this premium tea is as good as much more expensive and higher-end teas. Everything in this tea is organic---the organic ginger, the organic green tea, and the organic lemongrass. Although it does contain caffeine, I think it is a much milder green tea, because I tasted the ginger and lemongrass dramatically more than the green tea. This balance made the tea even more enjoyable---a sort of different kind of teasan, one balanced with a little green tea.\\n\\nStash Tea has been around for over 35 years, and I love the direction they are moving with their teas, towards more organic and loose teas, more true flavors instead of artificial flavorings.\\n\\nI would highly recommend Stash's Organic Premium Lemon Ginger Green Tea unless you do not care for ginger or for spicier teas; otherwise you are certain to be delighted!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Three very different women. One daring leap of faith. Kyra Sedgwick (Something to Talk About), Parker Posey (Best in Show) and Fairuza Balk (Almost Famous) star in this completely compelling (The Hollywood Reporter) drama about three women who set out to change their lives. Winner of the 2002 Sundance Festival's Grand Jury Prize, this passionate, poignant and bracingfilm delivers a muscular punch (Screen International)! Delia (Sedgwick) escapes from an abusive husband. Greta (Posey) risks everything on a new career. And Paula (Balk) takes flight after a tragic accident. These women must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles that confinethem. But are they really on their way to new livesor are they just making new versions of old mistakes?\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Movie for Women But What A Movie!\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nThis is a rave review for an unusual movie. One of the previous reviewers said that the more she thought about the movie, the more she liked it. I feel the same way.\\n\\nThis is the story of three women at pivotal points of their lives. The three women are not linked except that the movie takes place at the same point in time for all of them. One woman is escaping a domestic violence situation from a man she loves. Another woman is very ambitious and sexual, trying to reconcile who she is with who she thinks she is supposed to be. The third woman is dealing with trauma and what she has made of her life. All three situations are thought-provoking and beautifully portrayed by the accomplished actresses in their roles.\\n\\nI rented this movie, watched some of the Special Features, and then ordered it on Amazon. I truly loved this movie. I'm not sure how men might view this film; although some are reviewers, I have difficulty understanding how men might appreciate and empathize with the depth of this movie, which is exclusively from a female perspective. I think that most women will enjoy not only the depth of exploration of women's life situations, feelings, and complexity. I don't think that this film is appropriate in any way for children; I think children will find it dull and not understand its themes. In addition, there are adult situations (including abuse, masturbation, and violence) that make it inappropriate for children; none of these are gratuitous, however, and all contribute to make this movie as powerful as it is.\\n\\nThis is a haunting and beautiful movie for thinking and feeling women, and for those men that can appreciate powerful filmmaking even when it involves female themes.\",\n \"Product: From the director of Driving Miss Daisy comes this compelling, heartwarming and inspiring true story of a father (Pierce Brosnan) who faces impossible odds to keep his family together. Times are tough in Dublin, Ireland. But no one has it tougher than Desmond Doyle when his wife runs off and his beloved daughter Evelyn and two young sons are sent to an orphanage by the government.Enlisting the help of loyal friends (Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea) and a feisty American lawyer (Aidan Quinn), he takes his case to Ireland's Supreme Court in a history-making quest to topple an ironclad law and win back the custody of his children!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Family Values, Enduring Values\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nWhy had I not heard of this movie? If you are reading my review, rent, watch, or better, buy it, as it will be an enduring favorite of yours, I guarantee it.\\n\\nI watched this movie because it was recommended to me as a clean, family values-type movie. That is like calling the Taj Mahal a \\\"big house\\\". This movie has everything a movie can have, including a universal appeal, even to those who shun typical \\\"family values\\\" movies. It is a masterpiece.\\n\\nIt stars Pierce Brosnan, an actor I normally do not enjoy, and whom I've sterotyped as playing shallow roles. In \\\"Evelyn\\\" he is marvelous, incredible, a great actor. \\\"Evelyn\\\" is based on the true story of Desmond Doyle, a father who loses custody of his three children in 1950's Ireland, when his wife abandons both him and her children. At that time, fathers had limited rights when up against the Catholic Church and the Irish government. The film centers around the struggle of one man to be reunited with his children.\\n\\nHowever, there is so much more to the movie than just Desmond Doyle's legal struggles. There are his personal challenges, which are many. Ther is the acting of Aidan quinn, Julianna Marguilies, alan Bates, and the children---all so talented, entertaining, exciting. There is the relationship between Evelyn and her beloved grandfather. There is the Irish spirit. This is a film about faith, forgiveness, human failings, and how sometimes so many things can go wrong while everyone is truly trying to do the right thing.\\n\\nIt is of special mention that, unlike other films of this genre, no one was \\\"demonized\\\" or portrayed a \\\"villan\\\". It woudl have been temptin to have done this to either the Catholic Church, the Irish justice system, the legal profession, etc.---but instead institutions and professions were portrayed realistically and accurately---in that htye are composed of complex people of various types, all tryin to do the best they can.\\n\\nUnlike other films with a PG rating---which spells \\\"BORING\\\" normally in my view (sorry)---this film is riveting, poignant, inspirational, uplifting, and complicated. How many PG movies are there tha you could discuss for hours with freinds at the coffee shop or pub? This is one of those movies.\\n\\nIt is my new favorite movie. Grandma and Grandpa will love it and it wil rmeind them of the great films of their day. Teens will love it, too, and maybe wonder why, since it's probably unlike any other movie the've seen before. Intelligent film goers will have discussions about it. Little children will enjoy it on a different level. It's not a chick flick, either. And even though there are no car chases or sex scenes or typeical violence, men will love it because it's about a man being a real man, something that will appeal to any male, no matter what his character, values, lifestyle, or usual movie preferences.\\n\\nThis movie is about what we are all looking for in life, and what Desmond Doyle found.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Germany released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), German ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), German ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Anamorphic Widescreen, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: After his impetuous musician girlfriend, Samantha, dies in an accident shortly after they had a fight (and nearly broke up), a grief-stricken British businessman, Ian Wyndham, living in London gets a chance to relive the day all over again, in the hope of changing the events that led up to her getting killed. ...If Only\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Very creative and intriguing, sappy and fun\\n\\nReview: ****\\n\\nHow can a movie be so creative and enjoyable, make you think, entertain you, keep you in suspense, make you cry, make you cringe at its sappiness and maudlin acting---do all of these things at the same time? That's \\\"If Only\\\". It is a love story, and sort of a psychological thriller, based on an interesting idea: what if we could live our lives over again...and change the outcome...or could we change the outcome? Without spoiling the plot, there's not a lot more I can say about that.\\n\\nIt's a movie about the importance and impact of love, what it means to truly care about another person, how differently we might think about those we love if we were to be on the verge of losing them, and much more. The value in this film is in its creativity and in how it makes you think.\\n\\nOn the negative side, the acting is not great...it highlights Jennifer Love Hewitt's singing way too much...it is obviously a lower-budget more B-grade type movie...it is maudlin...still these negatives don't ruin all of the positives. It is a meaningful movie, not just entertaining, and as I said before, will definitely make you think about your life and how you are living it---relatively few movies do this as well. Maybe someone will take the idea behind this movie and redo it with great acting and writing---then it would be absolutely incredible!\\n\\nI think you'll be glad you watched it, and if you have friends or a date to talk it over with afterwards, you'll have some really provocative discussions.\\n\\n****\",\n \"Product: Passion has no boundaries. A woman (Joan Allen), feeling betrayed by her husband (Sam Neill), turns to a man from a world away (Simon Abkarian) to fulfill her deepest desires. Their sensuous affairtakes them on a tumultuous journey across continents and cultures that is seen through the eyes of her maid (Shirley Henderson). YES, a lyrical love story directed by Sally Potter (The Man Who Cried, The Tango Lesson, Orlando), will arouse your emotions and capture your heart long after the last frame fades.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Different movie, worth hanging in there, not for everyone\\n\\nReview: ****\\n\\nYES is not your stereotypical movie. What an understatement! It is written in iambic pentameter (a style of poetry) and is, I suppose, a film that will most appeal to those of us who are intellectuals and literate...however...I STILL liked it! I can see how it would appear boring to many people, because it is deep and intense and it drags when you can't hear the dialogue (because of low volume) or when it is so heavily accented (by the dialects of many different cultures) that you can't figure out what is going on. Nevertheless, it is still a wonderous and marvelous film.\\n\\nYES is ostensibly the story of a romance between an unsatisfied married Western woman and an Islamic lover. However, it touches on many existential issues beyond romance in the dialogue that is really poetry, but spoken as naturally as possible (NOTE: there are no subtitles...subtitles would have changed this movie from one that is good to one that is great). How hard is it to read poetry and make it sound natural? Really hard...but the actors did their job. I am going to buy this movie and watch it again and again, as it is such a deep movie with such intense acting and themes that it warrants more than one viewing. And I'm hoping that with multiple viewings I'll picked up what I missed even without subtitles.\\n\\nThe acting is incredible and irresistable. The film features a multi-cultural cast and characters...and is so unusual that it is hard to put into words. If you like deep and meaningful movies and don't need a lot of action, but enjoy mulling over existential ideas instead, you will love YES. Probably film critics will love YES. I loved YES. However, if you are a fan of run-of-the-mill American movies, this probably is one to pass on. There isn't a lot of action or entertainment and it is the opposite of shallow; however, it makes you think and feel and reflect about life, love, wars, conflict, relationships, and more.\\n\\nI would recommend YES for those people who read instead of watch movies, and/or who think deeply about life and relish the idea of a movie that explores the most important issues of our day.\\n\\n****\",\n \"Product: Lt. Jake Neeley has lived alone in the woods since the Vietnam War hiding from long buried memories. His gruff exterior and lonely routines are suddenly broken down by a young and fiesty girl who drops into his life and works her way into his heart, changing him forever.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Beautiful film, adult themes\\n\\nReview: ****\\n\\nThis is a special film that I would recommend for adults. It is about the difficult recovery of the Vietnam veteran community in a rural area of the Pacific Northwest. They live isolated and impoverished lives, trapped in the past. When one of them, played by Danny Glover, takes care of a friend's young daughter, everything changes, and not only does Danny Glover's character begin to learn to love again, but the entire community comes closer.\\n\\nI would not recommend this film for children, because I think that the adult themes of war recovery, war trauma, and intense grief would be too much for them; probably over 18 would be best for this film. It is not depressing, as you might think reading the synopsis, but is an inspirational film about interdependency, love, and forgiveness. It is not a \\\"happy\\\" film either, though. I would best call it a deep, poignant, and intense film that is an excellent use of the viewer's time. It would be good for an evening when you want to be moved and drawn into something to forget about your own problems or to help you deal with your own grief.\\n\\nThe acting is remarkable, the scenery lovely, and the young actress---Zoe Weizenbaum---who plays the friend's daughter---is perfect for her role. Danny Glover is marvelous, as is Linda Hamilton. An unlikely grouping of actors in a gem of a movie. You won't regret watching it.\\n\\n****\",\n \"Product: The journey continues with tim holtz includes over 2 hours of projects and tips to inspire your creativity. Tim demonstrates step-by-step how to transform ink embossing powder and polymer clay into everything from jewelry and home decor items to scrapbook pages and greeting cards. Also demonstrated in this DVD are projects such as discovering distress, adventures in embossing, fireless raku, alcohol ink exploration, glazed mosaics, custom correspondence, dichroic illusions and expressions on canvas. Run time 152 minutes. Made in USA.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: WOW! Distressing on Steroids, UTEE, Mixed Media, and So Much More!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI wondered how any DVD could match Tim Holtz's first PageSage DVD \\\"An Altered Journey\\\". Well this one does! It is over two and half hours of ideas and techniques that are creative, innovative, and inspiring.\\n\\nYou don't need to have watched the first DVD to appreciate this one. In addition, compared to his first DVD, this one has more information about his materials and usage. Both DVDs complement each other. The first gave me ideas and the second helped me to understand so much more.\\n\\nThe DVD includes new ideas for distressing, distressing with embossing powders, melting pot distressing, creating custom molds, glazed mosaics made with shrink wrap, creating custom stamp pads for custom correspondence, creating the look of dichroic glass using embossing powders, and encaustic collage with beeswax. It also includes many, many more ideas for using alcohol inks!\\n\\nSome ideas were more esoteric and required some expensive supplies, but they were still inspirational, like fireless raku.\\n\\nLike other PageSage DVDs, there is a great gallery feature that includes comments on the projects and shows variations. Extras include tips from projects (this is a compilation of all the tips from all the projects arranged in an index-like fashion---cool!), hilarious bloopers, and all sources for supplies.\\n\\nWhat a value for the money, a fantastic class that can and will be watched over and over and over again!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: FloTool, by Hopkins Manufacturing, offers the most comprehensive and highest quality offering of fluid handling products. Driven by innovative, no-mess product solutions, whether youre changing your oil, topping off the antifreeze, or checking all your automotive fluid levels, FloTool has the right application. No brand offers more \\\"just right\\\" fluid handling products than FloTool.Part of the task-specific funnel series from Hopkins, FloTool's Radiator Funnel locks in most radiators and is convenient for use with radiator fluid filling. It offers quick and easy pouring with wide spout opening and a built-in bottle rest. Made in the USA.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Inexpensive and Useful in the Kitchen\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThis is an expensive funnel of a very convenient size. I use it in my kitchen (not for my car!) for powders because it is almost 3 1/2 inches in diameter at the top and 1 inch at the bottom. The length of the funnel part at the bottom is one inch as well.\\n\\nI've been tired of funnels that get so skinny at the end. I have a hard time getting powder through those. And the ultra-wide canning funnels don't fit into the jars I have because they are too big. So this funnel is handy--kind of an in-between compromise between a regular funnel and a canning funnel. I have a sturdier one for the kitchen--the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Linden-Sweden-Jam-Funnel/dp/B00BP3ZQZ0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Linden Sweden Jam Funnel</a>, but this one is nice too, just a flimsier version of the Linden Sweden jam funnel with slightly different measurements.\\n\\nRecommended for the kitchen.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Sticky notes tin set featuring 5 To Do (480 stickies)\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Very Nice Gift Idea, Fun, Retro, and Great for Sticky Note Lovers\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis notes are retro, fun, and beautiful--plus they are high-quality notes that compete with the best commercial brands out there in stickiness! I would call these the perfect gift for anyone who is a writer, an organizer, a reader, a journaller, or someone who just plain likes sticky notes. They are that nice. They come in a gorgeous tin with a clear face that will not only be a nice gift presentation but will keep the sticky notes from becoming dog-eared. There are five different notes and they are all easily available when you open the case. I love luxury office supplies (especially affordable ones) and I am very impressed with these. I hope they keep making these for a very long time!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Oxford Ruled Index Cards are ruled on one side for easy note taking. The design offers top-quality commercial stock for superior durability and performance. The 3\\\" x 5\\\" size is versatile enough for studying, presenting, and list-making. Paper made from 10% recycled fiber with 10% post-consumer fiber. There are 100 white cards per pack.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Basic Index Card, Great With Fountain Pens\\n\\nReview: ****\\nI am looking for the best index cards available, and in the process tried these out. These are officially called \\\"Oxford Esselte Pendaflex\\\"; in some places they are only called by one or two of these labels, but they are all the same card. They are much more expensive than others, so I had high hopes for them.\\n\\nPRO: These cards are absolutely fabulous for fountain pens. No feathering, no deep absorption (with subsequent widening) of line of ink into the paper. My work involves exclusively fountain pens, and it is hard to find a card to accommodate them. The surface of the card is not coated, so it works with any type of pen or marker, and I am delighted with this.\\n\\nCON: The cards are not as thick as I'd hoped. They are not flimsy, just thinner than other index cards. I couldn't find any info about whether or not they yellow with age, so I think they probably do.\\n\\nI think that these are still pretty good index cards and if you don't mind that they are a tad thin, you will be pleased.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Use flags to mark, tab, highlight important pages or points in a textbook or document. Flags stick securely and remove cleanly. This convenient two-pack gives you a total of 100 flags, 24 packs/case.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Bulk Value Package of Inch-Wide Yellow Post-It Flags, Work Great\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the yellow bulk package of 12 dispensers.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Use flags to mark, tab, highlight important pages or points in a textbook or document. Flags stick securely and remove cleanly. This convenient two-pack gives you a total of 100 flags, 24 packs/case.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Bulk Value Pack of Inch-Wide Post-It Flags\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the kelly green bulk package of 12 dispensers.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Use flags to mark, tab, highlight important pages or points in a textbook or document. Flags stick securely and remove cleanly. This convenient two-pack gives you a total of 100 flags, 24 packs/case.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Value Pack of Post-It Flags\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the value pack of 12 dispensers.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Bright Yellow Post-It Flags\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright yellow single dispenser pack.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Single Dispenser of Bright Blue Post-It Flags--Work Well\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright blue single dispenser pack.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Make sure you're always in the right spot. Easily find your place in books, reports, catalogs and more with the help of these Write-On Tabs. Attach brightly colored self-stick tabs to help you flip back to specific pages. Flag important facts and figures, gain quick access to favorite quotes or assign sections in a notebook or personal organizer. And when you're done, the tabs remove easily. Write on the tabs with virtually any writing instrument to remind yourself why you marked a particular spot. Now you can always land right where you want to be.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Reusable, Durable, High Quality Tabs\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThese tabs are just great, everything one could want in an index tab, and very high quality. They are very easy to write on, to use and then reuse again--you would think that if you can reuse them they wouldn't be very sticky, but they are sticky enough to stay on forever if need be but very easy to remove. The colors stand out and are fluorescent--in the photo they look yellow, blue and purple, but they are actually yellow, blue and pink. The color is the part you write on and it is non-smearing and will accommodate any kind of pen. Apparently Avery has software that you can use to print on them as well, but I haven't tried to use that (this is beyond my level of computer expertise). I am really satisfied with these and wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Bold to the max and permanent to the core, Sharpie Permanent Markers inspire you to transform ordinary surfaces into passionately creative statements. Made to write practically everywhere, vivid Sharpie markers eliminate dull and boring. The original permanent marker, Sharpie has iconic ink that dries quickly and resists both water and fading. While pale imitations wither away, Sharpie markers make creations that endure. Featuring a bold fine point built for jaw-dropping marks, Sharpie Permanent Markers ignite courageous self-expression.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Set for Art Journalers!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a great set of Sharpies for artists, because there are so many different colors. You can see from the picture that quite a few of the colors are really light and wouldn't be good for use as markers for signs or other types of usage; however, they are great for any kind of art work. I found that even though the colors are light, the markers are strong and mark very well in the lighter shade.\\n\\nThese Sharpies will write over many different kinds of paint and ink without any problem. When you apply watercolor or a mixture of ink and water over them they don't run at all. I use them for my art journal, and will use this set until it wears out and then buy another. They are economical and I can't find a better deal on them anywhere.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Lucky Line Flex-O-Loc Key Ring - Flex-O-Loc. Made of strong, flexible corrosion-resistant aircraft cable with a patented ball-knob and socket that locks and unlocks easily. Nylon-coated cable in assorted colors: Clear, black, blue, green, red, and yellow. 4-3/4\\\" long. 1 per card. - Material: Steel Braided Cable, Finish: Nylon Coated, Key Ring Size: 5\\\", Pkg Qty: 1, Package Type: Card\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Secure With Careful Use\\n\\nReview: ****\\nI am satisfied with this key ring; still, it seems as though I'm going to have to be careful with it so that it doesn't accidentally unlock itself. The key ring opens by making the loop into a heart shape with the clasp in the center and then popping one side out from the other. I don't think the best usage of this would be for something that is in a purse or bag and might accidentally be pushed around by other gear and then popped. I use it to hang FROM my purse and so there is weight on it pulling it at all times so that it never makes that heart-shape that it the precursor for opening it. Used like this, it seems very, very secure, yet at the same time easy to open when I need to.\\n\\nIt does come in assorted colors and I got one not mentioned above--a sort of pinkish-purple that is pretty bright and not compatible with many things. It would be easy to find. I would not order this item if you need a particular color, as your chances of getting it could be slim.\\n\\nRecommended if used as described above.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Unruled Index Cards, 3 x 5, White, 500 per Pack\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Average Economy Index Cards\\n\\nReview: ***\\nI am on a search for the best index cards available, and in the process tried these out. Note that these cards are unruled.\\n\\nThese cards are okay for fountain pens, but not great. There is some very slight feathering and absorption of the line of ink into the paper. My work involves exclusively fountain pens, and it is hard to find a card to accommodate them. This card will do fine, but I find Oxford/Esselte/Pendaflex cards much better--however they cost a lot more too.\\n\\nThe cards are also a bit flimsy. I couldn't find any info about whether or not they yellow with age, so I think they probably do.\\n\\nThey are not bad index cards, just not great. For the price, I would recommend them as economy index cards.\\n***\",\n \"Product: Unruled Index Cards, 3 x 5, White, 500 per Pack\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Average Economy Index Cards\\n\\nReview: ***\\nI am on a search for the best index cards available, and in the process tried these out. Note that these cards are unruled.\\n\\nThese cards are okay for fountain pens, but not great. There is some very slight feathering and absorption of the line of ink into the paper. My work involves exclusively fountain pens, and it is hard to find a card to accommodate them. This card will do fine, but I find Oxford/Esselte/Pendaflex cards much better--however they cost a lot more too.\\n\\nThe cards are also a bit flimsy. I couldn't find any info about whether or not they yellow with age, so I think they probably do.\\n\\nThey are not bad index cards, just not great. For the price, I would recommend them as economy index cards.\\n***\",\n \"Product: Post-it Flags in. a colorful 4-Pack. Includes 40 sheets each of Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green .94 in. Flags.160 flags total. Packaged in. two, clear portable dispensers.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Fine Flags for Annotating Books and Documents\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab..\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Flags in. a colorful 4-Pack. Includes 40 sheets each of Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green .94 in. Flags.160 flags total. Packaged in. two, clear portable dispensers.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Fine Flags for Annotating\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents. They are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. With most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Non-stick coated, black color stainless steel blades with black/purple soft grip handles, 8\\\", straight design. Durable and corrosion resistant. Allows easy cutting and cleaning of adhesives. Great for general office use or for school or craf projects.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Perfectly Perfect General Purpose Scissors\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThese scissors aren't just \\\"perfectly fine\\\"--they're perfectly PERFECT for most any general purpose use. They have a nice comfortable, design and soft grips so that they're easy to use. They are made of stainless steel and coated with titanium, so they seem like they're going to last a long time--they certainly are sturdy. And with those gold blades they are fine-looking too. They are also very lightweight, despite their strength.\\n\\nI would think that these scissors could also be used around water or other liquids (say, for example, in the kitchen) because the packaging says that the blades are \\\"corrosion resistant\\\". I tend to take good care of my scissors and clean them if something is sticking to the blades, but it's good to know that the blades are made to withstand corrosion.\\n\\nSo, all in all, even though these scissors aren't a brand that is very well known, I think they perform quite well, and fantastically well for such a low price. The well-known brands have some competition!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The same labels you've come to trust are now conveniently stacked in a portable pad, so you can keep them right at your fingertips. Just write on the label, peel away from the pad and stick. You'll never have to wonder what's in your file folders again. Label Size - text: 2/3 x 3 7/16; Label Color(s): Assorted; Machine Compatibility: Handwrite Only; Sheet (W x L): 3 x 4.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Fine File Folder Labels\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese file folder labels are fine and pretty economical. I like that they are in a convenient pack and that they are the Avery brand, which in my experience is high quality. However, the reason I gave them only four stars is that Avery now makes a product that is much better: their new \\\"TrueBlock Technology\\\" labels--a special process that makes the label completely opaque--so that you can't see through it at all no matter what is under it. So, I probably will not buy these again because now Avery makes something that is SO much better. With these, if the writing is dark you'll have to layer the labels so that you can't see through. This takes more time and is frustrating.\\n\\nThe Avery TrueBlock Technology labels don't come in a nifty little pack like these, but in every other way they are better. Still if you don't care, these are still fine.\\n\\nRecommended, if you don't need TrueBlock.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Study Kit includes eight products sure to help you get organized and create a system that is a smarter way to study. These products will help you Find what you're looking for, Remind you of key information, and Remember the important stuff. Kit includes Tabs for dividing sections in books and binders; Flags to mark and pinpoint information; Label Pads to label binders, notebooks and more; a variety of Notes and a Flag+ Highlighter combining yellow flags and a highlighter in one convenient device. All of this in a sturdy box that will be easy to throw in your back pack so all those study essentials are with you when you need them.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Gift for Students, Help In Studying and Organization\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a nice kit filled with help from Post-It to get you organized. I use a lot of Post-It products already and love them. My favorite thing about them is that I have tried other brands to save money and invariably I am sorry because they don't stick or hold up. Post-It products are a consistent quality and you can even reuse them again and again--the stickiness lasts and so justifies the higher cost.\\n\\nThis kit is like a huge sampler of Post-It favorites to get you started. You may find you like some but not others, and this way you can find out with them assembled like this--all packaged together in one place. If you like something you can then buy a larger quantity of that item. The items themselves though, are not \\\"sample size\\\" but a full version of the item.\\n\\nOne of my favorite items in this set is the pen form of highlighter plus flags. This item is very handy to take with you in your purse or briefcase. It is not, though, a 3 in 1 pen as one description from the vendor says--there is no ballpoint pen included. Even without it, it's a great product though--very handy.\\n\\nThe set includes larger notes with graph paper on one side and plain unlined paper on the reverse. The other Post-It Notes look like normal pads, but they are not--they are label pads. This means that most of the area of the reverse side of the pad is sticky, with just a smaller part not sticky to be a tab or label. These label pads are so handy for organizing notebooks and books. And there are 5 different label pads--different colors and sizes, lined and unlined. The set includes some basic flags (arrow flags) as well as some heavier labeling flags--very nice.\\n\\nThe one item I had never seen before was the \\\"On Test, Study, To Do\\\" flags. These are just what they say, and a great way to organize notes for a test or to mark action items. What a great help for students!\\n\\nThis is a great gift for students from a quality company.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Get some extra storage capacity and keep everything in one place with the xpanz 2\\\" zipper binder. 3 ring zipper binder. Holds up to 380 sheets of paper. Undated. 8-1/2 x 11\\\" page size. Expands to add extra storage capacity. Exterior zipper pocket for easy access. Matching Five Star removable Pencil pouch included. Durable poly interior to last all year.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Four Star Binder, But Light and Sturdy\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThis is a very lightweight large zippered three-ring binder. It's incredibly light and sturdy! It has a really large capacity for everything except notebook paper (which is why it lost a star from me). The binder is large and when it is filled with notebook paper, the papers get pulled around and then you need to put reinforcers on the holes. Does anyone still do this? (I do.) It really needed D-rings for a notebook this size so that the notebook paper (it holds up to 380 sheets of paper) will not pull and rip and be hard to move through, especially with all of the other pockets filled.\\n\\nThis binder has many large pockets throughout as well as a smaller removable pencil pouch. It's fine, but sadly, this Five Star Binder is a Four Star Binder or less for my purposes.\\n\\nRecommended, with caveats.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Single Dispenser of Wider Post-It Flags, Work Well\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of orange flags.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Pricey Flags That Do The Job, But I'd Shop and Save\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of blue flags. Note to buyer: at the current price, each of these flags costs twenty-three cents, so you might want to price these out for far more affordable choices here on Amazon.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Wider (1 Inch) Green Post-It Flags\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of kelly green flags.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Bright Green Post-It Flags\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of green flags.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Little White Post-It Flags\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the single pack of one dispenser of white flags.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Does The Job, Single Bright Purple Dispenser\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright purple single dispenser pack.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Post-it Standard Tape Flags\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Works Well, Nice Post-It Flag Single Dispenser\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese little flags from post-it are quite bright and nicer than the little (1/2 inch) skinny ones for marking places in books and on documents.\\n\\nThey are very thin, though, so they are ideally not used as index tabs or anything that would require a sturdier flag. Their thinness is an advantage if you are flagging many places in a book or document set as many can be placed without the book or pile of papers becoming bulky. Post-It makes another flag, which it calls their \\\"Durable\\\" flag and is heavier if you are looking for something to use as a tab.\\n\\nWith most pens and and even with a pencil, they can be written on, which is nice. And of course, they are transparent. I have found the Post-it brand to be consistent in its quality, as opposed to other manufacturers who sometimes don't make the flag sticky enough. They come in a wide variety of colors! This review is for the bright pink single dispenser pack.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Multi-purpose pen-shaped barrel with 7ml/0.23ml fl. oz. of white correction fluid. Features a fine point metal tip and pocket clip. Ideal for marking or labeling dark surfaces such as plastic, PVC pipes, metal, or rubber\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Pen is Great, But Check to See if You're Getting a Box or A Single Pen\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThese pens are amazing for corrections and for arts and crafts (which is what I use them for. But be very, very careful. The seller says this is a \\\"Box of 12\\\", and at least a few weeks ago when I ordered it, I got a single pen! At the price I paid, a box would be a screaming deal, but a single pen would be grossly overpriced.\\n\\nThe seller blamed Amazon and after emailing each other back and forth, he agreed to send me 3 more pens (giving me 4 pens in all). This was very nice of him and established himself in my mind as a reasonable person; I tended to believe him that he was doing the best he could by living with Amazon's mistake. It was a lot of work for me to get those four pens though. I would suggest that a prospective buyer contact the seller directly and verify that he is in fact, now selling a whole box of 12 pens, just to be sure. Or else be willing to do some work to settle things after the purchase is made, and not be surprised if they get just one pen instead of the box!\\n\\nGreat product, confirm transaction before purchase.\\n***\",\n \"Product: BAZIC 100 Count 3 inches by 5 inches Ruled Colored Index Card\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Basic Colored Index Cards\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese index cards come in an assortment of four colors: yellow, pink, green, and blue. They are generally well-made, sturdy, and of a nice weight. I do however, agree with another reviewer who said that they are a little thin; I have not been able to find any that are thicker than these and similar to quality white index cards, unfortunately. So these are the best of the bunch.\\n\\nI tested several different types of colored index cards and these and another brand--the Top Flight Multi-Colored index cards--were definitely the best; in fact I can tell no difference between the two, and both seem to be of quite decent quality. Both types are far superior to the other brands I tested. They both are crisply ruled in the front and have a plain back. These cards are made in China and the Top Flight cards in Indonesia.\\n\\nI wanted to sample several of the various types of colored ruled index cards available to see which ones I would buy in quantity, and these would be fine for that purpose.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: The flexible organization tool that combines the best of notes, tabs, and flags in one. Made of a durable film material with a paper tab overlay. Sturdy, extra-thick tabs make it easy to turn pages like a divider for easy reference. See-through, removable and repositionable, without lifting ink from the page. Write - or even highlight - anywhere on the tab or see-through surface area without leaving a mark on the actual page.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Sturdy, Useful Small Note Tabs\\n\\nReview: ****\\nThese Note Tabs are small but sturdy. They are very high quality. The sticky part of the tabs is transparent, and the colored part has a paper surface on top of the plastic so that they can be written on by any sort of pen, pencil, or marker. These could definitely be used as index tabs.\\n\\nThe colors in the picture are soft and pastel-like; the note tabs I received are the same general colors, but the fluorescent version--not as pictured, but still nice. If you are matching these with springtime color-scheme or book, they will be not pastel pink, but hot pink, not soft yellow, but bright yellow, etc. I am just using them as general tabs, so I'm very pleased with them.\\n\\nRecommended.\\n****\",\n \"Product: Get back to grilling with the George Foreman Grill Cleaning Sponges. The specially designed sponges fit into the grooves of your George Foreman Grill to quickly remove grease and grime. Theyre safe on all nonstick grilling surfaces and tough enough to hold up through consistent usage. The George Foreman Grill Cleaning Sponges take the hassle out of cleanup so you can get back to the grilling.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Pricey, But Essential Sponge for Cleaning Foreman Grill\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI just bought my first George Foreman grill and after cooking a hamburger, tried to clean it using a plastic scrubber. I couldn't get it clean. So I tried a paper towel and scrubbed and scrubbed. Still didn't work. Then (finally) I remembered the sponge (this sponge) that came with it. I tried it and instantly the grill came clean---easily---no fuss! Both sides are really helpful. And of course, a warm grill with the wet sponge makes the job super quick. I immediately ordered this three-pack.\\n\\nThere are other sponges without the grooves in them that may work too, but these really get into the grooves so well that I doubt that anything could work as well as they do. If you have a Foreman grill, they are an essential accessory.\\n\\nEven though they are pretty expensive for a little sponge, it does look like it is sturdy and will last a long time if cared for, and more importantly, it's a huge time-saver that makes the whole grilling and cleanup process easy instead of a hassle. So to me this means I'll look forward to using the grill and actually use it instead of storing it in the back of my pantry :)\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Invite one of nature's most elusive and colorful creatures into your garden with this kinetic wind sculpture. A charming trio of dragonflies adorns each of two 16-inch spinners and every breeze causes them to dart and dance around a pale pink flower. Makes a great gift for mom, dad, or any garden lover.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Solid Spinner, Recommended with Caveats\\n\\nReview: ***\\nThis is a very high quality spinner, but very overpriced for what it is; if it were 1/3 the price, it would be worth it--$30-$40 at most. It is a heavy, sturdy spinner that works just okay. The wind has to be very, very strong to move it. It requires some simple assembly and adjustment, which I was able to do; at the same time I was very careful so that I didn't break the item, since it seemed that it would be possible if I adjusted it hastily. It has stood on our porch in a potting container very well and looks attractive. It rarely ever moves, yet is pretty.\\n\\nRecommended, if you are careful, have a nice strong breeze much of the time, and don't overpay for this item.\\n***\",\n \"Product: The tables have turned on your pup's boredom! Nina Ottosson's Dog Spinny treat game is an excellent introduction to the world of interactive dog games. Simply place some treats in the 8 compartments and watch your smarty pup spin the game to uncover a delicious reward. Once they've got the hang of it, increase the challenge by adding the white bone block to lock the spinner in place. Every dog's a winner with Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Games! Bring out the genius in your dog with our interactive, treat-seeking puzzles and exercise toys. Difficulty level 1 Easy. Perfect for your pup scout.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Easy First Game for Dogs\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a super-easy game for a small dog. I love all of the Nina Ottosson games. This one is pretty simple, all wood. The compartments are tiny so the dog's mouth has to be able to get in there...unless she/he wants to turn the game over...which she/he could do but would not be ideal. My little Yorkie mix had this figured out the first time and the game was short-lived. I keep it though for variety so that he can have different kinds of fun. If I just put one piece of kibble in each compartment the fun can last for a while if we repeat it. I have trained my dog to think that regular kibble is a treat as he is on a special veterinary diet and this works well for my purposes. It's hard to clean--I just use dry food in it as I have other games that are plastic that he prefers.\\n\\nThis would be a great first game/puzzle for a puppy or for a dog new to intelligent play like this.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The tables have turned on your pup's boredom! Nina Ottosson's Dog Spinny treat game is an excellent introduction to the world of interactive dog games. Simply place some treats in the 8 compartments and watch your smarty pup spin the game to uncover a delicious reward. Once they've got the hang of it, increase the challenge by adding the white bone block to lock the spinner in place. Every dog's a winner with Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Games! Bring out the genius in your dog with our interactive, treat-seeking puzzles and exercise toys. Difficulty level 1 Easy. Perfect for your pup scout.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Easy First Game for Dogs\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis is a super-easy game for a small dog. I love all of the Nina Ottosson games. This one is pretty simple, all wood. The compartments are tiny so the dog's mouth has to be able to get in there...unless she/he wants to turn the game over...which she/he could do but would not be ideal. My little Yorkie mix had this figured out the first time and the game was short-lived. I keep it though for variety so that he can have different kinds of fun. If I just put one piece of kibble in each compartment the fun can last for a while if we repeat it. I have trained my dog to think that regular kibble is a treat as he is on a special veterinary diet and this works well for my purposes. It's hard to clean--I just use dry food in it as I have other games that are plastic that he prefers.\\n\\nThis would be a great first game/puzzle for a puppy or for a dog new to intelligent play like this.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: This 34'' Pet Playpen 2 Panel Add-On, includes two panels; each panel measures 24.6\\\"W x 34\\\"H with two 32'' metal connecting rods; four non-skid rubber feet to protect floors. Made in the USA of durable, heavy-duty molded plastic, and the panel will never rust! The This 34'' Pet Playpen Panel Add-On is perfect to create a more spacious exercise pet playpen!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Pet Pen, Great Customer Service\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI bought this pet pen for my small Yorkie and he adores it--thus, so do I! It is easy to assemble, even for me; I am notoriously NOT handy. I love that I can break it down into smaller parts and use it in different places. Because my dog is so lightweight (11 pounds), he can't push hard enough against it to get out, even if I don't fasten it tightly to surrounding structures. It's really sturdy and attractive too. It is highly portable for camping and visiting others.\\n\\nWhen the pet pen arrived, it was missing some parts when I called the company, they immediately sent out the missing pieces. I think I got them three days from the day I called, and at no cost to me of course. I've been so pleased with this purchase because of its quality, versatility, and ease of use, storage, and transport.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Multipet Dawdler Dudes are elongated 20\\\" plush dog toys that contain a long bodied squeaker. These soft plush filled toys are great for fetch and play.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My Doggie's Favorite Toy\\n\\nReview: *****\\nMy little dog loves this toy and so do I. He just plays with it and chases it and carries it but doesn't chew it, so I don't know how it would hold up to heavy chewing. I like the shape, the ease of making it \\\"squeal\\\", and the squealing sound--which is high-pitched and loud and much better than other toys he has. Whenever I sit down in my chair to watch television, my dog is on my lap and so is his giraffe! I am probably entertained as much by the squeaking sound as he is; it brings me out of my concerns and worries and focuses me on the moment and on my pet.\\n\\nIt is very reasonably priced and I agree with other reviewers that it's a good idea to buy multiples for when it wears out. One time I tried to wash the giraffe and the squeaker did not hold up to washing; I just immediately re-bought it.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: These 9 inch harps are the perfect fit for the ALZO 27W CFL Light Bulb or any bulb of 30W or less, see respective bulb dimensions in diagram. The harp (yoke) in a standard table lamp or floor lamp is too small for a CFL energy saving bulb, and the right-sized harp is hard to find (stores usually have to order them). Sold as pack of 2. Color: Brass.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Harp That Fits the New CFL Light Bulbs\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis harp was just what I was looking for. I'd purchased some CFL lights and was disappointed to find that they didn't fit into my old lamp harps. So at the hardware store I bought some that were wide enough but they were way too high--the lamp shade sat up so high that it looked funny--you could see the switch and it looked silly. I wondered how to get a lamp harp that was wide enough but not so high that my lampshade wouldn't fit? I first looked for longer lampshade, but they were very expensive. Then I found this harp that was a perfect fit.\\n\\nI'm going to run into this more and more as I gradually switch all of my lights over to CFL lights. So it is handy to have an extra harp, too.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: The circle of revolution displayed by the Caboche Series introduces spontaneous brilliance that reflects powerfully throughout any room. Adorning its bearer, the glass globe is a crown of experiential motion. This item is a high quality reproduction of the original.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Very Poorly Made Lamp, Renamed Yet Again!\\n\\nReview: *\\nI ordered this lamp and paid several hundred dollars for it; I would approximate its value at around thirty dollars maximum. It is almost unbelievable that it is selling for this price!\\n\\nThe white metal base is cheap and flimsy, not \\\"solid\\\" at all as described. The lighting is provided by a small white LED strip that gives about as much light as a single light on a Christmas tree. The \\\"shade\\\" is made of cheap plastic ribs that are loosely attached to a metal ring and the entire shade must be assembled--each sphere must be attached (they snap into the plastic), which would be quite a trick to achieve without breaking one of the plastic housings. My husband and I put one on and started laughing because it was so poorly made we could not even believe that it was being sold as an actual lamp, instead of something that came from a vending machine or Cracker Jack box. The manufacturer includes several replacement plastic \\\"ribs\\\" that form the \\\"shade\\\" since obviously some would break, even very likely while assembly is attempted.\\n\\nAlso included was a tiny pair of white gloves! We speculated as to what these could be for. We tried them on, and they were so tiny that they would fit a small child.\\n\\nThere is no dimmer switch as described, but there is an on/off switch that looks like it perhaps was intended to be a dimmer switch and is defective.\\n\\nThere was no screen and nothing whatsoever that appeared to be made of blown glass; the entire lamp was made of a light plastic material except for a heavier housing around the LED light that may have been glass (but not blown).\\n\\nNote that this lamp is also sold as Kirch & Co. The Thurman Piccola Table Lamp, and sold as NeXtime LS665T1 The Thurman piccola table lamp, and sold as Control Brand LS-665T2 The Thurman Maxima Table Lamp. The lamp is the same. It is reported as retailing for as much as $1,008 all the way down to $329.00, then discounted to a lower price here on Amazon. The cheapness of it is laughable, especially at these far-out prices. If anyone has purchased this and is satisfied, I would appreciate them explaining to all of us in the comments. Apparently the manufacturers keep renaming it, but it is the same cheap lamp. I really want to make sure that no one else is taken in on this as we were.\\n\\nI am really disappointed, because I want the nice lamp that is pictured and that is \\\"luxurious\\\" and made of blown glass! This cheap imitation is thankfully returnable, and I can imagine no one who would keep this.\\n\\nNot recommended, not for anyone.\\n*\",\n \"Product: Masterful, Pulitzer-prize winning literary epic about the painful and complex realities of slave life on a Southern plantation. An utterly original exploration of race, trust and the cruel truths of human nature, this is a landmark in modern American literature. Henry Townsend, a black farmer, boot maker, and former slave, becomes proprietor of his own plantation -- as well as his own slaves. When he dies, his widow, Caldonia, succumbs to profound grief, and things begin to fall apart: slaves take to escaping under the cover of night, and families who had once found love beneath the weight of slavery begin to betray one another. Beyond the Townsend household, the known world also unravels: low-paid white patrollers stand watch as slave 'speculators' sell free black people into slavery, and rumours of slave rebellions set white families against slaves who have served them for years. An ambitious, luminously written novel that ranges from the past to the present, The Known World seamlessly weaves together the lives of the freed and the enslaved -- and allows all of us a deeper understanding of the enduring multi-dimensional world created by the institution of slavery.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Truly a Book for Every Thoughtful Person\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nThe Known World was unique among fiction books I have read in the last twenty years or so. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would not call it an easy read, because it was some work to keep track of all of the different characters, but nevertheless, so very well worth it. Despite the work, it was entertaining. Like other reviewers, it kept me up at night, and kept me reading.\\n\\nThe book caused me to wonder how I would behave had I the same cultural background as the various characters in the book---the white slave owners, black slave owners, the black slaves. I had always thought before that I \\\"of course\\\" would be against slavery, would fight for rights for all races, and absolutely never do anything so repulsive as to own slaves. I wondered how anyone ever could! The Known World opened my eyes to how this could happen, and how easily one of those slaveowners---black or white---could have been me. Or how easily I could have been a slave. It also provided insight into the psychological world of the slave. All of this was done by showing, not telling, so the reading was more of a powerful emotional experience rather than an intellectual experience.\\n\\nWhat made this so different for me is that I picked this book soley upon the Amazon reviews and rankings. I had no inherent interest in American history or race relations or the Civil War era, but this book GOT me interested. I think that the only person who would not enjoy this book would be the person who is not open or interested in challenging themselves, not interested in thinking, or afraid to find out about or explore the dark side of the human experience.\\n\\nBecause of the complexity of the book, as far as the feelings of the characters, the layers of meaning, and the strong impact, I know that I will read this book again and again, and am therefore glad that I spent the money to get it in hardback. It is well worth the money, and is a beautiful \\\"rough cut\\\" book. I have thought about its message again and again since reading it; I would call it haunting, thought-provoking, disturbing, and honest.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Masterful, Pulitzer-prize winning literary epic about the painful and complex realities of slave life on a Southern plantation. An utterly original exploration of race, trust and the cruel truths of human nature, this is a landmark in modern American literature. Henry Townsend, a black farmer, boot maker, and former slave, becomes proprietor of his own plantation -- as well as his own slaves. When he dies, his widow, Caldonia, succumbs to profound grief, and things begin to fall apart: slaves take to escaping under the cover of night, and families who had once found love beneath the weight of slavery begin to betray one another. Beyond the Townsend household, the known world also unravels: low-paid white patrollers stand watch as slave 'speculators' sell free black people into slavery, and rumours of slave rebellions set white families against slaves who have served them for years. An ambitious, luminously written novel that ranges from the past to the present, The Known World seamlessly weaves together the lives of the freed and the enslaved -- and allows all of us a deeper understanding of the enduring multi-dimensional world created by the institution of slavery.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Truly a Book for Every Thoughtful Person\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThe Known World was unique among fiction books I have read in the last twenty years or so. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would not call it an easy read, because it was some work to keep track of all of the different characters, but nevertheless, so very well worth it. Despite the work, it was entertaining. Like other reviewers, it kept me up at night, and kept me reading.\\nThe book caused me to wonder how I would behave had I the same cultural background as the various characters in the book---the white slave owners, black slave owners, the black slaves. I had always thought before that I \\\"of course\\\" would be against slavery, would fight for rights for all races, and absolutely never do anything so repulsive as to own slaves. I wondered how anyone ever could! The Known World opened my eyes to how this could happen, and how easily one of those slaveowners---black or white---could have been me. Or how easily I could have been a slave. It also provided insight into the psychological world of the slave. All of this was done by showing, not telling, so the reading was more of a powerful emotional experience rather than an intellectual experience.\\nWhat made this so different for me is that I picked this book soley upon the Amazon reviews and rankings. I had no inherent interest in American history or race relations or the Civil War era, but this book GOT me interested. I think that the only person who would not enjoy this book would be the person who is not open or interested in challenging themselves, not interested in thinking, or afraid to find out about or explore the dark side of the human experience.\\nBecause of the complexity of the book, as far as the feelings of the characters, the layers of meaning, and the strong impact, I know that I will read this book again and again, and am therefore glad that I spent the money to get it in hardback. It is well worth the money, and is a beautiful \\\"rough cut\\\" book. I have thought about its message again and again since reading it; I would call it haunting, thought-provoking, disturbing, and honest.\",\n \"Product: Joel and Kathy read the full book onto Nine CD's. OVER TEN HOURS of reading in this AUDIO BOOK on CD. Joel and Kathy have done it again! The authors of the best selling Amazon book, \\\"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His!\\\" (#13 on Amazon in November of 2006) have released their second book dedicated to helping couples with troubled marriages. These principles are helping thousands of couples to experience miracles in their marriage! This book contains 372 easy-to-read pages that detail what God has taught Joel and Kathy since releasing their first blockbuster book. They tackle sticky subjects such as headship, help-meet, respect and past baggage. Chapters also cover advice to men who have lost their wives, women who commit adultery and men who refuse to make love to their wives! Joel and Kathy's second book is just like their first one.. it is radical, different, it teaches marriage the way that marriage should be taught (which is opposite the traditional teachings that the church has propogated for years) and most importantly, the way that Joel and Kathy teaches marriage ACTUALLY WORKS! If you have not yet read volume one, be sure to check it out here at Amazon also. It is simply titled, \\\"The Man of Her Dreams/The Woman of His!\\\" Volume one is also available in audio book form here on Amazon also.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Part Two of A New, Fresh, Scriptural Approach to Healing Marriages\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis book is the second book of the Davisson's two-part series on transforming Christian marriages. It extends the concepts from their first book and gives many more ideas and examples of implementation. It is longer and more in-depth than their first book, \\\"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His!\\\"\\n\\nHere is my review of their first book, which touches on the Davisson's controversial and refreshing approach:\\n\\n\\\"This book introduces and effectively communicates a radically different message to Christian couples regarding marriage. In my opinion, it is more Scripturally accurate and far, far more effective than what is currently being taught in American churches---which has not so far been able to significantly impact a 50% plus divorce rate among Christian couples. If the tenets of this book are implemented, the healing of marriages will result.\\n\\nThe book is written in a conversational style and in a gentle way, slowly leading the reader to be able to accept of the harder and more challenging aspects of this route to healing. I will detail some of the points here, but I hesitate to go into too much depth because they do put a great deal of responsibility on husbands who, just reading them in a list here and out of the context of the book, may just reject them as being too hard or undoable. They are not easy, but they are absolutely doable.\\n\\nHere are some points:\\nMarriage is God's gift to men and women.\\nTo have a happy and enduring marriage, couples must overcome their carnal natures.\\nMen must take the initiative in doing this; if they accept this responsibility and implement it, women will be successful in responding.\\nIf men will not initiate, the marriage will be miserable and possibly or even probably fail.\\nIf women initiate instead, they will prolong the marriage, but also enable the men to persist in selfishness and immaturity. In this case, it probably also means that the marriage will fail.\\n\\nI recommend this book especially to husbands in troubled marriages because it will equip them to begin to find a way to save their marriages. To continue the process, I also recommend the second book in this series by Joe and Kathy Davisson, \\\"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His 2 - Livin' It and Lovin' It! (Volume 2)\\\".\\n\\nI recommend this book to wives in troubled marriages because it will comfort and empower them. This is what it did for me. It pointed out and highlighted the error in current Christian teaching that had trapped me in unhealthy ways of thinking, especially unconditional submission.\\n\\nI recommend this book to anyone in Christian ministry or who works with troubled Christian marriages. It would also be helpful to couples of other faiths who would be interested in applying the principles; however, the book is heavily Christian in orientation and filled with Bible verses. WARNING: They are not the usual \\\"submissive wife\\\" and \\\"leader husband\\\" interpretations that are prevalent in churches today. If you are tired of what seems to be ineffective Biblical interpretations and truly want a happy and loving and Christian marriage, do not miss this book.\\n\\nEspecially---especially---if you are a woman who has submitted for years to a selfish and immature man---and are at the end of your rope---but you love God and want to be obedient---read this book!\\n\\nVery highly recommended.\\\"\\n\\nI feel the same about this second book and am glad that the authors have written more.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Joel and Kathy Davisson experienced a troubled marriage for ten years while in the ministry. Their troubles culminated in adultery while pastoring their first church in 1991. For three years they struggled and then began to learn fresh, life-giving principles of how to have an outrageously happy marriage. God taught them that marriage has been presented 'upside down' in the church for 45 years. The principles that Joel and Kathy started to live in 1994 set their marriage right side up and will do the same thing for yours. Joel and Kathy lived this successful and new paradigm for ten years before writing their story and sharing the lessons learned. Be sure to look for book two, also for sale here at Amazon! \\\"The Man of Her Dreams/The Woman of His! Volume 2: Livin' It and Lovin' It!\\\"\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A New, Fresh, Scriptural Approach to Healing Marriages\\n\\nReview: *****\\nThis book introduces and effectively communicates a radically different message to Christian couples regarding marriage. In my opinion, it is more Scripturally accurate and far, far more effective than what is currently being taught in American churches---which has not so far been able to significantly impact a 50% plus divorce rate among Christian couples. If the tenets of this book are implemented, the healing of marriages will result.\\n\\nThe book is written in a conversational style and in a gentle way, slowly leading the reader to be able to accept of the harder and more challenging aspects of this route to healing. I will detail some of the points here, but I hesitate to go into too much depth because they do put a great deal of responsibility on husbands who, just reading them in a list here and out of the context of the book, may just reject them as being too hard or undoable. They are not easy, but they are absolutely doable.\\n\\nHere are some points:\\nMarriage is God's gift to men and women.\\nTo have a happy and enduring marriage, couples must overcome their carnal natures.\\nMen must take the initiative in doing this; if they accept this responsibility and implement it, women will be successful in responding.\\nIf men will not initiate, the marriage will be miserable and possibly or even probably fail.\\nIf women initiate instead, they will prolong the marriage, but also enable the men to persist in selfishness and immaturity. In this case, it probably also means that the marriage will fail.\\n\\nI recommend this book especially to husbands in troubled marriages because it will equip them to begin to find a way to save their marriages. To continue the process, I also recommend the second book in this series by Joe and Kathy Davisson, \\\"The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His 2 - Livin' It and Lovin' It! (Volume 2)\\\".\\n\\nI recommend this book to wives in troubled marriages because it will comfort and empower them. This is what it did for me. It pointed out and highlighted the error in current Christian teaching that had trapped me in unhealthy ways of thinking, especially unconditional submission.\\n\\nI recommend this book to anyone in Christian ministry or who works with troubled Christian marriages. It would also be helpful to couples of other faiths who would be interested in applying the principles; however, the book is heavily Christian in orientation and filled with Bible verses. WARNING: They are not the usual \\\"submissive wife\\\" and \\\"leader husband\\\" interpretations that are prevalent in churches today. If you are tired of what seems to be ineffective Biblical interpretations and truly want a happy and loving and Christian marriage, do not miss this book.\\n\\nEspecially---especially---if you are a woman who has submitted for years to a selfish and immature man---and are at the end of your rope---but you love God and want to be obedient---read this book!\\n\\nVery highly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Kim's personal journey is one of courage and success, recovery from addiction, alcoholism, anxiety and more. This journey allows her to combine her education and experience working with clients with the newly evolving field of energy psychology. Kim J Jewell is a Certified NLP Trainer and Master Practitioner, Behavioral specialist and Drug & Alcohol counsellor has worked with people for twenty-five years transforming lives. She is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist and Faster EFT Level III practitioner. Drawing on her many life experiences, talents and expertise, Kim blends principles from NLP, Faster EFT, The Journey, The Law of Attraction, Present Moment Awareness, Energy Psychology, Reiki and more, to facilitate the uncovering and discovery of ones highest potential. Kim has written From Stress to Success, Faster Emotionally Focused Transformations after experiencing first hand the profound effects Faster EFT had on her own personal transformation and out of the desire to share with the world a healing modality that, while so simple and easy, has the power to free others from the limitations of stress and anxiety that rule their life. There will be more books in this transformation series so keep on the lookout for the next installment in the healing journey... A Caring and warm mother of three, Kim also enjoys speaking professionally, teaching at Workshops, Events & Community Groups. Visit her website at: www.fastereft.net.au\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: First Primer for FasterEFT--\\\"The Defragmenter of Our Unconscious Programs\\\"\\n\\nReview: *****\\nHave you ever wondered about the new healing tool FasterEFT (Emotionally Focused Transformations)? Many, especially those familiar with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques, developed by the amazing Gary Craig) have wondered about what it is, and how it is different from EFT in theory and practice. This book is the first primer about what FasterEFT is, why it works, how it can help you, and the theory and belief system behind it. It also includes brief instruction on how to tap FasterEFT style along with some of the basic FasterEFT protocols. This book is simple and easy to understand, even for those readers with no background in any of the new healing modalities.\\n\\nFasterEFT evolved over many years and is a combination of hypnosis, EFT, NLP, Matrix Re-Imprinting, and several other tools for effecting rapid change. It was developed by the self-taught savant and human potential genius Robert G. Smith. This book tells the FasterEFT story in a gentle, easy way, paving the way for many more people to find out more about what may be the most cutting-edge new healing modality of our time.\\n\\nI am a FasterEFT Practitioner; often potential clients ask me for \\\"something to read\\\" before they have their first session, or even, before they decide if FasterEFT is something they want to try. In addition, other life coaches and EFT practitioners have asked me for more information about FasterEFT. Until now, there has been no concise resource for this information. The author is not only a FasterEFT Practitioner, but someone with an extensive background in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and with multiple certifications in various healing modalities. She also has the gift of being able to make complex ideas simple and interesting and to organize them in a way that is helpful.\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\",\n \"Product: A MORNING CUP OF YOGA. Allow yourself fifteen minutes a day to relax and recharge--you deserve it! A MORNING CUP OF YOGA offers twenty-three stretches to wake up your mind and body in just fifteen minutes a day. Adapted for busy people of every fitness level, the routine is easy to follow andhas been modified for use in your kitchen. A perfect 'cup\\\" to start your day!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Very practical, bargain price!\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nThis is a brief (80 page) book with a short (15\\\") morning wakeup yoga/stretch routine that can be done by people of all levels of fitness. Even experienced yoga practitioners can enhance their practice with this convenient routine.\\n\\nHowever, I think it will appeal strongest to beginners---especially those who think that yoga is \\\"too hard\\\", or they are too fat or too old or too ill for yoga, people who are really busy but want something doable in 15 minutes while their coffee (or even better, green tea!) brews. No props, special clothes, or other equipment are needed.\\n\\nThe book comes with a 15\\\" CD that is both quickly paced and peaceful. First, you learn the exercises by reading the book. This should take a few days to feel comfortable with the exercises. I want to stress again that modifications are included so that anyone can do these. Then, once you are familiar with the stretches, you can \\\"whisk\\\" through them peacefully (I know it sounds impossible, but it's not!).\\n\\nI love this series (called \\\"A Morning Cup\\\" series with compact and value-packed books like this on Pilates, Massage, Meditation, Balancing, Stretching, Strengthening, and Tai Chi, too) and this book especially!\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Christina Sell is a certified Anusara Yoga teacher and author of the book Yoga From The Inside Out: Making Peace with your Body Through Yoga. Known for her precise teaching style, her passionate presentation and her sense of humor, Christinas classes are challenging fun and inspiring. Her second book, My Body is a Temple, My Heart is the Shrine was recently released Spring 2011. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, three cats and two retired greyhounds.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Beautiful Book for Almost All Women\\n\\nReview: *****\\n\\nThis book really spoke to me about weight issues, body acceptance, self-image, and how yoga can be used to deal with all of these. The subtitle of the book is \\\"Making Peace with Your Body Through Yoga\\\", and every time I read it (I've read it three times so far) this book helps me to accomplish this. I have the parts I like best highlighted and often reread them for inspiration; it is a beautifully written book.\\n\\nThe book focuses on a type of yoga called Anusara Yoga, but as other reviewers have said, you don't really have to be interested in yoga to benefit from the book. It's more about mindfulness, philosophy, attitude, being with feelings, and acceptance than it is yoga and yoga positions. The women modeling the poses are women of all shapes and sizes, all obviously content with their bodies and enjoying their practice.\\n\\nThe only part of the book I did not relate to was about having a guru, which is part of the philosophy of the author, and I just skip over those parts when I reread it. That part is peripheral, and the book is more than worth it for the rest.\\n\\nHighest recommendation.\\n\\n*****\",\n \"Product: Language:Chinese.Paperback. Pub a Date: Jan 2011 Pages: 203 in Publisher: of NO STARCH PRESS LoveYou own the world's most versatile. customizable camera: your the iPhone. Out of the box. your the iPhone camera is the no-frills. but you can transform it into a digital darkroom. photo editing suite. and photoblogging tool all rolled into one ... if you know how\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I Never Knew I Could Do So Much With My iPhone Camera!\\n\\nReview: *****\\nI never knew that the camera in my iPhone was so powerful! This book explores the iPhone camera from a beginner level, but also includes many advanced and professional apps for readers who are more advanced photographers. I just skipped over those as there was more than enough for me as a photography and camera newbie. The book explains the iPhone camera thoroughly, shows which apps do what types of functions, and shows examples of how professionals use them, too, not just amateurs. I\\n\\nI like the book because it shows you everything you need to know to decide if an app is for you or not. It tells you why someone would want to use it, and who would not be a good candidate for using it. It's great to be able to see how the apps work in advance.\\n\\nThe book covered features of the iPhone camera, how to customize the camera, how to edit photos right on the iPhone, using filters and effects, making photos retro, fun and offbeat effects, sharing your photo's, and photoblogging. It was a fun book to read, too, not dry at all, and got me so excited about using my iPhone camera. I just got a dozen or so apps (which the book showed me how to organize) and I'm off to shoot some pictures!\\n\\nHighly recommended.\\n*****\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":124,"string":"124"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1788,"string":"1,788"}}},{"rowIdx":1789,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A21X0EO0R0T6FT"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"First Edition published by International Collectors Library, Garden City, New York. Nicholas-Denis Derome replica binding. Leatherlike covers with 24K gold decorations stamped on cover and spine, gold to page tops, deckle edges, and silk marker ribbon bound in. No dust jacket as published. Includes Publisher's Booklet laid in (describing the author, the book and the international collectors series).\". The summary of the review text is \"An ordinary book for ordinary people\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Whatever age you happen to be, if you are hit with despair at how meaningless, trite and ordinary your life is, then I urge you to get a grip on yourself and read this book. You need to learn how to live for yourself, and you need to do so without becoming selfish.\n\nI can think of no other book that better celebrates the joy of plodding along. I can think of no other book that better celebrates the ordinary. Genius is its own reward but what about the 99.9% of us who have no talent or genius? The answer is in this book: forget talent, forget impossible ambitions, and find your passions in the joy of everyday life.\n\nThis is the hard reality: yes, we are special like every one else; but only a very few are truly special. We might work our fingers to the bone and suffer for our aims but what will be become of us? Read this central quote from the novel, and think about it.\n\n\"You have a certain manual dexterity. With hard work and perseverance there is no reason why you should not become a careful, not incompetent painter. You would find hundreds who painted worse than you, hundreds who painted as well. I see no talent in anything you have shown me. I see industry and intelligence. You will never be anything but mediocre.\"\n\nThis is heartless! But the man who said it, well, he paused and he painfully added this:\n\n\"But if you were to ask me my advice, I should say: take your courage in both hands and try your luck at something else. It sounds very hard, but let me tell you this: I would give all I have in the world if someone had given me that advice when I was your age and I had taken it. It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late. It does not improve the temper\"\n\nIf you are a cashier in a grocery store or if you input data for a living, so what? Find joy in living, not in thinking you are somehow \" talented\" or \"special\".\n\nOne of things in life that makes me happy is once in a while writing these Amazon reviews. They are what they are and that is all that they are. (Please excuse my parody of Popeye.) They aren't what you'll find in The New Yorker or in any serious literary review. But I am OK with that.\n\nAnyone who is down in the dumps about how \"ordinary\" their life is will get something out of this book. In extreme cases, it might even keep them alive. As trite and ordinary as this slightly insipid novel is, isn't that (paradoxically) extraordinary?\n\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City"},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Whatever age you happen to be, if you are hit with despair at how meaningless, trite and ordinary your life is, then I urge you to get a grip on yourself and read this book. You need to learn how to live for yourself, and you need to do so without becoming selfish.\n\nI can think of no other book that better celebrates the joy of plodding along. I can think of no other book that better celebrates the ordinary. Genius is its own reward but what about the 99.9% of us who have no talent or genius? The answer is in this book: forget talent, forget impossible ambitions, and find your passions in the joy of everyday life.\n\nThis is the hard reality: yes, we are special like every one else; but only a very few are truly special. We might work our fingers to the bone and suffer for our aims but what will be become of us? Read this central quote from the novel, and think about it.\n\n\"You have a certain manual dexterity. With hard work and perseverance there is no reason why you should not become a careful, not incompetent painter. You would find hundreds who painted worse than you, hundreds who painted as well. I see no talent in anything you have shown me. I see industry and intelligence. You will never be anything but mediocre.\"\n\nThis is heartless! But the man who said it, well, he paused and he painfully added this:\n\n\"But if you were to ask me my advice, I should say: take your courage in both hands and try your luck at something else. It sounds very hard, but let me tell you this: I would give all I have in the world if someone had given me that advice when I was your age and I had taken it. It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late. It does not improve the temper\"\n\nIf you are a cashier in a grocery store or if you input data for a living, so what? Find joy in living, not in thinking you are somehow \" talented\" or \"special\".\n\nOne of things in life that makes me happy is once in a while writing these Amazon reviews. They are what they are and that is all that they are. (Please excuse my parody of Popeye.) They aren't what you'll find in The New Yorker or in any serious literary review. But I am OK with that.\n\nAnyone who is down in the dumps about how \"ordinary\" their life is will get something out of this book. In extreme cases, it might even keep them alive. As trite and ordinary as this slightly insipid novel is, isn't that (paradoxically) extraordinary?\n\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City"},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Timeless looks and powerful performance combine in one sleek machine. The Oster Beehive Blender has a classic toggle switch which controls two speeds and a whopping 600 watts of power. Its got every blending possibility covered, from frozen drinks to dips, sauces to smoothies, and soup to nuts. The 5-cup glass jar has been Thermal Shock tested so you can pull it out of a steamy dishwasher and safely make a frosty cold beverage right away. The stainless steel ice crusher blade does just that so you get smooth frozen drinks every time. The Oster Beehive Blender is made in North America and backed by the superior quality of All Metal Drive. Because the two pieces that connect are metal (instead of plastic), you get a more durable and longer-lasting blender that will function flawlessly, party after party, year after year. Has a 1-year warranty.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: An appliance made like they used to make them\n\nReview: OK, it's loud, but it's got a stainless steel base and a glass jar. Only the lid and the base of the jar are made of plastic, and there's a rubber O-ring. It's dead simple to operate with only two speeds: on and pulse. It's a solid all metal appliance like you used to find in your grandmother's kitchen; it screams quality and durability.\n\nThe second thing they got right was to put in a really good motor (600 watts or 1000 watts, in any case it's way better than the 200 or 300 watt blenders I've used before). There's no point in getting weaker motors, they just won't do the job. The Nutribullet has a six hundred watt motor, but it retails for twice the price and only does single servings. The Beehive Oster is more versatile.\n\nAnd I can't believe I waited so long to get this! I've had less than twenty four hours and I've already made two drinks and a soup.\n\n* A kale & chard juice with a little apple\n* A kale, apple, blueberry and strawberry drink\n* A first class gazpacho with garlic, onion, green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, concentrated vegetable stock & water\n\nIt's definitely one of my better buys.\n\nVincent Poirier, Montreal\nPS I usually only review books, movies & TV, and music but I like this so much that I wanted to tell the world!\nVP\n\nPPS Thanks to Phong Nguyen for pointing out I got the wattage wrong.","Product: Titled Ai No Corrida (\"Bullrun of Love\") in the original Japanese and retitled \"In The Realm of the Senses\" for Western release, Nagisha Oshima's riveting film is a fictionalized retelling of a sexually charged incident from 1930s Japan involving A Woman Named Sada Abe. The film generated great controversy in Japan upon its release and rave reviews in France during festival season. Although the screen adaptation of real events were intended for mainstream wide release, it contains explicit scenes of sexual activity between the actors (Tatsuya Fuji and Eiko Matsuda.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: You decide: two stars as entertainment or four stars as art house cinema\n\nReview: The sets are beautiful, the actors play well, and the story captivates the audience. But the story is bizarre and some of the scenes are revolting. So is Realm of the Senses something worth watching?\n\nIf you want to see explicit erotica as entertainment, be honest with yourself and get a Playboy or Penthouse video or whatever. \"Realm\" deserves an X rating but it's gruesome, not arousing, sex. That said, as art \"Realm\" offers a view of the stranger side of Japan and of where unbridled passion can take you. In this vein, I prefer Peter Greenaway films but why limit yourself to just one director. \"Realm\" isn't as good as The Cook The Thief His Wife and Her Lover, but it's still an engrossing film.\n\nThe story of the movie is fascinating in its own right. First, this is officially a French movie. In order to get around Japanese censorship, the film canisters were sent to France undeveloped and the film was released as a French production. It was initially banned in Japan, then a censored version was released with clouds over the shall we say Strategic areas of the image.\n\nThe female lead, Eiko Matsuda, disappeared from the art scene. The male lead, Tatsuya Fuji, is still active as an actor and he also took up pottery ten years ago. In fact he starred as a master potter in the 2006 Canadian-Japanese coproduction Kamataki. The director, Nagisa Oshima, still directs and is most famous overseas success was Merry Christmas Mr. Laurence.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: Based on John LeCarre's book starring Ray McAnally and Rudiger Weigang on why and how and individual becomes a spy.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly\n\nReview: The Good: Ray McAnally's brilliant performance as Rick Pym, the main character's conman father.\n\nThe Bad: the miniseries oversimplifies the narrative by giving us Magnus Pym's story along a single time line, from boyhood to adulthood. The novel works on two time lines; the first one follows the search for Magnus Pym who has disappeared and the second one follows his reminiscences of his life as he hides in a seaside hotel. The book jumps back and forth, and while the US, UK, and Czech secret services are all looking for him, we are wondering why Pym went into hiding and why he seems scared and relaxed all at once. In the miniseries, we don't much care about Magnus at all. The only thing I cared about was when would Pym senior reappear.\n\nThe Ugly: Peter Egan as Magnus Pym. Completely wrong. In the book Magnus Pym was very much like his father, seductive and charming, which is why he was such a successful spy. In the mini series, Pym is unimposing and weak. It's difficult to believe he can convince anyone to trust him.\n\nVery disappointing. Apart from McAnally, Rudiger Weigang as Pym's college friend and Czech contact gives a hammy but good performance. For diehard LeCarr fan only.\n\nTrivia: McAnally played the Pope's envoy in \"The Mission\".\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: In the latter half of the 19th century, three ruling houses dominated Europe: the Hapsburgs of Austria-Hungary, the Romanovs of Russia and Hohenzollerns of Germany. Centuries of despotism, a continued lack of social reform and the advent of the devastating First World War caused the vultures of revolution to start circling. This 13-part epic drama features an all-star cast including Patrick Stewart, Gemma Jones, John Rhys-Davies, Gayle Hunnicutt and more!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Why World War One differs from World War Two\n\nReview: Some historians argue, and Winston Churchill is among them, that the two world wars of the twentieth century ought to be viewed as a single conflict, as another Thirty Years War. This is quite wrong.\n\nWorld War One closed an era. It marked the end of the autocratic rule of the nobility in central Europe, of those born to the position. World War Two by contrast marks the birth of the military industrial complex, of a ruling system in which corporations and their lobbies have unprecedented influence. Today we are familiar with these powerful corporations, but we are not familiar with the aristocratic European ruling families of the nineteenth century.\n\nFall of Eagles fixes that by dramatizing the story of the political changes in Europe which lead to the war, and to the birth of the Soviet Union. We are shown key episodes in the fall of the imperial houses of Austria, Germany, and Russia; they are the eagles of the title.\n\nEach episode of the 13 part series is self contained but also part of the larger story. We see a young British princess married to the heir to the Prussian throne. We see an Empress grieving at the suicide of her son. We see Bismarck rise, rule, and fall in three stages ranging over twenty five years. We see his inept successors unable to maintain the harmony among the nations of Europe. We see Lenin in the background ready to take the power lost by the Czar.\n\nAs usual for a BBC series, the costumes and dialogues are first rate. The production is not as slick as today's high definition shows, but the dialogue and content is more erudite. Patrick Stewart's magnificent portrayal of Lenin deserves special mention.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: 38 Disc Set containing thirty seven plays from the BBC television Shakespeare series from 1978 to 1985. 'Romeo and Juliet', is Shakespeare's tale of a doomed and tragic love between two young lovers from warring families, the 'Capulets' and the 'Montagues'. Also includes: 'Richard II', 'As You Like It', 'Julius Caesar','Measure For Measure', 'Henry VIII', 'Henry IV: Parts I & II', 'Henry V: Parts I & II', 'Twelfth Night', 'Tempest', 'The Taming Of The Shrew', 'The Merchant Of Venice', 'All's Well That Ends Well', 'Winter's Tale', 'Timon Of Athens', 'Antony And Cleopatra', 'Othello', 'Troilus And Cressada', 'The Merry Widow', 'Henry VI: Parts I, II & III', 'The Tragedy Of Richard III', 'Cymbeline', 'The Comedy Of Errors', 'Two Gentlemen Of Verona', 'Coriolanus', 'The Life And Death Of King John', 'Pericles: Prince Of Tyre', 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'Love's Labour's Lost', 'Titus Andronicus', \n'Hamlet', 'King Lear', 'Macbeth' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Uneven, but still a must-have for your collection!\n\nReview: WARNING: Region 2 Coding! Won't play on North American players without modifying the DVD player.\n\nNow, the review...\n\nThe quality of the BBC production varies from play to play, and many plays are disappointing, or to put it bluntly, long and boring.\n\nWhile I prefer conservative interpretations, the BBC renditions tend to be too conservative, too bland. There are some notable exceptions. Leonard Rossiter saves King John, Derek Jacobi plays a dandyish Richard II, Roger Daltrey (from the Who) stumbles comically through \"The Comedy of Errors\", and John Cleese tames the shrew into an ex-shrew.\n\nI'm sure it's no accident that the best plays are by the biggest stars. Having more stature, they have the authority to get their own way, and they're doing this for fun.\n\nAlso on the whole the Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, and Henry V series is pretty good. I haven't made it through all the plays yet, but I find the others I have seen (Pericles, Coriolanus, Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour Lost) lack \"oomph\". The lines are too often recited without wit. I expect even the tragedies should have more laughs or action-drama in them than these productions show us. But I suppose the actors are afraid of being accused of hamming it up. Too bad. Colourful interpretations should be \"de rigueur\".\n\nMy two favourite performances are Derek Jacobi's Richard II and Leonard Rossiter's King John. Jacobi gives us a dandy and a fop too full of himself and too careless of the consequences of his acts. Rossiter's King John is wonderful because he spices up his performance with innuendoes and sly looks that match his kittish tones.\n\nEven though it falls far short of perfection, the breadth of the BBC project makes this a must have collection for any family's DVD shelf and has already become the benchmark against which future renditions will be judged. At least until Kenneth Brannagh completes *his* Shakespeare cycle!\n\nVincent Poirier, Dublin","Product: 38 Disc Set containing thirty seven plays from the BBC television Shakespeare series from 1978 to 1985. 'Romeo and Juliet', is Shakespeare's tale of a doomed and tragic love between two young lovers from warring families, the 'Capulets' and the 'Montagues'. Also includes: 'Richard II', 'As You Like It', 'Julius Caesar','Measure For Measure', 'Henry VIII', 'Henry IV: Parts I & II', 'Henry V: Parts I & II', 'Twelfth Night', 'Tempest', 'The Taming Of The Shrew', 'The Merchant Of Venice', 'All's Well That Ends Well', 'Winter's Tale', 'Timon Of Athens', 'Antony And Cleopatra', 'Othello', 'Troilus And Cressada', 'The Merry Widow', 'Henry VI: Parts I, II & III', 'The Tragedy Of Richard III', 'Cymbeline', 'The Comedy Of Errors', 'Two Gentlemen Of Verona', 'Coriolanus', 'The Life And Death Of King John', 'Pericles: Prince Of Tyre', 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'Love's Labour's Lost', 'Titus Andronicus', \n'Hamlet', 'King Lear', 'Macbeth' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Uneven, but still a must-have for your collection!\n\nReview: WARNING: Region 2 Coding! Won't play on North American players without modifying the DVD player.\n\nNow, the review...\n\nThe quality of the BBC production varies from play to play, and many plays are disappointing, or to put it bluntly, long and boring.\n\nWhile I prefer conservative interpretations, the BBC renditions tend to be too conservative, too bland. There are some notable exceptions. Leonard Rossiter saves King John, Derek Jacobi plays a dandyish Richard II, Roger Daltrey (from the Who) stumbles comically through \"The Comedy of Errors\", and John Cleese tames the shrew into an ex-shrew.\n\nI'm sure it's no accident that the best plays are by the biggest stars. Having more stature, they have the authority to get their own way, and they're doing this for fun.\n\nAlso on the whole the Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, and Henry V series is pretty good. I haven't made it through all the plays yet, but I find the others I have seen (Pericles, Coriolanus, Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour Lost) lack \"oomph\". The lines are too often recited without wit. I expect even the tragedies should have more laughs or action-drama in them than these productions show us. But I suppose the actors are afraid of being accused of hamming it up. Too bad. Colourful interpretations should be \"de rigueur\".\n\nMy two favourite performances are Derek Jacobi's Richard II and Leonard Rossiter's King John. Jacobi gives us a dandy and a fop too full of himself and too careless of the consequences of his acts. Rossiter's King John is wonderful because he spices up his performance with innuendoes and sly looks that match his kittish tones.\n\nEven though it falls far short of perfection, the breadth of the BBC project makes this a must have collection for any family's DVD shelf and has already become the benchmark against which future renditions will be judged. At least until Kenneth Brannagh completes *his* Shakespeare cycle!\n\nVincent Poirier, Dublin","Product: Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Slow paced, pensive, intellectual, true-to-life characters\n\nReview: For anyone interested in acting as a craft, Philip Seymour Hoffman as coach Art Howe steals the show, with Jonah Hill as Peter Brand doing an amazing job of creating Brad Pitt's statistical analyst and assistant. Brad Pitt as the Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane gives an excellent performance but, like any Hollywood superstar, he never really stops being himself. Hoffman by comparison plays the Oakland A's coach to the point of losing himself in his character; we don't see Hoffman playing Howe, we see Art Howe. (Or at least a film character called Art Howe. The real life Howe doesn't like how he is portrayed in the film or the book.) The film offers a good example of the difference between excellent performing (Pitt) and excellent acting (Hoffman) and this would be enough to really like this film.\n\nBut for a film lover there's more. Most of the dialogue is natural with very few dramatic one-liners; for tension, the director relies more on understated exchanges filled with the empty words that make up the conversations all of us have in daily life. There isn't much incidental music to artificially create moods, again the director relies on natural effects. If French director Eric Rohmer had ever directed a commercial American film, this is what he would have done. But don't let this scare you-- Moneyball isn't an art house film, it's a commercial film made with a few techniques borrowed from minimalist avant-garde directors.\n\nAnother pleasant surprise is that I liked the movie better than I liked the book, even though I loved the book and read it years before seeing the movie. Maybe it's because I had no expectations this would ever be made into a movie, or if it did that it would be made into a documentary. Instead, director Bennett Miller did what Philip Kaufman did with Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff: he took a factual book and turned it into a dramatic film.\n\nOne word of warning: sport fans might find themselves disappointed at seeing players and plays relegated to the background of a story focused on numbers, statistics, and economics. But that is the point of the movie; where traditionalists argue that baseball is a human game involving hunches, intuition, performance and tense dramatic field plays, the film argue that results come from more abstract considerations. Baseball is really about thinking.\n\nVincent Poirier, Montreal","Product: From acclaimed filmmakers Lana and Andy Wachowski, creators of The Matrix Trilogy, and Tom Tykwer, director of Run Lola Run, the powerful and inspiring sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: What yarns will people spin around tomorrow's campfires?\n\nReview: Science fiction films are getting better. As enjoyable as it is, even Star Trek makes for pretty lame SF: every alien species speaks perfect American English and yet Chekov never overcame is Russian (RAAASHun) accent.\n\nThere are only a half dozen or so films that really qualify as serious science fiction and I rank Cloud Atlas at number three, after 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner.\n\n(In some ways the very best hard SF film ever made is Terminator because it is, like all good science fiction, completely self-consistent. So much so that a very proud and smug James Cameron had one of the characters make the point in the film. But I digress.)\n\nLike 2001:A Space Odyssey, Cloud Atlas leaps from era to era. We follow slave colonies in the nineteenth century, a young composer in the early twentieth century, an investigative journalist in 1972, a publisher hounded by a murderer author in 2012, the executed leader of a slave revolt in 2144, and the world her sacrifice made possible centuries later.\n\nThe stories feature the same actors (among others Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, and an unrecognizable Hugh Grant who finally shows the world he can play other characters besides romantic leads) reappearing in different roles across different times. The frame story, which is also the core story, starts with a sage old man who yarns a tale in a language we cannot recognize but cannot fail to understand, a kind of future English where people verb familiar nouns and they noun their doings. By the fire the old man tells the tale, and we jump in and out of his tale and of other tales he isn't yarning but that happened just the same.\n\nBy the end, every story is resolved to a satisfactory dramatic conclusion. Sometimes the ending is happy, sometimes sad, sometimes unfair and tragic. We are left perplexed and wondering \"What does this all mean?\" and there is no simple easy answer.\n\nIn so many ways, this film beats 2001 and Blade Runner hands down. It avoids the heavy, grand, almost religious overtones of humanity's destiny that fill Kubrick's work and instead offers introspective insights into what destiny awaits the film's characters, and by extension what destiny awaits you and me. And while Cloud Atlas doesn't make me feel as much empathy for any of its characters as I did for the dying Roy Batty in Blade Runner, it does make me look at more aspects of what it means to be human than does Blade Runner.\n\nBut I cannot claim to understand Cloud Atlas completely. I don't mean that it is confusing and I am not condemning the Wachowski Siblings of being unclear. Quite the opposite: Cloud Atlas offers so much that it requires repeated reflection to gain insights. You've got to think about it a lot, you've got to forget about it, and you need to come back to it to get everything that it says. You need to live with it to understand the yarn that an old man will spin around a campfire a few centuries from now.\n\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City","Product: After losing his post as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1929, Winston Churchill found himself ostracized by his party, discredited by colleagues, and nearly broke from the Wall Street crash—at age 55, his political career was all but dead. This \"Masterpiece Theatre\" drama, based on Sir Martin Gilbert's definitive Churchill biography, portrays the difficult years that followed and the triumphant return at the outbreak of WWII. Robert Hardy (\"Edward the King\") stars as Churchill, Sian Phillips as his wife Clementine, and Nigel Havers as Randolph Churchill. 8 episodes; over 7 hours on 4 cassettes or 6-1/2 hours on 2 DVDs.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: As good as a historical drama could ever be\n\nReview: In 1929, Winston Churchill found himself out of office. He was at odds with the government and could not stay in cabinet. He remained at odds with government policy for the next ten years. He wasted his political energy fighting against giving India Dominion status, and in standing up for King Edward VIII. But he also was the lone voice warning against a revived Germany's Nazi ambitions.\n\nRobert Hardy delivers a superbly accurate and realistic portrayal of Great Britain's Last Lion, as do all other cast members. In fact, I much prefer Hardy's performance to Albert Finney's excellent but slightly buffoonish interpretation in <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Gathering-Storm/dp/B002CWKTUA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Gathering Storm</a>. He offers a less human Churchill but one more like the Great Man most of us imagine Churchill to have been.\n\nDon't let the poor image and sound quality put you off. This was shot on 16mm film for television in the early 1980s. You cannot expect the same impact as you would from today's high definition television productions. Sadly, they didn't use a new print for a decent DVD transfer.\n\nThat said, I am incredibly happy that this production was rescued, even in this degraded state. The script, the acting, the sets, and the costumes make this a first rate production noneless. The story moves along and Churchill's electrifying House of Commons speeches pull the viewer into British 1930s politics.\n\nFinally, Churchill's official biographer, Martin Gilbert, was a co-developer of the series and contributes to making this production as eloquent, passionate, and literate, as Churchill himself would have done. And remember that Churchill won the Nobel Prize for Literature!\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Renaissance power couple\n\nReview: Claudio, a strong, simple, reliable man loves Hero who matches him in simplicity and reliability while replacing his strength with her shy quiet charm. Fortunately the play isn't about them. Their easy obvious love does drive the play's plot but it really serves as the foundation over which Shakespeare puts together the most interesting couple of all his plays: Benedick and Beatrice.\n\nBenedick is a friend of Claudio with whom he serves Don Pedro. Beatrice is close friends with her cousin Hero, the daughter of Leonato, the governor of Messina where the play is set. The two hate each other, or at least they think they do. Their friends know better.\n\nEach of them fears the submission that comes with love. They are an obvious match for one another and yet neither ever wastes an opportunity to put down the other, giving us some of Shakespeare's most delicious bantering.\n\nUnlike Petruchio and Kate from The Taming of The Shrew, neither ever decisively wins over the other. There are only two ways this play can end for them. Either they fall in love and thus they both win, or they keep to themselves and they both lose.\n\nAnother difference between this play and The Taming of The Shrew is that the Shew is a fantasy about how men can rule their wives while Much Ado About Nothing is more realistic. This play portrays two strong superior individuals both determined to stay true to themselves and yet each needing the other to complete themselves. Claudio and Hero are a conventional couple, a good husband and a good wife, both following the social convention that the man rules the family. Benedick and Beatrice on the other hand show us that it is possible for a man and a woman to love each other as equals, social conventions be damned!\n\nVincent Poirier, Montreal","Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A dunce for a king\n\nReview: Lear, Macbeth, Richard II, and Richard III fall because one way or another they go beyond their authority. They are proud, vain, and presumptuous. Cymbeline is merely stupid and he is allowed a happy old age.\n\nWith Cymbeline, Shakespeare outdoes himself in his plots and subplots.\n\nThe curtains lift on a conversation to bring the audience up to date on the situation. Cymbeline, King of the Britons, frowns. He is widowed, his sons are long dead, he remarried but his only living child and daughter Imogen refuses to marry the man he chose for her, Cloten, who is his stepson. Imogen loves Posthumus, a worthy man that he took in as a boy many years before. The lovers marry in secret and Cymbeline banishes Posthumus for it.\n\nMeanwhile, Cymbeline at the urging of his wife refuses to pay any further tribute to Rome. The Roman ambassador sadly has no choice: this means war.\n\nThen things get weird.\n\nIn Rome, Posthumus boasts of his wife's virtue but is tricked into believing she betrayed him. Imogen disguises herself as a boy to avoid being killed by Posthumus who has sword revenge; then she meets an old man and his two sons, who are really Cymbeline's sons. That's right, they aren't dead.\n\nCloten runs after Imogen wearing Posthumus's old clothes, but being a loudmouth and an idiot he also runs into the two sons, insults them, and is killed for his pains.\n\nThe Romans finally arrive in force and lose, thanks to Cymbeline's sons and the old man, and Posthumus too. The queen dies, possibly of grief at losing her son, and reveals she never loved Cymbeline only his station and his power, which she was plotting to obtain for her son.\n\nOnce all is revealed, Cymbeline in a genial mood forgives more or less everyone.\n\nHe never realizes what a dunce he is. Cymbeline managed to lose not one but both his sons, then he falls for a woman who never loved him, he alienates his daughter, banishes the best soldier in his army, chooses an imbecile to marry his daughter and become his heir, declares war on Rome and wins through sheer luck. The man is completely clueless, and frankly Shakespeare never makes it obvious.\n\nCymbeline contains some of Shakespeare's best standard bits: there is a lustful wife seeking power (like Lady Macbeth) a jealous husband (like Othello) long lost children (like in the Winter's Tale) ghosts (like in Hamlet) sleeping potions that mimic fatal poisons (like in Romeo and Juliet) heroic battles (like in so many plays) and attempts at adultery (like in Measure For Measure).\n\nIt's too much. And yet, it is Shakespeare. He serves up spectacle rather than thought. If he can allow himself to create a popular comedy such as the Merry Wives of Windsor, why can't he create a plain drama full of complicated plots and elegant language all leading to a final battle, after which everyone surviving is forgiven? It's a play with a sad start, but with a happy ending.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The taming of the knights\n\nReview: If \"The Taming of the Shrew\" offers audiences the fantasy that men can tame women and in this way find happiness for all married couples, \"Love's Labor's Lost\" gives us a more realistic appraisal of relationships. It is the men who are to be tamed by the women.\n\n\"Love's Labor's Lost\" opens with King Ferdinand of Navarre vowing to give up love, long sleep, and good food for a period of three years to devote time to study and bettering his person. He commands his three close courtiers to join him. Dumaine and Longaville accept, but Berowne, the quickest and wisest man among the four, is at first recalcitrant.\n\nOf course, the minute they swear the oath, four women appear into their lives. The princess of France and her three attendants Rosaline, Katherine, and Maria; a chaperon, Boyet, accompanies them. The princess comes to negotiate disputed land and debts on behalf of her father.\n\nThe king and his three courtiers promptly fall in love, each man trying to keep this secret from the other three. But you can't hide the symptoms of love and they instead agree to break their oaths, or rather they ask Berowne to explain why their oath was in fact against nature and so improper and therefore to be broken.\n\nThey express their love, but having heard of their oath the four women think they are being toyed with and decide to have a little fun at their expense. They come to realize that the men have given up their earlier promise and are sincere in their suit. Just as they are ready to accept them, word arrives that the French king has died. The princess, now the queen, goes into mourning with her attendants. They ask the men to wait for them twelve months, after which done with mourning, they will take them.\n\nThese are women of power and of substance but women still. Shakespeare is quite clear here that women are not the toys of men and yet that men will not find happiness in abstinence. Women are to be pursued with respect, and it is their wild hearts that must be tamed.\n\nShakespeare also has great fun with a pompous pedantic school teacher and his sidekick who reminded me very much of Frasier Crane and his brother Niles. Shakespeare loves the masses and even if they only buy the cheap standing room tickets, there are more of them. He panders to them, and probably agrees with them, by showing how education doesn't necessarily mean wisdom.\n\nTRIVIA\nCostard, the wiser clown of the play, utters the word \"honorificabilitudinitatibus\", often cited as the longest word in the English language.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Sound and fury, signifying nothing\n\nReview: Both Lear and Macbeth die in despair. Richard II also dies tragically, but in the end he realizes his mistake is his own. He dies in despair of finding happiness in life but expecting happiness in death: \"Mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high\". Nor does Richard II give in to despair. He dies defending himself and aspires to heaven only after being mortally wounded.\n\nNow compare this to Lear's famous \"Never, never, never, never, never\" line and with Macbeth's line that life \"is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing\". All lines come near the end of the play and but Lear and Macbeth express their nihilistic conclusions on the nature of human existence: Life has no meaning, holds no comfort.\n\nBoth Macbeth and Lear cause their own downfall, but Lear falls because he is complacent, because he thinks he can relinquish his power and still enjoy his old age. Macbeth falls because he is ambitious and for that he usurps power.\n\nLear isn't evil, merely unwise, irresponsible, and negligent. Macbeth on the other hand is malicious and places his desires above those of others thinking nothing of taking over their lands, castles, rights, titles, and privileges.\n\nBoth die in despair seeing no purpose to life. This realization drives Lear to die humbled and diminished, and his soul simply evaporates out of his flesh. The realization enrages Macbeth rather than humbles him. He takes his sword to make a final stand. He dies with his head cut off, his soul pouring out of his body into the mud of the battlefield. He never accepts he caused is own downfall; he blames fate and the futility of life, that tale which signifies nothing.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Forgiving the evil that men do\n\nReview: This is my favorite Shakespeare play. Only King Lear and Hamlet equal it, and maybe surpass it, in philosophical depth but the play's gentleness and optimism give audiences a glimpse of heaven rather than of hell.\n\nThe Tempest is a romance but it contains a tragic element too, with the tragedy taking place many years before the play begins. Prospero was Duke of Milan but he preferred studying in his library over carrying out his duties. His academic hubris led him to trust his brother Antonio, who overthrew him. Antonio could not bring himself to murder Prospero and his daughter Miranda, so instead he set them adrift to let the sea rid him of his brother. Fate brought Prospero and Miranda to a magical island and as the play starts, fate brings Antonio within reach of Prospero.\n\nProspero's learning becomes useful, as does his wisdom. He wants justice, not revenge. He orders the enslaved spirit Ariel to blow a storm so that Antonio and his fellow passengers, including the King of Naples with his brother Sebastian and his son Ferdinand, are thrown to shore on different parts of the island.\n\nProspero's other slave Caliban (for the not-perfectly-good Prospero is the master of slaves) meets with some drunken servants and plots to overthrow Prospero. Sebastian plots with Antonio's help to murder the king and take the crown. Prospero sees all and their plans fit into his. By the end, Miranda marries Ferdinand, Prospero forgives Antonio, the King forgives Sebastian, Ariel is set free into the air, and Caliban is left alone with his malice on the island, once again his own king.\n\nForgiveness is indeed the theme of the play. Why does Prospero not kill Antonio? He has every reason to, and in fact it would be the safe thing to do. Prospero knows he lost his dukedom because he neglected his duties; it was his fault. Having tasted power, Antonio naturally seized it so an understanding Prospero forgives him.\n\nProspero is a stern master. He rebukes Ariel for presuming to demand his promised freedom, but he does free him (or her, Ariel is both feminine and masculine). He treats Caliban harshly even though he owes him much, but he does leave him master of the island at the end. And Prospero is ultimately gentle. Though the lesson is hard he values his gentleness. He forgives his malefactors and frees his slaves.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The city mouse visits the country mouse\n\nReview: In Shakespeare, the forest is often a place of danger and sometimes a place of refuge. In As You Like It, the main character, Rosalind, is exiled out of the city by her uncle and she runs away to the forest of Arden. Her cousin Celia chooses to accompany her. Touchstone, the court fool, joins them.\n\nHowever, this forest holds no real danger. Shepherds contently live and work there. Touchstone, like many travelers smitten with new discoveries, waxes lyrical about the joys of pastoral life. So much so that he falls in love with Audrey.\n\nRosalind's lover follows her into exile and seeks her out. In love, he carves poems to her on the trees. The others in Arden, including other refugees, find this all rather tedious and foolish.\n\nThe old lesson stands that city and country dwellers each know best how to lead their lives in their own place. Touchstone marries Audrey and yet Jaques predicts, in agreement with the audience, that their union might not last.\n\nTRIVIA\n-This play contains the famous line \"All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players.\" (act II scene vii line 138)\n-Celia, a woman of noble birth, uses a double negative: \"I cannot go no further.\" (act II scene iv line 9)\n-Sylvius and Phebe are only shepherds, but they speak in verse.\n-Rosalind is pronounced to rhyme with find, kind, bind, hind. If it were not, then one poem in the play would not make sense.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Shylock as a tragic hero\n\nReview: The merchant of the title, Antonio, seems to be the hero of the play. He is handsome, well loved, and wise to boot. He spreads his business risk by sponsoring several ships each going to different destinations.\n\nBut is he really the hero? He has it all, and by the end he'll have neither lost nor gained anything.\n\nAntonio's ventures leave him short of cash when a close friend asks money of him. To help his friend, he signs a bond with the local Jewish money lender, Shylock, who instead of lending money at interest against collateral, or simply on Antonio's well earned creditworthiness, makes his loan interest free and asks for a pound of Antonio's flesh should he default.\n\nWhy does Shylock ask for this? Because he's had enough. He can no longer stand the insults from Antonio and the other merchants of Venice. They spit at him, call him names, and now their proudest member comes hat in hand for a loan. Antonio can have it but on Shylock's harsh yet generous terms.\n\nThis is the tragic mistake, the flaw, the display of hubris that we would find in any tragedy. In asking for a man's life as a surety, and then expecting to collect when the man defaults, Shylock goes too far. He is trying to make his own justice, outside of the courts, usurping the privilege of both the government and of god.\n\nShylock pays a terrible price. His own words trick him and he must forego his revenge. Worse, he loses his fortune also, he is forced to convert away from his faith, and his daughter repudiates him. He is brought down as surely as are Shakespeare's other great tragic heroes such as Macbeth, King Lear, and Hamlet.\n\nAnd Antonio? His ships finally come in, and he ends where he started. As the leading local business man. No change, no progress.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: The book that offers a cure for affluenza, 'No Logo' is one of those rare books that defines a generation, the most significant one since Douglas Coupland's 'Generation X'. By the time you're twenty-one, you'll have seen or heard a million advertisements. But you won't be happier for it. This is a book about that much-maligned, much-misunderstood generation coming up behind the slackers, who are being intelligent and active about the world in which they find themselves. It is a world in which all that is 'alternative' is sold, where any innovation or subversion is immediately adopted by un-radical, faceless corporations. But, gradually, tentatively, a new generation is beginning to fight consumerism with its own best weapons; and it is the first skirmishes in this war that this abrasively intelligent book documents brilliantly.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Just another student rant\n\nReview: Except for the first part of the work, Naomi Klein's No Logo reads like a college paper rant and doesn't get much better. She writes with preconceived notions, brands are bad and globalization is wrong, but she doesn't build a good case to prove her stance. However, that first part, which deals with the invasion of the brand into our daily lives, also effectively investigates how big brands are populating our habitat. Klein fails to convince uncommitted readers that brands are bad per se, but she does convince us that many of the tactics used by brands are immoral.\n\nFor instance, I drink Coca-Cola and I resent her trying to tell me this is wrong. However she's perfectly correct to attack Coke machines in high school cafeterias. They shouldn't be there period. Klein is also correct in attacking secret agreements between public universities and Coke, by which the Universities get undisclosed benefits in exchange for granting Coke distributors monopoly rights. Public institutions should not have SECRET agreements with anyone, unless perhaps national security is involved. These agreements were largely unknown and Klein should be praised for this piece of reporting and for using her prominence to expose this practice.\n\nUnfortunately, the rest of the book doesn't have anything new to teach us. We all know workers in developing economies are not as materially well off as we are in OECD, but we also know they are materially better off now than say 15 years ago.\n\nIronically, Klein implicitly makes a good case for brands improving things world wide: she reports that consumer pressure forced Nike to improve working conditions in the factories manufacturing their products. This is hailed as a great victoy for oppressed workers in the Phillipines and Thailand. But what if Nike had not been famous, what if it had not been a valuable brand? Would consumer pressure have been effective? Klein ignores that question and with reason: she would have needed to rewrite the whole book to answer it.\n\nVincent Poirier, 14 May 2004, Tokyo\nCopied from my 2004 review for an unfindable edition of this book","Product: How to survive good on just working 4 hours a week\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: How entrepreneurs can earn a good living from the web\n\nReview: This book will not make you rich.\n\nInstead, the Four-Hour Workweek guides your escape from the 9-to-5, Monday to Friday routine to a new financially care-free lifestyle. If that's what you want. Ferris won't turn you into a millionaire and he doesn't even promise you'll reach full retirement early. His promise is even bolder: he'll help you retire now. Not a full retirement, but a series of mini retirements of a few months. It's a lifestyle you can reach by building web businesses that run mostly by themselves, giving you a decent income and plenty of free time.\n\nOn the minus side, Ferris's presentation is cheesy: he gives us a four step plan concocted from a gee-whiz acronym, DEAL (Definition, Elimination, Automation, Liberation). His enthusiasm strikes me as over-the-top and less than fully realistic--some of us aren't entrepreneurs and like the 9-to-5 lifestyle. That said, I do have a couple of friends who are living this way, but they have the right personality for it.\n\nOn the plus side, you'll get lots of practical advice. The book lists and describes a huge array of tools and services that will help you set up your online store. It gives tips & conversation scripts for everything from negotiating better ad rates to getting past the gatekeepers of difficult-to-reach people. It explains how to free up time, for instance by prioritizing your clients and dropping those problem cases that take up too much time without contributing revenue.\n\nThe Four-Hour Workweek might not make you rich but if you are a natural entrepreneur, it provides a blueprint from which you can build viable web-based businesses that might make you feel rich while giving you more time to enjoy the important things in life.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: On the tenth anniversary of the date that UN peacekeepers landed in Rwanda, Random House Canada is proud to publish the unforgettable first-hand account of the genocide by the man who led the UN mission. Digging deep into shattering memories, General Dallaire has written a powerful story of betrayal, naivete, racism and international politics. His message is simple and undeniable: \"Never again.\" When Lt-Gen. Romeo Dallaire received the call to serve as force commander of the UN intervention in Rwanda in 1993, he thought he was heading off on a modest and straightforward peacekeeping mission. Thirteen months later he flew home from Africa, broken, disillusioned and suicidal, having witnessed the slaughter of 800,000 Rwandans in only a hundred days. In \"Shake Hands with the Devil\", he takes the reader with him on a return voyage into the hell of Rwanda, vividly recreating the events the international community turned its back on. This book is an unsparing eyewitness account of the failure by humanity to stop the genocide, despite timely warnings. Woven through the story of this disastrous mission is Dallaire's own journey from confident Cold Warrior, to devastated UN commander, to retired general engaged in a painful struggle to find a measure of peace, reconciliation and hope. This book is General Dallaire's personal account of his conversion from a man certain of his worth and secure in his assumptions to a man conscious of his own weaknesses and failures and critical of the institutions he'd relied on. It might not sit easily with standard ideas of military leadership, but understanding what happened to General Dallaire and his mission to Rwanda is crucial to understanding the moral minefields our peacekeepers are forced to negotiate when we ask them to step into the world's dirty wars.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: When politics and diplomacy fail, humanity fails\n\nReview: Politics and politicians matter. Even corrupt self-serving politicians bring some structure and stability. We may scoff at politicians, but the fact is when they fail, when they are replaced by ideologues and hate mongers, and when the institutions in which they serve no longer work, the social body dies and people stand naked and unsheltered in the world. Civilization disappears and what we've built to establish justice collapses, plunging us into chaos and horror.\n\nDallaire's book brings home that the genocide resulted from political failure. Failure first within Rwanda to hold the Hutu extremists in check. Failure of the UN to realize the magnitude of the problem. Failure of the major powers, especially France and the United States, to risk people and material to prevent a massacre. Failure of the Tutsi expatriate forces in Uganda to care for the Tutsi still in Rwanda. And, as Dallaire makes clear, the nave failure of a soldier to understand that politics matter.\n\nVincent Poirier, Dublin","Product: Son of a bankrupt landowner, Frank Gresham is intent on marrying his beloved Mary Thorne, despite her illegitimacy and apparent poverty. Frank's ambitious mother and haughty aunt are set against the match, however, and push him to save the family's mortgaged estate by making a good marriage to a wealthy heiress. Only Mary's loving uncle, Dr Thorne, knows the secret of her birth and the fortune she is to inherit that will make her socially acceptable in the eyes of Frank's family - but the high-principled doctor believes she should be accepted on her own terms. A telling examination of the relationship between society, money and morality, \"Dr Thorne\" (1858) is enduringly popular for Trollope's affectionate depiction of rural English life and his deceptively simple portrayal of human nature.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Taking an idiom literally\n\nReview: When we ask someone if they are engaged, we are asking if they have made with their partner an explicit and reciprocal promise to enter marriage. When Mary Thorne is asked the question, she takes it literally and means something wholly different.\n\nMary Thorne is the niece and adopted daughter of the eponymous main character of the novel, Doctor Thorne. (If you'll permit an aside before proceeding, Trollope begins the novel by addressing the question of who is in fact the main character of his novel. He doesn't answer this question, rather he leaves the final verdict up to the reader.) Though a member of an ancient Barsetshire family, Doctor Thorne's material fortunes have fallen and he cannot hope to arrange a marriage of wealth for his niece. However, this hardly matters since the doctor wishes his niece happiness, not wealth, and when prospects of wealth do come her way, he is rather perplexed as to what he should do.\n\nAnother important character, young Mr. Frank Gresham, is in a similar situation, though in his case his fortunes are falling rather than already fallen. As Doctor Thorne does for his niece, Frank cares for his happiness rather than his wealth. Alas, Frank's family has decided he must marry money. He objects and declares his love for Ms. Mary Thorne. She reciprocates Frank's feelings for her but in the face of his family's opposition, and their accusations of impropriety on her part, she cannot accept his proposal.\n\nAnd yet Mary declares herself engaged even when she's renounced her beloved. Her heart is engaged to his and she cannot move it. He may do as he pleases, he may follow the wishes of his family and marry another. It doesn't matter, her heart will be nonetheless engaged to his with no prospect of turning to another.\n\nIt is this precise use of words and this detailed development of a plot turning on the quite literal nuances of an idiom which make Anthony Trollope's books a joy to read. This chapter of Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire, his \"Comdie Humaine\", is as satisfying as the previous two, and I warmly recommend it.\n\nVincent Poirier, Dublin","Product: What have the invention of the wheel, Pompeii, the Wall Street Crash, Harry Potter and the internet got in common? Why are all forecasters con-artists? What can Catherine the Great's lovers tell us about probability? And, why should you never run for a train or read a newspaper? This book is all about Black Swans: the random events that underlie our lives, from bestsellers to world disasters. Their impact is huge; they're impossible to predict; yet after they happen we always try to rationalize them. A rallying cry to ignore the 'experts', \"The Black Swan\" shows us how to stop trying to predict everything - and take advantage of uncertainty.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Immediately useful in business continuity planning\n\nReview: I used examples out of this book the very day I bought it.\n\nMy job is to advise on business continuity plans, or BCPs. These plans are to help a business survive when disaster strikes. This generally means having a secondary location with server backups, a contact list of all staff members, and a set of plans on how to deal with various scenarios. You wouldn't deal with a fire the same way you'd handle a flu epidemic though either one could destroy your business.\n\nThis can be a tough sell. Managers and salespeople are edging to get out and do their own work and even in this post 9/11 world they see BCPs as a chore. They don't see a need for them because any single disaster is perceived as so improbable that planning against them is a fruitless expense.\n\nI got much help from Taleb's book. His examples and insights forcefully counter this attitude. Here are some examples I gave management during my presentations.\n\n* The hero of September 10th. Had some regulator mandated bullet proof doors on all passenger planes by 10 September 2001, then the World Trade Center would probably be standing today, but would we have thanked the regulator? Of course not, we'd have cursed the increase in fuel consumption caused by these heavy doors.\n\n* The problem of silent evidence. Cicero asked about a series of portraits and was told that these were grateful pilgrims who had been saved from a storm by praying to the gods. I see, answered Cicero, but where are the portraits of those who prayed and drowned anyway? Evidence of success is seldom mitigated by the often absent evidence of failure.\n\n* Power distributions. In Taleb's world (he calls it Extremistan and contrasts it with Mediocristan) events and their impacts are distributed following a power law, or the 80-20 rule. But the 80-20 rule scales up. If 80% of the wealth is held by 20% of the people, then 80% of that 80% (i.e. 64%) is held by 20% of that 20% (i.e. 4%). We should think this way when planning for worst possible cases, that is we shouldn't plan for the worst case we know has happened, we should plan for at least one level up in the 80-20 rule.\n\nTaleb's main hobby is to tease people about what they claim to know. He readily says \"I don't know\" and advises skepticism towards those who claim they do know. Does it take courage to go to your boss or to a team of managers you are advising and say this? No, it doesn't take courage, it takes tact. We might not know what to expect but we can foster a culture of skepticism and promote it as the best available. We should give up a dangerous sense of false security and simply accept we don't know so that we can absorb as best we can the impact of the next big disaster.\n\nVincent Poirier, Dublin","Product: Everyone wants to succeed in life. But what causes some of us to be more successful than others? Is it really down to skill and strategy - or something altogether more unpredictable? This book is the word-of-mouth sensation that will change the way you think about business and the world. It is all about luck: more precisely, how we perceive luck in our personal and professional experiences. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the markets - we hear an entrepreneur has 'vision' or a trader is 'talented', but all too often their performance is down to chance rather than skill. It is only because we fail to understand probability that we continue to believe events are non-random, finding reasons where none exist. This irreverent bestseller has shattered the illusions of people around the world by teaching them how to recognize randomness. Now it can do the same for you.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A basketful of unconventional wisdom\n\nReview: Fooled By Randomness delivers an introductory course on how to live in a random world. Taleb believes the human mind isn't made to understand randomness and that really complex systems operate more or less as if they were random.\n\nTaleb wants us to change how we think about risk. He wants us to abandon the attitude that because something's happened before, it'll happen again (e.g. my portfolio will continue going up) or that because something hasn't happened before, it'll never happen (e.g. others traders have gone bust, but I never have and I never will). Taleb chides traders who prefer frequent small gains and tries to explain their behaviour. A trader who makes small profits 4 days out of 5 and a small loss the other day will have a solid record, he will feel good about himself but he will not be prepared for Black Mondays or other financial shocks and he will blow up, to use Taleb's phrase, and disappear.\n\nTaleb also wants to debunk the assumption that the bell curve (the Normal distribution) is a good model. He points out that financial disasters like the 1929 crash or Black Monday in 1987 have happened more frequently than the bell curve predicts. Why then, he asks, do risk managers still stick with Normal models? These models have failed to predict large movements and are dangerous.\n\nTaleb does not take credit for the views he presents and he gratefully acknowledges debts to a range of thinkers from Montaigne to Popper to Mandelbrot. But a good teacher is hard to find and we should be grateful for someone like Taleb. The ideas here are not original, but Fooled by Randomness presents them forcefully and dramatically.","Product: \"Atlas Shrugged\" is the astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world - and did. Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, \"Atlas Shrugged\" stretches the boundaries further than any book you have ever read. It is a mystery, not about the murder of a man's body, but about the murder - and rebirth - of man's spirit.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: She's just plain wrong...\n\nReview: According to Ayn Rand, a work of art is a selective reproduction of reality. It abstracts the defining characteristics of what the artist wants to reproduce in order to convey her theme. While the theme of Atlas Shrugged is crystal clear, it fails its audience by pretending reality is something else than what it is.\n\nThe novel tells the story of John Galt, a superman who decides he will not live for the sake of others and of Dagny Taggart, the chief operating officer of Taggart Railroad. Taggart shares Galt's sense of life; she comes across Galt when she finds more and more of the men and women she respects are disappearing and abandoning their work and their businesses. It seems John Galt is urging that the doers of the world go on strike.\n\nDagny's chase for Galt goes on for a thousand pages of action and diatribe, including an interminable sixty page radio speech by Galt attacking the rest of world. By the end, he, Dagny and the other super men and women leave the world to rebuild a new society. A little utopian for my taste.\n\nIn real life, there are no people like John Galt or Dagny Taggart. If courage is to face one's fears, then they are not courageous because they have never known fear. Real people, including idealized heroes, do experience fear and do have moments of self-doubt. We might wish fear and angst were not part of our selves, but wishing something never makes it real. If we were to try to \"be like John Galt\" we'd wind up denying we are ever gripped by doubt and we'd repress our feelings rather than resolve them. A perfect John Galt does not inspire us to emulate him, it makes us wish upon a star to be already like him.\n\nCompare Rand's book with Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind. (Rand mimics Mitchell's style quite a bit I think.) Dagny Taggart's can-do attitude is remarkably similar to Scarlett O'Hara's gumption but Scarlett is a real person because she has flaws along with her qualities. She faces adversity with courage, but learns and grows as a person. The only thing Dagny Taggart learns is where to find John Galt. There's no growth, no learning about oneself.\n\nWhere Gone With The Wind ultimately speaks to us as people, Atlas Shrugged speaks only to our frustrations that neither the world nor we are perfect. We should accept that and try to better ourselves; we shouldn't pretend that our problems can be wished away. Rand writes A is A, i.e. things are as they are. Well people are what they are, should we pretend otherwise?\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: Jennifer Bassett is Series Editor of the Oxford Bookworms Collection, for which she has written original stories One-Way Ticket and The President's Murderer.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Anachronistic as a mystery but fun and otherwise historically accurate\n\nReview: This is the first of the Brother Cadfael novels, a series of twelfth century medieval murder mysteries featuring a Benedictine monk, brother Cadfael, who left a crusader's life to tend the herb garden of the English abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Shrewsbury, near the Welsh border. This first story takes place in Wales, in fact, and Brother Cadfael is himself Welsh.\n\nAbbeys are large operations and are costly to operate. They need revenue which usually comes from visiting pilgrims. If the abbey had some holy relics, they might increase the number of visiting pilgrims and the abbey's income. One of the monks in the abbey has a dream about Saint Winifred, a Welsh martyr, and prior Roberts convinces the abbot it is a sign that her bones should be exhumed from a nearby Welsh village to be transferred to the abbey.\n\nThe abbot is convinced, obtains the patronage of the local nobles and sends a delegation to Wales to retrieve the holy relics. Brother Cadfael accompanies the delegation and serves as translator.\n\nThere is opposition. The villagers strongly feel that since Saint Winifred was at heart a simple Welsh girl, she'd want to stay in Wales with her own. The haughty prior Roberts points out the poor state of her grave and he questions their devotion to her. The discussion heats up and tempers flare. The villagers will take counsel with themselves and speak again the next day, but their leader is found murdered the next morning.\n\nBrother Cadfael examines the body, asks questions and investigates. The main difference betweeen him and Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot is that Cadfael is humble to a fault and never antagonizes anyone he is questioning, though his questions do send some into a panic whether or not they are guilty.\n\nMy only complaint with this novel, as with all the others in the series is about a problem I find in just about all historical fiction: the characterization and the context tend to reflect our modern times and our modern concerns rather than those of the time and society in which they are set. (Janet Lewis's The Wife of Martin Guerre is a notable exception to this.) But historically Ellis Peters's novels are otherwise very accurate and the anachronistic feel is limited to Cadfael's sense of justice and powers of investigation. But then again without that as a premise, we'd have no stories.\n\nI first heard of Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael series when I was a teenager but I never picked it up until now. I got the First Omnibus, and liked the first novels so much that I immediately bought the entire collection. Highly recommend!\n\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City","Product: This volume begins with basic programming concepts and techniques, then focuses more particularly on information structures-the representation of information inside a computer, the structural relationships between data elements and how to deal with them efficiently.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Numbers: random generations and arithmetic\n\nReview: Volume 2 of \"The Art of Computer Programming\" is about random numbers and also about relearning one of the three Rs from grade school, viz. arithmetic. Each topic gets one chapter.\n\nWhen you generate random numbers in Excel, or VBA, or Perl, or C using functions packaged with the software, you are really using a deterministic algorithm that is not random at all; the results do however look random and so we call them \"pseudorandom\".\n\nChapter 3 contains four main sections. First a section devoted to the linear congruence method (Xn+1=(aXn + c) mod m) of generating a pseudorandom sequence; with subsections on how to choose good values for a, c, and m. Second we get a section about how to test sequences to find if they are acceptably random or not. Third we find a section on other methods, expanding on linear congruence. Finally in a particularly fascinating section, DK provides a rigorous definition of randomness.\n\nI haven't looked much at chapter 4 yet, on arithmetic. In it Knuth covers positional arithmetic, floating point arithmetic, multiplication and division at the machine level, prime numbers and efficient ways of investigating the primeness of very large numbers.\n\nAgain, DK is thorough and methodical. Again this is not a for dummies book. Again it is about theorems, algorithms, mechanical processes, and timeless truths. Again the exercises are a fascinating blend of the practical (investigate the random generating functions on the computers in your office) to the mathematical (he asks readers to formally prove many of the theorems he cites). And yes, again Knuth uses MIX, that wonderfully archaic fictional 60s machine language. But that should not stop readers; I use Perl.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Our love of music and what can happen to it and to us\n\nReview: Sacks looks at music and the neurological basis for music within the mind. He presents a variety of case studies.\n\nPeople who are obsessed with music, some born so and others becoming so late in life. We read of victims of dementia who have lost all mental functions but somehow keep a sense of self through music. We read of an amnesiac man with no memory stretching beyond the moment yet who can play long pieces from memory. Victims of Williams syndrome who have very low IQs but are highly social, very outgoing, and genuine lovers of music.\n\nAnd we are told of people with odd conditions but who are otherwise perfectly normal. A woman with perfect pitch, who can play instruments well, but who doesn't care or emotionally react to music at all. A woman for whom music has absolutely no meaning: any tune is to her no different than the clanking of pots and pans thrown on the floor. A man who cannot stop musical hallucinations from coming unbidden. People with synesthesia who see colours whenever music plays and who associate specific colours with specific notes.\n\nSacks presents all his case studies in such a way as to convey what these people feel like. Here and there he sprinkles slightly technical concepts, such as the location of the brain's speech centers behind the left ear, how lesions in this or that area can release musical activity, how blindness can induce strong auditory hallucinations because the now unused visual areas of the cerebral cortex are taken over by auditory functions. Through these technical details we come to discover hints of how our brain creates our mind and how music in most of us is deeply embedded in our sense of self.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: 'What a marvellous book this is ...de Botton dissects what [Proust] had to say about friendship, reading, looking carefully, paying attention taking your time, being alive and adds his own delicious commentary. The result is an intoxicating as it is wise, amusing as well as stimulating, and presented in so fresh a fashion as to be unique ...I could not stop, and now much start all over again.' Brian Masters, Mail on Sunday 'De Botton not only has a complete understanding of Proust's life ...but what is particularly charming about this small, readable book is its tongue-in-cheek benignity, its lightly held erudition and its generous way of lending itself to what is not only the greatest book of the century but also the darkest and the most eccentric' Edmund White, Observer 'It contains more human interest and play of fancy than most fiction ...de Botton, in emphasizing Proust's healing, advisory aspects, does us the service of rereading him on our behalf, providing of that vast sacred lake a sweet and lucid distillation.' John Updike, New Yorker 'De Botton's little book is so charming, amusing and sensible that it may even itself change your life.' Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph 'This engaging book is one of the most entertaining pieces of literary criticism I have read in a long while.' Sunday Telegraph 'A very enjoyable book' Sebastian Faulks\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: How de Botton can change your reading of Proust\n\nReview: My 2006 reading project was to get through Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time and De Botton's book was a great help at the end.\n\nI love Proust's long meandering dreamy sentences describing the things and people the narrator encounters, but I tend to tune out when Proust explains his theories on how memory works, on how we should appreciate a work of art, of how we should read a book, etc.\n\nDe Botton concentrates precisely on the parts of Proust I find most tedious, and in his short book he gives us a sampling of Proust's philosophical approach to life. What's more, De Botton takes pertinent passages in ISoLT and contrasts them with how Proust actually lived his own life. Sometimes Proust writes one way but lives a different way; for example he was a great friend, generous and attentive, but he writes that friendship is a waste of time. Which is his true opinion? Probably not that friendship is a waste of time... But the point is that De Botton breathed life into parts of Proust I previously dismissed, including the last hundred pages where the narrator finally experiences the \"how and why\" of his life.\n\nI'm always a little suspicious of self-help books. Too often they're written by quacks and sometimes the advice they give can be dangerous. I'm also always open to good advice and De Botton showed to my surprise that Proust is full of genuinely helpful hints on how to live better. I bought How Proust Can Change Your Life because I was interested in Proust not because I wanted to change my life; the helpful hints are a fringe benefit.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: \"This is the International Edition. The content is in English, same as US version but different cover. \nPlease DO NOT buy if you can not accept this difference.\nShip from Shanghai China, please allow about 3 weeks on the way to US or Europe.\nMessage me if you have any questions.\"\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Numbers: random generations and arithmetic\n\nReview: Volume 2 of \"The Art of Computer Programming\" is about random numbers and also about relearning one of the three Rs from grade school, viz. arithmetic. Each topic gets one chapter.\n\nWhen you generate random numbers in Excel, or VBA, or Perl, or C using functions packaged with the software, you are really using a deterministic algorithm that is not random at all; the results do however look random and so we call them \"pseudorandom\".\n\nChapter 3 contains four main sections. First a section devoted to the linear congruence method (Xn+1=(aXn + c) mod m) of generating a pseudorandom sequence; with subsections on how to choose good values for a, c, and m. Second we get a section about how to test sequences to find if they are acceptably random or not. Third we find a section on other methods, expanding on linear congruence. Finally in a particularly fascinating section, DK provides a rigorous definition of randomness.\n\nI haven't looked much at chapter 4 yet, on arithmetic. In it Knuth covers positional arithmetic, floating point arithmetic, multiplication and division at the machine level, prime numbers and efficient ways of investigating the primeness of very large numbers.\n\nAgain, DK is thorough and methodical. Again this is not a for dummies book. Again it is about theorems, algorithms, mechanical processes, and timeless truths. Again the exercises are a fascinating blend of the practical (investigate the random generating functions on the computers in your office) to the mathematical (he asks readers to formally prove many of the theorems he cites). And yes, again Knuth uses MIX, that wonderfully archaic fictional 60s machine language. But that should not stop readers; I use Perl.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: Of Human Bondage, Twentieth Century Classics, Immitation Leather, Hardcover.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: An ordinary book for ordinary people\n\nReview: Whatever age you happen to be, if you are hit with despair at how meaningless, trite and ordinary your life is, then I urge you to get a grip on yourself and read this book. You need to learn how to live for yourself, and you need to do so without becoming selfish.\n\nI can think of no other book that better celebrates the joy of plodding along. I can think of no other book that better celebrates the ordinary. Genius is its own reward but what about the 99.9% of us who have no talent or genius? The answer is in this book: forget talent, forget impossible ambitions, and find your passions in the joy of everyday life.\n\nThis is the hard reality: yes, we are special like every one else; but only a very few are truly special. We might work our fingers to the bone and suffer for our aims but what will be become of us? Read this central quote from the novel, and think about it.\n\n\"You have a certain manual dexterity. With hard work and perseverance there is no reason why you should not become a careful, not incompetent painter. You would find hundreds who painted worse than you, hundreds who painted as well. I see no talent in anything you have shown me. I see industry and intelligence. You will never be anything but mediocre.\"\n\nThis is heartless! But the man who said it, well, he paused and he painfully added this:\n\n\"But if you were to ask me my advice, I should say: take your courage in both hands and try your luck at something else. It sounds very hard, but let me tell you this: I would give all I have in the world if someone had given me that advice when I was your age and I had taken it. It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late. It does not improve the temper\"\n\nIf you are a cashier in a grocery store or if you input data for a living, so what? Find joy in living, not in thinking you are somehow \" talented\" or \"special\".\n\nOne of things in life that makes me happy is once in a while writing these Amazon reviews. They are what they are and that is all that they are. (Please excuse my parody of Popeye.) They aren't what you'll find in The New Yorker or in any serious literary review. But I am OK with that.\n\nAnyone who is down in the dumps about how \"ordinary\" their life is will get something out of this book. In extreme cases, it might even keep them alive. As trite and ordinary as this slightly insipid novel is, isn't that (paradoxically) extraordinary?\n\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City","Product: LIKE NEW, LIMITED EDITION FRANKLIN LIBRARY LEATHER BOUND, 22 CARAT GILDED PAGES. In like new, unread condition, not price clipped, not library edition, not remainder marked.\nSeller is a lifelong book collector and each edition comes directly from his 35,000+ volume collection! All orders are shipped every business day using USPS Media Mail for all U S. orders. Orders shipped from Grover Beach, California. 93433-1585, Thank You, for your business!!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Improbable coincidences, a typical Dickens cast, a moral lesson\n\nReview: As usual with Dickens, improbable coincidences abound. They are artfully presented however and Dickens does offer one or two surprises.\n\nFor one thing, the novel is quite violent. Dickens graphically describes one character dying from burns. He presents a ruffian or two. Even one of the better gentlemen manhandles his maid.\n\nAlso as usual with Dickens, we find a full cast of memorable well-defined characters. Mr Jaggers, the lawyer to beat all lawyers, and his assistant Mr. Wemmick who never mixes business and home matters, except under exceptional circumstances. We find Miss Havesham a wealthy but bitter spinster left at the altar years before. We meet Joe Gargery, a wise well-meaning blacksmith who lovingly raises Pip, the novel's main character, taking him on as his apprentice. Pip leaves him when fortune mysteriously smiles on him. An unknown benefactor gives our hero a substantial income so that he may fulfill his Great Expectations and become a gentleman of means and of leasure.\n\nAnd there you have Pip in a nutshell: he leaves a loving home, a kind man and a good position to become a man of the world, a man about town, in short a bit of a parasite.\n\nBut then to become a man of means is for Dickens to have attained heaven on earth and he only lets the truly good enjoy their fortune. Jaggers is rich and cannot be called good, at worst he is amoral, but he is a man of action. On the other hand the thoughtless and ungrateful Pip doesn't deserve heaven. Not just yet.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo","Product: 'The best memoir by a senior politician for years.' Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times John Major's autobiography is one of the most personal and revealing ever written by a former British Prime Minister. The account of his childhood, rise and fall is candid, scrupulous and unsparing. Major's early life was extraordinary; his rise through Parliament meteoric. Soon a favourite of Margaret Thatcher, he became Foreign Secretary and then Chancellor of the Exchequer. When Thatcher fell, he fought and won a shrewd campaign to succeed her, and went on to win a remarkable general election victory in 1992. He brought down inflation and ushered in a solid economic recovery, yet within months of the 1992 election, his government was in troubled waters. John Major is candid about his fight to keep sterling in the ERM and his reactions to 'Black Wednesday'. He is frank about the civil war within his party over Britain's relationship with the EU. He is honest about what he won and what he lost, about friends and foes within his party as well as outside.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Forceful, clear, balanced autobiography of a pragmatic man\n\nReview: John Major's autobiography is a clear and balanced account of his early life and of his time in office leading the United Kingdom. He forcefully defends most of his policies and a few times admits that he got some important things wrong.\n\nThe first nine chapters are chronological and recount his childhood, his early life in business and politics, his rise within Thatcher's cabinet, and finally his attaining the Prime Ministership. The remaining nineteen chapters deal with his days in office. Each chapter addresses a topic or issue, beginning with his first international test in leading the UK through the first Gulf War. He deals with domestic issues like Ireland and the poll tax, but spends much time on Europe as European issues hogged the agenda during most of his tenure. He explains his position as a pragmatic Eurosceptic. On one hand, Major has always wanted to remain British and fears the coming of a United States of Europe; on the other hand he sees the foolishness of the UK giving up its influence by refusing to participate.\n\nPragmatism colours all of Major's decisions and policies. Unfortunately, Major led a party polarized by extreme views on Europe, on Monetary union, and even on the question of Ireland and to many at the time his pragmatism looked weak or lacking in beliefs. It was not. Major convincingly recounts how he was trying to save the Tories from splitting. He saw the Conservative party as a crucial institution, one whose survival in the long term mattered much more than the transient questions of Europe. But Major is an opinonated pragmatist. He believes in the basics of Toryism and then had to watch in frustration as New Labour under Tony Blair appropriated (Major bluntly says \"stole\") basic Tory social and fiscal policies.\n\nThus pragmatism had drawbacks. It caused Major to back off a little in order to appease; he accepts responsibility for the Conservative failure and the new Labour landslide.","Product: Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), better known by his pen-name, George Orwell, was born in India, where his father worked for the Civil Service. An author and journalist, Orwell was one of the most prominent and influential figures in twentieth-century literature. His unique political allegory Animal Farm was published in 1945, and it was this novel, together with the dystopia of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), which brought him world-wide fame. His novels and non-fiction include Burmese Days, Down and Out in Paris and London, The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Analytical and balanced essays, and still relevant\n\nReview: George Orwell was a master of the critical, analytical essay and this collection gives us ten of his best.\n\n*Decline of the English Murder\n*A Hanging\n*Benefit of Clergy\n*How the Poor Die\n*Rudyard Kipling\n*Raffles and Miss Blandish\n*Charles Dickens\n*The Art of Donald McGill\n*Notes on Nationalism\n*Why I write\n\nThe essay on Kipling stands as an excellent example of analytical criticism. It contains my single favourite line from the book. \"A good bad poem is a graceful monument to the obvious.\" There's no question Orwell enjoys Kipling and admires his talent and his understanding of the world. At the same time, Orwell disapproves of Kipling and of Kipling's values. Orwell knows that Kipling is a British imperialist and that Kipling believes the British man superior to other races, but Orwell sees that Kipling also knows what it is to rule. Orwell also sees that Kipling, unlike many others who glorify military death, understands that the common soldier would perhaps prefer to run away rather than face bullets.\n\nDeath stalks many of the other essays, e.g. a Hanging or How the Poor Die, but the Art of Donald McGill is a pleasant enough examination of low-brow humour, and the essay on Charles Dickens explains much of what makes Dickens so enjoyable and instantly recognizable.\n\nBut by far and away, the most important essay in this collection is \"Notes on Nationalism\". It has coloured my own political thinking since I first read it in 1990 and hardly a month goes by without my thinking of it. Orwell defines nationalism as the state of mind for people who identify so strongly with a group that they are unable to admit any wrong if that wrong makes the group more powerful, and who could never admit the truth of their group owing something to another. He sees this form on nationalism in British colonial officials who could not accept \"natives\" ruling India for themselves, he sees it in Irish and Scottish republicans who could not admit they owed their freedom to the United Kingdom's protection. He sees it in Catholic writers who see the population oppressed in (Protestant) Britain but freed in Mussolini's (Catholic) Italy. Perhaps today Orwell would have used the word \"fundamentalism\" instead of nationalism.\n\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo"],"string":"[\n \"Product: Timeless looks and powerful performance combine in one sleek machine. The Oster Beehive Blender has a classic toggle switch which controls two speeds and a whopping 600 watts of power. Its got every blending possibility covered, from frozen drinks to dips, sauces to smoothies, and soup to nuts. The 5-cup glass jar has been Thermal Shock tested so you can pull it out of a steamy dishwasher and safely make a frosty cold beverage right away. The stainless steel ice crusher blade does just that so you get smooth frozen drinks every time. The Oster Beehive Blender is made in North America and backed by the superior quality of All Metal Drive. Because the two pieces that connect are metal (instead of plastic), you get a more durable and longer-lasting blender that will function flawlessly, party after party, year after year. Has a 1-year warranty.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: An appliance made like they used to make them\\n\\nReview: OK, it's loud, but it's got a stainless steel base and a glass jar. Only the lid and the base of the jar are made of plastic, and there's a rubber O-ring. It's dead simple to operate with only two speeds: on and pulse. It's a solid all metal appliance like you used to find in your grandmother's kitchen; it screams quality and durability.\\n\\nThe second thing they got right was to put in a really good motor (600 watts or 1000 watts, in any case it's way better than the 200 or 300 watt blenders I've used before). There's no point in getting weaker motors, they just won't do the job. The Nutribullet has a six hundred watt motor, but it retails for twice the price and only does single servings. The Beehive Oster is more versatile.\\n\\nAnd I can't believe I waited so long to get this! I've had less than twenty four hours and I've already made two drinks and a soup.\\n\\n* A kale & chard juice with a little apple\\n* A kale, apple, blueberry and strawberry drink\\n* A first class gazpacho with garlic, onion, green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, concentrated vegetable stock & water\\n\\nIt's definitely one of my better buys.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Montreal\\nPS I usually only review books, movies & TV, and music but I like this so much that I wanted to tell the world!\\nVP\\n\\nPPS Thanks to Phong Nguyen for pointing out I got the wattage wrong.\",\n \"Product: Titled Ai No Corrida (\\\"Bullrun of Love\\\") in the original Japanese and retitled \\\"In The Realm of the Senses\\\" for Western release, Nagisha Oshima's riveting film is a fictionalized retelling of a sexually charged incident from 1930s Japan involving A Woman Named Sada Abe. The film generated great controversy in Japan upon its release and rave reviews in France during festival season. Although the screen adaptation of real events were intended for mainstream wide release, it contains explicit scenes of sexual activity between the actors (Tatsuya Fuji and Eiko Matsuda.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: You decide: two stars as entertainment or four stars as art house cinema\\n\\nReview: The sets are beautiful, the actors play well, and the story captivates the audience. But the story is bizarre and some of the scenes are revolting. So is Realm of the Senses something worth watching?\\n\\nIf you want to see explicit erotica as entertainment, be honest with yourself and get a Playboy or Penthouse video or whatever. \\\"Realm\\\" deserves an X rating but it's gruesome, not arousing, sex. That said, as art \\\"Realm\\\" offers a view of the stranger side of Japan and of where unbridled passion can take you. In this vein, I prefer Peter Greenaway films but why limit yourself to just one director. \\\"Realm\\\" isn't as good as The Cook The Thief His Wife and Her Lover, but it's still an engrossing film.\\n\\nThe story of the movie is fascinating in its own right. First, this is officially a French movie. In order to get around Japanese censorship, the film canisters were sent to France undeveloped and the film was released as a French production. It was initially banned in Japan, then a censored version was released with clouds over the shall we say Strategic areas of the image.\\n\\nThe female lead, Eiko Matsuda, disappeared from the art scene. The male lead, Tatsuya Fuji, is still active as an actor and he also took up pottery ten years ago. In fact he starred as a master potter in the 2006 Canadian-Japanese coproduction Kamataki. The director, Nagisa Oshima, still directs and is most famous overseas success was Merry Christmas Mr. Laurence.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: Based on John LeCarre's book starring Ray McAnally and Rudiger Weigang on why and how and individual becomes a spy.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly\\n\\nReview: The Good: Ray McAnally's brilliant performance as Rick Pym, the main character's conman father.\\n\\nThe Bad: the miniseries oversimplifies the narrative by giving us Magnus Pym's story along a single time line, from boyhood to adulthood. The novel works on two time lines; the first one follows the search for Magnus Pym who has disappeared and the second one follows his reminiscences of his life as he hides in a seaside hotel. The book jumps back and forth, and while the US, UK, and Czech secret services are all looking for him, we are wondering why Pym went into hiding and why he seems scared and relaxed all at once. In the miniseries, we don't much care about Magnus at all. The only thing I cared about was when would Pym senior reappear.\\n\\nThe Ugly: Peter Egan as Magnus Pym. Completely wrong. In the book Magnus Pym was very much like his father, seductive and charming, which is why he was such a successful spy. In the mini series, Pym is unimposing and weak. It's difficult to believe he can convince anyone to trust him.\\n\\nVery disappointing. Apart from McAnally, Rudiger Weigang as Pym's college friend and Czech contact gives a hammy but good performance. For diehard LeCarr fan only.\\n\\nTrivia: McAnally played the Pope's envoy in \\\"The Mission\\\".\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: In the latter half of the 19th century, three ruling houses dominated Europe: the Hapsburgs of Austria-Hungary, the Romanovs of Russia and Hohenzollerns of Germany. Centuries of despotism, a continued lack of social reform and the advent of the devastating First World War caused the vultures of revolution to start circling. This 13-part epic drama features an all-star cast including Patrick Stewart, Gemma Jones, John Rhys-Davies, Gayle Hunnicutt and more!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Why World War One differs from World War Two\\n\\nReview: Some historians argue, and Winston Churchill is among them, that the two world wars of the twentieth century ought to be viewed as a single conflict, as another Thirty Years War. This is quite wrong.\\n\\nWorld War One closed an era. It marked the end of the autocratic rule of the nobility in central Europe, of those born to the position. World War Two by contrast marks the birth of the military industrial complex, of a ruling system in which corporations and their lobbies have unprecedented influence. Today we are familiar with these powerful corporations, but we are not familiar with the aristocratic European ruling families of the nineteenth century.\\n\\nFall of Eagles fixes that by dramatizing the story of the political changes in Europe which lead to the war, and to the birth of the Soviet Union. We are shown key episodes in the fall of the imperial houses of Austria, Germany, and Russia; they are the eagles of the title.\\n\\nEach episode of the 13 part series is self contained but also part of the larger story. We see a young British princess married to the heir to the Prussian throne. We see an Empress grieving at the suicide of her son. We see Bismarck rise, rule, and fall in three stages ranging over twenty five years. We see his inept successors unable to maintain the harmony among the nations of Europe. We see Lenin in the background ready to take the power lost by the Czar.\\n\\nAs usual for a BBC series, the costumes and dialogues are first rate. The production is not as slick as today's high definition shows, but the dialogue and content is more erudite. Patrick Stewart's magnificent portrayal of Lenin deserves special mention.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: 38 Disc Set containing thirty seven plays from the BBC television Shakespeare series from 1978 to 1985. 'Romeo and Juliet', is Shakespeare's tale of a doomed and tragic love between two young lovers from warring families, the 'Capulets' and the 'Montagues'. Also includes: 'Richard II', 'As You Like It', 'Julius Caesar','Measure For Measure', 'Henry VIII', 'Henry IV: Parts I & II', 'Henry V: Parts I & II', 'Twelfth Night', 'Tempest', 'The Taming Of The Shrew', 'The Merchant Of Venice', 'All's Well That Ends Well', 'Winter's Tale', 'Timon Of Athens', 'Antony And Cleopatra', 'Othello', 'Troilus And Cressada', 'The Merry Widow', 'Henry VI: Parts I, II & III', 'The Tragedy Of Richard III', 'Cymbeline', 'The Comedy Of Errors', 'Two Gentlemen Of Verona', 'Coriolanus', 'The Life And Death Of King John', 'Pericles: Prince Of Tyre', 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'Love's Labour's Lost', 'Titus Andronicus', \\n'Hamlet', 'King Lear', 'Macbeth' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Uneven, but still a must-have for your collection!\\n\\nReview: WARNING: Region 2 Coding! Won't play on North American players without modifying the DVD player.\\n\\nNow, the review...\\n\\nThe quality of the BBC production varies from play to play, and many plays are disappointing, or to put it bluntly, long and boring.\\n\\nWhile I prefer conservative interpretations, the BBC renditions tend to be too conservative, too bland. There are some notable exceptions. Leonard Rossiter saves King John, Derek Jacobi plays a dandyish Richard II, Roger Daltrey (from the Who) stumbles comically through \\\"The Comedy of Errors\\\", and John Cleese tames the shrew into an ex-shrew.\\n\\nI'm sure it's no accident that the best plays are by the biggest stars. Having more stature, they have the authority to get their own way, and they're doing this for fun.\\n\\nAlso on the whole the Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, and Henry V series is pretty good. I haven't made it through all the plays yet, but I find the others I have seen (Pericles, Coriolanus, Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour Lost) lack \\\"oomph\\\". The lines are too often recited without wit. I expect even the tragedies should have more laughs or action-drama in them than these productions show us. But I suppose the actors are afraid of being accused of hamming it up. Too bad. Colourful interpretations should be \\\"de rigueur\\\".\\n\\nMy two favourite performances are Derek Jacobi's Richard II and Leonard Rossiter's King John. Jacobi gives us a dandy and a fop too full of himself and too careless of the consequences of his acts. Rossiter's King John is wonderful because he spices up his performance with innuendoes and sly looks that match his kittish tones.\\n\\nEven though it falls far short of perfection, the breadth of the BBC project makes this a must have collection for any family's DVD shelf and has already become the benchmark against which future renditions will be judged. At least until Kenneth Brannagh completes *his* Shakespeare cycle!\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Dublin\",\n \"Product: 38 Disc Set containing thirty seven plays from the BBC television Shakespeare series from 1978 to 1985. 'Romeo and Juliet', is Shakespeare's tale of a doomed and tragic love between two young lovers from warring families, the 'Capulets' and the 'Montagues'. Also includes: 'Richard II', 'As You Like It', 'Julius Caesar','Measure For Measure', 'Henry VIII', 'Henry IV: Parts I & II', 'Henry V: Parts I & II', 'Twelfth Night', 'Tempest', 'The Taming Of The Shrew', 'The Merchant Of Venice', 'All's Well That Ends Well', 'Winter's Tale', 'Timon Of Athens', 'Antony And Cleopatra', 'Othello', 'Troilus And Cressada', 'The Merry Widow', 'Henry VI: Parts I, II & III', 'The Tragedy Of Richard III', 'Cymbeline', 'The Comedy Of Errors', 'Two Gentlemen Of Verona', 'Coriolanus', 'The Life And Death Of King John', 'Pericles: Prince Of Tyre', 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'Love's Labour's Lost', 'Titus Andronicus', \\n'Hamlet', 'King Lear', 'Macbeth' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Uneven, but still a must-have for your collection!\\n\\nReview: WARNING: Region 2 Coding! Won't play on North American players without modifying the DVD player.\\n\\nNow, the review...\\n\\nThe quality of the BBC production varies from play to play, and many plays are disappointing, or to put it bluntly, long and boring.\\n\\nWhile I prefer conservative interpretations, the BBC renditions tend to be too conservative, too bland. There are some notable exceptions. Leonard Rossiter saves King John, Derek Jacobi plays a dandyish Richard II, Roger Daltrey (from the Who) stumbles comically through \\\"The Comedy of Errors\\\", and John Cleese tames the shrew into an ex-shrew.\\n\\nI'm sure it's no accident that the best plays are by the biggest stars. Having more stature, they have the authority to get their own way, and they're doing this for fun.\\n\\nAlso on the whole the Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, and Henry V series is pretty good. I haven't made it through all the plays yet, but I find the others I have seen (Pericles, Coriolanus, Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour Lost) lack \\\"oomph\\\". The lines are too often recited without wit. I expect even the tragedies should have more laughs or action-drama in them than these productions show us. But I suppose the actors are afraid of being accused of hamming it up. Too bad. Colourful interpretations should be \\\"de rigueur\\\".\\n\\nMy two favourite performances are Derek Jacobi's Richard II and Leonard Rossiter's King John. Jacobi gives us a dandy and a fop too full of himself and too careless of the consequences of his acts. Rossiter's King John is wonderful because he spices up his performance with innuendoes and sly looks that match his kittish tones.\\n\\nEven though it falls far short of perfection, the breadth of the BBC project makes this a must have collection for any family's DVD shelf and has already become the benchmark against which future renditions will be judged. At least until Kenneth Brannagh completes *his* Shakespeare cycle!\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Dublin\",\n \"Product: Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Slow paced, pensive, intellectual, true-to-life characters\\n\\nReview: For anyone interested in acting as a craft, Philip Seymour Hoffman as coach Art Howe steals the show, with Jonah Hill as Peter Brand doing an amazing job of creating Brad Pitt's statistical analyst and assistant. Brad Pitt as the Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane gives an excellent performance but, like any Hollywood superstar, he never really stops being himself. Hoffman by comparison plays the Oakland A's coach to the point of losing himself in his character; we don't see Hoffman playing Howe, we see Art Howe. (Or at least a film character called Art Howe. The real life Howe doesn't like how he is portrayed in the film or the book.) The film offers a good example of the difference between excellent performing (Pitt) and excellent acting (Hoffman) and this would be enough to really like this film.\\n\\nBut for a film lover there's more. Most of the dialogue is natural with very few dramatic one-liners; for tension, the director relies more on understated exchanges filled with the empty words that make up the conversations all of us have in daily life. There isn't much incidental music to artificially create moods, again the director relies on natural effects. If French director Eric Rohmer had ever directed a commercial American film, this is what he would have done. But don't let this scare you-- Moneyball isn't an art house film, it's a commercial film made with a few techniques borrowed from minimalist avant-garde directors.\\n\\nAnother pleasant surprise is that I liked the movie better than I liked the book, even though I loved the book and read it years before seeing the movie. Maybe it's because I had no expectations this would ever be made into a movie, or if it did that it would be made into a documentary. Instead, director Bennett Miller did what Philip Kaufman did with Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff: he took a factual book and turned it into a dramatic film.\\n\\nOne word of warning: sport fans might find themselves disappointed at seeing players and plays relegated to the background of a story focused on numbers, statistics, and economics. But that is the point of the movie; where traditionalists argue that baseball is a human game involving hunches, intuition, performance and tense dramatic field plays, the film argue that results come from more abstract considerations. Baseball is really about thinking.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Montreal\",\n \"Product: From acclaimed filmmakers Lana and Andy Wachowski, creators of The Matrix Trilogy, and Tom Tykwer, director of Run Lola Run, the powerful and inspiring sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: What yarns will people spin around tomorrow's campfires?\\n\\nReview: Science fiction films are getting better. As enjoyable as it is, even Star Trek makes for pretty lame SF: every alien species speaks perfect American English and yet Chekov never overcame is Russian (RAAASHun) accent.\\n\\nThere are only a half dozen or so films that really qualify as serious science fiction and I rank Cloud Atlas at number three, after 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner.\\n\\n(In some ways the very best hard SF film ever made is Terminator because it is, like all good science fiction, completely self-consistent. So much so that a very proud and smug James Cameron had one of the characters make the point in the film. But I digress.)\\n\\nLike 2001:A Space Odyssey, Cloud Atlas leaps from era to era. We follow slave colonies in the nineteenth century, a young composer in the early twentieth century, an investigative journalist in 1972, a publisher hounded by a murderer author in 2012, the executed leader of a slave revolt in 2144, and the world her sacrifice made possible centuries later.\\n\\nThe stories feature the same actors (among others Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, and an unrecognizable Hugh Grant who finally shows the world he can play other characters besides romantic leads) reappearing in different roles across different times. The frame story, which is also the core story, starts with a sage old man who yarns a tale in a language we cannot recognize but cannot fail to understand, a kind of future English where people verb familiar nouns and they noun their doings. By the fire the old man tells the tale, and we jump in and out of his tale and of other tales he isn't yarning but that happened just the same.\\n\\nBy the end, every story is resolved to a satisfactory dramatic conclusion. Sometimes the ending is happy, sometimes sad, sometimes unfair and tragic. We are left perplexed and wondering \\\"What does this all mean?\\\" and there is no simple easy answer.\\n\\nIn so many ways, this film beats 2001 and Blade Runner hands down. It avoids the heavy, grand, almost religious overtones of humanity's destiny that fill Kubrick's work and instead offers introspective insights into what destiny awaits the film's characters, and by extension what destiny awaits you and me. And while Cloud Atlas doesn't make me feel as much empathy for any of its characters as I did for the dying Roy Batty in Blade Runner, it does make me look at more aspects of what it means to be human than does Blade Runner.\\n\\nBut I cannot claim to understand Cloud Atlas completely. I don't mean that it is confusing and I am not condemning the Wachowski Siblings of being unclear. Quite the opposite: Cloud Atlas offers so much that it requires repeated reflection to gain insights. You've got to think about it a lot, you've got to forget about it, and you need to come back to it to get everything that it says. You need to live with it to understand the yarn that an old man will spin around a campfire a few centuries from now.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City\",\n \"Product: After losing his post as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1929, Winston Churchill found himself ostracized by his party, discredited by colleagues, and nearly broke from the Wall Street crash—at age 55, his political career was all but dead. This \\\"Masterpiece Theatre\\\" drama, based on Sir Martin Gilbert's definitive Churchill biography, portrays the difficult years that followed and the triumphant return at the outbreak of WWII. Robert Hardy (\\\"Edward the King\\\") stars as Churchill, Sian Phillips as his wife Clementine, and Nigel Havers as Randolph Churchill. 8 episodes; over 7 hours on 4 cassettes or 6-1/2 hours on 2 DVDs.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: As good as a historical drama could ever be\\n\\nReview: In 1929, Winston Churchill found himself out of office. He was at odds with the government and could not stay in cabinet. He remained at odds with government policy for the next ten years. He wasted his political energy fighting against giving India Dominion status, and in standing up for King Edward VIII. But he also was the lone voice warning against a revived Germany's Nazi ambitions.\\n\\nRobert Hardy delivers a superbly accurate and realistic portrayal of Great Britain's Last Lion, as do all other cast members. In fact, I much prefer Hardy's performance to Albert Finney's excellent but slightly buffoonish interpretation in <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Gathering-Storm/dp/B002CWKTUA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Gathering Storm</a>. He offers a less human Churchill but one more like the Great Man most of us imagine Churchill to have been.\\n\\nDon't let the poor image and sound quality put you off. This was shot on 16mm film for television in the early 1980s. You cannot expect the same impact as you would from today's high definition television productions. Sadly, they didn't use a new print for a decent DVD transfer.\\n\\nThat said, I am incredibly happy that this production was rescued, even in this degraded state. The script, the acting, the sets, and the costumes make this a first rate production noneless. The story moves along and Churchill's electrifying House of Commons speeches pull the viewer into British 1930s politics.\\n\\nFinally, Churchill's official biographer, Martin Gilbert, was a co-developer of the series and contributes to making this production as eloquent, passionate, and literate, as Churchill himself would have done. And remember that Churchill won the Nobel Prize for Literature!\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Renaissance power couple\\n\\nReview: Claudio, a strong, simple, reliable man loves Hero who matches him in simplicity and reliability while replacing his strength with her shy quiet charm. Fortunately the play isn't about them. Their easy obvious love does drive the play's plot but it really serves as the foundation over which Shakespeare puts together the most interesting couple of all his plays: Benedick and Beatrice.\\n\\nBenedick is a friend of Claudio with whom he serves Don Pedro. Beatrice is close friends with her cousin Hero, the daughter of Leonato, the governor of Messina where the play is set. The two hate each other, or at least they think they do. Their friends know better.\\n\\nEach of them fears the submission that comes with love. They are an obvious match for one another and yet neither ever wastes an opportunity to put down the other, giving us some of Shakespeare's most delicious bantering.\\n\\nUnlike Petruchio and Kate from The Taming of The Shrew, neither ever decisively wins over the other. There are only two ways this play can end for them. Either they fall in love and thus they both win, or they keep to themselves and they both lose.\\n\\nAnother difference between this play and The Taming of The Shrew is that the Shew is a fantasy about how men can rule their wives while Much Ado About Nothing is more realistic. This play portrays two strong superior individuals both determined to stay true to themselves and yet each needing the other to complete themselves. Claudio and Hero are a conventional couple, a good husband and a good wife, both following the social convention that the man rules the family. Benedick and Beatrice on the other hand show us that it is possible for a man and a woman to love each other as equals, social conventions be damned!\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Montreal\",\n \"Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A dunce for a king\\n\\nReview: Lear, Macbeth, Richard II, and Richard III fall because one way or another they go beyond their authority. They are proud, vain, and presumptuous. Cymbeline is merely stupid and he is allowed a happy old age.\\n\\nWith Cymbeline, Shakespeare outdoes himself in his plots and subplots.\\n\\nThe curtains lift on a conversation to bring the audience up to date on the situation. Cymbeline, King of the Britons, frowns. He is widowed, his sons are long dead, he remarried but his only living child and daughter Imogen refuses to marry the man he chose for her, Cloten, who is his stepson. Imogen loves Posthumus, a worthy man that he took in as a boy many years before. The lovers marry in secret and Cymbeline banishes Posthumus for it.\\n\\nMeanwhile, Cymbeline at the urging of his wife refuses to pay any further tribute to Rome. The Roman ambassador sadly has no choice: this means war.\\n\\nThen things get weird.\\n\\nIn Rome, Posthumus boasts of his wife's virtue but is tricked into believing she betrayed him. Imogen disguises herself as a boy to avoid being killed by Posthumus who has sword revenge; then she meets an old man and his two sons, who are really Cymbeline's sons. That's right, they aren't dead.\\n\\nCloten runs after Imogen wearing Posthumus's old clothes, but being a loudmouth and an idiot he also runs into the two sons, insults them, and is killed for his pains.\\n\\nThe Romans finally arrive in force and lose, thanks to Cymbeline's sons and the old man, and Posthumus too. The queen dies, possibly of grief at losing her son, and reveals she never loved Cymbeline only his station and his power, which she was plotting to obtain for her son.\\n\\nOnce all is revealed, Cymbeline in a genial mood forgives more or less everyone.\\n\\nHe never realizes what a dunce he is. Cymbeline managed to lose not one but both his sons, then he falls for a woman who never loved him, he alienates his daughter, banishes the best soldier in his army, chooses an imbecile to marry his daughter and become his heir, declares war on Rome and wins through sheer luck. The man is completely clueless, and frankly Shakespeare never makes it obvious.\\n\\nCymbeline contains some of Shakespeare's best standard bits: there is a lustful wife seeking power (like Lady Macbeth) a jealous husband (like Othello) long lost children (like in the Winter's Tale) ghosts (like in Hamlet) sleeping potions that mimic fatal poisons (like in Romeo and Juliet) heroic battles (like in so many plays) and attempts at adultery (like in Measure For Measure).\\n\\nIt's too much. And yet, it is Shakespeare. He serves up spectacle rather than thought. If he can allow himself to create a popular comedy such as the Merry Wives of Windsor, why can't he create a plain drama full of complicated plots and elegant language all leading to a final battle, after which everyone surviving is forgiven? It's a play with a sad start, but with a happy ending.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The taming of the knights\\n\\nReview: If \\\"The Taming of the Shrew\\\" offers audiences the fantasy that men can tame women and in this way find happiness for all married couples, \\\"Love's Labor's Lost\\\" gives us a more realistic appraisal of relationships. It is the men who are to be tamed by the women.\\n\\n\\\"Love's Labor's Lost\\\" opens with King Ferdinand of Navarre vowing to give up love, long sleep, and good food for a period of three years to devote time to study and bettering his person. He commands his three close courtiers to join him. Dumaine and Longaville accept, but Berowne, the quickest and wisest man among the four, is at first recalcitrant.\\n\\nOf course, the minute they swear the oath, four women appear into their lives. The princess of France and her three attendants Rosaline, Katherine, and Maria; a chaperon, Boyet, accompanies them. The princess comes to negotiate disputed land and debts on behalf of her father.\\n\\nThe king and his three courtiers promptly fall in love, each man trying to keep this secret from the other three. But you can't hide the symptoms of love and they instead agree to break their oaths, or rather they ask Berowne to explain why their oath was in fact against nature and so improper and therefore to be broken.\\n\\nThey express their love, but having heard of their oath the four women think they are being toyed with and decide to have a little fun at their expense. They come to realize that the men have given up their earlier promise and are sincere in their suit. Just as they are ready to accept them, word arrives that the French king has died. The princess, now the queen, goes into mourning with her attendants. They ask the men to wait for them twelve months, after which done with mourning, they will take them.\\n\\nThese are women of power and of substance but women still. Shakespeare is quite clear here that women are not the toys of men and yet that men will not find happiness in abstinence. Women are to be pursued with respect, and it is their wild hearts that must be tamed.\\n\\nShakespeare also has great fun with a pompous pedantic school teacher and his sidekick who reminded me very much of Frasier Crane and his brother Niles. Shakespeare loves the masses and even if they only buy the cheap standing room tickets, there are more of them. He panders to them, and probably agrees with them, by showing how education doesn't necessarily mean wisdom.\\n\\nTRIVIA\\nCostard, the wiser clown of the play, utters the word \\\"honorificabilitudinitatibus\\\", often cited as the longest word in the English language.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Sound and fury, signifying nothing\\n\\nReview: Both Lear and Macbeth die in despair. Richard II also dies tragically, but in the end he realizes his mistake is his own. He dies in despair of finding happiness in life but expecting happiness in death: \\\"Mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high\\\". Nor does Richard II give in to despair. He dies defending himself and aspires to heaven only after being mortally wounded.\\n\\nNow compare this to Lear's famous \\\"Never, never, never, never, never\\\" line and with Macbeth's line that life \\\"is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing\\\". All lines come near the end of the play and but Lear and Macbeth express their nihilistic conclusions on the nature of human existence: Life has no meaning, holds no comfort.\\n\\nBoth Macbeth and Lear cause their own downfall, but Lear falls because he is complacent, because he thinks he can relinquish his power and still enjoy his old age. Macbeth falls because he is ambitious and for that he usurps power.\\n\\nLear isn't evil, merely unwise, irresponsible, and negligent. Macbeth on the other hand is malicious and places his desires above those of others thinking nothing of taking over their lands, castles, rights, titles, and privileges.\\n\\nBoth die in despair seeing no purpose to life. This realization drives Lear to die humbled and diminished, and his soul simply evaporates out of his flesh. The realization enrages Macbeth rather than humbles him. He takes his sword to make a final stand. He dies with his head cut off, his soul pouring out of his body into the mud of the battlefield. He never accepts he caused is own downfall; he blames fate and the futility of life, that tale which signifies nothing.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Forgiving the evil that men do\\n\\nReview: This is my favorite Shakespeare play. Only King Lear and Hamlet equal it, and maybe surpass it, in philosophical depth but the play's gentleness and optimism give audiences a glimpse of heaven rather than of hell.\\n\\nThe Tempest is a romance but it contains a tragic element too, with the tragedy taking place many years before the play begins. Prospero was Duke of Milan but he preferred studying in his library over carrying out his duties. His academic hubris led him to trust his brother Antonio, who overthrew him. Antonio could not bring himself to murder Prospero and his daughter Miranda, so instead he set them adrift to let the sea rid him of his brother. Fate brought Prospero and Miranda to a magical island and as the play starts, fate brings Antonio within reach of Prospero.\\n\\nProspero's learning becomes useful, as does his wisdom. He wants justice, not revenge. He orders the enslaved spirit Ariel to blow a storm so that Antonio and his fellow passengers, including the King of Naples with his brother Sebastian and his son Ferdinand, are thrown to shore on different parts of the island.\\n\\nProspero's other slave Caliban (for the not-perfectly-good Prospero is the master of slaves) meets with some drunken servants and plots to overthrow Prospero. Sebastian plots with Antonio's help to murder the king and take the crown. Prospero sees all and their plans fit into his. By the end, Miranda marries Ferdinand, Prospero forgives Antonio, the King forgives Sebastian, Ariel is set free into the air, and Caliban is left alone with his malice on the island, once again his own king.\\n\\nForgiveness is indeed the theme of the play. Why does Prospero not kill Antonio? He has every reason to, and in fact it would be the safe thing to do. Prospero knows he lost his dukedom because he neglected his duties; it was his fault. Having tasted power, Antonio naturally seized it so an understanding Prospero forgives him.\\n\\nProspero is a stern master. He rebukes Ariel for presuming to demand his promised freedom, but he does free him (or her, Ariel is both feminine and masculine). He treats Caliban harshly even though he owes him much, but he does leave him master of the island at the end. And Prospero is ultimately gentle. Though the lesson is hard he values his gentleness. He forgives his malefactors and frees his slaves.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The city mouse visits the country mouse\\n\\nReview: In Shakespeare, the forest is often a place of danger and sometimes a place of refuge. In As You Like It, the main character, Rosalind, is exiled out of the city by her uncle and she runs away to the forest of Arden. Her cousin Celia chooses to accompany her. Touchstone, the court fool, joins them.\\n\\nHowever, this forest holds no real danger. Shepherds contently live and work there. Touchstone, like many travelers smitten with new discoveries, waxes lyrical about the joys of pastoral life. So much so that he falls in love with Audrey.\\n\\nRosalind's lover follows her into exile and seeks her out. In love, he carves poems to her on the trees. The others in Arden, including other refugees, find this all rather tedious and foolish.\\n\\nThe old lesson stands that city and country dwellers each know best how to lead their lives in their own place. Touchstone marries Audrey and yet Jaques predicts, in agreement with the audience, that their union might not last.\\n\\nTRIVIA\\n-This play contains the famous line \\\"All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players.\\\" (act II scene vii line 138)\\n-Celia, a woman of noble birth, uses a double negative: \\\"I cannot go no further.\\\" (act II scene iv line 9)\\n-Sylvius and Phebe are only shepherds, but they speak in verse.\\n-Rosalind is pronounced to rhyme with find, kind, bind, hind. If it were not, then one poem in the play would not make sense.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Shylock as a tragic hero\\n\\nReview: The merchant of the title, Antonio, seems to be the hero of the play. He is handsome, well loved, and wise to boot. He spreads his business risk by sponsoring several ships each going to different destinations.\\n\\nBut is he really the hero? He has it all, and by the end he'll have neither lost nor gained anything.\\n\\nAntonio's ventures leave him short of cash when a close friend asks money of him. To help his friend, he signs a bond with the local Jewish money lender, Shylock, who instead of lending money at interest against collateral, or simply on Antonio's well earned creditworthiness, makes his loan interest free and asks for a pound of Antonio's flesh should he default.\\n\\nWhy does Shylock ask for this? Because he's had enough. He can no longer stand the insults from Antonio and the other merchants of Venice. They spit at him, call him names, and now their proudest member comes hat in hand for a loan. Antonio can have it but on Shylock's harsh yet generous terms.\\n\\nThis is the tragic mistake, the flaw, the display of hubris that we would find in any tragedy. In asking for a man's life as a surety, and then expecting to collect when the man defaults, Shylock goes too far. He is trying to make his own justice, outside of the courts, usurping the privilege of both the government and of god.\\n\\nShylock pays a terrible price. His own words trick him and he must forego his revenge. Worse, he loses his fortune also, he is forced to convert away from his faith, and his daughter repudiates him. He is brought down as surely as are Shakespeare's other great tragic heroes such as Macbeth, King Lear, and Hamlet.\\n\\nAnd Antonio? His ships finally come in, and he ends where he started. As the leading local business man. No change, no progress.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: The book that offers a cure for affluenza, 'No Logo' is one of those rare books that defines a generation, the most significant one since Douglas Coupland's 'Generation X'. By the time you're twenty-one, you'll have seen or heard a million advertisements. But you won't be happier for it. This is a book about that much-maligned, much-misunderstood generation coming up behind the slackers, who are being intelligent and active about the world in which they find themselves. It is a world in which all that is 'alternative' is sold, where any innovation or subversion is immediately adopted by un-radical, faceless corporations. But, gradually, tentatively, a new generation is beginning to fight consumerism with its own best weapons; and it is the first skirmishes in this war that this abrasively intelligent book documents brilliantly.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Just another student rant\\n\\nReview: Except for the first part of the work, Naomi Klein's No Logo reads like a college paper rant and doesn't get much better. She writes with preconceived notions, brands are bad and globalization is wrong, but she doesn't build a good case to prove her stance. However, that first part, which deals with the invasion of the brand into our daily lives, also effectively investigates how big brands are populating our habitat. Klein fails to convince uncommitted readers that brands are bad per se, but she does convince us that many of the tactics used by brands are immoral.\\n\\nFor instance, I drink Coca-Cola and I resent her trying to tell me this is wrong. However she's perfectly correct to attack Coke machines in high school cafeterias. They shouldn't be there period. Klein is also correct in attacking secret agreements between public universities and Coke, by which the Universities get undisclosed benefits in exchange for granting Coke distributors monopoly rights. Public institutions should not have SECRET agreements with anyone, unless perhaps national security is involved. These agreements were largely unknown and Klein should be praised for this piece of reporting and for using her prominence to expose this practice.\\n\\nUnfortunately, the rest of the book doesn't have anything new to teach us. We all know workers in developing economies are not as materially well off as we are in OECD, but we also know they are materially better off now than say 15 years ago.\\n\\nIronically, Klein implicitly makes a good case for brands improving things world wide: she reports that consumer pressure forced Nike to improve working conditions in the factories manufacturing their products. This is hailed as a great victoy for oppressed workers in the Phillipines and Thailand. But what if Nike had not been famous, what if it had not been a valuable brand? Would consumer pressure have been effective? Klein ignores that question and with reason: she would have needed to rewrite the whole book to answer it.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, 14 May 2004, Tokyo\\nCopied from my 2004 review for an unfindable edition of this book\",\n \"Product: How to survive good on just working 4 hours a week\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: How entrepreneurs can earn a good living from the web\\n\\nReview: This book will not make you rich.\\n\\nInstead, the Four-Hour Workweek guides your escape from the 9-to-5, Monday to Friday routine to a new financially care-free lifestyle. If that's what you want. Ferris won't turn you into a millionaire and he doesn't even promise you'll reach full retirement early. His promise is even bolder: he'll help you retire now. Not a full retirement, but a series of mini retirements of a few months. It's a lifestyle you can reach by building web businesses that run mostly by themselves, giving you a decent income and plenty of free time.\\n\\nOn the minus side, Ferris's presentation is cheesy: he gives us a four step plan concocted from a gee-whiz acronym, DEAL (Definition, Elimination, Automation, Liberation). His enthusiasm strikes me as over-the-top and less than fully realistic--some of us aren't entrepreneurs and like the 9-to-5 lifestyle. That said, I do have a couple of friends who are living this way, but they have the right personality for it.\\n\\nOn the plus side, you'll get lots of practical advice. The book lists and describes a huge array of tools and services that will help you set up your online store. It gives tips & conversation scripts for everything from negotiating better ad rates to getting past the gatekeepers of difficult-to-reach people. It explains how to free up time, for instance by prioritizing your clients and dropping those problem cases that take up too much time without contributing revenue.\\n\\nThe Four-Hour Workweek might not make you rich but if you are a natural entrepreneur, it provides a blueprint from which you can build viable web-based businesses that might make you feel rich while giving you more time to enjoy the important things in life.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: On the tenth anniversary of the date that UN peacekeepers landed in Rwanda, Random House Canada is proud to publish the unforgettable first-hand account of the genocide by the man who led the UN mission. Digging deep into shattering memories, General Dallaire has written a powerful story of betrayal, naivete, racism and international politics. His message is simple and undeniable: \\\"Never again.\\\" When Lt-Gen. Romeo Dallaire received the call to serve as force commander of the UN intervention in Rwanda in 1993, he thought he was heading off on a modest and straightforward peacekeeping mission. Thirteen months later he flew home from Africa, broken, disillusioned and suicidal, having witnessed the slaughter of 800,000 Rwandans in only a hundred days. In \\\"Shake Hands with the Devil\\\", he takes the reader with him on a return voyage into the hell of Rwanda, vividly recreating the events the international community turned its back on. This book is an unsparing eyewitness account of the failure by humanity to stop the genocide, despite timely warnings. Woven through the story of this disastrous mission is Dallaire's own journey from confident Cold Warrior, to devastated UN commander, to retired general engaged in a painful struggle to find a measure of peace, reconciliation and hope. This book is General Dallaire's personal account of his conversion from a man certain of his worth and secure in his assumptions to a man conscious of his own weaknesses and failures and critical of the institutions he'd relied on. It might not sit easily with standard ideas of military leadership, but understanding what happened to General Dallaire and his mission to Rwanda is crucial to understanding the moral minefields our peacekeepers are forced to negotiate when we ask them to step into the world's dirty wars.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: When politics and diplomacy fail, humanity fails\\n\\nReview: Politics and politicians matter. Even corrupt self-serving politicians bring some structure and stability. We may scoff at politicians, but the fact is when they fail, when they are replaced by ideologues and hate mongers, and when the institutions in which they serve no longer work, the social body dies and people stand naked and unsheltered in the world. Civilization disappears and what we've built to establish justice collapses, plunging us into chaos and horror.\\n\\nDallaire's book brings home that the genocide resulted from political failure. Failure first within Rwanda to hold the Hutu extremists in check. Failure of the UN to realize the magnitude of the problem. Failure of the major powers, especially France and the United States, to risk people and material to prevent a massacre. Failure of the Tutsi expatriate forces in Uganda to care for the Tutsi still in Rwanda. And, as Dallaire makes clear, the nave failure of a soldier to understand that politics matter.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Dublin\",\n \"Product: Son of a bankrupt landowner, Frank Gresham is intent on marrying his beloved Mary Thorne, despite her illegitimacy and apparent poverty. Frank's ambitious mother and haughty aunt are set against the match, however, and push him to save the family's mortgaged estate by making a good marriage to a wealthy heiress. Only Mary's loving uncle, Dr Thorne, knows the secret of her birth and the fortune she is to inherit that will make her socially acceptable in the eyes of Frank's family - but the high-principled doctor believes she should be accepted on her own terms. A telling examination of the relationship between society, money and morality, \\\"Dr Thorne\\\" (1858) is enduringly popular for Trollope's affectionate depiction of rural English life and his deceptively simple portrayal of human nature.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Taking an idiom literally\\n\\nReview: When we ask someone if they are engaged, we are asking if they have made with their partner an explicit and reciprocal promise to enter marriage. When Mary Thorne is asked the question, she takes it literally and means something wholly different.\\n\\nMary Thorne is the niece and adopted daughter of the eponymous main character of the novel, Doctor Thorne. (If you'll permit an aside before proceeding, Trollope begins the novel by addressing the question of who is in fact the main character of his novel. He doesn't answer this question, rather he leaves the final verdict up to the reader.) Though a member of an ancient Barsetshire family, Doctor Thorne's material fortunes have fallen and he cannot hope to arrange a marriage of wealth for his niece. However, this hardly matters since the doctor wishes his niece happiness, not wealth, and when prospects of wealth do come her way, he is rather perplexed as to what he should do.\\n\\nAnother important character, young Mr. Frank Gresham, is in a similar situation, though in his case his fortunes are falling rather than already fallen. As Doctor Thorne does for his niece, Frank cares for his happiness rather than his wealth. Alas, Frank's family has decided he must marry money. He objects and declares his love for Ms. Mary Thorne. She reciprocates Frank's feelings for her but in the face of his family's opposition, and their accusations of impropriety on her part, she cannot accept his proposal.\\n\\nAnd yet Mary declares herself engaged even when she's renounced her beloved. Her heart is engaged to his and she cannot move it. He may do as he pleases, he may follow the wishes of his family and marry another. It doesn't matter, her heart will be nonetheless engaged to his with no prospect of turning to another.\\n\\nIt is this precise use of words and this detailed development of a plot turning on the quite literal nuances of an idiom which make Anthony Trollope's books a joy to read. This chapter of Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire, his \\\"Comdie Humaine\\\", is as satisfying as the previous two, and I warmly recommend it.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Dublin\",\n \"Product: What have the invention of the wheel, Pompeii, the Wall Street Crash, Harry Potter and the internet got in common? Why are all forecasters con-artists? What can Catherine the Great's lovers tell us about probability? And, why should you never run for a train or read a newspaper? This book is all about Black Swans: the random events that underlie our lives, from bestsellers to world disasters. Their impact is huge; they're impossible to predict; yet after they happen we always try to rationalize them. A rallying cry to ignore the 'experts', \\\"The Black Swan\\\" shows us how to stop trying to predict everything - and take advantage of uncertainty.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Immediately useful in business continuity planning\\n\\nReview: I used examples out of this book the very day I bought it.\\n\\nMy job is to advise on business continuity plans, or BCPs. These plans are to help a business survive when disaster strikes. This generally means having a secondary location with server backups, a contact list of all staff members, and a set of plans on how to deal with various scenarios. You wouldn't deal with a fire the same way you'd handle a flu epidemic though either one could destroy your business.\\n\\nThis can be a tough sell. Managers and salespeople are edging to get out and do their own work and even in this post 9/11 world they see BCPs as a chore. They don't see a need for them because any single disaster is perceived as so improbable that planning against them is a fruitless expense.\\n\\nI got much help from Taleb's book. His examples and insights forcefully counter this attitude. Here are some examples I gave management during my presentations.\\n\\n* The hero of September 10th. Had some regulator mandated bullet proof doors on all passenger planes by 10 September 2001, then the World Trade Center would probably be standing today, but would we have thanked the regulator? Of course not, we'd have cursed the increase in fuel consumption caused by these heavy doors.\\n\\n* The problem of silent evidence. Cicero asked about a series of portraits and was told that these were grateful pilgrims who had been saved from a storm by praying to the gods. I see, answered Cicero, but where are the portraits of those who prayed and drowned anyway? Evidence of success is seldom mitigated by the often absent evidence of failure.\\n\\n* Power distributions. In Taleb's world (he calls it Extremistan and contrasts it with Mediocristan) events and their impacts are distributed following a power law, or the 80-20 rule. But the 80-20 rule scales up. If 80% of the wealth is held by 20% of the people, then 80% of that 80% (i.e. 64%) is held by 20% of that 20% (i.e. 4%). We should think this way when planning for worst possible cases, that is we shouldn't plan for the worst case we know has happened, we should plan for at least one level up in the 80-20 rule.\\n\\nTaleb's main hobby is to tease people about what they claim to know. He readily says \\\"I don't know\\\" and advises skepticism towards those who claim they do know. Does it take courage to go to your boss or to a team of managers you are advising and say this? No, it doesn't take courage, it takes tact. We might not know what to expect but we can foster a culture of skepticism and promote it as the best available. We should give up a dangerous sense of false security and simply accept we don't know so that we can absorb as best we can the impact of the next big disaster.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Dublin\",\n \"Product: Everyone wants to succeed in life. But what causes some of us to be more successful than others? Is it really down to skill and strategy - or something altogether more unpredictable? This book is the word-of-mouth sensation that will change the way you think about business and the world. It is all about luck: more precisely, how we perceive luck in our personal and professional experiences. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the markets - we hear an entrepreneur has 'vision' or a trader is 'talented', but all too often their performance is down to chance rather than skill. It is only because we fail to understand probability that we continue to believe events are non-random, finding reasons where none exist. This irreverent bestseller has shattered the illusions of people around the world by teaching them how to recognize randomness. Now it can do the same for you.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A basketful of unconventional wisdom\\n\\nReview: Fooled By Randomness delivers an introductory course on how to live in a random world. Taleb believes the human mind isn't made to understand randomness and that really complex systems operate more or less as if they were random.\\n\\nTaleb wants us to change how we think about risk. He wants us to abandon the attitude that because something's happened before, it'll happen again (e.g. my portfolio will continue going up) or that because something hasn't happened before, it'll never happen (e.g. others traders have gone bust, but I never have and I never will). Taleb chides traders who prefer frequent small gains and tries to explain their behaviour. A trader who makes small profits 4 days out of 5 and a small loss the other day will have a solid record, he will feel good about himself but he will not be prepared for Black Mondays or other financial shocks and he will blow up, to use Taleb's phrase, and disappear.\\n\\nTaleb also wants to debunk the assumption that the bell curve (the Normal distribution) is a good model. He points out that financial disasters like the 1929 crash or Black Monday in 1987 have happened more frequently than the bell curve predicts. Why then, he asks, do risk managers still stick with Normal models? These models have failed to predict large movements and are dangerous.\\n\\nTaleb does not take credit for the views he presents and he gratefully acknowledges debts to a range of thinkers from Montaigne to Popper to Mandelbrot. But a good teacher is hard to find and we should be grateful for someone like Taleb. The ideas here are not original, but Fooled by Randomness presents them forcefully and dramatically.\",\n \"Product: \\\"Atlas Shrugged\\\" is the astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world - and did. Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, \\\"Atlas Shrugged\\\" stretches the boundaries further than any book you have ever read. It is a mystery, not about the murder of a man's body, but about the murder - and rebirth - of man's spirit.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: She's just plain wrong...\\n\\nReview: According to Ayn Rand, a work of art is a selective reproduction of reality. It abstracts the defining characteristics of what the artist wants to reproduce in order to convey her theme. While the theme of Atlas Shrugged is crystal clear, it fails its audience by pretending reality is something else than what it is.\\n\\nThe novel tells the story of John Galt, a superman who decides he will not live for the sake of others and of Dagny Taggart, the chief operating officer of Taggart Railroad. Taggart shares Galt's sense of life; she comes across Galt when she finds more and more of the men and women she respects are disappearing and abandoning their work and their businesses. It seems John Galt is urging that the doers of the world go on strike.\\n\\nDagny's chase for Galt goes on for a thousand pages of action and diatribe, including an interminable sixty page radio speech by Galt attacking the rest of world. By the end, he, Dagny and the other super men and women leave the world to rebuild a new society. A little utopian for my taste.\\n\\nIn real life, there are no people like John Galt or Dagny Taggart. If courage is to face one's fears, then they are not courageous because they have never known fear. Real people, including idealized heroes, do experience fear and do have moments of self-doubt. We might wish fear and angst were not part of our selves, but wishing something never makes it real. If we were to try to \\\"be like John Galt\\\" we'd wind up denying we are ever gripped by doubt and we'd repress our feelings rather than resolve them. A perfect John Galt does not inspire us to emulate him, it makes us wish upon a star to be already like him.\\n\\nCompare Rand's book with Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind. (Rand mimics Mitchell's style quite a bit I think.) Dagny Taggart's can-do attitude is remarkably similar to Scarlett O'Hara's gumption but Scarlett is a real person because she has flaws along with her qualities. She faces adversity with courage, but learns and grows as a person. The only thing Dagny Taggart learns is where to find John Galt. There's no growth, no learning about oneself.\\n\\nWhere Gone With The Wind ultimately speaks to us as people, Atlas Shrugged speaks only to our frustrations that neither the world nor we are perfect. We should accept that and try to better ourselves; we shouldn't pretend that our problems can be wished away. Rand writes A is A, i.e. things are as they are. Well people are what they are, should we pretend otherwise?\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: Jennifer Bassett is Series Editor of the Oxford Bookworms Collection, for which she has written original stories One-Way Ticket and The President's Murderer.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Anachronistic as a mystery but fun and otherwise historically accurate\\n\\nReview: This is the first of the Brother Cadfael novels, a series of twelfth century medieval murder mysteries featuring a Benedictine monk, brother Cadfael, who left a crusader's life to tend the herb garden of the English abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Shrewsbury, near the Welsh border. This first story takes place in Wales, in fact, and Brother Cadfael is himself Welsh.\\n\\nAbbeys are large operations and are costly to operate. They need revenue which usually comes from visiting pilgrims. If the abbey had some holy relics, they might increase the number of visiting pilgrims and the abbey's income. One of the monks in the abbey has a dream about Saint Winifred, a Welsh martyr, and prior Roberts convinces the abbot it is a sign that her bones should be exhumed from a nearby Welsh village to be transferred to the abbey.\\n\\nThe abbot is convinced, obtains the patronage of the local nobles and sends a delegation to Wales to retrieve the holy relics. Brother Cadfael accompanies the delegation and serves as translator.\\n\\nThere is opposition. The villagers strongly feel that since Saint Winifred was at heart a simple Welsh girl, she'd want to stay in Wales with her own. The haughty prior Roberts points out the poor state of her grave and he questions their devotion to her. The discussion heats up and tempers flare. The villagers will take counsel with themselves and speak again the next day, but their leader is found murdered the next morning.\\n\\nBrother Cadfael examines the body, asks questions and investigates. The main difference betweeen him and Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot is that Cadfael is humble to a fault and never antagonizes anyone he is questioning, though his questions do send some into a panic whether or not they are guilty.\\n\\nMy only complaint with this novel, as with all the others in the series is about a problem I find in just about all historical fiction: the characterization and the context tend to reflect our modern times and our modern concerns rather than those of the time and society in which they are set. (Janet Lewis's The Wife of Martin Guerre is a notable exception to this.) But historically Ellis Peters's novels are otherwise very accurate and the anachronistic feel is limited to Cadfael's sense of justice and powers of investigation. But then again without that as a premise, we'd have no stories.\\n\\nI first heard of Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael series when I was a teenager but I never picked it up until now. I got the First Omnibus, and liked the first novels so much that I immediately bought the entire collection. Highly recommend!\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City\",\n \"Product: This volume begins with basic programming concepts and techniques, then focuses more particularly on information structures-the representation of information inside a computer, the structural relationships between data elements and how to deal with them efficiently.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Numbers: random generations and arithmetic\\n\\nReview: Volume 2 of \\\"The Art of Computer Programming\\\" is about random numbers and also about relearning one of the three Rs from grade school, viz. arithmetic. Each topic gets one chapter.\\n\\nWhen you generate random numbers in Excel, or VBA, or Perl, or C using functions packaged with the software, you are really using a deterministic algorithm that is not random at all; the results do however look random and so we call them \\\"pseudorandom\\\".\\n\\nChapter 3 contains four main sections. First a section devoted to the linear congruence method (Xn+1=(aXn + c) mod m) of generating a pseudorandom sequence; with subsections on how to choose good values for a, c, and m. Second we get a section about how to test sequences to find if they are acceptably random or not. Third we find a section on other methods, expanding on linear congruence. Finally in a particularly fascinating section, DK provides a rigorous definition of randomness.\\n\\nI haven't looked much at chapter 4 yet, on arithmetic. In it Knuth covers positional arithmetic, floating point arithmetic, multiplication and division at the machine level, prime numbers and efficient ways of investigating the primeness of very large numbers.\\n\\nAgain, DK is thorough and methodical. Again this is not a for dummies book. Again it is about theorems, algorithms, mechanical processes, and timeless truths. Again the exercises are a fascinating blend of the practical (investigate the random generating functions on the computers in your office) to the mathematical (he asks readers to formally prove many of the theorems he cites). And yes, again Knuth uses MIX, that wonderfully archaic fictional 60s machine language. But that should not stop readers; I use Perl.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Our love of music and what can happen to it and to us\\n\\nReview: Sacks looks at music and the neurological basis for music within the mind. He presents a variety of case studies.\\n\\nPeople who are obsessed with music, some born so and others becoming so late in life. We read of victims of dementia who have lost all mental functions but somehow keep a sense of self through music. We read of an amnesiac man with no memory stretching beyond the moment yet who can play long pieces from memory. Victims of Williams syndrome who have very low IQs but are highly social, very outgoing, and genuine lovers of music.\\n\\nAnd we are told of people with odd conditions but who are otherwise perfectly normal. A woman with perfect pitch, who can play instruments well, but who doesn't care or emotionally react to music at all. A woman for whom music has absolutely no meaning: any tune is to her no different than the clanking of pots and pans thrown on the floor. A man who cannot stop musical hallucinations from coming unbidden. People with synesthesia who see colours whenever music plays and who associate specific colours with specific notes.\\n\\nSacks presents all his case studies in such a way as to convey what these people feel like. Here and there he sprinkles slightly technical concepts, such as the location of the brain's speech centers behind the left ear, how lesions in this or that area can release musical activity, how blindness can induce strong auditory hallucinations because the now unused visual areas of the cerebral cortex are taken over by auditory functions. Through these technical details we come to discover hints of how our brain creates our mind and how music in most of us is deeply embedded in our sense of self.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: 'What a marvellous book this is ...de Botton dissects what [Proust] had to say about friendship, reading, looking carefully, paying attention taking your time, being alive and adds his own delicious commentary. The result is an intoxicating as it is wise, amusing as well as stimulating, and presented in so fresh a fashion as to be unique ...I could not stop, and now much start all over again.' Brian Masters, Mail on Sunday 'De Botton not only has a complete understanding of Proust's life ...but what is particularly charming about this small, readable book is its tongue-in-cheek benignity, its lightly held erudition and its generous way of lending itself to what is not only the greatest book of the century but also the darkest and the most eccentric' Edmund White, Observer 'It contains more human interest and play of fancy than most fiction ...de Botton, in emphasizing Proust's healing, advisory aspects, does us the service of rereading him on our behalf, providing of that vast sacred lake a sweet and lucid distillation.' John Updike, New Yorker 'De Botton's little book is so charming, amusing and sensible that it may even itself change your life.' Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph 'This engaging book is one of the most entertaining pieces of literary criticism I have read in a long while.' Sunday Telegraph 'A very enjoyable book' Sebastian Faulks\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: How de Botton can change your reading of Proust\\n\\nReview: My 2006 reading project was to get through Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time and De Botton's book was a great help at the end.\\n\\nI love Proust's long meandering dreamy sentences describing the things and people the narrator encounters, but I tend to tune out when Proust explains his theories on how memory works, on how we should appreciate a work of art, of how we should read a book, etc.\\n\\nDe Botton concentrates precisely on the parts of Proust I find most tedious, and in his short book he gives us a sampling of Proust's philosophical approach to life. What's more, De Botton takes pertinent passages in ISoLT and contrasts them with how Proust actually lived his own life. Sometimes Proust writes one way but lives a different way; for example he was a great friend, generous and attentive, but he writes that friendship is a waste of time. Which is his true opinion? Probably not that friendship is a waste of time... But the point is that De Botton breathed life into parts of Proust I previously dismissed, including the last hundred pages where the narrator finally experiences the \\\"how and why\\\" of his life.\\n\\nI'm always a little suspicious of self-help books. Too often they're written by quacks and sometimes the advice they give can be dangerous. I'm also always open to good advice and De Botton showed to my surprise that Proust is full of genuinely helpful hints on how to live better. I bought How Proust Can Change Your Life because I was interested in Proust not because I wanted to change my life; the helpful hints are a fringe benefit.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: \\\"This is the International Edition. The content is in English, same as US version but different cover. \\nPlease DO NOT buy if you can not accept this difference.\\nShip from Shanghai China, please allow about 3 weeks on the way to US or Europe.\\nMessage me if you have any questions.\\\"\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Numbers: random generations and arithmetic\\n\\nReview: Volume 2 of \\\"The Art of Computer Programming\\\" is about random numbers and also about relearning one of the three Rs from grade school, viz. arithmetic. Each topic gets one chapter.\\n\\nWhen you generate random numbers in Excel, or VBA, or Perl, or C using functions packaged with the software, you are really using a deterministic algorithm that is not random at all; the results do however look random and so we call them \\\"pseudorandom\\\".\\n\\nChapter 3 contains four main sections. First a section devoted to the linear congruence method (Xn+1=(aXn + c) mod m) of generating a pseudorandom sequence; with subsections on how to choose good values for a, c, and m. Second we get a section about how to test sequences to find if they are acceptably random or not. Third we find a section on other methods, expanding on linear congruence. Finally in a particularly fascinating section, DK provides a rigorous definition of randomness.\\n\\nI haven't looked much at chapter 4 yet, on arithmetic. In it Knuth covers positional arithmetic, floating point arithmetic, multiplication and division at the machine level, prime numbers and efficient ways of investigating the primeness of very large numbers.\\n\\nAgain, DK is thorough and methodical. Again this is not a for dummies book. Again it is about theorems, algorithms, mechanical processes, and timeless truths. Again the exercises are a fascinating blend of the practical (investigate the random generating functions on the computers in your office) to the mathematical (he asks readers to formally prove many of the theorems he cites). And yes, again Knuth uses MIX, that wonderfully archaic fictional 60s machine language. But that should not stop readers; I use Perl.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: Of Human Bondage, Twentieth Century Classics, Immitation Leather, Hardcover.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: An ordinary book for ordinary people\\n\\nReview: Whatever age you happen to be, if you are hit with despair at how meaningless, trite and ordinary your life is, then I urge you to get a grip on yourself and read this book. You need to learn how to live for yourself, and you need to do so without becoming selfish.\\n\\nI can think of no other book that better celebrates the joy of plodding along. I can think of no other book that better celebrates the ordinary. Genius is its own reward but what about the 99.9% of us who have no talent or genius? The answer is in this book: forget talent, forget impossible ambitions, and find your passions in the joy of everyday life.\\n\\nThis is the hard reality: yes, we are special like every one else; but only a very few are truly special. We might work our fingers to the bone and suffer for our aims but what will be become of us? Read this central quote from the novel, and think about it.\\n\\n\\\"You have a certain manual dexterity. With hard work and perseverance there is no reason why you should not become a careful, not incompetent painter. You would find hundreds who painted worse than you, hundreds who painted as well. I see no talent in anything you have shown me. I see industry and intelligence. You will never be anything but mediocre.\\\"\\n\\nThis is heartless! But the man who said it, well, he paused and he painfully added this:\\n\\n\\\"But if you were to ask me my advice, I should say: take your courage in both hands and try your luck at something else. It sounds very hard, but let me tell you this: I would give all I have in the world if someone had given me that advice when I was your age and I had taken it. It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late. It does not improve the temper\\\"\\n\\nIf you are a cashier in a grocery store or if you input data for a living, so what? Find joy in living, not in thinking you are somehow \\\" talented\\\" or \\\"special\\\".\\n\\nOne of things in life that makes me happy is once in a while writing these Amazon reviews. They are what they are and that is all that they are. (Please excuse my parody of Popeye.) They aren't what you'll find in The New Yorker or in any serious literary review. But I am OK with that.\\n\\nAnyone who is down in the dumps about how \\\"ordinary\\\" their life is will get something out of this book. In extreme cases, it might even keep them alive. As trite and ordinary as this slightly insipid novel is, isn't that (paradoxically) extraordinary?\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Quebec City\",\n \"Product: LIKE NEW, LIMITED EDITION FRANKLIN LIBRARY LEATHER BOUND, 22 CARAT GILDED PAGES. In like new, unread condition, not price clipped, not library edition, not remainder marked.\\nSeller is a lifelong book collector and each edition comes directly from his 35,000+ volume collection! All orders are shipped every business day using USPS Media Mail for all U S. orders. Orders shipped from Grover Beach, California. 93433-1585, Thank You, for your business!!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Improbable coincidences, a typical Dickens cast, a moral lesson\\n\\nReview: As usual with Dickens, improbable coincidences abound. They are artfully presented however and Dickens does offer one or two surprises.\\n\\nFor one thing, the novel is quite violent. Dickens graphically describes one character dying from burns. He presents a ruffian or two. Even one of the better gentlemen manhandles his maid.\\n\\nAlso as usual with Dickens, we find a full cast of memorable well-defined characters. Mr Jaggers, the lawyer to beat all lawyers, and his assistant Mr. Wemmick who never mixes business and home matters, except under exceptional circumstances. We find Miss Havesham a wealthy but bitter spinster left at the altar years before. We meet Joe Gargery, a wise well-meaning blacksmith who lovingly raises Pip, the novel's main character, taking him on as his apprentice. Pip leaves him when fortune mysteriously smiles on him. An unknown benefactor gives our hero a substantial income so that he may fulfill his Great Expectations and become a gentleman of means and of leasure.\\n\\nAnd there you have Pip in a nutshell: he leaves a loving home, a kind man and a good position to become a man of the world, a man about town, in short a bit of a parasite.\\n\\nBut then to become a man of means is for Dickens to have attained heaven on earth and he only lets the truly good enjoy their fortune. Jaggers is rich and cannot be called good, at worst he is amoral, but he is a man of action. On the other hand the thoughtless and ungrateful Pip doesn't deserve heaven. Not just yet.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\",\n \"Product: 'The best memoir by a senior politician for years.' Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times John Major's autobiography is one of the most personal and revealing ever written by a former British Prime Minister. The account of his childhood, rise and fall is candid, scrupulous and unsparing. Major's early life was extraordinary; his rise through Parliament meteoric. Soon a favourite of Margaret Thatcher, he became Foreign Secretary and then Chancellor of the Exchequer. When Thatcher fell, he fought and won a shrewd campaign to succeed her, and went on to win a remarkable general election victory in 1992. He brought down inflation and ushered in a solid economic recovery, yet within months of the 1992 election, his government was in troubled waters. John Major is candid about his fight to keep sterling in the ERM and his reactions to 'Black Wednesday'. He is frank about the civil war within his party over Britain's relationship with the EU. He is honest about what he won and what he lost, about friends and foes within his party as well as outside.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Forceful, clear, balanced autobiography of a pragmatic man\\n\\nReview: John Major's autobiography is a clear and balanced account of his early life and of his time in office leading the United Kingdom. He forcefully defends most of his policies and a few times admits that he got some important things wrong.\\n\\nThe first nine chapters are chronological and recount his childhood, his early life in business and politics, his rise within Thatcher's cabinet, and finally his attaining the Prime Ministership. The remaining nineteen chapters deal with his days in office. Each chapter addresses a topic or issue, beginning with his first international test in leading the UK through the first Gulf War. He deals with domestic issues like Ireland and the poll tax, but spends much time on Europe as European issues hogged the agenda during most of his tenure. He explains his position as a pragmatic Eurosceptic. On one hand, Major has always wanted to remain British and fears the coming of a United States of Europe; on the other hand he sees the foolishness of the UK giving up its influence by refusing to participate.\\n\\nPragmatism colours all of Major's decisions and policies. Unfortunately, Major led a party polarized by extreme views on Europe, on Monetary union, and even on the question of Ireland and to many at the time his pragmatism looked weak or lacking in beliefs. It was not. Major convincingly recounts how he was trying to save the Tories from splitting. He saw the Conservative party as a crucial institution, one whose survival in the long term mattered much more than the transient questions of Europe. But Major is an opinonated pragmatist. He believes in the basics of Toryism and then had to watch in frustration as New Labour under Tony Blair appropriated (Major bluntly says \\\"stole\\\") basic Tory social and fiscal policies.\\n\\nThus pragmatism had drawbacks. It caused Major to back off a little in order to appease; he accepts responsibility for the Conservative failure and the new Labour landslide.\",\n \"Product: Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), better known by his pen-name, George Orwell, was born in India, where his father worked for the Civil Service. An author and journalist, Orwell was one of the most prominent and influential figures in twentieth-century literature. His unique political allegory Animal Farm was published in 1945, and it was this novel, together with the dystopia of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), which brought him world-wide fame. His novels and non-fiction include Burmese Days, Down and Out in Paris and London, The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Analytical and balanced essays, and still relevant\\n\\nReview: George Orwell was a master of the critical, analytical essay and this collection gives us ten of his best.\\n\\n*Decline of the English Murder\\n*A Hanging\\n*Benefit of Clergy\\n*How the Poor Die\\n*Rudyard Kipling\\n*Raffles and Miss Blandish\\n*Charles Dickens\\n*The Art of Donald McGill\\n*Notes on Nationalism\\n*Why I write\\n\\nThe essay on Kipling stands as an excellent example of analytical criticism. It contains my single favourite line from the book. \\\"A good bad poem is a graceful monument to the obvious.\\\" There's no question Orwell enjoys Kipling and admires his talent and his understanding of the world. At the same time, Orwell disapproves of Kipling and of Kipling's values. Orwell knows that Kipling is a British imperialist and that Kipling believes the British man superior to other races, but Orwell sees that Kipling also knows what it is to rule. Orwell also sees that Kipling, unlike many others who glorify military death, understands that the common soldier would perhaps prefer to run away rather than face bullets.\\n\\nDeath stalks many of the other essays, e.g. a Hanging or How the Poor Die, but the Art of Donald McGill is a pleasant enough examination of low-brow humour, and the essay on Charles Dickens explains much of what makes Dickens so enjoyable and instantly recognizable.\\n\\nBut by far and away, the most important essay in this collection is \\\"Notes on Nationalism\\\". It has coloured my own political thinking since I first read it in 1990 and hardly a month goes by without my thinking of it. Orwell defines nationalism as the state of mind for people who identify so strongly with a group that they are unable to admit any wrong if that wrong makes the group more powerful, and who could never admit the truth of their group owing something to another. He sees this form on nationalism in British colonial officials who could not accept \\\"natives\\\" ruling India for themselves, he sees it in Irish and Scottish republicans who could not admit they owed their freedom to the United Kingdom's protection. He sees it in Catholic writers who see the population oppressed in (Protestant) Britain but freed in Mussolini's (Catholic) Italy. Perhaps today Orwell would have used the word \\\"fundamentalism\\\" instead of nationalism.\\n\\nVincent Poirier, Tokyo\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":32,"string":"32"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1789,"string":"1,789"}}},{"rowIdx":1790,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"AVFB9B931P1CJ"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"The Summit 6.5 inch utility knife features our intuitive, smarter handle design that guides your hand to the ideal grip automatically. We studied chefs and found they pinch the blade for maximum control so we sought to make that grip easy and intuitive. We did it by moving the chef's \"pinch-grip\" zone up and away from the blade to the handle where soft grip contouring guides and cushions your hand. Now the optimum grip is easy and automatic so you're free to enjoy cutting with precision and confidence. Of course Fiskars knife also boasts Fiskars' legendary cutting quality. An ultra-sharp, Japanese-grade, stainless steel blade ensures smooth, easy cutting, chopping and mincing of small- to medium-sized foods like onions and peppers. Both the knife and protective blade guard are dishwasher safe, making this a supremely convenient and reliable kitchen companion.\". The summary of the review text is \"Innovative, but not so sharp\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I'm reviewing the paring knife. It has some interesting traits, positive and not so much.\n\nMy oldest parer is a Chicago Cutlery 100S, from the days when that brand was manufactured exclusively in Minneapolis. More recently, I added the KitchenAid Classic Forged Series Triple Rivet Paring Knife. The Chicago was never a fave, so no wonder that company has added variants with more useful blade shapes. The KitchenAid is stout and purposeful.\n\nEnter the Fiskars, with a shape I've never seen before in a parer. It's a little like a micro chef's knife. The blade is thinner than either of my other paring knives, which allows it to more easily slide through food, assuming the task at hand is slicing into food.\n\nThat said, it's not as sharp as either of my other paring knives. Testing on an apple, it took more pressure than the others.\n\nAnd while that innovative handle shape facilitated control in slicing cuts, the apple peeling shown with this listing was not comfortable in my larger hands. The shape of the blade and the handle combined to diminish my confidence when peeling toward my thumb.\n\nI'll say that the Fiskars paring knife is useful, but I would not consider it for my only paring knife.\n\nUPDATE: After use in a greater variety of situations, I've upped my rating to four stars. The blade shape turns out to versatile for uses such as at picnics or in the \"lunch box,\" when food you take to work needs a little attention from a knife."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I'm reviewing the paring knife. It has some interesting traits, positive and not so much.\n\nMy oldest parer is a Chicago Cutlery 100S, from the days when that brand was manufactured exclusively in Minneapolis. More recently, I added the KitchenAid Classic Forged Series Triple Rivet Paring Knife. The Chicago was never a fave, so no wonder that company has added variants with more useful blade shapes. The KitchenAid is stout and purposeful.\n\nEnter the Fiskars, with a shape I've never seen before in a parer. It's a little like a micro chef's knife. The blade is thinner than either of my other paring knives, which allows it to more easily slide through food, assuming the task at hand is slicing into food.\n\nThat said, it's not as sharp as either of my other paring knives. Testing on an apple, it took more pressure than the others.\n\nAnd while that innovative handle shape facilitated control in slicing cuts, the apple peeling shown with this listing was not comfortable in my larger hands. The shape of the blade and the handle combined to diminish my confidence when peeling toward my thumb.\n\nI'll say that the Fiskars paring knife is useful, but I would not consider it for my only paring knife.\n\nUPDATE: After use in a greater variety of situations, I've upped my rating to four stars. The blade shape turns out to versatile for uses such as at picnics or in the \"lunch box,\" when food you take to work needs a little attention from a knife."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: The R H Forschner by Victorinox Paring Knife features high carbon, stainless steel blade, hand finished at Victorinox in Switzerland by skilled craftsmen. A special tempering process is used to produce an edge that can be resharpened over and over again, so the knife can keep its original sharpness throughout the entire life of the blade. Victorinox handles are ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension. They provide a natural fit. A good heft and comfortable, positive grip are indications of a well-made knife. Although cutlery steel is naturally sanitary, materials and construction details of the handle minimize crevices what would offer hospitality to bacteria. T he Model Numbers 40508 and 45508 are the same item in different packaging.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not Up to the Victorinox Standard\n\nReview: Don't get me wrong; this is an OK knife and a good value. But it does not measure up to other Victorinox cutlery.\n\nThe Good: This is a sharp paring knife with a handle length that fits me. The blade length is handy for many small jobs. It is the least expensive knife in my kitchen. The textured handle is an improvement over the hard plastic of the Kuhn Rikon knives. Made in Switzerland (so marked on the sleeve, not the knife).\n\nDings: The blade is thinner than my <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Chicago-Cutlery-Walnut-Tradition-3-Inch-Paring-Boning-Knife/dp/B0000BYEJD/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition 3-Inch Paring/Boning Knife</a> or my Wustof Emeril 4-1/2\" utility knife. It's a tad thicker than my <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Kuhn-Rikon-4-Inch-Nonstick-Colori-Paring-Knife-Black/dp/B00168EAPQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Kuhn Rikon 4-Inch Nonstick Colori Paring Knife, Black</a>. The handle is thinner than any of my similar knives, which makes it less than ideal for my grip.\n\nInferior to other Victorinox knives: Handle of hard plastic rather than fibrox. Thin blade. Blade finish not as nice as the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-10-1-4-Inch-Fibrox-Wavy-Bread-Knife-Black/dp/B008M5U1QI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Victorinox Swiss Army 10-1/4-Inch Fibrox Wavy Bread Knife, Black</a> or the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-8-Inch-Fibrox-Straight-Edge-Chef-s-Knife/dp/B008M5U1C2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Victorinox Swiss Army 8-Inch Fibrox Straight Edge Chef's Knife</a>, which absolutely gleam.\n\nSummary: At this price point I don't know of a better paring knife. Just don't expect it to measure up to more expensive tools.","Product: These KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls are essential tools for any modern kitchen. This set includes one 2-1/2 quart bowl, one 3-1/2 quart bowl and one 4-1/2 quart bowl. These bowls feature non-slip bases that increase stability while mixing. The pour spout on each bowl helps reduce spills when transferring mixes. These bowls nest together when not in use for ease of storage. These mixing bowls are dishwasher safe for fast and easy cleanup.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Big Range of Bowls\n\nReview: Since I've been happy with my <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/KitchenAid-Prep-Bowls-Set-of-4-Red/dp/B005D6G5N2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">KitchenAid Prep Bowls, Set of 4, Red</a>, I thought I'd check out these larger bowls. They seem quite sturdy and the range of sizes (5.5 quarts is a BIG bowl) should cover any reasonable cooking tasks.\nThe \"handles\" and spouts are nice features, but I might have preferred larger spouts. OTOH, maybe I'm being too critical; I'm glad they're there. I also would have preferred to have some measurements scribed into the interiors so ingredients could be directly measured into the bowls.\nThese may work in the newer, tilting KitchenAid stand mixers, but they don't really fit my old, bowl-lift type KitchenAid.\nThe non-slip bottom material is interesting. It's not as soft as silicone but soft enough to work when you're bearing down a little on the bowls. As others have noted, this medium softness reduces crumb pickup.\nNote that the 24\" ruler and red prep bowl set in my photo are not included.","Product: Chef's Choice ProntoPro Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener #4643 is a perfect manual sharpener for those who own Asian and European/American style knives and want to quickly and easily apply a superior, shaving sharp edge! Sleek and highly-styled, its our fastest manual sharpener yet for applying 15 degree edges for Asian style knives and 20 degree edges for European/American style knives. Using precise angle guides, 100% diamond abrasive wheels and our acclaimed CrissCross sharpening technology, it provides a super sharp, durable, arch shaped edge with lots of bite. The secret is in the 100% diamond abrasive wheels which sharpen simultaneously into and out-of the edge for a superior burr-free edge that cuts effortlessly. Separate honing stage polishes the edge for flawless performance. The ProntoPro sharpens all quality knives including straight edge household and kitchen knives, Santoku, sports and pocket knives, as well as serrated knives. Engineered and assembled in the U.S.A.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Back from Dead Dull\n\nReview: I brought an abused Wusthof back from the dead with this sharpener. So it paid for itself with the first use.\n\nA friend left this behind when moving, presumably because it had become really dull. It was also quite stained. As a lover of Wusthof knives, I felt compelled to reverse this decline.\n\nStep one was to improve the appearance by treating with <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Griot-s-Garage-11238-Metal-Polish-2-5oz/dp/B004UQQYAK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Griot's Garage 11238 Metal Polish 2.5oz</a>. For the difficult part of the restoration, I purchased the Chef's Choice, it being highly rated by a well-respected cooking magazine.\n\nI read the directions, followed them, and afterward this old Wusthof Le Cordon Bleu chef's knife was ready to go back to work. As the directions suggested, the initial blade shaping took more strokes due to the very dull edge. But it worked, and without the expense of an electric sharpener. Now I'll use my Wusthof sharpening steel after every use to keep the edge happy.","Product: The InterDesign Axis over-the-cabinet expandable towel bar creates instant storage space in your kitchen or pantry. Installation is easy; simply hang over a standard cabinet door to organize hand towels, dish towels, pot holders and more.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Functional, But Flawed Finish\n\nReview: This towel bar is functional, but the finish is less than outstanding.\n\nI'm reviewing the single bar expandable model in black chrome finish. I've included a photo of it next to another brand brushed stainless towel bar I've used for a couple of years.\n\nHappily, the fit (with the foam backing front/top/back), is pretty snug on my 5/8\" thick doors. (My other towel bar is sloppy compared to this, perhaps in part due to foam aging.) The hooks are secured by two small welds each.\n\nThe finish has a bit of wave to it. There are a couple of places where the finish was burnished dull when the collapsed bar was in transit. That suggests that there's an overall clear plastic coating ... or maybe the finish is all sprayed. It also suggests that you might choose a towel bar without the expansion capability if you can find the right size.\n\nOverall, I'll rate this towel bar functional but lacking the build quality of high-end products.","Product: The Cuisinart silicone oven mitt offers comfortable & safe protection when handling hot cookware in your kitchen. Lined with 100% cotton padding on the inside and 100% heat-proof silicone on the outside. Silicone is heat resistant up to 450 degrees F.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Buy Two, Because ...\n\nReview: Because the only reasonable use for this mitt is in a pair to handle casseroles or baking sheets. The design is impractical for one-handed gripping.\n\nAs you can see from my photos, my kitchen includes two of what I'll call crocodile silicone oven mitts. I have also tested heat resistant nomex/silicone gloves. In my experience, the croc mitt is best for one-handed gripping. The Cuisinart Silicone Heat-Proof Oven Mitt with Quilted Cotton Lining did not measure up in that respect.\n\nWhat's it good for?\nWith a nice textured top and bottom surface, this mitt works well for the traditional squeeze-lift method of handling hot casseroles. And with two of these, you can handle baking sheets and roasters without getting your thumbs in the food.\n\nWhat it's not?\nGrabbing a hot skillet from the oven with one hand is just not going to happen with this guy. It's the wrong design.\n\nAbout that design.\nTo give this mitt a fair shake, two of us tried it: a 6' tall male and a 5'2 female. The tiny thumb on this mitt fit her but not me not even close to long enough. And the design makes it pretty well impossible to fold your thumb (whether you're 6' or 5'2) to grip a hot item.\n\nAs the photo illustrates, this mitt is about the length of my Ikea mitt and longer than the Mostrad. Strangely, I prefer the short length while my short partner likes the long one.\n\nAs you would expect, the mitt is made in China. I can't complain about the quality of manufacture; the stitching is tight and even in the quilted lining and where it attaches at the cuff. Having used an Ikea mitt sans lining, I know that lining is a good thing. Unlike my Mostrad oven mitt, the Cuisinart lining is not removable for washing. It is cotton with polyester fill in the quilting. The moulded silicone mitt itself is cleanly fabricated with no rough edges. The surface texture is probably better than the pattern of the Mostrad mitt, though the silicone is pretty grippy anyway.\n\nMy advice is this: if you choose this mitt, buy two.","Product: Embossed with a chic, sculpted weave pattern and a stylish bamboo lid, the Entertain 365 Sculpture Loaf Pan with Lid has a textural look that easily transitions from everyday dining to special occasions. The white porcelain pan with easy grip handles is dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 450 degrees. The bamboo lid can be used as a cutting or serving board, or as a trivet for bring hot food to the table.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Real Looker of a Cooker\n\nReview: This is truly an oven-to-table loaf pan. And the bamboo lid is a perfect sized trivet.\n\nThere's no comparison in the appearance of this vs. an oven-safe glass or metal loaf pan. The basket weave outside (it's smooth inside) is attractive. The white color is never out of place. The style works with both traditional and contemporary table settings. The handles make it easy to handle when hot.\n\nThis pan is hefty; though I don't have an equivalent Pyrex or metal pan to compare, I suspect it's heavier than they would be.\n\nAlthough Lenox uses the tag line, \"American by Design(tm),\" this is marked \"Made in China.\"\n\nI have to disagree with the suggestion that the bamboo lid be used as a cutting board. I have bamboo cutting boards and use shows. Employing this lid/trivet as a cutting board would cause its appearance to degrade while the pan retains its attractiveness.\n\nLenox offers a 50 percent discount on \"replacement pieces\" if you register. Note that the qualifying language is, \"at on-half its suggested retail price at the time of replacement, plus shipping and processing charges and applicable sales tax.\"","Product: This 3-Piece Sabatier Colander Set is ideal for washing or straining fruits, vegetables, and pasta and more. Each features fine mesh for superior draining, and a pedestal base to provide excellent stability and elevation above draining liquids. The loop handles ensure a secure grip during use. 3-piece set includes 7-inch, 9-inch, and 11-inch sizes.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: No Strain, No \"Pain\" (on peut dire)\n\nReview: These are useful strainers, neither exceptionally great nor inferior. If you are buying for the Sabatier brand, read more on that below.\n\nThe large and small strainers have the same mesh size, while the mid size one features finer mesh. They are all fine enough that you'd not substitute one for a collander.\n\nI have an unbranded 7 strainer to which I'm comparing the largest of this set. The Sabatier is shallower and has a shorter, smaller diameter handle. Though shallower is not a plus, the handle design makes it far less prone to tip when resting on a pan or bowl. I tested tipping tendency with an 8 bowl (7 and 5 strainers) and the small strainer on one of my Made in China Victor knock-off mugs (traditional diner mugs); each was stable without requiring that I hold it in place.\n\nThe Amazon listing makes a big deal about the Sabatier heritage. Those of us familiar with the brand know that it has never been exclusive to a single manufacturer. The hang card attached to this set includes this language: Manufactured under license by Lifetime Brands, Inc., Garden City, NY 11530 Made in China. So the French heritage is not much in evidence.\n\nThe Limited lifetime warranty only requires that you ship (postpaid) the defective item to New Jersey. That beats some warranties that expect you to pay shipping of the replacement, too.\n\nOverall manufacture quality seems just as you'd expect of this sort of product; there were no visible defects. Welds are tidy. The stainless rim that holds the mesh is polished on top, brushed underneath.","Product: Grill / Griddle combo is perfect for whipping up breakfast for the whole gang or grilling up your favorite meats, all with one flip of the cooking plate. Powered with 1500 watts, this unit heats up quickly. Go from keep warm to 400 degrees with one simple turn of the knob. This versatile combo is a do-it-all cooking machine! Safer than a stove, this unit has heat protection so you never have to worry about over heating. Not to mention it is super easy to clean. Simply toss the cooking plate in sink and soapy water making clean up as simple as can be.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: It looks good enough and is a convenient size\n\nReview: This grill/griddle does some things well. Just keep an eye on what you're cooking.\n\nBut let's start with the Bella brand. It's one of a few (Bella, Brim, Throwback) owned by the Montréal company Sensio. The promise is budget products that compete with big brands. Based on what I've read, they don't consistently fulfill that pledge.\n\nThis grilldle (just so I don't have to keep writing grill/griddle) seems to be generally well made. I did detect those little snaggy things on the edges of some plastic parts. These are tabs that should be ground off after the parts are cast. It looks good enough and is a convenient size.\n\nGetting down to testing, my first project was pork chops on the grill side. The booklet says cook at 350. I set it up and set the dial to 350. After five minutes of preheat time, my non-contact thermometer registered these temps in the ridges of the four corners: 280, 402, 448, 500. On the flats, I got 399, 429, 500, 448. I turned it down and after another five minutes it evened out at close to 300 all over. I was eventually able to achieve a pretty uniform range of temps once the meat went on: 350380.\n\nThe booklet warns against using the grilldle over certain counter surfaces. My tests showed that the temperature under the appliance never got above 100.\n\nThe pork chops took nice grill marks on the first side (not so much when flipped). But they had corners that remained pink so I eventually followed my usual practice of finishing the chops in the oven. The result was excellent.\n\nTo test the griddle side I cooked bacon, eggs and refried beans. Again setting the dial to 350, after warm up I measured 360, 340, 330, 350 and 430 in the center. Bacon cooked quickly; and I do mean quickly. I recommend that you follow the instruction to frequently flip that cured meat. Overall, the grilldle produced a well-cooked meal and in short order.\n\nA side note: This is the first appliance I've had come with a leaflet encouraging purchasers to review their products online and share photos on social media.\n\nIn many respects, this is a more convenient way to cook volumes of certain foods easier and quicker than using skillets. I can't compare the Bella grilldle to others, but it seems to do the job at a reasonable price.","Product: The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster features extra-wide, self-centering slots to fit all types of breads, waffles, and bagels. One-touch buttons simplify operation, and the shade selection knob gives you control to make toast your way.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Turns Bread into Toast\n\nReview: This is a functional basic toaster with a nice, retro design. The Extra Wide Slot feature kinda works (see explanation below).\n\nI tried to fit a 1 slice of baguette and it did not fit; the crust hit the square top corner of the wire inner cage. Cinnamon raisin bread, which is rather slim, did fit just fine. I think that Extra Wide Slot can work for something like a waffle (stiff, with some bevel to the edges), but due to the design you'll have to first open the inner cage to insert many types of food to take advantage of the 1-3/8 maximum opening.\n\nA thinner slice of baguette did toast evenly. The cinnamon raisin bread toasted unevenly. This is probably the ultimate test of even toasting due to the high sugar content; it reveals any difference caused by uneven side-to-side heat or the cage settling closer to one side than the other. On closer examination, it appears to me that the springs hold the cage nicely centered, so maybe the elements on each side are not heating identically. An unscientific test with my non-contact thermometer (looking down through the slot) seems to show a 1020 degree difference. But my testing may be faulty since I don't know precisely what area is being measured; I'm just using the laser to aim it as similar spots on the right and left.\n\nNow I should admit that my fixation with even toasting is because I've been unhappy using a toaster oven to toast. I find that I have to watch my toast and flip it. The somewhat uneven toasting I've demonstrated with this Black+Decker (see my photo) is way less and not a deal breaker.\n\nI was also curious just how hot the shell of the toaster would get. The sides stay cool enough to touch, under 90 degrees. My non-contact thermometer registered nearly 200 degrees on the top corners.\n\nThere's the expected crumb tray that slides out on the back side. The brushed stainless finish and overall build quality are fine.\n\nTo summarize, this is a good, functional toaster that can accommodate thicker bread, bagels and waffles, but probably not in the same league as premium competitors.\n\nNOTE: The photo shows both sides of the same slice of bread; this illustrates the actual side-to-side variation in toasting.","Product: B1)LOWEPRO FLIPSIDE 300 SLR BACKPAC\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Holds All I Want to Carry\n\nReview: The great news is that this bag hold my standard kit with any of the three lenses on the body. But the design involves ergonomic compromise.\nI just got my Flipside 300, loaded my gear, and tried it on. Here are my observations:\nCAPACITY\nIt holds my Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 70-300, spare battery, two \"cable\" releases (wired and wireless), a rail with clamp for shooting panoramas, rocket blower, spare memory cards, flashlight, LensPen. There is space for a few more items, possibly a small prime lens.\nThe real test for me was the ability to store the camera and the other two lenses with any of them on the camera. It works!\nRealistically, I can't store spare batteries or anything with bulk in the external side pocket, but it's fine for memory cards and cleaning cloths. And I'd be able to improve the divider placement if the cloth attachment areas on the periphery of the bag were more extensive. Still, there's room for a few more accessories than I usually need.\nADD-ONS\nThere are loops to attach additional gear and I have an Adorama Slinger filter pouch mounted one one shoulder strap. This keeps filters easily accessible. Have not yet tried the tripod holder but will report again when I have.\nQUALITY\nThe Flipside is consistent with other Lowepro bags I've owned; I have no complaints about the construction; padding seems adequate and construction solid.\nDESIGN\nI chose this bag for a) size, and b) design. I like the \"inside\" opening of the main compartment, top handle, hanging loop.\nERGONOMICS\nI suspect that the design is responsible for the one significant ergonomic compromise I see in this bag. Because the shoulder straps are attached above the main compartment opening, the straps are not optimally placed for me. I'm 6' tall, 170#. In any position that fits me, the accessory attachment points are quite high. The sternum strap is adjustable but in a way that makes it prone to popping off of the shoulder straps. As others have noted, a more substantial waist strap would make it more comfortable for long hikes.\nALTERNATIVES\nI've owned a sling bag (not well-suited to the 14-24mm), a messenger bag (gets heavy on the shoulder fast) and a full-size camera pack (I overload it). The shortcomings of these bag types drove me to the Flipside. I still keep a large-capacity Lowepro Reporter shoulder bag, small M-Rock and large Pelican case for transporting gobs of gear.\nBOTTOM LINE\nIn spite of the less-than-ideal shoulder straps and accessory mounting points, I'll keep this bag since it holds just what I need, is compact, and is sufficiently comfortable for walks and short hikes. I'll continue to carry my SB-800, SB-600, wireless remotes and light modifiers in a separate small bag.\n\nUPDATE July 13, 2011\nTried the tripod attachment with a medium Benbo and RRS ball head. It was clumsy and the bag lies awkwardly on the ground. I won't use it.\nIn addition to the kit listed above, I can cram in a Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-S lens and hood. This is really reaching the limit of the bag with four lenses including the 14-24mm. The limiting factor is the 70-300mm since it won't stand up in the case. I can carry a D700 plus the following lenses: 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 50mm, and Rokinon 85mm, though this is a somewhat unlikely combination of lenses.","Product: Thermaltake N0028USU HDD Docking Station. The picture is for display only and the hard drive is not included.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A must for laptop users\n\nReview: Works great with the 1TB data drive from old desktop and made laptop migration painless.\nI'm a professional photographer and finally made the leap from using a desktop system to a single notebook for everything. My HP Pavilion dv7 has the largest fast drives inside (a pair of Hitachi 500GB 7200RPM disks), but a photographer needs more. I have Windows 7 and all programs installed on one drive. At my home office I use this dock with a 1TB WD drive for all data. Now when I take the notebook with me, I'll transfer active files to the second internal drive.\nThis is a plug and play product; it took no tech savvy to connect it to power and the eSATA port on my computer. I slid the 3.5\" drive into the slot and was up and running.\nAs I decommission the old desktop computer, I can yank two 500GB drives from it. I can swap out my collection of 3 500GB and one 1TB drives, in addition to the internal drives and a USB 2TB backup drive to organize tons of files and keep everything backed up with an off-site copy.\nGreat product! Don't think I'll ever buy another external drive enclosure.","Product: B1)LOWEPRO FLIPSIDE 300 SLR BACKPAC\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Holds All I Want to Carry\n\nReview: The great news is that this bag hold my standard kit with any of the three lenses on the body. But the design involves ergonomic compromise.\nI just got my Flipside 300, loaded my gear, and tried it on. Here are my observations:\nCAPACITY\nIt holds my Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 70-300, spare battery, two \"cable\" releases (wired and wireless), a rail with clamp for shooting panoramas, rocket blower, spare memory cards, flashlight, LensPen. There is space for a few more items, possibly a small prime lens.\nThe real test for me was the ability to store the camera and the other two lenses with any of them on the camera. It works!\nRealistically, I can't store spare batteries or anything with bulk in the external side pocket, but it's fine for memory cards and cleaning cloths. And I'd be able to improve the divider placement if the cloth attachment areas on the periphery of the bag were more extensive. Still, there's room for a few more accessories than I usually need.\nADD-ONS\nThere are loops to attach additional gear and I have an Adorama Slinger filter pouch mounted one one shoulder strap. This keeps filters easily accessible. Have not yet tried the tripod holder but will report again when I have.\nQUALITY\nThe Flipside is consistent with other Lowepro bags I've owned; I have no complaints about the construction; padding seems adequate and construction solid.\nDESIGN\nI chose this bag for a) size, and b) design. I like the \"inside\" opening of the main compartment, top handle, hanging loop.\nERGONOMICS\nI suspect that the design is responsible for the one significant ergonomic compromise I see in this bag. Because the shoulder straps are attached above the main compartment opening, the straps are not optimally placed for me. I'm 6' tall, 170#. In any position that fits me, the accessory attachment points are quite high. The sternum strap is adjustable but in a way that makes it prone to popping off of the shoulder straps. As others have noted, a more substantial waist strap would make it more comfortable for long hikes.\nALTERNATIVES\nI've owned a sling bag (not well-suited to the 14-24mm), a messenger bag (gets heavy on the shoulder fast) and a full-size camera pack (I overload it). The shortcomings of these bag types drove me to the Flipside. I still keep a large-capacity Lowepro Reporter shoulder bag, small M-Rock and large Pelican case for transporting gobs of gear.\nBOTTOM LINE\nIn spite of the less-than-ideal shoulder straps and accessory mounting points, I'll keep this bag since it holds just what I need, is compact, and is sufficiently comfortable for walks and short hikes. I'll continue to carry my SB-800, SB-600, wireless remotes and light modifiers in a separate small bag.\n\nUPDATE July 13, 2011\nTried the tripod attachment with a medium Benbo and RRS ball head. It was clumsy and the bag lies awkwardly on the ground. I won't use it.\nIn addition to the kit listed above, I can cram in a Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-S lens and hood. This is really reaching the limit of the bag with four lenses including the 14-24mm. The limiting factor is the 70-300mm since it won't stand up in the case. I can carry a D700 plus the following lenses: 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 50mm, and Rokinon 85mm, though this is a somewhat unlikely combination of lenses.","Product: Thermaltake N0028USU HDD Docking Station. The picture is for display only and the hard drive is not included.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A must for laptop users\n\nReview: Works great with the 1TB data drive from old desktop and made laptop migration painless.\nI'm a professional photographer and finally made the leap from using a desktop system to a single notebook for everything. My HP Pavilion dv7 has the largest fast drives inside (a pair of Hitachi 500GB 7200RPM disks), but a photographer needs more. I have Windows 7 and all programs installed on one drive. At my home office I use this dock with a 1TB WD drive for all data. Now when I take the notebook with me, I'll transfer active files to the second internal drive.\nThis is a plug and play product; it took no tech savvy to connect it to power and the eSATA port on my computer. I slid the 3.5\" drive into the slot and was up and running.\nAs I decommission the old desktop computer, I can yank two 500GB drives from it. I can swap out my collection of 3 500GB and one 1TB drives, in addition to the internal drives and a USB 2TB backup drive to organize tons of files and keep everything backed up with an off-site copy.\nGreat product! Don't think I'll ever buy another external drive enclosure.","Product: CRISPER PHOTOS, SMOOTHER VIDEOS. Take better photos and videos with the JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand. Compatible with Apple and Android smartphones, including iPhone 6, iPhone 7 and iPhone 8, you can stabilize your images, for a crisper, clearer click. The premium clamping mount and tripod will hold any smartphone in place, as you see the world from a different point of view. TURN YOUR WORLD UPSIDE DOWN. Take your phone anywhere and capture any angle with the GripTight GorillaPod Stand by JOBY. The lightweight, compact design is easy to travel with, while giving you a super-secure mount and grip. The octopus-style tripod for smartphones can rotate 90 degrees so you can shoot an image or video, and quickly review what you just captured. The GripTight is made to unleash your creativity so you can get the best shot, at the best angle. The easy to maneuver and adjustable the TPE legs and rubberized foot grips onto almost surface, and the 150-degree tilt means you can get the shots you want. COMPATIBILITY OPTIONS. Made out of durable, yet lightweight ABS plastic, acrylic, TPE Grip pads, and stainless steel, the JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand will never let your smartphone slip out of its grasp. Designed for any cell phone, with or without a case, (69mm-99mm) including iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, Nokia Galaxies, and Nokia Lumias. Whether youre creating, viewing, or sharing, you will get a better experience with GripTight. Enhance your proficiency with your favorite apps, such as GoPro, Photoshop, Instagram, or Snapchat when using this cellphone tripod. With a -20 thread standard tripod mount, you can easily use it with other JOBY tripods and stands. Give yourself the tools you need to take better photos and smoother videos with the GripTight GorillaPod Stand, the ultimate versatile smartphone tripod.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Fits Galaxy Note 3 ... Barely\n\nReview: Recommended for Note 3 users, with a caveat. The GripTight just fits with no protective cover on the phone.\n\nI generally use a Finitie Shield series case, only the inner layer, to protect my phablet. With the case in place, the device will not quite fit the grip part of this rig. A thinner skin might be OK. I poked at the rubber on the jaws of \"clamp\" in case I could easily pop it out, but it looked like I was going to mangle it so I stopped.\n\nI cannot hold it against Joby that their device did not anticipate my application, but I wish the jaws opened one more millimeter!\n\nA quick test indicates that the legs have enough grip to support my Note on a vertical pole, which is my application; I use the Note with the CamRanger app to control cameras at the top of an 18' pole. Researching ways to attach the phablet to the pole, I arrived at the GripTight rig as a small, light, inexpensive solution. Assume that it's working for me unless I return to update this review with any negative experiences.","Product: Maximize your music options with the Sony 50-Watt Bluetooth speaker with CD player. Its magnetic fluid speaker and passive radiator plays full range Audio. Stream audio from your compatible Bluetooth-enabled music devices, or enjoy convenient Bluetooth pairing with NFC near field communications technology. This device also comes with a CD player and AM FM radio.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Funky Connectors, but Otherwise Great\n\nReview: What you need to know: connections on the back are not what you might expect. I'll post a photo of the back so you can see this.\nI plan to run longer speaker wires, so I was not thrilled when this arrived and saw that the speaker and antenna connections are some very small plugs. That means I'll have to splice the speaker wires and I can't use a standard antenna if I get poor reception when I take it to the store where I plan to use it.\nOtherwise, my initial impression is positive. The sound quality is really pretty good and volume is adequate for background music or small rooms. Without reading instructions, I navigated tuning and saving some presets, playing a CD. I did have to read the short instructions to pair with my Samsung Galaxy Note 3, but that went quickly and I was able to stream Dolores In A Shoestand by E.S.T. through my Amazon Prime account. Next, I copied an MP3 track to a USB drive, slapped it in and got it to play. I've not tried the rear 3.5mm input jack (a standard, thanks!) or the front headphone jack.\nI've added another image so you can see that the speaker grille can be easily removed to reveal the two drivers. This also illustrates the faux woodgrain finish on the speaker boxes.\nBottom line, my initial impression is that this system can do a decent job of reproducing music from a variety of sources. Assuming it proves durable, it seems to be a good value.","Product: Wired Shutter Release Remote Control Cable for SONY Cameras This shutter remote control is processing by high quality drawing pattern which improved the texture. It support single shooting, and lock the button for continuous shoot and long exposure (bulb). The raised release button reacts fast and fine. The remote is compatible with Sony RM-VPR1 multi-terminal socket. KEY FEATURES: Shutter control: Half-way to focus your digital camera, and full-way to trigger the shutter. Lock the button for continuous or long exposure shoot. Reduce camera shake . Cable length: 120 centimeters. COMPATIBILITY: Sony Alpha A7r, A7, A6000, A3000, SLT-A58, NEX-3NL, DSC-HX300, DSC-RX100III, DSC-RX100II Cameras Notice: Not compatible with NEX-3\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice Inexpensive Cable Release\n\nReview: Does the job, but the lock is irritating. But the price was right and it gets the job done.\n\nI got this to use with a Sony a6000. This was the least expensive simple cable release that was available through Amazon Prime.\n\nI almost always shoot three-shot brackets (a pleasure at 11 fps!), which just takes a single press and hold like the regular release button. The only negative is that I find that this release tends to slide into the locked (T) position by accident. I may modify it to disable the feature.\n\nWell, there is one other slight negative. I use the Arca-Swiss quick release system, with a Really Right Stuff L plate on the Sony a6000. The plug on this release is too big to allow me to use it when the camera is in portrait orientation. I'll try a micro USB right-angle adapter to resolve that.\n\nGotta say that I miss the old days when all cameras used the same threaded cable release. My two Nikon DSLRs use different releases and now the Sony adds yet another.","Product: The Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard brings the comfort and convenience of desktop typing to your smartphone, tablet, and more*. Connect with three devices simultaneously and switch instantly between them. The K380 Multi-Device Keyboard is compact and lightweight so you can type on the device of your choice, anywhere around the home. Use K780 as a regular keyboard or combine with a compatible Logitech FLOW mouse (sold separately) to type, copy, paste and move files seamlessly between computers. *Any Bluetooth-enabled computers or mobile devices that support external keyboards with HID profile. Check with device manufacturer for details.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Works for Me with Dell and Samsung\n\nReview: This worked for me with a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 and Dell XPS8500 (desktop).\n\nHaving buttons to choose which of three paired devices you want to connect is a nice feature. It paired with my Dell and Note 3 with no problems at all. It did have a little trouble with my Tab 4 (or should I say, the Tab 4 had a little trouble with the Logitech?), but after powering the keyboard off and on, they paired. I was able to smoothly switch between connected devices. I was also able to switch back and forth between the Logitech K380 and the Logitech MK320 wireless keyboard I use most of the time with the Dell.\n\nThe typing experience is OK: not great, not bad. The keyboard is slightly narrower than standard. From the outside of the \"A\" key to the outside of the '\"\" key is about 19.5 cm, vs. about 20 cm for my standard keyboard. At nearly 15 oz with batteries, it's not light, but is solid. It does feature raised locators on the \"F\" and \"J\" keys for touch typists. Of course, the keys don't depress as far as a regular keyboard, but they do move far enough to let you know when you strike a key.\n\nTesting with my Dell, the volume function keys worked. The \"start\" key brings up the start menu just like the Windows logo key on a regular keyboard. When the start key is combined with a number key it will launch programs. The control keystroke combinations I tried worked.\n\nLacking a 10-key pad, it won't do the alt+nnn shortcuts I like to use to insert special characters like the copyright symbol and the em-dash. If I use this keyboard for serious typing I'll have to find a workaround for that.\n\nThere are probably better keyboards for those whose primary requirement is portability (size/weight), though they might compromise ergonomics. Yes, it would seem to be a lot of bulk to carry around to use with a phablet. But for use with tabletsespecially if you want to do some serious typingthe Logitech K380 seems to be an attractive option.","Product: to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Action Cam, Dash Cam, Time-lapse, Streaming\n\nReview: You don't have to be a prior Sony camera owner to like the HDR-SA50, but I am and I do. I didn't realize that I needed an action cam until I started using it.\n\nI've tested normal video, loop and time-lapse modes and it took just a little experimentation to get useful results from this camera. It was my third day of testing before I had to resort to the (downloadable) manual. Whether controlling it via the on-camera display and controls or the Live View Remote, most functions were quite obvious. Five buttons do everything (power, record/enter, menu, up, down) while a small (very small to older eyes) monochrome screen shows the menus.\n\nBy way of background, I formerly owned a Sony DSC RX100 and now shoot with an A6000 and A7R2, so I'm a Sony fan. This after more than 50 years shooting Nikons plus a wide range of view, medium-format and panoramic cameras. In the digital realm, I owned nine assorted Nikon, Minolta and Fujifilm cameras before switching to Brand S.\n\nThe first thing I tried with the SA-50 was a drive around my nearest state park. In video mode with SteadyShot on, it produced useful video. The camera fared better in full shade or full sun than in part shade mixed with bright sun where the dynamic range of the back-illuminated Exmor R sensor was out of its depth. I didn't expect it to come close to my full-frame Sony and my expectations were not exceeded. But otherwise, the video was smooth and pleasing.\n\nNext on the testing menu was the time-lapse mode. Unlike video, time-lapses can be shot in 4k resolution. I did a few in daylight and at sunset. Assembling these was a snap in the bundled Action Cam Movie Creator application. That app allows trimming and has some rudimentary titling capability. It's a convenient way to automatically assemble a collection of time-lapse stills into a video. I can definitely see using this time-lapse capability to create some footage for a project for my local Main Street program, capturing activity in our historic downtown.\n\nThe steps for creating a time-lapse are:\n\nSet up the desired frame rate (one shot per 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 seconds). Just keep in mind the nominal playback speed is 30 fps.\nChoose the time-lapse mode and do your shooting.\nImport images into Action Cam Movie Creator.\nChoose Create a Movie, then Time Lapse Movie.\nTell it where your frames are and let it import them and automatically lay them into the timeline based on the EXIF time data in each jpeg.\nTrim to suit.\nOptionally add simple text titles (choose font, size, color, position).\nWhen you're happy with your creation, render it out. The options are 2160p 60Mbps, 1080p 14Mbps or 720p 2.25Mbps.\n\nMy last test was using the SA50 as a dash cam. That's not what they call the looping mode, but that seems to me the most obvious use. Since I was contemplating getting a dash cam, that mode will be subject to long-term testing.\n\nI took advantage of the standard 1/4-20 tripod socket to attach the camera to a windshield mount. Handily, there's a setting to invert the image for situations where you mount the camera upside down. This setting is per mode, so if your dash cam mount is always upside down, you can just leave that mode set to invert and other shooting modes (movie, still, time-lapse ...) will remain upright. My first attempt yielded a result that did not match what I wanted, necessitating my first foray into the manual.\n\nI learned that the five minute loop setting gave me five one-minute clips. Understand that looping entails saving a series of sequential vids, erasing the first as the sixth is being recorded, so with each new clip the oldest is deleted. That's logical, but I strongly suspect that anything of interest is likely to span multiple short clips. The solution was to use the 20 minute setting. In this mode the clips are five minutes each.\n\nWhile I didn't specifically test still photo mode, I examined some of the 4k time-lapse images and found them sharp enough for the uses for which one would likely employ images from an action cam. Some credit goes to the Zeiss lens, though it's my understanding that the major contribution from that venerable lens company is some vetting of Sony's implementation of it's lens designs, in this case the classic Tessar optical formula. The sensor's dynamic range allowed me to lift (brighten) shadows about two stops without introducing objectionable noise.\n\nI also have yet to try the live streaming mode, but given the wifi capability I can imagine that the AS50 would be a more than capable wireless webcam, powered through the microUSB/multi terminal port.\n\nBy the way, if you use some other Sony action cams or some of the pocket cameras, e.g., the original RX100, you'll find that they can share batteries. This seems to be a Sony design standard since my a6000 and A7R2 also employ their battery design.\n\nBoot up time for the camera and the remote is probably about four seconds.\n\nI had mixed experience with the Live View Remote. I loved having a compact dedicated remote (with streaming screen) as an alternative to the also-available phone app, and the wrist band was handy. Synching between camera and remote was usually quick enough. I did find that the remote would sleep while shooting time-lapse and sometimes it did not want to reconnect. More research is in order (on my part) to resolve that.\n\nI didn't specifically try to determine how effective SteadyShot is. I should note that it is not available in loop and time-lapse modes. I'm not sure why, unless (for time-lapse) the digital stabilization is too processor-intensive for the Bionz X processor in 4k resolution.\n\nIn my testing there was no need to resort to setting white balance or AE adjustment, but it's good to know that a bit of manual control is available. In addition to the buttons and display described above, the body features a microSD slot under a bottom door, a microUSB/multi terminal (proprietary Sony connector) under a door on the back and a standard tripod socket and anti-twist pin socket on the bottom. It's a clean and compact package.\n\nI've used the Sony with some Sony-branded accessories (mini tripod, carrying case, selfie stick ...) as well as aftermarket windshield and handlebar mounts. Have yet to need the waterproof enclosure. Let me tell you that nothing is quite as odd looking as this minuscule camera with an Arca-Swiss plate on top of my Benro COM48CXL tripod extended to its full 70 inch extension plus ball head. But I do plan to set up a clamp and arm to run the AS50 along side my larger Sonys.\n\nTo sum up, the Sony HDR-AS50 opened my eyes to the many ways an action cam can come in handy. I'll put mine to use in a variety of shooting projects.","Product: with Interchangeable Lens 12-40mm F3.5-\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A box camera for your glove box\n\nReview: Get it at the right price and you may love having this camera in your car console so you never miss a shot.\n\nNOTE: Based on improvements in updated firmware, I upped the rating to four stars but it does not seem to show.\n\nBefore getting into shooting, I gave myself a tour of the Yi M1 and noted some small traits. The initial feel of the body is solid, though plastic. The tripod thread is stainless steel, but is not centered under the lens. In fact, it's not centered on the body. Of course you won't be able to change batteries while on a tripod.\n\nThe body cap can be removed without pressing the lens release button, but once you mount one of the lenses you'll probably never use it. To collapse the kit zoom lens, press the unlock switch and keep rotating past the 12mm setting. Later, when you turn on the camera, it will warn you to unlock the lens for use.\n\nInitial setup is quick: choose English as your language and set time/date. You must slide your finger on the touchscreen to increment settings.\n\nSwitching the camera on involves pressing the switch back against the body, which should allow quick response.\n\nYou have three screens: settings, shooting, and color mode. Pressing the shutter while in settings or color mode automatically takes you back to the shooting screen, where you see f/stop, shutter speed and +/- EV settings, ISO, AF mode, while balance, images to go, battery state and wireless on/off.\n\nSpeaking of that screen, it is large and bright. But it's not articulated, a feature I use all the time with my other cameras. Needless to say, there is no viewfinder.\n\nTo get to the full settings menu, go to settings on the mode dial. I've not found a screen mode that includes level or histogram, two tools I regularly use.\n\nOverall, camera a bit cramped in my hands. There are deep dots under thumb and a sharp, rubbery finger grip area, so I never feel that it will slip away.\n\nThere's a red AF assist light on the front, to the left (from operator's position) of shutter release. I turned it off in settings.\n\nThere are shortcomings in setup, but we can hope that these limitations get remedies in future firmware releases. The most glaring, I think, is lack of a way to set the maximum ISO available in auto ISO.\n\nThe lens mount on the camera is metal (yay!), but the bayonets on the lenses themselves are plastic (should I be saying composite?). Unfortunately, neither lens that came with the camera features optical stabilization.\n\nThere's a hot shoe, but this strikes me as inappropriate to the overall traits of the camera. I wouldn't carry a separate flash to use with the M1. It's also interesting that a two-lens kit is offered with a 12-40mm (24-80mm in 35mm terms) variable-aperture zoom and a 42.5mm f1/8 prime that should be popular for portraits. Both lenses are unapologetically plastic. As I write this, Lightroom finds no profiles for the Yi lenses.\n\nFocus is all contrast detect, but nicely covers most of the screen. And you can use the touchscreen to tell it where to focus. There are, of course, a bunch of jpeg settings but since I shoot all raw, all the time, I'll be using the DNG setting.\n\nI often shoot in aperture priority mode with a three-shot exposure bracket. Sorry, once you set the camera to capture raw files, you loose exposure bracketing.\n\nI shot a few casual test shots around the house. One included objects inside my balcony door, outside and a brightly-lit house wall. Auto ISO went for 2,000 and I was shooting at f/5.6 and 1/100 sec. After tweaking both noise reduction and sharpening (in Lightroom), the image showed acceptable (not great) noise characteristics and sharpness. DXO Optics Pro 11 failed to recognize the DNG image files.\n\nA real test of dynamic range (how much bright to dark info the sensor can capture) involved an outdoor scene with bright highlights and dark shadows. I shot with the M1 and a Sony a6000 for comparison. It would have been grossly unfair to compare the Yi camera to my Sony A7R2, a top tier camera regarding dynamic range. I brought images into Lightroom, pulled highlights all the way down, lifted shadows all the way, then adjusted exposure until the images did not show highlight clipping (blown bright areas). The test images (posted here) clearly show less shadow detail in the M1 image.\n\nWhy would you want the Yi M1? Well, it's intended to be friendly to those wanting to step up from a phone camera, thus the screen-centric interface. But it would also have appeal to anyone interested in something larger than a pocket camera but smaller than APS-C. At 20MP resolution, the M1 offers the highest resolution of any micro four thirds (MFT) camera. It looks like a viable glove box camera to me, something I can keep in my car for opportunistic shooting.\n\nADDITIONAL COMMENTS AS OF 12/14/16\nA firmeware update adds the ability to cap the ISO in auto ISO mode. Alas, it did not add the ability to AE bracket raw files. I should add that it's a bit obscure how to do the firmware update. It comes in a rar file that takes a special extraction program; why not a zip file?","Product: Logitech harmony 950 is the best harmony remote yet for control of TV, movies, music, and games. Its color touchscreen provides powerful, intuitive control of up to 15 devices\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Easy Setup and Smart Operation\n\nReview: Just opening the package speaks of quality. What's inside includes a USB cable, a dedicated wall wart charger, the charging base and the Harmony 950. That power supply means it's not necessary to charge from a device with a spare USB port.\n\nThe next thing I checked out is the small (SMALL) manual. It illustrates what's in the package and tells you to connect the Harmony to your computer and download/install the Harmony app that you'll use to configure the remote.\n\nThe manual is so concise that it fails to mention that the usb port is under a rubber door on the bottom.\n\nThis is my first universal remote; maybe because I figured it would be a big hassle to configure one. That was not the case with the Harmony 950.\n\nAfter a quick download of the app installer, the actual app loads in under a minute. Once you launch it you'll create an online account. The setup process ask you the make and model of your devices. It had no trouble identifying mine. You will have to know which inputs (on your receiver) are connected to which sources, so you may end up pulling some of your components out to read info from the back. It really did a good job of guessing all of the other relevant settings for my equipment.\n\nSetup is organized in activities, such as TV, music, etc. Some activities are preconfigured, but you can add custom activities. Well, you can also modify some of the canned ones, at least changing the names. For each activity you tell it which components to include and assign a few functions, such as that the receiver controls volume.\n\nOnce you start using the remote, the first time you use an activity it asks if the configuration works, and gives you a chance to tweak things.\n\nIn use, you use the touch screen like a smart phone, even including a clock. There's also, of course, the usual array of buttons for common tasks.\n\nPress the gear icon at the top and it offers help, fix it myself, settings, edit and sleep timer. Settings lock keeps the kids from messing things up.\n\nThe device goes to sleep about 10 seconds after you set it down . It wakes up when you pick it up. The feel is excellent with nice heft. It's shiny on top and has a matte, textured surface on the bottom.\n\nI recommend the Harmony 950 with no reservations. It's a quality device and it works.","Product: Add an elegant touch to parties, weddings, events, meetings and conferences with custom-printed place cards you can print at home. These Place Cards feature premium, heavyweight cardstock that stands up to frequent folding, making them perfect for use as escort cards for weddings, place cards on buffets or as product description cards at boutiques, trade shows and farmers markets. Easily personalize and print with our free designs and templates . Bright vibrant colors and sharp, clear text can be printed to the edge on both sides for a polished, professional look that will add a special feel to any event.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Rough Around the Edges\n\nReview: They don't separate cleanly and the printing quality is lacking.\n\nI tested these cards on my Epson Stylus Pro 3880 pigment inkjet photo printer and Brother HL-L2340DW laser printer, using the Avery Design & Print application (a free download). They fed through both without problems but in both instances I found that the paper produced prints that were less than crisp.\n\nBut the real problem is with the perforations. The micro perfs are good enough when they tear cleanly, but that they don't do consistently. A foreshadowing of the problem appears when you try to bend the perfs two ways, normal practice to get a clean separation. It only wants to fold back. See my photo for the results (NOTE: printing intentionally blurred due to content; this is only to show the edges).\n\nThe score for folding was also inadequate, not nearly as good as I'm accustomed to with the note card paper I buy from another vendor.\n\nI should also report that this is not a bright white paper, though there is no brightness rating on the package so this is a general observation. It is rated 176GSM, so fairly lightweight for a card stock.","Product: Bacon is one of the most irresistible foods known to man. The sizzle of bacon on the pan or the first whiff in the morning is enough to induce powerful cravings. But, cooking bacon on the grill is hard. The grease drops down causing flare ups burning your precious bacon. The grilled bacon rack solves that by providing a smooth non-stick surface and grease troughs. It even folds to store away until the next bacon graving hits.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Works in the Oven\n\nReview: It won't fit in my Weber Q100 grill (now replaced by the Q1000), but works great in my oven. It's just a little too tall for this small, clamshell style grill. Dimensions in the working position are 10\" long, 9\" wide, 5\" tall.\nI placed it on a cookie sheet and, as my photos illustrate, that catches spatter that would otherwise coat the oven. The majority of the fat dripped into the Cuisinart's channels.\nThe bacon cooked nicely with minimal smoke in the kitchen at 375 degrees. It was crisp but not charred. Didn't need to blot off excess grease.\nIn the southern tradition, I save bacon grease for other cooking. The channels collect it nicely, but how do you pour from both of them into a single jar? I just poured off the grease in to the cookie sheet, then transferred it to a jar. All of the grease char particles stayed behind.","Product: Master electrician, heavy duty remote on/off control power hub, operates Christmas lights, lamps, TVs, Stereos, or other small appliances, plugs into any standard outlet, indoor & outdoor rated, waterproof casing, Assorted remote control channels allows the user to operate more than 1 without interference, 80' range, 1000W maximum.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Nice remote-control power strip\n\nReview: For my application, this \"power strip\" had several ideal characteristics: right-angle plug, short cord, remote on/off. I have only one complaint; when the power fails I have to turn it back on. Ideally, it should remember that it was on. I use this for the power supplies to a couple of hard-to-reach wifi repeaters, so it is not convenient to have to go to the site and turn it back on when the power fails, which happens since I'm on an island.\n\nADDENDUM: In my application, the default \"off\" state just got to be too inconvenient. I learned through experience that I more often have to turn this on after a power failure than I have to reboot the wifi repeaters I have powered through it. I removed this."],"string":"[\n \"Product: The R H Forschner by Victorinox Paring Knife features high carbon, stainless steel blade, hand finished at Victorinox in Switzerland by skilled craftsmen. A special tempering process is used to produce an edge that can be resharpened over and over again, so the knife can keep its original sharpness throughout the entire life of the blade. Victorinox handles are ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension. They provide a natural fit. A good heft and comfortable, positive grip are indications of a well-made knife. Although cutlery steel is naturally sanitary, materials and construction details of the handle minimize crevices what would offer hospitality to bacteria. T he Model Numbers 40508 and 45508 are the same item in different packaging.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Up to the Victorinox Standard\\n\\nReview: Don't get me wrong; this is an OK knife and a good value. But it does not measure up to other Victorinox cutlery.\\n\\nThe Good: This is a sharp paring knife with a handle length that fits me. The blade length is handy for many small jobs. It is the least expensive knife in my kitchen. The textured handle is an improvement over the hard plastic of the Kuhn Rikon knives. Made in Switzerland (so marked on the sleeve, not the knife).\\n\\nDings: The blade is thinner than my <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Chicago-Cutlery-Walnut-Tradition-3-Inch-Paring-Boning-Knife/dp/B0000BYEJD/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition 3-Inch Paring/Boning Knife</a> or my Wustof Emeril 4-1/2\\\" utility knife. It's a tad thicker than my <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Kuhn-Rikon-4-Inch-Nonstick-Colori-Paring-Knife-Black/dp/B00168EAPQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Kuhn Rikon 4-Inch Nonstick Colori Paring Knife, Black</a>. The handle is thinner than any of my similar knives, which makes it less than ideal for my grip.\\n\\nInferior to other Victorinox knives: Handle of hard plastic rather than fibrox. Thin blade. Blade finish not as nice as the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-10-1-4-Inch-Fibrox-Wavy-Bread-Knife-Black/dp/B008M5U1QI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Victorinox Swiss Army 10-1/4-Inch Fibrox Wavy Bread Knife, Black</a> or the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-8-Inch-Fibrox-Straight-Edge-Chef-s-Knife/dp/B008M5U1C2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Victorinox Swiss Army 8-Inch Fibrox Straight Edge Chef's Knife</a>, which absolutely gleam.\\n\\nSummary: At this price point I don't know of a better paring knife. Just don't expect it to measure up to more expensive tools.\",\n \"Product: These KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls are essential tools for any modern kitchen. This set includes one 2-1/2 quart bowl, one 3-1/2 quart bowl and one 4-1/2 quart bowl. These bowls feature non-slip bases that increase stability while mixing. The pour spout on each bowl helps reduce spills when transferring mixes. These bowls nest together when not in use for ease of storage. These mixing bowls are dishwasher safe for fast and easy cleanup.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Big Range of Bowls\\n\\nReview: Since I've been happy with my <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/KitchenAid-Prep-Bowls-Set-of-4-Red/dp/B005D6G5N2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">KitchenAid Prep Bowls, Set of 4, Red</a>, I thought I'd check out these larger bowls. They seem quite sturdy and the range of sizes (5.5 quarts is a BIG bowl) should cover any reasonable cooking tasks.\\nThe \\\"handles\\\" and spouts are nice features, but I might have preferred larger spouts. OTOH, maybe I'm being too critical; I'm glad they're there. I also would have preferred to have some measurements scribed into the interiors so ingredients could be directly measured into the bowls.\\nThese may work in the newer, tilting KitchenAid stand mixers, but they don't really fit my old, bowl-lift type KitchenAid.\\nThe non-slip bottom material is interesting. It's not as soft as silicone but soft enough to work when you're bearing down a little on the bowls. As others have noted, this medium softness reduces crumb pickup.\\nNote that the 24\\\" ruler and red prep bowl set in my photo are not included.\",\n \"Product: Chef's Choice ProntoPro Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener #4643 is a perfect manual sharpener for those who own Asian and European/American style knives and want to quickly and easily apply a superior, shaving sharp edge! Sleek and highly-styled, its our fastest manual sharpener yet for applying 15 degree edges for Asian style knives and 20 degree edges for European/American style knives. Using precise angle guides, 100% diamond abrasive wheels and our acclaimed CrissCross sharpening technology, it provides a super sharp, durable, arch shaped edge with lots of bite. The secret is in the 100% diamond abrasive wheels which sharpen simultaneously into and out-of the edge for a superior burr-free edge that cuts effortlessly. Separate honing stage polishes the edge for flawless performance. The ProntoPro sharpens all quality knives including straight edge household and kitchen knives, Santoku, sports and pocket knives, as well as serrated knives. Engineered and assembled in the U.S.A.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Back from Dead Dull\\n\\nReview: I brought an abused Wusthof back from the dead with this sharpener. So it paid for itself with the first use.\\n\\nA friend left this behind when moving, presumably because it had become really dull. It was also quite stained. As a lover of Wusthof knives, I felt compelled to reverse this decline.\\n\\nStep one was to improve the appearance by treating with <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Griot-s-Garage-11238-Metal-Polish-2-5oz/dp/B004UQQYAK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Griot's Garage 11238 Metal Polish 2.5oz</a>. For the difficult part of the restoration, I purchased the Chef's Choice, it being highly rated by a well-respected cooking magazine.\\n\\nI read the directions, followed them, and afterward this old Wusthof Le Cordon Bleu chef's knife was ready to go back to work. As the directions suggested, the initial blade shaping took more strokes due to the very dull edge. But it worked, and without the expense of an electric sharpener. Now I'll use my Wusthof sharpening steel after every use to keep the edge happy.\",\n \"Product: The InterDesign Axis over-the-cabinet expandable towel bar creates instant storage space in your kitchen or pantry. Installation is easy; simply hang over a standard cabinet door to organize hand towels, dish towels, pot holders and more.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Functional, But Flawed Finish\\n\\nReview: This towel bar is functional, but the finish is less than outstanding.\\n\\nI'm reviewing the single bar expandable model in black chrome finish. I've included a photo of it next to another brand brushed stainless towel bar I've used for a couple of years.\\n\\nHappily, the fit (with the foam backing front/top/back), is pretty snug on my 5/8\\\" thick doors. (My other towel bar is sloppy compared to this, perhaps in part due to foam aging.) The hooks are secured by two small welds each.\\n\\nThe finish has a bit of wave to it. There are a couple of places where the finish was burnished dull when the collapsed bar was in transit. That suggests that there's an overall clear plastic coating ... or maybe the finish is all sprayed. It also suggests that you might choose a towel bar without the expansion capability if you can find the right size.\\n\\nOverall, I'll rate this towel bar functional but lacking the build quality of high-end products.\",\n \"Product: The Cuisinart silicone oven mitt offers comfortable & safe protection when handling hot cookware in your kitchen. Lined with 100% cotton padding on the inside and 100% heat-proof silicone on the outside. Silicone is heat resistant up to 450 degrees F.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Buy Two, Because ...\\n\\nReview: Because the only reasonable use for this mitt is in a pair to handle casseroles or baking sheets. The design is impractical for one-handed gripping.\\n\\nAs you can see from my photos, my kitchen includes two of what I'll call crocodile silicone oven mitts. I have also tested heat resistant nomex/silicone gloves. In my experience, the croc mitt is best for one-handed gripping. The Cuisinart Silicone Heat-Proof Oven Mitt with Quilted Cotton Lining did not measure up in that respect.\\n\\nWhat's it good for?\\nWith a nice textured top and bottom surface, this mitt works well for the traditional squeeze-lift method of handling hot casseroles. And with two of these, you can handle baking sheets and roasters without getting your thumbs in the food.\\n\\nWhat it's not?\\nGrabbing a hot skillet from the oven with one hand is just not going to happen with this guy. It's the wrong design.\\n\\nAbout that design.\\nTo give this mitt a fair shake, two of us tried it: a 6' tall male and a 5'2 female. The tiny thumb on this mitt fit her but not me not even close to long enough. And the design makes it pretty well impossible to fold your thumb (whether you're 6' or 5'2) to grip a hot item.\\n\\nAs the photo illustrates, this mitt is about the length of my Ikea mitt and longer than the Mostrad. Strangely, I prefer the short length while my short partner likes the long one.\\n\\nAs you would expect, the mitt is made in China. I can't complain about the quality of manufacture; the stitching is tight and even in the quilted lining and where it attaches at the cuff. Having used an Ikea mitt sans lining, I know that lining is a good thing. Unlike my Mostrad oven mitt, the Cuisinart lining is not removable for washing. It is cotton with polyester fill in the quilting. The moulded silicone mitt itself is cleanly fabricated with no rough edges. The surface texture is probably better than the pattern of the Mostrad mitt, though the silicone is pretty grippy anyway.\\n\\nMy advice is this: if you choose this mitt, buy two.\",\n \"Product: Embossed with a chic, sculpted weave pattern and a stylish bamboo lid, the Entertain 365 Sculpture Loaf Pan with Lid has a textural look that easily transitions from everyday dining to special occasions. The white porcelain pan with easy grip handles is dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 450 degrees. The bamboo lid can be used as a cutting or serving board, or as a trivet for bring hot food to the table.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Real Looker of a Cooker\\n\\nReview: This is truly an oven-to-table loaf pan. And the bamboo lid is a perfect sized trivet.\\n\\nThere's no comparison in the appearance of this vs. an oven-safe glass or metal loaf pan. The basket weave outside (it's smooth inside) is attractive. The white color is never out of place. The style works with both traditional and contemporary table settings. The handles make it easy to handle when hot.\\n\\nThis pan is hefty; though I don't have an equivalent Pyrex or metal pan to compare, I suspect it's heavier than they would be.\\n\\nAlthough Lenox uses the tag line, \\\"American by Design(tm),\\\" this is marked \\\"Made in China.\\\"\\n\\nI have to disagree with the suggestion that the bamboo lid be used as a cutting board. I have bamboo cutting boards and use shows. Employing this lid/trivet as a cutting board would cause its appearance to degrade while the pan retains its attractiveness.\\n\\nLenox offers a 50 percent discount on \\\"replacement pieces\\\" if you register. Note that the qualifying language is, \\\"at on-half its suggested retail price at the time of replacement, plus shipping and processing charges and applicable sales tax.\\\"\",\n \"Product: This 3-Piece Sabatier Colander Set is ideal for washing or straining fruits, vegetables, and pasta and more. Each features fine mesh for superior draining, and a pedestal base to provide excellent stability and elevation above draining liquids. The loop handles ensure a secure grip during use. 3-piece set includes 7-inch, 9-inch, and 11-inch sizes.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: No Strain, No \\\"Pain\\\" (on peut dire)\\n\\nReview: These are useful strainers, neither exceptionally great nor inferior. If you are buying for the Sabatier brand, read more on that below.\\n\\nThe large and small strainers have the same mesh size, while the mid size one features finer mesh. They are all fine enough that you'd not substitute one for a collander.\\n\\nI have an unbranded 7 strainer to which I'm comparing the largest of this set. The Sabatier is shallower and has a shorter, smaller diameter handle. Though shallower is not a plus, the handle design makes it far less prone to tip when resting on a pan or bowl. I tested tipping tendency with an 8 bowl (7 and 5 strainers) and the small strainer on one of my Made in China Victor knock-off mugs (traditional diner mugs); each was stable without requiring that I hold it in place.\\n\\nThe Amazon listing makes a big deal about the Sabatier heritage. Those of us familiar with the brand know that it has never been exclusive to a single manufacturer. The hang card attached to this set includes this language: Manufactured under license by Lifetime Brands, Inc., Garden City, NY 11530 Made in China. So the French heritage is not much in evidence.\\n\\nThe Limited lifetime warranty only requires that you ship (postpaid) the defective item to New Jersey. That beats some warranties that expect you to pay shipping of the replacement, too.\\n\\nOverall manufacture quality seems just as you'd expect of this sort of product; there were no visible defects. Welds are tidy. The stainless rim that holds the mesh is polished on top, brushed underneath.\",\n \"Product: Grill / Griddle combo is perfect for whipping up breakfast for the whole gang or grilling up your favorite meats, all with one flip of the cooking plate. Powered with 1500 watts, this unit heats up quickly. Go from keep warm to 400 degrees with one simple turn of the knob. This versatile combo is a do-it-all cooking machine! Safer than a stove, this unit has heat protection so you never have to worry about over heating. Not to mention it is super easy to clean. Simply toss the cooking plate in sink and soapy water making clean up as simple as can be.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: It looks good enough and is a convenient size\\n\\nReview: This grill/griddle does some things well. Just keep an eye on what you're cooking.\\n\\nBut let's start with the Bella brand. It's one of a few (Bella, Brim, Throwback) owned by the Montréal company Sensio. The promise is budget products that compete with big brands. Based on what I've read, they don't consistently fulfill that pledge.\\n\\nThis grilldle (just so I don't have to keep writing grill/griddle) seems to be generally well made. I did detect those little snaggy things on the edges of some plastic parts. These are tabs that should be ground off after the parts are cast. It looks good enough and is a convenient size.\\n\\nGetting down to testing, my first project was pork chops on the grill side. The booklet says cook at 350. I set it up and set the dial to 350. After five minutes of preheat time, my non-contact thermometer registered these temps in the ridges of the four corners: 280, 402, 448, 500. On the flats, I got 399, 429, 500, 448. I turned it down and after another five minutes it evened out at close to 300 all over. I was eventually able to achieve a pretty uniform range of temps once the meat went on: 350380.\\n\\nThe booklet warns against using the grilldle over certain counter surfaces. My tests showed that the temperature under the appliance never got above 100.\\n\\nThe pork chops took nice grill marks on the first side (not so much when flipped). But they had corners that remained pink so I eventually followed my usual practice of finishing the chops in the oven. The result was excellent.\\n\\nTo test the griddle side I cooked bacon, eggs and refried beans. Again setting the dial to 350, after warm up I measured 360, 340, 330, 350 and 430 in the center. Bacon cooked quickly; and I do mean quickly. I recommend that you follow the instruction to frequently flip that cured meat. Overall, the grilldle produced a well-cooked meal and in short order.\\n\\nA side note: This is the first appliance I've had come with a leaflet encouraging purchasers to review their products online and share photos on social media.\\n\\nIn many respects, this is a more convenient way to cook volumes of certain foods easier and quicker than using skillets. I can't compare the Bella grilldle to others, but it seems to do the job at a reasonable price.\",\n \"Product: The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster features extra-wide, self-centering slots to fit all types of breads, waffles, and bagels. One-touch buttons simplify operation, and the shade selection knob gives you control to make toast your way.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Turns Bread into Toast\\n\\nReview: This is a functional basic toaster with a nice, retro design. The Extra Wide Slot feature kinda works (see explanation below).\\n\\nI tried to fit a 1 slice of baguette and it did not fit; the crust hit the square top corner of the wire inner cage. Cinnamon raisin bread, which is rather slim, did fit just fine. I think that Extra Wide Slot can work for something like a waffle (stiff, with some bevel to the edges), but due to the design you'll have to first open the inner cage to insert many types of food to take advantage of the 1-3/8 maximum opening.\\n\\nA thinner slice of baguette did toast evenly. The cinnamon raisin bread toasted unevenly. This is probably the ultimate test of even toasting due to the high sugar content; it reveals any difference caused by uneven side-to-side heat or the cage settling closer to one side than the other. On closer examination, it appears to me that the springs hold the cage nicely centered, so maybe the elements on each side are not heating identically. An unscientific test with my non-contact thermometer (looking down through the slot) seems to show a 1020 degree difference. But my testing may be faulty since I don't know precisely what area is being measured; I'm just using the laser to aim it as similar spots on the right and left.\\n\\nNow I should admit that my fixation with even toasting is because I've been unhappy using a toaster oven to toast. I find that I have to watch my toast and flip it. The somewhat uneven toasting I've demonstrated with this Black+Decker (see my photo) is way less and not a deal breaker.\\n\\nI was also curious just how hot the shell of the toaster would get. The sides stay cool enough to touch, under 90 degrees. My non-contact thermometer registered nearly 200 degrees on the top corners.\\n\\nThere's the expected crumb tray that slides out on the back side. The brushed stainless finish and overall build quality are fine.\\n\\nTo summarize, this is a good, functional toaster that can accommodate thicker bread, bagels and waffles, but probably not in the same league as premium competitors.\\n\\nNOTE: The photo shows both sides of the same slice of bread; this illustrates the actual side-to-side variation in toasting.\",\n \"Product: B1)LOWEPRO FLIPSIDE 300 SLR BACKPAC\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Holds All I Want to Carry\\n\\nReview: The great news is that this bag hold my standard kit with any of the three lenses on the body. But the design involves ergonomic compromise.\\nI just got my Flipside 300, loaded my gear, and tried it on. Here are my observations:\\nCAPACITY\\nIt holds my Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 70-300, spare battery, two \\\"cable\\\" releases (wired and wireless), a rail with clamp for shooting panoramas, rocket blower, spare memory cards, flashlight, LensPen. There is space for a few more items, possibly a small prime lens.\\nThe real test for me was the ability to store the camera and the other two lenses with any of them on the camera. It works!\\nRealistically, I can't store spare batteries or anything with bulk in the external side pocket, but it's fine for memory cards and cleaning cloths. And I'd be able to improve the divider placement if the cloth attachment areas on the periphery of the bag were more extensive. Still, there's room for a few more accessories than I usually need.\\nADD-ONS\\nThere are loops to attach additional gear and I have an Adorama Slinger filter pouch mounted one one shoulder strap. This keeps filters easily accessible. Have not yet tried the tripod holder but will report again when I have.\\nQUALITY\\nThe Flipside is consistent with other Lowepro bags I've owned; I have no complaints about the construction; padding seems adequate and construction solid.\\nDESIGN\\nI chose this bag for a) size, and b) design. I like the \\\"inside\\\" opening of the main compartment, top handle, hanging loop.\\nERGONOMICS\\nI suspect that the design is responsible for the one significant ergonomic compromise I see in this bag. Because the shoulder straps are attached above the main compartment opening, the straps are not optimally placed for me. I'm 6' tall, 170#. In any position that fits me, the accessory attachment points are quite high. The sternum strap is adjustable but in a way that makes it prone to popping off of the shoulder straps. As others have noted, a more substantial waist strap would make it more comfortable for long hikes.\\nALTERNATIVES\\nI've owned a sling bag (not well-suited to the 14-24mm), a messenger bag (gets heavy on the shoulder fast) and a full-size camera pack (I overload it). The shortcomings of these bag types drove me to the Flipside. I still keep a large-capacity Lowepro Reporter shoulder bag, small M-Rock and large Pelican case for transporting gobs of gear.\\nBOTTOM LINE\\nIn spite of the less-than-ideal shoulder straps and accessory mounting points, I'll keep this bag since it holds just what I need, is compact, and is sufficiently comfortable for walks and short hikes. I'll continue to carry my SB-800, SB-600, wireless remotes and light modifiers in a separate small bag.\\n\\nUPDATE July 13, 2011\\nTried the tripod attachment with a medium Benbo and RRS ball head. It was clumsy and the bag lies awkwardly on the ground. I won't use it.\\nIn addition to the kit listed above, I can cram in a Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-S lens and hood. This is really reaching the limit of the bag with four lenses including the 14-24mm. The limiting factor is the 70-300mm since it won't stand up in the case. I can carry a D700 plus the following lenses: 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 50mm, and Rokinon 85mm, though this is a somewhat unlikely combination of lenses.\",\n \"Product: Thermaltake N0028USU HDD Docking Station. The picture is for display only and the hard drive is not included.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A must for laptop users\\n\\nReview: Works great with the 1TB data drive from old desktop and made laptop migration painless.\\nI'm a professional photographer and finally made the leap from using a desktop system to a single notebook for everything. My HP Pavilion dv7 has the largest fast drives inside (a pair of Hitachi 500GB 7200RPM disks), but a photographer needs more. I have Windows 7 and all programs installed on one drive. At my home office I use this dock with a 1TB WD drive for all data. Now when I take the notebook with me, I'll transfer active files to the second internal drive.\\nThis is a plug and play product; it took no tech savvy to connect it to power and the eSATA port on my computer. I slid the 3.5\\\" drive into the slot and was up and running.\\nAs I decommission the old desktop computer, I can yank two 500GB drives from it. I can swap out my collection of 3 500GB and one 1TB drives, in addition to the internal drives and a USB 2TB backup drive to organize tons of files and keep everything backed up with an off-site copy.\\nGreat product! Don't think I'll ever buy another external drive enclosure.\",\n \"Product: B1)LOWEPRO FLIPSIDE 300 SLR BACKPAC\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Holds All I Want to Carry\\n\\nReview: The great news is that this bag hold my standard kit with any of the three lenses on the body. But the design involves ergonomic compromise.\\nI just got my Flipside 300, loaded my gear, and tried it on. Here are my observations:\\nCAPACITY\\nIt holds my Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 70-300, spare battery, two \\\"cable\\\" releases (wired and wireless), a rail with clamp for shooting panoramas, rocket blower, spare memory cards, flashlight, LensPen. There is space for a few more items, possibly a small prime lens.\\nThe real test for me was the ability to store the camera and the other two lenses with any of them on the camera. It works!\\nRealistically, I can't store spare batteries or anything with bulk in the external side pocket, but it's fine for memory cards and cleaning cloths. And I'd be able to improve the divider placement if the cloth attachment areas on the periphery of the bag were more extensive. Still, there's room for a few more accessories than I usually need.\\nADD-ONS\\nThere are loops to attach additional gear and I have an Adorama Slinger filter pouch mounted one one shoulder strap. This keeps filters easily accessible. Have not yet tried the tripod holder but will report again when I have.\\nQUALITY\\nThe Flipside is consistent with other Lowepro bags I've owned; I have no complaints about the construction; padding seems adequate and construction solid.\\nDESIGN\\nI chose this bag for a) size, and b) design. I like the \\\"inside\\\" opening of the main compartment, top handle, hanging loop.\\nERGONOMICS\\nI suspect that the design is responsible for the one significant ergonomic compromise I see in this bag. Because the shoulder straps are attached above the main compartment opening, the straps are not optimally placed for me. I'm 6' tall, 170#. In any position that fits me, the accessory attachment points are quite high. The sternum strap is adjustable but in a way that makes it prone to popping off of the shoulder straps. As others have noted, a more substantial waist strap would make it more comfortable for long hikes.\\nALTERNATIVES\\nI've owned a sling bag (not well-suited to the 14-24mm), a messenger bag (gets heavy on the shoulder fast) and a full-size camera pack (I overload it). The shortcomings of these bag types drove me to the Flipside. I still keep a large-capacity Lowepro Reporter shoulder bag, small M-Rock and large Pelican case for transporting gobs of gear.\\nBOTTOM LINE\\nIn spite of the less-than-ideal shoulder straps and accessory mounting points, I'll keep this bag since it holds just what I need, is compact, and is sufficiently comfortable for walks and short hikes. I'll continue to carry my SB-800, SB-600, wireless remotes and light modifiers in a separate small bag.\\n\\nUPDATE July 13, 2011\\nTried the tripod attachment with a medium Benbo and RRS ball head. It was clumsy and the bag lies awkwardly on the ground. I won't use it.\\nIn addition to the kit listed above, I can cram in a Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-S lens and hood. This is really reaching the limit of the bag with four lenses including the 14-24mm. The limiting factor is the 70-300mm since it won't stand up in the case. I can carry a D700 plus the following lenses: 14-24mm, 24-85mm, 50mm, and Rokinon 85mm, though this is a somewhat unlikely combination of lenses.\",\n \"Product: Thermaltake N0028USU HDD Docking Station. The picture is for display only and the hard drive is not included.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A must for laptop users\\n\\nReview: Works great with the 1TB data drive from old desktop and made laptop migration painless.\\nI'm a professional photographer and finally made the leap from using a desktop system to a single notebook for everything. My HP Pavilion dv7 has the largest fast drives inside (a pair of Hitachi 500GB 7200RPM disks), but a photographer needs more. I have Windows 7 and all programs installed on one drive. At my home office I use this dock with a 1TB WD drive for all data. Now when I take the notebook with me, I'll transfer active files to the second internal drive.\\nThis is a plug and play product; it took no tech savvy to connect it to power and the eSATA port on my computer. I slid the 3.5\\\" drive into the slot and was up and running.\\nAs I decommission the old desktop computer, I can yank two 500GB drives from it. I can swap out my collection of 3 500GB and one 1TB drives, in addition to the internal drives and a USB 2TB backup drive to organize tons of files and keep everything backed up with an off-site copy.\\nGreat product! Don't think I'll ever buy another external drive enclosure.\",\n \"Product: CRISPER PHOTOS, SMOOTHER VIDEOS. Take better photos and videos with the JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand. Compatible with Apple and Android smartphones, including iPhone 6, iPhone 7 and iPhone 8, you can stabilize your images, for a crisper, clearer click. The premium clamping mount and tripod will hold any smartphone in place, as you see the world from a different point of view. TURN YOUR WORLD UPSIDE DOWN. Take your phone anywhere and capture any angle with the GripTight GorillaPod Stand by JOBY. The lightweight, compact design is easy to travel with, while giving you a super-secure mount and grip. The octopus-style tripod for smartphones can rotate 90 degrees so you can shoot an image or video, and quickly review what you just captured. The GripTight is made to unleash your creativity so you can get the best shot, at the best angle. The easy to maneuver and adjustable the TPE legs and rubberized foot grips onto almost surface, and the 150-degree tilt means you can get the shots you want. COMPATIBILITY OPTIONS. Made out of durable, yet lightweight ABS plastic, acrylic, TPE Grip pads, and stainless steel, the JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand will never let your smartphone slip out of its grasp. Designed for any cell phone, with or without a case, (69mm-99mm) including iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, Nokia Galaxies, and Nokia Lumias. Whether youre creating, viewing, or sharing, you will get a better experience with GripTight. Enhance your proficiency with your favorite apps, such as GoPro, Photoshop, Instagram, or Snapchat when using this cellphone tripod. With a -20 thread standard tripod mount, you can easily use it with other JOBY tripods and stands. Give yourself the tools you need to take better photos and smoother videos with the GripTight GorillaPod Stand, the ultimate versatile smartphone tripod.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Fits Galaxy Note 3 ... Barely\\n\\nReview: Recommended for Note 3 users, with a caveat. The GripTight just fits with no protective cover on the phone.\\n\\nI generally use a Finitie Shield series case, only the inner layer, to protect my phablet. With the case in place, the device will not quite fit the grip part of this rig. A thinner skin might be OK. I poked at the rubber on the jaws of \\\"clamp\\\" in case I could easily pop it out, but it looked like I was going to mangle it so I stopped.\\n\\nI cannot hold it against Joby that their device did not anticipate my application, but I wish the jaws opened one more millimeter!\\n\\nA quick test indicates that the legs have enough grip to support my Note on a vertical pole, which is my application; I use the Note with the CamRanger app to control cameras at the top of an 18' pole. Researching ways to attach the phablet to the pole, I arrived at the GripTight rig as a small, light, inexpensive solution. Assume that it's working for me unless I return to update this review with any negative experiences.\",\n \"Product: Maximize your music options with the Sony 50-Watt Bluetooth speaker with CD player. Its magnetic fluid speaker and passive radiator plays full range Audio. Stream audio from your compatible Bluetooth-enabled music devices, or enjoy convenient Bluetooth pairing with NFC near field communications technology. This device also comes with a CD player and AM FM radio.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Funky Connectors, but Otherwise Great\\n\\nReview: What you need to know: connections on the back are not what you might expect. I'll post a photo of the back so you can see this.\\nI plan to run longer speaker wires, so I was not thrilled when this arrived and saw that the speaker and antenna connections are some very small plugs. That means I'll have to splice the speaker wires and I can't use a standard antenna if I get poor reception when I take it to the store where I plan to use it.\\nOtherwise, my initial impression is positive. The sound quality is really pretty good and volume is adequate for background music or small rooms. Without reading instructions, I navigated tuning and saving some presets, playing a CD. I did have to read the short instructions to pair with my Samsung Galaxy Note 3, but that went quickly and I was able to stream Dolores In A Shoestand by E.S.T. through my Amazon Prime account. Next, I copied an MP3 track to a USB drive, slapped it in and got it to play. I've not tried the rear 3.5mm input jack (a standard, thanks!) or the front headphone jack.\\nI've added another image so you can see that the speaker grille can be easily removed to reveal the two drivers. This also illustrates the faux woodgrain finish on the speaker boxes.\\nBottom line, my initial impression is that this system can do a decent job of reproducing music from a variety of sources. Assuming it proves durable, it seems to be a good value.\",\n \"Product: Wired Shutter Release Remote Control Cable for SONY Cameras This shutter remote control is processing by high quality drawing pattern which improved the texture. It support single shooting, and lock the button for continuous shoot and long exposure (bulb). The raised release button reacts fast and fine. The remote is compatible with Sony RM-VPR1 multi-terminal socket. KEY FEATURES: Shutter control: Half-way to focus your digital camera, and full-way to trigger the shutter. Lock the button for continuous or long exposure shoot. Reduce camera shake . Cable length: 120 centimeters. COMPATIBILITY: Sony Alpha A7r, A7, A6000, A3000, SLT-A58, NEX-3NL, DSC-HX300, DSC-RX100III, DSC-RX100II Cameras Notice: Not compatible with NEX-3\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice Inexpensive Cable Release\\n\\nReview: Does the job, but the lock is irritating. But the price was right and it gets the job done.\\n\\nI got this to use with a Sony a6000. This was the least expensive simple cable release that was available through Amazon Prime.\\n\\nI almost always shoot three-shot brackets (a pleasure at 11 fps!), which just takes a single press and hold like the regular release button. The only negative is that I find that this release tends to slide into the locked (T) position by accident. I may modify it to disable the feature.\\n\\nWell, there is one other slight negative. I use the Arca-Swiss quick release system, with a Really Right Stuff L plate on the Sony a6000. The plug on this release is too big to allow me to use it when the camera is in portrait orientation. I'll try a micro USB right-angle adapter to resolve that.\\n\\nGotta say that I miss the old days when all cameras used the same threaded cable release. My two Nikon DSLRs use different releases and now the Sony adds yet another.\",\n \"Product: The Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard brings the comfort and convenience of desktop typing to your smartphone, tablet, and more*. Connect with three devices simultaneously and switch instantly between them. The K380 Multi-Device Keyboard is compact and lightweight so you can type on the device of your choice, anywhere around the home. Use K780 as a regular keyboard or combine with a compatible Logitech FLOW mouse (sold separately) to type, copy, paste and move files seamlessly between computers. *Any Bluetooth-enabled computers or mobile devices that support external keyboards with HID profile. Check with device manufacturer for details.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Works for Me with Dell and Samsung\\n\\nReview: This worked for me with a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 and Dell XPS8500 (desktop).\\n\\nHaving buttons to choose which of three paired devices you want to connect is a nice feature. It paired with my Dell and Note 3 with no problems at all. It did have a little trouble with my Tab 4 (or should I say, the Tab 4 had a little trouble with the Logitech?), but after powering the keyboard off and on, they paired. I was able to smoothly switch between connected devices. I was also able to switch back and forth between the Logitech K380 and the Logitech MK320 wireless keyboard I use most of the time with the Dell.\\n\\nThe typing experience is OK: not great, not bad. The keyboard is slightly narrower than standard. From the outside of the \\\"A\\\" key to the outside of the '\\\"\\\" key is about 19.5 cm, vs. about 20 cm for my standard keyboard. At nearly 15 oz with batteries, it's not light, but is solid. It does feature raised locators on the \\\"F\\\" and \\\"J\\\" keys for touch typists. Of course, the keys don't depress as far as a regular keyboard, but they do move far enough to let you know when you strike a key.\\n\\nTesting with my Dell, the volume function keys worked. The \\\"start\\\" key brings up the start menu just like the Windows logo key on a regular keyboard. When the start key is combined with a number key it will launch programs. The control keystroke combinations I tried worked.\\n\\nLacking a 10-key pad, it won't do the alt+nnn shortcuts I like to use to insert special characters like the copyright symbol and the em-dash. If I use this keyboard for serious typing I'll have to find a workaround for that.\\n\\nThere are probably better keyboards for those whose primary requirement is portability (size/weight), though they might compromise ergonomics. Yes, it would seem to be a lot of bulk to carry around to use with a phablet. But for use with tabletsespecially if you want to do some serious typingthe Logitech K380 seems to be an attractive option.\",\n \"Product: to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced to be announced\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Action Cam, Dash Cam, Time-lapse, Streaming\\n\\nReview: You don't have to be a prior Sony camera owner to like the HDR-SA50, but I am and I do. I didn't realize that I needed an action cam until I started using it.\\n\\nI've tested normal video, loop and time-lapse modes and it took just a little experimentation to get useful results from this camera. It was my third day of testing before I had to resort to the (downloadable) manual. Whether controlling it via the on-camera display and controls or the Live View Remote, most functions were quite obvious. Five buttons do everything (power, record/enter, menu, up, down) while a small (very small to older eyes) monochrome screen shows the menus.\\n\\nBy way of background, I formerly owned a Sony DSC RX100 and now shoot with an A6000 and A7R2, so I'm a Sony fan. This after more than 50 years shooting Nikons plus a wide range of view, medium-format and panoramic cameras. In the digital realm, I owned nine assorted Nikon, Minolta and Fujifilm cameras before switching to Brand S.\\n\\nThe first thing I tried with the SA-50 was a drive around my nearest state park. In video mode with SteadyShot on, it produced useful video. The camera fared better in full shade or full sun than in part shade mixed with bright sun where the dynamic range of the back-illuminated Exmor R sensor was out of its depth. I didn't expect it to come close to my full-frame Sony and my expectations were not exceeded. But otherwise, the video was smooth and pleasing.\\n\\nNext on the testing menu was the time-lapse mode. Unlike video, time-lapses can be shot in 4k resolution. I did a few in daylight and at sunset. Assembling these was a snap in the bundled Action Cam Movie Creator application. That app allows trimming and has some rudimentary titling capability. It's a convenient way to automatically assemble a collection of time-lapse stills into a video. I can definitely see using this time-lapse capability to create some footage for a project for my local Main Street program, capturing activity in our historic downtown.\\n\\nThe steps for creating a time-lapse are:\\n\\nSet up the desired frame rate (one shot per 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 seconds). Just keep in mind the nominal playback speed is 30 fps.\\nChoose the time-lapse mode and do your shooting.\\nImport images into Action Cam Movie Creator.\\nChoose Create a Movie, then Time Lapse Movie.\\nTell it where your frames are and let it import them and automatically lay them into the timeline based on the EXIF time data in each jpeg.\\nTrim to suit.\\nOptionally add simple text titles (choose font, size, color, position).\\nWhen you're happy with your creation, render it out. The options are 2160p 60Mbps, 1080p 14Mbps or 720p 2.25Mbps.\\n\\nMy last test was using the SA50 as a dash cam. That's not what they call the looping mode, but that seems to me the most obvious use. Since I was contemplating getting a dash cam, that mode will be subject to long-term testing.\\n\\nI took advantage of the standard 1/4-20 tripod socket to attach the camera to a windshield mount. Handily, there's a setting to invert the image for situations where you mount the camera upside down. This setting is per mode, so if your dash cam mount is always upside down, you can just leave that mode set to invert and other shooting modes (movie, still, time-lapse ...) will remain upright. My first attempt yielded a result that did not match what I wanted, necessitating my first foray into the manual.\\n\\nI learned that the five minute loop setting gave me five one-minute clips. Understand that looping entails saving a series of sequential vids, erasing the first as the sixth is being recorded, so with each new clip the oldest is deleted. That's logical, but I strongly suspect that anything of interest is likely to span multiple short clips. The solution was to use the 20 minute setting. In this mode the clips are five minutes each.\\n\\nWhile I didn't specifically test still photo mode, I examined some of the 4k time-lapse images and found them sharp enough for the uses for which one would likely employ images from an action cam. Some credit goes to the Zeiss lens, though it's my understanding that the major contribution from that venerable lens company is some vetting of Sony's implementation of it's lens designs, in this case the classic Tessar optical formula. The sensor's dynamic range allowed me to lift (brighten) shadows about two stops without introducing objectionable noise.\\n\\nI also have yet to try the live streaming mode, but given the wifi capability I can imagine that the AS50 would be a more than capable wireless webcam, powered through the microUSB/multi terminal port.\\n\\nBy the way, if you use some other Sony action cams or some of the pocket cameras, e.g., the original RX100, you'll find that they can share batteries. This seems to be a Sony design standard since my a6000 and A7R2 also employ their battery design.\\n\\nBoot up time for the camera and the remote is probably about four seconds.\\n\\nI had mixed experience with the Live View Remote. I loved having a compact dedicated remote (with streaming screen) as an alternative to the also-available phone app, and the wrist band was handy. Synching between camera and remote was usually quick enough. I did find that the remote would sleep while shooting time-lapse and sometimes it did not want to reconnect. More research is in order (on my part) to resolve that.\\n\\nI didn't specifically try to determine how effective SteadyShot is. I should note that it is not available in loop and time-lapse modes. I'm not sure why, unless (for time-lapse) the digital stabilization is too processor-intensive for the Bionz X processor in 4k resolution.\\n\\nIn my testing there was no need to resort to setting white balance or AE adjustment, but it's good to know that a bit of manual control is available. In addition to the buttons and display described above, the body features a microSD slot under a bottom door, a microUSB/multi terminal (proprietary Sony connector) under a door on the back and a standard tripod socket and anti-twist pin socket on the bottom. It's a clean and compact package.\\n\\nI've used the Sony with some Sony-branded accessories (mini tripod, carrying case, selfie stick ...) as well as aftermarket windshield and handlebar mounts. Have yet to need the waterproof enclosure. Let me tell you that nothing is quite as odd looking as this minuscule camera with an Arca-Swiss plate on top of my Benro COM48CXL tripod extended to its full 70 inch extension plus ball head. But I do plan to set up a clamp and arm to run the AS50 along side my larger Sonys.\\n\\nTo sum up, the Sony HDR-AS50 opened my eyes to the many ways an action cam can come in handy. I'll put mine to use in a variety of shooting projects.\",\n \"Product: with Interchangeable Lens 12-40mm F3.5-\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A box camera for your glove box\\n\\nReview: Get it at the right price and you may love having this camera in your car console so you never miss a shot.\\n\\nNOTE: Based on improvements in updated firmware, I upped the rating to four stars but it does not seem to show.\\n\\nBefore getting into shooting, I gave myself a tour of the Yi M1 and noted some small traits. The initial feel of the body is solid, though plastic. The tripod thread is stainless steel, but is not centered under the lens. In fact, it's not centered on the body. Of course you won't be able to change batteries while on a tripod.\\n\\nThe body cap can be removed without pressing the lens release button, but once you mount one of the lenses you'll probably never use it. To collapse the kit zoom lens, press the unlock switch and keep rotating past the 12mm setting. Later, when you turn on the camera, it will warn you to unlock the lens for use.\\n\\nInitial setup is quick: choose English as your language and set time/date. You must slide your finger on the touchscreen to increment settings.\\n\\nSwitching the camera on involves pressing the switch back against the body, which should allow quick response.\\n\\nYou have three screens: settings, shooting, and color mode. Pressing the shutter while in settings or color mode automatically takes you back to the shooting screen, where you see f/stop, shutter speed and +/- EV settings, ISO, AF mode, while balance, images to go, battery state and wireless on/off.\\n\\nSpeaking of that screen, it is large and bright. But it's not articulated, a feature I use all the time with my other cameras. Needless to say, there is no viewfinder.\\n\\nTo get to the full settings menu, go to settings on the mode dial. I've not found a screen mode that includes level or histogram, two tools I regularly use.\\n\\nOverall, camera a bit cramped in my hands. There are deep dots under thumb and a sharp, rubbery finger grip area, so I never feel that it will slip away.\\n\\nThere's a red AF assist light on the front, to the left (from operator's position) of shutter release. I turned it off in settings.\\n\\nThere are shortcomings in setup, but we can hope that these limitations get remedies in future firmware releases. The most glaring, I think, is lack of a way to set the maximum ISO available in auto ISO.\\n\\nThe lens mount on the camera is metal (yay!), but the bayonets on the lenses themselves are plastic (should I be saying composite?). Unfortunately, neither lens that came with the camera features optical stabilization.\\n\\nThere's a hot shoe, but this strikes me as inappropriate to the overall traits of the camera. I wouldn't carry a separate flash to use with the M1. It's also interesting that a two-lens kit is offered with a 12-40mm (24-80mm in 35mm terms) variable-aperture zoom and a 42.5mm f1/8 prime that should be popular for portraits. Both lenses are unapologetically plastic. As I write this, Lightroom finds no profiles for the Yi lenses.\\n\\nFocus is all contrast detect, but nicely covers most of the screen. And you can use the touchscreen to tell it where to focus. There are, of course, a bunch of jpeg settings but since I shoot all raw, all the time, I'll be using the DNG setting.\\n\\nI often shoot in aperture priority mode with a three-shot exposure bracket. Sorry, once you set the camera to capture raw files, you loose exposure bracketing.\\n\\nI shot a few casual test shots around the house. One included objects inside my balcony door, outside and a brightly-lit house wall. Auto ISO went for 2,000 and I was shooting at f/5.6 and 1/100 sec. After tweaking both noise reduction and sharpening (in Lightroom), the image showed acceptable (not great) noise characteristics and sharpness. DXO Optics Pro 11 failed to recognize the DNG image files.\\n\\nA real test of dynamic range (how much bright to dark info the sensor can capture) involved an outdoor scene with bright highlights and dark shadows. I shot with the M1 and a Sony a6000 for comparison. It would have been grossly unfair to compare the Yi camera to my Sony A7R2, a top tier camera regarding dynamic range. I brought images into Lightroom, pulled highlights all the way down, lifted shadows all the way, then adjusted exposure until the images did not show highlight clipping (blown bright areas). The test images (posted here) clearly show less shadow detail in the M1 image.\\n\\nWhy would you want the Yi M1? Well, it's intended to be friendly to those wanting to step up from a phone camera, thus the screen-centric interface. But it would also have appeal to anyone interested in something larger than a pocket camera but smaller than APS-C. At 20MP resolution, the M1 offers the highest resolution of any micro four thirds (MFT) camera. It looks like a viable glove box camera to me, something I can keep in my car for opportunistic shooting.\\n\\nADDITIONAL COMMENTS AS OF 12/14/16\\nA firmeware update adds the ability to cap the ISO in auto ISO mode. Alas, it did not add the ability to AE bracket raw files. I should add that it's a bit obscure how to do the firmware update. It comes in a rar file that takes a special extraction program; why not a zip file?\",\n \"Product: Logitech harmony 950 is the best harmony remote yet for control of TV, movies, music, and games. Its color touchscreen provides powerful, intuitive control of up to 15 devices\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Easy Setup and Smart Operation\\n\\nReview: Just opening the package speaks of quality. What's inside includes a USB cable, a dedicated wall wart charger, the charging base and the Harmony 950. That power supply means it's not necessary to charge from a device with a spare USB port.\\n\\nThe next thing I checked out is the small (SMALL) manual. It illustrates what's in the package and tells you to connect the Harmony to your computer and download/install the Harmony app that you'll use to configure the remote.\\n\\nThe manual is so concise that it fails to mention that the usb port is under a rubber door on the bottom.\\n\\nThis is my first universal remote; maybe because I figured it would be a big hassle to configure one. That was not the case with the Harmony 950.\\n\\nAfter a quick download of the app installer, the actual app loads in under a minute. Once you launch it you'll create an online account. The setup process ask you the make and model of your devices. It had no trouble identifying mine. You will have to know which inputs (on your receiver) are connected to which sources, so you may end up pulling some of your components out to read info from the back. It really did a good job of guessing all of the other relevant settings for my equipment.\\n\\nSetup is organized in activities, such as TV, music, etc. Some activities are preconfigured, but you can add custom activities. Well, you can also modify some of the canned ones, at least changing the names. For each activity you tell it which components to include and assign a few functions, such as that the receiver controls volume.\\n\\nOnce you start using the remote, the first time you use an activity it asks if the configuration works, and gives you a chance to tweak things.\\n\\nIn use, you use the touch screen like a smart phone, even including a clock. There's also, of course, the usual array of buttons for common tasks.\\n\\nPress the gear icon at the top and it offers help, fix it myself, settings, edit and sleep timer. Settings lock keeps the kids from messing things up.\\n\\nThe device goes to sleep about 10 seconds after you set it down . It wakes up when you pick it up. The feel is excellent with nice heft. It's shiny on top and has a matte, textured surface on the bottom.\\n\\nI recommend the Harmony 950 with no reservations. It's a quality device and it works.\",\n \"Product: Add an elegant touch to parties, weddings, events, meetings and conferences with custom-printed place cards you can print at home. These Place Cards feature premium, heavyweight cardstock that stands up to frequent folding, making them perfect for use as escort cards for weddings, place cards on buffets or as product description cards at boutiques, trade shows and farmers markets. Easily personalize and print with our free designs and templates . Bright vibrant colors and sharp, clear text can be printed to the edge on both sides for a polished, professional look that will add a special feel to any event.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Rough Around the Edges\\n\\nReview: They don't separate cleanly and the printing quality is lacking.\\n\\nI tested these cards on my Epson Stylus Pro 3880 pigment inkjet photo printer and Brother HL-L2340DW laser printer, using the Avery Design & Print application (a free download). They fed through both without problems but in both instances I found that the paper produced prints that were less than crisp.\\n\\nBut the real problem is with the perforations. The micro perfs are good enough when they tear cleanly, but that they don't do consistently. A foreshadowing of the problem appears when you try to bend the perfs two ways, normal practice to get a clean separation. It only wants to fold back. See my photo for the results (NOTE: printing intentionally blurred due to content; this is only to show the edges).\\n\\nThe score for folding was also inadequate, not nearly as good as I'm accustomed to with the note card paper I buy from another vendor.\\n\\nI should also report that this is not a bright white paper, though there is no brightness rating on the package so this is a general observation. It is rated 176GSM, so fairly lightweight for a card stock.\",\n \"Product: Bacon is one of the most irresistible foods known to man. The sizzle of bacon on the pan or the first whiff in the morning is enough to induce powerful cravings. But, cooking bacon on the grill is hard. The grease drops down causing flare ups burning your precious bacon. The grilled bacon rack solves that by providing a smooth non-stick surface and grease troughs. It even folds to store away until the next bacon graving hits.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Works in the Oven\\n\\nReview: It won't fit in my Weber Q100 grill (now replaced by the Q1000), but works great in my oven. It's just a little too tall for this small, clamshell style grill. Dimensions in the working position are 10\\\" long, 9\\\" wide, 5\\\" tall.\\nI placed it on a cookie sheet and, as my photos illustrate, that catches spatter that would otherwise coat the oven. The majority of the fat dripped into the Cuisinart's channels.\\nThe bacon cooked nicely with minimal smoke in the kitchen at 375 degrees. It was crisp but not charred. Didn't need to blot off excess grease.\\nIn the southern tradition, I save bacon grease for other cooking. The channels collect it nicely, but how do you pour from both of them into a single jar? I just poured off the grease in to the cookie sheet, then transferred it to a jar. All of the grease char particles stayed behind.\",\n \"Product: Master electrician, heavy duty remote on/off control power hub, operates Christmas lights, lamps, TVs, Stereos, or other small appliances, plugs into any standard outlet, indoor & outdoor rated, waterproof casing, Assorted remote control channels allows the user to operate more than 1 without interference, 80' range, 1000W maximum.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Nice remote-control power strip\\n\\nReview: For my application, this \\\"power strip\\\" had several ideal characteristics: right-angle plug, short cord, remote on/off. I have only one complaint; when the power fails I have to turn it back on. Ideally, it should remember that it was on. I use this for the power supplies to a couple of hard-to-reach wifi repeaters, so it is not convenient to have to go to the site and turn it back on when the power fails, which happens since I'm on an island.\\n\\nADDENDUM: In my application, the default \\\"off\\\" state just got to be too inconvenient. I learned through experience that I more often have to turn this on after a power failure than I have to reboot the wifi repeaters I have powered through it. I removed this.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":23,"string":"23"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1790,"string":"1,790"}}},{"rowIdx":1791,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3UV7L5ND3EH8T"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"A wave of underwater action!Product InformationGo Hawaiian in this gorgeous underwater adventure! Discover Sea Turtles andother aquatic life as you break open boxes in this classic matching game. Usingthe revolutionary Mouse Party you can play with multiple players on the sameputer through an almost infinite number of levels thanks to the includedlevel editor. As you play you will uncover greater challenges like the SkeletonFish of Kamehameha.Lead on Kahuna...your quest awaits!Product Features Play 100 main levels plus 50 bonus levels (150 Levels total) Comes with: Level Editor My Aquarium and Screensaver 3 modes of play: Timed Relax and Mouse Party Download 1000's of user made levels for free!Windows Requirements Windows 98SE Me 2000 XP Pentium II 400 MHz processor DirectX 7 or later 128 MB of RAM DirectX certified sound card DirectX patible 16 or 32-bit video card with 16 MB VRAM 18MB free hard drive space CD-ROM DriveMacintosh Requirements OS X 10.2 through 10.4.3 400 MHz or faster PowerPC G3 G4 or G5 128 MB of RAM (256 MB remended) 15MB of free hard disk space CD-ROM Drive\". The summary of the review text is \"Very Relaxing and Very Fun\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Big Kahuna Reef is like several PC games out there that require players to make matches of three or more items in order to clear the board. With this game, your goal in the earlier stages is to clear the board and free the fish by making matches of three or more items. In later levels, you have to match 3 or more items in order to bust the fish out of boxes, chained boxes, metal boxes, and more.\n\nIrregular shaped puzzles and metal/chained boxes make for some challenges. I rarely run out of time on these puzzles, but when I first played it during a trial period, I did run out of time.\n\nThere are four beautiful backgrounds and the fish are very relaxing. The symbols you need to match include white pearls, black pearls, crabs, shrimp, shells, and more. On the border of the game, there are black fish shadows with black round circles below. These represent the amount of boards you need to clear to be able to release a particular fish or sea creature. Once you clear a particular level, you can release as many fish into the aquarium as you like. One level even allows you do release schools of silver fish! (can't remember the name of the fish right now).\n\nYou can also just watch the reef from one of four vantage points. In fact, you can even set it as your screen saver. I have the reef set as my screen saver and it's very relaxing (and beautiful) to watch the fish.\n\nThere is a \"net\" power-up that is activated after you make so many matches. This allows you to remove ANY piece in the board, which proves especially helpful for the challenges of irregularly shaped puzzles.\n\nIn my opinion, this is the best \"eliminate groups of 3 or more on the grid\" games out there. (I own several, including Jewel Quest, Bejeweled 2, and Phlinx). The graphics are gorgeous, and the music is very soothing...but very \"island\" like. (Think Hawaiian or Jamaican music.)\n\nHighly recommended!"},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Big Kahuna Reef is like several PC games out there that require players to make matches of three or more items in order to clear the board. With this game, your goal in the earlier stages is to clear the board and free the fish by making matches of three or more items. In later levels, you have to match 3 or more items in order to bust the fish out of boxes, chained boxes, metal boxes, and more.\n\nIrregular shaped puzzles and metal/chained boxes make for some challenges. I rarely run out of time on these puzzles, but when I first played it during a trial period, I did run out of time.\n\nThere are four beautiful backgrounds and the fish are very relaxing. The symbols you need to match include white pearls, black pearls, crabs, shrimp, shells, and more. On the border of the game, there are black fish shadows with black round circles below. These represent the amount of boards you need to clear to be able to release a particular fish or sea creature. Once you clear a particular level, you can release as many fish into the aquarium as you like. One level even allows you do release schools of silver fish! (can't remember the name of the fish right now).\n\nYou can also just watch the reef from one of four vantage points. In fact, you can even set it as your screen saver. I have the reef set as my screen saver and it's very relaxing (and beautiful) to watch the fish.\n\nThere is a \"net\" power-up that is activated after you make so many matches. This allows you to remove ANY piece in the board, which proves especially helpful for the challenges of irregularly shaped puzzles.\n\nIn my opinion, this is the best \"eliminate groups of 3 or more on the grid\" games out there. (I own several, including Jewel Quest, Bejeweled 2, and Phlinx). The graphics are gorgeous, and the music is very soothing...but very \"island\" like. (Think Hawaiian or Jamaican music.)\n\nHighly recommended!"},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Explores today's spiritual renaissance and the connection between health and spirituality. Offers psychological and spiritual support, health news, advice on prayer, spiritual practice and meditation. Discussing all aspects of personal growth including spiritual beliefs, music, media and the arts.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Relevant, Engrossing, and Inspirational\n\nReview: Spirituality and Health is a bi-monthly magazine that reports on the ideas, the people, and the practices of the current spiritual renaissance.\n\nFeaturing reviews of books, DVD's, and music, as well as lively columns and interviews, Spiritual and Health Magazine explores the mind/body connection, healing, spiritual practice, science, psychology, and more.\n\nHere is a sample of some of the articles featured in this magazine:\n\n*Socrates' Seven Spiritual Principles\n*The Healing Power of Doing Good: The New Science of Volunteering\n*The Standford Forgivness Project\n*Qi Vs. Cancer\n*Lessons From Mindful Corporations.\n*Recovering From Infidelity\n*Classic Hymns Cut Through Dementia\n*Spiritual Literacy in Wartime\n*How Plants May Explain the Intelligence of Ants\n\nMagazine departments include book and movie reviews, gorgeous art and photographic galleries, beliefs from all walks of life and faiths, commentary by Thomas Moore, and more. One of my favorite sections is What Goes On In There, Really? which examines different worship practices. They have profiled experiences like a Pentecostal Christian service, Dances of Universal Peace, Maundy Thursday in Baghdad, Friday Night Shabbat Service, Siddha Yoga Meditation Ashram, and Spotting Elves in Iceland.\n\nI've been a subscriber for several years now, and once I sit down to begin reading Spiritual and Health Magazine, it's hard to get up! You never feel like you're preached at; rather, this magazine offers gentle observations on contemporary culture, ancient wisdom, science, healing, personal growth, new discoveries, and spirituality--with breathtaking color photographs placed throughout. This magazine is truly a visual feast, as well as food for the soul.","Product: Founded in 1976, Parabola is devoted to the exploration of the myths, symbols, rituals, and art of the world's religious and cultural traditions. Every issue explores one of the facets of human existence from the point of view of many world religions and spiritual traditions with essays and images.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Explore Myth and Meaning With Parabola Magazine\n\nReview: Parabola is a quarterly journal that's one of the pioneering publications on the subject of myth and tradition. Every issue explores one of the facets of human existence from the point of view of as many of the world's religious and spiritual traditions as possible, through the prism of story and symbol, myth, ritual, and sacred teachings.\n\nWhy are we here? and What's the meaning of life? are two of the oldest questions posed by humanity, and Parabola covers the spectrum of the mystical, psychological, anthropological while exploring these age-old questions.\n\nParabola covers a specific topic theme every issue. For example, one issue's theme was Chaos and Order and featured articles like:\n\n*A Celtic Mandala (which looks at an archetype of order)\n*A Hymn by Thomas Moore (honoring the positive attributes of disorder)\n*Monsters, Children of Chaos (about what lurks in the dark deep).\n\nPast journal themes that have been explored include:\n\n*Riddle and Mystery: Questions With Answers, Questions Without Answers\n*Dying: Ending or the Beginning of Transformation?\n*Play and Work: Struggle and Relaxion in the Search for Meaning\n*The Knight and The Hermit: Heroes of Action and Reflection\n*Prison: Inner and Outer Confinement.\n\nThe issue on Friendship features pieces such as:\n\n*A gathering of Sufi and Medieval Welsh poems with commentary from Coleman Barks\n*Gehlek Rimpoche describing the qualities of the sangha\n*Hazrat Inayat Khan speaks on the spirits of agitation and of brotherhood\n*Kate Chadbourne follows a Welsh prince into the Underworld and finds an unexpected friendship\n*A tribute to the late Lakota elder and activist Tony Black Feather\n*Retellings of stories from the Hindu, Jewish, and Native American traditions\n\nIf you enjoy the likes of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes--as well as myth, symbols, meaning, and culture--you'll find Parabola Magazine a feast for mind and spirit.","Product: Join Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby as they solve the mystery of amusement park robots gone mad in SCOOBY DOO! UNMASKED.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: All Around, The Best Scooby-Doo Game Thus Far\n\nReview: Scooby-Doo Unmasked is MUCH better than the last flop (Mystery Mayhem which I traded in not long after getting it) and a bit more fun the original, Night of 100 Frights. While Unmasked doesn't have the extensive game play that 100 Frights had nor the superior graphics, it more than makes up for in fun and inventiveness.\n\nThe premise of Scooby-Doo Unmasked: Scooby and the gang are looking forward to meeting Fred's cousin, Jed. But when they arrive at the Monstrous Fright & Magic special effects company, Jed is nowhere to be found. It that wasn't enough, the company's top-secret Mubber formula, an amazing invention that allows Monstrous Fright & Magic to create the most realistic monster costumes even conceived, has also disappeared--and Jed is the prime suspect! With Mubber-fied monsters popping up all over the place, it's up to Scooby-Doo and the super-sleuths of Mystery Inc. to stop the creepy costumed creatures, unmask the truth, and prove Jed's innocence.\n\nIn some ways, Unmasked is a cross between 100 Frights and Mystery Mayhem: it has some of the free-range game play of 100 Frights and Scooby is on his own. Yet, Scooby touches base with the gang after each level, sometimes interacting with the others and even rescuing them.\n\nUsing Mubber amassed from defeating Mubberized villians--as well as a Mubber machine--Scooby can change into 3 different costumes which will help him complete certain levels. These costumes are Kung Fu (helping him to peform martial arts moves and mega strikes), Bat (for riding air currents and gliding), and Robin Hood (for shooting plungers at the enemy and targets). Scooby needs to find the Costume Coins--and have enough Mubber--to be able to wear the costumes, though.\n\nAs in 100 Frights, Scooby chomps on Scooby Snacks which help lead him to where he needs to go next. After eating 100, he gets another medal. Scooby starts out with 4 medals (when he uses all 4, he loses his life) but if he finds food throughout the game, he can return to Shaggy's food cart. Shaggy will mix ingredients and each recipe increase Scooby's medals by 1. (I think I had 10-12 by the time I finished the game.)\n\nAlso, Scooby collects clues which help you unlock new levels and secret areas. After you return to the central \"hub\", you show Velma the clues.\n\nScooby Doo Unmasked features 3 large levels: Shuddery Showdown in Chinatown, Haunted Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Harum Scare'em Museum. Chinatown was my LEAST favorite level. I couldn't wait for it to be over. In many respects, it's probably the most difficult. It's also the most lackluster, in my opinion. The sewers are quite tricky to navigate and skipping along tree tops is also tricky because if you stay atop one too long, you'll fall through.\n\nThe Haunted theme park is probably my favorite. I especially loved the Water Park (the sliding is AMAZING). Riding on ghostly roller coasters was fun as was the circus. The big top really got my heart pumping because you have to navigate high up on trapeze as well as bounce on huge clown balloons. You also get to battle evil clowns, strong men, and more.\n\nThe museum was pretty fun, too. There's an underwater section, a prehistoric section (where you have to battle dinosaurs), and much more.\n\nUnmasked didn't seem to be as extensive as 100 Frights, but it WAS easier. Don't get me wrong, there's some really tricky parts in this game that took me hours to master! Supposedly, Unmasked uses an all-new game engine featuring \"contour shading\" that makes the game look just like the cartoon. I beg to differ. If they were shooting for simplified and lacking detail, then they achieved that...especially with the villians. I think the graphics of 100 Frights were much better and reminded me a lot more of the spirit of the cartoon if not the letter.\n\nOne thing that bugged me about Unmasked is that you have to go through an ENTIRE level before saving. So even if you've completed several areas, you will LOSE that gameplay unless you get to the very end where you can save your progress. I found this irritating and a bit frustrating.\n\nUnmasked moved along a bit faster than 100 Frights and is much more forgiving control wise. There are neat challenges like flying airplanes, skidding down water slides, gliding atop ballons, shooting at targets while moving, and more.\n\nAll around, I think Unmasked is the best Scooby game thus far. If the set-up were similar to 100 Frights and included the same quality of graphics, it would be 5-star superb. But it's a good game that will likely keep the attention of children over 6 as well as 30-something gamers like myself who love Scooby.","Product: Curiosity is coming home! Beloved to readers for more than 60 years, Curious George is about to embark on his biggest adventure ever, as the star of a new animated feature film and his long-awaited videogame debut. The Man with the Yellow Hat sets out on a journey to Africa in hopes of finding an artifact exotic enough to save the museum where he works. George, a curious little monkey with an insatiable taste for adventure, follows the Man with the Yellow Hat back to the big city where his spunky and fun-loving nature endears him to new friends he meets along the way and lands him in a series of mis-adventures.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Fun, But A Quick Game\n\nReview: I bought Curious George for PS2 for my son on Saturday. We didn't start playing until yesterday, though, and we've already finished the game.\n\nDespite the movie being for small children (mostly), the game itself is challenging for experienced child gamers. My 7 year old son has years of experience with the Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and Sly Cooper series as well as simpler games such as Cat in the Hat, Dora the Explorer, Stuart Little, etc.\n\nHe needed my help on some elements of the Spyro games etc. and he also needed my help on this game. Between us both, though, we finished it rather quickly. Adult gamers won't find it most elements much of a challenge, but there *are* some challenging segments, to be sure.\n\nFor example, you have to use critical thinking. There was one section that I couldn't figure out and neither could my son. We finally had to call my husband in to figure it out! (You had to tip three pedestals in the museum three different times to lure Junior out of the office so he gets frustrated and goes home. The thing is, the instructions say \"jump on the pedestal\", but by doing so, Junior busts you every time. Finally, my husband figured out that George had to hide in the caveman display. ?!)\n\nThere are 12 levels to this game, including city streets, a box-filled warehouse, the park, the museum, Ted's apartment building, a ship at sea, the jungle and so on. George gets \"Curious Points\" by interacting with Curious Objects which sparkle. So if a bush is sparkly, George can go up to it and get some points for the Gift Shop (by pressing the Square button).\n\nAlso, George gets bananas which lead him to where he needs to go. This is especially helpful when you're stumped as to which direction to go next!\n\nThe mini-games are fun, too, but too challenging for most kids! Using the Square, Circle, Triangle, and X buttons, you have to use different combinations to complete a variety of challenges. For example, you have to entertain a sailor on the ship by doing a variety of dance moves determined by button combinations displayed on the screen. Another mini-game finds George in the park entertaining children. He needs to pop balloons to get tokens to take to the balloon vendor, and earns these by correctly popping balloons by accurately mimicing the button sequences.\n\nOther fun adventures include swinging on vines, shimmying on pipes, climbing fences, crouching and crawling through vents and under objects, jumping on ledges, floating through the city while carrying balloons (and collecting more while avoiding sharp objects!), exploring rooms and crevices, and more. Often, you have to find the red idol and it's not always easy to accomplish the objective...especially the section in the city warehouse.\n\nIt's a really sweet game with great graphics, fun (and sometimes challenging!) puzzles, and live movie clips. However, if you're buying this for a child, be prepared to help out your child should he/she get stuck! If you're an adult without much gaming experience, you may find yourself at the console longer than you expected... But for those adults that are PS2 gamers, too, it's a great game to play with the kids!\n\nThe free movie ticket was an added bonus, but since we already saw the movie, we'll probably not use it (unless I agree to see it with my son AGAIN!) It expires the end of April, so there's plenty of time left to see the movie in those theaters that are still showing it.","Product: Ice Age 2: The Meltdown takes you back in time for a great adventure! The world is melting and your Ice Age pals need help escaping from the rising waters. Swim, splash, scamper and scurry through all the action and adventure from the new Ice Age 2 movie and unearth fun, laughter and surprises along the way!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Graphics and Great Game Play\n\nReview: My family and I LOVED the movie Ice Age 2, and so, of course, my 7 year old wanted the game for PS2!\n\nI was hesitant to pay the $ for it, but decided to get it for him. Boy, is it worth the money!\n\nBoth of us have played the game for HOURS today and yesterday, and it's truly a lot of fun. Playing as Scrat, you roam through different areas collecting acorns (think Spyro collecting gems or Curious George collecting bananas). Small brown acorns (1 point), medium green acorns (5 points) and chestnuts (20 points) go towards unlocking bonuses. In each area, there are walnuts that Scrat has to find in order to leave the area and go on to the next one. He can also get fruit from trees and bushes, which helps to replenish his energy. If you use the sniff function (L1), it will help you find hidden fruit.\n\nThroughout the game, there are sparkling signs. When you press the triangle button, a hint appears. (Early in the game, the hints are straightforward. As the game progresses, though, you have to think creatively. No worries if you're stuck. You can choose a Hint button that helps.)\n\nScrat can also interact with objects. For example, some acorns are buried in the ground (you can see the tops), and you have to use the triangle button to dig them out. If his energy meter starts to run down because of fighting with rodents and other animals, you can replenish it by interacting with flowers and collecting their petals. Some games (and enemies) need to be combated with pebbles, so when Scrat is close to a pebble pile, he can collect up to 25 at a time.\n\nThe mini-games are a blast, too...and not exactly easy! The first one, Sid's Slide on \"The Eviscerator\", has you going down several long slides with the goal of getting at leat 7,000 points at the end. To get these points, you slide on acorns and chestnuts, go through gates, and use the directional button for mid-air flip routines. However, watch out for falling ice! Every time you run into a piece of ice--or miss a directional challenge sequence--points are deducted!\n\nAnother fun mini-game is penguin bowling (the penguins are the pins!). You have to score 100 points before you move to the next part of the game. There's a monkey shooting gallery, a Whac-a-Mole-type game, and other fun (but challenging!) mini-games.\n\nScrat find himself climbing up walls (some are slippery!), swinging on vines, climbing trees, jumping ledges and through treetops, swimming underwater (he has a bubble meter showing how much air he has left!), etc. He even gets helps from other creatures, like when he must climb on the back of a swamp bird in order to get to higher ledges.\n\nThere are 5 levels at each place, including the ice/water park, the forest, the mud bog, the sloth village, and more (we're not through the game yet).\n\nAlthough my son is a pretty experienced platform gamer (Sly Cooper, Crash Bandicoot, the Spyro series, etc.), he still needs my help on some of the sections. For example, I had to do Sid's Slide about 4 or 5 times before I finally accumulated 7,000 points! This game is great for kids and adults alike, but since the hints have to be read (they're not spoken) this could prove problematic for beginner readers.\n\nAlso, if you're skittish about kids hitting animals or adolescent humor like fart games (no joke...one of the games has a Fructose Bear who has a Fart meter that helps propel Scrat to acorns on ledges LOL), then you may want to think twice about the game. But if your child is used to mild \"cartoon violence\" and humor like I've described, I think you'll be delighted and amused with this game.","Product: In Cars, you'll get a chance to live out the thrills and fun of the new Disney/Pixar animated film! Play as all your favurite characters from the movie, as you help Lightning McQueen capture the coveted Piston Cup Championship.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: May Be Confusing For Younger Gamers\n\nReview: My 7 year old son and I LOVED the movie Cars. We have several Cars books, the soundrack--my son even has Cars light-up sneakers and wallet!\n\nIt was with great anticipation that we got the PS2 Cars game a few days ago.\n\nLet me start off by saying that this game is not very intuitive, and would definitely be problematic for younger children--even experienced racing or platform gamers. My son kept roaming the streets of Radiator Springs and I got to thinking \"Man, there's GOT to be more to the game than this!\"\n\nSo I went about trying to unlock various mini-games and races. (The guidebook wasn't much help.) I finally realized that not only did you need to \"collect\" (run into) lightning bolts for points, but you had to complete various races and mini-games to unlock more of the same. This isn't unusual, of course, but it's quite confusing. For example, a raceway may look familiar in the menu, but what you don't realize is that you need to race it *several times* to unlock other features.\n\nI also figured out that the circular map on the screen (that you can disable if you want) features green and white dots on it. Green dots indicates a spot you can drive to for racing/games that it's an event you've already done. White dots are new events/games that you've unlocked.\n\nAnother confusing aspect is that there is an Arcade Mode and Story Mode--as well as other options. Figuring out what does what can be confusing. For example, let's say you've earned enough points to unlock cool paint jobs for Lightning McQueen. Well, you wouldn't go to Ramones, believe it or not. You have to first go to Bonus Materials, buy your paint job/s, THEN go back to Ramones for him to apply it. (And the load times seems unusually long!)\n\nOther Bonus Material includes unlocking characters (Ramone, Flo, a souped up McQueen that's like a monster truck, Doc, the Sheriff, Sally, Mater, etc.), paint jobs, and movie clips.\n\nSome of the mini-games are very difficult without the circular map. We played a \"Find the Postcards\" game and only found SIX out of 20 on our own WITHOUT the map. Some mini-games appear to have various levels, too. For example, there's a Tractor Tipping Game where you can be either Mater or Lightning. You must stealthily creep up on sleeping tractors, toot the horn to \"tip\" them, and avoid Frank's lights. In subsequent levels of this same mini-game, there are other moving searchlights you must avoid (in addition to a roaming Frank), and actions you must perform in order to access trucks in a maze (such as pushing wheeled bridges to cross over gulches.) I believe there are 6 levels to that game, which I've completed.\n\nYou can choose various levels of expertise, and Rookie seems to work just fine for me and my son. I'm able to win races in this game, whereas I can't even steer straight in games like Need for Speed! However, my son and I keep placing last in Mater's Rustbucket Race-O-Rama (a dirt track arena complete with hills and rusty car parts!), so I don't know what's up with that.\n\nOther mini-games we've experienced so far (we're at the beginning of Chapter 2 in Story Mode) include Luigi finding tires (we're on Level 3) and racing with Doc while learning how to Power Slide. (This comes in handy for racing, because you earn extra points for tricks, including this Power Slide.)\n\nOne of the arena races features a very cool mini-game in the form of a Pit Stop: after exiting the raceway, there are four button games controlling Guido's tire changing. For example, there may be 5 symbols on a tire and you have to press them in order. Or, you may have to quickly toggle between square and circle for him to squeegy the windows in time.\n\nWe've already noticed several glitches on this game, including lagging/freezing, bright lights \"spiking\" from cars, and one level not even opening (black screen). I have a feeling that this game was rushed to coincide with the movie's release. We'll be taking it back to the store tomorrow, telling them it's defective. HOPEFULLY, it's only one game and the next one is fine, but I have a feeling it's a designer flaw...\n\nIf you like racing games, there's a lot here for you. You can free roam in an extensive landscape (off-roading, too), race various speedways and town races, and play amusing mini-games. It may be frustrating for younger gamers, as I said, so parents may need to babysit the controls to help unlock games. But if you're little one just likes to race and roam (or crash into other cars, as my son likes to do)--then it's a nice game.","Product: Madame Fate has foreseen her own demise that midnight of this very day! She suspects that one of her carnival cronies is planning to kill her. She needs you to investigate each of these shady characters to find out if her premonition is correct. Each suspect has a motive, but only a Master Detective can discover the secrets hidden within Madame Fate's crystal ball.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Madame Fate Has Seen Her Death--Can YOU Find the Killer Before It's Too Late?\n\nReview: Renowned psychic, Madame Fate, has foreseen her own death in her crystal ball--and you, the super-sleuth, must investigate every carnival worker to know where they will be at midnight, the supposed time of death. In this lavish hidden-object game, you'll find weird side-show employees and a bored carny...but, above all, you'll find hours of engaging puzzles and tricky games!\n\nI have all of the Mystery Case Files games (<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Huntsville/dp/B000NXHZJS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Huntsville</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Prime-Suspects/dp/B000KI99RC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Prime Suspects</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Ravenhearst/dp/B000UXOHOW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Ravenhearst</a> and Madame Fate), but it was Madame Fate that was my introduction to the Hidden Object game. Briefly, for those who are unfamiliar, the idea behind the MCF games is pretty straightforward: you visit different \"scenes\" of possible crimes and find the hidden objects listed on the right side of the screen. In the case of Madame Fate, it's different places around Madame Fate's carnival--the Insane-erator Roller Coaster, concession stand, mermaid dunk, merry-go-round and so on. (If your child has the I Spy games, these are a lot like them...but better!)\n\nOf all the Hidden Object games out there, Madame Fate is, in my opinion, the most fun and the most challenging (especially compared to the other MCF games). While Madame Fate features the Hidden Object games you'd expect (e.g. find the ten items listed), there are also loads of tricky mini-games throughout.\n\nFor example, there are mysterious changing items throughout the game that, if you spot and click on them, will lead you to other hidden areas. Also, some of the hidden object clues aren't straightforward. One of the clues is \"Fighter in the Ring\", BUT, in order to complete this \"find\", you have to \"grab\" the hand drawn fighter that is at the bottom right side of the scene and place him onto the fighter that is in the ring on the left side of the scene.\n\nIn addition to the straightforward (but not necessarily easy!) crystal ball games, other mini-games include:\n\nTEN FROM SEVEN - Form 10 four letter words from the letters that you are given\n\nSIX 2 WIN - Form 6 words that are related to each other in some kind of way by swapping letters around until you spell the correct word.\n\nOPPOSITE ATTRACTION - Form 2 words that have opposite meaning but that share the same letter in the center tile.\n\nSIX WORDS TO WIN - The goal here is to form six- 3 letter words on the puzzle grid (3 vertical and 3 horizontal). The words cannot be formed diagonally or backwards.\n\n(My personal favorite) ROCKET DOG - Unravel 3 mysterious words to gain access to the shady carnival worker. Each carnival worker has various items hidden on or around them and you must find them before time runs out. For example, you may have to find rockets or matches at Bianca the Daredevil Diva, claw scratches or crowns at Tabitha the Lion Tamer, razors, butterflies or combs at Lucy the Bearded Beauty, jelly beans or pies at Franco the Excessive, hooks, stars or M's at Marlena the Mermaid, pills or snakes at Dr. Goodwell's and so on.\n\nIn between each of the characters is a thrilling--and sometimes mind boggling--puzzle. Don't worry if you get stuck, though: you can always click on a hint OR click on the black phone to skip the puzzle. However, if you do the latter, there will be time taken off the NEXT hidden object game. (I've only had to skip one the entire game. I'm entirely through Madame Fate EXCEPT for the last puzzle...still can't get it!)\n\nThankfully, the jigsaw puzzle games from the other MCF games are gone from Madame Fate (never liked those--too simple and too boring), but are replaced by visually stunning, thought-provoking and amusing games and puzzles.\n\nI've owned game systems as far back as Atari and now own several hidden object games (including Poirot, Expedition Everest, etc.), and Madame Fate is BY FAR my absolute favorite game ever! As soon as I figure out the last puzzle, I'm going to play it all over again. The hidden objects are cleverly hidden (much more difficult than previous MCF games), the scenes are a riot of color, and the sound effects of the carnival hubub (carnies yelling, night sounds, distant carny music, etc.) are truly absorbing, you'll feel like you're at a spooky carnival with a wild mix of characters!\n\nIf you enjoy hidden object games you MUST get Madame Fate. I know you'll love it! If you're new to the hidden object game genre, give this one a try. It was my very first one, and now I'm a huge MCF and hidden-object game enthusiast. It's a great way to relax (well, not so much THIS particular game!), providing you hours of eye candy, brain teasers and enjoyment.\n\nHighly recommended!\n\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: Madame Fate has foreseen her own demise that midnight of this very day! She suspects that one of her carnival cronies is planning to kill her. She needs you to investigate each of these shady characters to find out if her premonition is correct. Each suspect has a motive, but only a Master Detective can discover the secrets hidden within Madame Fate's crystal ball.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Madame Fate Has Seen Her Death--Can YOU Find the Killer Before It's Too Late?\n\nReview: Renowned psychic, Madame Fate, has foreseen her own death in her crystal ball--and you, the super-sleuth, must investigate every carnival worker to know where they will be at midnight, the supposed time of death. In this lavish hidden-object game, you'll find weird side-show employees and a bored carny...but, above all, you'll find hours of engaging puzzles and tricky games!\n\nI have all of the Mystery Case Files games (<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Huntsville/dp/B000NXHZJS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Huntsville</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Prime-Suspects/dp/B000KI99RC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Prime Suspects</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Ravenhearst/dp/B000UXOHOW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Ravenhearst</a> and Madame Fate), but it was Madame Fate that was my introduction to the Hidden Object game. Briefly, for those who are unfamiliar, the idea behind the MCF games is pretty straightforward: you visit different \"scenes\" of possible crimes and find the hidden objects listed on the right side of the screen. In the case of Madame Fate, it's different places around Madame Fate's carnival--the Insane-erator Roller Coaster, concession stand, mermaid dunk, merry-go-round and so on. (If your child has the I Spy games, these are a lot like them...but better!)\n\nOf all the Hidden Object games out there, Madame Fate is, in my opinion, the most fun and the most challenging (especially compared to the other MCF games). While Madame Fate features the Hidden Object games you'd expect (e.g. find the ten items listed), there are also loads of tricky mini-games throughout.\n\nFor example, there are mysterious changing items throughout the game that, if you spot and click on them, will lead you to other hidden areas. Also, some of the hidden object clues aren't straightforward. One of the clues is \"Fighter in the Ring\", BUT, in order to complete this \"find\", you have to \"grab\" the hand drawn fighter that is at the bottom right side of the scene and place him onto the fighter that is in the ring on the left side of the scene.\n\nIn addition to the straightforward (but not necessarily easy!) crystal ball games, other mini-games include:\n\nTEN FROM SEVEN - Form 10 four letter words from the letters that you are given\n\nSIX 2 WIN - Form 6 words that are related to each other in some kind of way by swapping letters around until you spell the correct word.\n\nOPPOSITE ATTRACTION - Form 2 words that have opposite meaning but that share the same letter in the center tile.\n\nSIX WORDS TO WIN - The goal here is to form six- 3 letter words on the puzzle grid (3 vertical and 3 horizontal). The words cannot be formed diagonally or backwards.\n\n(My personal favorite) ROCKET DOG - Unravel 3 mysterious words to gain access to the shady carnival worker. Each carnival worker has various items hidden on or around them and you must find them before time runs out. For example, you may have to find rockets or matches at Bianca the Daredevil Diva, claw scratches or crowns at Tabitha the Lion Tamer, razors, butterflies or combs at Lucy the Bearded Beauty, jelly beans or pies at Franco the Excessive, hooks, stars or M's at Marlena the Mermaid, pills or snakes at Dr. Goodwell's and so on.\n\nIn between each of the characters is a thrilling--and sometimes mind boggling--puzzle. Don't worry if you get stuck, though: you can always click on a hint OR click on the black phone to skip the puzzle. However, if you do the latter, there will be time taken off the NEXT hidden object game. (I've only had to skip one the entire game. I'm entirely through Madame Fate EXCEPT for the last puzzle...still can't get it!)\n\nThankfully, the jigsaw puzzle games from the other MCF games are gone from Madame Fate (never liked those--too simple and too boring), but are replaced by visually stunning, thought-provoking and amusing games and puzzles.\n\nI've owned game systems as far back as Atari and now own several hidden object games (including Poirot, Expedition Everest, etc.), and Madame Fate is BY FAR my absolute favorite game ever! As soon as I figure out the last puzzle, I'm going to play it all over again. The hidden objects are cleverly hidden (much more difficult than previous MCF games), the scenes are a riot of color, and the sound effects of the carnival hubub (carnies yelling, night sounds, distant carny music, etc.) are truly absorbing, you'll feel like you're at a spooky carnival with a wild mix of characters!\n\nIf you enjoy hidden object games you MUST get Madame Fate. I know you'll love it! If you're new to the hidden object game genre, give this one a try. It was my very first one, and now I'm a huge MCF and hidden-object game enthusiast. It's a great way to relax (well, not so much THIS particular game!), providing you hours of eye candy, brain teasers and enjoyment.\n\nHighly recommended!\n\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: The heist of the century has just happened! You've been hired by the casino to find & return the stolen money before its grand opening in 16 hours. Search for over 2300 cleverly hidden objects in 25 intriguing locations to solve the Vegas Heist.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My Favorite Mystery P.I. Game So Far\n\nReview: I have Mystery P.I. The Lottery Ticket, and recently bought this edition (Vegas Heist) and the New York Fortune.\n\nSo far, this is my favorite one (I'm about 1/2 through it).\n\nFor those unfamiliar with the Mystery P.I. series, it's a great hidden object game with various locations, mini-game mysteries and extra things to find for Unlimited Seek and Solve.\n\nThe Vegas Heist is truly stunning in terms of graphics. The objects are cleverly hidden, but not maddeningly so (especially if you're a hidden object junkie like myself). I used to think the Mystery Case Files were the cream of the crop, but this P.I. Series is giving them a run for the money (especially since Ravenheart 2 was so difficult, IMO.)\n\nFor example, one picture is a $50 bill, amazingly well done with objects hidden all around. Another is the inside of a souped up limo, a casino security room, and a luxury yacht. Some objects you need to find are cleverly \"disguised\". For example, 2 mice may be a picture of an actual mouse, while the other is a computer mouse. Some images are actually words (e.g. KEY for the key).\n\nIn addition to finding the objects on the list, you can find an addition three things in each picture, one not listed: a key, a poker chip and a finger print (you have to remember to find the print, it's not listed).\n\nThe mini-games at the end of each search group are Word Search (my favorite), Tile Rotation, Tile Swap, and Jigsaw. I'm not big on the latter three, but it's better than the boring bi-color Ravenhearst pictures at the end of every group!\n\nIf you enjoyed the Lottery Ticket, you'll love Vegas Heist! If you're new to hidden object games, this would be a great introduction. It's relaxing, yet challenging--very enjoyable.\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot","Product: Journey across majestic Celtic ruins as you create potions and harness magic in this match-game of enchantment. Help Monarch, the Butterfly King, rescue his friends from the clutches of a mysterious wizard bent on freezing his kingdom in magical amber. Explore mystical glades on 150 levels, and download more levels online, playing in either Relaxed or Action play modes. Astonishing visuals and fantastical fun await those ready to answer the call...of adventure!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Incredibly Addicting Match Game with Flowers\n\nReview: I love Big Kahuna Reef by Reflexive, so when I saw Monarch: The Butterfly King in the store, I bought it in a heartbeat!\n\nAlso produced by Reflexive. this particular game is similar to Big Kahuna Reef, but instead of fish, we have flowers. Lots and lots of pretty flowers--at least ten colorful varieties.\n\nLike the usual match 3 (or more) games (e.g. Jewel Quest, Bejeweled, etc.), you must match 3 or more of the same flowers to clear a tile.\n\nThe beginning levels are a simple tile...match 3 or more, and that's it...until the entire board is cleared.\n\nIn the higher levels, the tiles become locked, double locked, and so on...requiring successive matches to clear. When you match 5 or more in tandem (even if only in a 90 degree angle) bombs of various sizes are formed. You can then detonate the bomb by clicking on it for minimal effect OR, for more bang, make sure you switch it out with another tile.\n\nIn the upper levels, frogs are introduced. Like the black screaming monkeys in Jewel Quest (after you beat the game once), there are green frogs that, when matched, have the OPPOSITE effect of matching. That is, matching the frogs will RE-COVER tiles.\n\nIn my opinion, these are far less irritating than the fish skeletons of Big Kahuna Reef (for some reason).\n\nIf you have many successive matches, the Butterfly King increases his size. Get him over 100%, and you get three mini-bombs on the board. Get higher percentages, and you can even earn lives.\n\nI love the ambience of the game: when matching flowers, petals cascade and there's a gentle whooshing noise. And when the bombs go off....man, is that fun! I love the levels that are basically bombfests!\n\nIf you run out of lives, no worries: you can begin the game right where you left off (but, of course, you start back at 0 points).\n\nYou earn butterflies by completing the various stages, but, unfortunately, there's no butterfly garden or any interaction with the butterflies. (With Big Kahuna Reef, you earn fish and can create a screen saver aquarium.)\n\nI'm on Level 100 and having a blast! I needed to get some work done (I'm a writer) and there are times I can't pull myself away from this game! (My 10 year old, who also has Monarch on his computer, loves to watch me for some reason. He'll walk by and say \"You're having recess again!\"). *chuckle*\n\nI can't remember having this much fun with a game!\n\nIf you like match 3 games, this one is superb. Colorful, engaging, and at least 5 different types of bombs...way cool!\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book","Product: Phlinx To Go is challenging puzzle fun for the whole family! Experience ancient Egypt in all its glory - while you enjoy hours of engrossing puzzle gameplay. Solve complete game rounds to unlock chapters of the story. Then race against time to complete a game baord that hides the ultimate secret. Can you unleash the gods from their stone prisons?\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Simple But Has Glitches\n\nReview: Phlinx to Go is like many games out there where you have to match 3 or more orbs by shooting a corresponding colored orb at the oncoming grid. By doing matching 3+ colors, you clear out sections of orbs.\n\nIn Phlinx to Go, the setting is ancient Egypt with various orbs in colors of blue, copper, red, gold, green, and so on. There are two modes: Classic and Action. With the Classic Mode, you take your time and clear the board before the orbs reach the bottom. At a certain point during game play, a bronze icon flies from the side, attaches itself to the oncoming orbs, day turns into night, and the orbs change into 3 colors. You must \"free the spirit\" by eliminating the surrounding orbs.\n\nIn the Action Mode, you race against time clearing the board. On the last level, you also have to \"free a spirit\".\n\nThere are neat power ups in both levels, including blasting out 5 random shots, eliminating entire rows, \"time warping\" which scrolls the screen upwards--buying you time--and so on.\n\nIt's a pretty straightforward game. Unlike some games, you can change positions to right, center, or left. What makes Phlinx to Go extra-easy is that a colored laser emanates from the colored orb so you can aim your shooter. (Think of one of the Power Ups in the game Luxor--the Laser Scarab).\n\nWhile this game is pretty easy, even at the Medium Level, what's aggravating is that the shooter often sticks. I have lost SEVERAL games because the orb wouldn't fire or because it wouldn't change positions to left or right. This makes game play frustrating, especially because it seems to happen during crucial moments.\n\nOne plus for Phlinx to Go is that you accumulate PoGo tokens to cash in on the PoGo website. You can enter monthly drawings for $1000, weekly drawings for $100, and daily drawings for $50. However, you'll need internet access and a PoGo account (free) to credit tokens and enter drawings.\n\nYou get what you pay for, I guess, but Phlinx to Go is a diverting game to kill some time or to amass lots of tokens to enter PoGo drawings (especially in Action Mode). The glitches are a real downer, the music drones on with no variation, and there's a lack of visual interest despite differing orbs being added as game play progresses.\n\nIf Phlinx to Go were $20, it definitely wouldn't be worth it in my opinion.","Product: Curious George PC\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Awful--Get the Game for PS2 Instead\n\nReview: I bought this for my son at a department store last week and could NOT get it to run. The screen kept saying \"can't support\" something about \"pipes\". My son's computer is new--we just bought it last year. I tried to install it on MY computer, and it took forever...so I just stopped the process.\n\nWe took it back to the store and got the PS2 version, instead. Yes, the PS2 version is double the prices but it's WORTH it. Judging from the complexity of the PS2 game, I can't imagine how a child (or adult!) would find navigating this game on a PC any fun at all...especially having to use a variety of keys just to move around.\n\nI can't comment on the game itself because I couldn't open it! However, my review of the PS2 Curious George game is here on Amazon.","Product: With Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard you can talk to your computer and watch your words instantly appear in letters, e-mail, instant messages and chat rooms. You can even surf the Web by speaking! Dictate and edit by voice in your favorite Windows applications including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook Express, America Online, and Corel WordPerfect. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use. You can even browse, search, and navigate Web pages, all by talking. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard is fast, accurate, and easy to use. It learns to recognize your voice in fewer than five minutes, and gets better the more you use it! A noise-canceling microphone is included.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great If You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome\n\nReview: I'm a freelance writer and reviewer so I do quite a bit of typing. I've had carpal tunnel for years but it has gotten progressively worse. When I saw Dragon Naturally Speaking 8 at the store I thought I would give it a try, especially since it was very affordable.\n\nThis is my first review done entirely by vocal dictation. (As I'm speaking, it's writing down my words IN this review box!) It took me less than an hour to get this program up and running, and the program responds remarkably fast. The accuracy on some words is sometimes hit and miss, though. For example for \"hit and miss\" in the previous sentence, it wrote \"hidden menace\". However, there is an Accuracy Tool included which checks audio settings, perform additional training (reading information into the microphone), add words from your documents to the vocabulary, and more. I haven't used this tool yet, though. As I said, I'm less than one hour into testing this and it's performing great!\n\nIf you're used to speaking fast and loose you may have to adjust your speaking style when using this tool, enunciating very clearly. During the training session they recommend speaking like a news broadcast, for example. But you don't need to speak word for word very slowly...normal speech is fine.\n\nI find the headset comfortable and I'm amazed at the responsiveness of this tool. I expected it to take longer to learn and use.\n\nIf you have a limited use of your hands or have carpal tunnel syndrome, I highly recommend Dragon Naturally Speaking 8. All it takes is installing the CD-ROM, plugging in the headset to the speakers and doing a vocal test to adjust microphone levels.\n\nI'm excited to use this product, which will no doubt make life easier for both me and my hands! I love it that I can use this tool for Word Documents, emails, and website use!","Product: The Journey to Wild Divine is the first \"inner-active\" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology for total mind-body wellness. Progress through the realm using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Not just a game, it's a tool for physical and mental health. Wearing three finger sensors that track your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance, you move through enchanting and mystical landscapes using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Wise mentors guide you throughout the realm, empowering you with yoga, breathing and meditation skills needed to complete over 40 biofeedback 'energy' events. Build stairways with your breath, open doors with meditation, juggle balls with your laughter, and so much more. The Journey makes biofeedback, a popular method of alternative healthcare, easily accessible and empowers you to take mind-body wellness, literally, into your own hands. \"The Journey to Wild Divine is a very practical program that allows people to get in intimate touch with the inner-most core of their being.\" - Deepak Chopra, M.D.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: An Amazing \"Inner-Active\" Adventure\n\nReview: It has been said that the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is caused from a perceived disconnection from the Divine--either within oneself or in the universe at large.\n\nWe are finally realizing that our thoughts, emotions and physical body have an etheric counterpart that registers our bodily states. Attending to our spirits promotes peace, health, and a sense of well-being. The effect of stress and anxiety on our bodies is well documented. Likewise, studies are showing the powerful effects of prayer, meditation, and joy on our emotional and physical health.\n\nKurt Smith and Corwin Bell of The Wild Divine Project are two visionaries who have developed a groundbreaking tool that engages mind, body and spirit. The Journey To Wild Divine - The Passage is an \"Inner-active\" computer journey that integrates the power of the spiritual quest with an innovative biofeedback interface and high-end multi-media production. It incorporates mythology and elements of the classic hero and heroine's journey with state of the art 3D graphics, video and music.\n\nIn developing The Journey, Bell and Smith have collaborated with various leaders in the field of consciousness and compassionate action on both the spiritual and biofeedback technology aspects of the project. Known as \"allies,\" they include Jean Houston, a pioneer researcher in human capacities, and Nawang Khechog, a former Buddhist monk and one of Tibet's foremost world music composers and musicians.\n\nBio-feedback is the science of recording both Skin Conductance Levels (SCL) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and using this information to modify thoughts, emotions, and breathing. SCL is the measurement of sweat gland activity on a person's skin, and HRV is the calculation of the differences in heart rate from one heartbeat to the next. No two of these intervals are exactly the same, and you need a device more sophisticated than just taking your pulse to determine it. Those who exhibit greater HRV tend to live longer and enjoy life more. When playing this amazing adventure, you slip 3 fingers in the comfortable sensors known as \"Magic Rings\". Your SCL and HRV are interpted by the \"Light Stone\" energy translator.\n\nUp until now, biofeedback technology was in the hands of experts--where a professional had to interpret your results. From those results, you would then learn how to regulate breathing, thoughts, emotional states, and so on. However, with The Journey, the game itself lets you know how you're doing.\n\nSet in the magical Sun Realm, players encounter breathtaking scenery, helpful mentors, and various \"Events\". For example, you're invited to join Cosmo and Sophia in the Inner Imagery Theater--which includes inviting your own partner to share the Magic Rings. Cosmo and Sophia show you how to challenge one other with sensory imaginings, and then you and a partner explore images from the five senses.\n\nFor example, my husband and I entered the Inner Imagery Theater together where we challenged each other with images such as \"I want you to imagine stroking the soft fur of a kitten\" or \"I want you to imagine the sound of a gentle rain falling on a tin roof.\" All of the other Events I've experienced thus far, however, have been for just one person. (But I'm nowhere near completing the adventure!)\n\nIn one of my journeys, I entered a lush courtyard with vibrant greenery, colorful flowers, and majestic colums. I was encouraged to relax and levitate a purple ball. Sound easy? Not necessarily! It depends on how able you are to enter into relaxing breath and peacefulness. There are times when I can float the ball off the screen, but yesterday, I couldn't get it past an inch or so. I was irritated by my son's interruptions (which sent the ball back to the ground!), but it occurred to me that this was a perfect scenario to increase awareness of my thoughts, breathing, and emotional response. After I played the game for about an hour, I was amazed at the marked difference in my mental and emotional states.\n\nHowever, not all \"Events\" are designed to promote calm. With some, you have to think joyful, enthusiastic thoughts and increase the rate of your breathing--such as spinning a pinwheel.\n\nHelpful mentors you'll encounter include The Royal Falconer, Kwan-Yin--Lady of Compassion, Mila-Rugom, and Luna the White Wolf. You'll receive a magic bag created by the Lady Of The Woods, where you'll be able to store items that you collect on your journey--and use for other Events. For example, you'll need to pick a red rose from the courtyard to give as an offering to the Durga. You can save several areas to the bookmark section, in case you want to go back. Sophia guides you when you first start a game, but when you load it another time, you can bypass this introduction and just head right into the gameplay.\n\nThe Journey to the Wild Divine - The Passage comes in an attractive, sturdy box which includes:\n\n*CD-Rom Software featuring spectacular high-definition 3-D graphics and video\n\n*More than 40 unique energy and breathing \"Events\"\n\n*Install disks for both PC and Macintosh\n\n*Easy-to-use \"Magic Ring\" biofeedback sensors\n\n*\"Light Stone\" energy translator\n\n*Supports upcoming multi-user, online experiences\n\n*Original Soul Flight music CD\n\n*Companion Guide and User's Manual\n\nThe music that accompanies the game is filled with gorgeous orchestration from the Soul Flight CD, performed by The Wild Divine Band. Featuring Kurt Smith and Andy McEwen, the band's music (which is sold separately, as well) is intended to have Transformational Effects that can help facilitate the journey of the soul.\n\nThe Journey to Wild Divine is a groundbreaking tool for stress-relief, mindfulness, and meditation--promoting a sense of well-being and health. I highly recommend this visionary gift to humanity.\n\n(To see 6 color screen shots of this computer game visit [...])","Product: The Journey to Wild Divine is the first \"inner-active\" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology for total mind-body wellness. Progress through the realm using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Not just a game, it's a tool for physical and mental health. Wearing three finger sensors that track your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance, you move through enchanting and mystical landscapes using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Wise mentors guide you throughout the realm, empowering you with yoga, breathing and meditation skills needed to complete over 40 biofeedback 'energy' events. Build stairways with your breath, open doors with meditation, juggle balls with your laughter, and so much more. The Journey makes biofeedback, a popular method of alternative healthcare, easily accessible and empowers you to take mind-body wellness, literally, into your own hands. \"The Journey to Wild Divine is a very practical program that allows people to get in intimate touch with the inner-most core of their being.\" - Deepak Chopra, M.D.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: An Amazing \"Inner-Active\" Adventure\n\nReview: It has been said that the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is caused from a perceived disconnection from the Divine--either within oneself or in the universe at large.\n\nWe are finally realizing that our thoughts, emotions and physical body have an etheric counterpart that registers our bodily states. Attending to our spirits promotes peace, health, and a sense of well-being. The effect of stress and anxiety on our bodies is well documented. Likewise, studies are showing the powerful effects of prayer, meditation, and joy on our emotional and physical health.\n\nKurt Smith and Corwin Bell of The Wild Divine Project are two visionaries who have developed a groundbreaking tool that engages mind, body and spirit. The Journey To Wild Divine - The Passage is an \"Inner-active\" computer journey that integrates the power of the spiritual quest with an innovative biofeedback interface and high-end multi-media production. It incorporates mythology and elements of the classic hero and heroine's journey with state of the art 3D graphics, video and music.\n\nIn developing The Journey, Bell and Smith have collaborated with various leaders in the field of consciousness and compassionate action on both the spiritual and biofeedback technology aspects of the project. Known as \"allies,\" they include Jean Houston, a pioneer researcher in human capacities, and Nawang Khechog, a former Buddhist monk and one of Tibet's foremost world music composers and musicians.\n\nBio-feedback is the science of recording both Skin Conductance Levels (SCL) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and using this information to modify thoughts, emotions, and breathing. SCL is the measurement of sweat gland activity on a person's skin, and HRV is the calculation of the differences in heart rate from one heartbeat to the next. No two of these intervals are exactly the same, and you need a device more sophisticated than just taking your pulse to determine it. Those who exhibit greater HRV tend to live longer and enjoy life more. When playing this amazing adventure, you slip 3 fingers in the comfortable sensors known as \"Magic Rings\". Your SCL and HRV are interpted by the \"Light Stone\" energy translator.\n\nUp until now, biofeedback technology was in the hands of experts--where a professional had to interpret your results. From those results, you would then learn how to regulate breathing, thoughts, emotional states, and so on. However, with The Journey, the game itself lets you know how you're doing.\n\nSet in the magical Sun Realm, players encounter breathtaking scenery, helpful mentors, and various \"Events\". For example, you're invited to join Cosmo and Sophia in the Inner Imagery Theater--which includes inviting your own partner to share the Magic Rings. Cosmo and Sophia show you how to challenge one other with sensory imaginings, and then you and a partner explore images from the five senses.\n\nFor example, my husband and I entered the Inner Imagery Theater together where we challenged each other with images such as \"I want you to imagine stroking the soft fur of a kitten\" or \"I want you to imagine the sound of a gentle rain falling on a tin roof.\" All of the other Events I've experienced thus far, however, have been for just one person. (But I'm nowhere near completing the adventure!)\n\nIn one of my journeys, I entered a lush courtyard with vibrant greenery, colorful flowers, and majestic colums. I was encouraged to relax and levitate a purple ball. Sound easy? Not necessarily! It depends on how able you are to enter into relaxing breath and peacefulness. There are times when I can float the ball off the screen, but yesterday, I couldn't get it past an inch or so. I was irritated by my son's interruptions (which sent the ball back to the ground!), but it occurred to me that this was a perfect scenario to increase awareness of my thoughts, breathing, and emotional response. After I played the game for about an hour, I was amazed at the marked difference in my mental and emotional states.\n\nHowever, not all \"Events\" are designed to promote calm. With some, you have to think joyful, enthusiastic thoughts and increase the rate of your breathing--such as spinning a pinwheel.\n\nHelpful mentors you'll encounter include The Royal Falconer, Kwan-Yin--Lady of Compassion, Mila-Rugom, and Luna the White Wolf. You'll receive a magic bag created by the Lady Of The Woods, where you'll be able to store items that you collect on your journey--and use for other Events. For example, you'll need to pick a red rose from the courtyard to give as an offering to the Durga. You can save several areas to the bookmark section, in case you want to go back. Sophia guides you when you first start a game, but when you load it another time, you can bypass this introduction and just head right into the gameplay.\n\nThe Journey to the Wild Divine - The Passage comes in an attractive, sturdy box which includes:\n\n*CD-Rom Software featuring spectacular high-definition 3-D graphics and video\n\n*More than 40 unique energy and breathing \"Events\"\n\n*Install disks for both PC and Macintosh\n\n*Easy-to-use \"Magic Ring\" biofeedback sensors\n\n*\"Light Stone\" energy translator\n\n*Supports upcoming multi-user, online experiences\n\n*Original Soul Flight music CD\n\n*Companion Guide and User's Manual\n\nThe music that accompanies the game is filled with gorgeous orchestration from the Soul Flight CD, performed by The Wild Divine Band. Featuring Kurt Smith and Andy McEwen, the band's music (which is sold separately, as well) is intended to have Transformational Effects that can help facilitate the journey of the soul.\n\nThe Journey to Wild Divine is a groundbreaking tool for stress-relief, mindfulness, and meditation--promoting a sense of well-being and health. I highly recommend this visionary gift to humanity.\n\n(To see 6 color screen shots of this computer game visit [...])","Product: The Journey to Wild Divine is the first \"inner-active\" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology for total mind-body wellness. Progress through the realm using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Not just a game, it's a tool for physical and mental health. Wearing three finger sensors that track your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance, you move through enchanting and mystical landscapes using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Wise mentors guide you throughout the realm, empowering you with yoga, breathing and meditation skills needed to complete over 40 biofeedback 'energy' events. Build stairways with your breath, open doors with meditation, juggle balls with your laughter, and so much more. The Journey makes biofeedback, a popular method of alternative healthcare, easily accessible and empowers you to take mind-body wellness, literally, into your own hands. \"The Journey to Wild Divine is a very practical program that allows people to get in intimate touch with the inner-most core of their being.\" - Deepak Chopra, M.D.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Groundbreaking Tool For Stress Reduction\n\nReview: It has been said that the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is caused from a perceived disconnection from the Divine--either within oneself or in the universe at large.\n\nWe are finally realizing that our thoughts, emotions and physical body have an etheric counterpart that registers our bodily states. Attending to our spirits promotes peace, health, and a sense of well-being. The effect of stress and anxiety on our bodies is well documented. Likewise, studies are showing the powerful effects of prayer, meditation, and joy on our emotional and physical health.\n\nKurt Smith and Corwin Bell of The Wild Divine Project are two visionaries who have developed a groundbreaking tool that engages mind, body and spirit. The Journey To Wild Divine - The Passage is an \"Inner-active\" computer journey that integrates the power of the spiritual quest with an innovative biofeedback interface and high-end multi-media production. It incorporates mythology and elements of the classic hero and heroine's journey with state of the art 3D graphics, video and music.\n\nIn developing The Journey, Bell and Smith have collaborated with various leaders in the field of consciousness and compassionate action on both the spiritual and biofeedback technology aspects of the project. Known as \"allies,\" they include Jean Houston, a pioneer researcher in human capacities, and Nawang Khechog, a former Buddhist monk and one of Tibet's foremost world music composers and musicians.\n\nBio-feedback is the science of recording both Skin Conductance Levels (SCL) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and using this information to modify thoughts, emotions, and breathing. SCL is the measurement of sweat gland activity on a person's skin, and HRV is the calculation of the differences in heart rate from one heartbeat to the next. No two of these intervals are exactly the same, and you need a device more sophisticated than just taking your pulse to determine it. Those who exhibit greater HRV tend to live longer and enjoy life more. When playing this amazing adventure, you slip 3 fingers in the comfortable sensors known as \"Magic Rings\". Your SCL and HRV are interpted by the \"Light Stone\" energy translator.\n\nUp until now, biofeedback technology was in the hands of experts--where a professional had to interpret your results. From those results, you would then learn how to regulate breathing, thoughts, emotional states, and so on. However, with The Journey, the game itself lets you know how you're doing.\n\nSet in the magical Sun Realm, players encounter breathtaking scenery, helpful mentors, and various \"Events\". For example, you're invited to join Cosmo and Sophia in the Inner Imagery Theater--which includes inviting your own partner to share the Magic Rings. Cosmo and Sophia show you how to challenge one other with sensory imaginings, and then you and a partner explore images from the five senses.\n\nFor example, my husband and I entered the Inner Imagery Theater together where we challenged each other with images such as \"I want you to imagine stroking the soft fur of a kitten\" or \"I want you to imagine the sound of a gentle rain falling on a tin roof.\" All of the other Events I've experienced thus far, however, have been for just one person. (But I'm nowhere near completing the adventure!)\n\nIn one of my journeys, I entered a lush courtyard with vibrant greenery, colorful flowers, and majestic colums. I was encouraged to relax and levitate a purple ball. Sound easy? Not necessarily! It depends on how able you are to enter into relaxing breath and peacefulness. There are times when I can float the ball off the screen, but yesterday, I couldn't get it past an inch or so. I was irritated by my son's interruptions (which sent the ball back to the ground!), but it occurred to me that this was a perfect scenario to increase awareness of my thoughts, breathing, and emotional response. After I played the game for about an hour, I was amazed at the marked difference in my mental and emotional states.\n\nHowever, not all \"Events\" are designed to promote calm. With some, you have to think joyful, enthusiastic thoughts and increase the rate of your breathing--such as spinning a pinwheel.\n\nHelpful mentors you'll encounter include The Royal Falconer, Kwan-Yin--Lady of Compassion, Mila-Rugom, and Luna the White Wolf. You'll receive a magic bag created by the Lady Of The Woods, where you'll be able to store items that you collect on your journey--and use for other Events. For example, you'll need to pick a red rose from the courtyard to give as an offering to the Durga. You can save several areas to the bookmark section, in case you want to go back. Sophia guides you when you first start a game, but when you load it another time, you can bypass this introduction and just head right into the gameplay.\n\nThe Journey to the Wild Divine - The Passage comes in an attractive, sturdy box which includes:\n\n*CD-Rom Software featuring spectacular high-definition 3-D graphics and video\n\n*More than 40 unique energy and breathing \"Events\"\n\n*Install disks for both PC and Macintosh\n\n*Easy-to-use \"Magic Ring\" biofeedback sensors\n\n*\"Light Stone\" energy translator\n\n*Supports upcoming multi-user, online experiences\n\n*Original Soul Flight music CD\n\n*Companion Guide and User's Manual\n\nThe music that accompanies the game is filled with gorgeous orchestration from the Soul Flight CD, performed by The Wild Divine Band. Featuring Kurt Smith and Andy McEwen, the band's music (which is sold separately, as well) is intended to have Transformational Effects that can help facilitate the journey of the soul.\n\nThe Journey to Wild Divine is a groundbreaking tool for stress-relief, mindfulness, and meditation--promoting a sense of well-being and health. I highly recommend this visionary gift to humanity.\n\n(To see 6 color screen shots of this computer game visit [...])","Product: Embark on a life-changing journey with Amanda (Marlee Matlin), a divorced photographer who tumbles down a metaphysical rabbit hole. Her mind-bending voyage through the worlds of science and spirituality includes revelations by quantum physics experts, playful animation, and even a conversation with a wise, 35,000-year-old being. Ultimately, Amandas perception of reality is turned inside out and the meaning of life becomes clear. See for yourself why this groundbreaking movie became one of the most compelling and talked about films of the year.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Movie Examining Reality, God, Choice and Other Issues\n\nReview: \"In the beginning was the void teeming with infinite possibilities of which you are one.\" -the movie\n\nIf I could give only one movie to every person in the world, it would be a ground-breaking quantum fable titled What the Bleep Do We Know!?.\n\nPart documentary, part narrative drama, and part visual hallucinogen, this is a film that blows the door off the metaphysical closet. Everyday folks are realizing that they are not alone in contemplating the nature of reality, exploring the convergence of science and spirituality, and yearning for something more to the human experience. In fact, What the Bleep filmmaker William Arntz felt that there were \"millions of closet metaphysicians in America, just hungering for a movie like this.\" Movie industry insiders told him there wasn't a market for this kind of innovation, saying that he was committing \"financial suicide\". Fortunately for us, Arntz ignored their discouraging pronouncements-and this gem of a movie ended up becoming a box office phenomenon, largely by overwhelmingly positive word-of-mouth.\n\nWhat the Bleep Do We Know!? blends interviews with scientists, neurobiologists, quantum physicists, and a 35,000 year old being with live action and wondrous special effects. Oscar winner Marlee Matlin plays a jaded photographer named Amanda who falls down a metaphysical rabbit hole. Through a series of mind-bending events, Amanda is forced to confront what she thought was reality-as well as the source of her boredom, anxiety, and self-contempt.\n\nIn light of quantum physics (which, in a nutshell, is the physics of probabilities), the filmmakers explore the concept of multiple realities existing at once. While parallel, alternate universes are the stuff of Star Trek, this concept isn't so far fetched considering scientists have produced a particle of light that exists in two places at the same time. Not only that, electrons and the nuclei of atoms completely disappear and reappear all the time. Where do they go? If this happens on an atomic level, what does this mean for the macro level?\n\nRather than reality happening to us, as the old model assumed, we are happening to reality. The act of observation...or \"locking into\" something...actually changes the nature of what is observed. The act of choice eliminates all other probabilities. If this is true at the quantum level, how do our choices affect-and indeed, change-reality?\n\nEverything \"out there\" is a projection of our mind's elaborate theater, which is often the result of complex neurobiology that happens \"in here\". With vibrant computer animation and lucid scientific explanations, we are shown what happens when cells are consistently bathed in neurochemicals produced by habitual emotions: emotional addiction. \"If we can be addicted to heroin, we can be addicted to any neuropeptide (emotion)\", says one scientist. Another scientist asserts: \"Who is in the driver's seat when we control our emotions or respond to emotions? We know physiologically that nerve cells that fire together rewire together. If you practice something over and over, those nerve cells have a long-term relationship.\" In other words, if you get angry on a daily basis...or feel like a victim...you are literally re-wiring your neural net to the point of creating an \"identity\". The good news is that \"every time we interrupt the thought process that produces a chemical response in the body, they start breaking the long-term relationship.\"\n\nSo what does this have to do with the nature of reality? It comes back to choice. We create scenarios that meet our emotional needs. This is why many fall into the same type of relationships and dramas: there is a chemical addiction to rejection, conflict, seduction, and so on. One scientist remarked: \"An awful lot of problems that get labeled as psychological really amount to people making rotten choices...\" What is thought of as \"reality just happening to us\" is really a result of consistent choices producing specific chemicals which result in specific emotions that have become a habit. Instead of \"people always sabotage my happiness\", it becomes a matter of chemical addiction to sabotaging scenarios. We draw in from the \"quantum field\" according to our intention, expectation, and (in this case) emotional addiction.\n\nIf this is true of the individual, what of the assumptions of a culture? Every generation has many hidden assumptions that history ahs proven to be untrue (such as the idea that the Earth is flat). Many of these assumptions are so ingrained, we take them for granted as \"the truth\".\n\nAsking questions like \"Why am I here? Where am I going? Who am I? What happens when I die?\"-the questioning of reality and how things \"have always been done\"-help us to interrupt the neural nets. Becoming the \"observer\" (as opposed to an unconscious reactionary) can result in paradigm shifts, \"aha!\" moments, and personal change.\n\nContemplating a new way of thinking or seeing is tricky, however. A fascinating story that's demonstrated in What the Bleep is that of Christopher Columbus visiting the indigenous people of South America. Because clipper ships were totally out of the realm of their reality, these people could not see the ships on the horizon. One day, the tribal shaman realized there were ripples coming towards shore. He knew that something must be causing those ripples...but what? Day after day he strained to see, until one day, he finally saw the ships approaching. His people couldn't see them, until he described to them what he saw. Because they trusted him, they could now see the ships with their own eyes.\n\nThis story illustrates the principle that we can only see in our brain what we're able to see. In fact, we only see what we believe is possible. Perhaps this explains why mystics can see angels and other realities: for them, believing is seeing. Biologically, the brain processes 400 billion bits of information per second, but is only aware of 2,000 bits at any one time-usually information about our environment, body, and time. Just what is the brain perceiving that we are not \"seeing\" or integrating?\n\nIn addition to the science of perception and reality, a theologian, Ramtha (an ancient being channeled by J.Z. Knight), and other scientists discuss the nature of God, spirituality, and the interconnection of all things. One of the problems of religion, according to one theologian, is that God has been made into a distinct, separate entity to which we must offer worship, humor, and please-all in the hopes to get a reward at the end of life (not to mention avoiding the frying pan). According to this man, \"this is not what God is. That is blasphemy.\"\n\nRamtha echoes this sentiment with my favorite quote from the movie:\n\n\"God must be greater than the greatest of human weaknesses and, indeed, the greatest of human skill. God must even transcend our most remarkable-to emulate nature in its absolute splendor. How can any man or woman sin against such greatness of mind? How can one little carbon unit on Earth-in the backwaters of the Milky Way, the boondocks-betray God almighty? That is impossible. The height of arrogance is the height of control of those who create God in their own image.\"\n\nWhether you agree with the ideas presented in the movie is not the point. If individuals at least contemplate an alternative perspective-then this movie will have succeeded. What the Bleep Do We Know!? doesn't tell you what to think, but simply offers ideas and theories for your consideration. At the very least, it opens up a dialogue between people. And, perhaps, if people start talking to one another-especially about concepts like reality, God, spirituality, choice, and human potential-there will be enough cracks in individual and collective assumptions to make way for ideas never before considered as possible.","Product: You've never experienced anything quite like POWDER -- the uplifting, must-see hit that audiences and critics loved! Harassed by classmates who won't accept his shocking appearance, a shy young man known as Powder struggles to fit in. But the cruel taunts stop when Powder displays a mysterious power that allows him to do extraordinary things. This phenomenon changes the lives of all those around him ... in ways they never could have imagined. Hollywood stars Jeff Goldblum (JURASSIC PARK) and Mary Steenburgen (PHILADELPHIA) lead a top-notch cast in this unforgettable story of hope and wonder.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Not of This World\n\nReview: Many individuals feel like outcasts in this world--as if they're somehow \"different\" from the rest of humanity.\n\nThe central character of this movie is defintely an outcast. Called \"Powder\" because of his snow-white skin, this teenager was kept in his grandparent's basement his entire life. He is brought into the school system where kids ridicule, abuse, misunderstand, and even fear him. His science teacher (played by Jeff Goldblum) and the schoolmaster (played by Mary Steenburgen) discover that Powder can control electricity--and has profound wisdom and empathetic insight.\n\nPowder is peaceful, tragic Christ-figure who is persecuted for being different and, perhaps, for being prophetic and \"otherworldly\" as well.\n\nThe ending is powerful and satisfying, especially given the gut-wrenching treatment that Powder endures. Some fascinating mystical themes in this movie include the transformation from the physical into pure spirit, the evolution of man, the capacity of Spirit, the power of love, and the archetypal metaphor of feeling \"not of this world.\"","Product: Original VHS tape in original cardboard case. \"A scientist makes a last stand on Earth with the help of a ragtag team of soldiers against an invasion of alien phantoms.\"\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Mystical Movie With Major Eye Candy\n\nReview: Touted as first photo-realistic computer generated feature film, Final Fantasy has some amazing eye candy; the life-likeness of the characters held me transfixed.\n\nIn the year 2065, Earth has been taken over by transparent aliens that crashed onto the Earth and who suck the spirit out of any living thing that they can get their hands on. In order to save mankind, Dr. Aki Ross and her trusting mentor, Dr. Sid, must find the \"eighth spirit\"--a remaining spirit that has not been taken away by the so-called \"phantoms\"--who holds the key to salvation.\n\nWhile Dr. Ross and Dr. Sid seek peace, General Hein, who lost his family to the phantoms, has vowed to take out the aliens by his owns violent means. The \"eighth spirit\" is a powerful entity dwelling in an unknown life form somewhere on the planet. They've already found the first seven, but they need the eighth in order to complete the combination and neutralize these life-sucking phantoms.\n\nThe mystical themes that I enjoyed in this movie is that the planet is alive and conscious(the Gaia hypothesis), there is energy surging throughout all of life, evil is a matter of perspective, and that one need not look outside for salvation--the Divine has been inside the whole time.","Product: Two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and Academy Award nominee Jeff Bridges star in this spellbinding, often humorous story of a mysterious stranger who defies convention, puzzles the experts and leaves everyone searching for the truth. A stranger who calls himself Prot (Spacey) seemingly appears out of nowhere following a disturbance at New York's Grand Central Station. Claiming to come from the distant planet K-PAX, Prot draws the attention of jaded Dr. Powell (Bridges), whose initial skepticism soon turns to fascination and amazement. Even a team of leading scientists are at a loss to explain Prot's detailed knowledge of the star system he calls home. But with Prot's return to K-PAX fast approaching, the search for answers intensifies and the mystery takes on pulse-quickening proportions. Featuring unforgettable performances and surprising turns, it's a thrilling story that \"Keeps you guessing right to the end!\" (ABC Radio)\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Prot: Alien or Delusional Human?\n\nReview: This was one of those powerful movies that I \"took personally\"--especially since the blue jay is my totem and the blue jay figures a prominent role in this movie.\n\nKevin Spacey plays a psychiatric patient named Prot--but Prot claims he's really an alien from the planet K-PAX. Jeff Bridges plays Prot's psychiatrist and is convinced that Prot is delusional. But the Doctor's cynicism soon turns into fascination. Could Prot possibly be an alien? Or is there a perfectly logical, \"earthly\" reason for Prot's belief that he's an alien?\n\nI don't want to give away any plot points, but this movie is thought provoking and utterly fascinating. You'll be scratching your head at the end--but a part of you will \"get\" it even if your mind does not. Some mystical themes I enjoyed in this movie is the existence of aliens, the possible messages of aliens, the power of belief in something beyond yourself, and the power of the mind.","Product: In the first-ever \"Elmo's World\" holiday special, Elmo is gearing up to celebrate Christmas. But what present will he give Dorothy, his beloved goldfish? As he searches for an answer, Elmo learns about holidays around the world and discovers the many things that Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa have in common. Finally, Elmo goes to the North Pole, where Santa has some expert advice about the true spirit of Chirstmas - and the perfect gift for Dorothy!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Much Better Than Elmo Saves Christmas!\n\nReview: \"Greetings of \"Happy Holidays!\" can be heard at all times of year throughout the world. Every holiday is a unique cultural tradition with specific origins, meanings, and ritual observances. The holidays that your family celebrates may be different from those of your neighbors and friends, or you may even observe the same holiday differently. To help celebrate some of the diverse cultural traditions that bring joy to the world, Sesame Workshop created the video Elmo's World: Happy Holidays.\" - From Sesame Street Workshop\n\nMy son has both Elmo Saves Christmas and Elmo's World: Happy Holidays! and the latter DVD is MUCH better. (Harvey Fierstein's role as the Easter Bunny in Elmo Saves Christmas is enough to ruin THAT one for me, let alone everything else...)\n\nThis culture-friendly DVD shows kids (and muppets!) celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Ramadan, and even mentions Three Kings Day. I like the fact that this DVD doesn't shy away from the nativity scene and the special birth of a \"great teacher to many\" like in other overly-PC DVDs. (For example, Blue's Clues Big Holiday has Wynona Judd merely saying \"Christmas is a time we celebrate a very special birth\"--as if the \"J\" word was as bad as the \"F\" word!)\n\nYet, it also shows other holiday traditions in a respectful, educational way. A child speaking about celebrating Ramadan says \"Ramadan makes me feel happy, to respect my God and my elders\". The Chanukah segment is a cartoon describing the miracle of the Lights--and Baby Bear and family spin the dreidel.\n\nAnd Elmo doing a Kwanzaa dance? Crazy, bongo-hitting fun!\n\nKelly Ripa also makes appearances as the friendly mail carrier; she suits the role well.\n\nThis DVD is about an hour long and a *wonderful* holiday tale introducing children to a variety of holiday traditions. Too bad they don't show any Pagan Yule festivals, but I guess that may have been too hard for most to swallow, especially since most think Paganism=Satanism (which couldn't be further from the truth).\n\nA well-written, clever DVD! Highly recommended for small children, especially.","Product: Classic Jerry Lewis comedy film.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Hilarious! Never Gets Old\n\nReview: This nutty movie features Jerry Lewis playing 7 different parts, including a cynical clown, clueless airline pilot, bumbling photographer, doddering boat captain, private detective (complete with English accent!), a goofy gangster, and more!\n\nLewis also plays the bodyguard/chaffeur of 9 year old Donna Payton. Her father dies, and the will stipulates that one of her 6 uncles must be named her next father--and receive her 30 million dollar inheritance.\n\nMy husband, son, and myself have watched this movie dozens of times, and it never gets old. All parts are funny, but we especially laugh at the antics of the 'photographer' and the 'pilot'. For example, the pilot is about to take a group of women to a conference in Chicago (they're flying out of L.A.) and he ends up losing the map out the window...taking them right back where they started. The funny part, though, is when the pilot (played by Jerry) is fumbling around the steering wheel (which looks like it came off a car) and it detaches...sending him backwards in a gleeful, bewildered giggle as he sails past the women seated in the cabin. He then has to chase the moving plane so he can hop back aboard.\n\nThis is great family entertainment that never gets old. I wish they made *more* movies like this!","Product: Fat Albert and the Cosby kids aired from 1972 to 1984 and enjoyed one of the longest and most successful runs in Saturday morning cartoon history. Live action bumpers featuring Bill Cosby were set around animated episodes of Fat Albert and the Cosby kids, a series about a group of urban adolescents growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood. The show was based on Cosby's 60's stand up comedy monologues about his childhood. The episodes revolved around the daily life lessons learned by Fat Albert and his friends. Topics ranged from social issues to personal introspection and were blended with humor and music. Among the many great characters that inhabited Fat Albert's world were Rudy, Mushmouth, Donald, Bill, Weird Harold and Russell. A special collection of these historic episodes were compiled into one box set...The Ultimate Fat Albert 4 Disc Set. This unique piece of memorabilia is a collector's item in which many generations will enjoy.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Funny and Clever--A Movie With Heart\n\nReview: I usually stay away from comedies because most of them insult my intelligence, with crude humor and language substituting for smart (and funny) writing.\n\nAs a child of the 70's, I grew up watching Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. I was hoping this movie wouldn't be a lame re-invention like Scooby-Doo (as an example).\n\nBoth my husband and I were pleasantly suprised! We laughed our butts off throughout the movie; it was hilarious to see \"Fat Albert\" and the gang doing a modern, hip-hop version of \"Gonna Have a Good Time (Hey, Hey, Hey!)\".\n\nThe plot is sweet, but it's not saccharine. There's enough clever humor and sight gags to please adults, as well as the kids (especially if you're familiar with the gang). One of my favorite parts is when Fat Albert and the guys pass a video shop. They see that they're coming out on \"DIV-i-der\" (the phonetic pronunciation of DVD. It's a lot funnier to see it...) Seeing what happens when cartoons from the 70's come to life in the modern world brings some very hilarious moments, to be sure!\n\nSome interesting mysteries pop up, too: Does Dumb Donald have a face under that pink cap? Will Mush Mouth be relegated to mumbling through every conversation in \"the real world\"?\n\nThe most touching part of the DVD is the very end. I don't want to give it away, but I will say that I cried...and that is has to do with Bill Cosby and the real life people that Fat Albert and the gange were patterned after.\n\nThere's not a lot of features on this DVD, and I was hoping to hear stories from Cosby about the individuals he patterned the cartoon after. Still, the movie itself is definitely worth the price, and can be enjoyed by young and old alike.\n\nNow, if I can just stop my husband and 6 year old from walking around the house saying \"Hey, hey, hey!\"...","Product: When Max dresses as a vampire for Halloween, Ruby is afraid he'll scare Grandma when they go trick-or-treating.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Halloween With Max and Ruby\n\nReview: I bought this video for my son's birthday, and he's been watching it every single day--sometimes more than once a day!\n\nWith a run-time of 48 minutes, Max and Ruby's Halloween features 6 episodes:\n\nMAX'S HALLOWEEN\n\nMax wants to be a vampire for Halloween, but Ruby needs a little prince to match her Cinderella costume. Will max choose the tricks over the treats?\n\nRUBY'S LEAF COLLECTION\n\nOne fall day, Ruby asks Max to help with her Leaf Collection Book. Max loves collecting leaves--maybe a little too much!\n\nTHE BLUE TARANTULA\n\nMax wants Ruby to read him the tale of \"The Blue Tarantula\". Will the scary story keep her brother up all night?\n\nRUBY'S PANDA PRIZE\n\nAt the fair, Ruby really wants to win a panda prize. But will Max's jellyball obsession get in the way?\n\nRUBY'S ROLLER SKATES\n\nRuby needs to practice so that she can roller-skate to Grandma's house, but Max's tow truck game keeps getting in the way.\n\nGHOST BUNNY\n\nThe Bunny Scouts can't tell their scary campfire story until Ruby gets Max to sleep. But Max wants to hear the scary story...and make it scarier, too!\n\nI'm really not sure what it is about Max & Ruby that enthralls my son so much. In an era of CGI animation, snazzy songs, and fast-paced action, he consistently watches his other Max & Ruby DVD, and now, this video. Ruby is gently bossy, trying to get Max to do what she wants. Max, of course, has his own ideas! (And like my husband asked me the other day \"Where in the world is the mother in this series?\")\n\nBut my son really enjoys Max & Ruby and it's great that parents and caregivers won't have to worry about innuendo, MTV-paced sequences, shrillness or meanness with these characters.","Product: When Max dresses as a vampire for Halloween, Ruby is afraid he'll scare Grandma when they go trick-or-treating.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Gentle Halloween Fun With Max & Ruby\n\nReview: I bought this video for my son's birthday, and he's been watching it every single day--sometimes more than once a day!\n\nMax and Ruby's Halloween features episodes like:\n\nMAX'S HALLOWEEN\n\nMax wants to be a vampire for Halloween, but Ruby needs a little prince to match her Cinderella costume. Will max choose the tricks over the treats?\n\nRUBY'S LEAF COLLECTION\n\nOne fall day, Ruby asks Max to help with her Leaf Collection Book. Max loves collecting leaves--maybe a little too much!\n\nTHE BLUE TARANTULA\n\nMax wants Ruby to read him the tale of \"The Blue Tarantula\". Will the scary story keep her brother up all night?\n\nRUBY'S PANDA PRIZE\n\nAt the fair, Ruby really wants to win a panda prize. But will Max's jellyball obsession get in the way?\n\nRUBY'S ROLLER SKATES\n\nRuby needs to practice so that she can roller-skate to Grandma's house, but Max's tow truck game keeps getting in the way.\n\nGHOST BUNNY\n\nThe Bunny Scouts can't tell their scary campfire story until Ruby gets Max to sleep. But Max wants to hear the scary story...and make it scarier, too!\n\nI'm really not sure what it is about Max & Ruby that enthralls my son so much. In an era of CGI animation, snazzy songs, and fast-paced action, he consistently watches his other Max & Ruby DVD, and now, this video. Ruby is gently bossy, trying to get Max to do what she wants. Max, of course, has his own ideas! (And like my husband asked me the other day \"Where in the world is the mother in this series?\")\n\nBut my son really enjoys Max & Ruby and it's great that parents and caregivers won't have to worry about innuendo, MTV-paced sequences, shrillness or meanness with these characters.","Product: The 65th Anniversary Collector's Edition DVD double feature includes \"Curious George Comes To America\", and \"Curious George Goes to The Hospital\". The DVD also comes with a long list of special features including bonus episodes of \"Frog and Toad Together\", \"Mouse Soup\", and \"Morris Has A Cold\"; as well as the \"Making of Curious George\" and a biographical look at the author.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Unusual...But My Son Loves It\n\nReview: Ever since my son saw Curious George at the theater, he's been into the whole George scene. He has a stuffed George, the PS2 game, several books (one based on the movie and two from H.A. Rey), etc.\n\nWhen he saw this DVD at the store, he wanted it (of course). It was very affordable, so I bought it for him.\n\nI was VERY surprised to find out that, despite the illustrations on the box, it is NOT an animated film or collection of animated stories. It's not even stills of the Rey books with voice actors reading the story.\n\nNo, what this Collector's Edition DVD is made up of is two Curious George stories done in stop motion with puppets. Although it's unusual to see at first, it has TOTALLY entranced my son. He watches it a least once a day...and this has been going on since before Easter.\n\nHowever, there are only two actual Curious George stories on this DVD: Curious George Comes to America and Curious George Goes to the Hospital. The first story, created circa early 1980's, is about the Man in the Yellow Hat and his initial meeting with George...including his decision to bring George to the city. George's shipboard antics gets him in BIG trouble!\n\nThe second story has George going to the hospital when he swallows a puzzle piece. He's rushed to the emergency room (which is a rather odd storyline for young kids), but ends up forgetting his fears...instead cheering up other people.\n\nThe rest of the DVD includes four stop animation/claymation stories (NOT featuring George):\n\n*Frog and Toad Together\n*Frog and Toad Are Friends\n*Mouse Soup\n*Morris Has a Cold\n\nThere's also a \"making of\" at the end.\n\nOne of the episodes is absolutely hilarious. It features two rocks bemoaning how they don't have eyes and such. They break out in song \"We don't have belly buttons...\" and as they mention various body parts, the parts magically appear. It's clever and very funny...my husband and I make sure we're in front of the TV every time it's on! (You gotta see it to appreciate it, believe me...)\n\nSo if you're looking for 100% Curious George, you may be disappointed. But at this affordable price--and considering the length (almost 2 hours)--I think it's a good buy for something different for the youngsters.","Product: 3...2...1..LIFT OFF! LAUNCH INTO ADVENTURE WITH THE BACKYARDIGANS AS THEY EXPLORE OUTER SPACE ... & THEN MASTER THE ART OF MAKING PIES LIK SAMURAIS! PIE-YA!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Best Backyardigans DVD So Far!\n\nReview: 3...2...1...LIFT OFF! Launch into adventure with The Backyardigans as they explore outer space, master the art of making pie like samurai (pie-YA!), go on a mystery caper to find missing jewels, and visit a mad scientist's laboratory!\n\nMission to Mars features 4 different episodes, and is BY FAR the most engaging and fun Backyardigans DVD! My son watches his other Backyardigan DVD's intermittently, but he just got this one a few days ago and watches it over and over and over...\n\nHere are the four episodes:\n\nMISSION TO MARS: When the Backyardigans receive a strange signal originating from Mars, Uniqua, Pablo and Austin blast off to investigate. They're backed up by Tyrone and Tasha, who remain on Earth to assist at Mission Control. The Backyardigans leave prepared for anything, but encounter some surprises along the way. They don't give up, however, and eventually make a surprising discovery regarding the source of the signal.\n\nThis episode features two new characters: Mommy Martian (played by Alicia Keys) and Little Martian/Boinga (played by Shakyra Lipscomb).\n\nSAMURAI PIE: Spaghetti Western music plays as Samurai Pie Maker Tyrone trains apprentice Austin to make the Great Pie for Empress Tasha...while fending off pie-stealing Ninjas Uniqua and Pablo!\n\nSCARED OF YOU: Mad Scientist Tasha sends Austin to bring three monsters (Tyrone, Uniqua and Pablo) back to her laboratory. Tasha's Einsteinian hairdo is *hilarious*. Be on the lookout for special appearances by Mummy, Werewolf, and Vampire!\n\nWHODUNIT?: Detective Pablo (looking much like Sherlock Holmes!) is on the case at Mystery Manor to discover who stole Tasha's jewels. Tyrone, Austin and Uniqua are all suspects! Featuring a mysterious English mansion, hedge maze, and theatrical \"acting\", this episode is my favorite!\n\nBecause the last two episodes are mystery-oriented, the Mission to Mars DVD would make an *excellent* Halloween experience for the little ones! As always, there are clever lyrics and diverse musical styles with the songs, so the episodes are not only entertaining, but musically educational.\n\nThis DVD also has some special features:\n\n*\"Hold Tight\" dance along with Pablo\n\n*\"A Message, A Message\" dance along with Uniqua\n\n*The Backyardigans Game Trial on DVD-ROM (only a 1/2 hour's worth of gameplay)\n\nAn excellent--and very affordable--addition to the Backyardigans collection!","Product: His drawings and sketches are exhibited and sold worldwide. Beck, Wilco, Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam have recorded his songs. But beneath Daniel Johnstons success as an artist and musician is an incredible story of genius touched by madness: diagnosed as manic-depressive, Johnston has spent the last three decades of his life in and out of mental institutions. Told through a compelling combination of interviews, home movies and performance footage, THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON is a harrowing, hilarious and ultimately moving new documentary film(Jim Farber, New York Daily News). (Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News)!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Inspiring, Intriguing, Scary, and Heartbreaking--and Back to Inspiring\n\nReview: \"I had lost my mind.\nI lost my head for a while was off my rocker outta line, outta wack.\nSee I had this tiny crack in my head\nThat slowly split open and my brain snoozed out,\nLyin' on the sidewalk and I didn't even know it.\nI had lost my mind.\" --I Had Lost My Mind by Daniel Johnston\n\nI stumbled onto Daniel Johnston's brilliance quite by accident. Last week, I was watching a repeat of the Top 40 Metal Songs on VH1 Classics. Henry Rollins was one of the featured commentators, and my husband mentioned that he had a TV show--and what a fascinating character Rollins was.\n\nSo I happened to be channel surfing, and came across Rollins' show on IFC (he was interviewing Billy Bob Thornton). At the end of the show, some guy named Daniel Johnston comes on. At first, we didn't know if he was \"for real\" or if it was a gag. He warbled a folksy song with his eyes shut (or downcast)--I had wondered if he was blind. We soon became intrigued--especially with the clever lyrics.\n\nI said to my husband \"Boy, he reminds me of Kurt Cobain. I bet Cobain would have been inspired by Daniel.\" The interesting thing is that, unbeknownst to me, Cobain not only knew who Daniel was, but often wore a T shirt featuring one of Daniel's drawings! (\"Hi, how are you?\")\n\nBy the end of his rambling, genuinely-felt song, we wanted to know more. My husband did an internet search, and found out who Daniel Johnston was. He also found out that a DVD was coming out about Daniel; I put it on my Netflix queue.\n\nWe just finished watching the DVD, and it was AMAZING. I love documentaries that are character studies, but The Devil and Daniel Johnston was so much more than that. Rather than giving you mere biographical details about the guy (you can find those for yourself), I'll tell you what impressed me about this man and this film.\n\nI was (not so) surprised to find that Daniel's parents are fundamentalist Christians, and that his Mom constantly harangued him about being \"lazy\" and producing \"devil cartoons\". Her rejection of his interests and talents--trying to force this round peg in a middle-class-American-fundie-square hole--plus her demonizing of his self-expression no doubt contributed to Daniel's paranoia about satan and demons.\n\nI was amazed at how utterly creative Daniel was/is; the short films he produced as a teen--especially his editing talents!--were remarkable.\n\nWhile the creative Daniel is inspiring, we soon get a glimpse into an almost child-like world view--one that quickly unravels into self-destructive behaviors...not to mention violent tendencies.\n\nIt was downright scary watching Daniel in his mid-30's, especially after going off his meds and doing things like hitting his manager in the head with a lead pipe, almost crashing a plane he was on and ranting at his audience about demon possession, the divinity of the number 7, and other paranoid, fundamentalist mumbo jumbo. Watching the self-sabotage and mental illness made me cover my eyes at times--no lie. It was painful.\n\nBut then, after 5 years in a mental institution Daniel gets the correct meds--and begins the path of (some sort of) normalcy.\n\nThe especially sad part of this documentary wasn't Daniel's unrequited love for Laurie (a girl he met in college); it was the utter devotion of his manager, Jeff Tartakov, who diligently worked on Daniel's behalf even when Daniel was locked up. Daniel fired Jeff at the cusp of a lucrative record deal (Elektra and Atlantic were in a bidding war), and Daniel concluded that Elektra was \"demonic\" because Metallica was on their label. Under a new manager, Daniel signs with Atlantic, selling only well-under 10,000 copies.\n\nUnlike what is listed here on Amazon (and what a reviewer copy and pasted from Amazon's description), the Special Features are only Deleted Scenes, personal recordings of Daniel Johnston, producer commentary, and Daniel's (moving) reunion with Laurie. (Incidentally, she wasn't his \"sweetheat\" and they met in college, not High School.)\n\nAlso showcased in this documentary is Daniel's art (which his former manager snatched up any chance he got, even when he wasn't working for Daniel; talk about loyal!). Like his music, Daniel's art gives us a glimpse into his psyche: brilliant, tortured, unique and child-like. From \"Silver Sufferer\" to Casper, Captain America to the man who lost his mind--Daniel's art is sometimes like a trainwreck...you just can't look away.\n\nIf you're inspired by genius, \"tortured\" artists, and individuals who blaze a fiery trail just be \"being\"--you'll likely love this incredible documentary.\n\nYou can see Daniel's performance on IFC at:\n[...]\n\nDaniel's website is at [...] His music is produced by Stress Records--a label Jeff Tartakov created expressly for the disemination of Daniel's wonderful music.","Product: Based on the hugely popular book by best-selling author Deepak Chopra, How To Know God is an exciting, insightful journey towards a better understanding of one of life's greatest mysteries. Uniquely blending science and philosophy, Chopra offers such an inspiring approach in spiritual thinking, that any viewer, regardless of faith, can undergo a profound quest \"to know God\" and attain a new concept of what they think they know! And ultimately, through Chopra's brilliant narration, one may come to understand that the quest for God is really a journey in self-understanding. Thought-provoking, practical and thoroughly entertaining, this material, presented by one of the most advanced thinkers of our time, is perhaps the most uplifting DVD you'll ever bring home!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: An Engaging Introduction to Quantum Physics and Divinity\n\nReview: \"The whole universe is a quantum mirage winking in and out of existence millions of times per second. We are being created over and over again. Genesis didn't happen just once--it happens now.\" - From the DVD\n\nWhat is \"reality\"? Who are we? What is our purpose here on Earth? Does God exist? If so, how do we interact with this Being?\n\nBased on the book of the same know, How to Know God by Deepak Chopra finds this philosopher and physician playfully contemplating the intricate workings of the Universe and our role in it--as well as the nature of spirituality. Mining myths that crop up all around us--including the hotels of Las Vegas!--Chopra reminds us that gods, goddesses, and heroes teach a vital, central lesson: we are wondrous creatures who should be doing wondrous things.\n\nEngaging and accessible, How to Know God takes viewers on a wild ride spanning the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to a virtual golf course--all the way to Fermi Accelerator Lab and onto black holes and the Event Horizon. Chopra discusses the nature of time, the enormous \"emptiness\" at the atomic level, the importance of the \"mind\" when decoding chemical and electrical patterns (what we deem \"reality\"), and the mirage of time and movement.\n\nChopra also discusses psychological and spiritual ideas such as synchronicity (a term coined by Jung indicating \"meaningful coincidences\"), clairvoyance, miracles, and godhood. Here are a few gems from the How to Know God DVD:\n\n* \"Infinite intelligence can't be crippled by such a tiny thing as disbelief. Both the secular and sacred are one.\"\n* \"A god is myself in disguise.\"\n* \"Time is just a cosmic convenience to keep everything from happening at once.\"\n* \"How can we not see Intelligence behind such precision as the Big Bang?\"\n* \"Eventually, you can only know what God is thinking by becoming God yourself.\"\n* \"Chaos is only an illusion. It's what you see when you can't see far enough.\"\n* \"God is our highest instinct to know ourselves.\"\n\nWith a run-time of little over an hour, How to Know God is a surprisingly fun presentation. Instead of lecturing from a static studio or stage (what I expected), Chopra traipses around the globe amidst some truly beautiful surroundings with the addition of some quality visual effects. He doesn't seem to take himself all that seriously, using clever anecdotes and amusing visuals while providing the Cliff Notes version of quantum physics.\n\nIf you're not that familiar with quantum physics and the role it may play in spirituality, reality and psychic phenomena, How to Know God is a fine general introduction to whet your appetite. Chopra takes a potentially boring, mind-boggling subject and makes it understandable, entertaining, and relevant for seekers and skeptics alike.\n\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: Movers Of Arabia Movers Pablo and Uniqua move Sultan Tyrone's magical things to groovy surf music. But can they do the job without using up Genie Austin's three wishes? Cops And Robots It's a space chase set to jug band music, as Cops Uniqua and Tyrone to stop Bad Bots Pablonator and T-900 Tasha from turning the galaxy's robots bad! Sinbad Sails Alone Set sail for adventure - and mambo - as Sinbad (Tyrone) encounters rough waters, Siren Uniqua, and Medusa Tasha! Will bumbling First Mate Pablo help... or sink the ship? Best Clowns In Town Silly music plays as Clowns Pablo, Uniqua, and Austin try to impress Ringmaster Tyrone while shuttling him back to the circus in time for the really big show!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Surf Music, Mambo, Jug Band Tunes and Circus Songs!\n\nReview: My son has about a dozen Backyardigan DVD's and videos. He loved Movers and Shakers so much, that it he watched it several times a day for a week! It even re-awakened an interest in his OTHER DVDs, so he pulled those out and watched them, too.\n\nMovers & Shakers features four episodes:\n\nMovers of Arabia - Movers Pablo and Uniqua move Sultan Tyrone's magical things to groovy surf music. But can they do the job without using up Genie Austin's three wishes? This surf rock episode (think Beach Boys!) includes the songs I Am the Sultan, Movers of Arabia, I Wish, and The Genie Bottle (sung to the tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame).\n\nCops and Robots - It's a space chase set to jug band music, as Cops Uniqua and Tyrone try to stop Bad Bots Pablonator and T-900 Tasha from turning the galaxy's robots bad! (My son *especially* loved this episode because we had bought the super-cool <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Cops-and-Robots/dp/1416915729/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Cops and Robots</a>\nbook last fall!) The songs on this episode are Can't Stop the Cops/Bots (sung to the tune of Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me), We Are Badbots, Steer, Baby, Steer, and I Feel Good.\n\nSinbad Sails Alone - Set sail for adventure--and mambo--as Sinbad (Tyrone) encounters rough waters, Siren Uniqua and Medusa Tasha! Will bumbling First Mate Pablo help--or sink the ship? Songs on this episode include I'm Sinbad the Sailor, Siren says, Got To Dodge, and Do It Myself\n\nBest Clowns In Town - Silly music plays as Clowns Pablo, Uniqua, and Austin try to impress Ringmaster Tyrone while shuttling him back to the circus in time for the really big show! The circus-like songs in this episode include The Best Clowns In Town, That's Not Funny (to the tune Goodnight Ladies, The Show Must Go On, and At The Circus.\n\nThere are also two videos on the 99 minute Movers and Shakers DVD: Into the Thick of It and One Good Turn Deserves Another.\n\nAs always, I'm always impressed by the colorful animation, witty dialogue, clever plots and--of course--the tour of diverse music styles. I love that the Backyardigans introduces children (and parents!) to various music styles...some which may not be familiar. A great buy!","Product: gigi's huge announcement the royal tea party/ the pink ballerina\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Two Cartoons + Nice Extras\n\nReview: Gigi's Hugest Announcement is a cute DVD featuring two cartoons based on Sheila Walsh's Gigi books--The Royal Tea Party and The Pink Ballerina.\n\nIn addition to these animated cartoons, there are lots of nice extras--a 10 question multiple choice quiz, FOUR read-alongs from four full-length books (Will, God's Mighty Warrior; Gigi, God's Little Princess; The Perfect Christmas Gift; The Royal Tea Party), three how-to drawing tutorials (an animator draws Gigi and Lord Fluffy, then shows how to draw a simplified cat on your own) a Sing-a-Long and several trailers.\n\nThe animation is unusual, but fascinating to watch--I haven't seen anything quite like it. Even my son was interested in it and watched them all the way through, as well as the Bonus Features. He even sang along, but substituted \"Prince\" for \"Princess\". :o)\n\nThe DVD-ROM features don't work on my computer, which is odd (I have Windows Vista and a 2009 Gateway PC). This means that I couldn't find the Wallpapers anywhere when I clicked to download (there's supposedly 8 of them), nor the Screensaver. However, the four coloring pages--delivered via Adobe--came out just fine.\n\nGigi is, well, prissy, as one might expect a Princess to be. But she has wild hair and calls herself \"average\", which tempers the constant assertion she's a \"Princess\". The Pink Ballerina cartoon is especially funny when Gigi gets a verse in Sunday School about dance...and wonders if a square dance or Riverdance would be a great performance for \"the King\".\n\nThis DVD is produced for Christians, so of course there's the \"I'm special because I belong to God\" element, and the Will story talks about \"the devil\"--so as long as you're OK with that, you'll be good to go. We aren't Christians in our house (at least, not traditional ones--we view things more symbolically/metaphorically), so I explained to my son what we believe. At least Gigi reminds kids that they're special for who they are, not what they do--\"warts\" (or in Gigi's case, freckles) and all.\n\nEntertaining and cute, especially the second cartoon. Sheila Walsh reads all four stories, so it was interesting to hear this \"blast from the past\" (I used to be a Pentecostal minister and Sheila was big in the 80s). However, Lord Fluffy, the cat, is said to be a girl--so I'm confused at the how \"Lord\" title (my son called it a \"movie mistake\" LOL).\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot\n\nDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.\"","Product: \"Super Secret Super Spy\" takes the Backyardigans into a double length James Bond style world with super villains and super spies! The super special musical guest is Cyndi Lauper! The DVD includes three episodes for a total approximate runtime of 100 minutes.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: What a Fun Movie!\n\nReview: So, do you like your juice box shaken or stirred?\n\nWell, the James Bond-esque Pablo likes his shaken, thank-you-very-much!\n\nThis fantastic DVD includes the first Backyardigans movie ever, Super Secret Super Spy. Featuring hip jazz and kid-friendly James Bond references, Pablo--Agent Secret--is hot on the tail of Lady in Pink (Uniqua). With her henchman, Tyrone the Moose, the villains race around the world to obtain three containers with unknown contents.\n\nTasha the Hippo plays \"Miss T\", the head of the secret spy organization, while the purple kangaroo, Austin, dons various disguises as he provides Pablo with state-of-the art equipment (like a transmitting snowcone!) which gives Pablo his assignment.\n\nPablo's fast race car turns into a boat, helicopter, snowmobile and other modes of transportation (too cool!), and the music is top notch. In fact, he must peform certain dance moves in order to unlock the secret containers.\n\nBut what happens when the code needs two people to dance...and then three? Who will get the containers first? And, more importantly, what in the world is IN those three containers?!\n\nFrom Switzerland to London, Super Secret Super Spy is a rousing movie that young fans (and adults!) will adore. My only criticism is the song that's supposedly sung by Cyndi Lauper. #1 The singing sounded like it was done by an amateur who could barely hit the high notes #2 It didn't sound like Cyndi Lauper! (So don't let THAT be a draw for you to buy this DVD...)\n\nIn addition to the Backyardigans first movie, this 100 minute DVD also includes the episode A Giant Problem (set to 80's-inspired pop music) as well as a Dirty Socks Funtime Band Music Video and \"The Lady in Pink\" Featurette. The Secret of Snow episode, which showcases Dixieland Jazz, is also featured on this DVD.\n\nIn addition to the catchy lyrics and fun plot, the colors really POP in this episode (how about that white tuxedoed Pablo racing down a highway in his cherry red convertible?) In fact, if you like that snazzy car, you can get the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Super-Secret-Spy-Vehicle/dp/B000SQIG66/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Super Secret Spy Vehicle</a> here at [...]!\n\nAnother great DVD featuring the Backyardigans!","Product: Rowan Atkinson (Bean, Love Actually, Johnny English) returns to his iconic role as the comical and endearing Mr. Bean in this outrageous comedy adventure! Mr. Bean (Atkinson) can't believe his luck when he wins a camcorder and an all-expense-paid vacation to the French Riviera. But during his train journey to the south of France, he falls face first into a series of mishaps and fortunate coincidences, all of which are caught on camera and far-fetched enough to ensure his own makeshift entry into the Cannes Film Festival! Mr. Bean's Holiday is \"an irresistible comedy for the whole family!\" (Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV)\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Amusing--But Should Be PG\n\nReview: We loved the slapstick elements of Mr. Bean's holiday...and perhaps Mr. Bean is an acquired taste. (For example, he tries oysters on a half shell at a fancy restaurant and pretends to eat them/like them for the snooty waiter. When no one's looking, he dumps the slimy stuff in a lady's purse without her knowing. When her phone, inside her purse, eventually rings--he panics.)\n\nSome parts are a bit slow, but if you hang to the end, you'll find a surprisingly tight plot. I love how they tied it all together at the end (and Willem Dafoe was a marvelous sport!)\n\nHowever, there was some cussing in the DVD, as well as scenes of faux war--including guns blazing. I'm not a prude--don't mind violence and language normally. HOWEVER, this movie is supposedly rated G, and so I figured there wouldn't be ANYTHING remotely objectionable about this movie...so I let my 9 year old son watch it. I didn't appreciate that those elements were in the movie; it should have been PG.\n\nIf you're a fan of visual comedy and the simpleminded wonderment of Mr. Bean, you'll likely enjoy this holiday movie. If it wasn't for the language and gun fights, I'd buy it for my son/the family--but quite frankly, I'm still undecided if it's worth the purchase.","Product: Rowan Atkinson (Bean, Love Actually, Johnny English) returns to his iconic role as the comical and endearing Mr. Bean in this outrageous comedy adventure! Mr. Bean (Atkinson) can't believe his luck when he wins a camcorder and an all-expense-paid vacation to the French Riviera. But during his train journey to the south of France, he falls face first into a series of mishaps and fortunate coincidences, all of which are caught on camera and far-fetched enough to ensure his own makeshift entry into the Cannes Film Festival! Mr. Bean's Holiday is \"an irresistible comedy for the whole family!\" (Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV)\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Amusing--But Should Be PG\n\nReview: We loved the slapstick elements of Mr. Bean's holiday...and perhaps Mr. Bean is an acquired taste. (For example, he tries oysters on a half shell at a fancy restaurant and pretends to eat them/like them for the snooty waiter. When no one's looking, he dumps the slimy stuff in a lady's purse without her knowing. When her phone, inside her purse, eventually rings--he panics.)\n\nSome parts are a bit slow, but if you hang to the end, you'll find a surprisingly tight plot. I love how they tied it all together at the end (and Willem Dafoe was a marvelous sport!)\n\nHowever, there was some cussing in the DVD, as well as scenes of faux war--including guns blazing. I'm not a prude--don't mind violence and language normally. HOWEVER, this movie is supposedly rated G, and so I figured there wouldn't be ANYTHING remotely objectionable about this movie...so I let my 9 year old son watch it. I didn't appreciate that those elements were in the movie; it should have been PG.\n\nIf you're a fan of visual comedy and the simpleminded wonderment of Mr. Bean, you'll likely enjoy this holiday movie. If it wasn't for the language and gun fights, I'd buy it for my son/the family--but quite frankly, I'm still undecided if it's worth the purchase.","Product: Discover the power of a simple gift! Laura Carrot's Christmas stocking might be empty this year because her dad is in danger of losing his job. While Larry thinks a letter to the North Pole should fix the problem, Bob knows what will really help and tells the story of a little boy named Nicholas who made a discovery in Bethlehem that changed Christmas forever. But what did Nick learn and how can it possibly help Laura and her family? Find out as the Veggies discover the true joy of giving to others at Christmas time and throughout the year!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Heartwarming Tale of St. Nick\n\nReview: I've told my son that there was, indeed, a \"Santa Claus\" in the form of St. Nicholas. When I saw that the Veggie Tales crew was coming out with a DVD about St. Nick, I ordered it immediately.\n\nWe have quite a few Veggie Tales DVDs (we're not even Christians), and have always found them to be clever, funny and well-produced eye-candy that presents noble values and practices.\n\nWe watched Saint Nicholas last night, and my son and I teared up. I didn't know Nicholas lost his parents as a child, and that they basically died while helping others during a plague. They modeled a life of giving and sharing to young Nicholas. In this DVD, Bob, Larry, Nicky Pepper and company demonstrate the origins of St. Nick (and perhaps even practices of Santa Claus, such as filling stockings and passing gifts through the chimney), including the influence his parents had upon him and the community.\n\nThe silly song about a dog wanting donuts was pretty corny--not as good as most other silly songs--but hey! we don't buy Veggie Tales for the silly songs anyway. :o)\n\nI wish there were more Bonus Features on this particular DVD (like they have on other ones...such as drawing demonstrations, games, screen saves, etc.), but for the price, the Saint Nicholas Veggie Tales DVD is an absolute gem.\n\nI'm glad we added this to our extensive holiday DVD collection, and I know we'll watch it again and again--and probably without a dry eye each time.\n\nHighly recommended!\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot","Product: An instant holiday classic for the whole family, The Christmas Bunny is a heartwarming adventure bursting with the joy of the season. When Julia, a lonely foster child, discovers an injured rabbit on Christmas Eve, she forms an unlikely friendship with an eccentric farmwoman (Florence Henderson) who vows to nurse the bunny back to health. In the process, Julia s own heart is healed and she forges a bond with her adoptive family that makes her holidays one she and you will never forget.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Not Your Typical Christmas Movie\n\nReview: In arguably the performance of her life, Florence Henderson (Brady Bunch) stars as an eccentric, rough-around-the-edges farmwoman who nurses bunnies back to health.\n\nA troubled foster child named Julia has been tossed from home to home, largely because she won't speak and obsessively watches an old videotape of The Velveteen Rabbit. Her foster families don't know what to do with her--and Julia's Mom is a drug addict incapable of caring for her.\n\nEnter a loving but fallen-on-hard-times family that includes an out-of-work engineer for a father, a stay-at-home furniture-painting mom and an adolescent boy who have decided to take on a foster child (doing double duty for additional income and filling a void in the mom's heart).\n\nThe caseworkers place Julia with the family, but the transition isn't smooth--especially because of Julia's lack of communication and anti-social behavior.\n\nDuring the holidays, cousins come over and an uncle gets the boy a BB gun. They run out in the woods and start shooting at birds--and end up injuring a bunny. Julia takes to the bunny and the family rush the animal to the vet.\n\nBarring an expensive operation, the bunny has little chance. However, the vet knows a woman who's a \"Bunny Lady\"...a rabbit whisperer, if you will. The family goes to the Bunny Lady's farm and get a chilly reception, but she agrees to keep it and try to mend it.\n\nUnbeknownst to her family, Julia gets off at a different bus stop (which worries them): it's at the Bunny Lady's farm. The Bunny Lady allows Julia to visit every day, and she teaches Julia how to care for the rabbits.\n\nWhen the bratty boys take the healed bunny and decide to put it in one of their \"sleighs\" to push down a steep snow hill they made, Julia screams--and bites one of the boys...and then runs away deep into the forest on a bitterly cold evening.\n\nThe rest of the movie shows how a family's love (and a rabbit's!) breaks through to a sad, mistrustful, lonely little girl--and how a grown man learns humility for the sake of his family and how a bitter widow's heart softens towards humanity.\n\nThe Christmas Bunny isn't a saccharine holiday tale (despite receiving Five out of Five Doves from the Dove Foundation), and does have a few unsettling moments. Still, it's a redemptive, well-acted movie likely to elicit more than a few tears, as well as feelings of thankfulness for family and community.\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of lots of stuff","Product: Directed by Chris Sanders, Kirk de Micco. Starring Emma Stone, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I Laghed! I Cried!\n\nReview: It's a rough and tumble world for cave-dwelling Croods, especially as they fight for survival with daily violent tag-team matches just to snag a precious bird egg for breakfast.\n\nTeenage Eep has blossomed into a curious young woman, but one of the main rules of her father, Grug, is to NOT be curious! In fact, his motto--pummeled into his brood's heads every night during storytime--is Fear is Good! Change is Bad! Never not be afraid!\n\nBut oh, a change is a comin'...in the form of cataclysmic weather and geographic upheaval.\n\nWhen Eep sneaks out one night and meets a boy with fire--and ideas--Grug is furious. But when the Croodses cave is destroyed from seismic explosions, Grug soon realizes that his family needs something other than his talent for brute force to navigate unfamiliar territory. Cue testosteronic jealousy and jockeying for position...especially for a place in Eep's heart.\n\nI don't want to give away any more of the plot, because The Croods is a special movie deserving of discovery...not play-by-play spoilers.\n\nLet me just say that my husband, our 14 year old and I all LOVED this movie. Just loved it. The animation was stunning (especially all the cool plant and animal hybrids, not to mention the tropical scenes near water), the voice acting pitch-perfect and the script outstanding. I was surprised (probably shouldn't have been) when I saw John Cleese credited for co-writing the screenplay. The fact that there are several laugh-out-loud scenes are a testament to his comic genius.\n\nArguably the best part, though, is the HEART in this movie. Yes, I was actually crying during an incredible scene of paternal sacrifice. And I was relieved that it turned out OK. But some scenes are pretty intense, so The Croods earns its PG rating quite honestly.\n\nAfter the movie was over and we got into the car, we were almost breathless. \"What a great movie!\" we kept saying. And, of course, we \"replayed\" the comedic scenes!\n\nSeriously, this is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time--animated or otherwise. It's worth every penny to see in the theater, and we eagerly look forward to the DVD!","Product: Rodgers and Hart. George and Ira Gershwin. Cole Porter. Lerner and Loewe. For most people who've grown up with and shared America's musical heritage, great songs open the floodgates to memories and feelings. Perhaps nowhere is this more profound than in the world of Broadway musicals, with their iconic melodies and memorable lyrics. Revisit the standards, originally written for the stage, that have both delighted and helped mend the broken hearts of Americans for decades. These 16 delightful lectures immerse you in the world of Broadway, exploring the intricacies of musical composition and song construction-and how they were used to create specific effects - as well as the social and historical backdrop against which musical theater must be considered. Much as we often concentrate on the so-called \"golden age\" of the 1950s, American musical theater spans the history of two vibrant centuries: the era of the minstrel show-whose contributions to American music were immense, in spite of the embarrassment we still feel at many of its images-vaudeville, ragtime, the revue; and the age of fully integrated book musicals launched by the 1927 production of Show Boat . With examples at the piano, Professor Messenger shows you the soundtrack of America - and for millions of us, the soundtrack of our lives. This insightful and sublimely enjoyable learning experience can forever change the way you experience musical theater.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Birth of American Music\n\nReview: I've homeschooled our son his entire life and we use Great Courses for a lot of his formal learning. He especially loves the music courses, and was eager to start this one (along with Robert Greenberg's Music as a Mirror of History). He loves it, especially since he already had some \"old fashioned\" recordings--and performed in two Music Theater shows (Mary Poppins and Shrek the Musical). This is one of The Great Courses older video lecture series, but in some ways, I like them better since they lack all the changing camera angles (which are getting a bit irritating in some of the newer ones) and (at times) distracting background props. Highly recommended if you want to know the history of early American music in general (e.g. Minstrel Shows and Tin Pan Alley), but especially the birth of Broadway.","Product: Spiritual author and lecturer Marianne Williamson hosts an inspirational program based on her bestselling book 'Everday Grace.' In this public television special, Marianne explains how a spiritual outlook can impact even the most mundane moments of daily living--from traffic jams to job anxiety to spousal disagreements--and offers five guiding principles to infuse these frustrating moments with tranquility and grace.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Live Lecture Conveying Hope and Magic\n\nReview: \"Fairytales are actually metaphysical information given to all of us if we actually look at what they say.\" - From the DVD\n\nAccording to author Marianne Williamson, the very thought that miracles CAN happen is an extraordinary empowerment, if we allow it to be. This concept is much like the \"magic wands\" of fairytales like Cinderella whereby mice turn into coachmen, pumpkins into coaches, and rags into ball gowns.\n\nIn the DVD Everyday Grace, Williamson gives a 75-minute live lecture explaining why humanity needs to evolve beyond where it is and how miracles can play a vital part in individual and corporate transformation.\n\nThe current age reflects a mechanistic, Newtonian worldview where the earth is as a large machine where we have very little power to change objects and events outside ourselves. Echoing modern theories of Quantum Physics, Williamson asserts that when we observe and perceive something differently, the object itself changes. She goes onto to say that our species is no longer well adapted for survival because we fight too much. We must evolve past the place where the only way we fix things is to destroy them-much like the mindset found in modern medicine.\n\nIn the Everyday Grace DVD, Williamson goes on to share five \"magic wands\" that can help us tap into a power that is in us, but not of us-that can do what we cannot do for ourselves. They are:\n\nWand #1 - Consider the possibility a miracle could happen here.\n\nWand #2 - We are the angels we've been waiting for. Breakthroughs happen in our lives when breakthroughs happen within us.\n\nWand #3 - Every thought of judgment blocks the Light. If we knew enough about almost anyone we could, on some level, forgive almost anything.\n\nWand #4 - The end is inherent in the means. If we make \"the goal\" paramount, we will be tempted in various ways to compromise our integrity, exploit relationships, and engage in unethical behavior.\n\nWand #5 - Sacred silence rights the Universe. Every spiritual and philosophical tradition encourages prayer, the cultivation of stillness, meditation, etc.\n\nSaying that the 21st century belongs to the \"Fairy Godmother\", Williamson describes the symbolism of Cinderella, applying the metaphor to our evolving consciousness. Stressing that our thoughts create reality, she admonishes us that the wars will stop outside only when they stop INSIDE. In fact, \"today's newspaper is just a reflection of yesterday's thoughts\" but we can apply the five \"magic wands\" to create miracles in both the world and ourselves.\n\nThis DVD also includes an extensive interview with Marianne Williamson, covering topics such as:\n\n* Her early career\n\n* Her favorite book\n\n* The writing of the book Everyday Grace\n\n* Her greatest achievement\n\n* The greatest challenge in the world\n\nShe says that \"you can't touch an audience without the truth of your own journey\" and Williamson has consistently lived out this ideal through her books and lectures. If you'd like a good dose of hope and the means to create a magical, beautiful world, the Everyday Grace DVD shows the way.","Product: Narada's highly popular Christmas titles have always represented a fresh approach to beloved Yuletide music by such exceptional artists as Michael Gettel, David Arkenstone, Tingstad & Rumbel, David Lanz, Michael Jones, Nando Lauria and many others. Now, for the 1st time, the very best of these extraordinary works are gathered in a massive 2-CD compilation featuring more than 2 hours of outstanding music - at an outstanding price.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Beautiful, Relaxing Christmas Music\n\nReview: This 2-disc set is one of my favorites--and I own over 32 Christmas CD's and over 20 Christmas cassettes.)\n\nNarada is a popular New Age label, and this is a compilation CD from previous Narada Christmas releases. What is New Age music? Many styles fall under New Age music, including neo-classical, instrumental, ethereal synthesized music, Celtic, and light jazz. Some artists don't like to be categorized under New Age, but it's hard to find a place for the beautiful, relaxing, and positive music that often falls under the New Age genre.\n\nThis CD features traditional Christmas songs rendered in a non-traditional way, as well as new Christmas songs that are sure to become favorites of the season. There is enough varying of styles to add interest, including songs with beautiful vocals. What you won't find on this CD is drummed up \"fake\" holiday cheer with songs that grate on your nerves. Every song is truly ear candy that will soothe frazzled holiday nerves and bring the mind and spirit back to a more peaceful and joyful state.\n\nCurrently we have both CD's in our car's CD changer, and it was a treat to listen to them as we went Christmas shopping this weekend. Even my 5 year old son called from the back seat \"nice singing!\" I highly recommend this 2-disc Christmas collection from Narada if you like fresh, inspiring, and pleasant holiday music.\n\nDisc 1\n\n1. I Saw Three Ships - David Arkenstone\n2. First Noel - Ralf Illenberger\n3. Enniscorthy Christmas Carol - Dordan\n4. Il Est N (He Is Born) - Michael Gettel\n5. Joy to the World - Bruce Mitchell\n6. Angels We Have Heard on High - David Lanz\n7. Away in a Manger - David Darling\n8. Silent Night - Tingstad & Rumbel\n9. We Three Kings - David Arkenstone\n10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Michael Whalen\n11. Unto Us a Boy Is Born\n12. What Child Is This? - Billy McLaughlin\n13. Carol of the Bells - Kostia\n14. Bring the Torch - Tingstad & Rumbel\n\nDisc 2\n\n1. Gloria - Nando Lauria\n2. Silver Bells - David Arkenstone\n3. Mistletoe Waltz - Dordan\n4. O Come All Ye Faithful - David Lanz\n5. O Holy Night - Brian Mann\n6. Ding Dong! Merrily on High - Nancy Rumbel\n7. Do You Hear What I Hear? - David Arkenstone\n8. Ukrainian Carol - Spencer Brewer\n9. It Came upon a Midnight Clear - Wayne Gratz\n10. Celebration - Tingstad & Rumbel\n11. Coventry Carol/Nol Nouvelet - Bob Read\n12. O Little Town of Bethlehem/The Holly and the Ivy\n13. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Sheldon Mirowitz\n14. Hallelujah","Product: Super Bark Stop, stops nuisance barking in or outdoors. Bark Stop stops your dog's bark or your neighbor's dog bark! Bark Stop is guaranteed to stop nuisance barking and sleepless nights!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Works Like a Charm! (Amended Review)\n\nReview: Like many people, I have ignorant neighbors that allow their yappy mutt to bark on and on and on. Despite talking to the neighbor politely and such, they still have no concern for the noise pollution. I was losing sleep, and the barking was getting so bad that I even considered moving!\n\nIn desperation, we looked online for something to stop barking dogs. We came across Viatek's Super Bark Stop and decided to risk the money.\n\nWOW, talk about being worth the money! My husband affixed the device on a piece of wood, and staked it about 5 feet high in our back yard. It's unsightly, yes, but we're the only ones to really see it. More importantly, it's RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE BARKING MUTT. The first time he tested it, he told me the dog about jumped out of its skin! We laughed gleefully. Could a good night's sleep actually be on the horizon...?\n\nIt's been several days and Super Bark Stop has worked AMAZINGLY. The dog will no lie as far as it can away from the device...when it usually lay in the middle of the neighbor's yard. If it starts to yelp a little, it stops almost immediately. It's as if it's afraid to bark. YAY!\n\nYou can select the volume, tone, and number of barks to help eliminate false activation (say, from talking or loud bird squawking). Audible and inaudible both work fine, but we now keep it on inaudible at the two bark setting.\n\nThe device is waterproof plastic and you need 4 D batteries (not included) to operate it.\n\nI am SO thankful we found Super Bark Stop! My nerves were really getting jangled and I was dreading early mornings, when they put the mutt outside. It's amazing at how inconsiderate neighbors are; just because you may want a dog doesn't mean I want saddled with its noise while you neglect it!\n\nP.S. After using Bark Stop for 2 weeks (yes, it did work!), we noticed that the neighbors dog started to bark a bit more. (Not as bad as before, though.) We had it on silent, and realized that it had stopped working. Apparently, it's not 100% waterproof, despite the claims of the manufacturer. The person I bought it from said that \"once it's opened, we find that it's not 100% waterproof\". Well guess what? You gotta open it to put the batteries in it! Either buy a faux bird house to protect Bark Stop or house it where it won't get wet. Otherwise, you may find yourself in the same position we were in. We got a refund, and fortunately for us, our neighbors got rid of their dog...so we didn't bother getting a new one.","Product: Super Bark Stop, stops nuisance barking in or outdoors. Bark Stop stops your dog's bark or your neighbor's dog bark! Bark Stop is guaranteed to stop nuisance barking and sleepless nights!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Relief...At Last! (Amended Review)\n\nReview: Like many people, I have ignorant neighbors that allow their yappy mutt to bark on and on and on. Despite talking to the neighbor politely and such, they still have no concern for the noise pollution. I was losing sleep, and the barking was getting so bad that I even considered moving!\n\nIn desperation, we looked online for something to stop barking dogs. We came across Viatek's Super Bark Stop and decided to risk the money.\n\nWOW, talk about being worth the money! My husband affixed the device on a piece of wood, and staked it about 5 feet high in our back yard. It's unsightly, yes, but we're the only ones to really see it. More importantly, it's RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE BARKING MUTT. The first time he tested it, he told me the dog about jumped out of its skin! We laughed gleefully. Could a good night's sleep actually be on the horizon...?\n\nIt's been several days and Super Bark Stop has worked AMAZINGLY. The dog will lie as far as it can away from the device...when it usually lay in the middle of the neighbor's yard. If it starts to yelp a little, it stops almost immediately. It's as if it's afraid to bark. YAY!\n\nYou can select the volume, tone, and number of barks to help eliminate false activation (say, from talking or loud bird squawking). Audible and inaudible both work fine, but we now keep it on inaudible at the two bark setting.\n\nThe device is waterproof plastic and you need 4 D batteries (not included) to operate it.\n\nI am SO thankful we found Super Bark Stop! My nerves were really getting jangled and I was dreading early mornings, when they put the mutt outside. It's amazing at how inconsiderate neighbors are; just because you may want a dog doesn't mean I want saddled with its noise while you neglect it!\n\nP.S. After using Bark Stop for 2 weeks (yes, it did work!), we noticed that the neighbors dog started to bark a bit more. (Not as bad as before, though.) We had it on silent, and realized that it had stopped working. Apparently, it's not 100% waterproof, despite the claims of the manufacturer. The person I bought it from said that \"once it's opened, we find that it's not 100% waterproof\". Well guess what? You gotta open it to put the batteries in it! Either buy a faux bird house to protect Bark Stop or house it where it won't get wet. Otherwise, you may find yourself in the same position we were in. We got a refund, and fortunately for us, our neighbors got rid of their dog...so we didn't bother getting a new one.","Product: Super Bark Stop, stops nuisance barking in or outdoors. Bark Stop stops your dog's bark or your neighbor's dog bark! Bark Stop is guaranteed to stop nuisance barking and sleepless nights!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Peace and Quiet---At Last! (Amended Review)\n\nReview: Like many people, I have ignorant neighbors that allow their yappy mutt to bark on and on and on. Despite talking to the neighbor politely and such, they still have no concern for the noise pollution. I was losing sleep, and the barking was getting so bad that I even considered moving!\n\nIn desperation, we looked online for something to stop barking dogs. We came across Viatek's Super Bark Stop and decided to risk the money.\n\nWOW, talk about being worth the money! My husband affixed the device on a piece of wood, and staked it about 5 feet high in our back yard. It's unsightly, yes, but we're the only ones to really see it. More importantly, it's RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE BARKING MUTT. The first time he tested it, he told me the dog about jumped out of its skin! We laughed gleefully. Could a good night's sleep actually be on the horizon...?\n\nIt's been several days and Super Bark Stop has worked AMAZINGLY. The dog will no lie as far as it can away from the device...when it usually lay in the middle of the neighbor's yard. If it starts to yelp a little, it stops almost immediately. It's as if it's afraid to bark. YAY!\n\nYou can select the volume, tone, and number of barks to help eliminate false activation (say, from talking or loud bird squawking). Audible and inaudible both work fine, but we now keep it on inaudible at the two bark setting.\n\nThe device is waterproof plastic and you need 4 D batteries (not included) to operate it.\n\nI am SO thankful we found Super Bark Stop! My nerves were really getting jangled and I was dreading early mornings, when they put the mutt outside. It's amazing at how inconsiderate neighbors are; just because you may want a dog doesn't mean I want saddled with its noise while you neglect it!\n\nP.S. After using Bark Stop for 2 weeks (yes, it did work!), we noticed that the neighbors dog started to bark a bit more. (Not as bad as before, though.) We had it on silent, and realized that it had stopped working. Apparently, it's not 100% waterproof, despite the claims of the manufacturer. The person I bought it from said that \"once it's opened, we find that it's not 100% waterproof\". Well guess what? You gotta open it to put the batteries in it! Either buy a faux bird house to protect Bark Stop or house it where it won't get wet. Otherwise, you may find yourself in the same position we were in. We got a refund, and fortunately for us, our neighbors got rid of their dog...so we didn't bother getting a new one.","Product: Crayola Super Tips Washable Markers can be used for a variety of projects thanks to versatile tips that can draw either thick or thin lines. Use Crayola Super Tips Markers for drawing, coloring, or even writing. The markers are designed to easily wash off of skin and out of most clothing, plus their ink won't bleed through paper.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Review of the 20-Count Version\n\nReview: Do the \"silly scents\" markers really smell--and smell good? You betcha!\n\nIn the 20-count version my son has, there are 5 that are \"silly scented\". (From the picture here at Amazon.com, it would appear that the 50-count version has at LEAST 12 \"silly scented\" markers. I can tell because those markers have black tips rather than white ones.)\n\nThe five scents that are in the 20-count version are:\n\n* Burnt Marshmallow (Black)\n\n* Cherry (Red)\n\n* Wildberry (Magenta)\n\n* Orange (Orange)\n\n* LEmon (Yellow)\n\nThe black marker is especially delicious smelling--but I have a concern (and thus the four stars): doesn't this encourage kids to smell markers--which can be potentially dangerous...or fatal...if they smelled the wrong kind of markers?\n\nThe reason I'm even *writing* this review is that I'm sitting here composing an article and I hear my son behind me saying \"Mmmm...smells like S'mores...\" I then thought \"Oh geez...what if kids get the idea that smelling markers is a good idea...thinking that ANY marker can smell, potentially, like a yummy dessert or fruit?\"\n\nOther than that concern (which didn't occur to me at the time of purchase), these washable markers are quite colorful and great for writing, drawing, and coloring because of their narrowed \"super tips\"--which means they can draw both thick and thin.\n\nAnd yes, they are (thankfully!) washable. My son accidentally graced the antique white wall in the living room with one of these markers and it washed right off--and I know they do the same if they get on clothes.","Product: From the worlds of mythology, folklore and legend, Fantasical Creatures Tarot brings to life a colorful menagerie of mystical beings. Premier Edition Tarot includes 78 card deck, 70-page instruction booklet, quick reference guide cards, custom 17\" x 20 double-sided spread sheet.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Lovely Deck Featuring the Art of Lisa Hunt\n\nReview: \"It is possible to re-learn the ancient art of communication with fantastic creatures. When approached in the proper ways, these powers can help us. By tapping into these astral sources, we can use the ancient images in divination to gain a clearer picture of what is causing life problems and what we can do about it.\" - From the Little White Book\n\nFrom the Lady of the Lake to the Kraken, Griffin to Jenny Greenteeth, the Fantastical Creatures Tarot brims with a dizzying array of gods, goddesses, mythological creatures and the stuff of legends.\n\nFeaturing the luminous artwork of Lisa Hunt, each card of the Major and Minor Arcana is dedicated to a specific being (or group of creatures). You'll find dragons, a unicorn, faeries, a werewolf, a vampire, selkies, valkyries, gnomes, brownies, firedrakes and lion-dogs. Pegasus makes an appearance, as does a centaur, faun, minotaur, mermaids, harpies, The Djinn, firebird and The Sphinx.\n\nTitania, the \"mistress of glamour and matriarch of magick\" finds representation in the Fantastical Creatures Tarot, as does Oberon, Gilgamesh, Kali Ma, Tiamat, Yemaya, Lilith, Quetzalcoatl, Circe and the triple-goddess Morrigan.\n\nThe cards retain traditional titles rather than the creature depicted, although Trump XV is cleverly re-named \"Chains\" in this deck. Minor suits are Wands, Cups, Pentacles and Swords and although Wands are associated with Air and Swords with Fire in this deck, the association isn't obvious by illustration alone.\n\nAs always, Ms. Hunt's stunning art shimmers with light and color, enlivening the fanciful world of creatures that are sometimes awe-inspiring and other times frightening, yet remain a ready menagerie of aid for those bold and trusting enough to call upon their energies for magick or insight.\n\nThe glossy cards measure approximately 4 x 2 inches and have a simple circular filigreed motif centered on an ecru background, making the backings fully reversible.\n\nUnfortunately, this lovely deck isn't accompanied by a full-length book--only a 71-page Little White Book by D.J. Conway. Several times, the LWB description doesn't seem to jive with card image. For example, the creatures in the 2 of Pentacles are described as Fey who are \"human-sized, wingless members of the Fairy Kingdom\". However, the Fey in the card clearly have wings.\n\nAlthough the brief mythology of each card is adequate, some of the interpretations seem a bit repetitive, as well as the descriptive elements of some of the images.\n\nIn addition, some of the choices of fantastical creatures seem ill suited to their particular cards and meanings. For example, the 3 of Pentacles represents mischievous hobgoblins that \"like nothing better than to spoil luck, create nightmares, hide things and frighten people\". Yet, the divinatory meaning given is \"opportunities will soon come from you to learn new skills\".\n\nTwo quick reference cards come with the Fantastical Creatures Tarot, providing keywords for both Arcanas. A large, two-sided illustrated fold-out with five spreads is also included in this kit. However, the keywords for the suits don't seem right on the fold-out. For example, the Air/Mental realm is said to be made up of \"thoughts, ideas, communications, emotions, relationships and love.\" The first three, yes--but the last three? That's the realm of Cups/Water/Emotions.\n\nIf you love Lisa Hunt's artwork, particularly the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Animals-Divine-Tarot/dp/0738703214/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Animals Divine Tarot</a>, you'll want to get your hands on this lovely deck. Those inspired by mythology and otherworldly creatures will also likely enjoy the Fantastical Creatures Tarot. (I also think fans Paul Mason, particularly the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Fairy-Ring/dp/0738702749/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Fairy Ring</a>, would also like this deck--especially since Jenny Greenteeth and others found therein).\n\nHowever, this isn't a good deck for beginners, especially with some of the confusing and contradictory elements found in the LWB and fold-out.\n\n(To see 13 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])\n\nJanet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: \"Pointing upward toward the sky, the shape of the pyramid is thought to resonate with positive cosmic energy.\n\nNow, everyone can summon the ancient wisdom of the pyramid to receive answers to all their questions about life, love, and everything the future holds. Mystic Pyramid speaks over 100 different insightful phrases, 50 of them positive messages. The professionally recorded responses are electronically randomized and tracked so there are minimum repeats. Synchronized light effects enhance the magical experience.\n\nThe power of the Pyramid is now in your hands.\n\nTo activate the Mystic Pyramid simply focus your energy, ask your question, then press down on the Pyramid to hear its response.\n\nSample responses:\n\"\"You have every reason to be confident.\"\"\n\n\"\"The timing couldnt be better.\"\"\n\n\"\"Your luck may be changing.\"\" \"\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: It Talks! It Lights Up! So Fun!\n\nReview: Remember those magic 8 balls from decades long gone? You'd shake the liquid-filled ball, and a white pyramid with a message on it would float into the window as if by magic. Pretty freakin' cool back then!\n\nFast forward into the 21st century, and U.S. Games Systems, Inc. has given a super-cool spin on this fun fortunetelling toy embodied in the Mystic Pyramid.\n\nWhat is the Mystic Pyramid, you ask?\n\nWell, it's otherworldly gray pyramid that, when pressed down, booms out a prognostication to your every question.\n\nSome of the messages you may receive via the Mystic Pyramid include:\n\n* Let go of unrealistic expectations.\n\n* Your dreams are about to be realized.\n\n* Revisit the issue at a later time.\n\n* Your deepest joy will shine forth.\n\n* Accept disappointment and move on.\n\n* The outcome may surprise you.\n\n* Embark on a new path with confidence.\n\nWith a deep male voice echoing a bit like the Great Oz--not to mention glowing blue light emanating from the pyramid \"seams\"--the Mystic Pyramid makes for a fascinating party game.\n\nIt's so mystically attractive, I keep our Mystic Pyramid right on the entertainment center as a decoration. However, my husband and son have a hard time resisting pushing on the Mystic Pyramid when they walk by.\n\nFinally, I had to admonish them: \"Only for serious questions!\"\n\nIf you're looking for a fun gift for that hard-to-by person, or perhaps want to wow a youngster with his or her very own portable fortuneteller, you MUST get the Mystic Pyramid for them. The voice, the lights, the ease of use (and don't forget batteries that ARE included!)--what's NOT to love, right?\n\nIn fact, let me ask the Mystic Pyramid:\n\nMystic Pyramid, will the readers of my review enjoy you if they get you?\n\nThe reply: \"You already know the answer.\"\n\nSee? Told ya!\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of lots of stuff","Product: Third in the hugely popular series of Element Encyclopedias, this is the most comprehensive guide you'll ever find to every magical creature from myth, folklore and legend around the world. This compendium of magical creatures explores the history, folklore and mythology of these facinating beasts throughout all magical worlds. Including stories, celebrations, traditions, and amazing facts about the creatures, this book spans every major culture across the globe. Many of the creatures described in the book have appeared in the fictitious worlds of the brothers Grimm, Lewis Caroll, J.K. Rowling, Tolkien and countless other writers who have stirred our imaginations since childhood fairytales. From unicorns, giants, fairies, elves, goblins, dwarves and trolls to nymphs, mermaids, sphinxes, ogres, cyclops, dragons, mermaids, salamanders, basilisks, banshees, werewolves, griffins, centaurs, satyrs and gremlins -- this is the ultimate reference book on creatures from the magical world. But have you ever heard of Cherufes, Lampaluguas or the Quetzal? The cross-cultural focus spans from the most ancient of creatures to those which have come to prominence relatively recently. Every obscure and mythological creature is described in detail in this fantastic book, including gods from many cultures and everyday animals that carry magical symbolism. The information not only refers each creature to the mythology surrounding it, but also illustrates how many of these magical beasts relate to each other and are interconnected across mythical worlds. Find out more in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Some Interesting Information--But Has Research Gaps and Innacuracies\n\nReview: \"This book is a zoology of the imagination more than it is a natural history. It follows the myths of magical creatures wherever they show themselves, myths that are primal stories encoding understandings that we grasp by means of metaphor rather than with any literal-mindedness. Where will these creatures lead us?\"\n\nThe Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is a 682-page, flexibound compendium of fantastic beings from myth, magic, and urban legend. (Flexibound is somewhat between a hardcover and a paperback). Arranged alphabetically for easy reference, hundreds of entries are culled from literature, sacred texts, history, legends, cryptozoology, and movies. Mythical stories pertaining to animals, fowl, and insects are also provided. Entertaining and informative, this book sparks both imagination and curiosity. Indeed, it's hard to read \"just one\" entry in this unique book.\n\nSome of the fantastical beasts, monsters, and demigods listed in this book include:\n\n* Bunyip\n\n* Lorelei\n\n* Puck\n\n* Sasquatch\n\n* Chupacabras\n\n* Thoth\n\n* Quetzalcoatl\n\n* Elves\n\n* Bastet\n\n* Leviathan\n\n* Dryads\n\n* Lilith\n\n* Ouroboros\n\n* Mothman\n\n* Fire Drake\n\n* Golem\n\n* Banshee\n\n* Satyr\n\n* Basilisk\n\n* Thunderbird\n\n* Scapegoat\n\nWhile many entries are familiar, I found the majority obscure--having never heard of them. I was intrigued to find that Dobby, the house elf from the Harry Potter books, is actually a genus of British house fairies--known mostly in the north of England. Supposedly, the Dobby/Dobie makes ridiculous mistakes or is easily confused. When I read the entry for the Brownie (pronounced \"broony\"), I was surprised to read that the sure way to get rid of a brownie is to give him a piece of clothing--just like the house elves in the J.K. Rowling series. (Unfortunately, the authors didn't cross-reference Dobby to Brownie for some reason, so I stumbled upon the entry quite by accident. Or, due to obscene curiosity, I suppose).\n\nAt times, the authors speak at length about Potter references in relevant entries. However, the entry for the Stag fails to mention Harry Potter's Patronus, which is a luminous white stag that Harry conjures in his times of need.\n\nSome of the research seems sketchy at best and inaccurate at worst. For example, under the Mothman entry, there's a mention of the movie The Mothman Prophecies. The entry states \"starring Kevin Costner\", but Costner isn't in the film. The star of the movie is actually Richard Gere. I have to wonder: if the authors include a mistake like this--on a fact that is easily researchable--how accurate is the other information in this book?\n\nOne of the first entries I looked up was \"tulpas\", a concept that fascinates me. Unfortunately, there is no mention or entry for this phenomenon. Yet, there was information on the Golem, which is similar--but of Jewish/Kabbalistic origin.\n\nWhile the authors explained that Fawkes is a pet Phoenix of Dumbledore in the Potter series, they fail to mention a more common mythological connection: the Phoenix is connected to the sign of Scorpio, and is considered a higher expression of this Zodiacal sign. Another \"miss\" was the entry on Salamanders. There is no mention that this creature is a spirit connected with the fire element in magical Hermeticism and some Pagan traditions. (Not to mention that the Salamander is a somewhat common theme among the fire suits in Tarot, most notably the Wands.) So I looked up Gnome (associated with the earth element), and *did* find a brief mention of salamander, gnome, undine, and sylph in terms of hermetic practice and Paracelsusian philosophy. Thus, the cross references in this book seems to be shoddy.\n\nWhile some of the information in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is downright fascinating, I was a bit disappointed to see what I considered glaring gaps in the research, not to mention inaccuracies. I didn't go looking for these, but discovered them early in my explorations of this book as I followed my interests and curiosity. That, and the fact that many of the entries were entirely unfamiliar to me, makes this a so-so book for me.\n\nGranted, it's an overwhelming undertaking cataloguing hundreds of fantastical creatures from a myriad of sources--so kudos certainly go to the authors for doing a decent job as far as breadth goes. Moreover, I suppose I can't be *too* hard on the book, considering that it's an encyclopedia--not necessarily and exhaustive reference. Perhaps I am spoiled by Judika Illes' breadth *and* depth in The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft (not to mention her book on 5,000 spells).\n\nIf you're curious about the likes of mermen and griffins, sirens and orcs, The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures will probably delight you. I can see this book being especially good reference for sci-fi and fantasy writers. However, if you want comprehensive information on several creatures, you may be better off getting a book that is devoted specifically to such a subject. (Note: after only an hour or so of reading this book, the pages began to pull away from the glue binding. Unfortunately, the flexibound cover/binding isn't as sturdy as the two previous hardback installments of the Element Encyclopedia series. Thus, it's not a good idea to read the book flat--but this hefty volume makes it almost impossible to read any other way without experiencing discomfort.)","Product: Third in the hugely popular series of Element Encyclopedias, this is the most comprehensive guide you'll ever find to every magical creature from myth, folklore and legend around the world. This compendium of magical creatures explores the history, folklore and mythology of these facinating beasts throughout all magical worlds. Including stories, celebrations, traditions, and amazing facts about the creatures, this book spans every major culture across the globe. Many of the creatures described in the book have appeared in the fictitious worlds of the brothers Grimm, Lewis Caroll, J.K. Rowling, Tolkien and countless other writers who have stirred our imaginations since childhood fairytales. From unicorns, giants, fairies, elves, goblins, dwarves and trolls to nymphs, mermaids, sphinxes, ogres, cyclops, dragons, mermaids, salamanders, basilisks, banshees, werewolves, griffins, centaurs, satyrs and gremlins -- this is the ultimate reference book on creatures from the magical world. But have you ever heard of Cherufes, Lampaluguas or the Quetzal? The cross-cultural focus spans from the most ancient of creatures to those which have come to prominence relatively recently. Every obscure and mythological creature is described in detail in this fantastic book, including gods from many cultures and everyday animals that carry magical symbolism. The information not only refers each creature to the mythology surrounding it, but also illustrates how many of these magical beasts relate to each other and are interconnected across mythical worlds. Find out more in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Some Interesting Information--But Has Research Gaps and Innacuracies\n\nReview: \"This book is a zoology of the imagination more than it is a natural history. It follows the myths of magical creatures wherever they show themselves, myths that are primal stories encoding understandings that we grasp by means of metaphor rather than with any literal-mindedness. Where will these creatures lead us?\"\n\nThe Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is a 682-page, flexibound compendium of fantastic beings from myth, magic, and urban legend. (Flexibound is somewhat between a hardcover and a paperback). Arranged alphabetically for easy reference, hundreds of entries are culled from literature, sacred texts, history, legends, cryptozoology, and movies. Mythical stories pertaining to animals, fowl, and insects are also provided. Entertaining and informative, this book sparks both imagination and curiosity. Indeed, it's hard to read \"just one\" entry in this unique book.\n\nSome of the fantastical beasts, monsters, and demigods listed in this book include:\n\n* Bunyip\n\n* Lorelei\n\n* Puck\n\n* Sasquatch\n\n* Chupacabras\n\n* Thoth\n\n* Quetzalcoatl\n\n* Elves\n\n* Bastet\n\n* Leviathan\n\n* Dryads\n\n* Lilith\n\n* Ouroboros\n\n* Mothman\n\n* Fire Drake\n\n* Golem\n\n* Banshee\n\n* Satyr\n\n* Basilisk\n\n* Thunderbird\n\n* Scapegoat\n\nWhile many entries are familiar, I found the majority obscure--having never heard of them. I was intrigued to find that Dobby, the house elf from the Harry Potter books, is actually a genus of British house fairies--known mostly in the north of England. Supposedly, the Dobby/Dobie makes ridiculous mistakes or is easily confused. When I read the entry for the Brownie (pronounced \"broony\"), I was surprised to read that the sure way to get rid of a brownie is to give him a piece of clothing--just like the house elves in the J.K. Rowling series. (Unfortunately, the authors didn't cross-reference Dobby to Brownie for some reason, so I stumbled upon the entry quite by accident. Or, due to obscene curiosity, I suppose).\n\nAt times, the authors speak at length about Potter references in relevant entries. However, the entry for the Stag fails to mention Harry Potter's Patronus, which is a luminous white stag that Harry conjures in his times of need.\n\nSome of the research seems sketchy at best and inaccurate at worst. For example, under the Mothman entry, there's a mention of the movie The Mothman Prophecies. The entry states \"starring Kevin Costner\", but Costner isn't in the film. The star of the movie is actually Richard Gere. I have to wonder: if the authors include a mistake like this--on a fact that is easily researchable--how accurate is the other information in this book?\n\nOne of the first entries I looked up was \"tulpas\", a concept that fascinates me. Unfortunately, there is no mention or entry for this phenomenon. Yet, there was information on the Golem, which is similar--but of Jewish/Kabbalistic origin.\n\nWhile the authors explained that Fawkes is a pet Phoenix of Dumbledore in the Potter series, they fail to mention a more common mythological connection: the Phoenix is connected to the sign of Scorpio, and is considered a higher expression of this Zodiacal sign. Another \"miss\" was the entry on Salamanders. There is no mention that this creature is a spirit connected with the fire element in magical Hermeticism and some Pagan traditions. (Not to mention that the Salamander is a somewhat common theme among the fire suits in Tarot, most notably the Wands.) So I looked up Gnome (associated with the earth element), and *did* find a brief mention of salamander, gnome, undine, and sylph in terms of hermetic practice and Paracelsusian philosophy. Thus, the cross references in this book seems to be shoddy.\n\nWhile some of the information in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is downright fascinating, I was a bit disappointed to see what I considered glaring gaps in the research, not to mention inaccuracies. I didn't go looking for these, but discovered them early in my explorations of this book as I followed my interests and curiosity. That, and the fact that many of the entries were entirely unfamiliar to me, makes this a so-so book for me.\n\nGranted, it's an overwhelming undertaking cataloguing hundreds of fantastical creatures from a myriad of sources--so kudos certainly go to the authors for doing a decent job as far as breadth goes. Moreover, I suppose I can't be *too* hard on the book, considering that it's an encyclopedia--not necessarily and exhaustive reference. Perhaps I am spoiled by Judika Illes' breadth *and* depth in The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft (not to mention her book on 5,000 spells).\n\nIf you're curious about the likes of mermen and griffins, sirens and orcs, The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures will probably delight you. I can see this book being especially good reference for sci-fi and fantasy writers. However, if you want comprehensive information on several creatures, you may be better off getting a book that is devoted specifically to such a subject. (Note: after only an hour or so of reading this book, the pages began to pull away from the glue binding. Unfortunately, the flexibound cover/binding isn't as sturdy as the two previous hardback installments of the Element Encyclopedia series. Thus, it's not a good idea to read the book flat--but this hefty volume makes it almost impossible to read any other way without experiencing discomfort.)","Product: Dr Wayne W. Dyer has taken then 10 concepts from his book for adults \"10 Secrets for Success & Inner Peace\" and interpreted them for children, creating \"Incredible You\"! Wayne believes that it's never too early for children to know that they're unique and powerful beings, and they have everything they need within themselves to create happy, successful lives. With this book, parents can introduce these important ideas to their children. The ten concepts are numbered, titled and set in rhyming verse, and vibrant illustrations bring each point to life. At the end, there are questions that kids can answer to connect these ideas to their own lives, and make them realize how incredible they truly are.Renowned author Wayne Dyer has distilled his 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace into a children's book titled Incredible You! 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through. Co-written with Kristina Tracy and illustrated by Melanie Siegel, this colorful uplifting book affirms and encourages children to imagine, explore, and expect beauty in all its forms. \n\nThe 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through are: \n\n1. Share the Good \n2. Find What You Love \n3. You are Filled with Love \n4. Find a Quiet Place Inside \n5. Make Today Great! \n6. Change Your Thoughts to Good \n7. Take Care of Yourself \n8. Picture What You Want \n9. Everyone Is Special, Especially You \n10. Good Thoughts Give You Energy\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Great Children's Book!\n\nReview: \"It is my desire to have these tiny precious souls-so many of whom have brought so much joy into my life as they listened to my stories-close this book and feel so good about themselves that they feel in their hearts that nothing is impossible for them. It would be even more thrilling for me if this becomes the book they choose each night...so that a special person-like you-can read it to them over and over again.\" - From the introduction\n\nRenowned author Wayne Dyer has distilled his 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace into a children's book titled Incredible You! 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through. Co-written with Kristina Tracy and illustrated by Melanie Siegel, this colorful uplifting book affirms and encourages children to imagine, explore, and expect beauty in all its forms.\n\nThe 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through are:\n\n1. Share the Good\n\n2. Find What You Love\n\n3. You are Filled with Love\n\n4. Find a Quiet Place Inside\n\n5. Make Today Great!\n\n6. Change Your Thoughts to Good\n\n7. Take Care of Yourself\n\n8. Picture What You Want\n\n9. Everyone Is Special, Especially You\n\n10. Good Thoughts Give You Energy\n\nThis wonderful book isn't saccharine \"just think happy thoughts\". Dyer addresses challenges such as ridicule. Under #7 Take Care of Yourself it says:\n\n\"If something or someone makes you feel bad,\n\ndon't let it ruin your day by making you sad.\n\nLet go of the hurt and take care of you.\n\nYou can't control what others say or do.\"\n\nThe first picture shows two girls whispering and laughing at a third girl, while the second picture shows the girl happily playing in her room as the other two look through the window. She has chosen to play with her toys and enjoy herself-by herself.\n\nIncredible You! contains sage advice for both children and adults. At the end of the book are ten questions designed to encourage children to ponder the ideas presented therein. For example, one question is \"It's important to make time for the things you love. Do you have a passion? Something you love to do more than anything else?\"\n\nMy son answers \"play with trains!\" to this one. He really enjoyed it when I read the story to him and asked him the questions in the back. In fact, I had this book among a pile of others that I was going to review. He purposefully walked over the stack one day and removed this book so he could look at it on his own! I've reviewed quite a few children's books and he's never done this before. So my 7 year old gives Incredible You! an enthusiastic thumbs up, as does his Mom!","Product: Lynda Hill is the premier authority on this area of astrology and travels widely conducting workshops, lectures, and conferences.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Chillingly Accurate Oracle\n\nReview: \"Based on the Sabian Symbols, first created in 1925 and consisting of 360 answers, the Sabian Oracle can be used to guide us through questions about our day-to-day lives... Using the Sabian Oracle will help you discover what's going on and why, leading to deeper self-awareness. You are able to make more informed choices and greatly enhance your life.\" Lynda Hill, author of 360 Degrees of Wisdom - Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle\n\nIn 1925, an extraordinary thing happened: two people--a clairvoyant medium and an astrologer--received messages from the spirit world for every degree of the Zodiac. Within each of the 12 constellations of the Zodiac, also known as Sun Signs, are 30 degrees--for a total of 360 degrees.\n\nAstrologer Marc Edmund Jones wanted to participate in an experiment with his spiritualist-medium friend Elsie Wheeler. A gifted clairvoyant, Miss Wheeler was afflicted with severe arthritis and confined to a wheelchair, making movement difficult and painful. Nevertheless, she agreed to participate in this experiment with Jones in a public park; he wanted to be surrounded by the vibrations of modern American life, but not be disturbed by passers-by. Thus, Balboa Park in San Diego was the birthplace of the Sabian Symbols.\n\nJones made up a set of 360 index cards that were blank, save for a small notation of the Sign and degree number on one side (e.g. Aries 1, Scorpio 20--all the way up to Pisces 30). Jones shuffled the cards and placed the blank side up before Miss Wheeler. Neither of them knew the Sign or number on the card. Miss Wheeler would then report what she saw in her mind's eye...hurriedly noting the information on the card.\n\nAmazingly, Elsie's psychic visions formulated the entire Sabian Symbols at random--completing all 360 Symbols in one day! On average, Miss Wheeler would have had to visualize a Symbol every minute and half. Jones believed that Miss Wheeler was given information by an \"unseen agency\": a \"Brother\" from the Sabian Brotherhood who were an ancient Middle Eastern race of alchemists. The Sabian Symbols are a set of 360 phrases consisting of as little as two words (Virgo 2: \"A Harem\") to as many as 21 words (Taurus 5: \"A Youthful Widow, Fresh and Soul-Cleansed from Grief, Kneels at an Open Grave to Receive the Secret of Eternal Life\").\n\nAuthor Lynda Hill has a crafted an amazing book and oracle based on the Sabian Symbols: 360 Degrees of Wisdom - Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle. This book includes 42 cards to perform a reading: 12 red cards for the Signs, and 30 blue cards for each degree. Ask a question, pick a blue and red card, and then let the Symbols guide you to an answer. An entire page is dedicated to each Symbol, and features a commentary, oracle message, keywords, and a caution. In the page margins, Ms. Hill has included 5-9 quotations that reflect the message of each Symbol. At 363 pages, 360 Degrees of Wisdom also features Birthday Tables, which shows you the 3 degrees relevant to your birth date. She profiles several celebrities--such as Deepak Chopra, Michael Jackson, and Princess Diana--to demonstrate how the Sabian Symbols mirror the circumstances of your life.\n\nIn addition to using the cards provided with the book, Ms. Hill also shows you how to use 2 decks of regular playing cards (one red, one blue) in case you lose the cards that came with the book. She also shows you how to open the book at random to receive your special message.\n\nI used the Sabian Oracle last night for insight into a back ailment that I've been dealing with. I picked a blue card and red card at random to get Scorpio: 20. Chillingly accurate, Scorpio: 20 A Woman Drawing Aside Two Dark Curtains That Closed The Entrance To A Sacred Pathway is not only the exact degree of Mercury in my natal chart (and one degree away from my Venus placement), but also this Sabian Symbol echoed the message I received from another oracle consulted a few days prior.\n\nMore accessible than the Tarot and easier to use than the I Ching, 360 Degrees of Wisdom - Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle will help you discover a modern and fascinating branch of mysticism and symbolic readings. I highly recommend this insightful and comprehensive book!","Product: Phyllis Vega is an astrologer, numerologist, and tarot reader, and has been a New Age counselor for more than three decades. She is the author of Power Tarot, Sydney Omarr's Sun, Moon & You, Love, Sex and You, and most recently What Your Birthday Reveals about You. Phyllis lives in Miami, FL.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Lively Guide Pairing Numerology and Astrology\n\nReview: \"Your birthday is more than just the day of the year you were born. Each day in the yearly cycle in its distinct vibrations and contains its own unique characteristics. The influence of your day of birth is one of the dynamics that distinguishes you from other people. It's a defining factor in who you are and who you hope to become.\" - From the book\n\nA New Age counselor for over 30 years, author Phyllis Vega has provided seekers with exciting, practical information in books like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Power-Tarot/dp/0684841851/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Power Tarot</a>,<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Celtic-Astrology/dp/1564145921/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Celtic Astrology</a>, and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Your-Magickal-Name/dp/1564147231/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Your Magickal Name</a>. In What Your Birthday Reveals About You, Vega applies her extensive knowledge of numerology and astrology to create 366 distinct profiles for each day of the year.\n\nA lively, up-to-date guide to self-awareness, this book is divided into three sections: Part One covers the 12 signs of the Zodiac, including a relevant mythological tale conveying the symbolic meaning of the sign, Character and Personality, and Relationships. Part two explains the nine basic numbers of numerology, and the profiles for each of these root numbers. Part three, the 366 birthdays of the year, gives a comprehensive reading for each birth date. Each birthday profile contains insight on fostering natural abilities in challenging in meaningful ways, as well as noteworthy birthdays and observances associated with that day.\n\nMelding numerology and astrology, Vega paints 366 fascinating portraits that reveals secrets and highlights strengths, revealing accurate personality quirks, motivations, preferences, and paths to fulfillment.\n\nMy birthday is November 6, and I found my profile to be eerily accurate. Here is a portion of what Vega writes for this profile:\n\n\"The charming, gregarious, and seemingly easy-going outer faade of those celebrating birthdays today camouflages as a tougher, more intense inner nature. You actually are all that you seen--idealistic, judicious, fair-minded, and honorable. But there is a part of you that his shrewd, secretive, and mistrustful of the motives of others. Moreover, you refuse to settle for quick answers or superficial assessments. You want to believe in the goodness of humanity, so you optimistically hope for the best. However, you've seen too much of the dark side of human nature not to be prepared for the worst.\"\n\nMy husband, a fellow Scorpio, was born on October 27. Two plus seven equals nine, so his numerical vibration for that day is nine. However I've never found the nine profile to describe him accurately in ANY numerology text. Nines are usually characterized as ambitious go getters and compassionate crusaders, and Vega highlights this in her October 27 profile. As a result, his profile is mostly inaccurate.\n\nHowever, in addition to the incredible accuracy of my own profile, my dad's profile (July 11) was also quite accurate. The author mentions how these ones side step conflict with aplomb and make great managers. My Dad has served as a manager in several jobs, and he does indeed retreat into his shell when conflict arises on the home front.\n\nAt 479 pages, What Your Birthday Reveals About You brims with mythos, symbolism, personality traits, compatibility issues, sticking points, and more. Readers only need to know the day and month of birth to access amusing and often intriguing profiles of friends and loved ones. While this book may not be a 100% accurate manual (what book on human personality CAN be?), it is thorough, engaging, and informative. What Your Birthday Reveals About You would be a great ice-breaker at parties and would no doubt provide some interesting fodder at family reunions and gatherings!\n\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: Phyllis Vega is an astrologer, numerologist, and tarot reader, and has been a New Age counselor for more than three decades. She is the author of Power Tarot, Sydney Omarr's Sun, Moon & You, Love, Sex and You, and most recently What Your Birthday Reveals about You. Phyllis lives in Miami, FL.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: An Innovative Melding of Astrology and Numerology That Generates 366 Unique Profiles\n\nReview: \"Your birthday is more than just the day of the year you were born. Each day in the yearly cycle in its distinct vibrations and contains its own unique characteristics. The influence of your day of birth is one of the dynamics that distinguishes you from other people. It's a defining factor in who you are and who you hope to become.\" - From the book\n\nA New Age counselor for over 30 years, author Phyllis Vega has provided seekers with exciting, practical information in books like Power Tarot, Celtic Astrology, and Your Magickal Name. In What Your Birthday Reveals About You, Vega applies her extensive knowledge of numerology and astrology to create 366 distinct profiles for each day of the year.\n\nA lively, up-to-date guide to self-awareness, this book is divided into three sections: Part One covers the 12 signs of the Zodiac, including a relevant mythological tale conveying the symbolic meaning of the sign, Character and Personality, and Relationships. Part two explains the nine basic numbers of numerology, and the profiles for each of these root numbers. Part three, the 366 birthdays of the year, gives a comprehensive reading for each birth date. Each birthday profile contains insight on fostering natural abilities in challenging in meaningful ways, as well as noteworthy birthdays and observances associated with that day.\n\nMelding numerology and astrology, Vega paints 366 fascinating portraits that reveals secrets and highlights strengths, revealing accurate personality quirks, motivations, preferences, and paths to fulfillment.\n\nMy birthday is November 6, and I found my profile to be eerily accurate. Here is a portion of what Vega writes for this profile:\n\n\"The charming, gregarious, and seemingly easy-going outer faade of those celebrating birthdays today camouflages as a tougher, more intense inner nature. You actually are all that you seen--idealistic, judicious, fair-minded, and honorable. But there is a part of you that his shrewd, secretive, and mistrustful of the motives of others. Moreover, you refuse to settle for quick answers or superficial assessments. You want to believe in the goodness of humanity, so you optimistically hope for the best. However, you've seen too much of the dark side of human nature not to be prepared for the worst.\"\n\nMy husband, a fellow Scorpio, was born on October 27. Two plus seven equals nine, so his numerical vibration for that day is nine. However I've never found the nine profile to describe him accurately in ANY numerology text. Nines are usually characterized as ambitious go getters and compassionate crusaders, and Vega highlights this in her October 27 profile. As a result, his profile is mostly inaccurate.\n\nHowever, in addition to the incredible accuracy of my own profile, my dad's profile (July 11) was also quite accurate. The author mentions how these ones side step conflict with aplomb and make great managers. My Dad has served as a manager in several jobs, and he does indeed retreat into his shell when conflict arises on the home front.\n\nAt 479 pages, What Your Birthday Reveals About You brims with mythos, symbolism, personality traits, compatibility issues, sticking points, and more. Readers only need to know the day and month of birth to access amusing and often intriguing profiles of friends and loved ones. While this book may not be a 100% accurate manual (what book on human personality CAN be?), it is thorough, engaging, and informative. What Your Birthday Reveals About You would be a great ice-breaker at parties and would no doubt provide some interesting fodder at family reunions and gatherings!","Product: don Miguel Ruiz was born into a family of healers, and raised in rural Mexico by a curandera (healer) mother and a nagual (shaman) grandfather. The family anticipated that Miguel would embrace their centuries-old legacy of healing and teaching, and carry forward the esoteric Toltec knowledge. Instead, distracted by modern life, Miguel chose to attend medical school and become a surgeon. A near-death experience changed his life. Stunned by this experience, he began an intensive practice of self-inquiry. He devoted himself to the mastery of the ancient ancestral wisdom, studying earnestly with his mother, and completing an apprenticeship with a powerful shaman in the Mexican desert. In the tradition of the Toltecs, a nagual guides an individual to personal freedom. don Miguel is a nagual from the Eagle Knight lineage, and is dedicated to sharing his knowledge of the teachings of the ancient Toltecs. He is the author of The Four Agreements, The Mastery of Love, and The Four Agreements Companion Book. Website: www.MiguelRuiz.com\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Stunning Artwork Brings It To 4 Stars\n\nReview: \"As little children, before we learn to speak, we are completely authentic. Our actions are guided by instinct and emotions-that is, we listen to the silent `voice of integrity'. Once we learn to speak, the people around us hook our attention and program us with knowledge. The `voice of knowledge' comes alive inside our head, and it never stops talking, judging, gossiping, and abusing us. It constantly sabotages our happiness and keeps us from enjoying a reality of truth and love.\" -Don Miguel Ruiz\n\nThe Voice of Knowledge Cards is a 50 card deck that shows us how to recover the silent voice of integrity and find inner peace by challenging the lies that we've swallowed along life's journey. The glossy cards measure 4.7 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches, and features colorful, whimsical artwork by Lori Koefoed. One side of the card offers a statement, while the others side elaborates on the idea. Some examples include:\n\nThe mind is fertile ground for concepts, ideas, and opinions.\n\n\"If we believe a lie, that lie takes root in our mind and can grow big and strong, like a tree. One little lie can be very contagious, spreading its seeds from person to person when we share it with others.\"\n\nEmotional pain is a symptom of being abused.\n\n\"Every time we lie to ourselves, judge ourselves, or reject ourselves, our emotional reaction isn't pleasant. The pain is letting us know that we have to do something to stop the abuse.\"\n\nWe are born in truth, but we grow up believing in lies.\n\n\"One of the biggest lies in the story of humanity is the lie of our imperfection. When we believe this lie, we use the lie to judge ourselves, to punish ourselves, and to justify our mistakes.\"\n\nRespect is one of the greatest expressions of love.\n\n\"If other people try to write your story, it means they don't respect you. They consider that you're not a good artist who can write your own story, even though you were born to write your own story.\"\n\nThe artwork on the Voice of Knowledge Cards is truly gorgeous. Most of the messages are very wise and penetrating, although a few can prove confusing to some. One of the reasons I wasn't big on the book that these cards are based upon is because it seemed like a departure from Ruiz's other works-especially The Four Agreements. There's a lot of talk about lies and those who tell them, but what is truth? What is a lie? Ruiz talks a lot about personal stories, as does many Toltec, self-help, and New Age authors.\n\nWith some of the messages on the cards, I couldn't help but hear Byron Katie saying \"Is this true? Can you know for sure it's true?\" Katie asks us \"who would you be without your story?\", and gives us 4 questions called inquiry that can dismantle every painful thought that causes suffering and separation. (If you want to be free you MUST get her books Loving What Is and I Need Your Love - Is that True?) But Ruiz, while acknowledging our beautiful storytelling and perfection, still paints with the brushstrokes of duality. We're perfect as is, but not if we're lying to ourselves. We're amazing artists and storytellers, but we are swallowing lies.\n\nIf you're an ardent fan of Don Miguel Ruiz, as well as his book The Voice of Knowledge, you'll enjoy this deck. It's not necessary to have read the book to use these insightful cards; however, for those who don't accept things at face value, you may wonder what \"the point\" is for a few of the cards.\n\n(To see 6 images from this deck, visit the Reviews section of [...])","Product: Doreen Virtueis a best-selling author, a doctor of psychology, and a Christian who studies scripture. She has appeared on Oprah, CNN, the BBC, The View, and Good Morning America, and has been featured in newspapers and magazines worldwide. For information on Doreen’s work, please visit her at AngelTherapy.com or Facebook.com/DoreenVirtue444. To enroll in her video courses, please visit www.HayHouseU.com and www.EarthAngel.com\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Pretty Images...But Doesn't Work Well For Me\n\nReview: \"True Divine guidance is always repetitive and consistent. Once you have followed the angels' guidance, or learned the lesson, then the angels move on to another message.\" - From the booklet\n\nThe Messages from Your Angels Oracle Cards is a 44-card deck by Doreen Virtue dedicated to receiving guidance from angels. In addition to Archangels Raphael, Michael, Gabrielle, and Uriel, there are 40 other beings conveying messages of hope, joy, empowerment and guidance. One side of the card features colorful images created by various artists with an encouragement at the bottom. Most of these illustrations are quite lovely. The back of the cards feature a beautiful motif of angel wings crowned with a glistening pearl, suspended in space amidst the stars while hovering over the Earth.\n\nSome of the angelic beings and their messages include:\n\nAzure - \"Your desired outcome will occur in the very near future. Have patience and faith, and don't try to force it to happen.\"\n\nSerena - \"I am the Angel of Abundance. You will receive the money that you need, and God is in charge of how that will happen. Have faith.\"\n\nDesiree - \"No, conditions aren't favorable right now. Wait, or look into other options; and ask the angels to help, guide, and comfort you.\"\n\nIsaiah - \"It's a good time to give birth to new ideas and situations in your life. I am watching over you, guiding you, and protecting you during these changes.\"\n\nSonya - \"I bring you a message from your deceased loved one: `I am happy, at peace, and I love you very much. Please don't worry about me.'\"\n\nA 69-page booklet accompanies the Messages from Your Angels Oracle Cards and the author provides additional messages for each angel; the names of the angels are arranged alphabetically, which makes it easy to locate the appropriate card meaning. What is confusing, however, is that I've never heard of these other \"angel\" names! Chantall, Indriel, Omega, Zanna, Caressa, Mystique...who are these beings? Unfortunately, Dr. Virtue doesn't explain the names of these angels. Because the additional messages are in quotes-as are the encouragements on the card fronts-I assume she's \"channeling\" angelic beings. There is no information on this subject, either, which could prove confusing to those familiar with only well-known angelic figures from various religions and spiritual traditions (Metatron, Tzadkiel, Sandalphon, etc.)\n\nDr. Virtue includes eight different angel-reading spreads for this oracle, which is more than any other booklet that accompanies her decks. While the spreads themselves are quite good, the advice on phrasing questions is NOT. For example, for each spread, the author provides a yes/no question such as \"Is ____ my soulmate?\", \"When will I meet my soulmate?\", \"Will I make money soon?\", \"Will I heal from this health condition?\" and so on. As a professional Tarot reader, I can tell you that most of us discourage yes/no questions and encouraging re-phrasing that is open ended. Why, you may ask?\n\nWell, these kinds of questions are disempowering. Individuals who want quickie yes/no answers usually don't want to invent the time honing their intuition and growing up spiritually. Not only that, even a specific tool like Tarot (which is far more comprehensive than any Virtue deck) can only reflect the CURRENT energy of the querent. Should the querent (the one asking the question) change his/her mind, then the outcome changes. Empowering questions are ones that ask, \"What can I do to _____?\" and \"How can I best _____?\" These kind of questions encourage action and decision, rather than seeing fate as something that \"just happens\" outside of our control. Dr. Virtue should know better and does a great disservice by including such amateurish questions and phrasing.\n\nI've tried consulting the Messages from Your Angels Oracle several times, but each time I receive cards with an irrelevant or vague message that just don't resonate. I've had far more success with the Archangel Oracle Cards (although my personal favorite is the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards). Although the cards are attractive and the angelic channeled messages are encouraging, this deck doesn't work well for me.\n\n(To see 6 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])\n\nJanet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: Beautiful tarot deck.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: More Than Meets The Eye\n\nReview: \"Had I lived in the late 19th Century, I'd like to believe I would have been a Symbolist. I'll never actually know, but I think I would have felt at home among those artists and innovators.\" - Timothy Lantz\n\nIn my experience, I have found that I have one of three reactions when I get a new deck:\n\n1. I instantly love it\n2. I instantly dislike it\n3. I'm unsure how I feel about it, but I'm leaning towards #2\n\nHowever, I always give decks a chance-putting them through their paces, seeing how they read, allowing for the possibility that they may grow on me despite my misgivings.\n\nWhen I first saw online images from The Archeon Tarot by Timothy Lantz, I thought they were gothicly superb. When I got the deck in my hands, however, I had the #3 reaction. Would these ambiguous images \"speak\" to me? Was there anything to glean, intuitively, from these dark, Rorschachian depictions?\n\nAfter working with the Archeon Tarot, I quickly realized that this wasn't a deck to be read with the left-brain. That is, I needed to dispense with the \"OK, we got Wands here. That's masculine, indicates movement...\" I'm not saying an individual *couldn't* read these cards by rote memory and logic. I'm just saying that I realized that *I* wouldn't be able to.\n\nSo I did something unusual. I corralled my husband who is NOT a Tarot reader (but is highly intuitive), to experiment with me. (Oh the joys of being a Scorpionic couple!) I don't do many readings for myself, often going weeks or months without pulling any personal cards. If I do consult the Tarot, it's always for \"bigger\" situations-the existential aspects of life.\n\nI shuffled the deck and then invited my husband to ask a question, select the cards, and interpret them. His interpretation of the cards was unexpected and highly accurate. For example, The Devil-normally a card of warning or one indicating obsession-was interpreted quite differently by my husband. He saw the \"wings\" of The Devil as a \"schematic\"-a blueprint beckoning for realization and manifestation based upon his actions so that he could \"fly\". It was also card indicating that he would continue to transcend former religious taboos by his choice of reading material and personal worldview.\n\nWhen it was my turn, I had some misgivings. I wanted to ask a question about my 7-year-old son, but I actually thought, \"Do I want to waste such an important question on a deck I'm unsure about?\" I decided to go ahead with it.\n\nI interpreted the cards mentally and invited my husband to interpret them. His interpretation not only expanded upon what I picked up intuitively, but also delivered accurate, comforting wisdom. Amazingly, my son confirmed the reading within a few hours--based on something he said!\n\nI was so impressed with the readings-and confident of the accuracy of the Archeon Tarot-that I asked about a health question that's been troubling me.\n\nNow let me back up and say that Mr. Lantz has taking some liberties with the elemental aspects of the Minor Arcana. In traditional Tarot, Pentacles and Cups are feminine, while Wands and Swords are masculine. In the Archeon Tarot, Pentacles are masculine and Wands are feminine. Apparently \"tradition\" was more ingrained than I had suspected, because initially my thoughts screamed \"What?! How can you deem Wands *feminine*?!\"\n\nInterestingly, my health question referred to a \"female\" issue and lo and behold, I drew all Wands. The color saturating these cards and the images-they all told a story...a feminine story and that was clear, appropriate, and scarily accurate.\n\nOther than the masculine/feminine switch with the Minor suits, The Archeon Tarot employs traditional renderings. The Pages--often the \"messengers\" of the Tarot--appropriately becomes The Heralds. In addition, the intriguing card backings are fully reversible.\n\nThe Archeon Tarot comes with a 47-paged L(ittle) W(hite) B(ook), but Mr. Lantz often applies fresh interpretations to the cards (both upright and reversed). For example, the Ace of Swords shows a crystalline skull impaled with a sword. One of the keywords for this card is \"clairvoyance\", a concept I hadn't associated with this Ace previously. Yet, this idea made perfect sense to me!\n\nIn my estimation, The Archeon Tarot is a very intuitive deck. If you \"read\" best with detailed depictions, bright/cheery images, logic or regurgitated meanings, you may find this deck troublesome. However, if you're able to relax, reading from the heart and the right brain, you'll likely glean a whole host of richly layered, relevant information. (Personally, I think Water signs would \"get\" this deck most easily.)\n\n(To see 9 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])\n\nJanet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot","Product: Caroline Myss was born on December 2, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. She received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana in 1974. During her career as a journalist, she interviewed Elisabeth Kbler-Ross, the author of the book, On Death and Dying, which inspired her to pursue a master's degree in theology from Mundelein College, which she completed in 1979. She also studied intuition and energy medicine at Greenwich University. In 1982, she started giving medical intuitive readings and has been in the field of energy medicine and human consciousness for 20 years. She specializes in assisting people in understanding the emotional, psychological, and physical reasons why their bodies have developed an illness. She has written numerous books including Anatomy of the Spirit; Why People Don't Heal and How They Can; Sacred Contracts; Entering the Castle; and Defy Gravity: Healing Beyond the Bounds of Reason.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Archetypes According to Myss\n\nReview: In her book Sacred Contracts, medical intuitive Caroline Myss introduced readers to her unique system of archetypes. She maintains that we all incarnate with 12 main archetypes to aid us in fulfilling our unique sacred contract. Four of these archetypes--Child, Saboteur, Victim, and Prostitute--are common to everyone. The other 8, however, are individualistic--helping us learn particular lessons here at Earth School.\n\nThe Language of Archetypes is an 11 CD series that delves into dozens of archetypes and how they manifest in our lives. Myss categorizes the archetypes in 9 \"families\":\n\n* Survival Family - Child, Prostitute, Victim, and Saboteur\n* Feminine Family - Mother, Goddesses, Princess/Damsel, and Virgin\n* Masculine Family - King, Father, Knight/Warrior, Lover and Fool\n* Divine Family - Nun/Monk, Celibate, Shaman, Priest/Priestess, Disciple, Guru, Martyr, Samaritan, and Missionary\n* Wisdom Family - Mystic, Teacher/Student, Sage/Oracle/Crone, Hermit, Seeker/Wanderer, Alchemist, Storyteller, Judge/Critic\n* Healer Family - Healer, Rescuer, Servant, Caretaker, and Companion\n* Creative Family - Artist, Scribe, Pioneer/Explorer, Statesman/Stateswoman, Strategist, Networker/Gossip, Entrepeneur, Philanthropist, Olympian/Athlete, Visionary/Prophet\n* Action Family - Hero, Bully, Coward, Mercenary, Gambler, Rebel, Detective, Midas/Miser, Slave/Liberator, Housewife/Working Mother\n* Wild Card Family - Addict, Holy Fool, Trickster, Seductress/Provocateur, Spellcaster, Magician, Hedonist, Vampire, Shape-Shifter, Femme Fatale, Thief, Pirate, Clown\n\nMyss addresses the question if archetypes mature, and teaches about falling into an archetypal crisis, having courage to embrace an emerging archetype, balancing maasculine and feminine energies at the collective level, practicing congruences and more. She also discusses the archetypes that you want to be versus the archetypes you are, as well as the archetype of Armageddon.\n\nThere's a lot of information in The Language of Archetypes series, and individuals who enjoyed the gallery at the end of Sacred Contracts--and wanted more--will likely enjoy this extensive live workshop given in front of a studio audience.\n\nI'm on Disc 8, and frankly, I haven't gotten a whole lot of \"aha!\" moments for the time I've spend on the series so far. Prehaps this is because I've read Sacred Contracts a dozen times, have the Archetype deck and the Sacred Contracts \"game\", used to hang out at the Myss Forums (discussing archetypes ad infinitum for over 5 years), and had listened to other another audio series by Myss that teaches on archetypes (Finding Your Sacred Contract). Myss offers some great insights on the Queen, though.\n\nIf you're rather new to the Myss theory of sacred contracts and archetypes, you may want to start with the book Sacred Contracts first. Otherwise, if you're fascinated by archetypes, this 11 disc series should provide some satisfying information. If, however, you've been immersed in the Myss system for some time, you may be *just* a bit disappointed. I have had the series for months, and haven't had the desire to continue on to the next disc.\n\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: Michele Bernhardt is a respected healer, astrologer, and metaphysician who has worked extensively with the healing aspects of color and sound. She has contributed to many national publications, including Travel + Leisure , Fitness , Seventeen , and The Mia\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Intriguing Premise--But Doesn't Deliver the Metaphysical Goods\n\nReview: \"There is a world of possibility contained in each day of birth. You were born during a particular season, under a particular sun sign. You have a ruling planet and belong to a particular element-fire, earth, air or water. Each day carries a numerological vibration that has a very specific value and meaning. All these factors shape your personality and life experiences-and when combined, create your personal birth color.\" - From the Book\n\nThe idea behind Colorstrology is an intriguing one: assigning a birth color to every day of the year using astrology and numerology. By aligning with these energies, an individual can reach his or her highest potential.\n\nColorstrology by Michele Bernhardt is a thick, square book that is smaller than the picture suggests. The pages are filled with a dizzying array of beautiful colors. The back of the book features perforated color swatches for each day so you can take your personal daily or monthly colors with you when traveling or shopping.\n\nBut how are the personality profiles? Very sketchy, unfortunately. Here are but a few samples from the book:\n\nNov. 18th: Amaranth\n\nMajestic\n\nInsightful\n\nDetermined\n\n\"Dramatic and perceptive, you are interesting to watch and be around. You strive for greatness, and you have a lot of talent. Partnerships are important to you. Try not to judge yourself or others harshly. Creative development takes time. It is the journey towards your greatness that should be reveled in and enjoyed.\"\n\nSept. 29: Dream Blue\n\nIntelligent\n\nResourceful\n\nColorful\n\n\"You have a creative mind and an adventurous spirit. It may be a challenge for you to keep your equilibrium due to your sensitive nature. Partnerships are very important to you, and you should surround yourself with people who are kind and loving. It is essential for you to be creative and express your childlike spirit. Don't allow the responsibilities of life to weigh on your spirit.\"\n\nJan. 8: Canyon Rose\n\nSexy\n\nMusical\n\nGrand\n\n\"Provocative and daring, you are larger than life. Born to perform and to change the status quo, you need an outlet for your creativity and gregarious personality. Your sensuality and appeal is a 10 on the Richter scale. The need to find a balance between your home life and your professional life requires both work and trust.\"\n\nMy profile (November 6) was very general, but accurate. So was my son's (September 26). My husband's wasn't that accurate (October 27). In fact, the profile of his mother was the exact *opposite* from how she really is!\n\nSo I thought I'd test the book by canvassing over 20 people, asking if the Colorstrology profile for their birth date fit them. Some felt the description was uncannily accurate and some felt that it was mostly inaccurate. The vast majority felt that the descriptions were 50/50.\n\nInterestingly, I turned to the colors that I wear most often (May 12 and September 19), and they were very accurate.\n\nWhile Colorstrology is an attractive and well-made book (not to mention handy if you want to redecorate your house or paint a room!), it just doesn't pass muster as a metaphysical resource. For example, although the Colorstrology system is touted to be a mesh of astrology and numerology, there is NO information about how these systems were employed to arrive at a particular color. No basic information on astrology, the elements, or numerology-but we're supposed to take a new system at face value without an explanation of how it works?\n\nI don't think so.\n\nWith the glut of New Age and personality books on the market-and many of us \"Now Agers\" on the web-there is more metaphysical information at our fingertips than ever before. We're savvy-and smart-individuals. We want to know how an author arrived at his/her conclusions. More importantly, most of us want solid information that is USABLE and accurate. Unfortunately, Colorstrology fails on all of these levels.\n\nHowever, if you're the type that reads your horoscope every day but have little interest in the nuts and bolts of metaphysical topics, you may enjoy this book. It's an interesting premise, and may be a good icebreaker for parties as individuals get to know one another. It would likely be a fun book to take to family gatherings as everyone looks up their birth date and color. Then, the rest of the family can discuss how right-or how wrong-the Colorstrology profile is.\n\nIf you want to know more about the connection between color and numerology, try Colors and Numbers by Louise Hay. If you want to know more about your personality (and those of others), try books like Please Understand Me II, 3 Sides of You, What Color is Your Aura?, or Discover Your Personality Type (Enneagram).\n\nWhile Colorstrology is a handsome novelty book, you won't get a lot out of it in terms of learning more about yourself or others in my opinion.","Product: An Internationally Known Author, Astrologer, Psychic, Healer, Broadcaster, And Workshop Leader, Judy Hall Has Been A Karmic Counselor And Astrology Tutor For Thirty Years. Her Books Are Translated Into Many Languages. She Is A Tutor With The London School Of Astrology And Formerly With The Colleges Of Psychic Studies. Her Specialties Are Past Life Readings, Reincarnation, Astrology, Psychology, Divination And Crystal Lore. Judy's Previous Titles For Godsfield Press Include: The Crystal Bible (2003), Past Life Astrology (2002), And The Illustrated Guide To Astrology (1999).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Crystal Healing According To Your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant\n\nReview: \"You may already know your birthstone, but you may be surprised to learn that there are several other stones associated with your birthchart.\" --from the book\n\nYour natal astrological chart is based on the date, time, and place of your birth. Most people are familiar with their Sun sign, which is one of 12 Zodiac symbols. The placement of the Sun in your chart indicates the pathway your soul is following, and each sign is associated with one or more crystals. Using the gemstones associated with your Sun sign can help attract beneficial energies, balance out less desirable tendencies, overcome your karmic inheritance and connect you to the path of your soul.\n\nEach Sun sign is also associated with specific body parts, indicating areas where health challenges may occur. Birthstones can help with these ailments, as well.\n\nWhile the Sun sign is important, there are two other components of your natal chart that paint the unique portrait that is you: the Moon sign and Ascendant (also know as the Rising Sign). The Moon sign shows how you process and express emotion. Your instinctual nature, unconscious patterns and expectations are also governed by your Moon Sign.\n\nThe Ascendant, or Rising Sign, is the \"mask\" you show to the world. It's the part of your personality that is readily seen to most-a \"first impression\" if you will. Interestingly, this face you present to the world may be far different than the inner workings of your Sun sign!\n\nThe Crystal Zodiac by Judy Hall is an incredibly practical book that explains which gemstones and crystals correlate with each Sun, Moon, and Ascendant placement...and why. So if your Sun is in Scorpio, your Moon is in Aquarius and your Ascendant is in Aries, you'll get a comprehensive overview of the crystals that will aid you on your own unique journey.\n\nFor each of the 12 Sun Signs, Hall provides an in-depth look at the corresponding birthstone, abundance stone, ritual crystal, and companion crystals. She then takes you on a journey exploring each Sun sign and how specific crystals help you reach your highest potential, deal with challenges, handle emotions, balance your thinking, link you to your soul's pathway, and heal physical ailments. Hall even provides a special birthday ritual for each Sun sign.\n\nThe Crystal Masks section explains the Ascendant and what it reflects in a natal chart. Hall asserts that the Ascendant crystal for each sign is a powerful tool for self-development, bestowing confidence and helping you \"own\" the qualities of your Ascendant. For the 12 Ascendant placements, Hall explains how each one \"meets\" the world, the nature of its \"mask\", and crystal \"confidence tricks\". She also provides the \"fairy godmother\" blessings innate in each Ascendant Sign, as well as a wonderful meditation.\n\nFor the Moon Sign, Hall outlines the Moon crystal, intuition crystal, and lunar crystals for each of the 12 placements. She explains the significance of your Moon crystal, and the positive qualities of each Moon sign. Because the Moon is associated with emotions, ingrained behavior patterns, and intuition, you'll find out what crystals help with exploring hidden needs, overcoming emotional blocks, developing intuition, and nurturing yourself. Two intriguing aspects to the Moon Sign section is the past life association and a specific ritual. For example, the ritual for the Aries Moon involves a Co-Operation Ritual, Scorpio Moon a Forgiveness Ritual and Cancer Moon a Tie-Cutting Ritual.\n\nBecause we each possess a bit of all 12 Signs, Hall provides a full-color Crystal Zodiac Mandala for meditation and contemplation.\n\nThe Crystal Zodiac consists of 144 glossy pages featuring dozens of full-color pictures of gemstones and crystals. Although gemstones may often be prettier and pricier, Hall provides the less-expensive correlations for each-assuring the reader that they exhibit the exact same qualities as their counterparts.\n\nHall writes in an enjoyably lucid style, so this potentially complex subject has been rendered quite graspable for individuals new to crystal healing and astrology. Those familiar with Sun, Moon, and Ascendant signs will be sure to gain additional insights into personality patterns and past life ripples. Crystal healers will love the added dimension that the Zodiac brings to balancing mind, healing the emotions, grounding the body, and expanding the spirit.","Product: MADONNA GAUDING IS A DESIGNER, EDITOR, AND WRITER. A STUDENT OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM FOR TWELVE YEARS, SHE HAS ALSO STUDIED AND PRACTICED THE MARTIAL ARTS OF SRIDO KARATE AND KAJUKENBO AND HAS STUDIED CHINESE AND JAPANESE MEDICINE, INCLUDING OHASHIATSU. MADONNA HAS DESIGNED BOOK COVERS AND DESIGNED AND TYPESET INTERIORS FOR A NUMBER OF SPIRITUAL PUBLISHERS, INCLUDING QUEST BOOKS, INNER OCEAN, AND SHEED & WARD. SHE IS AUTHOR OF THE MEDITATION BIBLE, 365 WAYS TO LEAD A SIMPLE AND SPIRITUAL LIFE, AND SIX KEYS TO BUDDHIST LIVING.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 100 Mandalas From Five Spiritual Traditions\n\nReview: \"Mandalas symbolize the presence of the sacred in the realm of the mundane. Mathematicians tell us that the point at the centre of a circle is dimensionless. This `essence' is contained within a limited space bounded by a circumference. Thus, by its very nature, the mandala is a symbol of the boundless and the eternal at the heart of circumscribed everyday reality.\" - From the book\n\nFrom the Pantheon in Rome to Chartres Cathedral in France, from the exquisite images painted by the 11th century Benedictine abbess Hildegard of Bingen to Hindu yantras, sacred circles appear in architecture, art, and even nature itself. Mandalas, a word derived from the Sanskrit word meaning \"circle\" or \"sacred center\", are universal patterns that serve as symbols of wholeness, well being, time, community, nature, and the spiritual journey.\n\nAccording to author Madonna Gauding, by contemplating the mandala, we discover the divinity at our own center. In her book World Mandalas: 100 New Designs for Colouring and Meditation, Gauding explains the role of mandalas in five traditions: Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Celtic, and Native American. The first part of the book, illustrated with vibrant, full-color images, introduces readers to the various expressions of mandalas, including how they serve as powerful spiritual and psychological symbols. Gauding also describes the many meanings of color as viewed by Chinese medicine, traditional associations, and the Hindu chakra system.\n\nWhy color mandalas? Besides being an enjoyable pastime, the author expresses that coloring intricate designs demand mental focus akin to the concentration you can develop through meditation. This focus can allow unconscious thoughts and feelings to emerge, as well as flashes of inspiration and solutions to problems. The author provides ten ways to use coloring mandalas:\n\n1. Relax and center for stress relief\n\n2. Establish your true self\n\n3. Feel integrated and whole\n\n4. Face up to problems\n\n5. Problem solve\n\n6. Generate creativity\n\n7. Learn from color choices\n\n8. Share your best self\n\n9. Find your spiritual path\n\n10. Heal yourself\n\nFor example, if you feel overwhelmed by the many roles you play, you could color a mandala to feel integrated and whole. Gauding suggests choosing a mandala with a complex design, then write down a list of the many roles you play in life. Then list both positive and negative qualities associated with those roles. Begin coloring the mandala, using as many shades and techniques as you can. After completing the design, take a moment to reflect on these roles and qualities. Do you feel more accepting and loving of who you are? she asks.\n\nWorld Mandalas provides 100 blank mandalas from five spiritual traditions for coloring and meditation. They are large and easily reproducible using a scanner or photocopier. The mandalas are one-sided, so you don't have to worry about color bleeding through if you use markers or paints. (Although I'd recommend putting paper between pages, just in case.)\n\nI have carpal tunnel syndrome in my writing hand, so coloring mandalas can be quite painful. However, I enjoyed coloring one of the Hindu mandalas with watercolor pencils, which depicted \"the five ingredients for Tantric practices\". I found all of the mandalas to be quite beautiful; I could feel a sense of peace just looking at them in an uncolored state! I wish I didn't have CTS so I could color mandalas as I used to; I find the process very calming and centering. It is, indeed, akin to meditation. I own several mandala coloring books, and I believe World Mandalas by Madonna Gauding has the most contemplative, attractive mandalas of them all. Highly recommended!","Product: Ambika Wauters is a registered classical homeopath, trained bioenergetic psychotherapist, workshop facilitator and trainer, and author of ten books on healing and spirituality. Her work bridges the gap between spirit and psychology. Her bestselling oracle, The Angel Oracle, has sold more than 350,000 copies worldwide. Her other books include The Chakra Oracle, Lifechanges with the Energy of the Chakras, Chakras and Their Archetypes, and Homeopathic Color Remedies.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Connect With the Divine Via the Angels\n\nReview: \"We are asking the entire heavenly hierarchy to assist us in finding solutions to our problems and giving us insight into our lives and the emotional and spiritual processes we may be undergoing. They angels are there to help us reconnect with the Source. They are at our disposal and may be called upon at any time.\" - From the companion booklet\n\nAccording to author Ambika Wauters, there are three hierarchies of Heaven. The Heaven of Form relates to our everyday material life and contains the protection and love of Archangels, personal Guardian Angels, and Angel Princes who govern over specific geographic locations. The Heaven of Creation relates to relationships and contains the tender, merciful energies of the Powers, Virtues and Dominions. The Heaven of Paradise shows us how we can participate in co-creation with Source, and holds the glorious and powerful energies of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones-the angels of love, wisdom, and glory.\n\nThe Angel Oracle is a 36-card deck reflecting these three Heavens, especially in terms of the gifts they provide to humanity and their angelic function. The cards reflect the three \"suits\" by differing borders. The 32-page companion book explains how to prepare the cards and how to ask questions of the oracle. Ms. Wauters provides three spreads (single card, Yin/Yang, and Past/Present/Future), as well as sample reading addressing a question of employment.\n\nA few of the cards in the Angel Oracle Deck include:\n\n* Archangel Metatron\n\n* Archangel Uriel\n\n* Guardian Angel of Children\n\n* Guardian Angel of Health\n\n* Guardian Angel of Creativity\n\n* Guardian Angel of Spiritual Growth\n\n* The Angel Prince of the North\n\n* The Angel of Serenity\n\n* The Angel of Discernment\n\n* The Angel of Being\n\nThe card images are heavy on orange and brown coloring, and I found them a bit unattractive at first. However, after working with the Angel Oracle Deck for a bit, the cards exuded a classical, sacred feel in line with the spirit of the oracle. These cards are wonderful for connecting with Source energy and Divine love. From my experience, it's an accurate, comforting, and healing oracle-and a great deck for anyone with an affinity for angels.\n\n(To see 9 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])","Product: Juliet Sharman-Burke is a practicing analytic psychotherapist and noted authority on the tarot and astrology, having taught both subjects for more than 20 years. She is the author of Beginner's Guide to Tarot and Understanding the Tarot and co-author with Liz Greene of The Mythic Tarot.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Creative Way to Increase Your Knowledge of Tarot\n\nReview: \"Colouring in the archetypal images will stimulate your imagination unconsciously. As the divinatory meanings start to unfold automatically, the images will soon start to feel like old friends.\" -Juliet Sharman-Burke\n\nThe Tarot Workbook was created for tarot readers eager to increase their knowledge of the cards and improve their ability to read them. This fun book features 78 blank card images for you to color in any way you desire: crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc. While the blank images are based on the Sharman-Caselli deck, the Tarot Workbook can be used with any set of Tarot cards.\n\nBy engaging the archetypal symbols and themes directly-through coloring the images and choosing a personalized color scheme-we approach the cards in a less intellectual, more intuitive way. According to Sharman-Burke, this is exactly the approach needed to unlock the secrets of Tarot.\n\nThe author takes a few pages to describe the Minor Arcana, the four elements, the symbolism of numbers 1 (Ace) through 10, Court Cards and the Major Arcana. Although she doesn't spend much time on theory, what she *does* share is packed with solid, helpful insights.\n\nThe Tarot Workbook features a coloring exercise and a personal association exercise designed so readers can form a more intuitive, personalized rapport with the Tarot. For example, with the Ace of Pentacles, Sharman-Burke asks us to think about the earth and all aspects of the earthy element-and to consider the different types of flowers and what they may represent (e.g. roses for passion, lilies for purity). She then encourages us to reflect on our own experience with matters of finance-what money means to us, how we use it, and how we would apply this to the Ace of Pentacles as a symbol of new beginnings.\n\nOn the left side of the book is a brief overview of the card meaning and several comments by students of Sharman-Burke. It's interesting to read how individuals of varying age and life experience interpret the cards. On the right side of the page is the blank image to color with about nine lines to record your impressions. The author divides this area into three parts:\n\n1. What this means in my life\n\n2. Readings in which it was significant\n\n3. Reading record sheet\n\nI didn't find the last two helpful, so I just whited out the text so I could have a blank paragraph to write what I wanted to. To the left and right of the card are white spaces dedicated to Name, Place, Date, and Time. Sharman-Burke doesn't explain what these are for, however. I got out the liquid paper, again, and just made them blank rectangles in which to write associations and key words.\n\nThe front and back covers of the book feature glossy flaps depicting the entire Sharman-Caselli deck in full color. However, readers are encouraged to formulate their own color schemes and \"bank\" of card associations.\n\nThe Tarot Workbook by Juliet Sharman-Burke provides an engaging, hands-on study which is *perfect* for kinesthetic (physical) learners or those wishing to approach learning the Tarot in a more intuitive, creative manner. By familiarizing yourself with card images in this way, a stream of information bypasses the critical, rational mind and bubbles into consciousness. Whether coming from the archetypal collective of the unconscious or personal experience, these associations become more solidified in the psyche of the reader.\n\nI'm really enjoying coloring the card images and writing commentaries on each card based on events from my life and from other symbolic, mystical disciplines. It's interesting to see how new meanings rise to the surface by the act of choosing particular colors and taking them time to color each card image.","Product: Philip and Stephanie Carr-Comm are Chief and Scribe of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, one of the largest international Druid groups.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Deck and Book Set\n\nReview: \"Somehow animals act as ideal symbols or images of our deepest fears and urges, or of those parts of our psyche which have been denied or repressed or simply neglected. By welcoming and loving the animals which enter our awareness through the Oracle, in dreams and meditations and reverie, we enrich our inner world and discover a way of personal growth that is completely in tune with the natural world.\" --the authors\n\nThe Druid Animal Oracle, created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Bill Worthington, draws its wisdom from the ancient wellspring of Celtic tradition. The Druids, much like the Native Americans, revered animals as sacred guides and guardians. Featuring animals from both the Otherworld and this one, The Druid Animal Oracle provides healing power and intuitive knowledge from 33 sacred animals. This oracle does not encourage fatalism and prediction; rather, the powerful messages correct imbalances, provide advice on inner dynamics, and empower the querent to make--and create--more positive outcomes.\n\nIn addition to 33 colorful cards, The Druid Animal Oracle comes with 3 blank cards for personal creation, a 176-page illustrated hard cover book, and a gorgeous reading cloth measuring approximately 20\" X 23\". The navy blue cloth can be used for spreads, and features exquisite silver embossing which includes likenesses of the four elemental dragons in the Oracle.\n\nThe Guidebook that accompanies this deck provides both upright and reversed interpretations for each of the sacred animal cards, as well as the traditional lore of each--including the Gaelic name and pronunciation of the particular animal. Seven unique spreads are given in The Druid Animal Oracle, ranging from 1-9 cards.\n\nWhen I test out Oracle or Tarot decks, I like to do so when there is really a difficult situation at hand. It's pretty easy to get a \"fluff\" reading when all is well, but if an Oracle can provide insight and healing during critical times, then it passes muster in my book.\n\nI happened to test The Druid Animal Oracle during one of the most difficult times of my life. A month or so ago, I had excruciating back pain that prohibited me from walking or sitting. It got so bad, my husband had to call an ambulance for me. Three shots of Demerol, a muscle relaxant, and other anti-inflammatories provided me no relief. My husband had to take a week off work to take care of me, and it took several weeks before I was pain-free. At its worst moments, the pain was worse than childbirth.\n\nBecause the back of the box said that this Oracle could \"bring healing and help you draw strength from its intuitive knowledge\", I thought I'd see what wisdom it could offer me during this trying time.\n\nI did the Spread of the Elements, which is a 5 card Spread featured in the book. This particular spread addresses the West/Emotional, East/Intellectual, North/Intuitive, and South/Sensual parts of the Self. I asked for Guidance about the source of the injury, as well as healing advice.\n\nI received some amazingly profound wisdom that was spot-on accurate. Rather than being a superficial reading, there was deep wisdom offered that addressed both root and remedy in various areas of my life. A part of this wisdom, I feel, lies with the great care and enthusiasm with which the authors convey the messages of these sacred animals.\n\nThis is not a deck to use \"for fun\", in my opinion. You'll be given corrective insight when inquiring The Druid Animal Oracle--and you may not like what it says. But it will be accurate, I believe, and it will be empowering should you choose to apply its wisdom.\n\n(To see 6 images from this deck, visit the Reviews section at [...])\n\nJanet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)","Product: Winner of the 2010 Edgar Award for Best Novel\n\nJohn Harts New York Times bestselling debut, The King of Lies, announced the arrival of a major talent. With Down River, he surpassed his earlier success, transcending the barrier between thriller and literature and winning the 2008 Edgar Award for best novel. Now, with The Last Child, he achieves his most significant work to date, an intricate, powerful story of loss, hope, and courage in the face of evil.\n\nThirteen year-old Johnny Merrimon had the perfect life: a warm home and loving parents; a twin sister, Alyssa, with whom he shared an irreplaceable bond. He knew nothing of loss, until the day Alyssa vanished from the side of a lonely street. Now, a year later, Johnny finds himself isolated and alone, failed by the people hed been taught since birth to trust. No one else believes that Alyssa is still alive, but Johnny is certain that she is---confident in a way that he can never fully explain.\n\nDetermined to find his sister, Johnny risks everything to explore the dark side of his hometown. It is a desperate, terrifying search, but Johnny is not as alone as he might think. Detective Clyde Hunt has never stopped looking for Alyssa either, and he has a soft spot for Johnny. He watches over the boy and tries to keep him safe, but when Johnny uncovers a dangerous lead and vows to follow it, Hunt has no choice but to intervene.\n\nThen a second child goes missing . . .\n\nUndeterred by Hunts threats or his mothers pleas, Johnny enlists the help of his last friend, and together they plunge into the wild, to a forgotten place with a history of violence that goes back more than a hundred years. There, they meet a giant of a man, an escaped convict on his own tragic quest. What they learn from him will shatter every notion Johnny had about the fate of his sister; it will lead them to another far place, to a truth that will test both boys to the limit.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The Impact of a Girl Gone Missing\n\nReview: \"Johnny learned early. If somebody asked him why he was so different, why he held himself so still and why his eyes seemed to swallow light, that's what he'd tell them. He learned early that there was no safe place, not the backyard or the playground, not the front porch or the quiet road that grazed the edge of town. No safe place, and no one to protect you. Childhood was illusion.\" - From the book\n\nThirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon looks young for his age, yet his countenance bears the strain of loss and fierce desperation.\n\nA year ago, Johnny's twin sister Alyssa disappeared. Wracked with guilt, his Dad left him and his Mom. Understandably, his Mom began to fall apart--and a heartless predator moved in...figuratively and literally.\n\nThe Last Child tells the story of Johnny, his Mom, haunted detective Clyde Hunt who promised to find Alyssa (but didn't), and an assortment of townsfolk, police, friends and strangers that have been irrevocably changed by Alyssa's disappearance.\n\nConvinced that the police won't get the job done--and driven by his Mom's spiral downward and his own gnawing need for closure--Johnny takes it upon himself to find answers. In the quest to find out what happened to his sister, he investigates seedy houses and trails depraved child molesters...all the while hoping that his Dad will one day crest the top of the hill and explain his desertion.\n\nThe Last Child started slow for me, so much so that I put it on the shelf for several weeks because I simply couldn't get into it. But reading some of the praise for John Hart's previous work, I decided to give this book another chance.\n\nOnce the story gets cooking, around a fourth into the book, the plot gets interesting. By the time The Last Child hits the halfway point, it becomes truly gripping.\n\nIt was an emotional read, especially as a parent. There are some dark situations in this book, so don't expect a warm, fuzzy mystery. Yet, it's not all grit and human depravity; there are definite shafts of light throughout, and the ending is satisfying and hopeful. In fact, when I read the last sentence, I had tears in my eyes.\n\nIn addition to being a solid mystery with a suspenseful plot and memorable, well-drawn characters, The Last Child addresses overreaching themes like guilt, life purpose, the drive for self-preservation, resilience, God, personal meaning, the cost of ambition, redemption and forgiveness.\n\nSome of the description, especially the surroundings, seemed padded and unnecessary and the book could have started much stronger (for example, a partial flashback to the night Alyssa disappeared or some other compelling situation). Still, The Last Child held my attention once I gave it a chance...but I think you may want to consider checking this out at the library instead of plunking down the $ for hardcover.\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book","Product: [ Lies BY Grant, Michael ( Author ) ] { Paperback } 2014\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Lord of the Flies Meets the X-Men\n\nReview: \"Where was Grandpa Luke? She only half remembered the seconds before the crash, and the crash itself was just a blur, fractured images of space twirling around her as her body was bludgeoned. It was confusing. Made no sense. Her grandfather had simply disappeared from the truck: one minute there, and the next not there. She had no memory of the truck door opening or closing, and why would the old man have jumped out? Crazy. Impossible.\" - From the book\n\nUnfortunately for the kids in Perdido Beach, the disappearance of everyone over the age of fifteen is not only possible, but an unfathomable new reality. Babies abandoned, stoves hot, vehicles wrecked, TVs blank and telephones lifeless. Classrooms teeming with bewildered youth as teachers poof before their eyes, those not pillaging snack machines or grocery stores attempt to come to terms with why the adults have gone--and what to do next.\n\nIn the arresting 558-page thriller titled Gone, author Michael Grant offers up a familiar plot to those who've read William Golding's <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Lord-of-the-Flies/dp/0140283331/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Lord of the Flies</a>, thrusting kids into a world where they must make life and death decisions--and where character flaws (and strengths) arise in the face of those challenges.\n\nAlthough some of the characters are standard--the reluctant hero, the smart girl, the computer geek, the surfer dude, the stupid bully and so on--Grant offers several compelling twists to make Gone more than just a social experiment testing the limits, choices and depravity of humans in confusing circumstances.\n\nReminiscent of the mutant school in the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/X-Men-Movies/dp/B000HEVZ9E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">X-Men Movies</a>, some of the kids have \"the power\"--teleportation, gravity suspension, and healing. Others have skills that are more dangerous; in fact, one toddler can fling a napalm-like substance as a firestarter.\n\nOne autistic kid may hold the key to it all: was it he who created the impenetrable wall surrounding the FAYZ? Was the Fallout Youth Zone instigated by a meltdown at a local nuclear power plant? What are causing the mutations in both humans and animals?\n\nAnd what happens when a kid reaches their fifteen birthday in a world without fifteen year olds...\n\nAn utterly absorbing read, Gone will keep you away from your responsibilities if you let it. If you're like me, it will also give you nightmares. Although this book is geared towards teens, it reads more like early Stephen King or Dean R. Koontz--especially with the gruesome violence (rivals <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Misery/dp/9875662690/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Misery</a>), cruelty and language (although the F bomb is never dropped). Author Grant never talks down to teens, which is refreshing, even peppering his tight prose with adult-level vocabulary. (How many kids would describe someone standing \"insouciantly\"?)\n\nWith well-drawn characters, solid plotting, economy of words and breathless action, Gone ends up being an exhilarating ride through good versus evil and the murky grays in between. I was a bit disappointed in the ending only because I craved an (admittedly) tidy bow where the bullies die and the world gets back to \"normal\". However, fans of the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Harry-Potter-series/dp/0439887453/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Harry Potter series</a> will be pleased to know that a new kid has arrived on the block of \"supernormal\" teen fiction--and a sequel looms on the horizon if the last pages are any indication.\n\nJanet Boyer, Freelance Reviewer and Author of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a>","Product: JOANNA COLE has been creating books about the Magic School Bus for more than twenty years. A recipient of many awards, most recently the National Endowment for the Arts Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, Ms. Cole is dedicated to making learning fun. She lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Learn About the Water Cycle, Purification and Conservation\n\nReview: \"Suddenly the whole bus rose into the air. We felt cool and heavy. We were turning into water!\" -- From the book\n\nIn case you're not familiar with Scholastic series of Magic School Bus books, they are books which are based on the animated TV series--which are, incindentally, based on the ORIGINAL books written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen. (Whew!)\n\nIn The Magic School Bus: Wet All Over, Ms. Frizzle, an unusual teacher, and her class go on an exciting and bizarre field trip (as usual!). This time, they turn into water droplets...which then turn into water vapor...which then condenses to clouds...and then they begin to \"rain\"!\n\n\"Go with the flow, class!\", Ms. Frizzle merrily advises.\n\nThen, the kids go over a waterfall (water always flows to the lowest spot, \"the Friz\" observes) and into the ocean. The sun warms them, they evaporate--and the cycle begins again. They eventually make it to a reservoir, which leads to a water purification plant. The kids learn about alum (it sponges up dirt) and how water becomes safe for drinking.\n\nThis particular book is less cheesy than most (in that it doesn't have lots of groan-inducing word-play), and it also features a great environmental message from Ms. Frizzle at the end. The last part of it says:\n\n\"Although there is lots of water in the world, it is not always where we want it when we want it. Only a tiny part of the Earth's water is drinkable. Our drinkable water is a precious resource. We need to borrow it only as we need it, and to return it to the water cycle in the best condition we can.\"\n\nI use the Magic School Bus books, videos and DVDs to supplement science class (I homeschool), and they never disappoint with their down-to-Earth approach to science concepts. This particular book is especially great for teaching water conservation in addition to the water cycle.","Product: Michael S. A. Graziano' professor of neuroscience at Princeton University' is the author of the novella Hiding Places (New England Review' 1997)' the novel The Love Song of Monkey (Leapfrog Press' 2008)' The Seclusion Zone (finalist in the Faulkner - Wisdom Novella Category' 2007)' and The Intelligent Movement Machine (Oxford University Press' 2008).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Heaven, Hell or Hilton? It's All in the Mind.\n\nReview: \"Rose would twist herself down between us in angular spasms until she was sitting on the floor, one hand cupped gently around my ankle, the other hand around Henry's ankle. In this way she held us together, as if she were a telegraph, as if she felt the need to physically hold us in order to transmit her thoughts to us. She would hum, her head resting against my thigh or his. That was her hobby and her obsession.\" -- From The Divine Farce\n\nAlthough I finished The Divine Farce weeks ago, I just couldn't bring myself to write a review. Why? Well, at the risk of sounding hyberbolic--it's not easy to review utter genius.\n\nI feel inept, really, attempting to review The Divine Farce. Both my husband and I felt that we're in the presence of a literary giant when we read both Love Song of Monkey and The Divine Farce...that Michael S.A. Graziano will be \"our little secret\" until his name graces the annals of literary criticism, college textbooks and lists of \"recommended reading\" for students.\n\nThe premise for The Divine Farce appears rather simple: two men and a woman are trapped in a cement cylinder with grates at the top and bottom. A sweet liquid showers them regularly, providing them with sustenance (and, according to Brian, skin conditioning). They are pressed up against one another, with only Rose able to crouch down in some semblance of a seated position.\n\nTheir world is pretty much between the ears: the imaginings of appearance, consideration of words spoken, interpreting physical touch.\n\nNot content to leave well enough alone, Brian begins to work at the cement wall, memorizing every smooth bump with his fingers, his tongue.\n\nBut then the hole.\n\nWhat is beyond their cylindrical prison? Or is that cylindrical heaven? Or cylindrical fantasy?\n\nAuthor Graziano wraps Brian's epic journey in poetic metaphor, delivered through the messy, instinctual urges of humanity. Some scenes will make you queasy, but all of them will make you think.\n\nIn fact--and here comes more seemingly hyperbolic observations (but I assure you I lie not)--I dare you to see the world the same way after reading The Divine Farce.\n\nI'll leave you with another passage from The Divine Farce:\n\n\"Our world was made of intricate, interlocking strands of music--anger and resentment, despair, loyalty, trust, humor, contempt, forgiveness, alliances switching and switching, Rose, Henry, Brian, primary colors, however harsh, however outrageous, as long as the parts fit together into the workings of a larger whole. A tessellation, a giant unity.\n\nLove.\"\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of lots of stuff\n\nP.S. Look for the interesting design features within the book that reflect the plot. :o)","Product: Michael S. A. Graziano' professor of neuroscience at Princeton University' is the author of the novella Hiding Places (New England Review' 1997)' the novel The Love Song of Monkey (Leapfrog Press' 2008)' The Seclusion Zone (finalist in the Faulkner - Wisdom Novella Category' 2007)' and The Intelligent Movement Machine (Oxford University Press' 2008).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Heaven, Hell or Hilton? It's All in the Mind.\n\nReview: \"Rose would twist herself down between us in angular spasms until she was sitting on the floor, one hand cupped gently around my ankle, the other hand around Henry's ankle. In this way she held us together, as if she were a telegraph, as if she felt the need to physically hold us in order to transmit her thoughts to us. She would hum, her head resting against my thigh or his. That was her hobby and her obsession.\" -- From The Divine Farce\n\nAlthough I finished The Divine Farce weeks ago, I just couldn't bring myself to write a review. Why? Well, at the risk of sounding hyberbolic--it's not easy to review utter genius.\n\nI feel inept, really, attempting to review The Divine Farce. Both my husband and I felt that we're in the presence of a literary giant when we read both Love Song of Monkey and The Divine Farce...that Michael S.A. Graziano will be \"our little secret\" until his name graces the annals of literary criticism, college textbooks and lists of \"recommended reading\" for students.\n\nThe premise for The Divine Farce appears rather simple: two men and a woman are trapped in a cement cylinder with grates at the top and bottom. A sweet liquid showers them regularly, providing them with sustenance (and, according to Brian, skin conditioning). They are pressed up against one another, with only Rose able to crouch down in some semblance of a seated position.\n\nTheir world is pretty much between the ears: the imaginings of appearance, consideration of words spoken, interpreting physical touch.\n\nNot content to leave well enough alone, Brian begins to work at the cement wall, memorizing every smooth bump with his fingers, his tongue.\n\nBut then the hole.\n\nWhat is beyond their cylindrical prison? Or is that cylindrical heaven? Or cylindrical fantasy?\n\nAuthor Graziano wraps Brian's epic journey in poetic metaphor, delivered through the messy, instinctual urges of humanity. Some scenes will make you queasy, but all of them will make you think.\n\nIn fact--and here comes more seemingly hyperbolic observations (but I assure you I lie not)--I dare you to see the world the same way after reading The Divine Farce.\n\nI'll leave you with another passage from The Divine Farce:\n\n\"Our world was made of intricate, interlocking strands of music--anger and resentment, despair, loyalty, trust, humor, contempt, forgiveness, alliances switching and switching, Rose, Henry, Brian, primary colors, however harsh, however outrageous, as long as the parts fit together into the workings of a larger whole. A tessellation, a giant unity.\n\nLove.\"\n\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot\n\nP.S. Look for the interesting design features within the book that reflect the plot. :o)","Product: Author, marketer, corporate anarchist, and founder of Marco Polo Explorers, Marco Marsan was named one of America's top Out-of-the-Box thinkers by the Mazda Corporation. Employing his out-of-the-box approach, Marco and his Explorers have helped create a long list of remarkably successful new products for some of the biggest and smartest marketing companies in the world. Not content to keep his success to himself, Marco has spoken to tens of thousands of people on the power of innovation and creativity at his Think Naked! speeches. He believes everyone can unleash the naked spirit of their childhood and enjoy a life full of optimism and success. This Think Naked! philosophy unfolds in his newest book, Think Naked! Childlike Brilliance in the Rough Adult World. Marco lives with his son, Shane, and cat, Boris, at the Piazza San Marco in the majestic Appalachian foothills of Mt. Lookout, Ohio.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Re-discover Your Child-like Brilliance\n\nReview: First off, I have to say that I agree with the other reviewer regarding editing: the Jodere group consistently publishes books with very bad editing, sometimes using several semi-colons in one sentence...ALL the time. Aggravating. 5 Stars for content, zero for editing.\nShoddy editorship aside, the information in this book is helpful and even fascinating. Author, marketer, corporate anarchist, and founder of Marco Polo Explorers, Marco Marsan was named one of America's top Out-of-the-Box thinkers by the Mazda Corporation. Think Naked came out earlier this year, and it's a delightful book about re-discovering child-like brilliance. Marsan has something interesting things to say on the inside flap of his book: \"Dr. Seuss once described adults as 'obsolete children'. Extensive studies show that there is a 98 percent chance you were a creative genius before age four. Business week magazine says that a 40-year old adult is about two percent as creative as a five-year-old child. Findings like these tell us that creative genius isn't something you find--it's something that you've merely, and perhaps, only temporarily lost.\" Some chapters in this book include You Were A Genius:Discovering the childlike brilliance you were born with, See Saw:Balancing the combination of kidlike genius with your adult wealth of experience, Wear Your Cape:How to create conditions that encourage risk-taking without fear, and Show And Tell:How to get in touch with your passions and your exuberance.\nThroughout the book, Marsan gives fascinating examples from scientific studies, pop-culture, trends, nature, and other sources to illustrate just how in the box many of us remain--especially when it comes to personal satisfaction and creativity.\nThis book is a lot of fun to read, and stimulates thinking outside of conventional, plodding thought patterns. Refreshing and bold, it's sure to be a welcome addition for the library of a manager or business professional, and for anyone wanting to infuse the zest of new perspectives into their lives."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Explores today's spiritual renaissance and the connection between health and spirituality. Offers psychological and spiritual support, health news, advice on prayer, spiritual practice and meditation. Discussing all aspects of personal growth including spiritual beliefs, music, media and the arts.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Relevant, Engrossing, and Inspirational\\n\\nReview: Spirituality and Health is a bi-monthly magazine that reports on the ideas, the people, and the practices of the current spiritual renaissance.\\n\\nFeaturing reviews of books, DVD's, and music, as well as lively columns and interviews, Spiritual and Health Magazine explores the mind/body connection, healing, spiritual practice, science, psychology, and more.\\n\\nHere is a sample of some of the articles featured in this magazine:\\n\\n*Socrates' Seven Spiritual Principles\\n*The Healing Power of Doing Good: The New Science of Volunteering\\n*The Standford Forgivness Project\\n*Qi Vs. Cancer\\n*Lessons From Mindful Corporations.\\n*Recovering From Infidelity\\n*Classic Hymns Cut Through Dementia\\n*Spiritual Literacy in Wartime\\n*How Plants May Explain the Intelligence of Ants\\n\\nMagazine departments include book and movie reviews, gorgeous art and photographic galleries, beliefs from all walks of life and faiths, commentary by Thomas Moore, and more. One of my favorite sections is What Goes On In There, Really? which examines different worship practices. They have profiled experiences like a Pentecostal Christian service, Dances of Universal Peace, Maundy Thursday in Baghdad, Friday Night Shabbat Service, Siddha Yoga Meditation Ashram, and Spotting Elves in Iceland.\\n\\nI've been a subscriber for several years now, and once I sit down to begin reading Spiritual and Health Magazine, it's hard to get up! You never feel like you're preached at; rather, this magazine offers gentle observations on contemporary culture, ancient wisdom, science, healing, personal growth, new discoveries, and spirituality--with breathtaking color photographs placed throughout. This magazine is truly a visual feast, as well as food for the soul.\",\n \"Product: Founded in 1976, Parabola is devoted to the exploration of the myths, symbols, rituals, and art of the world's religious and cultural traditions. Every issue explores one of the facets of human existence from the point of view of many world religions and spiritual traditions with essays and images.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Explore Myth and Meaning With Parabola Magazine\\n\\nReview: Parabola is a quarterly journal that's one of the pioneering publications on the subject of myth and tradition. Every issue explores one of the facets of human existence from the point of view of as many of the world's religious and spiritual traditions as possible, through the prism of story and symbol, myth, ritual, and sacred teachings.\\n\\nWhy are we here? and What's the meaning of life? are two of the oldest questions posed by humanity, and Parabola covers the spectrum of the mystical, psychological, anthropological while exploring these age-old questions.\\n\\nParabola covers a specific topic theme every issue. For example, one issue's theme was Chaos and Order and featured articles like:\\n\\n*A Celtic Mandala (which looks at an archetype of order)\\n*A Hymn by Thomas Moore (honoring the positive attributes of disorder)\\n*Monsters, Children of Chaos (about what lurks in the dark deep).\\n\\nPast journal themes that have been explored include:\\n\\n*Riddle and Mystery: Questions With Answers, Questions Without Answers\\n*Dying: Ending or the Beginning of Transformation?\\n*Play and Work: Struggle and Relaxion in the Search for Meaning\\n*The Knight and The Hermit: Heroes of Action and Reflection\\n*Prison: Inner and Outer Confinement.\\n\\nThe issue on Friendship features pieces such as:\\n\\n*A gathering of Sufi and Medieval Welsh poems with commentary from Coleman Barks\\n*Gehlek Rimpoche describing the qualities of the sangha\\n*Hazrat Inayat Khan speaks on the spirits of agitation and of brotherhood\\n*Kate Chadbourne follows a Welsh prince into the Underworld and finds an unexpected friendship\\n*A tribute to the late Lakota elder and activist Tony Black Feather\\n*Retellings of stories from the Hindu, Jewish, and Native American traditions\\n\\nIf you enjoy the likes of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes--as well as myth, symbols, meaning, and culture--you'll find Parabola Magazine a feast for mind and spirit.\",\n \"Product: Join Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby as they solve the mystery of amusement park robots gone mad in SCOOBY DOO! UNMASKED.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: All Around, The Best Scooby-Doo Game Thus Far\\n\\nReview: Scooby-Doo Unmasked is MUCH better than the last flop (Mystery Mayhem which I traded in not long after getting it) and a bit more fun the original, Night of 100 Frights. While Unmasked doesn't have the extensive game play that 100 Frights had nor the superior graphics, it more than makes up for in fun and inventiveness.\\n\\nThe premise of Scooby-Doo Unmasked: Scooby and the gang are looking forward to meeting Fred's cousin, Jed. But when they arrive at the Monstrous Fright & Magic special effects company, Jed is nowhere to be found. It that wasn't enough, the company's top-secret Mubber formula, an amazing invention that allows Monstrous Fright & Magic to create the most realistic monster costumes even conceived, has also disappeared--and Jed is the prime suspect! With Mubber-fied monsters popping up all over the place, it's up to Scooby-Doo and the super-sleuths of Mystery Inc. to stop the creepy costumed creatures, unmask the truth, and prove Jed's innocence.\\n\\nIn some ways, Unmasked is a cross between 100 Frights and Mystery Mayhem: it has some of the free-range game play of 100 Frights and Scooby is on his own. Yet, Scooby touches base with the gang after each level, sometimes interacting with the others and even rescuing them.\\n\\nUsing Mubber amassed from defeating Mubberized villians--as well as a Mubber machine--Scooby can change into 3 different costumes which will help him complete certain levels. These costumes are Kung Fu (helping him to peform martial arts moves and mega strikes), Bat (for riding air currents and gliding), and Robin Hood (for shooting plungers at the enemy and targets). Scooby needs to find the Costume Coins--and have enough Mubber--to be able to wear the costumes, though.\\n\\nAs in 100 Frights, Scooby chomps on Scooby Snacks which help lead him to where he needs to go next. After eating 100, he gets another medal. Scooby starts out with 4 medals (when he uses all 4, he loses his life) but if he finds food throughout the game, he can return to Shaggy's food cart. Shaggy will mix ingredients and each recipe increase Scooby's medals by 1. (I think I had 10-12 by the time I finished the game.)\\n\\nAlso, Scooby collects clues which help you unlock new levels and secret areas. After you return to the central \\\"hub\\\", you show Velma the clues.\\n\\nScooby Doo Unmasked features 3 large levels: Shuddery Showdown in Chinatown, Haunted Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Harum Scare'em Museum. Chinatown was my LEAST favorite level. I couldn't wait for it to be over. In many respects, it's probably the most difficult. It's also the most lackluster, in my opinion. The sewers are quite tricky to navigate and skipping along tree tops is also tricky because if you stay atop one too long, you'll fall through.\\n\\nThe Haunted theme park is probably my favorite. I especially loved the Water Park (the sliding is AMAZING). Riding on ghostly roller coasters was fun as was the circus. The big top really got my heart pumping because you have to navigate high up on trapeze as well as bounce on huge clown balloons. You also get to battle evil clowns, strong men, and more.\\n\\nThe museum was pretty fun, too. There's an underwater section, a prehistoric section (where you have to battle dinosaurs), and much more.\\n\\nUnmasked didn't seem to be as extensive as 100 Frights, but it WAS easier. Don't get me wrong, there's some really tricky parts in this game that took me hours to master! Supposedly, Unmasked uses an all-new game engine featuring \\\"contour shading\\\" that makes the game look just like the cartoon. I beg to differ. If they were shooting for simplified and lacking detail, then they achieved that...especially with the villians. I think the graphics of 100 Frights were much better and reminded me a lot more of the spirit of the cartoon if not the letter.\\n\\nOne thing that bugged me about Unmasked is that you have to go through an ENTIRE level before saving. So even if you've completed several areas, you will LOSE that gameplay unless you get to the very end where you can save your progress. I found this irritating and a bit frustrating.\\n\\nUnmasked moved along a bit faster than 100 Frights and is much more forgiving control wise. There are neat challenges like flying airplanes, skidding down water slides, gliding atop ballons, shooting at targets while moving, and more.\\n\\nAll around, I think Unmasked is the best Scooby game thus far. If the set-up were similar to 100 Frights and included the same quality of graphics, it would be 5-star superb. But it's a good game that will likely keep the attention of children over 6 as well as 30-something gamers like myself who love Scooby.\",\n \"Product: Curiosity is coming home! Beloved to readers for more than 60 years, Curious George is about to embark on his biggest adventure ever, as the star of a new animated feature film and his long-awaited videogame debut. The Man with the Yellow Hat sets out on a journey to Africa in hopes of finding an artifact exotic enough to save the museum where he works. George, a curious little monkey with an insatiable taste for adventure, follows the Man with the Yellow Hat back to the big city where his spunky and fun-loving nature endears him to new friends he meets along the way and lands him in a series of mis-adventures.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Fun, But A Quick Game\\n\\nReview: I bought Curious George for PS2 for my son on Saturday. We didn't start playing until yesterday, though, and we've already finished the game.\\n\\nDespite the movie being for small children (mostly), the game itself is challenging for experienced child gamers. My 7 year old son has years of experience with the Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and Sly Cooper series as well as simpler games such as Cat in the Hat, Dora the Explorer, Stuart Little, etc.\\n\\nHe needed my help on some elements of the Spyro games etc. and he also needed my help on this game. Between us both, though, we finished it rather quickly. Adult gamers won't find it most elements much of a challenge, but there *are* some challenging segments, to be sure.\\n\\nFor example, you have to use critical thinking. There was one section that I couldn't figure out and neither could my son. We finally had to call my husband in to figure it out! (You had to tip three pedestals in the museum three different times to lure Junior out of the office so he gets frustrated and goes home. The thing is, the instructions say \\\"jump on the pedestal\\\", but by doing so, Junior busts you every time. Finally, my husband figured out that George had to hide in the caveman display. ?!)\\n\\nThere are 12 levels to this game, including city streets, a box-filled warehouse, the park, the museum, Ted's apartment building, a ship at sea, the jungle and so on. George gets \\\"Curious Points\\\" by interacting with Curious Objects which sparkle. So if a bush is sparkly, George can go up to it and get some points for the Gift Shop (by pressing the Square button).\\n\\nAlso, George gets bananas which lead him to where he needs to go. This is especially helpful when you're stumped as to which direction to go next!\\n\\nThe mini-games are fun, too, but too challenging for most kids! Using the Square, Circle, Triangle, and X buttons, you have to use different combinations to complete a variety of challenges. For example, you have to entertain a sailor on the ship by doing a variety of dance moves determined by button combinations displayed on the screen. Another mini-game finds George in the park entertaining children. He needs to pop balloons to get tokens to take to the balloon vendor, and earns these by correctly popping balloons by accurately mimicing the button sequences.\\n\\nOther fun adventures include swinging on vines, shimmying on pipes, climbing fences, crouching and crawling through vents and under objects, jumping on ledges, floating through the city while carrying balloons (and collecting more while avoiding sharp objects!), exploring rooms and crevices, and more. Often, you have to find the red idol and it's not always easy to accomplish the objective...especially the section in the city warehouse.\\n\\nIt's a really sweet game with great graphics, fun (and sometimes challenging!) puzzles, and live movie clips. However, if you're buying this for a child, be prepared to help out your child should he/she get stuck! If you're an adult without much gaming experience, you may find yourself at the console longer than you expected... But for those adults that are PS2 gamers, too, it's a great game to play with the kids!\\n\\nThe free movie ticket was an added bonus, but since we already saw the movie, we'll probably not use it (unless I agree to see it with my son AGAIN!) It expires the end of April, so there's plenty of time left to see the movie in those theaters that are still showing it.\",\n \"Product: Ice Age 2: The Meltdown takes you back in time for a great adventure! The world is melting and your Ice Age pals need help escaping from the rising waters. Swim, splash, scamper and scurry through all the action and adventure from the new Ice Age 2 movie and unearth fun, laughter and surprises along the way!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Graphics and Great Game Play\\n\\nReview: My family and I LOVED the movie Ice Age 2, and so, of course, my 7 year old wanted the game for PS2!\\n\\nI was hesitant to pay the $ for it, but decided to get it for him. Boy, is it worth the money!\\n\\nBoth of us have played the game for HOURS today and yesterday, and it's truly a lot of fun. Playing as Scrat, you roam through different areas collecting acorns (think Spyro collecting gems or Curious George collecting bananas). Small brown acorns (1 point), medium green acorns (5 points) and chestnuts (20 points) go towards unlocking bonuses. In each area, there are walnuts that Scrat has to find in order to leave the area and go on to the next one. He can also get fruit from trees and bushes, which helps to replenish his energy. If you use the sniff function (L1), it will help you find hidden fruit.\\n\\nThroughout the game, there are sparkling signs. When you press the triangle button, a hint appears. (Early in the game, the hints are straightforward. As the game progresses, though, you have to think creatively. No worries if you're stuck. You can choose a Hint button that helps.)\\n\\nScrat can also interact with objects. For example, some acorns are buried in the ground (you can see the tops), and you have to use the triangle button to dig them out. If his energy meter starts to run down because of fighting with rodents and other animals, you can replenish it by interacting with flowers and collecting their petals. Some games (and enemies) need to be combated with pebbles, so when Scrat is close to a pebble pile, he can collect up to 25 at a time.\\n\\nThe mini-games are a blast, too...and not exactly easy! The first one, Sid's Slide on \\\"The Eviscerator\\\", has you going down several long slides with the goal of getting at leat 7,000 points at the end. To get these points, you slide on acorns and chestnuts, go through gates, and use the directional button for mid-air flip routines. However, watch out for falling ice! Every time you run into a piece of ice--or miss a directional challenge sequence--points are deducted!\\n\\nAnother fun mini-game is penguin bowling (the penguins are the pins!). You have to score 100 points before you move to the next part of the game. There's a monkey shooting gallery, a Whac-a-Mole-type game, and other fun (but challenging!) mini-games.\\n\\nScrat find himself climbing up walls (some are slippery!), swinging on vines, climbing trees, jumping ledges and through treetops, swimming underwater (he has a bubble meter showing how much air he has left!), etc. He even gets helps from other creatures, like when he must climb on the back of a swamp bird in order to get to higher ledges.\\n\\nThere are 5 levels at each place, including the ice/water park, the forest, the mud bog, the sloth village, and more (we're not through the game yet).\\n\\nAlthough my son is a pretty experienced platform gamer (Sly Cooper, Crash Bandicoot, the Spyro series, etc.), he still needs my help on some of the sections. For example, I had to do Sid's Slide about 4 or 5 times before I finally accumulated 7,000 points! This game is great for kids and adults alike, but since the hints have to be read (they're not spoken) this could prove problematic for beginner readers.\\n\\nAlso, if you're skittish about kids hitting animals or adolescent humor like fart games (no joke...one of the games has a Fructose Bear who has a Fart meter that helps propel Scrat to acorns on ledges LOL), then you may want to think twice about the game. But if your child is used to mild \\\"cartoon violence\\\" and humor like I've described, I think you'll be delighted and amused with this game.\",\n \"Product: In Cars, you'll get a chance to live out the thrills and fun of the new Disney/Pixar animated film! Play as all your favurite characters from the movie, as you help Lightning McQueen capture the coveted Piston Cup Championship.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: May Be Confusing For Younger Gamers\\n\\nReview: My 7 year old son and I LOVED the movie Cars. We have several Cars books, the soundrack--my son even has Cars light-up sneakers and wallet!\\n\\nIt was with great anticipation that we got the PS2 Cars game a few days ago.\\n\\nLet me start off by saying that this game is not very intuitive, and would definitely be problematic for younger children--even experienced racing or platform gamers. My son kept roaming the streets of Radiator Springs and I got to thinking \\\"Man, there's GOT to be more to the game than this!\\\"\\n\\nSo I went about trying to unlock various mini-games and races. (The guidebook wasn't much help.) I finally realized that not only did you need to \\\"collect\\\" (run into) lightning bolts for points, but you had to complete various races and mini-games to unlock more of the same. This isn't unusual, of course, but it's quite confusing. For example, a raceway may look familiar in the menu, but what you don't realize is that you need to race it *several times* to unlock other features.\\n\\nI also figured out that the circular map on the screen (that you can disable if you want) features green and white dots on it. Green dots indicates a spot you can drive to for racing/games that it's an event you've already done. White dots are new events/games that you've unlocked.\\n\\nAnother confusing aspect is that there is an Arcade Mode and Story Mode--as well as other options. Figuring out what does what can be confusing. For example, let's say you've earned enough points to unlock cool paint jobs for Lightning McQueen. Well, you wouldn't go to Ramones, believe it or not. You have to first go to Bonus Materials, buy your paint job/s, THEN go back to Ramones for him to apply it. (And the load times seems unusually long!)\\n\\nOther Bonus Material includes unlocking characters (Ramone, Flo, a souped up McQueen that's like a monster truck, Doc, the Sheriff, Sally, Mater, etc.), paint jobs, and movie clips.\\n\\nSome of the mini-games are very difficult without the circular map. We played a \\\"Find the Postcards\\\" game and only found SIX out of 20 on our own WITHOUT the map. Some mini-games appear to have various levels, too. For example, there's a Tractor Tipping Game where you can be either Mater or Lightning. You must stealthily creep up on sleeping tractors, toot the horn to \\\"tip\\\" them, and avoid Frank's lights. In subsequent levels of this same mini-game, there are other moving searchlights you must avoid (in addition to a roaming Frank), and actions you must perform in order to access trucks in a maze (such as pushing wheeled bridges to cross over gulches.) I believe there are 6 levels to that game, which I've completed.\\n\\nYou can choose various levels of expertise, and Rookie seems to work just fine for me and my son. I'm able to win races in this game, whereas I can't even steer straight in games like Need for Speed! However, my son and I keep placing last in Mater's Rustbucket Race-O-Rama (a dirt track arena complete with hills and rusty car parts!), so I don't know what's up with that.\\n\\nOther mini-games we've experienced so far (we're at the beginning of Chapter 2 in Story Mode) include Luigi finding tires (we're on Level 3) and racing with Doc while learning how to Power Slide. (This comes in handy for racing, because you earn extra points for tricks, including this Power Slide.)\\n\\nOne of the arena races features a very cool mini-game in the form of a Pit Stop: after exiting the raceway, there are four button games controlling Guido's tire changing. For example, there may be 5 symbols on a tire and you have to press them in order. Or, you may have to quickly toggle between square and circle for him to squeegy the windows in time.\\n\\nWe've already noticed several glitches on this game, including lagging/freezing, bright lights \\\"spiking\\\" from cars, and one level not even opening (black screen). I have a feeling that this game was rushed to coincide with the movie's release. We'll be taking it back to the store tomorrow, telling them it's defective. HOPEFULLY, it's only one game and the next one is fine, but I have a feeling it's a designer flaw...\\n\\nIf you like racing games, there's a lot here for you. You can free roam in an extensive landscape (off-roading, too), race various speedways and town races, and play amusing mini-games. It may be frustrating for younger gamers, as I said, so parents may need to babysit the controls to help unlock games. But if you're little one just likes to race and roam (or crash into other cars, as my son likes to do)--then it's a nice game.\",\n \"Product: Madame Fate has foreseen her own demise that midnight of this very day! She suspects that one of her carnival cronies is planning to kill her. She needs you to investigate each of these shady characters to find out if her premonition is correct. Each suspect has a motive, but only a Master Detective can discover the secrets hidden within Madame Fate's crystal ball.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Madame Fate Has Seen Her Death--Can YOU Find the Killer Before It's Too Late?\\n\\nReview: Renowned psychic, Madame Fate, has foreseen her own death in her crystal ball--and you, the super-sleuth, must investigate every carnival worker to know where they will be at midnight, the supposed time of death. In this lavish hidden-object game, you'll find weird side-show employees and a bored carny...but, above all, you'll find hours of engaging puzzles and tricky games!\\n\\nI have all of the Mystery Case Files games (<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Huntsville/dp/B000NXHZJS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Huntsville</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Prime-Suspects/dp/B000KI99RC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Prime Suspects</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Ravenhearst/dp/B000UXOHOW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Ravenhearst</a> and Madame Fate), but it was Madame Fate that was my introduction to the Hidden Object game. Briefly, for those who are unfamiliar, the idea behind the MCF games is pretty straightforward: you visit different \\\"scenes\\\" of possible crimes and find the hidden objects listed on the right side of the screen. In the case of Madame Fate, it's different places around Madame Fate's carnival--the Insane-erator Roller Coaster, concession stand, mermaid dunk, merry-go-round and so on. (If your child has the I Spy games, these are a lot like them...but better!)\\n\\nOf all the Hidden Object games out there, Madame Fate is, in my opinion, the most fun and the most challenging (especially compared to the other MCF games). While Madame Fate features the Hidden Object games you'd expect (e.g. find the ten items listed), there are also loads of tricky mini-games throughout.\\n\\nFor example, there are mysterious changing items throughout the game that, if you spot and click on them, will lead you to other hidden areas. Also, some of the hidden object clues aren't straightforward. One of the clues is \\\"Fighter in the Ring\\\", BUT, in order to complete this \\\"find\\\", you have to \\\"grab\\\" the hand drawn fighter that is at the bottom right side of the scene and place him onto the fighter that is in the ring on the left side of the scene.\\n\\nIn addition to the straightforward (but not necessarily easy!) crystal ball games, other mini-games include:\\n\\nTEN FROM SEVEN - Form 10 four letter words from the letters that you are given\\n\\nSIX 2 WIN - Form 6 words that are related to each other in some kind of way by swapping letters around until you spell the correct word.\\n\\nOPPOSITE ATTRACTION - Form 2 words that have opposite meaning but that share the same letter in the center tile.\\n\\nSIX WORDS TO WIN - The goal here is to form six- 3 letter words on the puzzle grid (3 vertical and 3 horizontal). The words cannot be formed diagonally or backwards.\\n\\n(My personal favorite) ROCKET DOG - Unravel 3 mysterious words to gain access to the shady carnival worker. Each carnival worker has various items hidden on or around them and you must find them before time runs out. For example, you may have to find rockets or matches at Bianca the Daredevil Diva, claw scratches or crowns at Tabitha the Lion Tamer, razors, butterflies or combs at Lucy the Bearded Beauty, jelly beans or pies at Franco the Excessive, hooks, stars or M's at Marlena the Mermaid, pills or snakes at Dr. Goodwell's and so on.\\n\\nIn between each of the characters is a thrilling--and sometimes mind boggling--puzzle. Don't worry if you get stuck, though: you can always click on a hint OR click on the black phone to skip the puzzle. However, if you do the latter, there will be time taken off the NEXT hidden object game. (I've only had to skip one the entire game. I'm entirely through Madame Fate EXCEPT for the last puzzle...still can't get it!)\\n\\nThankfully, the jigsaw puzzle games from the other MCF games are gone from Madame Fate (never liked those--too simple and too boring), but are replaced by visually stunning, thought-provoking and amusing games and puzzles.\\n\\nI've owned game systems as far back as Atari and now own several hidden object games (including Poirot, Expedition Everest, etc.), and Madame Fate is BY FAR my absolute favorite game ever! As soon as I figure out the last puzzle, I'm going to play it all over again. The hidden objects are cleverly hidden (much more difficult than previous MCF games), the scenes are a riot of color, and the sound effects of the carnival hubub (carnies yelling, night sounds, distant carny music, etc.) are truly absorbing, you'll feel like you're at a spooky carnival with a wild mix of characters!\\n\\nIf you enjoy hidden object games you MUST get Madame Fate. I know you'll love it! If you're new to the hidden object game genre, give this one a try. It was my very first one, and now I'm a huge MCF and hidden-object game enthusiast. It's a great way to relax (well, not so much THIS particular game!), providing you hours of eye candy, brain teasers and enjoyment.\\n\\nHighly recommended!\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: Madame Fate has foreseen her own demise that midnight of this very day! She suspects that one of her carnival cronies is planning to kill her. She needs you to investigate each of these shady characters to find out if her premonition is correct. Each suspect has a motive, but only a Master Detective can discover the secrets hidden within Madame Fate's crystal ball.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Madame Fate Has Seen Her Death--Can YOU Find the Killer Before It's Too Late?\\n\\nReview: Renowned psychic, Madame Fate, has foreseen her own death in her crystal ball--and you, the super-sleuth, must investigate every carnival worker to know where they will be at midnight, the supposed time of death. In this lavish hidden-object game, you'll find weird side-show employees and a bored carny...but, above all, you'll find hours of engaging puzzles and tricky games!\\n\\nI have all of the Mystery Case Files games (<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Huntsville/dp/B000NXHZJS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Huntsville</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Prime-Suspects/dp/B000KI99RC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Prime Suspects</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Ravenhearst/dp/B000UXOHOW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Ravenhearst</a> and Madame Fate), but it was Madame Fate that was my introduction to the Hidden Object game. Briefly, for those who are unfamiliar, the idea behind the MCF games is pretty straightforward: you visit different \\\"scenes\\\" of possible crimes and find the hidden objects listed on the right side of the screen. In the case of Madame Fate, it's different places around Madame Fate's carnival--the Insane-erator Roller Coaster, concession stand, mermaid dunk, merry-go-round and so on. (If your child has the I Spy games, these are a lot like them...but better!)\\n\\nOf all the Hidden Object games out there, Madame Fate is, in my opinion, the most fun and the most challenging (especially compared to the other MCF games). While Madame Fate features the Hidden Object games you'd expect (e.g. find the ten items listed), there are also loads of tricky mini-games throughout.\\n\\nFor example, there are mysterious changing items throughout the game that, if you spot and click on them, will lead you to other hidden areas. Also, some of the hidden object clues aren't straightforward. One of the clues is \\\"Fighter in the Ring\\\", BUT, in order to complete this \\\"find\\\", you have to \\\"grab\\\" the hand drawn fighter that is at the bottom right side of the scene and place him onto the fighter that is in the ring on the left side of the scene.\\n\\nIn addition to the straightforward (but not necessarily easy!) crystal ball games, other mini-games include:\\n\\nTEN FROM SEVEN - Form 10 four letter words from the letters that you are given\\n\\nSIX 2 WIN - Form 6 words that are related to each other in some kind of way by swapping letters around until you spell the correct word.\\n\\nOPPOSITE ATTRACTION - Form 2 words that have opposite meaning but that share the same letter in the center tile.\\n\\nSIX WORDS TO WIN - The goal here is to form six- 3 letter words on the puzzle grid (3 vertical and 3 horizontal). The words cannot be formed diagonally or backwards.\\n\\n(My personal favorite) ROCKET DOG - Unravel 3 mysterious words to gain access to the shady carnival worker. Each carnival worker has various items hidden on or around them and you must find them before time runs out. For example, you may have to find rockets or matches at Bianca the Daredevil Diva, claw scratches or crowns at Tabitha the Lion Tamer, razors, butterflies or combs at Lucy the Bearded Beauty, jelly beans or pies at Franco the Excessive, hooks, stars or M's at Marlena the Mermaid, pills or snakes at Dr. Goodwell's and so on.\\n\\nIn between each of the characters is a thrilling--and sometimes mind boggling--puzzle. Don't worry if you get stuck, though: you can always click on a hint OR click on the black phone to skip the puzzle. However, if you do the latter, there will be time taken off the NEXT hidden object game. (I've only had to skip one the entire game. I'm entirely through Madame Fate EXCEPT for the last puzzle...still can't get it!)\\n\\nThankfully, the jigsaw puzzle games from the other MCF games are gone from Madame Fate (never liked those--too simple and too boring), but are replaced by visually stunning, thought-provoking and amusing games and puzzles.\\n\\nI've owned game systems as far back as Atari and now own several hidden object games (including Poirot, Expedition Everest, etc.), and Madame Fate is BY FAR my absolute favorite game ever! As soon as I figure out the last puzzle, I'm going to play it all over again. The hidden objects are cleverly hidden (much more difficult than previous MCF games), the scenes are a riot of color, and the sound effects of the carnival hubub (carnies yelling, night sounds, distant carny music, etc.) are truly absorbing, you'll feel like you're at a spooky carnival with a wild mix of characters!\\n\\nIf you enjoy hidden object games you MUST get Madame Fate. I know you'll love it! If you're new to the hidden object game genre, give this one a try. It was my very first one, and now I'm a huge MCF and hidden-object game enthusiast. It's a great way to relax (well, not so much THIS particular game!), providing you hours of eye candy, brain teasers and enjoyment.\\n\\nHighly recommended!\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: The heist of the century has just happened! You've been hired by the casino to find & return the stolen money before its grand opening in 16 hours. Search for over 2300 cleverly hidden objects in 25 intriguing locations to solve the Vegas Heist.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My Favorite Mystery P.I. Game So Far\\n\\nReview: I have Mystery P.I. The Lottery Ticket, and recently bought this edition (Vegas Heist) and the New York Fortune.\\n\\nSo far, this is my favorite one (I'm about 1/2 through it).\\n\\nFor those unfamiliar with the Mystery P.I. series, it's a great hidden object game with various locations, mini-game mysteries and extra things to find for Unlimited Seek and Solve.\\n\\nThe Vegas Heist is truly stunning in terms of graphics. The objects are cleverly hidden, but not maddeningly so (especially if you're a hidden object junkie like myself). I used to think the Mystery Case Files were the cream of the crop, but this P.I. Series is giving them a run for the money (especially since Ravenheart 2 was so difficult, IMO.)\\n\\nFor example, one picture is a $50 bill, amazingly well done with objects hidden all around. Another is the inside of a souped up limo, a casino security room, and a luxury yacht. Some objects you need to find are cleverly \\\"disguised\\\". For example, 2 mice may be a picture of an actual mouse, while the other is a computer mouse. Some images are actually words (e.g. KEY for the key).\\n\\nIn addition to finding the objects on the list, you can find an addition three things in each picture, one not listed: a key, a poker chip and a finger print (you have to remember to find the print, it's not listed).\\n\\nThe mini-games at the end of each search group are Word Search (my favorite), Tile Rotation, Tile Swap, and Jigsaw. I'm not big on the latter three, but it's better than the boring bi-color Ravenhearst pictures at the end of every group!\\n\\nIf you enjoyed the Lottery Ticket, you'll love Vegas Heist! If you're new to hidden object games, this would be a great introduction. It's relaxing, yet challenging--very enjoyable.\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot\",\n \"Product: Journey across majestic Celtic ruins as you create potions and harness magic in this match-game of enchantment. Help Monarch, the Butterfly King, rescue his friends from the clutches of a mysterious wizard bent on freezing his kingdom in magical amber. Explore mystical glades on 150 levels, and download more levels online, playing in either Relaxed or Action play modes. Astonishing visuals and fantastical fun await those ready to answer the call...of adventure!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Incredibly Addicting Match Game with Flowers\\n\\nReview: I love Big Kahuna Reef by Reflexive, so when I saw Monarch: The Butterfly King in the store, I bought it in a heartbeat!\\n\\nAlso produced by Reflexive. this particular game is similar to Big Kahuna Reef, but instead of fish, we have flowers. Lots and lots of pretty flowers--at least ten colorful varieties.\\n\\nLike the usual match 3 (or more) games (e.g. Jewel Quest, Bejeweled, etc.), you must match 3 or more of the same flowers to clear a tile.\\n\\nThe beginning levels are a simple tile...match 3 or more, and that's it...until the entire board is cleared.\\n\\nIn the higher levels, the tiles become locked, double locked, and so on...requiring successive matches to clear. When you match 5 or more in tandem (even if only in a 90 degree angle) bombs of various sizes are formed. You can then detonate the bomb by clicking on it for minimal effect OR, for more bang, make sure you switch it out with another tile.\\n\\nIn the upper levels, frogs are introduced. Like the black screaming monkeys in Jewel Quest (after you beat the game once), there are green frogs that, when matched, have the OPPOSITE effect of matching. That is, matching the frogs will RE-COVER tiles.\\n\\nIn my opinion, these are far less irritating than the fish skeletons of Big Kahuna Reef (for some reason).\\n\\nIf you have many successive matches, the Butterfly King increases his size. Get him over 100%, and you get three mini-bombs on the board. Get higher percentages, and you can even earn lives.\\n\\nI love the ambience of the game: when matching flowers, petals cascade and there's a gentle whooshing noise. And when the bombs go off....man, is that fun! I love the levels that are basically bombfests!\\n\\nIf you run out of lives, no worries: you can begin the game right where you left off (but, of course, you start back at 0 points).\\n\\nYou earn butterflies by completing the various stages, but, unfortunately, there's no butterfly garden or any interaction with the butterflies. (With Big Kahuna Reef, you earn fish and can create a screen saver aquarium.)\\n\\nI'm on Level 100 and having a blast! I needed to get some work done (I'm a writer) and there are times I can't pull myself away from this game! (My 10 year old, who also has Monarch on his computer, loves to watch me for some reason. He'll walk by and say \\\"You're having recess again!\\\"). *chuckle*\\n\\nI can't remember having this much fun with a game!\\n\\nIf you like match 3 games, this one is superb. Colorful, engaging, and at least 5 different types of bombs...way cool!\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book\",\n \"Product: Phlinx To Go is challenging puzzle fun for the whole family! Experience ancient Egypt in all its glory - while you enjoy hours of engrossing puzzle gameplay. Solve complete game rounds to unlock chapters of the story. Then race against time to complete a game baord that hides the ultimate secret. Can you unleash the gods from their stone prisons?\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Simple But Has Glitches\\n\\nReview: Phlinx to Go is like many games out there where you have to match 3 or more orbs by shooting a corresponding colored orb at the oncoming grid. By doing matching 3+ colors, you clear out sections of orbs.\\n\\nIn Phlinx to Go, the setting is ancient Egypt with various orbs in colors of blue, copper, red, gold, green, and so on. There are two modes: Classic and Action. With the Classic Mode, you take your time and clear the board before the orbs reach the bottom. At a certain point during game play, a bronze icon flies from the side, attaches itself to the oncoming orbs, day turns into night, and the orbs change into 3 colors. You must \\\"free the spirit\\\" by eliminating the surrounding orbs.\\n\\nIn the Action Mode, you race against time clearing the board. On the last level, you also have to \\\"free a spirit\\\".\\n\\nThere are neat power ups in both levels, including blasting out 5 random shots, eliminating entire rows, \\\"time warping\\\" which scrolls the screen upwards--buying you time--and so on.\\n\\nIt's a pretty straightforward game. Unlike some games, you can change positions to right, center, or left. What makes Phlinx to Go extra-easy is that a colored laser emanates from the colored orb so you can aim your shooter. (Think of one of the Power Ups in the game Luxor--the Laser Scarab).\\n\\nWhile this game is pretty easy, even at the Medium Level, what's aggravating is that the shooter often sticks. I have lost SEVERAL games because the orb wouldn't fire or because it wouldn't change positions to left or right. This makes game play frustrating, especially because it seems to happen during crucial moments.\\n\\nOne plus for Phlinx to Go is that you accumulate PoGo tokens to cash in on the PoGo website. You can enter monthly drawings for $1000, weekly drawings for $100, and daily drawings for $50. However, you'll need internet access and a PoGo account (free) to credit tokens and enter drawings.\\n\\nYou get what you pay for, I guess, but Phlinx to Go is a diverting game to kill some time or to amass lots of tokens to enter PoGo drawings (especially in Action Mode). The glitches are a real downer, the music drones on with no variation, and there's a lack of visual interest despite differing orbs being added as game play progresses.\\n\\nIf Phlinx to Go were $20, it definitely wouldn't be worth it in my opinion.\",\n \"Product: Curious George PC\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Awful--Get the Game for PS2 Instead\\n\\nReview: I bought this for my son at a department store last week and could NOT get it to run. The screen kept saying \\\"can't support\\\" something about \\\"pipes\\\". My son's computer is new--we just bought it last year. I tried to install it on MY computer, and it took forever...so I just stopped the process.\\n\\nWe took it back to the store and got the PS2 version, instead. Yes, the PS2 version is double the prices but it's WORTH it. Judging from the complexity of the PS2 game, I can't imagine how a child (or adult!) would find navigating this game on a PC any fun at all...especially having to use a variety of keys just to move around.\\n\\nI can't comment on the game itself because I couldn't open it! However, my review of the PS2 Curious George game is here on Amazon.\",\n \"Product: With Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard you can talk to your computer and watch your words instantly appear in letters, e-mail, instant messages and chat rooms. You can even surf the Web by speaking! Dictate and edit by voice in your favorite Windows applications including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook Express, America Online, and Corel WordPerfect. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use. You can even browse, search, and navigate Web pages, all by talking. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard is fast, accurate, and easy to use. It learns to recognize your voice in fewer than five minutes, and gets better the more you use it! A noise-canceling microphone is included.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great If You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome\\n\\nReview: I'm a freelance writer and reviewer so I do quite a bit of typing. I've had carpal tunnel for years but it has gotten progressively worse. When I saw Dragon Naturally Speaking 8 at the store I thought I would give it a try, especially since it was very affordable.\\n\\nThis is my first review done entirely by vocal dictation. (As I'm speaking, it's writing down my words IN this review box!) It took me less than an hour to get this program up and running, and the program responds remarkably fast. The accuracy on some words is sometimes hit and miss, though. For example for \\\"hit and miss\\\" in the previous sentence, it wrote \\\"hidden menace\\\". However, there is an Accuracy Tool included which checks audio settings, perform additional training (reading information into the microphone), add words from your documents to the vocabulary, and more. I haven't used this tool yet, though. As I said, I'm less than one hour into testing this and it's performing great!\\n\\nIf you're used to speaking fast and loose you may have to adjust your speaking style when using this tool, enunciating very clearly. During the training session they recommend speaking like a news broadcast, for example. But you don't need to speak word for word very slowly...normal speech is fine.\\n\\nI find the headset comfortable and I'm amazed at the responsiveness of this tool. I expected it to take longer to learn and use.\\n\\nIf you have a limited use of your hands or have carpal tunnel syndrome, I highly recommend Dragon Naturally Speaking 8. All it takes is installing the CD-ROM, plugging in the headset to the speakers and doing a vocal test to adjust microphone levels.\\n\\nI'm excited to use this product, which will no doubt make life easier for both me and my hands! I love it that I can use this tool for Word Documents, emails, and website use!\",\n \"Product: The Journey to Wild Divine is the first \\\"inner-active\\\" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology for total mind-body wellness. Progress through the realm using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Not just a game, it's a tool for physical and mental health. Wearing three finger sensors that track your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance, you move through enchanting and mystical landscapes using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Wise mentors guide you throughout the realm, empowering you with yoga, breathing and meditation skills needed to complete over 40 biofeedback 'energy' events. Build stairways with your breath, open doors with meditation, juggle balls with your laughter, and so much more. The Journey makes biofeedback, a popular method of alternative healthcare, easily accessible and empowers you to take mind-body wellness, literally, into your own hands. \\\"The Journey to Wild Divine is a very practical program that allows people to get in intimate touch with the inner-most core of their being.\\\" - Deepak Chopra, M.D.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: An Amazing \\\"Inner-Active\\\" Adventure\\n\\nReview: It has been said that the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is caused from a perceived disconnection from the Divine--either within oneself or in the universe at large.\\n\\nWe are finally realizing that our thoughts, emotions and physical body have an etheric counterpart that registers our bodily states. Attending to our spirits promotes peace, health, and a sense of well-being. The effect of stress and anxiety on our bodies is well documented. Likewise, studies are showing the powerful effects of prayer, meditation, and joy on our emotional and physical health.\\n\\nKurt Smith and Corwin Bell of The Wild Divine Project are two visionaries who have developed a groundbreaking tool that engages mind, body and spirit. The Journey To Wild Divine - The Passage is an \\\"Inner-active\\\" computer journey that integrates the power of the spiritual quest with an innovative biofeedback interface and high-end multi-media production. It incorporates mythology and elements of the classic hero and heroine's journey with state of the art 3D graphics, video and music.\\n\\nIn developing The Journey, Bell and Smith have collaborated with various leaders in the field of consciousness and compassionate action on both the spiritual and biofeedback technology aspects of the project. Known as \\\"allies,\\\" they include Jean Houston, a pioneer researcher in human capacities, and Nawang Khechog, a former Buddhist monk and one of Tibet's foremost world music composers and musicians.\\n\\nBio-feedback is the science of recording both Skin Conductance Levels (SCL) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and using this information to modify thoughts, emotions, and breathing. SCL is the measurement of sweat gland activity on a person's skin, and HRV is the calculation of the differences in heart rate from one heartbeat to the next. No two of these intervals are exactly the same, and you need a device more sophisticated than just taking your pulse to determine it. Those who exhibit greater HRV tend to live longer and enjoy life more. When playing this amazing adventure, you slip 3 fingers in the comfortable sensors known as \\\"Magic Rings\\\". Your SCL and HRV are interpted by the \\\"Light Stone\\\" energy translator.\\n\\nUp until now, biofeedback technology was in the hands of experts--where a professional had to interpret your results. From those results, you would then learn how to regulate breathing, thoughts, emotional states, and so on. However, with The Journey, the game itself lets you know how you're doing.\\n\\nSet in the magical Sun Realm, players encounter breathtaking scenery, helpful mentors, and various \\\"Events\\\". For example, you're invited to join Cosmo and Sophia in the Inner Imagery Theater--which includes inviting your own partner to share the Magic Rings. Cosmo and Sophia show you how to challenge one other with sensory imaginings, and then you and a partner explore images from the five senses.\\n\\nFor example, my husband and I entered the Inner Imagery Theater together where we challenged each other with images such as \\\"I want you to imagine stroking the soft fur of a kitten\\\" or \\\"I want you to imagine the sound of a gentle rain falling on a tin roof.\\\" All of the other Events I've experienced thus far, however, have been for just one person. (But I'm nowhere near completing the adventure!)\\n\\nIn one of my journeys, I entered a lush courtyard with vibrant greenery, colorful flowers, and majestic colums. I was encouraged to relax and levitate a purple ball. Sound easy? Not necessarily! It depends on how able you are to enter into relaxing breath and peacefulness. There are times when I can float the ball off the screen, but yesterday, I couldn't get it past an inch or so. I was irritated by my son's interruptions (which sent the ball back to the ground!), but it occurred to me that this was a perfect scenario to increase awareness of my thoughts, breathing, and emotional response. After I played the game for about an hour, I was amazed at the marked difference in my mental and emotional states.\\n\\nHowever, not all \\\"Events\\\" are designed to promote calm. With some, you have to think joyful, enthusiastic thoughts and increase the rate of your breathing--such as spinning a pinwheel.\\n\\nHelpful mentors you'll encounter include The Royal Falconer, Kwan-Yin--Lady of Compassion, Mila-Rugom, and Luna the White Wolf. You'll receive a magic bag created by the Lady Of The Woods, where you'll be able to store items that you collect on your journey--and use for other Events. For example, you'll need to pick a red rose from the courtyard to give as an offering to the Durga. You can save several areas to the bookmark section, in case you want to go back. Sophia guides you when you first start a game, but when you load it another time, you can bypass this introduction and just head right into the gameplay.\\n\\nThe Journey to the Wild Divine - The Passage comes in an attractive, sturdy box which includes:\\n\\n*CD-Rom Software featuring spectacular high-definition 3-D graphics and video\\n\\n*More than 40 unique energy and breathing \\\"Events\\\"\\n\\n*Install disks for both PC and Macintosh\\n\\n*Easy-to-use \\\"Magic Ring\\\" biofeedback sensors\\n\\n*\\\"Light Stone\\\" energy translator\\n\\n*Supports upcoming multi-user, online experiences\\n\\n*Original Soul Flight music CD\\n\\n*Companion Guide and User's Manual\\n\\nThe music that accompanies the game is filled with gorgeous orchestration from the Soul Flight CD, performed by The Wild Divine Band. Featuring Kurt Smith and Andy McEwen, the band's music (which is sold separately, as well) is intended to have Transformational Effects that can help facilitate the journey of the soul.\\n\\nThe Journey to Wild Divine is a groundbreaking tool for stress-relief, mindfulness, and meditation--promoting a sense of well-being and health. I highly recommend this visionary gift to humanity.\\n\\n(To see 6 color screen shots of this computer game visit [...])\",\n \"Product: The Journey to Wild Divine is the first \\\"inner-active\\\" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology for total mind-body wellness. Progress through the realm using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Not just a game, it's a tool for physical and mental health. Wearing three finger sensors that track your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance, you move through enchanting and mystical landscapes using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Wise mentors guide you throughout the realm, empowering you with yoga, breathing and meditation skills needed to complete over 40 biofeedback 'energy' events. Build stairways with your breath, open doors with meditation, juggle balls with your laughter, and so much more. The Journey makes biofeedback, a popular method of alternative healthcare, easily accessible and empowers you to take mind-body wellness, literally, into your own hands. \\\"The Journey to Wild Divine is a very practical program that allows people to get in intimate touch with the inner-most core of their being.\\\" - Deepak Chopra, M.D.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: An Amazing \\\"Inner-Active\\\" Adventure\\n\\nReview: It has been said that the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is caused from a perceived disconnection from the Divine--either within oneself or in the universe at large.\\n\\nWe are finally realizing that our thoughts, emotions and physical body have an etheric counterpart that registers our bodily states. Attending to our spirits promotes peace, health, and a sense of well-being. The effect of stress and anxiety on our bodies is well documented. Likewise, studies are showing the powerful effects of prayer, meditation, and joy on our emotional and physical health.\\n\\nKurt Smith and Corwin Bell of The Wild Divine Project are two visionaries who have developed a groundbreaking tool that engages mind, body and spirit. The Journey To Wild Divine - The Passage is an \\\"Inner-active\\\" computer journey that integrates the power of the spiritual quest with an innovative biofeedback interface and high-end multi-media production. It incorporates mythology and elements of the classic hero and heroine's journey with state of the art 3D graphics, video and music.\\n\\nIn developing The Journey, Bell and Smith have collaborated with various leaders in the field of consciousness and compassionate action on both the spiritual and biofeedback technology aspects of the project. Known as \\\"allies,\\\" they include Jean Houston, a pioneer researcher in human capacities, and Nawang Khechog, a former Buddhist monk and one of Tibet's foremost world music composers and musicians.\\n\\nBio-feedback is the science of recording both Skin Conductance Levels (SCL) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and using this information to modify thoughts, emotions, and breathing. SCL is the measurement of sweat gland activity on a person's skin, and HRV is the calculation of the differences in heart rate from one heartbeat to the next. No two of these intervals are exactly the same, and you need a device more sophisticated than just taking your pulse to determine it. Those who exhibit greater HRV tend to live longer and enjoy life more. When playing this amazing adventure, you slip 3 fingers in the comfortable sensors known as \\\"Magic Rings\\\". Your SCL and HRV are interpted by the \\\"Light Stone\\\" energy translator.\\n\\nUp until now, biofeedback technology was in the hands of experts--where a professional had to interpret your results. From those results, you would then learn how to regulate breathing, thoughts, emotional states, and so on. However, with The Journey, the game itself lets you know how you're doing.\\n\\nSet in the magical Sun Realm, players encounter breathtaking scenery, helpful mentors, and various \\\"Events\\\". For example, you're invited to join Cosmo and Sophia in the Inner Imagery Theater--which includes inviting your own partner to share the Magic Rings. Cosmo and Sophia show you how to challenge one other with sensory imaginings, and then you and a partner explore images from the five senses.\\n\\nFor example, my husband and I entered the Inner Imagery Theater together where we challenged each other with images such as \\\"I want you to imagine stroking the soft fur of a kitten\\\" or \\\"I want you to imagine the sound of a gentle rain falling on a tin roof.\\\" All of the other Events I've experienced thus far, however, have been for just one person. (But I'm nowhere near completing the adventure!)\\n\\nIn one of my journeys, I entered a lush courtyard with vibrant greenery, colorful flowers, and majestic colums. I was encouraged to relax and levitate a purple ball. Sound easy? Not necessarily! It depends on how able you are to enter into relaxing breath and peacefulness. There are times when I can float the ball off the screen, but yesterday, I couldn't get it past an inch or so. I was irritated by my son's interruptions (which sent the ball back to the ground!), but it occurred to me that this was a perfect scenario to increase awareness of my thoughts, breathing, and emotional response. After I played the game for about an hour, I was amazed at the marked difference in my mental and emotional states.\\n\\nHowever, not all \\\"Events\\\" are designed to promote calm. With some, you have to think joyful, enthusiastic thoughts and increase the rate of your breathing--such as spinning a pinwheel.\\n\\nHelpful mentors you'll encounter include The Royal Falconer, Kwan-Yin--Lady of Compassion, Mila-Rugom, and Luna the White Wolf. You'll receive a magic bag created by the Lady Of The Woods, where you'll be able to store items that you collect on your journey--and use for other Events. For example, you'll need to pick a red rose from the courtyard to give as an offering to the Durga. You can save several areas to the bookmark section, in case you want to go back. Sophia guides you when you first start a game, but when you load it another time, you can bypass this introduction and just head right into the gameplay.\\n\\nThe Journey to the Wild Divine - The Passage comes in an attractive, sturdy box which includes:\\n\\n*CD-Rom Software featuring spectacular high-definition 3-D graphics and video\\n\\n*More than 40 unique energy and breathing \\\"Events\\\"\\n\\n*Install disks for both PC and Macintosh\\n\\n*Easy-to-use \\\"Magic Ring\\\" biofeedback sensors\\n\\n*\\\"Light Stone\\\" energy translator\\n\\n*Supports upcoming multi-user, online experiences\\n\\n*Original Soul Flight music CD\\n\\n*Companion Guide and User's Manual\\n\\nThe music that accompanies the game is filled with gorgeous orchestration from the Soul Flight CD, performed by The Wild Divine Band. Featuring Kurt Smith and Andy McEwen, the band's music (which is sold separately, as well) is intended to have Transformational Effects that can help facilitate the journey of the soul.\\n\\nThe Journey to Wild Divine is a groundbreaking tool for stress-relief, mindfulness, and meditation--promoting a sense of well-being and health. I highly recommend this visionary gift to humanity.\\n\\n(To see 6 color screen shots of this computer game visit [...])\",\n \"Product: The Journey to Wild Divine is the first \\\"inner-active\\\" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology for total mind-body wellness. Progress through the realm using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Not just a game, it's a tool for physical and mental health. Wearing three finger sensors that track your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance, you move through enchanting and mystical landscapes using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath and awareness. Wise mentors guide you throughout the realm, empowering you with yoga, breathing and meditation skills needed to complete over 40 biofeedback 'energy' events. Build stairways with your breath, open doors with meditation, juggle balls with your laughter, and so much more. The Journey makes biofeedback, a popular method of alternative healthcare, easily accessible and empowers you to take mind-body wellness, literally, into your own hands. \\\"The Journey to Wild Divine is a very practical program that allows people to get in intimate touch with the inner-most core of their being.\\\" - Deepak Chopra, M.D.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Groundbreaking Tool For Stress Reduction\\n\\nReview: It has been said that the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is caused from a perceived disconnection from the Divine--either within oneself or in the universe at large.\\n\\nWe are finally realizing that our thoughts, emotions and physical body have an etheric counterpart that registers our bodily states. Attending to our spirits promotes peace, health, and a sense of well-being. The effect of stress and anxiety on our bodies is well documented. Likewise, studies are showing the powerful effects of prayer, meditation, and joy on our emotional and physical health.\\n\\nKurt Smith and Corwin Bell of The Wild Divine Project are two visionaries who have developed a groundbreaking tool that engages mind, body and spirit. The Journey To Wild Divine - The Passage is an \\\"Inner-active\\\" computer journey that integrates the power of the spiritual quest with an innovative biofeedback interface and high-end multi-media production. It incorporates mythology and elements of the classic hero and heroine's journey with state of the art 3D graphics, video and music.\\n\\nIn developing The Journey, Bell and Smith have collaborated with various leaders in the field of consciousness and compassionate action on both the spiritual and biofeedback technology aspects of the project. Known as \\\"allies,\\\" they include Jean Houston, a pioneer researcher in human capacities, and Nawang Khechog, a former Buddhist monk and one of Tibet's foremost world music composers and musicians.\\n\\nBio-feedback is the science of recording both Skin Conductance Levels (SCL) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and using this information to modify thoughts, emotions, and breathing. SCL is the measurement of sweat gland activity on a person's skin, and HRV is the calculation of the differences in heart rate from one heartbeat to the next. No two of these intervals are exactly the same, and you need a device more sophisticated than just taking your pulse to determine it. Those who exhibit greater HRV tend to live longer and enjoy life more. When playing this amazing adventure, you slip 3 fingers in the comfortable sensors known as \\\"Magic Rings\\\". Your SCL and HRV are interpted by the \\\"Light Stone\\\" energy translator.\\n\\nUp until now, biofeedback technology was in the hands of experts--where a professional had to interpret your results. From those results, you would then learn how to regulate breathing, thoughts, emotional states, and so on. However, with The Journey, the game itself lets you know how you're doing.\\n\\nSet in the magical Sun Realm, players encounter breathtaking scenery, helpful mentors, and various \\\"Events\\\". For example, you're invited to join Cosmo and Sophia in the Inner Imagery Theater--which includes inviting your own partner to share the Magic Rings. Cosmo and Sophia show you how to challenge one other with sensory imaginings, and then you and a partner explore images from the five senses.\\n\\nFor example, my husband and I entered the Inner Imagery Theater together where we challenged each other with images such as \\\"I want you to imagine stroking the soft fur of a kitten\\\" or \\\"I want you to imagine the sound of a gentle rain falling on a tin roof.\\\" All of the other Events I've experienced thus far, however, have been for just one person. (But I'm nowhere near completing the adventure!)\\n\\nIn one of my journeys, I entered a lush courtyard with vibrant greenery, colorful flowers, and majestic colums. I was encouraged to relax and levitate a purple ball. Sound easy? Not necessarily! It depends on how able you are to enter into relaxing breath and peacefulness. There are times when I can float the ball off the screen, but yesterday, I couldn't get it past an inch or so. I was irritated by my son's interruptions (which sent the ball back to the ground!), but it occurred to me that this was a perfect scenario to increase awareness of my thoughts, breathing, and emotional response. After I played the game for about an hour, I was amazed at the marked difference in my mental and emotional states.\\n\\nHowever, not all \\\"Events\\\" are designed to promote calm. With some, you have to think joyful, enthusiastic thoughts and increase the rate of your breathing--such as spinning a pinwheel.\\n\\nHelpful mentors you'll encounter include The Royal Falconer, Kwan-Yin--Lady of Compassion, Mila-Rugom, and Luna the White Wolf. You'll receive a magic bag created by the Lady Of The Woods, where you'll be able to store items that you collect on your journey--and use for other Events. For example, you'll need to pick a red rose from the courtyard to give as an offering to the Durga. You can save several areas to the bookmark section, in case you want to go back. Sophia guides you when you first start a game, but when you load it another time, you can bypass this introduction and just head right into the gameplay.\\n\\nThe Journey to the Wild Divine - The Passage comes in an attractive, sturdy box which includes:\\n\\n*CD-Rom Software featuring spectacular high-definition 3-D graphics and video\\n\\n*More than 40 unique energy and breathing \\\"Events\\\"\\n\\n*Install disks for both PC and Macintosh\\n\\n*Easy-to-use \\\"Magic Ring\\\" biofeedback sensors\\n\\n*\\\"Light Stone\\\" energy translator\\n\\n*Supports upcoming multi-user, online experiences\\n\\n*Original Soul Flight music CD\\n\\n*Companion Guide and User's Manual\\n\\nThe music that accompanies the game is filled with gorgeous orchestration from the Soul Flight CD, performed by The Wild Divine Band. Featuring Kurt Smith and Andy McEwen, the band's music (which is sold separately, as well) is intended to have Transformational Effects that can help facilitate the journey of the soul.\\n\\nThe Journey to Wild Divine is a groundbreaking tool for stress-relief, mindfulness, and meditation--promoting a sense of well-being and health. I highly recommend this visionary gift to humanity.\\n\\n(To see 6 color screen shots of this computer game visit [...])\",\n \"Product: Embark on a life-changing journey with Amanda (Marlee Matlin), a divorced photographer who tumbles down a metaphysical rabbit hole. Her mind-bending voyage through the worlds of science and spirituality includes revelations by quantum physics experts, playful animation, and even a conversation with a wise, 35,000-year-old being. Ultimately, Amandas perception of reality is turned inside out and the meaning of life becomes clear. See for yourself why this groundbreaking movie became one of the most compelling and talked about films of the year.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Movie Examining Reality, God, Choice and Other Issues\\n\\nReview: \\\"In the beginning was the void teeming with infinite possibilities of which you are one.\\\" -the movie\\n\\nIf I could give only one movie to every person in the world, it would be a ground-breaking quantum fable titled What the Bleep Do We Know!?.\\n\\nPart documentary, part narrative drama, and part visual hallucinogen, this is a film that blows the door off the metaphysical closet. Everyday folks are realizing that they are not alone in contemplating the nature of reality, exploring the convergence of science and spirituality, and yearning for something more to the human experience. In fact, What the Bleep filmmaker William Arntz felt that there were \\\"millions of closet metaphysicians in America, just hungering for a movie like this.\\\" Movie industry insiders told him there wasn't a market for this kind of innovation, saying that he was committing \\\"financial suicide\\\". Fortunately for us, Arntz ignored their discouraging pronouncements-and this gem of a movie ended up becoming a box office phenomenon, largely by overwhelmingly positive word-of-mouth.\\n\\nWhat the Bleep Do We Know!? blends interviews with scientists, neurobiologists, quantum physicists, and a 35,000 year old being with live action and wondrous special effects. Oscar winner Marlee Matlin plays a jaded photographer named Amanda who falls down a metaphysical rabbit hole. Through a series of mind-bending events, Amanda is forced to confront what she thought was reality-as well as the source of her boredom, anxiety, and self-contempt.\\n\\nIn light of quantum physics (which, in a nutshell, is the physics of probabilities), the filmmakers explore the concept of multiple realities existing at once. While parallel, alternate universes are the stuff of Star Trek, this concept isn't so far fetched considering scientists have produced a particle of light that exists in two places at the same time. Not only that, electrons and the nuclei of atoms completely disappear and reappear all the time. Where do they go? If this happens on an atomic level, what does this mean for the macro level?\\n\\nRather than reality happening to us, as the old model assumed, we are happening to reality. The act of observation...or \\\"locking into\\\" something...actually changes the nature of what is observed. The act of choice eliminates all other probabilities. If this is true at the quantum level, how do our choices affect-and indeed, change-reality?\\n\\nEverything \\\"out there\\\" is a projection of our mind's elaborate theater, which is often the result of complex neurobiology that happens \\\"in here\\\". With vibrant computer animation and lucid scientific explanations, we are shown what happens when cells are consistently bathed in neurochemicals produced by habitual emotions: emotional addiction. \\\"If we can be addicted to heroin, we can be addicted to any neuropeptide (emotion)\\\", says one scientist. Another scientist asserts: \\\"Who is in the driver's seat when we control our emotions or respond to emotions? We know physiologically that nerve cells that fire together rewire together. If you practice something over and over, those nerve cells have a long-term relationship.\\\" In other words, if you get angry on a daily basis...or feel like a victim...you are literally re-wiring your neural net to the point of creating an \\\"identity\\\". The good news is that \\\"every time we interrupt the thought process that produces a chemical response in the body, they start breaking the long-term relationship.\\\"\\n\\nSo what does this have to do with the nature of reality? It comes back to choice. We create scenarios that meet our emotional needs. This is why many fall into the same type of relationships and dramas: there is a chemical addiction to rejection, conflict, seduction, and so on. One scientist remarked: \\\"An awful lot of problems that get labeled as psychological really amount to people making rotten choices...\\\" What is thought of as \\\"reality just happening to us\\\" is really a result of consistent choices producing specific chemicals which result in specific emotions that have become a habit. Instead of \\\"people always sabotage my happiness\\\", it becomes a matter of chemical addiction to sabotaging scenarios. We draw in from the \\\"quantum field\\\" according to our intention, expectation, and (in this case) emotional addiction.\\n\\nIf this is true of the individual, what of the assumptions of a culture? Every generation has many hidden assumptions that history ahs proven to be untrue (such as the idea that the Earth is flat). Many of these assumptions are so ingrained, we take them for granted as \\\"the truth\\\".\\n\\nAsking questions like \\\"Why am I here? Where am I going? Who am I? What happens when I die?\\\"-the questioning of reality and how things \\\"have always been done\\\"-help us to interrupt the neural nets. Becoming the \\\"observer\\\" (as opposed to an unconscious reactionary) can result in paradigm shifts, \\\"aha!\\\" moments, and personal change.\\n\\nContemplating a new way of thinking or seeing is tricky, however. A fascinating story that's demonstrated in What the Bleep is that of Christopher Columbus visiting the indigenous people of South America. Because clipper ships were totally out of the realm of their reality, these people could not see the ships on the horizon. One day, the tribal shaman realized there were ripples coming towards shore. He knew that something must be causing those ripples...but what? Day after day he strained to see, until one day, he finally saw the ships approaching. His people couldn't see them, until he described to them what he saw. Because they trusted him, they could now see the ships with their own eyes.\\n\\nThis story illustrates the principle that we can only see in our brain what we're able to see. In fact, we only see what we believe is possible. Perhaps this explains why mystics can see angels and other realities: for them, believing is seeing. Biologically, the brain processes 400 billion bits of information per second, but is only aware of 2,000 bits at any one time-usually information about our environment, body, and time. Just what is the brain perceiving that we are not \\\"seeing\\\" or integrating?\\n\\nIn addition to the science of perception and reality, a theologian, Ramtha (an ancient being channeled by J.Z. Knight), and other scientists discuss the nature of God, spirituality, and the interconnection of all things. One of the problems of religion, according to one theologian, is that God has been made into a distinct, separate entity to which we must offer worship, humor, and please-all in the hopes to get a reward at the end of life (not to mention avoiding the frying pan). According to this man, \\\"this is not what God is. That is blasphemy.\\\"\\n\\nRamtha echoes this sentiment with my favorite quote from the movie:\\n\\n\\\"God must be greater than the greatest of human weaknesses and, indeed, the greatest of human skill. God must even transcend our most remarkable-to emulate nature in its absolute splendor. How can any man or woman sin against such greatness of mind? How can one little carbon unit on Earth-in the backwaters of the Milky Way, the boondocks-betray God almighty? That is impossible. The height of arrogance is the height of control of those who create God in their own image.\\\"\\n\\nWhether you agree with the ideas presented in the movie is not the point. If individuals at least contemplate an alternative perspective-then this movie will have succeeded. What the Bleep Do We Know!? doesn't tell you what to think, but simply offers ideas and theories for your consideration. At the very least, it opens up a dialogue between people. And, perhaps, if people start talking to one another-especially about concepts like reality, God, spirituality, choice, and human potential-there will be enough cracks in individual and collective assumptions to make way for ideas never before considered as possible.\",\n \"Product: You've never experienced anything quite like POWDER -- the uplifting, must-see hit that audiences and critics loved! Harassed by classmates who won't accept his shocking appearance, a shy young man known as Powder struggles to fit in. But the cruel taunts stop when Powder displays a mysterious power that allows him to do extraordinary things. This phenomenon changes the lives of all those around him ... in ways they never could have imagined. Hollywood stars Jeff Goldblum (JURASSIC PARK) and Mary Steenburgen (PHILADELPHIA) lead a top-notch cast in this unforgettable story of hope and wonder.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Not of This World\\n\\nReview: Many individuals feel like outcasts in this world--as if they're somehow \\\"different\\\" from the rest of humanity.\\n\\nThe central character of this movie is defintely an outcast. Called \\\"Powder\\\" because of his snow-white skin, this teenager was kept in his grandparent's basement his entire life. He is brought into the school system where kids ridicule, abuse, misunderstand, and even fear him. His science teacher (played by Jeff Goldblum) and the schoolmaster (played by Mary Steenburgen) discover that Powder can control electricity--and has profound wisdom and empathetic insight.\\n\\nPowder is peaceful, tragic Christ-figure who is persecuted for being different and, perhaps, for being prophetic and \\\"otherworldly\\\" as well.\\n\\nThe ending is powerful and satisfying, especially given the gut-wrenching treatment that Powder endures. Some fascinating mystical themes in this movie include the transformation from the physical into pure spirit, the evolution of man, the capacity of Spirit, the power of love, and the archetypal metaphor of feeling \\\"not of this world.\\\"\",\n \"Product: Original VHS tape in original cardboard case. \\\"A scientist makes a last stand on Earth with the help of a ragtag team of soldiers against an invasion of alien phantoms.\\\"\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Mystical Movie With Major Eye Candy\\n\\nReview: Touted as first photo-realistic computer generated feature film, Final Fantasy has some amazing eye candy; the life-likeness of the characters held me transfixed.\\n\\nIn the year 2065, Earth has been taken over by transparent aliens that crashed onto the Earth and who suck the spirit out of any living thing that they can get their hands on. In order to save mankind, Dr. Aki Ross and her trusting mentor, Dr. Sid, must find the \\\"eighth spirit\\\"--a remaining spirit that has not been taken away by the so-called \\\"phantoms\\\"--who holds the key to salvation.\\n\\nWhile Dr. Ross and Dr. Sid seek peace, General Hein, who lost his family to the phantoms, has vowed to take out the aliens by his owns violent means. The \\\"eighth spirit\\\" is a powerful entity dwelling in an unknown life form somewhere on the planet. They've already found the first seven, but they need the eighth in order to complete the combination and neutralize these life-sucking phantoms.\\n\\nThe mystical themes that I enjoyed in this movie is that the planet is alive and conscious(the Gaia hypothesis), there is energy surging throughout all of life, evil is a matter of perspective, and that one need not look outside for salvation--the Divine has been inside the whole time.\",\n \"Product: Two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and Academy Award nominee Jeff Bridges star in this spellbinding, often humorous story of a mysterious stranger who defies convention, puzzles the experts and leaves everyone searching for the truth. A stranger who calls himself Prot (Spacey) seemingly appears out of nowhere following a disturbance at New York's Grand Central Station. Claiming to come from the distant planet K-PAX, Prot draws the attention of jaded Dr. Powell (Bridges), whose initial skepticism soon turns to fascination and amazement. Even a team of leading scientists are at a loss to explain Prot's detailed knowledge of the star system he calls home. But with Prot's return to K-PAX fast approaching, the search for answers intensifies and the mystery takes on pulse-quickening proportions. Featuring unforgettable performances and surprising turns, it's a thrilling story that \\\"Keeps you guessing right to the end!\\\" (ABC Radio)\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Prot: Alien or Delusional Human?\\n\\nReview: This was one of those powerful movies that I \\\"took personally\\\"--especially since the blue jay is my totem and the blue jay figures a prominent role in this movie.\\n\\nKevin Spacey plays a psychiatric patient named Prot--but Prot claims he's really an alien from the planet K-PAX. Jeff Bridges plays Prot's psychiatrist and is convinced that Prot is delusional. But the Doctor's cynicism soon turns into fascination. Could Prot possibly be an alien? Or is there a perfectly logical, \\\"earthly\\\" reason for Prot's belief that he's an alien?\\n\\nI don't want to give away any plot points, but this movie is thought provoking and utterly fascinating. You'll be scratching your head at the end--but a part of you will \\\"get\\\" it even if your mind does not. Some mystical themes I enjoyed in this movie is the existence of aliens, the possible messages of aliens, the power of belief in something beyond yourself, and the power of the mind.\",\n \"Product: In the first-ever \\\"Elmo's World\\\" holiday special, Elmo is gearing up to celebrate Christmas. But what present will he give Dorothy, his beloved goldfish? As he searches for an answer, Elmo learns about holidays around the world and discovers the many things that Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa have in common. Finally, Elmo goes to the North Pole, where Santa has some expert advice about the true spirit of Chirstmas - and the perfect gift for Dorothy!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Much Better Than Elmo Saves Christmas!\\n\\nReview: \\\"Greetings of \\\"Happy Holidays!\\\" can be heard at all times of year throughout the world. Every holiday is a unique cultural tradition with specific origins, meanings, and ritual observances. The holidays that your family celebrates may be different from those of your neighbors and friends, or you may even observe the same holiday differently. To help celebrate some of the diverse cultural traditions that bring joy to the world, Sesame Workshop created the video Elmo's World: Happy Holidays.\\\" - From Sesame Street Workshop\\n\\nMy son has both Elmo Saves Christmas and Elmo's World: Happy Holidays! and the latter DVD is MUCH better. (Harvey Fierstein's role as the Easter Bunny in Elmo Saves Christmas is enough to ruin THAT one for me, let alone everything else...)\\n\\nThis culture-friendly DVD shows kids (and muppets!) celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Ramadan, and even mentions Three Kings Day. I like the fact that this DVD doesn't shy away from the nativity scene and the special birth of a \\\"great teacher to many\\\" like in other overly-PC DVDs. (For example, Blue's Clues Big Holiday has Wynona Judd merely saying \\\"Christmas is a time we celebrate a very special birth\\\"--as if the \\\"J\\\" word was as bad as the \\\"F\\\" word!)\\n\\nYet, it also shows other holiday traditions in a respectful, educational way. A child speaking about celebrating Ramadan says \\\"Ramadan makes me feel happy, to respect my God and my elders\\\". The Chanukah segment is a cartoon describing the miracle of the Lights--and Baby Bear and family spin the dreidel.\\n\\nAnd Elmo doing a Kwanzaa dance? Crazy, bongo-hitting fun!\\n\\nKelly Ripa also makes appearances as the friendly mail carrier; she suits the role well.\\n\\nThis DVD is about an hour long and a *wonderful* holiday tale introducing children to a variety of holiday traditions. Too bad they don't show any Pagan Yule festivals, but I guess that may have been too hard for most to swallow, especially since most think Paganism=Satanism (which couldn't be further from the truth).\\n\\nA well-written, clever DVD! Highly recommended for small children, especially.\",\n \"Product: Classic Jerry Lewis comedy film.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Hilarious! Never Gets Old\\n\\nReview: This nutty movie features Jerry Lewis playing 7 different parts, including a cynical clown, clueless airline pilot, bumbling photographer, doddering boat captain, private detective (complete with English accent!), a goofy gangster, and more!\\n\\nLewis also plays the bodyguard/chaffeur of 9 year old Donna Payton. Her father dies, and the will stipulates that one of her 6 uncles must be named her next father--and receive her 30 million dollar inheritance.\\n\\nMy husband, son, and myself have watched this movie dozens of times, and it never gets old. All parts are funny, but we especially laugh at the antics of the 'photographer' and the 'pilot'. For example, the pilot is about to take a group of women to a conference in Chicago (they're flying out of L.A.) and he ends up losing the map out the window...taking them right back where they started. The funny part, though, is when the pilot (played by Jerry) is fumbling around the steering wheel (which looks like it came off a car) and it detaches...sending him backwards in a gleeful, bewildered giggle as he sails past the women seated in the cabin. He then has to chase the moving plane so he can hop back aboard.\\n\\nThis is great family entertainment that never gets old. I wish they made *more* movies like this!\",\n \"Product: Fat Albert and the Cosby kids aired from 1972 to 1984 and enjoyed one of the longest and most successful runs in Saturday morning cartoon history. Live action bumpers featuring Bill Cosby were set around animated episodes of Fat Albert and the Cosby kids, a series about a group of urban adolescents growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood. The show was based on Cosby's 60's stand up comedy monologues about his childhood. The episodes revolved around the daily life lessons learned by Fat Albert and his friends. Topics ranged from social issues to personal introspection and were blended with humor and music. Among the many great characters that inhabited Fat Albert's world were Rudy, Mushmouth, Donald, Bill, Weird Harold and Russell. A special collection of these historic episodes were compiled into one box set...The Ultimate Fat Albert 4 Disc Set. This unique piece of memorabilia is a collector's item in which many generations will enjoy.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Funny and Clever--A Movie With Heart\\n\\nReview: I usually stay away from comedies because most of them insult my intelligence, with crude humor and language substituting for smart (and funny) writing.\\n\\nAs a child of the 70's, I grew up watching Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. I was hoping this movie wouldn't be a lame re-invention like Scooby-Doo (as an example).\\n\\nBoth my husband and I were pleasantly suprised! We laughed our butts off throughout the movie; it was hilarious to see \\\"Fat Albert\\\" and the gang doing a modern, hip-hop version of \\\"Gonna Have a Good Time (Hey, Hey, Hey!)\\\".\\n\\nThe plot is sweet, but it's not saccharine. There's enough clever humor and sight gags to please adults, as well as the kids (especially if you're familiar with the gang). One of my favorite parts is when Fat Albert and the guys pass a video shop. They see that they're coming out on \\\"DIV-i-der\\\" (the phonetic pronunciation of DVD. It's a lot funnier to see it...) Seeing what happens when cartoons from the 70's come to life in the modern world brings some very hilarious moments, to be sure!\\n\\nSome interesting mysteries pop up, too: Does Dumb Donald have a face under that pink cap? Will Mush Mouth be relegated to mumbling through every conversation in \\\"the real world\\\"?\\n\\nThe most touching part of the DVD is the very end. I don't want to give it away, but I will say that I cried...and that is has to do with Bill Cosby and the real life people that Fat Albert and the gange were patterned after.\\n\\nThere's not a lot of features on this DVD, and I was hoping to hear stories from Cosby about the individuals he patterned the cartoon after. Still, the movie itself is definitely worth the price, and can be enjoyed by young and old alike.\\n\\nNow, if I can just stop my husband and 6 year old from walking around the house saying \\\"Hey, hey, hey!\\\"...\",\n \"Product: When Max dresses as a vampire for Halloween, Ruby is afraid he'll scare Grandma when they go trick-or-treating.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Halloween With Max and Ruby\\n\\nReview: I bought this video for my son's birthday, and he's been watching it every single day--sometimes more than once a day!\\n\\nWith a run-time of 48 minutes, Max and Ruby's Halloween features 6 episodes:\\n\\nMAX'S HALLOWEEN\\n\\nMax wants to be a vampire for Halloween, but Ruby needs a little prince to match her Cinderella costume. Will max choose the tricks over the treats?\\n\\nRUBY'S LEAF COLLECTION\\n\\nOne fall day, Ruby asks Max to help with her Leaf Collection Book. Max loves collecting leaves--maybe a little too much!\\n\\nTHE BLUE TARANTULA\\n\\nMax wants Ruby to read him the tale of \\\"The Blue Tarantula\\\". Will the scary story keep her brother up all night?\\n\\nRUBY'S PANDA PRIZE\\n\\nAt the fair, Ruby really wants to win a panda prize. But will Max's jellyball obsession get in the way?\\n\\nRUBY'S ROLLER SKATES\\n\\nRuby needs to practice so that she can roller-skate to Grandma's house, but Max's tow truck game keeps getting in the way.\\n\\nGHOST BUNNY\\n\\nThe Bunny Scouts can't tell their scary campfire story until Ruby gets Max to sleep. But Max wants to hear the scary story...and make it scarier, too!\\n\\nI'm really not sure what it is about Max & Ruby that enthralls my son so much. In an era of CGI animation, snazzy songs, and fast-paced action, he consistently watches his other Max & Ruby DVD, and now, this video. Ruby is gently bossy, trying to get Max to do what she wants. Max, of course, has his own ideas! (And like my husband asked me the other day \\\"Where in the world is the mother in this series?\\\")\\n\\nBut my son really enjoys Max & Ruby and it's great that parents and caregivers won't have to worry about innuendo, MTV-paced sequences, shrillness or meanness with these characters.\",\n \"Product: When Max dresses as a vampire for Halloween, Ruby is afraid he'll scare Grandma when they go trick-or-treating.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Gentle Halloween Fun With Max & Ruby\\n\\nReview: I bought this video for my son's birthday, and he's been watching it every single day--sometimes more than once a day!\\n\\nMax and Ruby's Halloween features episodes like:\\n\\nMAX'S HALLOWEEN\\n\\nMax wants to be a vampire for Halloween, but Ruby needs a little prince to match her Cinderella costume. Will max choose the tricks over the treats?\\n\\nRUBY'S LEAF COLLECTION\\n\\nOne fall day, Ruby asks Max to help with her Leaf Collection Book. Max loves collecting leaves--maybe a little too much!\\n\\nTHE BLUE TARANTULA\\n\\nMax wants Ruby to read him the tale of \\\"The Blue Tarantula\\\". Will the scary story keep her brother up all night?\\n\\nRUBY'S PANDA PRIZE\\n\\nAt the fair, Ruby really wants to win a panda prize. But will Max's jellyball obsession get in the way?\\n\\nRUBY'S ROLLER SKATES\\n\\nRuby needs to practice so that she can roller-skate to Grandma's house, but Max's tow truck game keeps getting in the way.\\n\\nGHOST BUNNY\\n\\nThe Bunny Scouts can't tell their scary campfire story until Ruby gets Max to sleep. But Max wants to hear the scary story...and make it scarier, too!\\n\\nI'm really not sure what it is about Max & Ruby that enthralls my son so much. In an era of CGI animation, snazzy songs, and fast-paced action, he consistently watches his other Max & Ruby DVD, and now, this video. Ruby is gently bossy, trying to get Max to do what she wants. Max, of course, has his own ideas! (And like my husband asked me the other day \\\"Where in the world is the mother in this series?\\\")\\n\\nBut my son really enjoys Max & Ruby and it's great that parents and caregivers won't have to worry about innuendo, MTV-paced sequences, shrillness or meanness with these characters.\",\n \"Product: The 65th Anniversary Collector's Edition DVD double feature includes \\\"Curious George Comes To America\\\", and \\\"Curious George Goes to The Hospital\\\". The DVD also comes with a long list of special features including bonus episodes of \\\"Frog and Toad Together\\\", \\\"Mouse Soup\\\", and \\\"Morris Has A Cold\\\"; as well as the \\\"Making of Curious George\\\" and a biographical look at the author.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Unusual...But My Son Loves It\\n\\nReview: Ever since my son saw Curious George at the theater, he's been into the whole George scene. He has a stuffed George, the PS2 game, several books (one based on the movie and two from H.A. Rey), etc.\\n\\nWhen he saw this DVD at the store, he wanted it (of course). It was very affordable, so I bought it for him.\\n\\nI was VERY surprised to find out that, despite the illustrations on the box, it is NOT an animated film or collection of animated stories. It's not even stills of the Rey books with voice actors reading the story.\\n\\nNo, what this Collector's Edition DVD is made up of is two Curious George stories done in stop motion with puppets. Although it's unusual to see at first, it has TOTALLY entranced my son. He watches it a least once a day...and this has been going on since before Easter.\\n\\nHowever, there are only two actual Curious George stories on this DVD: Curious George Comes to America and Curious George Goes to the Hospital. The first story, created circa early 1980's, is about the Man in the Yellow Hat and his initial meeting with George...including his decision to bring George to the city. George's shipboard antics gets him in BIG trouble!\\n\\nThe second story has George going to the hospital when he swallows a puzzle piece. He's rushed to the emergency room (which is a rather odd storyline for young kids), but ends up forgetting his fears...instead cheering up other people.\\n\\nThe rest of the DVD includes four stop animation/claymation stories (NOT featuring George):\\n\\n*Frog and Toad Together\\n*Frog and Toad Are Friends\\n*Mouse Soup\\n*Morris Has a Cold\\n\\nThere's also a \\\"making of\\\" at the end.\\n\\nOne of the episodes is absolutely hilarious. It features two rocks bemoaning how they don't have eyes and such. They break out in song \\\"We don't have belly buttons...\\\" and as they mention various body parts, the parts magically appear. It's clever and very funny...my husband and I make sure we're in front of the TV every time it's on! (You gotta see it to appreciate it, believe me...)\\n\\nSo if you're looking for 100% Curious George, you may be disappointed. But at this affordable price--and considering the length (almost 2 hours)--I think it's a good buy for something different for the youngsters.\",\n \"Product: 3...2...1..LIFT OFF! LAUNCH INTO ADVENTURE WITH THE BACKYARDIGANS AS THEY EXPLORE OUTER SPACE ... & THEN MASTER THE ART OF MAKING PIES LIK SAMURAIS! PIE-YA!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Best Backyardigans DVD So Far!\\n\\nReview: 3...2...1...LIFT OFF! Launch into adventure with The Backyardigans as they explore outer space, master the art of making pie like samurai (pie-YA!), go on a mystery caper to find missing jewels, and visit a mad scientist's laboratory!\\n\\nMission to Mars features 4 different episodes, and is BY FAR the most engaging and fun Backyardigans DVD! My son watches his other Backyardigan DVD's intermittently, but he just got this one a few days ago and watches it over and over and over...\\n\\nHere are the four episodes:\\n\\nMISSION TO MARS: When the Backyardigans receive a strange signal originating from Mars, Uniqua, Pablo and Austin blast off to investigate. They're backed up by Tyrone and Tasha, who remain on Earth to assist at Mission Control. The Backyardigans leave prepared for anything, but encounter some surprises along the way. They don't give up, however, and eventually make a surprising discovery regarding the source of the signal.\\n\\nThis episode features two new characters: Mommy Martian (played by Alicia Keys) and Little Martian/Boinga (played by Shakyra Lipscomb).\\n\\nSAMURAI PIE: Spaghetti Western music plays as Samurai Pie Maker Tyrone trains apprentice Austin to make the Great Pie for Empress Tasha...while fending off pie-stealing Ninjas Uniqua and Pablo!\\n\\nSCARED OF YOU: Mad Scientist Tasha sends Austin to bring three monsters (Tyrone, Uniqua and Pablo) back to her laboratory. Tasha's Einsteinian hairdo is *hilarious*. Be on the lookout for special appearances by Mummy, Werewolf, and Vampire!\\n\\nWHODUNIT?: Detective Pablo (looking much like Sherlock Holmes!) is on the case at Mystery Manor to discover who stole Tasha's jewels. Tyrone, Austin and Uniqua are all suspects! Featuring a mysterious English mansion, hedge maze, and theatrical \\\"acting\\\", this episode is my favorite!\\n\\nBecause the last two episodes are mystery-oriented, the Mission to Mars DVD would make an *excellent* Halloween experience for the little ones! As always, there are clever lyrics and diverse musical styles with the songs, so the episodes are not only entertaining, but musically educational.\\n\\nThis DVD also has some special features:\\n\\n*\\\"Hold Tight\\\" dance along with Pablo\\n\\n*\\\"A Message, A Message\\\" dance along with Uniqua\\n\\n*The Backyardigans Game Trial on DVD-ROM (only a 1/2 hour's worth of gameplay)\\n\\nAn excellent--and very affordable--addition to the Backyardigans collection!\",\n \"Product: His drawings and sketches are exhibited and sold worldwide. Beck, Wilco, Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam have recorded his songs. But beneath Daniel Johnstons success as an artist and musician is an incredible story of genius touched by madness: diagnosed as manic-depressive, Johnston has spent the last three decades of his life in and out of mental institutions. Told through a compelling combination of interviews, home movies and performance footage, THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON is a harrowing, hilarious and ultimately moving new documentary film(Jim Farber, New York Daily News). (Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News)!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Inspiring, Intriguing, Scary, and Heartbreaking--and Back to Inspiring\\n\\nReview: \\\"I had lost my mind.\\nI lost my head for a while was off my rocker outta line, outta wack.\\nSee I had this tiny crack in my head\\nThat slowly split open and my brain snoozed out,\\nLyin' on the sidewalk and I didn't even know it.\\nI had lost my mind.\\\" --I Had Lost My Mind by Daniel Johnston\\n\\nI stumbled onto Daniel Johnston's brilliance quite by accident. Last week, I was watching a repeat of the Top 40 Metal Songs on VH1 Classics. Henry Rollins was one of the featured commentators, and my husband mentioned that he had a TV show--and what a fascinating character Rollins was.\\n\\nSo I happened to be channel surfing, and came across Rollins' show on IFC (he was interviewing Billy Bob Thornton). At the end of the show, some guy named Daniel Johnston comes on. At first, we didn't know if he was \\\"for real\\\" or if it was a gag. He warbled a folksy song with his eyes shut (or downcast)--I had wondered if he was blind. We soon became intrigued--especially with the clever lyrics.\\n\\nI said to my husband \\\"Boy, he reminds me of Kurt Cobain. I bet Cobain would have been inspired by Daniel.\\\" The interesting thing is that, unbeknownst to me, Cobain not only knew who Daniel was, but often wore a T shirt featuring one of Daniel's drawings! (\\\"Hi, how are you?\\\")\\n\\nBy the end of his rambling, genuinely-felt song, we wanted to know more. My husband did an internet search, and found out who Daniel Johnston was. He also found out that a DVD was coming out about Daniel; I put it on my Netflix queue.\\n\\nWe just finished watching the DVD, and it was AMAZING. I love documentaries that are character studies, but The Devil and Daniel Johnston was so much more than that. Rather than giving you mere biographical details about the guy (you can find those for yourself), I'll tell you what impressed me about this man and this film.\\n\\nI was (not so) surprised to find that Daniel's parents are fundamentalist Christians, and that his Mom constantly harangued him about being \\\"lazy\\\" and producing \\\"devil cartoons\\\". Her rejection of his interests and talents--trying to force this round peg in a middle-class-American-fundie-square hole--plus her demonizing of his self-expression no doubt contributed to Daniel's paranoia about satan and demons.\\n\\nI was amazed at how utterly creative Daniel was/is; the short films he produced as a teen--especially his editing talents!--were remarkable.\\n\\nWhile the creative Daniel is inspiring, we soon get a glimpse into an almost child-like world view--one that quickly unravels into self-destructive behaviors...not to mention violent tendencies.\\n\\nIt was downright scary watching Daniel in his mid-30's, especially after going off his meds and doing things like hitting his manager in the head with a lead pipe, almost crashing a plane he was on and ranting at his audience about demon possession, the divinity of the number 7, and other paranoid, fundamentalist mumbo jumbo. Watching the self-sabotage and mental illness made me cover my eyes at times--no lie. It was painful.\\n\\nBut then, after 5 years in a mental institution Daniel gets the correct meds--and begins the path of (some sort of) normalcy.\\n\\nThe especially sad part of this documentary wasn't Daniel's unrequited love for Laurie (a girl he met in college); it was the utter devotion of his manager, Jeff Tartakov, who diligently worked on Daniel's behalf even when Daniel was locked up. Daniel fired Jeff at the cusp of a lucrative record deal (Elektra and Atlantic were in a bidding war), and Daniel concluded that Elektra was \\\"demonic\\\" because Metallica was on their label. Under a new manager, Daniel signs with Atlantic, selling only well-under 10,000 copies.\\n\\nUnlike what is listed here on Amazon (and what a reviewer copy and pasted from Amazon's description), the Special Features are only Deleted Scenes, personal recordings of Daniel Johnston, producer commentary, and Daniel's (moving) reunion with Laurie. (Incidentally, she wasn't his \\\"sweetheat\\\" and they met in college, not High School.)\\n\\nAlso showcased in this documentary is Daniel's art (which his former manager snatched up any chance he got, even when he wasn't working for Daniel; talk about loyal!). Like his music, Daniel's art gives us a glimpse into his psyche: brilliant, tortured, unique and child-like. From \\\"Silver Sufferer\\\" to Casper, Captain America to the man who lost his mind--Daniel's art is sometimes like a trainwreck...you just can't look away.\\n\\nIf you're inspired by genius, \\\"tortured\\\" artists, and individuals who blaze a fiery trail just be \\\"being\\\"--you'll likely love this incredible documentary.\\n\\nYou can see Daniel's performance on IFC at:\\n[...]\\n\\nDaniel's website is at [...] His music is produced by Stress Records--a label Jeff Tartakov created expressly for the disemination of Daniel's wonderful music.\",\n \"Product: Based on the hugely popular book by best-selling author Deepak Chopra, How To Know God is an exciting, insightful journey towards a better understanding of one of life's greatest mysteries. Uniquely blending science and philosophy, Chopra offers such an inspiring approach in spiritual thinking, that any viewer, regardless of faith, can undergo a profound quest \\\"to know God\\\" and attain a new concept of what they think they know! And ultimately, through Chopra's brilliant narration, one may come to understand that the quest for God is really a journey in self-understanding. Thought-provoking, practical and thoroughly entertaining, this material, presented by one of the most advanced thinkers of our time, is perhaps the most uplifting DVD you'll ever bring home!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: An Engaging Introduction to Quantum Physics and Divinity\\n\\nReview: \\\"The whole universe is a quantum mirage winking in and out of existence millions of times per second. We are being created over and over again. Genesis didn't happen just once--it happens now.\\\" - From the DVD\\n\\nWhat is \\\"reality\\\"? Who are we? What is our purpose here on Earth? Does God exist? If so, how do we interact with this Being?\\n\\nBased on the book of the same know, How to Know God by Deepak Chopra finds this philosopher and physician playfully contemplating the intricate workings of the Universe and our role in it--as well as the nature of spirituality. Mining myths that crop up all around us--including the hotels of Las Vegas!--Chopra reminds us that gods, goddesses, and heroes teach a vital, central lesson: we are wondrous creatures who should be doing wondrous things.\\n\\nEngaging and accessible, How to Know God takes viewers on a wild ride spanning the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to a virtual golf course--all the way to Fermi Accelerator Lab and onto black holes and the Event Horizon. Chopra discusses the nature of time, the enormous \\\"emptiness\\\" at the atomic level, the importance of the \\\"mind\\\" when decoding chemical and electrical patterns (what we deem \\\"reality\\\"), and the mirage of time and movement.\\n\\nChopra also discusses psychological and spiritual ideas such as synchronicity (a term coined by Jung indicating \\\"meaningful coincidences\\\"), clairvoyance, miracles, and godhood. Here are a few gems from the How to Know God DVD:\\n\\n* \\\"Infinite intelligence can't be crippled by such a tiny thing as disbelief. Both the secular and sacred are one.\\\"\\n* \\\"A god is myself in disguise.\\\"\\n* \\\"Time is just a cosmic convenience to keep everything from happening at once.\\\"\\n* \\\"How can we not see Intelligence behind such precision as the Big Bang?\\\"\\n* \\\"Eventually, you can only know what God is thinking by becoming God yourself.\\\"\\n* \\\"Chaos is only an illusion. It's what you see when you can't see far enough.\\\"\\n* \\\"God is our highest instinct to know ourselves.\\\"\\n\\nWith a run-time of little over an hour, How to Know God is a surprisingly fun presentation. Instead of lecturing from a static studio or stage (what I expected), Chopra traipses around the globe amidst some truly beautiful surroundings with the addition of some quality visual effects. He doesn't seem to take himself all that seriously, using clever anecdotes and amusing visuals while providing the Cliff Notes version of quantum physics.\\n\\nIf you're not that familiar with quantum physics and the role it may play in spirituality, reality and psychic phenomena, How to Know God is a fine general introduction to whet your appetite. Chopra takes a potentially boring, mind-boggling subject and makes it understandable, entertaining, and relevant for seekers and skeptics alike.\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: Movers Of Arabia Movers Pablo and Uniqua move Sultan Tyrone's magical things to groovy surf music. But can they do the job without using up Genie Austin's three wishes? Cops And Robots It's a space chase set to jug band music, as Cops Uniqua and Tyrone to stop Bad Bots Pablonator and T-900 Tasha from turning the galaxy's robots bad! Sinbad Sails Alone Set sail for adventure - and mambo - as Sinbad (Tyrone) encounters rough waters, Siren Uniqua, and Medusa Tasha! Will bumbling First Mate Pablo help... or sink the ship? Best Clowns In Town Silly music plays as Clowns Pablo, Uniqua, and Austin try to impress Ringmaster Tyrone while shuttling him back to the circus in time for the really big show!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Surf Music, Mambo, Jug Band Tunes and Circus Songs!\\n\\nReview: My son has about a dozen Backyardigan DVD's and videos. He loved Movers and Shakers so much, that it he watched it several times a day for a week! It even re-awakened an interest in his OTHER DVDs, so he pulled those out and watched them, too.\\n\\nMovers & Shakers features four episodes:\\n\\nMovers of Arabia - Movers Pablo and Uniqua move Sultan Tyrone's magical things to groovy surf music. But can they do the job without using up Genie Austin's three wishes? This surf rock episode (think Beach Boys!) includes the songs I Am the Sultan, Movers of Arabia, I Wish, and The Genie Bottle (sung to the tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame).\\n\\nCops and Robots - It's a space chase set to jug band music, as Cops Uniqua and Tyrone try to stop Bad Bots Pablonator and T-900 Tasha from turning the galaxy's robots bad! (My son *especially* loved this episode because we had bought the super-cool <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Cops-and-Robots/dp/1416915729/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Cops and Robots</a>\\nbook last fall!) The songs on this episode are Can't Stop the Cops/Bots (sung to the tune of Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me), We Are Badbots, Steer, Baby, Steer, and I Feel Good.\\n\\nSinbad Sails Alone - Set sail for adventure--and mambo--as Sinbad (Tyrone) encounters rough waters, Siren Uniqua and Medusa Tasha! Will bumbling First Mate Pablo help--or sink the ship? Songs on this episode include I'm Sinbad the Sailor, Siren says, Got To Dodge, and Do It Myself\\n\\nBest Clowns In Town - Silly music plays as Clowns Pablo, Uniqua, and Austin try to impress Ringmaster Tyrone while shuttling him back to the circus in time for the really big show! The circus-like songs in this episode include The Best Clowns In Town, That's Not Funny (to the tune Goodnight Ladies, The Show Must Go On, and At The Circus.\\n\\nThere are also two videos on the 99 minute Movers and Shakers DVD: Into the Thick of It and One Good Turn Deserves Another.\\n\\nAs always, I'm always impressed by the colorful animation, witty dialogue, clever plots and--of course--the tour of diverse music styles. I love that the Backyardigans introduces children (and parents!) to various music styles...some which may not be familiar. A great buy!\",\n \"Product: gigi's huge announcement the royal tea party/ the pink ballerina\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Two Cartoons + Nice Extras\\n\\nReview: Gigi's Hugest Announcement is a cute DVD featuring two cartoons based on Sheila Walsh's Gigi books--The Royal Tea Party and The Pink Ballerina.\\n\\nIn addition to these animated cartoons, there are lots of nice extras--a 10 question multiple choice quiz, FOUR read-alongs from four full-length books (Will, God's Mighty Warrior; Gigi, God's Little Princess; The Perfect Christmas Gift; The Royal Tea Party), three how-to drawing tutorials (an animator draws Gigi and Lord Fluffy, then shows how to draw a simplified cat on your own) a Sing-a-Long and several trailers.\\n\\nThe animation is unusual, but fascinating to watch--I haven't seen anything quite like it. Even my son was interested in it and watched them all the way through, as well as the Bonus Features. He even sang along, but substituted \\\"Prince\\\" for \\\"Princess\\\". :o)\\n\\nThe DVD-ROM features don't work on my computer, which is odd (I have Windows Vista and a 2009 Gateway PC). This means that I couldn't find the Wallpapers anywhere when I clicked to download (there's supposedly 8 of them), nor the Screensaver. However, the four coloring pages--delivered via Adobe--came out just fine.\\n\\nGigi is, well, prissy, as one might expect a Princess to be. But she has wild hair and calls herself \\\"average\\\", which tempers the constant assertion she's a \\\"Princess\\\". The Pink Ballerina cartoon is especially funny when Gigi gets a verse in Sunday School about dance...and wonders if a square dance or Riverdance would be a great performance for \\\"the King\\\".\\n\\nThis DVD is produced for Christians, so of course there's the \\\"I'm special because I belong to God\\\" element, and the Will story talks about \\\"the devil\\\"--so as long as you're OK with that, you'll be good to go. We aren't Christians in our house (at least, not traditional ones--we view things more symbolically/metaphorically), so I explained to my son what we believe. At least Gigi reminds kids that they're special for who they are, not what they do--\\\"warts\\\" (or in Gigi's case, freckles) and all.\\n\\nEntertaining and cute, especially the second cartoon. Sheila Walsh reads all four stories, so it was interesting to hear this \\\"blast from the past\\\" (I used to be a Pentecostal minister and Sheila was big in the 80s). However, Lord Fluffy, the cat, is said to be a girl--so I'm confused at the how \\\"Lord\\\" title (my son called it a \\\"movie mistake\\\" LOL).\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot\\n\\nDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: \\\"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.\\\"\",\n \"Product: \\\"Super Secret Super Spy\\\" takes the Backyardigans into a double length James Bond style world with super villains and super spies! The super special musical guest is Cyndi Lauper! The DVD includes three episodes for a total approximate runtime of 100 minutes.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: What a Fun Movie!\\n\\nReview: So, do you like your juice box shaken or stirred?\\n\\nWell, the James Bond-esque Pablo likes his shaken, thank-you-very-much!\\n\\nThis fantastic DVD includes the first Backyardigans movie ever, Super Secret Super Spy. Featuring hip jazz and kid-friendly James Bond references, Pablo--Agent Secret--is hot on the tail of Lady in Pink (Uniqua). With her henchman, Tyrone the Moose, the villains race around the world to obtain three containers with unknown contents.\\n\\nTasha the Hippo plays \\\"Miss T\\\", the head of the secret spy organization, while the purple kangaroo, Austin, dons various disguises as he provides Pablo with state-of-the art equipment (like a transmitting snowcone!) which gives Pablo his assignment.\\n\\nPablo's fast race car turns into a boat, helicopter, snowmobile and other modes of transportation (too cool!), and the music is top notch. In fact, he must peform certain dance moves in order to unlock the secret containers.\\n\\nBut what happens when the code needs two people to dance...and then three? Who will get the containers first? And, more importantly, what in the world is IN those three containers?!\\n\\nFrom Switzerland to London, Super Secret Super Spy is a rousing movie that young fans (and adults!) will adore. My only criticism is the song that's supposedly sung by Cyndi Lauper. #1 The singing sounded like it was done by an amateur who could barely hit the high notes #2 It didn't sound like Cyndi Lauper! (So don't let THAT be a draw for you to buy this DVD...)\\n\\nIn addition to the Backyardigans first movie, this 100 minute DVD also includes the episode A Giant Problem (set to 80's-inspired pop music) as well as a Dirty Socks Funtime Band Music Video and \\\"The Lady in Pink\\\" Featurette. The Secret of Snow episode, which showcases Dixieland Jazz, is also featured on this DVD.\\n\\nIn addition to the catchy lyrics and fun plot, the colors really POP in this episode (how about that white tuxedoed Pablo racing down a highway in his cherry red convertible?) In fact, if you like that snazzy car, you can get the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Super-Secret-Spy-Vehicle/dp/B000SQIG66/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Super Secret Spy Vehicle</a> here at [...]!\\n\\nAnother great DVD featuring the Backyardigans!\",\n \"Product: Rowan Atkinson (Bean, Love Actually, Johnny English) returns to his iconic role as the comical and endearing Mr. Bean in this outrageous comedy adventure! Mr. Bean (Atkinson) can't believe his luck when he wins a camcorder and an all-expense-paid vacation to the French Riviera. But during his train journey to the south of France, he falls face first into a series of mishaps and fortunate coincidences, all of which are caught on camera and far-fetched enough to ensure his own makeshift entry into the Cannes Film Festival! Mr. Bean's Holiday is \\\"an irresistible comedy for the whole family!\\\" (Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV)\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Amusing--But Should Be PG\\n\\nReview: We loved the slapstick elements of Mr. Bean's holiday...and perhaps Mr. Bean is an acquired taste. (For example, he tries oysters on a half shell at a fancy restaurant and pretends to eat them/like them for the snooty waiter. When no one's looking, he dumps the slimy stuff in a lady's purse without her knowing. When her phone, inside her purse, eventually rings--he panics.)\\n\\nSome parts are a bit slow, but if you hang to the end, you'll find a surprisingly tight plot. I love how they tied it all together at the end (and Willem Dafoe was a marvelous sport!)\\n\\nHowever, there was some cussing in the DVD, as well as scenes of faux war--including guns blazing. I'm not a prude--don't mind violence and language normally. HOWEVER, this movie is supposedly rated G, and so I figured there wouldn't be ANYTHING remotely objectionable about this movie...so I let my 9 year old son watch it. I didn't appreciate that those elements were in the movie; it should have been PG.\\n\\nIf you're a fan of visual comedy and the simpleminded wonderment of Mr. Bean, you'll likely enjoy this holiday movie. If it wasn't for the language and gun fights, I'd buy it for my son/the family--but quite frankly, I'm still undecided if it's worth the purchase.\",\n \"Product: Rowan Atkinson (Bean, Love Actually, Johnny English) returns to his iconic role as the comical and endearing Mr. Bean in this outrageous comedy adventure! Mr. Bean (Atkinson) can't believe his luck when he wins a camcorder and an all-expense-paid vacation to the French Riviera. But during his train journey to the south of France, he falls face first into a series of mishaps and fortunate coincidences, all of which are caught on camera and far-fetched enough to ensure his own makeshift entry into the Cannes Film Festival! Mr. Bean's Holiday is \\\"an irresistible comedy for the whole family!\\\" (Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV)\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Amusing--But Should Be PG\\n\\nReview: We loved the slapstick elements of Mr. Bean's holiday...and perhaps Mr. Bean is an acquired taste. (For example, he tries oysters on a half shell at a fancy restaurant and pretends to eat them/like them for the snooty waiter. When no one's looking, he dumps the slimy stuff in a lady's purse without her knowing. When her phone, inside her purse, eventually rings--he panics.)\\n\\nSome parts are a bit slow, but if you hang to the end, you'll find a surprisingly tight plot. I love how they tied it all together at the end (and Willem Dafoe was a marvelous sport!)\\n\\nHowever, there was some cussing in the DVD, as well as scenes of faux war--including guns blazing. I'm not a prude--don't mind violence and language normally. HOWEVER, this movie is supposedly rated G, and so I figured there wouldn't be ANYTHING remotely objectionable about this movie...so I let my 9 year old son watch it. I didn't appreciate that those elements were in the movie; it should have been PG.\\n\\nIf you're a fan of visual comedy and the simpleminded wonderment of Mr. Bean, you'll likely enjoy this holiday movie. If it wasn't for the language and gun fights, I'd buy it for my son/the family--but quite frankly, I'm still undecided if it's worth the purchase.\",\n \"Product: Discover the power of a simple gift! Laura Carrot's Christmas stocking might be empty this year because her dad is in danger of losing his job. While Larry thinks a letter to the North Pole should fix the problem, Bob knows what will really help and tells the story of a little boy named Nicholas who made a discovery in Bethlehem that changed Christmas forever. But what did Nick learn and how can it possibly help Laura and her family? Find out as the Veggies discover the true joy of giving to others at Christmas time and throughout the year!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Heartwarming Tale of St. Nick\\n\\nReview: I've told my son that there was, indeed, a \\\"Santa Claus\\\" in the form of St. Nicholas. When I saw that the Veggie Tales crew was coming out with a DVD about St. Nick, I ordered it immediately.\\n\\nWe have quite a few Veggie Tales DVDs (we're not even Christians), and have always found them to be clever, funny and well-produced eye-candy that presents noble values and practices.\\n\\nWe watched Saint Nicholas last night, and my son and I teared up. I didn't know Nicholas lost his parents as a child, and that they basically died while helping others during a plague. They modeled a life of giving and sharing to young Nicholas. In this DVD, Bob, Larry, Nicky Pepper and company demonstrate the origins of St. Nick (and perhaps even practices of Santa Claus, such as filling stockings and passing gifts through the chimney), including the influence his parents had upon him and the community.\\n\\nThe silly song about a dog wanting donuts was pretty corny--not as good as most other silly songs--but hey! we don't buy Veggie Tales for the silly songs anyway. :o)\\n\\nI wish there were more Bonus Features on this particular DVD (like they have on other ones...such as drawing demonstrations, games, screen saves, etc.), but for the price, the Saint Nicholas Veggie Tales DVD is an absolute gem.\\n\\nI'm glad we added this to our extensive holiday DVD collection, and I know we'll watch it again and again--and probably without a dry eye each time.\\n\\nHighly recommended!\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot\",\n \"Product: An instant holiday classic for the whole family, The Christmas Bunny is a heartwarming adventure bursting with the joy of the season. When Julia, a lonely foster child, discovers an injured rabbit on Christmas Eve, she forms an unlikely friendship with an eccentric farmwoman (Florence Henderson) who vows to nurse the bunny back to health. In the process, Julia s own heart is healed and she forges a bond with her adoptive family that makes her holidays one she and you will never forget.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Your Typical Christmas Movie\\n\\nReview: In arguably the performance of her life, Florence Henderson (Brady Bunch) stars as an eccentric, rough-around-the-edges farmwoman who nurses bunnies back to health.\\n\\nA troubled foster child named Julia has been tossed from home to home, largely because she won't speak and obsessively watches an old videotape of The Velveteen Rabbit. Her foster families don't know what to do with her--and Julia's Mom is a drug addict incapable of caring for her.\\n\\nEnter a loving but fallen-on-hard-times family that includes an out-of-work engineer for a father, a stay-at-home furniture-painting mom and an adolescent boy who have decided to take on a foster child (doing double duty for additional income and filling a void in the mom's heart).\\n\\nThe caseworkers place Julia with the family, but the transition isn't smooth--especially because of Julia's lack of communication and anti-social behavior.\\n\\nDuring the holidays, cousins come over and an uncle gets the boy a BB gun. They run out in the woods and start shooting at birds--and end up injuring a bunny. Julia takes to the bunny and the family rush the animal to the vet.\\n\\nBarring an expensive operation, the bunny has little chance. However, the vet knows a woman who's a \\\"Bunny Lady\\\"...a rabbit whisperer, if you will. The family goes to the Bunny Lady's farm and get a chilly reception, but she agrees to keep it and try to mend it.\\n\\nUnbeknownst to her family, Julia gets off at a different bus stop (which worries them): it's at the Bunny Lady's farm. The Bunny Lady allows Julia to visit every day, and she teaches Julia how to care for the rabbits.\\n\\nWhen the bratty boys take the healed bunny and decide to put it in one of their \\\"sleighs\\\" to push down a steep snow hill they made, Julia screams--and bites one of the boys...and then runs away deep into the forest on a bitterly cold evening.\\n\\nThe rest of the movie shows how a family's love (and a rabbit's!) breaks through to a sad, mistrustful, lonely little girl--and how a grown man learns humility for the sake of his family and how a bitter widow's heart softens towards humanity.\\n\\nThe Christmas Bunny isn't a saccharine holiday tale (despite receiving Five out of Five Doves from the Dove Foundation), and does have a few unsettling moments. Still, it's a redemptive, well-acted movie likely to elicit more than a few tears, as well as feelings of thankfulness for family and community.\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of lots of stuff\",\n \"Product: Directed by Chris Sanders, Kirk de Micco. Starring Emma Stone, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I Laghed! I Cried!\\n\\nReview: It's a rough and tumble world for cave-dwelling Croods, especially as they fight for survival with daily violent tag-team matches just to snag a precious bird egg for breakfast.\\n\\nTeenage Eep has blossomed into a curious young woman, but one of the main rules of her father, Grug, is to NOT be curious! In fact, his motto--pummeled into his brood's heads every night during storytime--is Fear is Good! Change is Bad! Never not be afraid!\\n\\nBut oh, a change is a comin'...in the form of cataclysmic weather and geographic upheaval.\\n\\nWhen Eep sneaks out one night and meets a boy with fire--and ideas--Grug is furious. But when the Croodses cave is destroyed from seismic explosions, Grug soon realizes that his family needs something other than his talent for brute force to navigate unfamiliar territory. Cue testosteronic jealousy and jockeying for position...especially for a place in Eep's heart.\\n\\nI don't want to give away any more of the plot, because The Croods is a special movie deserving of discovery...not play-by-play spoilers.\\n\\nLet me just say that my husband, our 14 year old and I all LOVED this movie. Just loved it. The animation was stunning (especially all the cool plant and animal hybrids, not to mention the tropical scenes near water), the voice acting pitch-perfect and the script outstanding. I was surprised (probably shouldn't have been) when I saw John Cleese credited for co-writing the screenplay. The fact that there are several laugh-out-loud scenes are a testament to his comic genius.\\n\\nArguably the best part, though, is the HEART in this movie. Yes, I was actually crying during an incredible scene of paternal sacrifice. And I was relieved that it turned out OK. But some scenes are pretty intense, so The Croods earns its PG rating quite honestly.\\n\\nAfter the movie was over and we got into the car, we were almost breathless. \\\"What a great movie!\\\" we kept saying. And, of course, we \\\"replayed\\\" the comedic scenes!\\n\\nSeriously, this is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time--animated or otherwise. It's worth every penny to see in the theater, and we eagerly look forward to the DVD!\",\n \"Product: Rodgers and Hart. George and Ira Gershwin. Cole Porter. Lerner and Loewe. For most people who've grown up with and shared America's musical heritage, great songs open the floodgates to memories and feelings. Perhaps nowhere is this more profound than in the world of Broadway musicals, with their iconic melodies and memorable lyrics. Revisit the standards, originally written for the stage, that have both delighted and helped mend the broken hearts of Americans for decades. These 16 delightful lectures immerse you in the world of Broadway, exploring the intricacies of musical composition and song construction-and how they were used to create specific effects - as well as the social and historical backdrop against which musical theater must be considered. Much as we often concentrate on the so-called \\\"golden age\\\" of the 1950s, American musical theater spans the history of two vibrant centuries: the era of the minstrel show-whose contributions to American music were immense, in spite of the embarrassment we still feel at many of its images-vaudeville, ragtime, the revue; and the age of fully integrated book musicals launched by the 1927 production of Show Boat . With examples at the piano, Professor Messenger shows you the soundtrack of America - and for millions of us, the soundtrack of our lives. This insightful and sublimely enjoyable learning experience can forever change the way you experience musical theater.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Birth of American Music\\n\\nReview: I've homeschooled our son his entire life and we use Great Courses for a lot of his formal learning. He especially loves the music courses, and was eager to start this one (along with Robert Greenberg's Music as a Mirror of History). He loves it, especially since he already had some \\\"old fashioned\\\" recordings--and performed in two Music Theater shows (Mary Poppins and Shrek the Musical). This is one of The Great Courses older video lecture series, but in some ways, I like them better since they lack all the changing camera angles (which are getting a bit irritating in some of the newer ones) and (at times) distracting background props. Highly recommended if you want to know the history of early American music in general (e.g. Minstrel Shows and Tin Pan Alley), but especially the birth of Broadway.\",\n \"Product: Spiritual author and lecturer Marianne Williamson hosts an inspirational program based on her bestselling book 'Everday Grace.' In this public television special, Marianne explains how a spiritual outlook can impact even the most mundane moments of daily living--from traffic jams to job anxiety to spousal disagreements--and offers five guiding principles to infuse these frustrating moments with tranquility and grace.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Live Lecture Conveying Hope and Magic\\n\\nReview: \\\"Fairytales are actually metaphysical information given to all of us if we actually look at what they say.\\\" - From the DVD\\n\\nAccording to author Marianne Williamson, the very thought that miracles CAN happen is an extraordinary empowerment, if we allow it to be. This concept is much like the \\\"magic wands\\\" of fairytales like Cinderella whereby mice turn into coachmen, pumpkins into coaches, and rags into ball gowns.\\n\\nIn the DVD Everyday Grace, Williamson gives a 75-minute live lecture explaining why humanity needs to evolve beyond where it is and how miracles can play a vital part in individual and corporate transformation.\\n\\nThe current age reflects a mechanistic, Newtonian worldview where the earth is as a large machine where we have very little power to change objects and events outside ourselves. Echoing modern theories of Quantum Physics, Williamson asserts that when we observe and perceive something differently, the object itself changes. She goes onto to say that our species is no longer well adapted for survival because we fight too much. We must evolve past the place where the only way we fix things is to destroy them-much like the mindset found in modern medicine.\\n\\nIn the Everyday Grace DVD, Williamson goes on to share five \\\"magic wands\\\" that can help us tap into a power that is in us, but not of us-that can do what we cannot do for ourselves. They are:\\n\\nWand #1 - Consider the possibility a miracle could happen here.\\n\\nWand #2 - We are the angels we've been waiting for. Breakthroughs happen in our lives when breakthroughs happen within us.\\n\\nWand #3 - Every thought of judgment blocks the Light. If we knew enough about almost anyone we could, on some level, forgive almost anything.\\n\\nWand #4 - The end is inherent in the means. If we make \\\"the goal\\\" paramount, we will be tempted in various ways to compromise our integrity, exploit relationships, and engage in unethical behavior.\\n\\nWand #5 - Sacred silence rights the Universe. Every spiritual and philosophical tradition encourages prayer, the cultivation of stillness, meditation, etc.\\n\\nSaying that the 21st century belongs to the \\\"Fairy Godmother\\\", Williamson describes the symbolism of Cinderella, applying the metaphor to our evolving consciousness. Stressing that our thoughts create reality, she admonishes us that the wars will stop outside only when they stop INSIDE. In fact, \\\"today's newspaper is just a reflection of yesterday's thoughts\\\" but we can apply the five \\\"magic wands\\\" to create miracles in both the world and ourselves.\\n\\nThis DVD also includes an extensive interview with Marianne Williamson, covering topics such as:\\n\\n* Her early career\\n\\n* Her favorite book\\n\\n* The writing of the book Everyday Grace\\n\\n* Her greatest achievement\\n\\n* The greatest challenge in the world\\n\\nShe says that \\\"you can't touch an audience without the truth of your own journey\\\" and Williamson has consistently lived out this ideal through her books and lectures. If you'd like a good dose of hope and the means to create a magical, beautiful world, the Everyday Grace DVD shows the way.\",\n \"Product: Narada's highly popular Christmas titles have always represented a fresh approach to beloved Yuletide music by such exceptional artists as Michael Gettel, David Arkenstone, Tingstad & Rumbel, David Lanz, Michael Jones, Nando Lauria and many others. Now, for the 1st time, the very best of these extraordinary works are gathered in a massive 2-CD compilation featuring more than 2 hours of outstanding music - at an outstanding price.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Beautiful, Relaxing Christmas Music\\n\\nReview: This 2-disc set is one of my favorites--and I own over 32 Christmas CD's and over 20 Christmas cassettes.)\\n\\nNarada is a popular New Age label, and this is a compilation CD from previous Narada Christmas releases. What is New Age music? Many styles fall under New Age music, including neo-classical, instrumental, ethereal synthesized music, Celtic, and light jazz. Some artists don't like to be categorized under New Age, but it's hard to find a place for the beautiful, relaxing, and positive music that often falls under the New Age genre.\\n\\nThis CD features traditional Christmas songs rendered in a non-traditional way, as well as new Christmas songs that are sure to become favorites of the season. There is enough varying of styles to add interest, including songs with beautiful vocals. What you won't find on this CD is drummed up \\\"fake\\\" holiday cheer with songs that grate on your nerves. Every song is truly ear candy that will soothe frazzled holiday nerves and bring the mind and spirit back to a more peaceful and joyful state.\\n\\nCurrently we have both CD's in our car's CD changer, and it was a treat to listen to them as we went Christmas shopping this weekend. Even my 5 year old son called from the back seat \\\"nice singing!\\\" I highly recommend this 2-disc Christmas collection from Narada if you like fresh, inspiring, and pleasant holiday music.\\n\\nDisc 1\\n\\n1. I Saw Three Ships - David Arkenstone\\n2. First Noel - Ralf Illenberger\\n3. Enniscorthy Christmas Carol - Dordan\\n4. Il Est N (He Is Born) - Michael Gettel\\n5. Joy to the World - Bruce Mitchell\\n6. Angels We Have Heard on High - David Lanz\\n7. Away in a Manger - David Darling\\n8. Silent Night - Tingstad & Rumbel\\n9. We Three Kings - David Arkenstone\\n10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Michael Whalen\\n11. Unto Us a Boy Is Born\\n12. What Child Is This? - Billy McLaughlin\\n13. Carol of the Bells - Kostia\\n14. Bring the Torch - Tingstad & Rumbel\\n\\nDisc 2\\n\\n1. Gloria - Nando Lauria\\n2. Silver Bells - David Arkenstone\\n3. Mistletoe Waltz - Dordan\\n4. O Come All Ye Faithful - David Lanz\\n5. O Holy Night - Brian Mann\\n6. Ding Dong! Merrily on High - Nancy Rumbel\\n7. Do You Hear What I Hear? - David Arkenstone\\n8. Ukrainian Carol - Spencer Brewer\\n9. It Came upon a Midnight Clear - Wayne Gratz\\n10. Celebration - Tingstad & Rumbel\\n11. Coventry Carol/Nol Nouvelet - Bob Read\\n12. O Little Town of Bethlehem/The Holly and the Ivy\\n13. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Sheldon Mirowitz\\n14. Hallelujah\",\n \"Product: Super Bark Stop, stops nuisance barking in or outdoors. Bark Stop stops your dog's bark or your neighbor's dog bark! Bark Stop is guaranteed to stop nuisance barking and sleepless nights!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Works Like a Charm! (Amended Review)\\n\\nReview: Like many people, I have ignorant neighbors that allow their yappy mutt to bark on and on and on. Despite talking to the neighbor politely and such, they still have no concern for the noise pollution. I was losing sleep, and the barking was getting so bad that I even considered moving!\\n\\nIn desperation, we looked online for something to stop barking dogs. We came across Viatek's Super Bark Stop and decided to risk the money.\\n\\nWOW, talk about being worth the money! My husband affixed the device on a piece of wood, and staked it about 5 feet high in our back yard. It's unsightly, yes, but we're the only ones to really see it. More importantly, it's RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE BARKING MUTT. The first time he tested it, he told me the dog about jumped out of its skin! We laughed gleefully. Could a good night's sleep actually be on the horizon...?\\n\\nIt's been several days and Super Bark Stop has worked AMAZINGLY. The dog will no lie as far as it can away from the device...when it usually lay in the middle of the neighbor's yard. If it starts to yelp a little, it stops almost immediately. It's as if it's afraid to bark. YAY!\\n\\nYou can select the volume, tone, and number of barks to help eliminate false activation (say, from talking or loud bird squawking). Audible and inaudible both work fine, but we now keep it on inaudible at the two bark setting.\\n\\nThe device is waterproof plastic and you need 4 D batteries (not included) to operate it.\\n\\nI am SO thankful we found Super Bark Stop! My nerves were really getting jangled and I was dreading early mornings, when they put the mutt outside. It's amazing at how inconsiderate neighbors are; just because you may want a dog doesn't mean I want saddled with its noise while you neglect it!\\n\\nP.S. After using Bark Stop for 2 weeks (yes, it did work!), we noticed that the neighbors dog started to bark a bit more. (Not as bad as before, though.) We had it on silent, and realized that it had stopped working. Apparently, it's not 100% waterproof, despite the claims of the manufacturer. The person I bought it from said that \\\"once it's opened, we find that it's not 100% waterproof\\\". Well guess what? You gotta open it to put the batteries in it! Either buy a faux bird house to protect Bark Stop or house it where it won't get wet. Otherwise, you may find yourself in the same position we were in. We got a refund, and fortunately for us, our neighbors got rid of their dog...so we didn't bother getting a new one.\",\n \"Product: Super Bark Stop, stops nuisance barking in or outdoors. Bark Stop stops your dog's bark or your neighbor's dog bark! Bark Stop is guaranteed to stop nuisance barking and sleepless nights!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Relief...At Last! (Amended Review)\\n\\nReview: Like many people, I have ignorant neighbors that allow their yappy mutt to bark on and on and on. Despite talking to the neighbor politely and such, they still have no concern for the noise pollution. I was losing sleep, and the barking was getting so bad that I even considered moving!\\n\\nIn desperation, we looked online for something to stop barking dogs. We came across Viatek's Super Bark Stop and decided to risk the money.\\n\\nWOW, talk about being worth the money! My husband affixed the device on a piece of wood, and staked it about 5 feet high in our back yard. It's unsightly, yes, but we're the only ones to really see it. More importantly, it's RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE BARKING MUTT. The first time he tested it, he told me the dog about jumped out of its skin! We laughed gleefully. Could a good night's sleep actually be on the horizon...?\\n\\nIt's been several days and Super Bark Stop has worked AMAZINGLY. The dog will lie as far as it can away from the device...when it usually lay in the middle of the neighbor's yard. If it starts to yelp a little, it stops almost immediately. It's as if it's afraid to bark. YAY!\\n\\nYou can select the volume, tone, and number of barks to help eliminate false activation (say, from talking or loud bird squawking). Audible and inaudible both work fine, but we now keep it on inaudible at the two bark setting.\\n\\nThe device is waterproof plastic and you need 4 D batteries (not included) to operate it.\\n\\nI am SO thankful we found Super Bark Stop! My nerves were really getting jangled and I was dreading early mornings, when they put the mutt outside. It's amazing at how inconsiderate neighbors are; just because you may want a dog doesn't mean I want saddled with its noise while you neglect it!\\n\\nP.S. After using Bark Stop for 2 weeks (yes, it did work!), we noticed that the neighbors dog started to bark a bit more. (Not as bad as before, though.) We had it on silent, and realized that it had stopped working. Apparently, it's not 100% waterproof, despite the claims of the manufacturer. The person I bought it from said that \\\"once it's opened, we find that it's not 100% waterproof\\\". Well guess what? You gotta open it to put the batteries in it! Either buy a faux bird house to protect Bark Stop or house it where it won't get wet. Otherwise, you may find yourself in the same position we were in. We got a refund, and fortunately for us, our neighbors got rid of their dog...so we didn't bother getting a new one.\",\n \"Product: Super Bark Stop, stops nuisance barking in or outdoors. Bark Stop stops your dog's bark or your neighbor's dog bark! Bark Stop is guaranteed to stop nuisance barking and sleepless nights!\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Peace and Quiet---At Last! (Amended Review)\\n\\nReview: Like many people, I have ignorant neighbors that allow their yappy mutt to bark on and on and on. Despite talking to the neighbor politely and such, they still have no concern for the noise pollution. I was losing sleep, and the barking was getting so bad that I even considered moving!\\n\\nIn desperation, we looked online for something to stop barking dogs. We came across Viatek's Super Bark Stop and decided to risk the money.\\n\\nWOW, talk about being worth the money! My husband affixed the device on a piece of wood, and staked it about 5 feet high in our back yard. It's unsightly, yes, but we're the only ones to really see it. More importantly, it's RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE BARKING MUTT. The first time he tested it, he told me the dog about jumped out of its skin! We laughed gleefully. Could a good night's sleep actually be on the horizon...?\\n\\nIt's been several days and Super Bark Stop has worked AMAZINGLY. The dog will no lie as far as it can away from the device...when it usually lay in the middle of the neighbor's yard. If it starts to yelp a little, it stops almost immediately. It's as if it's afraid to bark. YAY!\\n\\nYou can select the volume, tone, and number of barks to help eliminate false activation (say, from talking or loud bird squawking). Audible and inaudible both work fine, but we now keep it on inaudible at the two bark setting.\\n\\nThe device is waterproof plastic and you need 4 D batteries (not included) to operate it.\\n\\nI am SO thankful we found Super Bark Stop! My nerves were really getting jangled and I was dreading early mornings, when they put the mutt outside. It's amazing at how inconsiderate neighbors are; just because you may want a dog doesn't mean I want saddled with its noise while you neglect it!\\n\\nP.S. After using Bark Stop for 2 weeks (yes, it did work!), we noticed that the neighbors dog started to bark a bit more. (Not as bad as before, though.) We had it on silent, and realized that it had stopped working. Apparently, it's not 100% waterproof, despite the claims of the manufacturer. The person I bought it from said that \\\"once it's opened, we find that it's not 100% waterproof\\\". Well guess what? You gotta open it to put the batteries in it! Either buy a faux bird house to protect Bark Stop or house it where it won't get wet. Otherwise, you may find yourself in the same position we were in. We got a refund, and fortunately for us, our neighbors got rid of their dog...so we didn't bother getting a new one.\",\n \"Product: Crayola Super Tips Washable Markers can be used for a variety of projects thanks to versatile tips that can draw either thick or thin lines. Use Crayola Super Tips Markers for drawing, coloring, or even writing. The markers are designed to easily wash off of skin and out of most clothing, plus their ink won't bleed through paper.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Review of the 20-Count Version\\n\\nReview: Do the \\\"silly scents\\\" markers really smell--and smell good? You betcha!\\n\\nIn the 20-count version my son has, there are 5 that are \\\"silly scented\\\". (From the picture here at Amazon.com, it would appear that the 50-count version has at LEAST 12 \\\"silly scented\\\" markers. I can tell because those markers have black tips rather than white ones.)\\n\\nThe five scents that are in the 20-count version are:\\n\\n* Burnt Marshmallow (Black)\\n\\n* Cherry (Red)\\n\\n* Wildberry (Magenta)\\n\\n* Orange (Orange)\\n\\n* LEmon (Yellow)\\n\\nThe black marker is especially delicious smelling--but I have a concern (and thus the four stars): doesn't this encourage kids to smell markers--which can be potentially dangerous...or fatal...if they smelled the wrong kind of markers?\\n\\nThe reason I'm even *writing* this review is that I'm sitting here composing an article and I hear my son behind me saying \\\"Mmmm...smells like S'mores...\\\" I then thought \\\"Oh geez...what if kids get the idea that smelling markers is a good idea...thinking that ANY marker can smell, potentially, like a yummy dessert or fruit?\\\"\\n\\nOther than that concern (which didn't occur to me at the time of purchase), these washable markers are quite colorful and great for writing, drawing, and coloring because of their narrowed \\\"super tips\\\"--which means they can draw both thick and thin.\\n\\nAnd yes, they are (thankfully!) washable. My son accidentally graced the antique white wall in the living room with one of these markers and it washed right off--and I know they do the same if they get on clothes.\",\n \"Product: From the worlds of mythology, folklore and legend, Fantasical Creatures Tarot brings to life a colorful menagerie of mystical beings. Premier Edition Tarot includes 78 card deck, 70-page instruction booklet, quick reference guide cards, custom 17\\\" x 20 double-sided spread sheet.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Lovely Deck Featuring the Art of Lisa Hunt\\n\\nReview: \\\"It is possible to re-learn the ancient art of communication with fantastic creatures. When approached in the proper ways, these powers can help us. By tapping into these astral sources, we can use the ancient images in divination to gain a clearer picture of what is causing life problems and what we can do about it.\\\" - From the Little White Book\\n\\nFrom the Lady of the Lake to the Kraken, Griffin to Jenny Greenteeth, the Fantastical Creatures Tarot brims with a dizzying array of gods, goddesses, mythological creatures and the stuff of legends.\\n\\nFeaturing the luminous artwork of Lisa Hunt, each card of the Major and Minor Arcana is dedicated to a specific being (or group of creatures). You'll find dragons, a unicorn, faeries, a werewolf, a vampire, selkies, valkyries, gnomes, brownies, firedrakes and lion-dogs. Pegasus makes an appearance, as does a centaur, faun, minotaur, mermaids, harpies, The Djinn, firebird and The Sphinx.\\n\\nTitania, the \\\"mistress of glamour and matriarch of magick\\\" finds representation in the Fantastical Creatures Tarot, as does Oberon, Gilgamesh, Kali Ma, Tiamat, Yemaya, Lilith, Quetzalcoatl, Circe and the triple-goddess Morrigan.\\n\\nThe cards retain traditional titles rather than the creature depicted, although Trump XV is cleverly re-named \\\"Chains\\\" in this deck. Minor suits are Wands, Cups, Pentacles and Swords and although Wands are associated with Air and Swords with Fire in this deck, the association isn't obvious by illustration alone.\\n\\nAs always, Ms. Hunt's stunning art shimmers with light and color, enlivening the fanciful world of creatures that are sometimes awe-inspiring and other times frightening, yet remain a ready menagerie of aid for those bold and trusting enough to call upon their energies for magick or insight.\\n\\nThe glossy cards measure approximately 4 x 2 inches and have a simple circular filigreed motif centered on an ecru background, making the backings fully reversible.\\n\\nUnfortunately, this lovely deck isn't accompanied by a full-length book--only a 71-page Little White Book by D.J. Conway. Several times, the LWB description doesn't seem to jive with card image. For example, the creatures in the 2 of Pentacles are described as Fey who are \\\"human-sized, wingless members of the Fairy Kingdom\\\". However, the Fey in the card clearly have wings.\\n\\nAlthough the brief mythology of each card is adequate, some of the interpretations seem a bit repetitive, as well as the descriptive elements of some of the images.\\n\\nIn addition, some of the choices of fantastical creatures seem ill suited to their particular cards and meanings. For example, the 3 of Pentacles represents mischievous hobgoblins that \\\"like nothing better than to spoil luck, create nightmares, hide things and frighten people\\\". Yet, the divinatory meaning given is \\\"opportunities will soon come from you to learn new skills\\\".\\n\\nTwo quick reference cards come with the Fantastical Creatures Tarot, providing keywords for both Arcanas. A large, two-sided illustrated fold-out with five spreads is also included in this kit. However, the keywords for the suits don't seem right on the fold-out. For example, the Air/Mental realm is said to be made up of \\\"thoughts, ideas, communications, emotions, relationships and love.\\\" The first three, yes--but the last three? That's the realm of Cups/Water/Emotions.\\n\\nIf you love Lisa Hunt's artwork, particularly the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Animals-Divine-Tarot/dp/0738703214/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Animals Divine Tarot</a>, you'll want to get your hands on this lovely deck. Those inspired by mythology and otherworldly creatures will also likely enjoy the Fantastical Creatures Tarot. (I also think fans Paul Mason, particularly the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Fairy-Ring/dp/0738702749/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Fairy Ring</a>, would also like this deck--especially since Jenny Greenteeth and others found therein).\\n\\nHowever, this isn't a good deck for beginners, especially with some of the confusing and contradictory elements found in the LWB and fold-out.\\n\\n(To see 13 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: \\\"Pointing upward toward the sky, the shape of the pyramid is thought to resonate with positive cosmic energy.\\n\\nNow, everyone can summon the ancient wisdom of the pyramid to receive answers to all their questions about life, love, and everything the future holds. Mystic Pyramid speaks over 100 different insightful phrases, 50 of them positive messages. The professionally recorded responses are electronically randomized and tracked so there are minimum repeats. Synchronized light effects enhance the magical experience.\\n\\nThe power of the Pyramid is now in your hands.\\n\\nTo activate the Mystic Pyramid simply focus your energy, ask your question, then press down on the Pyramid to hear its response.\\n\\nSample responses:\\n\\\"\\\"You have every reason to be confident.\\\"\\\"\\n\\n\\\"\\\"The timing couldnt be better.\\\"\\\"\\n\\n\\\"\\\"Your luck may be changing.\\\"\\\" \\\"\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: It Talks! It Lights Up! So Fun!\\n\\nReview: Remember those magic 8 balls from decades long gone? You'd shake the liquid-filled ball, and a white pyramid with a message on it would float into the window as if by magic. Pretty freakin' cool back then!\\n\\nFast forward into the 21st century, and U.S. Games Systems, Inc. has given a super-cool spin on this fun fortunetelling toy embodied in the Mystic Pyramid.\\n\\nWhat is the Mystic Pyramid, you ask?\\n\\nWell, it's otherworldly gray pyramid that, when pressed down, booms out a prognostication to your every question.\\n\\nSome of the messages you may receive via the Mystic Pyramid include:\\n\\n* Let go of unrealistic expectations.\\n\\n* Your dreams are about to be realized.\\n\\n* Revisit the issue at a later time.\\n\\n* Your deepest joy will shine forth.\\n\\n* Accept disappointment and move on.\\n\\n* The outcome may surprise you.\\n\\n* Embark on a new path with confidence.\\n\\nWith a deep male voice echoing a bit like the Great Oz--not to mention glowing blue light emanating from the pyramid \\\"seams\\\"--the Mystic Pyramid makes for a fascinating party game.\\n\\nIt's so mystically attractive, I keep our Mystic Pyramid right on the entertainment center as a decoration. However, my husband and son have a hard time resisting pushing on the Mystic Pyramid when they walk by.\\n\\nFinally, I had to admonish them: \\\"Only for serious questions!\\\"\\n\\nIf you're looking for a fun gift for that hard-to-by person, or perhaps want to wow a youngster with his or her very own portable fortuneteller, you MUST get the Mystic Pyramid for them. The voice, the lights, the ease of use (and don't forget batteries that ARE included!)--what's NOT to love, right?\\n\\nIn fact, let me ask the Mystic Pyramid:\\n\\nMystic Pyramid, will the readers of my review enjoy you if they get you?\\n\\nThe reply: \\\"You already know the answer.\\\"\\n\\nSee? Told ya!\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of lots of stuff\",\n \"Product: Third in the hugely popular series of Element Encyclopedias, this is the most comprehensive guide you'll ever find to every magical creature from myth, folklore and legend around the world. This compendium of magical creatures explores the history, folklore and mythology of these facinating beasts throughout all magical worlds. Including stories, celebrations, traditions, and amazing facts about the creatures, this book spans every major culture across the globe. Many of the creatures described in the book have appeared in the fictitious worlds of the brothers Grimm, Lewis Caroll, J.K. Rowling, Tolkien and countless other writers who have stirred our imaginations since childhood fairytales. From unicorns, giants, fairies, elves, goblins, dwarves and trolls to nymphs, mermaids, sphinxes, ogres, cyclops, dragons, mermaids, salamanders, basilisks, banshees, werewolves, griffins, centaurs, satyrs and gremlins -- this is the ultimate reference book on creatures from the magical world. But have you ever heard of Cherufes, Lampaluguas or the Quetzal? The cross-cultural focus spans from the most ancient of creatures to those which have come to prominence relatively recently. Every obscure and mythological creature is described in detail in this fantastic book, including gods from many cultures and everyday animals that carry magical symbolism. The information not only refers each creature to the mythology surrounding it, but also illustrates how many of these magical beasts relate to each other and are interconnected across mythical worlds. Find out more in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Some Interesting Information--But Has Research Gaps and Innacuracies\\n\\nReview: \\\"This book is a zoology of the imagination more than it is a natural history. It follows the myths of magical creatures wherever they show themselves, myths that are primal stories encoding understandings that we grasp by means of metaphor rather than with any literal-mindedness. Where will these creatures lead us?\\\"\\n\\nThe Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is a 682-page, flexibound compendium of fantastic beings from myth, magic, and urban legend. (Flexibound is somewhat between a hardcover and a paperback). Arranged alphabetically for easy reference, hundreds of entries are culled from literature, sacred texts, history, legends, cryptozoology, and movies. Mythical stories pertaining to animals, fowl, and insects are also provided. Entertaining and informative, this book sparks both imagination and curiosity. Indeed, it's hard to read \\\"just one\\\" entry in this unique book.\\n\\nSome of the fantastical beasts, monsters, and demigods listed in this book include:\\n\\n* Bunyip\\n\\n* Lorelei\\n\\n* Puck\\n\\n* Sasquatch\\n\\n* Chupacabras\\n\\n* Thoth\\n\\n* Quetzalcoatl\\n\\n* Elves\\n\\n* Bastet\\n\\n* Leviathan\\n\\n* Dryads\\n\\n* Lilith\\n\\n* Ouroboros\\n\\n* Mothman\\n\\n* Fire Drake\\n\\n* Golem\\n\\n* Banshee\\n\\n* Satyr\\n\\n* Basilisk\\n\\n* Thunderbird\\n\\n* Scapegoat\\n\\nWhile many entries are familiar, I found the majority obscure--having never heard of them. I was intrigued to find that Dobby, the house elf from the Harry Potter books, is actually a genus of British house fairies--known mostly in the north of England. Supposedly, the Dobby/Dobie makes ridiculous mistakes or is easily confused. When I read the entry for the Brownie (pronounced \\\"broony\\\"), I was surprised to read that the sure way to get rid of a brownie is to give him a piece of clothing--just like the house elves in the J.K. Rowling series. (Unfortunately, the authors didn't cross-reference Dobby to Brownie for some reason, so I stumbled upon the entry quite by accident. Or, due to obscene curiosity, I suppose).\\n\\nAt times, the authors speak at length about Potter references in relevant entries. However, the entry for the Stag fails to mention Harry Potter's Patronus, which is a luminous white stag that Harry conjures in his times of need.\\n\\nSome of the research seems sketchy at best and inaccurate at worst. For example, under the Mothman entry, there's a mention of the movie The Mothman Prophecies. The entry states \\\"starring Kevin Costner\\\", but Costner isn't in the film. The star of the movie is actually Richard Gere. I have to wonder: if the authors include a mistake like this--on a fact that is easily researchable--how accurate is the other information in this book?\\n\\nOne of the first entries I looked up was \\\"tulpas\\\", a concept that fascinates me. Unfortunately, there is no mention or entry for this phenomenon. Yet, there was information on the Golem, which is similar--but of Jewish/Kabbalistic origin.\\n\\nWhile the authors explained that Fawkes is a pet Phoenix of Dumbledore in the Potter series, they fail to mention a more common mythological connection: the Phoenix is connected to the sign of Scorpio, and is considered a higher expression of this Zodiacal sign. Another \\\"miss\\\" was the entry on Salamanders. There is no mention that this creature is a spirit connected with the fire element in magical Hermeticism and some Pagan traditions. (Not to mention that the Salamander is a somewhat common theme among the fire suits in Tarot, most notably the Wands.) So I looked up Gnome (associated with the earth element), and *did* find a brief mention of salamander, gnome, undine, and sylph in terms of hermetic practice and Paracelsusian philosophy. Thus, the cross references in this book seems to be shoddy.\\n\\nWhile some of the information in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is downright fascinating, I was a bit disappointed to see what I considered glaring gaps in the research, not to mention inaccuracies. I didn't go looking for these, but discovered them early in my explorations of this book as I followed my interests and curiosity. That, and the fact that many of the entries were entirely unfamiliar to me, makes this a so-so book for me.\\n\\nGranted, it's an overwhelming undertaking cataloguing hundreds of fantastical creatures from a myriad of sources--so kudos certainly go to the authors for doing a decent job as far as breadth goes. Moreover, I suppose I can't be *too* hard on the book, considering that it's an encyclopedia--not necessarily and exhaustive reference. Perhaps I am spoiled by Judika Illes' breadth *and* depth in The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft (not to mention her book on 5,000 spells).\\n\\nIf you're curious about the likes of mermen and griffins, sirens and orcs, The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures will probably delight you. I can see this book being especially good reference for sci-fi and fantasy writers. However, if you want comprehensive information on several creatures, you may be better off getting a book that is devoted specifically to such a subject. (Note: after only an hour or so of reading this book, the pages began to pull away from the glue binding. Unfortunately, the flexibound cover/binding isn't as sturdy as the two previous hardback installments of the Element Encyclopedia series. Thus, it's not a good idea to read the book flat--but this hefty volume makes it almost impossible to read any other way without experiencing discomfort.)\",\n \"Product: Third in the hugely popular series of Element Encyclopedias, this is the most comprehensive guide you'll ever find to every magical creature from myth, folklore and legend around the world. This compendium of magical creatures explores the history, folklore and mythology of these facinating beasts throughout all magical worlds. Including stories, celebrations, traditions, and amazing facts about the creatures, this book spans every major culture across the globe. Many of the creatures described in the book have appeared in the fictitious worlds of the brothers Grimm, Lewis Caroll, J.K. Rowling, Tolkien and countless other writers who have stirred our imaginations since childhood fairytales. From unicorns, giants, fairies, elves, goblins, dwarves and trolls to nymphs, mermaids, sphinxes, ogres, cyclops, dragons, mermaids, salamanders, basilisks, banshees, werewolves, griffins, centaurs, satyrs and gremlins -- this is the ultimate reference book on creatures from the magical world. But have you ever heard of Cherufes, Lampaluguas or the Quetzal? The cross-cultural focus spans from the most ancient of creatures to those which have come to prominence relatively recently. Every obscure and mythological creature is described in detail in this fantastic book, including gods from many cultures and everyday animals that carry magical symbolism. The information not only refers each creature to the mythology surrounding it, but also illustrates how many of these magical beasts relate to each other and are interconnected across mythical worlds. Find out more in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Some Interesting Information--But Has Research Gaps and Innacuracies\\n\\nReview: \\\"This book is a zoology of the imagination more than it is a natural history. It follows the myths of magical creatures wherever they show themselves, myths that are primal stories encoding understandings that we grasp by means of metaphor rather than with any literal-mindedness. Where will these creatures lead us?\\\"\\n\\nThe Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is a 682-page, flexibound compendium of fantastic beings from myth, magic, and urban legend. (Flexibound is somewhat between a hardcover and a paperback). Arranged alphabetically for easy reference, hundreds of entries are culled from literature, sacred texts, history, legends, cryptozoology, and movies. Mythical stories pertaining to animals, fowl, and insects are also provided. Entertaining and informative, this book sparks both imagination and curiosity. Indeed, it's hard to read \\\"just one\\\" entry in this unique book.\\n\\nSome of the fantastical beasts, monsters, and demigods listed in this book include:\\n\\n* Bunyip\\n\\n* Lorelei\\n\\n* Puck\\n\\n* Sasquatch\\n\\n* Chupacabras\\n\\n* Thoth\\n\\n* Quetzalcoatl\\n\\n* Elves\\n\\n* Bastet\\n\\n* Leviathan\\n\\n* Dryads\\n\\n* Lilith\\n\\n* Ouroboros\\n\\n* Mothman\\n\\n* Fire Drake\\n\\n* Golem\\n\\n* Banshee\\n\\n* Satyr\\n\\n* Basilisk\\n\\n* Thunderbird\\n\\n* Scapegoat\\n\\nWhile many entries are familiar, I found the majority obscure--having never heard of them. I was intrigued to find that Dobby, the house elf from the Harry Potter books, is actually a genus of British house fairies--known mostly in the north of England. Supposedly, the Dobby/Dobie makes ridiculous mistakes or is easily confused. When I read the entry for the Brownie (pronounced \\\"broony\\\"), I was surprised to read that the sure way to get rid of a brownie is to give him a piece of clothing--just like the house elves in the J.K. Rowling series. (Unfortunately, the authors didn't cross-reference Dobby to Brownie for some reason, so I stumbled upon the entry quite by accident. Or, due to obscene curiosity, I suppose).\\n\\nAt times, the authors speak at length about Potter references in relevant entries. However, the entry for the Stag fails to mention Harry Potter's Patronus, which is a luminous white stag that Harry conjures in his times of need.\\n\\nSome of the research seems sketchy at best and inaccurate at worst. For example, under the Mothman entry, there's a mention of the movie The Mothman Prophecies. The entry states \\\"starring Kevin Costner\\\", but Costner isn't in the film. The star of the movie is actually Richard Gere. I have to wonder: if the authors include a mistake like this--on a fact that is easily researchable--how accurate is the other information in this book?\\n\\nOne of the first entries I looked up was \\\"tulpas\\\", a concept that fascinates me. Unfortunately, there is no mention or entry for this phenomenon. Yet, there was information on the Golem, which is similar--but of Jewish/Kabbalistic origin.\\n\\nWhile the authors explained that Fawkes is a pet Phoenix of Dumbledore in the Potter series, they fail to mention a more common mythological connection: the Phoenix is connected to the sign of Scorpio, and is considered a higher expression of this Zodiacal sign. Another \\\"miss\\\" was the entry on Salamanders. There is no mention that this creature is a spirit connected with the fire element in magical Hermeticism and some Pagan traditions. (Not to mention that the Salamander is a somewhat common theme among the fire suits in Tarot, most notably the Wands.) So I looked up Gnome (associated with the earth element), and *did* find a brief mention of salamander, gnome, undine, and sylph in terms of hermetic practice and Paracelsusian philosophy. Thus, the cross references in this book seems to be shoddy.\\n\\nWhile some of the information in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures is downright fascinating, I was a bit disappointed to see what I considered glaring gaps in the research, not to mention inaccuracies. I didn't go looking for these, but discovered them early in my explorations of this book as I followed my interests and curiosity. That, and the fact that many of the entries were entirely unfamiliar to me, makes this a so-so book for me.\\n\\nGranted, it's an overwhelming undertaking cataloguing hundreds of fantastical creatures from a myriad of sources--so kudos certainly go to the authors for doing a decent job as far as breadth goes. Moreover, I suppose I can't be *too* hard on the book, considering that it's an encyclopedia--not necessarily and exhaustive reference. Perhaps I am spoiled by Judika Illes' breadth *and* depth in The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft (not to mention her book on 5,000 spells).\\n\\nIf you're curious about the likes of mermen and griffins, sirens and orcs, The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures will probably delight you. I can see this book being especially good reference for sci-fi and fantasy writers. However, if you want comprehensive information on several creatures, you may be better off getting a book that is devoted specifically to such a subject. (Note: after only an hour or so of reading this book, the pages began to pull away from the glue binding. Unfortunately, the flexibound cover/binding isn't as sturdy as the two previous hardback installments of the Element Encyclopedia series. Thus, it's not a good idea to read the book flat--but this hefty volume makes it almost impossible to read any other way without experiencing discomfort.)\",\n \"Product: Dr Wayne W. Dyer has taken then 10 concepts from his book for adults \\\"10 Secrets for Success & Inner Peace\\\" and interpreted them for children, creating \\\"Incredible You\\\"! Wayne believes that it's never too early for children to know that they're unique and powerful beings, and they have everything they need within themselves to create happy, successful lives. With this book, parents can introduce these important ideas to their children. The ten concepts are numbered, titled and set in rhyming verse, and vibrant illustrations bring each point to life. At the end, there are questions that kids can answer to connect these ideas to their own lives, and make them realize how incredible they truly are.Renowned author Wayne Dyer has distilled his 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace into a children's book titled Incredible You! 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through. Co-written with Kristina Tracy and illustrated by Melanie Siegel, this colorful uplifting book affirms and encourages children to imagine, explore, and expect beauty in all its forms. \\n\\nThe 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through are: \\n\\n1. Share the Good \\n2. Find What You Love \\n3. You are Filled with Love \\n4. Find a Quiet Place Inside \\n5. Make Today Great! \\n6. Change Your Thoughts to Good \\n7. Take Care of Yourself \\n8. Picture What You Want \\n9. Everyone Is Special, Especially You \\n10. Good Thoughts Give You Energy\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Great Children's Book!\\n\\nReview: \\\"It is my desire to have these tiny precious souls-so many of whom have brought so much joy into my life as they listened to my stories-close this book and feel so good about themselves that they feel in their hearts that nothing is impossible for them. It would be even more thrilling for me if this becomes the book they choose each night...so that a special person-like you-can read it to them over and over again.\\\" - From the introduction\\n\\nRenowned author Wayne Dyer has distilled his 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace into a children's book titled Incredible You! 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through. Co-written with Kristina Tracy and illustrated by Melanie Siegel, this colorful uplifting book affirms and encourages children to imagine, explore, and expect beauty in all its forms.\\n\\nThe 10 Ways to Let Your Greatness Shine Through are:\\n\\n1. Share the Good\\n\\n2. Find What You Love\\n\\n3. You are Filled with Love\\n\\n4. Find a Quiet Place Inside\\n\\n5. Make Today Great!\\n\\n6. Change Your Thoughts to Good\\n\\n7. Take Care of Yourself\\n\\n8. Picture What You Want\\n\\n9. Everyone Is Special, Especially You\\n\\n10. Good Thoughts Give You Energy\\n\\nThis wonderful book isn't saccharine \\\"just think happy thoughts\\\". Dyer addresses challenges such as ridicule. Under #7 Take Care of Yourself it says:\\n\\n\\\"If something or someone makes you feel bad,\\n\\ndon't let it ruin your day by making you sad.\\n\\nLet go of the hurt and take care of you.\\n\\nYou can't control what others say or do.\\\"\\n\\nThe first picture shows two girls whispering and laughing at a third girl, while the second picture shows the girl happily playing in her room as the other two look through the window. She has chosen to play with her toys and enjoy herself-by herself.\\n\\nIncredible You! contains sage advice for both children and adults. At the end of the book are ten questions designed to encourage children to ponder the ideas presented therein. For example, one question is \\\"It's important to make time for the things you love. Do you have a passion? Something you love to do more than anything else?\\\"\\n\\nMy son answers \\\"play with trains!\\\" to this one. He really enjoyed it when I read the story to him and asked him the questions in the back. In fact, I had this book among a pile of others that I was going to review. He purposefully walked over the stack one day and removed this book so he could look at it on his own! I've reviewed quite a few children's books and he's never done this before. So my 7 year old gives Incredible You! an enthusiastic thumbs up, as does his Mom!\",\n \"Product: Lynda Hill is the premier authority on this area of astrology and travels widely conducting workshops, lectures, and conferences.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Chillingly Accurate Oracle\\n\\nReview: \\\"Based on the Sabian Symbols, first created in 1925 and consisting of 360 answers, the Sabian Oracle can be used to guide us through questions about our day-to-day lives... Using the Sabian Oracle will help you discover what's going on and why, leading to deeper self-awareness. You are able to make more informed choices and greatly enhance your life.\\\" Lynda Hill, author of 360 Degrees of Wisdom - Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle\\n\\nIn 1925, an extraordinary thing happened: two people--a clairvoyant medium and an astrologer--received messages from the spirit world for every degree of the Zodiac. Within each of the 12 constellations of the Zodiac, also known as Sun Signs, are 30 degrees--for a total of 360 degrees.\\n\\nAstrologer Marc Edmund Jones wanted to participate in an experiment with his spiritualist-medium friend Elsie Wheeler. A gifted clairvoyant, Miss Wheeler was afflicted with severe arthritis and confined to a wheelchair, making movement difficult and painful. Nevertheless, she agreed to participate in this experiment with Jones in a public park; he wanted to be surrounded by the vibrations of modern American life, but not be disturbed by passers-by. Thus, Balboa Park in San Diego was the birthplace of the Sabian Symbols.\\n\\nJones made up a set of 360 index cards that were blank, save for a small notation of the Sign and degree number on one side (e.g. Aries 1, Scorpio 20--all the way up to Pisces 30). Jones shuffled the cards and placed the blank side up before Miss Wheeler. Neither of them knew the Sign or number on the card. Miss Wheeler would then report what she saw in her mind's eye...hurriedly noting the information on the card.\\n\\nAmazingly, Elsie's psychic visions formulated the entire Sabian Symbols at random--completing all 360 Symbols in one day! On average, Miss Wheeler would have had to visualize a Symbol every minute and half. Jones believed that Miss Wheeler was given information by an \\\"unseen agency\\\": a \\\"Brother\\\" from the Sabian Brotherhood who were an ancient Middle Eastern race of alchemists. The Sabian Symbols are a set of 360 phrases consisting of as little as two words (Virgo 2: \\\"A Harem\\\") to as many as 21 words (Taurus 5: \\\"A Youthful Widow, Fresh and Soul-Cleansed from Grief, Kneels at an Open Grave to Receive the Secret of Eternal Life\\\").\\n\\nAuthor Lynda Hill has a crafted an amazing book and oracle based on the Sabian Symbols: 360 Degrees of Wisdom - Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle. This book includes 42 cards to perform a reading: 12 red cards for the Signs, and 30 blue cards for each degree. Ask a question, pick a blue and red card, and then let the Symbols guide you to an answer. An entire page is dedicated to each Symbol, and features a commentary, oracle message, keywords, and a caution. In the page margins, Ms. Hill has included 5-9 quotations that reflect the message of each Symbol. At 363 pages, 360 Degrees of Wisdom also features Birthday Tables, which shows you the 3 degrees relevant to your birth date. She profiles several celebrities--such as Deepak Chopra, Michael Jackson, and Princess Diana--to demonstrate how the Sabian Symbols mirror the circumstances of your life.\\n\\nIn addition to using the cards provided with the book, Ms. Hill also shows you how to use 2 decks of regular playing cards (one red, one blue) in case you lose the cards that came with the book. She also shows you how to open the book at random to receive your special message.\\n\\nI used the Sabian Oracle last night for insight into a back ailment that I've been dealing with. I picked a blue card and red card at random to get Scorpio: 20. Chillingly accurate, Scorpio: 20 A Woman Drawing Aside Two Dark Curtains That Closed The Entrance To A Sacred Pathway is not only the exact degree of Mercury in my natal chart (and one degree away from my Venus placement), but also this Sabian Symbol echoed the message I received from another oracle consulted a few days prior.\\n\\nMore accessible than the Tarot and easier to use than the I Ching, 360 Degrees of Wisdom - Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle will help you discover a modern and fascinating branch of mysticism and symbolic readings. I highly recommend this insightful and comprehensive book!\",\n \"Product: Phyllis Vega is an astrologer, numerologist, and tarot reader, and has been a New Age counselor for more than three decades. She is the author of Power Tarot, Sydney Omarr's Sun, Moon & You, Love, Sex and You, and most recently What Your Birthday Reveals about You. Phyllis lives in Miami, FL.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Lively Guide Pairing Numerology and Astrology\\n\\nReview: \\\"Your birthday is more than just the day of the year you were born. Each day in the yearly cycle in its distinct vibrations and contains its own unique characteristics. The influence of your day of birth is one of the dynamics that distinguishes you from other people. It's a defining factor in who you are and who you hope to become.\\\" - From the book\\n\\nA New Age counselor for over 30 years, author Phyllis Vega has provided seekers with exciting, practical information in books like <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Power-Tarot/dp/0684841851/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Power Tarot</a>,<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Celtic-Astrology/dp/1564145921/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Celtic Astrology</a>, and <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Your-Magickal-Name/dp/1564147231/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Your Magickal Name</a>. In What Your Birthday Reveals About You, Vega applies her extensive knowledge of numerology and astrology to create 366 distinct profiles for each day of the year.\\n\\nA lively, up-to-date guide to self-awareness, this book is divided into three sections: Part One covers the 12 signs of the Zodiac, including a relevant mythological tale conveying the symbolic meaning of the sign, Character and Personality, and Relationships. Part two explains the nine basic numbers of numerology, and the profiles for each of these root numbers. Part three, the 366 birthdays of the year, gives a comprehensive reading for each birth date. Each birthday profile contains insight on fostering natural abilities in challenging in meaningful ways, as well as noteworthy birthdays and observances associated with that day.\\n\\nMelding numerology and astrology, Vega paints 366 fascinating portraits that reveals secrets and highlights strengths, revealing accurate personality quirks, motivations, preferences, and paths to fulfillment.\\n\\nMy birthday is November 6, and I found my profile to be eerily accurate. Here is a portion of what Vega writes for this profile:\\n\\n\\\"The charming, gregarious, and seemingly easy-going outer faade of those celebrating birthdays today camouflages as a tougher, more intense inner nature. You actually are all that you seen--idealistic, judicious, fair-minded, and honorable. But there is a part of you that his shrewd, secretive, and mistrustful of the motives of others. Moreover, you refuse to settle for quick answers or superficial assessments. You want to believe in the goodness of humanity, so you optimistically hope for the best. However, you've seen too much of the dark side of human nature not to be prepared for the worst.\\\"\\n\\nMy husband, a fellow Scorpio, was born on October 27. Two plus seven equals nine, so his numerical vibration for that day is nine. However I've never found the nine profile to describe him accurately in ANY numerology text. Nines are usually characterized as ambitious go getters and compassionate crusaders, and Vega highlights this in her October 27 profile. As a result, his profile is mostly inaccurate.\\n\\nHowever, in addition to the incredible accuracy of my own profile, my dad's profile (July 11) was also quite accurate. The author mentions how these ones side step conflict with aplomb and make great managers. My Dad has served as a manager in several jobs, and he does indeed retreat into his shell when conflict arises on the home front.\\n\\nAt 479 pages, What Your Birthday Reveals About You brims with mythos, symbolism, personality traits, compatibility issues, sticking points, and more. Readers only need to know the day and month of birth to access amusing and often intriguing profiles of friends and loved ones. While this book may not be a 100% accurate manual (what book on human personality CAN be?), it is thorough, engaging, and informative. What Your Birthday Reveals About You would be a great ice-breaker at parties and would no doubt provide some interesting fodder at family reunions and gatherings!\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: Phyllis Vega is an astrologer, numerologist, and tarot reader, and has been a New Age counselor for more than three decades. She is the author of Power Tarot, Sydney Omarr's Sun, Moon & You, Love, Sex and You, and most recently What Your Birthday Reveals about You. Phyllis lives in Miami, FL.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: An Innovative Melding of Astrology and Numerology That Generates 366 Unique Profiles\\n\\nReview: \\\"Your birthday is more than just the day of the year you were born. Each day in the yearly cycle in its distinct vibrations and contains its own unique characteristics. The influence of your day of birth is one of the dynamics that distinguishes you from other people. It's a defining factor in who you are and who you hope to become.\\\" - From the book\\n\\nA New Age counselor for over 30 years, author Phyllis Vega has provided seekers with exciting, practical information in books like Power Tarot, Celtic Astrology, and Your Magickal Name. In What Your Birthday Reveals About You, Vega applies her extensive knowledge of numerology and astrology to create 366 distinct profiles for each day of the year.\\n\\nA lively, up-to-date guide to self-awareness, this book is divided into three sections: Part One covers the 12 signs of the Zodiac, including a relevant mythological tale conveying the symbolic meaning of the sign, Character and Personality, and Relationships. Part two explains the nine basic numbers of numerology, and the profiles for each of these root numbers. Part three, the 366 birthdays of the year, gives a comprehensive reading for each birth date. Each birthday profile contains insight on fostering natural abilities in challenging in meaningful ways, as well as noteworthy birthdays and observances associated with that day.\\n\\nMelding numerology and astrology, Vega paints 366 fascinating portraits that reveals secrets and highlights strengths, revealing accurate personality quirks, motivations, preferences, and paths to fulfillment.\\n\\nMy birthday is November 6, and I found my profile to be eerily accurate. Here is a portion of what Vega writes for this profile:\\n\\n\\\"The charming, gregarious, and seemingly easy-going outer faade of those celebrating birthdays today camouflages as a tougher, more intense inner nature. You actually are all that you seen--idealistic, judicious, fair-minded, and honorable. But there is a part of you that his shrewd, secretive, and mistrustful of the motives of others. Moreover, you refuse to settle for quick answers or superficial assessments. You want to believe in the goodness of humanity, so you optimistically hope for the best. However, you've seen too much of the dark side of human nature not to be prepared for the worst.\\\"\\n\\nMy husband, a fellow Scorpio, was born on October 27. Two plus seven equals nine, so his numerical vibration for that day is nine. However I've never found the nine profile to describe him accurately in ANY numerology text. Nines are usually characterized as ambitious go getters and compassionate crusaders, and Vega highlights this in her October 27 profile. As a result, his profile is mostly inaccurate.\\n\\nHowever, in addition to the incredible accuracy of my own profile, my dad's profile (July 11) was also quite accurate. The author mentions how these ones side step conflict with aplomb and make great managers. My Dad has served as a manager in several jobs, and he does indeed retreat into his shell when conflict arises on the home front.\\n\\nAt 479 pages, What Your Birthday Reveals About You brims with mythos, symbolism, personality traits, compatibility issues, sticking points, and more. Readers only need to know the day and month of birth to access amusing and often intriguing profiles of friends and loved ones. While this book may not be a 100% accurate manual (what book on human personality CAN be?), it is thorough, engaging, and informative. What Your Birthday Reveals About You would be a great ice-breaker at parties and would no doubt provide some interesting fodder at family reunions and gatherings!\",\n \"Product: don Miguel Ruiz was born into a family of healers, and raised in rural Mexico by a curandera (healer) mother and a nagual (shaman) grandfather. The family anticipated that Miguel would embrace their centuries-old legacy of healing and teaching, and carry forward the esoteric Toltec knowledge. Instead, distracted by modern life, Miguel chose to attend medical school and become a surgeon. A near-death experience changed his life. Stunned by this experience, he began an intensive practice of self-inquiry. He devoted himself to the mastery of the ancient ancestral wisdom, studying earnestly with his mother, and completing an apprenticeship with a powerful shaman in the Mexican desert. In the tradition of the Toltecs, a nagual guides an individual to personal freedom. don Miguel is a nagual from the Eagle Knight lineage, and is dedicated to sharing his knowledge of the teachings of the ancient Toltecs. He is the author of The Four Agreements, The Mastery of Love, and The Four Agreements Companion Book. Website: www.MiguelRuiz.com\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Stunning Artwork Brings It To 4 Stars\\n\\nReview: \\\"As little children, before we learn to speak, we are completely authentic. Our actions are guided by instinct and emotions-that is, we listen to the silent `voice of integrity'. Once we learn to speak, the people around us hook our attention and program us with knowledge. The `voice of knowledge' comes alive inside our head, and it never stops talking, judging, gossiping, and abusing us. It constantly sabotages our happiness and keeps us from enjoying a reality of truth and love.\\\" -Don Miguel Ruiz\\n\\nThe Voice of Knowledge Cards is a 50 card deck that shows us how to recover the silent voice of integrity and find inner peace by challenging the lies that we've swallowed along life's journey. The glossy cards measure 4.7 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches, and features colorful, whimsical artwork by Lori Koefoed. One side of the card offers a statement, while the others side elaborates on the idea. Some examples include:\\n\\nThe mind is fertile ground for concepts, ideas, and opinions.\\n\\n\\\"If we believe a lie, that lie takes root in our mind and can grow big and strong, like a tree. One little lie can be very contagious, spreading its seeds from person to person when we share it with others.\\\"\\n\\nEmotional pain is a symptom of being abused.\\n\\n\\\"Every time we lie to ourselves, judge ourselves, or reject ourselves, our emotional reaction isn't pleasant. The pain is letting us know that we have to do something to stop the abuse.\\\"\\n\\nWe are born in truth, but we grow up believing in lies.\\n\\n\\\"One of the biggest lies in the story of humanity is the lie of our imperfection. When we believe this lie, we use the lie to judge ourselves, to punish ourselves, and to justify our mistakes.\\\"\\n\\nRespect is one of the greatest expressions of love.\\n\\n\\\"If other people try to write your story, it means they don't respect you. They consider that you're not a good artist who can write your own story, even though you were born to write your own story.\\\"\\n\\nThe artwork on the Voice of Knowledge Cards is truly gorgeous. Most of the messages are very wise and penetrating, although a few can prove confusing to some. One of the reasons I wasn't big on the book that these cards are based upon is because it seemed like a departure from Ruiz's other works-especially The Four Agreements. There's a lot of talk about lies and those who tell them, but what is truth? What is a lie? Ruiz talks a lot about personal stories, as does many Toltec, self-help, and New Age authors.\\n\\nWith some of the messages on the cards, I couldn't help but hear Byron Katie saying \\\"Is this true? Can you know for sure it's true?\\\" Katie asks us \\\"who would you be without your story?\\\", and gives us 4 questions called inquiry that can dismantle every painful thought that causes suffering and separation. (If you want to be free you MUST get her books Loving What Is and I Need Your Love - Is that True?) But Ruiz, while acknowledging our beautiful storytelling and perfection, still paints with the brushstrokes of duality. We're perfect as is, but not if we're lying to ourselves. We're amazing artists and storytellers, but we are swallowing lies.\\n\\nIf you're an ardent fan of Don Miguel Ruiz, as well as his book The Voice of Knowledge, you'll enjoy this deck. It's not necessary to have read the book to use these insightful cards; however, for those who don't accept things at face value, you may wonder what \\\"the point\\\" is for a few of the cards.\\n\\n(To see 6 images from this deck, visit the Reviews section of [...])\",\n \"Product: Doreen Virtueis a best-selling author, a doctor of psychology, and a Christian who studies scripture. She has appeared on Oprah, CNN, the BBC, The View, and Good Morning America, and has been featured in newspapers and magazines worldwide. For information on Doreen’s work, please visit her at AngelTherapy.com or Facebook.com/DoreenVirtue444. To enroll in her video courses, please visit www.HayHouseU.com and www.EarthAngel.com\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Pretty Images...But Doesn't Work Well For Me\\n\\nReview: \\\"True Divine guidance is always repetitive and consistent. Once you have followed the angels' guidance, or learned the lesson, then the angels move on to another message.\\\" - From the booklet\\n\\nThe Messages from Your Angels Oracle Cards is a 44-card deck by Doreen Virtue dedicated to receiving guidance from angels. In addition to Archangels Raphael, Michael, Gabrielle, and Uriel, there are 40 other beings conveying messages of hope, joy, empowerment and guidance. One side of the card features colorful images created by various artists with an encouragement at the bottom. Most of these illustrations are quite lovely. The back of the cards feature a beautiful motif of angel wings crowned with a glistening pearl, suspended in space amidst the stars while hovering over the Earth.\\n\\nSome of the angelic beings and their messages include:\\n\\nAzure - \\\"Your desired outcome will occur in the very near future. Have patience and faith, and don't try to force it to happen.\\\"\\n\\nSerena - \\\"I am the Angel of Abundance. You will receive the money that you need, and God is in charge of how that will happen. Have faith.\\\"\\n\\nDesiree - \\\"No, conditions aren't favorable right now. Wait, or look into other options; and ask the angels to help, guide, and comfort you.\\\"\\n\\nIsaiah - \\\"It's a good time to give birth to new ideas and situations in your life. I am watching over you, guiding you, and protecting you during these changes.\\\"\\n\\nSonya - \\\"I bring you a message from your deceased loved one: `I am happy, at peace, and I love you very much. Please don't worry about me.'\\\"\\n\\nA 69-page booklet accompanies the Messages from Your Angels Oracle Cards and the author provides additional messages for each angel; the names of the angels are arranged alphabetically, which makes it easy to locate the appropriate card meaning. What is confusing, however, is that I've never heard of these other \\\"angel\\\" names! Chantall, Indriel, Omega, Zanna, Caressa, Mystique...who are these beings? Unfortunately, Dr. Virtue doesn't explain the names of these angels. Because the additional messages are in quotes-as are the encouragements on the card fronts-I assume she's \\\"channeling\\\" angelic beings. There is no information on this subject, either, which could prove confusing to those familiar with only well-known angelic figures from various religions and spiritual traditions (Metatron, Tzadkiel, Sandalphon, etc.)\\n\\nDr. Virtue includes eight different angel-reading spreads for this oracle, which is more than any other booklet that accompanies her decks. While the spreads themselves are quite good, the advice on phrasing questions is NOT. For example, for each spread, the author provides a yes/no question such as \\\"Is ____ my soulmate?\\\", \\\"When will I meet my soulmate?\\\", \\\"Will I make money soon?\\\", \\\"Will I heal from this health condition?\\\" and so on. As a professional Tarot reader, I can tell you that most of us discourage yes/no questions and encouraging re-phrasing that is open ended. Why, you may ask?\\n\\nWell, these kinds of questions are disempowering. Individuals who want quickie yes/no answers usually don't want to invent the time honing their intuition and growing up spiritually. Not only that, even a specific tool like Tarot (which is far more comprehensive than any Virtue deck) can only reflect the CURRENT energy of the querent. Should the querent (the one asking the question) change his/her mind, then the outcome changes. Empowering questions are ones that ask, \\\"What can I do to _____?\\\" and \\\"How can I best _____?\\\" These kind of questions encourage action and decision, rather than seeing fate as something that \\\"just happens\\\" outside of our control. Dr. Virtue should know better and does a great disservice by including such amateurish questions and phrasing.\\n\\nI've tried consulting the Messages from Your Angels Oracle several times, but each time I receive cards with an irrelevant or vague message that just don't resonate. I've had far more success with the Archangel Oracle Cards (although my personal favorite is the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards). Although the cards are attractive and the angelic channeled messages are encouraging, this deck doesn't work well for me.\\n\\n(To see 6 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: Beautiful tarot deck.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: More Than Meets The Eye\\n\\nReview: \\\"Had I lived in the late 19th Century, I'd like to believe I would have been a Symbolist. I'll never actually know, but I think I would have felt at home among those artists and innovators.\\\" - Timothy Lantz\\n\\nIn my experience, I have found that I have one of three reactions when I get a new deck:\\n\\n1. I instantly love it\\n2. I instantly dislike it\\n3. I'm unsure how I feel about it, but I'm leaning towards #2\\n\\nHowever, I always give decks a chance-putting them through their paces, seeing how they read, allowing for the possibility that they may grow on me despite my misgivings.\\n\\nWhen I first saw online images from The Archeon Tarot by Timothy Lantz, I thought they were gothicly superb. When I got the deck in my hands, however, I had the #3 reaction. Would these ambiguous images \\\"speak\\\" to me? Was there anything to glean, intuitively, from these dark, Rorschachian depictions?\\n\\nAfter working with the Archeon Tarot, I quickly realized that this wasn't a deck to be read with the left-brain. That is, I needed to dispense with the \\\"OK, we got Wands here. That's masculine, indicates movement...\\\" I'm not saying an individual *couldn't* read these cards by rote memory and logic. I'm just saying that I realized that *I* wouldn't be able to.\\n\\nSo I did something unusual. I corralled my husband who is NOT a Tarot reader (but is highly intuitive), to experiment with me. (Oh the joys of being a Scorpionic couple!) I don't do many readings for myself, often going weeks or months without pulling any personal cards. If I do consult the Tarot, it's always for \\\"bigger\\\" situations-the existential aspects of life.\\n\\nI shuffled the deck and then invited my husband to ask a question, select the cards, and interpret them. His interpretation of the cards was unexpected and highly accurate. For example, The Devil-normally a card of warning or one indicating obsession-was interpreted quite differently by my husband. He saw the \\\"wings\\\" of The Devil as a \\\"schematic\\\"-a blueprint beckoning for realization and manifestation based upon his actions so that he could \\\"fly\\\". It was also card indicating that he would continue to transcend former religious taboos by his choice of reading material and personal worldview.\\n\\nWhen it was my turn, I had some misgivings. I wanted to ask a question about my 7-year-old son, but I actually thought, \\\"Do I want to waste such an important question on a deck I'm unsure about?\\\" I decided to go ahead with it.\\n\\nI interpreted the cards mentally and invited my husband to interpret them. His interpretation not only expanded upon what I picked up intuitively, but also delivered accurate, comforting wisdom. Amazingly, my son confirmed the reading within a few hours--based on something he said!\\n\\nI was so impressed with the readings-and confident of the accuracy of the Archeon Tarot-that I asked about a health question that's been troubling me.\\n\\nNow let me back up and say that Mr. Lantz has taking some liberties with the elemental aspects of the Minor Arcana. In traditional Tarot, Pentacles and Cups are feminine, while Wands and Swords are masculine. In the Archeon Tarot, Pentacles are masculine and Wands are feminine. Apparently \\\"tradition\\\" was more ingrained than I had suspected, because initially my thoughts screamed \\\"What?! How can you deem Wands *feminine*?!\\\"\\n\\nInterestingly, my health question referred to a \\\"female\\\" issue and lo and behold, I drew all Wands. The color saturating these cards and the images-they all told a story...a feminine story and that was clear, appropriate, and scarily accurate.\\n\\nOther than the masculine/feminine switch with the Minor suits, The Archeon Tarot employs traditional renderings. The Pages--often the \\\"messengers\\\" of the Tarot--appropriately becomes The Heralds. In addition, the intriguing card backings are fully reversible.\\n\\nThe Archeon Tarot comes with a 47-paged L(ittle) W(hite) B(ook), but Mr. Lantz often applies fresh interpretations to the cards (both upright and reversed). For example, the Ace of Swords shows a crystalline skull impaled with a sword. One of the keywords for this card is \\\"clairvoyance\\\", a concept I hadn't associated with this Ace previously. Yet, this idea made perfect sense to me!\\n\\nIn my estimation, The Archeon Tarot is a very intuitive deck. If you \\\"read\\\" best with detailed depictions, bright/cheery images, logic or regurgitated meanings, you may find this deck troublesome. However, if you're able to relax, reading from the heart and the right brain, you'll likely glean a whole host of richly layered, relevant information. (Personally, I think Water signs would \\\"get\\\" this deck most easily.)\\n\\n(To see 9 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot\",\n \"Product: Caroline Myss was born on December 2, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. She received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana in 1974. During her career as a journalist, she interviewed Elisabeth Kbler-Ross, the author of the book, On Death and Dying, which inspired her to pursue a master's degree in theology from Mundelein College, which she completed in 1979. She also studied intuition and energy medicine at Greenwich University. In 1982, she started giving medical intuitive readings and has been in the field of energy medicine and human consciousness for 20 years. She specializes in assisting people in understanding the emotional, psychological, and physical reasons why their bodies have developed an illness. She has written numerous books including Anatomy of the Spirit; Why People Don't Heal and How They Can; Sacred Contracts; Entering the Castle; and Defy Gravity: Healing Beyond the Bounds of Reason.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Archetypes According to Myss\\n\\nReview: In her book Sacred Contracts, medical intuitive Caroline Myss introduced readers to her unique system of archetypes. She maintains that we all incarnate with 12 main archetypes to aid us in fulfilling our unique sacred contract. Four of these archetypes--Child, Saboteur, Victim, and Prostitute--are common to everyone. The other 8, however, are individualistic--helping us learn particular lessons here at Earth School.\\n\\nThe Language of Archetypes is an 11 CD series that delves into dozens of archetypes and how they manifest in our lives. Myss categorizes the archetypes in 9 \\\"families\\\":\\n\\n* Survival Family - Child, Prostitute, Victim, and Saboteur\\n* Feminine Family - Mother, Goddesses, Princess/Damsel, and Virgin\\n* Masculine Family - King, Father, Knight/Warrior, Lover and Fool\\n* Divine Family - Nun/Monk, Celibate, Shaman, Priest/Priestess, Disciple, Guru, Martyr, Samaritan, and Missionary\\n* Wisdom Family - Mystic, Teacher/Student, Sage/Oracle/Crone, Hermit, Seeker/Wanderer, Alchemist, Storyteller, Judge/Critic\\n* Healer Family - Healer, Rescuer, Servant, Caretaker, and Companion\\n* Creative Family - Artist, Scribe, Pioneer/Explorer, Statesman/Stateswoman, Strategist, Networker/Gossip, Entrepeneur, Philanthropist, Olympian/Athlete, Visionary/Prophet\\n* Action Family - Hero, Bully, Coward, Mercenary, Gambler, Rebel, Detective, Midas/Miser, Slave/Liberator, Housewife/Working Mother\\n* Wild Card Family - Addict, Holy Fool, Trickster, Seductress/Provocateur, Spellcaster, Magician, Hedonist, Vampire, Shape-Shifter, Femme Fatale, Thief, Pirate, Clown\\n\\nMyss addresses the question if archetypes mature, and teaches about falling into an archetypal crisis, having courage to embrace an emerging archetype, balancing maasculine and feminine energies at the collective level, practicing congruences and more. She also discusses the archetypes that you want to be versus the archetypes you are, as well as the archetype of Armageddon.\\n\\nThere's a lot of information in The Language of Archetypes series, and individuals who enjoyed the gallery at the end of Sacred Contracts--and wanted more--will likely enjoy this extensive live workshop given in front of a studio audience.\\n\\nI'm on Disc 8, and frankly, I haven't gotten a whole lot of \\\"aha!\\\" moments for the time I've spend on the series so far. Prehaps this is because I've read Sacred Contracts a dozen times, have the Archetype deck and the Sacred Contracts \\\"game\\\", used to hang out at the Myss Forums (discussing archetypes ad infinitum for over 5 years), and had listened to other another audio series by Myss that teaches on archetypes (Finding Your Sacred Contract). Myss offers some great insights on the Queen, though.\\n\\nIf you're rather new to the Myss theory of sacred contracts and archetypes, you may want to start with the book Sacred Contracts first. Otherwise, if you're fascinated by archetypes, this 11 disc series should provide some satisfying information. If, however, you've been immersed in the Myss system for some time, you may be *just* a bit disappointed. I have had the series for months, and haven't had the desire to continue on to the next disc.\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a> (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: Michele Bernhardt is a respected healer, astrologer, and metaphysician who has worked extensively with the healing aspects of color and sound. She has contributed to many national publications, including Travel + Leisure , Fitness , Seventeen , and The Mia\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Intriguing Premise--But Doesn't Deliver the Metaphysical Goods\\n\\nReview: \\\"There is a world of possibility contained in each day of birth. You were born during a particular season, under a particular sun sign. You have a ruling planet and belong to a particular element-fire, earth, air or water. Each day carries a numerological vibration that has a very specific value and meaning. All these factors shape your personality and life experiences-and when combined, create your personal birth color.\\\" - From the Book\\n\\nThe idea behind Colorstrology is an intriguing one: assigning a birth color to every day of the year using astrology and numerology. By aligning with these energies, an individual can reach his or her highest potential.\\n\\nColorstrology by Michele Bernhardt is a thick, square book that is smaller than the picture suggests. The pages are filled with a dizzying array of beautiful colors. The back of the book features perforated color swatches for each day so you can take your personal daily or monthly colors with you when traveling or shopping.\\n\\nBut how are the personality profiles? Very sketchy, unfortunately. Here are but a few samples from the book:\\n\\nNov. 18th: Amaranth\\n\\nMajestic\\n\\nInsightful\\n\\nDetermined\\n\\n\\\"Dramatic and perceptive, you are interesting to watch and be around. You strive for greatness, and you have a lot of talent. Partnerships are important to you. Try not to judge yourself or others harshly. Creative development takes time. It is the journey towards your greatness that should be reveled in and enjoyed.\\\"\\n\\nSept. 29: Dream Blue\\n\\nIntelligent\\n\\nResourceful\\n\\nColorful\\n\\n\\\"You have a creative mind and an adventurous spirit. It may be a challenge for you to keep your equilibrium due to your sensitive nature. Partnerships are very important to you, and you should surround yourself with people who are kind and loving. It is essential for you to be creative and express your childlike spirit. Don't allow the responsibilities of life to weigh on your spirit.\\\"\\n\\nJan. 8: Canyon Rose\\n\\nSexy\\n\\nMusical\\n\\nGrand\\n\\n\\\"Provocative and daring, you are larger than life. Born to perform and to change the status quo, you need an outlet for your creativity and gregarious personality. Your sensuality and appeal is a 10 on the Richter scale. The need to find a balance between your home life and your professional life requires both work and trust.\\\"\\n\\nMy profile (November 6) was very general, but accurate. So was my son's (September 26). My husband's wasn't that accurate (October 27). In fact, the profile of his mother was the exact *opposite* from how she really is!\\n\\nSo I thought I'd test the book by canvassing over 20 people, asking if the Colorstrology profile for their birth date fit them. Some felt the description was uncannily accurate and some felt that it was mostly inaccurate. The vast majority felt that the descriptions were 50/50.\\n\\nInterestingly, I turned to the colors that I wear most often (May 12 and September 19), and they were very accurate.\\n\\nWhile Colorstrology is an attractive and well-made book (not to mention handy if you want to redecorate your house or paint a room!), it just doesn't pass muster as a metaphysical resource. For example, although the Colorstrology system is touted to be a mesh of astrology and numerology, there is NO information about how these systems were employed to arrive at a particular color. No basic information on astrology, the elements, or numerology-but we're supposed to take a new system at face value without an explanation of how it works?\\n\\nI don't think so.\\n\\nWith the glut of New Age and personality books on the market-and many of us \\\"Now Agers\\\" on the web-there is more metaphysical information at our fingertips than ever before. We're savvy-and smart-individuals. We want to know how an author arrived at his/her conclusions. More importantly, most of us want solid information that is USABLE and accurate. Unfortunately, Colorstrology fails on all of these levels.\\n\\nHowever, if you're the type that reads your horoscope every day but have little interest in the nuts and bolts of metaphysical topics, you may enjoy this book. It's an interesting premise, and may be a good icebreaker for parties as individuals get to know one another. It would likely be a fun book to take to family gatherings as everyone looks up their birth date and color. Then, the rest of the family can discuss how right-or how wrong-the Colorstrology profile is.\\n\\nIf you want to know more about the connection between color and numerology, try Colors and Numbers by Louise Hay. If you want to know more about your personality (and those of others), try books like Please Understand Me II, 3 Sides of You, What Color is Your Aura?, or Discover Your Personality Type (Enneagram).\\n\\nWhile Colorstrology is a handsome novelty book, you won't get a lot out of it in terms of learning more about yourself or others in my opinion.\",\n \"Product: An Internationally Known Author, Astrologer, Psychic, Healer, Broadcaster, And Workshop Leader, Judy Hall Has Been A Karmic Counselor And Astrology Tutor For Thirty Years. Her Books Are Translated Into Many Languages. She Is A Tutor With The London School Of Astrology And Formerly With The Colleges Of Psychic Studies. Her Specialties Are Past Life Readings, Reincarnation, Astrology, Psychology, Divination And Crystal Lore. Judy's Previous Titles For Godsfield Press Include: The Crystal Bible (2003), Past Life Astrology (2002), And The Illustrated Guide To Astrology (1999).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Crystal Healing According To Your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant\\n\\nReview: \\\"You may already know your birthstone, but you may be surprised to learn that there are several other stones associated with your birthchart.\\\" --from the book\\n\\nYour natal astrological chart is based on the date, time, and place of your birth. Most people are familiar with their Sun sign, which is one of 12 Zodiac symbols. The placement of the Sun in your chart indicates the pathway your soul is following, and each sign is associated with one or more crystals. Using the gemstones associated with your Sun sign can help attract beneficial energies, balance out less desirable tendencies, overcome your karmic inheritance and connect you to the path of your soul.\\n\\nEach Sun sign is also associated with specific body parts, indicating areas where health challenges may occur. Birthstones can help with these ailments, as well.\\n\\nWhile the Sun sign is important, there are two other components of your natal chart that paint the unique portrait that is you: the Moon sign and Ascendant (also know as the Rising Sign). The Moon sign shows how you process and express emotion. Your instinctual nature, unconscious patterns and expectations are also governed by your Moon Sign.\\n\\nThe Ascendant, or Rising Sign, is the \\\"mask\\\" you show to the world. It's the part of your personality that is readily seen to most-a \\\"first impression\\\" if you will. Interestingly, this face you present to the world may be far different than the inner workings of your Sun sign!\\n\\nThe Crystal Zodiac by Judy Hall is an incredibly practical book that explains which gemstones and crystals correlate with each Sun, Moon, and Ascendant placement...and why. So if your Sun is in Scorpio, your Moon is in Aquarius and your Ascendant is in Aries, you'll get a comprehensive overview of the crystals that will aid you on your own unique journey.\\n\\nFor each of the 12 Sun Signs, Hall provides an in-depth look at the corresponding birthstone, abundance stone, ritual crystal, and companion crystals. She then takes you on a journey exploring each Sun sign and how specific crystals help you reach your highest potential, deal with challenges, handle emotions, balance your thinking, link you to your soul's pathway, and heal physical ailments. Hall even provides a special birthday ritual for each Sun sign.\\n\\nThe Crystal Masks section explains the Ascendant and what it reflects in a natal chart. Hall asserts that the Ascendant crystal for each sign is a powerful tool for self-development, bestowing confidence and helping you \\\"own\\\" the qualities of your Ascendant. For the 12 Ascendant placements, Hall explains how each one \\\"meets\\\" the world, the nature of its \\\"mask\\\", and crystal \\\"confidence tricks\\\". She also provides the \\\"fairy godmother\\\" blessings innate in each Ascendant Sign, as well as a wonderful meditation.\\n\\nFor the Moon Sign, Hall outlines the Moon crystal, intuition crystal, and lunar crystals for each of the 12 placements. She explains the significance of your Moon crystal, and the positive qualities of each Moon sign. Because the Moon is associated with emotions, ingrained behavior patterns, and intuition, you'll find out what crystals help with exploring hidden needs, overcoming emotional blocks, developing intuition, and nurturing yourself. Two intriguing aspects to the Moon Sign section is the past life association and a specific ritual. For example, the ritual for the Aries Moon involves a Co-Operation Ritual, Scorpio Moon a Forgiveness Ritual and Cancer Moon a Tie-Cutting Ritual.\\n\\nBecause we each possess a bit of all 12 Signs, Hall provides a full-color Crystal Zodiac Mandala for meditation and contemplation.\\n\\nThe Crystal Zodiac consists of 144 glossy pages featuring dozens of full-color pictures of gemstones and crystals. Although gemstones may often be prettier and pricier, Hall provides the less-expensive correlations for each-assuring the reader that they exhibit the exact same qualities as their counterparts.\\n\\nHall writes in an enjoyably lucid style, so this potentially complex subject has been rendered quite graspable for individuals new to crystal healing and astrology. Those familiar with Sun, Moon, and Ascendant signs will be sure to gain additional insights into personality patterns and past life ripples. Crystal healers will love the added dimension that the Zodiac brings to balancing mind, healing the emotions, grounding the body, and expanding the spirit.\",\n \"Product: MADONNA GAUDING IS A DESIGNER, EDITOR, AND WRITER. A STUDENT OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM FOR TWELVE YEARS, SHE HAS ALSO STUDIED AND PRACTICED THE MARTIAL ARTS OF SRIDO KARATE AND KAJUKENBO AND HAS STUDIED CHINESE AND JAPANESE MEDICINE, INCLUDING OHASHIATSU. MADONNA HAS DESIGNED BOOK COVERS AND DESIGNED AND TYPESET INTERIORS FOR A NUMBER OF SPIRITUAL PUBLISHERS, INCLUDING QUEST BOOKS, INNER OCEAN, AND SHEED & WARD. SHE IS AUTHOR OF THE MEDITATION BIBLE, 365 WAYS TO LEAD A SIMPLE AND SPIRITUAL LIFE, AND SIX KEYS TO BUDDHIST LIVING.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 100 Mandalas From Five Spiritual Traditions\\n\\nReview: \\\"Mandalas symbolize the presence of the sacred in the realm of the mundane. Mathematicians tell us that the point at the centre of a circle is dimensionless. This `essence' is contained within a limited space bounded by a circumference. Thus, by its very nature, the mandala is a symbol of the boundless and the eternal at the heart of circumscribed everyday reality.\\\" - From the book\\n\\nFrom the Pantheon in Rome to Chartres Cathedral in France, from the exquisite images painted by the 11th century Benedictine abbess Hildegard of Bingen to Hindu yantras, sacred circles appear in architecture, art, and even nature itself. Mandalas, a word derived from the Sanskrit word meaning \\\"circle\\\" or \\\"sacred center\\\", are universal patterns that serve as symbols of wholeness, well being, time, community, nature, and the spiritual journey.\\n\\nAccording to author Madonna Gauding, by contemplating the mandala, we discover the divinity at our own center. In her book World Mandalas: 100 New Designs for Colouring and Meditation, Gauding explains the role of mandalas in five traditions: Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Celtic, and Native American. The first part of the book, illustrated with vibrant, full-color images, introduces readers to the various expressions of mandalas, including how they serve as powerful spiritual and psychological symbols. Gauding also describes the many meanings of color as viewed by Chinese medicine, traditional associations, and the Hindu chakra system.\\n\\nWhy color mandalas? Besides being an enjoyable pastime, the author expresses that coloring intricate designs demand mental focus akin to the concentration you can develop through meditation. This focus can allow unconscious thoughts and feelings to emerge, as well as flashes of inspiration and solutions to problems. The author provides ten ways to use coloring mandalas:\\n\\n1. Relax and center for stress relief\\n\\n2. Establish your true self\\n\\n3. Feel integrated and whole\\n\\n4. Face up to problems\\n\\n5. Problem solve\\n\\n6. Generate creativity\\n\\n7. Learn from color choices\\n\\n8. Share your best self\\n\\n9. Find your spiritual path\\n\\n10. Heal yourself\\n\\nFor example, if you feel overwhelmed by the many roles you play, you could color a mandala to feel integrated and whole. Gauding suggests choosing a mandala with a complex design, then write down a list of the many roles you play in life. Then list both positive and negative qualities associated with those roles. Begin coloring the mandala, using as many shades and techniques as you can. After completing the design, take a moment to reflect on these roles and qualities. Do you feel more accepting and loving of who you are? she asks.\\n\\nWorld Mandalas provides 100 blank mandalas from five spiritual traditions for coloring and meditation. They are large and easily reproducible using a scanner or photocopier. The mandalas are one-sided, so you don't have to worry about color bleeding through if you use markers or paints. (Although I'd recommend putting paper between pages, just in case.)\\n\\nI have carpal tunnel syndrome in my writing hand, so coloring mandalas can be quite painful. However, I enjoyed coloring one of the Hindu mandalas with watercolor pencils, which depicted \\\"the five ingredients for Tantric practices\\\". I found all of the mandalas to be quite beautiful; I could feel a sense of peace just looking at them in an uncolored state! I wish I didn't have CTS so I could color mandalas as I used to; I find the process very calming and centering. It is, indeed, akin to meditation. I own several mandala coloring books, and I believe World Mandalas by Madonna Gauding has the most contemplative, attractive mandalas of them all. Highly recommended!\",\n \"Product: Ambika Wauters is a registered classical homeopath, trained bioenergetic psychotherapist, workshop facilitator and trainer, and author of ten books on healing and spirituality. Her work bridges the gap between spirit and psychology. Her bestselling oracle, The Angel Oracle, has sold more than 350,000 copies worldwide. Her other books include The Chakra Oracle, Lifechanges with the Energy of the Chakras, Chakras and Their Archetypes, and Homeopathic Color Remedies.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Connect With the Divine Via the Angels\\n\\nReview: \\\"We are asking the entire heavenly hierarchy to assist us in finding solutions to our problems and giving us insight into our lives and the emotional and spiritual processes we may be undergoing. They angels are there to help us reconnect with the Source. They are at our disposal and may be called upon at any time.\\\" - From the companion booklet\\n\\nAccording to author Ambika Wauters, there are three hierarchies of Heaven. The Heaven of Form relates to our everyday material life and contains the protection and love of Archangels, personal Guardian Angels, and Angel Princes who govern over specific geographic locations. The Heaven of Creation relates to relationships and contains the tender, merciful energies of the Powers, Virtues and Dominions. The Heaven of Paradise shows us how we can participate in co-creation with Source, and holds the glorious and powerful energies of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones-the angels of love, wisdom, and glory.\\n\\nThe Angel Oracle is a 36-card deck reflecting these three Heavens, especially in terms of the gifts they provide to humanity and their angelic function. The cards reflect the three \\\"suits\\\" by differing borders. The 32-page companion book explains how to prepare the cards and how to ask questions of the oracle. Ms. Wauters provides three spreads (single card, Yin/Yang, and Past/Present/Future), as well as sample reading addressing a question of employment.\\n\\nA few of the cards in the Angel Oracle Deck include:\\n\\n* Archangel Metatron\\n\\n* Archangel Uriel\\n\\n* Guardian Angel of Children\\n\\n* Guardian Angel of Health\\n\\n* Guardian Angel of Creativity\\n\\n* Guardian Angel of Spiritual Growth\\n\\n* The Angel Prince of the North\\n\\n* The Angel of Serenity\\n\\n* The Angel of Discernment\\n\\n* The Angel of Being\\n\\nThe card images are heavy on orange and brown coloring, and I found them a bit unattractive at first. However, after working with the Angel Oracle Deck for a bit, the cards exuded a classical, sacred feel in line with the spirit of the oracle. These cards are wonderful for connecting with Source energy and Divine love. From my experience, it's an accurate, comforting, and healing oracle-and a great deck for anyone with an affinity for angels.\\n\\n(To see 9 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at [...])\",\n \"Product: Juliet Sharman-Burke is a practicing analytic psychotherapist and noted authority on the tarot and astrology, having taught both subjects for more than 20 years. She is the author of Beginner's Guide to Tarot and Understanding the Tarot and co-author with Liz Greene of The Mythic Tarot.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Creative Way to Increase Your Knowledge of Tarot\\n\\nReview: \\\"Colouring in the archetypal images will stimulate your imagination unconsciously. As the divinatory meanings start to unfold automatically, the images will soon start to feel like old friends.\\\" -Juliet Sharman-Burke\\n\\nThe Tarot Workbook was created for tarot readers eager to increase their knowledge of the cards and improve their ability to read them. This fun book features 78 blank card images for you to color in any way you desire: crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc. While the blank images are based on the Sharman-Caselli deck, the Tarot Workbook can be used with any set of Tarot cards.\\n\\nBy engaging the archetypal symbols and themes directly-through coloring the images and choosing a personalized color scheme-we approach the cards in a less intellectual, more intuitive way. According to Sharman-Burke, this is exactly the approach needed to unlock the secrets of Tarot.\\n\\nThe author takes a few pages to describe the Minor Arcana, the four elements, the symbolism of numbers 1 (Ace) through 10, Court Cards and the Major Arcana. Although she doesn't spend much time on theory, what she *does* share is packed with solid, helpful insights.\\n\\nThe Tarot Workbook features a coloring exercise and a personal association exercise designed so readers can form a more intuitive, personalized rapport with the Tarot. For example, with the Ace of Pentacles, Sharman-Burke asks us to think about the earth and all aspects of the earthy element-and to consider the different types of flowers and what they may represent (e.g. roses for passion, lilies for purity). She then encourages us to reflect on our own experience with matters of finance-what money means to us, how we use it, and how we would apply this to the Ace of Pentacles as a symbol of new beginnings.\\n\\nOn the left side of the book is a brief overview of the card meaning and several comments by students of Sharman-Burke. It's interesting to read how individuals of varying age and life experience interpret the cards. On the right side of the page is the blank image to color with about nine lines to record your impressions. The author divides this area into three parts:\\n\\n1. What this means in my life\\n\\n2. Readings in which it was significant\\n\\n3. Reading record sheet\\n\\nI didn't find the last two helpful, so I just whited out the text so I could have a blank paragraph to write what I wanted to. To the left and right of the card are white spaces dedicated to Name, Place, Date, and Time. Sharman-Burke doesn't explain what these are for, however. I got out the liquid paper, again, and just made them blank rectangles in which to write associations and key words.\\n\\nThe front and back covers of the book feature glossy flaps depicting the entire Sharman-Caselli deck in full color. However, readers are encouraged to formulate their own color schemes and \\\"bank\\\" of card associations.\\n\\nThe Tarot Workbook by Juliet Sharman-Burke provides an engaging, hands-on study which is *perfect* for kinesthetic (physical) learners or those wishing to approach learning the Tarot in a more intuitive, creative manner. By familiarizing yourself with card images in this way, a stream of information bypasses the critical, rational mind and bubbles into consciousness. Whether coming from the archetypal collective of the unconscious or personal experience, these associations become more solidified in the psyche of the reader.\\n\\nI'm really enjoying coloring the card images and writing commentaries on each card based on events from my life and from other symbolic, mystical disciplines. It's interesting to see how new meanings rise to the surface by the act of choosing particular colors and taking them time to color each card image.\",\n \"Product: Philip and Stephanie Carr-Comm are Chief and Scribe of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, one of the largest international Druid groups.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Deck and Book Set\\n\\nReview: \\\"Somehow animals act as ideal symbols or images of our deepest fears and urges, or of those parts of our psyche which have been denied or repressed or simply neglected. By welcoming and loving the animals which enter our awareness through the Oracle, in dreams and meditations and reverie, we enrich our inner world and discover a way of personal growth that is completely in tune with the natural world.\\\" --the authors\\n\\nThe Druid Animal Oracle, created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Bill Worthington, draws its wisdom from the ancient wellspring of Celtic tradition. The Druids, much like the Native Americans, revered animals as sacred guides and guardians. Featuring animals from both the Otherworld and this one, The Druid Animal Oracle provides healing power and intuitive knowledge from 33 sacred animals. This oracle does not encourage fatalism and prediction; rather, the powerful messages correct imbalances, provide advice on inner dynamics, and empower the querent to make--and create--more positive outcomes.\\n\\nIn addition to 33 colorful cards, The Druid Animal Oracle comes with 3 blank cards for personal creation, a 176-page illustrated hard cover book, and a gorgeous reading cloth measuring approximately 20\\\" X 23\\\". The navy blue cloth can be used for spreads, and features exquisite silver embossing which includes likenesses of the four elemental dragons in the Oracle.\\n\\nThe Guidebook that accompanies this deck provides both upright and reversed interpretations for each of the sacred animal cards, as well as the traditional lore of each--including the Gaelic name and pronunciation of the particular animal. Seven unique spreads are given in The Druid Animal Oracle, ranging from 1-9 cards.\\n\\nWhen I test out Oracle or Tarot decks, I like to do so when there is really a difficult situation at hand. It's pretty easy to get a \\\"fluff\\\" reading when all is well, but if an Oracle can provide insight and healing during critical times, then it passes muster in my book.\\n\\nI happened to test The Druid Animal Oracle during one of the most difficult times of my life. A month or so ago, I had excruciating back pain that prohibited me from walking or sitting. It got so bad, my husband had to call an ambulance for me. Three shots of Demerol, a muscle relaxant, and other anti-inflammatories provided me no relief. My husband had to take a week off work to take care of me, and it took several weeks before I was pain-free. At its worst moments, the pain was worse than childbirth.\\n\\nBecause the back of the box said that this Oracle could \\\"bring healing and help you draw strength from its intuitive knowledge\\\", I thought I'd see what wisdom it could offer me during this trying time.\\n\\nI did the Spread of the Elements, which is a 5 card Spread featured in the book. This particular spread addresses the West/Emotional, East/Intellectual, North/Intuitive, and South/Sensual parts of the Self. I asked for Guidance about the source of the injury, as well as healing advice.\\n\\nI received some amazingly profound wisdom that was spot-on accurate. Rather than being a superficial reading, there was deep wisdom offered that addressed both root and remedy in various areas of my life. A part of this wisdom, I feel, lies with the great care and enthusiasm with which the authors convey the messages of these sacred animals.\\n\\nThis is not a deck to use \\\"for fun\\\", in my opinion. You'll be given corrective insight when inquiring The Druid Animal Oracle--and you may not like what it says. But it will be accurate, I believe, and it will be empowering should you choose to apply its wisdom.\\n\\n(To see 6 images from this deck, visit the Reviews section at [...])\\n\\nJanet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)\",\n \"Product: Winner of the 2010 Edgar Award for Best Novel\\n\\nJohn Harts New York Times bestselling debut, The King of Lies, announced the arrival of a major talent. With Down River, he surpassed his earlier success, transcending the barrier between thriller and literature and winning the 2008 Edgar Award for best novel. Now, with The Last Child, he achieves his most significant work to date, an intricate, powerful story of loss, hope, and courage in the face of evil.\\n\\nThirteen year-old Johnny Merrimon had the perfect life: a warm home and loving parents; a twin sister, Alyssa, with whom he shared an irreplaceable bond. He knew nothing of loss, until the day Alyssa vanished from the side of a lonely street. Now, a year later, Johnny finds himself isolated and alone, failed by the people hed been taught since birth to trust. No one else believes that Alyssa is still alive, but Johnny is certain that she is---confident in a way that he can never fully explain.\\n\\nDetermined to find his sister, Johnny risks everything to explore the dark side of his hometown. It is a desperate, terrifying search, but Johnny is not as alone as he might think. Detective Clyde Hunt has never stopped looking for Alyssa either, and he has a soft spot for Johnny. He watches over the boy and tries to keep him safe, but when Johnny uncovers a dangerous lead and vows to follow it, Hunt has no choice but to intervene.\\n\\nThen a second child goes missing . . .\\n\\nUndeterred by Hunts threats or his mothers pleas, Johnny enlists the help of his last friend, and together they plunge into the wild, to a forgotten place with a history of violence that goes back more than a hundred years. There, they meet a giant of a man, an escaped convict on his own tragic quest. What they learn from him will shatter every notion Johnny had about the fate of his sister; it will lead them to another far place, to a truth that will test both boys to the limit.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The Impact of a Girl Gone Missing\\n\\nReview: \\\"Johnny learned early. If somebody asked him why he was so different, why he held himself so still and why his eyes seemed to swallow light, that's what he'd tell them. He learned early that there was no safe place, not the backyard or the playground, not the front porch or the quiet road that grazed the edge of town. No safe place, and no one to protect you. Childhood was illusion.\\\" - From the book\\n\\nThirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon looks young for his age, yet his countenance bears the strain of loss and fierce desperation.\\n\\nA year ago, Johnny's twin sister Alyssa disappeared. Wracked with guilt, his Dad left him and his Mom. Understandably, his Mom began to fall apart--and a heartless predator moved in...figuratively and literally.\\n\\nThe Last Child tells the story of Johnny, his Mom, haunted detective Clyde Hunt who promised to find Alyssa (but didn't), and an assortment of townsfolk, police, friends and strangers that have been irrevocably changed by Alyssa's disappearance.\\n\\nConvinced that the police won't get the job done--and driven by his Mom's spiral downward and his own gnawing need for closure--Johnny takes it upon himself to find answers. In the quest to find out what happened to his sister, he investigates seedy houses and trails depraved child molesters...all the while hoping that his Dad will one day crest the top of the hill and explain his desertion.\\n\\nThe Last Child started slow for me, so much so that I put it on the shelf for several weeks because I simply couldn't get into it. But reading some of the praise for John Hart's previous work, I decided to give this book another chance.\\n\\nOnce the story gets cooking, around a fourth into the book, the plot gets interesting. By the time The Last Child hits the halfway point, it becomes truly gripping.\\n\\nIt was an emotional read, especially as a parent. There are some dark situations in this book, so don't expect a warm, fuzzy mystery. Yet, it's not all grit and human depravity; there are definite shafts of light throughout, and the ending is satisfying and hopeful. In fact, when I read the last sentence, I had tears in my eyes.\\n\\nIn addition to being a solid mystery with a suspenseful plot and memorable, well-drawn characters, The Last Child addresses overreaching themes like guilt, life purpose, the drive for self-preservation, resilience, God, personal meaning, the cost of ambition, redemption and forgiveness.\\n\\nSome of the description, especially the surroundings, seemed padded and unnecessary and the book could have started much stronger (for example, a partial flashback to the night Alyssa disappeared or some other compelling situation). Still, The Last Child held my attention once I gave it a chance...but I think you may want to consider checking this out at the library instead of plunking down the $ for hardcover.\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book\",\n \"Product: [ Lies BY Grant, Michael ( Author ) ] { Paperback } 2014\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Lord of the Flies Meets the X-Men\\n\\nReview: \\\"Where was Grandpa Luke? She only half remembered the seconds before the crash, and the crash itself was just a blur, fractured images of space twirling around her as her body was bludgeoned. It was confusing. Made no sense. Her grandfather had simply disappeared from the truck: one minute there, and the next not there. She had no memory of the truck door opening or closing, and why would the old man have jumped out? Crazy. Impossible.\\\" - From the book\\n\\nUnfortunately for the kids in Perdido Beach, the disappearance of everyone over the age of fifteen is not only possible, but an unfathomable new reality. Babies abandoned, stoves hot, vehicles wrecked, TVs blank and telephones lifeless. Classrooms teeming with bewildered youth as teachers poof before their eyes, those not pillaging snack machines or grocery stores attempt to come to terms with why the adults have gone--and what to do next.\\n\\nIn the arresting 558-page thriller titled Gone, author Michael Grant offers up a familiar plot to those who've read William Golding's <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Lord-of-the-Flies/dp/0140283331/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Lord of the Flies</a>, thrusting kids into a world where they must make life and death decisions--and where character flaws (and strengths) arise in the face of those challenges.\\n\\nAlthough some of the characters are standard--the reluctant hero, the smart girl, the computer geek, the surfer dude, the stupid bully and so on--Grant offers several compelling twists to make Gone more than just a social experiment testing the limits, choices and depravity of humans in confusing circumstances.\\n\\nReminiscent of the mutant school in the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/X-Men-Movies/dp/B000HEVZ9E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">X-Men Movies</a>, some of the kids have \\\"the power\\\"--teleportation, gravity suspension, and healing. Others have skills that are more dangerous; in fact, one toddler can fling a napalm-like substance as a firestarter.\\n\\nOne autistic kid may hold the key to it all: was it he who created the impenetrable wall surrounding the FAYZ? Was the Fallout Youth Zone instigated by a meltdown at a local nuclear power plant? What are causing the mutations in both humans and animals?\\n\\nAnd what happens when a kid reaches their fifteen birthday in a world without fifteen year olds...\\n\\nAn utterly absorbing read, Gone will keep you away from your responsibilities if you let it. If you're like me, it will also give you nightmares. Although this book is geared towards teens, it reads more like early Stephen King or Dean R. Koontz--especially with the gruesome violence (rivals <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Misery/dp/9875662690/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Misery</a>), cruelty and language (although the F bomb is never dropped). Author Grant never talks down to teens, which is refreshing, even peppering his tight prose with adult-level vocabulary. (How many kids would describe someone standing \\\"insouciantly\\\"?)\\n\\nWith well-drawn characters, solid plotting, economy of words and breathless action, Gone ends up being an exhilarating ride through good versus evil and the murky grays in between. I was a bit disappointed in the ending only because I craved an (admittedly) tidy bow where the bullies die and the world gets back to \\\"normal\\\". However, fans of the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Harry-Potter-series/dp/0439887453/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Harry Potter series</a> will be pleased to know that a new kid has arrived on the block of \\\"supernormal\\\" teen fiction--and a sequel looms on the horizon if the last pages are any indication.\\n\\nJanet Boyer, Freelance Reviewer and Author of <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Back-in-Time-Tarot-Book-Picture-the-Past-Experience-the-Cards-Understand-the-Present/dp/1571745874/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present</a>\",\n \"Product: JOANNA COLE has been creating books about the Magic School Bus for more than twenty years. A recipient of many awards, most recently the National Endowment for the Arts Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, Ms. Cole is dedicated to making learning fun. She lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Learn About the Water Cycle, Purification and Conservation\\n\\nReview: \\\"Suddenly the whole bus rose into the air. We felt cool and heavy. We were turning into water!\\\" -- From the book\\n\\nIn case you're not familiar with Scholastic series of Magic School Bus books, they are books which are based on the animated TV series--which are, incindentally, based on the ORIGINAL books written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen. (Whew!)\\n\\nIn The Magic School Bus: Wet All Over, Ms. Frizzle, an unusual teacher, and her class go on an exciting and bizarre field trip (as usual!). This time, they turn into water droplets...which then turn into water vapor...which then condenses to clouds...and then they begin to \\\"rain\\\"!\\n\\n\\\"Go with the flow, class!\\\", Ms. Frizzle merrily advises.\\n\\nThen, the kids go over a waterfall (water always flows to the lowest spot, \\\"the Friz\\\" observes) and into the ocean. The sun warms them, they evaporate--and the cycle begins again. They eventually make it to a reservoir, which leads to a water purification plant. The kids learn about alum (it sponges up dirt) and how water becomes safe for drinking.\\n\\nThis particular book is less cheesy than most (in that it doesn't have lots of groan-inducing word-play), and it also features a great environmental message from Ms. Frizzle at the end. The last part of it says:\\n\\n\\\"Although there is lots of water in the world, it is not always where we want it when we want it. Only a tiny part of the Earth's water is drinkable. Our drinkable water is a precious resource. We need to borrow it only as we need it, and to return it to the water cycle in the best condition we can.\\\"\\n\\nI use the Magic School Bus books, videos and DVDs to supplement science class (I homeschool), and they never disappoint with their down-to-Earth approach to science concepts. This particular book is especially great for teaching water conservation in addition to the water cycle.\",\n \"Product: Michael S. A. Graziano' professor of neuroscience at Princeton University' is the author of the novella Hiding Places (New England Review' 1997)' the novel The Love Song of Monkey (Leapfrog Press' 2008)' The Seclusion Zone (finalist in the Faulkner - Wisdom Novella Category' 2007)' and The Intelligent Movement Machine (Oxford University Press' 2008).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Heaven, Hell or Hilton? It's All in the Mind.\\n\\nReview: \\\"Rose would twist herself down between us in angular spasms until she was sitting on the floor, one hand cupped gently around my ankle, the other hand around Henry's ankle. In this way she held us together, as if she were a telegraph, as if she felt the need to physically hold us in order to transmit her thoughts to us. She would hum, her head resting against my thigh or his. That was her hobby and her obsession.\\\" -- From The Divine Farce\\n\\nAlthough I finished The Divine Farce weeks ago, I just couldn't bring myself to write a review. Why? Well, at the risk of sounding hyberbolic--it's not easy to review utter genius.\\n\\nI feel inept, really, attempting to review The Divine Farce. Both my husband and I felt that we're in the presence of a literary giant when we read both Love Song of Monkey and The Divine Farce...that Michael S.A. Graziano will be \\\"our little secret\\\" until his name graces the annals of literary criticism, college textbooks and lists of \\\"recommended reading\\\" for students.\\n\\nThe premise for The Divine Farce appears rather simple: two men and a woman are trapped in a cement cylinder with grates at the top and bottom. A sweet liquid showers them regularly, providing them with sustenance (and, according to Brian, skin conditioning). They are pressed up against one another, with only Rose able to crouch down in some semblance of a seated position.\\n\\nTheir world is pretty much between the ears: the imaginings of appearance, consideration of words spoken, interpreting physical touch.\\n\\nNot content to leave well enough alone, Brian begins to work at the cement wall, memorizing every smooth bump with his fingers, his tongue.\\n\\nBut then the hole.\\n\\nWhat is beyond their cylindrical prison? Or is that cylindrical heaven? Or cylindrical fantasy?\\n\\nAuthor Graziano wraps Brian's epic journey in poetic metaphor, delivered through the messy, instinctual urges of humanity. Some scenes will make you queasy, but all of them will make you think.\\n\\nIn fact--and here comes more seemingly hyperbolic observations (but I assure you I lie not)--I dare you to see the world the same way after reading The Divine Farce.\\n\\nI'll leave you with another passage from The Divine Farce:\\n\\n\\\"Our world was made of intricate, interlocking strands of music--anger and resentment, despair, loyalty, trust, humor, contempt, forgiveness, alliances switching and switching, Rose, Henry, Brian, primary colors, however harsh, however outrageous, as long as the parts fit together into the workings of a larger whole. A tessellation, a giant unity.\\n\\nLove.\\\"\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of lots of stuff\\n\\nP.S. Look for the interesting design features within the book that reflect the plot. :o)\",\n \"Product: Michael S. A. Graziano' professor of neuroscience at Princeton University' is the author of the novella Hiding Places (New England Review' 1997)' the novel The Love Song of Monkey (Leapfrog Press' 2008)' The Seclusion Zone (finalist in the Faulkner - Wisdom Novella Category' 2007)' and The Intelligent Movement Machine (Oxford University Press' 2008).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Heaven, Hell or Hilton? It's All in the Mind.\\n\\nReview: \\\"Rose would twist herself down between us in angular spasms until she was sitting on the floor, one hand cupped gently around my ankle, the other hand around Henry's ankle. In this way she held us together, as if she were a telegraph, as if she felt the need to physically hold us in order to transmit her thoughts to us. She would hum, her head resting against my thigh or his. That was her hobby and her obsession.\\\" -- From The Divine Farce\\n\\nAlthough I finished The Divine Farce weeks ago, I just couldn't bring myself to write a review. Why? Well, at the risk of sounding hyberbolic--it's not easy to review utter genius.\\n\\nI feel inept, really, attempting to review The Divine Farce. Both my husband and I felt that we're in the presence of a literary giant when we read both Love Song of Monkey and The Divine Farce...that Michael S.A. Graziano will be \\\"our little secret\\\" until his name graces the annals of literary criticism, college textbooks and lists of \\\"recommended reading\\\" for students.\\n\\nThe premise for The Divine Farce appears rather simple: two men and a woman are trapped in a cement cylinder with grates at the top and bottom. A sweet liquid showers them regularly, providing them with sustenance (and, according to Brian, skin conditioning). They are pressed up against one another, with only Rose able to crouch down in some semblance of a seated position.\\n\\nTheir world is pretty much between the ears: the imaginings of appearance, consideration of words spoken, interpreting physical touch.\\n\\nNot content to leave well enough alone, Brian begins to work at the cement wall, memorizing every smooth bump with his fingers, his tongue.\\n\\nBut then the hole.\\n\\nWhat is beyond their cylindrical prison? Or is that cylindrical heaven? Or cylindrical fantasy?\\n\\nAuthor Graziano wraps Brian's epic journey in poetic metaphor, delivered through the messy, instinctual urges of humanity. Some scenes will make you queasy, but all of them will make you think.\\n\\nIn fact--and here comes more seemingly hyperbolic observations (but I assure you I lie not)--I dare you to see the world the same way after reading The Divine Farce.\\n\\nI'll leave you with another passage from The Divine Farce:\\n\\n\\\"Our world was made of intricate, interlocking strands of music--anger and resentment, despair, loyalty, trust, humor, contempt, forgiveness, alliances switching and switching, Rose, Henry, Brian, primary colors, however harsh, however outrageous, as long as the parts fit together into the workings of a larger whole. A tessellation, a giant unity.\\n\\nLove.\\\"\\n\\n-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot\\n\\nP.S. Look for the interesting design features within the book that reflect the plot. :o)\",\n \"Product: Author, marketer, corporate anarchist, and founder of Marco Polo Explorers, Marco Marsan was named one of America's top Out-of-the-Box thinkers by the Mazda Corporation. Employing his out-of-the-box approach, Marco and his Explorers have helped create a long list of remarkably successful new products for some of the biggest and smartest marketing companies in the world. Not content to keep his success to himself, Marco has spoken to tens of thousands of people on the power of innovation and creativity at his Think Naked! speeches. He believes everyone can unleash the naked spirit of their childhood and enjoy a life full of optimism and success. This Think Naked! philosophy unfolds in his newest book, Think Naked! Childlike Brilliance in the Rough Adult World. Marco lives with his son, Shane, and cat, Boris, at the Piazza San Marco in the majestic Appalachian foothills of Mt. Lookout, Ohio.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Re-discover Your Child-like Brilliance\\n\\nReview: First off, I have to say that I agree with the other reviewer regarding editing: the Jodere group consistently publishes books with very bad editing, sometimes using several semi-colons in one sentence...ALL the time. Aggravating. 5 Stars for content, zero for editing.\\nShoddy editorship aside, the information in this book is helpful and even fascinating. Author, marketer, corporate anarchist, and founder of Marco Polo Explorers, Marco Marsan was named one of America's top Out-of-the-Box thinkers by the Mazda Corporation. Think Naked came out earlier this year, and it's a delightful book about re-discovering child-like brilliance. Marsan has something interesting things to say on the inside flap of his book: \\\"Dr. Seuss once described adults as 'obsolete children'. Extensive studies show that there is a 98 percent chance you were a creative genius before age four. Business week magazine says that a 40-year old adult is about two percent as creative as a five-year-old child. Findings like these tell us that creative genius isn't something you find--it's something that you've merely, and perhaps, only temporarily lost.\\\" Some chapters in this book include You Were A Genius:Discovering the childlike brilliance you were born with, See Saw:Balancing the combination of kidlike genius with your adult wealth of experience, Wear Your Cape:How to create conditions that encourage risk-taking without fear, and Show And Tell:How to get in touch with your passions and your exuberance.\\nThroughout the book, Marsan gives fascinating examples from scientific studies, pop-culture, trends, nature, and other sources to illustrate just how in the box many of us remain--especially when it comes to personal satisfaction and creativity.\\nThis book is a lot of fun to read, and stimulates thinking outside of conventional, plodding thought patterns. Refreshing and bold, it's sure to be a welcome addition for the library of a manager or business professional, and for anyone wanting to infuse the zest of new perspectives into their lives.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":68,"string":"68"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1791,"string":"1,791"}}},{"rowIdx":1792,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3TBIM2NBG4IB1"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"Melissa resides in a small mid-Michigan farm community with her husband and three children, all of whom they home school. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, taking photos, and motorcycle rides with her husband. Her hope is that each story touches your heart, gives you hope, or just gives you a moment away from the chaos of life.\". The summary of the review text is \"Immediately Engaging. . .Delightful Ending!\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Immediately engaging, I was completely engrossed in the story from page one and putting it down was not an option!\n\nDance and Be Glad is a heart-warming story of loss, love and faith which left me with tears streaming down my cheeks as I read the last few paragraphs. Melissa Wardwell has crafted a storyline that clearly demonstrates Gods love and mighty provision for all of His children despite their past or present questions of faith.\n\nA delightful ending! I am surely looking forwardto thesequel to this charming story!\n\nA 5 of 5 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book! Thank you, Melissa Wardwell for this lovely read!\nDisclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Immediately engaging, I was completely engrossed in the story from page one and putting it down was not an option!\n\nDance and Be Glad is a heart-warming story of loss, love and faith which left me with tears streaming down my cheeks as I read the last few paragraphs. Melissa Wardwell has crafted a storyline that clearly demonstrates Gods love and mighty provision for all of His children despite their past or present questions of faith.\n\nA delightful ending! I am surely looking forwardto thesequel to this charming story!\n\nA 5 of 5 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book! Thank you, Melissa Wardwell for this lovely read!\nDisclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Chautona Havig lives and writes in California's Mojave Desert with her husband and six of her nine children. When not writing or reading, she enjoys paper crafting, sewing, and looking forward to retirement as a homeschool teacher.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Well-written and keeps you intrigued!\n\nReview: Great book! Meddlin Madeline Sweet on You brings together a fascinating combination of characters! What a mind! What a wit! This is a woman with a mind of her own who is clever, persistent, clear-minded and fashionable! This first in the series volume will hook you and leave you wanting more, more, more!\n\nI particularly appreciate the period-specific vocabulary and careful scene-setting. This author has done her research well and adeptly brings the reader directly into the era. SO well- written and absorbing!\n\nThank you Chautona, I look forward to continuing the adventure with Meddlin Madeline! Im glad she decided to fill her time with activities beyond committee meetings!\n\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.","Product: Chautona Havig lives and writes in California's Mojave Desert. When not writing, she enjoys reading, paper crafting, and dreaming of retirement from home education.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Stunning, Absorbing, A Must-Read!\n\nReview: Oh, my. This one is amazing, riveting, gut-and-heart-wrenching. Such depth and breadth. An exquisite and truthful examination of the awful that is adultery. Painful. Raw. Real. Viewed from all those affected by the ripples of infidelity powerfully crafted and vividly portrayed.\n\nAs weve come to expect from Shautona Havig, Christmas Embers is extraordinarily well written and thoroughly engrossing. This is a book youll remember for a long time after youve finished the last page. Christmas Embers should be in every church library and I think its a must read for all Christian counselors and pastors.\n\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.","Product: Joanie has a strong passion for reading, and her love for books with nail-biting suspense, inspires her to write contemporary suspense books. Thankful that God has given her the ability to write from her home in the country, she strives to use that opportunity to honor Him in all of her writing. Joanie and her husband, Ben, live in a country home near Madison, Georgia, right in the middle of a pasture full of beef cows. There they raised and homeschooled their three children. She enjoys cooking, taking long walks, painting oil portraits, and caring for their home in the country.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Lots of drama, suspense and intrigue\n\nReview: Lots of drama, suspense and intrigue. . .with just the right amount of spiritual wisdom and sincerity.\n\nA Memory Worth Dying For is truly a compelling story you're drawn in from start and just when you think the tension might lessen. . .it ramps up again and grabs you = a genuine page-turner!\n\nVERY detailed, the descriptions enable the reader to feel as though they are in the story excellent writing. The characters well developed and the reader is granted a clear picture of their emotional history and development, too.\n\nExcellent work, Joanie Bruce! I thoroughly enjoy your writing. . .a definite 5+ of 5 stars!!! I SO look forward to reading many more of your books!\n\nDisclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.","Product: Loni Kemper Moore is a sports-cheering, Diet-Pepsi sipping, Rocky Mountain adventure-seeking kind of girl. Shes passionate for God and wants to share His beautiful love through lifes ugliness with remarkable women around the globe. Her writing came alive seven years ago after she broke her ankle. The crazy time of being laid up forced her to flip through decades of diaries which inspired the story that became Hope Travels Through. When shes not writing, shes a technical support analyst; mom of a teenager named Adam; traveler with Robert, her dear hugsband; stepmom to University of Evansville alumna Becca and her husband, Anthony; entertainer; and spender of way too much time on Facebook. With her experiences of learning to trust God through tragedy, being employed by travel agencies and Delta Air Lines, and attending University of Evansville graduate school, shes the best person to tell this story.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Moving, Melancholy and Memorable\n\nReview: This is a novel deep and filled with a pervasive sense of melancholy. Written by someone well acquainted with sorrow and lifes difficulties, this story will give the reader pause to consider their own experiences with and reactions to grief, sorrow and loss. This is not a consume-all-at-once novel but rather one to be read over a period of time in order to absorb the emotional nuances within.\n\nWith a continually relevant faith message, Hope Travels Through offers readers a realistic look at how people choose to hold onto or let loose of their faith in times of crisis. A particularly memorable change comes when the main character, TeJae, totally at the end of herself and her misery determines that God would help in the future despite the grief in my heart. This is a turning point in the story which ultimately brings triumph over tragedy.\n\nLoni Moore has included well done descriptions of the people, places, things and activities of the 1970s. Although admittedly I found this a challenging story to read, I am glad I persevered and discovered the hope that found a way to travel through to the end of the story!\n\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.","Product: Rebekah Jones is first and foremost a follower of the Living God. She started writing as a little girl, seeking to glorify her King with her books and stories. Besides writing, she is an avid reader, songwriter, pianist, singer, artist, and history student. She also loves children. She lives with her family in the Southwestern desert.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Well Done and Imaginative!\n\nReview: Rebekah Jones Presumption and Partiality is written in a comfortable style that makes for smooth and engaging reading. This story progressed nicely, included well done but not over the top Christian characters and themes, and was brought to a highly satisfying conclusion.\n\nAs this is number 5 in the Vintage Jane Austen series, those familiar with Austens original Pride and Prejudice will find much to enjoy in this clever and highly readable version set in 1930s Arizona. There are sufficient plot changes to make it uniquely Jones style and story yet she does an admirable job of staying true to Austens overall story.\n\nI look forward to enjoying the other titles in this series, and definitely want to read more from this new to me author!\n\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.","Product: Jodie Wolfe got bitten by the writing bug as a young girl after reading and watching Little House on the Prairie. She creates novels where hope and quirky meet. The power of story to influence lives and change hearts is what motivates her to weave tales that tell of the Savior's faithfulness and forgiveness. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at: jodiewolfe.com.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Creative, Clever and Highly Readable!\n\nReview: A clever story with well-developed characters, interesting location, plenty of tension, drama, tenderness, newfound friendship, faith rekindled and love fostered. This author has a way of comfortably pulling the reader into the fullness of the story while holding fast to the end. To Claim Her Heart is a genuinely memorable story based on actual events experienced by her own family members!\n\nEach chapter begins with highly entertaining and apropos references to a companion guide known as Mrs. Wiggleworths Essential Guide to Proper Etiquette and Manners of Refined Society. All in all, a highly recommended read from an author Ive come to admire!\n\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.","Product: An incredible true story of perseverance in the face of adversity, this is one account where truth is truly stranger than fiction Laurie Penner\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Detailed Account of a Full Life\n\nReview: The authors recount of the early years of this young womans extraordinary life is at times daunting. The reader is offered a detailed account of a life full of myriad challenges, dysfunctional family drama, unbridled faith, excellent adventures and friendships, and ultimately a life-altering decision to join an order of French nuns.\n\nDescribed as a biography rather than an autobiography, this narrative is written in the third-person with copious detail and an almost journalistic feel at times. Apparently, Amys habit of daydreaming served as a sanity-saver and highly successful coping mechanism that trained her well for her venture into writing!\n\nA few chosen quotes to provide insight into this first book in a series:\n She trusted everyone and soon came to find out that not all people in the world were nice or could be trusted.\n\nShe could always see a reason for everything and would go through life finding and focusing on the reason for things that happened to her. Amy found a blessing in each and every incident, however difficult or painful they turned out to be, trusting in God, whom she was not allowed to talk about.\n\nLife was rich. It was also too short. Thats why she did not believe in letting anything slip by.\n\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Chautona Havig lives and writes in California's Mojave Desert with her husband and six of her nine children. When not writing or reading, she enjoys paper crafting, sewing, and looking forward to retirement as a homeschool teacher.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Well-written and keeps you intrigued!\\n\\nReview: Great book! Meddlin Madeline Sweet on You brings together a fascinating combination of characters! What a mind! What a wit! This is a woman with a mind of her own who is clever, persistent, clear-minded and fashionable! This first in the series volume will hook you and leave you wanting more, more, more!\\n\\nI particularly appreciate the period-specific vocabulary and careful scene-setting. This author has done her research well and adeptly brings the reader directly into the era. SO well- written and absorbing!\\n\\nThank you Chautona, I look forward to continuing the adventure with Meddlin Madeline! Im glad she decided to fill her time with activities beyond committee meetings!\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.\",\n \"Product: Chautona Havig lives and writes in California's Mojave Desert. When not writing, she enjoys reading, paper crafting, and dreaming of retirement from home education.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Stunning, Absorbing, A Must-Read!\\n\\nReview: Oh, my. This one is amazing, riveting, gut-and-heart-wrenching. Such depth and breadth. An exquisite and truthful examination of the awful that is adultery. Painful. Raw. Real. Viewed from all those affected by the ripples of infidelity powerfully crafted and vividly portrayed.\\n\\nAs weve come to expect from Shautona Havig, Christmas Embers is extraordinarily well written and thoroughly engrossing. This is a book youll remember for a long time after youve finished the last page. Christmas Embers should be in every church library and I think its a must read for all Christian counselors and pastors.\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.\",\n \"Product: Joanie has a strong passion for reading, and her love for books with nail-biting suspense, inspires her to write contemporary suspense books. Thankful that God has given her the ability to write from her home in the country, she strives to use that opportunity to honor Him in all of her writing. Joanie and her husband, Ben, live in a country home near Madison, Georgia, right in the middle of a pasture full of beef cows. There they raised and homeschooled their three children. She enjoys cooking, taking long walks, painting oil portraits, and caring for their home in the country.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Lots of drama, suspense and intrigue\\n\\nReview: Lots of drama, suspense and intrigue. . .with just the right amount of spiritual wisdom and sincerity.\\n\\nA Memory Worth Dying For is truly a compelling story you're drawn in from start and just when you think the tension might lessen. . .it ramps up again and grabs you = a genuine page-turner!\\n\\nVERY detailed, the descriptions enable the reader to feel as though they are in the story excellent writing. The characters well developed and the reader is granted a clear picture of their emotional history and development, too.\\n\\nExcellent work, Joanie Bruce! I thoroughly enjoy your writing. . .a definite 5+ of 5 stars!!! I SO look forward to reading many more of your books!\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.\",\n \"Product: Loni Kemper Moore is a sports-cheering, Diet-Pepsi sipping, Rocky Mountain adventure-seeking kind of girl. Shes passionate for God and wants to share His beautiful love through lifes ugliness with remarkable women around the globe. Her writing came alive seven years ago after she broke her ankle. The crazy time of being laid up forced her to flip through decades of diaries which inspired the story that became Hope Travels Through. When shes not writing, shes a technical support analyst; mom of a teenager named Adam; traveler with Robert, her dear hugsband; stepmom to University of Evansville alumna Becca and her husband, Anthony; entertainer; and spender of way too much time on Facebook. With her experiences of learning to trust God through tragedy, being employed by travel agencies and Delta Air Lines, and attending University of Evansville graduate school, shes the best person to tell this story.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Moving, Melancholy and Memorable\\n\\nReview: This is a novel deep and filled with a pervasive sense of melancholy. Written by someone well acquainted with sorrow and lifes difficulties, this story will give the reader pause to consider their own experiences with and reactions to grief, sorrow and loss. This is not a consume-all-at-once novel but rather one to be read over a period of time in order to absorb the emotional nuances within.\\n\\nWith a continually relevant faith message, Hope Travels Through offers readers a realistic look at how people choose to hold onto or let loose of their faith in times of crisis. A particularly memorable change comes when the main character, TeJae, totally at the end of herself and her misery determines that God would help in the future despite the grief in my heart. This is a turning point in the story which ultimately brings triumph over tragedy.\\n\\nLoni Moore has included well done descriptions of the people, places, things and activities of the 1970s. Although admittedly I found this a challenging story to read, I am glad I persevered and discovered the hope that found a way to travel through to the end of the story!\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.\",\n \"Product: Rebekah Jones is first and foremost a follower of the Living God. She started writing as a little girl, seeking to glorify her King with her books and stories. Besides writing, she is an avid reader, songwriter, pianist, singer, artist, and history student. She also loves children. She lives with her family in the Southwestern desert.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Well Done and Imaginative!\\n\\nReview: Rebekah Jones Presumption and Partiality is written in a comfortable style that makes for smooth and engaging reading. This story progressed nicely, included well done but not over the top Christian characters and themes, and was brought to a highly satisfying conclusion.\\n\\nAs this is number 5 in the Vintage Jane Austen series, those familiar with Austens original Pride and Prejudice will find much to enjoy in this clever and highly readable version set in 1930s Arizona. There are sufficient plot changes to make it uniquely Jones style and story yet she does an admirable job of staying true to Austens overall story.\\n\\nI look forward to enjoying the other titles in this series, and definitely want to read more from this new to me author!\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.\",\n \"Product: Jodie Wolfe got bitten by the writing bug as a young girl after reading and watching Little House on the Prairie. She creates novels where hope and quirky meet. The power of story to influence lives and change hearts is what motivates her to weave tales that tell of the Savior's faithfulness and forgiveness. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at: jodiewolfe.com.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Creative, Clever and Highly Readable!\\n\\nReview: A clever story with well-developed characters, interesting location, plenty of tension, drama, tenderness, newfound friendship, faith rekindled and love fostered. This author has a way of comfortably pulling the reader into the fullness of the story while holding fast to the end. To Claim Her Heart is a genuinely memorable story based on actual events experienced by her own family members!\\n\\nEach chapter begins with highly entertaining and apropos references to a companion guide known as Mrs. Wiggleworths Essential Guide to Proper Etiquette and Manners of Refined Society. All in all, a highly recommended read from an author Ive come to admire!\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.\",\n \"Product: An incredible true story of perseverance in the face of adversity, this is one account where truth is truly stranger than fiction Laurie Penner\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Detailed Account of a Full Life\\n\\nReview: The authors recount of the early years of this young womans extraordinary life is at times daunting. The reader is offered a detailed account of a life full of myriad challenges, dysfunctional family drama, unbridled faith, excellent adventures and friendships, and ultimately a life-altering decision to join an order of French nuns.\\n\\nDescribed as a biography rather than an autobiography, this narrative is written in the third-person with copious detail and an almost journalistic feel at times. Apparently, Amys habit of daydreaming served as a sanity-saver and highly successful coping mechanism that trained her well for her venture into writing!\\n\\nA few chosen quotes to provide insight into this first book in a series:\\n She trusted everyone and soon came to find out that not all people in the world were nice or could be trusted.\\n\\nShe could always see a reason for everything and would go through life finding and focusing on the reason for things that happened to her. Amy found a blessing in each and every incident, however difficult or painful they turned out to be, trusting in God, whom she was not allowed to talk about.\\n\\nLife was rich. It was also too short. Thats why she did not believe in letting anything slip by.\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":7,"string":"7"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1792,"string":"1,792"}}},{"rowIdx":1793,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3KURTMF4YP4S2"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"One of out bestselling swimwear styles, the navy and white stripe maternity tankini is a holiday and pool must-have.\". The summary of the review text is \"High quality, timeless design, flattering cut, includes belly panel, regular (non-halter) adjustable straps. LOVE IT!\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I bought this suit as a backup, in case the one I ordered online from LOFT didn't work out (and from pictures, I just knew I would LOVE it). Well, this suit surprised me and I LOVED it too! It fits me well now, with some room to grow. For reference, I was a size 2/4 pear shape, 32B bust, long torso before pregnancy and ordered the size SMALL suit. Right now I am 22 weeks (just under 10lbs gained - mostly belly, and bust is now a 34C) and still love it. In hindsight, I might have ordered the small and medium to try both on (since this item qualifies for free returns under PRIME anyway).\n\nHere's what I love about this suit:\n-flattering cut - on top and bottom!\n-the bottom has a belly band panel for more coverage, but it can be folded down (the belly band is solid navy and very stretchy for comfort)\n-conservative cut for the booty\n-bra type straps (not a halter) which are adjustable\n-timeless design\n-feels like a HIGH quality item (I checked their website for reviews and there were TONS - everyone in Europe must love this suit!). Growing up my mom would buy my suits at stores which sold team suits, rather than the cutesy ones, so I am used to thick, quality suit material and this is it.\n-more stylish than anything I could find in stores\n\nWhat I don't love:\n-no ruching (I find ruched clothes most flattering for baby bellies!)\n-the adjusters on the back straps can dig in just a bit to my back after a few hours\n-as the belly grows, I fear the front of the suit will rise up - it's not cut with as much extra material as I would imagine for a maternity suit. However, the belly band on the bottom ensures there will be coverage\n-not AS STRETCHY as other suits - which is good and bad. It's good because it won't stretch out and keeps a flattering figure. However, I live in TX and wonder if it will still be comfy a few months from now when I'm nearing my due date, or will feel a bit too tight (this is where I wish I had tried on a medium too - and if it wasn't too big, might have sized up)."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"I bought this suit as a backup, in case the one I ordered online from LOFT didn't work out (and from pictures, I just knew I would LOVE it). Well, this suit surprised me and I LOVED it too! It fits me well now, with some room to grow. For reference, I was a size 2/4 pear shape, 32B bust, long torso before pregnancy and ordered the size SMALL suit. Right now I am 22 weeks (just under 10lbs gained - mostly belly, and bust is now a 34C) and still love it. In hindsight, I might have ordered the small and medium to try both on (since this item qualifies for free returns under PRIME anyway).\n\nHere's what I love about this suit:\n-flattering cut - on top and bottom!\n-the bottom has a belly band panel for more coverage, but it can be folded down (the belly band is solid navy and very stretchy for comfort)\n-conservative cut for the booty\n-bra type straps (not a halter) which are adjustable\n-timeless design\n-feels like a HIGH quality item (I checked their website for reviews and there were TONS - everyone in Europe must love this suit!). Growing up my mom would buy my suits at stores which sold team suits, rather than the cutesy ones, so I am used to thick, quality suit material and this is it.\n-more stylish than anything I could find in stores\n\nWhat I don't love:\n-no ruching (I find ruched clothes most flattering for baby bellies!)\n-the adjusters on the back straps can dig in just a bit to my back after a few hours\n-as the belly grows, I fear the front of the suit will rise up - it's not cut with as much extra material as I would imagine for a maternity suit. However, the belly band on the bottom ensures there will be coverage\n-not AS STRETCHY as other suits - which is good and bad. It's good because it won't stretch out and keeps a flattering figure. However, I live in TX and wonder if it will still be comfy a few months from now when I'm nearing my due date, or will feel a bit too tight (this is where I wish I had tried on a medium too - and if it wasn't too big, might have sized up)."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Trusted by dermatologists, pediatricians and people like you. Aquaphor Healing Ointment provides the special care that your very dry, chapped or irritated skin needs. Specially formulated to create an ideal environment that protects and helps heal your skin, it's also free of fragrance, dyes and preservatives, making it gentle for sensitive skin. Use this multi-purpose ointment to protect or soothe extremely dry skin, chapped lips, cracked hands and feet, minor cuts and burns, and any other skin irritations, so you can get on with your day comfortably.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: NEW MOMS STOCK UP! I can't tell the difference between regular and the baby version.... (read review for more info).\n\nReview: If you are a new mom, just stock up. If you know a new mom, get her this (in addition to something off her registry - and diapers - and if you are really nice, food and a Starbucks gift card!). New mom will be soooo dry you will want to dive in to this tub to let your fingers soak up moisture. Seriously, I have Aquaphor in EVERY room, to keep my sandpaper hands from further damage. I bought this tub first, but I will admit I find myself using the squeeze tubes more often - the tub I just keep on my night stand and I \"punch\" into it and spread a very, very generous layer on before bed. Luckily I have a great sleeper of a son (now 13 weeks), so I can sleep all night and wake up without residue. If you don't have a good sleeper, definitely get the tubes and just put it on the back of your hands, then rub the back of your hands together and then work into the hand. If you have to wash hands before it absorbs (and it's thick, so it take a while), just wash the palms of your hands if possible to keep it working on the backs. I have now bought multiple containers and sizes of regular and BABY Aquaphor, and honestly cannot tell the difference - so I suggest you just buy whatever is cheaper for the size/container you want. Today is my first week back at work - and Aquaphor came with me on Day 1. I also have the ridiculously overpriced mini tubes in my purse and diaper bag.","Product: The Boppy pregnancy wedge is a firm, versatile pregnancy cushion for back and belly support. Its compact and portable design means mom can put it where she wants it. The pima cotton slipcover is removable and machine washable.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great addition to my Snoogle for 3rd tri belly support & hip padding. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Also good sitting back support!\n\nReview: I got a Snoogle pillow at 12 weeks pregnant, and LOVED it. Well, that was great until I hit around 30ish weeks, and my belly weight started tipping me over in my sleep. Pre-pregnancy, I preferred to sleep on my belly, but pregnant my body wants to default to my back - not good. The Snoogle still helps keep me in place by supporting my back, but this wedge is perfect for that bit of \"lift\" my belly needs to support it while I sleep. For some info on me, I was a size XS/2 pre-pregnancy and am up 32 lbs at 35 weeks - and definitely have that distinct, all in the front, basketball belly look!\n\nIt's also very easy to move back and forth (every time I get up to pee (every 1-1.5 hours!) I switch sides I'm sleeping on and move the wedge). It's also comfortable for sitting with - put the chunky end at the base of your back, and enjoy the bit of extra support. I would HIGHLY recommend these to any pregnant woman!\n\nUpdate at 35 weeks - my hips now get so sore (it feels like I slept on a pile of bricks, not a Tempurpedic!), so whichever side I am sleeping on, I am able to slide this down to the hip area for some extra comfort/relief. Finding it very versatile!","Product: Cut the grease and extra calories of deep fried donuts by baking them instead in Norpro's Nonstick Mini Donut Pan. The pan makes 12 mini donuts that are 2 inches wide. The durable nonstick coating helps ensure effortless food release and clean up a breeze. Recipes and instructions included. Hand washing recommended.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Homemade baked mini donuts = healthier, fresher! Wears beautfully and two trays stack nicely\n\nReview: I found a recipe online for pumpkin spice mini-donuts, and thought it'd be fun to try these. The pans seemed to work well, but my recipe also had me coat the pan with butter first... which may have helped them not stick. One side (the side down in the mold) turned out beautiful, but the top wasn't exactly well rounded... but it made \"rustic\" donuts - there was NO question those were homemade, which I oddly enjoyed! I bought two, which worked out well for my batch of batter.\n\nUpdate 5/26/15: These are still doing well and wearing beautifully (look new). The novelty did wear off after a while... but maybe updating my review will be more motivation to get the job done!","Product: It was a time honored tradition among early American families when someone deserved special praise or attention, they were served dinner on The Red Plate. Today this custom, so dear to early American families, returns to remind us a simple reward can mean so much. The Red Plate is the perfect way to acknowledge a family member's special triumphs . . . celebrate a birthday . . . praise a job well done . . . reward a goal achieved . . . or simply say \"You are Special Today\". When The Red Plate is used, any meal becomes a celebration, honoring that special person, event, or deed. It is a visible reminder of love and esteem, a way of showing someone dear to you they are appreciated and remembered. The Red Plate is designed and crafted to become a family heirloom as it is cherished and passed from one generation to the next, marking life's important milestones. This heart shaped Red Plate is 10.5\" diameter plate and comes gift boxed with a pen. The Red Plate . . . make it a tradition in your family.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Traditions to cherish - great for new families building their own traditions!\n\nReview: I love giving this as a wedding gift. This was a tradition in my household, and it's a fun one to pass along :) The plate is a little bigger around the edges than a traditional dinner plate, but has a lip where the writing is. If you give this as a gift, I highly recommend you also get a plate stand. We keep ours on display in our china cabinet. It's so fun to recognize any special event with this - promotions, graduation, new family member, awards, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.! The quality can't be beat! It does come with a pen and instructions to write on the back, and comes in a box - easy to wrap for gifting.","Product: Say goodbye to tearing, stinging, irritated eyes when chopping, mincing, dicing and slicing onions and their relatives leeks, scallions and chives. Wearing these stylish and comfortable Onion Goggles will protect your eyes from irritating onion vapors. The soft foam seal keeps out the nasty vapors. When onions are cut, an enzyme called sulfoxide lyase and sulfuric compounds are released from the broken cells. When exposed to air, they react with one another to form a vapor. As this vapor evaporates, it irritates our eyes and causes us to cry. Kitchen folklore remedies such as burning candles or matches, slicing onions under water and freezing the onions before cutting are not effective. Patented design. When all the right people, and ingredients, kitchen tools, and food come together, we call this The Art of Gathering.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Fun, practical product for those who like to cook - solves my husband's onion eye watering situation - clean easily!\n\nReview: With my contact lenses, I barely ever tear up when cutting onion, but my husband has perfect vision (hmph!) and his eyes go crazy. We added these to our wedding registry and at first he joked about them... but now he panics if he can't find them (quite hilarious!). They are extremely comfortable and it's easy to forget you have them on. We wash with a little dish soap and air dry (to be sanitary, not necessary because we can see grunge), and try to store them in the plastic glasses pouch they came with - but they are used often enough they may just make it to the shelf and not in the case. The white is a great color.","Product: Sleeveless long smocked dress featuring a bohemian inspired bright bold printed pattern all throughout for the season. Surplice crossover v-neckline and a fitted smocked stretch construction defining the waistline. Ruched tie and smocked details at shoulders and a lengthy dress in a top quality medium weight jersey stretch knit for softness and comfort.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: NOT A MATERNITY DRESS (unless maybe you are shorter and in 1st/2nd trimester).\n\nReview: NOT MATERNITY! I am not sure why Amazon pulled this up in with maternity dresses, but I got so excited when I saw it (especially the reviews and awesome price). Well, it came just in time that I could have washed it and packed it for my babymoon vacation at 6 months pregnant... but no, it is not maternity. It COULD work in early maternity perhaps, but not as I am approaching 7 months... and I am 5'6, pre-pregnancy size XS/2-4, and have only gained 18 lbs so far (right on track - and I am ALL belly). But this dress was shorter than desired (I like maxi dresses to hit my shoes) and would get shorter as the belly grew and crept the fabric up, and just not flattering overall. I ordered a small and a medium, in case I needed to size up. The small was correct and true to size for non-pregnancy... the medium drowned my narrow shoulders. So, if you are NOT pregnant, yes it's cute - and I really loved the print. Just doesn't work for me at this time, and I'm sad b/c I thought I found an affordable, attractive maternity outfit!","Product: Package included1pcs bag only\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: You get what you pay for (read review for more)\n\nReview: You get what you pay for. I was excited about this purse, as I love pebble leather. I wanted a small purse that I could wear as a crossbody, as I'm a new mom - crossbody leaves hands free, and needed it to be small enough to tuck in my pump bag for work. This one would have fit the bill if it just wasn't so cheaply made. Material - wise it seemed pretty decent but the craftsmanship of putting it together was cheap. Not just inexpensive, but cheap as in low quality control. Even the strap in the stock photos appear to be made of leather, but they were part leather and almost a cottony twill belt material? Hardware was lumpy and poorly made design-wise. I will say, there was no smell to it (sometimes leather smells good, sometimes bad - this was not even noticeable to me) See pics for more info...","Product: Our lightest, most versatile dry bag is now available in three new larger sizes: The 25L and 35L sizes are designed to accommodate a mattress or tent, while the oval-bottom 60L size is ideal for organizing and protecting gear inside a backpack. Regardless of size, all Storm Sacks feature a roll-top closure and sewn and taped construction to ensure watertightness, as well as PVC-free 210D PU-coated nylon that is long-lasting and .\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I use this for dirty gym clothes - washes with my clothes and air dries\n\nReview: I use this to tuck away sweaty, gross gym clothes between the gym and work. I shower at the gym sometimes and head straight to work, so this seals in all the moisture and stink to keep my car from smelling gross after a long work day (especially in Texas heat!). When I get home from work, I open it up, lay the items out (over my lawn mower handles) to dry and air out and then flip the bag inside out to allow it to dry out. It works perfectly, and the 10-liter size is PERFECT for this purpose (I prefer to go a bit big rather than too small).\n\nUpdate 5/26/15: Still using it for this purpose over a year later - and just throw it in the wash with my workout clothes periodically, air dry.","Product: Great-looking fitness/yoga bag. Unique window compartment for shoes or wet clothes. Many features, including internal compartments. Elastic band on bag bottom to hold yoga mat. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester with polyester mesh.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Roomy, stylish, PERFECT - I have been using it for years and it still works great and looks great!\n\nReview: I would definitely recommend this bag! I have only had mine briefly, but am absolutely in love with it! The shoe compartment is a great feature, but it does make it a bit awkward to remove and place shoes in the mesh compartment while keeping the rest of the bag neatly packed. It is the PERFECT size for a gym locker. I am the envy at the gym while others shove their too-long duffels into the tiny lockers. I am able to fit everything I need to get ready for work (clothes, shoes, makeup, hairbrush) into this, and still have room for my gym shoes (since I only like to use them indoors, I just go to the gym in flip-flips (also my shower shoes). The pockets are handy for keeping the gym lock, gym card, and you can throw a water bottle in the bag too. Overall, I don't generally pack lightly... and this bag can keep up with my high demand storage. I love it!\n\n**UPDATE (Jul 20, 2011 3:26:40 PM PDT)** It has been over a year now, and I still LOVE this bag. It goes to the gym with me 3-4x/week, and has proven very durable. The shoe compartment is wonderful to allow them to air out, but not that when you put your shoes in, you take up the space from the inside. However, here is what I packed yesterday morning and everything fit: gym shoes (in mesh compartment), sports bra, socks,Tshirt, capris and light fleece (for yoga at lunchtime), shorts & tank top for after work cardio, water bottle, iPod, misc. hair ties, and lock. The outside pockets are great for my gym card, keys, and cell phone. I saw a similar bag to this (still Gaiam) at Target, but it is not as large, or compartmentalized. If something happened to mine tomorrow, I'd buy another! (In case you're wondering, I have the black bag - since my employer has an on-site gym, it looks the most professional to correspond with my business casual outfits).\n\nUpdate 8/15/2012: Still using it, and loving it! I use Lysol to clean it, and it's aging beautifully (or not at all). It's getting a little bit more crowded b/c I've cahnged my workouts to need more things (like needing an extra pair of shoes specifically for spin classes, then flip-flips to walk out in, in addition to my regular workout shoes (in case I'm too late for spin class, or just not in the mood). However, it still holds a LOT. The outside pockets are my favorite feature lately for water bottles, phone, sunglasses, etc.\n\nUpdate 5/26/15: People will think I am crazy, but I am STILL USING THIS BAG! It's amazing, and I STILL get compliments The outside does attract my dogs fur, but a little vacuuming and it looks new. Nothing has broken - no zippers, etc. which has happened to me within months of cheaper version bags. I would definitely recommend this bag!\n\nUpdate 1/22/16: STILL USING IT - STILL LOVING IT! :)","Product: For those who want basic heart rate-based features to keep their fitness training simple.The FT4M shows when you're improving fitness based on your heart rate. Comes with comfortable fabric transmitter and coded heart rate transmission to avoid cross-talk.Target zone with visual and audible alarm.Average heart rate of total exercise.Exercise Date.Computer connection features:.UpLink, settings upload from Polar web site or software to wrist unit.Recording features:.Calorie expenditure (Exercise/Total/Fat% ).Number of exercise files (with summary files 99).Time in target zone.Target zone limits.Exercise Time (total total).Time in target zone.Average heart rate of total exercise.Transmitter belt:.Polar T31 transmitter.Polar FT4M Heart Rate Monitor Watch features:.Time of day (12/24h with alarm).Dual time zone.Date and weekday indicator.Stopwatch.What's in the Polar FT4M Box.Polar FT4 training computer.Polar WearLink+ transmitter.FT4 Getting Started Guide.Warranty Description: 2 Year Limited Warranty.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The features you need without all the extras - at a great price. Have had mine almost 3 years, still love it!\n\nReview: Bought it 8/6/2012 and still using it as of 5/26/2015! I LOVE this thing, and recommend to my friends. Quite honestly, I get frustrated if I forget it at home because I like to know my workout stats - especially in a cross-training session, or spin class! I wanted a heart rate monitor which was easy to use, and had basic features. I knew I wouldn't be the type to sync it to my computer and log data - because 1) after a work day, I don't want to get on a computer and 2) what am I going to do with all that info? I am not training for any major sporting events like a marathon or ironman... I'm just a recreational workout gal. I like being healthy and fitting in my clothes. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and has some options for screens you can watch (HR, cal burn, etc), shows you where you are in your HR range, lights up in the dark (briefly), and even wishes you a happy birthday! I got the pink/purple which I love, but my second choice was the tan looking shade which I've seen in person and is flattering. Over the years, I did have to replace the batteries once (maybe $12 to do both the band and watch at Radio Shack), and I ordered a second band for convenience. The bands do start to stink a bit, so I just gently wash with a bit of baby shampoo every so often - and of course you should rinse after every use and hang to dry.","Product: Deck your child out in your favorite teams apparel even when they are sleeping.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: 0-3 mo size is HUGE on my not-so-tiny baby - really cute and super soft - not full zipper - wash inside out!\n\nReview: I bought this for my 3 week old son, to surprise my husband on game day last Sunday. We live in Houston, so any Dolphins items have to be ordered online, not sourced locally. My son is chunkier for his size (born 8lbs 7 oz, 19.5 inches and was back over birth weight at 1 week old, 21.5 inches so probably 9.5lbs now at 3 weeks), and I bought the 0-3 month size. Well, he's drowning in it! He'll grow into it, but if you are looking for something for a tiny baby, you may want to go with the newborn size after all. The zipper also doesn't go all the way to the foot like I'm used to on some of his other onesie PJ type outfits. When washing, be sure to note that the instructions advise to wash inside out!","Product: Drink pure. Feel pure. For a completely pure drinking experience, the new Contigo Purity Glass Water Bottle is an ideal solution for those who prefer a plastic-free container. Entirely BPA, BPS, Lead and Phthalate-free and made with no plastic components, the 20 oz. Purity Glass Water Bottle is constructed with glass, stainless steel and food-grade silicone materials. A silicone sleeve helps protect the bottle, while a wide-mouth design allows for easy water intake. A fashionable stainless steel carry strap is great for on the go. For added ease of use, all components are top-rack dishwasher safe.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 20oz - cute, functional, quality, safe, eco-friendly - and attracts lots of compliments! (updated after 15mo use)\n\nReview: Love it! Bought 12/19/14. To be expected - I like the teal color and love the design. As others have mentioned, it is heavy filled. The carrying strap is a metal mesh, and removable (but tricky for me to clip/unclip - will probably just leave mine off). I wanted a glass bottle to get away from plastic (for safety and eco reasons), and it's nice to know my lemon wedges won't etch the inside like it did to the inside of my Tervis tumbler (which used to be clear and now is pretty ugly - lesson learned!). While I'll stick with my two plastic squeeze bottles for the gym, this is now my everyday water source to sip. It's 20oz, so I try to drink one before lunch, refill at lunch and try to finish that before I leave the office.\n\nOh and the tag it came with says top shelf dishwasher safe. Unfortunately for me, it's far too tall for my dishwasher, so still a hand wash item.\n\nUpdate 1/26/16: I've had this item for 15 months and still use it almost daily. We moved houses and I can't even figure out how to turn the heated dry off on the new dishwasher (my engineer husband can't either!), so this has now run through the bottom rack of the dishwasher with the heat cycle for a few months, and it's just fine :) No complaints!\n\nUPDATE 6/30/15 --- been using it 6 months, daily. I still LOVE this, and receive numerous compliments. I did get brave and put it on the BOTTOM rack of my dishwasher (wouldn't fit on the top for me - too tall), and it washes beautifully so now that's how I clean it. Keep in mind we don't use the heat cycle of our dishwasher, so that might hurt it if you do. I put the lid in my silverware caddy compartment. I did remove the wrist strap since I never used it by that, and one of these days I may remove the silver band around the neck where the strap used to hang, since I see it serving no purpose for me and would rather have less chance for gunk to get in there. I did see in the FAQ that someone said they could \"easily\" remove the gasket/silicone for cleaning. I honestly have no idea how they'd do that - it seems pretty permanent to me, but maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, all in all it's still GREAT 6 months later. The glass may be a bit etched inside, but I like very lemony water, and that's one of the reasons I went to glass - because the lemon was definitely etching my old plastic Tervis I was using before this.\nUpdate 5/26/15 - I still use this daily! I did take off the wrist strap since I never used it, but I love the bottle and get compliments all the time! I forgot to mention that I originally got this when I was moving away from plastic storage containers for food and drink --- especially when going through infertility treatment and knowing my hormones were already out of whack (I had PCOS).","Product: Don't be stuck at the gym without what you need, Gaiam everything fits gym bag keeps your essentials all in one place. Features an exterior zip pocket, an interior elastic pocket, and a vented exterior compartment. Go hands-free when you conveniently attach your mat to the bottom with the adjustable straps.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Roomy, stylish, PERFECT - I have been using it for years and it still works great and looks great!\n\nReview: I would definitely recommend this bag! I have only had mine briefly, but am absolutely in love with it! The shoe compartment is a great feature, but it does make it a bit awkward to remove and place shoes in the mesh compartment while keeping the rest of the bag neatly packed. It is the PERFECT size for a gym locker. I am the envy at the gym while others shove their too-long duffels into the tiny lockers. I am able to fit everything I need to get ready for work (clothes, shoes, makeup, hairbrush) into this, and still have room for my gym shoes (since I only like to use them indoors, I just go to the gym in flip-flips (also my shower shoes). The pockets are handy for keeping the gym lock, gym card, and you can throw a water bottle in the bag too. Overall, I don't generally pack lightly... and this bag can keep up with my high demand storage. I love it!\n\n**UPDATE (Jul 20, 2011 3:26:40 PM PDT)** It has been over a year now, and I still LOVE this bag. It goes to the gym with me 3-4x/week, and has proven very durable. The shoe compartment is wonderful to allow them to air out, but not that when you put your shoes in, you take up the space from the inside. However, here is what I packed yesterday morning and everything fit: gym shoes (in mesh compartment), sports bra, socks,Tshirt, capris and light fleece (for yoga at lunchtime), shorts & tank top for after work cardio, water bottle, iPod, misc. hair ties, and lock. The outside pockets are great for my gym card, keys, and cell phone. I saw a similar bag to this (still Gaiam) at Target, but it is not as large, or compartmentalized. If something happened to mine tomorrow, I'd buy another! (In case you're wondering, I have the black bag - since my employer has an on-site gym, it looks the most professional to correspond with my business casual outfits).\n\nUpdate 8/15/2012: Still using it, and loving it! I use Lysol to clean it, and it's aging beautifully (or not at all). It's getting a little bit more crowded b/c I've cahnged my workouts to need more things (like needing an extra pair of shoes specifically for spin classes, then flip-flips to walk out in, in addition to my regular workout shoes (in case I'm too late for spin class, or just not in the mood). However, it still holds a LOT. The outside pockets are my favorite feature lately for water bottles, phone, sunglasses, etc.\n\nUpdate 5/26/15: People will think I am crazy, but I am STILL USING THIS BAG! It's amazing, and I STILL get compliments The outside does attract my dogs fur, but a little vacuuming and it looks new. Nothing has broken - no zippers, etc. which has happened to me within months of cheaper version bags. I would definitely recommend this bag!\n\nUpdate 1/22/16: STILL USING IT - STILL LOVING IT! :)","Product: Use Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather 3-in-1 formula for a simple but highly effective leather treatment that cleans, conditions and protects in one step. Our spray formula contains gentle cleaners that safely and effectively remove dirt and grime without leaving a white residue or greasy feel. Premium conditioners and aloe nourish leather for a supple look and feel, while UV protection helps to prevent aging, drying, cracking and fading. Gold Class Rich Leather 3-in-1 cleans, conditions and protects in one easy step for complete leather care.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Helps combat TX heat - my leather is still gorgeous and supple - everyone thinks my 4 year old car is much newer!\n\nReview: I learned about Meguiar's quality and tried it for myself and agree. This leather conditioner is necessary to prevent my leather seats from cracking. This wouldn't be a problem except when you live in sunny Houston and that leather dries out rapidly. I try to apply in the evening and let it sit at least overnight to soak in, and then give the car a quick wipe of any excess before I hit the road. That being said, Texas is hot and my car seems to dry out so there usually isn't a ton left. The smell also seems do dissipate quickly to me, though I do crack my windows overnight. I have actually repurchased this item, so that stands behind my opinion it's superior to others. I drive a 4 year old fully loaded Nissan Murano and everyone thinks my car is newer than it is (oh and I have two dogs who go to the dog park weekly!). I credit this very cleaner with keeping my leather supple and gorgeous - I try to wipe down monthly, but if I miss one (or two...) then I do a few soak-downs to really deep condition. I do wipe any excess off before I am ready to drive. Also be warned if you use it on your leather steering wheel that it works great, but may leave it feeling slick - so again, wipe it down with a cloth well and be sure to test before you hit the road to make sure you are comfortable.","Product: Clean, condition and protect your leather surfaces in one easy step with Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Wipes. Our gentle, effective formula cleans, restores and enriches leather for a luxurious appearance while helping to prevent premature drying and cracking. Saturated with aloe-enriched conditioners and moisturizers, our leather wipes help protect from spills and stains, while UV protection helps prevent aging and fading. 25 full size premium wipes per container.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: I would recommend more for spot cleaning, but better than not conditioning at all. Helped get blue dye out of tan seats.\n\nReview: I much prefer their full leather conditioner in the spray bottle (which I separately reviewed), but my husband prefers the convenience of these. He isn't as good as I am about keeping his leather conditioned, so this is better than nothing. They are very affordable and good quality. He drives a Volvo sedan and somehow ended up with blue transferred onto his driver tan seat (from jeans? a Smurf drove it?). These helped get the blue out, and just leave his car looking better. I would personally recommend them more for spot cleaning and encourage a longer term habit of doing a thorough conditioning which will help your leather stay more supple and free from cracking - trust me, it's worth the time - especially if you are like us and live in a hot climate (we're in Houston, TX) where the sun beats down harshly all the time (even with garages at work and home)","Product: This is the Original Reindeer Car Costume for your Car or Truck. Each package contains Two Weather Resistant 17\" Plush Fabric Antlers Decorated with Red and Green Ribbon and Jingle Bells along with a 6\" Diameter Plush Red Nose. Each Antler is mounted on a Plastic Rod with molded clips which easily slip on to the vehicles window. Each Nose includes wire to attach to Vehicles grille. Installation takes a couple of minutes.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Repurchased exactly 3 years later, and same great quality ---- read review for more details...\n\nReview: I LOVE THIS! My husband surprised me with this exact kit three years ago and I LOVED turning my Nissan Murano into a reindeer --- seriously my favorite Christmas decoration. Well, this year I accidentally pressed the wrong window button while driving, and the back window went down --- and I lost an antler as it instantly flew off (they clip on the window, but going 40mph, I guess it isn't clipped tight enough). I turned around, but by then it had become victim to multiple car injuries (poor reindeer!). I stopped at two brick and mortar stores that day and couldn't find a kit anywhere (why do you only see them when you aren't looking?), and finally asked my husband where he got it. He said Amazon (of course!) and this is the exact kit he bought (the unlit one), so I ordered another. I compared to my 3-year old nose and remaining antler, and they match perfectly, even after all this time. So, I guess I have \"spare parts\" now! I do live in Houston, TX and park in a house garage, so my kit isn't sitting out in harsh elements. LOVE It - and now am extra careful about which buttons my hand hits while driving!","Product: This is the Original Reindeer Car Costume for your Car or Truck. Each package contains Two Weather Resistant 17\" Plush Fabric Antlers Decorated with Red and Green Ribbon and Jingle Bells along with a 6\" Diameter Plush Red Nose. Each Antler is mounted on a Plastic Rod with molded clips which easily slip on to the vehicles window. Each Nose includes wire to attach to Vehicles grille. Installation takes a couple of minutes.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Repurchased exactly 3 years later, and same great quality ---- read review for more details...\n\nReview: I LOVE THIS! My husband surprised me with this exact kit three years ago and I LOVED turning my Nissan Murano into a reindeer --- seriously my favorite Christmas decoration. Well, this year I accidentally pressed the wrong window button while driving, and the back window went down --- and I lost an antler as it instantly flew off (they clip on the window, but going 40mph, I guess it isn't clipped tight enough). I turned around, but by then it had become victim to multiple car injuries (poor reindeer!). I stopped at two brick and mortar stores that day and couldn't find a kit anywhere (why do you only see them when you aren't looking?), and finally asked my husband where he got it. He said Amazon (of course!) and this is the exact kit he bought (the unlit one), so I ordered another. I compared to my 3-year old nose and remaining antler, and they match perfectly, even after all this time. So, I guess I have \"spare parts\" now! I do live in Houston, TX and park in a house garage, so my kit isn't sitting out in harsh elements. LOVE It - and now am extra careful about which buttons my hand hits while driving!","Product: In the quest for the most advanced concept in floor protection, the talented designers and engineers at MacNeilAutomotive have worked tirelessly to develop the most advanced DigitalFitTM floor protection available today! The WeatherTechFloorLiner™ accurately and completely lines the interior carpet giving \"absolute interior protection™\"! Digital laser measurements of interior surfaces offer a consistently perfect fit! A patent pending High-Density Tri-Extruded (HDTE) material allows for a rigid core for strength while offering surface friction to the carpet, as well as tactile feel to the surface! Advanced surfacing creates channels that carry fluids and debris to a lower reservoir with further channeling to help minimize fluid movement while driving! Once fluids become trapped in the reservoir, away from shoes and clothing, they are easily removed from the WeatherTechFloorLiner™ over the door sill...no muss-no fuss! Rear FloorLiners™ incorporate many of the same design features as the front FloorLiners™. Rear FloorLiners™ (where offered) are manufactured from a proprietary custom blended TPO (thermopolyolefin) that is not only wear resistant, but also remains flexible under temperature extremes. FloorLiners were designed for vehicles with factory carpet installed when manufactured.  They will not fit vehicles with vinyl floors unless otherwise specified.  Please take your old floor mats out before installing your new WeatherTech floor mats. Please note that the on-screen color representations are not necessarily precise representations of actual product colors due to variance in monitor calibrations.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great floor protection - and fits like a glove!\n\nReview: I LOVE these floor liners and I just got them. They fit absolutely perfectly in my 2011 Nissan Murano (look at user photos for evidence!). They are a bit slicker than carpet of course, but easy to clean (soap and water - instructions say not to use Armor All, etc). I did plug in my car model thru Amazon to check compatibility, but it said they weren't compatible - but went to WeatherTech's website and it suggested this same model number. When the product arrived, the inside sticker said it fits Murano 2009+. Amazon's price was WAY better - especially with the WeatherTech promotion thru 12/31, so if you buy two items, you save another $15 - perfect for my desire for front & rear liners. Also, the WeatherTech logo shown peeled right off for me after they baked in the TX heat a bit; a hairdryer may heat them enough to peel it off too if you don't like them.\n\nUpdate 2/5/2015: Still have these, and still love them! I get compliments all the time, and cleaning is a breeze!","Product: The mark of the perfect pen. The performance of a Sharpie permanent marker meets pen-like precision: that's the signature of the one-and-only Sharpie pen. A slim design, contoured grip, and fine point come together to deliver dreamlike detail and ridiculous control. Inspiring action with your writing and art, Sharpie pens feature quick-drying, fade-resistant ink that won't bleed through paper. The result is an incredible writing instrument.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Good enough for my corporate branding - good enough for home use. Haven't had one dry out on me yet!\n\nReview: I work in Marketing, and am always on the lookout for hot new items in the retail world that I can get from my promotions vendor, logo'ed. This was one a few years ago when it was just hitting the retail market, and it did not disappoint. These pens are awesome and our company has actually gotten to be known for giving them out at conferences and trade shows. We've had customers call up and just ask if we can send a dozen when their old ones die, which we happily do. I love them so much that I bought some for home use (obviously not with my company logo), and they come in so handy and I have yet to grab one that is dried out and disappoints me! The black ones are my favorite, but I've also used the blue and order those for work too.","Product: Take note: Now theres a Sharpie specially designed for your everyday writing needsIntroducing the first Sharpie Pen! Use it for taking Notes, journaling, writing letters, making cards and more. The bold, permanent ink wont bleed through paper and resists smearing, when dry. A durable fine point plastic tip delivers precise and consistent writing with minimal effort. Acid-free, nontoxic ink. Contains 4 blue fine point pens\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Good enough for my corporate branding - good enough for home use! Haven't had one dry out on me yet\n\nReview: I work in Marketing, and am always on the lookout for hot new items in the retail world that I can get from my promotions vendor, logo'ed. This was one a few years ago when it was just hitting the retail market, and it did not disappoint. These pens are awesome and our company has actually gotten to be known for giving them out at conferences and trade shows. We've had customers call up and just ask if we can send a dozen when their old ones die, which we happily do. I love them so much that I bought some for home use (obviously not with my company logo), and they come in so handy and I have yet to grab one that is dried out and disappoints me! The black ones are my favorite, but I've also used the blue and order those for work too.","Product: Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels products are an excellent source of the important omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA help support skin and coat health, joint health, heart health, immune system health, cellular health, and brain and eye development and maintenance. Daily supplementation with Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels products is a proactive way to help maintain overall health for your dog companion. All Nordic Naturals pet products are made with the same exceptional quality oil as our human products, but have been specially formulated for dogs or cats. Please use only our pet products for your dog or cat, not our human products. Please refer to the product label for additional information and guidelines. Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels products should be used within two years of opening.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Vet recommended (uses for her own dogs!), affordable - and my dog eats it \"as is\" (no cheese or PB required!)\n\nReview: One of our scruffy \"shelter surprise\" mixed breed dogs has such sensitive, dry skin. She will literally scratch or bite until she's bleeding if we don't keep her under control. Our vet recommended an Omega, so we used the one the vet sells which was a small bottle and very pricey. When that one ran low, I looked at other options and actually asked a friend who is a veterinarian what she recommends. This is what she uses for her own dogs, so we tried it and it seems to help just as well. We used to have the kind with the twist top and squeezed out the liquid onto dry kibble. Now we just toss one of these in her kibble bowl, and she scarfs it right down. For busy new parents, saving a step = saving sanity.","Product: Crazy CrittersTM are stuffing-free so they lie flat, making them easy for ANY SIZE DOG to play with. You'll never have to worry about cleaning up the mess from a torn or ripped stuffed animal! Even better, your dog will never be exposed to loose stuffing that could be harmful or dangerous if eaten. Reward your pet with a Crazy CritterTM! Crazy CrittersTM are stuffing-free plush toys with squeakers on both ends. Dogs love them and will make it their favorite toy guaranteed. They are stuffing-free so they lie flat, making them easy for practically any dog to play with. And you will never have to worry about cleaning up the mess from a torn or ripped stuffed animal. Even better, your dog will never be exposed to loose stuffing that could be dangerous if eaten. Crazy CrittersTM are super plush and realistic looking - they even squeak - making your dog think that he or she is playing with a friend. Best of all, they are hand washable so you can use them indoors or outside.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Pups LOVE them! Still playing with them 3 years later --- wash well\n\nReview: My pups (both are scruffy Benji-type rescues, about 30 lbs each) LOVE these toys! We ended up getting several duplicates, but that's OK b/c often one or two get left in the yard and have to be washed, so we have a good rotation. The squeakers on some are \"dead\" but some still alive. One of the pups has a softer bite, so she has a hard time squeaking a lot of toys b/c her jaw just won't clamp down enough, and she loves this one b/c she can squeak it anytime she wants :) I've found that they washed well (typically I air-dry, but one snuck in with a load into the dryer, and it came out great!), and Amazon had a GREAT deal when I bought - much, much cheaper than the pet stores!\n\nUpdate 5/26/15: My dogs are STILL playing with these (even after they killed the squeakers). We wash regularly with their dog park towels - Tide Free softener, bleach, extra rinse cycle, no softener, air dry the toys. It was a great buy!","Product: The Cuddler’s tall, plush surrounding bolster is constructed to envelop your dog and provide a sense of security. This inviting oasis is ideal for dogs who prefer to sleep curled up. The sumptuous design is guaranteed to make your dog feel pampered and protected.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My dogs prefer it over our bed (finally!) - read review for more...\n\nReview: The first beds in 5 years that keep my dogs off our bed! Seriously, ever since we got the first dog he sneaks into our bed. He used to go into stealth mode, waiting until he thought we were asleep, then jumping up in ninja silence and careful Find the spot between my husband and I, pausing between each step. It didn't matter how many times we told him to get down - we'd drift off and he'd repeat. Then we got a second dog and all bets were off and dogs were everywhere, sprawling over more than their fair share of space. Our pampered little pooches have had several dog beds of varying sizes over the years - a $150 seemingly couch sized one we thought they could share, small and medium sizes in various styles. Well, when the sofa sized bed smelled finally too bad even after a washing, it went to the dumpster and we needed something new. We bought one of these and before the tag was even off, the dogs were testing it out. We ordered a second almost immediately and THEY DON'T WANT ON OUR BED! EVER!! Even by invitation when we want to cuddle them. They love their cozy beds and keep switching who gets which size, but they stay put all night and are often found napping in there during the day. For reference our scruffy \"shelter surprise\" mixed breed rescues are about 35lbs each... pic included!","Product: MagnoGrip is a manufacturer of America's #1 magnetic wristband. Our magnetic wristbands are built to satisfy the requirements of the Do-It Yourselfer, Home Craft Enthusiast, Hobbyist, Carpenter, Mechanic and Professional Tradesman. Crafted from durable ballistic polyester and embedded with strategically placed magnets, MagnoGrip's magnetic wristband provides a clever solution to the annoying problem of losing your screws, bolts, parts and tools when you need it most! Use the MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband to keep tools on your wrist while you work. Ideal for holding nails, drill bits, fasteners, wrenches and small tools. Work on projects without the frustration of losing your tools or your patience! Breathable lightweight design allows you to wear the magnetic wristband all day. Super strong magnets provide therapeutic relief to the wrist. One size fits all. Wristband is embedded with super strong magnets for holding nails, screws and small tools. A 3rd helping hand when you need it most. Ideal for many home improvement and do-it yourself projects. Wristband can be attached to ladders, metal shelves, etc. Made of durable 1680D ballistic polyester. One size fits all. WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Great stocking stuffer - and keeps this wife from chasing down tiny dropped screws mid-project :)\n\nReview: Can't give it 5 stars as I am not the person using it. This was a stocking stuffer for my husband, and he seems to like it (and I like it because I don't have to hold onto tiny screws or chase them down as they fall into the carpet or floorboards!). It is as described, but a very rugged, durable quality so I believe it will last for years. The wristband is adjustable and seems comfortable when working (but maybe not for those who are in the construction industry - my husband doesn't wear it for extended periods, just during projects). I chose the black color just due to the price - that one was the least expensive but still Prime shipping at Christmas.","Product: The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs...\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: My curiosity, disbelief & the underlying question (\"this could never happen... could it?\") kept me in suspense for most of it!\n\nReview: This book was flawed in narrative and changing tone to me, sounding as if multiple authors contributed. However, my curiosity, disbelief and the underlying question (\"this could never happen... could it?\") kept me in suspense for most of the book. With the main character near my age, and having some from \"modern America,\" I related to some degree. The circumstances are extreme, but what was most remarkable to me is that this was written nearly 30 years ago!\n\nThis book is fairly dehumanizing to women (and raised my feminist hairs), while it strives to place women in support roles - for some that may mean serving as an extra set of ovaries so that a family of \"honor and privilege\" may grow.\n\nIt is so extreme, so twisted... so strangely addictive. You think there's no way something like this could ever happen... but then I reflect back on what has and is happening in our world, and it suddenly (and sadly) doesn't seem as unbelievable.\n\nI am left with so many unanswered questions and theories, which can be both fun and frustrating; it essentially became a mental \"choose your own adventure\" novel for me.\n\nAs soon as I finished I had to find out if there was a sequel (no). Apparently there was a 1990 film... and while tempting, I think I will not see it so that I can keep my own character visuals and storyline paths.\n\nI think this could make a great book club discussion book - lots to talk through! I am not a big sci-fi person, but to me this fell under the same category I'd place The Hunger Games.","Product: L.D. Davis is the New York Times Best Selling author of Accidentally on Purpose and Pieces of Rhys. She lives in New Jersey with her family and is currently working on more books for your entertainment.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Very amateur writing, so-so storyline... keep looking for something else!\n\nReview: This book was very amateur to me. I try to diversify my reads, and wanted a light, chick lick type. After finishing the book, I felt like the author made an outline and wrote the ending first... then filled in a weak storyline in the gaps. To me the writing was just awkward, and awful (example... In referencing her sex life the main character, Emmy, writes \"I wanted it super bad\" - really, \"super bad\" was the best the author could do? If I wanted that type of conversation, I could just eavesdrop on some young teens at the mall). The storyline was so-so but I didn't think the writing was anything special, situations unrealistic (at least I should hope!) and the author has the main character orgasm at everything (any/every man's touch gives her multiple orgasms?)... overkill. I really had little expectation of the book, but I guess I'm not the average reader given the high GoodReads rating; perhaps my harsh critique of her writing style can be referenced back to my undergrad degree in Journalism, leaving me with higher expectations?"],"string":"[\n \"Product: Trusted by dermatologists, pediatricians and people like you. Aquaphor Healing Ointment provides the special care that your very dry, chapped or irritated skin needs. Specially formulated to create an ideal environment that protects and helps heal your skin, it's also free of fragrance, dyes and preservatives, making it gentle for sensitive skin. Use this multi-purpose ointment to protect or soothe extremely dry skin, chapped lips, cracked hands and feet, minor cuts and burns, and any other skin irritations, so you can get on with your day comfortably.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: NEW MOMS STOCK UP! I can't tell the difference between regular and the baby version.... (read review for more info).\\n\\nReview: If you are a new mom, just stock up. If you know a new mom, get her this (in addition to something off her registry - and diapers - and if you are really nice, food and a Starbucks gift card!). New mom will be soooo dry you will want to dive in to this tub to let your fingers soak up moisture. Seriously, I have Aquaphor in EVERY room, to keep my sandpaper hands from further damage. I bought this tub first, but I will admit I find myself using the squeeze tubes more often - the tub I just keep on my night stand and I \\\"punch\\\" into it and spread a very, very generous layer on before bed. Luckily I have a great sleeper of a son (now 13 weeks), so I can sleep all night and wake up without residue. If you don't have a good sleeper, definitely get the tubes and just put it on the back of your hands, then rub the back of your hands together and then work into the hand. If you have to wash hands before it absorbs (and it's thick, so it take a while), just wash the palms of your hands if possible to keep it working on the backs. I have now bought multiple containers and sizes of regular and BABY Aquaphor, and honestly cannot tell the difference - so I suggest you just buy whatever is cheaper for the size/container you want. Today is my first week back at work - and Aquaphor came with me on Day 1. I also have the ridiculously overpriced mini tubes in my purse and diaper bag.\",\n \"Product: The Boppy pregnancy wedge is a firm, versatile pregnancy cushion for back and belly support. Its compact and portable design means mom can put it where she wants it. The pima cotton slipcover is removable and machine washable.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great addition to my Snoogle for 3rd tri belly support & hip padding. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Also good sitting back support!\\n\\nReview: I got a Snoogle pillow at 12 weeks pregnant, and LOVED it. Well, that was great until I hit around 30ish weeks, and my belly weight started tipping me over in my sleep. Pre-pregnancy, I preferred to sleep on my belly, but pregnant my body wants to default to my back - not good. The Snoogle still helps keep me in place by supporting my back, but this wedge is perfect for that bit of \\\"lift\\\" my belly needs to support it while I sleep. For some info on me, I was a size XS/2 pre-pregnancy and am up 32 lbs at 35 weeks - and definitely have that distinct, all in the front, basketball belly look!\\n\\nIt's also very easy to move back and forth (every time I get up to pee (every 1-1.5 hours!) I switch sides I'm sleeping on and move the wedge). It's also comfortable for sitting with - put the chunky end at the base of your back, and enjoy the bit of extra support. I would HIGHLY recommend these to any pregnant woman!\\n\\nUpdate at 35 weeks - my hips now get so sore (it feels like I slept on a pile of bricks, not a Tempurpedic!), so whichever side I am sleeping on, I am able to slide this down to the hip area for some extra comfort/relief. Finding it very versatile!\",\n \"Product: Cut the grease and extra calories of deep fried donuts by baking them instead in Norpro's Nonstick Mini Donut Pan. The pan makes 12 mini donuts that are 2 inches wide. The durable nonstick coating helps ensure effortless food release and clean up a breeze. Recipes and instructions included. Hand washing recommended.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Homemade baked mini donuts = healthier, fresher! Wears beautfully and two trays stack nicely\\n\\nReview: I found a recipe online for pumpkin spice mini-donuts, and thought it'd be fun to try these. The pans seemed to work well, but my recipe also had me coat the pan with butter first... which may have helped them not stick. One side (the side down in the mold) turned out beautiful, but the top wasn't exactly well rounded... but it made \\\"rustic\\\" donuts - there was NO question those were homemade, which I oddly enjoyed! I bought two, which worked out well for my batch of batter.\\n\\nUpdate 5/26/15: These are still doing well and wearing beautifully (look new). The novelty did wear off after a while... but maybe updating my review will be more motivation to get the job done!\",\n \"Product: It was a time honored tradition among early American families when someone deserved special praise or attention, they were served dinner on The Red Plate. Today this custom, so dear to early American families, returns to remind us a simple reward can mean so much. The Red Plate is the perfect way to acknowledge a family member's special triumphs . . . celebrate a birthday . . . praise a job well done . . . reward a goal achieved . . . or simply say \\\"You are Special Today\\\". When The Red Plate is used, any meal becomes a celebration, honoring that special person, event, or deed. It is a visible reminder of love and esteem, a way of showing someone dear to you they are appreciated and remembered. The Red Plate is designed and crafted to become a family heirloom as it is cherished and passed from one generation to the next, marking life's important milestones. This heart shaped Red Plate is 10.5\\\" diameter plate and comes gift boxed with a pen. The Red Plate . . . make it a tradition in your family.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Traditions to cherish - great for new families building their own traditions!\\n\\nReview: I love giving this as a wedding gift. This was a tradition in my household, and it's a fun one to pass along :) The plate is a little bigger around the edges than a traditional dinner plate, but has a lip where the writing is. If you give this as a gift, I highly recommend you also get a plate stand. We keep ours on display in our china cabinet. It's so fun to recognize any special event with this - promotions, graduation, new family member, awards, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.! The quality can't be beat! It does come with a pen and instructions to write on the back, and comes in a box - easy to wrap for gifting.\",\n \"Product: Say goodbye to tearing, stinging, irritated eyes when chopping, mincing, dicing and slicing onions and their relatives leeks, scallions and chives. Wearing these stylish and comfortable Onion Goggles will protect your eyes from irritating onion vapors. The soft foam seal keeps out the nasty vapors. When onions are cut, an enzyme called sulfoxide lyase and sulfuric compounds are released from the broken cells. When exposed to air, they react with one another to form a vapor. As this vapor evaporates, it irritates our eyes and causes us to cry. Kitchen folklore remedies such as burning candles or matches, slicing onions under water and freezing the onions before cutting are not effective. Patented design. When all the right people, and ingredients, kitchen tools, and food come together, we call this The Art of Gathering.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Fun, practical product for those who like to cook - solves my husband's onion eye watering situation - clean easily!\\n\\nReview: With my contact lenses, I barely ever tear up when cutting onion, but my husband has perfect vision (hmph!) and his eyes go crazy. We added these to our wedding registry and at first he joked about them... but now he panics if he can't find them (quite hilarious!). They are extremely comfortable and it's easy to forget you have them on. We wash with a little dish soap and air dry (to be sanitary, not necessary because we can see grunge), and try to store them in the plastic glasses pouch they came with - but they are used often enough they may just make it to the shelf and not in the case. The white is a great color.\",\n \"Product: Sleeveless long smocked dress featuring a bohemian inspired bright bold printed pattern all throughout for the season. Surplice crossover v-neckline and a fitted smocked stretch construction defining the waistline. Ruched tie and smocked details at shoulders and a lengthy dress in a top quality medium weight jersey stretch knit for softness and comfort.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: NOT A MATERNITY DRESS (unless maybe you are shorter and in 1st/2nd trimester).\\n\\nReview: NOT MATERNITY! I am not sure why Amazon pulled this up in with maternity dresses, but I got so excited when I saw it (especially the reviews and awesome price). Well, it came just in time that I could have washed it and packed it for my babymoon vacation at 6 months pregnant... but no, it is not maternity. It COULD work in early maternity perhaps, but not as I am approaching 7 months... and I am 5'6, pre-pregnancy size XS/2-4, and have only gained 18 lbs so far (right on track - and I am ALL belly). But this dress was shorter than desired (I like maxi dresses to hit my shoes) and would get shorter as the belly grew and crept the fabric up, and just not flattering overall. I ordered a small and a medium, in case I needed to size up. The small was correct and true to size for non-pregnancy... the medium drowned my narrow shoulders. So, if you are NOT pregnant, yes it's cute - and I really loved the print. Just doesn't work for me at this time, and I'm sad b/c I thought I found an affordable, attractive maternity outfit!\",\n \"Product: Package included1pcs bag only\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: You get what you pay for (read review for more)\\n\\nReview: You get what you pay for. I was excited about this purse, as I love pebble leather. I wanted a small purse that I could wear as a crossbody, as I'm a new mom - crossbody leaves hands free, and needed it to be small enough to tuck in my pump bag for work. This one would have fit the bill if it just wasn't so cheaply made. Material - wise it seemed pretty decent but the craftsmanship of putting it together was cheap. Not just inexpensive, but cheap as in low quality control. Even the strap in the stock photos appear to be made of leather, but they were part leather and almost a cottony twill belt material? Hardware was lumpy and poorly made design-wise. I will say, there was no smell to it (sometimes leather smells good, sometimes bad - this was not even noticeable to me) See pics for more info...\",\n \"Product: Our lightest, most versatile dry bag is now available in three new larger sizes: The 25L and 35L sizes are designed to accommodate a mattress or tent, while the oval-bottom 60L size is ideal for organizing and protecting gear inside a backpack. Regardless of size, all Storm Sacks feature a roll-top closure and sewn and taped construction to ensure watertightness, as well as PVC-free 210D PU-coated nylon that is long-lasting and .\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: I use this for dirty gym clothes - washes with my clothes and air dries\\n\\nReview: I use this to tuck away sweaty, gross gym clothes between the gym and work. I shower at the gym sometimes and head straight to work, so this seals in all the moisture and stink to keep my car from smelling gross after a long work day (especially in Texas heat!). When I get home from work, I open it up, lay the items out (over my lawn mower handles) to dry and air out and then flip the bag inside out to allow it to dry out. It works perfectly, and the 10-liter size is PERFECT for this purpose (I prefer to go a bit big rather than too small).\\n\\nUpdate 5/26/15: Still using it for this purpose over a year later - and just throw it in the wash with my workout clothes periodically, air dry.\",\n \"Product: Great-looking fitness/yoga bag. Unique window compartment for shoes or wet clothes. Many features, including internal compartments. Elastic band on bag bottom to hold yoga mat. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester with polyester mesh.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Roomy, stylish, PERFECT - I have been using it for years and it still works great and looks great!\\n\\nReview: I would definitely recommend this bag! I have only had mine briefly, but am absolutely in love with it! The shoe compartment is a great feature, but it does make it a bit awkward to remove and place shoes in the mesh compartment while keeping the rest of the bag neatly packed. It is the PERFECT size for a gym locker. I am the envy at the gym while others shove their too-long duffels into the tiny lockers. I am able to fit everything I need to get ready for work (clothes, shoes, makeup, hairbrush) into this, and still have room for my gym shoes (since I only like to use them indoors, I just go to the gym in flip-flips (also my shower shoes). The pockets are handy for keeping the gym lock, gym card, and you can throw a water bottle in the bag too. Overall, I don't generally pack lightly... and this bag can keep up with my high demand storage. I love it!\\n\\n**UPDATE (Jul 20, 2011 3:26:40 PM PDT)** It has been over a year now, and I still LOVE this bag. It goes to the gym with me 3-4x/week, and has proven very durable. The shoe compartment is wonderful to allow them to air out, but not that when you put your shoes in, you take up the space from the inside. However, here is what I packed yesterday morning and everything fit: gym shoes (in mesh compartment), sports bra, socks,Tshirt, capris and light fleece (for yoga at lunchtime), shorts & tank top for after work cardio, water bottle, iPod, misc. hair ties, and lock. The outside pockets are great for my gym card, keys, and cell phone. I saw a similar bag to this (still Gaiam) at Target, but it is not as large, or compartmentalized. If something happened to mine tomorrow, I'd buy another! (In case you're wondering, I have the black bag - since my employer has an on-site gym, it looks the most professional to correspond with my business casual outfits).\\n\\nUpdate 8/15/2012: Still using it, and loving it! I use Lysol to clean it, and it's aging beautifully (or not at all). It's getting a little bit more crowded b/c I've cahnged my workouts to need more things (like needing an extra pair of shoes specifically for spin classes, then flip-flips to walk out in, in addition to my regular workout shoes (in case I'm too late for spin class, or just not in the mood). However, it still holds a LOT. The outside pockets are my favorite feature lately for water bottles, phone, sunglasses, etc.\\n\\nUpdate 5/26/15: People will think I am crazy, but I am STILL USING THIS BAG! It's amazing, and I STILL get compliments The outside does attract my dogs fur, but a little vacuuming and it looks new. Nothing has broken - no zippers, etc. which has happened to me within months of cheaper version bags. I would definitely recommend this bag!\\n\\nUpdate 1/22/16: STILL USING IT - STILL LOVING IT! :)\",\n \"Product: For those who want basic heart rate-based features to keep their fitness training simple.The FT4M shows when you're improving fitness based on your heart rate. Comes with comfortable fabric transmitter and coded heart rate transmission to avoid cross-talk.Target zone with visual and audible alarm.Average heart rate of total exercise.Exercise Date.Computer connection features:.UpLink, settings upload from Polar web site or software to wrist unit.Recording features:.Calorie expenditure (Exercise/Total/Fat% ).Number of exercise files (with summary files 99).Time in target zone.Target zone limits.Exercise Time (total total).Time in target zone.Average heart rate of total exercise.Transmitter belt:.Polar T31 transmitter.Polar FT4M Heart Rate Monitor Watch features:.Time of day (12/24h with alarm).Dual time zone.Date and weekday indicator.Stopwatch.What's in the Polar FT4M Box.Polar FT4 training computer.Polar WearLink+ transmitter.FT4 Getting Started Guide.Warranty Description: 2 Year Limited Warranty.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The features you need without all the extras - at a great price. Have had mine almost 3 years, still love it!\\n\\nReview: Bought it 8/6/2012 and still using it as of 5/26/2015! I LOVE this thing, and recommend to my friends. Quite honestly, I get frustrated if I forget it at home because I like to know my workout stats - especially in a cross-training session, or spin class! I wanted a heart rate monitor which was easy to use, and had basic features. I knew I wouldn't be the type to sync it to my computer and log data - because 1) after a work day, I don't want to get on a computer and 2) what am I going to do with all that info? I am not training for any major sporting events like a marathon or ironman... I'm just a recreational workout gal. I like being healthy and fitting in my clothes. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and has some options for screens you can watch (HR, cal burn, etc), shows you where you are in your HR range, lights up in the dark (briefly), and even wishes you a happy birthday! I got the pink/purple which I love, but my second choice was the tan looking shade which I've seen in person and is flattering. Over the years, I did have to replace the batteries once (maybe $12 to do both the band and watch at Radio Shack), and I ordered a second band for convenience. The bands do start to stink a bit, so I just gently wash with a bit of baby shampoo every so often - and of course you should rinse after every use and hang to dry.\",\n \"Product: Deck your child out in your favorite teams apparel even when they are sleeping.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: 0-3 mo size is HUGE on my not-so-tiny baby - really cute and super soft - not full zipper - wash inside out!\\n\\nReview: I bought this for my 3 week old son, to surprise my husband on game day last Sunday. We live in Houston, so any Dolphins items have to be ordered online, not sourced locally. My son is chunkier for his size (born 8lbs 7 oz, 19.5 inches and was back over birth weight at 1 week old, 21.5 inches so probably 9.5lbs now at 3 weeks), and I bought the 0-3 month size. Well, he's drowning in it! He'll grow into it, but if you are looking for something for a tiny baby, you may want to go with the newborn size after all. The zipper also doesn't go all the way to the foot like I'm used to on some of his other onesie PJ type outfits. When washing, be sure to note that the instructions advise to wash inside out!\",\n \"Product: Drink pure. Feel pure. For a completely pure drinking experience, the new Contigo Purity Glass Water Bottle is an ideal solution for those who prefer a plastic-free container. Entirely BPA, BPS, Lead and Phthalate-free and made with no plastic components, the 20 oz. Purity Glass Water Bottle is constructed with glass, stainless steel and food-grade silicone materials. A silicone sleeve helps protect the bottle, while a wide-mouth design allows for easy water intake. A fashionable stainless steel carry strap is great for on the go. For added ease of use, all components are top-rack dishwasher safe.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: 20oz - cute, functional, quality, safe, eco-friendly - and attracts lots of compliments! (updated after 15mo use)\\n\\nReview: Love it! Bought 12/19/14. To be expected - I like the teal color and love the design. As others have mentioned, it is heavy filled. The carrying strap is a metal mesh, and removable (but tricky for me to clip/unclip - will probably just leave mine off). I wanted a glass bottle to get away from plastic (for safety and eco reasons), and it's nice to know my lemon wedges won't etch the inside like it did to the inside of my Tervis tumbler (which used to be clear and now is pretty ugly - lesson learned!). While I'll stick with my two plastic squeeze bottles for the gym, this is now my everyday water source to sip. It's 20oz, so I try to drink one before lunch, refill at lunch and try to finish that before I leave the office.\\n\\nOh and the tag it came with says top shelf dishwasher safe. Unfortunately for me, it's far too tall for my dishwasher, so still a hand wash item.\\n\\nUpdate 1/26/16: I've had this item for 15 months and still use it almost daily. We moved houses and I can't even figure out how to turn the heated dry off on the new dishwasher (my engineer husband can't either!), so this has now run through the bottom rack of the dishwasher with the heat cycle for a few months, and it's just fine :) No complaints!\\n\\nUPDATE 6/30/15 --- been using it 6 months, daily. I still LOVE this, and receive numerous compliments. I did get brave and put it on the BOTTOM rack of my dishwasher (wouldn't fit on the top for me - too tall), and it washes beautifully so now that's how I clean it. Keep in mind we don't use the heat cycle of our dishwasher, so that might hurt it if you do. I put the lid in my silverware caddy compartment. I did remove the wrist strap since I never used it by that, and one of these days I may remove the silver band around the neck where the strap used to hang, since I see it serving no purpose for me and would rather have less chance for gunk to get in there. I did see in the FAQ that someone said they could \\\"easily\\\" remove the gasket/silicone for cleaning. I honestly have no idea how they'd do that - it seems pretty permanent to me, but maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, all in all it's still GREAT 6 months later. The glass may be a bit etched inside, but I like very lemony water, and that's one of the reasons I went to glass - because the lemon was definitely etching my old plastic Tervis I was using before this.\\nUpdate 5/26/15 - I still use this daily! I did take off the wrist strap since I never used it, but I love the bottle and get compliments all the time! I forgot to mention that I originally got this when I was moving away from plastic storage containers for food and drink --- especially when going through infertility treatment and knowing my hormones were already out of whack (I had PCOS).\",\n \"Product: Don't be stuck at the gym without what you need, Gaiam everything fits gym bag keeps your essentials all in one place. Features an exterior zip pocket, an interior elastic pocket, and a vented exterior compartment. Go hands-free when you conveniently attach your mat to the bottom with the adjustable straps.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Roomy, stylish, PERFECT - I have been using it for years and it still works great and looks great!\\n\\nReview: I would definitely recommend this bag! I have only had mine briefly, but am absolutely in love with it! The shoe compartment is a great feature, but it does make it a bit awkward to remove and place shoes in the mesh compartment while keeping the rest of the bag neatly packed. It is the PERFECT size for a gym locker. I am the envy at the gym while others shove their too-long duffels into the tiny lockers. I am able to fit everything I need to get ready for work (clothes, shoes, makeup, hairbrush) into this, and still have room for my gym shoes (since I only like to use them indoors, I just go to the gym in flip-flips (also my shower shoes). The pockets are handy for keeping the gym lock, gym card, and you can throw a water bottle in the bag too. Overall, I don't generally pack lightly... and this bag can keep up with my high demand storage. I love it!\\n\\n**UPDATE (Jul 20, 2011 3:26:40 PM PDT)** It has been over a year now, and I still LOVE this bag. It goes to the gym with me 3-4x/week, and has proven very durable. The shoe compartment is wonderful to allow them to air out, but not that when you put your shoes in, you take up the space from the inside. However, here is what I packed yesterday morning and everything fit: gym shoes (in mesh compartment), sports bra, socks,Tshirt, capris and light fleece (for yoga at lunchtime), shorts & tank top for after work cardio, water bottle, iPod, misc. hair ties, and lock. The outside pockets are great for my gym card, keys, and cell phone. I saw a similar bag to this (still Gaiam) at Target, but it is not as large, or compartmentalized. If something happened to mine tomorrow, I'd buy another! (In case you're wondering, I have the black bag - since my employer has an on-site gym, it looks the most professional to correspond with my business casual outfits).\\n\\nUpdate 8/15/2012: Still using it, and loving it! I use Lysol to clean it, and it's aging beautifully (or not at all). It's getting a little bit more crowded b/c I've cahnged my workouts to need more things (like needing an extra pair of shoes specifically for spin classes, then flip-flips to walk out in, in addition to my regular workout shoes (in case I'm too late for spin class, or just not in the mood). However, it still holds a LOT. The outside pockets are my favorite feature lately for water bottles, phone, sunglasses, etc.\\n\\nUpdate 5/26/15: People will think I am crazy, but I am STILL USING THIS BAG! It's amazing, and I STILL get compliments The outside does attract my dogs fur, but a little vacuuming and it looks new. Nothing has broken - no zippers, etc. which has happened to me within months of cheaper version bags. I would definitely recommend this bag!\\n\\nUpdate 1/22/16: STILL USING IT - STILL LOVING IT! :)\",\n \"Product: Use Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather 3-in-1 formula for a simple but highly effective leather treatment that cleans, conditions and protects in one step. Our spray formula contains gentle cleaners that safely and effectively remove dirt and grime without leaving a white residue or greasy feel. Premium conditioners and aloe nourish leather for a supple look and feel, while UV protection helps to prevent aging, drying, cracking and fading. Gold Class Rich Leather 3-in-1 cleans, conditions and protects in one easy step for complete leather care.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Helps combat TX heat - my leather is still gorgeous and supple - everyone thinks my 4 year old car is much newer!\\n\\nReview: I learned about Meguiar's quality and tried it for myself and agree. This leather conditioner is necessary to prevent my leather seats from cracking. This wouldn't be a problem except when you live in sunny Houston and that leather dries out rapidly. I try to apply in the evening and let it sit at least overnight to soak in, and then give the car a quick wipe of any excess before I hit the road. That being said, Texas is hot and my car seems to dry out so there usually isn't a ton left. The smell also seems do dissipate quickly to me, though I do crack my windows overnight. I have actually repurchased this item, so that stands behind my opinion it's superior to others. I drive a 4 year old fully loaded Nissan Murano and everyone thinks my car is newer than it is (oh and I have two dogs who go to the dog park weekly!). I credit this very cleaner with keeping my leather supple and gorgeous - I try to wipe down monthly, but if I miss one (or two...) then I do a few soak-downs to really deep condition. I do wipe any excess off before I am ready to drive. Also be warned if you use it on your leather steering wheel that it works great, but may leave it feeling slick - so again, wipe it down with a cloth well and be sure to test before you hit the road to make sure you are comfortable.\",\n \"Product: Clean, condition and protect your leather surfaces in one easy step with Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Wipes. Our gentle, effective formula cleans, restores and enriches leather for a luxurious appearance while helping to prevent premature drying and cracking. Saturated with aloe-enriched conditioners and moisturizers, our leather wipes help protect from spills and stains, while UV protection helps prevent aging and fading. 25 full size premium wipes per container.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: I would recommend more for spot cleaning, but better than not conditioning at all. Helped get blue dye out of tan seats.\\n\\nReview: I much prefer their full leather conditioner in the spray bottle (which I separately reviewed), but my husband prefers the convenience of these. He isn't as good as I am about keeping his leather conditioned, so this is better than nothing. They are very affordable and good quality. He drives a Volvo sedan and somehow ended up with blue transferred onto his driver tan seat (from jeans? a Smurf drove it?). These helped get the blue out, and just leave his car looking better. I would personally recommend them more for spot cleaning and encourage a longer term habit of doing a thorough conditioning which will help your leather stay more supple and free from cracking - trust me, it's worth the time - especially if you are like us and live in a hot climate (we're in Houston, TX) where the sun beats down harshly all the time (even with garages at work and home)\",\n \"Product: This is the Original Reindeer Car Costume for your Car or Truck. Each package contains Two Weather Resistant 17\\\" Plush Fabric Antlers Decorated with Red and Green Ribbon and Jingle Bells along with a 6\\\" Diameter Plush Red Nose. Each Antler is mounted on a Plastic Rod with molded clips which easily slip on to the vehicles window. Each Nose includes wire to attach to Vehicles grille. Installation takes a couple of minutes.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Repurchased exactly 3 years later, and same great quality ---- read review for more details...\\n\\nReview: I LOVE THIS! My husband surprised me with this exact kit three years ago and I LOVED turning my Nissan Murano into a reindeer --- seriously my favorite Christmas decoration. Well, this year I accidentally pressed the wrong window button while driving, and the back window went down --- and I lost an antler as it instantly flew off (they clip on the window, but going 40mph, I guess it isn't clipped tight enough). I turned around, but by then it had become victim to multiple car injuries (poor reindeer!). I stopped at two brick and mortar stores that day and couldn't find a kit anywhere (why do you only see them when you aren't looking?), and finally asked my husband where he got it. He said Amazon (of course!) and this is the exact kit he bought (the unlit one), so I ordered another. I compared to my 3-year old nose and remaining antler, and they match perfectly, even after all this time. So, I guess I have \\\"spare parts\\\" now! I do live in Houston, TX and park in a house garage, so my kit isn't sitting out in harsh elements. LOVE It - and now am extra careful about which buttons my hand hits while driving!\",\n \"Product: This is the Original Reindeer Car Costume for your Car or Truck. Each package contains Two Weather Resistant 17\\\" Plush Fabric Antlers Decorated with Red and Green Ribbon and Jingle Bells along with a 6\\\" Diameter Plush Red Nose. Each Antler is mounted on a Plastic Rod with molded clips which easily slip on to the vehicles window. Each Nose includes wire to attach to Vehicles grille. Installation takes a couple of minutes.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Repurchased exactly 3 years later, and same great quality ---- read review for more details...\\n\\nReview: I LOVE THIS! My husband surprised me with this exact kit three years ago and I LOVED turning my Nissan Murano into a reindeer --- seriously my favorite Christmas decoration. Well, this year I accidentally pressed the wrong window button while driving, and the back window went down --- and I lost an antler as it instantly flew off (they clip on the window, but going 40mph, I guess it isn't clipped tight enough). I turned around, but by then it had become victim to multiple car injuries (poor reindeer!). I stopped at two brick and mortar stores that day and couldn't find a kit anywhere (why do you only see them when you aren't looking?), and finally asked my husband where he got it. He said Amazon (of course!) and this is the exact kit he bought (the unlit one), so I ordered another. I compared to my 3-year old nose and remaining antler, and they match perfectly, even after all this time. So, I guess I have \\\"spare parts\\\" now! I do live in Houston, TX and park in a house garage, so my kit isn't sitting out in harsh elements. LOVE It - and now am extra careful about which buttons my hand hits while driving!\",\n \"Product: In the quest for the most advanced concept in floor protection, the talented designers and engineers at MacNeilAutomotive have worked tirelessly to develop the most advanced DigitalFitTM floor protection available today! The WeatherTechFloorLiner™ accurately and completely lines the interior carpet giving \\\"absolute interior protection™\\\"! Digital laser measurements of interior surfaces offer a consistently perfect fit! A patent pending High-Density Tri-Extruded (HDTE) material allows for a rigid core for strength while offering surface friction to the carpet, as well as tactile feel to the surface! Advanced surfacing creates channels that carry fluids and debris to a lower reservoir with further channeling to help minimize fluid movement while driving! Once fluids become trapped in the reservoir, away from shoes and clothing, they are easily removed from the WeatherTechFloorLiner™ over the door sill...no muss-no fuss! Rear FloorLiners™ incorporate many of the same design features as the front FloorLiners™. Rear FloorLiners™ (where offered) are manufactured from a proprietary custom blended TPO (thermopolyolefin) that is not only wear resistant, but also remains flexible under temperature extremes. FloorLiners were designed for vehicles with factory carpet installed when manufactured.  They will not fit vehicles with vinyl floors unless otherwise specified.  Please take your old floor mats out before installing your new WeatherTech floor mats. Please note that the on-screen color representations are not necessarily precise representations of actual product colors due to variance in monitor calibrations.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great floor protection - and fits like a glove!\\n\\nReview: I LOVE these floor liners and I just got them. They fit absolutely perfectly in my 2011 Nissan Murano (look at user photos for evidence!). They are a bit slicker than carpet of course, but easy to clean (soap and water - instructions say not to use Armor All, etc). I did plug in my car model thru Amazon to check compatibility, but it said they weren't compatible - but went to WeatherTech's website and it suggested this same model number. When the product arrived, the inside sticker said it fits Murano 2009+. Amazon's price was WAY better - especially with the WeatherTech promotion thru 12/31, so if you buy two items, you save another $15 - perfect for my desire for front & rear liners. Also, the WeatherTech logo shown peeled right off for me after they baked in the TX heat a bit; a hairdryer may heat them enough to peel it off too if you don't like them.\\n\\nUpdate 2/5/2015: Still have these, and still love them! I get compliments all the time, and cleaning is a breeze!\",\n \"Product: The mark of the perfect pen. The performance of a Sharpie permanent marker meets pen-like precision: that's the signature of the one-and-only Sharpie pen. A slim design, contoured grip, and fine point come together to deliver dreamlike detail and ridiculous control. Inspiring action with your writing and art, Sharpie pens feature quick-drying, fade-resistant ink that won't bleed through paper. The result is an incredible writing instrument.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Good enough for my corporate branding - good enough for home use. Haven't had one dry out on me yet!\\n\\nReview: I work in Marketing, and am always on the lookout for hot new items in the retail world that I can get from my promotions vendor, logo'ed. This was one a few years ago when it was just hitting the retail market, and it did not disappoint. These pens are awesome and our company has actually gotten to be known for giving them out at conferences and trade shows. We've had customers call up and just ask if we can send a dozen when their old ones die, which we happily do. I love them so much that I bought some for home use (obviously not with my company logo), and they come in so handy and I have yet to grab one that is dried out and disappoints me! The black ones are my favorite, but I've also used the blue and order those for work too.\",\n \"Product: Take note: Now theres a Sharpie specially designed for your everyday writing needsIntroducing the first Sharpie Pen! Use it for taking Notes, journaling, writing letters, making cards and more. The bold, permanent ink wont bleed through paper and resists smearing, when dry. A durable fine point plastic tip delivers precise and consistent writing with minimal effort. Acid-free, nontoxic ink. Contains 4 blue fine point pens\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Good enough for my corporate branding - good enough for home use! Haven't had one dry out on me yet\\n\\nReview: I work in Marketing, and am always on the lookout for hot new items in the retail world that I can get from my promotions vendor, logo'ed. This was one a few years ago when it was just hitting the retail market, and it did not disappoint. These pens are awesome and our company has actually gotten to be known for giving them out at conferences and trade shows. We've had customers call up and just ask if we can send a dozen when their old ones die, which we happily do. I love them so much that I bought some for home use (obviously not with my company logo), and they come in so handy and I have yet to grab one that is dried out and disappoints me! The black ones are my favorite, but I've also used the blue and order those for work too.\",\n \"Product: Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels products are an excellent source of the important omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA help support skin and coat health, joint health, heart health, immune system health, cellular health, and brain and eye development and maintenance. Daily supplementation with Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels products is a proactive way to help maintain overall health for your dog companion. All Nordic Naturals pet products are made with the same exceptional quality oil as our human products, but have been specially formulated for dogs or cats. Please use only our pet products for your dog or cat, not our human products. Please refer to the product label for additional information and guidelines. Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels products should be used within two years of opening.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Vet recommended (uses for her own dogs!), affordable - and my dog eats it \\\"as is\\\" (no cheese or PB required!)\\n\\nReview: One of our scruffy \\\"shelter surprise\\\" mixed breed dogs has such sensitive, dry skin. She will literally scratch or bite until she's bleeding if we don't keep her under control. Our vet recommended an Omega, so we used the one the vet sells which was a small bottle and very pricey. When that one ran low, I looked at other options and actually asked a friend who is a veterinarian what she recommends. This is what she uses for her own dogs, so we tried it and it seems to help just as well. We used to have the kind with the twist top and squeezed out the liquid onto dry kibble. Now we just toss one of these in her kibble bowl, and she scarfs it right down. For busy new parents, saving a step = saving sanity.\",\n \"Product: Crazy CrittersTM are stuffing-free so they lie flat, making them easy for ANY SIZE DOG to play with. You'll never have to worry about cleaning up the mess from a torn or ripped stuffed animal! Even better, your dog will never be exposed to loose stuffing that could be harmful or dangerous if eaten. Reward your pet with a Crazy CritterTM! Crazy CrittersTM are stuffing-free plush toys with squeakers on both ends. Dogs love them and will make it their favorite toy guaranteed. They are stuffing-free so they lie flat, making them easy for practically any dog to play with. And you will never have to worry about cleaning up the mess from a torn or ripped stuffed animal. Even better, your dog will never be exposed to loose stuffing that could be dangerous if eaten. Crazy CrittersTM are super plush and realistic looking - they even squeak - making your dog think that he or she is playing with a friend. Best of all, they are hand washable so you can use them indoors or outside.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Pups LOVE them! Still playing with them 3 years later --- wash well\\n\\nReview: My pups (both are scruffy Benji-type rescues, about 30 lbs each) LOVE these toys! We ended up getting several duplicates, but that's OK b/c often one or two get left in the yard and have to be washed, so we have a good rotation. The squeakers on some are \\\"dead\\\" but some still alive. One of the pups has a softer bite, so she has a hard time squeaking a lot of toys b/c her jaw just won't clamp down enough, and she loves this one b/c she can squeak it anytime she wants :) I've found that they washed well (typically I air-dry, but one snuck in with a load into the dryer, and it came out great!), and Amazon had a GREAT deal when I bought - much, much cheaper than the pet stores!\\n\\nUpdate 5/26/15: My dogs are STILL playing with these (even after they killed the squeakers). We wash regularly with their dog park towels - Tide Free softener, bleach, extra rinse cycle, no softener, air dry the toys. It was a great buy!\",\n \"Product: The Cuddler’s tall, plush surrounding bolster is constructed to envelop your dog and provide a sense of security. This inviting oasis is ideal for dogs who prefer to sleep curled up. The sumptuous design is guaranteed to make your dog feel pampered and protected.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My dogs prefer it over our bed (finally!) - read review for more...\\n\\nReview: The first beds in 5 years that keep my dogs off our bed! Seriously, ever since we got the first dog he sneaks into our bed. He used to go into stealth mode, waiting until he thought we were asleep, then jumping up in ninja silence and careful Find the spot between my husband and I, pausing between each step. It didn't matter how many times we told him to get down - we'd drift off and he'd repeat. Then we got a second dog and all bets were off and dogs were everywhere, sprawling over more than their fair share of space. Our pampered little pooches have had several dog beds of varying sizes over the years - a $150 seemingly couch sized one we thought they could share, small and medium sizes in various styles. Well, when the sofa sized bed smelled finally too bad even after a washing, it went to the dumpster and we needed something new. We bought one of these and before the tag was even off, the dogs were testing it out. We ordered a second almost immediately and THEY DON'T WANT ON OUR BED! EVER!! Even by invitation when we want to cuddle them. They love their cozy beds and keep switching who gets which size, but they stay put all night and are often found napping in there during the day. For reference our scruffy \\\"shelter surprise\\\" mixed breed rescues are about 35lbs each... pic included!\",\n \"Product: MagnoGrip is a manufacturer of America's #1 magnetic wristband. Our magnetic wristbands are built to satisfy the requirements of the Do-It Yourselfer, Home Craft Enthusiast, Hobbyist, Carpenter, Mechanic and Professional Tradesman. Crafted from durable ballistic polyester and embedded with strategically placed magnets, MagnoGrip's magnetic wristband provides a clever solution to the annoying problem of losing your screws, bolts, parts and tools when you need it most! Use the MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband to keep tools on your wrist while you work. Ideal for holding nails, drill bits, fasteners, wrenches and small tools. Work on projects without the frustration of losing your tools or your patience! Breathable lightweight design allows you to wear the magnetic wristband all day. Super strong magnets provide therapeutic relief to the wrist. One size fits all. Wristband is embedded with super strong magnets for holding nails, screws and small tools. A 3rd helping hand when you need it most. Ideal for many home improvement and do-it yourself projects. Wristband can be attached to ladders, metal shelves, etc. Made of durable 1680D ballistic polyester. One size fits all. WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Great stocking stuffer - and keeps this wife from chasing down tiny dropped screws mid-project :)\\n\\nReview: Can't give it 5 stars as I am not the person using it. This was a stocking stuffer for my husband, and he seems to like it (and I like it because I don't have to hold onto tiny screws or chase them down as they fall into the carpet or floorboards!). It is as described, but a very rugged, durable quality so I believe it will last for years. The wristband is adjustable and seems comfortable when working (but maybe not for those who are in the construction industry - my husband doesn't wear it for extended periods, just during projects). I chose the black color just due to the price - that one was the least expensive but still Prime shipping at Christmas.\",\n \"Product: The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs...\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: My curiosity, disbelief & the underlying question (\\\"this could never happen... could it?\\\") kept me in suspense for most of it!\\n\\nReview: This book was flawed in narrative and changing tone to me, sounding as if multiple authors contributed. However, my curiosity, disbelief and the underlying question (\\\"this could never happen... could it?\\\") kept me in suspense for most of the book. With the main character near my age, and having some from \\\"modern America,\\\" I related to some degree. The circumstances are extreme, but what was most remarkable to me is that this was written nearly 30 years ago!\\n\\nThis book is fairly dehumanizing to women (and raised my feminist hairs), while it strives to place women in support roles - for some that may mean serving as an extra set of ovaries so that a family of \\\"honor and privilege\\\" may grow.\\n\\nIt is so extreme, so twisted... so strangely addictive. You think there's no way something like this could ever happen... but then I reflect back on what has and is happening in our world, and it suddenly (and sadly) doesn't seem as unbelievable.\\n\\nI am left with so many unanswered questions and theories, which can be both fun and frustrating; it essentially became a mental \\\"choose your own adventure\\\" novel for me.\\n\\nAs soon as I finished I had to find out if there was a sequel (no). Apparently there was a 1990 film... and while tempting, I think I will not see it so that I can keep my own character visuals and storyline paths.\\n\\nI think this could make a great book club discussion book - lots to talk through! I am not a big sci-fi person, but to me this fell under the same category I'd place The Hunger Games.\",\n \"Product: L.D. Davis is the New York Times Best Selling author of Accidentally on Purpose and Pieces of Rhys. She lives in New Jersey with her family and is currently working on more books for your entertainment.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Very amateur writing, so-so storyline... keep looking for something else!\\n\\nReview: This book was very amateur to me. I try to diversify my reads, and wanted a light, chick lick type. After finishing the book, I felt like the author made an outline and wrote the ending first... then filled in a weak storyline in the gaps. To me the writing was just awkward, and awful (example... In referencing her sex life the main character, Emmy, writes \\\"I wanted it super bad\\\" - really, \\\"super bad\\\" was the best the author could do? If I wanted that type of conversation, I could just eavesdrop on some young teens at the mall). The storyline was so-so but I didn't think the writing was anything special, situations unrealistic (at least I should hope!) and the author has the main character orgasm at everything (any/every man's touch gives her multiple orgasms?)... overkill. I really had little expectation of the book, but I guess I'm not the average reader given the high GoodReads rating; perhaps my harsh critique of her writing style can be referenced back to my undergrad degree in Journalism, leaving me with higher expectations?\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":26,"string":"26"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1793,"string":"1,793"}}},{"rowIdx":1794,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A14B2NR2XELLQ0"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"4.0\" for a product with description \"NEW Combo BLUWAVS CD and FLAC FILE\". The summary of the review text is \"Real Alternative Rock: Punk is Alive\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Although I've heard several Concrete Blonde songs over the years ('Tomorrow Wendy', 'Bloodletting' and the amazing cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Everybody Knows', among them), 'Live in Brazil' is the first of their albums I listened to. Although 'Live in Brazil' is not a perfect introduction, it is truly a great album, and I'm sure I'll be listening to lots more from the Los Angeles Trio.\nThe greatest disadvantage is 'Live in Brazil' is that the songs lack something of an identity, blurring a bit with each other. Even after multiple listening, I'm still not quite sure, looking at the song lists, what 'Little Conversations' or 'Your Haunted Friend' are like, exactly.\nBut this is a minor flaw. This is an album with amazing guitars, powerful punky melodies, and lots of enthusiasm by the band. Mostly, it is Johnette Napolitano amazing vocal that carries the melodies, firing haunting eulogies ('Tomorrow Wendy') ironic love songs ('Tonight') and angst ridden tirades ('Violent') with equal conviction.\nAmong the highlights in these two albums is opener 'God is a Bullet', which features one of the best song titles I've encountered in recent times, combined with a great if simple ascending bass line and a great refrain: The music stops while Napolitano screams \"God is bullet have mercy on us everyone\".\nAnother highlight is the Leonard Cohen cover, \"Everybody Knows\", introduced with an amusing commentary, \"This is a song by a great-great-great-great-great-great-greatgreatGREAT Man\". If Cohen's song was an ironic satire, a tale of depression told with a laugh around the bar, Concrete Blonde turn it into a bitter, haunting punk rock song, ending, quite appropriately, with Napolitano's version of Cohen's bitterest lyric in the song 'Everybody knows that you've been discrete/ but there were so many bitches you just had to meet/ without your cloths/Every body Knows'.\nAlso memorable is 'I was a Fool', where the acoustic song becomes in the final chorus to a Post Punk yell, with heavy guitars and bass to match, \"Scene of the Perfect Crime' which is just beautiful and sad, and set closer 'Tomorrow Wendy' an alternative rock classic, even if the guitar reminds me a little bit too much of the Pixies's 'Where Is My Mind?'\nConcrete Blonde's live album is a must have for fans of alternative rock. If you like guitars distorted, songs aggressive, and vocals angry, bitter and chaotic, this is an album for you."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Although I've heard several Concrete Blonde songs over the years ('Tomorrow Wendy', 'Bloodletting' and the amazing cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Everybody Knows', among them), 'Live in Brazil' is the first of their albums I listened to. Although 'Live in Brazil' is not a perfect introduction, it is truly a great album, and I'm sure I'll be listening to lots more from the Los Angeles Trio.\nThe greatest disadvantage is 'Live in Brazil' is that the songs lack something of an identity, blurring a bit with each other. Even after multiple listening, I'm still not quite sure, looking at the song lists, what 'Little Conversations' or 'Your Haunted Friend' are like, exactly.\nBut this is a minor flaw. This is an album with amazing guitars, powerful punky melodies, and lots of enthusiasm by the band. Mostly, it is Johnette Napolitano amazing vocal that carries the melodies, firing haunting eulogies ('Tomorrow Wendy') ironic love songs ('Tonight') and angst ridden tirades ('Violent') with equal conviction.\nAmong the highlights in these two albums is opener 'God is a Bullet', which features one of the best song titles I've encountered in recent times, combined with a great if simple ascending bass line and a great refrain: The music stops while Napolitano screams \"God is bullet have mercy on us everyone\".\nAnother highlight is the Leonard Cohen cover, \"Everybody Knows\", introduced with an amusing commentary, \"This is a song by a great-great-great-great-great-great-greatgreatGREAT Man\". If Cohen's song was an ironic satire, a tale of depression told with a laugh around the bar, Concrete Blonde turn it into a bitter, haunting punk rock song, ending, quite appropriately, with Napolitano's version of Cohen's bitterest lyric in the song 'Everybody knows that you've been discrete/ but there were so many bitches you just had to meet/ without your cloths/Every body Knows'.\nAlso memorable is 'I was a Fool', where the acoustic song becomes in the final chorus to a Post Punk yell, with heavy guitars and bass to match, \"Scene of the Perfect Crime' which is just beautiful and sad, and set closer 'Tomorrow Wendy' an alternative rock classic, even if the guitar reminds me a little bit too much of the Pixies's 'Where Is My Mind?'\nConcrete Blonde's live album is a must have for fans of alternative rock. If you like guitars distorted, songs aggressive, and vocals angry, bitter and chaotic, this is an album for you."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: What would you do if you were invisible? How far would you go? After years of experimentation, Dr. Sebastian Caine, a brilliant but arrogant and egotistical scientist working for the Defense Department, has successfully transformed mammals to an invisible state and brought them back to their original physical form. Determined to achieve the ultimate breakthrough, Caine instructs his team to move on to Phase III: human experimentation. Using himself as the first subject, the invisible Caine finds himself free to do the unthinkable. But Caine's experiment takes an unexpected turn when his team can't bring him back. As the days pass, he grows more and more out of control, doomed to a future without flesh as the HOLLOW MAN. Kevin Bacon, Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin star in this intense thriller filled with extreme suspense, terrifying twists and incredible special effects.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: A good Bad Movie\n\nReview: I once read a review of a Stephen King book saying that King used to write 'good bad book'. I thought, and still think, that was b.s. - King writes many horror novels, which isn't the sub genre known as 'mainstream fiction', but a different sub genre, no better or worse for that.\nAnd yet, here I am, telling you that HOLLOW MAN is a good Bad Movie. There really is no way to say HOLLOW MAN is a good movie - the plot is cliche, the characters wouldn't, the twists predictable, etc. Expectedly from a Bad movie, the special effects are really impressive, and this IS the point.\nHOLLOW MAN is a Bad movie, but a good Bad movie. It's stupid, but entertaining. The characters are cliches, but fun. The story is obvious and stolen from a million other places(you got your stock 'scientists in a close enviorment', a McGuiver scene, and an ending in an elevator shaft - ooh, originality), but well directed. The characters are really jokes (The Crazy brilliant scientist, the nerd and less brilliant other, the beautiful action woman tore between them), but they are entertaining.\nYou know what you're in for with HOLLOW MAN - Gracio Marx called TV 'Chewing Gum for the Eyes', and HOLLOW MAN is just that, really fun entertainment for an hour and a half. It's Bad - but in a good way.","Product: Used but in great condition. Contains both discs, case and contents\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Gaze Long into the Abyss...\n\nReview: Steven Spielberg's latest film, \"Munich\", is among the most frustrating films I've ever seen: The frustration comes from its Schizophrenic nature - going back and forth from high competence to utter brilliance during the first two thirds, then to a rapid deterioration during the last part, ending with three quarters of an hour of the most unwatchable, torturous, movie experience in memory.\n\nDuring the break (and yes, we have breaks in movies in Israel - a cynical method of selling some more Popcorn), I turned to the friend I watched this film with and told him how much I enjoyed it. During the last quarter of an hour, we quietly debated whether we really have to sit through the experience.\n\n'Munich' is the tale of Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana), the leader of a top secret, quasi official Israeli assassination squad, sent to execute the men behind the Munich Olympic Game massacre of Israeli athletes. The film follows Avner and his team's attempts to 'target kill' the eleven men behind the plot.\n\nThe problem as I see it, is that Spielberg creates an action film with a deep underlying reflection: Two themes run beneath the surface: one is that violence breeds violence; The circle of violence is not solved by killing the murderers, who will be swiftly replaced by other, equally if not more vicious killers. The second theme is that he who commits violence is effected by it. In Nietzsche's memorable phrase: \"if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you\".\n\nUnlike some critics, I do not think the movie ever really equates the Terrorists and Israeli assassins. But it does ponder about the price Civilization pays, as Golda Meir says it \"negotiates with its values\".\n\nWhether you agree with the messages or not, the film, initially at least, does not hit you over the head with them. From the opening scene in which American athletes unwittingly aid the Palestinian terrorists to enter the Olympic compound, the film proceeds at full speed ahead as Israel calculates it response. In one of the most effective scenes in recent films, Golda Meir (perfectly portrayed by Lynn Cohen; if ever a performance deserved an academy award, this is surely it) debates and decides on launching an assassination attack on the terrorists.\n\nWhat follows are two hours of a thinking person's action flick. Avner Kauffman and his squad make the acquaintance of a family of information brokers, who tips them on the whereabouts of the 11 terrorists. The relations with the family, represented by the mysterious Papa (Michael Lonsdale) and the cool Louis (Mathieu Amalric) gets tangled when Avner and his team pass on the information to the Mossad, and participate in an Israeli raid on the terrorists' headquarters in Bayreuth (which is based upon a real raid which was led by Israel's later Prime Minister, Ehud Barak). Papa promises to keep doing business with Avner and his group, but it seems that the Family double crosses them, harboring them in a safe house with other Palestinian terrorists and possibly selling the information on their whereabouts to their enemies.\n\nThings seem to head to a climax when the team goes after their prime target, Munich mastermind Ali Hassan Salameh, Salameh is saved from assassination by a group of belligerent Americans in London, apparently CIA agents (Interestingly the implication that the CIA was involved with the Black September terrorists seemed to have gone without comment among the film's reviewers. Surely that said something about the American trust in their own government). Then the group is targeted by a beautiful and mysterious Dutch operative (Marie-Jose Croze)...\n\nIn Nick Cave's words, \"Where do we go from here... but Nowhere?\" Throughout the film, Spielberg weaves in the aforementioned themes, in a way that is disturbing but not overwhelming: The Group come within an eye blink of killing pre-adolescent Amina Hamshari instead of her terrorist father. A Porter in a Cyprus hotel, who becomes unwittingly an aid in an assassination, throws away the blood money he receives. But the weaving is subtle; The message is in the details.\n\nIn the film's end, all subtlety is gone. Instead, Spielberg seemingly turns to the audience and starts preaching: \"This is important! I have a message! Here Comes The Message!!! Make sure you don't miss THE MESSAGE!!!\".\n\nSo we have forty five minutes or so of unwatchable film, as the action comes to a stop and Avner meditates upon the great calamity of violence. Its slow, emotionally manipulative (alas ineffectively so), condescending, and utterly dull. Spielberg is on the soapbox and he won't let go.\n\nAs I've said, there is much to like about this film. The action scenes are gripping, and the acting is simply superb (It is a rare film indeed where an actor as good as Eric Bana - who was virtually the only redeeming virtue in the otherwise unwatchable TROY - is overshadowed by the other case members, particularly Lynn Cohen as Prime Minister Meir, Lonsdale and Amalric as Papa and Louis, and Geoffrey Rush as Avner's operator, Ephraim). Throughout much of the film, Spielberg does his usual magic.\n\nBut all is overshadowed by the dreadfully dull Coda. It is so bad it really erases all the good will the film's previous 2 hours has generated. And so as much as I loved parts of it, I cannot recommend Munich to anyone.","Product: Quick Shipping !!! New And Sealed !!! This Disc WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. A multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player is request to view it in USA/Canada. Please Review Description.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: The War on the Waters\n\nReview: I came to 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' with little expectations beyond reasonable entertainment. I was thus surprised that this was a powerful little human drama about a vicious chase in the high seas.\nWhat makes 'Master and Commander' successful is not the plot, which is a straightforward cat and mouse story. Rather, it succeeds because of its gritty sense of realism and the ability to capture the feel of time and place.\nWhile most historical movies feature ordinary, contemporary people in period dress (see 'Gangs of New York'), Master and Commander does feel like it takes place in the early 19th century. It is little things, like Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) motivating his troops by demanding \"Do you want your children to sing 'La Marseillaise'?\", or the real excitement the characters display in discussing Nelson.\nAlso powerful is the film's feel for the hardships of warfare on the Sea. Early in the film, a child loses his arm, and throughout the movie real characters suffer casual death. At one point Jack Aubrey must choose between saving one man and saving his crew, and he allows the man to drown. This form of realism is so rare in Hollywood films, in makes 'Master and Commander' truly unique.\nThe great weakness of the film is its episodic nature. There is scarcely a plot - the hunt for the French frigate \"Acheron\" is merely a framework for the individual happenings, which include a storm, a suicide, and most infamously, a rather overlong subplot about Crowe's sidekick's (Paul Bettany) Darwin-like expedition to Galapagos Islands.\nIndeed, the emergence of this subplot makes the second half of the film slow and much less interesting then the first half. Although the scenery is breathtaking, the story just fails to move, until Bettany's accidental discovery of the Acheron, which sets the stage for the climatic battle.\nDirector Peter Weir and his crew should be commanded for a great adaptation of Patrick O'Brien's seafaring adventure. If there will be a sequel, I will go with high expectations.","Product: OUT OF PRINT 1991 Ryko CD issue featuring 2 bonus tracks \"I Pray, Ole (previously unreleased)\" and \"Look Back In Anger (new version recorded in 1988)\". M/M (hole in barcode)\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Bowie Business as Usual\n\nReview: The 1970s saw David Bowie in one of the most extraordinary peaks of creativity ever achieved by any Rock'n'Roll artist. Whole albums, such as Ziggy Stardust and Station to Station are perfect from the first moment to the last. Other masterpieces, though flawed, contain such an overload of brilliance that it overshadows whatever weak track exist on the albums ('Hunky Dory' is a perfect example for that).\n\nLodger, in a sense, is different in the sense that it foreshadows most of Bowie's later albums: it's a mixed bag. At times experimental ('Red Money'), Anthemic ('DJ'), silly ('Yassassin'), and sometimes just utterly brilliant ('Boys Keep Swinging' and 'Look Back in Anger') - Lodger is as good a candidate for a 'typical' Bowie album as it gets.\n\nThe weaker tracks, such as 'Yassassin' and 'African Night Flight' are not so much bad as miscalculated - Bowie's rock music talents gone wrong. Some tracks, such as opener 'Fantastic Voyage' and 'Move On' are solid rock tracks, not spectacular but with interesting lyrics ('I'll never say anything nice again' Bowie mysteriously declares on 'Voyage').\n\nThe two highlights are the majestic, dark and hard rockin' \"Look Back in Anger\", which has been a frequent show opener for Bowie. With rifts that anticipate the leaner, meaner sound of \"Scary Monsters\", \"Look Back in Anger\", as opaque as it may appear (the video suggests an allusion to a deformed artist, and maybe to Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Durian Grey'), it's a deserved classic.\n\nRarely played live, \"Boys Keep Swinging\" an ironic tribute to youth and masculinity. It seems like a stylistic throw back to the 1950s or even 30s, but the music is patently Bowie, with a hard beat beneath the pretty melody. It's yet another classic.\n\nFor most artists, Lodger would have been a career highlight. Only in comparison to Bowie's remarkable career can an album as strong as this one seem so mundane.","Product: Originally released in 1985, Biograph is a 3 disc boxed-set containing 3.5 hours of the best of Bob Dylan. This set features the highlights of Dylan's career from 1961 - 1985; it not only includes well-known hits, but also previously unreleased tracks and rarities. In addition to the 53 tracks included, the box also contains a 42-page booklet with rare photos and commentary.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: An imperfect introduction but wonderful music\n\nReview: 'Biograph' is the box set to end all box sets - 3 CDs full of album tracks, rarities and live versions of some of Bob Dylan's greatest songs. It contains interesting (if somewhat cryptic) liner notes, and great sequencing.\nThe greatest weakness of 'Biograph' is that it is a flawed introduction. Given that it was released in 1985, it obviously misses much of Dylan's wonderful music from the late 80s, 90s and 00s. But inexplicably, this anthology stops in 1982, with songs off 'Shot of Love'. 'Infidels', Dylan's best album in the wilderness years between 'Blood on the Tracks' and 'Oh Mercy', his return to secular music, is sadly not represented here, even though it is mentioned in the booklet.\nEven more questionable is some of the song selection. 'The Essential Bob Dylan' has 2 albums with which to cover 4 decades of Dylan's music. Biograph has three albums covering scarcely more then twenty years. The absence of such absolutely essential tracks as 'Idiot Wind' and 'Highway 61 Revisited', forgivable in 'The Essential', is inexplicable here. Furthermore, some of Dylan's most popular songs (which more often then not appear on 'The Essential Bob Dylan') are missing - Maggie's Farm, Rainy Day Woman, Hurricane.\nThat said, the true genius of these albums is that they are equally appealing to the newbie and the die hard fan. The juxtaposition of old songs and previously unreleased rarities, all put not in chronological order but in the way they sound the best, might make 'Biograph' less interesting as a historical overview of Dylan's oeuvre, but makes for great albums.\nFor me, the weakest is the first album, consisting of mainly acoustic songs from the early 60s and 70s. Many people are affectionate of Dylan the folk singer, but for me Dylan's uniqueness is the way he attacked the electric guitar. The acoustic tunes contain some of Dylan's best known tunes like 'Masters of War', 'The Times They Are a Changin', 'Lay Lady Lay' and of course 'Blowin' in the Wind'. My favorite, though, is 'If Not For You', a sweet little love song.\nHalfway through the discs, the drums begin to beat and the guitars become electric. 'Tombstone Blues', a classic off 'Highway 61 Revisited', is easily among Dylan's most popular writings, and it is only barred from the status of a classic because of pedestrian drumming. ...\nA nice choice for the follow up track is 'The Groom is Still Waiting at the Altar', a blues-rock tune from Dylan's last Christian album, complete with an organ and female back up vocalists, which proves Dylan has lost nothing in his sense of the writing powerful, abstract songs.\nAmong the rest of the classics in this CD are 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'. I admit I'm particularly fond of another lesser known song featured here in a fantastic live version - 'most likely you'll go your way (and I go mine)'\nThe second CD focuses on Dylan's late 60s and 70s music. Among the stunning pieces here are live versions of 'Visions of Johanna' and 'Isis' (the latter, unremarkable in the album version, is particularly menacing here). The studio versions of 'Tangled Up in Blue', 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and 'It Ain't Me Babe' are classics.\n\nI do wish we would have been given a live version of 'Every Grain of Sand', rather than the album version. On the album, the dark horror of the song is muted, but live, we often can feel Dylan's fear and worship of the almighty in lines like \"I can see the master's hand... in every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand\"\nThe last CD focuses on material from the late 70s and early 80s, with a strong emphasis on rarities. How `Caribbean Wind' managed to escape album release is a mystery to me, as it is a wonderful, classic religious Dylan song.\n'Up to Me' is a heart breaking outtake from 'Blood on the Tracks', my favorite Dylan album\nAgain, classics abound. 'I Want You' is a lovely song off 'Blonde on Blonde'. 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' needs no introduction. 'All Along the Watchtower' is live with the Band. Although practically all of Dylan's live performances of this song seem like rewrites of the Hendrix version, this is one of the better ones. Less successful are the original version of 'Just Like a Woman', which is inferior to numerous live versions, and a weak unplugged 'Forever Young'. 'Gotta Serve Somebody' even if it might win a contest for the dumbest Dylan lyrics, is a strong blues rocker.\nBut among these classics hide some more real gems. 'Senor' from Street Legal, is an underappreciated, beautifully constructed number. (although I wish the powers that be had included the other classic from the same album 'The Changing of the Guards, which appears on the 'Essential Dylan' album). A live version of 'Heart of Mine' reminded me of the beauty in this lesser known song off 'Shot of Love', while 'Solid Rock', is a hard rockin' song inspired by Blues, Gospel, and maybe even a little Disco music. Just the thought of what Jimi Hendrix might have done with 'Romance in Durango' makes me excited, but the live version presented here is very, very good.\nThe bottom line is, that 'Biograph' is full with fantastic songs from one of the 20th century greatest songwriters. Everyone needs to own a copy.","Product: The Former Velvet Underground Frontman and Godfather of Modern Punk Captured Live on Tour in Italy with his Ace Band of Fernando Saunders, Fred Maher and Guitarist Robert Quine. This is Reed Stripped Down to the Very Basics with Each Musician Pouring his Heart Out in their Playing. Quine Has Been Documented as Saying this was a Very Tense Time Between Him and his Boss, but You Can Hear Where his Frustrations Are Poured Out in Performance. The Set List is Replete with Hits and a Couple of Chestnuts Saved from Oblivion, Making this One of the Outstanding Live Sets of Reed's Career.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Best Lou Reed Live Album\n\nReview: Forget about 'Lou Reed Live', 'Rock'n'Roll Animal' and even 'Perfect Night in London'(All great records, by the way), Lou Reed Live in Italy is the best Lou Reed live album, bar none.\nJust look at the track list, for crying out loud. After a three seconds long introduction, you can hear Reed's guitar tears into the classic opening chords of Sweet Jane, the best riff he's ever written. This version of Sweet Jane is argueably the best version out there - Lou singing 'You know they're sayin' Jane, oh Sweet Jane' is Lou at his finest, and Robert Quine... we'll talk about Robert Quine.\nOh, why not talk about him now. Robert Quine is the best guitar player to have ever worked with Lou Reed. He is as good as Mike Ranson who worked with Bowie and Lyle workman who played lead for Frank Black. He's quite possibly even better. Listen to the lead guitar in 'Waves of Fear', it's incredible.\nLou's new stuff here is great - Waves of Fear and Average Guy are the stand outs, but the older Reed is what truly shines through. Sally Can't Dance no More is a vicious attack on fame, The Satellite of Love is lou's romance at it's best, and Walk on the Wild Side is, well, a walk on the wild side.\nStill, to me this will allways be memorable because of the Velvet Songs. Before and after, Reed will atmpt to make the Velvet stuff feel at home in his sets, and, with the exception of the Loaded songs, he will allways fail. This is the exception. White Light/White Heat, Waiting for the Man and of course, Heroin, Reed's finest song, shine through the able musicians.\nI'm way to young to have been alive through that Lou Reed tour, and even through I've seen Reed live, I'm still at agony for not have seen him live at those 1984 shows. This is the closest I'll ever get.","Product: This long-heralded compilation gathers together the 19 hard-to-find gems that were scattered across the B-sides from their six original UK singles (plus one from the US). The CD booklet comes with track-by-track sleeve notes written by Frank Black. There are two videos: 'Here Comes Your Man' & 'Allison'.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The Pixies that you've never heard before\n\nReview: I can quite honestly say, that I know of no one who is a larger fan of the Pixies or of Frank Black. I have all the CDs, several live shows, tons of Napster tracks, all the bootlegs I could find. I've been to five Frank Black concerts ( and counting...) even when it required travel. I'm a FAN.\nThe Pixies were something truly unique. A band like that doesn't come around often. The Pixies are unique in the way the Velvet Underground were, and perhaps Television. That's more or less it. An Underground band that rocked the universe away.\nThis is a CD of their b-sides, immaginatively called 'The Complete B-Sides'. It really isn't, though. I have several b-side tracks in my collection which aren't here - mostly live recordings.\nBut this IS a record of Pixies songs most non-obsessed fans haven't heard before. So... what are they like?\nWell, generally speaking, the first ten tracks are very good, and the last 8 not nearly as much.\nAmoung the first 10 tracks, you have 'In Heaven', certainly one of the better covers the Pixies or Frank Black has ever done. Black Francis's screaming here are priceless... and the lyrics are obscure and haunting enough to have been written by our man himself.\nDancing the Manta Ray is a terrific song, and one which Frank Black is currently performing in his live shows. The intro of guitars, drums and screams is terrific, as well as Francis's singing 'Your head can go real screw... with saucers cha-sing you'.\nThe UK surf version of 'Wave of Mutilation' is haunting and probably better than the original.\nInto the White is Kim Deal's moment. Her singing proves again that she has the sexiest voice in Rock'n'Roll. I'm also very fond on the rythem guitar here, especially the distortion filled part in the chorus.\nMake believe is a hysterical song about Debbie Gibson, sang by David Loveering. It is honestly strange, to here the Pixies with a NORMAL singer. Lovering is very competente, and he sings sweetly, which in a way comes as a shock.\nMy favorite track in this CD, and one of my top 10 Pixies songs, is Baily's Walk. A song about a homeless who after every few steps had to stop, spin, and tap himself on the head. It's one of Black's most powerful vocal achievements, a song that is eery and appealing at the same time, quite yet powerful. In short - the Pixies at their very best.\nEven the weaker songs in the first 10 are very interesting - Manta Ray and Wierd in My School shine through Joey's guitars and Kim's hyper backup vocals, and it's allways nice to here songs like Vamos again...\nThe next 8 songs aren't quite as good, mostly because they don't contain original songs. 'The Thing' is just a cut from the Pixies's 'The Happening', and 'Letter to Memphis' is an instrumental version of one of the Pixies's best. Velvety is another instrumental, while 'theme from Narc' is a bizarre injoke, which really doesn't work for me. As for the Niel Young covers, the most interesting is 'I've Been Waiting For You'. It is interesting because it sounds like a Breeder song, and you can see the great influence Young had on Kim Deal. Build High is silly and Santos is cute, but not much more.\nOverall, this is a great purchase for Pixies fanatics like me. If you're not a Fantatic, get all their albums first, than buy this.","Product: This is the long awaited fourth installment of George R R Martin's classic \"A Song of Ice and Fire\", continuing the most ambitious and imaginative epic fantasy since \"The Lord of the Rings\". \"A Feast for Crows\" brings to life dark magic, intrigue, and terrible bloodshed as the war-torn landscape of the Seven Kingdoms is threatened by destruction as vast as any in its violent past. The War of the Five Kings has ripped Westeros apart. The bloodthirsty, treacherous and cunning Lannisters occupy the Iron Throne, with allies as ruthless as themselves. Lord Frey was host at the Red Wedding, so called for the massacre of the guests, their screams unheard above the music of the feast. Euron Crow's Eye is as black a pirate as ever raised a sail, sworn to deliver the whole of Westeros to the ironborn. No less to be feared are their enemies. The Starks of Winterfell and the Martells of Dorne seek vengeance for their dead. And the last of the Targaryens, Daenerys Stormborn, will bring fire and blood to King's Landing when her young dragons reach their terrifying maturity. The last war fought with dragons was a cataclysm powerful enough to shatter the Valyrian peninsula, now a smoking, demon-haunted ruin half drowned by the sea. Against a backdrop of alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel! and the coldest hearts.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Return of the King\n\nReview: Five long, long years ago, a nineteen year old (going on twenty) college student finished \"A Storm of Swords\", with the tremendous revelation of the transformation of Catelyn Stark, the demise of Tywin Lannister, the fall of Lysa Arryn, with a changed, war ravaged Westeros- and with the prospect of a two years wait for \"A Dance with Dragons\", where all these plotlines, and more, would be continued.\n\nTime passed. The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process has failed and rose and collapsed again. The Twin Towers have fallen, as has the regime of Sadam Hussein. George W. Bush is still the American President, properly elected this time. The college student is now in another country, with a new job and new complications. I've known love bitter and true, met new people and seen new places, had new experiences. I've fronted a rock band and stopped, almost entirely, reading Fantasy fiction. I've AGED.\n\nAs for George R. R. Martin, too, things have changed. The Dragons will still dance, but not in this book. Now the Crows are feasting, and the planned gap between the events of books 3 and 4 in A Song of Ice and Fire is gone- along with Martin's assurances that there will be six books and six only.\n\nSo, across this gap - a new world, a different reader, an altogether different book then the one expected - what does the 25 year old me say about the continuation of the saga I fell in love with in my teens? Does it still hold out? What it the verdict?\n\nWell, it's utterly, absolutely, no holds barrel brilliant.\n\nOh, there are faults. There always has been. This series is imperfect, and from a technical point of view, this volume is the weakest in the series, so far. Critics are right to complain about the pace, about the absence of our favorite characters, of Brienne running into all of the characters from \"A Storm of Swords\". The structure is weaker as well - do we really need three new point of view characters each for the events of Dorn and the Iron Islands? Davos had been all the eyes we ever needed for Stannis's Court - why do we need so many onlookers on the Dornish Marshes?\n\nBut this is not the point and never has been. Martin's books are about his world, his dream, his characters and history and drama. Its about the creeping magic and the gathering storm, it's about the bloody aftermath as well as the glorious battles, and the way in which the great revolutions leave a terrible after taste. The War of the Five Kings is over. This is the aftermath - it's messy, it's terrible - and, like the rest of A Song of Ice and Fire, it's true to real life (with Dragons).\n\nUnlike the previous books, a Feast for Crows is more a character study then an action thriller. Meet Tywin Lannister's sister, Genna, and her observation that Tyrion, and Jaime, is Tywin's son. See Jaime's Lannister's hurt from the betrayal of his sister. Meet Sansa Stark's struggles to survive, and Samwell's Tarly struggles for honor. Encounter the Master Aemon Targaryen, in exile from his last home on the wall. This is their story. This is the Song of Ice and Fire.\n\nSo the twenty-five years old me closed the last pages of \"A Feast for Crows\" with all the reverence that my nineteen years old self opened \"A Game of Thrones\". I hope that I won't have to wait another five years to read the first lines of \"A Dance with Dragons\", but as long as the Song is true, the signs that time leave on both the Singer and the Audience will not prevent me from asking for an encore.","Product: The Sunday Times bestselling biography of one of the towering figures in British history who became Prime Minister at the age of twenty-four, written by the youngest-ever leader of the Tory Party. The younger William Pitt -- known as the 'schoolboy' -- began his days as Prime Minister in 1783 deeply underestimated and completely beleaguered. Yet he annihilated his opponents in the General Election the following year and dominated the governing of Britain for twenty-two years, nearly nineteen of them as Prime Minister. No British politician since then has exercised such supremacy for so long. Pitt presided over dramatic changes in the country's finances and trade, brought about the union with Ireland, but was ultimately consumed by the years of debilitating war with France. Domestic crises included unrest in Ireland, deep division in the royal family, the madness of the King and a full-scale naval mutiny. He enjoyed huge success, yet died at the nadir of his fortunes, struggling to maintain a government beset by a thin majority at home and military disaster abroad; he worked, worried and drank himself to death. Finally his story is told with the drama, wit and authority it deserves.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The Age of Pitt\n\nReview: I'm trying to think what I knew about the politics of late 18th century Britain before I read William Hague's well written biography of William Pitt the Younger, imaginatively named just that. Not much. I knew about Edmund Burke and his opposition to the French Revolution. I knew a few military leaders from reading about the American Revolution. I've seen the brilliant film about King George the Third's madness, and I vaguely knew that there were two William Pitts, father and son, who dominated British Political life during that era, and that Pitt the younger was amazingly young when he got elected Prime Minister.\n\nNow I know quite a bit more. For one thing, Pitt was not technically \"Prime Minister\". Rather, he had been \"First Lord of the Treasury\" which was the most senior position in His Majesty's government. He had served for some twenty years, and has been a member of the House of Commons for most of his life. He has, indeed, been chosen to lead the British government at age 24.\n\nHow does so young a man become first Minister to the British crown? The answer is, one is picked by the King. George the Third's alliance with William Pitt was one of convenience - he had loathed the other potential political leaders (Primarily Pitt's arch nemesis Charles James Fox). Pitt was the only member of the House of Commons who had credibility enough to form a government, and whom the King felt he could support.\n\nThat is not to say that Pitt's talents had nothing to do with with his meteoric rise - far from it. Pitt, a great orator, became a leading presence in the House of Commons. With brilliant tactics (and shameless use of patronage), he formed his own party, and later split the opposition Whig party (with the help of the French Revolution) to rule the house with a huge majority. He had also been one of the first British politicians to care about the views of the majority of Britons not represented in Parliament.\n\nIt has been Pitt's very success that made him vulnerable; by 1801, the opposition more or less ceased to exist, and the King felt much less reliant on Mr. Pitt. When the First Lord of the Chancellery clashed with the Monarch on the issue of Catholic Emancipation (giving Catholics the right to vote and be elected), the King felt confident enough to flatly refuse Pitt. Pitt resigned rather then serve without full powers.\n\nIn 1804, as the Napoleonic Wars got worse, Pitt returned to office. This time his coalition was shakier, and he probably wouldn't have lasted long as Prime Minister had he not died in January 1806, at the age of 46.\n\nWilliam Hague, a one time would be Tory PM, who had been compared to Pitt the younger by none other then Margaret Thatcher, offer a very readable and compelling biography. His book is not particularly analytical, but it is very well written and researched. I wish Hague would have put Pitt more in context, both of British and International Politics (we get no mention of America after the Revolution, no word of the remaining colonies, and very little about the internal politics of any other country save France), and the industrial revolution. Nonetheless, as someone who doesn't read many biographies, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Whatever the merits of Hague as a politician, he has a future as a historian.\n\n(By the way, my copy of the book contains a recommendation by British Tory PM John Major \"If you only buy one political biography this year, make it this one\". Talk about damning with faint praise. I guess it could have been worse \"If you only buy one biography of an 18th century British politician named Pitt in December...\")\n\nSpeaking of Merits, how should we assess the statesmanship of William Pitt the younger? Ultimately, I think Pitt was a very competent, but not great, Prime Minister. In his first decade as prime minister, Britain enjoyed Peace, and Pitt managed to survive as Prime Minister, expand his coalition somewhat, rationalize the tax system, and begin to balance the government's deficit. The reduction of the deficit, with view for its ultimate extinction, was Pitt's greatest achievement, albeit one that was aided greatly by the fast growing economy in the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, and that all but disappeared when the wars of the French Revolution started.\n\nOther then economically, Pitt managed to achieve few if any of the reforms he had supported. He failed to reform the electorate, abolish the slave trade, or (later) achieve Catholic emancipation.\n\nAs War leader, Pitt commanded over a mostly unsuccessful war effort, which saw the rise of three coalitions against the armies of the French Revolution, and later Napoleon. French forces defeated all in term, and Pitt died just days after receiving word of Napoleon's greatest Victory in the Battle of Austerlitz.\n\nThis is not to say that Pitt was a failure. He had been a strong supporter of the navy, and British control of the Seas became an unalterable fact under his watch, and due to his effort and leadership. Pitt had secured the Unification of the British and Irish Parliament. Both achievements would last for over a century. Politically, Pitt planted the roots of the Tory party, and managed to survive various crises, including the insanity of his patron, George III. If nothing else, Pitt has led his nation through some of the most difficult transformations of its age, internal and external. And while there had still been a long road ahead, by the time Pitt passed away, Britain has surely reached, in Churchill's terms, \"The End of the Beginning\".","Product: From the much-loved, witty and excoriating voice of journalist Nick Cohen, a powerful and irreverent dissection of the agonies, idiocies and compromises of mainstream liberal thought. Nick Cohen comes from the Left. While growing up, his mother would search the supermarket shelves for politically reputable citrus fruit and despair. When, at the age of 13, he found out that his kind and thoughtful English teacher voted Conservative, he nearly fell off his chair: 'To be good, you had to be on the Left.' Today he's no less confused. When he looks around him, in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, he sees a community of Left-leaning liberals standing on their heads. Why is it that apologies for a militant Islam that stands for everything the liberal-Left is against come from a section of the Left? After the American and British wars in Bosnia and Kosovo against Slobodan Milosevic's ethnic cleansers, why were men and women of the Left denying the existence of Serb concentration camps? Why is Palestine a cause for the liberal-Left, but not, for instance, China, the Sudan, Zimbabwe or North Korea? Why can't those who say they support the Palestinian cause tell you what type of Palestine they would like to see? After the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington why were you as likely to read that a sinister conspiracy of Jews controlled American or British foreign policy in a liberal literary journal as in a neo-Nazi rag? It's easy to know what the Left is fighting against - the evils of Bush and corporations - but what and, more to the point, who are they fighting for? As he tours the follies of the Left, Nick Cohen asks us to reconsider what it means to be liberal in this confused and topsy-turvy time. With the angry satire of Swift, he reclaims the values of democracy and solidarity that united the movement against fascism, and asks: What's Left?\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: The Left Hand of Darkness\n\nReview: Nick Cohen's well written book is not quite an Encyclopedia of all things Left, but it's close. Where else can you read about Ernst Bevin and Jacques Derrida, Celebrity Big Brother and the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the bloody history of the Baath party?\n\nIt's hard to argue with Cohen's main thesis: There are many in the Left for whom the loathing of everything western, particularly everything American, erases any sense of moral perspective. Thus the Liberals and the Lefts support the worst kind of anti-Westerners: racists, fascists, terrorists - anything goes as long as you're against America.\n\nAs an Israeli, I'm most attuned the anti-Semitic instances (but there are many others): As I'm writing this, the British Union of Colleges and Universities has cast another academic boycott of Israel. That decision is patently anti-Semitic: It singles out Israel from other nations. Alan Dershowitz is fond of quoting an exchange with Harvard's racist president in the 1920s, A. Lawrence Lowell:\n\nLowell decided that the number of Jews admitted to Harvard should be reduced because \"Jews cheat.\" When a distinguished alumnus, Judge Learned Hand, pointed out that Protestants also cheat, Lowell responded, \"You're changing the subject; we're talking about Jews.\"\n\nSupporters of the Boycott of Israel will happily tell you all about the horrors of Israel's occupation of the West Bank, (while ignoring or excusing Palestinian terrorism), but they won't tell you what kind of criteria exists for boycotting Israel rather then the US, Russia, China or Sudan. That this sort of blatant racism is now heralded by Leftists and Liberals is symptomatic of a wider spread malady - the Left's crisis of faith.\n\nNick Cohen tracks the roots of the Left's crisis to many sources: I think he's right that the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of Socialism as a viable option had much to do with it. I'm less certain that Deconstruction and the Nazi-Soviet pact are really direct causes. But whatever it's causes are, the left today knows what it is against: America, the West and Israel, but is far less certain about what it is for - which allows it support the Ayatollah Regime in Iran, murderous Baathists in Iraq, Castro's dictatorship in Cuba and Kaddafi's in Libya: in short, everyone who is against the West.\n\nNick Cohen rightly lashes against these trends. But even as he takes us back to 19th century Russia or to the wildest domains of French pseudo-intellectualism, the central point is always Iraq.\n\nCohen supported the Iraq war. Maybe he supports it still. He does not like the Bush administration and its lies and deceits. He acknowledges that there was a good case against the war; but the enthusiasm of the European crowd, their march against Bush became almost a celebration of Saddam's rule. In Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, pictures of pre-invasion Iraq are always idealic: the ethnic cleansing, the prison abuses, the rapes, the one-party-rule and Saddam's personality cult go entirely unmentioned. That the left could be against the war is understandable. That they could be so oblivious to Saddam Hussein is troubling.\n\nThe Iraq War raises the question of Cohen's affinity to an earlier generation of disillusioned Lefties: The Neo-Conservatives. Although the Neo-Conservative alliance is a complex one, at its heart were a group of Lefties who revolted against the moral relativism of the extreme Left in much the same way Cohen does. They remained committed to Liberal causes such as human rights and the welfare state, but rejected the Left's descent into relativism, anarchism and moral blindness. (See George Packer's <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Assassins-Gate-America-in-Iraq/dp/0374530556/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq</a> for an intellectual group biography).\n\nIt is easy to identify with the Neo-Cons critique and with Cohen's rage. But when Neo-Conservatives came to power, thirty years after their parting of the ways from the Leftist establishment, a terrible thing happened: The Iraq War. The bankruptcy of the Neo-Cons would be the Death of the Cohenesque Left (dare we call it Eustonian Left after the famous Euston manifesto?)\n\nThere are, currently, three major schools of thoughts about how the West should treat \"The Rest\", and particularly the Middle East. According to the Chomskyan approach which Cohen targets, the West is responsible for everything bad that happens anywhere in the world. The root of Terrorism is in the justified grievances of Palestinians, Saudis, Afghanis, etc, etc. Once these grievances would be assuaged, the problems in the Middle East: The Dictatorships, the Terrorist regimes, the extreme fundamentalists would go away. This is what Cohen goes out against: It is the main target of his books.\n\nThe second approach is realism: the view that the Middle East is dangerous and unstable and the West should seek to stabilize it by negotiating with the dictators in it, supporting client states such as Saudi Arabia against internal and external enemies. This is a gloomy view, and unlikely to appeal to Leftists. It calls, explicitly and unshamefully, for the maintenance of the Status Quo, the anathema of anything progressives.\n\nThe alternative offered by the Neo Conservatives was muscular democracy: No longer shall the West sit quite while genocide and oppression takes place within other countries. \"No man is an island\" said Donne, and the absence of Freedom for Iraqis is a problem for Westerners as well, who should help - militarily if necessary - in the over through of Dictatorships. This is a grand vision, suitable for the Left. It has also led to the greatest foreign policy failure in living memory.\n\nThis is not the place for a post mortem of the Iraq War. But clearly, its failure has discredited the Neo-Cons, and thus also the prospects of Eustonian Leftists to reverse the Left's trend towards nihilism and Chomskyan accomodationism. Unless the Neo-Conservative project can be resuscitated - and I see scant hope of that happening anytime soon - or unless some previously unthought-of of policy would emerge, Leftists stand to chose between Noam Chomsky and Henry Kissinger. And for most Leftists, that is not a hard choice.","Product: The fourth volume of A Song of Ice and Fire, the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, featuring a stellar cast. . The Lannisters are in power on the Iron Throne. The war in the Seven Kingdoms has burned itself out, but in its bitter aftermath new conflicts spark to life. The Martells of Dorne and the Starks of Winterfell seek vengeance for their dead. Euron Crow's Eye, as black a pirate as ever raised a sail, returns from the smoking ruins of Valyria to claim the Iron Isles. From the icy north, where Others threaten the Wall, apprentice Maester Samwell Tarly brings a mysterious babe in arms to the Citadel. As plots, intrigue and battle threaten to engulf Westeros, victory will go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel and the coldest hearts.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Return of the King\n\nReview: Five long, long years ago, a nineteen year old (going on twenty) college student finished \"A Storm of Swords\", with the tremendous revelation of the transformation of Catelyn Stark, the demise of Tywin Lannister, the fall of Lysa Arryn, with a changed, war ravaged Westeros- and with the prospect of a two years wait for \"A Dance with Dragons\", where all these plotlines, and more, would be continued.\n\nTime passed. The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process has failed and rose and collapsed again. The Twin Towers have fallen, as has the regime of Sadam Hussein. George W. Bush is still the American President, properly elected this time. The college student is now in another country, with a new job and new complications. I've known love bitter and true, met new people and seen new places, had new experiences. I've fronted a rock band and stopped, almost entirely, reading Fantasy fiction. I've AGED.\n\nAs for George R. R. Martin, too, things have changed. The Dragons will still dance, but not in this book. Now the Crows are feasting, and the planned gap between the events of books 3 and 4 in A Song of Ice and Fire is gone- along with Martin's assurances that there will be six books and six only.\n\nSo, across this gap - a new world, a different reader, an altogether different book then the one expected - what does the 25 year old me say about the continuation of the saga I fell in love with in my teens? Does it still hold out? What it the verdict?\n\nWell, it's utterly, absolutely, no holds barrel brilliant.\n\nOh, there are faults. There always has been. This series is imperfect, and from a technical point of view, this volume is the weakest in the series, so far. Critics are right to complain about the pace, about the absence of our favorite characters, of Brienne running into all of the characters from \"A Storm of Swords\". The structure is weaker as well - do we really need three new point of view characters each for the events of Dorn and the Iron Islands? Davos had been all the eyes we ever needed for Stannis's Court - why do we need so many onlookers on the Dornish Marshes?\n\nBut this is not the point and never has been. Martin's books are about his world, his dream, his characters and history and drama. Its about the creeping magic and the gathering storm, it's about the bloody aftermath as well as the glorious battles, and the way in which the great revolutions leave a terrible after taste. The War of the Five Kings is over. This is the aftermath - it's messy, it's terrible - and, like the rest of A Song of Ice and Fire, it's true to real life (with Dragons).\n\nUnlike the previous books, a Feast for Crows is more a character study then an action thriller. Meet Tywin Lannister's sister, Genna, and her observation that Tyrion, and Jaime, is Tywin's son. See Jaime's Lannister's hurt from the betrayal of his sister. Meet Sansa Stark's struggles to survive, and Samwell's Tarly struggles for honor. Encounter the Master Aemon Targaryen, in exile from his last home on the wall. This is their story. This is the Song of Ice and Fire.\n\nSo the twenty-five years old me closed the last pages of \"A Feast for Crows\" with all the reverence that my nineteen years old self opened \"A Game of Thrones\". I hope that I won't have to wait another five years to read the first lines of \"A Dance with Dragons\", but as long as the Song is true, the signs that time leave on both the Singer and the Audience will not prevent me from asking for an encore.","Product: \"An important book...in terms of helping an entire generation of scholars who profess to have lost confidence in being historians.\"\"--New York Times Book Review\"\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Fischer Gave Name to All the Fallacies\n\nReview: ...and then some\n\n The study of history carries with it a load of fascinating philosophical and epistemological questions. Beyond such generalities such as \"what is the nature of truth?\", historians have to decide which facts are relevant to the case they are studying, what are causes in history, and how to make a narrative, a book or a mathematical model, that will capture something significant of the world.\n\n All of these are interesting questions, but except peripherally, David Hackett Fischer doesn't discuss them. Rather, Fischer tries to track down specific fallacies that historians commit, and spell them out, apparently in order to help other scholars avoid them.\n\n \"Historians' Fallacies\" is basically a collection and a catalogue of errors, some well known ones, such as \"the fallacy of post hoc, propter hoc\" (following, therefore caused by, p. 166) or \"the pathetic fallacy\" (ascribing animate behavior to inanimate objects, pp. 190-193) and some as obscure as \"the fallacy of indiscriminate pluralism\" (enumerating multiple causes without discrimination, pp. 175-177).\n\n There are at least three commendable aspects to Fischer's study. First, Fischer is a fine writer, with remarkable turns of phrases: \"Sir Lewis [Namier] was no enemy of chosenness in either facts or people. He was, indeed, a committed Zionist in both respects.\" (p. 69).\n\nAnother is Fischer's willingness to name names. Too many critics prefer uses such as \"many writers\", etc, but although Fischer does occasionally shies away (such as in his discussion of ad hominem attacks pp. 290-293), he's generally willing to openly criticize some leading historians and intellectuals. Nor does Fischer satisfy himself with attacking such usual suspects as Robert Fogel, Arthur Schlesinger Jr. and Arnold Toynbee; Everyone who has any interest at all in American intellectual history of the 20th century will find at least some of his or hers heroes under fire. Historians from Charles Beard to E.P. Thompson, from economist Kenneth Boulding (who was the mentor of one of my college professors) to Henry Kissinger. My favorite is the critique of Southern historian C. Vann Woodward:\n\n\"Through two revisions, the author has held his ground with a tenacity worthy of a better cause. The result is another fallacy - the overwhelming exception. We are now told that the interpretation applies to all Southern institutions except churches, schools, militia, hotels, restaurants, public buildings, jails, hospitals, asylums, gardens, and the New Orleans Opera House\" (p. 149 n).\n\nA third highpoint of the book is that it sometimes hits the bull's eye. Under \"the fallacy of semantical questions\", Fischer criticizes historians who focus on labels instead of content such as the 'prolonged dispute among American colonial historians over the question \"Was the political structure of seventeenth-century America 'democratic' or 'Aristocratic'?\"' (p. 22). If you've never read studies who committed the same offence, you will not recognize the immense desire to strangle a historian who does.\n\nBut in the attempt to describe the errors of Historians, Fischer falls to the same trap that my Business courses in college fell into - they tried to make laws and regularities of something that if far too context dependant for that. So almost all the time, what you've got is specific instances of erring historians, with fallacies which say something like \"don't exaggerate\", \"do careful research\" and \"use sound judgment\".\n\nWhen it comes to generalize, to give positive insight as how to go on a historian's business, Fischer's advice is invariably trivial, true-but-obvious. \"Motives are usually pluralistic in both their number and their nature. Abraham Maslow writes, 'typically an act has more than one motive'. To this, one might add that it has motives of more than one kind.\" Oh really? (p. 214)\n\nMaybe some of my criticism of Fischer's book is (as he might have said) anachronistic. Fischer objects to unnecessary jargon: \"Ordinary everyday words like \"simple\" are replaced by monstrosities such as \"simplistic\" without any refinement of meaning\" (p. 285). Today, I doubt anyone would write about a simple solution while meaning a simplistic one, but maybe in the 1960s the distinction was not as clear.\n\nWithin the point by point critiques of Historians' errors, there seems to be an overarching thesis that remains implicit, but that guides Fischer's thought process: the inevitability of history, or the assumption that events are caused by the forces of history, rather then the actions of individuals.\n\nFischer calls the \"fallacy of responsibility as cause\", confusing the problem of agency with that of ethics (pp. 182-183). If I understand him correctly, he seems to argue that individual leaders are not responsible to wide scale events: \"The cause of the failure of Reconstruction race policy muse surely be sought in general phenomena for which no free and responsible human agent can be held to blame\" (Ibid.). Is Fischer really saying that there was nothing that, say, Andrew Johnson or Grant could've done better? Or that it wouldn't have mattered? If he does, then he robs human beings of their abilities to change the future. That's a highly controversial (and clearly metaphysical) position, and one that clashes with his call for using history as a way to teach people rationality (pp. 316-318).\n\nDespite its frequent wit and occasional insights, Fischer's book does not quite illuminate a path for other historians to follow. I don't think we're any closer to a logic of historical thought than we were before.","Product: \"The Third Reich in Power\" examines how it was possible for a group of ideological obsessive to remould a society famous for its sophistication and complexity into a one-party state directed at war and race hate. Richard J. Evans shows how the Nazis won over the hearts and minds of German citizens, twisted science, religion and culture, and transformed the economy, education, law and order to achieve total dominance in German politics and society. Drawing on an extraordinary range of research, blending narrative, description and analysis he creates a picture of a dictatorship consumed by visceral hatreds and ambitions and driven by war.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: The Ceremony of Innocence is Drowned...\n\nReview: \"The Third Reich in Power\" is the second part of Richard J. Evans's projected trilogy on the Nazi Dictatorship. The first book, <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Coming-of-the-Third-Reich/dp/0143034693/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Coming of the Third Reich</a>, narrated German history since Bismarck, explaining how the various elements of what we know as Nazism grew during the 19th century, intensified as a result of Germany's defeat during the Great War, and then rose to power following the Great Depression and the inept political leadership of both the traditional right and left.\n\n\"The Third Reich in Power\" picks up where the previous volume has left. Hitler's regime is now in power, but it is not in control. Even at their prime, the Nazis never won a majority of the popular vote. Most Germans had at best a partial allegiance of the regime, undermined (at least in Nazi eyes) by their association with the Churches or the trade unions. Although competing political parties where quickly outlawed, the former Social Democrats and Communists were no fans of the regime, and the Conservative circle around President Hindenburg had allowed Hitler to assume the chancellery of Germany, but had expected full well to remain in control. Pockets of -potential- resistance existed in the Universities and the armed forces, and even inside the Nazi Sturmabteilung (better known as the SA). And of course, there were the Jews, the mythical, eternal enemies.\n\n Most of the volume details how the Nazi state dealt with the challenges of winning over the German population. The means included propaganda, control of the media, Arts and Press, Nazified education system, popular programs of Social redistribution such as Strength Through Joy, a program offering subsidized cultural and social events for the people, an economic recovery and the prestige won through the regime's foreign policy triumphs. But they also included darker means - concentration camps and secret police, military purges, racial laws and even Pogroms.\n\nEvans divides his book to theme based chapters, one for the Arts and the Press, one for Religion and Education, and one each exploring the Police State, the Economy, the Racial Laws, and Foreign Policy. As in his previous volumes, Evans manages to 'hit' all the best known items in the Third Reich. So we encounter Leni Riefenstahl directing \"The Triumph of the Will\", Eichmann directing the Aryanization of Jews, The Catholic Anti-Nazi encyclical Mit Brennender Sorge, and Martin Neimuller's poem \"First they came...\"\n\nEvan's narrative is best when he manages to demonstrate the effects the Nazi regime had over the lives of simple people. The travails of best selling author Rudolf Ditzen, for example, are page turning, and demonstrate the difficulty of living under Germany's dictatorship even if one was neither a political opponent nor a handicapped nor a Jew (pp. 149-152).\n\nAs in the previous volume, Evans's thoroughness as a researcher is sometimes at odds with his Powers as story teller, and we are sometimes subjected to fatiguing details of disciplines in Nazi Prisons or Bureaucratic infighting. Furthermore, some of the best parts are narratives from fairly well known German diarists, such as Jewish Literature Professor Victor Klemperer and League of German Girls activist Melita Maschmann.\n\nUnfortunately, in my view, Evans mostly spares the reader the details of scholarship controversy. Only the footnotes contain hints of controversy regarding Nazi influence in Universities, the Fuhrer's involvement in the regime, and the Nazi's status as \"Hitler's Willing Executioners\". The most interesting question of the Nazi economic recovery, whether or not the Nazis pursued a progressive Keynesian recovery program, is hinted to but not developed enough.\n\nThe major insight I gained from \"The Third Reich in Power\" was the centrality of Hitler's projected eventual European War on the Third Reich. Everything in Nazi Germany was subordinate to the needs of Rearmament, and Hitler risked endangering the economic recovery and the quest for Autarky, and even the pace of the Anti-Jewish persecution, in order to achieve readiness.\n\nAnd the War Came... the culmination of the Nazi Project, the fight for Lebensraum and eventual world domination, occurred when Britain had finally abandoned its policy of Appeasement and declared War on Germany, following Hitler's invasion of Poland. Although the German people were far from enthusiastic about the War, they had followed their leader, and they had now answered to his call. Everything the Nazi Regime had worked for was set to come during the War: the Solution of the Nation's perceived need for Space and Resources, the regaining of the lost position of Germany as the World Leader, and the solution, as last final, the Jewish Problem. But Evans's account stops now, and we must patiently wait for his last volume, \"The Third Reich at War\"","Product: David Reynolds is Professor of International History at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Christ's College. He is the author of two prize winning studies of Anglo-American relations in World War Two - The Creation of the Anglo-American Alliance, 1937-1941 and Rich Relations: the American Occupation of Britain, 1942-1945 - and One World Divisible: A Global History Since 1945.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Through a Glass, All Too Clearly\n\nReview: Winston Churchill fought WW2 twice - once between 1939 and 1945, as a minister and later prime minister during Britain's 'Finest Hour', and again, a few years later, while writing \"The Second World War\". David Reynolds tells the story of Churchill's memoirs, how they came to be, how they reflected and deferred from what actually happened, and what their influence has been.\n\nChurchill had contemplated writing his memoirs while serving as Lord of the Admiralty and as Prime Minister during the War. After the first world war, Churchill had written \"The World Crises\" which Lord Balfour had described as \"Winston's brilliant autobiography, disguised as a history of the universe\" (quoted on p. 5). Churchill clearly thought to use his material later, going to lengths to mark his telegrams \"personal\" as to override official secret policies (p. 28). Since before the war, Churchill was prone to statements such as \"History will say that the Right Honorable Gentleman was wrong in this matter. Pause. Broad grin \"I know it, because I shall write that history\". (pp. 37-8). Thus, Churchill's conduct during WW2 was to some extent influenced by his intention to later officially record it.\n\nRather than a personal memoir, \"The Second World War\" was a history of the conflict, centered upon Churchill and structured around his memories and war time memos, it nonetheless explored most aspects of the War. Churchill headed a complex operation (dubbed \"the syndicate\") of researchers, historians, ex-soldiers and bureaucrats, who did most of the writing. Among Reynolds's most fascinating insights is that Churchill's memoirs were an \"unofficially official\" history of the Second World War, promoted by and encouraged by Whitehall as a way to get Britain's version of the War across. Senior Civil Servants played an important role in the memoirs, allowing the publication of a mass of documents and even writing some of the text.\n\nChurchill's History is biased in several ways: Perhaps inevitably, Churchill tends to make himself more far sighted in retrospect. His account in \"The Gathering Storm\", of his war against appeasement, makes him seem a much stauncher opponent of appeasement much earlier then he really had been. Similarly, following the Fall of France, Churchill had privately had doubts about the possibility of final victory. But his histories follow his public persona and emphasis his belligerency. Churchill excuses the Norway invasion, and generally casts himself in a positive light.\n\nUnlike most memoir writers, Churchill had been a prominent politician and a world statesman when writing \"The Second World War\" - the last volume was written while he was prime minister for the second time. Thus the memoirs were \"Diplomatic history\", history that was very careful not to hurt Britain's interests or insult allies (particularly Eisenhower). Churchill was very conscious of writing for the present and the future, not for the past.\n\nReynolds' book recounts all this and much more. It covers Churchill's financial benefits from the books (between 18 and 50 million dollars in current terms, pp. 533-534), his working habits (which included 'working vacations' at the publishers' expense) and the critical reactions to the book - overwhelmingly, but not unanimously, favorable. Throughout Reynolds' book is always well written, and much of it is fascinating, but it does have the draw back of getting into unnecessary details, dissecting all kinds of quarrels between Churchill ad his various generals or officials, or going at length about the inaccuracies in description of minor military operations. Much of Reynolds' book is commentary on Churchill, and might have been more useful as annotation than as a self sustained monograph, particularly for those, like me, who have only a general knowledge of WW2 and who have not read Churchill's 6 volumes.\n\nOf all the major war leaders Churchill was the one who had published his memoirs soon after the War; Hitler, Roosevelt and Mussolini had died before the war ended. Stalin published nothing, while De Gaulle delayed publishing until the late 1950s. This is partly why, Reynolds considers Churchill to have been \"In Command of History\" He suggests that Churchill had ruled historiography ever since, at least in the English speaking nations.\n\nBut throughout, Churchill's account has been contested; He has not managed to convince the public at large that he was an enthusiastic about Overlord, nor to achieve unanimous support for his actions in Yalta. His attempt to pin the blame for the 'appeasement' of the Soviets on the American military command following the Normandy invasion had failed, and his marginalization of the Eastern front could not outlast the Cold War. For all his greatness, Churchill could no more command the War of History as he could control the War in Asia and in Europe.","Product: 'The intricately plotted progress of characters from near to farfuture...on an Earth which, like an abandon playground, has long ago been left behind by an evolving humanity...human-scale action within a vast canvas' The Excyclopedia of Science Fiction. Encompassing time-travel, powerful mystery and the future history of humanity to its last handful of survivors, Across Realtime spans millions of years and isan utterly engrossing SF classic. 'You can hardly turn the pages fast enough. As sheer entertainment, it's a winner' Locus\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Mind-blowing-idea SF at its finest\n\nReview: Across Realtime (My version) is an omnibus collection of two novels by Vernor Vinge: The Peace War, and Marooned in Realtime. The Second book, especially, is among the best SF books I've read.\nThe Peace War is, seemingly, a fairly standard SF novel: in a post apocalyptic world, a dictatorship took over, and the brave heroes fight it off. Except that it is much more than that - Vinge's talent, his characters and his ideas all turn this B movie premise to an original, powerful SF novel. Especially important is Vinge's simple but brilliant invention of the 'Bubble's - spheres which are completely shielded off the world, in which time doesn't move.\n'Marrooned in Realtime' takes the premise established in the first novel, and pushes it beyond belief. The beginning of 'Marooned', especially, is idea oriented SD at it's finest - you read going WOW every two seconds.\nIdea oriented SF is probnably the hardest thing in the universe to write - you need not only to know how to write well, not only to understand science, but also to come up with a scientific idea which has mind opening reprecussions. I think I can count on 1 hand the number of times I've seen Idea oriented SF done right - this is one of the prime examples.\nIf you're a lover of SF, Across Realtime will be a parade of ideas, characters, action and thrills. So don't miss it.","Product: Benzion Netanyahu was born in March 25, 1910. He is an historian and a professor emeritus at Cornell University. He served as secretary to Ze'ev Jabotinshy, and was a Revisionist leader of the Zionist Movement in the United States. He has three sons: Yonatan (killed at Entebbe), Benjamin (Israeli Prime Minister, 1996-99, 2009-present), and Iddo.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The End of a Line\n\nReview: The late professor Benzion Netanyahu, father of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was well known as a scholar of Judaism in the Middle Ages, and as a hardline right wing zionist ideologue. This book, actually a collection of essays, most of which were written before the foundation of the state of Israel, offers a partial view on some key personalities in Zionism, and especially in Revisionist (Right Wing) Zionism. The title itself is misleading - surely no list which excludes Chaim Weitzman and David Ben Gurion can be an account of \"the\" founders of Zionism, no more than a list of America's founders can be complete with only Jefferson, Madison and Monroe and without Washington and Hamilton.\n\nZionism is the ideology that the Jews are a people who deserve their own national homeland, like all other peoples. Early on, Netanyahu argues that the Jews had their \"national consciousness... developed to its maximum degree\". But such mystical notions are hardly elaborated upon, and no evidence is brought forward to sustain them. More plausiblely, later chapters locate the root of the Zionist ideology in the rejection of Jews by European society: Europe's Jews tried to assimilate to the nationalism of their host nations (they key figure here in German denker Heine); Failing that, they tried to oppose all nationalism in name of universalism (a movement epitomized by Marx) and only when this dream failed, the Jews turned to their own nationalism (e.g. Herzl).\n\nThe notion that Jews went through a deterministic, Holometabolistic process in the 19th century, turning from German, French and Russian Larva to full grown Zionist butterflys is of course far fetched; Some jews - like Arthur Koestler - developed in the opposite direction - and other Jews failed to \"develop\" at all. But it is likely that increased antiSemitism in the later 19th and early 20th century played a key role inconvincing Jews of the necessity of a Zionist solution to the \"Jewish Problem\".\n\nThis raises the question of whether Zionism is a parochial solution to a temporary problem. For well over a century, America's Jews have found US nationalism to be fully inviting; I'm no expert on Latin America, but as far as I know Jews do very well there, too. And in postwar Europe, while the situation of Jews is not ideal, there is no hint of the kind of persecution that Netanyahu's heroes warned about. Of course, what goes around comes around, and there is no guarantee that the situation of Jews would remain this way in the future, but there are great costs (both monetary and in terms of human life) to maintaining the Jewish state, and these costs have to be taken into account vis a vis the purely theoretical threat of renewed antiSemitic persecution.\n\nI should stress that, even if the threat for Jews was purely temporary, the state of Israel is now an established fact, irrespective of the justifications for its original founding. Its citizens have as much of a right to live in their state as those of any other. Nonetheless, if the primal motivation for its establishment is over, the study of its Founders becomes a matter of purely historical value, as relevant to its current existence as the study of the Norman invasion is to British life today.\n\nFor the most part, Netanyahu's study focuses on the Zionist thought and action of his five protagonists. Their personal lives, and their work in the non-Jewish sphere, are sidelined. The major exception is Max Nordau (1849-1923), whose critiques of contemporary European culture, and in particular of the works of Fredreich Nietzsche, are extensively discussed. \"Nordau alone realized the significence of Nietzsche's words. He saw them for what they were: destroying flames eating at the pillars of Civilization\" (p. 126). Nordau and Netanyahu's reductionist view of Nietzsche is not only troubling in its implied denigration of free speech - if Nietzsche is responsible for the horrors of the twentieth century, surely his writings can and must be suppressed - but particularly because Netanyahu's heroes often sound like Nietzsche stooges.\n\nThus Theodore Herzl believed that Jews needed the \"courage to rule... to dare and to demand from the world a Jewish state and the power to rule over that state\" (p. 102). Jews needed to have, and here Netanyahu explicitly quotes Nietzsche, \"The Will to Power\" (p. 99). Zionist Founder Israel Zangwill went further, adopting Nietzsche's view of \"Chirstian Morality\" (sneer quotes in the original) which he \"always defined as 'organized hypocricity' since its essence was opposed to the fundamental laws of existence\" (p. 171).\n\nThis worship of power is telling; The most surprising element of Netanyahu's book, at least for me, was his description of Herzl's Zionist program. Netanyahu's Herzl was masterminding what can only be called a Zionist Imperialist conspiracy against the unsuspecting Arab inhabitants of the Holy land.\n\nUnlike his Zionist contemporaries, Herzl recognized that Israel was not \"A Land without a People\" waiting for a \"People without a land\". Herzl saw that the inhabitants of Israel, like the \"residents of any country\" would inevitably oppose foreign immigration. And Herzl opposed the attempts by contemprary Zionist leaders to encourage Jewish immigration to Israel; Premature immigration would cost the Zionists their great advantage: the element of surprise.\n\nRather, Herzl wanted immigration to Palestine to start only after achieving international recognition form the world's powers. What kind of recognition? When Herzl had to draw a Charter for the Jewish immigrants to Palestine, he told his lawyer to base it upon \"the regulation of the charter corporation of Rhodes... the German corporation in East Africa... that is, according to the laws of settlement of the greatest colonial powers\" (p. 85). Even cursery knowledge of these colonial enterprises is enough to freeze anyone's blood, and although, to be fair, the worst abuses of the colonial endeavors have not yet occurred when he wrote these words, Herzl clearly saw that the diplomatic effort would have to be supplanted by force - another key point in Herzl's program was that once the recognition arrived, Jews would immigrate to Israel en masse. En masse, and with an army.\n\nIf the implication of Herzl's colonialist-Zionist dream were hidden, perhaps even from the man himself, and if he also held more tender views towards the Arab population he was conspiring against, Herzl's Revisionist successors had no such lofty ideals. Israel Zangwill's agenda was explicit in its solution to the \"Arab problem\". Ethnic Cleansing, if possible; Subjugation, if not: \"A minority will rule the majoirty\" was his cri de coeur (p. 176). Zabotinsky went further in his assessment of the Arabs. If Herzl saw their opposition as the inevitable, natural response to the Zionist project, Zabotinsky felt that the opposition was the fault of \"those whose policy entices - or more than that - compells those who have a primitive mentality to believe that [voilence] will be treated indulgently\". So with Zabotinsky, the revisionist Zionist agenda becomes a racist one.\n\nThe only justification for this ideology is the sense of urgency that these men, precient about the fate of European Jewry, had for saving the doomed Civilization. Nordau put it elegantly \"Zionism must succed - for otherwise we shall die\". Whatever the suffering the Zionist project brought to the land of Palestine, hundreds of thousands of innocent Jews were saved from the horrors of Pogroms, persecution, and inihalation.\n\nThis brings us full circle. Whatever the circumstances of its birth, Israel today is a living fact; Undoing the Zionist project is impossible, and would cause great suffering if attempted. Yet the successors of Netanyahu and his heroes still desire for the same solutions to take place in all of the land of Israel, including the West Bank and Gaza. But in a world that is not nearly as hostile to Jewry as that of 20th century Europe, and with a Jewish state in the pre-1967 borders quite able to sustain and save Jews from any unexpected, unlikely catastrophe, I fail to see how the Revisionist agenda can be justified, even in their own terms, in the 21st century.\n\nReligious Zionists may talk of a divine promise for the Greater Israel, but absent such Deus Ex Machina, revisionist Zionism has come to an end.","Product: First Edition, 2014, first printing, a brand-new, unread, unworn, unopened, unmarked trade softcover, from O/R Books. By Norman G. Finkelstein. ISBN 978-1-939293-46-6. \"Like his landmark debunking of Joan Peters's From Time Immemorial, Finkelstein's clinical dissection of My Promised Land by Ari Shavit will be welcomed by those who prefer truth to propaganda, and who yearn for a resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict based on justice, rather than arguments framed by anguish and schmaltz.\"--from the back cover.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Witty, but not exactly fair...\n\nReview: Full Disclosure: I haven't read Ari Shavit's book that is the subject of Norman Finklestein \"Old Wine, Broken Bottle\", but I feel I know enough of both Mr. Shavit's writing and the Israeli-Arab conflict to comment briefly on Finkelstein's forceful take down.\n\nThis is not a book for novices on the Israeli Palestinian conflict; It is a book that assumes you know a lot about the conflict, and it doesn't bother to let you catch up. Nor is it a fair-minded critique, of either Ari Shavitz or of Israel. It is a brief by a capable advocate very little of what's written here is quite false (although Finkelstein argues that Israel supplied the US false information that contributed to the decision to go to the Iraq War, but the claim which to the best of my knowledge is not true is sourced only to Walt and Mearsheimer's \"The Israel Lobby\" which is, to put it mildly, a very controversial source). Much of what's in this book is true. But none of it show any empathy to Israel, to attempt to show the issues from its points of view. The end result is quite biased.\n\nBut entertaining. Finkelstein is a great, sarcastic writer, and his wit is particularly suited to Shavit's somewhat pompous style. \"As a columnist, Shavit's closest American analogue is Thomas Friedman. The Birdman of Alcatraz famously studies ornithology while confined in prison and eventually became a recognized authority. Shavit reads, stylistically, as if he were the Friedman of Alcatraz, locked up in solitary for a decade with only Friedman's columns at hand\".\n\nSometimes, it is very accurate. Finkelstein points out that there's nothing particularly Jewish about Ari Shavit's Israel. It is a typical Western capitalist society \"If the raison d'etre of Israel's founding, and its justification for dispossessing Palestinians, was so that Shavit could live a Jewish \"Inner life\", he might just as week have stayed in England and married a Shiksa\".\n\nFinkelstein's book is silent on other elements. Jewish immigration to Palestine was legal based on the laws of the time for most of Pre-state era. Following the partition decision, the Jews accepted the UN partition decision and the Arabs didn't. Responsibility for the Nakba, the disaster that fell on the Palestinians during the 1948 war, can be placed in many different places but you would not know this if you read only Finkelstein. Nor will you learn about the history of Arab anti-Israel violence, massacres and terror attacks. A historical account that would mention some of those and would not be as cavalier towards the Arab and Islamic threats to Israel and the Jews would show Israel in a better light, and would be, in my opinion, a better and fuller history.\n\nBut you don't come to Finkelstein's book expecting to get a round picture of both sides of the story. If you want an Israeli-skeptic polemic, brilliantly written, thought provoking, witty and sarcastic this is the pamphlet for you.","Product: Most people alive today are unfamiliar with its history and origins and lack knowledge of its facts. This state of ignorance provides a fertile ground for the unscrupulous to create myths that will justify their destructive agendas. The political propaganda machine has created many such myths to fuel their war against the Jewish state.\n\nIsrael is the only democracy in the Middle East that elects its leaders in free elections and guarantees rights to its citizens. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to be fighting for human rights. There are about a million and a half Arabs living as citizens in Israel who elect representatives to Israels parliament and who have more rights than the Arab citizens of any Arab state. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to be fighting for social justice. Israels very creation is referred to by its Arab enemies as \"the Nakba\", or the catastrophe, the clear implication of which is that Israel should not exist. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to support self-determination and oppose genocide. Israel was the victim at its very birth -- of an unprovoked aggression by five Arab monarchies and dictatorships. It has been the target of an Arab war that has continued uninterruptedly for nearly sixty years because the Arab states have refused to make peace. Yet Israel is the target of those who say they want peace. Israel is the victim of terrorist attacks which along with the Jews they mark for extinction, kill Palestinian women and children as well. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to speak for humanity.\n\n\nDavid Meir-Levi has written a text that restores the memory of the facts that lie at the heart of the conflict in the Middle East. These facts are crucial not only to the restoration of the history that politics has obscured, but to the survival of a people who live in the shadow of their own destruction. Everyone interested in justice needs to read this little book.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: A Spin Too Far\n\nReview: As can be expected from its title, \"Big Lies: Israel Myths\" is a highly biased book which presents facts in an extremely misleading way; Israel and Zionism really deserve better, more honest advocacy.\n\nAlthough \"Big Lies\" contains two parts, one about the refugee problem and the other about the settlements issue, it sketches the history of the Israeli-Arab conflict from the early days of Zionism to the present. I will follow this rough outline, trying to point out the distortions and omissions of the author. This is not to suggest that there are no valid points in \"Big Lies\", there certainly are some; but in general, this is a piece of propaganda and not a valuable, honest source of information.\n\nStarting in the late 19th century, Zionist Jews started to immigrate into Palestine in large numbers. Meir Levi attempts to argue this Zionist immigration caused the quadrupling of Palestine's Arab population:\n\n\"Circa 1850, the Arab population of this region of the Turkish Empire was more or less static at about 340,000. It suddenly began to increase around 1855, and by 1947 the Arab population stood at about 1,300,000... the causal correlation between this independently documented phenomenon and the Zionist enterprise is beyond rational argument... based on the above, it is fair to suggest that a significant plurality, if not a majority, of Arabs living in Israel today owe their very existence to the Zionist endeavor\" (p. 32)\n\nI think this calls for a fairer estimate. According to the United Nations, World Population Prospects, the total population of the Middle East was 33.8 million people in 1850, and 79.2 million in 1950. So it is likely that the population of Palestine would have increased greatly (although perhaps not as much as it actually did) even without any Zionist \"assistance\".\n\nAfter the First World War, Palestine came under British control; The British had a \"mandate\" to rule Palestine in order to \"prepare\" it as a Jewish National Home. Still, Meir Levi argues \"From 1919 to 1936, Arab violence against Jews expanded in scope and grew in brutality. The British did almost nothing to curtail it and sometimes abetted it.\"\n\nThis undocumented claim is contrary to the best historical thinking on the subject. Early British policies were considerably more Pro-Jewish than Pro-Arab. There had been a change in the late 1930s, after the so-called Great Arab awakening signaled to the British that their support of the Jewish population in Palestine would require great forces on the ground, and would push Arabs into the Axis camp in case of war. But As Israeli historian Tom Segev points out in <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/One-Palestine-Complete-Jews-and-Arabs-Under-the-British-Mandate/dp/0805065873/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">One Palestine, Complete: Jews and Arabs Under the British Mandate</a>the original British agenda was pro-Jewish, and was executed by Pro-Zionist leaders (Lord Balfour, Lloyd George, Churchill) and sometimes even by Jewish officials (Herbert Samuel).\n\nFollowing the Second World War, the United Nations voted for the creation of two states, one Jewish and one Arab, in Palestine. Meir cannot resist such barbs as \"The Arab states were members of the UN. Their membership presumably entailed a willingness to abide by majority decisions of the newly formed world body. But they did not\" (p. 35). I'm not a great a fan of the much maligned United Nations (even if most of the problems it has are unsolvable - <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Best-Intentions-Kofi-Annan-and-the-UN-in-the-Era-of-American-World-Power/dp/0312426747/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">The Best Intentions: Kofi Annan and the UN in the Era of American World Power</a>), but Israel has never shown great willingness to embrace its resolutions. Yet Meir never seems to criticize Israel for that.\n\nFollowing the UN partition of Palestine, the 1948 Israeli War of Independence broke out. During the war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees left their home lands. Meir Levi admits that \"Jews were responsible in part of the Arab flight\" Yet he claims\"it was not because they wanted to ethnically cleanse the country, or to wipe out the Arabs. It was because they knew that outnumbered Jews, undefended in Arab enclaves would be slaughtered\" (p. 16). Let me just point out, in passing, that not all reasonable observers would so easily accept such self serving explanations (offered without proof), and that I doubt Meir Levi would have accepted such charitable interpretations of Arab motives.\n\nIt is strange for someone who is knowledgeable about the Middle East to write that \"in 1967, five Arab states -including Jordan -- attacked Israel.\" (p. 36). That years's war -known as the Six Days War to Israelis - started with a preemptive Israeli air-strike on Egypt's air force. Now of course Meir Levi knows this. He argues that Israel had received \"military intelligence that Egypt was within hours of launching an invasion via the Gaza Strip\" (p. 39), and that this triggered Israel's attack; this mysterious and undocumented claim is, to the best of my knowledge, false. Histories of the conflict stress that Israel, having called its military reserves, felt it had to act quickly as its economy could not sustain high military alertness for a long time, and as it wanted to take the initiative and benefit from the element of surprise (See Michael B. Oren - now Israel's ambassador to the US- 's superb <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Six-Days-of-War-June-1967-and-the-Making-of-the-Modern-Middle-East/dp/0345461924/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East</a>).\n\nDuring the Six Days War, Israel conquered (or Liberated, if you prefer), much of mandatory Palestine, including the West Bank and Gaza strip. After the war, Israelis started to settle in the West Bank and Gaza with the explicit or implicit support of all Israeli governments. Whether this contravenes article 49 of the Fourth Geneva convention, which states that \"The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies\", is a question I'll leave to the reader. Meir Levi of course does not mention article 49, and his discussion of the legality of the settlements is bizarre: He accepts Israel's claim that some of the settlements have been constructed for \"security reasons\" and are therefore legal. This is an argument which has been used by Israel to defend the settlements, and one that makes a mockery of the concept of \"security\". Is there anything that cannot be defended under such a broad definition of \"Security\"? At any event it is uncontroversial that at least some settlements were constructed on private Palestinian land, without compensation, although how many settlements were built on such ground is highly contested.\n\nSince even Meir Levi admits that some settlements (\"rogue\" ones) are \"palpably illegal\", one might have expected him to comment on the way the Israeli Military defends these settlements, and the very ambivalent treatment - amounting to tacit approval - they get from the Israeli authorities.\n\nThat Meir Levi can argue that \"Settlements d[o] not impede negotiation\" is utterly bizarre. Regardless of the merits of his legalistic arguments for the settlements, and despite the economic \"benefits\" to the Palestinians \"because\" of the settlements (\"Benefits\" Palestinians did not chose themselves, but \"enjoyed\" merely because it suited the interest of Israel and the settlers), Palestinians clearly see the Settlements for what they are: land grabs. For a Palestinian to see Israeli settlements taking over more and more land in the West Bank, with the tacit and sometimes explicit support of the Israeli government, and to believe in the good faith of the Israeli government would be a extremely difficult. This is not to say that the Israeli government has always acted in bad faith: when the Peace process is not moving forward, it is difficult for an Israeli government to justify severe limitations on Israeli Citizens that bring no benefits whatsoever to Israel. The settlements have complicated an already difficult conflict, and have caused a great deal of ill-will on both sides (not to mention creating a large political constituency in Israel opposed to any compromise).\n\nI am an Israeli, and a Zionist, but you need to neither to object to such a biased account of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The case for Israel can be made without such distortions."],"string":"[\n \"Product: What would you do if you were invisible? How far would you go? After years of experimentation, Dr. Sebastian Caine, a brilliant but arrogant and egotistical scientist working for the Defense Department, has successfully transformed mammals to an invisible state and brought them back to their original physical form. Determined to achieve the ultimate breakthrough, Caine instructs his team to move on to Phase III: human experimentation. Using himself as the first subject, the invisible Caine finds himself free to do the unthinkable. But Caine's experiment takes an unexpected turn when his team can't bring him back. As the days pass, he grows more and more out of control, doomed to a future without flesh as the HOLLOW MAN. Kevin Bacon, Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin star in this intense thriller filled with extreme suspense, terrifying twists and incredible special effects.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A good Bad Movie\\n\\nReview: I once read a review of a Stephen King book saying that King used to write 'good bad book'. I thought, and still think, that was b.s. - King writes many horror novels, which isn't the sub genre known as 'mainstream fiction', but a different sub genre, no better or worse for that.\\nAnd yet, here I am, telling you that HOLLOW MAN is a good Bad Movie. There really is no way to say HOLLOW MAN is a good movie - the plot is cliche, the characters wouldn't, the twists predictable, etc. Expectedly from a Bad movie, the special effects are really impressive, and this IS the point.\\nHOLLOW MAN is a Bad movie, but a good Bad movie. It's stupid, but entertaining. The characters are cliches, but fun. The story is obvious and stolen from a million other places(you got your stock 'scientists in a close enviorment', a McGuiver scene, and an ending in an elevator shaft - ooh, originality), but well directed. The characters are really jokes (The Crazy brilliant scientist, the nerd and less brilliant other, the beautiful action woman tore between them), but they are entertaining.\\nYou know what you're in for with HOLLOW MAN - Gracio Marx called TV 'Chewing Gum for the Eyes', and HOLLOW MAN is just that, really fun entertainment for an hour and a half. It's Bad - but in a good way.\",\n \"Product: Used but in great condition. Contains both discs, case and contents\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Gaze Long into the Abyss...\\n\\nReview: Steven Spielberg's latest film, \\\"Munich\\\", is among the most frustrating films I've ever seen: The frustration comes from its Schizophrenic nature - going back and forth from high competence to utter brilliance during the first two thirds, then to a rapid deterioration during the last part, ending with three quarters of an hour of the most unwatchable, torturous, movie experience in memory.\\n\\nDuring the break (and yes, we have breaks in movies in Israel - a cynical method of selling some more Popcorn), I turned to the friend I watched this film with and told him how much I enjoyed it. During the last quarter of an hour, we quietly debated whether we really have to sit through the experience.\\n\\n'Munich' is the tale of Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana), the leader of a top secret, quasi official Israeli assassination squad, sent to execute the men behind the Munich Olympic Game massacre of Israeli athletes. The film follows Avner and his team's attempts to 'target kill' the eleven men behind the plot.\\n\\nThe problem as I see it, is that Spielberg creates an action film with a deep underlying reflection: Two themes run beneath the surface: one is that violence breeds violence; The circle of violence is not solved by killing the murderers, who will be swiftly replaced by other, equally if not more vicious killers. The second theme is that he who commits violence is effected by it. In Nietzsche's memorable phrase: \\\"if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you\\\".\\n\\nUnlike some critics, I do not think the movie ever really equates the Terrorists and Israeli assassins. But it does ponder about the price Civilization pays, as Golda Meir says it \\\"negotiates with its values\\\".\\n\\nWhether you agree with the messages or not, the film, initially at least, does not hit you over the head with them. From the opening scene in which American athletes unwittingly aid the Palestinian terrorists to enter the Olympic compound, the film proceeds at full speed ahead as Israel calculates it response. In one of the most effective scenes in recent films, Golda Meir (perfectly portrayed by Lynn Cohen; if ever a performance deserved an academy award, this is surely it) debates and decides on launching an assassination attack on the terrorists.\\n\\nWhat follows are two hours of a thinking person's action flick. Avner Kauffman and his squad make the acquaintance of a family of information brokers, who tips them on the whereabouts of the 11 terrorists. The relations with the family, represented by the mysterious Papa (Michael Lonsdale) and the cool Louis (Mathieu Amalric) gets tangled when Avner and his team pass on the information to the Mossad, and participate in an Israeli raid on the terrorists' headquarters in Bayreuth (which is based upon a real raid which was led by Israel's later Prime Minister, Ehud Barak). Papa promises to keep doing business with Avner and his group, but it seems that the Family double crosses them, harboring them in a safe house with other Palestinian terrorists and possibly selling the information on their whereabouts to their enemies.\\n\\nThings seem to head to a climax when the team goes after their prime target, Munich mastermind Ali Hassan Salameh, Salameh is saved from assassination by a group of belligerent Americans in London, apparently CIA agents (Interestingly the implication that the CIA was involved with the Black September terrorists seemed to have gone without comment among the film's reviewers. Surely that said something about the American trust in their own government). Then the group is targeted by a beautiful and mysterious Dutch operative (Marie-Jose Croze)...\\n\\nIn Nick Cave's words, \\\"Where do we go from here... but Nowhere?\\\" Throughout the film, Spielberg weaves in the aforementioned themes, in a way that is disturbing but not overwhelming: The Group come within an eye blink of killing pre-adolescent Amina Hamshari instead of her terrorist father. A Porter in a Cyprus hotel, who becomes unwittingly an aid in an assassination, throws away the blood money he receives. But the weaving is subtle; The message is in the details.\\n\\nIn the film's end, all subtlety is gone. Instead, Spielberg seemingly turns to the audience and starts preaching: \\\"This is important! I have a message! Here Comes The Message!!! Make sure you don't miss THE MESSAGE!!!\\\".\\n\\nSo we have forty five minutes or so of unwatchable film, as the action comes to a stop and Avner meditates upon the great calamity of violence. Its slow, emotionally manipulative (alas ineffectively so), condescending, and utterly dull. Spielberg is on the soapbox and he won't let go.\\n\\nAs I've said, there is much to like about this film. The action scenes are gripping, and the acting is simply superb (It is a rare film indeed where an actor as good as Eric Bana - who was virtually the only redeeming virtue in the otherwise unwatchable TROY - is overshadowed by the other case members, particularly Lynn Cohen as Prime Minister Meir, Lonsdale and Amalric as Papa and Louis, and Geoffrey Rush as Avner's operator, Ephraim). Throughout much of the film, Spielberg does his usual magic.\\n\\nBut all is overshadowed by the dreadfully dull Coda. It is so bad it really erases all the good will the film's previous 2 hours has generated. And so as much as I loved parts of it, I cannot recommend Munich to anyone.\",\n \"Product: Quick Shipping !!! New And Sealed !!! This Disc WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. A multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player is request to view it in USA/Canada. Please Review Description.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: The War on the Waters\\n\\nReview: I came to 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' with little expectations beyond reasonable entertainment. I was thus surprised that this was a powerful little human drama about a vicious chase in the high seas.\\nWhat makes 'Master and Commander' successful is not the plot, which is a straightforward cat and mouse story. Rather, it succeeds because of its gritty sense of realism and the ability to capture the feel of time and place.\\nWhile most historical movies feature ordinary, contemporary people in period dress (see 'Gangs of New York'), Master and Commander does feel like it takes place in the early 19th century. It is little things, like Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) motivating his troops by demanding \\\"Do you want your children to sing 'La Marseillaise'?\\\", or the real excitement the characters display in discussing Nelson.\\nAlso powerful is the film's feel for the hardships of warfare on the Sea. Early in the film, a child loses his arm, and throughout the movie real characters suffer casual death. At one point Jack Aubrey must choose between saving one man and saving his crew, and he allows the man to drown. This form of realism is so rare in Hollywood films, in makes 'Master and Commander' truly unique.\\nThe great weakness of the film is its episodic nature. There is scarcely a plot - the hunt for the French frigate \\\"Acheron\\\" is merely a framework for the individual happenings, which include a storm, a suicide, and most infamously, a rather overlong subplot about Crowe's sidekick's (Paul Bettany) Darwin-like expedition to Galapagos Islands.\\nIndeed, the emergence of this subplot makes the second half of the film slow and much less interesting then the first half. Although the scenery is breathtaking, the story just fails to move, until Bettany's accidental discovery of the Acheron, which sets the stage for the climatic battle.\\nDirector Peter Weir and his crew should be commanded for a great adaptation of Patrick O'Brien's seafaring adventure. If there will be a sequel, I will go with high expectations.\",\n \"Product: OUT OF PRINT 1991 Ryko CD issue featuring 2 bonus tracks \\\"I Pray, Ole (previously unreleased)\\\" and \\\"Look Back In Anger (new version recorded in 1988)\\\". M/M (hole in barcode)\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Bowie Business as Usual\\n\\nReview: The 1970s saw David Bowie in one of the most extraordinary peaks of creativity ever achieved by any Rock'n'Roll artist. Whole albums, such as Ziggy Stardust and Station to Station are perfect from the first moment to the last. Other masterpieces, though flawed, contain such an overload of brilliance that it overshadows whatever weak track exist on the albums ('Hunky Dory' is a perfect example for that).\\n\\nLodger, in a sense, is different in the sense that it foreshadows most of Bowie's later albums: it's a mixed bag. At times experimental ('Red Money'), Anthemic ('DJ'), silly ('Yassassin'), and sometimes just utterly brilliant ('Boys Keep Swinging' and 'Look Back in Anger') - Lodger is as good a candidate for a 'typical' Bowie album as it gets.\\n\\nThe weaker tracks, such as 'Yassassin' and 'African Night Flight' are not so much bad as miscalculated - Bowie's rock music talents gone wrong. Some tracks, such as opener 'Fantastic Voyage' and 'Move On' are solid rock tracks, not spectacular but with interesting lyrics ('I'll never say anything nice again' Bowie mysteriously declares on 'Voyage').\\n\\nThe two highlights are the majestic, dark and hard rockin' \\\"Look Back in Anger\\\", which has been a frequent show opener for Bowie. With rifts that anticipate the leaner, meaner sound of \\\"Scary Monsters\\\", \\\"Look Back in Anger\\\", as opaque as it may appear (the video suggests an allusion to a deformed artist, and maybe to Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Durian Grey'), it's a deserved classic.\\n\\nRarely played live, \\\"Boys Keep Swinging\\\" an ironic tribute to youth and masculinity. It seems like a stylistic throw back to the 1950s or even 30s, but the music is patently Bowie, with a hard beat beneath the pretty melody. It's yet another classic.\\n\\nFor most artists, Lodger would have been a career highlight. Only in comparison to Bowie's remarkable career can an album as strong as this one seem so mundane.\",\n \"Product: Originally released in 1985, Biograph is a 3 disc boxed-set containing 3.5 hours of the best of Bob Dylan. This set features the highlights of Dylan's career from 1961 - 1985; it not only includes well-known hits, but also previously unreleased tracks and rarities. In addition to the 53 tracks included, the box also contains a 42-page booklet with rare photos and commentary.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: An imperfect introduction but wonderful music\\n\\nReview: 'Biograph' is the box set to end all box sets - 3 CDs full of album tracks, rarities and live versions of some of Bob Dylan's greatest songs. It contains interesting (if somewhat cryptic) liner notes, and great sequencing.\\nThe greatest weakness of 'Biograph' is that it is a flawed introduction. Given that it was released in 1985, it obviously misses much of Dylan's wonderful music from the late 80s, 90s and 00s. But inexplicably, this anthology stops in 1982, with songs off 'Shot of Love'. 'Infidels', Dylan's best album in the wilderness years between 'Blood on the Tracks' and 'Oh Mercy', his return to secular music, is sadly not represented here, even though it is mentioned in the booklet.\\nEven more questionable is some of the song selection. 'The Essential Bob Dylan' has 2 albums with which to cover 4 decades of Dylan's music. Biograph has three albums covering scarcely more then twenty years. The absence of such absolutely essential tracks as 'Idiot Wind' and 'Highway 61 Revisited', forgivable in 'The Essential', is inexplicable here. Furthermore, some of Dylan's most popular songs (which more often then not appear on 'The Essential Bob Dylan') are missing - Maggie's Farm, Rainy Day Woman, Hurricane.\\nThat said, the true genius of these albums is that they are equally appealing to the newbie and the die hard fan. The juxtaposition of old songs and previously unreleased rarities, all put not in chronological order but in the way they sound the best, might make 'Biograph' less interesting as a historical overview of Dylan's oeuvre, but makes for great albums.\\nFor me, the weakest is the first album, consisting of mainly acoustic songs from the early 60s and 70s. Many people are affectionate of Dylan the folk singer, but for me Dylan's uniqueness is the way he attacked the electric guitar. The acoustic tunes contain some of Dylan's best known tunes like 'Masters of War', 'The Times They Are a Changin', 'Lay Lady Lay' and of course 'Blowin' in the Wind'. My favorite, though, is 'If Not For You', a sweet little love song.\\nHalfway through the discs, the drums begin to beat and the guitars become electric. 'Tombstone Blues', a classic off 'Highway 61 Revisited', is easily among Dylan's most popular writings, and it is only barred from the status of a classic because of pedestrian drumming. ...\\nA nice choice for the follow up track is 'The Groom is Still Waiting at the Altar', a blues-rock tune from Dylan's last Christian album, complete with an organ and female back up vocalists, which proves Dylan has lost nothing in his sense of the writing powerful, abstract songs.\\nAmong the rest of the classics in this CD are 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'. I admit I'm particularly fond of another lesser known song featured here in a fantastic live version - 'most likely you'll go your way (and I go mine)'\\nThe second CD focuses on Dylan's late 60s and 70s music. Among the stunning pieces here are live versions of 'Visions of Johanna' and 'Isis' (the latter, unremarkable in the album version, is particularly menacing here). The studio versions of 'Tangled Up in Blue', 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and 'It Ain't Me Babe' are classics.\\n\\nI do wish we would have been given a live version of 'Every Grain of Sand', rather than the album version. On the album, the dark horror of the song is muted, but live, we often can feel Dylan's fear and worship of the almighty in lines like \\\"I can see the master's hand... in every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand\\\"\\nThe last CD focuses on material from the late 70s and early 80s, with a strong emphasis on rarities. How `Caribbean Wind' managed to escape album release is a mystery to me, as it is a wonderful, classic religious Dylan song.\\n'Up to Me' is a heart breaking outtake from 'Blood on the Tracks', my favorite Dylan album\\nAgain, classics abound. 'I Want You' is a lovely song off 'Blonde on Blonde'. 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' needs no introduction. 'All Along the Watchtower' is live with the Band. Although practically all of Dylan's live performances of this song seem like rewrites of the Hendrix version, this is one of the better ones. Less successful are the original version of 'Just Like a Woman', which is inferior to numerous live versions, and a weak unplugged 'Forever Young'. 'Gotta Serve Somebody' even if it might win a contest for the dumbest Dylan lyrics, is a strong blues rocker.\\nBut among these classics hide some more real gems. 'Senor' from Street Legal, is an underappreciated, beautifully constructed number. (although I wish the powers that be had included the other classic from the same album 'The Changing of the Guards, which appears on the 'Essential Dylan' album). A live version of 'Heart of Mine' reminded me of the beauty in this lesser known song off 'Shot of Love', while 'Solid Rock', is a hard rockin' song inspired by Blues, Gospel, and maybe even a little Disco music. Just the thought of what Jimi Hendrix might have done with 'Romance in Durango' makes me excited, but the live version presented here is very, very good.\\nThe bottom line is, that 'Biograph' is full with fantastic songs from one of the 20th century greatest songwriters. Everyone needs to own a copy.\",\n \"Product: The Former Velvet Underground Frontman and Godfather of Modern Punk Captured Live on Tour in Italy with his Ace Band of Fernando Saunders, Fred Maher and Guitarist Robert Quine. This is Reed Stripped Down to the Very Basics with Each Musician Pouring his Heart Out in their Playing. Quine Has Been Documented as Saying this was a Very Tense Time Between Him and his Boss, but You Can Hear Where his Frustrations Are Poured Out in Performance. The Set List is Replete with Hits and a Couple of Chestnuts Saved from Oblivion, Making this One of the Outstanding Live Sets of Reed's Career.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Best Lou Reed Live Album\\n\\nReview: Forget about 'Lou Reed Live', 'Rock'n'Roll Animal' and even 'Perfect Night in London'(All great records, by the way), Lou Reed Live in Italy is the best Lou Reed live album, bar none.\\nJust look at the track list, for crying out loud. After a three seconds long introduction, you can hear Reed's guitar tears into the classic opening chords of Sweet Jane, the best riff he's ever written. This version of Sweet Jane is argueably the best version out there - Lou singing 'You know they're sayin' Jane, oh Sweet Jane' is Lou at his finest, and Robert Quine... we'll talk about Robert Quine.\\nOh, why not talk about him now. Robert Quine is the best guitar player to have ever worked with Lou Reed. He is as good as Mike Ranson who worked with Bowie and Lyle workman who played lead for Frank Black. He's quite possibly even better. Listen to the lead guitar in 'Waves of Fear', it's incredible.\\nLou's new stuff here is great - Waves of Fear and Average Guy are the stand outs, but the older Reed is what truly shines through. Sally Can't Dance no More is a vicious attack on fame, The Satellite of Love is lou's romance at it's best, and Walk on the Wild Side is, well, a walk on the wild side.\\nStill, to me this will allways be memorable because of the Velvet Songs. Before and after, Reed will atmpt to make the Velvet stuff feel at home in his sets, and, with the exception of the Loaded songs, he will allways fail. This is the exception. White Light/White Heat, Waiting for the Man and of course, Heroin, Reed's finest song, shine through the able musicians.\\nI'm way to young to have been alive through that Lou Reed tour, and even through I've seen Reed live, I'm still at agony for not have seen him live at those 1984 shows. This is the closest I'll ever get.\",\n \"Product: This long-heralded compilation gathers together the 19 hard-to-find gems that were scattered across the B-sides from their six original UK singles (plus one from the US). The CD booklet comes with track-by-track sleeve notes written by Frank Black. There are two videos: 'Here Comes Your Man' & 'Allison'.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The Pixies that you've never heard before\\n\\nReview: I can quite honestly say, that I know of no one who is a larger fan of the Pixies or of Frank Black. I have all the CDs, several live shows, tons of Napster tracks, all the bootlegs I could find. I've been to five Frank Black concerts ( and counting...) even when it required travel. I'm a FAN.\\nThe Pixies were something truly unique. A band like that doesn't come around often. The Pixies are unique in the way the Velvet Underground were, and perhaps Television. That's more or less it. An Underground band that rocked the universe away.\\nThis is a CD of their b-sides, immaginatively called 'The Complete B-Sides'. It really isn't, though. I have several b-side tracks in my collection which aren't here - mostly live recordings.\\nBut this IS a record of Pixies songs most non-obsessed fans haven't heard before. So... what are they like?\\nWell, generally speaking, the first ten tracks are very good, and the last 8 not nearly as much.\\nAmoung the first 10 tracks, you have 'In Heaven', certainly one of the better covers the Pixies or Frank Black has ever done. Black Francis's screaming here are priceless... and the lyrics are obscure and haunting enough to have been written by our man himself.\\nDancing the Manta Ray is a terrific song, and one which Frank Black is currently performing in his live shows. The intro of guitars, drums and screams is terrific, as well as Francis's singing 'Your head can go real screw... with saucers cha-sing you'.\\nThe UK surf version of 'Wave of Mutilation' is haunting and probably better than the original.\\nInto the White is Kim Deal's moment. Her singing proves again that she has the sexiest voice in Rock'n'Roll. I'm also very fond on the rythem guitar here, especially the distortion filled part in the chorus.\\nMake believe is a hysterical song about Debbie Gibson, sang by David Loveering. It is honestly strange, to here the Pixies with a NORMAL singer. Lovering is very competente, and he sings sweetly, which in a way comes as a shock.\\nMy favorite track in this CD, and one of my top 10 Pixies songs, is Baily's Walk. A song about a homeless who after every few steps had to stop, spin, and tap himself on the head. It's one of Black's most powerful vocal achievements, a song that is eery and appealing at the same time, quite yet powerful. In short - the Pixies at their very best.\\nEven the weaker songs in the first 10 are very interesting - Manta Ray and Wierd in My School shine through Joey's guitars and Kim's hyper backup vocals, and it's allways nice to here songs like Vamos again...\\nThe next 8 songs aren't quite as good, mostly because they don't contain original songs. 'The Thing' is just a cut from the Pixies's 'The Happening', and 'Letter to Memphis' is an instrumental version of one of the Pixies's best. Velvety is another instrumental, while 'theme from Narc' is a bizarre injoke, which really doesn't work for me. As for the Niel Young covers, the most interesting is 'I've Been Waiting For You'. It is interesting because it sounds like a Breeder song, and you can see the great influence Young had on Kim Deal. Build High is silly and Santos is cute, but not much more.\\nOverall, this is a great purchase for Pixies fanatics like me. If you're not a Fantatic, get all their albums first, than buy this.\",\n \"Product: This is the long awaited fourth installment of George R R Martin's classic \\\"A Song of Ice and Fire\\\", continuing the most ambitious and imaginative epic fantasy since \\\"The Lord of the Rings\\\". \\\"A Feast for Crows\\\" brings to life dark magic, intrigue, and terrible bloodshed as the war-torn landscape of the Seven Kingdoms is threatened by destruction as vast as any in its violent past. The War of the Five Kings has ripped Westeros apart. The bloodthirsty, treacherous and cunning Lannisters occupy the Iron Throne, with allies as ruthless as themselves. Lord Frey was host at the Red Wedding, so called for the massacre of the guests, their screams unheard above the music of the feast. Euron Crow's Eye is as black a pirate as ever raised a sail, sworn to deliver the whole of Westeros to the ironborn. No less to be feared are their enemies. The Starks of Winterfell and the Martells of Dorne seek vengeance for their dead. And the last of the Targaryens, Daenerys Stormborn, will bring fire and blood to King's Landing when her young dragons reach their terrifying maturity. The last war fought with dragons was a cataclysm powerful enough to shatter the Valyrian peninsula, now a smoking, demon-haunted ruin half drowned by the sea. Against a backdrop of alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel! and the coldest hearts.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Return of the King\\n\\nReview: Five long, long years ago, a nineteen year old (going on twenty) college student finished \\\"A Storm of Swords\\\", with the tremendous revelation of the transformation of Catelyn Stark, the demise of Tywin Lannister, the fall of Lysa Arryn, with a changed, war ravaged Westeros- and with the prospect of a two years wait for \\\"A Dance with Dragons\\\", where all these plotlines, and more, would be continued.\\n\\nTime passed. The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process has failed and rose and collapsed again. The Twin Towers have fallen, as has the regime of Sadam Hussein. George W. Bush is still the American President, properly elected this time. The college student is now in another country, with a new job and new complications. I've known love bitter and true, met new people and seen new places, had new experiences. I've fronted a rock band and stopped, almost entirely, reading Fantasy fiction. I've AGED.\\n\\nAs for George R. R. Martin, too, things have changed. The Dragons will still dance, but not in this book. Now the Crows are feasting, and the planned gap between the events of books 3 and 4 in A Song of Ice and Fire is gone- along with Martin's assurances that there will be six books and six only.\\n\\nSo, across this gap - a new world, a different reader, an altogether different book then the one expected - what does the 25 year old me say about the continuation of the saga I fell in love with in my teens? Does it still hold out? What it the verdict?\\n\\nWell, it's utterly, absolutely, no holds barrel brilliant.\\n\\nOh, there are faults. There always has been. This series is imperfect, and from a technical point of view, this volume is the weakest in the series, so far. Critics are right to complain about the pace, about the absence of our favorite characters, of Brienne running into all of the characters from \\\"A Storm of Swords\\\". The structure is weaker as well - do we really need three new point of view characters each for the events of Dorn and the Iron Islands? Davos had been all the eyes we ever needed for Stannis's Court - why do we need so many onlookers on the Dornish Marshes?\\n\\nBut this is not the point and never has been. Martin's books are about his world, his dream, his characters and history and drama. Its about the creeping magic and the gathering storm, it's about the bloody aftermath as well as the glorious battles, and the way in which the great revolutions leave a terrible after taste. The War of the Five Kings is over. This is the aftermath - it's messy, it's terrible - and, like the rest of A Song of Ice and Fire, it's true to real life (with Dragons).\\n\\nUnlike the previous books, a Feast for Crows is more a character study then an action thriller. Meet Tywin Lannister's sister, Genna, and her observation that Tyrion, and Jaime, is Tywin's son. See Jaime's Lannister's hurt from the betrayal of his sister. Meet Sansa Stark's struggles to survive, and Samwell's Tarly struggles for honor. Encounter the Master Aemon Targaryen, in exile from his last home on the wall. This is their story. This is the Song of Ice and Fire.\\n\\nSo the twenty-five years old me closed the last pages of \\\"A Feast for Crows\\\" with all the reverence that my nineteen years old self opened \\\"A Game of Thrones\\\". I hope that I won't have to wait another five years to read the first lines of \\\"A Dance with Dragons\\\", but as long as the Song is true, the signs that time leave on both the Singer and the Audience will not prevent me from asking for an encore.\",\n \"Product: The Sunday Times bestselling biography of one of the towering figures in British history who became Prime Minister at the age of twenty-four, written by the youngest-ever leader of the Tory Party. The younger William Pitt -- known as the 'schoolboy' -- began his days as Prime Minister in 1783 deeply underestimated and completely beleaguered. Yet he annihilated his opponents in the General Election the following year and dominated the governing of Britain for twenty-two years, nearly nineteen of them as Prime Minister. No British politician since then has exercised such supremacy for so long. Pitt presided over dramatic changes in the country's finances and trade, brought about the union with Ireland, but was ultimately consumed by the years of debilitating war with France. Domestic crises included unrest in Ireland, deep division in the royal family, the madness of the King and a full-scale naval mutiny. He enjoyed huge success, yet died at the nadir of his fortunes, struggling to maintain a government beset by a thin majority at home and military disaster abroad; he worked, worried and drank himself to death. Finally his story is told with the drama, wit and authority it deserves.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The Age of Pitt\\n\\nReview: I'm trying to think what I knew about the politics of late 18th century Britain before I read William Hague's well written biography of William Pitt the Younger, imaginatively named just that. Not much. I knew about Edmund Burke and his opposition to the French Revolution. I knew a few military leaders from reading about the American Revolution. I've seen the brilliant film about King George the Third's madness, and I vaguely knew that there were two William Pitts, father and son, who dominated British Political life during that era, and that Pitt the younger was amazingly young when he got elected Prime Minister.\\n\\nNow I know quite a bit more. For one thing, Pitt was not technically \\\"Prime Minister\\\". Rather, he had been \\\"First Lord of the Treasury\\\" which was the most senior position in His Majesty's government. He had served for some twenty years, and has been a member of the House of Commons for most of his life. He has, indeed, been chosen to lead the British government at age 24.\\n\\nHow does so young a man become first Minister to the British crown? The answer is, one is picked by the King. George the Third's alliance with William Pitt was one of convenience - he had loathed the other potential political leaders (Primarily Pitt's arch nemesis Charles James Fox). Pitt was the only member of the House of Commons who had credibility enough to form a government, and whom the King felt he could support.\\n\\nThat is not to say that Pitt's talents had nothing to do with with his meteoric rise - far from it. Pitt, a great orator, became a leading presence in the House of Commons. With brilliant tactics (and shameless use of patronage), he formed his own party, and later split the opposition Whig party (with the help of the French Revolution) to rule the house with a huge majority. He had also been one of the first British politicians to care about the views of the majority of Britons not represented in Parliament.\\n\\nIt has been Pitt's very success that made him vulnerable; by 1801, the opposition more or less ceased to exist, and the King felt much less reliant on Mr. Pitt. When the First Lord of the Chancellery clashed with the Monarch on the issue of Catholic Emancipation (giving Catholics the right to vote and be elected), the King felt confident enough to flatly refuse Pitt. Pitt resigned rather then serve without full powers.\\n\\nIn 1804, as the Napoleonic Wars got worse, Pitt returned to office. This time his coalition was shakier, and he probably wouldn't have lasted long as Prime Minister had he not died in January 1806, at the age of 46.\\n\\nWilliam Hague, a one time would be Tory PM, who had been compared to Pitt the younger by none other then Margaret Thatcher, offer a very readable and compelling biography. His book is not particularly analytical, but it is very well written and researched. I wish Hague would have put Pitt more in context, both of British and International Politics (we get no mention of America after the Revolution, no word of the remaining colonies, and very little about the internal politics of any other country save France), and the industrial revolution. Nonetheless, as someone who doesn't read many biographies, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Whatever the merits of Hague as a politician, he has a future as a historian.\\n\\n(By the way, my copy of the book contains a recommendation by British Tory PM John Major \\\"If you only buy one political biography this year, make it this one\\\". Talk about damning with faint praise. I guess it could have been worse \\\"If you only buy one biography of an 18th century British politician named Pitt in December...\\\")\\n\\nSpeaking of Merits, how should we assess the statesmanship of William Pitt the younger? Ultimately, I think Pitt was a very competent, but not great, Prime Minister. In his first decade as prime minister, Britain enjoyed Peace, and Pitt managed to survive as Prime Minister, expand his coalition somewhat, rationalize the tax system, and begin to balance the government's deficit. The reduction of the deficit, with view for its ultimate extinction, was Pitt's greatest achievement, albeit one that was aided greatly by the fast growing economy in the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, and that all but disappeared when the wars of the French Revolution started.\\n\\nOther then economically, Pitt managed to achieve few if any of the reforms he had supported. He failed to reform the electorate, abolish the slave trade, or (later) achieve Catholic emancipation.\\n\\nAs War leader, Pitt commanded over a mostly unsuccessful war effort, which saw the rise of three coalitions against the armies of the French Revolution, and later Napoleon. French forces defeated all in term, and Pitt died just days after receiving word of Napoleon's greatest Victory in the Battle of Austerlitz.\\n\\nThis is not to say that Pitt was a failure. He had been a strong supporter of the navy, and British control of the Seas became an unalterable fact under his watch, and due to his effort and leadership. Pitt had secured the Unification of the British and Irish Parliament. Both achievements would last for over a century. Politically, Pitt planted the roots of the Tory party, and managed to survive various crises, including the insanity of his patron, George III. If nothing else, Pitt has led his nation through some of the most difficult transformations of its age, internal and external. And while there had still been a long road ahead, by the time Pitt passed away, Britain has surely reached, in Churchill's terms, \\\"The End of the Beginning\\\".\",\n \"Product: From the much-loved, witty and excoriating voice of journalist Nick Cohen, a powerful and irreverent dissection of the agonies, idiocies and compromises of mainstream liberal thought. Nick Cohen comes from the Left. While growing up, his mother would search the supermarket shelves for politically reputable citrus fruit and despair. When, at the age of 13, he found out that his kind and thoughtful English teacher voted Conservative, he nearly fell off his chair: 'To be good, you had to be on the Left.' Today he's no less confused. When he looks around him, in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, he sees a community of Left-leaning liberals standing on their heads. Why is it that apologies for a militant Islam that stands for everything the liberal-Left is against come from a section of the Left? After the American and British wars in Bosnia and Kosovo against Slobodan Milosevic's ethnic cleansers, why were men and women of the Left denying the existence of Serb concentration camps? Why is Palestine a cause for the liberal-Left, but not, for instance, China, the Sudan, Zimbabwe or North Korea? Why can't those who say they support the Palestinian cause tell you what type of Palestine they would like to see? After the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington why were you as likely to read that a sinister conspiracy of Jews controlled American or British foreign policy in a liberal literary journal as in a neo-Nazi rag? It's easy to know what the Left is fighting against - the evils of Bush and corporations - but what and, more to the point, who are they fighting for? As he tours the follies of the Left, Nick Cohen asks us to reconsider what it means to be liberal in this confused and topsy-turvy time. With the angry satire of Swift, he reclaims the values of democracy and solidarity that united the movement against fascism, and asks: What's Left?\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: The Left Hand of Darkness\\n\\nReview: Nick Cohen's well written book is not quite an Encyclopedia of all things Left, but it's close. Where else can you read about Ernst Bevin and Jacques Derrida, Celebrity Big Brother and the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the bloody history of the Baath party?\\n\\nIt's hard to argue with Cohen's main thesis: There are many in the Left for whom the loathing of everything western, particularly everything American, erases any sense of moral perspective. Thus the Liberals and the Lefts support the worst kind of anti-Westerners: racists, fascists, terrorists - anything goes as long as you're against America.\\n\\nAs an Israeli, I'm most attuned the anti-Semitic instances (but there are many others): As I'm writing this, the British Union of Colleges and Universities has cast another academic boycott of Israel. That decision is patently anti-Semitic: It singles out Israel from other nations. Alan Dershowitz is fond of quoting an exchange with Harvard's racist president in the 1920s, A. Lawrence Lowell:\\n\\nLowell decided that the number of Jews admitted to Harvard should be reduced because \\\"Jews cheat.\\\" When a distinguished alumnus, Judge Learned Hand, pointed out that Protestants also cheat, Lowell responded, \\\"You're changing the subject; we're talking about Jews.\\\"\\n\\nSupporters of the Boycott of Israel will happily tell you all about the horrors of Israel's occupation of the West Bank, (while ignoring or excusing Palestinian terrorism), but they won't tell you what kind of criteria exists for boycotting Israel rather then the US, Russia, China or Sudan. That this sort of blatant racism is now heralded by Leftists and Liberals is symptomatic of a wider spread malady - the Left's crisis of faith.\\n\\nNick Cohen tracks the roots of the Left's crisis to many sources: I think he's right that the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of Socialism as a viable option had much to do with it. I'm less certain that Deconstruction and the Nazi-Soviet pact are really direct causes. But whatever it's causes are, the left today knows what it is against: America, the West and Israel, but is far less certain about what it is for - which allows it support the Ayatollah Regime in Iran, murderous Baathists in Iraq, Castro's dictatorship in Cuba and Kaddafi's in Libya: in short, everyone who is against the West.\\n\\nNick Cohen rightly lashes against these trends. But even as he takes us back to 19th century Russia or to the wildest domains of French pseudo-intellectualism, the central point is always Iraq.\\n\\nCohen supported the Iraq war. Maybe he supports it still. He does not like the Bush administration and its lies and deceits. He acknowledges that there was a good case against the war; but the enthusiasm of the European crowd, their march against Bush became almost a celebration of Saddam's rule. In Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, pictures of pre-invasion Iraq are always idealic: the ethnic cleansing, the prison abuses, the rapes, the one-party-rule and Saddam's personality cult go entirely unmentioned. That the left could be against the war is understandable. That they could be so oblivious to Saddam Hussein is troubling.\\n\\nThe Iraq War raises the question of Cohen's affinity to an earlier generation of disillusioned Lefties: The Neo-Conservatives. Although the Neo-Conservative alliance is a complex one, at its heart were a group of Lefties who revolted against the moral relativism of the extreme Left in much the same way Cohen does. They remained committed to Liberal causes such as human rights and the welfare state, but rejected the Left's descent into relativism, anarchism and moral blindness. (See George Packer's <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Assassins-Gate-America-in-Iraq/dp/0374530556/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq</a> for an intellectual group biography).\\n\\nIt is easy to identify with the Neo-Cons critique and with Cohen's rage. But when Neo-Conservatives came to power, thirty years after their parting of the ways from the Leftist establishment, a terrible thing happened: The Iraq War. The bankruptcy of the Neo-Cons would be the Death of the Cohenesque Left (dare we call it Eustonian Left after the famous Euston manifesto?)\\n\\nThere are, currently, three major schools of thoughts about how the West should treat \\\"The Rest\\\", and particularly the Middle East. According to the Chomskyan approach which Cohen targets, the West is responsible for everything bad that happens anywhere in the world. The root of Terrorism is in the justified grievances of Palestinians, Saudis, Afghanis, etc, etc. Once these grievances would be assuaged, the problems in the Middle East: The Dictatorships, the Terrorist regimes, the extreme fundamentalists would go away. This is what Cohen goes out against: It is the main target of his books.\\n\\nThe second approach is realism: the view that the Middle East is dangerous and unstable and the West should seek to stabilize it by negotiating with the dictators in it, supporting client states such as Saudi Arabia against internal and external enemies. This is a gloomy view, and unlikely to appeal to Leftists. It calls, explicitly and unshamefully, for the maintenance of the Status Quo, the anathema of anything progressives.\\n\\nThe alternative offered by the Neo Conservatives was muscular democracy: No longer shall the West sit quite while genocide and oppression takes place within other countries. \\\"No man is an island\\\" said Donne, and the absence of Freedom for Iraqis is a problem for Westerners as well, who should help - militarily if necessary - in the over through of Dictatorships. This is a grand vision, suitable for the Left. It has also led to the greatest foreign policy failure in living memory.\\n\\nThis is not the place for a post mortem of the Iraq War. But clearly, its failure has discredited the Neo-Cons, and thus also the prospects of Eustonian Leftists to reverse the Left's trend towards nihilism and Chomskyan accomodationism. Unless the Neo-Conservative project can be resuscitated - and I see scant hope of that happening anytime soon - or unless some previously unthought-of of policy would emerge, Leftists stand to chose between Noam Chomsky and Henry Kissinger. And for most Leftists, that is not a hard choice.\",\n \"Product: The fourth volume of A Song of Ice and Fire, the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, featuring a stellar cast. . The Lannisters are in power on the Iron Throne. The war in the Seven Kingdoms has burned itself out, but in its bitter aftermath new conflicts spark to life. The Martells of Dorne and the Starks of Winterfell seek vengeance for their dead. Euron Crow's Eye, as black a pirate as ever raised a sail, returns from the smoking ruins of Valyria to claim the Iron Isles. From the icy north, where Others threaten the Wall, apprentice Maester Samwell Tarly brings a mysterious babe in arms to the Citadel. As plots, intrigue and battle threaten to engulf Westeros, victory will go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel and the coldest hearts.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Return of the King\\n\\nReview: Five long, long years ago, a nineteen year old (going on twenty) college student finished \\\"A Storm of Swords\\\", with the tremendous revelation of the transformation of Catelyn Stark, the demise of Tywin Lannister, the fall of Lysa Arryn, with a changed, war ravaged Westeros- and with the prospect of a two years wait for \\\"A Dance with Dragons\\\", where all these plotlines, and more, would be continued.\\n\\nTime passed. The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process has failed and rose and collapsed again. The Twin Towers have fallen, as has the regime of Sadam Hussein. George W. Bush is still the American President, properly elected this time. The college student is now in another country, with a new job and new complications. I've known love bitter and true, met new people and seen new places, had new experiences. I've fronted a rock band and stopped, almost entirely, reading Fantasy fiction. I've AGED.\\n\\nAs for George R. R. Martin, too, things have changed. The Dragons will still dance, but not in this book. Now the Crows are feasting, and the planned gap between the events of books 3 and 4 in A Song of Ice and Fire is gone- along with Martin's assurances that there will be six books and six only.\\n\\nSo, across this gap - a new world, a different reader, an altogether different book then the one expected - what does the 25 year old me say about the continuation of the saga I fell in love with in my teens? Does it still hold out? What it the verdict?\\n\\nWell, it's utterly, absolutely, no holds barrel brilliant.\\n\\nOh, there are faults. There always has been. This series is imperfect, and from a technical point of view, this volume is the weakest in the series, so far. Critics are right to complain about the pace, about the absence of our favorite characters, of Brienne running into all of the characters from \\\"A Storm of Swords\\\". The structure is weaker as well - do we really need three new point of view characters each for the events of Dorn and the Iron Islands? Davos had been all the eyes we ever needed for Stannis's Court - why do we need so many onlookers on the Dornish Marshes?\\n\\nBut this is not the point and never has been. Martin's books are about his world, his dream, his characters and history and drama. Its about the creeping magic and the gathering storm, it's about the bloody aftermath as well as the glorious battles, and the way in which the great revolutions leave a terrible after taste. The War of the Five Kings is over. This is the aftermath - it's messy, it's terrible - and, like the rest of A Song of Ice and Fire, it's true to real life (with Dragons).\\n\\nUnlike the previous books, a Feast for Crows is more a character study then an action thriller. Meet Tywin Lannister's sister, Genna, and her observation that Tyrion, and Jaime, is Tywin's son. See Jaime's Lannister's hurt from the betrayal of his sister. Meet Sansa Stark's struggles to survive, and Samwell's Tarly struggles for honor. Encounter the Master Aemon Targaryen, in exile from his last home on the wall. This is their story. This is the Song of Ice and Fire.\\n\\nSo the twenty-five years old me closed the last pages of \\\"A Feast for Crows\\\" with all the reverence that my nineteen years old self opened \\\"A Game of Thrones\\\". I hope that I won't have to wait another five years to read the first lines of \\\"A Dance with Dragons\\\", but as long as the Song is true, the signs that time leave on both the Singer and the Audience will not prevent me from asking for an encore.\",\n \"Product: \\\"An important book...in terms of helping an entire generation of scholars who profess to have lost confidence in being historians.\\\"\\\"--New York Times Book Review\\\"\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Fischer Gave Name to All the Fallacies\\n\\nReview: ...and then some\\n\\n The study of history carries with it a load of fascinating philosophical and epistemological questions. Beyond such generalities such as \\\"what is the nature of truth?\\\", historians have to decide which facts are relevant to the case they are studying, what are causes in history, and how to make a narrative, a book or a mathematical model, that will capture something significant of the world.\\n\\n All of these are interesting questions, but except peripherally, David Hackett Fischer doesn't discuss them. Rather, Fischer tries to track down specific fallacies that historians commit, and spell them out, apparently in order to help other scholars avoid them.\\n\\n \\\"Historians' Fallacies\\\" is basically a collection and a catalogue of errors, some well known ones, such as \\\"the fallacy of post hoc, propter hoc\\\" (following, therefore caused by, p. 166) or \\\"the pathetic fallacy\\\" (ascribing animate behavior to inanimate objects, pp. 190-193) and some as obscure as \\\"the fallacy of indiscriminate pluralism\\\" (enumerating multiple causes without discrimination, pp. 175-177).\\n\\n There are at least three commendable aspects to Fischer's study. First, Fischer is a fine writer, with remarkable turns of phrases: \\\"Sir Lewis [Namier] was no enemy of chosenness in either facts or people. He was, indeed, a committed Zionist in both respects.\\\" (p. 69).\\n\\nAnother is Fischer's willingness to name names. Too many critics prefer uses such as \\\"many writers\\\", etc, but although Fischer does occasionally shies away (such as in his discussion of ad hominem attacks pp. 290-293), he's generally willing to openly criticize some leading historians and intellectuals. Nor does Fischer satisfy himself with attacking such usual suspects as Robert Fogel, Arthur Schlesinger Jr. and Arnold Toynbee; Everyone who has any interest at all in American intellectual history of the 20th century will find at least some of his or hers heroes under fire. Historians from Charles Beard to E.P. Thompson, from economist Kenneth Boulding (who was the mentor of one of my college professors) to Henry Kissinger. My favorite is the critique of Southern historian C. Vann Woodward:\\n\\n\\\"Through two revisions, the author has held his ground with a tenacity worthy of a better cause. The result is another fallacy - the overwhelming exception. We are now told that the interpretation applies to all Southern institutions except churches, schools, militia, hotels, restaurants, public buildings, jails, hospitals, asylums, gardens, and the New Orleans Opera House\\\" (p. 149 n).\\n\\nA third highpoint of the book is that it sometimes hits the bull's eye. Under \\\"the fallacy of semantical questions\\\", Fischer criticizes historians who focus on labels instead of content such as the 'prolonged dispute among American colonial historians over the question \\\"Was the political structure of seventeenth-century America 'democratic' or 'Aristocratic'?\\\"' (p. 22). If you've never read studies who committed the same offence, you will not recognize the immense desire to strangle a historian who does.\\n\\nBut in the attempt to describe the errors of Historians, Fischer falls to the same trap that my Business courses in college fell into - they tried to make laws and regularities of something that if far too context dependant for that. So almost all the time, what you've got is specific instances of erring historians, with fallacies which say something like \\\"don't exaggerate\\\", \\\"do careful research\\\" and \\\"use sound judgment\\\".\\n\\nWhen it comes to generalize, to give positive insight as how to go on a historian's business, Fischer's advice is invariably trivial, true-but-obvious. \\\"Motives are usually pluralistic in both their number and their nature. Abraham Maslow writes, 'typically an act has more than one motive'. To this, one might add that it has motives of more than one kind.\\\" Oh really? (p. 214)\\n\\nMaybe some of my criticism of Fischer's book is (as he might have said) anachronistic. Fischer objects to unnecessary jargon: \\\"Ordinary everyday words like \\\"simple\\\" are replaced by monstrosities such as \\\"simplistic\\\" without any refinement of meaning\\\" (p. 285). Today, I doubt anyone would write about a simple solution while meaning a simplistic one, but maybe in the 1960s the distinction was not as clear.\\n\\nWithin the point by point critiques of Historians' errors, there seems to be an overarching thesis that remains implicit, but that guides Fischer's thought process: the inevitability of history, or the assumption that events are caused by the forces of history, rather then the actions of individuals.\\n\\nFischer calls the \\\"fallacy of responsibility as cause\\\", confusing the problem of agency with that of ethics (pp. 182-183). If I understand him correctly, he seems to argue that individual leaders are not responsible to wide scale events: \\\"The cause of the failure of Reconstruction race policy muse surely be sought in general phenomena for which no free and responsible human agent can be held to blame\\\" (Ibid.). Is Fischer really saying that there was nothing that, say, Andrew Johnson or Grant could've done better? Or that it wouldn't have mattered? If he does, then he robs human beings of their abilities to change the future. That's a highly controversial (and clearly metaphysical) position, and one that clashes with his call for using history as a way to teach people rationality (pp. 316-318).\\n\\nDespite its frequent wit and occasional insights, Fischer's book does not quite illuminate a path for other historians to follow. I don't think we're any closer to a logic of historical thought than we were before.\",\n \"Product: \\\"The Third Reich in Power\\\" examines how it was possible for a group of ideological obsessive to remould a society famous for its sophistication and complexity into a one-party state directed at war and race hate. Richard J. Evans shows how the Nazis won over the hearts and minds of German citizens, twisted science, religion and culture, and transformed the economy, education, law and order to achieve total dominance in German politics and society. Drawing on an extraordinary range of research, blending narrative, description and analysis he creates a picture of a dictatorship consumed by visceral hatreds and ambitions and driven by war.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: The Ceremony of Innocence is Drowned...\\n\\nReview: \\\"The Third Reich in Power\\\" is the second part of Richard J. Evans's projected trilogy on the Nazi Dictatorship. The first book, <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Coming-of-the-Third-Reich/dp/0143034693/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Coming of the Third Reich</a>, narrated German history since Bismarck, explaining how the various elements of what we know as Nazism grew during the 19th century, intensified as a result of Germany's defeat during the Great War, and then rose to power following the Great Depression and the inept political leadership of both the traditional right and left.\\n\\n\\\"The Third Reich in Power\\\" picks up where the previous volume has left. Hitler's regime is now in power, but it is not in control. Even at their prime, the Nazis never won a majority of the popular vote. Most Germans had at best a partial allegiance of the regime, undermined (at least in Nazi eyes) by their association with the Churches or the trade unions. Although competing political parties where quickly outlawed, the former Social Democrats and Communists were no fans of the regime, and the Conservative circle around President Hindenburg had allowed Hitler to assume the chancellery of Germany, but had expected full well to remain in control. Pockets of -potential- resistance existed in the Universities and the armed forces, and even inside the Nazi Sturmabteilung (better known as the SA). And of course, there were the Jews, the mythical, eternal enemies.\\n\\n Most of the volume details how the Nazi state dealt with the challenges of winning over the German population. The means included propaganda, control of the media, Arts and Press, Nazified education system, popular programs of Social redistribution such as Strength Through Joy, a program offering subsidized cultural and social events for the people, an economic recovery and the prestige won through the regime's foreign policy triumphs. But they also included darker means - concentration camps and secret police, military purges, racial laws and even Pogroms.\\n\\nEvans divides his book to theme based chapters, one for the Arts and the Press, one for Religion and Education, and one each exploring the Police State, the Economy, the Racial Laws, and Foreign Policy. As in his previous volumes, Evans manages to 'hit' all the best known items in the Third Reich. So we encounter Leni Riefenstahl directing \\\"The Triumph of the Will\\\", Eichmann directing the Aryanization of Jews, The Catholic Anti-Nazi encyclical Mit Brennender Sorge, and Martin Neimuller's poem \\\"First they came...\\\"\\n\\nEvan's narrative is best when he manages to demonstrate the effects the Nazi regime had over the lives of simple people. The travails of best selling author Rudolf Ditzen, for example, are page turning, and demonstrate the difficulty of living under Germany's dictatorship even if one was neither a political opponent nor a handicapped nor a Jew (pp. 149-152).\\n\\nAs in the previous volume, Evans's thoroughness as a researcher is sometimes at odds with his Powers as story teller, and we are sometimes subjected to fatiguing details of disciplines in Nazi Prisons or Bureaucratic infighting. Furthermore, some of the best parts are narratives from fairly well known German diarists, such as Jewish Literature Professor Victor Klemperer and League of German Girls activist Melita Maschmann.\\n\\nUnfortunately, in my view, Evans mostly spares the reader the details of scholarship controversy. Only the footnotes contain hints of controversy regarding Nazi influence in Universities, the Fuhrer's involvement in the regime, and the Nazi's status as \\\"Hitler's Willing Executioners\\\". The most interesting question of the Nazi economic recovery, whether or not the Nazis pursued a progressive Keynesian recovery program, is hinted to but not developed enough.\\n\\nThe major insight I gained from \\\"The Third Reich in Power\\\" was the centrality of Hitler's projected eventual European War on the Third Reich. Everything in Nazi Germany was subordinate to the needs of Rearmament, and Hitler risked endangering the economic recovery and the quest for Autarky, and even the pace of the Anti-Jewish persecution, in order to achieve readiness.\\n\\nAnd the War Came... the culmination of the Nazi Project, the fight for Lebensraum and eventual world domination, occurred when Britain had finally abandoned its policy of Appeasement and declared War on Germany, following Hitler's invasion of Poland. Although the German people were far from enthusiastic about the War, they had followed their leader, and they had now answered to his call. Everything the Nazi Regime had worked for was set to come during the War: the Solution of the Nation's perceived need for Space and Resources, the regaining of the lost position of Germany as the World Leader, and the solution, as last final, the Jewish Problem. But Evans's account stops now, and we must patiently wait for his last volume, \\\"The Third Reich at War\\\"\",\n \"Product: David Reynolds is Professor of International History at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Christ's College. He is the author of two prize winning studies of Anglo-American relations in World War Two - The Creation of the Anglo-American Alliance, 1937-1941 and Rich Relations: the American Occupation of Britain, 1942-1945 - and One World Divisible: A Global History Since 1945.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Through a Glass, All Too Clearly\\n\\nReview: Winston Churchill fought WW2 twice - once between 1939 and 1945, as a minister and later prime minister during Britain's 'Finest Hour', and again, a few years later, while writing \\\"The Second World War\\\". David Reynolds tells the story of Churchill's memoirs, how they came to be, how they reflected and deferred from what actually happened, and what their influence has been.\\n\\nChurchill had contemplated writing his memoirs while serving as Lord of the Admiralty and as Prime Minister during the War. After the first world war, Churchill had written \\\"The World Crises\\\" which Lord Balfour had described as \\\"Winston's brilliant autobiography, disguised as a history of the universe\\\" (quoted on p. 5). Churchill clearly thought to use his material later, going to lengths to mark his telegrams \\\"personal\\\" as to override official secret policies (p. 28). Since before the war, Churchill was prone to statements such as \\\"History will say that the Right Honorable Gentleman was wrong in this matter. Pause. Broad grin \\\"I know it, because I shall write that history\\\". (pp. 37-8). Thus, Churchill's conduct during WW2 was to some extent influenced by his intention to later officially record it.\\n\\nRather than a personal memoir, \\\"The Second World War\\\" was a history of the conflict, centered upon Churchill and structured around his memories and war time memos, it nonetheless explored most aspects of the War. Churchill headed a complex operation (dubbed \\\"the syndicate\\\") of researchers, historians, ex-soldiers and bureaucrats, who did most of the writing. Among Reynolds's most fascinating insights is that Churchill's memoirs were an \\\"unofficially official\\\" history of the Second World War, promoted by and encouraged by Whitehall as a way to get Britain's version of the War across. Senior Civil Servants played an important role in the memoirs, allowing the publication of a mass of documents and even writing some of the text.\\n\\nChurchill's History is biased in several ways: Perhaps inevitably, Churchill tends to make himself more far sighted in retrospect. His account in \\\"The Gathering Storm\\\", of his war against appeasement, makes him seem a much stauncher opponent of appeasement much earlier then he really had been. Similarly, following the Fall of France, Churchill had privately had doubts about the possibility of final victory. But his histories follow his public persona and emphasis his belligerency. Churchill excuses the Norway invasion, and generally casts himself in a positive light.\\n\\nUnlike most memoir writers, Churchill had been a prominent politician and a world statesman when writing \\\"The Second World War\\\" - the last volume was written while he was prime minister for the second time. Thus the memoirs were \\\"Diplomatic history\\\", history that was very careful not to hurt Britain's interests or insult allies (particularly Eisenhower). Churchill was very conscious of writing for the present and the future, not for the past.\\n\\nReynolds' book recounts all this and much more. It covers Churchill's financial benefits from the books (between 18 and 50 million dollars in current terms, pp. 533-534), his working habits (which included 'working vacations' at the publishers' expense) and the critical reactions to the book - overwhelmingly, but not unanimously, favorable. Throughout Reynolds' book is always well written, and much of it is fascinating, but it does have the draw back of getting into unnecessary details, dissecting all kinds of quarrels between Churchill ad his various generals or officials, or going at length about the inaccuracies in description of minor military operations. Much of Reynolds' book is commentary on Churchill, and might have been more useful as annotation than as a self sustained monograph, particularly for those, like me, who have only a general knowledge of WW2 and who have not read Churchill's 6 volumes.\\n\\nOf all the major war leaders Churchill was the one who had published his memoirs soon after the War; Hitler, Roosevelt and Mussolini had died before the war ended. Stalin published nothing, while De Gaulle delayed publishing until the late 1950s. This is partly why, Reynolds considers Churchill to have been \\\"In Command of History\\\" He suggests that Churchill had ruled historiography ever since, at least in the English speaking nations.\\n\\nBut throughout, Churchill's account has been contested; He has not managed to convince the public at large that he was an enthusiastic about Overlord, nor to achieve unanimous support for his actions in Yalta. His attempt to pin the blame for the 'appeasement' of the Soviets on the American military command following the Normandy invasion had failed, and his marginalization of the Eastern front could not outlast the Cold War. For all his greatness, Churchill could no more command the War of History as he could control the War in Asia and in Europe.\",\n \"Product: 'The intricately plotted progress of characters from near to farfuture...on an Earth which, like an abandon playground, has long ago been left behind by an evolving humanity...human-scale action within a vast canvas' The Excyclopedia of Science Fiction. Encompassing time-travel, powerful mystery and the future history of humanity to its last handful of survivors, Across Realtime spans millions of years and isan utterly engrossing SF classic. 'You can hardly turn the pages fast enough. As sheer entertainment, it's a winner' Locus\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Mind-blowing-idea SF at its finest\\n\\nReview: Across Realtime (My version) is an omnibus collection of two novels by Vernor Vinge: The Peace War, and Marooned in Realtime. The Second book, especially, is among the best SF books I've read.\\nThe Peace War is, seemingly, a fairly standard SF novel: in a post apocalyptic world, a dictatorship took over, and the brave heroes fight it off. Except that it is much more than that - Vinge's talent, his characters and his ideas all turn this B movie premise to an original, powerful SF novel. Especially important is Vinge's simple but brilliant invention of the 'Bubble's - spheres which are completely shielded off the world, in which time doesn't move.\\n'Marrooned in Realtime' takes the premise established in the first novel, and pushes it beyond belief. The beginning of 'Marooned', especially, is idea oriented SD at it's finest - you read going WOW every two seconds.\\nIdea oriented SF is probnably the hardest thing in the universe to write - you need not only to know how to write well, not only to understand science, but also to come up with a scientific idea which has mind opening reprecussions. I think I can count on 1 hand the number of times I've seen Idea oriented SF done right - this is one of the prime examples.\\nIf you're a lover of SF, Across Realtime will be a parade of ideas, characters, action and thrills. So don't miss it.\",\n \"Product: Benzion Netanyahu was born in March 25, 1910. He is an historian and a professor emeritus at Cornell University. He served as secretary to Ze'ev Jabotinshy, and was a Revisionist leader of the Zionist Movement in the United States. He has three sons: Yonatan (killed at Entebbe), Benjamin (Israeli Prime Minister, 1996-99, 2009-present), and Iddo.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The End of a Line\\n\\nReview: The late professor Benzion Netanyahu, father of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was well known as a scholar of Judaism in the Middle Ages, and as a hardline right wing zionist ideologue. This book, actually a collection of essays, most of which were written before the foundation of the state of Israel, offers a partial view on some key personalities in Zionism, and especially in Revisionist (Right Wing) Zionism. The title itself is misleading - surely no list which excludes Chaim Weitzman and David Ben Gurion can be an account of \\\"the\\\" founders of Zionism, no more than a list of America's founders can be complete with only Jefferson, Madison and Monroe and without Washington and Hamilton.\\n\\nZionism is the ideology that the Jews are a people who deserve their own national homeland, like all other peoples. Early on, Netanyahu argues that the Jews had their \\\"national consciousness... developed to its maximum degree\\\". But such mystical notions are hardly elaborated upon, and no evidence is brought forward to sustain them. More plausiblely, later chapters locate the root of the Zionist ideology in the rejection of Jews by European society: Europe's Jews tried to assimilate to the nationalism of their host nations (they key figure here in German denker Heine); Failing that, they tried to oppose all nationalism in name of universalism (a movement epitomized by Marx) and only when this dream failed, the Jews turned to their own nationalism (e.g. Herzl).\\n\\nThe notion that Jews went through a deterministic, Holometabolistic process in the 19th century, turning from German, French and Russian Larva to full grown Zionist butterflys is of course far fetched; Some jews - like Arthur Koestler - developed in the opposite direction - and other Jews failed to \\\"develop\\\" at all. But it is likely that increased antiSemitism in the later 19th and early 20th century played a key role inconvincing Jews of the necessity of a Zionist solution to the \\\"Jewish Problem\\\".\\n\\nThis raises the question of whether Zionism is a parochial solution to a temporary problem. For well over a century, America's Jews have found US nationalism to be fully inviting; I'm no expert on Latin America, but as far as I know Jews do very well there, too. And in postwar Europe, while the situation of Jews is not ideal, there is no hint of the kind of persecution that Netanyahu's heroes warned about. Of course, what goes around comes around, and there is no guarantee that the situation of Jews would remain this way in the future, but there are great costs (both monetary and in terms of human life) to maintaining the Jewish state, and these costs have to be taken into account vis a vis the purely theoretical threat of renewed antiSemitic persecution.\\n\\nI should stress that, even if the threat for Jews was purely temporary, the state of Israel is now an established fact, irrespective of the justifications for its original founding. Its citizens have as much of a right to live in their state as those of any other. Nonetheless, if the primal motivation for its establishment is over, the study of its Founders becomes a matter of purely historical value, as relevant to its current existence as the study of the Norman invasion is to British life today.\\n\\nFor the most part, Netanyahu's study focuses on the Zionist thought and action of his five protagonists. Their personal lives, and their work in the non-Jewish sphere, are sidelined. The major exception is Max Nordau (1849-1923), whose critiques of contemporary European culture, and in particular of the works of Fredreich Nietzsche, are extensively discussed. \\\"Nordau alone realized the significence of Nietzsche's words. He saw them for what they were: destroying flames eating at the pillars of Civilization\\\" (p. 126). Nordau and Netanyahu's reductionist view of Nietzsche is not only troubling in its implied denigration of free speech - if Nietzsche is responsible for the horrors of the twentieth century, surely his writings can and must be suppressed - but particularly because Netanyahu's heroes often sound like Nietzsche stooges.\\n\\nThus Theodore Herzl believed that Jews needed the \\\"courage to rule... to dare and to demand from the world a Jewish state and the power to rule over that state\\\" (p. 102). Jews needed to have, and here Netanyahu explicitly quotes Nietzsche, \\\"The Will to Power\\\" (p. 99). Zionist Founder Israel Zangwill went further, adopting Nietzsche's view of \\\"Chirstian Morality\\\" (sneer quotes in the original) which he \\\"always defined as 'organized hypocricity' since its essence was opposed to the fundamental laws of existence\\\" (p. 171).\\n\\nThis worship of power is telling; The most surprising element of Netanyahu's book, at least for me, was his description of Herzl's Zionist program. Netanyahu's Herzl was masterminding what can only be called a Zionist Imperialist conspiracy against the unsuspecting Arab inhabitants of the Holy land.\\n\\nUnlike his Zionist contemporaries, Herzl recognized that Israel was not \\\"A Land without a People\\\" waiting for a \\\"People without a land\\\". Herzl saw that the inhabitants of Israel, like the \\\"residents of any country\\\" would inevitably oppose foreign immigration. And Herzl opposed the attempts by contemprary Zionist leaders to encourage Jewish immigration to Israel; Premature immigration would cost the Zionists their great advantage: the element of surprise.\\n\\nRather, Herzl wanted immigration to Palestine to start only after achieving international recognition form the world's powers. What kind of recognition? When Herzl had to draw a Charter for the Jewish immigrants to Palestine, he told his lawyer to base it upon \\\"the regulation of the charter corporation of Rhodes... the German corporation in East Africa... that is, according to the laws of settlement of the greatest colonial powers\\\" (p. 85). Even cursery knowledge of these colonial enterprises is enough to freeze anyone's blood, and although, to be fair, the worst abuses of the colonial endeavors have not yet occurred when he wrote these words, Herzl clearly saw that the diplomatic effort would have to be supplanted by force - another key point in Herzl's program was that once the recognition arrived, Jews would immigrate to Israel en masse. En masse, and with an army.\\n\\nIf the implication of Herzl's colonialist-Zionist dream were hidden, perhaps even from the man himself, and if he also held more tender views towards the Arab population he was conspiring against, Herzl's Revisionist successors had no such lofty ideals. Israel Zangwill's agenda was explicit in its solution to the \\\"Arab problem\\\". Ethnic Cleansing, if possible; Subjugation, if not: \\\"A minority will rule the majoirty\\\" was his cri de coeur (p. 176). Zabotinsky went further in his assessment of the Arabs. If Herzl saw their opposition as the inevitable, natural response to the Zionist project, Zabotinsky felt that the opposition was the fault of \\\"those whose policy entices - or more than that - compells those who have a primitive mentality to believe that [voilence] will be treated indulgently\\\". So with Zabotinsky, the revisionist Zionist agenda becomes a racist one.\\n\\nThe only justification for this ideology is the sense of urgency that these men, precient about the fate of European Jewry, had for saving the doomed Civilization. Nordau put it elegantly \\\"Zionism must succed - for otherwise we shall die\\\". Whatever the suffering the Zionist project brought to the land of Palestine, hundreds of thousands of innocent Jews were saved from the horrors of Pogroms, persecution, and inihalation.\\n\\nThis brings us full circle. Whatever the circumstances of its birth, Israel today is a living fact; Undoing the Zionist project is impossible, and would cause great suffering if attempted. Yet the successors of Netanyahu and his heroes still desire for the same solutions to take place in all of the land of Israel, including the West Bank and Gaza. But in a world that is not nearly as hostile to Jewry as that of 20th century Europe, and with a Jewish state in the pre-1967 borders quite able to sustain and save Jews from any unexpected, unlikely catastrophe, I fail to see how the Revisionist agenda can be justified, even in their own terms, in the 21st century.\\n\\nReligious Zionists may talk of a divine promise for the Greater Israel, but absent such Deus Ex Machina, revisionist Zionism has come to an end.\",\n \"Product: First Edition, 2014, first printing, a brand-new, unread, unworn, unopened, unmarked trade softcover, from O/R Books. By Norman G. Finkelstein. ISBN 978-1-939293-46-6. \\\"Like his landmark debunking of Joan Peters's From Time Immemorial, Finkelstein's clinical dissection of My Promised Land by Ari Shavit will be welcomed by those who prefer truth to propaganda, and who yearn for a resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict based on justice, rather than arguments framed by anguish and schmaltz.\\\"--from the back cover.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Witty, but not exactly fair...\\n\\nReview: Full Disclosure: I haven't read Ari Shavit's book that is the subject of Norman Finklestein \\\"Old Wine, Broken Bottle\\\", but I feel I know enough of both Mr. Shavit's writing and the Israeli-Arab conflict to comment briefly on Finkelstein's forceful take down.\\n\\nThis is not a book for novices on the Israeli Palestinian conflict; It is a book that assumes you know a lot about the conflict, and it doesn't bother to let you catch up. Nor is it a fair-minded critique, of either Ari Shavitz or of Israel. It is a brief by a capable advocate very little of what's written here is quite false (although Finkelstein argues that Israel supplied the US false information that contributed to the decision to go to the Iraq War, but the claim which to the best of my knowledge is not true is sourced only to Walt and Mearsheimer's \\\"The Israel Lobby\\\" which is, to put it mildly, a very controversial source). Much of what's in this book is true. But none of it show any empathy to Israel, to attempt to show the issues from its points of view. The end result is quite biased.\\n\\nBut entertaining. Finkelstein is a great, sarcastic writer, and his wit is particularly suited to Shavit's somewhat pompous style. \\\"As a columnist, Shavit's closest American analogue is Thomas Friedman. The Birdman of Alcatraz famously studies ornithology while confined in prison and eventually became a recognized authority. Shavit reads, stylistically, as if he were the Friedman of Alcatraz, locked up in solitary for a decade with only Friedman's columns at hand\\\".\\n\\nSometimes, it is very accurate. Finkelstein points out that there's nothing particularly Jewish about Ari Shavit's Israel. It is a typical Western capitalist society \\\"If the raison d'etre of Israel's founding, and its justification for dispossessing Palestinians, was so that Shavit could live a Jewish \\\"Inner life\\\", he might just as week have stayed in England and married a Shiksa\\\".\\n\\nFinkelstein's book is silent on other elements. Jewish immigration to Palestine was legal based on the laws of the time for most of Pre-state era. Following the partition decision, the Jews accepted the UN partition decision and the Arabs didn't. Responsibility for the Nakba, the disaster that fell on the Palestinians during the 1948 war, can be placed in many different places but you would not know this if you read only Finkelstein. Nor will you learn about the history of Arab anti-Israel violence, massacres and terror attacks. A historical account that would mention some of those and would not be as cavalier towards the Arab and Islamic threats to Israel and the Jews would show Israel in a better light, and would be, in my opinion, a better and fuller history.\\n\\nBut you don't come to Finkelstein's book expecting to get a round picture of both sides of the story. If you want an Israeli-skeptic polemic, brilliantly written, thought provoking, witty and sarcastic this is the pamphlet for you.\",\n \"Product: Most people alive today are unfamiliar with its history and origins and lack knowledge of its facts. This state of ignorance provides a fertile ground for the unscrupulous to create myths that will justify their destructive agendas. The political propaganda machine has created many such myths to fuel their war against the Jewish state.\\n\\nIsrael is the only democracy in the Middle East that elects its leaders in free elections and guarantees rights to its citizens. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to be fighting for human rights. There are about a million and a half Arabs living as citizens in Israel who elect representatives to Israels parliament and who have more rights than the Arab citizens of any Arab state. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to be fighting for social justice. Israels very creation is referred to by its Arab enemies as \\\"the Nakba\\\", or the catastrophe, the clear implication of which is that Israel should not exist. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to support self-determination and oppose genocide. Israel was the victim at its very birth -- of an unprovoked aggression by five Arab monarchies and dictatorships. It has been the target of an Arab war that has continued uninterruptedly for nearly sixty years because the Arab states have refused to make peace. Yet Israel is the target of those who say they want peace. Israel is the victim of terrorist attacks which along with the Jews they mark for extinction, kill Palestinian women and children as well. Yet Israel is the target of those who claim to speak for humanity.\\n\\n\\nDavid Meir-Levi has written a text that restores the memory of the facts that lie at the heart of the conflict in the Middle East. These facts are crucial not only to the restoration of the history that politics has obscured, but to the survival of a people who live in the shadow of their own destruction. Everyone interested in justice needs to read this little book.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: A Spin Too Far\\n\\nReview: As can be expected from its title, \\\"Big Lies: Israel Myths\\\" is a highly biased book which presents facts in an extremely misleading way; Israel and Zionism really deserve better, more honest advocacy.\\n\\nAlthough \\\"Big Lies\\\" contains two parts, one about the refugee problem and the other about the settlements issue, it sketches the history of the Israeli-Arab conflict from the early days of Zionism to the present. I will follow this rough outline, trying to point out the distortions and omissions of the author. This is not to suggest that there are no valid points in \\\"Big Lies\\\", there certainly are some; but in general, this is a piece of propaganda and not a valuable, honest source of information.\\n\\nStarting in the late 19th century, Zionist Jews started to immigrate into Palestine in large numbers. Meir Levi attempts to argue this Zionist immigration caused the quadrupling of Palestine's Arab population:\\n\\n\\\"Circa 1850, the Arab population of this region of the Turkish Empire was more or less static at about 340,000. It suddenly began to increase around 1855, and by 1947 the Arab population stood at about 1,300,000... the causal correlation between this independently documented phenomenon and the Zionist enterprise is beyond rational argument... based on the above, it is fair to suggest that a significant plurality, if not a majority, of Arabs living in Israel today owe their very existence to the Zionist endeavor\\\" (p. 32)\\n\\nI think this calls for a fairer estimate. According to the United Nations, World Population Prospects, the total population of the Middle East was 33.8 million people in 1850, and 79.2 million in 1950. So it is likely that the population of Palestine would have increased greatly (although perhaps not as much as it actually did) even without any Zionist \\\"assistance\\\".\\n\\nAfter the First World War, Palestine came under British control; The British had a \\\"mandate\\\" to rule Palestine in order to \\\"prepare\\\" it as a Jewish National Home. Still, Meir Levi argues \\\"From 1919 to 1936, Arab violence against Jews expanded in scope and grew in brutality. The British did almost nothing to curtail it and sometimes abetted it.\\\"\\n\\nThis undocumented claim is contrary to the best historical thinking on the subject. Early British policies were considerably more Pro-Jewish than Pro-Arab. There had been a change in the late 1930s, after the so-called Great Arab awakening signaled to the British that their support of the Jewish population in Palestine would require great forces on the ground, and would push Arabs into the Axis camp in case of war. But As Israeli historian Tom Segev points out in <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/One-Palestine-Complete-Jews-and-Arabs-Under-the-British-Mandate/dp/0805065873/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">One Palestine, Complete: Jews and Arabs Under the British Mandate</a>the original British agenda was pro-Jewish, and was executed by Pro-Zionist leaders (Lord Balfour, Lloyd George, Churchill) and sometimes even by Jewish officials (Herbert Samuel).\\n\\nFollowing the Second World War, the United Nations voted for the creation of two states, one Jewish and one Arab, in Palestine. Meir cannot resist such barbs as \\\"The Arab states were members of the UN. Their membership presumably entailed a willingness to abide by majority decisions of the newly formed world body. But they did not\\\" (p. 35). I'm not a great a fan of the much maligned United Nations (even if most of the problems it has are unsolvable - <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/The-Best-Intentions-Kofi-Annan-and-the-UN-in-the-Era-of-American-World-Power/dp/0312426747/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">The Best Intentions: Kofi Annan and the UN in the Era of American World Power</a>), but Israel has never shown great willingness to embrace its resolutions. Yet Meir never seems to criticize Israel for that.\\n\\nFollowing the UN partition of Palestine, the 1948 Israeli War of Independence broke out. During the war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees left their home lands. Meir Levi admits that \\\"Jews were responsible in part of the Arab flight\\\" Yet he claims\\\"it was not because they wanted to ethnically cleanse the country, or to wipe out the Arabs. It was because they knew that outnumbered Jews, undefended in Arab enclaves would be slaughtered\\\" (p. 16). Let me just point out, in passing, that not all reasonable observers would so easily accept such self serving explanations (offered without proof), and that I doubt Meir Levi would have accepted such charitable interpretations of Arab motives.\\n\\nIt is strange for someone who is knowledgeable about the Middle East to write that \\\"in 1967, five Arab states -including Jordan -- attacked Israel.\\\" (p. 36). That years's war -known as the Six Days War to Israelis - started with a preemptive Israeli air-strike on Egypt's air force. Now of course Meir Levi knows this. He argues that Israel had received \\\"military intelligence that Egypt was within hours of launching an invasion via the Gaza Strip\\\" (p. 39), and that this triggered Israel's attack; this mysterious and undocumented claim is, to the best of my knowledge, false. Histories of the conflict stress that Israel, having called its military reserves, felt it had to act quickly as its economy could not sustain high military alertness for a long time, and as it wanted to take the initiative and benefit from the element of surprise (See Michael B. Oren - now Israel's ambassador to the US- 's superb <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Six-Days-of-War-June-1967-and-the-Making-of-the-Modern-Middle-East/dp/0345461924/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East</a>).\\n\\nDuring the Six Days War, Israel conquered (or Liberated, if you prefer), much of mandatory Palestine, including the West Bank and Gaza strip. After the war, Israelis started to settle in the West Bank and Gaza with the explicit or implicit support of all Israeli governments. Whether this contravenes article 49 of the Fourth Geneva convention, which states that \\\"The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies\\\", is a question I'll leave to the reader. Meir Levi of course does not mention article 49, and his discussion of the legality of the settlements is bizarre: He accepts Israel's claim that some of the settlements have been constructed for \\\"security reasons\\\" and are therefore legal. This is an argument which has been used by Israel to defend the settlements, and one that makes a mockery of the concept of \\\"security\\\". Is there anything that cannot be defended under such a broad definition of \\\"Security\\\"? At any event it is uncontroversial that at least some settlements were constructed on private Palestinian land, without compensation, although how many settlements were built on such ground is highly contested.\\n\\nSince even Meir Levi admits that some settlements (\\\"rogue\\\" ones) are \\\"palpably illegal\\\", one might have expected him to comment on the way the Israeli Military defends these settlements, and the very ambivalent treatment - amounting to tacit approval - they get from the Israeli authorities.\\n\\nThat Meir Levi can argue that \\\"Settlements d[o] not impede negotiation\\\" is utterly bizarre. Regardless of the merits of his legalistic arguments for the settlements, and despite the economic \\\"benefits\\\" to the Palestinians \\\"because\\\" of the settlements (\\\"Benefits\\\" Palestinians did not chose themselves, but \\\"enjoyed\\\" merely because it suited the interest of Israel and the settlers), Palestinians clearly see the Settlements for what they are: land grabs. For a Palestinian to see Israeli settlements taking over more and more land in the West Bank, with the tacit and sometimes explicit support of the Israeli government, and to believe in the good faith of the Israeli government would be a extremely difficult. This is not to say that the Israeli government has always acted in bad faith: when the Peace process is not moving forward, it is difficult for an Israeli government to justify severe limitations on Israeli Citizens that bring no benefits whatsoever to Israel. The settlements have complicated an already difficult conflict, and have caused a great deal of ill-will on both sides (not to mention creating a large political constituency in Israel opposed to any compromise).\\n\\nI am an Israeli, and a Zionist, but you need to neither to object to such a biased account of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The case for Israel can be made without such distortions.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":18,"string":"18"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1794,"string":"1,794"}}},{"rowIdx":1795,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A16LP6AB6C5LMZ"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"Sandra Bullock is at her funniest in THE PROPOSAL -- the fresh, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy on Blu-ray Disc(TM) with its hi-def picture and theater-quality sound. On the verge of being deported and losing the high-powered job she lives for, the controlling Margaret (Bullock) announces she's engaged to her unsuspecting, put-upon assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds). After proposing a few demands of his own, the mismatched couple heads to Alaska, where they have four short days to convince his quirky family and a very skeptical immigration agent that their charade is real. Featuring a star-studded supporting cast, including Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson and the delightfully inappropriate Betty White, this madcap comedy will have you saying \"yes\" to THE PROPOSAL again and again -- especially in Blu-ray High Definition.\". The summary of the review text is \"A Romantic Comedy With A Great Cast\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Set in New York, Sandra Bullock is a hard-nosed, no-nonsense, heartless boss with no life. Ryan Reynolds is her underling secretary. An INS agent harrasses Bullock. Her out is to be married to stay in the States & not be deported to Canada.\nTherein begins the romantic comedy. Set mostly in Alsaka, the movie becomes as good as the beautiful Alaskan scenery. Some of it is downright funny; some is tongue & cheek. The ending in inevitable. But, how they arrive there is what makes the story.\nThe two leads are backed up by Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, & Betty White in supporting roles. All are good. White is her typical shiny self.\n\nBullock is typically excellent, as is Reynolds. The movie is by no means a chick-flick at all. Anyone would find this 21st century version of the romantic comedy funny & enjoyable.\n\nIn the end, two adversaries eventually become weak kneed for each other. As mentioned, how they get to that point makes the movie shine. The cast may shine even brighter."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Set in New York, Sandra Bullock is a hard-nosed, no-nonsense, heartless boss with no life. Ryan Reynolds is her underling secretary. An INS agent harrasses Bullock. Her out is to be married to stay in the States & not be deported to Canada.\nTherein begins the romantic comedy. Set mostly in Alsaka, the movie becomes as good as the beautiful Alaskan scenery. Some of it is downright funny; some is tongue & cheek. The ending in inevitable. But, how they arrive there is what makes the story.\nThe two leads are backed up by Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, & Betty White in supporting roles. All are good. White is her typical shiny self.\n\nBullock is typically excellent, as is Reynolds. The movie is by no means a chick-flick at all. Anyone would find this 21st century version of the romantic comedy funny & enjoyable.\n\nIn the end, two adversaries eventually become weak kneed for each other. As mentioned, how they get to that point makes the movie shine. The cast may shine even brighter."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: dvd\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Movie Which Follows the Book Fairly Closely\n\nReview: I caught this last night and enjoyed it. Of course, not all the details can be available in the movie as they are in the book. Yet, the movie follows quite faithfully.\nThe abbreviated scenes are really in non-too important areas. What I found lacking was the canon fire and the Capitols scenes in the night sky did not match the deaths.\n\nThe casting was very good. I liked Lenny Kravitz (Cannis), Donald Sutherland (President Snow), and Woody Harrelson (Haymitch). Jennifer Lawrence shines brightly as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson is a very good lovestruck Peeta.\n\nI found the lack of light in the final fight scene with Cato disturbing. If one had not read the book, one wouldn't be too clear on what was going on between the three on top of the Cornucopia and the muttations on the ground. Additionally, Katniss has an ulterior motive regarding Peeta. That could have been made clearer. Actually, I believe the movie could have used a bit of extra time used on the \"Lightly touched on parts.\" Difficult, I know. It's almost 2 1/2 hours as is.\n\nThe movie ends not too pleasantly for the Head Gamemaker. The ending concludes this first part of the Trilogy well, yet leaves a subtle opening for the sequel.","Product: The Frankenstein story is updated to the 21st century by the great American storyteller Dean Koontz. Now someone new is playing god. They are stronger, heal better and think faster than any humans ever created - and they must be destroyed. But not even Victor Helios can stop the engineered killers he has set loose on a reign of terror through modern-day New Orleans. The mad genius had not imagined that his creations would develop minds - and purposes - of their own. And as Deucalion and Detectives O'Connor and Maddison race to uncover an age-old conspiracy, they will discover that Victor's new, improved models have infiltrated every level of New Orleans society ...and far beyond.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Frankenstein in the 21st Century: Book 2\n\nReview: In the second installment, the reader again deals with Victor Helios, the original Dr. Frankenstein. He's now in 21st Century New Orleans. We have two cops onto him & his creation of the New Race. Ordinary humans are killed, sent to a garbage dump, and their beings duplicated as one of Helios's creations in his attempt to take over the world.\n\nEnter his first. less than perfect, creation Deucalion, who has arrived in New Orleans to save the world from this madman. Victor continues creating new replications of humans. He sorts them into various work & professional classes. They have two hearts & other biological anomalies, are difficult to kill, and serve only the master to the fullest.\n\nUnfortunately for Victor, at one time or other his replicated beings seem to have software problems & begin to go loopy.\n\nVictor believes Deucalion to be long dead, being his first primitive creation. He finds otherwise when confronted by his creation.\n\nThe books need to be read in order. The first, \"Prodigal Son\", set the stage nicely & was enjoyable. This one builds on the first & is full of repetition. How many times, can we learn of the smells at the garbage dump? How many times do we need the description of a young boy's Autism? How many times do we need detailed description of Erica 5? How many times do we need to hear of the New Race Cindi wanting a baby? There are new characters, but many are from the 1st book.\nThe biggest disappointment (Kindle Edition) is at 92% of the novel it abruptly stops. Yep, 92%. The reader expects a new chapter only to be dropped of a precipice to await the next installment. Instead the reader gets protracted upcoming novel previews as fill in fluff. The book is a disappointment, especially from Koontz","Product: SOMEONE NEW IS PLAYING GOD The Frankenstein story updated to the 21st century by the great American storyteller Dean Koontz. Created centuries ago by a madman, possessed of seemingly supernatural powers and a dogged drive for justice, the mysterious Deucalion arrives in New Orleans as the next generation of Dr Frankenstein's monsters are about to be unleashed by their deranged maker, now known as Victor Helios. Deucalion's path will cross with that of tough police detective Carson O'Connor and her partner, Michael Maddison, who are on the trail of a vicious serial killer stalking the city, a killer who selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Reluctantly, Carson will join forces with Deucalion against a far greater, terrifying threat: an entire race of killers who are much more - and less - than human ! Deucalion seeks one final confrontation with the evil genius who created him, Dr Frankenstein. Dean Koontz, the master storyteller, creates a bold new legend.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Good Present Day Twist to an Old Classic\n\nReview: I see a lot of bantering about who actually wrote this novel. Was it Koontz or Anderson? Truthfully? I really don't care. Unlike other co-authored books, I mostly find awful, I liked this one.\nThe author does a good job bringing Victor Helios (Dr. Frankenstein) into the 21st century using modern technology to create his \"New Race.\"\nHelios (The Father) is pretty well nuts. I wish there was a bit more depth to his character.\nThere's a couple of cops working the opposite end of this story. They do provide some tongue in cheek comic relief to Victor's gore. Naturally, they're a bit blown away & mystified by some of what they discover. The book has it's share of gore for a Koontz novel. Mr. Koontz also weaves his way through the book very well. After all, it is one of his best traits.\n\nI know this is the first in a series of Frankenstein novels, but the ending suffers greatly. There is no sense of conclusion to anything. There's no hanging thread to lead the reader into the next installment. The book ends very abruptly. One almost feels the last page has been torn out. Ready for some sort of ending, one instead, finds a lead-in to one of Koontz next books. I found it a major shortcoming for the novel.\n\nOne more thing: Doesn't Kevin Anderson's name deserve to be on the cover? What's with the omission?","Product: New\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: 4th & Weakest of the Odd Thomas Series\n\nReview: Odd Thomas has to be one of the most likable characters created by Dean Koontz or any other author for that matter. Unfortunately, it seems Odd may have run his course & the series is out of steam.\nMr. Koontz has in the past number of years changed his writing style, which is not a problem. He's still excellent. As weak as this book is, the writing is still top notch.\nThe problem for me arises from a very improbable story line & some characters that are so underdeveloped one wonders why they were included in the book.\nPicture, if you will, Odd out of his fry cook element in Pico Mundo, Ca. He now is charged with saving four U.S. cities from nuclear holocausts from a handful of madmen. Odd, of course, saves the day. Preposterous compared to the first three novels which were all good.\nIf one had not read this series in order, he/she would be greatly lost reading this book.\nSadly it does leave Odd Thomas open for a 5th book. Mr. Koontz, I beg of you, please retire Odd Thomas after this travesty. This book does not do your literary talent any justice at all.","Product: Hardcover\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: An Excellent Thriller; Albeit a Bit Too Long\n\nReview: As a thriller Mr. Iles delivers the goods in this novel very well. Set in Natchez Mississippi, the book starts off with a once small time drug addict & the town's mayor.\nThe author brings us into the second tier casino world, along with a few other illegal goings on. Oh heck, let's throw in an Asian connection & the Mayor's old girlfriend as well. The whole world we've been introduced to becomes very seedy & very violent. But, the story remains believable, gripping & entertaining to a point.\nEnter over 700 pages of dialogue & the book starts to drag & become tedious in some spots. There's another old girlfriend & her hapless addict son. Why they're included in the story is a mystery. They have no point. They just fade away at some point. Other dialogue is quite repetitive. The novel has a good ending. Unfortunately the epilogue, like the book, is much too long. The epilogue won't win any Pulitzer anytime soon.\nAll said, Mr. Iles has written an excellent thriller which despite a few flaws is difficult to put down","Product: Sayfa Sayisi: 470Baski Yili: 2012Dili: IngilizceYayinevi: Nans\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: A Bestseller? Where Did That Come From?\n\nReview: This, in theory, could have been so good. Instead it fails terribly. The premise for the storyline is good. It's just not seen through well at all.\nWe have an old mansion, built in 1897. It's had a few owners and a very checkered past. In 1973 it was converted to luxury condos. The troubled history continues into present day 2011.\nThe book is sectioned into mini chapters, each dealing with it's own character. In the beginning, it held my interest and I couldn't understand all the poor ratings. There were enough low ratings, however, to beware.\nA big problem is the novel is loaded with characters. There are so many, Mr. Koontz really cannot breathe life into them and develop them. They just become uninteresting. That's where the interest begins to wane.\nA huge problem is Mr. Koontz, himself, seems to lose sight of the story. The dialogue becomes very repetitious. At 3/4 the way through, I found the novel became merely a chore.\nOne cannot pull the wool over the readers' eyes by merely changing verbiage, but still saying the same thing over and over.\nThe supernatural antagonist also becomes trite and hackneyed along with the host of many protagonists.\nThere's a twist or two at the end. However, by that point, I just no longer cared.\n\nPlease don't be mislead by the Bestseller banner across the top. How that got there is a mystery. I went with 3 stars since I did like the book in the beginning. Unfortunately, it's not one of Mr. Koontz's best efforts.","Product: NA\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not My Favorite Koontz Book\n\nReview: This started very well. The middle book and ending, not so much. There was a good twist toward the beginning which was very well thought out and written. It gets the reader's hopes up.\nAs we get further and further into the rather long story, the same goings on keep happening, albeit from different sides. I found the last large section of the novel could have been done in much less time. The ending sort of fizzled for me as I felt it to be too drawn out.\nImagination, and this book has it can be a very good genre for a novel. That, with Dean Koontz's writing style appeared promising. Instead, I found myself skimming through a good deal from middle to end. It seemed the same scenarios visited again and again with different dialogue. The meeting with Ashley at the end is interesting. Unfortunately, by that time I found the book wearisome.\n\nOne other thing. There were two novellas which were preludes to this book. \"Wilderness\" & \"Final Hour.\" I have no idea what their relevance to \"Ashley Bell\" is. They can easily be skipped as really only one character makes it to the full length book; and he's not even the main character. One has to wonder why Mr. Koontz wrote them at all.","Product: Kathy Reichs is forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratorie de Sciences Judiciaires et de Medecine Legale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty-six forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Antrhopology, and served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr Reichs is a native of Chicago, hwere she received her Ph.D at Northwestern. She divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal, and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Fan of Detail? Ms. Reichs Provides It\n\nReview: Kathy Reichs is an anthropologist who has taken her true profession & has begun a new career as an author with it.\nShe uses her knowledge & nicely weaves a serial murder mystery out of it. Hijacked to Guatemala by the government, her protagonist, Tempe Brennan, works with local authorities to solve some sticky cases there.\nMs. Brennan undoubtedly is the pseudo persona for Reichs. Basically, the same profession. The character of Tempe Brennan is likable, capable, and believable.\nThe forensics in Ms. Reichs books goes down to the most minuscule details. Difficult for a lay person to keep track of at times, but very entertaining & interesting.\nI had read \"Deadly Decisions\" some time back & did not like it. A friend had lent me several of her books. I decided to give her another go. Ms. Reichs has a new fan","Product: paperback, vg+ In stock shipped from our UK warehouse\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not Her Best At All\n\nReview: \"Noose\" was certainly not at the top of my list in the alphabet series.\nSome miss the familiar locations and characters. I didn't mind that. What I didn't like was the story really went nowhere. It's a bit of a departure from Ms. Grafton's norm and I don't think it worked. There's a lot of tedious dialogue in which the reader can just skim through.\nThe same basic story is told repeatedly, in different words, until some things start to gel. But, that's late in the book. Around 91%. The ending has a predictable twist, as well as dangling loose ends.\n\nI like the character of Kinsey and that kept me reading. In all fairness, if you're going to do a series like this you're bound to have a weak novel or two. This is one of them. Fear not, others that follow are better.","Product: New\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Masterfully Written Novel\n\nReview: Stephen King has had his share of detractors concerning his writing, his literary style & his plots. Well, it's time for the detractors to eat their words.\nIn a departure from his usual style, King has created a testament to his literary ability with \"Bag of Bones\". This is a blend of thought provoking writing, prose, & a whole lot of heart. A labor of love, if you will.\nMike Noonan is a writer who becomes a widower at a very young age. Some years pass and he can't seem to let go & get past his wife's death. Haunted by nightmares & ghosts, Mike returns to their country summerhouse on the lake. He finds his summer hometown in the grips of one very nasty, wealthy individual.\nHe befriends and eventually kindles a relationship with a woman & her young daughter. The story evolves beautifully around these bits.\nAt 732 pages, yes it is long. I promise you'll rue finishing the book. This is a beautiful piece of King fiction which can rightfully take it's place next to \"The Stand\" & \"Hearts in Atlantis\".","Product: Vince Flynn's fifteen thrillers have been published in twenty countries. Visit his website at www.vinceflynn.com.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: MItch Rapp Begins His Career\n\nReview: One would think this should be the first book in the Rapp series. It shows the Rapp fan how he started & trained for his CIA assassin career.\nThe beginning is interesting, but at over 500 pages, a bit too long for it's story. The story is entertaining, though it becomes somewhat \"Over the top.\" It takes us from the US to Moscow, Stwitzerland, and Beirut. I didn't find the plot contained the depth of some of the other Vince Flynn books. The book also suffers from some less than stellar editing. The characters don't have the depth found other Rapp books either. The story, as mentioned, is entertaining. The ending is fine. Though don't look for any twists<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/American-Assassin-A-Thriller/dp/B005MWIW1U/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">American Assassin: A Thriller</a>","Product: Before becoming a fulltime RVer, Nick Russell published several daily and weekly newspapers in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. He and his wife, Miss Terry, are the publishers of the popular Gypsy Journal RV travel newspaper, and Russell presents travel seminars at RV rallies across the country. Nick Russell is the author of Highway History and Back Road Mystery, Meandering Down The Highway - A Year On The Road With Fulltime RVers, Work Your Way Across The USA - You Can Earn A Living And Travel Too!, The Frugal RVer, and the new Big Lake mystery series. You can follow Nick on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NickRussellAuthor\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: This Sequel is Actually Better Than The First Book\n\nReview: Mr. Russel's \"Big Lake\" was good. This one surpasses it. Sheriff Weber & his small force are the peacekeepers in this sleepy Arizona resort town which becomes rocked by two murders. One of them being very sticky in solving.\nThe characters in the story are all quite well developed. They run the gamut from sane to psychotic.\n\nA young half Apache boy is found brutally murdered. The Sheriff has almost no clues until a witness provides him with a description of a car close to the area. The car belonging to an unstable local backwoods person. Now throw in a very wealthy dysfunctional couple, their spoiled son and a few other folks into the fray. The whole murder becomes more difficult to solve.\n\nAdd into the fray an idiot small town mayor, ala \"Dukes of Hazzard\", a deputy who is clueless, and a group of Apaches from the reservation who claim they get no justice. The result is a sheriff who muddles through all this to get to the truth. He refuses to cave to pressure and is driven to see his job through to the end.\nThe book is peppered with comical moments & is suspenseful. There is more than enough to leave the reader as confused as the cops as to who did it.\n\nThe book becomes a real page turner which edges out its predecessor, \"Big Lake.\" It's a very good read","Product: Excellent Book\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Seeking a Reason To Believe\n\nReview: I found the book to be clever. A book of sentimentality and faith.\nA small town in Michigan has some residents receiving phone calls from their loved, yet departed ones telling them of heaven and affirmation of the beauty of the afterlife. Word gets out and the town becomes overrun by outsiders seeking answers from the beyond.\nWhile there are several protagonists, there is one main character, Sully Harding. Sully is tormented by his own tragedy and is not exactly a believer in the phone calls. He sets out for the truth.\nThe novel starts out interestingly enough and has a bit of a twist at the end, There's a smattering of changes in the main body of the book. But, I found the main body of work to be repetitious enough to be basically skimmed through. Four stars for it being clever.","Product: Title: Holiday in Death <>Binding: Prebound <>Author: J.D.Robb <>Publisher: TurtlebackBooks\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Boring. Did Nora Roberts/JD Robb Pen This?\n\nReview: The year is 2060 & the plot revolves around virtual gaming. The games creator is killed very quickly in the first chapter. You pretty much know what happened & how. But, how is it possible?\nThe cops chase their tails. They realize later what happened & chase the culprit. By that time, you've read through constant repetitive dialogue where nothing is happening. Most of the middle book is filled with this repitition. By the time the author gets to the meat of the story I no longer cared. I, like others, have doubts if Nora Roberts/JD Robb wrote this. Many of her trademarks simply aren't there.\nHaving trouble falling asleep? Just pick this novel up. It'll put you out\n\nI wonder if the manuscript was proof read or copy edited. There are numerous very noticeable mistakes. Even the editing falls short in this novel."],"string":"[\n \"Product: dvd\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Movie Which Follows the Book Fairly Closely\\n\\nReview: I caught this last night and enjoyed it. Of course, not all the details can be available in the movie as they are in the book. Yet, the movie follows quite faithfully.\\nThe abbreviated scenes are really in non-too important areas. What I found lacking was the canon fire and the Capitols scenes in the night sky did not match the deaths.\\n\\nThe casting was very good. I liked Lenny Kravitz (Cannis), Donald Sutherland (President Snow), and Woody Harrelson (Haymitch). Jennifer Lawrence shines brightly as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson is a very good lovestruck Peeta.\\n\\nI found the lack of light in the final fight scene with Cato disturbing. If one had not read the book, one wouldn't be too clear on what was going on between the three on top of the Cornucopia and the muttations on the ground. Additionally, Katniss has an ulterior motive regarding Peeta. That could have been made clearer. Actually, I believe the movie could have used a bit of extra time used on the \\\"Lightly touched on parts.\\\" Difficult, I know. It's almost 2 1/2 hours as is.\\n\\nThe movie ends not too pleasantly for the Head Gamemaker. The ending concludes this first part of the Trilogy well, yet leaves a subtle opening for the sequel.\",\n \"Product: The Frankenstein story is updated to the 21st century by the great American storyteller Dean Koontz. Now someone new is playing god. They are stronger, heal better and think faster than any humans ever created - and they must be destroyed. But not even Victor Helios can stop the engineered killers he has set loose on a reign of terror through modern-day New Orleans. The mad genius had not imagined that his creations would develop minds - and purposes - of their own. And as Deucalion and Detectives O'Connor and Maddison race to uncover an age-old conspiracy, they will discover that Victor's new, improved models have infiltrated every level of New Orleans society ...and far beyond.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Frankenstein in the 21st Century: Book 2\\n\\nReview: In the second installment, the reader again deals with Victor Helios, the original Dr. Frankenstein. He's now in 21st Century New Orleans. We have two cops onto him & his creation of the New Race. Ordinary humans are killed, sent to a garbage dump, and their beings duplicated as one of Helios's creations in his attempt to take over the world.\\n\\nEnter his first. less than perfect, creation Deucalion, who has arrived in New Orleans to save the world from this madman. Victor continues creating new replications of humans. He sorts them into various work & professional classes. They have two hearts & other biological anomalies, are difficult to kill, and serve only the master to the fullest.\\n\\nUnfortunately for Victor, at one time or other his replicated beings seem to have software problems & begin to go loopy.\\n\\nVictor believes Deucalion to be long dead, being his first primitive creation. He finds otherwise when confronted by his creation.\\n\\nThe books need to be read in order. The first, \\\"Prodigal Son\\\", set the stage nicely & was enjoyable. This one builds on the first & is full of repetition. How many times, can we learn of the smells at the garbage dump? How many times do we need the description of a young boy's Autism? How many times do we need detailed description of Erica 5? How many times do we need to hear of the New Race Cindi wanting a baby? There are new characters, but many are from the 1st book.\\nThe biggest disappointment (Kindle Edition) is at 92% of the novel it abruptly stops. Yep, 92%. The reader expects a new chapter only to be dropped of a precipice to await the next installment. Instead the reader gets protracted upcoming novel previews as fill in fluff. The book is a disappointment, especially from Koontz\",\n \"Product: SOMEONE NEW IS PLAYING GOD The Frankenstein story updated to the 21st century by the great American storyteller Dean Koontz. Created centuries ago by a madman, possessed of seemingly supernatural powers and a dogged drive for justice, the mysterious Deucalion arrives in New Orleans as the next generation of Dr Frankenstein's monsters are about to be unleashed by their deranged maker, now known as Victor Helios. Deucalion's path will cross with that of tough police detective Carson O'Connor and her partner, Michael Maddison, who are on the trail of a vicious serial killer stalking the city, a killer who selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Reluctantly, Carson will join forces with Deucalion against a far greater, terrifying threat: an entire race of killers who are much more - and less - than human ! Deucalion seeks one final confrontation with the evil genius who created him, Dr Frankenstein. Dean Koontz, the master storyteller, creates a bold new legend.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Good Present Day Twist to an Old Classic\\n\\nReview: I see a lot of bantering about who actually wrote this novel. Was it Koontz or Anderson? Truthfully? I really don't care. Unlike other co-authored books, I mostly find awful, I liked this one.\\nThe author does a good job bringing Victor Helios (Dr. Frankenstein) into the 21st century using modern technology to create his \\\"New Race.\\\"\\nHelios (The Father) is pretty well nuts. I wish there was a bit more depth to his character.\\nThere's a couple of cops working the opposite end of this story. They do provide some tongue in cheek comic relief to Victor's gore. Naturally, they're a bit blown away & mystified by some of what they discover. The book has it's share of gore for a Koontz novel. Mr. Koontz also weaves his way through the book very well. After all, it is one of his best traits.\\n\\nI know this is the first in a series of Frankenstein novels, but the ending suffers greatly. There is no sense of conclusion to anything. There's no hanging thread to lead the reader into the next installment. The book ends very abruptly. One almost feels the last page has been torn out. Ready for some sort of ending, one instead, finds a lead-in to one of Koontz next books. I found it a major shortcoming for the novel.\\n\\nOne more thing: Doesn't Kevin Anderson's name deserve to be on the cover? What's with the omission?\",\n \"Product: New\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: 4th & Weakest of the Odd Thomas Series\\n\\nReview: Odd Thomas has to be one of the most likable characters created by Dean Koontz or any other author for that matter. Unfortunately, it seems Odd may have run his course & the series is out of steam.\\nMr. Koontz has in the past number of years changed his writing style, which is not a problem. He's still excellent. As weak as this book is, the writing is still top notch.\\nThe problem for me arises from a very improbable story line & some characters that are so underdeveloped one wonders why they were included in the book.\\nPicture, if you will, Odd out of his fry cook element in Pico Mundo, Ca. He now is charged with saving four U.S. cities from nuclear holocausts from a handful of madmen. Odd, of course, saves the day. Preposterous compared to the first three novels which were all good.\\nIf one had not read this series in order, he/she would be greatly lost reading this book.\\nSadly it does leave Odd Thomas open for a 5th book. Mr. Koontz, I beg of you, please retire Odd Thomas after this travesty. This book does not do your literary talent any justice at all.\",\n \"Product: Hardcover\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: An Excellent Thriller; Albeit a Bit Too Long\\n\\nReview: As a thriller Mr. Iles delivers the goods in this novel very well. Set in Natchez Mississippi, the book starts off with a once small time drug addict & the town's mayor.\\nThe author brings us into the second tier casino world, along with a few other illegal goings on. Oh heck, let's throw in an Asian connection & the Mayor's old girlfriend as well. The whole world we've been introduced to becomes very seedy & very violent. But, the story remains believable, gripping & entertaining to a point.\\nEnter over 700 pages of dialogue & the book starts to drag & become tedious in some spots. There's another old girlfriend & her hapless addict son. Why they're included in the story is a mystery. They have no point. They just fade away at some point. Other dialogue is quite repetitive. The novel has a good ending. Unfortunately the epilogue, like the book, is much too long. The epilogue won't win any Pulitzer anytime soon.\\nAll said, Mr. Iles has written an excellent thriller which despite a few flaws is difficult to put down\",\n \"Product: Sayfa Sayisi: 470Baski Yili: 2012Dili: IngilizceYayinevi: Nans\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: A Bestseller? Where Did That Come From?\\n\\nReview: This, in theory, could have been so good. Instead it fails terribly. The premise for the storyline is good. It's just not seen through well at all.\\nWe have an old mansion, built in 1897. It's had a few owners and a very checkered past. In 1973 it was converted to luxury condos. The troubled history continues into present day 2011.\\nThe book is sectioned into mini chapters, each dealing with it's own character. In the beginning, it held my interest and I couldn't understand all the poor ratings. There were enough low ratings, however, to beware.\\nA big problem is the novel is loaded with characters. There are so many, Mr. Koontz really cannot breathe life into them and develop them. They just become uninteresting. That's where the interest begins to wane.\\nA huge problem is Mr. Koontz, himself, seems to lose sight of the story. The dialogue becomes very repetitious. At 3/4 the way through, I found the novel became merely a chore.\\nOne cannot pull the wool over the readers' eyes by merely changing verbiage, but still saying the same thing over and over.\\nThe supernatural antagonist also becomes trite and hackneyed along with the host of many protagonists.\\nThere's a twist or two at the end. However, by that point, I just no longer cared.\\n\\nPlease don't be mislead by the Bestseller banner across the top. How that got there is a mystery. I went with 3 stars since I did like the book in the beginning. Unfortunately, it's not one of Mr. Koontz's best efforts.\",\n \"Product: NA\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not My Favorite Koontz Book\\n\\nReview: This started very well. The middle book and ending, not so much. There was a good twist toward the beginning which was very well thought out and written. It gets the reader's hopes up.\\nAs we get further and further into the rather long story, the same goings on keep happening, albeit from different sides. I found the last large section of the novel could have been done in much less time. The ending sort of fizzled for me as I felt it to be too drawn out.\\nImagination, and this book has it can be a very good genre for a novel. That, with Dean Koontz's writing style appeared promising. Instead, I found myself skimming through a good deal from middle to end. It seemed the same scenarios visited again and again with different dialogue. The meeting with Ashley at the end is interesting. Unfortunately, by that time I found the book wearisome.\\n\\nOne other thing. There were two novellas which were preludes to this book. \\\"Wilderness\\\" & \\\"Final Hour.\\\" I have no idea what their relevance to \\\"Ashley Bell\\\" is. They can easily be skipped as really only one character makes it to the full length book; and he's not even the main character. One has to wonder why Mr. Koontz wrote them at all.\",\n \"Product: Kathy Reichs is forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratorie de Sciences Judiciaires et de Medecine Legale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty-six forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Antrhopology, and served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr Reichs is a native of Chicago, hwere she received her Ph.D at Northwestern. She divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal, and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Fan of Detail? Ms. Reichs Provides It\\n\\nReview: Kathy Reichs is an anthropologist who has taken her true profession & has begun a new career as an author with it.\\nShe uses her knowledge & nicely weaves a serial murder mystery out of it. Hijacked to Guatemala by the government, her protagonist, Tempe Brennan, works with local authorities to solve some sticky cases there.\\nMs. Brennan undoubtedly is the pseudo persona for Reichs. Basically, the same profession. The character of Tempe Brennan is likable, capable, and believable.\\nThe forensics in Ms. Reichs books goes down to the most minuscule details. Difficult for a lay person to keep track of at times, but very entertaining & interesting.\\nI had read \\\"Deadly Decisions\\\" some time back & did not like it. A friend had lent me several of her books. I decided to give her another go. Ms. Reichs has a new fan\",\n \"Product: paperback, vg+ In stock shipped from our UK warehouse\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not Her Best At All\\n\\nReview: \\\"Noose\\\" was certainly not at the top of my list in the alphabet series.\\nSome miss the familiar locations and characters. I didn't mind that. What I didn't like was the story really went nowhere. It's a bit of a departure from Ms. Grafton's norm and I don't think it worked. There's a lot of tedious dialogue in which the reader can just skim through.\\nThe same basic story is told repeatedly, in different words, until some things start to gel. But, that's late in the book. Around 91%. The ending has a predictable twist, as well as dangling loose ends.\\n\\nI like the character of Kinsey and that kept me reading. In all fairness, if you're going to do a series like this you're bound to have a weak novel or two. This is one of them. Fear not, others that follow are better.\",\n \"Product: New\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: A Masterfully Written Novel\\n\\nReview: Stephen King has had his share of detractors concerning his writing, his literary style & his plots. Well, it's time for the detractors to eat their words.\\nIn a departure from his usual style, King has created a testament to his literary ability with \\\"Bag of Bones\\\". This is a blend of thought provoking writing, prose, & a whole lot of heart. A labor of love, if you will.\\nMike Noonan is a writer who becomes a widower at a very young age. Some years pass and he can't seem to let go & get past his wife's death. Haunted by nightmares & ghosts, Mike returns to their country summerhouse on the lake. He finds his summer hometown in the grips of one very nasty, wealthy individual.\\nHe befriends and eventually kindles a relationship with a woman & her young daughter. The story evolves beautifully around these bits.\\nAt 732 pages, yes it is long. I promise you'll rue finishing the book. This is a beautiful piece of King fiction which can rightfully take it's place next to \\\"The Stand\\\" & \\\"Hearts in Atlantis\\\".\",\n \"Product: Vince Flynn's fifteen thrillers have been published in twenty countries. Visit his website at www.vinceflynn.com.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: MItch Rapp Begins His Career\\n\\nReview: One would think this should be the first book in the Rapp series. It shows the Rapp fan how he started & trained for his CIA assassin career.\\nThe beginning is interesting, but at over 500 pages, a bit too long for it's story. The story is entertaining, though it becomes somewhat \\\"Over the top.\\\" It takes us from the US to Moscow, Stwitzerland, and Beirut. I didn't find the plot contained the depth of some of the other Vince Flynn books. The book also suffers from some less than stellar editing. The characters don't have the depth found other Rapp books either. The story, as mentioned, is entertaining. The ending is fine. Though don't look for any twists<a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/American-Assassin-A-Thriller/dp/B005MWIW1U/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">American Assassin: A Thriller</a>\",\n \"Product: Before becoming a fulltime RVer, Nick Russell published several daily and weekly newspapers in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. He and his wife, Miss Terry, are the publishers of the popular Gypsy Journal RV travel newspaper, and Russell presents travel seminars at RV rallies across the country. Nick Russell is the author of Highway History and Back Road Mystery, Meandering Down The Highway - A Year On The Road With Fulltime RVers, Work Your Way Across The USA - You Can Earn A Living And Travel Too!, The Frugal RVer, and the new Big Lake mystery series. You can follow Nick on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NickRussellAuthor\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This Sequel is Actually Better Than The First Book\\n\\nReview: Mr. Russel's \\\"Big Lake\\\" was good. This one surpasses it. Sheriff Weber & his small force are the peacekeepers in this sleepy Arizona resort town which becomes rocked by two murders. One of them being very sticky in solving.\\nThe characters in the story are all quite well developed. They run the gamut from sane to psychotic.\\n\\nA young half Apache boy is found brutally murdered. The Sheriff has almost no clues until a witness provides him with a description of a car close to the area. The car belonging to an unstable local backwoods person. Now throw in a very wealthy dysfunctional couple, their spoiled son and a few other folks into the fray. The whole murder becomes more difficult to solve.\\n\\nAdd into the fray an idiot small town mayor, ala \\\"Dukes of Hazzard\\\", a deputy who is clueless, and a group of Apaches from the reservation who claim they get no justice. The result is a sheriff who muddles through all this to get to the truth. He refuses to cave to pressure and is driven to see his job through to the end.\\nThe book is peppered with comical moments & is suspenseful. There is more than enough to leave the reader as confused as the cops as to who did it.\\n\\nThe book becomes a real page turner which edges out its predecessor, \\\"Big Lake.\\\" It's a very good read\",\n \"Product: Excellent Book\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Seeking a Reason To Believe\\n\\nReview: I found the book to be clever. A book of sentimentality and faith.\\nA small town in Michigan has some residents receiving phone calls from their loved, yet departed ones telling them of heaven and affirmation of the beauty of the afterlife. Word gets out and the town becomes overrun by outsiders seeking answers from the beyond.\\nWhile there are several protagonists, there is one main character, Sully Harding. Sully is tormented by his own tragedy and is not exactly a believer in the phone calls. He sets out for the truth.\\nThe novel starts out interestingly enough and has a bit of a twist at the end, There's a smattering of changes in the main body of the book. But, I found the main body of work to be repetitious enough to be basically skimmed through. Four stars for it being clever.\",\n \"Product: Title: Holiday in Death <>Binding: Prebound <>Author: J.D.Robb <>Publisher: TurtlebackBooks\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Boring. Did Nora Roberts/JD Robb Pen This?\\n\\nReview: The year is 2060 & the plot revolves around virtual gaming. The games creator is killed very quickly in the first chapter. You pretty much know what happened & how. But, how is it possible?\\nThe cops chase their tails. They realize later what happened & chase the culprit. By that time, you've read through constant repetitive dialogue where nothing is happening. Most of the middle book is filled with this repitition. By the time the author gets to the meat of the story I no longer cared. I, like others, have doubts if Nora Roberts/JD Robb wrote this. Many of her trademarks simply aren't there.\\nHaving trouble falling asleep? Just pick this novel up. It'll put you out\\n\\nI wonder if the manuscript was proof read or copy edited. There are numerous very noticeable mistakes. Even the editing falls short in this novel.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":14,"string":"14"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1795,"string":"1,795"}}},{"rowIdx":1796,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3ANLUEKJBC1IZ"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"3.0\" for a product with description \"A daydreamer at heart, Patricia A. Rasey, resides in her native town in Northwest Ohio with her husband, Mark, and her lovable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Todd. Ms. Rasey is a three-time recipient of the Word Weaving Award for Literary Excellence and a three-time winner of the prestigious RIO Award Of Excellence. She is also a three-time EPPIE finalist and was a 2001 nominee for Romantic Times Magazine's Best Electronic Book. Additionally, Twilight Obsessions and Twilight Visions, two anthologies she was a part of, was nominated for the PEARL, the Paranormal Excellence Award in Romantic Literature, in the Best Anthology category. Her short story, In The Mind of Darkness won the P&E 2002 Horror short story category. When not behind her computer, you can find Patricia working, reading, watching movies or MMA. She also enjoys spending her free time at the river camping with her husband and two sons. Ms. Rasey is currently a third degree Black Belt in American Freestyle Karate.\". The summary of the review text is \"Review: Viper ~ Bikers and Vampires, who could ask for more?\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"~ 2.5 Viper Stars ~\n\nViper is book one in the Sons of Sangue series by Patricia A. Rasey. Ive never read a vampire bicker romance before and have had this one on my TBR for sometime. When it popped up on sale I bought it. This is my first experience with Ms. Rasey and it was just ok.\n\nViper aka Kane is the president of the Sons of Sangue. He is the ultimate bad boy, taking whatever he wants.\n\nCara Brahnam, is a police detective. She ran away from what she saw 10 years ago, but is now back in town investigating a murder which leads her right back to Kane and the reason she left in the first place.\n\nViper had its ups, downs and a nice plot plan with Bikers and Vampires, which got me interested in reading this book. The sexual aspects where intense and erotic. I found some aspects unique and interesting, but even with all of that I still had issues with Viper. Some of the plot points seemed un-ended or without reasons at times and some things where a bit repetitive taking away from the story. Im not sure what it is about Viper, but it just did not fit for me. Maybe I wanted more \"grit\", though it did have a dark feel with the \"Raves\", but something was just off. The characters where ok. They never really stood out to me and Icould not connect with thethem. The storyline had some interesting elements, but still things did not quit work. The ending was not as neat and tidy as I like, leaving things unresolved.\n\nViper was an ok read and I do have plans to check out the next book, maybe it will be animprovement and will keep me reading the rest of thisseries. As for you if the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won't for you."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"~ 2.5 Viper Stars ~\n\nViper is book one in the Sons of Sangue series by Patricia A. Rasey. Ive never read a vampire bicker romance before and have had this one on my TBR for sometime. When it popped up on sale I bought it. This is my first experience with Ms. Rasey and it was just ok.\n\nViper aka Kane is the president of the Sons of Sangue. He is the ultimate bad boy, taking whatever he wants.\n\nCara Brahnam, is a police detective. She ran away from what she saw 10 years ago, but is now back in town investigating a murder which leads her right back to Kane and the reason she left in the first place.\n\nViper had its ups, downs and a nice plot plan with Bikers and Vampires, which got me interested in reading this book. The sexual aspects where intense and erotic. I found some aspects unique and interesting, but even with all of that I still had issues with Viper. Some of the plot points seemed un-ended or without reasons at times and some things where a bit repetitive taking away from the story. Im not sure what it is about Viper, but it just did not fit for me. Maybe I wanted more \"grit\", though it did have a dark feel with the \"Raves\", but something was just off. The characters where ok. They never really stood out to me and Icould not connect with thethem. The storyline had some interesting elements, but still things did not quit work. The ending was not as neat and tidy as I like, leaving things unresolved.\n\nViper was an ok read and I do have plans to check out the next book, maybe it will be animprovement and will keep me reading the rest of thisseries. As for you if the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won't for you."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: The MiniBow aquarium has been redesigned to incorporate a low-profile hood with energy-saving LED lighting. Each kit still comes with the familiar bow-front vessel and powerful filtration, but the added base provides a contemporary flair to the reliable design.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Works for one beta or small goldfish only!\n\nReview: I bought my tank at PetCo; because it was on sale. I like the tank. We originally purchased this tank to just house one betta fish, though I don't know how the betta got out with the lid on, so we ended up putting one very small goldfish in the tank. The tank works for the one messy goldfish, especially since I clean and change the filter (cartage S) once a month. Update: We now have a better back in the tank and it is working out well. I made sure to have some plants in one spot, so the fish has a place to rest. The filter has a strong current only because the tank is so small.\n\nThe only downside I see, so far is that the tank scratches easily. It's acrylic.\n\nIf I wanted to have more then one fish, other fish, or a bunch of messy fish then I would recommend the 5 gallon our more. I would not recommend this product for use with more then one fish since the filter is not strong enough to handle that load and their is not enough space for more then one fish to swim.\n\nAs for where I purchased it well someone must have returned the one I picked up; becasue it didt come with the kit items i.e.. filter cartage S, fish food, or conditioner. (I wish I did not have my toddler with me, so I could have looked inside the box to make sure all items where their.) I paid for it, so it should have been their. I was not too un-happy since we previous had fish before, so I already had the food and a better water conditioner for the fish.","Product: Meet Harry Dresden, Chicago's first (and only) Wizard P.I. Turns out the 'everyday' world is full of strange and magical things - and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Business has been slow lately for Harry Dresden. Okay, business has been dead. Not undead - just dead. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work - magical or mundane. But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise. A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses. And the first two don't count ...Magic - it can get a guy killed.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Review: Fool Moon ~ Full of suspense, mystery and adventure.\n\nReview: Fool Moon is book two in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. We are taken on another mystery, full of suspense and adventure.\n\nHarry is one of the good guys. But he struggles and hes flawed. He isn't perfect. I like him and I like how hard he tries to protect everyone around him.\n\nAs for the women in Harrys life Im not a fan of either at this point. I don't care for reporters. I just don't like them, but Susan came through and helped Harry out. Though I feel she's with him just to get a story. Murphy the detective she was mistrustful, impulsive, and violent in this installment. She was not very nice and put Harry in a situation that made things worse, instead of letting him explain.\n\nThe werewolf lore was very interesting, especially the twist at the very end. The teaser about Harrys mother was a tease for Harry and the readers. Im excited to see what more Harry and us will learn about himself, his parents, and his past.\n\nFool Moon was another great read in The Dresden Files series. I loved the mystery and the surprises we get. Its not straightforward and the developments will surprise you.\n\nRated: 4 Stars","Product: Fire Touched\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Review: Fire Touched ~ Love Mercy. This series never gets old.\n\nReview: I just love coming back to this world and getting back into Mercys head. I was captured from the first word. There where some great funny lines and so much to love and savor in this installment.\n\nMercy and Adam have a great relationship and you can see that in the pages. They work well together and their relationship is never stale. It is ever changing as is the world around them. Adam finally puts down the law with his pack about Mercy. I would have liked this done sooner, but it was great to see him set them straight.\n\nThe Hampton Pack ends up dealing with some major changes and challenges in this installment. Im very intrigued with the direction things are going, the new & old characters that pop-up, the world as a whole, and how everything was resolved. It was masterful done.\n\nFire Touched was a treat for this fan. Their was never a dull moment. The series continues to grow and get better with each book. Mercy is becoming stronger, the pack is evolving, and the world continues to build. Fire Touched is packed full with non-stop excitement.\n\nIf you enjoy shifters, pack polities, a vast world, unique characters, and a series that will never get dull, then you need to try the Mercy Thompson series. If your a fan then don't wait to read Fire Touched. Its not to be missed!\n\nRated: 4 Stars","Product: After years at the bottom of the pack, Anna has learned never to trust dominant males, until Charles Cornick, the enforcer and leader of the North American werewolves, declares her his mate, revealing her destiny as an Omega wolf.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Review: Cry Wolf ~ Fabulous, Amazing, Great start to the series\n\nReview: ~ 4.5 Cry Wolf Stars ~\n\nCry Wolf is book one of the Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs. I recommend reading the novella Alpha & Omega before reading Cry Wolf , so you get a feel for the context and Anna & Charles's, relationship in this story.\n\nI am a big fan of the Mercy Thompson Series by Ms. Briggs. I love her characters and the world she has created. Both Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series over lap each other in their timelines. You meet some of the characters in MT and others in A&O. You don't have to have read both series to enjoy them. Its just nice as a fan to get that connection and timeline over lap.\n\nCry Wolf is a re-read for me.\n\nWe have an interesting plot that takes our characters deep into the Montana woods in order to solve the case of a rouge werewolf, but they find much more then just a rouge and things get intense. Life is never easy especially as a werewolf and when you add other supernatural creatures into the mix it gets chaotic. I love how the author describes her wolves. Its not what we have come to expect.\n\nAnna, was turned not by her choose into a werewolf. She has been used and abused by her pack in Chicago until Charles comes along to ad her. Seeing her character develop and learning what makes her tick was delightful. She is a rarity among werewolves and learning about this and the Omega traits are fascinating. Charles has never had a real love in his life, so he is new to the mating idea. He is also an interesting & unique character, in that he is different from his kind with an ability to spawn clothing and his Brother Wolf. As for Anna and Charles's relationship. The wolves are attracted to one another, but the human side takes it much slower. I liked how these two are taking it slowly and I look forward to seeing how the relationship develops throughout the series.\n\nCry Wolf was a fabulous start to the Alpha & Omega series. I am looking forward to re-reading this and all the other books by Patricia Briggs. If you have not picked up either series. I highly recommend you do.","Product: Alexandra Ivy graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She currently lives in Missouri with her extraordinarily patient husband and teenage sons. To stay updated on Alexandra's Guardian series or to chat with other readers, please visit her website at www.alexandraivy.com.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Review: Kill Without Mercy ~ Action, mystery, suspense, and drama! Great start!\n\nReview: Kill Without Mercy is book one in the ARES Security series by Alexandra Ivy. This was a good start. I had a nice time reading Kill Without Mercy. We get a few surprises, action, a mystery, & romance.\n\nTheir is a whole lot of yumminess. We got to meet the five men that make up the ARES team. I liked that we got to meet them and learn a little about each. They all sounded interesting and I cant wait to read their stories.\n\nRafe and Annie where a good mix for a couple. Rafe steps in to save the day and the girl along with the help of his friends who immediately lead their support and protection. Annie was easy to like.\n\nThe story was enjoyable and fun. It has plenty of action, mystery, suspense, and drama which was captivating. The romance was a little quick, but it was still a delightful story. I look forward to more in this series.\n\nRated: 3 Stars","Product: The sad truth is that Im not nearly as entertaining as fiction. *Wink* I am a thirty-seven year old stay at home writer, thanks to my incredibly supportive husband. Weve been together for thirteen years and I still love waking up next to that sexy man. We lost our furry child recently, so we are childless at the moment. Our whole world revolved around her. Needless to say, I love animals, especially dogs. Okay, maybe not all animals, Im not a super big fan of monkeys. Any animal that throws their feces kind of eeks me out. I may, or may not, have a problem with candy. I love any research that leads to Neiman Marcus online shoe department. Spreadsheets give me way more happiness than they should. I love to read, the dirtier the better. It all started with the naughty historical romances by Judith McNaught that I devoured as a teenager. I love reading about hot, sexy alpha males and heroines that are smart enough to live. You can find me: settajay.com Facebook Setta Jay, Author Twitter @SETTAJAY_\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Review: Ecstasy Claimed ~ Absolutely Fantastic!\n\nReview: ~ 5 Ecstasy Stars ~\n\nSett Jay is turning out to be one of my favorite Erotic Paranormal Romance authors. Ecstasy Claimed was absolutely fantastic! It has just the right amount of naughty and face-paced development to keep me going and coming back for more.\n\nI knew after the first page that this was going to be hot, steamy, and oh so good! Ms. Jay knows how to write a story with great characters and even steamier scenes. I enjoyed everything in this book from the plot development, to the characters and the sex we get. Gregorie is very dominate and I liked how Alyssa came into herself and proved to be an ideal match. The romance is scorching hot and all the action kepts you engaged. I love learning about the Guardians. They are moody, funny, devoted and strong. I also love the world that has been created. The storyline is face-paced and moves from one realm to another as well as we get several interestingside-storyliness going on. The authordoes a fabulous job transitioning the reader smoothly between everything that is happening and where you are in the realms.\n\nThis is one Erotic PNR book series you do not want to miss. I look forward to more Guardians of the Realms.\n\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy free of charge from the author with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.","Product: The sad truth is that Im not nearly as entertaining as fiction. *Wink* I am a thirty-seven year old stay at home writer, thanks to my incredibly supportive husband. Weve been together for thirteen years and I still love waking up next to that sexy man. We lost our furry child recently, so we are childless at the moment. Our whole world revolved around her. Needless to say, I love animals, especially dogs. Okay, maybe not all animals, Im not a super big fan of monkeys. Any animal that throws their feces kind of eeks me out. I may, or may not, have a problem with candy. I love any research that leads to Neiman Marcus online shoe department. Spreadsheets give me way more happiness than they should. I love to read, the dirtier the better. It all started with the naughty historical romances by Judith McNaught that I devoured as a teenager. I love reading about hot, sexy alpha males and heroines that are smart enough to live. You can find me: settajay.com Facebook: Setta Jay, Author Twitter: @SETTAJAY_ Goodreads: Setta Jay\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Review: Piercing Ecstasy ~ Another fabulous erotic read in this series!\n\nReview: ~ 4.5 Piercing Stars ~\n\nPiercing Ecstasy is book five in the Guardians of the Realms series. It's another *FANTASTIC* erotic read in this series by Setta Jay. I cant get enough of this world and its oh so HAWT Guardians.\n\nIleana, confident, a warrior who rules her domain, but also has some emotional issues to over come. Jax, Guardian, a bit insatiable, powerful and very alpha.\n\nI was curious to see how Jaxs mating would be handled and the author did not disappoint. I enjoyed Ileana and Jaxs first meeting. The author had me fanning myself. I was on fire write along with our leads throughout the book. All the hot and steamy action going on. WOW baby! Jax knew what he wanted and how to get his mate to warm up to him. We get to see all the Guardians again as they make appearances, which I just love seeing them. The author threw in a little mystery that surprised me, along with some get plot twists and turns. I loved it! And she also has done a fantastic job setting up for the next Guardians book.\n\nI cant wait for more Guardian love! This series is one you don't want to miss out on. I look forward to more great books in this series.\n\nDisclaimer: I received an ARC copy free of charge from the author with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.","Product: Ella Summers has been writing stories for as long as she could read; she's been coming up with tall tales even longer than that. One of her early year masterpieces was a story about a pigtailed princess and her dragon sidekick. Nowadays, she still writes fantasy. She likes books with lots of action, adventure, and romance. When she is not busy writing or spending time with her two young children, she makes the world safe by fighting robots. Ella is the international bestselling author of the paranormal and fantasy series Legion of Angels, Dragon Born, and Sorcery and Science.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A lot of fun. Captivating and Intriguing.\n\nReview: Its been a long time since Ive been driven to dive into one book after another in a series. Legion of Angels hooked me with the first book, Vampires Kiss, and I couldn't stop until I read them all. Now Im left waiting for the next installment to come.\n\nThis series does have some similarities to the Guild Hunters, but their are enough differences and unique qualities to make this something new and appealing.\n\nIn Vampires Kiss we are introduced to the world, to Leda, the Legion of Angels, and so much more. Their is quit a lot to wrap your mind around and digest in this first installment.\n\nWar has been raging; between demons and angels. This war destroyed the world and now everyone has to live behind a protective wall or the monsters in the Black Plains created by demons and gods will get them.\n\nLeda is a bounty hunter. Her family is not a family by blood, but a family by choose. They stick together and look out for each other, so when one goes missing. Leda makes a choice that will change her life.\n\nThe Legion of Angels are an elite law enforcement agency. Those that join do not leave. Its a life long services and the higher up you get in the ranks the more powers you are giving. The training is grueling and brutal. Their are several levels; before you become an angel or an archangel. To get leveled up you have to first servive the training and then the ceremony that grants you powers.\n\nLeda is a kick ass character. I liked her loyalty and love for her foster family. She puts herself through a lot to try and save her brother. The training in the Legion of Angels is demanding, but shes determined and stubborn and I like that about her. Besides all the training, she actually gets to go on a case and investigate. I will say I had fun with Leda and I liked her standing up to Nero, the angel.\n\nTheir is a little love triangle in Vampires Kiss. Two men take an interest in Leda and they approach her in different ways. Leda dose make decisions that lead one or the other on and with that it bumped my liking of her down a notch. Im not a fan of love triangles, but I will say by the ending things are leaning more towards one.\n\nNow, their is one thing I didn't care for. One scene Leda conforms to peer pressure. Everyone in the Legion of Angels takes this drug to help unwind and lossen up. I don't care for the gods nectar being used as a recreational drug, but I guess at some point we all give into peer pressure.\n\nLast, Vampires Kiss just ends with no warning that its nearing the end. It was more like an ending of a chapter then an ending to a book. With this ending it leaves you wanting to either stop the series or pick up the next book and find out what happens next.\n\nI had a lot of fun reading Vampires Kiss. The story captivated and intrigued me. I liked the balance of action and romance. Urban Fantasy readers will enjoy this book.\n\nRated: 4 Stars","Product: New York Times Bestselling author Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge. You can read more about their work on their website: http://www.ilona-andrews.com\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Review: One Fell Sweep ~ Phenomenal!\n\nReview: This series is a MUST READ and one that must be read in order. Everything builds from book to book and it only gets better.\n\nI waited to read this when the paperback version came out. I like the pictures illustrated in the paperbacks and of course I prefer to read a story in it's entirety instead of bit by bit. The author published parts on their website, but for me it's not the same as getting it all in one sitting, holding that paperback.\n\nWOW. I read this in one day. Couldn't put it down. I loved everything about this installment. Going deeper into Dinas family, seeing her relationship grow with Sean, revisiting characters and introducing new ones. Just Fabulous!! I can't wait for the next installment.\n\n- The relationship between Dina and Sean. Their relationship has been a slow build. I like how this relationship has developed over the books. It was fabulous seeing Dina come to understand her feelings for Sean, her wolf, and how it all came into focus. I liked the conversations they had and that they hashed out things. To finally see these two get together and move their relationship into the physical one, was sweet and well worth the wait.\n\n- We are introduced to Diana's sister, Maud and her niece, Helen. I love seeing kids. They add something special to the books and here there's magic afoot. Its hard not to fall for Helen and of course her mother Maud is one badass women. What shes been through and how she survived. Power to her. Im curious and LOVE that a romantic relationship might be developing between Maud and Arland.\n\n- Arland, I never saw him for Dina and didn't like the little triangle thing in book one, but here Arland was fabulous. He melted my heart with how sweet he was to Helen and his run ins with Maud where great. I really want to see more Maud, Helen, and Arland. Maybe they will get their own book. Who knows?\n\n- The concept and storyline for the Hiru was wonderful done. And, Officer Marais, things finally comes to a head. There were many more events and things that made this such an outstanding read.\n\n-There were emotional parts that made my heart melt and clench. Their were hilarious scenes like the fart gun, which I laughed so hard reading. Then we get so many hints and tidbits that were amazing morsel to digest. Like the tidbit on Klaus (Dinas Brother), her father and mother, and of another big bad that might be on the horizon that Dina maybe confronting.\n\nThere was just so much to love in One Fell Sweep. I don't know how the Andrews team keeps coming up with new, unique, and astonishing things, but they do. Im in awe. Really if you haven't started the Innkeeper Chronicles or any works by Ilona Andrews you are sorely missing out.\n\nOne Fell Sweep is a phenomenal Urban Fantasy adventure.\n\nRated: 5 Stars","Product: I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. Its a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other's loves it works wonderfully My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands I shall forever remain cross-eyed. www.tgayer.com\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Review: Blood Magic ~ Riveting, exhilarating, & fast-paced mystery.\n\nReview: Blood Magic is an exhilarating introduction into the DarkWorld: Should Tracker series by T.G. Ayer. It grabs you from the get go. Its an action-packed fast-paced mystery that keeps you on your toes. I couldn't put it down.\n\nI throughly liked the idea, mystery, and scenarios that played out in this story along with the supernatural twists.\n\nMel, I liked. Her character was easy to connect to. Shes enjoyable, appealing, can get out of most situations, magical, capable, and has some great friends plus a background that is just beginning to be told. She is strongly dedicated to what she does and won't give up on those she made promises too. She puts everyone before herself and her abilities are unique and rare. Those abilities that she has where very intriguing. It just added to Mels uniqueness.\n\nThe secondary characters where captivating. I really enjoyed her little gang she has and the love interest that shows up. It was fascinating to find out what and who this love interest is. Though we have a love interest and these awesome friends, our main focus is on solving the mystery and rescuing a little girl.\n\nWe do get a few questions answered, yet more questions come up. The ending left me wanting the next book now, so I could dig deeper into the mystery that is left open and those questions still unanswered.\n\nA few things did bother me. Her abilities or at least one was to be a secret, yet I felt everyone knew about it. I also felt like to many things where left open. To many questions at the end.\n\nBlood Magic is a riveting urban fantasy full of mystery that keeps you guessing. I had a delightful time reading and cant wait to get my hands on book two and find out what happens next.\n\nRated: 4 Stars\n\n*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by T.G. Ayer with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.","Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Review: Her Sinful Angel - Full of action, betrayal, & romance!\n\nReview: ~ 4 Her Sinful Angel Stars ~\n\nHer Sinful Angel is book eight in the Her Angel series by Felicity Heaton. I enjoyed going to Hell, learning about Lucifer, and seeing him as a romance hero. Her Sinful Angel is full of action, betrayal, & romance.\n\nLucifer is the king of Hell and a powerful warrior angel. We get the lowdown on Lucifer and by the end of this story, you feel for him. Nina, is a human; being used in Heavens games, but she does not know this. She has a sliver of dark insider her, which helped her to connect with Lucifer.\n\nBoth Lucifer and Nina have been betrayed, both have barriers around themselves, and they both try to keeping their emotions at bay. What each went through shaped them to be what they are now. They balanced each other out with the full on darkness/a little light in Lucifer to Ninas full on light/with a sliver of darkness.\n\nThe plot was straight to the point. I was also surprised by something in the plot (not going to spoil it), but I did enjoy the surprise. I read this book in one shot. It was a quick and sexy read, something I needed and enjoyed.\n\nIt can be read as a standalone, but a few of the previous characters do show up. This is my second experience with Felicity Heatons Her Angel series and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Lucifer and Nina. I plan on reading the others in this series, getting more familiar with the world, and cast of characters.\n\nIf you have not picked up Her Angel series, I recommend giving it a try.\n\n*Disclaimer: This story was previously published in the Dark and Damaged Box Set which I bought, but I also received a complementary ARC from the author through RabidPR. The complementary ARC had an added scene at the end, that was not previously in the Box Set, but has been added since its release in single format. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.","Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author. Felicity writes passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Review: Bitten by a Hellcat - A good read!\n\nReview: ~ 3.5 Bitten Stars ~\n\nARC Bitten by a Hellcat\n\nBitten by a Hellcat is book six in the Eternal Mates series. This one can be read as a stand alone.\n\nAs books go in a series this one is my least favorite. Which is sad, but their is bound to be one that does not fit or work for someone. Bitten by a Hellcat just did not have that same great feel as the other previous installments.\n\nOwen is a Hunter, mercenary, and has some shocking secrets. Cait is a hellcat, which is something new that we have not yet seen. She is strong and a fighter. These two are attracted to each other from the get go. What got to me is their is no prior relationship between them, which made everything feel rushed and the sex came off as a one-nighter. I did not enjoy the couple falling into be so fast. I never really felt the lust bloom into that eternal love. We do get some great action-packed moments and fans of the series will love that our Bleu makes an appearance, thou it is small, we see a glimpse of who his intended will be. Its always fun when the author pulls characters back into the story.\n\nBitten by a Hellcat was still a good read in the series. Not my favorite, but I am looking forward to more great books in the Eternal Mates series. I love this series and If you have not picked it up yet, you must.\n\nDisclaimer: ARC provided by author via tour host (Rabid PR) with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.","Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author. Felicity writes passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Review: Taken by a Dragon ~ Must read for PNR fans!\n\nReview: ~ 5 Taken Stars ~\n\nTaken by a Dragon is book seven in the Eternal Mates series by Felicity Heaton. I love DRAGONS and I have been not so patently waiting for this installment. Its by far another one of my favorites in this series.\n\nHell is a very dangerous place even for the creatures living in it, but the Dragons are at the top of the pyramid and very few creatures will mess with them. I enjoyed learning about the Dragons in Hell, their culture and instincts. Loke is a Dragon, masculine, powerful, and very intelligent. I liked his determination to protect his little Amazon and his curiosity about her and her world. Anais is a fierce warrior, strong willed, and works for Archangel, the hunter organization. I liked her fierceness and dedication to protect her family and friends.\n\nThe relationship building was well done. Loke and Anais have feelings for each other, but did not jump on them and instead they got to know each other first. I will always love cameos and FHeaton had no shortage of them in Taken by a Dragon . We get a great verity of characters and of course the author introduces us to a few new ones that I am looking forward to reading about. Ms. Heaton does an amazing job of bring together everything a PNR needs. The writing style flows easily and the story pulls you in making it so hard to put the book down. This is another Masterful Spectacular Adventure full of protection and romance.\n\nIf you have not picked this series up yet, I highly recommend you do. This is a must read for any PNR fans. Ms. Heaton is an unbelievable writer and all her her works are worth trying out.\n\n* Disclaimer: ARC provided by author via tour host (Rabid PR) with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.","Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author. Felicity writes passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Review: Awakened by a Demoness ~ Heaven and Hell are up to no good!\n\nReview: SPOILER FREE\n\nAngels & Demons! Oh My!\n\nAwakened by a Demoness is the tenth installment in the astounding Eternal Mates series by Felicity Heaton. It can easily be read as a stand-a-lone.\n\nI was having such bad luck with books, until this one showed up. I devoured this book and couldn't put it down for the life of me. It had everything Ive come to love in the Eternal Mates series. Action, adventure, twists, surprises, suspense, captivating unique characters, and sexual tension that was off the charts. Ms. Heaton knows how to weave an intricate and lethal story. Her books are engaging, gripping, and pull together a verity of supernatural species.\n\nThis story was off and running from the first to the last page. Their was no shortage of surprises and twists that will leave you in aww of this latest installment.\n\nWe are never given a dull moment; between our leads and their mission. I loved Asteria our Demon, she's sassy and Ray our elite Angel, is rigid. Both where fascinating and when they run across each other, its a collision course to something mountainous. Together these two had their issues, making the conversations amusing and the sexual tension fierce. And, what we learn about these two along the way. Well I didn't see that twisting SURPRISE!\n\nI also enjoy how the author weaves in other characters. They just pop up on the pages giving us a little taste and showing us a small piece of the picture for that character, who may eventually get a story. It wets the appetite. Leaving you wanting more.\n\nHands down Heaton hit this one out of Hell. Loved it! If you have not picked up this series yet, you need too. Paranormal Romance fans will love the uniqueness of the world, characters, and verity of supernaturals. Its a must read!\n\nRated: 5 Awakened Stars\n\n*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Felicity Heaton via RabidPR with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.","Product: Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 85 books in romance, mystery, and urban fantasy.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Review: Wild Things ~ Fun, sweet, quick, & enjoyable!\n\nReview: ~ 3.5 Wild Stars ~\n\nWild Things is a novella in the Shifters Unbound series by Jennifer Ashley.\n\nI do enjoy the novellas in this series. They are fun, cute, sweet, quick and enjoyable. Theauthordoes a great job outlining the world and how things work, that you don't feel like you are missing much. I also like the glimpses of previous couples and the hints of who could be next to get a romance in the series.\n\nAs for Mason and Jasmine, they where ok. Their romance in and of itself is quick. These two must work together to find a rare shifter healer. Even if you skip this novella you will still get to meet the shifter healer in White Tiger and the shifter healer will also have his own story in book #9 Guardian's Mate.\n\nI do have to say I loved Jasmine's haunted house. The house rocked. Kinda wish we had more of this house.\n\nThis series has good world building, the mythology of shifters is unique, and the characters are adorable. If you have nottriedthis series yet, you should. It's got a verity of shifters for everyone to fall in love with plus each book brings something new to the table. I can't wait for more.","Product: BOOKS\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A humorous suspenseful murder mystery. Narration is wonderful!\n\nReview: Mystery, surprises, tension, & edge of our seat moments.\n\nHolly Cow, Grave Witch was more then I expected it to be. I was pulled in from the start and couldn't stop until the very end. We get ghosts, a murder mystery, weird magic, and so much more. It was one thing after another that you never know what will happen next.\n\nAlex is a fun, unique, and powerful character. Everything we learn about her just leads us to wanting more. Her numerous and complex problems change the book into an entertaining and unpredictable read. Her greave sight is a pretty nifty ability, but it comes with a price. I liked how in this world their is a price to having magic. The more Alex is in contact with the dead the colder her body temperature gets and after being in contact with her power she has issues with her eyes. Alex does find ways to deal with the price.\n\nThe secondary characters where wonderful. I had fun with all of Alexs friends. Shes picked a great group of people to be with.\n\nThe relationships Alex has with Death and Falin makes me wonder if their might be a love triangle looming in the future. I like the relationship between Alex and Death. As for Falin and Alex they where together to help with the backlash of her power this time around. Im curious to see where things go on the man front. I will say the relationship comes second to the murder mysterious happen in this story.\n\nNarration: This is my first experience with narrator Emily Durante. I didn't have any issues with the audio. I was sucked in that I couldn't stop and when I had to I was a little sad and I wanted to jump back into the audio book. The story comes alive. Their are a lot of characters and Ms. Durante does a good job making them each unique.\n\nGrave Witch is a humorous suspenseful murder mystery Urban Fantasy thats hard to put down. I cant wait to dive into the next installment.\n\nRated: 4.5 Stars","Product: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laurie London lives in the Seattle area with her family.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Review: Rebel's Desire ~ A Compelling world & Intriguing concept.\n\nReview: ** Read as part of the Dark and Damaged: Eight Tortured Heroes of Paranormal Romance **\n\n~ 4 Rebels Desire Stars ~\n\nRebels Desire is book four in the Iron Portal series by Laurie London. We are given a compelling world, plot, and characters.\n\nI was pulled back into this fabulous and intriguing world. The concept is great with two worlds divided by hidden portals, one modern and one medieval. The Cascadians (medieval) have something the Pacificans (modern) want - Talents people with special abilities. These two separate worlds are waring with each other. The author does a deceit job explaining all of this, but I think the series is best read in order to get the full scope of what is going on.\n\nToryn, is part of the Cascadian Iron Guild and has some major trust issues after his love betrayed him. Falling for him is bound to have a few bumps along the way. Keely, is a Talent who grew up in the Pacificans world. She does not know the extent of her powers, but because of them her and her sister where cast out of their home as teenagers. Shes got daddy issues and her sister is missing.\n\nThese two end up working together and as they spend more time together they both learn to open up and heal. The romance is sweet and quick with some very hot and steamy moments. The author also features some familiar faces and that is always enjoyable.\n\nRebels Desire was a good read and I am looking forward to more installments in the Iron Portal series.","Product: Thea Harrison resides in Colorado. She wrote her first book, a romance, when she was nineteen and had sixteen romances published under the name Amanda Carpenter. She took a break from writing to collect a couple of graduate degrees and a grown child. Her graduate degrees are in Philanthropic Studies and Library Information Science, but her first love has always been writing fiction. You can check out her website at: www.theaharrison.com, and also follow her on Twitter and Facebook.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: So much fun plus entertaining to read or listen too.\n\nReview: I read Devils Gate & Hunters Season when they where first published and loved both. Ive been on an audiobook kick and decided to try out Ms. Harrisons Elder Races series in Audio.\n\nDestinys Tarot has the Elder Races Novellas Devils Gate #4.6 & Hunters Season #4.7 on it. Here we get to see some previously introduced characters that we meet in the Elder Races series. Even if you haven't read an Elder Races book you can still pick up these novellas, but I would recommend at least reading Books 1 & 2, so you can have a better sense of what is going on in the world. These novellas featured in Destiny's Tarot are fun, entertaining, and each have an HEA.\n\nBelow is my review for Devils Gate & Hunters Season:\n\nDevils Gate\n\nDevils Gate features Seremela a Medusa and Duncan a Vampyre. These characters are secondary characters introduced somewhere along the line in the Elder Race series.\n\nAs for the story, their is no shortage of action, adventure, and danger. The romance is sweet between these two and their is some major sexual tension that will combust by the end. I also have to point out that when we think of Medusa we don't think nice creatures, so I have to say I like how the author portrayed her Medusas. They weren't creepy, but came of different and noteworthy.\n\nAudio Review Dec. 2017: Sophie Eastlake did a wonderful job with the voices and bringing out the danger and attraction; between Seremela and Duncan. I will say Duncans voice was ok, not unpleasant, just a little to raspy for my liking and what I pictured him sounding like, but this didn't deter me from enjoying this novella again.\n\nRated: 4 Stars\n\n*****\n\nHunters Season\n\nHunters Season features Xanthe a Dark Fae Assassin and Aubrey a Dark Fae Chancellor. These characters are secondary characters introduced in the Elder Race series. We meet Xanthe in Devil's Gate and Aubrey in Storm's Heart. These two come together to create a lovely and passionate romance.\n\nThis novella was sensational with a heavenly HEA. Ms. Harrison delivers a beautiful blossoming romance; between two very different characters. Their romance builds slowly, is sweet, and adorable. I love how the author put so much attention on their romance.\n\nI adored Hunters Season. The conclusion was satisfying, the romance is charming, and we get a little danger and intrigue too. Harrison shows us just how much love can truly heal.\n\nAudio Review Dec. 2017: I enjoyed the audio narration for Hunter's Season. Sophie Eastlake did a superb job with the voices and bring out the blossoming romance between Xanthe and Aubrey.\n\nRated: 4 Stars\n\nThe Elder Race series brings us a verity of unique supernaturals, worlds, and so much more. Its an entertaining series to read or listen too. I highly recommend diving in."],"string":"[\n \"Product: The MiniBow aquarium has been redesigned to incorporate a low-profile hood with energy-saving LED lighting. Each kit still comes with the familiar bow-front vessel and powerful filtration, but the added base provides a contemporary flair to the reliable design.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Works for one beta or small goldfish only!\\n\\nReview: I bought my tank at PetCo; because it was on sale. I like the tank. We originally purchased this tank to just house one betta fish, though I don't know how the betta got out with the lid on, so we ended up putting one very small goldfish in the tank. The tank works for the one messy goldfish, especially since I clean and change the filter (cartage S) once a month. Update: We now have a better back in the tank and it is working out well. I made sure to have some plants in one spot, so the fish has a place to rest. The filter has a strong current only because the tank is so small.\\n\\nThe only downside I see, so far is that the tank scratches easily. It's acrylic.\\n\\nIf I wanted to have more then one fish, other fish, or a bunch of messy fish then I would recommend the 5 gallon our more. I would not recommend this product for use with more then one fish since the filter is not strong enough to handle that load and their is not enough space for more then one fish to swim.\\n\\nAs for where I purchased it well someone must have returned the one I picked up; becasue it didt come with the kit items i.e.. filter cartage S, fish food, or conditioner. (I wish I did not have my toddler with me, so I could have looked inside the box to make sure all items where their.) I paid for it, so it should have been their. I was not too un-happy since we previous had fish before, so I already had the food and a better water conditioner for the fish.\",\n \"Product: Meet Harry Dresden, Chicago's first (and only) Wizard P.I. Turns out the 'everyday' world is full of strange and magical things - and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Business has been slow lately for Harry Dresden. Okay, business has been dead. Not undead - just dead. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work - magical or mundane. But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise. A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses. And the first two don't count ...Magic - it can get a guy killed.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Fool Moon ~ Full of suspense, mystery and adventure.\\n\\nReview: Fool Moon is book two in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. We are taken on another mystery, full of suspense and adventure.\\n\\nHarry is one of the good guys. But he struggles and hes flawed. He isn't perfect. I like him and I like how hard he tries to protect everyone around him.\\n\\nAs for the women in Harrys life Im not a fan of either at this point. I don't care for reporters. I just don't like them, but Susan came through and helped Harry out. Though I feel she's with him just to get a story. Murphy the detective she was mistrustful, impulsive, and violent in this installment. She was not very nice and put Harry in a situation that made things worse, instead of letting him explain.\\n\\nThe werewolf lore was very interesting, especially the twist at the very end. The teaser about Harrys mother was a tease for Harry and the readers. Im excited to see what more Harry and us will learn about himself, his parents, and his past.\\n\\nFool Moon was another great read in The Dresden Files series. I loved the mystery and the surprises we get. Its not straightforward and the developments will surprise you.\\n\\nRated: 4 Stars\",\n \"Product: Fire Touched\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Fire Touched ~ Love Mercy. This series never gets old.\\n\\nReview: I just love coming back to this world and getting back into Mercys head. I was captured from the first word. There where some great funny lines and so much to love and savor in this installment.\\n\\nMercy and Adam have a great relationship and you can see that in the pages. They work well together and their relationship is never stale. It is ever changing as is the world around them. Adam finally puts down the law with his pack about Mercy. I would have liked this done sooner, but it was great to see him set them straight.\\n\\nThe Hampton Pack ends up dealing with some major changes and challenges in this installment. Im very intrigued with the direction things are going, the new & old characters that pop-up, the world as a whole, and how everything was resolved. It was masterful done.\\n\\nFire Touched was a treat for this fan. Their was never a dull moment. The series continues to grow and get better with each book. Mercy is becoming stronger, the pack is evolving, and the world continues to build. Fire Touched is packed full with non-stop excitement.\\n\\nIf you enjoy shifters, pack polities, a vast world, unique characters, and a series that will never get dull, then you need to try the Mercy Thompson series. If your a fan then don't wait to read Fire Touched. Its not to be missed!\\n\\nRated: 4 Stars\",\n \"Product: After years at the bottom of the pack, Anna has learned never to trust dominant males, until Charles Cornick, the enforcer and leader of the North American werewolves, declares her his mate, revealing her destiny as an Omega wolf.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Cry Wolf ~ Fabulous, Amazing, Great start to the series\\n\\nReview: ~ 4.5 Cry Wolf Stars ~\\n\\nCry Wolf is book one of the Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs. I recommend reading the novella Alpha & Omega before reading Cry Wolf , so you get a feel for the context and Anna & Charles's, relationship in this story.\\n\\nI am a big fan of the Mercy Thompson Series by Ms. Briggs. I love her characters and the world she has created. Both Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series over lap each other in their timelines. You meet some of the characters in MT and others in A&O. You don't have to have read both series to enjoy them. Its just nice as a fan to get that connection and timeline over lap.\\n\\nCry Wolf is a re-read for me.\\n\\nWe have an interesting plot that takes our characters deep into the Montana woods in order to solve the case of a rouge werewolf, but they find much more then just a rouge and things get intense. Life is never easy especially as a werewolf and when you add other supernatural creatures into the mix it gets chaotic. I love how the author describes her wolves. Its not what we have come to expect.\\n\\nAnna, was turned not by her choose into a werewolf. She has been used and abused by her pack in Chicago until Charles comes along to ad her. Seeing her character develop and learning what makes her tick was delightful. She is a rarity among werewolves and learning about this and the Omega traits are fascinating. Charles has never had a real love in his life, so he is new to the mating idea. He is also an interesting & unique character, in that he is different from his kind with an ability to spawn clothing and his Brother Wolf. As for Anna and Charles's relationship. The wolves are attracted to one another, but the human side takes it much slower. I liked how these two are taking it slowly and I look forward to seeing how the relationship develops throughout the series.\\n\\nCry Wolf was a fabulous start to the Alpha & Omega series. I am looking forward to re-reading this and all the other books by Patricia Briggs. If you have not picked up either series. I highly recommend you do.\",\n \"Product: Alexandra Ivy graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She currently lives in Missouri with her extraordinarily patient husband and teenage sons. To stay updated on Alexandra's Guardian series or to chat with other readers, please visit her website at www.alexandraivy.com.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Kill Without Mercy ~ Action, mystery, suspense, and drama! Great start!\\n\\nReview: Kill Without Mercy is book one in the ARES Security series by Alexandra Ivy. This was a good start. I had a nice time reading Kill Without Mercy. We get a few surprises, action, a mystery, & romance.\\n\\nTheir is a whole lot of yumminess. We got to meet the five men that make up the ARES team. I liked that we got to meet them and learn a little about each. They all sounded interesting and I cant wait to read their stories.\\n\\nRafe and Annie where a good mix for a couple. Rafe steps in to save the day and the girl along with the help of his friends who immediately lead their support and protection. Annie was easy to like.\\n\\nThe story was enjoyable and fun. It has plenty of action, mystery, suspense, and drama which was captivating. The romance was a little quick, but it was still a delightful story. I look forward to more in this series.\\n\\nRated: 3 Stars\",\n \"Product: The sad truth is that Im not nearly as entertaining as fiction. *Wink* I am a thirty-seven year old stay at home writer, thanks to my incredibly supportive husband. Weve been together for thirteen years and I still love waking up next to that sexy man. We lost our furry child recently, so we are childless at the moment. Our whole world revolved around her. Needless to say, I love animals, especially dogs. Okay, maybe not all animals, Im not a super big fan of monkeys. Any animal that throws their feces kind of eeks me out. I may, or may not, have a problem with candy. I love any research that leads to Neiman Marcus online shoe department. Spreadsheets give me way more happiness than they should. I love to read, the dirtier the better. It all started with the naughty historical romances by Judith McNaught that I devoured as a teenager. I love reading about hot, sexy alpha males and heroines that are smart enough to live. You can find me: settajay.com Facebook Setta Jay, Author Twitter @SETTAJAY_\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Ecstasy Claimed ~ Absolutely Fantastic!\\n\\nReview: ~ 5 Ecstasy Stars ~\\n\\nSett Jay is turning out to be one of my favorite Erotic Paranormal Romance authors. Ecstasy Claimed was absolutely fantastic! It has just the right amount of naughty and face-paced development to keep me going and coming back for more.\\n\\nI knew after the first page that this was going to be hot, steamy, and oh so good! Ms. Jay knows how to write a story with great characters and even steamier scenes. I enjoyed everything in this book from the plot development, to the characters and the sex we get. Gregorie is very dominate and I liked how Alyssa came into herself and proved to be an ideal match. The romance is scorching hot and all the action kepts you engaged. I love learning about the Guardians. They are moody, funny, devoted and strong. I also love the world that has been created. The storyline is face-paced and moves from one realm to another as well as we get several interestingside-storyliness going on. The authordoes a fabulous job transitioning the reader smoothly between everything that is happening and where you are in the realms.\\n\\nThis is one Erotic PNR book series you do not want to miss. I look forward to more Guardians of the Realms.\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy free of charge from the author with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.\",\n \"Product: The sad truth is that Im not nearly as entertaining as fiction. *Wink* I am a thirty-seven year old stay at home writer, thanks to my incredibly supportive husband. Weve been together for thirteen years and I still love waking up next to that sexy man. We lost our furry child recently, so we are childless at the moment. Our whole world revolved around her. Needless to say, I love animals, especially dogs. Okay, maybe not all animals, Im not a super big fan of monkeys. Any animal that throws their feces kind of eeks me out. I may, or may not, have a problem with candy. I love any research that leads to Neiman Marcus online shoe department. Spreadsheets give me way more happiness than they should. I love to read, the dirtier the better. It all started with the naughty historical romances by Judith McNaught that I devoured as a teenager. I love reading about hot, sexy alpha males and heroines that are smart enough to live. You can find me: settajay.com Facebook: Setta Jay, Author Twitter: @SETTAJAY_ Goodreads: Setta Jay\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Piercing Ecstasy ~ Another fabulous erotic read in this series!\\n\\nReview: ~ 4.5 Piercing Stars ~\\n\\nPiercing Ecstasy is book five in the Guardians of the Realms series. It's another *FANTASTIC* erotic read in this series by Setta Jay. I cant get enough of this world and its oh so HAWT Guardians.\\n\\nIleana, confident, a warrior who rules her domain, but also has some emotional issues to over come. Jax, Guardian, a bit insatiable, powerful and very alpha.\\n\\nI was curious to see how Jaxs mating would be handled and the author did not disappoint. I enjoyed Ileana and Jaxs first meeting. The author had me fanning myself. I was on fire write along with our leads throughout the book. All the hot and steamy action going on. WOW baby! Jax knew what he wanted and how to get his mate to warm up to him. We get to see all the Guardians again as they make appearances, which I just love seeing them. The author threw in a little mystery that surprised me, along with some get plot twists and turns. I loved it! And she also has done a fantastic job setting up for the next Guardians book.\\n\\nI cant wait for more Guardian love! This series is one you don't want to miss out on. I look forward to more great books in this series.\\n\\nDisclaimer: I received an ARC copy free of charge from the author with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.\",\n \"Product: Ella Summers has been writing stories for as long as she could read; she's been coming up with tall tales even longer than that. One of her early year masterpieces was a story about a pigtailed princess and her dragon sidekick. Nowadays, she still writes fantasy. She likes books with lots of action, adventure, and romance. When she is not busy writing or spending time with her two young children, she makes the world safe by fighting robots. Ella is the international bestselling author of the paranormal and fantasy series Legion of Angels, Dragon Born, and Sorcery and Science.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A lot of fun. Captivating and Intriguing.\\n\\nReview: Its been a long time since Ive been driven to dive into one book after another in a series. Legion of Angels hooked me with the first book, Vampires Kiss, and I couldn't stop until I read them all. Now Im left waiting for the next installment to come.\\n\\nThis series does have some similarities to the Guild Hunters, but their are enough differences and unique qualities to make this something new and appealing.\\n\\nIn Vampires Kiss we are introduced to the world, to Leda, the Legion of Angels, and so much more. Their is quit a lot to wrap your mind around and digest in this first installment.\\n\\nWar has been raging; between demons and angels. This war destroyed the world and now everyone has to live behind a protective wall or the monsters in the Black Plains created by demons and gods will get them.\\n\\nLeda is a bounty hunter. Her family is not a family by blood, but a family by choose. They stick together and look out for each other, so when one goes missing. Leda makes a choice that will change her life.\\n\\nThe Legion of Angels are an elite law enforcement agency. Those that join do not leave. Its a life long services and the higher up you get in the ranks the more powers you are giving. The training is grueling and brutal. Their are several levels; before you become an angel or an archangel. To get leveled up you have to first servive the training and then the ceremony that grants you powers.\\n\\nLeda is a kick ass character. I liked her loyalty and love for her foster family. She puts herself through a lot to try and save her brother. The training in the Legion of Angels is demanding, but shes determined and stubborn and I like that about her. Besides all the training, she actually gets to go on a case and investigate. I will say I had fun with Leda and I liked her standing up to Nero, the angel.\\n\\nTheir is a little love triangle in Vampires Kiss. Two men take an interest in Leda and they approach her in different ways. Leda dose make decisions that lead one or the other on and with that it bumped my liking of her down a notch. Im not a fan of love triangles, but I will say by the ending things are leaning more towards one.\\n\\nNow, their is one thing I didn't care for. One scene Leda conforms to peer pressure. Everyone in the Legion of Angels takes this drug to help unwind and lossen up. I don't care for the gods nectar being used as a recreational drug, but I guess at some point we all give into peer pressure.\\n\\nLast, Vampires Kiss just ends with no warning that its nearing the end. It was more like an ending of a chapter then an ending to a book. With this ending it leaves you wanting to either stop the series or pick up the next book and find out what happens next.\\n\\nI had a lot of fun reading Vampires Kiss. The story captivated and intrigued me. I liked the balance of action and romance. Urban Fantasy readers will enjoy this book.\\n\\nRated: 4 Stars\",\n \"Product: New York Times Bestselling author Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge. You can read more about their work on their website: http://www.ilona-andrews.com\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: One Fell Sweep ~ Phenomenal!\\n\\nReview: This series is a MUST READ and one that must be read in order. Everything builds from book to book and it only gets better.\\n\\nI waited to read this when the paperback version came out. I like the pictures illustrated in the paperbacks and of course I prefer to read a story in it's entirety instead of bit by bit. The author published parts on their website, but for me it's not the same as getting it all in one sitting, holding that paperback.\\n\\nWOW. I read this in one day. Couldn't put it down. I loved everything about this installment. Going deeper into Dinas family, seeing her relationship grow with Sean, revisiting characters and introducing new ones. Just Fabulous!! I can't wait for the next installment.\\n\\n- The relationship between Dina and Sean. Their relationship has been a slow build. I like how this relationship has developed over the books. It was fabulous seeing Dina come to understand her feelings for Sean, her wolf, and how it all came into focus. I liked the conversations they had and that they hashed out things. To finally see these two get together and move their relationship into the physical one, was sweet and well worth the wait.\\n\\n- We are introduced to Diana's sister, Maud and her niece, Helen. I love seeing kids. They add something special to the books and here there's magic afoot. Its hard not to fall for Helen and of course her mother Maud is one badass women. What shes been through and how she survived. Power to her. Im curious and LOVE that a romantic relationship might be developing between Maud and Arland.\\n\\n- Arland, I never saw him for Dina and didn't like the little triangle thing in book one, but here Arland was fabulous. He melted my heart with how sweet he was to Helen and his run ins with Maud where great. I really want to see more Maud, Helen, and Arland. Maybe they will get their own book. Who knows?\\n\\n- The concept and storyline for the Hiru was wonderful done. And, Officer Marais, things finally comes to a head. There were many more events and things that made this such an outstanding read.\\n\\n-There were emotional parts that made my heart melt and clench. Their were hilarious scenes like the fart gun, which I laughed so hard reading. Then we get so many hints and tidbits that were amazing morsel to digest. Like the tidbit on Klaus (Dinas Brother), her father and mother, and of another big bad that might be on the horizon that Dina maybe confronting.\\n\\nThere was just so much to love in One Fell Sweep. I don't know how the Andrews team keeps coming up with new, unique, and astonishing things, but they do. Im in awe. Really if you haven't started the Innkeeper Chronicles or any works by Ilona Andrews you are sorely missing out.\\n\\nOne Fell Sweep is a phenomenal Urban Fantasy adventure.\\n\\nRated: 5 Stars\",\n \"Product: I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. Its a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other's loves it works wonderfully My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands I shall forever remain cross-eyed. www.tgayer.com\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Blood Magic ~ Riveting, exhilarating, & fast-paced mystery.\\n\\nReview: Blood Magic is an exhilarating introduction into the DarkWorld: Should Tracker series by T.G. Ayer. It grabs you from the get go. Its an action-packed fast-paced mystery that keeps you on your toes. I couldn't put it down.\\n\\nI throughly liked the idea, mystery, and scenarios that played out in this story along with the supernatural twists.\\n\\nMel, I liked. Her character was easy to connect to. Shes enjoyable, appealing, can get out of most situations, magical, capable, and has some great friends plus a background that is just beginning to be told. She is strongly dedicated to what she does and won't give up on those she made promises too. She puts everyone before herself and her abilities are unique and rare. Those abilities that she has where very intriguing. It just added to Mels uniqueness.\\n\\nThe secondary characters where captivating. I really enjoyed her little gang she has and the love interest that shows up. It was fascinating to find out what and who this love interest is. Though we have a love interest and these awesome friends, our main focus is on solving the mystery and rescuing a little girl.\\n\\nWe do get a few questions answered, yet more questions come up. The ending left me wanting the next book now, so I could dig deeper into the mystery that is left open and those questions still unanswered.\\n\\nA few things did bother me. Her abilities or at least one was to be a secret, yet I felt everyone knew about it. I also felt like to many things where left open. To many questions at the end.\\n\\nBlood Magic is a riveting urban fantasy full of mystery that keeps you guessing. I had a delightful time reading and cant wait to get my hands on book two and find out what happens next.\\n\\nRated: 4 Stars\\n\\n*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by T.G. Ayer with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.\",\n \"Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Her Sinful Angel - Full of action, betrayal, & romance!\\n\\nReview: ~ 4 Her Sinful Angel Stars ~\\n\\nHer Sinful Angel is book eight in the Her Angel series by Felicity Heaton. I enjoyed going to Hell, learning about Lucifer, and seeing him as a romance hero. Her Sinful Angel is full of action, betrayal, & romance.\\n\\nLucifer is the king of Hell and a powerful warrior angel. We get the lowdown on Lucifer and by the end of this story, you feel for him. Nina, is a human; being used in Heavens games, but she does not know this. She has a sliver of dark insider her, which helped her to connect with Lucifer.\\n\\nBoth Lucifer and Nina have been betrayed, both have barriers around themselves, and they both try to keeping their emotions at bay. What each went through shaped them to be what they are now. They balanced each other out with the full on darkness/a little light in Lucifer to Ninas full on light/with a sliver of darkness.\\n\\nThe plot was straight to the point. I was also surprised by something in the plot (not going to spoil it), but I did enjoy the surprise. I read this book in one shot. It was a quick and sexy read, something I needed and enjoyed.\\n\\nIt can be read as a standalone, but a few of the previous characters do show up. This is my second experience with Felicity Heatons Her Angel series and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Lucifer and Nina. I plan on reading the others in this series, getting more familiar with the world, and cast of characters.\\n\\nIf you have not picked up Her Angel series, I recommend giving it a try.\\n\\n*Disclaimer: This story was previously published in the Dark and Damaged Box Set which I bought, but I also received a complementary ARC from the author through RabidPR. The complementary ARC had an added scene at the end, that was not previously in the Box Set, but has been added since its release in single format. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.\",\n \"Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author. Felicity writes passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Bitten by a Hellcat - A good read!\\n\\nReview: ~ 3.5 Bitten Stars ~\\n\\nARC Bitten by a Hellcat\\n\\nBitten by a Hellcat is book six in the Eternal Mates series. This one can be read as a stand alone.\\n\\nAs books go in a series this one is my least favorite. Which is sad, but their is bound to be one that does not fit or work for someone. Bitten by a Hellcat just did not have that same great feel as the other previous installments.\\n\\nOwen is a Hunter, mercenary, and has some shocking secrets. Cait is a hellcat, which is something new that we have not yet seen. She is strong and a fighter. These two are attracted to each other from the get go. What got to me is their is no prior relationship between them, which made everything feel rushed and the sex came off as a one-nighter. I did not enjoy the couple falling into be so fast. I never really felt the lust bloom into that eternal love. We do get some great action-packed moments and fans of the series will love that our Bleu makes an appearance, thou it is small, we see a glimpse of who his intended will be. Its always fun when the author pulls characters back into the story.\\n\\nBitten by a Hellcat was still a good read in the series. Not my favorite, but I am looking forward to more great books in the Eternal Mates series. I love this series and If you have not picked it up yet, you must.\\n\\nDisclaimer: ARC provided by author via tour host (Rabid PR) with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.\",\n \"Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author. Felicity writes passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Taken by a Dragon ~ Must read for PNR fans!\\n\\nReview: ~ 5 Taken Stars ~\\n\\nTaken by a Dragon is book seven in the Eternal Mates series by Felicity Heaton. I love DRAGONS and I have been not so patently waiting for this installment. Its by far another one of my favorites in this series.\\n\\nHell is a very dangerous place even for the creatures living in it, but the Dragons are at the top of the pyramid and very few creatures will mess with them. I enjoyed learning about the Dragons in Hell, their culture and instincts. Loke is a Dragon, masculine, powerful, and very intelligent. I liked his determination to protect his little Amazon and his curiosity about her and her world. Anais is a fierce warrior, strong willed, and works for Archangel, the hunter organization. I liked her fierceness and dedication to protect her family and friends.\\n\\nThe relationship building was well done. Loke and Anais have feelings for each other, but did not jump on them and instead they got to know each other first. I will always love cameos and FHeaton had no shortage of them in Taken by a Dragon . We get a great verity of characters and of course the author introduces us to a few new ones that I am looking forward to reading about. Ms. Heaton does an amazing job of bring together everything a PNR needs. The writing style flows easily and the story pulls you in making it so hard to put the book down. This is another Masterful Spectacular Adventure full of protection and romance.\\n\\nIf you have not picked this series up yet, I highly recommend you do. This is a must read for any PNR fans. Ms. Heaton is an unbelievable writer and all her her works are worth trying out.\\n\\n* Disclaimer: ARC provided by author via tour host (Rabid PR) with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.\",\n \"Product: Felicity Heaton is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY International Best-Selling Author. Felicity writes passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love Felicity's books too.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Awakened by a Demoness ~ Heaven and Hell are up to no good!\\n\\nReview: SPOILER FREE\\n\\nAngels & Demons! Oh My!\\n\\nAwakened by a Demoness is the tenth installment in the astounding Eternal Mates series by Felicity Heaton. It can easily be read as a stand-a-lone.\\n\\nI was having such bad luck with books, until this one showed up. I devoured this book and couldn't put it down for the life of me. It had everything Ive come to love in the Eternal Mates series. Action, adventure, twists, surprises, suspense, captivating unique characters, and sexual tension that was off the charts. Ms. Heaton knows how to weave an intricate and lethal story. Her books are engaging, gripping, and pull together a verity of supernatural species.\\n\\nThis story was off and running from the first to the last page. Their was no shortage of surprises and twists that will leave you in aww of this latest installment.\\n\\nWe are never given a dull moment; between our leads and their mission. I loved Asteria our Demon, she's sassy and Ray our elite Angel, is rigid. Both where fascinating and when they run across each other, its a collision course to something mountainous. Together these two had their issues, making the conversations amusing and the sexual tension fierce. And, what we learn about these two along the way. Well I didn't see that twisting SURPRISE!\\n\\nI also enjoy how the author weaves in other characters. They just pop up on the pages giving us a little taste and showing us a small piece of the picture for that character, who may eventually get a story. It wets the appetite. Leaving you wanting more.\\n\\nHands down Heaton hit this one out of Hell. Loved it! If you have not picked up this series yet, you need too. Paranormal Romance fans will love the uniqueness of the world, characters, and verity of supernaturals. Its a must read!\\n\\nRated: 5 Awakened Stars\\n\\n*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Felicity Heaton via RabidPR with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.\",\n \"Product: Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 85 books in romance, mystery, and urban fantasy.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Wild Things ~ Fun, sweet, quick, & enjoyable!\\n\\nReview: ~ 3.5 Wild Stars ~\\n\\nWild Things is a novella in the Shifters Unbound series by Jennifer Ashley.\\n\\nI do enjoy the novellas in this series. They are fun, cute, sweet, quick and enjoyable. Theauthordoes a great job outlining the world and how things work, that you don't feel like you are missing much. I also like the glimpses of previous couples and the hints of who could be next to get a romance in the series.\\n\\nAs for Mason and Jasmine, they where ok. Their romance in and of itself is quick. These two must work together to find a rare shifter healer. Even if you skip this novella you will still get to meet the shifter healer in White Tiger and the shifter healer will also have his own story in book #9 Guardian's Mate.\\n\\nI do have to say I loved Jasmine's haunted house. The house rocked. Kinda wish we had more of this house.\\n\\nThis series has good world building, the mythology of shifters is unique, and the characters are adorable. If you have nottriedthis series yet, you should. It's got a verity of shifters for everyone to fall in love with plus each book brings something new to the table. I can't wait for more.\",\n \"Product: BOOKS\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A humorous suspenseful murder mystery. Narration is wonderful!\\n\\nReview: Mystery, surprises, tension, & edge of our seat moments.\\n\\nHolly Cow, Grave Witch was more then I expected it to be. I was pulled in from the start and couldn't stop until the very end. We get ghosts, a murder mystery, weird magic, and so much more. It was one thing after another that you never know what will happen next.\\n\\nAlex is a fun, unique, and powerful character. Everything we learn about her just leads us to wanting more. Her numerous and complex problems change the book into an entertaining and unpredictable read. Her greave sight is a pretty nifty ability, but it comes with a price. I liked how in this world their is a price to having magic. The more Alex is in contact with the dead the colder her body temperature gets and after being in contact with her power she has issues with her eyes. Alex does find ways to deal with the price.\\n\\nThe secondary characters where wonderful. I had fun with all of Alexs friends. Shes picked a great group of people to be with.\\n\\nThe relationships Alex has with Death and Falin makes me wonder if their might be a love triangle looming in the future. I like the relationship between Alex and Death. As for Falin and Alex they where together to help with the backlash of her power this time around. Im curious to see where things go on the man front. I will say the relationship comes second to the murder mysterious happen in this story.\\n\\nNarration: This is my first experience with narrator Emily Durante. I didn't have any issues with the audio. I was sucked in that I couldn't stop and when I had to I was a little sad and I wanted to jump back into the audio book. The story comes alive. Their are a lot of characters and Ms. Durante does a good job making them each unique.\\n\\nGrave Witch is a humorous suspenseful murder mystery Urban Fantasy thats hard to put down. I cant wait to dive into the next installment.\\n\\nRated: 4.5 Stars\",\n \"Product: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laurie London lives in the Seattle area with her family.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Review: Rebel's Desire ~ A Compelling world & Intriguing concept.\\n\\nReview: ** Read as part of the Dark and Damaged: Eight Tortured Heroes of Paranormal Romance **\\n\\n~ 4 Rebels Desire Stars ~\\n\\nRebels Desire is book four in the Iron Portal series by Laurie London. We are given a compelling world, plot, and characters.\\n\\nI was pulled back into this fabulous and intriguing world. The concept is great with two worlds divided by hidden portals, one modern and one medieval. The Cascadians (medieval) have something the Pacificans (modern) want - Talents people with special abilities. These two separate worlds are waring with each other. The author does a deceit job explaining all of this, but I think the series is best read in order to get the full scope of what is going on.\\n\\nToryn, is part of the Cascadian Iron Guild and has some major trust issues after his love betrayed him. Falling for him is bound to have a few bumps along the way. Keely, is a Talent who grew up in the Pacificans world. She does not know the extent of her powers, but because of them her and her sister where cast out of their home as teenagers. Shes got daddy issues and her sister is missing.\\n\\nThese two end up working together and as they spend more time together they both learn to open up and heal. The romance is sweet and quick with some very hot and steamy moments. The author also features some familiar faces and that is always enjoyable.\\n\\nRebels Desire was a good read and I am looking forward to more installments in the Iron Portal series.\",\n \"Product: Thea Harrison resides in Colorado. She wrote her first book, a romance, when she was nineteen and had sixteen romances published under the name Amanda Carpenter. She took a break from writing to collect a couple of graduate degrees and a grown child. Her graduate degrees are in Philanthropic Studies and Library Information Science, but her first love has always been writing fiction. You can check out her website at: www.theaharrison.com, and also follow her on Twitter and Facebook.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: So much fun plus entertaining to read or listen too.\\n\\nReview: I read Devils Gate & Hunters Season when they where first published and loved both. Ive been on an audiobook kick and decided to try out Ms. Harrisons Elder Races series in Audio.\\n\\nDestinys Tarot has the Elder Races Novellas Devils Gate #4.6 & Hunters Season #4.7 on it. Here we get to see some previously introduced characters that we meet in the Elder Races series. Even if you haven't read an Elder Races book you can still pick up these novellas, but I would recommend at least reading Books 1 & 2, so you can have a better sense of what is going on in the world. These novellas featured in Destiny's Tarot are fun, entertaining, and each have an HEA.\\n\\nBelow is my review for Devils Gate & Hunters Season:\\n\\nDevils Gate\\n\\nDevils Gate features Seremela a Medusa and Duncan a Vampyre. These characters are secondary characters introduced somewhere along the line in the Elder Race series.\\n\\nAs for the story, their is no shortage of action, adventure, and danger. The romance is sweet between these two and their is some major sexual tension that will combust by the end. I also have to point out that when we think of Medusa we don't think nice creatures, so I have to say I like how the author portrayed her Medusas. They weren't creepy, but came of different and noteworthy.\\n\\nAudio Review Dec. 2017: Sophie Eastlake did a wonderful job with the voices and bringing out the danger and attraction; between Seremela and Duncan. I will say Duncans voice was ok, not unpleasant, just a little to raspy for my liking and what I pictured him sounding like, but this didn't deter me from enjoying this novella again.\\n\\nRated: 4 Stars\\n\\n*****\\n\\nHunters Season\\n\\nHunters Season features Xanthe a Dark Fae Assassin and Aubrey a Dark Fae Chancellor. These characters are secondary characters introduced in the Elder Race series. We meet Xanthe in Devil's Gate and Aubrey in Storm's Heart. These two come together to create a lovely and passionate romance.\\n\\nThis novella was sensational with a heavenly HEA. Ms. Harrison delivers a beautiful blossoming romance; between two very different characters. Their romance builds slowly, is sweet, and adorable. I love how the author put so much attention on their romance.\\n\\nI adored Hunters Season. The conclusion was satisfying, the romance is charming, and we get a little danger and intrigue too. Harrison shows us just how much love can truly heal.\\n\\nAudio Review Dec. 2017: I enjoyed the audio narration for Hunter's Season. Sophie Eastlake did a superb job with the voices and bring out the blossoming romance between Xanthe and Aubrey.\\n\\nRated: 4 Stars\\n\\nThe Elder Race series brings us a verity of unique supernaturals, worlds, and so much more. Its an entertaining series to read or listen too. I highly recommend diving in.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":18,"string":"18"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1796,"string":"1,796"}}},{"rowIdx":1797,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"AT393OR1JTYNR"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"3.0\" for a product with description \"2012 solo album from the former lead vocalist for Norwegian Pop trio a-Ha. Features the singles 'Lightning' and 'Scared of Heights'. Universal.\". The summary of the review text is \"Like Harket's other English-language album, it's simply OK\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Now that a-ha has broken up, a new Morten Harket solo album is better than nothing.\n\nMorten's still Morten vocally, but without Pal and Mags' input lyrically and musically, this album doesn't emote and shine as a-ha's albums did.\n\nThis very short set of 10 songs is pleasant enough, but it lacks gems or any songs with true punch or power that hit your heart or body. Even a-ha's lesser albums contained at least a few gems.\n\nMost of the time, Harket delivers contemplative songs with vocals reminiscent of what he did on later a-ha albums. There are a few moments where he goes for something different, a bit more clubby/dance-like, but Harket seems a bit in limbo, as if he's wading in between a-ha's ending and where he wants to go... something he doesn't yet know.\n\nSo perhaps the title \"Out of My Hands\" is a reference to their breakup? I don't know, but it would be nice if, in the future, Harket gets his hands on the wheel and takes full control, with a strong vision and strong idea of where to steer to.\n\nMost a-ha fans won't hate it -- as this is a likeable album -- but it just won't hit you as a-ha albums did. More than anything, listening to this album makes me want to start playing my a-ha albums."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"Now that a-ha has broken up, a new Morten Harket solo album is better than nothing.\n\nMorten's still Morten vocally, but without Pal and Mags' input lyrically and musically, this album doesn't emote and shine as a-ha's albums did.\n\nThis very short set of 10 songs is pleasant enough, but it lacks gems or any songs with true punch or power that hit your heart or body. Even a-ha's lesser albums contained at least a few gems.\n\nMost of the time, Harket delivers contemplative songs with vocals reminiscent of what he did on later a-ha albums. There are a few moments where he goes for something different, a bit more clubby/dance-like, but Harket seems a bit in limbo, as if he's wading in between a-ha's ending and where he wants to go... something he doesn't yet know.\n\nSo perhaps the title \"Out of My Hands\" is a reference to their breakup? I don't know, but it would be nice if, in the future, Harket gets his hands on the wheel and takes full control, with a strong vision and strong idea of where to steer to.\n\nMost a-ha fans won't hate it -- as this is a likeable album -- but it just won't hit you as a-ha albums did. More than anything, listening to this album makes me want to start playing my a-ha albums."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Five years ago, Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas, a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. Now, it’s the early 90’s. Carl’s got to go home, but his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are heading towards disaster. To make matters worse, he's just been framed for homicide. CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Strong storyline, with characters you can care about\n\nReview: Much has already been said here about the game, so I'll try to take a different angle to it. But just like the other reviewers, I will say, \"What a game.\" To call it a game is to discredit it. The crew at Rockstar know how to bring depth to a game -- more so than any other game designers, bringing fully fleshed out characters and dramatic storylines. And they get better with each release.\n\nFrom the very beginning, I cared for the main character, Carl Johnson, whose mother is killed in a driveby and he comes back after some years away from his neighorhood to find out what happened -- and there he finds a line of betrayals, con jobs and police corruption. As good as GTA3 and Vice City were, I must say I didn't care too much for the characters, but loved the missions. This one out, I must say I wasn't as interested in the missions as much as in what was going to happen to CJ and his family. The story here is strong enough to be made into a movie/book. (and the voices lent here to the characters does have an impressive list of actors (Samuel Jackson, Chris Penn, James Woods, Peter Fonda)and others (including rappers such as Ice-T, MC Eiht, Yo-Yo). Again, while the missions aren't as creative as those found in Vice City, the strong dramatic backdrop makes up for it. Although some of the missions in the middle don't quite seem to fit into the overall theme (and almost feel from a different game entirely) they still are fun to play (and sometimes maddening -- but in a good way).\n\nSome of the characters are a hoot -- such as Wu Zi Mi (the blind boss man who tries to hide that he's blind, and whose followers cater to him, and always let him win), and OG Loc, the rapper who couldn't rhyme his way out of a wet paper bag so he has to steal someone else's rhymes to get stardom). While the ending may not be as strong as that of Vice City, and the music not as cohesive and logical as Vice City's soundtrack, this is definitely a step above, improving in nearly all areas. Some of the main pluses are that you can now SWIM, and also CLIMB over fences. (so NO more frustrating deaths when your car accidentally goes over an overpass railing).\n\nAnd you can now work out, go on dates, eat food, buy drinks, gain or lose weight, etc. etc. But hopefully GTA won't go too far into this life simulation area. It doesn't detract from the game (in fact, it gives the game a more realistic feel), but it could in future releases if taken too far. It helps that you have another way to boost your health (then having to save a game or finding a heart).\n\nFunny, this game felt shorter than Vice City -- but maybe that's because one, I'm getting better/more comfortable with the GTA games, and two, I was so engrossed with the characters and story I couldn't put it down. A must-buy.","Product: The Walking Dead is an award-winning vision of Robert Kirkman's global hit comic book series. Experience the true horror and emotional impact of being a survivor of the undead apocalypse in a zombie game unlike any other. You will meet people and experience events that will impact the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes, and you will be forced to make decisions that are not only tough, but that will have a direct effect on the story that you experience. The undead are everywhere, but they're not your only problem. Starvation, betrayal, heartbreak and more will challenge you as you attempt to survive in the world of The Walking Dead.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: The game is good -- if you can get it to work\n\nReview: The maker of this game has released an awful product.\n\nDon't get me wrong. The game's content itself is very good, very engrossing and emotional.\n\nBut the game is a lemon. It has far beyond the typical glitches (freeze-ups, slowdown, etc.) that one may encounter with games; the game is ultimately unplayable.\n\nThere are all sorts of problems, such as being unable to play later episodes and losing one's game saves, which given the nature of this game, is enough to drive one crazy.\n\nIt takes a lot of time, devotion and emotional investment to get through what is otherwise a great, deep game. And to lose that all because the product itself is shoddy is beyond disappointing.\n\nI highly suggest no one buy this game until they release a new version (one that works) or they iron out all the huge bugs. They released a patch recently, but it only worked temporarily.\n\nBuyer beware...","Product: Brooklyn Babylon\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Easy going, mellow and likable in that fashion.\n\nReview: I have to disagree with the first reviewer.\nThis film is easy going, mellow and uncomplicated. In other words, it's realistic in its simplicity.\nSure, the Romeo and Juliet storyline has been done many times before, and \"Brooklyn Babylon\" isn't some grand retelling of R & J.\nAnd that's why it's strong.\nUnlike \"Romeo + Juliet\" and \"Romeo Must Die\" this film doesn't rely on flair, flash and occasional overacting to drive the story.\nThe relationship between the two leads is believable and yes, while at first, it's the differences between them that attracts them to each other, when you break it down, they love each other DESPITE those differences.\nAnd they do make a good couple on screen. The pairing of Tariq Trotter and Karen Goberman is much more believable than that of DiCaprio-Danes and Jet Li-Aaliyah in their respective movies.\nAt first, I thought the ending was too abrupt, but after I let the film sink in, I grew to appreciate its symbolism.\nAt the very least, if you're a Romeo and Juliet fan, rent this movie. Approach the film with an open-mind, not with that of a professional critic or with the mindset of someone looking for the meaning of life and the question of why we are here.\nIt does have insight if you allow it to show you that.","Product: New The Namesake [dvd]\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Message conveyed is stronger than movie itself\n\nReview: While \"The Namesake\" does deliver a strong message about family and identity, the movie is seemingly less than the sum of its parts, and especially less than its underlying message.\nWhile it does have some strong and moving scenes, and scenes that those in similar situations to the characters will know and understand, the movie is often episodic without enough connection made between the scenes. We catch glimpses of their lives, but the filmmaker doesn't quite connect how those scenes affect their lives and understanding as the characters grow older. I'm not asking to be spoonfed the meanings of the scenes (we get enough spoonfeeding of the obvious in most Hollywood movies), but it often feels we're just jumping from one episode to another with little transition and little reason as to why we saw that moment in their lives. It's like a book of snapshots, one snapshot's done and we quickly move on as if each \"picture\" exists independently of the others.\nEven the scene of the father telling his son, Gogol, how he got his name isn't as powerful as it could be. Again, I'm not asking for overdone Hollywood histrionics, but more of a feeling than \"OK, the scene ends here, let's move on...\"\nIt's still worth watching, but if one purchases it, they'll probably be watching more scenes than others to get the heart in this rather softly directed effort.","Product: The true story of a man who stood up the atrocities in Rwanda and offered his hotel as shelter for thousands of refugees. Over 1 million people were brutally murdered in three months, but this man saved lives one at a time.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Words can't come close to describing.....\n\nReview: I came into watching \"Hotel Rwanda\" without previously forged opinions (although I had heard other opinions ranging from overly positive to negative) and I found that its power comes from its subtlety of delivery -- no beating over the head of Hollywoodisms, no grand, self-important proclamations from the central character and most importantly, it doesn't marginalize who's the obvious lead character in this story as Hollywood so often does. It DOES NOT make the unforgivable errors of such Hollywood junk as \"Mississippi Burning,\" \"Cry Freedom,\" and, more recently, \"Last Samurai,\" in that this is a story about Rwanda and Rwandans and the main character is indeed Paul Rusesabagina.\n\nThankfully, the moviemakers were hopefully aware enough to not make Caucasian characters the leads and push all minorities to the sidelines -- because that's what we find here. This is the story of Rusesabagina and the Rwandan refugees, not how a white character comes and saves the day (which is what is what we see in most Hollywood movies which deal with this type of story).\n\nBut that aside, this is one of the most solid, deeply moving movies I've seen in a long time. Some have said this movie treads into \"movie-of-the-week territory.\" I disagree. Its power lies in the words, the looks on faces, the largely low-key performances by the actors, and primarily that of lead Don Cheadle who turns subtlety and straightforwardness into strength and passion. Most actors would easily resort to fancy sound-bites, or overstated, overly loud proclamations, but not Cheadle. And thankfully, the script doesn't have any back-patting, self-conscious lines. You can almost imagine the actual people involved in these situations saying those words -- and not one character here is turned into a caricature. Not one is a glowing saint, but true-to-life people with faults and imperfections, caught in a dishearteningly stressful and tension-filled environment. And what we have here is arguably the most gripping and deep-riching big-screen movie since \"Saving Private Ryan,\" but what puts this one higher on the heartfelt meter is that it's a true story. And there really are no \"action\" scenes, no \"loud\" scenes, just human drama, bleak environments, and sadly realistic scenes of violence. You feel as if you're there yourself.\n\nAnd arguably its most powerful scene features only Don Cheadle -- after just literally stumbling upon a road full of bodies, later on, he is trying to dress up, put on his shirt and tie, and he finds that he's tied it all wrong and he laughs, and so he starts to put it on again, and he starts crying uncontrollably, and he angrily pulls of his tie and shirt, and starts falling to the ground in tears, and then someone knocks on the door and he tries to tell him that he'll be out in a minute, but that trail of dead and all that's happened just bears down upon him at that moment.\n\nNow if only Hollywood could make more scenes like that, and more movies like this.... but I'm not holding my breath as the masses continually go out and see the latest sequel, the latest rehash, the lastest \"blockbuster\" and the latest remake of old movies and of TV shows.\n\nAnd perhaps the saddest thing of all this, is that few countries, if any, cared about what happened in Rwanda, and don't care about the slaughters going on now in Africa... because there's no money in it. Don't be like most, and just change the channel or turn over and go to sleep.\n\nPaul Rusesabagina is truly a hero and he doesn't have a CD out, nor does he play professional sports. He truly did what he did out of his conscience -- he didn't do it to make money. That doesn't sound so special? Just sit down and think how many of us actually perform acts because they are right, and not because there's money in it.","Product: When the head of his village's sacred Buddha statue is stolen, simple country boy Ting (Tony Jaa) is sent to Bangkok to retrieve it. Raised by a monk who has trained him in Muay Thai, Ting has vowed to never use his lethal martial arts skills. But once he arrives in the big city, Ting is forced to fight. It's non-stop action as Ting infiltrates Bangkok's seedy underworld and takes on a series of lowlifes and criminals in his quest to obtain the sacred head.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Buy the American version instead\n\nReview: This is a review of the DVD itself, not the movie. The movie's as others say -- it's something you watch for the action sets, not the story or script.\nThis movie didn't seem too different than the American release, and it still has that annoying message to Spielberg that's scrawled on a wall during the early fight/chase sequence.\nI got this expecting to see the moving scene where the female lead character's sister dies at the hospital, but that wasn't there, just as it's missing the American release. That was one of the more powerful scenes in the movie, but instead all we get is the sister walking out of the hospital to get kidnapped.\nDisappointing, if I could get back my money, I would. Now I'm stuck with almost 20 bucks less and a DVD I won't be watching again.","Product: This set includes two gift items: A Badge and a Key Chain of an Eyeball. Region 3 DVD.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Creepy, bold horror flick puts American horror flicks to shame\n\nReview: As American studios and filmmakers aims for the shallow middleground, so as not to offend or disturb people too much, Asian, Latino and European filmmakers are easily surpassing them in just about all genres (except for the loud, shallow and CGI-ridden excess that Americans are now known for).\nAmerican filmmakers have lost all grasp on the power of subtlety, choosing to cater to the ignorant, unthinking masses.\n\"Re-Cycle\" is what \"Silent Hill\" should have been.\nThe horrific, deteriorating landscapes occupied by zombies do bring to mind the \"Silent Hill\" of the videogames, and then proceed to make one ponder just how bad the movie was.\nBut, back to \"Re-Cycle.\" My only quibble is that part of the ending was overwrought, but otherwise, it was scary, creepy, disturbing, sad and thought-provoking -- all things that a good horror movie should be.\nIt focuses on a horrific world in which things that society has abandoned exist in a restless state. It starts out seemingly only about the ideas that writers throw away on their mission to write great books, but then we see the material goods and even the lives that modern-day society so easily throws away.\nPeople (both young and old) are thrown away and forgotten, as if to make room for material excess.\nThis movie has some truly scary moments, ones that even made me, who's not easily scared, vocally react with fright/surprise.\nThe rest is suitably creepy and disturbing.\nThe beginning of the movie is deceptive. It goes slowly along, as main character Ying-Tin works on her latest book, but once she enters the horrific universe, the creepy atmospherics take hold, sometimes each creepy \"stage\" she enters more horrific than the previous.\nDefinitely worth more than one viewing, and it deserves a place in anyone's horror collection.","Product: Quick Shipping !!! New And Sealed !!! This Disc WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. A multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player is request to view it in USA/Canada. Please Review Description.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: I like the movie but won't buy ext. edition because Warner Bros. made cheap, two-sided disc\n\nReview: I had really been looking forward to having the \"Extra Dope Edition\" on Blu-ray/DVD, because I have both of the previous movies in my collection. And I liked this movie even more than \"Guantanamo Bay.\"\n\nEarlier on, Amazon had posted that it the Blu-ray/DVD set would be a two-disc set with one disc for the Blu-ray and another for the DVD. Then, for the 3D Blu-ray/regular Blu-ray/DVD set, there would be three discs. But shortly before it came out, I found out that both went down one disc because Warner Bros. decided to go cheap and make a two-sided disc, with the Blu-ray on one side and the DVD on the other.\n\nIt's been my experience that those type of discs are not only defective much of the time, but they're also easy to scratch no matter how good you take care of them. I've bought them brand new and found scuff marks and even scratches right upon opening them for the first time.\n\nWarner Bros. has made me, a very big Harold & Kumar fan, very disappointed... so much so, that, as much as I hate it, I'm going to have to skip on purchasing this movie.\n\nWhy couldn't they just release the extended version on a single Blu-ray, without the DVD version? They released single-disc versions for the regular, theatrical cut. But if I want the \"Extra Dope Cut\" I need to put up with a two-sided disc?\n\nI hope more people choose not to buy it because of Warner Bros.' greedy ways.","Product: Star Wars: The Complete Blu-ray Saga will feature all six live-action Star Wars feature films utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: No thanks, I'll pass. Make that, Nooooooooooo thanks.\n\nReview: As I have bought more than enough versions of the Star Wars trilogy on VHS and DVD, I wasn't exactly going to rush out and buy the Blu-Ray versions. It's not worth spending 90 bucks for special features and updated visuals and sounds.\n\nBut then I started hearing about changes that would show up. And then I realized that this is Lucas we're talking about here. The OCD and arrogant director who can't leave well enough alone.\n\nAnd my suspicions were justified.\n\nIf there was any chance that I may buy the Blu-Rays in the future, that door has now been shut. That door may not be as big as the \"new and improved\" Jabba palace door, but it's solid, it's strong, and it will remain closed... forever.\n\nThe really rancid icing on the cake was Lucas changing the most pivotal scene of the entire franchise. The scene which everything else was leading up to. Darth Vader's redemption. A scene which was perfect as is. Do we really need to know what Vader is thinking? Does it really need to expressed in any way? No. Or should I say, \"Noooooooooooooooooo!\"?\n\nSo, no thanks, Lucas, I'll pass, and I hope everyone else does, too.","Product: CD\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Smoky, hazy, mesmerizing..... an album that grows on you\n\nReview: Upon first listen, Method Man's solo debut \"Tical\" may disappoint Wu-Tang Clan fans used to the raucous beats and crazed delivery on most of the tracks from Wu-Tang's \"Enter the 36 Chambers.\"\nIt actually took me a few listen to understand how great this album is.\nImagine Wu-Tang Clan slowed down, thrown beneath a haze of tical, as Method Man unleashes his demons. \"Tical\" is the soundtrack of a man's soul crying out against the wickedness and social plagues that hamper his community.\nThe beats and sounds are suitably murky. It's more of a probing albums which gets you thinking as Meth rhymes over mostly non-commercial, raw and spare RZA creations.\nThe effect is haunting, blunt and eerie. When listening to it, it's the aural version of digging deep into the earth looking for reasons and truth and unearthing many demons and much pain.\nThe songs flow one right into another.\nA complete left turn from the Wu-Tang style most of us were used to.\nNot an easy listen, requires more mental focus and listening than your average Wu-Tang jam that flies by at the speed of light with spit-fire rhymes.\nAn intelligent release by Meth, who took a turn away from the commercial path to make a simmering album that won't find many fans, but will remain in many collections until it's dusty and old like the records of old.\nfight on,\nmykal roze","Product: Peter Tosh ~ Live & Dangerous: Boston 1976\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: For the devoted Peter Tosh fan.\n\nReview: Greetings to all,\nThis live album is likely more of interest to those devoted Tosh fans who buy up or at least listen to all the late reggae musician's albums.\nI only gave it a three star rating because the live versions here are no match for the studio versions of these songs.\nBut they are interesting enough (especially given that there aren't many Tosh live albums around) to keep Tosh fans listening, more due to the instrumentation and solos as opposed to Tosh's delivery.\nAnd therein lies this album's weakness. Tosh sounds too mellow on most of the vocals here, sometimes even seemingly slurring his way through songs. For example, you would expect with \"Babylon Queendom,\" especially after hearing the uplifting, get-you-up-and-dancing studio version on the \"Scrolls of the Prophet\" best-of compilation, to hear a similarly rousing version, but instead, it's rather lackluster. And the band doesn't sound as comfortable throughout the album as does the band on Tosh's live album \"Captured Live\" on EMI.\nAnd sadly, this live album doesn't have anything nearly as moving as \"Rastafari Is\" and \"Equal Rights/Downpresser Man\" from the \"Captured Live\" CD.\nSo bottomline is, new Tosh fans should stick to his best-of compilations as a beginner and if they're seeking a good live album get \"Captured Live.\" And if you like Tosh and seek more of his live work, definitely give \"Live at the One Love Peace Concert.\" That album not only stands as a good live album, but also as a historical document for those fans in the know what were the consequences for Tosh shortly after he made what had to be highlight of his life.\nAs for the hardcore fans, they should make this live album a part of their collections.\nFight on,\nMykal Roze","Product: STONE JOSS MIND, BODY & SOUL\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Don't believe the hype\n\nReview: One star is far too generous a rating for this waste of shelf space at the record store, and waste of plastic and paper packaging. This is yet another example of the bottomfeeding record industry putting out product with a \"beautiful\" face. (beautiful is in quotation marks, because this is yet another case of trying to put out \"black\" music as performed by a white singer). And as usual, the powers that be and many facets of the media gush uncontrollably over how \"great\" she is, all the while ignoring the truly great singers out there who go unrecognized, and these singers just so happen to be \"black.\" It's so sad because music today is all about image, \"beauty,\" marketing, and TV and radio OVER-rotation and overexposure. There are plenty of great singers out there who only see ONE album (if they see one at all) and then they're shoved out the door because, first, they're not white, two, their albums don't sell enough on the first go-round to satisfy the mega-conglomerate record labels which are all owned by five or so mega-companies, and three, too many listeners have been brainwashed by commercialism and pop music overexposure to even know what is good, true, soulful music. Their eyes deceive them and play tricks on their ears. They equate their Eurocentric notion of beauty with what is good music. Black is ugly to them, so they will never ever give a black singer credit, while white artists playing black music forms are deemed geniuses while the black originators and truly gifted musicians/artists go unrecognized and wallow in obscurity. And since the big labels are solely concerned on immediate and mega-million returns on their dollar, artists are not being nurtured. All we receive are clones, recycled pop ideas and remakes. There are true artists out there, but they get one shot on big labels, or live in obscurity on independent labels, and such albums don't see the light of day in big chain stores that sell CDs.\n\nIf Joss Stone was black, and not a blonde Caucasian person, she'd be yet another lost singer without an opportunity. It's too bad people don't know what good music is anymore since the big labels don't care to get behind it as they are concerned with the flavor of the week. I just wish people would know there's more to music than what's on the radio, what's on TV or cable, and what gets the heavy marketing. Most people have the Internet now, go do a little looking beyond the superficial marketing. Some big labels do have good artists on them, but you have to search.\n\nHere's some names you could look into.\n\nJulie Dexter\n\nN'Dambi\n\nConya Doss\n\nKem (he's on a big label)\n\nSandra St. Victor (was once on big label, but now is on independent)\n\nErykah Badu (on big label)\n\nJill Scott (on independent, but is rather well known)\n\nThere are more out there. Those who think Joss Stone is so great are just really missing on real soul, and are being suckered by the big labels to buy commercialism. Joss Stone is not a bad singer per se, but just very artificial, superficial and derivative. She's all style, no substance, all frosting, no cake. There's not much there once you get past her derivative style. My review here will probably get major negative opinions from the readers out there, but that only goes to show they don't know what true, good soul music is. Buy this CD if what flimsy pop-soul that imitates the real thing is what you like. But if you know and like true soul, you'll know where to look.\n\nAnd if you just don't like to buy soul from black singers, then perhaps try Nikka Costa, (she reminds me of former Family Stand lead singer Sandra St. Victor), she's fun and not half bad. But still, hopefully, you'll open your eyes and ears to embrace all types of singers.","Product: SEAL SYSTEM\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: More consistent than Seal IV, but lacks emotion of first three releases\n\nReview: When I heard that Seal was going back to the dance style of his debut, I was a little more excited than usual, especially after the Motown-like departure that was his previous album.\nAnd while his latest album isn't bad, it's doesn't have the emotional depth that his first three albums rode on.\nThere are no songs that touch the heart or mind here, and perhaps that's due to the fact that the music buying public has changed drastically, that one's goal seems to be to make songs that can become ringtones, rather than making quality music, and also that this is his first album not overseen by longtime producer Trevor Horn.\nIf it weren't Seal, this maybe a good, solid dance album, but this is Seal, who could move listeners with acoustic or even a cappella songs by just opening his mouth to sing.\nA lot of the songs here sound similar, too similar, as if he and his new producer made all the backing tracks in one continuous session, and then later, they wrote lyrics and just sang them over the tracks.\nSometimes Seal has bordered on sentimentality, but never has he been so shallow and downright shallow as on \"Wedding Day.\" It's long been the case that when an artist gets married, the music suffers, not because of his/her time being taken up, but because, unfortunately for the artist, happiness often doesn't translate into moving music.\nThe second big problem with this album, after its glaring lack of SEAL heart and emotion, is that the tracks are almost all interchangeable. You could switch the vocal tracks from music track to track and we probably wouldn't know the difference.\nThe tracks are repetitive to the point of lacking any sort of soul, and are just, sadly for a Seal album, very shallow.\nEven though it's trying to be like a sequel to his first album, the tracks on his debut, even with thumping dance sounds and electronic flourishes, there was no denying Seal's passion and ability to move with the seemingly most simple of phrases, bridges or breaks. There was drama within those songs, and that ability to dramatize and emote carried him through those first three albums.\nBut, as at least one other person mentioned, once his great album \"Human Beings\" didn't sell as well as the others, Seal went commercial.\nHuman Beings is his crowning achievement, but the flavor-of-the-month masses didn't get it. Many of the songs on it are hypnotic, the sounds bordering on an underwater dub style, and the insights deep, and the sounds as intriguing as the cover shot of Seal either lurking and creeping or cowering in a defensive stance.\nIt was quiet, subdued, patient and artistic, but the masses wanted more power-type ballads from Seal, but instead they received an artistic response with depth and the same Seal emotion and they didn't accept it.\nSo here we are, after a more commercial offering and a change in producers and even with his voice on \"System,\" it's hard to say, but almost anyone could have sang these new songs, and the same reaction would be reached.\nSeal will hopefully find his way back to heart-and-mind tugging music....\nMaybe, one late night, he'll play \"Human Beings\" and come home.","Product: On his first collection of holiday music, Keith Sweat will prove there's no one better qualified to deliver a Yuletide disc titled \"A Christmas Of Love\"\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: That Keith Sweat style, but all about the Christmas mood\n\nReview: I've been a fan of Keith Sweat's since 1987 and, despite the occassional slight departure from his bass-heavy, keyboard-driven R&B style, his style has pretty much stayed the same, and that's a good thing. He has a tried and true style that's as entertaining and good as it was back in the late 1980s.\nAnd that style is here on his Christmas album -- the sound's the same, but the topics are all about the holiday.\nSome may not like that he doesn't perform such classics as \"The Christmas Song\" the traditional way, but given the familiarity of the old classic performances of such a song, it's good to hear that Keith Sweat just sang it in his style, rather than changing to mimic what we've already heard before and know full well.","Product: 2007 release, part one of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Resist The Temptation' as well as a new mix of 'Dear Mama' with Anthony Hamilton. Also includes the staples 'California Love', 'I Ain't Mad At Cha' and 'So Many Tears'. Interscope\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: This and \"Part 2: Life\" are more for the hardcore Tupac fan\n\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \"Greatest Hits\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 2: Life) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \"unreleased\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \"Life's So Hard.\"\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get the two, otherwise you can skip them.\n(P.S., the \"How You Want It\" is like the one on \"Greatest Hits,\" it censors out C. Delores Tucker's name)","Product: 2007 release, part two of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Dopefiend's Diner' and a new acoustic mix of 'Thugz Mansion'. Interscope.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: This and \"Part 1: Thug\" are for the hardcore Tupac fan\n\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \"Greatest Hits\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 1: Thug) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \"unreleased\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \"Life's So Hard.\"\nAnd another thing that weakens these compilations is that their titles (\"Thug\" and \"Life\") first give you the impression that \"Thug\" will have the harder songs and \"Life\" the more reflective ones. But the \"Life\" compilation interestingly enough is the only disc that has songs with \"Thug\" in the titles, and the \"Thug\" disc has some reflective/heartfelt songs, such as a remix of \"Dear Mama,\" which, by the way, is nowhere near a match for the original -- this remix practically takes all the emotion out of the song.\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get these compilations, otherwise you can skip them.","Product: 2007 reissue of this album from Bob Marley's son, Ky-Mani, who carries the torch of his father with this album, originally released in 2001. Many More Roads is a well crafted, beautifully written and deeply personal album performed with fiery passion (as one would naturally expect from a Marley!).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Not the most well-known Marley, but Ky-mani's the most skilled vocalist\n\nReview: In terms of popularity, Ky-mani Marley may be far behind the likes of eldest brother Ziggy, Stephen and even little brother Damian, but he's the best vocalist of the singing Marley kids. Ziggy and Stephen, as talented as they are, seem to lean far too heavily on the Bob Marley-isms, especially Stephen. And Damian, while seemingly the most popular Marley nowadays, is arguably the least talented -- putting out albums with solid music backing thanks to brother Stephen, but his vocal delivery is OK at best.\n\nNow, with Ky-mani, while not as prolific as Ziggy, I can envision him as being a singer in his own right, Marley name or not. I can't say the same of the others.\n\nThe Marley kids have their strengths.\n\nZiggy writes strong songs, but his voice is so much like his father's that it's hard to discern his own voice, and it just doesn't seem he has ever found a sound of his own, and maybe that's through no fault of his own -- as he has been branching out musically lately.\n\nAnd Stephen, as good as his production chops are, he's nowhere near as good a lyrics-writer, and his vocals seem all over the place, imitating Bob Marley more than Ziggy ever did.\n\nAnd Damian leans on dancehall toasting, at which he's OK, but I still wonder if he'd have the opportunity if, first, he didn't have the Marley name, and didn't have Stephen's production backing.\n\n*(Julian, unfortunately to say, seems to be mostly an imitation of both Bob and Ziggy, and you'd see him if you couldn't catch Ziggy, Stephen or Ky-mani performing)\n\nBut Ky-mani, to use Jamaican parlance, has the \"sweetest\" vocals of the Marley brood. His voice, while still reminiscent of father Bob's, has a timber to it and subtle vibrancy to it, like it's a cloth made of finer threads.\n\nWhereas Ziggy and Stephen's vocals still seem rough, and even flat at times, Ky-mani brings true melody, musicality and dexterity with his singing.\n\nI saw him performing live recently, and his on-stage performance was right up there with the best two or three reggae concerts I've seen.\n\nAnd he can play funky, play roots, play dancehall and sing lovers rock, going from each style with ease (and sometimes back and forth between two styles within the same song, check out \"Hailie I\" on this CD), whereas Ziggy is good with the straightforward voice of indignation and conscience, but rather lacking when it comes to the love-themed songs. And Stephen is better at the love songs than Ziggy, and also good at indignation, but he's lacking when it comes to the social-conscience songs, stumbling while trying to deliver strong messages.\n\nBut with Ky-mani, just hear how he goes from the rooted indignation of\n\n\"Who We Are\" to the roots of title-track \"Many More Roads,\" and to the lovers-rock style of \"Love In The Morning,\" all equally convincing. And when I saw him perform live, I learned he can handle dancehall booming vocals more convincingly than Damian, for whom dancehall toasting is his bread and butter. (Check out \"In A De Dance\" on this CD, where he delivers a gruff vocal style, reminiscent of Buju Banton, but with Ky-mani's vocal ability)\n\nIt's truly a shame that more people don't know about Ky-mani, but I guess that makes it easier for us, his fans, to see him play. ;)\n\nZiggy has the elder brother status and voice of wisdom, Stephen the production know-how, Julian the Ziggy-like and Bob-like mannerisms and affectations, and Damian the toasting bravado, but Ky-mani's got the vocal dexterity and skill, something the others can't claim. With a new album due out sometime soon, hopefully Ky-mani will gain recognition for being much more than just \"another Marley son.\"","Product: On his first collection of holiday music, Keith Sweat will prove there's no one better qualified to deliver a Yuletide disc titled \"A Christmas Of Love\"\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: That Keith Sweat style, but all about the Christmas mood\n\nReview: I've been a fan of Keith Sweat's since 1987 and, despite the occassional slight departure from his bass-heavy, keyboard-driven R&B style, his style has pretty much stayed the same, and that's a good thing. He has a tried and true style that's as entertaining and good as it was back in the late 1980s.\nAnd that style is here on his Christmas album -- the sound's the same, but the topics are all about the holiday.\nSome may not like that he doesn't perform such classics as \"The Christmas Song\" the traditional way, but given the familiarity of the old classic performances of such a song, it's good to hear that Keith Sweat just sang it in his style, rather than changing to mimic what we've already heard before and know full well.","Product: 2007 release, part one of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Resist The Temptation' as well as a new mix of 'Dear Mama' with Anthony Hamilton. Also includes the staples 'California Love', 'I Ain't Mad At Cha' and 'So Many Tears'. Interscope\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: This and \"Part 2: Life\" are more for the hardcore Tupac fan\n\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \"Greatest Hits\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 2: Life) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \"unreleased\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \"Life's So Hard.\"\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get the two, otherwise you can skip them.\n(P.S., the \"How You Want It\" is like the one on \"Greatest Hits,\" it censors out C. Delores Tucker's name)","Product: 2007 release, part two of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Dopefiend's Diner' and a new acoustic mix of 'Thugz Mansion'. Interscope.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: This and \"Part 1: Thug\" are for the hardcore Tupac fan\n\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \"Greatest Hits\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 1: Thug) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \"unreleased\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \"Life's So Hard.\"\nAnd another thing that weakens these compilations is that their titles (\"Thug\" and \"Life\") first give you the impression that \"Thug\" will have the harder songs and \"Life\" the more reflective ones. But the \"Life\" compilation interestingly enough is the only disc that has songs with \"Thug\" in the titles, and the \"Thug\" disc has some reflective/heartfelt songs, such as a remix of \"Dear Mama,\" which, by the way, is nowhere near a match for the original -- this remix practically takes all the emotion out of the song.\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get these compilations, otherwise you can skip them.","Product: 2007 reissue of this album from Bob Marley's son, Ky-Mani, who carries the torch of his father with this album, originally released in 2001. Many More Roads is a well crafted, beautifully written and deeply personal album performed with fiery passion (as one would naturally expect from a Marley!).\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Not the most well-known Marley, but Ky-mani's the most skilled vocalist\n\nReview: In terms of popularity, Ky-mani Marley may be far behind the likes of eldest brother Ziggy, Stephen and even little brother Damian, but he's the best vocalist of the singing Marley kids. Ziggy and Stephen, as talented as they are, seem to lean far too heavily on the Bob Marley-isms, especially Stephen. And Damian, while seemingly the most popular Marley nowadays, is arguably the least talented -- putting out albums with solid music backing thanks to brother Stephen, but his vocal delivery is OK at best.\n\nNow, with Ky-mani, while not as prolific as Ziggy, I can envision him as being a singer in his own right, Marley name or not. I can't say the same of the others.\n\nThe Marley kids have their strengths.\n\nZiggy writes strong songs, but his voice is so much like his father's that it's hard to discern his own voice, and it just doesn't seem he has ever found a sound of his own, and maybe that's through no fault of his own -- as he has been branching out musically lately.\n\nAnd Stephen, as good as his production chops are, he's nowhere near as good a lyrics-writer, and his vocals seem all over the place, imitating Bob Marley more than Ziggy ever did.\n\nAnd Damian leans on dancehall toasting, at which he's OK, but I still wonder if he'd have the opportunity if, first, he didn't have the Marley name, and didn't have Stephen's production backing.\n\n*(Julian, unfortunately to say, seems to be mostly an imitation of both Bob and Ziggy, and you'd see him if you couldn't catch Ziggy, Stephen or Ky-mani performing)\n\nBut Ky-mani, to use Jamaican parlance, has the \"sweetest\" vocals of the Marley brood. His voice, while still reminiscent of father Bob's, has a timber to it and subtle vibrancy to it, like it's a cloth made of finer threads.\n\nWhereas Ziggy and Stephen's vocals still seem rough, and even flat at times, Ky-mani brings true melody, musicality and dexterity with his singing.\n\nI saw him performing live recently, and his on-stage performance was right up there with the best two or three reggae concerts I've seen.\n\nAnd he can play funky, play roots, play dancehall and sing lovers rock, going from each style with ease (and sometimes back and forth between two styles within the same song, check out \"Hailie I\" on this CD), whereas Ziggy is good with the straightforward voice of indignation and conscience, but rather lacking when it comes to the love-themed songs. And Stephen is better at the love songs than Ziggy, and also good at indignation, but he's lacking when it comes to the social-conscience songs, stumbling while trying to deliver strong messages.\n\nBut with Ky-mani, just hear how he goes from the rooted indignation of\n\n\"Who We Are\" to the roots of title-track \"Many More Roads,\" and to the lovers-rock style of \"Love In The Morning,\" all equally convincing. And when I saw him perform live, I learned he can handle dancehall booming vocals more convincingly than Damian, for whom dancehall toasting is his bread and butter. (Check out \"In A De Dance\" on this CD, where he delivers a gruff vocal style, reminiscent of Buju Banton, but with Ky-mani's vocal ability)\n\nIt's truly a shame that more people don't know about Ky-mani, but I guess that makes it easier for us, his fans, to see him play. ;)\n\nZiggy has the elder brother status and voice of wisdom, Stephen the production know-how, Julian the Ziggy-like and Bob-like mannerisms and affectations, and Damian the toasting bravado, but Ky-mani's got the vocal dexterity and skill, something the others can't claim. With a new album due out sometime soon, hopefully Ky-mani will gain recognition for being much more than just \"another Marley son.\"","Product: Vinyl LP version. After touring for more than two years supporting their 2006 major label debut, Meg & Dia return with Here, Here And Here, a musical and emotional rollercoaster of an album that heralds the coming of age of the indie pop-rock sisters,bolstered by producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, All American Rejects).\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: More refined, polished but not as moving as \"Something Real\"\n\nReview: The emotional core of \"Something Real\" has been replaced with more polish, bigger budget production. While there's nothing wrong with \"Here, Here and Here,\" as it has a more polished sheen and tries more things musically, it does seem that what set Meg and Dia apart from the number of rock bands out there has been lost.\nIt's not a bad album by any means, but it seemed, as they grew bigger, there was no other path to go but to a more mainstream sound, one backed with a bigger budget on a big label.\nThat usually happens when a group goes from an independent label to one of the mega-conglomerate ones.\nIt also seems that Dia's vocals have been muted by this polish, sometimes hidden behind some technological gimmicks.\nThose who are hearing Meg and Dia for the first time likely won't miss anything, but I can't help but miss the emotional fervor Dia brought vocally in a less controlled, less produced environment.\nIt's still a worthy album, and Meg and Dia fans both old and new will enjoy it. I myself enjoy it, but it unfortunately lacks the heart of\n\"Something Real.\"","Product: 2009 release from the Norwegian trio, their ninth studio album in an illustrious 25 year career. Opening with the galloping charge of 'The Bandstand', the album quickly defines itself with the keyboard intro before Morten's instantly recognizable vocals announce their return. Melting into the Arcade Fire influenced 'Riding the Crest' which Paul describes as 'Electro Blues', the album flows into the melancholic 'What There Is' before thundering back into the stunning single and title track 'Foot of the Mountain'. with other tracks like 'Shadowside' and 'Sunny Mystery' incorporating the most driving and contagious beats and lyrics of A-HA's career, Foot of the Mountain is an album that cements A-HA's position in the world of pop. Recorded between Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009 in New York, Oslo, Hamburg, Stockholm and Bath, alongside producers Steve Osborne, Erik Ljunggren, Roland Spremberg and Mark Saunders. Universal.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Mellow, relaxing album from a-ha\n\nReview: While most of their earlier albums were full of songs driven by melancholy and sadness, \"Foot of the Mountain\" sounds more positive as the music here is often light and breezy. And that's a mostly good thing because one can only take so many somber songs.\nWhile some have complained that a-ha's trying to sound too much like modern Euro-rock and pop bands (and there is some truth in that), the album's still worth listening to.\nIt might not have any moments that wow like those on their first four albums, or even anything as emotional as on \"Minor Earth, Major Sky,\" but a-ha fans will find the album's one to appreciate as a fun, catchy, light slice of pop.\nEven though it is rather lightweight, again, it still makes for a fun listen, and I'd rather a-ha try for a different sound than remake old efforts, as many veteran bands do, such as U2.\nIt might not have as much legs or emotional heft as the rest of their catalog, but it's definitely a CD one can relax to, or play in the background while cleaning up the house. :)","Product: 2009 release from the Canadian R&B singer/songwriter. Melanie's music is an eclectic yet glossy mix of tributes to the past and contemporary R&B. Even before she released an album, she impressed Kanye West enough to be invited to be the opening act during Kanye's 2008 European tour! Universal.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Somewhat entertaining, but derivative\n\nReview: It's not bad for a debut, but it leans a bit too much on the Motown imitations.\n\nWhile borrowing so heavily from the Motown playbook isn't bad -- the songs are catchy and even entertaining -- it does simply make me want to play the classic songs that she's referencing rather than listen to her tracks.\n\nWhen she finally steers a bit away from the Motown sound, her songs are sometimes and more point to potentially good albums in the future.\n\nIt's a slightly welcoming detour in that she simply doesn't mimic the styles of most R&B-pop female singers these days, but her other tracks tend to sound like Alicia Keys and, at this album's worst, generic pop R&B.\n\nShe's a name to look forward to, and hopefully the label will give her chances to grow on subsequent albums, something that labels don't seem to do much anymore.","Product: Rihanna is an absolute pop superstar and has had an enormous amount of success in Australia. She appears on a total of 15 Top 50 singles, 14 Top 50 airplay songs and has had more weeks at #1 on the ARIA Singles chart than any other female artist this decade. Rihanna has sold over 12 million albums,worldwide in her four-year career span and has received several accolades, including the 2007 World Music Awards for World's Best-Selling Pop Female Artist and Female Entertainer of the Year, as well as the 2008 American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. Rated R is the highly anticipated follow up to 2007's Australian triple platinum album \"Good Girl Gone Bad\" which provided a procession of smash hit singles including Umbrella, Don't Stop the Music, Shut Up & Drive, Disturbia & Take A Bow.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Rihanna's bitter, hurt, sad, confused and angry, and so is her album\n\nReview: The violent fight between her and Chris Brown casts a shadow over Rihanna's new album, and it's hard to not think about that listening to every line, and every downtrodden, melancholy or angry beat.\n\nWhether she's singing about Russian roulette, conveying images of car crashes and ambulances, or stepping angrily into a club, uttering curse words, it's obvious the physical wounds she suffered run deep into her soul.\n\nIf Chris Brown hadn't beaten her, this album would likely be a very different one, a bright or shiny cover, rather than the black and gray one here, and likewise, a set of shiny dance tracks and typical ballad fare, rather than the mostly plaintive ballads and subdued dance tracks that thinly veil much angst.\n\nCall this her \"Human Beings,\" Seal's third and most slept-on album. On that album, with blue and black moody, creepy cover, Seal delved deep into the recesses of his soul, coming out with a hypnotic, subdued, surreal sounds. It was his least catchy album, but felt like a thorough book with songs as chapters that couldn't exist without the other.\n\nRihanna's \"Rated R\" doesn't reach the artistic heights or solidarity of music that Seal and longtime producer Trevor Horn achieved, (she is working, unsurprisingly, with a number of different, big-name producers and guest artists), but she shows the hurting person beneath her previous sunny dance tracks.\n\nAnd there are some moving gems here, including \"Russian Roulette,\" \"Te Amo\" and \"Last Song\" (which features some U2-style guitar). But, ultimately, the album could have delved deeper into her seemingly wounded heart and soul. And perhaps if she worked with just one producer and created the album like artists of the past, rather than presenting a sampler platter of different styles (no matter how muted they are here), this could have been her \"My Life,\" Mary J. Blige's great bearing of the soul.\n\nThere are some weaker moments here, that almost come off as a bit pedestrian, flat and modern-pop shallow -- \"Rude Boy,\" \"Fire Bomb\" and \"Rockstar 101\" -- but, as is, the album stands out from much of the pop-female albums out now, because she has some pain to work through, resulting from her very public fight with Chris Brown. Perhaps, since it was so public, we don't get much deep bearing off her soul, rather we hear her anger in the words she sings, and the imagery of guns and violence that fill the moody tracks.\n\nSimply put, it sounds like these are Rihanna's moods as interpreted and conveyed by other songwriters, which is basically the case.\n\nhopefully Rihanna won't need another album of therapy to cast the demons that still hurt her deeply, but a more personal, self-written book of songs would likely make for a more cohesive, and heartfelt, album.","Product: Ziggy Marleys new album, WILD & FREE, was co-produced with Don Was and mixed by Bob Clearmountain. Features guest appearances by Heavy D on \"It,\" Woody Harrelson on \"Wild and Free\" and Ziggys son Daniel Marley on \"Changes.\" the song \"Changes\" co-written with Linda Perry and you will also hear Ziggys new born son, Abraham on \"Welcome to the World\".\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Light and breezy, and too much so\n\nReview: Hearing the samples and a couple of the songs in full beforehand, it sounded like Ziggy was going through the motions on this album, and having heard it all now, that's in fact what he's doing.\n\nI was most looking forward to this album because it had \"Elizabeth,\" on here... previously known as \"Uncle Sam,\" a song that was going to be on the next Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers album -- an album that never came. They played it live when they were on their last tour together before breaking up. Unfortunately, the version here is more stripped down, with an annoying organ sound in the background. I wish they had made and release a studio version of the much-more raucous stage version.\n\nLike the rest of the album, the song's uninspired. It just feels too low-key and lackadaisical. It feels more like music that wouldn't be out of place on a Caribbean cruise for rich yuppies. For more rootsy, edgy music from a Marley, I suggest Stephen Marley's solo works, including his latest, which just came out about a month ago. It seems since Ziggy's married uptown, and became on with Beverly Hills, his music has lost whatever edge it once had. Or perhaps that edge came from Stephen Marley.\n\nI highly suggest people check out the samples before buying. A disappointing effort from Marley. I give it a 1 and a half star.","Product: Keith Sweat has delivered 24 years of record breaking, and trail blazing contributions to the R&B and Pop genre. He was a leader of the New Jack Swing phenomenon of the late 1980s. From there he went on to dominate the POP and R&B worlds. His classic debut album Make It Last Forever sold more than three million copies. Keiths record of accomplishments includes membership in the R&B super group LSG, with Gerald Levert & Johhny Gill. LSG released two albums that sold over 3 million units and singles. Currently Keith hosts The Sweat Hotel a nationally syndicated radio show broadcasted in 50 markets with 30 million audience listeners. Sweat points to his consistency as the key to his success which is backed up by over a dozen top ten R&B singles including seven #1s, four top five Pop singles. His eOne Music debut album Til The Morning offers Keith s long devoted fans exactly what they ve been waiting for, his sultry R&B sound painting vivid portraits of love & relationships\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The strongest Sweat album in a long while\n\nReview: I've been a Keith Sweat from his first album on, stuck with him through thick and thin, hit and miss. And lately, his albums have been more miss than hit. And while none of them were bad, they felt rather listless. That Sweat formula was largely still there, but not always. When he strayed away from the tried and true bass-heavy formula, he felt like an old, outdated guy trying to run with the young kids.\n\nAnd not since the late 1990s has Sweat really put together a solid, listenable album that both entertains and impresses.\n\nWhile his new album may not wow listeners, when compared to his last 10 years of recording, this is a standout album. It makes me forgive his rather inconsistent and soft output over this last several albums. I had found that his Christmas album was his strongest disc as of late, which is not a good thing for an artist.\n\nIt seems that here, on \" 'Til the Morning,\" Sweat tapped back into what made his earlier music so magical. He kept it nice and simple, and it felt like the old days. Bass-heavy mix, drum machine and noodling keyboards with heavy doses of that yearning vocal style Sweat is known for.\n\nThere may be a sameness in tone, lyrics and melody throughout the album that may turn away any newcomers. And it may even have some longtime fans saying, \"It sounds the same as just about everything else he's done.\" For a longtime fan like me, that suits me just fine.\n\nInstead of chasing the trends, Sweat just goes back to the style he virtually patented. In doing so, he sounds more inspired and the music more airy and fresh than he's sounded in many years now.\n\nWhile I'll stop short of saying that Sweat was growing stuffy and stale, it sounds like he opened the windows and got the fans running with this new album.\n\nUnfortunately, the only misstep is the middling track \"To the Middle.\" Sweat should have stayed away from the middle, because here, he uses the dreaded autotune. Unsurprisingly, that track features T-Pain, who's practically Mr. Autotune. And ironically, it sounds like T-Pain raps here without autotune. This song sticks out for the wrong reasons. Sweat never should have made such a concession because he never needed autotune, and he doesn't need it now or ever.\n\nBut the rest of the album (and the other songs with guest appearances: \"Knew It All Along,\" featuring Johnny Gill and Gerald Levert, and \"My Valentine,\" a duet with Coke of SWV) more than make up for that single presence of autotune.\n\nSweat fans, especially ones disappointed like me with his more recent output, should definitely add this to their collection. It's a strong return to form.\n\n(Note: Best Buy is selling an exclusive version, with three bonus tracks).","Product: 2012 album from the British vocalist. After the success of his platinum-selling album Soul, Seal has now turned his attention to classic '70s Soul records for this follow-up. Bringing his recognizable voice to tracks such as Rose Royce's 'Wishing On A Star' and Bill Withers' 'Lean On Me', Seal brings soul back to Soul music.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Better collection of songs than Soul 1, and warm, superior, more personal delivery\n\nReview: While I didn't hate Seal's previous \"Soul\" collection, I was underwhelmed. Surprisingly, Seal sounded lackluster, almost uncomfortable with the songs he chose. It almost felt like he was going through the motions. I felt, for a while there in his career, his seemingly happy personal life put music lower on the priority list.\n\nOverall, nothing he had made was terrible over the past 5 or 6 years, but it didn't have the rich melancholy or angst that his first three albums had. There was a sublime richness permeating throughout and, at the risk of sounding cliche, there was even a genius to many of his songs.\n\nSo, I was disappointed that it almost felt like he was, again, going through the motions on the first \"Soul\" compilation.\n\nBut there are no such problems here. The list of songs fits him better and he seems to be more inspired and passionate here. And, as at least one other person mentioned, his still fresh divorce seems to hover over this release even though these songs were recorded and pressed long before.\n\nThere are no James Brown classics here. While Seal's attempt to tackle a Brown song is understandable and even commendable, Seal's smooth vocals are no match for Brown's, and so, his cover of \"It's a Man's Man's Man's World\" lacked the required oomph. The same could be said of his take on \"Here I Am (Come and Take Me)\" lacking Al Green's fire or the cover of \"A Change is Gonna Come\" missing the melancholy and resonant depth that Sam Cooke delivered on arguably what is his defining song.\n\nSo, with \"Soul 2\" I'm glad that Seal decided to mostly tone it down, choosing songs and production values that let the song fit his vocal style. That's evident on \"What's Going On,\" where he slows it down and mellows it out so he's not trying to recreate that the legendary Marvin Gaye but present. That's where he erred on the first \"Soul,\" trying to match the strengths of James Brown, Al Green or Sam Cooke. In short, \"Soul\" was Seal playing it safe.\n\nThankfully, he avoids that here, resulting in an album that is pleasantly full of Seal-style versions of classic R&B songs, rather than Seal just trying to match them note for note, tempo for tempo.\n\nIf Seal stays on this path of choosing the right songs, right production values and fitting refinement, I would warmly welcome \"Soul 3.\"","Product: UK four track CD pressing of this single lifted from the King Of Pop's posthumous 2010 release. Michael. Features vocals and production from Akon alongside Michael Jackson himself. Includes four versions of 'Hold My Hand': Album Version, Vocals & Orchestra, Alternate Mix and Instrumental. Sony\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A true gem, worth the price of admission\n\nReview: I had plans to buy the posthumous \"Michael\" album until I started hearing clips from it and grew suspicious along with others that some of the tracks were passing off non-Michael Jackson vocal tracks as the real thing.\n\nSo, even though there were a small number of songs that I wanted to hear more of, and also have in my collection, I decided to pass. I just couldn't bring myself to purchase a suspect CD.\n\nBut I couldn't ignore how much I liked \"Hold My Hand.\" I'm not a huge Akon fan, but when he hits the right feel on a song, that song can be splendid. And mixing Akon's plaintive, Wailers-influenced vocalizing with Michael Jackson's secondary support should be a no-brainer. And that came to be true. This song is the standout track for me, and I would pay nearly what it would have cost to buy the whole album in order to get four versions of \"Hold My Hand.\"\n\nEven though the Album Version, Vocals & Orchestra Version and Alternative mix tracks aren't all too different from each other, they're worth having if you're a big fan of the song.\n\nThe instrumental version is like the cherry on top.\n\nSo even though it costs about 2 dollars a track, I'm more than satisfied."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Five years ago, Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas, a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. Now, it’s the early 90’s. Carl’s got to go home, but his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are heading towards disaster. To make matters worse, he's just been framed for homicide. CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Strong storyline, with characters you can care about\\n\\nReview: Much has already been said here about the game, so I'll try to take a different angle to it. But just like the other reviewers, I will say, \\\"What a game.\\\" To call it a game is to discredit it. The crew at Rockstar know how to bring depth to a game -- more so than any other game designers, bringing fully fleshed out characters and dramatic storylines. And they get better with each release.\\n\\nFrom the very beginning, I cared for the main character, Carl Johnson, whose mother is killed in a driveby and he comes back after some years away from his neighorhood to find out what happened -- and there he finds a line of betrayals, con jobs and police corruption. As good as GTA3 and Vice City were, I must say I didn't care too much for the characters, but loved the missions. This one out, I must say I wasn't as interested in the missions as much as in what was going to happen to CJ and his family. The story here is strong enough to be made into a movie/book. (and the voices lent here to the characters does have an impressive list of actors (Samuel Jackson, Chris Penn, James Woods, Peter Fonda)and others (including rappers such as Ice-T, MC Eiht, Yo-Yo). Again, while the missions aren't as creative as those found in Vice City, the strong dramatic backdrop makes up for it. Although some of the missions in the middle don't quite seem to fit into the overall theme (and almost feel from a different game entirely) they still are fun to play (and sometimes maddening -- but in a good way).\\n\\nSome of the characters are a hoot -- such as Wu Zi Mi (the blind boss man who tries to hide that he's blind, and whose followers cater to him, and always let him win), and OG Loc, the rapper who couldn't rhyme his way out of a wet paper bag so he has to steal someone else's rhymes to get stardom). While the ending may not be as strong as that of Vice City, and the music not as cohesive and logical as Vice City's soundtrack, this is definitely a step above, improving in nearly all areas. Some of the main pluses are that you can now SWIM, and also CLIMB over fences. (so NO more frustrating deaths when your car accidentally goes over an overpass railing).\\n\\nAnd you can now work out, go on dates, eat food, buy drinks, gain or lose weight, etc. etc. But hopefully GTA won't go too far into this life simulation area. It doesn't detract from the game (in fact, it gives the game a more realistic feel), but it could in future releases if taken too far. It helps that you have another way to boost your health (then having to save a game or finding a heart).\\n\\nFunny, this game felt shorter than Vice City -- but maybe that's because one, I'm getting better/more comfortable with the GTA games, and two, I was so engrossed with the characters and story I couldn't put it down. A must-buy.\",\n \"Product: The Walking Dead is an award-winning vision of Robert Kirkman's global hit comic book series. Experience the true horror and emotional impact of being a survivor of the undead apocalypse in a zombie game unlike any other. You will meet people and experience events that will impact the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes, and you will be forced to make decisions that are not only tough, but that will have a direct effect on the story that you experience. The undead are everywhere, but they're not your only problem. Starvation, betrayal, heartbreak and more will challenge you as you attempt to survive in the world of The Walking Dead.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: The game is good -- if you can get it to work\\n\\nReview: The maker of this game has released an awful product.\\n\\nDon't get me wrong. The game's content itself is very good, very engrossing and emotional.\\n\\nBut the game is a lemon. It has far beyond the typical glitches (freeze-ups, slowdown, etc.) that one may encounter with games; the game is ultimately unplayable.\\n\\nThere are all sorts of problems, such as being unable to play later episodes and losing one's game saves, which given the nature of this game, is enough to drive one crazy.\\n\\nIt takes a lot of time, devotion and emotional investment to get through what is otherwise a great, deep game. And to lose that all because the product itself is shoddy is beyond disappointing.\\n\\nI highly suggest no one buy this game until they release a new version (one that works) or they iron out all the huge bugs. They released a patch recently, but it only worked temporarily.\\n\\nBuyer beware...\",\n \"Product: Brooklyn Babylon\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Easy going, mellow and likable in that fashion.\\n\\nReview: I have to disagree with the first reviewer.\\nThis film is easy going, mellow and uncomplicated. In other words, it's realistic in its simplicity.\\nSure, the Romeo and Juliet storyline has been done many times before, and \\\"Brooklyn Babylon\\\" isn't some grand retelling of R & J.\\nAnd that's why it's strong.\\nUnlike \\\"Romeo + Juliet\\\" and \\\"Romeo Must Die\\\" this film doesn't rely on flair, flash and occasional overacting to drive the story.\\nThe relationship between the two leads is believable and yes, while at first, it's the differences between them that attracts them to each other, when you break it down, they love each other DESPITE those differences.\\nAnd they do make a good couple on screen. The pairing of Tariq Trotter and Karen Goberman is much more believable than that of DiCaprio-Danes and Jet Li-Aaliyah in their respective movies.\\nAt first, I thought the ending was too abrupt, but after I let the film sink in, I grew to appreciate its symbolism.\\nAt the very least, if you're a Romeo and Juliet fan, rent this movie. Approach the film with an open-mind, not with that of a professional critic or with the mindset of someone looking for the meaning of life and the question of why we are here.\\nIt does have insight if you allow it to show you that.\",\n \"Product: New The Namesake [dvd]\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Message conveyed is stronger than movie itself\\n\\nReview: While \\\"The Namesake\\\" does deliver a strong message about family and identity, the movie is seemingly less than the sum of its parts, and especially less than its underlying message.\\nWhile it does have some strong and moving scenes, and scenes that those in similar situations to the characters will know and understand, the movie is often episodic without enough connection made between the scenes. We catch glimpses of their lives, but the filmmaker doesn't quite connect how those scenes affect their lives and understanding as the characters grow older. I'm not asking to be spoonfed the meanings of the scenes (we get enough spoonfeeding of the obvious in most Hollywood movies), but it often feels we're just jumping from one episode to another with little transition and little reason as to why we saw that moment in their lives. It's like a book of snapshots, one snapshot's done and we quickly move on as if each \\\"picture\\\" exists independently of the others.\\nEven the scene of the father telling his son, Gogol, how he got his name isn't as powerful as it could be. Again, I'm not asking for overdone Hollywood histrionics, but more of a feeling than \\\"OK, the scene ends here, let's move on...\\\"\\nIt's still worth watching, but if one purchases it, they'll probably be watching more scenes than others to get the heart in this rather softly directed effort.\",\n \"Product: The true story of a man who stood up the atrocities in Rwanda and offered his hotel as shelter for thousands of refugees. Over 1 million people were brutally murdered in three months, but this man saved lives one at a time.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Words can't come close to describing.....\\n\\nReview: I came into watching \\\"Hotel Rwanda\\\" without previously forged opinions (although I had heard other opinions ranging from overly positive to negative) and I found that its power comes from its subtlety of delivery -- no beating over the head of Hollywoodisms, no grand, self-important proclamations from the central character and most importantly, it doesn't marginalize who's the obvious lead character in this story as Hollywood so often does. It DOES NOT make the unforgivable errors of such Hollywood junk as \\\"Mississippi Burning,\\\" \\\"Cry Freedom,\\\" and, more recently, \\\"Last Samurai,\\\" in that this is a story about Rwanda and Rwandans and the main character is indeed Paul Rusesabagina.\\n\\nThankfully, the moviemakers were hopefully aware enough to not make Caucasian characters the leads and push all minorities to the sidelines -- because that's what we find here. This is the story of Rusesabagina and the Rwandan refugees, not how a white character comes and saves the day (which is what is what we see in most Hollywood movies which deal with this type of story).\\n\\nBut that aside, this is one of the most solid, deeply moving movies I've seen in a long time. Some have said this movie treads into \\\"movie-of-the-week territory.\\\" I disagree. Its power lies in the words, the looks on faces, the largely low-key performances by the actors, and primarily that of lead Don Cheadle who turns subtlety and straightforwardness into strength and passion. Most actors would easily resort to fancy sound-bites, or overstated, overly loud proclamations, but not Cheadle. And thankfully, the script doesn't have any back-patting, self-conscious lines. You can almost imagine the actual people involved in these situations saying those words -- and not one character here is turned into a caricature. Not one is a glowing saint, but true-to-life people with faults and imperfections, caught in a dishearteningly stressful and tension-filled environment. And what we have here is arguably the most gripping and deep-riching big-screen movie since \\\"Saving Private Ryan,\\\" but what puts this one higher on the heartfelt meter is that it's a true story. And there really are no \\\"action\\\" scenes, no \\\"loud\\\" scenes, just human drama, bleak environments, and sadly realistic scenes of violence. You feel as if you're there yourself.\\n\\nAnd arguably its most powerful scene features only Don Cheadle -- after just literally stumbling upon a road full of bodies, later on, he is trying to dress up, put on his shirt and tie, and he finds that he's tied it all wrong and he laughs, and so he starts to put it on again, and he starts crying uncontrollably, and he angrily pulls of his tie and shirt, and starts falling to the ground in tears, and then someone knocks on the door and he tries to tell him that he'll be out in a minute, but that trail of dead and all that's happened just bears down upon him at that moment.\\n\\nNow if only Hollywood could make more scenes like that, and more movies like this.... but I'm not holding my breath as the masses continually go out and see the latest sequel, the latest rehash, the lastest \\\"blockbuster\\\" and the latest remake of old movies and of TV shows.\\n\\nAnd perhaps the saddest thing of all this, is that few countries, if any, cared about what happened in Rwanda, and don't care about the slaughters going on now in Africa... because there's no money in it. Don't be like most, and just change the channel or turn over and go to sleep.\\n\\nPaul Rusesabagina is truly a hero and he doesn't have a CD out, nor does he play professional sports. He truly did what he did out of his conscience -- he didn't do it to make money. That doesn't sound so special? Just sit down and think how many of us actually perform acts because they are right, and not because there's money in it.\",\n \"Product: When the head of his village's sacred Buddha statue is stolen, simple country boy Ting (Tony Jaa) is sent to Bangkok to retrieve it. Raised by a monk who has trained him in Muay Thai, Ting has vowed to never use his lethal martial arts skills. But once he arrives in the big city, Ting is forced to fight. It's non-stop action as Ting infiltrates Bangkok's seedy underworld and takes on a series of lowlifes and criminals in his quest to obtain the sacred head.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Buy the American version instead\\n\\nReview: This is a review of the DVD itself, not the movie. The movie's as others say -- it's something you watch for the action sets, not the story or script.\\nThis movie didn't seem too different than the American release, and it still has that annoying message to Spielberg that's scrawled on a wall during the early fight/chase sequence.\\nI got this expecting to see the moving scene where the female lead character's sister dies at the hospital, but that wasn't there, just as it's missing the American release. That was one of the more powerful scenes in the movie, but instead all we get is the sister walking out of the hospital to get kidnapped.\\nDisappointing, if I could get back my money, I would. Now I'm stuck with almost 20 bucks less and a DVD I won't be watching again.\",\n \"Product: This set includes two gift items: A Badge and a Key Chain of an Eyeball. Region 3 DVD.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Creepy, bold horror flick puts American horror flicks to shame\\n\\nReview: As American studios and filmmakers aims for the shallow middleground, so as not to offend or disturb people too much, Asian, Latino and European filmmakers are easily surpassing them in just about all genres (except for the loud, shallow and CGI-ridden excess that Americans are now known for).\\nAmerican filmmakers have lost all grasp on the power of subtlety, choosing to cater to the ignorant, unthinking masses.\\n\\\"Re-Cycle\\\" is what \\\"Silent Hill\\\" should have been.\\nThe horrific, deteriorating landscapes occupied by zombies do bring to mind the \\\"Silent Hill\\\" of the videogames, and then proceed to make one ponder just how bad the movie was.\\nBut, back to \\\"Re-Cycle.\\\" My only quibble is that part of the ending was overwrought, but otherwise, it was scary, creepy, disturbing, sad and thought-provoking -- all things that a good horror movie should be.\\nIt focuses on a horrific world in which things that society has abandoned exist in a restless state. It starts out seemingly only about the ideas that writers throw away on their mission to write great books, but then we see the material goods and even the lives that modern-day society so easily throws away.\\nPeople (both young and old) are thrown away and forgotten, as if to make room for material excess.\\nThis movie has some truly scary moments, ones that even made me, who's not easily scared, vocally react with fright/surprise.\\nThe rest is suitably creepy and disturbing.\\nThe beginning of the movie is deceptive. It goes slowly along, as main character Ying-Tin works on her latest book, but once she enters the horrific universe, the creepy atmospherics take hold, sometimes each creepy \\\"stage\\\" she enters more horrific than the previous.\\nDefinitely worth more than one viewing, and it deserves a place in anyone's horror collection.\",\n \"Product: Quick Shipping !!! New And Sealed !!! This Disc WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. A multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player is request to view it in USA/Canada. Please Review Description.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: I like the movie but won't buy ext. edition because Warner Bros. made cheap, two-sided disc\\n\\nReview: I had really been looking forward to having the \\\"Extra Dope Edition\\\" on Blu-ray/DVD, because I have both of the previous movies in my collection. And I liked this movie even more than \\\"Guantanamo Bay.\\\"\\n\\nEarlier on, Amazon had posted that it the Blu-ray/DVD set would be a two-disc set with one disc for the Blu-ray and another for the DVD. Then, for the 3D Blu-ray/regular Blu-ray/DVD set, there would be three discs. But shortly before it came out, I found out that both went down one disc because Warner Bros. decided to go cheap and make a two-sided disc, with the Blu-ray on one side and the DVD on the other.\\n\\nIt's been my experience that those type of discs are not only defective much of the time, but they're also easy to scratch no matter how good you take care of them. I've bought them brand new and found scuff marks and even scratches right upon opening them for the first time.\\n\\nWarner Bros. has made me, a very big Harold & Kumar fan, very disappointed... so much so, that, as much as I hate it, I'm going to have to skip on purchasing this movie.\\n\\nWhy couldn't they just release the extended version on a single Blu-ray, without the DVD version? They released single-disc versions for the regular, theatrical cut. But if I want the \\\"Extra Dope Cut\\\" I need to put up with a two-sided disc?\\n\\nI hope more people choose not to buy it because of Warner Bros.' greedy ways.\",\n \"Product: Star Wars: The Complete Blu-ray Saga will feature all six live-action Star Wars feature films utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: No thanks, I'll pass. Make that, Nooooooooooo thanks.\\n\\nReview: As I have bought more than enough versions of the Star Wars trilogy on VHS and DVD, I wasn't exactly going to rush out and buy the Blu-Ray versions. It's not worth spending 90 bucks for special features and updated visuals and sounds.\\n\\nBut then I started hearing about changes that would show up. And then I realized that this is Lucas we're talking about here. The OCD and arrogant director who can't leave well enough alone.\\n\\nAnd my suspicions were justified.\\n\\nIf there was any chance that I may buy the Blu-Rays in the future, that door has now been shut. That door may not be as big as the \\\"new and improved\\\" Jabba palace door, but it's solid, it's strong, and it will remain closed... forever.\\n\\nThe really rancid icing on the cake was Lucas changing the most pivotal scene of the entire franchise. The scene which everything else was leading up to. Darth Vader's redemption. A scene which was perfect as is. Do we really need to know what Vader is thinking? Does it really need to expressed in any way? No. Or should I say, \\\"Noooooooooooooooooo!\\\"?\\n\\nSo, no thanks, Lucas, I'll pass, and I hope everyone else does, too.\",\n \"Product: CD\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Smoky, hazy, mesmerizing..... an album that grows on you\\n\\nReview: Upon first listen, Method Man's solo debut \\\"Tical\\\" may disappoint Wu-Tang Clan fans used to the raucous beats and crazed delivery on most of the tracks from Wu-Tang's \\\"Enter the 36 Chambers.\\\"\\nIt actually took me a few listen to understand how great this album is.\\nImagine Wu-Tang Clan slowed down, thrown beneath a haze of tical, as Method Man unleashes his demons. \\\"Tical\\\" is the soundtrack of a man's soul crying out against the wickedness and social plagues that hamper his community.\\nThe beats and sounds are suitably murky. It's more of a probing albums which gets you thinking as Meth rhymes over mostly non-commercial, raw and spare RZA creations.\\nThe effect is haunting, blunt and eerie. When listening to it, it's the aural version of digging deep into the earth looking for reasons and truth and unearthing many demons and much pain.\\nThe songs flow one right into another.\\nA complete left turn from the Wu-Tang style most of us were used to.\\nNot an easy listen, requires more mental focus and listening than your average Wu-Tang jam that flies by at the speed of light with spit-fire rhymes.\\nAn intelligent release by Meth, who took a turn away from the commercial path to make a simmering album that won't find many fans, but will remain in many collections until it's dusty and old like the records of old.\\nfight on,\\nmykal roze\",\n \"Product: Peter Tosh ~ Live & Dangerous: Boston 1976\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: For the devoted Peter Tosh fan.\\n\\nReview: Greetings to all,\\nThis live album is likely more of interest to those devoted Tosh fans who buy up or at least listen to all the late reggae musician's albums.\\nI only gave it a three star rating because the live versions here are no match for the studio versions of these songs.\\nBut they are interesting enough (especially given that there aren't many Tosh live albums around) to keep Tosh fans listening, more due to the instrumentation and solos as opposed to Tosh's delivery.\\nAnd therein lies this album's weakness. Tosh sounds too mellow on most of the vocals here, sometimes even seemingly slurring his way through songs. For example, you would expect with \\\"Babylon Queendom,\\\" especially after hearing the uplifting, get-you-up-and-dancing studio version on the \\\"Scrolls of the Prophet\\\" best-of compilation, to hear a similarly rousing version, but instead, it's rather lackluster. And the band doesn't sound as comfortable throughout the album as does the band on Tosh's live album \\\"Captured Live\\\" on EMI.\\nAnd sadly, this live album doesn't have anything nearly as moving as \\\"Rastafari Is\\\" and \\\"Equal Rights/Downpresser Man\\\" from the \\\"Captured Live\\\" CD.\\nSo bottomline is, new Tosh fans should stick to his best-of compilations as a beginner and if they're seeking a good live album get \\\"Captured Live.\\\" And if you like Tosh and seek more of his live work, definitely give \\\"Live at the One Love Peace Concert.\\\" That album not only stands as a good live album, but also as a historical document for those fans in the know what were the consequences for Tosh shortly after he made what had to be highlight of his life.\\nAs for the hardcore fans, they should make this live album a part of their collections.\\nFight on,\\nMykal Roze\",\n \"Product: STONE JOSS MIND, BODY & SOUL\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: Don't believe the hype\\n\\nReview: One star is far too generous a rating for this waste of shelf space at the record store, and waste of plastic and paper packaging. This is yet another example of the bottomfeeding record industry putting out product with a \\\"beautiful\\\" face. (beautiful is in quotation marks, because this is yet another case of trying to put out \\\"black\\\" music as performed by a white singer). And as usual, the powers that be and many facets of the media gush uncontrollably over how \\\"great\\\" she is, all the while ignoring the truly great singers out there who go unrecognized, and these singers just so happen to be \\\"black.\\\" It's so sad because music today is all about image, \\\"beauty,\\\" marketing, and TV and radio OVER-rotation and overexposure. There are plenty of great singers out there who only see ONE album (if they see one at all) and then they're shoved out the door because, first, they're not white, two, their albums don't sell enough on the first go-round to satisfy the mega-conglomerate record labels which are all owned by five or so mega-companies, and three, too many listeners have been brainwashed by commercialism and pop music overexposure to even know what is good, true, soulful music. Their eyes deceive them and play tricks on their ears. They equate their Eurocentric notion of beauty with what is good music. Black is ugly to them, so they will never ever give a black singer credit, while white artists playing black music forms are deemed geniuses while the black originators and truly gifted musicians/artists go unrecognized and wallow in obscurity. And since the big labels are solely concerned on immediate and mega-million returns on their dollar, artists are not being nurtured. All we receive are clones, recycled pop ideas and remakes. There are true artists out there, but they get one shot on big labels, or live in obscurity on independent labels, and such albums don't see the light of day in big chain stores that sell CDs.\\n\\nIf Joss Stone was black, and not a blonde Caucasian person, she'd be yet another lost singer without an opportunity. It's too bad people don't know what good music is anymore since the big labels don't care to get behind it as they are concerned with the flavor of the week. I just wish people would know there's more to music than what's on the radio, what's on TV or cable, and what gets the heavy marketing. Most people have the Internet now, go do a little looking beyond the superficial marketing. Some big labels do have good artists on them, but you have to search.\\n\\nHere's some names you could look into.\\n\\nJulie Dexter\\n\\nN'Dambi\\n\\nConya Doss\\n\\nKem (he's on a big label)\\n\\nSandra St. Victor (was once on big label, but now is on independent)\\n\\nErykah Badu (on big label)\\n\\nJill Scott (on independent, but is rather well known)\\n\\nThere are more out there. Those who think Joss Stone is so great are just really missing on real soul, and are being suckered by the big labels to buy commercialism. Joss Stone is not a bad singer per se, but just very artificial, superficial and derivative. She's all style, no substance, all frosting, no cake. There's not much there once you get past her derivative style. My review here will probably get major negative opinions from the readers out there, but that only goes to show they don't know what true, good soul music is. Buy this CD if what flimsy pop-soul that imitates the real thing is what you like. But if you know and like true soul, you'll know where to look.\\n\\nAnd if you just don't like to buy soul from black singers, then perhaps try Nikka Costa, (she reminds me of former Family Stand lead singer Sandra St. Victor), she's fun and not half bad. But still, hopefully, you'll open your eyes and ears to embrace all types of singers.\",\n \"Product: SEAL SYSTEM\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: More consistent than Seal IV, but lacks emotion of first three releases\\n\\nReview: When I heard that Seal was going back to the dance style of his debut, I was a little more excited than usual, especially after the Motown-like departure that was his previous album.\\nAnd while his latest album isn't bad, it's doesn't have the emotional depth that his first three albums rode on.\\nThere are no songs that touch the heart or mind here, and perhaps that's due to the fact that the music buying public has changed drastically, that one's goal seems to be to make songs that can become ringtones, rather than making quality music, and also that this is his first album not overseen by longtime producer Trevor Horn.\\nIf it weren't Seal, this maybe a good, solid dance album, but this is Seal, who could move listeners with acoustic or even a cappella songs by just opening his mouth to sing.\\nA lot of the songs here sound similar, too similar, as if he and his new producer made all the backing tracks in one continuous session, and then later, they wrote lyrics and just sang them over the tracks.\\nSometimes Seal has bordered on sentimentality, but never has he been so shallow and downright shallow as on \\\"Wedding Day.\\\" It's long been the case that when an artist gets married, the music suffers, not because of his/her time being taken up, but because, unfortunately for the artist, happiness often doesn't translate into moving music.\\nThe second big problem with this album, after its glaring lack of SEAL heart and emotion, is that the tracks are almost all interchangeable. You could switch the vocal tracks from music track to track and we probably wouldn't know the difference.\\nThe tracks are repetitive to the point of lacking any sort of soul, and are just, sadly for a Seal album, very shallow.\\nEven though it's trying to be like a sequel to his first album, the tracks on his debut, even with thumping dance sounds and electronic flourishes, there was no denying Seal's passion and ability to move with the seemingly most simple of phrases, bridges or breaks. There was drama within those songs, and that ability to dramatize and emote carried him through those first three albums.\\nBut, as at least one other person mentioned, once his great album \\\"Human Beings\\\" didn't sell as well as the others, Seal went commercial.\\nHuman Beings is his crowning achievement, but the flavor-of-the-month masses didn't get it. Many of the songs on it are hypnotic, the sounds bordering on an underwater dub style, and the insights deep, and the sounds as intriguing as the cover shot of Seal either lurking and creeping or cowering in a defensive stance.\\nIt was quiet, subdued, patient and artistic, but the masses wanted more power-type ballads from Seal, but instead they received an artistic response with depth and the same Seal emotion and they didn't accept it.\\nSo here we are, after a more commercial offering and a change in producers and even with his voice on \\\"System,\\\" it's hard to say, but almost anyone could have sang these new songs, and the same reaction would be reached.\\nSeal will hopefully find his way back to heart-and-mind tugging music....\\nMaybe, one late night, he'll play \\\"Human Beings\\\" and come home.\",\n \"Product: On his first collection of holiday music, Keith Sweat will prove there's no one better qualified to deliver a Yuletide disc titled \\\"A Christmas Of Love\\\"\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: That Keith Sweat style, but all about the Christmas mood\\n\\nReview: I've been a fan of Keith Sweat's since 1987 and, despite the occassional slight departure from his bass-heavy, keyboard-driven R&B style, his style has pretty much stayed the same, and that's a good thing. He has a tried and true style that's as entertaining and good as it was back in the late 1980s.\\nAnd that style is here on his Christmas album -- the sound's the same, but the topics are all about the holiday.\\nSome may not like that he doesn't perform such classics as \\\"The Christmas Song\\\" the traditional way, but given the familiarity of the old classic performances of such a song, it's good to hear that Keith Sweat just sang it in his style, rather than changing to mimic what we've already heard before and know full well.\",\n \"Product: 2007 release, part one of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Resist The Temptation' as well as a new mix of 'Dear Mama' with Anthony Hamilton. Also includes the staples 'California Love', 'I Ain't Mad At Cha' and 'So Many Tears'. Interscope\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: This and \\\"Part 2: Life\\\" are more for the hardcore Tupac fan\\n\\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \\\"Greatest Hits\\\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 2: Life) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \\\"unreleased\\\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \\\"Life's So Hard.\\\"\\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get the two, otherwise you can skip them.\\n(P.S., the \\\"How You Want It\\\" is like the one on \\\"Greatest Hits,\\\" it censors out C. Delores Tucker's name)\",\n \"Product: 2007 release, part two of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Dopefiend's Diner' and a new acoustic mix of 'Thugz Mansion'. Interscope.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: This and \\\"Part 1: Thug\\\" are for the hardcore Tupac fan\\n\\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \\\"Greatest Hits\\\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 1: Thug) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \\\"unreleased\\\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \\\"Life's So Hard.\\\"\\nAnd another thing that weakens these compilations is that their titles (\\\"Thug\\\" and \\\"Life\\\") first give you the impression that \\\"Thug\\\" will have the harder songs and \\\"Life\\\" the more reflective ones. But the \\\"Life\\\" compilation interestingly enough is the only disc that has songs with \\\"Thug\\\" in the titles, and the \\\"Thug\\\" disc has some reflective/heartfelt songs, such as a remix of \\\"Dear Mama,\\\" which, by the way, is nowhere near a match for the original -- this remix practically takes all the emotion out of the song.\\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get these compilations, otherwise you can skip them.\",\n \"Product: 2007 reissue of this album from Bob Marley's son, Ky-Mani, who carries the torch of his father with this album, originally released in 2001. Many More Roads is a well crafted, beautifully written and deeply personal album performed with fiery passion (as one would naturally expect from a Marley!).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Not the most well-known Marley, but Ky-mani's the most skilled vocalist\\n\\nReview: In terms of popularity, Ky-mani Marley may be far behind the likes of eldest brother Ziggy, Stephen and even little brother Damian, but he's the best vocalist of the singing Marley kids. Ziggy and Stephen, as talented as they are, seem to lean far too heavily on the Bob Marley-isms, especially Stephen. And Damian, while seemingly the most popular Marley nowadays, is arguably the least talented -- putting out albums with solid music backing thanks to brother Stephen, but his vocal delivery is OK at best.\\n\\nNow, with Ky-mani, while not as prolific as Ziggy, I can envision him as being a singer in his own right, Marley name or not. I can't say the same of the others.\\n\\nThe Marley kids have their strengths.\\n\\nZiggy writes strong songs, but his voice is so much like his father's that it's hard to discern his own voice, and it just doesn't seem he has ever found a sound of his own, and maybe that's through no fault of his own -- as he has been branching out musically lately.\\n\\nAnd Stephen, as good as his production chops are, he's nowhere near as good a lyrics-writer, and his vocals seem all over the place, imitating Bob Marley more than Ziggy ever did.\\n\\nAnd Damian leans on dancehall toasting, at which he's OK, but I still wonder if he'd have the opportunity if, first, he didn't have the Marley name, and didn't have Stephen's production backing.\\n\\n*(Julian, unfortunately to say, seems to be mostly an imitation of both Bob and Ziggy, and you'd see him if you couldn't catch Ziggy, Stephen or Ky-mani performing)\\n\\nBut Ky-mani, to use Jamaican parlance, has the \\\"sweetest\\\" vocals of the Marley brood. His voice, while still reminiscent of father Bob's, has a timber to it and subtle vibrancy to it, like it's a cloth made of finer threads.\\n\\nWhereas Ziggy and Stephen's vocals still seem rough, and even flat at times, Ky-mani brings true melody, musicality and dexterity with his singing.\\n\\nI saw him performing live recently, and his on-stage performance was right up there with the best two or three reggae concerts I've seen.\\n\\nAnd he can play funky, play roots, play dancehall and sing lovers rock, going from each style with ease (and sometimes back and forth between two styles within the same song, check out \\\"Hailie I\\\" on this CD), whereas Ziggy is good with the straightforward voice of indignation and conscience, but rather lacking when it comes to the love-themed songs. And Stephen is better at the love songs than Ziggy, and also good at indignation, but he's lacking when it comes to the social-conscience songs, stumbling while trying to deliver strong messages.\\n\\nBut with Ky-mani, just hear how he goes from the rooted indignation of\\n\\n\\\"Who We Are\\\" to the roots of title-track \\\"Many More Roads,\\\" and to the lovers-rock style of \\\"Love In The Morning,\\\" all equally convincing. And when I saw him perform live, I learned he can handle dancehall booming vocals more convincingly than Damian, for whom dancehall toasting is his bread and butter. (Check out \\\"In A De Dance\\\" on this CD, where he delivers a gruff vocal style, reminiscent of Buju Banton, but with Ky-mani's vocal ability)\\n\\nIt's truly a shame that more people don't know about Ky-mani, but I guess that makes it easier for us, his fans, to see him play. ;)\\n\\nZiggy has the elder brother status and voice of wisdom, Stephen the production know-how, Julian the Ziggy-like and Bob-like mannerisms and affectations, and Damian the toasting bravado, but Ky-mani's got the vocal dexterity and skill, something the others can't claim. With a new album due out sometime soon, hopefully Ky-mani will gain recognition for being much more than just \\\"another Marley son.\\\"\",\n \"Product: On his first collection of holiday music, Keith Sweat will prove there's no one better qualified to deliver a Yuletide disc titled \\\"A Christmas Of Love\\\"\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: That Keith Sweat style, but all about the Christmas mood\\n\\nReview: I've been a fan of Keith Sweat's since 1987 and, despite the occassional slight departure from his bass-heavy, keyboard-driven R&B style, his style has pretty much stayed the same, and that's a good thing. He has a tried and true style that's as entertaining and good as it was back in the late 1980s.\\nAnd that style is here on his Christmas album -- the sound's the same, but the topics are all about the holiday.\\nSome may not like that he doesn't perform such classics as \\\"The Christmas Song\\\" the traditional way, but given the familiarity of the old classic performances of such a song, it's good to hear that Keith Sweat just sang it in his style, rather than changing to mimic what we've already heard before and know full well.\",\n \"Product: 2007 release, part one of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Resist The Temptation' as well as a new mix of 'Dear Mama' with Anthony Hamilton. Also includes the staples 'California Love', 'I Ain't Mad At Cha' and 'So Many Tears'. Interscope\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: This and \\\"Part 2: Life\\\" are more for the hardcore Tupac fan\\n\\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \\\"Greatest Hits\\\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 2: Life) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \\\"unreleased\\\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \\\"Life's So Hard.\\\"\\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get the two, otherwise you can skip them.\\n(P.S., the \\\"How You Want It\\\" is like the one on \\\"Greatest Hits,\\\" it censors out C. Delores Tucker's name)\",\n \"Product: 2007 release, part two of two Greatest Hits CD's by the most recognizable forces in Rap history. 11 tracks complete this disc including the unreleased jam 'Dopefiend's Diner' and a new acoustic mix of 'Thugz Mansion'. Interscope.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: This and \\\"Part 1: Thug\\\" are for the hardcore Tupac fan\\n\\nReview: I won't go deep into detail on each song as almost all of them will be familiar to most Tupac fans. Even though Part 1: Thug and Part 2: Life are sold separately, they are meant to be part of one compilation, as evidenced by Afeni Shakur's little open letter inside.\\nIf you're just getting into Tupac, and you're seeking a compilation, it's better to the \\\"Greatest Hits\\\" 2-CD compilation from 1998, as it's a good, solid overview of Tupac's work, having most of the tracks Tupac fans will need in a 2-CD set.\\nThe problem with this new compilation (and Part 1: Thug) is that they mostly offer songs already available on other Tupac CDs. There are some \\\"unreleased\\\" tracks offered, only two or so, and they're not worth the price of purchase. There are other officially unreleased tracks that should be here, such as \\\"Life's So Hard.\\\"\\nAnd another thing that weakens these compilations is that their titles (\\\"Thug\\\" and \\\"Life\\\") first give you the impression that \\\"Thug\\\" will have the harder songs and \\\"Life\\\" the more reflective ones. But the \\\"Life\\\" compilation interestingly enough is the only disc that has songs with \\\"Thug\\\" in the titles, and the \\\"Thug\\\" disc has some reflective/heartfelt songs, such as a remix of \\\"Dear Mama,\\\" which, by the way, is nowhere near a match for the original -- this remix practically takes all the emotion out of the song.\\nSo, unless you're a Tupac fan that has to have everything get these compilations, otherwise you can skip them.\",\n \"Product: 2007 reissue of this album from Bob Marley's son, Ky-Mani, who carries the torch of his father with this album, originally released in 2001. Many More Roads is a well crafted, beautifully written and deeply personal album performed with fiery passion (as one would naturally expect from a Marley!).\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Not the most well-known Marley, but Ky-mani's the most skilled vocalist\\n\\nReview: In terms of popularity, Ky-mani Marley may be far behind the likes of eldest brother Ziggy, Stephen and even little brother Damian, but he's the best vocalist of the singing Marley kids. Ziggy and Stephen, as talented as they are, seem to lean far too heavily on the Bob Marley-isms, especially Stephen. And Damian, while seemingly the most popular Marley nowadays, is arguably the least talented -- putting out albums with solid music backing thanks to brother Stephen, but his vocal delivery is OK at best.\\n\\nNow, with Ky-mani, while not as prolific as Ziggy, I can envision him as being a singer in his own right, Marley name or not. I can't say the same of the others.\\n\\nThe Marley kids have their strengths.\\n\\nZiggy writes strong songs, but his voice is so much like his father's that it's hard to discern his own voice, and it just doesn't seem he has ever found a sound of his own, and maybe that's through no fault of his own -- as he has been branching out musically lately.\\n\\nAnd Stephen, as good as his production chops are, he's nowhere near as good a lyrics-writer, and his vocals seem all over the place, imitating Bob Marley more than Ziggy ever did.\\n\\nAnd Damian leans on dancehall toasting, at which he's OK, but I still wonder if he'd have the opportunity if, first, he didn't have the Marley name, and didn't have Stephen's production backing.\\n\\n*(Julian, unfortunately to say, seems to be mostly an imitation of both Bob and Ziggy, and you'd see him if you couldn't catch Ziggy, Stephen or Ky-mani performing)\\n\\nBut Ky-mani, to use Jamaican parlance, has the \\\"sweetest\\\" vocals of the Marley brood. His voice, while still reminiscent of father Bob's, has a timber to it and subtle vibrancy to it, like it's a cloth made of finer threads.\\n\\nWhereas Ziggy and Stephen's vocals still seem rough, and even flat at times, Ky-mani brings true melody, musicality and dexterity with his singing.\\n\\nI saw him performing live recently, and his on-stage performance was right up there with the best two or three reggae concerts I've seen.\\n\\nAnd he can play funky, play roots, play dancehall and sing lovers rock, going from each style with ease (and sometimes back and forth between two styles within the same song, check out \\\"Hailie I\\\" on this CD), whereas Ziggy is good with the straightforward voice of indignation and conscience, but rather lacking when it comes to the love-themed songs. And Stephen is better at the love songs than Ziggy, and also good at indignation, but he's lacking when it comes to the social-conscience songs, stumbling while trying to deliver strong messages.\\n\\nBut with Ky-mani, just hear how he goes from the rooted indignation of\\n\\n\\\"Who We Are\\\" to the roots of title-track \\\"Many More Roads,\\\" and to the lovers-rock style of \\\"Love In The Morning,\\\" all equally convincing. And when I saw him perform live, I learned he can handle dancehall booming vocals more convincingly than Damian, for whom dancehall toasting is his bread and butter. (Check out \\\"In A De Dance\\\" on this CD, where he delivers a gruff vocal style, reminiscent of Buju Banton, but with Ky-mani's vocal ability)\\n\\nIt's truly a shame that more people don't know about Ky-mani, but I guess that makes it easier for us, his fans, to see him play. ;)\\n\\nZiggy has the elder brother status and voice of wisdom, Stephen the production know-how, Julian the Ziggy-like and Bob-like mannerisms and affectations, and Damian the toasting bravado, but Ky-mani's got the vocal dexterity and skill, something the others can't claim. With a new album due out sometime soon, hopefully Ky-mani will gain recognition for being much more than just \\\"another Marley son.\\\"\",\n \"Product: Vinyl LP version. After touring for more than two years supporting their 2006 major label debut, Meg & Dia return with Here, Here And Here, a musical and emotional rollercoaster of an album that heralds the coming of age of the indie pop-rock sisters,bolstered by producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, All American Rejects).\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: More refined, polished but not as moving as \\\"Something Real\\\"\\n\\nReview: The emotional core of \\\"Something Real\\\" has been replaced with more polish, bigger budget production. While there's nothing wrong with \\\"Here, Here and Here,\\\" as it has a more polished sheen and tries more things musically, it does seem that what set Meg and Dia apart from the number of rock bands out there has been lost.\\nIt's not a bad album by any means, but it seemed, as they grew bigger, there was no other path to go but to a more mainstream sound, one backed with a bigger budget on a big label.\\nThat usually happens when a group goes from an independent label to one of the mega-conglomerate ones.\\nIt also seems that Dia's vocals have been muted by this polish, sometimes hidden behind some technological gimmicks.\\nThose who are hearing Meg and Dia for the first time likely won't miss anything, but I can't help but miss the emotional fervor Dia brought vocally in a less controlled, less produced environment.\\nIt's still a worthy album, and Meg and Dia fans both old and new will enjoy it. I myself enjoy it, but it unfortunately lacks the heart of\\n\\\"Something Real.\\\"\",\n \"Product: 2009 release from the Norwegian trio, their ninth studio album in an illustrious 25 year career. Opening with the galloping charge of 'The Bandstand', the album quickly defines itself with the keyboard intro before Morten's instantly recognizable vocals announce their return. Melting into the Arcade Fire influenced 'Riding the Crest' which Paul describes as 'Electro Blues', the album flows into the melancholic 'What There Is' before thundering back into the stunning single and title track 'Foot of the Mountain'. with other tracks like 'Shadowside' and 'Sunny Mystery' incorporating the most driving and contagious beats and lyrics of A-HA's career, Foot of the Mountain is an album that cements A-HA's position in the world of pop. Recorded between Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009 in New York, Oslo, Hamburg, Stockholm and Bath, alongside producers Steve Osborne, Erik Ljunggren, Roland Spremberg and Mark Saunders. Universal.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Mellow, relaxing album from a-ha\\n\\nReview: While most of their earlier albums were full of songs driven by melancholy and sadness, \\\"Foot of the Mountain\\\" sounds more positive as the music here is often light and breezy. And that's a mostly good thing because one can only take so many somber songs.\\nWhile some have complained that a-ha's trying to sound too much like modern Euro-rock and pop bands (and there is some truth in that), the album's still worth listening to.\\nIt might not have any moments that wow like those on their first four albums, or even anything as emotional as on \\\"Minor Earth, Major Sky,\\\" but a-ha fans will find the album's one to appreciate as a fun, catchy, light slice of pop.\\nEven though it is rather lightweight, again, it still makes for a fun listen, and I'd rather a-ha try for a different sound than remake old efforts, as many veteran bands do, such as U2.\\nIt might not have as much legs or emotional heft as the rest of their catalog, but it's definitely a CD one can relax to, or play in the background while cleaning up the house. :)\",\n \"Product: 2009 release from the Canadian R&B singer/songwriter. Melanie's music is an eclectic yet glossy mix of tributes to the past and contemporary R&B. Even before she released an album, she impressed Kanye West enough to be invited to be the opening act during Kanye's 2008 European tour! Universal.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Somewhat entertaining, but derivative\\n\\nReview: It's not bad for a debut, but it leans a bit too much on the Motown imitations.\\n\\nWhile borrowing so heavily from the Motown playbook isn't bad -- the songs are catchy and even entertaining -- it does simply make me want to play the classic songs that she's referencing rather than listen to her tracks.\\n\\nWhen she finally steers a bit away from the Motown sound, her songs are sometimes and more point to potentially good albums in the future.\\n\\nIt's a slightly welcoming detour in that she simply doesn't mimic the styles of most R&B-pop female singers these days, but her other tracks tend to sound like Alicia Keys and, at this album's worst, generic pop R&B.\\n\\nShe's a name to look forward to, and hopefully the label will give her chances to grow on subsequent albums, something that labels don't seem to do much anymore.\",\n \"Product: Rihanna is an absolute pop superstar and has had an enormous amount of success in Australia. She appears on a total of 15 Top 50 singles, 14 Top 50 airplay songs and has had more weeks at #1 on the ARIA Singles chart than any other female artist this decade. Rihanna has sold over 12 million albums,worldwide in her four-year career span and has received several accolades, including the 2007 World Music Awards for World's Best-Selling Pop Female Artist and Female Entertainer of the Year, as well as the 2008 American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. Rated R is the highly anticipated follow up to 2007's Australian triple platinum album \\\"Good Girl Gone Bad\\\" which provided a procession of smash hit singles including Umbrella, Don't Stop the Music, Shut Up & Drive, Disturbia & Take A Bow.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Rihanna's bitter, hurt, sad, confused and angry, and so is her album\\n\\nReview: The violent fight between her and Chris Brown casts a shadow over Rihanna's new album, and it's hard to not think about that listening to every line, and every downtrodden, melancholy or angry beat.\\n\\nWhether she's singing about Russian roulette, conveying images of car crashes and ambulances, or stepping angrily into a club, uttering curse words, it's obvious the physical wounds she suffered run deep into her soul.\\n\\nIf Chris Brown hadn't beaten her, this album would likely be a very different one, a bright or shiny cover, rather than the black and gray one here, and likewise, a set of shiny dance tracks and typical ballad fare, rather than the mostly plaintive ballads and subdued dance tracks that thinly veil much angst.\\n\\nCall this her \\\"Human Beings,\\\" Seal's third and most slept-on album. On that album, with blue and black moody, creepy cover, Seal delved deep into the recesses of his soul, coming out with a hypnotic, subdued, surreal sounds. It was his least catchy album, but felt like a thorough book with songs as chapters that couldn't exist without the other.\\n\\nRihanna's \\\"Rated R\\\" doesn't reach the artistic heights or solidarity of music that Seal and longtime producer Trevor Horn achieved, (she is working, unsurprisingly, with a number of different, big-name producers and guest artists), but she shows the hurting person beneath her previous sunny dance tracks.\\n\\nAnd there are some moving gems here, including \\\"Russian Roulette,\\\" \\\"Te Amo\\\" and \\\"Last Song\\\" (which features some U2-style guitar). But, ultimately, the album could have delved deeper into her seemingly wounded heart and soul. And perhaps if she worked with just one producer and created the album like artists of the past, rather than presenting a sampler platter of different styles (no matter how muted they are here), this could have been her \\\"My Life,\\\" Mary J. Blige's great bearing of the soul.\\n\\nThere are some weaker moments here, that almost come off as a bit pedestrian, flat and modern-pop shallow -- \\\"Rude Boy,\\\" \\\"Fire Bomb\\\" and \\\"Rockstar 101\\\" -- but, as is, the album stands out from much of the pop-female albums out now, because she has some pain to work through, resulting from her very public fight with Chris Brown. Perhaps, since it was so public, we don't get much deep bearing off her soul, rather we hear her anger in the words she sings, and the imagery of guns and violence that fill the moody tracks.\\n\\nSimply put, it sounds like these are Rihanna's moods as interpreted and conveyed by other songwriters, which is basically the case.\\n\\nhopefully Rihanna won't need another album of therapy to cast the demons that still hurt her deeply, but a more personal, self-written book of songs would likely make for a more cohesive, and heartfelt, album.\",\n \"Product: Ziggy Marleys new album, WILD & FREE, was co-produced with Don Was and mixed by Bob Clearmountain. Features guest appearances by Heavy D on \\\"It,\\\" Woody Harrelson on \\\"Wild and Free\\\" and Ziggys son Daniel Marley on \\\"Changes.\\\" the song \\\"Changes\\\" co-written with Linda Perry and you will also hear Ziggys new born son, Abraham on \\\"Welcome to the World\\\".\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Light and breezy, and too much so\\n\\nReview: Hearing the samples and a couple of the songs in full beforehand, it sounded like Ziggy was going through the motions on this album, and having heard it all now, that's in fact what he's doing.\\n\\nI was most looking forward to this album because it had \\\"Elizabeth,\\\" on here... previously known as \\\"Uncle Sam,\\\" a song that was going to be on the next Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers album -- an album that never came. They played it live when they were on their last tour together before breaking up. Unfortunately, the version here is more stripped down, with an annoying organ sound in the background. I wish they had made and release a studio version of the much-more raucous stage version.\\n\\nLike the rest of the album, the song's uninspired. It just feels too low-key and lackadaisical. It feels more like music that wouldn't be out of place on a Caribbean cruise for rich yuppies. For more rootsy, edgy music from a Marley, I suggest Stephen Marley's solo works, including his latest, which just came out about a month ago. It seems since Ziggy's married uptown, and became on with Beverly Hills, his music has lost whatever edge it once had. Or perhaps that edge came from Stephen Marley.\\n\\nI highly suggest people check out the samples before buying. A disappointing effort from Marley. I give it a 1 and a half star.\",\n \"Product: Keith Sweat has delivered 24 years of record breaking, and trail blazing contributions to the R&B and Pop genre. He was a leader of the New Jack Swing phenomenon of the late 1980s. From there he went on to dominate the POP and R&B worlds. His classic debut album Make It Last Forever sold more than three million copies. Keiths record of accomplishments includes membership in the R&B super group LSG, with Gerald Levert & Johhny Gill. LSG released two albums that sold over 3 million units and singles. Currently Keith hosts The Sweat Hotel a nationally syndicated radio show broadcasted in 50 markets with 30 million audience listeners. Sweat points to his consistency as the key to his success which is backed up by over a dozen top ten R&B singles including seven #1s, four top five Pop singles. His eOne Music debut album Til The Morning offers Keith s long devoted fans exactly what they ve been waiting for, his sultry R&B sound painting vivid portraits of love & relationships\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The strongest Sweat album in a long while\\n\\nReview: I've been a Keith Sweat from his first album on, stuck with him through thick and thin, hit and miss. And lately, his albums have been more miss than hit. And while none of them were bad, they felt rather listless. That Sweat formula was largely still there, but not always. When he strayed away from the tried and true bass-heavy formula, he felt like an old, outdated guy trying to run with the young kids.\\n\\nAnd not since the late 1990s has Sweat really put together a solid, listenable album that both entertains and impresses.\\n\\nWhile his new album may not wow listeners, when compared to his last 10 years of recording, this is a standout album. It makes me forgive his rather inconsistent and soft output over this last several albums. I had found that his Christmas album was his strongest disc as of late, which is not a good thing for an artist.\\n\\nIt seems that here, on \\\" 'Til the Morning,\\\" Sweat tapped back into what made his earlier music so magical. He kept it nice and simple, and it felt like the old days. Bass-heavy mix, drum machine and noodling keyboards with heavy doses of that yearning vocal style Sweat is known for.\\n\\nThere may be a sameness in tone, lyrics and melody throughout the album that may turn away any newcomers. And it may even have some longtime fans saying, \\\"It sounds the same as just about everything else he's done.\\\" For a longtime fan like me, that suits me just fine.\\n\\nInstead of chasing the trends, Sweat just goes back to the style he virtually patented. In doing so, he sounds more inspired and the music more airy and fresh than he's sounded in many years now.\\n\\nWhile I'll stop short of saying that Sweat was growing stuffy and stale, it sounds like he opened the windows and got the fans running with this new album.\\n\\nUnfortunately, the only misstep is the middling track \\\"To the Middle.\\\" Sweat should have stayed away from the middle, because here, he uses the dreaded autotune. Unsurprisingly, that track features T-Pain, who's practically Mr. Autotune. And ironically, it sounds like T-Pain raps here without autotune. This song sticks out for the wrong reasons. Sweat never should have made such a concession because he never needed autotune, and he doesn't need it now or ever.\\n\\nBut the rest of the album (and the other songs with guest appearances: \\\"Knew It All Along,\\\" featuring Johnny Gill and Gerald Levert, and \\\"My Valentine,\\\" a duet with Coke of SWV) more than make up for that single presence of autotune.\\n\\nSweat fans, especially ones disappointed like me with his more recent output, should definitely add this to their collection. It's a strong return to form.\\n\\n(Note: Best Buy is selling an exclusive version, with three bonus tracks).\",\n \"Product: 2012 album from the British vocalist. After the success of his platinum-selling album Soul, Seal has now turned his attention to classic '70s Soul records for this follow-up. Bringing his recognizable voice to tracks such as Rose Royce's 'Wishing On A Star' and Bill Withers' 'Lean On Me', Seal brings soul back to Soul music.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Better collection of songs than Soul 1, and warm, superior, more personal delivery\\n\\nReview: While I didn't hate Seal's previous \\\"Soul\\\" collection, I was underwhelmed. Surprisingly, Seal sounded lackluster, almost uncomfortable with the songs he chose. It almost felt like he was going through the motions. I felt, for a while there in his career, his seemingly happy personal life put music lower on the priority list.\\n\\nOverall, nothing he had made was terrible over the past 5 or 6 years, but it didn't have the rich melancholy or angst that his first three albums had. There was a sublime richness permeating throughout and, at the risk of sounding cliche, there was even a genius to many of his songs.\\n\\nSo, I was disappointed that it almost felt like he was, again, going through the motions on the first \\\"Soul\\\" compilation.\\n\\nBut there are no such problems here. The list of songs fits him better and he seems to be more inspired and passionate here. And, as at least one other person mentioned, his still fresh divorce seems to hover over this release even though these songs were recorded and pressed long before.\\n\\nThere are no James Brown classics here. While Seal's attempt to tackle a Brown song is understandable and even commendable, Seal's smooth vocals are no match for Brown's, and so, his cover of \\\"It's a Man's Man's Man's World\\\" lacked the required oomph. The same could be said of his take on \\\"Here I Am (Come and Take Me)\\\" lacking Al Green's fire or the cover of \\\"A Change is Gonna Come\\\" missing the melancholy and resonant depth that Sam Cooke delivered on arguably what is his defining song.\\n\\nSo, with \\\"Soul 2\\\" I'm glad that Seal decided to mostly tone it down, choosing songs and production values that let the song fit his vocal style. That's evident on \\\"What's Going On,\\\" where he slows it down and mellows it out so he's not trying to recreate that the legendary Marvin Gaye but present. That's where he erred on the first \\\"Soul,\\\" trying to match the strengths of James Brown, Al Green or Sam Cooke. In short, \\\"Soul\\\" was Seal playing it safe.\\n\\nThankfully, he avoids that here, resulting in an album that is pleasantly full of Seal-style versions of classic R&B songs, rather than Seal just trying to match them note for note, tempo for tempo.\\n\\nIf Seal stays on this path of choosing the right songs, right production values and fitting refinement, I would warmly welcome \\\"Soul 3.\\\"\",\n \"Product: UK four track CD pressing of this single lifted from the King Of Pop's posthumous 2010 release. Michael. Features vocals and production from Akon alongside Michael Jackson himself. Includes four versions of 'Hold My Hand': Album Version, Vocals & Orchestra, Alternate Mix and Instrumental. Sony\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A true gem, worth the price of admission\\n\\nReview: I had plans to buy the posthumous \\\"Michael\\\" album until I started hearing clips from it and grew suspicious along with others that some of the tracks were passing off non-Michael Jackson vocal tracks as the real thing.\\n\\nSo, even though there were a small number of songs that I wanted to hear more of, and also have in my collection, I decided to pass. I just couldn't bring myself to purchase a suspect CD.\\n\\nBut I couldn't ignore how much I liked \\\"Hold My Hand.\\\" I'm not a huge Akon fan, but when he hits the right feel on a song, that song can be splendid. And mixing Akon's plaintive, Wailers-influenced vocalizing with Michael Jackson's secondary support should be a no-brainer. And that came to be true. This song is the standout track for me, and I would pay nearly what it would have cost to buy the whole album in order to get four versions of \\\"Hold My Hand.\\\"\\n\\nEven though the Album Version, Vocals & Orchestra Version and Alternative mix tracks aren't all too different from each other, they're worth having if you're a big fan of the song.\\n\\nThe instrumental version is like the cherry on top.\\n\\nSo even though it costs about 2 dollars a track, I'm more than satisfied.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":29,"string":"29"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1797,"string":"1,797"}}},{"rowIdx":1798,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"A3M2O06MCHJG18"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"3.0\" for a product with description \"The highly anticipated family comedy The Smurfs 2 is now a video game! The evil wizard Gargamel has created the Naughties, who kidnap Smurfette from Smurfs Village and imprison her in Paris. It's now up to the Smurfs to travel from the Enchanted Forest, through the busy streets of New York, into Paris, and everywhere in between to save the day and bring Smurfette home safe!\". The summary of the review text is \"Meh. It's fun for a while, but there's nothing that will up-end a gamer\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This game may be fun for fans of the Smurfs, but others, I fear, will not find The Smurfs 2 entertaining for long.\n\nThis is a left-to-right scrolling game much like the Super Mario Brothers of old, except you do have the opportunity to go back to the places you've already visited by heading left. There are screens where the objective is to climb upwards before being left behind, so there's that south-to-north element.\n\nIf you have a daughter who expects to play the game from the perspective of Smurfette, then that's strike one. Smurfette, as the damsel in distress, is the one who needs to be saved by the boys, so Smurfette is not an option to be your character until you've already won the game.\n\nI think the graphics are quite enjoyable enough, but gameplay becomes stale after a while. I won't say that my four year old has already grown tired of it, but he no longer plays it with the enthusiasm that he once did.\n\nMy overall impression of the game is that it is another in a long line of games based on a movie so that it can spawn a game. If there were 2.5 stars, I would have gone there."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"This game may be fun for fans of the Smurfs, but others, I fear, will not find The Smurfs 2 entertaining for long.\n\nThis is a left-to-right scrolling game much like the Super Mario Brothers of old, except you do have the opportunity to go back to the places you've already visited by heading left. There are screens where the objective is to climb upwards before being left behind, so there's that south-to-north element.\n\nIf you have a daughter who expects to play the game from the perspective of Smurfette, then that's strike one. Smurfette, as the damsel in distress, is the one who needs to be saved by the boys, so Smurfette is not an option to be your character until you've already won the game.\n\nI think the graphics are quite enjoyable enough, but gameplay becomes stale after a while. I won't say that my four year old has already grown tired of it, but he no longer plays it with the enthusiasm that he once did.\n\nMy overall impression of the game is that it is another in a long line of games based on a movie so that it can spawn a game. If there were 2.5 stars, I would have gone there."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: The Porter-Cable 6-gallon, 4 peak horsepower, wet/dry vacuum features a high performance motor which provides maximum suction power. The strong handle and compact design is ideal for easy transport. The 10-foot power cord with cord wrap design perfect for easy organization. Accessories included 1-7/8 x 6 flexible hose, floor nozzle, utility nozzle, cartridge filter, foam filter, extension wands and disposable dust bag.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Supremely Portable, Strong Suction. It's a mini shop vac that's not a hassle to break out or put away.\n\nReview: The thing I really like about this wet/dry vacuum is that it's a powerful, miniature version of the wet/dry shop vacs we're used to. It's much more portable and maneuverable, yet it has a 4 HP motor that provides all the power I imagine I'd ever need for any vacuuming activity, not to mention it has the ability to reverse and become a blower for other clean-up methods.\n\nIf there is one complaint, it's that the power cord is only ten feet long, and that's almost never going to be enough. Even with an outdoor plug, I can't get around the van to clean it without an extension cord. A 25-foot cord would have been ideal.\n\nIt comes with two handles and nozzle attachments for the 2\" diameter hose. I believe many of the big boy shop vacs have 3\" hoses, so this is something to note, but I think the 2\" hose is again perfect for 95% of the jobs you'd need a shop vac for.\n\nThis won't be the perfect replacement for your portly shop vac that might have three times the capacity; this is a smaller job wet/dry vac which is perfect for probably 90% of the jobs you've used your large shop vac for in the past. Additionally, this is the perfect device to clean out the car, van, or truck, and in our case, it's perfect for the camper as well. It will easily fit in the aisle and move along with us. The portability is wonderful. It's not like lugging out the big guns vacuums, even the regular household stand-up vacuum.\n\nAt $65, I see a tremendous value, and I'm thrilled to have.","Product: 24\" Semi-Integrated Double Dishwasher Drawer with 9 Wash Cycles, Interchangeable Racks and Key & Child Locks: Stainless Steel with LCD Display\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Five Stars for Looks, 5 Stars for Engineering, 4.5 Stars for Design\n\nReview: My wife and I are nearing the completion of our kitchen re-modeling project, and realized that what began the enormous undertaking was... the dishwaher. We had an old dishwasher on wheels that we would roll over to the sink when we had to do dishes, and finally the old thing pooped out on us. Faced with the possibility of life without a dishwasher when both of us work tons of overtime at our jobs, we decided to make changes, and those changes required many more changes.\n\nIncluding all new cabinets in order to have an in-counter dishwasher. And while we were at it, we decided to put down hardwood floors, and re-sheetrock the walls, and ditch the old stove... you can see how everything snowballed into an entirely new kitchen!\n\nSo, now that the room looks completely different, the last thing that we purchased was the dishwasher, what had started the whole thing. We had seen this dishwasher at a local home improvement store, and loved the design. It's gorgeous. We looked into the energy rating, and it was excellent. It uses far less water than the average dishwasher, and you have the option of running only one drawer of the dishwasher at a time, which is exactly what we do. We basically rotate drawers each day, and run \"1/2\" a load in the late evening each night. We don't have any kids yet, so it works very well for us.\n\nIf we have company over, we can use both drawers at once; the top for glasses and flatware, the bottom for pans and dishes, each on different settings. Again, it's outstanding. And the inside of each drawer is very flexible; the flatware compartment can be removed altogether if more space is needed.\n\nAnother reviewer of the same dishwasher in a different color indicated several negative points; that the drawers are too shallow, that it's louder than expected, and that there is still water in the drawers after the end of the cycle. We've been running our dishwasher for three months now, my experience tells me that it's by far the quietest dishwasher I've ever seen and that we've had no such issues with water still being in the drawers after a load has been run. The drawers aren't the tallest in the world; I've noticed that wide dishes can be a tight fit, but they should also go in a certain area of the drawer. Honestly, we've never had to exclude a dish to wash by hand, so I think the reviewer was hoping for a dishwasher that you could dump all the dishes in at once without any care.\n\nThe dishwasher is expensive, absolutely. We could have purchased three dishwashers with this money, but we decided to go with one well-built piece of equipment, especially since we have hardwood floors in the kitchen now and the idea of installing dishwashers every few years doesn't appeal to my fear of large gouges in the floor. I am -- so far -- very happy with the performance and the quality of construction of the unit. There are very few moving parts due to the engineering of the unit, and fewer moving parts means less opportunity to breakdown.\n\nEach drawer locks so that kids can't play with it. 99% of the controls are on the lip of the inside of the drawer, and we've found this very helpful when we have small visitors. Installation was simple. And it looks gorgeous.\n\nComplaints? Not many. So far, it seems like the pot scrubbing option is more powerful than we realized. Cheaper pots and pans actually seem to have reduced finish on them after the cycle ends. It does seem like the drawers fill up with dishes more quickly, but I'm pretty sure that this is due to visually not being able to see the bottom drawer when you open the top after seeing \"the whole dishwasher\" for so long with the single, drop-down door unit for so long. I am not sure that there isn't a little bit of truth in the perception, but it's a very small complaint almost not worth mentioning, especially with how happy we are with it.\n\nLast factor? Let's be honest. My wife and I lived with an external, beat-up, cheap dishwasher for years that was an eyesore and bordering on embarrassment. Now? People love to check this dishwasher out when they come over. It's a Star Trek model. It's beautiful, shiny, technological, energy efficient, and to most people, it's a radical design. It's a conversation piece.\n\nWhile I did not buy the unit via Amazon, the price (at the time I write this) is the exact price I paid for it at the local store.\n\nI love this dishwasher, but you might want to think about the overall aesthetic of your kitchen before you buy. We had made the commitment to do the whole kitchen, including other appliances that matched this dishwasher, and for us, it was very much worth it. If you think it's a good fit to your remodel or just as a replacement, I highly recommend it, and say it's worth the extra coin.","Product: 24\" Semi-Integrated Double Dishwasher Drawer with 9 Wash Cycles, Interchangeable Racks and Key & Child Locks: Stainless Steel with LCD Display\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Five Stars for Looks, 5 Stars for Engineering, 4.5 Stars for Design\n\nReview: My wife and I are nearing the completion of our kitchen re-modeling project, and realized that what began the enormous undertaking was... the dishwaher. We had an old dishwasher on wheels that we would roll over to the sink when we had to do dishes, and finally the old thing pooped out on us. Faced with the possibility of life without a dishwasher when both of us work tons of overtime at our jobs, we decided to make changes, and those changes required many more changes.\n\nIncluding all new cabinets in order to have an in-counter dishwasher. And while we were at it, we decided to put down hardwood floors, and re-sheetrock the walls, and ditch the old stove... you can see how everything snowballed into an entirely new kitchen!\n\nSo, now that the room looks completely different, the last thing that we purchased was the dishwasher, what had started the whole thing. We had seen this dishwasher at a local home improvement store, and loved the design. It's gorgeous. We looked into the energy rating, and it was excellent. It uses far less water than the average dishwasher, and you have the option of running only one drawer of the dishwasher at a time, which is exactly what we do. We basically rotate drawers each day, and run \"1/2\" a load in the late evening each night. We don't have any kids yet, so it works very well for us.\n\nIf we have company over, we can use both drawers at once; the top for glasses and flatware, the bottom for pans and dishes, each on different settings. Again, it's outstanding. And the inside of each drawer is very flexible; the flatware compartment can be removed altogether if more space is needed.\n\nAnother reviewer of the same dishwasher in a different color indicated several negative points; that the drawers are too shallow, that it's louder than expected, and that there is still water in the drawers after the end of the cycle. We've been running our dishwasher for three months now, my experience tells me that it's by far the quietest dishwasher I've ever seen and that we've had no such issues with water still being in the drawers after a load has been run. The drawers aren't the tallest in the world; I've noticed that wide dishes can be a tight fit, but they should also go in a certain area of the drawer. Honestly, we've never had to exclude a dish to wash by hand, so I think the reviewer was hoping for a dishwasher that you could dump all the dishes in at once without any care.\n\nThe dishwasher is expensive, absolutely. We could have purchased three dishwashers with this money, but we decided to go with one well-built piece of equipment, especially since we have hardwood floors in the kitchen now and the idea of installing dishwashers every few years doesn't appeal to my fear of large gouges in the floor. I am -- so far -- very happy with the performance and the quality of construction of the unit. There are very few moving parts due to the engineering of the unit, and fewer moving parts means less opportunity to breakdown.\n\nEach drawer locks so that kids can't play with it. 99% of the controls are on the lip of the inside of the drawer, and we've found this very helpful when we have small visitors. Installation was simple. And it looks gorgeous.\n\nComplaints? Not many. So far, it seems like the pot scrubbing option is more powerful than we realized. Cheaper pots and pans actually seem to have reduced finish on them after the cycle ends. It does seem like the drawers fill up with dishes more quickly, but I'm pretty sure that this is due to visually not being able to see the bottom drawer when you open the top after seeing \"the whole dishwasher\" for so long with the single, drop-down door unit for so long. I am not sure that there isn't a little bit of truth in the perception, but it's a very small complaint almost not worth mentioning, especially with how happy we are with it.\n\nLast factor? Let's be honest. My wife and I lived with an external, beat-up, cheap dishwasher for years that was an eyesore and bordering on embarrassment. Now? People love to check this dishwasher out when they come over. It's a Star Trek model. It's beautiful, shiny, technological, energy efficient, and to most people, it's a radical design. It's a conversation piece.\n\nWhile I did not buy the unit via Amazon, the price (at the time I write this) is the exact price I paid for it at the local store.\n\nI love this dishwasher, but you might want to think about the overall aesthetic of your kitchen before you buy. We had made the commitment to do the whole kitchen, including other appliances that matched this dishwasher, and for us, it was very much worth it. If you think it's a good fit to your remodel or just as a replacement, I highly recommend it, and say it's worth the extra coin.","Product: Take on the man who has changed golf forever - Tiger Woods. The revolutionary new Tiger-Proofing course alteration technology will change the way golf is played. Create the most challenging course you've ever dreamed of, modify course dynamics and add lengthier tees, tighter fairways, dramatic undulations on the green, higher rough, and more. Take on the legends of golf including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan and become a legend yourself! Build up your GameFace created character by completing challenges, working you way up to competing with the legends themselves! 8 new licensed courses and 2 new fantasy courses have been added for a total of 14 courses. Compete as or against 15 PGA Tour players including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Charles Howell III, and others. Play online with anyone across the country & compete in online tournaments!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: After 20 years, my dad is golfing again\n\nReview: I bought Tiger Woods 2005 for my dad for Christmas. He's in his 60's, and TW'05 might be the first \"toy\" he's received for Christmas since his Red Ryder Air Rifle, with which he nearly put his eye out.\n\nAnyway! We loaded up the game on his recently-purchased no-frills Dell computer and began playing immediately. He, my brother-in-law, and I played a few rounds and were able to understand most of the controls right away. As with TW'04, this version utilizes \"True Swing\" controls, where you roll the mouse back to pull back your club, and then push the mouse forward to swing. The mouse-swing determines how hard you hit the ball and if there is any slice or pull, and after several months of game play I can report that it is quite accurate (sometimes frustratingly accurate) and a great representation of a golf swing.\n\nAfter playing a few rounds, my dad decided to create his own golfer. I am convinced that this was his favorite part of the game because he was laughing so hard he was hiccupping. \"Game Face II\" allows you to create a character who comes very close to looking like your own doppleganger. My dad's golfer looks just like him, and my golfer looks almost exactly like me (except for he's lost the twenty or so extra pounds).\n\nWhen you start out with your golfers career, you have only a certain amount of money with which to buy attributes (your golfer's abilities) and equipment. There are several different ways to earn money; skills challenges, tournaments, and the legend's tour (match play against everyone from a middle-aged Vegas card-dealer to Palmer, Nicholas, and Tiger himself). There are also trophy balls that earn you cash... your first birdie, par, 300-yard drive, sub-60 round, bogie-free round, and hole-in-one are some trophy balls to put in your case, and when you get them, you're rewarded with some extra spending dough.\n\nAs your golfer's attributes improve, golfing lessons will be made available for a fee. If you pass the lesson, then new options or toolbar controls are added to the golf screen, including pitch, punch, flop, power, and chip shots, and sliders that will help you control how far your ball will fly or how much spin will be put on it when it hits the green.\n\nI love the instant replays. If you strike a really good ball and it's going to come close to the hole, the screen will narrow to a widescreen format and the \"camera\" closes up on the pin. This is where my dad and I pray that the ball plops right on the rim of the cup and drops in for an ace or a double-eagle. Then you get to see the shot replayed from the ball's point-of-view, or from an invisible crane camera. You have the option of saving your replays to show your own dad later!\n\nI brought up the fact that my dad's computer is an \"economy\" version (it was $400 new) because there was a pop-up warning when we first ran the game that reported his video card didn't meet the minimum requirements for the game. There were very few areas where this effected play, but recently I brought over a higher-end Dell laptop to his house and we tried the game on that. The difference was night-and-day. It was incredibly similar to watching golf on TV... but I imagine this is the case with most game software, so it's hard to single this out as a fault with TW'05. I just thought it note-worthy.\n\nI have not experienced some of the issues others have had with the game, such as the competitor who decides to use a lob wedge on a long par four or five. What I do agree with, however, is some of the issues people have with the commentary. Sometimes it is dreadfully inaccurate. I've made countless shots that have either gone in the hole or achingly close, and the commentator says \"whoa, that's going to come up well short\" or \"that might make the front of the green... not a horrible shot.\" Those comments are irritating, but what gets my dad is when they tell you that a putt looks dead straight when it fact it's as sharp a right or left slope as found on any mountain ledge.\n\nBut the biggest thing for me about Tiger Woods 2005 is this: In the middle of the winter, my dad was able to sit down at his computer and hit a golf ball. When my mom told me on the phone that my dad said to her \"it feels just like I'm actually on the golf course\" my day was made. He plays for at least a little while every day, and he enjoyed the game so much that I purchased TW'04 for his birthday last week, and I'm beginning to plan for the computer upgrades necessary for his computer for when TW'06 comes out later this year.\n\nAbout the only reason why I don't give TW'05 a 5-star rating is that even though it is full of features and challenges, there simply needs to be more. The game is so much fun, but there comes a time when there is nothing else on which to spend the money you win, not enough courses, not enough challenges once you pass a certain level. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 is an excellent, excellent game, but once you're completely hooked, there's nothing more to achieve.\n\nStill, and I must restate this, my dad and I have a blast when we get together and play a round or two. My wife has been a TW'05 widow for the past month or so when I break out my game, and more than once the next morning I've woken up groggy for work because I've had so much fun. If you're looking for a game that can be PLAYED by grown-ups (i/e, you don't wield a laser-cannon and shoot everything in sight at 90-MPH 'til you have a siezure) then by all means, give TW'05 a try, at least to rent, and don't be surprised if you put an order on this page soon thereafter.","Product: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is single-player role-playing action in the world of the popular Elder Scrolls game. The Emperor of Tamriel has been assassinated and the killer still runs loose. Meanwhile, no heir sits on the throne. With no Emperor upon the throne, the gates of Oblivion open wide and demons invade. Your quest is to find the lost heir and place him on the throne, before demons destroy the land. Next-generation graphics with pixel-shader effects for high-definition TVs, creating lifelike towns & dungeons and the most realistic forests\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Oblivion is Amazing... Much, MUCH better after Patch was made available\n\nReview: ((Before you read the below review, please note that since writing it, I have updated my review after downloading and installing a major patch for the game.))\n\nI don't mean the review I'm writing to beat down this game. It is an amazing game to be sure; from my somewhat limited experience with it, I can tell. I absolutely loved the predecessor to Oblivion (Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition) and was dying for the next sequel to come out. I've been playing it for three weeks... or at least, I've been trying to.\n\nI'm going to say it right away, as a warning; If you don't have a brand new computer with the newest specs, don't buy this game, at least not for your PC. My computer is not 18 months old and cost me about $2,600, including an upgrade to the maximum two gigabytes of RAM, but according to Bethesda, the 1.6 gigahertz Pentium M processor I have will not allow me to play the game as it should be played. I am incredibly frustrated.\n\nI've been able to play enough to know that Oblivion is exactly what I was hoping for. The graphics, if my computer had the ability to run everything effectively, are amazing. My computer isn't fast enough to run everything as it should be run. The sword my character carries flashes as I walk, blinking in and out of reality, which wouldn't ruin the game for me in itself, but everything slows down in the heat of battle and when there are multiple opponents, everything moves as if in cartoon frames. Now I realize that there are points on the game map where everything on the screen locks and turns to white, and I lose control of play.\n\nIn short, I'd love, love, love this game if I had a brand new Dell XPS gaming system for $3,500+, but I don't. Therefore, this game was pretty much a waste of $45. Within the realm of Tamriel, I can't go to the places I need to go and do the things I need to do. My computer locks up.\nI can't express my frustration, knowing that this game, in its full glory, must be mind-blowing.\n\nI wonder at what point the technological standards for games will not require up-to-the-instant-new supercomputers in order for them to be played? I've just finished paying for the computer I have (a Dell Inspiron 8600 which I love). I can't upgrade the whole motherboard. And I certainly can't afford to purchase the kind of computer that would run this game... Not after finally paying this one off. AUGH!\n\nBy all means, if your computer is a thoroughbred, BUY THIS GAME. It's going to be the game of the year again for certain and you will probably have several months of enjoyment with it.\n\nIf your computer is not a Ferrari, then steer clear of this game. Your frustration will run deep.\n\n*** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE\n\nJust after the online patch was made available, I downloaded it and installed it. The above-mentioned problem was one shared with several users of this game, and I'm very happy to report that after the installation of the patch, the game runs very, very nicely on my computer. I do not have the video settings set to maximum; not by a longshot; in my opinion, you still need a brand-new, loaded, $3,000+ computer, I think, to have Oblivion play at 100%. With such a loaded computer, the game play of Oblivion must be absolutely amazing.\n\nNow that I've installed the patch, I can go to all those areas which I wasn't able to previously. The frustration of having the game lock up is no more, and I must say it's truly one heck of a ride, and I wish I could change the overall rating to at least 4-stars instead of two, but it seems that I am not able to do so.\n\nI will go further and say that I've enjoyed the overall game so much more since the patch was installed that I've purchased all the online modules available for download on tne Oblivion website, and I encourage other Oblivion owners to go check it out.\n\nAfter the patch, Oblivion is a great place to visit.\n\n*** UPDATE # 2 ***\n\nLast thing; if you go to the Oblivion website, there are links to some pretty good, fairly inexpensive modules to download and expand your game. Still having fun, thank goodness for the patch!","Product: The Recon 60P gaming headset features Turtle Beachs latest lightweight and comfortable design, with large 40mm over-ear (closed) speakers that let you hear every crisp high and thundering low, plus convenient in-line controls that allow you to quickly and easily adjust Master Volume and Mic Mute. When used with the PS4 Pro and PS4, the Recon 60P adds amplified audio for amazing game and chat sound, plus Mic Monitoring to avoid shouting. The Recon 60P also includes an adjustable mic, which can be removed when watching movies and listening to music, and the versatile 3.5mm jack makes it perfect for using with PS4 Pro and PS4 consoles, as well as with the new Xbox One controller with the 3.5mm jack, PC, Mac and compatible mobile/tablet devices. Connections: PS4 Pro and PS4 Console Audio & Chat: USB Mobile/Tablet Devices: 3.5mm PC/Mac: USB Xbox One Console Audio & Chat: 3.5mm. Speaker frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great Sound, Clarity, Quality, and Price\n\nReview: This is my 6-year old son's first headset. This is because when the package from Amazon was taken inside, he opened it and proclaimed it his first headset. This is fine with me; now we'll be able to do some online gaming with each other from different rooms as I still have an old Sennheiser model that works perfectly.\n\nAnd when I compare this Ear Force model against my Sennheiser headset which is six years old and cost about three times as much, the Ear Force measures up splendidly. What a great value for a headset slightly on the South end of $50! The best part of it, I think, is that you can very clearly hear your own voice through the mic yet not overwhelmingly so. In all my days of playing LotRo, I wish I'd had this feature then on the Senn. (I love the Senn, by the way, it is one fine piece of equipment.)\n\nMy son has a PS3, and the connectivity is as simple as can be; plug the 3.5 connector into the included USB cable, then right into a USB port. Done.\n\nThe Recon is also very comfortable; it is still a little big for his head, but he doesn't care at all and says he is perfectly comfortable with it. For my big adult head, it adjusts nicely. I just have to make sure he keeps the microphone away from his mouth because he insists on having it press up against his lips. Yeck. Hence, this is why the Recon will always be his.\n\nSuch great sound; I thought the bass was deep and resonant and the treble equally clear and crisp.\n\nFor a comfortable, high-quality, adjustable headset like this under $50? You can't beat it. I highly recommend.","Product: Ride the massive open world of the Alps, where the powder is always fresh and the run never ends. Defy and master the world's most epic mountains on skis, wingsuits, snowboards, and paragliders. Go solo or drop in side by side with other players. Record and share the most insane stunts ever captured. Dare your friends to try out your custom lines, then challenge the world to beat your best tricks and relive your most epic wipeouts. The mountain is yours to explore. So strap in, suit up, and drop in.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Excellent Graphics, Fun Escape\n\nReview: I got \"Steep\" for my 7 1/2 year old son for Christmas. He's not a skier or snowboarder yet, so I thought this game would be an interesting introduction to both pastimes, albeit an extreme, fantastic graphic representation. I had no idea about the wingsuit and parachute options when I ordered it.\n\nI've had fun playing the game myself, just for the sheer sport in an open-world environment. I'm pushing 50 with two bad knees, so my snowboarding days are over (I've never skied). The physics are appealingly realistic when you consider you're just holding on to a controller, but if you're parked before a big-screen TV, there is an excellent suspension of reality.\n\nAs you play the game and try the different sport types, you are challenged to win races or meet certain goals, and when you win, new challenges are unlocked. In the open-world format, I am reminded of so many Elder Scrolls games I've loved (well, Skyrim especially, given all the snow!), but leveling up is far more confusing and the freedom to move about isn't quite as unlimited (as another reviewer nicely stated, I'd love to go into some of these buildings and look around, much like you can while sneaking about in Whiterun or anywhere else in Tamriel).\n\nMy son, on the other hand, approaches this game with the mind of an evil demi-god. He blitzes down heavily treed slopes at top speed, anticipating crashes with glee. It took me a while to realize that such tactics will occasionally cause your avatar to use swear-words, generally mild enough to be PG-13, but I have heard at least one \"s\" word from the avatar as he headed skippingly along and horizontal toward a field of sharp boulders at high speed. I have a feeling that caused my son to be even more diabolical in his tactics in every different sport in the game.\n\nAll in all, I think we both like the feel of the game, and the graphics are outstanding. I wish the scoring and leveling up were more intuitive, and I don't think \"Steep\" is ever going to be a marathon-session type of game like those previously mentioned Elder Scrolls games or perhaps Forza Horizon or any of the Civilization strategy games. Still, it's an excellent escape and I just hope it doesn't teach my son too many more inappropriate vocabulary words.","Product: True-Air Compact Allergen reducer Air cleaner , featuring 3M Filtrete allergen reducer filter. Effective at capturing dust, dust mite debris, mold, pollen, smoke & pet dander. Has 3 speed control for low, medium, high setting. Low cost filter replacement. Filter lasts up to 120 days . For room sizes up to 210 square feet.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Got Six Cats? Stop Popping Sudafed.\n\nReview: To start, I just want to let it be known that I've had my Hamilton Beach TrueAir Allergen Reducer for all of a week... But there's been so much of a difference that I couldn't wait any longer to write this review.\n\nI've never had any hardcore allergies to cats or dogs, and I love pets. When I married my wife, I became Dad to her six cats. Long hair, shorthair, hair everywhere. And a few months ago, I began noticing that waking up in the morning was getting increasingly unpleasant. As of last month (and I'll try not to be overly graphic) I was waking up without fail each day with what felt like a concrete mixer behind my eyes. Congested every morning, and having to take extra-long, piping hot showers to feel any better... usually followed by at 500 mg of Tylenol and an additional allergy medicine.\n\nSo I saw this Allergen Reducer for a 210 square foot room online and decided the price was right to give it a shot (replacement filters are less than $15 each, which was also an acceptible cost). Our bedroom is about that size exactly, and since we usually have at least three cats in bed with us at any given time during the night, it seemed worthy of the investment.\n\nAfter four days of having this machine on in our room (with the one door usually open only enough for the cats to enter and exit), I'm happy to report that each day I have (waked? woken? waken?) to a 99% improvement. I'll certainly come back to this review in future months to update, but there has been such an enormous difference within a very short time that I wanted to tell others who might be currently experiencing what I have in the past that this device might provide much welcomed relief, and quickly!","Product: This Sunbeam steam mop is designed to clean up any mess on various flooring types including linoleum, tile, marble and even hardwood. The 11.5ft cord allows you to move freely throughout the room while cleaning. As an added bonus, this unit comes with a carpet glider and cleaning cloth.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: When I got it, it was listed as a \"vacuum\". So, not what I was expecting, but otherwise, it's okay\n\nReview: Yes, when I got the Sunbeam Steam Mop (as it is correctly listed above), I was under the impression I was getting a handheld stick vacuum. Much to my surprise, it is actually a steam mop.\n\nAnd it's not a bad steam mop, either. At 1500 Watts, it's got plenty of spunk, heating up to steam temperatures in no time (listed as 30 seconds, and I believe that's accurate). The pad it uses is washable, and it's been through our washer twice so far; judging by the wear on it, my estimate is that we can get about 15 wash cycles for it, maybe 20. Unfortunately, I cannot find the documentation that came with this steam mop, so I'm not having an easy time of finding the replacement pad numbers or where to buy them. I've done several Google searches, and so far, I've seen triangular shaped pads that look like they might fit.\n\nIt also has a carpet glider, which I like, but it will never replace a shampooer. It's a quick-fixer for some spills in a small area.\n\nThe mop itself has a couple of issues.\n\nThe water capacity is less than a liter (less than 9 ounces). I have a very small hardwood floor area, so it works for me, but a larger area means refilling, perhaps several times.\n\nThe power cord is less than 12 feet in length. That doesn't even cut it in my kitchen, so you will probably need an extension cord.\n\nIf you have an apartment, or you have a small area on which you would use a steam mop? I think this one is perfect. Though my advice (from doing said Google searches) is look around for price comparisons. I've seen this $62 unit for as low as $39 at a chain store most likely near you.\n\nI have mixed feelings in terms of recommending it... but perhaps that began when I thought I was getting a vacuum...","Product: Combining both a handheld and standard vacuum sealer, the V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer System with Automatic Bag Detection is vacuum sealing versatility at its best. Powerful technology eliminates air from specially designed bags, and automatic bag detection ensures a secure airtight seal to prevent freezer burn. When sealing FoodSaver zipper bags and Fresh containers, the convenient handheld retractable sealer eliminates the need for additional attachments. One unit does it all!\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Love the older version of this sealer.\n\nReview: This is the third vacuum food sealer I've owned. The first one has been gone for 20 years an I don't even remember the brand name. It never worked properly. The bags didn't cut right, the vacuum didn't work quite right; the seal didn't stay.\n\nThe second is this one;\n\nhttp://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-V3240-Vacuum-Sealing-System/dp/B003U738ZE/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392876509&sr=8-1&keywords=food+saver+v3240\n\nThat is the FoodSaver V3240 Vacuum Sealing System. It is basically the manual version of the sealer I am reviewing.\n\nThe Foodsaver 2-in-1 is not a vast improvement over the first. Because it is an automatic unit, you don't have the freedom to manipulate the freezer bag in the sealer. This is really a big deal; the manual version may not work 100% of the time, but you can work with it. The 2-in-1 is automatic, and automatic doesn't always mean superior. I was going to give the new version three stars, but I just can't muster the extra star. When compared side by side, save yourself $80 and get the manual version. I'd bet even money that it's what you're really looking for.","Product: Enjoy fresh baked bread to your preference with the LCD display, audible signal for fruit and nut add ins, crust control, non-stick baking pan and large viewing window. To make things even easier you choose from 11 pre-programmed settings and choose up to a 13 hour bake delay.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: So far, this breadmaker is awesome, and for a very respectable price\n\nReview: My wife and I have had a Cuisinart two-pound bread maker for years, and have had no complaint with it. It was an expensive unit, $200 if I remember correctly, and it makes an outstanding loaf of bread.\n\nWhen we got this B&D bread maker, I was skeptical. The cross-product thing where a company that makes levels, tape-measures, and saws getting into break making (or coffee makers, even) was something that always made me frown on the potential of the product.\n\nBut, here we are, and this thing can put out a huge loaf of bread, the quality of which to date has been every bit as good as the Cuisinart has been.\n\nIf you want to make Texas toast, the slices you will get out of these loaves will be impressive. There's nothing like French toast made with gigantic slices of fresh bread, and here is your ticket to get them. What we've made so far has filled our house with fresh bready aromas and enough bread to last for days with moderate bread-eating.\n\nAt $89, this Black & Decker is a very, very good bargain, and I highly recommend it.","Product: Featuring a 24-hour fully programmable timer with brew strength selection, you can wake up to the perfect pot of coffee every morning. The user-friendly illuminated control panel shows time since last brew to indicate freshness, and the 1-4 cup selection allows you to brew smaller carafes with the same great taste. With the pause and serve function you can easily grab a cup on the go. Auto Shut-Off feature The warming plate remains hot to keep the coffee at the right temperature during 2 hours after the brew cycle is finished. For your safety, the coffee maker will automatically shut off after 2 hours. Permanent Filter Baskets Save Time and Money. The Linea 12-cup Programmable Coffee Maker uses permanent filters, which means you'll never need disposable paper filters again. The permanent filters are dishwasher safe. Easy Care and Cleanup The Linea 12-cup Programmable Coffee Maker is easy to clean. Once a month, you can program the auto-clean cycle for deeper cleaning of the 12-cup carafe side. The removable parts are also dishwasher safe on the top rack. For added convenience, the warming plate is stain-resistant and non-stick\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Handsome, but \"Fatally\" Flawed\n\nReview: We've had out Bella Linea 14108 for a few weeks now, and while like how it looks and makes coffee, there are serious issues with it that keep me from giving it any more than two stars.\n\nFirst, I love the looks of it. It's an extremely handsome machine, and the \"retro\" red is beautiful. The digital display is also very attractive and compliments the unit and the series of buttons below it. But looks aren't everything.\n\nThe biggest -- and I'll just go ahead and say \"fatal\" -- problem with this device is the lack of an \"off\" switch. This is a big thing for me; if I'm making just enough coffee for my wife and I, I will pour the coffee and if there is just enough coffee covering the bottom of the pot, I want to shut it off right then and there and not wait for the coffee to burn. I shouldn't have to unplug the unit, thereby undoing the clock and automatic start programming I've already done. It's just something that's unacceptable from a design and engineering standpoint. Imagine not being able to turn off your car when you get home and park it in the garage; you're asking for problems.\n\nThe price isn't bad at $40, but the lack of an off switch is a deal-breaker. We're going to put this coffee maker in our camper for next year; it will work well there, and for now, we'll bring the one-cup Keurig inside. I'm disappointed, and I can't recommend this coffee maker, even if it is visually stunning.","Product: A fun addition to any party, this cupcake holder provides a convenient way to display cupcakes. Made of food-safe and non-toxic powder-coated iron, the stand features a collapsible design that makes storage easy. Some assembly required.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: For the money, it's okay\n\nReview: I can't say that I'm impressed with the sturdiness of this 23-cupcake holder, but for less than ten dollars, it's working, and it's hard to argue with the value of it. We received another cupcake holder for my wife's birthday that is vastly superior in construction, but I'm sure was five times the price (when I finally figure out where my sister got it... I'll report that to you along with a link). :^)\n\nWe've put 23 cupcakes on it and it has supported 23 cupcakes, and the one thing it can do that the structurally beefy one can't is collapse for easy storage. That's something you'll want to consider more than once if you're like us and have a kitchen with very few parking spaces.\n\nFor the money and the... collapsibility? I would recommend this 23-cupcake holder.","Product: Radial Root Cyclone technology Reconfigured brush bar Self-adjusting cleaner head Tangle-free Turbine tool and soft dusting brush\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Three cats? Would never be able to tell with this Dyson handy\n\nReview: The Dyson DC65 is the best Dyson we've owned to date. Our previous Dyson was purchased about seven or eight years ago; it was also the \"pet\" model and bore the original wheel system at the base, now replaced in this version by the ball. The new version is far lighter than the weightier first version, perhaps as much as 1/3rd lighter.\n\n(To note, we do also have the \"stick\" version of the Dyson <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Dyson-DC35-Digital-Slim-Multi-floor-cordless-vacuum-cleaner/dp/B004GN8UYA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">Dyson DC35 Digital Slim Multi floor cordless vacuum cleaner</a>, also the pet version, which we bought in December of 2012, and which is also an outstanding home-cleaning tool. It is great for getting to small spots and quick clean-ups, but wouldn't do the same job as the beefier, deep-cleaning DC65 I'm reviewing.)\n\nThe ball model takes a little bit of getting used to in terms of steering, but once it has been mastered it is very convenient and efficient. The motor is fantastic; excellent suction. It has taken a 10-year old carpet that we were considering changing for a new one and has given it extra life. The cat hairs this number has pulled out of an already seemingly clean carpet is still eye-popping to me.\n\nIt has taken me a bit of effort to figure out how to detach and re-attach the handle on this number. I've got it now, but at first it perplexed me, mostly, I think, because I had just gotten so used to our first Dyson. This is a good time to mention that our first Dyson lasted a good long time, and is now in the ownership of another family member, who loves it. It's still going strong.\n\nThe one concern my wife has is the base of the vacuum; \"when you click it to lock it in upright position, you've really got to CLICK it\" she says. I understand her point. The latching insecurity we have may be the result of the new ball style over the old four-wheel style. I think Dyson had to design a way of making us more purposefully latch the unit into standing position because the less stable ball requires it. In the four-wheel models, a simple click would have been sufficient for the more stable base. This isn't really a problem or an issue, it's just an observation. It's really the only thing we can come close to \"complaining\" about.\n\nThe reach of the hose is fabulous. We have skylights about twelve feet or more off of our floor, and I've been able to get onto a chair with the hose and narrow-funnel attachment and stretch up to snare cobwebs and ladybugs from them. My wife holds my chair while simultaneously holding the vacuum main unit on the floor. I, if needed, could also hold the main unit in one hand and still stretch to get even higher messes because the unit is so lightweight for the \"main vacuum\" of the house. It helps to be six feet and 240, I suppose.\n\nThe refuse bin is extremely simple to detach and empty and put back. Press, lift, dump, click. Wow, what on Earth did we used to do with those damned bags?!? What a difference!\n\nThe price, of course, is steep, but Dyson has shown me that they are built to last. Our old Dyson replaced three \"cheap\" vacuums and is still performing well in another house. I have faith that this one will last just as long. They are well-engineered and smart, and I would definitely recommend them.","Product: Designed to be uniquely simple, the Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap 12 Cup Food Processor requires no twisting, turning or locking during assembly. Instead, its as easy as stacking the 12-cup bowl onto the base, then snapping on the lid.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Make sure you order with frustration free packaging!\n\nReview: The first thing that I'll ask you to look at regarding this food processor is the price. Do a quick peek at the \"frustration-free\" packaging and the standard packaging at the top of the Amazon page for this item.\n\nCan that possibly be right? $49 for frustration free and $98 for regular packaging? Holy mackerel! I could talk about just this for quite some time. That amazes me!\n\nBut onward, now, to the actual processor. This is one fine food processor for under $50 (if, you know, you happen to not like frustration in packaging). The last two food processors we've owned have both been Cuisinarts, and they were both in the $200 to $250 range, and we both think that, so far, this Hamilton Beach might best the Cuisinarts in several different categories. We still have one of the Cuisinarts, but the first one, at about eight years old, died recently.\n\nMy wife tells me that this is the best processor she's ever owned in terms of dealing with liquids, and I've seen the same rave from many other reviewers. As she loves making soups, this was good to hear. So far we haven't had the minor leaking problems others have experienced, but I think that's my wife's caution in terms of volume and what she's been used to when using prior food processors. I think she'll eventually push the envelope a bit more.\n\nAll the blades and bowls are dishwasher safe and that's awesome. We put them in the dishwasher and forget about them and I think that was one of the grand pains in the past is that we'd have to hand wash all of these things; I don't recall if the blades for the first Cuisinart were hand-wash only or not, but I do recall trying to wash out the body of the thing and my hands were just too big to do a very good job. And it is truly very easy to assemble and re-assemble.\n\nI highly recommend the Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack and Snap food processor; my wife and I are very happy with it, and at this amazing price, it won't hurt to try.","Product: Make succulent roasted meats with the help of this compact . The large baster helps you ensure that meat remains tender and evenly cooked, whilst the leave-in meat thermometer provides a clear visual guide to the ideal cooking temperature. The third part of this set is a handy cleaning brush, which along with the thermometer, fits neatly inside the baster to maximise on storage space. Care and use: Baster and Brush. Dishwasher safe. Thermometer: Wipe clean with a damp cloth.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Saves Space, Low Cost, Handsome Set\n\nReview: My wife loves this set. We needed a new thermometer, and when I saw this set, I grabbed it right away. Unbeknownst to me, we also needed a new baster, so this was perfect. We don't have very much storage space, and this configuration is so clever!\n\nThe thermometer worked perfectly on our holiday turkey, and we were grateful because we had a defective \"popper\" in the bird. When it hadn't popped, we double and triple checked the thermometer, and if we hadn't gone with the thermometer number, we would have had an overdone bird for certain. It really saved dinner.\n\nAn $11 price tag is very reasonable and if I'd known about this Joseph Joseph 3-piece set before Christmas, I think I would have bought a bunch of them as stocking-stuffers for friends and family. I highly recommend this set.","Product: Home Soft Things Safari Animal Faux Fur Throws. These throw take softness to the next level with a wild Faux Fur front that is perfect as an accent in any room. The flannel backing will keep you from ever wanting to get up as you stay warm and cozy. Elegant and high quality, this throw is ravishing with lifelike colors and texture. A standard 50 inches by 60 inches, this throw will cover most bodies from the chest to the feet. Perfect for taking a quick nap or just lounging on the couch. Easy Care Instructions: Machine Wash On Cold Separately. Tumble Dry On Low With Very Little To No Heat. Line Dry If Desired. DO NOT BLEACH\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Soft. A Throw to Get the Family Fighting Over It\n\nReview: This 50\"x60\" throw is currently being fought over by just about every living thing in my house. My wife, for whom I obtained the throw, loved it the instant I opened it from the Amazon packaging. It is just about as soft as soft could be, and she tells me that only the $450 dual-control heated blanket I got her for her birthday last year from Sleep Number is nicer. That's saying something about the great value of a $40 blanket (no heating controls on this one, however... just comfy).\n\nThe throw actually convinces my six-year old to get out of bed in the morning and go lay down on the couch, bundled in it, as I turn the TV on for cartoons and breakfast. It has turned him from the crabby kid version of me to ecstatic cozy version of himself.\n\nLastly, we have five cats. Sometimes we find them two abreast on the folded throw, and I have spied jealous cats glaring at the occupants of that space more than once.\n\nOkay, in short, it's a good sized throw, seems to be well-made, soft, soft, soft, and it's a great price. I highly recommend it.","Product: The two-stage heating system in this deep-penetrating Conair Extreme Steam Fabric Steamer produces super-hot steam at temperatures that will unfurl your fabrics quickly and gently. Powered by 1800 watts, the steam surges through the steamer head at a temperature that's 40 percent hotter than standard garment steamers, freshening fabrics and releasing wrinkles fast. The unique triangular nozzle features a built-in creaser with a multidirectional steam setting and a metal soleplate that doubles as an iron.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: The Steamer that Saved Christmas (Or at least made it look a lot less wrinkly.)\n\nReview: We haven't had the Conair Extreme Steam Deluxe Upright Professional Fabric Steamer for very long, but already it has proven that it excels at what it is meant to do and that it can be a wonderfully handy bit of equipment to have around.\n\nI'd envisioned this product being one of those things I used whenever I needed to break out the three-piece suit and jacket; for important meetings, weddings, funerals. I also envisioned only remembering that I had it the day before an important meeting, wedding, or funeral, and that I'd need to break it out of a deep closet or shed or something. But very soon after we first received it, my wife came back from a church meeting and described the condition of the costumes for the Christmas play, and I knew that we'd have an experiment right quickly.\n\nWe took the Conair to the church and had a marathon steaming session, and as the costumes were mostly robes, we were able to very quickly steam one, then another while replacing the first, then another, and so on. The heat this unit pumps out is impressive; when they say 40% hotter, it really is 40% hotter and it take wrinkles out of fabric with extreme prejudice. In less than two hours, all of these costumes were looking brilliantly new and were ready for the show, and let me emphasize; there were a LOT of people in this play who wore these costumes. The church-goers behind the scenes described the steamer as a \"life saver\".\n\nThey used both attachments in completing the task; I didn't get to see the brush being used, but I heard it was helpful to have that option with a couple of the wise men costumes. I definitely see us using this at home for our curtains because we have five cats, and I think the brush will be invaluable at the bottoms. The iron-like nozzle also pressed most of the robes.\n\nAnd it uses just water; we didn't need to have distilled water or any chemicals or additives.\n\nSo we had quite an adventure with this steamer almost right out of the box and it impressed a lot of people and many people were very grateful. The kids loved the play and everyone looked fabulous.\n\nAt $133, maybe the steamer isn't right for everyone to have, but now that I see what it can do, I would highly recommend it to people who frequently wear formal clothing and travel a lot, or for those with churches who like putting on plays. :^) It is an excellent product and I'm glad we got one.","Product: Keep appetizers chilled during parties with DII's crystal clear acrylic iced appetizer 12 piece set. Food such as fruit, vegetables, sushi, cheeses and dips should be kept cold for the enjoyment of your guest. With this serving tray you can fill the bottom tray with ice and set the four compartments on top to keep food cold, especially if you're hosting an outdoor event. Each container has a tight fitting lid for easy storage of leftovers or to keep pests away while outside. If you are serving chips and dip then the lower tray can be used and you can still place ice in the center for the dip to easily rest on while the other containers can be used separately. Perfect for Holiday parties, BBQ's, potlucks, weddings and so much more, easily blending in with any tabletop setting with the simple, clean design. DII's iced appetizer set is 16.5x4.5\", includes: 1 lower serving tray, 4 food trays, 1 dip bowl, 1 dip bowl riser and 5 lids. Serving set is dishwasher safe, top rack only, BPA-free and 100% durable food-grade acrylic.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Not a perfect set, but still quite convenient for parties, and at a decent price\n\nReview: We used the Dll Acrylic Compartment Serving Set at home for both Christmas and New Years celebrations, and it worked extremely well. It made a very handsome presentation in the center of our kitchen table, and it was big enough to accommodate not only the veggies and dip we'd made, but additional snacks that others had brought with them as well. We could remove the individual bins and refill them quickly and return them to the set.\n\nWhen I first ordered the set, I thought it would act as a lazy susan, rotating for easy picking for those sitting around the table, but it didn't work that way. We did have something that we put underneath the bottom tray that turned it into an effective lazy susan, but this set would have been perfect if such a device had been included in the box.\n\nAnother thing I wish this set would have featured is a larger dip compartment in the center. Hand reaching for the dip would have to wait mid-air for others dipping their veggies, and the ranch dip that we used had to be refilled more than once. I suppose that would mean the diameter of the overall set would have to be larger than 16.5\"... perhaps 20\", but I would recommend that to the designers if I could.\n\nI love the trays and lids. Storage is quick and easy, even with the slightly difficult semi-circle shape of the trays. They snap closed and we could just put leftovers right into the fridge. The second time we used the set, we had peel & eat shrimp, and we were able to store the shrimp as well as other cold foods, like grapes and strawberries, in the fridge right up until it was time to serve. And we used the ice underneath the compartments this time, and I thought the service looked elegant.\n\nThe instructions say that the 12-piece set is dishwasher safe, but I'd recommend hand-washing the larger pieces at least. The trays can be manipulated to fit nicely in the dishwasher, but the grade of the plastic is not so outstanding that I think they would survive a multitude of washes; I can easily see cracks surfacing after a few/several uses.\n\nMy cousin with the chocolate fountain would love this and I can't wait to show it to her. Same for fondue lovers, I think.\n\nThe $28 price is reasonable, but if someone showed it to me before I knew the price, I would have guessed between $20 and $24. Not perfect, but not bad. In short, we enjoyed it at our parties, and I can see it being used -- and useful -- for several more such events.","Product: The whole family can experience the interactive fun of s'more all read 'round. The Hershey's S'mores Machine creates the perfect treat for kids and adults. The indoor roaster is safe, with no open flame. Instead, an internal electrical heater toasts marshmallows to perfection. Just load the tray compartments with graham crackers, Hershey's chocolate squares and marshmallows for camp-worthy treats your family will love. Try it as a party for an instant conversation started. Includes two roasting forks and convenient Crack and Prep Tray.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Does Well With It's One Purpose. And Fun for Kids of All Ages!\n\nReview: We've used the Hershey's S'mores Maker (kind of an inaccurate name, really... it lightly roasts marshmallows to a mild golden-brown... everything else is up to you) a couple of times now, and I feel prepared enough to write of our experiences.\n\nFirst, the Maker does a decent enough job with the marshmallows. It is the primary job of the unit; the brown stacky tray things that come along with the heater really serve no purpose that a common plate wouldn't do just as well; the only benefit for the trays is that they are the right size for the apparently universally-sized graham crackers. I don't know that it would ever be possible to get a 'mallow to be any darker than the light golden-brown I mentioned (I know some people love them charred, I have no idea why! LOL) because it's not hot enough to get the 'mallow to a darker color before structural marshmallow integrity breaks down.\n\nAnd the unit does get hot enough so that it will make you want to warn the kids several times. Personally, I wish the two little forks which come with the set were longer than what they are by about three inches (and I wish there were two more of them as well).\n\nAs many other reviewers have had the wisdom to mention, think seriously about how often you are going to use this thing. It really is fun to have one, but our kitchen isn't getting any bigger whenever we buy a \"needed\" small kitchen appliance, never mind an novelty small kitchen appliance. We can definitely use this on Saturday nights, especially if we have nieces and nephews over, but I predict we would use it perhaps every three months... I would be happy enough with that.\n\nListed currently at about $40, I think that's a fair price for what you get. We've had fun with it. It is kind of a kick for a six-year old to make s'mores inside the house, and perhaps that novelty would stay alive over the long-term if it were used only sparingly when those winter months come along. And summer months are fine, too, right?","Product: Introducing an evolutionary new look in coffeemakers. The Cuisinart Brew Central Coffeemaker makes a bold statement with a brushed metal finish and an elegant tech-industrial design. Programmable from start to finish, with a variable heater plate for temperature control, it's the ideal coffeemaker for today's demanding consumer. It even tells you when it's time to decalcify. Cuisinart quality, performance and convenience -- now in new state-of-the-art packaging.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: If this is how it always runs, it's a great coffee maker... but I can't shake my skepticsm\n\nReview: We're into our second week with the Cuisinart DCC-3650, and so far we have almost nothing but good things to report about it. It is a very sharp looking coffee maker, the brushed chrome/nickel look matching most of our appliances. It is easy to use and to program, but I'm still not used to the blue light it emits always being on; I still wonder if the heating element is on when I see it, and the OCD in me has needed to check it out on several occasions. I'll get over it in time, but still... I wish the blue light would turn off.\n\nThe best thing about this coffee maker is the temperature at which it brews. There are settings which include \"hot\" and \"very hot\", and the very hot setting is, in fact, VERY hot. I've heard for years that the full flavor of coffee comes from very hot water, and when this is brewed, even after adding a little cream in it, my wife and I have both had the experience of hardly being able to take a sip. I've already called my Dad to let give him my Obi Wan Kanobi impersonation... \"this is the coffee maker you've been looking for.\"\n\nBut there are a couple of things that keep me skeptical. I've read the other reviews, and I wonder if I just happened to get one that really does brew \"very hot\" at the \"very hot\" setting, and if so, how long it will stay that way. I've had several Cuisinart coffee makers in my adult life, and they've been hit or miss. One lasted just long enough for the warranty to expire, then died. Another -- the very same model -- lasted four or five years before it had to be put out to pasture. And I completely understand that anyone buying a coffee maker over $100 deserves to have a long-lasting, dependable brewer, and so from my past experience and the experiences of other reviewers, my slightly-scientific analysis of this product is; maybe I got lucky, and for how long will that be?\n\nAgain, so far, I do really like the coffee maker, and the temperature has been the big bonus. If this is how every DCC-3650 runs, I would recommend it even at $116.67 (the price as of today). That in mind, please continue reading reviews. My experience may be the norm, and if so, I wish you the same coffee experience as I've had so far.","Product: Keep the humidity in your home at a comfortable level all year round with the Bionaire Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier. This ultrasonic humidifier disperses a fine, visible mist into the air to help alleviate sinus irritation and chapped skin caused by dry indoor air. Its 2-gallon tank and three humidity output settings are designed for medium to large rooms. The personal air humidifier has easy-to-use digital controls and a built-in night-light, so you can easily locate the unit in the dark.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Quiet, Unparalleled Control, and at a Decent Price\n\nReview: The Bionaire Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier is an all-around excellent humidifier with a great many ways to control a medium-to-large room's environment over a several-hour period of time. This is the perfect humidifier for our downstairs bedrooms with suspended ceiling tiles; we can have a pleasant -- and quiet -- atmosphere at night in what otherwise would be a very dry area without worrying about the tiles becoming damp, as opposed to a Vick's vaporizer, which can be loud, and over a period of use would no doubt cause damage to such tiles. Finding the right humidifier has been a seven-year struggle, but now I believe we have the one!\n\nWe are going to keep and continue using the Vick's vaporizer for those times when my son comes down with a cold; the Bionaire is not set up to deliver any medicated liquid like the Vick's does, but for those normal times with no colds, the humidifier, with its fine mist and filter-free antimicrobial protection, will be the mainstay overnight piece of equipment for comfort and sinus health.\n\nAt $99, this kind of control is much, much better than some of the devices we've purchased over the years which cost at least twice as much. It's quiet, and its compact size makes fill-ups and transportation easy. We've had no experience with leakage at all, and we're very satisfied with this unit. Highly recommend.","Product: The Tribest Sousvantis the easiest way to bring gourmet restaurant results into the comfort of your own kitchen. The Sousvant's innovative all-in-one design, removable carafe, and powerful 1000W circulator will have you cooking like a pro in no time. Experience the intense flavor and luscious textures that sous vide brings to even the simplest of recipes. Vegetables stay snappy and rich in flavor. Ribs and roasts turn out perfectly moist with that fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Never overcook a steak again. The Sousvant is the easy way to get high-end restaurant results in an easy to use package. It's sous vide made simple. No experience necessary.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Mystery at First, Find the Help Resources Online and with Experience Comes Delicious Food\n\nReview: Let me start with the basic truths here; this Tribest Sous Vide machine is a sold piece of equipment, still fairly light weight, attractive, and something you may want to consider keeping on your counter top if you have ample space (but how many of us really do?).\n\nThe $400 is an investment in something you will undoubtedly have second thoughts about because you already know how to bring a large pot of water to a near-boil. Let me assure you, even though we've only had it a month, we now know the difference between a pot of hot water and the SV-101. It is night and day for many reasons; water levels, temperature fluctuations, peace of mind. Those things will not bring down the price, but if you want to experiment in this kind of cooking -- the benefits of which, so far, have been delightful -- then utilize the investment to the fullest and you will feel better over time, especially if you stick with it.\n\nThe hardest part for us was figuring out where to begin. There are nearly no instructions which come with the SV-101, so I was grateful for the intuitive and few controls, but the biggest thing was that there are no recipes included. They really should include a small recipe book dedicated to the machine they make. And that is my biggest \"complaint\" for the consideration of the manufacturer.\n\nThankfully, we live in a world of the interwebs, and a \"sous vide recipe\" search will help a lot. Here are some suggested helpful links; [...][...][...]\nNone of these are specific to the Tribest, but temperatures and times are universal and they helped us a great deal.\n\nWe've mostly used the machine for vegetables so far, and fresh veggies are amazing in it. Even frozen, packages vegetables will taste better, but there's nothing like hand-cut, seasoned vegetables in the SV-101. Flavor like nothing you'll ever get from a microwave, and the firmness which also tells you that they weren't rushed in the micro. This kind of cooking takes time, but for the most part, the SV-101 takes care of itself, so it's a set-and-forget situation, much like a slow-cooker. Come to think of it, I don't know why we haven't used our slow-cooker in tandem with the Tribest yet. Maybe tonight! Then again, there is also the possibility of putting two or more different kinds of foods into different bags; long-cooking multiple items is possible. This will all come with experience.\n\nThe reason I take off a star is the lack of help that comes with the product, and some of it has to do with the price tag as well. But the bottom line is this; I enjoy this kind of cooking and dining experience and I know others in my family will enjoy it as well. It's another dimension in the kitchen, and the results so far have been delicious. I look forward to trying more meats especially.","Product: Keep food fresh longer with the FoodSaver FM2435 Manual Vacuum Sealer System. Powerful technology eliminates air from specially designed bags to prevent freezer burn and spoilage. When sealing FoodSaver Zipper Bags and Fresh Containers, the convenient handheld retractable sealer eliminates the need for additional attachments. It's a great all-in-one solution for all your food storage needs.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Best Vacuum Sealing System I've Seen to Date\n\nReview: So far, we've only been able to use the FoodSaver FM2435-ECR twice -- and the second time was so much easier than the first, once you get to know exactly what you're doing -- and I have to say so far I'd give it six stars if I could. It's the third sealing system I've had as an adult, and it is by far far far the best.\n\nWe just got back from a week of camping, and the shopping and vacuum sealing we did just before we left is a great example of what such a system can do for you. We have a camper now -- I'm too old for the tenting version of camping anymore -- and the freezer in the camper is very limited space-wise, as is the fridge. We sealed burgers, chicken, and sausages for the freezer, and the stackable nature of a well-planned final product, whether it is on top of one another or side-by side, really helps with maximizing the space you have. We also sealed fruit for the fridge and dry products for the cabinets and everything stored and kept beautifully.\n\nI have a much easier time with the zipper bags, with which you use the small hand-held attachment, than the roll which neatly stores in the unit itself. I let my wife use that one because she is far better with it than I, but she swears by it. The vacuum bags are perfectly snug to the food product after processing. We are discussing the possibility of a small freezer because of this unit's effectiveness.\n\nThe $122 price tag is outstanding; I've seen $200+ units that are not as effective as the FM2435, and take up much more space. This one, while still sizable, is streamlined and slides into our \"saran wrap\" door with space to spare.","Product: The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster features extra-wide, self-centering slots to fit all types of breads, waffles, and bagels. One-touch buttons simplify operation, and the shade selection knob gives you control to make toast your way.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Awesome Toaster and Now the Bread-Maker is Going to Be Working Double-Time!\n\nReview: I love this toaster. We are using it in our camper, where we wanted to keep a little toaster oven, but when the opportunity to get this beauty came up, taking up perhaps less than 50% of the space, we jumped on it. It's perfect.\n\nWe love bagels, and my son especially loves chibatta bread toast. The wide slots accommodate either of them very nicely, and the super-simple controls toast bread to exactly how we want them. I think the smartest feature I've ever seen on a toaster is the button for frozen bread because running out of bread and having to pull a loaf from the freezer something we KNOW that happens, and it happens more frequently than we realize. BRILLIANT.\n\nHere I am trying to think of more to write about, but the bottom line regarding this toaster is simplicity. It's a great toaster and does exactly what it says and you don't need an instruction manual or have to visit a You Tube site to figure out how to operate it. It's ideal for thick-bread lovers like myself. I highly recommend it!","Product: The Bissell power fresh deluxe steam mop provides an easier way to tackle those tough, stuck-on messes with the detachable spotboost brush. Cleaning with the natural power of steam sanitizes* floors, eliminating 99.9Percent of germs and bacteria* without having to use harsh chemicals. For those who enjoy a fresh scent while cleaning, insert the included spring breeze fragrance Disc into the built-in tray to release a burst of scent. Your power fresh deluxe steam mop is safe to use on sealed hard floors including hardwood, linoleum, ceramic, tile, marble, and granite. Fusing the microfiber pad, use as instructed. Results may vary. Tested under controlled laboratory conditions.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Best Steam Mop We've Ever Tried... light weight and inexpensive as well!\n\nReview: We've had three steam mops, and this Bissell is the best one by far. Lightweight, easy to get ready to use, delivering super-steaminess almost instantly, not difficult to store just about anywhere, and at less than $90, I can find nothing to really complain about other than there was no \"fragrance disk\" included to try.\n\nThe 1806 weighs in at a feathery six pounds and is as (if not more) mobile as any roller-ball-style vacuum cleaner I've ever used. It glides on a cushion of super-heated steam, and it's almost effortless.\n\nMy best advice? Go get distilled water for this beauty. We've ruined two other steam mops by not using it, and this mop being the best of them, I don't want to ruin this one as well. Easy to use, solid construction, powerful hot steam... I would venture to say that this Bissell is one of the best items I've ever reviewed. Love it.","Product: This cart is sure to bring out the kid in everyone by instantly transforming gatherings into fun carnivals and dessert time! Featuring an extractor head that works with flossing sugar, hard candy, or sugar-free hard candy, this 3-foot-tall beauty will be a hit every time. The pull handle makes it easy to transport and the clear-door storage compartment keeps all cotton candy supplies on hand. Includes 2-reusable cones, sugar scoop, and 1-extractor head.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Yes, you will consider having a carnival for the kids in your life if you get this.\n\nReview: When Amazon Vine listed this for me, I took the offer immediately. I bought a 4-oz popcorn stand a few years ago, and last year purchased a large hot dog steamer and a snow-cone maker, all of which we use at church for festivals, and also use for the Boy Scouts. We rented a cotton candy machine last year, so now we have one for all kinds of fun events for the kids.\n\nThis Nostalgia 3\" Cotton Candy Cart doesn't disappoint, at least once it's put together. I am very grateful for Mark Fowler's suggestion that you should insert the poles first and THEN fasten the poles to the wheel base. The assembly of the box and entire cart with the instructions provided is, so far, the only reason why this isn't a five-star review. I am not gifted as an assembler, so I really appreciate good, clear, large instructions on a well-engineered product.\n\nNow. We've used the cart twice so far, one as more of a test with one very willing seven year old subject. The second time was, no surprise, much easier and involved a very willing seven year old subject. Okay, and parents. We purchased a carton of Gold Medal Cherry Floss Sugar for the cotton candy; we have not yet attempted using hard candies such as peppermint after-dinner mints, or anything sugar-free (I am diabetic, and such an alternative is much welcomed), but I can say that the floss sugar worked extremely well. The cart does not come with any floss sugar, so if you're dying to use it before it arrives, be sure to pre-order some floss sugar or perhaps get some hard candies at the local convenience store if you're already to go. The cart does come with re-usable cones, but fortunately we were already stocked with cones from our sno-cone machine as well (should any cousins come over).\n\nThe result is exactly the kind of cotton candy you'll remember from your youth; light, fluffy, and immediately makes you think about tooth decay. :^)\n\nI really like this cotton candy cart, and for $99, that's not a bad score if it lasts a few years. This might actually be a good product to spend the extra ten bucks or so to get the three-year protection on.","Product: Now you can knock out the fat on all your skillet favorites. The SkilLite searing skillet features our exclusive grease channel design, that lets you separate fat and unwanted oil from food as you cook, so you can have all your favorite skillet meals with less fat and more flavor. George Tough nonstick coating lets you cook without oil or butter, with a spacious 16 by 12-inch cooking surface and 2-inch depth for whole family meals with ease. Intelli-Probe digital controls let you set cooking at the touch of a button, with an exclusive one-touch 500-Degree searing function that's the only of it's kind in the market. A reversible meat and steam rack adds even more versatility, while a tempered glass lid with adjustable steam vent lets you control and monitor cooking progress with ease. The elegant pan removes easily from the probe so you can cook and serve in the same dish.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Another solid Foreman product\n\nReview: We've been using the 16x12 searing skillet for about three months now, and my wife and I do like it, but I can't say that we quite love it. Speaking frankly, it has the same pros and cons that so many Foreman products do (and there are always more pros than cons).\n\nLet me begin by saying it's a handsome appliance. This isn't the old white-plastic Foreman grill from the '90s, it's a silver, black, and glass, fast-heating electric skillet that we've found useful at family get-togethers because even after unplugging the unit, it holds heat pretty well under the handled dome. That said, the cord for this model is only about three feet long, so we've had to move some things around and family get-togethers if we wanted to keep it plugged in. I think it will be great for camping once the weather is nice... and we find a good long extension cord!\n\nAnd the thing is big. It takes up space on counters while in use, and a lot of space under counters while not in use.\n\nThe nonstick surface has been great, and I haven't had any problems cleaning it, although it is a bit cumbersome. We have tried searing pork chops to keep the juices in, and we thought that worked great, but as happens so often with these electric skillets, there seem to be particular areas of the pan which are hotter than the rest. Searing works fine, but I think we've cooked at lower temperatures to avoid burning foods like the chops. The electronic contols are easy to understand and use, but I think the short cord limits the convenience of where you can place it.\n\nFrustrating is the fact that my wife and I really would love to use the steaming rack, but the cookbook (four recipes... cookbrochure?) doesn't have any recipes for the rack. If anyone has seen any, please feel free to comment and let us know where you found them; I'd love to check them out. I think that if the steam rack were easy to utilize, especially while cooking other foods, then this would be a huge plus for this grill.\n\nThe traditional Foreman feature is the grease-removal channels and gadgets meant to reduce fat in your food; in the case of the searing skillet, the channel is a small gully which runs along the bottom, and it seems to be a bit of an afterthought that one of the main staples of the unit. We've experienced more clean-up from this aspect of the machine that during the cleaning itself.\n\nAll in all, I'd give this unit a bit higher than a 3.5 rating. It is a solid product, and maybe even after a few months of use, we've not mastered it to the point where we would give it a higher rating. I hope to find more recipes from users so that we can take advantage of it more.","Product: Callesto: a collection of furniture in a timeless style that gives you a lot of dcor options! whether your kid wants a room with lots of color or a more classic look, this chest will blend with the ambiance while adding some handy storage space. You'll be happy with this piece for years to come! metal handles in a dull nickel finish. Profiled drawer fronts, for a classic touch. Metal drawer slides, for smooth gliding. Drawer #1 dimensions: 25,75 (l) x 13,75 (d) x 4,25 (h). Safety is an integrated part of our values: this product meets or exceeds all north American safety standards. Accessories not included. Requires complete assembly by 2 adults (tools not included). Product dimensions: 31,5 (l) x 17 (d) x 41,5 (h). Box dimensions: 46,75 (l) x 18 (d) x 6,5 (h), 86 lbs. This products packaging has been tested and is certified to reduce the risk of damage during shipment. Made in Canada with non-toxic laminated particleboard. Clean with a soft dry cloth. 5-Year quality guarantee. Any product-related questions? contact the manufacturers customer service, available 7/7 by phone, chat, and email. Consult their website for details.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Construction and Instructions Not Ideal, but Final Product is Respectable\n\nReview: My first impression of this South Shore Callesto \"chest\" (I'd call it a mini-dresser or as we are fond of saying in this part of the country, a small \"bureau\") was that the box weighed a ton. It weighs 81 pounds according to the page, and I can confirm it weighs 81 pounds. I'm a little surprised it didn't arrive in two boxes for this reason, but I was also glad the box was this heavy... the mind seems to equate heavy with \"well-made\".\n\nMy second impression was realizing that I had to do the construction \"well-made\" myself. It took me almost two hours, and I had to ask my wife to help me a couple of times to hold things steady as I went in for the job. When I saw that all I needed was a screw driver and a hammer, I thought, \"well, this can't be that difficult.\" In the past, with Ikea items (there it is... inevitably, an item like this must be related with Ikea for purposes of comparison), I've very rarely needed a hammer (or mallet) for anything other than gently tightening up the finished product, so I wasn't sure if I'd need the hammer at all. I did. It is certainly required.\n\nThe instructions, from what I can tell so far, are the most not-Ikea quality thing about the whole package. The parts are marked like most assemble-at-home things are nowadays, with a letter system identifying the parts. It wasn't always clear how things were supposed to be oriented, so that bothered me; I want to know 101% for certain how something goes on before I do it, because God knows I'm not the most mechanically inclined man on Earth, and undoing something like this generally ends up going bad. This is not fine oak we're dealing with here; it's inexpensive for a reason (like that TV commercial says, \"advertisers never use the claim that they have the finest particle board in the world.\" Everything worked out, but I'm convinced the alignments could have been better, albeit that could be, in part, because I am not a master carpenter nor am I a master assembler.\n\nThe chest, once completed, is still darn heavy! It looks nice; thankfully, the packaging was good enough where the panels aren't marked up at all. Eventually, it will have its dings, more so than the wooden chests you would find at an unfinished furniture store. The drawers do have some wiggle room; this was another thing that I was expecting when I ordered it, but for the most part the metal drawer slides are effective and fairly smooth. I like the dull nickel hardware, and the profiled drawers. It ends up making a surprisingly sturdy chest, dare I say, at least comparable with Ikea.\n\nFor the $165 price tag, the effort of putting it together yourself is worth it. This makes a nice little chest of drawers for a guest bedroom. I can't give it five stars, but it is a respectable chest for respectable value, two or three hours of your time, and someone to help you move it.","Product: The Bridgeport Faux Leather Bed is all about simplicity and modern design. With its 26 bentwood slat support system, the bed frame can comfortably support your mattress without the need for a box-spring. The upholstered headboard and foot-board work together to create a simple, tasteful aesthetic balance. The sturdy frame rests on four tapered legs with an additional two legs that add support to maximize comfort.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Quality, Easy to Assemble, Handsome, and a Decent Price\n\nReview: This DHP Bridgeport full-size platform bed is a well-constructed and handsome alternative to a simple no-frills frame without a huge difference in price. Yes, this frame is $230, but look at how much nicer it looks with sheets, some pillows, and a comforter. It makes a bed a bed, and the fact that it looks luxuriant will make the owner -- in our case, a nine-year old visitor who had no bed -- feel like a million bucks.\n\nThis bed is perfect for a young boy; it's only 12 1/2\" off of the floor, so easy in, easy out, and still plenty of room to store toys underneath. It is easy to put together, and having slats 4\" apart, it's quiet and sturdy.\n\nIt does NOT come with a mattress, but that nowadays is actually kind of a good thing. I want to pick out a mattress, not get stuck with one that came as an aside with the platform/frame. Pick the mattress that's right for you! When we got my son's bunk bed a few years back, I got rid of the full size mattress that cam with it and ordered a PosturePedic pillowtop mattress that he loved... until he got older and started sleeping in the top bunk, that is.\n\nI do highly recommend this Platform Bed from DHP Bridgeport - it's quality, relatively inexpensive, and handsome enough to make a difference for a little boy.","Product: Enjoy your iPhone 3G / iPod Touch to the fullest Integrated speaker system provides high quality stereo sound Compact size great for travel or room parties Charge your device through 30 pin dock connector with a USB power cord USB power cord charges both\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: So Far, Not Bad... Not Perfect, but Not Bad\n\nReview: I ordered this compact speaker system in particular for one reason; it allows your IPod Touch to be in the horizontal position while docked so that you can watch movies in the \"full\" widescreen position. My wife is nearly eight months pregnant, so if she's getting ready for bed, I can take a movie I've rented and load it onto the IPod. Instead of having to share headphones, we plug it into the speaker system. The structure that holds the IPod can tilt, so we lock it into place, lay back, and watch the movie until she's ready to conk out.\n\nUsually, that's about 8 minutes. A movie lasts a LONG time this way!\n\nIt works splendidly for our purpose. No, it is definitively NOT a Bose product. The clarity will not make you imagine that you're in a theatre or concert-quality environment. It has a clarity of sound that is perhaps a little bit better than the transistor radio that the castaways used on Gillagan's Island, so do NOT buy this if you're looking for outstanding sound; you'll definitely be disappointed.\n\nThat said, my brother-in-law and I have been listening to my IPod while sheetrocking what will soon be the baby's nursery, and we certainly enjoy it being there. It's not a party atmosphere -- we both hate sanding and mudding sheetrock -- but we're grateful to have some tunes, even though they're not in quadraphonic sound.\n\nThe unit itself is rechargable with a USB cable the same way the IPod recharges through your computer. The max volume is actually pretty loud, louder than I expected. It can definitely make you run for the volume knob or the off switch if the phone rings!\n\nI really am grateful for the multiple-position arm when viewing movies in bed, and so far, I have not yet seen another horizontal-mount compact speaker system for IPod, although that doesn't mean there aren't any others out there. If you're thinking about getting this for the same reason I got it, you should definitely Google a few times to make sure there's not something new out there.\n\nI will say this; for the price, which was almost exactly $30 with shipping, this compact speaker system is a really good deal. I am very happy with it, and would certainly buy it again.","Product: Panasonic DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with Built-in WiFi. The 2D-3D conversion makes it possible to convert images from DVDs and Blu-ray Discs into 3D with natural depth perception. The 3D effect controller lets you moderate the leaping effects of 3D images. It also lets you adjust the amount of depth, so you can view expansive images and enjoy movies with exactly the kind of 3D effects you want. Features Include: Blu-ray Disc Playback Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby TrueHD HDMI (Output) Wi-Fi Ready DLNA Certified Dimensions: 7.1\"L x 16.9\"W x 1.4\"H\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Panasonic, I still haven't forgotten... but this player is a good one\n\nReview: This is the first Panasonic item I've reviewed in a long, long time. I swore off Panasonic products about ten years ago after purchasing a home theatre system for about $600 that ended up being a $600 paperweight and dealing with customer service that did not want to talk to me in any way, shape or form. Several hours setting up the system and then trying to fix the problem, followed by dozens of phone calls and e-mails sent in trying to get help, and I was ignored; they had my money. So I will be straightforward in saying that I was ready to tear this system a new one based on how poorly I was treated by Panasonic in the past.\n\nTruth is, this 3d Blu-Ray player is a good system for a very decent price. The case is slim-profile, light but solid. The remote is easy to use, but I understand there is also an app available to have the player controlled by wifi. This is important to note, because while I do not have a smartphone, the BDT460 has Miracast, allowing all kinds of instant sharing with Android devices. It's also loaded with Hulu and Netflix as well as Amazon Prime... I know most Smart devices generally do, but coming from that generation that didn't have remote controls for TVs and had maybe seven channels to watch, this I always appreciate it. We have accounts with two of them, and it's been nice to have that option available.\n\nIt has two HDMI ports and USB as well. The picture quality on a 70\" 1080P is outstanding. The 3D is excellent, but I will also state that we have some really good 3D glasses to compliment the viewing, and I don't know how to judge as yet as to which device it is that is providing the excellent quality. I find it annoying that Panasonic believes it's acceptable to have sponsored ads as part of the package, but then again, I hate having to pay for a movie and then sit through insurance and other ads when that's one of the things I'm trying to escape from. After six movies, I've had no problem with skipping or locking up.\n\nIn short, I still have no love for Panasonic, but I've found the DMP-BDT460 to be an admirably-performing unit to date. Should that change, you know I will be back here to tell everyone about it. :^)","Product: Modernized for today's casual professional, this asymmetrically quilted case carries a laptop, tablet and your business needs within a deep black exterior highlighted with red accents.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: After a few months of use, I have no complaints\n\nReview: I've used my Case logic case (my Case case?) for both a midsize laptop Windows computer and also for an iPad, and it has worked well for both items. While there aren't as many bells and whistles as some other cases I've had over the years, for $35, this product is an outstanding value. It's professional-looking, has space enough for the accessories I need to pack, and I feel safe keeping either electronic device in it.\n\nAs time goes by, I will update to see how it stands the test of wear and use. For now, I am very satisfied with it and would recommend, especially if you don't want to spend $250 to $350 on a computer carry case.","Product: The iHM78 is an amazing approach to audio that offers size-defying sound. Speakers connect to a computer or other USB power source via the included USB cable to recharge the internal lithium ion battery. Remarkable vacuum bass design gives surprising volume and bass response in speakers that fit in your palm. Perfect for laptops, cell phones, iPad, iPhone, iPod and other MP3 players or tablets - any audio source. Magnetic base for compact travel, includes handy carry pouch.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Awesome Sound from Mini Speakers\n\nReview: I decided I needed a pair of mini speakers when I realized I could play some soothing lullabyes for my little boy at bedtime. I heard that iHome was a good name to try, so I decided to give them a shot, and since I received these iHM78s, I've been completely satisfied with them.\n\nThey hold a charge enough for six hours play time according to the claims made by iHome, and so far I've found nothing to challenge those claims. I am sure I played them enough over one five-day period to eclipse that amount, though I never really play lullabyes at full-blast.\n\nAmazon tells me they weigh 5.4 ounces, but holding them, my hand tells me they weigh almost nothing. They are super-portable; collapsible, with a cleverly-conceived magnetic base to make them compact and easily fit in the travel pouch. But these things just mean they're good at being \"mini\" speakers... it is the sound that really won me over.\n\nPlaying music for my son at bedtime, I've found myself dozing just as quickly as him. The sound, above all, is crisp and clear and clean. Even something this small delivers bass that you would swear is coming from speakers ten times the size. Again, this is at a volume conducive to delivering sleep to a boy who runs around the house in circles for hours at a time.\n\nThe next test was to use the speakers over my vacation, where I wanted to listen to the audiobook version of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. And it being vacation, I wanted to be in a hot tub with icy cold beer to listen to it. The volume up to be heard over the sounds of the water, I could hear the narration with severe clarity and I enjoyed it completely. I then took a long nap.\n\nI've also loaned these speakers to my Mom to listen to her first audiobook, and she loves them. She gave them back to me, but I think she was hoping for another audiobook. At least I have a good idea what to do for Mother's Day.\n\nIn short, I find no reason not to give these speakers five stars, given the incredibly reasonable price and the outstanding performance of the speakers. I would never expect to blast Metallica over these speakers and expect Bose performance; they do what they are supposed to do for portable speakers and they do it magnificently. I highly recommend them. If I find a reason to lower my rating or if I realize a disappointment, I will revisit this review. Until that time... I love them!","Product: Full HD 1080p two channel compatible dash cam with 140-degree viewing angle. Equipped with a Road Safety Warning System FDWS, LDWS. Built-in Wi-Fi for easy video playback and device configuration through a compatible iOS or Android smartphone. Built-in GPS for Red Light and Speed Camera Alerts, and embeds data (speed, time, and location) to video recordings.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Looking for JUST a dash cam? You might want to look around more.\n\nReview: I've been using the F750 for about three weeks now, and I'm still getting used to it. There are more bells and whistles on the F750 than I thought there was going to be, and by bells and whistles I mean gadgets that make a lot of noise! After some time, I managed to turn down the volume on the R2-D2 exclamations from the device. I don't need a warning for a red light every time I approach a red light. These features sound like a good idea on paper, but they just sound annoying in real life. I expected a dash cam -- and the dash cam does work well -- but I got a loud, electronic back-seat driver as well. Except, of course, it's in front of you. :^)\n\nI've found the WiFi connection to be time-consuming. I thought WiFi was going to make video viewing much easier, but honestly, unless I'm in an accident, I don't think I have the patience to transfer the video again. It would be much easier to remove the card and view on my laptop. From all of my tests and checking in on the F750 so far, it seems like a decent dash cam for emergencies, but it's not hassle-free when it comes to quick, simple viewing. If the WiFi was not problematic and quicker, I'd give it an extra star right now.\n\nI am awaiting delivery of the hard-wire kit and a 64GB memory card. Will review more when they are installed. It would be awesome if I could connect the F750 to my in-dash screen the same way my reverse camera does.","Product: Braven BRV-XXL portable Bluetooth speaker is our largest and loudest speakers to date. With 4x the standard amount of HD audio drivers, the BRV-XXL is the best speaker for even your biggest parties. Wirelessly connect, play, and talk from up to 33ft (10m) away with crystal clear sound. The XXL doubles as a power bank featuring the unique capability to charge any device with its built-in 15,600mAh USB battery port. With its rugged design, the BRV-XXL is completely weatherproof which keeps it safe from water, sand, dirt, and even accidental falls. Take your speakers outdoor, indoor, or anywhere in the world without ever worrying about ruining it. The biggest, baddest speaker in the outdoor BRV line, the BRV-XXL is sure to rock the house or make you the MVP of the tailgate party.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Delivers Loud and Clear Sound and Very Outdoors-Friendly\n\nReview: Wow, what a treat. I've been reviewing for Amazon Vine for many years now, and this Braven BRV-XXL Poratable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is one of my all-time favorite items.\n\nFirst of all, yes, it is big, but at 18-pounds, it's definitely portable, like one of the boom boxes you had in the '80s that your neighbors frowned at when you past by to go to a friend's house. And aside from the handle, it has a carrying strap (with a bottle opener, no less!) to help you along if you need it.\n\nSecond, it's built like a beast and it's meant to be outdoors. Water-resistant? We've already had it out on the deck, under the umbrella, but we weren't worried about the rain. It is constructed to resist far more than just rain, and like the ad above says, yes, it IS rugged! The 15,600 mAh lithium-ion battery is said to last 14 hours. We haven't played it that long yet, but for what we have played it, it was going strong before being plugged back in to recharge.\n\nGREAT sound. Powerful. Loud. Clear. We've tested it on our deck from our kitchen, about 28-feet away and through a wall and a brick fireplace, and it was still working just fine. On the deck, I had a couple of friends over and we felt compelled to all use our phones and iPods on it, sharing time. Lots of fun! It also has a microphone jack for PA stuff (thinking about Boy Scouts and our church, specifically). I haven't used that yet -- I don't own a mic -- but I'm excited to try it, and I know others are as well.\n\nThe re-charger option has been used several times and is incredibly efficient. My friends tried it, and it seemed to charge their electronics in no time. There was no audible draw from the strength of the music when we did so.\n\nThe BRV-XXL has a price tag of $350 as of the time of this review, and from what I've seen of this product so far, it truly is worth it. It's built like a tank and seems to be just as waterproof and outdoors-friendly. I really love it and I'm very happy to recommend it.","Product: 7-Inch Headrest Monitor with DVD (Gray)\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Loved it at first, but then...\n\nReview: Before I say anything else, I'll give you the bottom line: I bought the Roadview RHM-7.0G Headrest Monitor with DVD Player on April 12th, 2011. It officially died on April 12th, 2012.\n\nI did love this product at first, my only complaint was that the built-in speakers were just not loud enough. My son was just turning two when it arrived, and he was beside himself in joy that he could watch Blues Clues, Bob the Builder, or \"Thomas Trains\" from his child seat, and we had a couple of long road trips where my wife would sit with him in the back and watch Pixar movies or classic Disney. At first, it was truly ideal.\n\nWe had to have it professionally installed; the power source was a little bit of work, so we spent the extra time and money to do it right. I am not the most technically-inclined man in the world, and even those who are less electronically-challenged as I would, according to accounts, not have the easiest time hooking it up.\n\nThe gray faux leather is not a perfect match with my car, but the headrest really does blend in surprisingly well, especially because our rear windows do have a slightly darker tint and it wasn't noticable at all that it was a DVD/monitor when it was zipped up. I always felt safe when parking at grocery stores and malls that it was not an attention-getter.\n\nBut after about eight months, it had an increasingly difficult time reading DVDs, and then some DVDs wouldn't work at all, no matter how much you tried to secure the DVD into the player, clean the DVD, or pray to your preferred diety. Eventually, I'd be driving along and I'd hear my son say, \"Daddy! TV went off!\" but the power indicator light would still be on. Unfortunately, on Friday, April 13th, 2012, my Roadview RHM-7.0G Headrest Monitor with DVD Player is defunct. My next step is to have a good friend take a look at it to see if it can be saved, and if it is shot, I will try to figure out how to hook it up to my iPod Touch to see if it can still provide visual entertainment from an outside source.\n\nI give it two stars... I'd have given it four if it were still working properly, but one year is far too short for a $150 component to last.","Product: Mad Catz' F.R.E.Q.3 Stereo Headset is tough yet comfortable and lightweight, capturing sublime audio from games, movies, and music. Multiplatform GameSmart technology provides simplified setup and near-universal compatibility with a host of different devices. The F.R.E.Q.3 is a go-to headset for use with laptops, desktops, and tablet computers, plus the latest generation of iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone handsets.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Does Everything Well and For a Good Price\n\nReview: I have been pleasantly surprised with this Mad Catz FREQ3 Headset. I really haven't found anything to complain about.\n\nIts oversized earphones are very comfortable, easy to adjust and light in weight. They might not be the lightest, but even when worn for long periods of time (although taking them off for your ears to breathe for a few moments is refreshing), I have not experienced discomfort.\n\nThe volume controls are well-placed and easy to find.\n\nThe sound quality is fantastic (both bass and treble), and the built-in mic is something I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I have. My old headset, a Sennheiser gaming headset valued at $130 and which I still love, had the flip-down microphone which made me psychologically feel as if I was being heard better, but I would very frequently bang my hand into it because I'd also forget that it was there. This caused some in-game swearing on occasion! Not having a mic \"lever\" in front of me makes me wonder if I'm being heard as clearly -- and I am! -- but not having it in front of my face gives me the ability to scratch an itch on my nose or take a sip of a drink without tearing the headphones off accidentally.\n\nThese are also great for listening to audiobooks or music and escaping the real world for a bit.\n\nAnd the $79 price is amazing. For the quality delivered, it compares against headphones that are 180% the cost. And I still haven't tested it on all the devices and places I can use it yet, like at work. I would highly recommend this headset; it delivers great sound and comfort for a very reasonable price.","Product: Get the party started, out in the yard, on the block or inside the house with the SC-CMAX5 Mini DJ Jukebox Portable Audio System. Its three-way, four-speaker audio delivers 1000 watt (RMS30%)/11,000W (PMPO) output for pure, distortion-free sound through a 10 inch super woofer, 4 inch woofer and dual, double layer bamboo cone tweeters. Play hours of music from mobile devices with dual USB inputs and create and share playlists from smartphones with Bluetooth connectivity and the Max Juke App.* Dance-friendly features include D.Bass to automatically adjust bass tones in every song to energize rhythm and beat. The ready-to-roll design makes music mobility a snap with wide, durable wheels and a strong, luggage-like extendable handle. CMAX5 plugs into any AC outlet.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good Powerful Sound from a Heavy Unit\n\nReview: We've had our Panasonic SC-CMAX5 for about a month now, and we've not yet been able to try it in \"public\". We have a couple of church and Boy Scouts events coming up soon where it is going to come in handy, but for now, all discussed testing has happened at home.\n\nFirst of all, the CMAX is listed as portable, but make no mistake about it, the sucker is heavy. The extendable handle and wheel system are not ideal; the wheels are positioned slightly off-edge so that you require more of an angle to make the wheels work ideally. So in terms of portability, it is not going to be easily portable to a person of smaller stature. It's kind of a beast, and that's a good thing in other ways, but moving it around won't be like moving your old cassette player from point A to point B.\n\nThe sound is booming good, and really the sound quality is as good as whatever quality device you have to plug into it. There are two 2.0 USB inputs set up front on top of the cabinet, very accessible. I've been able to play MP4s from thumb drives, but no other kinds of files. The 1000-watt speaker features a 6cm tweeter, two 4\" woofers, and a 10\" \"super\" woofer. The front of the cabinet has a \"club-style\" LED light with six different colors... I don't think that it will ever be mistaken for nightclub lighting, but it does give a nice atmospheric glow, at least. The BlueTooth was very easy to connect with our iPods.\n\nThat said, the CMAX is much more than I expected in terms of PA capabilities. The top rear of the unit hosts two RCA inputs and two 1/4\" mic inputs; I know the mic inputs are meant to be enjoyed for the unit's \"karaoke\" mode, but when this is used at outdoor events for church this summer, the two mics will be very handy. While one of the bullet-points above makes it seem like you can plug in a mic for voice and an electric guitar jack simultaneously, I've read elsewhere that you can do this, and I'm waiting to see a couple of our \"we're in a band\" friends to make sure that's true/false (I will update when that happens... I am forced to post the review today).\n\nThe plug has a short cord... I guess it's just accepted that owners of the CMAX are going to need a multiple outlet extension with them at all times. :^)\n\nIn short, I am really looking forward to using the CMAX5 DJ outside as part of some events and seeing what my band friends think of it. Right now, I really like it. It's not cheap, but so far, I think it's a solid state unit which will provide positive experiences. I recall a good friend of mine had a giant boombox in high school (he named it \"Jake\"), and I almost feel that at age 48, I'm finally getting one of my own.","Product: The direct descendant of our 1960s televised torture test survivors, today's Easy Reader is as durable as it is classically cool.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My Mom Loves This Watch\n\nReview: I got this for my mother for Christmas, and I'm very happy to report that this is the one gift I gave in 2006 that perfectly fit the recipient's wish list. She loves it.\n\nShe had worn the same watch for over twenty years, and that one had finally had it. Truth be told, my mom isn't really that much of a watch-wearer, but had been wanting a replacement for those times when she wanted to have one, even as just an accessory. Now, she wears a watch all the time.\n\nWhile the watch face isn't huge -- it's reasonably sized -- the numbers are very easy to read for the eyes of a grandmother, and the font is attractive. Even the little date number inset on the three-o'clock side of the face is easy to read, and while she'd never had a watch with a date on it before, she realizes now how much she appreciates it.\n\nIt's a handsome watch in a classy gold, and she also loves the band, which is very comfortable and expands and contracts with movement nicely.\n\nLastly, and I get a kick out of this; she adores the indiglo feature. Her previous watch had a little light-up button on it (one of the old-style teeny-tiny fron-the-side lights which never really threw off enough light, and even that had expired years before, and the indiglo light illuminates the whole face very nicely and clearly in a pleasing blue glow. She tells me that sometimes at night she'll press that button just because she can. What a nice thing to say! :^)\n\nTo sum up, my mom wears this watch all the time, and I can tell she really loves it. The fact that she wears it so often tells me that it was the perfect gift to get her in 2006!","Product: An essential training companion that makes a bold statement, the Timex Ironman Road Trainer digital heart rate monitor series offers performance and comfort in a next-generation style. This innovative tool is designed for both fitness enthusiasts and weekend warriors to help them meet their exercise goals.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: This is a great gadget, and I love it.\n\nReview: I love my Timex T5K719. It's such a great device, time-keeping and otherwise, that I'll actually wear the chest strap so I can wear the watch and monitor my heart rate through the day. It's actually taken time away from a couple of other watches that I love wearing because it is so fascinating to me. I am a large man, 6 feet and 280 pounds, and this watch has inspired me to take walks at lunchtime and try to get a little healthier.\n\nLarge watches are fashionable right now. This one is no different; the face of the watch, comparing against my 10-ounce coffee mug, squeezes inside with just a little room to spare. My favorite feature, other than the heartrate monitor, is the indiglo light button. I've always loved indiglo lighting; there's something about it that reminds me of childhood, and at the same time it's incredibly useful for night time-telling (or for the other functions of the watch).\n\nI find that this Timex is a lot nicer than my old Polar for a variety of reasons; the conection with the shest strap is almost always unbroken, it is much, much more attractive, the chest strap is a lot easier to use (and clean!), the band is more comforatble, and there are more features. In fact, I need to remind myself to get into some of those other features (like how long I remain in the 'ideal' or 'target' HR zone) so that they become a part of my routine.\n\nI give it 4.5 stars, and the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that at $80, it's priced a little high IMO, although I have seen other HR watches well over $200. Either way, it's worth it to me. I highly recommend it as both a watch and a HR monitor.","Product: A versatile knapsack worn across the back via two shoulder straps or carried by hand with a reinforced handle\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Not a bad backpack - I like it - but I don't exactly recommend it.\n\nReview: I got this backpack for my seven year-old son, and my wife is making me wait until Christmas to give it to him (because, yes, it is that nice-looking that a seven year-old will be excited to get it). But I've been able to examine it closely and do a little testing when my son isn't around, mostly because I wanted to see if I should get one for myself now.\n\nThe first confusing thing to me was the headline for the backpack... \"Nylon\" it reads. Yet the description below reads \"100% polyester\" and \"100% polyester lining\". I immediately wondered if nylon and polyester are the same thing, and looked up an online comparison, which reads \"Nylon and polyester are both synthetic fabrics, but nylon production is more expensive, which results in a higher price for the consumer. Nylon also tends to be more durable and weather-resistant, which is why it is more likely to be used in outdoor apparel or gear. Both fabrics are flame retardant, but nylon is stronger, while polyester is more heat-resistant.\" - [...] This site has a long list of differences and similarities for the two fabrics, but to date, I am still unclear as to what material(s) are used and where in the product.\n\nThe shoulder straps are padded enough that short to moderate length use is fine, but I don't think I'd want to have the pack on my back for hours at a time. I would say that this is a good going-from-class-to-class backpack, but not one for long-duration wearing.\n\nThe main storage compartment is ample. Books, folders, pencil box, gym clothes; there's plenty of room. This compartment has two zippers, which is great. There is an auxiliary storage compartment as well, which unfortunately only has one zipper, and as another reviewer has rightly noted, the lining can easily get stuck in these. I do wish it had the second zipper here, too. And there is one more zippered slip-in compartment on the aft side of the auxiliary storage area. A couple of people have noted that it would be a good place to store a tablet device, but I would feel nervous placing an expensive electronic device in a pocket geographically most exposed to bumping into things. Lastly, underneath the flap directly behind the two buckles is another, smaller auxiliary storage space.\n\nI guess I should mention the zippers themselves. I have mixed feelings about them. They are the over-sized zippers that look sturdy, but the actual operational feel of them is disappointing. They do not swish-left, swish-right with ease; they require a little effort to get them going, and again, the interior lining of the compartment makes me feel that snags are inevitable.\n\nOn the left and right of the main storage compartment are two pockets with velcro to secure them. Either will hold a plastic water bottle, with teh cap sticking out of the corner, but they are not big enough for the insulated reusable metal water bottle I have. I wish that at least one size was made specifically for such a water container, using stretchy cords as many backpacks have. The side pockets are useful, but just one would suffice if the other could be for water.\n\nI like that the backpack also has a handle on the top center for short carries.\n\nThe buckles on the backpack are kind of confusing to me; they seem like they should secure the main compartment, but functionally, they don't do that at all. They secure the smallest auxiliary storage area and that kind of perplexes me. I'm not even sure what I would use that space for, and the buckles are just, apparently, for looks.\n\nThe backpack is about a pound and change, so it really is lightweight, and the stitching seems to be very sturdy. Right now it is listed at just short of $80, and (as I often state in my reviews) I feel that is too steep for the product. I do like this backpack, and I think it will serve my son very well indeed, but I can't say that I would recommend it. I think that, especially at this price point, it is a good idea to look around for something similar which emphasizes function over style.","Product: This light yet durable portable baseball hitting tee quickly folds up and fits into any bat bag, allowing you to train no matter where you go. An adjustable height and sturdy tripod configuration make this versatile travel tee a great training aid for baseball players of all ages and skill levels.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Simple, Sturdy, Reasonably Priced, and Does a Great Job\n\nReview: <div id=\"video-block-RKKNHU2UDVSV7\" class=\"a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block\"></div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"\" value=\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1dHMgCTTlS.mp4\" class=\"video-url\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"\" value=\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/810B5gaiPLS.png\" class=\"video-slate-img-url\"> After receiving the 7'x7' <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/SKLZ-Quickster-Net-Portable-Quick-Assembly-Multi-Sport-Net/dp/B004ZMYYTC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">SKLZ Quickster Net - Portable Quick Assembly Multi-Sport Net</a>, the Quick assembly travel tee was the perfect compliment. These two items are ideal for each other, and I should also suggest the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/SKLZ-Sport-Radar-Multi-Sport-Speed-Detection/dp/B008X3BQ3G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\">SKLZ Sport Radar - Multi-Sport Speed Detection</a> to compliment both! For under $200, these three items can be had and they are wonderful together.\n\nThe video attached shows the tee and net in action. My nephew's baseball league uses them almost every practice they run. There is a funny moment in it as my nephew launches a ball above the net and shrugs it off :^)\n\nI don't intend to sound like a pitchman for SKLZ products, but we've all been very happy with all three of the products we've received from them. I would highly recommend the net and tee especially.","Product: Mr. , beams, green, 260 lumen, ultra bright led lantern, with USB charger, for outdoor entertaining, camping, power outages or fun, USB port for up to 4 cell phone charges, auto shut off after 60 minutes, 360 degrees of lighting, 2, brightness modes, weatherproof, 30,000 hours of light, uses 4 \"d\" alkaline batteries, not included.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Does everything I hoped it would do\n\nReview: Being a big-time camper in the summertime because my wife is a big-time camper in the summertime, I appreciate lamps like this. This Mr. Beams lantern is awesome; it casts an immense amount of light with a really good distribution.\n\nBut that's not what I love about it the most.\n\nIt's compact, has a well-designed handle which allows it to be hung in handy places, and it's an attractive, lightweight unit.\n\nBut that's not what I love about it the most.\n\nWhat I love the most is the USB port which charges my iPod Touch so I can play games (usually with my son) while Mumma is doing camping things. It holds a great charge, and I appreciate this lantern more than just about any other camping item!","Product: Drive for show, putt for dough. What percent of 7, 5, and 3 foot putts do you make? Ask any pro, and they will tell you that the money is made at these distances. The Accelerator Pro Putting Mat with Ball Return lets you practice three key putt lengths with perfect strokes on a high quality true-roll putting surface. The back and through-stroke alignment guides ensure perfect acceleration and distance control, while maintaining a square face to the target.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Not a bad practice green for the living room\n\nReview: My first joy was in seeing the packaging; it indicated this practice putting green was made in the USA. :^)\n\nThat said, the putting surface required us to overturn a table on it and place weights on it to flatten it out. We let it be for a weekend and it was perfectly flat thereafter. The putting surface, while thin, is actually a very good representation of a putting surface. After using it for a couple of weeks and still not having the time to hit the golf course, my instinct is that the surface putts a little slow, or heavy, and when I do get out to the golf course I'll be over-hitting my putts a little. \"Never enough, never in\" my grandfather used to say, while still managing to avoid any innuendo.\n\nI love the lines at 3, 5, and 7 feet. My putting stroke has always been a little 2-to-8 and these lines are training me to putt 3-to-9, straighter and cleaner. That's probably the best putting mechanics lesson I could receive.\n\nThe gravity-feed ball return feature usually works but not always. I'd say about 80 to 85% of the time, and I've found that putting a second ball into the hole will generally get both balls out of there. I think I can add some felt liner to it to add some in/decline inside and have it work better, but didn't want to do it before I wrote my review. I see other people are having problems worse than mine and others don't seem to have a problem at all.\n\nAll in all, it's not a bad set up for $50. It's not a sideways glass model; it's a cup, which is great, and the main lesson for me is the mechanics to straighten out that stroke.","Product: With the 40 oz Chute vacuum, you can get a cold drink and a smooth pour, even in the backcountry. This vacuum-insulated bottle keeps liquids cold for 24 hours (even longer if you add ice), and hot for six. Plus, the cap snaps into the handle, so you can keep it out of the way as you pour. The sturdy, double-walled steel design keeps condensation from collecting on the sides of the bottle, and the powder-coat paint job adds some extra color. The narrow-mouthed opening also makes it easy to drink and pour without spilling, so you won't waste a single drop. After all, nobody wants to end a long, hard day with a lukewarm drink.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Excellent Quality and Good Results\n\nReview: I really like my new CamelBak insulated water bottle (I guess we can't call it a \"Thermos\", can we? See: Xerox, Band Aid, etc.). I try to drink as much water as I can throughout the day, and the 40-ounce capacity of this bottle is great. My old insulated bottle was maybe about 20 to 24-ounces, and the CamelBak keeps water colder for much, much longer than that one.\n\nIt's easy to clean, easy to fill. The store-in-handle cap is convenient but I haven't used it as much as I thought I might.\n\nI am looking forward to buying another CamelBak for coffee. I don't want to use the same one for hot liquids and cold, although I admit I am certain it would hold up fine because it is clearly well made. I just want one to have water in it all the time, and knowing how cold it keeps water, I'm sure I would really enjoy having a large mug of coffee with me on some workdays, staying fresh for several hours.\n\n$37 is a reasonable price for such a great insulated mug. I believe this is going to last a long time and I definitely recommend it.","Product: Thule Coaster is a durable bicycle trailer that provides a safe, comfortable ride and easily transforms to a stroller once you reach your destination.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Best \"Convertable\" Stroller I've Ever Seen\n\nReview: This is our second Thule and this one, even at one-third of the price of the first Thule we had, is the best one we've had and the best coaster/stroller I've ever seen.\n\nMy first fear upon receiving it was constructing it. The first one was a challenge and a half, but the 10101803 was all put together within 15 minutes of the last piece coming out of the box, and I was in no rush at any point in the process. Excellent instructions helped this mechanically-challenged man quite a bit, and I was very happy with that.\n\nOnce assembled, the 10101803 is a very handsome looking product! Sleek design, beautiful color.\n\nOn the back end of the stroller is a very large storage area, somewhat of a hard-plastic backed nook that will fit plenty, including jackets. If I tried to explain the amount of space in visual terms, I bet you could stand a dozen or so two liter bottles of soda; at least 10, anyway. There are also small pockets inside the cockpit area of the stroller, where the seats are elevated slightly from the bottom of the stroller (like little shock -absorber seats) and the restraints are soft on the children and easy for grown ups to buckle and unbuckle. It's spacious in there!\n\nThe handlebars easily detatch from the back of the stroller and can be flipped around so that the handlebars are much lower. The \"ezhitch\" wheel on the front is just that! It's one pin to remove the small front wheel, store that wheel on the top of the bar, then pin it back in to secure. The ezhitch quickly extends and easily secures to a special bracket mounted to the center of the back wheel of a bike and the stroller stays centered nicely. We have a Schwinn trike, and found it is still very easy to attach that special bracket to the trike using common hardware (a 90-degree corner bracket and a nut, washer, and bolt) we had in our utility room.\n\nThe front of the stroller has a soft plastic, transparent \"windshield\" which keeps water/rain/mud from kicking up into the cockpit, and underneath has a nice mesh netting for clear days which would keep mosquitoes and any road debris from kicking in, either. There is a nice parking break feature at the wheel of the coaster.\n\nThe whole unit folds up in less that a minute to something the size of a medium-sized piece of luggage. It can store by hanging in a shed or in the back of a modest suv or car trunk.\n\nThe $399 price is appropriate; it's well-built, thoughtfully designed, and runs smoothly. With an 80-pound capacity, you may not be using it forever, but while you have two little ones (or even one!) this Thule is a wonderful bargain, and I highly recommend it.","Product: Inflatable SUPs are a great option for camping trips, boating and riders with limited transport/storage space. Extremely durable drop-stitch construction allows the puffer to maintain unrivaled stability and rigidity.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: This was the best addition to our camping gear since our camper!\n\nReview: We received our JimmyStyks Paddleboard before the snow had melted this spring, and my 8-year old was thrilled to get it. When we finally went camping for the first time just before the beginning of summer, we were out there on the lake inflating this bad boy for the first time. My son couldn't wipe the smile from his face. With flotation vest on, he set forth to explore -- his mother and/or I nearby at all times -- and only when hunger or nature called did he retreat from his newfound joy and ability.\n\nThe JimmyStyks Paddleboard is very easy to inflate and deflate, and it's tough! It's also true that the rigidity this inflatable board achieves is fantastic. When you look at the picture, does it appear to be an inflatable? Not at all, right? And that's the way it feels in real life, it's virtually a \"wooden\" quality/durability. The graphic above showing the four layers of PVC material on either side of the nylon drop-stitch nicely explains how the rigidity is achieved in a light-weight, easy-to-transport board. It's simply splendidly constructed.\n\nMy son weighed about 95 pounds this summer, and the board had no trouble whatsoever with his weight. I, on the other hand, scale in at about 250, and while I didn't spend much time on it this summer, the board still managed to handle my mass with surprising ease. I can't say that about everything which claims to support 250+ pounds! So if you are a larger mammal such as myself, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you that even pushing the limits on this board is okay; you should still be able to enjoy it just fine.\n\nThe $600 price tag is something I usually would flinch at, but as I look at other similar items throughout Amazon and other sites, this time I have to say that this price seems to be a good value, and the more reviews I read from seasoned outdoor water enthusiasts, that supposition feels more and more merited. It's a handsome board, and we not only had fun with it every time out this year, we also didn't feel at all like we had to lug it around. I highly recommend it.","Product: Academy Award(R) nominated stars Joaquin Phoenix (Best Supporting Actor, GLADIATOR, 2000) and John Travolta (Best Actor, PULP FICTION, 1994) ignite the intense action in this heroic tale of ordinary men with uncommon courage! As part of a tightly knit brotherhood of skilled firefighters, Jack Morrison (Phoenix) grows from inexperienced rookie to seasoned veteran as he faces a dangerous job that makes him a hero to strangers but often shortchanges his wife (Jacinda Barrett -- THE HUMAN STAIN) and kids. Then, when he becomes trapped in the worst blaze of his career, the things Jack holds most important -- family, duty, courage -- come sharply into focus.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: The Life of a Firefighter\n\nReview: Director Jay Russell has sculpted somewhat of a Frank Capra type tribute to the firefighter; the mostly unsung hero who isn't trying to be a hero, he (or she) is just doing the job they know and love. Picture George Bailey running into a burning building in Bedford Falls; that's how I see Joaquin Phoenix in this film. Quiet, stoic, family-oriented. Devoted to a duty.\n\nYou won't mistake the plot for one crafted by M. Night Shamalan. It's straightforward, softly dramatic, with no real plot twists, save for the will-he-or-won't-he finale. What powers this film is the simple evolution of a young rookie into a seasoned firefighter; his relationships with his wife and kids as well as with his comrades. There are the same very-close-to-cliche dilemmas between husband and wife associated with other \"he's got a dangerous profession\" films (see the astronauts in Apollo 13 or the test pilots in The Right Stuff, the flyboys in Pearl Harbor, the bomb defuser in The English Patient, and many more), but screenwriter Lew Colick never abuses those themes. The film flows with the consistancy of main character Jack Morrison's (Phoenix's) life. Day by day.\n\n**SPOILER ALERT** My only wish for this film was for the ending -- and skip forward a paragraph if you don't want any hint of what happens -- to have been different. Sometimes, in such films, with such very high regard for the men and women of this profession, I wished for something I usually never wish for: That Hollywood Ending. **END OF SPOILER ALERT**\n\nJoaquin Phoenix is becoming an actor whose work I look forward to viewing. His work in \"The Village\" was very good. He has a knack of playing the soft-spoken and, as I said earlier, stoic roles, and it suits him. John Travolta plays the one-of-the-boys fire chief, protecting, fatherly, loving and stern all at once, and it was a nice part for him; a very strong supporting role. I agree with what one of the other reviewers noted; that it is nice to see him in these supporting roles rather that directly in the spotlight. His charisma is so present that he spices the atmosphere surrounding his fellow actors.\n\nIn short, Ladder 49 is a very nice popcorn drama for grown-ups. It's not an edge-of-your-seat manly man flick, though it does have its action moments. It is more of a fictional biography of one man and his \"two families.\" You might want to rent before you buy to see if it's one you'd add to your collection.","Product: Driving with correctly inflated tires is important for several reasons: increased safety reduced tread wear improved handling and ride performance better fuel economy\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Good for inflating basketballs, until it breaks\n\nReview: I didn't get the Accutire MS-5550 for inflating tires, and it's a good thing. Within perhaps six weeks, I used the device three times, and already it is inneffective and not worth keeping.\n\nThe first thing I noticed about it is the cheap plastic. It is not a heavy duty unit at all; it weighs in at maybe 4 pounds and the plastic, I think, is why it's so light. I found myself using it the same way I use my iPod; extremely careful not to drop it! We used it to inflate a pool raft the first time, and it took quite a while (I do wish I'd timed it!), and we used the air compressor I gave my wife to inflate the second pool raft (I will update this review and get the make and model of it when I get home; it's in her car). Her compressor, a sleek, miniature briefcase of a tool, well-built and solid, inflated the same model raft in about 60% the time.\n\nThe emergency light on the MS-5550 is not an LED, by the way. Antiquated! And the guage is cheap; I never had the chance to compare it against my digital air-pressure guage because this guage stopped working completely as of the third time we used it.\n\nI'll just stop here and say I wouldn't recommend this thing at all. We do still have it because I might need to inflate a basketball sometime when my wife's car and the good compressor it contains is not at home. I can barely give it two stars... more like 1.5.","Product: Driving with correctly inflated tires is important for several reasons: increased safety reduced tread wear improved handling and ride performance better fuel economy\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Good for inflating basketballs, until it breaks\n\nReview: I didn't get the Accutire MS-5550 for inflating tires, and it's a good thing. Within perhaps six weeks, I used the device three times, and already it is inneffective and not worth keeping.\n\nThe first thing I noticed about it is the cheap plastic. It is not a heavy duty unit at all; it weighs in at maybe 4 pounds and the plastic, I think, is why it's so light. I found myself using it the same way I use my iPod; extremely careful not to drop it! We used it to inflate a pool raft the first time, and it took quite a while (I do wish I'd timed it!), and we used the air compressor I gave my wife to inflate the second pool raft (I will update this review and get the make and model of it when I get home; it's in her car). Her compressor, a sleek, miniature briefcase of a tool, well-built and solid, inflated the same model raft in about 60% the time.\n\nThe emergency light on the MS-5550 is not an LED, by the way. Antiquated! And the guage is cheap; I never had the chance to compare it against my digital air-pressure guage because this guage stopped working completely as of the third time we used it.\n\nI'll just stop here and say I wouldn't recommend this thing at all. We do still have it because I might need to inflate a basketball sometime when my wife's car and the good compressor it contains is not at home. I can barely give it two stars... more like 1.5.","Product: Create an incredible Disney fireworks light and sound show in your room featuring your favorite Disney characters! Pump the launcher, choose your firework, aim and pull the trigger! Watch as amazing firework light effects burst and expand on your walls! Booming sound effects! Easy to use handheld launcher.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: It's neat for a minute, but not worth the purchase\n\nReview: I bought this was hoping that it was going to be a spectacular indoor distraction during bad-weather days or sleepovers. I probably had my hopes up a little bit more that they should have been, and that's my bad. For approximately $20, you're not going to get \"spectacular.\"\n\nWhat I did get is something which will keep a kid's or kids' attention(s) for a couple of minutes before they reach the \"it's really a gimmick\" understanding that kids get. If you can present the showing of these fireworks with the unbridled passion of a Barnum & Bailey Ringmaster, it won't go much farther than that.\n\nThere are eight different fireworks on the \"gun\", but there is only one sound effect. It gets monotonous. There's a red dial that runs almost all the way around the center of the gun that allows you to switch to another firework. As I said, if you're an enthusiastic presenter and can choreograph the launches and fireworks, and perhaps add your own crowd reactions and explosion sounds, you can make this work for a few additional minutes. Make some popcorn and I would give this \"light show\" three stars instead of two.\n\nI suppose the bottom line for me is that the success of this product will be based more on the way you make it an event over the actual performance of the toy.","Product: Pets love fresh flowing water! Ultra-quiet purifying pet fountain for multiple cat households or small dogs, provides naturally cool and oxygenated water. Features include a replaceable filter and a reservoir that adds water automatically.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Great at First - But Lasted Only Four Months\n\nReview: I received the PetMate FreshFlow in November, 2005, and put it to work right away. My wife and I have six cats, ranging from longhair to shorthair to haireverywhere, and I am pretty sure they all drank from it. They became accustomed to it very quickly, the youngest being absolutely fascinated by it. The entire time, I also had a high-capacity gravity-fed waterer in another room, so it wasn't the only source of water being used.\n\nMost noticible is that the FreshFlow is almost silent when the water is topped off, but if the water level falls, there is a very discernable motorized-gurgling noise. This goes away as soon as you refill the reservoir tank by removing the lid, pulling out the tank (which reminds me a bit of a gerbil waterer on steroids), unscrewing the cap, filling it up, then doing all this in reverse; a 30-second process.\n\nThe gurgling happens every day, and I would rinse the unit every couple/few days, and completely wash the unit out once every two weeks. I also changed the filter regularly, at least once a month. Beyond this, I made a point of pulling cat hair away from the little plastic screen in the water bowl, well, all the time. In short, I thought I did a pretty good job in maintaining the equipment. Any more than what I did, and honestly, I would rather buy surgical steel dishes and rotate them on a daily basis for the cat's use.\n\nStill, after taking the machine apart completely every few weeks to clean as instructed, the submersible pump failed after exactly 19 weeks and three days of use. I liked the machine... when it was working.\n\nI just purchased a pet fountain from a different company (I can't recall the make offhand... I should be receiving it soon) that ran in the $40 neighborhood, and I think it will be worth the extra money, but time will tell.\n\nAll in all, I don't think this purchase was worth it. Maybe it's because of all the cats and cat hair, but for those of us at least who do have a multiple cat household, I think it's wise to consider buying a higher-scale unit.","Product: Designed with a limited number of premium protein and carbohydrate sources, this grain-free cat food is an excellent choice when seeking alternative ingredients for your cat. Our L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets ® Duck & Green Pea Canned Cat Formula is designed to support healthy digestion and to maintain skin and coat health—all while providing complete, balanced nutrition for all life stages! Product Highlights: Complete, Balance\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: My Five Cats, Sadly, Won't Acknowledge This Cat Food\n\nReview: I had high hopes for Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Chickpea Formula pate-style cat food; I thought the ingredients list was very good, with salmon broth and salmon right at the forefront. My wife and I have five cats, ranging in age from two to fourteen years, and sadly, not one of them will touch it. We've been offering the food, fresh, for five straight days, and I don't think one bite was taken by any of the cats, and that's the cat reality of it.\n\nI still give the food three stars based on the healthiness of the ingredients and the great job they've done labeling the health information on the can. As I write this review, the product is unavailable on Amazon, so I can't incorporate price into my rating.\n\nI have the hypothesis that my cats are all tuna-loving life forms with a disdain for salmon, so I will look for Natural Balance products with that main ingredient from now on. I'm sure that there are many cats out there who prefer salmon, but none of my five will do more than acknowledge that there's something they won't even sniff in the bowl. I was actually saddened by their reactions!","Product: The flutter balls set is a teasingly tempting pair of soft balls with enticing feathers that offer an irresistible prey substitute for your cat. Flutter balls promise great fun with an emphasis on safety. This toys are designed without potentially hazardous beads, buttons and decorations that are common in many cat toys but are meaningless to your cat. Includes two balls per pack--style may vary. Measures 1-3/4-Inch length by 5-Inch width by .07-Inch height.\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: The cats walk by it with disdain\n\nReview: I have one cat who is certifiably insane for toys. Large boxes? He jumps in them and they are fortresses of peeking and mad shuffling. Small boxes? They are hockey pucks on the kitchen floor. Little paper balls, those plastic things you pull off of milk caps, my shoelaces, you name it, Alex the Cat will lunge for it, be fascinated by it, and will be absorbed by it, instantly, comically.\n\nAlex the Cat, when introduced to this toy, just looked at me. It was a look that made me feel like Joe Pesci had just slapped me. I've tried marinating the thing in good catnip, and even then, Alex, Bella, and Smootchy wouldn't acknowledge it.\n\nI'll just stop right here. Don't buy this. Your cats will lose respect for you.","Product: Give your cat the flavors of salmon, chicken, and beef with 9Lives Daily Essentials cat food. Our delicious formula helps support heart health, clear vision, strong muscles, and healthy skin and coat. It's the great taste they want with the balanced nutrition they need to help provide a long, healthy life.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Well-Liked by the Cats, The Ingredient List Still Doesn't Impress\n\nReview: We have three cats; one 2 year-old tiger male, a ten year-old tux female, and an eleven year-old calico female. The three of them have outrageously different eating habits, and we try to keep a close eye on how and what they like, which is not always easy.\n\nThe oldest cat in particular has always had a problem with digestion issues. Most dry cat foods generally make a re-appearance somewhere on the carpet, in almost pristine condition. She's always been a lean cat, and my wife calls her \"bulemi-kitty\" for her regurgitations. One positive of this 9 Lives cat food is that this behavior/issue has almost stopped since she began eating it.\n\nI know that all three cats enjoy this dry food. My concern is the list of ingredients, which start with corn-based and bone meal-based products, fats and by-products, then go on to those chemically-sounding names that require research to identify properly. I've reviewed several different dry cat foods, and this one would be on the bottom of that list, in my opinion, and the only thing that gives it three stars is that my cats enjoy it. I have a guilty feeling giving it three stars knowing that there are much healthier options that I've already reviewed.\n\nI still have a while before the three fur-kids finish this bag, and I don't think I'm going to get it again, but I will watch the Calico to see if she continues not having her hurling problems. If she doesn't, I may get this one just for her.","Product: Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Cat Food Salmon, Whitefish & Herring Recipe is healthy, 100% natural poultry free, gluten free, grain free cat food for adult cats made with salmon, whitefish, herring, tuna, cranberries and botanicals to help support inner wellness and fortified with vitamins and minerals, including fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat. Each wet canned cat food can be served as a complete, balanced meal or can be added on top for an extra boost of protein and is perfect for encouraging hydration and promoting healthy urinary tract function. Wellness CORE grain free cat food formulas are based on the nutritional philosophy that cats thrive on a diet mainly comprised of meat. Each grain free, nutrient-rich formula provides high quality protein for your cat.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Perhaps the Best Wet Cat Food We've Given Our Five Cats\n\nReview: No too long ago, we tried a hard cat food by Wellness CORE that just wasn't popular at all with our five cats, so I was skeptical about this soft cat food. It didn't take long for the five cats to change my mind. The cats not only love it, but one of the cats, Bella, who has never shown an interest in soft cat food, not only engages in it, but is waiting at the feeding area before the bowls get there. It's one of those happenings that dumbfound pet owners who thought they knew their 13 year old cat!\n\nOf course, there have been very few times when we have tried a wet cat food and the cats didn't really go for it, but this Wellness CORE grain-free has a phenomenal ingredients list; Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken Meal, Turkey Liver, Dried Ground Potatoes, Natural Chicken Flavor, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Cranberries, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Chicory Root Extract, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Niacin, Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Panthothenate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin.\n\nThe ingredients list ends with the disclaimer, \"This is a naturally preserved product.\" Also a very good thing to know and be impressed about.\n\nI am still amazed when I see Bella the Cat line up at the feeding area after I pop the lid of one of these cans, but I feel very good feeding this to all the kittehs. At $1.42 a can, it is kind of a steep price, but I wouldn't take a single star from my rating for it. It's worth it.","Product: Give your cat the flavors of salmon, chicken, and beef with 9Lives daily essentials cat food. Our delicious formula helps support heart health, clear vision, strong muscles, and healthy skin and coat. It's the great taste they want with the balanced nutrition they need to help provide a long, healthy life.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Well-Liked by the Cats, The Ingredient List Still Doesn't Impress\n\nReview: We have three cats; one 2 year-old tiger male, a ten year-old tux female, and an eleven year-old calico female. The three of them have outrageously different eating habits, and we try to keep a close eye on how and what they like, which is not always easy.\n\nThe oldest cat in particular has always had a problem with digestion issues. Most dry cat foods generally make a re-appearance somewhere on the carpet, in almost pristine condition. She's always been a lean cat, and my wife calls her \"bulemi-kitty\" for her regurgitations. One positive of this 9 Lives cat food is that this behavior/issue has almost stopped since she began eating it.\n\nI know that all three cats enjoy this dry food. My concern is the list of ingredients, which start with corn-based and bone meal-based products, fats and by-products, then go on to those chemically-sounding names that require research to identify properly. I've reviewed several different dry cat foods, and this one would be on the bottom of that list, in my opinion, and the only thing that gives it three stars is that my cats enjoy it. I have a guilty feeling giving it three stars knowing that there are much healthier options that I've already reviewed.\n\nI still have a while before the three fur-kids finish this bag, and I don't think I'm going to get it again, but I will watch the Calico to see if she continues not having her hurling problems. If she doesn't, I may get this one just for her.","Product: Keep your home smelling fresh and inviting with Purina Tidy Cats LightWeight Instant Action clumping litter for multiple cats. Tight clumps make it easy to clean your litter boxes, and the TidyLock protection helps lock away odors. You want to show your cats just how much you love them, which is why our Tidy Cats LightWeight Instant Action formula goes to work right away to control urine and fecal odors and keep their cozy cat territory fresh and clean. The added Ammonia Blocker prevents ammonia odors from forming for at least two weeks when used as directed. Because it's designed for multiple-cat households, this litter makes for happy cats, whether you have one litter box or several placed throughout your home. Weighing half as much as leading clumping litter, this litter helps simplify litter box maintenance. Getting your feline what she needs is easy with just a few clicks when placing an order for Purina Tidy Cats clumping litter on Amazon.com.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Didn't Cut the Workload, and was Messy\n\nReview: This Tidy Cats light-weight litter does live up to its name. The size of the jug vs. the weight of the jug would definitely indicate that this litter is very close to half the weight of any average scoopable cat litter. I do wish I could rate it four or five stars, but since we received our two jugs of this product a couple of weeks ago, our experience has been that it is a below-average litter.\n\nWe have five cats, three adults and two kittens. We've had as many as seven adult cats in our house at one time, and litter odor has rarely been a problem. Currently, we exist in a world that almost always smells like a cat pooped nearby. We know they haven't, but we check regularly anyway for any accidents. There have been no accidents; this is litter box smell, even though the three large boxes are maintained daily.\n\nI've found that this litter is dustier than others we've used recently. While pouring the product into the boxes or even after a cat has used the box, there is a perceptible light dust-fog in the room or rooms we are keeping the boxes. Don't pour it fast, that's for certain. And perhaps it is because of the light weight, but the cats do manage to track this litter further than other litters. The kittens especially are \"flingers\" in this regard.\n\nThe price is definitely too high for the quality of the product; if this were an odor-eating, no-dust litter, it might be appropriately priced at $45 for two 8.5 jugs, but not for this product. For the most part, I've always liked Purina products and other Tidy Cats litters have been staples in our home. This one just didn't cut it for us. I hope that over time, Purina will improve its formula.","Product: Advance high performance cat litter was specially designed by cat owners, scientists and veterinarians to exceed your cat's everyday needs. Not only is it high performing, but it also weighs up to 25-percent less than other leading scoopable clay litters, making it easy to lift, carry and pour. You get all the performance without all the heavy lifting. Further, its unique moisture activated odor defender stops odors before they start, leaving your home smelling fresher, longer. Directions for use: fill litter box to a depth of at least three inches, remove clumps and solid waste and dispose in trash. Refill as needed. Once a month, clean the litter box with soap and water and refill. Do not flush or put in drains. Put used litter into trash.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Perhaps the best litter we've seen so far\n\nReview: My wife and I think that this Advance High Performance Scented Lightweight Multi-Cat formula is outstanding. It is probably the best scoopable litter we've seen, and we've had as many as seven cats in our home for over ten years now. The product does have a fairly extensive in-box life while maintaining quality.\n\nFirst, it's definitely lighter. Markedly so for the size of the container. We order two at a time and they come in one box that, albeit heavy, is manageable for my wife if they are delivered before I get home. In her own words, she \"no longer feels bad for the FedEx/UPS guy\" when these are delivered. When we ordered the big square boxes, it was like lifting a rectangular boulder.\n\nOut of the box, the handles on the container are FAR easier to use than the awkward boxes were. The boxes would tear where you didn't want them to tear, and not tear where you wanted them to tear. They didn't pour well at all, and handling a full box made it worse. The containers from Advance are wonderful. They are capped and re-sealable and are wonderfully manageable. And there is virtually no dust compared to some of the cloud-belching litters we've dealt with in the past. It used to feel like 10% of the litter would have to be dusted off of furniture in other rooms. This stuff is very low-dust and man, what a difference.\n\nCurrently, these go for $23.98 for a two-pack of 15lb containers. This is more expensive than Cat's Pride Fresh and Light Multi-Cat Premium Scoopable Litter ($17.98 for two 15lb similar containers). I haven't tried this one yet, but there is a $6 difference is price, so I will, and I'll be curious to see a side-by-side comparison, and I'll report on it when that happens.\n\nIn the meantime, I wish I could give an extra half-star to this Advance litter. We've been very happy with it.","Product: Feed your cat's true nature with Purina Pro Plan True Nature 45% Protein Formula Natural Trout & Rice Recipe plus essential nutrients adult dry cat food. This formula features multiple sources of protein, including real trout as the number one ingredient, and every high-quality ingredient that goes into this premium cat food is carefully selected for a specific purpose. We optimize this recipe for lean muscle, strength and energy, so your cat gets the fuel she needs to maintain her active, adventurous lifestyle. You care about what goes into your cat's dish every day, which is why this dry cat food is made without added artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, allowing you to give her the nutrition she needs to fuel her natural instincts. Each time you fill your cart with Purina Pro Plan True Nature 45% Protein Formula Natural Trout & Rice Recipe plus essential nutrients adult dry cat food, you're one step closer to giving her the strength to help her excel from the inside out.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: While Tasty for the Cats, the Ingredients List Isn't the Best\n\nReview: My cats did seem to enjoy Purina Plan Dry Cat Food, but I don't think it ranks very highly in terms of ingredients. While turkey is listed number one -- and that's a good thing -- brewer's rice is listed second. Brewer's rice is basically your ordinary plain grain rice, but it's not visually appealing to humans because these are broken grains (brewer's rice is also known as \"broken rice\"). According to The Association of American Feed Control Officials, \"since cats are obligate carnivores, they do not require a large amount of grain in their diets, so this ingredient should be listed way down on any cat food label.\" Taking into consideration the fact that meats are listed on the ingredients list by their pre-hydration weight, that is, before the water weight is removed, brewer's rice might be considered the number one ingredient in this cat food.\n\nAccording to Dr. Karen Becker of Mercola Healthy Pets, \"a specific meat is what you want to see first on the label, but what you want to see second and third is also specific meat or specific meat meal. If the second and subsequent ingredients are grains, don't be snowed into thinking you're about to purchase a primarily meat-based food. It's a primarily grain-based food, so don't be fooled.\"\n\nThat said, take a look at the other ingredients and there always seems to be one word too many. Pea \"protein\". Chicken \"meal\". Dried egg \"product\". And a lot of \"supplements\". And these are the words we can pronounce easily.\n\nFor many cats, rice is an allergen. If your cat is having difficulty digesting a dry cat food, you might want to consider the rice content and see where it appears on the list.\n\nWhile it did appear to be a popular food for our three adult cats, I don't think I will be getting any more Purina Pro Plan Cat Food.","Product: Treat your kitten to a great-tasting meal that gives them everything they need to grow up to be healthy adult cats. NUTRO Kitten Minced Salmon Cuisine in Tasty Gravy Canned Cat Food is made with real salmon as the first ingredient for a taste your feline friend will adore. This grain-free formula also contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, making it a wholesome choice for your growing cat. So whether you're looking for a natural cat food formula or just want to give them a feast to remember, NUTRO Canned Cat Food delivers excellent nutrition and visible benefits.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Very good ingredients and a fair price, loved by our five cats!\n\nReview: This is the first product we've tried from Nutro Company, and it won't be the last. All five of our cats, ranging in age from a couple of months to 12 years, are loving this product. They all have a variety of dry foods available to them during the day (only the male 3-year old is a little overweight... working on that!) but when a can of Chunky Loaf is opened during the evening, I am instantly surrounded by all our felines.\n\nThe price is also reasonable at a little more that $1 per 3oz can. I've seen substantially more expensive for products that do not have as good a quality of listed ingredients. And speaking of listing the ingredients;\n\nChicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Pork Broth, Natural Flavors, Guar Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Salt, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine.\n\nThe first four ingredients are always what I look at first as the contents of the can are listed in order of content per volume (I think I said that right). This is a pretty high-scoring list in my experience; not the best, but not at all bad. And all five cats make sure that these cans are completely finished every night.\n\nI highly recommend that you at least try this product for your cat. We scored five stars from five cats, so the odds are good that your cat will love it as well!","Product: Wellness CORE Air Dried Natural Grain Free Dry Cat Food is healthy, grain free cat food for adult cats featuring tender protein morsels made with 70% natural, raw protein fortified with vitamins and minerals for whole body health and then air dried for the taste of raw and the ease and convenience of kibble, yet no refrigeration required. Wellness CORE grain free cat food formulas are based on the nutritional philosophy that cats thrive on a diet mainly comprised of meat. Each grain free, nutrient-rich formula provides high quality protein for your cat.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: I love the ingredients... but the cats just don't approve\n\nReview: I was very excited to receive Wellness CORE Air-Dried Natural Grain Free recipe for indoor cats. There was just one problem.\n\nFive cats... no one will eat it. One cat tries to cover it up by scratching the ground around it.\n\nThe ingredients are actually very good; Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Peas, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Tomato Pomace, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Fiber, Salt, Dried Cultured Skim Milk, Sunflower Lecithin, Ground Flaxseed, Chicory Root Extract, Zinc Propoinate, Potassium Citrate, Choline Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Cranberries, Cranberry Extract Powder, Cranberry Fiber, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Taurine, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, L-Carnitine, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.\n\nAnd as the last line in the ingredients says... \"This is a naturally-preserved product.\" Wow. That really is great.\n\nBut my five cats don't care about the fine print, and that's really disappointing. At $27 for a two-pound bag, no matter how good the ingredients list is, I can't make 'em eat it. Of course, your cats might love it; it seems to be a fairly well-liked product by those on this page, but sadly, my cats can't recommend this product.","Product: IRIS 4-Tier Cat Tree Condo has sturdy wood components and heavy-duty hardware. The IRIS 4-Tier Cat Tree Condo is built to give many years of safe, playful fun. It assembles in minutes, and will provide a great space for your cat friend to explore and play. Cleanup is easy with a soft brush or vacuum.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good price, well made, but the star taken away is mostly for lack of instructions\n\nReview: This is a great \"cat tower.\" We have five cats, ranging in age from 6 months to 13 years. Four of the cats love cat towers, and four of the cats are all about loving this one.\n\nA few things; the tree comes in one very heavy box, and it took me less than 45 minutes to put it together. Like just about all things nowadays, the instructions were terrible. There were no step-by-step directions, there was just an exploded-version of the pieces included. The last step, putting the large top on the tree (maybe it should have been the first step?) involved me trying to screw the final leg in two different directions into two different pieces. Holy mackerel. Talk about maddening.\n\nThe dangling piece at the top should just be tossed out. It broke after two days. Before it broke, I placed one of the cats on it and the poor animal looked like he had no idea what was going on. He spend four seconds on it trying to gather his footing, and that was the only time one of the cats looked at it. I took it off after one of the support strings broke.\n\nI sprinkled a little cat nip onto the round cat hammock, and my second-oldest cat loves it now. It makes my heart swoon to see her all bundled up and snoozing in there. She couldn't be happier.\n\nWe have stationed the tree near our French doors and the cats spend most of the time on the top shelf, looking outside and sleeping. The cats all began scratching at the posts immediately upon placement of it. Perfect.\n\nOther than the terrible lack of instructions, this Iris Cat Tree is very reasonably priced, and the cats are certainly loving it. I highly recommend it... especially if there are instructions online somewhere!","Product: Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain for Cats Whitefish & Potato Recipe is made with simple, natural ingredients with zero grains, glutens or fillers. Delicious whitefish is always the number one ingredient, combined with wholesome potatoes, peas and carrots, plus the vitamins, minerals and taurine that your cat needs for a complete and balanced diet.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Cats Love the Taste, I like the Ingredients List and the Price\n\nReview: This is another very, very good Rachael Ray cat food product. I've reviewed many cat foods and at least a couple of RR Nutrish items, and while there are other dry foods that I've reviewed that I would rank higher, this one is definitely a respectable item that should be graded very highly.\n\nFirst of all, I have five cats, ranging in age from 13 to 1. They are all different shapes and sizes, only one of them having a bit of a weight problem; the others are lean, athletic, and spritely. I am happy to report that they do enjoy this RR Zero-Grain Chicken & Potato recipe. We just finished several bags of RR Chicken & Brown Rice recipe, which we order monthly, and there has been no intolerant behavior (you know, cat puke, left for us on the floor to step in at night in the darkness, usually at the top of the stairs) from switching to a new food. I think RR's dry cat foods are very similar to the kitteh's digestive tracts, and are fairly easy to assimilate to when trying a different \"flavor\". Of course I'm not a vet, and that's just my theory.\n\nThe ingredients list, again, is very good: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Dried Ground Peas, Whole Dried Potato, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavor, Egg Product, Cranberries, Whole Flax Seed, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Phosphoric Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Potassium Iodide.\n\nWhile I have seen better ingredients lists for a cat's dry food, this list is very respectable, and for $9.99 for a three-pound bag, this product is far less than some of the dry foods I've seen well above $20 for the same size bag. It represents a very good value for a good product.","Product: Its time to add some color to your home while encouraging your pet to drink more water. The new Pet Safe Current circulating fountain is an affordable way to provide your pet with a constant source of fresh, filtered water. The Current comes in a trendy Orchid color and is available in 3 sizes. The submersible pump constantly circulates the water through the bowl, keeping the water aerated and appealing to pets. The BPA Free plastic design comes apart for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe. The Current ensures your pet has access to clean water even when youre away.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Good quiet fountain for a good price\n\nReview: We have the small version of the Petsafe fountain, and after about a month of consistent use, we're happy to report that all of our five cats are enjoying it. Our two senior cats have seen such water dishes in the past, and we got this one with one of them -- 12 year old calico Bella -- in mind. We'd observed that she really only ever drank water when the water dish was just filled with clean water, and we remembered seeing her drink much more regularly when we had a circulating dish years before.\n\nIt was a bit of a curiosity to the five cats at first. One of the two kittens under a year old loved splashing her paws around in it, and we had to put a kitchen towel underneath it to protect the floor. The whirring of the motor is very quiet, and before too long the cats understood what the dish was there for. To note, we have this dish in an area away from their regular food and water area because there's no convenient place to plug this number in where they usually eat. I've seen all five cats drink from it several times now.\n\nThe unit does get a little bit louder when the water level gets too low. It's not a concerning or annoying sound, not too loud, but it serves the purpose of getting you to fill the water dish when that action is needed. The small unit is perfect for cats, and I'm sure it would be fine for small dogs as well. And at $19, it's a very fair deal in my estimation. After about a month of ownership, I would recommend this circulating pet fountain.","Product: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal with Micro Guard prevents bacterial odors7 day odor control guaranteed. This new technology works differently. It seals in immediate odors, plus prevents growth of bacterial odors. A proprietary blend of moisture-activated Micro-Granules forms an odor containing seal around urine and feces. Then a powerful formula with heavy duty odor eliminators plus Arm & Hammer Baking Soda destroys sealed-in odors on contact. New Micro Guard technology guards against future bacterial odor buildup. No crumbly clumps, ultra low dust, seals and destroys odors.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Very Nice Product, Especially for a One-or-Two Cat Family\n\nReview: First I should tell you that we have five cats. I've reviewed so many different cat products beginning with that disclaimer that I think even our cats expect it. They range in age from 1 year to 13, one male, four girls, all fixed and generally happy. We have four large litter boxes for them; we'd have a fifth, but sadly we just ran out of house to put them.\n\nAfter I spent six hours re-organizing the room in which the cat boxes are kept, including cleaning all the boxes (we have eight, and rotate them when cleaning the four that were previously in use), I isolated one box for this Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal litter. It has one of the best low-dust factors I've seen so far, especially after using a Tidy Cats product that makes no such claim (but honestly, still isn't all that bad). It has a pleasant scent (the ingredients do mention an artificial fragrance). While I'm on the subject, the ingredients do mention tree fiber and plant-based contents, along with the expected Arm & Hammer baking soda.\n\nAfter two days, which is our usual scoop & tidy up schedule with the cats, it actually seemed like the A&H litter had heavier use than our standard litter in the other three boxes, but that might be due to the positioning of the boxes and the A&H box being nearer the \"preferred\" outside of the line-up. The contents were easy to clean and again, almost no detectable \"dust\". This litter is the best I've seen so far for that.\n\nMy only complaint with the product is the price; almost $32 for 28 pounds at the time of this review, I'm going to directly compare it to the 35-pound, $25 bucket of my usual litter. There's no doubt it's a superior product, but it will get steep for the multi-multi-cat family such as my own.\n\nMy only other complaint is that I was sent a smaller box than I thought I was going to get; I wish I could have had the extra to perhaps fill a second box or to top of the one I used. But that has nothing to do with the product itself.\n\nI would certainly recommend this Arm & Hammer litter.","Product: Hopkins2610XM Super Extender 52' Snow broom Heavy-duty broom for easy clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Designed with a steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip ensures extra power for removing snow. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Easy snow clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Colors may vary. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which is [are] known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Bought two... andBoth Disappointed\n\nReview: This ice scraper and brush combination looked so ideal to me when I first saw it that I bought one for myself and one for my wife. We both have small SUVs, identical in every way except for color, and after two New England winters, I have finally decided to buy two new (and different model!) scrapers.\n\nAgain, this scraper looked ideal, and if it were made well, it would be ideal. I really like the squeegee and brush idea, which should push snow off of my roof, but the locking mechanism simply doesn't work (and I have two of them, remember, so my experience comes from both brushes, not just one). It's frustrating having the \"extender\" collapse each and every time I try to push the snow. The sleeve-and-tighten dial needed to be truly heavy-duty, but there's not nearly enough beef here to dothe job. Flip it over to use the scraper and it's just as frustrating, trying to get to the middle of the windshield and not being able to apply enough pressure to scrape real ice off of it.\n\nSpeaking of the scraper side, the scraper is actually a piece of hard plastic which is \"plugged\" into the yellow metal tubing of the shaft. The problem is there is a seam that runs the length of the shaft, so if it splits at all (which it will) the plastic scraper part will not be in securely. My scraper spins or pops out, and I've had to use a hammer to pound the assembly back into order... but because the metal is not a thick guage, it doesn't take long to degrade again.\n\nI'm not going with the \"telescopic\" extension this time; I'm hoping to find a fold & lock version and see if that works better.","Product: Hopkins2610XM Super Extender 52' Snow broom Heavy-duty broom for easy clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Designed with a steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip ensures extra power for removing snow. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Easy snow clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Colors may vary. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which is [are] known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Bought two... andBoth Disappointed\n\nReview: This ice scraper and brush combination looked so ideal to me when I first saw it that I bought one for myself and one for my wife. We both have small SUVs, identical in every way except for color, and after two New England winters, I have finally decided to buy two new (and different model!) scrapers.\n\nAgain, this scraper looked ideal, and if it were made well, it would be ideal. I really like the squeegee and brush idea, which should push snow off of my roof, but the locking mechanism simply doesn't work (and I have two of them, remember, so my experience comes from both brushes, not just one). It's frustrating having the \"extender\" collapse each and every time I try to push the snow. The sleeve-and-tighten dial needed to be truly heavy-duty, but there's not nearly enough beef here to dothe job. Flip it over to use the scraper and it's just as frustrating, trying to get to the middle of the windshield and not being able to apply enough pressure to scrape real ice off of it.\n\nSpeaking of the scraper side, the scraper is actually a piece of hard plastic which is \"plugged\" into the yellow metal tubing of the shaft. The problem is there is a seam that runs the length of the shaft, so if it splits at all (which it will) the plastic scraper part will not be in securely. My scraper spins or pops out, and I've had to use a hammer to pound the assembly back into order... but because the metal is not a thick guage, it doesn't take long to degrade again.\n\nI'm not going with the \"telescopic\" extension this time; I'm hoping to find a fold & lock version and see if that works better.","Product: The Eureka Flip heater is the perfect solution for any room needing that little extra warmth. The heater can operate at 750 W to 1500 W. This heater is bathroom certified. It is called the Flip heater because it can be placed on the floor or desktop b.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good Wall-Mounted Heater After The Initial Aroma Goes Away\n\nReview: The Heat Storm EW-800H-W is a very good small-room heater. I would not say it lives up to its name -- \"Heat Storm\"! -- which is a little over-the-top for how much heat it actually produces, but it certainly provides a very nice warmth to a small area in a respectably short period of time. In late winter, we have turned it on shortly before bedtime in a furniture-dominated 11x10 room and after reading a couple of children's books in bed, the room is toasty, and we can turn the heater off.\n\nThe heater was simple enough to wall-mount; the instructions were simple and a paper template was provided for the wall. It took just a few minutes to complete the job, especially because my brother-in-law did it. Truly, I am envious of his abilities to do everything in five minutes in what would take me an hour.\n\nAt first use, the Heat Storm produces what I can only describe as a heated-plastic smell, and it really doesn't go away for a few uses. It's annoying, enough that we felt compelled to keep a close eye on it to be sure everything was okay. Now, we feel comfortable enough to have wall-mounted it in my 5-year old son's room.\n\nI would suggest wall-mounting it, actually. The kick-stand that comes with the unit doesn't inspire me to sing praises of great engineering, and as with many heaters, I would be nervous to keep this on a bureau or countertop.\n\nFor $70, the Heat Storm might be at the high range for what I would consider a good price for this device, but I can tell you it is a good heater -- after the initial odor fades -- and I'm glad we have it.","Product: Arrow PT18G Pneumatic Brad Nailer is the perfect companion for most small trim and interior molding work. Made of lightweight die-cast aluminum it's easy to handle yet durable enough for heavy duty use. A low nail indicator window lets users know when the magazine is nearing empty and the tool-less jam clearing nose allows for easy jam clearing.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: If it had instructions, it'd be 5 stars\n\nReview: First off, this is a great tool. I'd never used a nailer before, but I had some work to do with some trim edging my stairs, and I knew it would be worth it to get one, and I'm glad I did. But as you'll see in so many other reviews of this product, by far the most frustrating thing to deal with was the complete lack of instructions. The packaging was as generic as could be, and I expected that, but I also expected a minimal amount of informational materials with the product.\n\nSo, to my embarrassment, I had to rely on asking a favor of my Dad, whose compressor I borrowed to do the project. I felt like the six-year old watching what Dad was doing to fix the house again. The good part of this is that I felt like a six-year old watching what Dad was doing to fix the house again, and I was glad to hear that he really liked the super-light weight Arrow Brad Nailer.\n\nReading the other reviews, someone had mentioned that a Google search will find the instructions/manual for the PT18G, but I've had no luck with that so far. I have found some very interesting sites, including a British fellow making good used of the nailer in a video, but nothing I need to understand the use and care of the product. I imagine that with the \"regular\" packaging (not the no-frills packaging that I received) there might be a booklet, or what I refer to as the hypothetical rosetta stone of the PT18G nailer.\n\nNow the project is done and I don't expect to use this particular tool for a while, although I say this as a hardcore novice in terms of carpentry and DIY projects. I can see how more seasoned DIYers could use this tool with great frequency. It is very easy to use and the light weight was really surprising; several years ago, serving in my capacity as \"here, hold this\" guy during the renovation of two bedrooms during my wife's late pregnancy, we used a framing nailer from the 1970s that weighed nearly as much as Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor. Two totally different jobs, of course, framing and brad-tacking, but the PT18G seems helium-filled in comparison.\n\nThe price was also very reasonable, I thought, at under $60. I know that this brad nailer is a useful item because my brother-in-law is already borrowing it for some work in his downstairs man cave, and he also seems to approve of it.","Product: Fill with candy, gum or small toys and test your skills at grabbing a prize using the three joy stick controls and dropping it down the chute before the music stops. It's so much fun! Once you start you just can't stop. The Claw! is a fully functional prize crane that provides hours of fun for people of all ages. The user friendly controls allow for a full range of motions left, right, back, forth up and down. Players enjoy giddy excitement as they command the crane and try to obtain. Just line the fairground, use the controls to move the claw...fill it with treats...and feel the frustration as you try to extract one from this irritatingly difficult machine...all before the music runs out!!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Frankly, it's pretty darn cute and a good value for the dollar\n\nReview: I received my \"Sweet Machine\" last week for my office. I must admit that for the price, it really is quite a sturdy little machine. I can't tell how many times co-workers have come into my office to try it (I also have a miniature soda machine, a gumball machine, and a full-size 4-ounce carnival-style popcorn machine in my office).\n\nThe machine fits anything under 2\" by 2\" (that's the size of the chute and the limit of what the little crane will carry). Right now, I have gumballs in there, but I'm looking for other goodies everytime I go to the store. Miniature wrapped candies will probably be perfect, and my own boss is ordering stuff to in there as well. It certainly breaks up the monotony of the day.\n\nGreat thing; you can shut the music off. Kids would love the music, but it will drive everyone else nuts within minutes. The music off button is a good thing!\n\nMy boss's son (who is turning two in a few weeks) visited and with the help of his dad managed to get a gumball on his second try (unfortunately he had to put it back... he's still too young for gumballs!) and so far, everyone has managed to grab prizes without too much frustration. A little, but not too much.\n\nThe controls are easy enough to use; you could probably do the same thing with one joystick rather than three, but there have been no complaints.\n\nIt takes three D-cell batteries and there is no option to plug-in to an outlet, but if anything, this makes the machine more portable so that the boss can bring it into his office and play with it for a while without fear of embarrassment. :^)\n\nSo far, I'm torn about giving this a 5-star rating... more like a 4.45, which makes me round down to four. But I do really like the machine and I'm very happy I got it! It's a fun thing to have when the kids of co-workers are visiting.","Product: Robots and humans saving the day, working together the Rescue Bots way! Help fight fires, floods and crime, or anything in between when you partner up with the Rescue Bots team! Get ready for super-cool Transformers Rescue Bots emergency missions with this roving rescue station! This 2-in-1 rolling playset looks like a fire truck from the outside, but it opens to a giant electronic Mobile Headquarters, where your Cody Burns figure and Optimus Prime vehicle can keep a watchful eye from the command post. When disaster strikes, you can drop your Cody Burns figure into the Optimus Prime vehicle and push the lever to send them to the scene in a flash with a quick-response rescue launch! Lift the ladder for lights and sounds to make the action more real and to let everyone know that help is on the way!\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: My three-year old son has forgotten his other toys since this arrived\n\nReview: When I got home the other day to see the familiar Amazon.com box waiting for me on the mudroom floor, I asked my wife how our son did that day. He had no potty accidents, said nice things to people, ate well, and complained little. \"Good!\" I exclaimed. And when he came downstairs with his familiar \"Daddy!\" welcome to give me a hug, I opened the top of the Amazon box and told him that Mummy and I had a special treat for him because he'd been such a good boy.\n\nOf course, that box actually contained a towel and a replacement light bulb, so I was glad to learn that there was another box upstairs which contained the Playskool Transformer toy. My wife hasn't stopped laughing at my expense.\n\nWhen he opened the correct box, he was energized and completely overjoyed. It was a fire truck toy which made thankfully not-too-loud siren noises and other effects. It took a minute to untangle the little twirly-wraps that keep the toy in the packaging, and shortly after that he was exploring every aspect of the toy. He took it to bed with him that night. Now days later, he still comes home and searches for his Transformer toy first. He loves driving Optimus up the ramp and storing him within the transforming body of the rescue vehicle. Even more so, he loves opening and closing the vehicle, turning it from Fire Engine to the headquarters; although I don't think he knows they are supposed to be headquarters... he flies the HQ all around the house and occupies him totally in fantasy. Last night, he watched a Pixar movie and played with this toy at the same time. It was fun for me to watch him.\n\nI think this toy is a classic Playskool tough toy, made to last even in the hands of the most destructive force known to parents; their little angels. But my best recommendation for it is how much fun my little boy is having with it. He's having a blast; he wants to show it to everyone, he wants to bring it with him wherever he goes. He played it with his Pepere yesterday and it was popular with both of them. :^)","Product: The Franklin Sports Electronic Bounce-A-Bucket has durable frame construction and easily folds for travel or storage. Simply bounce the mini basketball off the trampoline target and the LED electronic digital scoring and in-game play by play sounds gives it an arcade feel. Includes (2) mini basketballs and is 21\"x 11\" x 19\".\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: What a disappointing result to a good idea\n\nReview: There was a lot of possibility in this game, and I thought my seven-year old would love it, especially after summer trips to local amusement parks and arcades. That idea faded shortly after taking this game out of the box.\n\nFirst, the instructions on how to put this together are so abysmal that I am fighting to write complex insults to anyone involved with putting them together. Completely lacking adequate description, depiction, or process, the napkin-sized \"instructions\" show how a couple of arrows pointing to nondescript shapes on a page miraculously result in the product shown at the top of this page. I kept on picking up the instructions, then putting them down in the futile attempt to glean the smallest hint at what the ((censored)) illustrators were attempting to tell me.\n\nSecond, after more than half an hour of hieroglyphics-reading, I realized that one of the main pieces to stabilize the game was broken. Therefore, there was no chance that the game was going to stand up straight, and the ill-fitting netting all around didn't help at all. I tried fifty different ways to keep the game stable while tugging the netting/ball return this way and that to also have the ball return work, and nothing really helped.\n\nWith my son having patiently waited for an hour to try the game, I just let him go for it. The first ball bounced off the trampoline and came back and hit him in the face. More adjustments, and I mean radical adjustments, ultimately using hardware from my utility room, and there were a few moments of entertainment for my son, who went ahead and made up his own slam-dunk rules.\n\nI wouldn't spend a single penny for this game. Perhaps some of the earlier, more successful ratings for this game were for a better-made product with better-written and better-illustrated instructions, but this rickety contraption sitting on my floor isn't what it might have been. What makes it so frustrating is that the electronic parts and scoring and sound seem to work well, and this game had the potential to be a complete hit, but cheap and broken plastic parts and a lackadaisical effort to help the consumer put the game together make this game a complete wash. I am considering building my own ball-return system and case for the electronics just to see how much better the game could have been.","Product: Voyage to a distant galaxy or colonize a new world with this awesome 24 in 1 National Geographic Space kit from Laser Pegs! You are the astronaut as you build out of this world models like the Mars Voyager, Hover Vehicle, Alien Stunt Fighter, Star Cruiser, and many more. When space gets too dark light up your creations to keep exploring to the edge of the universe and beyond! Includes Sound Activated Triangle Power Base, Peg Cord, 36 Laser Pegs, and 125 Tinted Construction Bricks. Officially Licensed National Geographic Dinosaurs Series Girls and Boys Can Construct many models in 1 Award Winning construction building set. All Laser Pegs Lighted Construction Sets Make Excellent Holiday Gifts with their Slide, Stack and Spin play pattern. Excellent NATGEO educational toy for autistic children.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Bright Lights, and a Good Learning Process Toy\n\nReview: This is the second Laser Pegs toy I've gotten for my son, who is now 6 1/2 years old. He is pretty much exclusively a by-the-imagination builder and doesn't enjoy going by instructions, so he's a lot like his dad. That said, it was fun putting the pictured space cruiser together step by step, and a great learning experience.\n\nMy son has a ton of Legos and they've provided countless hours of design and experimentation, and Laser Pegs are almost in that same vein. I don't think they are as well constructed as the beefy, burly Lego brick -- they sacrifice a little of that solidness and durability for the benefit of semi-transparency. And they don't have the same easy-snap factor that Legos have; they are definitely more difficult to connect. But when they are all set up and attached to the power base, the resulting light show is awesome.\n\nI have not yet checked out the other 23 configurations of the set; indeed, I was not particularly thrilled with the instructions for the pictured assembly. Once the first configuration was complete, my son didn't really want to take it apart. It's still in it's finished form and he wants it to stay that way, at least for now. I might go online in the next couple of weeks and show him some of the possibilities for this model and see what he says.\n\n$47 is kind of a lot for this toy; is it worth it? Sure. Do you get the same bang for your buck as $47 worth of random Lego pieces? I don't know about that. It is definitely an interesting variant to the block-building genre and visually more spectacular. I am glad we got the set, and I look forward to working with my son again to create something else from the catalogue.","Product: This is Gobblet Gobblers Childrens Game. - 1 Grid - 12 Gobblers - Rules\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Simple Premise, Simple to Learn... but WOW, How Fun it is to Play!\n\nReview: We received this game in a delivery today, and already I can tell you it's a five-star game. I played almost 30 games with my 6 1/2 year old son today, and he beat me close to half of the time. It takes traditional tic-tac-toe and spices it with hints of Othello and chess... you just don't realize it right away because the rules are so simple, the pieces are silly-faced orange and blue googley-eyed characters, and you think you're just going to be playing tic-tac-toe.\n\nBasic rules; yes, three in a row and you win. But the Xs and Os come in three sizes, and if your opponent uses a small piece in a square, you can cover it with a medium-sized piece or a large piece. But that doesn't mean that square is done! You can move any of your pieces on the board as long as they are on top, and then the piece underneath comes back into play. So you need to remember what is underneath.\n\nEach player has two large pieces, two medium pieces, and two small pieces. As we learned along the way, it isn't always the best move to use your largest pieces first. There are strategies that can be utilized with each play, but honestly, it isn't complicated... it just makes for fun gameplay. I am so glad that my son and I opened the box tonight and began playing. I thought for a moment about saving it for Christmas, but this is a game I would buy for my parents (in their 70s) knowing they would get a big kick out it as well. I'm really looking forward to sharing this game with others.","Product: The Minions have accidentally locked themselves inside a high-energy force field and need to be saved! Kids can score points by knocking over as many Minions as possible with each throw, making for constant entertainment.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Thrown-Object Mayhem is the Only Positive Aspect of This Expensive Game\n\nReview: To answer a question, yes, there are seven minions in the box, not just three. The minions are the best part of the purchase because, well, they are minions. They're well-constructed, and yes, they're cute and funny.\n\nThat said, unless you are looking to collect plastic cup-like minions, my advice is: save your money. The Minions Hit Them Out \"Board\" game does not have a board to play on; you set up the seven minions and you try to know them down by hurling a hackey-sack-like \"ball\" at them. It's not bowling; you can't really roll the hackey-ball. If you have a TV or anything else breakable in your home which you value, something being thrown by children at high velocity is --- NOT --- and indoor game in my estimation. You need space for this game, and unless you have a rec room in your house, outside is the only real place to do it.\n\nAnd I don't think the \"game\" is actually all that fun. My observations from watching kinds between 5 and 12 \"playing\" this game is this; knock them down by throwing the sack as hard as possible, laugh when one or more of them go flying, lose interest. This isn't really a math skills-improving game or one of hand-eye coordination, it's one of destructive intent for the sake of short-lived comedy. There are scores of games out there which are better for math or coordination skills and will also keep the interest of children. Without parents being worried about things breaking.\n\nAnd for $25? WOW. Way too expensive.\n\nI love the minions and the Despicable Me franchise, but I just can't recommend this game.","Product: Hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: An exciting racing experience totally worth overlooking the \"cons\" side of the list\n\nReview: The reasons why I love it; First and foremost, it's awesome, realistic racing action. The speeds are imaginably realistic and not helter skelter like so many slot track race tracks. The track is also enormous, wide, with a wide variety of shapes. My seven year old had very little difficulty getting used to the controller and he does a great job being competitive with his dad! We are not so much into the oil spills and tire wear right now; it's usually just \"GO\" and see who can stay on the track for appreciable periods of time and trying to post track records.\n\nThe reasons why it could be better; It is a delicate track, and it takes a while to assemble. You need to focus on the tabs and slots; it doesn't just pop together and if you try to force something, you risk permanently ruining a section of track. Racing requires a half a dozen AA batteries AND a half a dozen AAA batteries. I haven't found any requirement that says rechargable batteries can't be used, so that's what I'm looking into now to try to save some money. $95 price tag is still pretty steep, but the racing IS worth it!\n\nAll in all, this really is a special racing experience and one of those things I keep thinking, \"don't I wish I had something like this when I was a kid!\""],"string":"[\n \"Product: The Porter-Cable 6-gallon, 4 peak horsepower, wet/dry vacuum features a high performance motor which provides maximum suction power. The strong handle and compact design is ideal for easy transport. The 10-foot power cord with cord wrap design perfect for easy organization. Accessories included 1-7/8 x 6 flexible hose, floor nozzle, utility nozzle, cartridge filter, foam filter, extension wands and disposable dust bag.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Supremely Portable, Strong Suction. It's a mini shop vac that's not a hassle to break out or put away.\\n\\nReview: The thing I really like about this wet/dry vacuum is that it's a powerful, miniature version of the wet/dry shop vacs we're used to. It's much more portable and maneuverable, yet it has a 4 HP motor that provides all the power I imagine I'd ever need for any vacuuming activity, not to mention it has the ability to reverse and become a blower for other clean-up methods.\\n\\nIf there is one complaint, it's that the power cord is only ten feet long, and that's almost never going to be enough. Even with an outdoor plug, I can't get around the van to clean it without an extension cord. A 25-foot cord would have been ideal.\\n\\nIt comes with two handles and nozzle attachments for the 2\\\" diameter hose. I believe many of the big boy shop vacs have 3\\\" hoses, so this is something to note, but I think the 2\\\" hose is again perfect for 95% of the jobs you'd need a shop vac for.\\n\\nThis won't be the perfect replacement for your portly shop vac that might have three times the capacity; this is a smaller job wet/dry vac which is perfect for probably 90% of the jobs you've used your large shop vac for in the past. Additionally, this is the perfect device to clean out the car, van, or truck, and in our case, it's perfect for the camper as well. It will easily fit in the aisle and move along with us. The portability is wonderful. It's not like lugging out the big guns vacuums, even the regular household stand-up vacuum.\\n\\nAt $65, I see a tremendous value, and I'm thrilled to have.\",\n \"Product: 24\\\" Semi-Integrated Double Dishwasher Drawer with 9 Wash Cycles, Interchangeable Racks and Key & Child Locks: Stainless Steel with LCD Display\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Five Stars for Looks, 5 Stars for Engineering, 4.5 Stars for Design\\n\\nReview: My wife and I are nearing the completion of our kitchen re-modeling project, and realized that what began the enormous undertaking was... the dishwaher. We had an old dishwasher on wheels that we would roll over to the sink when we had to do dishes, and finally the old thing pooped out on us. Faced with the possibility of life without a dishwasher when both of us work tons of overtime at our jobs, we decided to make changes, and those changes required many more changes.\\n\\nIncluding all new cabinets in order to have an in-counter dishwasher. And while we were at it, we decided to put down hardwood floors, and re-sheetrock the walls, and ditch the old stove... you can see how everything snowballed into an entirely new kitchen!\\n\\nSo, now that the room looks completely different, the last thing that we purchased was the dishwasher, what had started the whole thing. We had seen this dishwasher at a local home improvement store, and loved the design. It's gorgeous. We looked into the energy rating, and it was excellent. It uses far less water than the average dishwasher, and you have the option of running only one drawer of the dishwasher at a time, which is exactly what we do. We basically rotate drawers each day, and run \\\"1/2\\\" a load in the late evening each night. We don't have any kids yet, so it works very well for us.\\n\\nIf we have company over, we can use both drawers at once; the top for glasses and flatware, the bottom for pans and dishes, each on different settings. Again, it's outstanding. And the inside of each drawer is very flexible; the flatware compartment can be removed altogether if more space is needed.\\n\\nAnother reviewer of the same dishwasher in a different color indicated several negative points; that the drawers are too shallow, that it's louder than expected, and that there is still water in the drawers after the end of the cycle. We've been running our dishwasher for three months now, my experience tells me that it's by far the quietest dishwasher I've ever seen and that we've had no such issues with water still being in the drawers after a load has been run. The drawers aren't the tallest in the world; I've noticed that wide dishes can be a tight fit, but they should also go in a certain area of the drawer. Honestly, we've never had to exclude a dish to wash by hand, so I think the reviewer was hoping for a dishwasher that you could dump all the dishes in at once without any care.\\n\\nThe dishwasher is expensive, absolutely. We could have purchased three dishwashers with this money, but we decided to go with one well-built piece of equipment, especially since we have hardwood floors in the kitchen now and the idea of installing dishwashers every few years doesn't appeal to my fear of large gouges in the floor. I am -- so far -- very happy with the performance and the quality of construction of the unit. There are very few moving parts due to the engineering of the unit, and fewer moving parts means less opportunity to breakdown.\\n\\nEach drawer locks so that kids can't play with it. 99% of the controls are on the lip of the inside of the drawer, and we've found this very helpful when we have small visitors. Installation was simple. And it looks gorgeous.\\n\\nComplaints? Not many. So far, it seems like the pot scrubbing option is more powerful than we realized. Cheaper pots and pans actually seem to have reduced finish on them after the cycle ends. It does seem like the drawers fill up with dishes more quickly, but I'm pretty sure that this is due to visually not being able to see the bottom drawer when you open the top after seeing \\\"the whole dishwasher\\\" for so long with the single, drop-down door unit for so long. I am not sure that there isn't a little bit of truth in the perception, but it's a very small complaint almost not worth mentioning, especially with how happy we are with it.\\n\\nLast factor? Let's be honest. My wife and I lived with an external, beat-up, cheap dishwasher for years that was an eyesore and bordering on embarrassment. Now? People love to check this dishwasher out when they come over. It's a Star Trek model. It's beautiful, shiny, technological, energy efficient, and to most people, it's a radical design. It's a conversation piece.\\n\\nWhile I did not buy the unit via Amazon, the price (at the time I write this) is the exact price I paid for it at the local store.\\n\\nI love this dishwasher, but you might want to think about the overall aesthetic of your kitchen before you buy. We had made the commitment to do the whole kitchen, including other appliances that matched this dishwasher, and for us, it was very much worth it. If you think it's a good fit to your remodel or just as a replacement, I highly recommend it, and say it's worth the extra coin.\",\n \"Product: 24\\\" Semi-Integrated Double Dishwasher Drawer with 9 Wash Cycles, Interchangeable Racks and Key & Child Locks: Stainless Steel with LCD Display\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Five Stars for Looks, 5 Stars for Engineering, 4.5 Stars for Design\\n\\nReview: My wife and I are nearing the completion of our kitchen re-modeling project, and realized that what began the enormous undertaking was... the dishwaher. We had an old dishwasher on wheels that we would roll over to the sink when we had to do dishes, and finally the old thing pooped out on us. Faced with the possibility of life without a dishwasher when both of us work tons of overtime at our jobs, we decided to make changes, and those changes required many more changes.\\n\\nIncluding all new cabinets in order to have an in-counter dishwasher. And while we were at it, we decided to put down hardwood floors, and re-sheetrock the walls, and ditch the old stove... you can see how everything snowballed into an entirely new kitchen!\\n\\nSo, now that the room looks completely different, the last thing that we purchased was the dishwasher, what had started the whole thing. We had seen this dishwasher at a local home improvement store, and loved the design. It's gorgeous. We looked into the energy rating, and it was excellent. It uses far less water than the average dishwasher, and you have the option of running only one drawer of the dishwasher at a time, which is exactly what we do. We basically rotate drawers each day, and run \\\"1/2\\\" a load in the late evening each night. We don't have any kids yet, so it works very well for us.\\n\\nIf we have company over, we can use both drawers at once; the top for glasses and flatware, the bottom for pans and dishes, each on different settings. Again, it's outstanding. And the inside of each drawer is very flexible; the flatware compartment can be removed altogether if more space is needed.\\n\\nAnother reviewer of the same dishwasher in a different color indicated several negative points; that the drawers are too shallow, that it's louder than expected, and that there is still water in the drawers after the end of the cycle. We've been running our dishwasher for three months now, my experience tells me that it's by far the quietest dishwasher I've ever seen and that we've had no such issues with water still being in the drawers after a load has been run. The drawers aren't the tallest in the world; I've noticed that wide dishes can be a tight fit, but they should also go in a certain area of the drawer. Honestly, we've never had to exclude a dish to wash by hand, so I think the reviewer was hoping for a dishwasher that you could dump all the dishes in at once without any care.\\n\\nThe dishwasher is expensive, absolutely. We could have purchased three dishwashers with this money, but we decided to go with one well-built piece of equipment, especially since we have hardwood floors in the kitchen now and the idea of installing dishwashers every few years doesn't appeal to my fear of large gouges in the floor. I am -- so far -- very happy with the performance and the quality of construction of the unit. There are very few moving parts due to the engineering of the unit, and fewer moving parts means less opportunity to breakdown.\\n\\nEach drawer locks so that kids can't play with it. 99% of the controls are on the lip of the inside of the drawer, and we've found this very helpful when we have small visitors. Installation was simple. And it looks gorgeous.\\n\\nComplaints? Not many. So far, it seems like the pot scrubbing option is more powerful than we realized. Cheaper pots and pans actually seem to have reduced finish on them after the cycle ends. It does seem like the drawers fill up with dishes more quickly, but I'm pretty sure that this is due to visually not being able to see the bottom drawer when you open the top after seeing \\\"the whole dishwasher\\\" for so long with the single, drop-down door unit for so long. I am not sure that there isn't a little bit of truth in the perception, but it's a very small complaint almost not worth mentioning, especially with how happy we are with it.\\n\\nLast factor? Let's be honest. My wife and I lived with an external, beat-up, cheap dishwasher for years that was an eyesore and bordering on embarrassment. Now? People love to check this dishwasher out when they come over. It's a Star Trek model. It's beautiful, shiny, technological, energy efficient, and to most people, it's a radical design. It's a conversation piece.\\n\\nWhile I did not buy the unit via Amazon, the price (at the time I write this) is the exact price I paid for it at the local store.\\n\\nI love this dishwasher, but you might want to think about the overall aesthetic of your kitchen before you buy. We had made the commitment to do the whole kitchen, including other appliances that matched this dishwasher, and for us, it was very much worth it. If you think it's a good fit to your remodel or just as a replacement, I highly recommend it, and say it's worth the extra coin.\",\n \"Product: Take on the man who has changed golf forever - Tiger Woods. The revolutionary new Tiger-Proofing course alteration technology will change the way golf is played. Create the most challenging course you've ever dreamed of, modify course dynamics and add lengthier tees, tighter fairways, dramatic undulations on the green, higher rough, and more. Take on the legends of golf including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan and become a legend yourself! Build up your GameFace created character by completing challenges, working you way up to competing with the legends themselves! 8 new licensed courses and 2 new fantasy courses have been added for a total of 14 courses. Compete as or against 15 PGA Tour players including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Charles Howell III, and others. Play online with anyone across the country & compete in online tournaments!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: After 20 years, my dad is golfing again\\n\\nReview: I bought Tiger Woods 2005 for my dad for Christmas. He's in his 60's, and TW'05 might be the first \\\"toy\\\" he's received for Christmas since his Red Ryder Air Rifle, with which he nearly put his eye out.\\n\\nAnyway! We loaded up the game on his recently-purchased no-frills Dell computer and began playing immediately. He, my brother-in-law, and I played a few rounds and were able to understand most of the controls right away. As with TW'04, this version utilizes \\\"True Swing\\\" controls, where you roll the mouse back to pull back your club, and then push the mouse forward to swing. The mouse-swing determines how hard you hit the ball and if there is any slice or pull, and after several months of game play I can report that it is quite accurate (sometimes frustratingly accurate) and a great representation of a golf swing.\\n\\nAfter playing a few rounds, my dad decided to create his own golfer. I am convinced that this was his favorite part of the game because he was laughing so hard he was hiccupping. \\\"Game Face II\\\" allows you to create a character who comes very close to looking like your own doppleganger. My dad's golfer looks just like him, and my golfer looks almost exactly like me (except for he's lost the twenty or so extra pounds).\\n\\nWhen you start out with your golfers career, you have only a certain amount of money with which to buy attributes (your golfer's abilities) and equipment. There are several different ways to earn money; skills challenges, tournaments, and the legend's tour (match play against everyone from a middle-aged Vegas card-dealer to Palmer, Nicholas, and Tiger himself). There are also trophy balls that earn you cash... your first birdie, par, 300-yard drive, sub-60 round, bogie-free round, and hole-in-one are some trophy balls to put in your case, and when you get them, you're rewarded with some extra spending dough.\\n\\nAs your golfer's attributes improve, golfing lessons will be made available for a fee. If you pass the lesson, then new options or toolbar controls are added to the golf screen, including pitch, punch, flop, power, and chip shots, and sliders that will help you control how far your ball will fly or how much spin will be put on it when it hits the green.\\n\\nI love the instant replays. If you strike a really good ball and it's going to come close to the hole, the screen will narrow to a widescreen format and the \\\"camera\\\" closes up on the pin. This is where my dad and I pray that the ball plops right on the rim of the cup and drops in for an ace or a double-eagle. Then you get to see the shot replayed from the ball's point-of-view, or from an invisible crane camera. You have the option of saving your replays to show your own dad later!\\n\\nI brought up the fact that my dad's computer is an \\\"economy\\\" version (it was $400 new) because there was a pop-up warning when we first ran the game that reported his video card didn't meet the minimum requirements for the game. There were very few areas where this effected play, but recently I brought over a higher-end Dell laptop to his house and we tried the game on that. The difference was night-and-day. It was incredibly similar to watching golf on TV... but I imagine this is the case with most game software, so it's hard to single this out as a fault with TW'05. I just thought it note-worthy.\\n\\nI have not experienced some of the issues others have had with the game, such as the competitor who decides to use a lob wedge on a long par four or five. What I do agree with, however, is some of the issues people have with the commentary. Sometimes it is dreadfully inaccurate. I've made countless shots that have either gone in the hole or achingly close, and the commentator says \\\"whoa, that's going to come up well short\\\" or \\\"that might make the front of the green... not a horrible shot.\\\" Those comments are irritating, but what gets my dad is when they tell you that a putt looks dead straight when it fact it's as sharp a right or left slope as found on any mountain ledge.\\n\\nBut the biggest thing for me about Tiger Woods 2005 is this: In the middle of the winter, my dad was able to sit down at his computer and hit a golf ball. When my mom told me on the phone that my dad said to her \\\"it feels just like I'm actually on the golf course\\\" my day was made. He plays for at least a little while every day, and he enjoyed the game so much that I purchased TW'04 for his birthday last week, and I'm beginning to plan for the computer upgrades necessary for his computer for when TW'06 comes out later this year.\\n\\nAbout the only reason why I don't give TW'05 a 5-star rating is that even though it is full of features and challenges, there simply needs to be more. The game is so much fun, but there comes a time when there is nothing else on which to spend the money you win, not enough courses, not enough challenges once you pass a certain level. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 is an excellent, excellent game, but once you're completely hooked, there's nothing more to achieve.\\n\\nStill, and I must restate this, my dad and I have a blast when we get together and play a round or two. My wife has been a TW'05 widow for the past month or so when I break out my game, and more than once the next morning I've woken up groggy for work because I've had so much fun. If you're looking for a game that can be PLAYED by grown-ups (i/e, you don't wield a laser-cannon and shoot everything in sight at 90-MPH 'til you have a siezure) then by all means, give TW'05 a try, at least to rent, and don't be surprised if you put an order on this page soon thereafter.\",\n \"Product: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is single-player role-playing action in the world of the popular Elder Scrolls game. The Emperor of Tamriel has been assassinated and the killer still runs loose. Meanwhile, no heir sits on the throne. With no Emperor upon the throne, the gates of Oblivion open wide and demons invade. Your quest is to find the lost heir and place him on the throne, before demons destroy the land. Next-generation graphics with pixel-shader effects for high-definition TVs, creating lifelike towns & dungeons and the most realistic forests\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Oblivion is Amazing... Much, MUCH better after Patch was made available\\n\\nReview: ((Before you read the below review, please note that since writing it, I have updated my review after downloading and installing a major patch for the game.))\\n\\nI don't mean the review I'm writing to beat down this game. It is an amazing game to be sure; from my somewhat limited experience with it, I can tell. I absolutely loved the predecessor to Oblivion (Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition) and was dying for the next sequel to come out. I've been playing it for three weeks... or at least, I've been trying to.\\n\\nI'm going to say it right away, as a warning; If you don't have a brand new computer with the newest specs, don't buy this game, at least not for your PC. My computer is not 18 months old and cost me about $2,600, including an upgrade to the maximum two gigabytes of RAM, but according to Bethesda, the 1.6 gigahertz Pentium M processor I have will not allow me to play the game as it should be played. I am incredibly frustrated.\\n\\nI've been able to play enough to know that Oblivion is exactly what I was hoping for. The graphics, if my computer had the ability to run everything effectively, are amazing. My computer isn't fast enough to run everything as it should be run. The sword my character carries flashes as I walk, blinking in and out of reality, which wouldn't ruin the game for me in itself, but everything slows down in the heat of battle and when there are multiple opponents, everything moves as if in cartoon frames. Now I realize that there are points on the game map where everything on the screen locks and turns to white, and I lose control of play.\\n\\nIn short, I'd love, love, love this game if I had a brand new Dell XPS gaming system for $3,500+, but I don't. Therefore, this game was pretty much a waste of $45. Within the realm of Tamriel, I can't go to the places I need to go and do the things I need to do. My computer locks up.\\nI can't express my frustration, knowing that this game, in its full glory, must be mind-blowing.\\n\\nI wonder at what point the technological standards for games will not require up-to-the-instant-new supercomputers in order for them to be played? I've just finished paying for the computer I have (a Dell Inspiron 8600 which I love). I can't upgrade the whole motherboard. And I certainly can't afford to purchase the kind of computer that would run this game... Not after finally paying this one off. AUGH!\\n\\nBy all means, if your computer is a thoroughbred, BUY THIS GAME. It's going to be the game of the year again for certain and you will probably have several months of enjoyment with it.\\n\\nIf your computer is not a Ferrari, then steer clear of this game. Your frustration will run deep.\\n\\n*** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE\\n\\nJust after the online patch was made available, I downloaded it and installed it. The above-mentioned problem was one shared with several users of this game, and I'm very happy to report that after the installation of the patch, the game runs very, very nicely on my computer. I do not have the video settings set to maximum; not by a longshot; in my opinion, you still need a brand-new, loaded, $3,000+ computer, I think, to have Oblivion play at 100%. With such a loaded computer, the game play of Oblivion must be absolutely amazing.\\n\\nNow that I've installed the patch, I can go to all those areas which I wasn't able to previously. The frustration of having the game lock up is no more, and I must say it's truly one heck of a ride, and I wish I could change the overall rating to at least 4-stars instead of two, but it seems that I am not able to do so.\\n\\nI will go further and say that I've enjoyed the overall game so much more since the patch was installed that I've purchased all the online modules available for download on tne Oblivion website, and I encourage other Oblivion owners to go check it out.\\n\\nAfter the patch, Oblivion is a great place to visit.\\n\\n*** UPDATE # 2 ***\\n\\nLast thing; if you go to the Oblivion website, there are links to some pretty good, fairly inexpensive modules to download and expand your game. Still having fun, thank goodness for the patch!\",\n \"Product: The Recon 60P gaming headset features Turtle Beachs latest lightweight and comfortable design, with large 40mm over-ear (closed) speakers that let you hear every crisp high and thundering low, plus convenient in-line controls that allow you to quickly and easily adjust Master Volume and Mic Mute. When used with the PS4 Pro and PS4, the Recon 60P adds amplified audio for amazing game and chat sound, plus Mic Monitoring to avoid shouting. The Recon 60P also includes an adjustable mic, which can be removed when watching movies and listening to music, and the versatile 3.5mm jack makes it perfect for using with PS4 Pro and PS4 consoles, as well as with the new Xbox One controller with the 3.5mm jack, PC, Mac and compatible mobile/tablet devices. Connections: PS4 Pro and PS4 Console Audio & Chat: USB Mobile/Tablet Devices: 3.5mm PC/Mac: USB Xbox One Console Audio & Chat: 3.5mm. Speaker frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great Sound, Clarity, Quality, and Price\\n\\nReview: This is my 6-year old son's first headset. This is because when the package from Amazon was taken inside, he opened it and proclaimed it his first headset. This is fine with me; now we'll be able to do some online gaming with each other from different rooms as I still have an old Sennheiser model that works perfectly.\\n\\nAnd when I compare this Ear Force model against my Sennheiser headset which is six years old and cost about three times as much, the Ear Force measures up splendidly. What a great value for a headset slightly on the South end of $50! The best part of it, I think, is that you can very clearly hear your own voice through the mic yet not overwhelmingly so. In all my days of playing LotRo, I wish I'd had this feature then on the Senn. (I love the Senn, by the way, it is one fine piece of equipment.)\\n\\nMy son has a PS3, and the connectivity is as simple as can be; plug the 3.5 connector into the included USB cable, then right into a USB port. Done.\\n\\nThe Recon is also very comfortable; it is still a little big for his head, but he doesn't care at all and says he is perfectly comfortable with it. For my big adult head, it adjusts nicely. I just have to make sure he keeps the microphone away from his mouth because he insists on having it press up against his lips. Yeck. Hence, this is why the Recon will always be his.\\n\\nSuch great sound; I thought the bass was deep and resonant and the treble equally clear and crisp.\\n\\nFor a comfortable, high-quality, adjustable headset like this under $50? You can't beat it. I highly recommend.\",\n \"Product: Ride the massive open world of the Alps, where the powder is always fresh and the run never ends. Defy and master the world's most epic mountains on skis, wingsuits, snowboards, and paragliders. Go solo or drop in side by side with other players. Record and share the most insane stunts ever captured. Dare your friends to try out your custom lines, then challenge the world to beat your best tricks and relive your most epic wipeouts. The mountain is yours to explore. So strap in, suit up, and drop in.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent Graphics, Fun Escape\\n\\nReview: I got \\\"Steep\\\" for my 7 1/2 year old son for Christmas. He's not a skier or snowboarder yet, so I thought this game would be an interesting introduction to both pastimes, albeit an extreme, fantastic graphic representation. I had no idea about the wingsuit and parachute options when I ordered it.\\n\\nI've had fun playing the game myself, just for the sheer sport in an open-world environment. I'm pushing 50 with two bad knees, so my snowboarding days are over (I've never skied). The physics are appealingly realistic when you consider you're just holding on to a controller, but if you're parked before a big-screen TV, there is an excellent suspension of reality.\\n\\nAs you play the game and try the different sport types, you are challenged to win races or meet certain goals, and when you win, new challenges are unlocked. In the open-world format, I am reminded of so many Elder Scrolls games I've loved (well, Skyrim especially, given all the snow!), but leveling up is far more confusing and the freedom to move about isn't quite as unlimited (as another reviewer nicely stated, I'd love to go into some of these buildings and look around, much like you can while sneaking about in Whiterun or anywhere else in Tamriel).\\n\\nMy son, on the other hand, approaches this game with the mind of an evil demi-god. He blitzes down heavily treed slopes at top speed, anticipating crashes with glee. It took me a while to realize that such tactics will occasionally cause your avatar to use swear-words, generally mild enough to be PG-13, but I have heard at least one \\\"s\\\" word from the avatar as he headed skippingly along and horizontal toward a field of sharp boulders at high speed. I have a feeling that caused my son to be even more diabolical in his tactics in every different sport in the game.\\n\\nAll in all, I think we both like the feel of the game, and the graphics are outstanding. I wish the scoring and leveling up were more intuitive, and I don't think \\\"Steep\\\" is ever going to be a marathon-session type of game like those previously mentioned Elder Scrolls games or perhaps Forza Horizon or any of the Civilization strategy games. Still, it's an excellent escape and I just hope it doesn't teach my son too many more inappropriate vocabulary words.\",\n \"Product: True-Air Compact Allergen reducer Air cleaner , featuring 3M Filtrete allergen reducer filter. Effective at capturing dust, dust mite debris, mold, pollen, smoke & pet dander. Has 3 speed control for low, medium, high setting. Low cost filter replacement. Filter lasts up to 120 days . For room sizes up to 210 square feet.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Got Six Cats? Stop Popping Sudafed.\\n\\nReview: To start, I just want to let it be known that I've had my Hamilton Beach TrueAir Allergen Reducer for all of a week... But there's been so much of a difference that I couldn't wait any longer to write this review.\\n\\nI've never had any hardcore allergies to cats or dogs, and I love pets. When I married my wife, I became Dad to her six cats. Long hair, shorthair, hair everywhere. And a few months ago, I began noticing that waking up in the morning was getting increasingly unpleasant. As of last month (and I'll try not to be overly graphic) I was waking up without fail each day with what felt like a concrete mixer behind my eyes. Congested every morning, and having to take extra-long, piping hot showers to feel any better... usually followed by at 500 mg of Tylenol and an additional allergy medicine.\\n\\nSo I saw this Allergen Reducer for a 210 square foot room online and decided the price was right to give it a shot (replacement filters are less than $15 each, which was also an acceptible cost). Our bedroom is about that size exactly, and since we usually have at least three cats in bed with us at any given time during the night, it seemed worthy of the investment.\\n\\nAfter four days of having this machine on in our room (with the one door usually open only enough for the cats to enter and exit), I'm happy to report that each day I have (waked? woken? waken?) to a 99% improvement. I'll certainly come back to this review in future months to update, but there has been such an enormous difference within a very short time that I wanted to tell others who might be currently experiencing what I have in the past that this device might provide much welcomed relief, and quickly!\",\n \"Product: This Sunbeam steam mop is designed to clean up any mess on various flooring types including linoleum, tile, marble and even hardwood. The 11.5ft cord allows you to move freely throughout the room while cleaning. As an added bonus, this unit comes with a carpet glider and cleaning cloth.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: When I got it, it was listed as a \\\"vacuum\\\". So, not what I was expecting, but otherwise, it's okay\\n\\nReview: Yes, when I got the Sunbeam Steam Mop (as it is correctly listed above), I was under the impression I was getting a handheld stick vacuum. Much to my surprise, it is actually a steam mop.\\n\\nAnd it's not a bad steam mop, either. At 1500 Watts, it's got plenty of spunk, heating up to steam temperatures in no time (listed as 30 seconds, and I believe that's accurate). The pad it uses is washable, and it's been through our washer twice so far; judging by the wear on it, my estimate is that we can get about 15 wash cycles for it, maybe 20. Unfortunately, I cannot find the documentation that came with this steam mop, so I'm not having an easy time of finding the replacement pad numbers or where to buy them. I've done several Google searches, and so far, I've seen triangular shaped pads that look like they might fit.\\n\\nIt also has a carpet glider, which I like, but it will never replace a shampooer. It's a quick-fixer for some spills in a small area.\\n\\nThe mop itself has a couple of issues.\\n\\nThe water capacity is less than a liter (less than 9 ounces). I have a very small hardwood floor area, so it works for me, but a larger area means refilling, perhaps several times.\\n\\nThe power cord is less than 12 feet in length. That doesn't even cut it in my kitchen, so you will probably need an extension cord.\\n\\nIf you have an apartment, or you have a small area on which you would use a steam mop? I think this one is perfect. Though my advice (from doing said Google searches) is look around for price comparisons. I've seen this $62 unit for as low as $39 at a chain store most likely near you.\\n\\nI have mixed feelings in terms of recommending it... but perhaps that began when I thought I was getting a vacuum...\",\n \"Product: Combining both a handheld and standard vacuum sealer, the V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer System with Automatic Bag Detection is vacuum sealing versatility at its best. Powerful technology eliminates air from specially designed bags, and automatic bag detection ensures a secure airtight seal to prevent freezer burn. When sealing FoodSaver zipper bags and Fresh containers, the convenient handheld retractable sealer eliminates the need for additional attachments. One unit does it all!\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Love the older version of this sealer.\\n\\nReview: This is the third vacuum food sealer I've owned. The first one has been gone for 20 years an I don't even remember the brand name. It never worked properly. The bags didn't cut right, the vacuum didn't work quite right; the seal didn't stay.\\n\\nThe second is this one;\\n\\nhttp://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-V3240-Vacuum-Sealing-System/dp/B003U738ZE/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392876509&sr=8-1&keywords=food+saver+v3240\\n\\nThat is the FoodSaver V3240 Vacuum Sealing System. It is basically the manual version of the sealer I am reviewing.\\n\\nThe Foodsaver 2-in-1 is not a vast improvement over the first. Because it is an automatic unit, you don't have the freedom to manipulate the freezer bag in the sealer. This is really a big deal; the manual version may not work 100% of the time, but you can work with it. The 2-in-1 is automatic, and automatic doesn't always mean superior. I was going to give the new version three stars, but I just can't muster the extra star. When compared side by side, save yourself $80 and get the manual version. I'd bet even money that it's what you're really looking for.\",\n \"Product: Enjoy fresh baked bread to your preference with the LCD display, audible signal for fruit and nut add ins, crust control, non-stick baking pan and large viewing window. To make things even easier you choose from 11 pre-programmed settings and choose up to a 13 hour bake delay.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: So far, this breadmaker is awesome, and for a very respectable price\\n\\nReview: My wife and I have had a Cuisinart two-pound bread maker for years, and have had no complaint with it. It was an expensive unit, $200 if I remember correctly, and it makes an outstanding loaf of bread.\\n\\nWhen we got this B&D bread maker, I was skeptical. The cross-product thing where a company that makes levels, tape-measures, and saws getting into break making (or coffee makers, even) was something that always made me frown on the potential of the product.\\n\\nBut, here we are, and this thing can put out a huge loaf of bread, the quality of which to date has been every bit as good as the Cuisinart has been.\\n\\nIf you want to make Texas toast, the slices you will get out of these loaves will be impressive. There's nothing like French toast made with gigantic slices of fresh bread, and here is your ticket to get them. What we've made so far has filled our house with fresh bready aromas and enough bread to last for days with moderate bread-eating.\\n\\nAt $89, this Black & Decker is a very, very good bargain, and I highly recommend it.\",\n \"Product: Featuring a 24-hour fully programmable timer with brew strength selection, you can wake up to the perfect pot of coffee every morning. The user-friendly illuminated control panel shows time since last brew to indicate freshness, and the 1-4 cup selection allows you to brew smaller carafes with the same great taste. With the pause and serve function you can easily grab a cup on the go. Auto Shut-Off feature The warming plate remains hot to keep the coffee at the right temperature during 2 hours after the brew cycle is finished. For your safety, the coffee maker will automatically shut off after 2 hours. Permanent Filter Baskets Save Time and Money. The Linea 12-cup Programmable Coffee Maker uses permanent filters, which means you'll never need disposable paper filters again. The permanent filters are dishwasher safe. Easy Care and Cleanup The Linea 12-cup Programmable Coffee Maker is easy to clean. Once a month, you can program the auto-clean cycle for deeper cleaning of the 12-cup carafe side. The removable parts are also dishwasher safe on the top rack. For added convenience, the warming plate is stain-resistant and non-stick\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Handsome, but \\\"Fatally\\\" Flawed\\n\\nReview: We've had out Bella Linea 14108 for a few weeks now, and while like how it looks and makes coffee, there are serious issues with it that keep me from giving it any more than two stars.\\n\\nFirst, I love the looks of it. It's an extremely handsome machine, and the \\\"retro\\\" red is beautiful. The digital display is also very attractive and compliments the unit and the series of buttons below it. But looks aren't everything.\\n\\nThe biggest -- and I'll just go ahead and say \\\"fatal\\\" -- problem with this device is the lack of an \\\"off\\\" switch. This is a big thing for me; if I'm making just enough coffee for my wife and I, I will pour the coffee and if there is just enough coffee covering the bottom of the pot, I want to shut it off right then and there and not wait for the coffee to burn. I shouldn't have to unplug the unit, thereby undoing the clock and automatic start programming I've already done. It's just something that's unacceptable from a design and engineering standpoint. Imagine not being able to turn off your car when you get home and park it in the garage; you're asking for problems.\\n\\nThe price isn't bad at $40, but the lack of an off switch is a deal-breaker. We're going to put this coffee maker in our camper for next year; it will work well there, and for now, we'll bring the one-cup Keurig inside. I'm disappointed, and I can't recommend this coffee maker, even if it is visually stunning.\",\n \"Product: A fun addition to any party, this cupcake holder provides a convenient way to display cupcakes. Made of food-safe and non-toxic powder-coated iron, the stand features a collapsible design that makes storage easy. Some assembly required.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: For the money, it's okay\\n\\nReview: I can't say that I'm impressed with the sturdiness of this 23-cupcake holder, but for less than ten dollars, it's working, and it's hard to argue with the value of it. We received another cupcake holder for my wife's birthday that is vastly superior in construction, but I'm sure was five times the price (when I finally figure out where my sister got it... I'll report that to you along with a link). :^)\\n\\nWe've put 23 cupcakes on it and it has supported 23 cupcakes, and the one thing it can do that the structurally beefy one can't is collapse for easy storage. That's something you'll want to consider more than once if you're like us and have a kitchen with very few parking spaces.\\n\\nFor the money and the... collapsibility? I would recommend this 23-cupcake holder.\",\n \"Product: Radial Root Cyclone technology Reconfigured brush bar Self-adjusting cleaner head Tangle-free Turbine tool and soft dusting brush\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Three cats? Would never be able to tell with this Dyson handy\\n\\nReview: The Dyson DC65 is the best Dyson we've owned to date. Our previous Dyson was purchased about seven or eight years ago; it was also the \\\"pet\\\" model and bore the original wheel system at the base, now replaced in this version by the ball. The new version is far lighter than the weightier first version, perhaps as much as 1/3rd lighter.\\n\\n(To note, we do also have the \\\"stick\\\" version of the Dyson <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/Dyson-DC35-Digital-Slim-Multi-floor-cordless-vacuum-cleaner/dp/B004GN8UYA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">Dyson DC35 Digital Slim Multi floor cordless vacuum cleaner</a>, also the pet version, which we bought in December of 2012, and which is also an outstanding home-cleaning tool. It is great for getting to small spots and quick clean-ups, but wouldn't do the same job as the beefier, deep-cleaning DC65 I'm reviewing.)\\n\\nThe ball model takes a little bit of getting used to in terms of steering, but once it has been mastered it is very convenient and efficient. The motor is fantastic; excellent suction. It has taken a 10-year old carpet that we were considering changing for a new one and has given it extra life. The cat hairs this number has pulled out of an already seemingly clean carpet is still eye-popping to me.\\n\\nIt has taken me a bit of effort to figure out how to detach and re-attach the handle on this number. I've got it now, but at first it perplexed me, mostly, I think, because I had just gotten so used to our first Dyson. This is a good time to mention that our first Dyson lasted a good long time, and is now in the ownership of another family member, who loves it. It's still going strong.\\n\\nThe one concern my wife has is the base of the vacuum; \\\"when you click it to lock it in upright position, you've really got to CLICK it\\\" she says. I understand her point. The latching insecurity we have may be the result of the new ball style over the old four-wheel style. I think Dyson had to design a way of making us more purposefully latch the unit into standing position because the less stable ball requires it. In the four-wheel models, a simple click would have been sufficient for the more stable base. This isn't really a problem or an issue, it's just an observation. It's really the only thing we can come close to \\\"complaining\\\" about.\\n\\nThe reach of the hose is fabulous. We have skylights about twelve feet or more off of our floor, and I've been able to get onto a chair with the hose and narrow-funnel attachment and stretch up to snare cobwebs and ladybugs from them. My wife holds my chair while simultaneously holding the vacuum main unit on the floor. I, if needed, could also hold the main unit in one hand and still stretch to get even higher messes because the unit is so lightweight for the \\\"main vacuum\\\" of the house. It helps to be six feet and 240, I suppose.\\n\\nThe refuse bin is extremely simple to detach and empty and put back. Press, lift, dump, click. Wow, what on Earth did we used to do with those damned bags?!? What a difference!\\n\\nThe price, of course, is steep, but Dyson has shown me that they are built to last. Our old Dyson replaced three \\\"cheap\\\" vacuums and is still performing well in another house. I have faith that this one will last just as long. They are well-engineered and smart, and I would definitely recommend them.\",\n \"Product: Designed to be uniquely simple, the Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap 12 Cup Food Processor requires no twisting, turning or locking during assembly. Instead, its as easy as stacking the 12-cup bowl onto the base, then snapping on the lid.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Make sure you order with frustration free packaging!\\n\\nReview: The first thing that I'll ask you to look at regarding this food processor is the price. Do a quick peek at the \\\"frustration-free\\\" packaging and the standard packaging at the top of the Amazon page for this item.\\n\\nCan that possibly be right? $49 for frustration free and $98 for regular packaging? Holy mackerel! I could talk about just this for quite some time. That amazes me!\\n\\nBut onward, now, to the actual processor. This is one fine food processor for under $50 (if, you know, you happen to not like frustration in packaging). The last two food processors we've owned have both been Cuisinarts, and they were both in the $200 to $250 range, and we both think that, so far, this Hamilton Beach might best the Cuisinarts in several different categories. We still have one of the Cuisinarts, but the first one, at about eight years old, died recently.\\n\\nMy wife tells me that this is the best processor she's ever owned in terms of dealing with liquids, and I've seen the same rave from many other reviewers. As she loves making soups, this was good to hear. So far we haven't had the minor leaking problems others have experienced, but I think that's my wife's caution in terms of volume and what she's been used to when using prior food processors. I think she'll eventually push the envelope a bit more.\\n\\nAll the blades and bowls are dishwasher safe and that's awesome. We put them in the dishwasher and forget about them and I think that was one of the grand pains in the past is that we'd have to hand wash all of these things; I don't recall if the blades for the first Cuisinart were hand-wash only or not, but I do recall trying to wash out the body of the thing and my hands were just too big to do a very good job. And it is truly very easy to assemble and re-assemble.\\n\\nI highly recommend the Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack and Snap food processor; my wife and I are very happy with it, and at this amazing price, it won't hurt to try.\",\n \"Product: Make succulent roasted meats with the help of this compact . The large baster helps you ensure that meat remains tender and evenly cooked, whilst the leave-in meat thermometer provides a clear visual guide to the ideal cooking temperature. The third part of this set is a handy cleaning brush, which along with the thermometer, fits neatly inside the baster to maximise on storage space. Care and use: Baster and Brush. Dishwasher safe. Thermometer: Wipe clean with a damp cloth.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Saves Space, Low Cost, Handsome Set\\n\\nReview: My wife loves this set. We needed a new thermometer, and when I saw this set, I grabbed it right away. Unbeknownst to me, we also needed a new baster, so this was perfect. We don't have very much storage space, and this configuration is so clever!\\n\\nThe thermometer worked perfectly on our holiday turkey, and we were grateful because we had a defective \\\"popper\\\" in the bird. When it hadn't popped, we double and triple checked the thermometer, and if we hadn't gone with the thermometer number, we would have had an overdone bird for certain. It really saved dinner.\\n\\nAn $11 price tag is very reasonable and if I'd known about this Joseph Joseph 3-piece set before Christmas, I think I would have bought a bunch of them as stocking-stuffers for friends and family. I highly recommend this set.\",\n \"Product: Home Soft Things Safari Animal Faux Fur Throws. These throw take softness to the next level with a wild Faux Fur front that is perfect as an accent in any room. The flannel backing will keep you from ever wanting to get up as you stay warm and cozy. Elegant and high quality, this throw is ravishing with lifelike colors and texture. A standard 50 inches by 60 inches, this throw will cover most bodies from the chest to the feet. Perfect for taking a quick nap or just lounging on the couch. Easy Care Instructions: Machine Wash On Cold Separately. Tumble Dry On Low With Very Little To No Heat. Line Dry If Desired. DO NOT BLEACH\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Soft. A Throw to Get the Family Fighting Over It\\n\\nReview: This 50\\\"x60\\\" throw is currently being fought over by just about every living thing in my house. My wife, for whom I obtained the throw, loved it the instant I opened it from the Amazon packaging. It is just about as soft as soft could be, and she tells me that only the $450 dual-control heated blanket I got her for her birthday last year from Sleep Number is nicer. That's saying something about the great value of a $40 blanket (no heating controls on this one, however... just comfy).\\n\\nThe throw actually convinces my six-year old to get out of bed in the morning and go lay down on the couch, bundled in it, as I turn the TV on for cartoons and breakfast. It has turned him from the crabby kid version of me to ecstatic cozy version of himself.\\n\\nLastly, we have five cats. Sometimes we find them two abreast on the folded throw, and I have spied jealous cats glaring at the occupants of that space more than once.\\n\\nOkay, in short, it's a good sized throw, seems to be well-made, soft, soft, soft, and it's a great price. I highly recommend it.\",\n \"Product: The two-stage heating system in this deep-penetrating Conair Extreme Steam Fabric Steamer produces super-hot steam at temperatures that will unfurl your fabrics quickly and gently. Powered by 1800 watts, the steam surges through the steamer head at a temperature that's 40 percent hotter than standard garment steamers, freshening fabrics and releasing wrinkles fast. The unique triangular nozzle features a built-in creaser with a multidirectional steam setting and a metal soleplate that doubles as an iron.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: The Steamer that Saved Christmas (Or at least made it look a lot less wrinkly.)\\n\\nReview: We haven't had the Conair Extreme Steam Deluxe Upright Professional Fabric Steamer for very long, but already it has proven that it excels at what it is meant to do and that it can be a wonderfully handy bit of equipment to have around.\\n\\nI'd envisioned this product being one of those things I used whenever I needed to break out the three-piece suit and jacket; for important meetings, weddings, funerals. I also envisioned only remembering that I had it the day before an important meeting, wedding, or funeral, and that I'd need to break it out of a deep closet or shed or something. But very soon after we first received it, my wife came back from a church meeting and described the condition of the costumes for the Christmas play, and I knew that we'd have an experiment right quickly.\\n\\nWe took the Conair to the church and had a marathon steaming session, and as the costumes were mostly robes, we were able to very quickly steam one, then another while replacing the first, then another, and so on. The heat this unit pumps out is impressive; when they say 40% hotter, it really is 40% hotter and it take wrinkles out of fabric with extreme prejudice. In less than two hours, all of these costumes were looking brilliantly new and were ready for the show, and let me emphasize; there were a LOT of people in this play who wore these costumes. The church-goers behind the scenes described the steamer as a \\\"life saver\\\".\\n\\nThey used both attachments in completing the task; I didn't get to see the brush being used, but I heard it was helpful to have that option with a couple of the wise men costumes. I definitely see us using this at home for our curtains because we have five cats, and I think the brush will be invaluable at the bottoms. The iron-like nozzle also pressed most of the robes.\\n\\nAnd it uses just water; we didn't need to have distilled water or any chemicals or additives.\\n\\nSo we had quite an adventure with this steamer almost right out of the box and it impressed a lot of people and many people were very grateful. The kids loved the play and everyone looked fabulous.\\n\\nAt $133, maybe the steamer isn't right for everyone to have, but now that I see what it can do, I would highly recommend it to people who frequently wear formal clothing and travel a lot, or for those with churches who like putting on plays. :^) It is an excellent product and I'm glad we got one.\",\n \"Product: Keep appetizers chilled during parties with DII's crystal clear acrylic iced appetizer 12 piece set. Food such as fruit, vegetables, sushi, cheeses and dips should be kept cold for the enjoyment of your guest. With this serving tray you can fill the bottom tray with ice and set the four compartments on top to keep food cold, especially if you're hosting an outdoor event. Each container has a tight fitting lid for easy storage of leftovers or to keep pests away while outside. If you are serving chips and dip then the lower tray can be used and you can still place ice in the center for the dip to easily rest on while the other containers can be used separately. Perfect for Holiday parties, BBQ's, potlucks, weddings and so much more, easily blending in with any tabletop setting with the simple, clean design. DII's iced appetizer set is 16.5x4.5\\\", includes: 1 lower serving tray, 4 food trays, 1 dip bowl, 1 dip bowl riser and 5 lids. Serving set is dishwasher safe, top rack only, BPA-free and 100% durable food-grade acrylic.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Not a perfect set, but still quite convenient for parties, and at a decent price\\n\\nReview: We used the Dll Acrylic Compartment Serving Set at home for both Christmas and New Years celebrations, and it worked extremely well. It made a very handsome presentation in the center of our kitchen table, and it was big enough to accommodate not only the veggies and dip we'd made, but additional snacks that others had brought with them as well. We could remove the individual bins and refill them quickly and return them to the set.\\n\\nWhen I first ordered the set, I thought it would act as a lazy susan, rotating for easy picking for those sitting around the table, but it didn't work that way. We did have something that we put underneath the bottom tray that turned it into an effective lazy susan, but this set would have been perfect if such a device had been included in the box.\\n\\nAnother thing I wish this set would have featured is a larger dip compartment in the center. Hand reaching for the dip would have to wait mid-air for others dipping their veggies, and the ranch dip that we used had to be refilled more than once. I suppose that would mean the diameter of the overall set would have to be larger than 16.5\\\"... perhaps 20\\\", but I would recommend that to the designers if I could.\\n\\nI love the trays and lids. Storage is quick and easy, even with the slightly difficult semi-circle shape of the trays. They snap closed and we could just put leftovers right into the fridge. The second time we used the set, we had peel & eat shrimp, and we were able to store the shrimp as well as other cold foods, like grapes and strawberries, in the fridge right up until it was time to serve. And we used the ice underneath the compartments this time, and I thought the service looked elegant.\\n\\nThe instructions say that the 12-piece set is dishwasher safe, but I'd recommend hand-washing the larger pieces at least. The trays can be manipulated to fit nicely in the dishwasher, but the grade of the plastic is not so outstanding that I think they would survive a multitude of washes; I can easily see cracks surfacing after a few/several uses.\\n\\nMy cousin with the chocolate fountain would love this and I can't wait to show it to her. Same for fondue lovers, I think.\\n\\nThe $28 price is reasonable, but if someone showed it to me before I knew the price, I would have guessed between $20 and $24. Not perfect, but not bad. In short, we enjoyed it at our parties, and I can see it being used -- and useful -- for several more such events.\",\n \"Product: The whole family can experience the interactive fun of s'more all read 'round. The Hershey's S'mores Machine creates the perfect treat for kids and adults. The indoor roaster is safe, with no open flame. Instead, an internal electrical heater toasts marshmallows to perfection. Just load the tray compartments with graham crackers, Hershey's chocolate squares and marshmallows for camp-worthy treats your family will love. Try it as a party for an instant conversation started. Includes two roasting forks and convenient Crack and Prep Tray.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Does Well With It's One Purpose. And Fun for Kids of All Ages!\\n\\nReview: We've used the Hershey's S'mores Maker (kind of an inaccurate name, really... it lightly roasts marshmallows to a mild golden-brown... everything else is up to you) a couple of times now, and I feel prepared enough to write of our experiences.\\n\\nFirst, the Maker does a decent enough job with the marshmallows. It is the primary job of the unit; the brown stacky tray things that come along with the heater really serve no purpose that a common plate wouldn't do just as well; the only benefit for the trays is that they are the right size for the apparently universally-sized graham crackers. I don't know that it would ever be possible to get a 'mallow to be any darker than the light golden-brown I mentioned (I know some people love them charred, I have no idea why! LOL) because it's not hot enough to get the 'mallow to a darker color before structural marshmallow integrity breaks down.\\n\\nAnd the unit does get hot enough so that it will make you want to warn the kids several times. Personally, I wish the two little forks which come with the set were longer than what they are by about three inches (and I wish there were two more of them as well).\\n\\nAs many other reviewers have had the wisdom to mention, think seriously about how often you are going to use this thing. It really is fun to have one, but our kitchen isn't getting any bigger whenever we buy a \\\"needed\\\" small kitchen appliance, never mind an novelty small kitchen appliance. We can definitely use this on Saturday nights, especially if we have nieces and nephews over, but I predict we would use it perhaps every three months... I would be happy enough with that.\\n\\nListed currently at about $40, I think that's a fair price for what you get. We've had fun with it. It is kind of a kick for a six-year old to make s'mores inside the house, and perhaps that novelty would stay alive over the long-term if it were used only sparingly when those winter months come along. And summer months are fine, too, right?\",\n \"Product: Introducing an evolutionary new look in coffeemakers. The Cuisinart Brew Central Coffeemaker makes a bold statement with a brushed metal finish and an elegant tech-industrial design. Programmable from start to finish, with a variable heater plate for temperature control, it's the ideal coffeemaker for today's demanding consumer. It even tells you when it's time to decalcify. Cuisinart quality, performance and convenience -- now in new state-of-the-art packaging.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: If this is how it always runs, it's a great coffee maker... but I can't shake my skepticsm\\n\\nReview: We're into our second week with the Cuisinart DCC-3650, and so far we have almost nothing but good things to report about it. It is a very sharp looking coffee maker, the brushed chrome/nickel look matching most of our appliances. It is easy to use and to program, but I'm still not used to the blue light it emits always being on; I still wonder if the heating element is on when I see it, and the OCD in me has needed to check it out on several occasions. I'll get over it in time, but still... I wish the blue light would turn off.\\n\\nThe best thing about this coffee maker is the temperature at which it brews. There are settings which include \\\"hot\\\" and \\\"very hot\\\", and the very hot setting is, in fact, VERY hot. I've heard for years that the full flavor of coffee comes from very hot water, and when this is brewed, even after adding a little cream in it, my wife and I have both had the experience of hardly being able to take a sip. I've already called my Dad to let give him my Obi Wan Kanobi impersonation... \\\"this is the coffee maker you've been looking for.\\\"\\n\\nBut there are a couple of things that keep me skeptical. I've read the other reviews, and I wonder if I just happened to get one that really does brew \\\"very hot\\\" at the \\\"very hot\\\" setting, and if so, how long it will stay that way. I've had several Cuisinart coffee makers in my adult life, and they've been hit or miss. One lasted just long enough for the warranty to expire, then died. Another -- the very same model -- lasted four or five years before it had to be put out to pasture. And I completely understand that anyone buying a coffee maker over $100 deserves to have a long-lasting, dependable brewer, and so from my past experience and the experiences of other reviewers, my slightly-scientific analysis of this product is; maybe I got lucky, and for how long will that be?\\n\\nAgain, so far, I do really like the coffee maker, and the temperature has been the big bonus. If this is how every DCC-3650 runs, I would recommend it even at $116.67 (the price as of today). That in mind, please continue reading reviews. My experience may be the norm, and if so, I wish you the same coffee experience as I've had so far.\",\n \"Product: Keep the humidity in your home at a comfortable level all year round with the Bionaire Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier. This ultrasonic humidifier disperses a fine, visible mist into the air to help alleviate sinus irritation and chapped skin caused by dry indoor air. Its 2-gallon tank and three humidity output settings are designed for medium to large rooms. The personal air humidifier has easy-to-use digital controls and a built-in night-light, so you can easily locate the unit in the dark.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Quiet, Unparalleled Control, and at a Decent Price\\n\\nReview: The Bionaire Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier is an all-around excellent humidifier with a great many ways to control a medium-to-large room's environment over a several-hour period of time. This is the perfect humidifier for our downstairs bedrooms with suspended ceiling tiles; we can have a pleasant -- and quiet -- atmosphere at night in what otherwise would be a very dry area without worrying about the tiles becoming damp, as opposed to a Vick's vaporizer, which can be loud, and over a period of use would no doubt cause damage to such tiles. Finding the right humidifier has been a seven-year struggle, but now I believe we have the one!\\n\\nWe are going to keep and continue using the Vick's vaporizer for those times when my son comes down with a cold; the Bionaire is not set up to deliver any medicated liquid like the Vick's does, but for those normal times with no colds, the humidifier, with its fine mist and filter-free antimicrobial protection, will be the mainstay overnight piece of equipment for comfort and sinus health.\\n\\nAt $99, this kind of control is much, much better than some of the devices we've purchased over the years which cost at least twice as much. It's quiet, and its compact size makes fill-ups and transportation easy. We've had no experience with leakage at all, and we're very satisfied with this unit. Highly recommend.\",\n \"Product: The Tribest Sousvantis the easiest way to bring gourmet restaurant results into the comfort of your own kitchen. The Sousvant's innovative all-in-one design, removable carafe, and powerful 1000W circulator will have you cooking like a pro in no time. Experience the intense flavor and luscious textures that sous vide brings to even the simplest of recipes. Vegetables stay snappy and rich in flavor. Ribs and roasts turn out perfectly moist with that fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Never overcook a steak again. The Sousvant is the easy way to get high-end restaurant results in an easy to use package. It's sous vide made simple. No experience necessary.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: A Mystery at First, Find the Help Resources Online and with Experience Comes Delicious Food\\n\\nReview: Let me start with the basic truths here; this Tribest Sous Vide machine is a sold piece of equipment, still fairly light weight, attractive, and something you may want to consider keeping on your counter top if you have ample space (but how many of us really do?).\\n\\nThe $400 is an investment in something you will undoubtedly have second thoughts about because you already know how to bring a large pot of water to a near-boil. Let me assure you, even though we've only had it a month, we now know the difference between a pot of hot water and the SV-101. It is night and day for many reasons; water levels, temperature fluctuations, peace of mind. Those things will not bring down the price, but if you want to experiment in this kind of cooking -- the benefits of which, so far, have been delightful -- then utilize the investment to the fullest and you will feel better over time, especially if you stick with it.\\n\\nThe hardest part for us was figuring out where to begin. There are nearly no instructions which come with the SV-101, so I was grateful for the intuitive and few controls, but the biggest thing was that there are no recipes included. They really should include a small recipe book dedicated to the machine they make. And that is my biggest \\\"complaint\\\" for the consideration of the manufacturer.\\n\\nThankfully, we live in a world of the interwebs, and a \\\"sous vide recipe\\\" search will help a lot. Here are some suggested helpful links; [...][...][...]\\nNone of these are specific to the Tribest, but temperatures and times are universal and they helped us a great deal.\\n\\nWe've mostly used the machine for vegetables so far, and fresh veggies are amazing in it. Even frozen, packages vegetables will taste better, but there's nothing like hand-cut, seasoned vegetables in the SV-101. Flavor like nothing you'll ever get from a microwave, and the firmness which also tells you that they weren't rushed in the micro. This kind of cooking takes time, but for the most part, the SV-101 takes care of itself, so it's a set-and-forget situation, much like a slow-cooker. Come to think of it, I don't know why we haven't used our slow-cooker in tandem with the Tribest yet. Maybe tonight! Then again, there is also the possibility of putting two or more different kinds of foods into different bags; long-cooking multiple items is possible. This will all come with experience.\\n\\nThe reason I take off a star is the lack of help that comes with the product, and some of it has to do with the price tag as well. But the bottom line is this; I enjoy this kind of cooking and dining experience and I know others in my family will enjoy it as well. It's another dimension in the kitchen, and the results so far have been delicious. I look forward to trying more meats especially.\",\n \"Product: Keep food fresh longer with the FoodSaver FM2435 Manual Vacuum Sealer System. Powerful technology eliminates air from specially designed bags to prevent freezer burn and spoilage. When sealing FoodSaver Zipper Bags and Fresh Containers, the convenient handheld retractable sealer eliminates the need for additional attachments. It's a great all-in-one solution for all your food storage needs.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Best Vacuum Sealing System I've Seen to Date\\n\\nReview: So far, we've only been able to use the FoodSaver FM2435-ECR twice -- and the second time was so much easier than the first, once you get to know exactly what you're doing -- and I have to say so far I'd give it six stars if I could. It's the third sealing system I've had as an adult, and it is by far far far the best.\\n\\nWe just got back from a week of camping, and the shopping and vacuum sealing we did just before we left is a great example of what such a system can do for you. We have a camper now -- I'm too old for the tenting version of camping anymore -- and the freezer in the camper is very limited space-wise, as is the fridge. We sealed burgers, chicken, and sausages for the freezer, and the stackable nature of a well-planned final product, whether it is on top of one another or side-by side, really helps with maximizing the space you have. We also sealed fruit for the fridge and dry products for the cabinets and everything stored and kept beautifully.\\n\\nI have a much easier time with the zipper bags, with which you use the small hand-held attachment, than the roll which neatly stores in the unit itself. I let my wife use that one because she is far better with it than I, but she swears by it. The vacuum bags are perfectly snug to the food product after processing. We are discussing the possibility of a small freezer because of this unit's effectiveness.\\n\\nThe $122 price tag is outstanding; I've seen $200+ units that are not as effective as the FM2435, and take up much more space. This one, while still sizable, is streamlined and slides into our \\\"saran wrap\\\" door with space to spare.\",\n \"Product: The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster features extra-wide, self-centering slots to fit all types of breads, waffles, and bagels. One-touch buttons simplify operation, and the shade selection knob gives you control to make toast your way.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Awesome Toaster and Now the Bread-Maker is Going to Be Working Double-Time!\\n\\nReview: I love this toaster. We are using it in our camper, where we wanted to keep a little toaster oven, but when the opportunity to get this beauty came up, taking up perhaps less than 50% of the space, we jumped on it. It's perfect.\\n\\nWe love bagels, and my son especially loves chibatta bread toast. The wide slots accommodate either of them very nicely, and the super-simple controls toast bread to exactly how we want them. I think the smartest feature I've ever seen on a toaster is the button for frozen bread because running out of bread and having to pull a loaf from the freezer something we KNOW that happens, and it happens more frequently than we realize. BRILLIANT.\\n\\nHere I am trying to think of more to write about, but the bottom line regarding this toaster is simplicity. It's a great toaster and does exactly what it says and you don't need an instruction manual or have to visit a You Tube site to figure out how to operate it. It's ideal for thick-bread lovers like myself. I highly recommend it!\",\n \"Product: The Bissell power fresh deluxe steam mop provides an easier way to tackle those tough, stuck-on messes with the detachable spotboost brush. Cleaning with the natural power of steam sanitizes* floors, eliminating 99.9Percent of germs and bacteria* without having to use harsh chemicals. For those who enjoy a fresh scent while cleaning, insert the included spring breeze fragrance Disc into the built-in tray to release a burst of scent. Your power fresh deluxe steam mop is safe to use on sealed hard floors including hardwood, linoleum, ceramic, tile, marble, and granite. Fusing the microfiber pad, use as instructed. Results may vary. Tested under controlled laboratory conditions.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Best Steam Mop We've Ever Tried... light weight and inexpensive as well!\\n\\nReview: We've had three steam mops, and this Bissell is the best one by far. Lightweight, easy to get ready to use, delivering super-steaminess almost instantly, not difficult to store just about anywhere, and at less than $90, I can find nothing to really complain about other than there was no \\\"fragrance disk\\\" included to try.\\n\\nThe 1806 weighs in at a feathery six pounds and is as (if not more) mobile as any roller-ball-style vacuum cleaner I've ever used. It glides on a cushion of super-heated steam, and it's almost effortless.\\n\\nMy best advice? Go get distilled water for this beauty. We've ruined two other steam mops by not using it, and this mop being the best of them, I don't want to ruin this one as well. Easy to use, solid construction, powerful hot steam... I would venture to say that this Bissell is one of the best items I've ever reviewed. Love it.\",\n \"Product: This cart is sure to bring out the kid in everyone by instantly transforming gatherings into fun carnivals and dessert time! Featuring an extractor head that works with flossing sugar, hard candy, or sugar-free hard candy, this 3-foot-tall beauty will be a hit every time. The pull handle makes it easy to transport and the clear-door storage compartment keeps all cotton candy supplies on hand. Includes 2-reusable cones, sugar scoop, and 1-extractor head.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Yes, you will consider having a carnival for the kids in your life if you get this.\\n\\nReview: When Amazon Vine listed this for me, I took the offer immediately. I bought a 4-oz popcorn stand a few years ago, and last year purchased a large hot dog steamer and a snow-cone maker, all of which we use at church for festivals, and also use for the Boy Scouts. We rented a cotton candy machine last year, so now we have one for all kinds of fun events for the kids.\\n\\nThis Nostalgia 3\\\" Cotton Candy Cart doesn't disappoint, at least once it's put together. I am very grateful for Mark Fowler's suggestion that you should insert the poles first and THEN fasten the poles to the wheel base. The assembly of the box and entire cart with the instructions provided is, so far, the only reason why this isn't a five-star review. I am not gifted as an assembler, so I really appreciate good, clear, large instructions on a well-engineered product.\\n\\nNow. We've used the cart twice so far, one as more of a test with one very willing seven year old subject. The second time was, no surprise, much easier and involved a very willing seven year old subject. Okay, and parents. We purchased a carton of Gold Medal Cherry Floss Sugar for the cotton candy; we have not yet attempted using hard candies such as peppermint after-dinner mints, or anything sugar-free (I am diabetic, and such an alternative is much welcomed), but I can say that the floss sugar worked extremely well. The cart does not come with any floss sugar, so if you're dying to use it before it arrives, be sure to pre-order some floss sugar or perhaps get some hard candies at the local convenience store if you're already to go. The cart does come with re-usable cones, but fortunately we were already stocked with cones from our sno-cone machine as well (should any cousins come over).\\n\\nThe result is exactly the kind of cotton candy you'll remember from your youth; light, fluffy, and immediately makes you think about tooth decay. :^)\\n\\nI really like this cotton candy cart, and for $99, that's not a bad score if it lasts a few years. This might actually be a good product to spend the extra ten bucks or so to get the three-year protection on.\",\n \"Product: Now you can knock out the fat on all your skillet favorites. The SkilLite searing skillet features our exclusive grease channel design, that lets you separate fat and unwanted oil from food as you cook, so you can have all your favorite skillet meals with less fat and more flavor. George Tough nonstick coating lets you cook without oil or butter, with a spacious 16 by 12-inch cooking surface and 2-inch depth for whole family meals with ease. Intelli-Probe digital controls let you set cooking at the touch of a button, with an exclusive one-touch 500-Degree searing function that's the only of it's kind in the market. A reversible meat and steam rack adds even more versatility, while a tempered glass lid with adjustable steam vent lets you control and monitor cooking progress with ease. The elegant pan removes easily from the probe so you can cook and serve in the same dish.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Another solid Foreman product\\n\\nReview: We've been using the 16x12 searing skillet for about three months now, and my wife and I do like it, but I can't say that we quite love it. Speaking frankly, it has the same pros and cons that so many Foreman products do (and there are always more pros than cons).\\n\\nLet me begin by saying it's a handsome appliance. This isn't the old white-plastic Foreman grill from the '90s, it's a silver, black, and glass, fast-heating electric skillet that we've found useful at family get-togethers because even after unplugging the unit, it holds heat pretty well under the handled dome. That said, the cord for this model is only about three feet long, so we've had to move some things around and family get-togethers if we wanted to keep it plugged in. I think it will be great for camping once the weather is nice... and we find a good long extension cord!\\n\\nAnd the thing is big. It takes up space on counters while in use, and a lot of space under counters while not in use.\\n\\nThe nonstick surface has been great, and I haven't had any problems cleaning it, although it is a bit cumbersome. We have tried searing pork chops to keep the juices in, and we thought that worked great, but as happens so often with these electric skillets, there seem to be particular areas of the pan which are hotter than the rest. Searing works fine, but I think we've cooked at lower temperatures to avoid burning foods like the chops. The electronic contols are easy to understand and use, but I think the short cord limits the convenience of where you can place it.\\n\\nFrustrating is the fact that my wife and I really would love to use the steaming rack, but the cookbook (four recipes... cookbrochure?) doesn't have any recipes for the rack. If anyone has seen any, please feel free to comment and let us know where you found them; I'd love to check them out. I think that if the steam rack were easy to utilize, especially while cooking other foods, then this would be a huge plus for this grill.\\n\\nThe traditional Foreman feature is the grease-removal channels and gadgets meant to reduce fat in your food; in the case of the searing skillet, the channel is a small gully which runs along the bottom, and it seems to be a bit of an afterthought that one of the main staples of the unit. We've experienced more clean-up from this aspect of the machine that during the cleaning itself.\\n\\nAll in all, I'd give this unit a bit higher than a 3.5 rating. It is a solid product, and maybe even after a few months of use, we've not mastered it to the point where we would give it a higher rating. I hope to find more recipes from users so that we can take advantage of it more.\",\n \"Product: Callesto: a collection of furniture in a timeless style that gives you a lot of dcor options! whether your kid wants a room with lots of color or a more classic look, this chest will blend with the ambiance while adding some handy storage space. You'll be happy with this piece for years to come! metal handles in a dull nickel finish. Profiled drawer fronts, for a classic touch. Metal drawer slides, for smooth gliding. Drawer #1 dimensions: 25,75 (l) x 13,75 (d) x 4,25 (h). Safety is an integrated part of our values: this product meets or exceeds all north American safety standards. Accessories not included. Requires complete assembly by 2 adults (tools not included). Product dimensions: 31,5 (l) x 17 (d) x 41,5 (h). Box dimensions: 46,75 (l) x 18 (d) x 6,5 (h), 86 lbs. This products packaging has been tested and is certified to reduce the risk of damage during shipment. Made in Canada with non-toxic laminated particleboard. Clean with a soft dry cloth. 5-Year quality guarantee. Any product-related questions? contact the manufacturers customer service, available 7/7 by phone, chat, and email. Consult their website for details.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Construction and Instructions Not Ideal, but Final Product is Respectable\\n\\nReview: My first impression of this South Shore Callesto \\\"chest\\\" (I'd call it a mini-dresser or as we are fond of saying in this part of the country, a small \\\"bureau\\\") was that the box weighed a ton. It weighs 81 pounds according to the page, and I can confirm it weighs 81 pounds. I'm a little surprised it didn't arrive in two boxes for this reason, but I was also glad the box was this heavy... the mind seems to equate heavy with \\\"well-made\\\".\\n\\nMy second impression was realizing that I had to do the construction \\\"well-made\\\" myself. It took me almost two hours, and I had to ask my wife to help me a couple of times to hold things steady as I went in for the job. When I saw that all I needed was a screw driver and a hammer, I thought, \\\"well, this can't be that difficult.\\\" In the past, with Ikea items (there it is... inevitably, an item like this must be related with Ikea for purposes of comparison), I've very rarely needed a hammer (or mallet) for anything other than gently tightening up the finished product, so I wasn't sure if I'd need the hammer at all. I did. It is certainly required.\\n\\nThe instructions, from what I can tell so far, are the most not-Ikea quality thing about the whole package. The parts are marked like most assemble-at-home things are nowadays, with a letter system identifying the parts. It wasn't always clear how things were supposed to be oriented, so that bothered me; I want to know 101% for certain how something goes on before I do it, because God knows I'm not the most mechanically inclined man on Earth, and undoing something like this generally ends up going bad. This is not fine oak we're dealing with here; it's inexpensive for a reason (like that TV commercial says, \\\"advertisers never use the claim that they have the finest particle board in the world.\\\" Everything worked out, but I'm convinced the alignments could have been better, albeit that could be, in part, because I am not a master carpenter nor am I a master assembler.\\n\\nThe chest, once completed, is still darn heavy! It looks nice; thankfully, the packaging was good enough where the panels aren't marked up at all. Eventually, it will have its dings, more so than the wooden chests you would find at an unfinished furniture store. The drawers do have some wiggle room; this was another thing that I was expecting when I ordered it, but for the most part the metal drawer slides are effective and fairly smooth. I like the dull nickel hardware, and the profiled drawers. It ends up making a surprisingly sturdy chest, dare I say, at least comparable with Ikea.\\n\\nFor the $165 price tag, the effort of putting it together yourself is worth it. This makes a nice little chest of drawers for a guest bedroom. I can't give it five stars, but it is a respectable chest for respectable value, two or three hours of your time, and someone to help you move it.\",\n \"Product: The Bridgeport Faux Leather Bed is all about simplicity and modern design. With its 26 bentwood slat support system, the bed frame can comfortably support your mattress without the need for a box-spring. The upholstered headboard and foot-board work together to create a simple, tasteful aesthetic balance. The sturdy frame rests on four tapered legs with an additional two legs that add support to maximize comfort.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Quality, Easy to Assemble, Handsome, and a Decent Price\\n\\nReview: This DHP Bridgeport full-size platform bed is a well-constructed and handsome alternative to a simple no-frills frame without a huge difference in price. Yes, this frame is $230, but look at how much nicer it looks with sheets, some pillows, and a comforter. It makes a bed a bed, and the fact that it looks luxuriant will make the owner -- in our case, a nine-year old visitor who had no bed -- feel like a million bucks.\\n\\nThis bed is perfect for a young boy; it's only 12 1/2\\\" off of the floor, so easy in, easy out, and still plenty of room to store toys underneath. It is easy to put together, and having slats 4\\\" apart, it's quiet and sturdy.\\n\\nIt does NOT come with a mattress, but that nowadays is actually kind of a good thing. I want to pick out a mattress, not get stuck with one that came as an aside with the platform/frame. Pick the mattress that's right for you! When we got my son's bunk bed a few years back, I got rid of the full size mattress that cam with it and ordered a PosturePedic pillowtop mattress that he loved... until he got older and started sleeping in the top bunk, that is.\\n\\nI do highly recommend this Platform Bed from DHP Bridgeport - it's quality, relatively inexpensive, and handsome enough to make a difference for a little boy.\",\n \"Product: Enjoy your iPhone 3G / iPod Touch to the fullest Integrated speaker system provides high quality stereo sound Compact size great for travel or room parties Charge your device through 30 pin dock connector with a USB power cord USB power cord charges both\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: So Far, Not Bad... Not Perfect, but Not Bad\\n\\nReview: I ordered this compact speaker system in particular for one reason; it allows your IPod Touch to be in the horizontal position while docked so that you can watch movies in the \\\"full\\\" widescreen position. My wife is nearly eight months pregnant, so if she's getting ready for bed, I can take a movie I've rented and load it onto the IPod. Instead of having to share headphones, we plug it into the speaker system. The structure that holds the IPod can tilt, so we lock it into place, lay back, and watch the movie until she's ready to conk out.\\n\\nUsually, that's about 8 minutes. A movie lasts a LONG time this way!\\n\\nIt works splendidly for our purpose. No, it is definitively NOT a Bose product. The clarity will not make you imagine that you're in a theatre or concert-quality environment. It has a clarity of sound that is perhaps a little bit better than the transistor radio that the castaways used on Gillagan's Island, so do NOT buy this if you're looking for outstanding sound; you'll definitely be disappointed.\\n\\nThat said, my brother-in-law and I have been listening to my IPod while sheetrocking what will soon be the baby's nursery, and we certainly enjoy it being there. It's not a party atmosphere -- we both hate sanding and mudding sheetrock -- but we're grateful to have some tunes, even though they're not in quadraphonic sound.\\n\\nThe unit itself is rechargable with a USB cable the same way the IPod recharges through your computer. The max volume is actually pretty loud, louder than I expected. It can definitely make you run for the volume knob or the off switch if the phone rings!\\n\\nI really am grateful for the multiple-position arm when viewing movies in bed, and so far, I have not yet seen another horizontal-mount compact speaker system for IPod, although that doesn't mean there aren't any others out there. If you're thinking about getting this for the same reason I got it, you should definitely Google a few times to make sure there's not something new out there.\\n\\nI will say this; for the price, which was almost exactly $30 with shipping, this compact speaker system is a really good deal. I am very happy with it, and would certainly buy it again.\",\n \"Product: Panasonic DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with Built-in WiFi. The 2D-3D conversion makes it possible to convert images from DVDs and Blu-ray Discs into 3D with natural depth perception. The 3D effect controller lets you moderate the leaping effects of 3D images. It also lets you adjust the amount of depth, so you can view expansive images and enjoy movies with exactly the kind of 3D effects you want. Features Include: Blu-ray Disc Playback Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby TrueHD HDMI (Output) Wi-Fi Ready DLNA Certified Dimensions: 7.1\\\"L x 16.9\\\"W x 1.4\\\"H\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Panasonic, I still haven't forgotten... but this player is a good one\\n\\nReview: This is the first Panasonic item I've reviewed in a long, long time. I swore off Panasonic products about ten years ago after purchasing a home theatre system for about $600 that ended up being a $600 paperweight and dealing with customer service that did not want to talk to me in any way, shape or form. Several hours setting up the system and then trying to fix the problem, followed by dozens of phone calls and e-mails sent in trying to get help, and I was ignored; they had my money. So I will be straightforward in saying that I was ready to tear this system a new one based on how poorly I was treated by Panasonic in the past.\\n\\nTruth is, this 3d Blu-Ray player is a good system for a very decent price. The case is slim-profile, light but solid. The remote is easy to use, but I understand there is also an app available to have the player controlled by wifi. This is important to note, because while I do not have a smartphone, the BDT460 has Miracast, allowing all kinds of instant sharing with Android devices. It's also loaded with Hulu and Netflix as well as Amazon Prime... I know most Smart devices generally do, but coming from that generation that didn't have remote controls for TVs and had maybe seven channels to watch, this I always appreciate it. We have accounts with two of them, and it's been nice to have that option available.\\n\\nIt has two HDMI ports and USB as well. The picture quality on a 70\\\" 1080P is outstanding. The 3D is excellent, but I will also state that we have some really good 3D glasses to compliment the viewing, and I don't know how to judge as yet as to which device it is that is providing the excellent quality. I find it annoying that Panasonic believes it's acceptable to have sponsored ads as part of the package, but then again, I hate having to pay for a movie and then sit through insurance and other ads when that's one of the things I'm trying to escape from. After six movies, I've had no problem with skipping or locking up.\\n\\nIn short, I still have no love for Panasonic, but I've found the DMP-BDT460 to be an admirably-performing unit to date. Should that change, you know I will be back here to tell everyone about it. :^)\",\n \"Product: Modernized for today's casual professional, this asymmetrically quilted case carries a laptop, tablet and your business needs within a deep black exterior highlighted with red accents.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: After a few months of use, I have no complaints\\n\\nReview: I've used my Case logic case (my Case case?) for both a midsize laptop Windows computer and also for an iPad, and it has worked well for both items. While there aren't as many bells and whistles as some other cases I've had over the years, for $35, this product is an outstanding value. It's professional-looking, has space enough for the accessories I need to pack, and I feel safe keeping either electronic device in it.\\n\\nAs time goes by, I will update to see how it stands the test of wear and use. For now, I am very satisfied with it and would recommend, especially if you don't want to spend $250 to $350 on a computer carry case.\",\n \"Product: The iHM78 is an amazing approach to audio that offers size-defying sound. Speakers connect to a computer or other USB power source via the included USB cable to recharge the internal lithium ion battery. Remarkable vacuum bass design gives surprising volume and bass response in speakers that fit in your palm. Perfect for laptops, cell phones, iPad, iPhone, iPod and other MP3 players or tablets - any audio source. Magnetic base for compact travel, includes handy carry pouch.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Awesome Sound from Mini Speakers\\n\\nReview: I decided I needed a pair of mini speakers when I realized I could play some soothing lullabyes for my little boy at bedtime. I heard that iHome was a good name to try, so I decided to give them a shot, and since I received these iHM78s, I've been completely satisfied with them.\\n\\nThey hold a charge enough for six hours play time according to the claims made by iHome, and so far I've found nothing to challenge those claims. I am sure I played them enough over one five-day period to eclipse that amount, though I never really play lullabyes at full-blast.\\n\\nAmazon tells me they weigh 5.4 ounces, but holding them, my hand tells me they weigh almost nothing. They are super-portable; collapsible, with a cleverly-conceived magnetic base to make them compact and easily fit in the travel pouch. But these things just mean they're good at being \\\"mini\\\" speakers... it is the sound that really won me over.\\n\\nPlaying music for my son at bedtime, I've found myself dozing just as quickly as him. The sound, above all, is crisp and clear and clean. Even something this small delivers bass that you would swear is coming from speakers ten times the size. Again, this is at a volume conducive to delivering sleep to a boy who runs around the house in circles for hours at a time.\\n\\nThe next test was to use the speakers over my vacation, where I wanted to listen to the audiobook version of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. And it being vacation, I wanted to be in a hot tub with icy cold beer to listen to it. The volume up to be heard over the sounds of the water, I could hear the narration with severe clarity and I enjoyed it completely. I then took a long nap.\\n\\nI've also loaned these speakers to my Mom to listen to her first audiobook, and she loves them. She gave them back to me, but I think she was hoping for another audiobook. At least I have a good idea what to do for Mother's Day.\\n\\nIn short, I find no reason not to give these speakers five stars, given the incredibly reasonable price and the outstanding performance of the speakers. I would never expect to blast Metallica over these speakers and expect Bose performance; they do what they are supposed to do for portable speakers and they do it magnificently. I highly recommend them. If I find a reason to lower my rating or if I realize a disappointment, I will revisit this review. Until that time... I love them!\",\n \"Product: Full HD 1080p two channel compatible dash cam with 140-degree viewing angle. Equipped with a Road Safety Warning System FDWS, LDWS. Built-in Wi-Fi for easy video playback and device configuration through a compatible iOS or Android smartphone. Built-in GPS for Red Light and Speed Camera Alerts, and embeds data (speed, time, and location) to video recordings.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Looking for JUST a dash cam? You might want to look around more.\\n\\nReview: I've been using the F750 for about three weeks now, and I'm still getting used to it. There are more bells and whistles on the F750 than I thought there was going to be, and by bells and whistles I mean gadgets that make a lot of noise! After some time, I managed to turn down the volume on the R2-D2 exclamations from the device. I don't need a warning for a red light every time I approach a red light. These features sound like a good idea on paper, but they just sound annoying in real life. I expected a dash cam -- and the dash cam does work well -- but I got a loud, electronic back-seat driver as well. Except, of course, it's in front of you. :^)\\n\\nI've found the WiFi connection to be time-consuming. I thought WiFi was going to make video viewing much easier, but honestly, unless I'm in an accident, I don't think I have the patience to transfer the video again. It would be much easier to remove the card and view on my laptop. From all of my tests and checking in on the F750 so far, it seems like a decent dash cam for emergencies, but it's not hassle-free when it comes to quick, simple viewing. If the WiFi was not problematic and quicker, I'd give it an extra star right now.\\n\\nI am awaiting delivery of the hard-wire kit and a 64GB memory card. Will review more when they are installed. It would be awesome if I could connect the F750 to my in-dash screen the same way my reverse camera does.\",\n \"Product: Braven BRV-XXL portable Bluetooth speaker is our largest and loudest speakers to date. With 4x the standard amount of HD audio drivers, the BRV-XXL is the best speaker for even your biggest parties. Wirelessly connect, play, and talk from up to 33ft (10m) away with crystal clear sound. The XXL doubles as a power bank featuring the unique capability to charge any device with its built-in 15,600mAh USB battery port. With its rugged design, the BRV-XXL is completely weatherproof which keeps it safe from water, sand, dirt, and even accidental falls. Take your speakers outdoor, indoor, or anywhere in the world without ever worrying about ruining it. The biggest, baddest speaker in the outdoor BRV line, the BRV-XXL is sure to rock the house or make you the MVP of the tailgate party.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Delivers Loud and Clear Sound and Very Outdoors-Friendly\\n\\nReview: Wow, what a treat. I've been reviewing for Amazon Vine for many years now, and this Braven BRV-XXL Poratable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is one of my all-time favorite items.\\n\\nFirst of all, yes, it is big, but at 18-pounds, it's definitely portable, like one of the boom boxes you had in the '80s that your neighbors frowned at when you past by to go to a friend's house. And aside from the handle, it has a carrying strap (with a bottle opener, no less!) to help you along if you need it.\\n\\nSecond, it's built like a beast and it's meant to be outdoors. Water-resistant? We've already had it out on the deck, under the umbrella, but we weren't worried about the rain. It is constructed to resist far more than just rain, and like the ad above says, yes, it IS rugged! The 15,600 mAh lithium-ion battery is said to last 14 hours. We haven't played it that long yet, but for what we have played it, it was going strong before being plugged back in to recharge.\\n\\nGREAT sound. Powerful. Loud. Clear. We've tested it on our deck from our kitchen, about 28-feet away and through a wall and a brick fireplace, and it was still working just fine. On the deck, I had a couple of friends over and we felt compelled to all use our phones and iPods on it, sharing time. Lots of fun! It also has a microphone jack for PA stuff (thinking about Boy Scouts and our church, specifically). I haven't used that yet -- I don't own a mic -- but I'm excited to try it, and I know others are as well.\\n\\nThe re-charger option has been used several times and is incredibly efficient. My friends tried it, and it seemed to charge their electronics in no time. There was no audible draw from the strength of the music when we did so.\\n\\nThe BRV-XXL has a price tag of $350 as of the time of this review, and from what I've seen of this product so far, it truly is worth it. It's built like a tank and seems to be just as waterproof and outdoors-friendly. I really love it and I'm very happy to recommend it.\",\n \"Product: 7-Inch Headrest Monitor with DVD (Gray)\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Loved it at first, but then...\\n\\nReview: Before I say anything else, I'll give you the bottom line: I bought the Roadview RHM-7.0G Headrest Monitor with DVD Player on April 12th, 2011. It officially died on April 12th, 2012.\\n\\nI did love this product at first, my only complaint was that the built-in speakers were just not loud enough. My son was just turning two when it arrived, and he was beside himself in joy that he could watch Blues Clues, Bob the Builder, or \\\"Thomas Trains\\\" from his child seat, and we had a couple of long road trips where my wife would sit with him in the back and watch Pixar movies or classic Disney. At first, it was truly ideal.\\n\\nWe had to have it professionally installed; the power source was a little bit of work, so we spent the extra time and money to do it right. I am not the most technically-inclined man in the world, and even those who are less electronically-challenged as I would, according to accounts, not have the easiest time hooking it up.\\n\\nThe gray faux leather is not a perfect match with my car, but the headrest really does blend in surprisingly well, especially because our rear windows do have a slightly darker tint and it wasn't noticable at all that it was a DVD/monitor when it was zipped up. I always felt safe when parking at grocery stores and malls that it was not an attention-getter.\\n\\nBut after about eight months, it had an increasingly difficult time reading DVDs, and then some DVDs wouldn't work at all, no matter how much you tried to secure the DVD into the player, clean the DVD, or pray to your preferred diety. Eventually, I'd be driving along and I'd hear my son say, \\\"Daddy! TV went off!\\\" but the power indicator light would still be on. Unfortunately, on Friday, April 13th, 2012, my Roadview RHM-7.0G Headrest Monitor with DVD Player is defunct. My next step is to have a good friend take a look at it to see if it can be saved, and if it is shot, I will try to figure out how to hook it up to my iPod Touch to see if it can still provide visual entertainment from an outside source.\\n\\nI give it two stars... I'd have given it four if it were still working properly, but one year is far too short for a $150 component to last.\",\n \"Product: Mad Catz' F.R.E.Q.3 Stereo Headset is tough yet comfortable and lightweight, capturing sublime audio from games, movies, and music. Multiplatform GameSmart technology provides simplified setup and near-universal compatibility with a host of different devices. The F.R.E.Q.3 is a go-to headset for use with laptops, desktops, and tablet computers, plus the latest generation of iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone handsets.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Does Everything Well and For a Good Price\\n\\nReview: I have been pleasantly surprised with this Mad Catz FREQ3 Headset. I really haven't found anything to complain about.\\n\\nIts oversized earphones are very comfortable, easy to adjust and light in weight. They might not be the lightest, but even when worn for long periods of time (although taking them off for your ears to breathe for a few moments is refreshing), I have not experienced discomfort.\\n\\nThe volume controls are well-placed and easy to find.\\n\\nThe sound quality is fantastic (both bass and treble), and the built-in mic is something I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I have. My old headset, a Sennheiser gaming headset valued at $130 and which I still love, had the flip-down microphone which made me psychologically feel as if I was being heard better, but I would very frequently bang my hand into it because I'd also forget that it was there. This caused some in-game swearing on occasion! Not having a mic \\\"lever\\\" in front of me makes me wonder if I'm being heard as clearly -- and I am! -- but not having it in front of my face gives me the ability to scratch an itch on my nose or take a sip of a drink without tearing the headphones off accidentally.\\n\\nThese are also great for listening to audiobooks or music and escaping the real world for a bit.\\n\\nAnd the $79 price is amazing. For the quality delivered, it compares against headphones that are 180% the cost. And I still haven't tested it on all the devices and places I can use it yet, like at work. I would highly recommend this headset; it delivers great sound and comfort for a very reasonable price.\",\n \"Product: Get the party started, out in the yard, on the block or inside the house with the SC-CMAX5 Mini DJ Jukebox Portable Audio System. Its three-way, four-speaker audio delivers 1000 watt (RMS30%)/11,000W (PMPO) output for pure, distortion-free sound through a 10 inch super woofer, 4 inch woofer and dual, double layer bamboo cone tweeters. Play hours of music from mobile devices with dual USB inputs and create and share playlists from smartphones with Bluetooth connectivity and the Max Juke App.* Dance-friendly features include D.Bass to automatically adjust bass tones in every song to energize rhythm and beat. The ready-to-roll design makes music mobility a snap with wide, durable wheels and a strong, luggage-like extendable handle. CMAX5 plugs into any AC outlet.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Powerful Sound from a Heavy Unit\\n\\nReview: We've had our Panasonic SC-CMAX5 for about a month now, and we've not yet been able to try it in \\\"public\\\". We have a couple of church and Boy Scouts events coming up soon where it is going to come in handy, but for now, all discussed testing has happened at home.\\n\\nFirst of all, the CMAX is listed as portable, but make no mistake about it, the sucker is heavy. The extendable handle and wheel system are not ideal; the wheels are positioned slightly off-edge so that you require more of an angle to make the wheels work ideally. So in terms of portability, it is not going to be easily portable to a person of smaller stature. It's kind of a beast, and that's a good thing in other ways, but moving it around won't be like moving your old cassette player from point A to point B.\\n\\nThe sound is booming good, and really the sound quality is as good as whatever quality device you have to plug into it. There are two 2.0 USB inputs set up front on top of the cabinet, very accessible. I've been able to play MP4s from thumb drives, but no other kinds of files. The 1000-watt speaker features a 6cm tweeter, two 4\\\" woofers, and a 10\\\" \\\"super\\\" woofer. The front of the cabinet has a \\\"club-style\\\" LED light with six different colors... I don't think that it will ever be mistaken for nightclub lighting, but it does give a nice atmospheric glow, at least. The BlueTooth was very easy to connect with our iPods.\\n\\nThat said, the CMAX is much more than I expected in terms of PA capabilities. The top rear of the unit hosts two RCA inputs and two 1/4\\\" mic inputs; I know the mic inputs are meant to be enjoyed for the unit's \\\"karaoke\\\" mode, but when this is used at outdoor events for church this summer, the two mics will be very handy. While one of the bullet-points above makes it seem like you can plug in a mic for voice and an electric guitar jack simultaneously, I've read elsewhere that you can do this, and I'm waiting to see a couple of our \\\"we're in a band\\\" friends to make sure that's true/false (I will update when that happens... I am forced to post the review today).\\n\\nThe plug has a short cord... I guess it's just accepted that owners of the CMAX are going to need a multiple outlet extension with them at all times. :^)\\n\\nIn short, I am really looking forward to using the CMAX5 DJ outside as part of some events and seeing what my band friends think of it. Right now, I really like it. It's not cheap, but so far, I think it's a solid state unit which will provide positive experiences. I recall a good friend of mine had a giant boombox in high school (he named it \\\"Jake\\\"), and I almost feel that at age 48, I'm finally getting one of my own.\",\n \"Product: The direct descendant of our 1960s televised torture test survivors, today's Easy Reader is as durable as it is classically cool.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: My Mom Loves This Watch\\n\\nReview: I got this for my mother for Christmas, and I'm very happy to report that this is the one gift I gave in 2006 that perfectly fit the recipient's wish list. She loves it.\\n\\nShe had worn the same watch for over twenty years, and that one had finally had it. Truth be told, my mom isn't really that much of a watch-wearer, but had been wanting a replacement for those times when she wanted to have one, even as just an accessory. Now, she wears a watch all the time.\\n\\nWhile the watch face isn't huge -- it's reasonably sized -- the numbers are very easy to read for the eyes of a grandmother, and the font is attractive. Even the little date number inset on the three-o'clock side of the face is easy to read, and while she'd never had a watch with a date on it before, she realizes now how much she appreciates it.\\n\\nIt's a handsome watch in a classy gold, and she also loves the band, which is very comfortable and expands and contracts with movement nicely.\\n\\nLastly, and I get a kick out of this; she adores the indiglo feature. Her previous watch had a little light-up button on it (one of the old-style teeny-tiny fron-the-side lights which never really threw off enough light, and even that had expired years before, and the indiglo light illuminates the whole face very nicely and clearly in a pleasing blue glow. She tells me that sometimes at night she'll press that button just because she can. What a nice thing to say! :^)\\n\\nTo sum up, my mom wears this watch all the time, and I can tell she really loves it. The fact that she wears it so often tells me that it was the perfect gift to get her in 2006!\",\n \"Product: An essential training companion that makes a bold statement, the Timex Ironman Road Trainer digital heart rate monitor series offers performance and comfort in a next-generation style. This innovative tool is designed for both fitness enthusiasts and weekend warriors to help them meet their exercise goals.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: This is a great gadget, and I love it.\\n\\nReview: I love my Timex T5K719. It's such a great device, time-keeping and otherwise, that I'll actually wear the chest strap so I can wear the watch and monitor my heart rate through the day. It's actually taken time away from a couple of other watches that I love wearing because it is so fascinating to me. I am a large man, 6 feet and 280 pounds, and this watch has inspired me to take walks at lunchtime and try to get a little healthier.\\n\\nLarge watches are fashionable right now. This one is no different; the face of the watch, comparing against my 10-ounce coffee mug, squeezes inside with just a little room to spare. My favorite feature, other than the heartrate monitor, is the indiglo light button. I've always loved indiglo lighting; there's something about it that reminds me of childhood, and at the same time it's incredibly useful for night time-telling (or for the other functions of the watch).\\n\\nI find that this Timex is a lot nicer than my old Polar for a variety of reasons; the conection with the shest strap is almost always unbroken, it is much, much more attractive, the chest strap is a lot easier to use (and clean!), the band is more comforatble, and there are more features. In fact, I need to remind myself to get into some of those other features (like how long I remain in the 'ideal' or 'target' HR zone) so that they become a part of my routine.\\n\\nI give it 4.5 stars, and the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that at $80, it's priced a little high IMO, although I have seen other HR watches well over $200. Either way, it's worth it to me. I highly recommend it as both a watch and a HR monitor.\",\n \"Product: A versatile knapsack worn across the back via two shoulder straps or carried by hand with a reinforced handle\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Not a bad backpack - I like it - but I don't exactly recommend it.\\n\\nReview: I got this backpack for my seven year-old son, and my wife is making me wait until Christmas to give it to him (because, yes, it is that nice-looking that a seven year-old will be excited to get it). But I've been able to examine it closely and do a little testing when my son isn't around, mostly because I wanted to see if I should get one for myself now.\\n\\nThe first confusing thing to me was the headline for the backpack... \\\"Nylon\\\" it reads. Yet the description below reads \\\"100% polyester\\\" and \\\"100% polyester lining\\\". I immediately wondered if nylon and polyester are the same thing, and looked up an online comparison, which reads \\\"Nylon and polyester are both synthetic fabrics, but nylon production is more expensive, which results in a higher price for the consumer. Nylon also tends to be more durable and weather-resistant, which is why it is more likely to be used in outdoor apparel or gear. Both fabrics are flame retardant, but nylon is stronger, while polyester is more heat-resistant.\\\" - [...] This site has a long list of differences and similarities for the two fabrics, but to date, I am still unclear as to what material(s) are used and where in the product.\\n\\nThe shoulder straps are padded enough that short to moderate length use is fine, but I don't think I'd want to have the pack on my back for hours at a time. I would say that this is a good going-from-class-to-class backpack, but not one for long-duration wearing.\\n\\nThe main storage compartment is ample. Books, folders, pencil box, gym clothes; there's plenty of room. This compartment has two zippers, which is great. There is an auxiliary storage compartment as well, which unfortunately only has one zipper, and as another reviewer has rightly noted, the lining can easily get stuck in these. I do wish it had the second zipper here, too. And there is one more zippered slip-in compartment on the aft side of the auxiliary storage area. A couple of people have noted that it would be a good place to store a tablet device, but I would feel nervous placing an expensive electronic device in a pocket geographically most exposed to bumping into things. Lastly, underneath the flap directly behind the two buckles is another, smaller auxiliary storage space.\\n\\nI guess I should mention the zippers themselves. I have mixed feelings about them. They are the over-sized zippers that look sturdy, but the actual operational feel of them is disappointing. They do not swish-left, swish-right with ease; they require a little effort to get them going, and again, the interior lining of the compartment makes me feel that snags are inevitable.\\n\\nOn the left and right of the main storage compartment are two pockets with velcro to secure them. Either will hold a plastic water bottle, with teh cap sticking out of the corner, but they are not big enough for the insulated reusable metal water bottle I have. I wish that at least one size was made specifically for such a water container, using stretchy cords as many backpacks have. The side pockets are useful, but just one would suffice if the other could be for water.\\n\\nI like that the backpack also has a handle on the top center for short carries.\\n\\nThe buckles on the backpack are kind of confusing to me; they seem like they should secure the main compartment, but functionally, they don't do that at all. They secure the smallest auxiliary storage area and that kind of perplexes me. I'm not even sure what I would use that space for, and the buckles are just, apparently, for looks.\\n\\nThe backpack is about a pound and change, so it really is lightweight, and the stitching seems to be very sturdy. Right now it is listed at just short of $80, and (as I often state in my reviews) I feel that is too steep for the product. I do like this backpack, and I think it will serve my son very well indeed, but I can't say that I would recommend it. I think that, especially at this price point, it is a good idea to look around for something similar which emphasizes function over style.\",\n \"Product: This light yet durable portable baseball hitting tee quickly folds up and fits into any bat bag, allowing you to train no matter where you go. An adjustable height and sturdy tripod configuration make this versatile travel tee a great training aid for baseball players of all ages and skill levels.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Simple, Sturdy, Reasonably Priced, and Does a Great Job\\n\\nReview: <div id=\\\"video-block-RKKNHU2UDVSV7\\\" class=\\\"a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block\\\"></div><input type=\\\"hidden\\\" name=\\\"\\\" value=\\\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1dHMgCTTlS.mp4\\\" class=\\\"video-url\\\"><input type=\\\"hidden\\\" name=\\\"\\\" value=\\\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/810B5gaiPLS.png\\\" class=\\\"video-slate-img-url\\\"> After receiving the 7'x7' <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/SKLZ-Quickster-Net-Portable-Quick-Assembly-Multi-Sport-Net/dp/B004ZMYYTC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">SKLZ Quickster Net - Portable Quick Assembly Multi-Sport Net</a>, the Quick assembly travel tee was the perfect compliment. These two items are ideal for each other, and I should also suggest the <a data-hook=\\\"product-link-linked\\\" class=\\\"a-link-normal\\\" href=\\\"/SKLZ-Sport-Radar-Multi-Sport-Speed-Detection/dp/B008X3BQ3G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8\\\">SKLZ Sport Radar - Multi-Sport Speed Detection</a> to compliment both! For under $200, these three items can be had and they are wonderful together.\\n\\nThe video attached shows the tee and net in action. My nephew's baseball league uses them almost every practice they run. There is a funny moment in it as my nephew launches a ball above the net and shrugs it off :^)\\n\\nI don't intend to sound like a pitchman for SKLZ products, but we've all been very happy with all three of the products we've received from them. I would highly recommend the net and tee especially.\",\n \"Product: Mr. , beams, green, 260 lumen, ultra bright led lantern, with USB charger, for outdoor entertaining, camping, power outages or fun, USB port for up to 4 cell phone charges, auto shut off after 60 minutes, 360 degrees of lighting, 2, brightness modes, weatherproof, 30,000 hours of light, uses 4 \\\"d\\\" alkaline batteries, not included.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Does everything I hoped it would do\\n\\nReview: Being a big-time camper in the summertime because my wife is a big-time camper in the summertime, I appreciate lamps like this. This Mr. Beams lantern is awesome; it casts an immense amount of light with a really good distribution.\\n\\nBut that's not what I love about it the most.\\n\\nIt's compact, has a well-designed handle which allows it to be hung in handy places, and it's an attractive, lightweight unit.\\n\\nBut that's not what I love about it the most.\\n\\nWhat I love the most is the USB port which charges my iPod Touch so I can play games (usually with my son) while Mumma is doing camping things. It holds a great charge, and I appreciate this lantern more than just about any other camping item!\",\n \"Product: Drive for show, putt for dough. What percent of 7, 5, and 3 foot putts do you make? Ask any pro, and they will tell you that the money is made at these distances. The Accelerator Pro Putting Mat with Ball Return lets you practice three key putt lengths with perfect strokes on a high quality true-roll putting surface. The back and through-stroke alignment guides ensure perfect acceleration and distance control, while maintaining a square face to the target.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Not a bad practice green for the living room\\n\\nReview: My first joy was in seeing the packaging; it indicated this practice putting green was made in the USA. :^)\\n\\nThat said, the putting surface required us to overturn a table on it and place weights on it to flatten it out. We let it be for a weekend and it was perfectly flat thereafter. The putting surface, while thin, is actually a very good representation of a putting surface. After using it for a couple of weeks and still not having the time to hit the golf course, my instinct is that the surface putts a little slow, or heavy, and when I do get out to the golf course I'll be over-hitting my putts a little. \\\"Never enough, never in\\\" my grandfather used to say, while still managing to avoid any innuendo.\\n\\nI love the lines at 3, 5, and 7 feet. My putting stroke has always been a little 2-to-8 and these lines are training me to putt 3-to-9, straighter and cleaner. That's probably the best putting mechanics lesson I could receive.\\n\\nThe gravity-feed ball return feature usually works but not always. I'd say about 80 to 85% of the time, and I've found that putting a second ball into the hole will generally get both balls out of there. I think I can add some felt liner to it to add some in/decline inside and have it work better, but didn't want to do it before I wrote my review. I see other people are having problems worse than mine and others don't seem to have a problem at all.\\n\\nAll in all, it's not a bad set up for $50. It's not a sideways glass model; it's a cup, which is great, and the main lesson for me is the mechanics to straighten out that stroke.\",\n \"Product: With the 40 oz Chute vacuum, you can get a cold drink and a smooth pour, even in the backcountry. This vacuum-insulated bottle keeps liquids cold for 24 hours (even longer if you add ice), and hot for six. Plus, the cap snaps into the handle, so you can keep it out of the way as you pour. The sturdy, double-walled steel design keeps condensation from collecting on the sides of the bottle, and the powder-coat paint job adds some extra color. The narrow-mouthed opening also makes it easy to drink and pour without spilling, so you won't waste a single drop. After all, nobody wants to end a long, hard day with a lukewarm drink.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Excellent Quality and Good Results\\n\\nReview: I really like my new CamelBak insulated water bottle (I guess we can't call it a \\\"Thermos\\\", can we? See: Xerox, Band Aid, etc.). I try to drink as much water as I can throughout the day, and the 40-ounce capacity of this bottle is great. My old insulated bottle was maybe about 20 to 24-ounces, and the CamelBak keeps water colder for much, much longer than that one.\\n\\nIt's easy to clean, easy to fill. The store-in-handle cap is convenient but I haven't used it as much as I thought I might.\\n\\nI am looking forward to buying another CamelBak for coffee. I don't want to use the same one for hot liquids and cold, although I admit I am certain it would hold up fine because it is clearly well made. I just want one to have water in it all the time, and knowing how cold it keeps water, I'm sure I would really enjoy having a large mug of coffee with me on some workdays, staying fresh for several hours.\\n\\n$37 is a reasonable price for such a great insulated mug. I believe this is going to last a long time and I definitely recommend it.\",\n \"Product: Thule Coaster is a durable bicycle trailer that provides a safe, comfortable ride and easily transforms to a stroller once you reach your destination.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Best \\\"Convertable\\\" Stroller I've Ever Seen\\n\\nReview: This is our second Thule and this one, even at one-third of the price of the first Thule we had, is the best one we've had and the best coaster/stroller I've ever seen.\\n\\nMy first fear upon receiving it was constructing it. The first one was a challenge and a half, but the 10101803 was all put together within 15 minutes of the last piece coming out of the box, and I was in no rush at any point in the process. Excellent instructions helped this mechanically-challenged man quite a bit, and I was very happy with that.\\n\\nOnce assembled, the 10101803 is a very handsome looking product! Sleek design, beautiful color.\\n\\nOn the back end of the stroller is a very large storage area, somewhat of a hard-plastic backed nook that will fit plenty, including jackets. If I tried to explain the amount of space in visual terms, I bet you could stand a dozen or so two liter bottles of soda; at least 10, anyway. There are also small pockets inside the cockpit area of the stroller, where the seats are elevated slightly from the bottom of the stroller (like little shock -absorber seats) and the restraints are soft on the children and easy for grown ups to buckle and unbuckle. It's spacious in there!\\n\\nThe handlebars easily detatch from the back of the stroller and can be flipped around so that the handlebars are much lower. The \\\"ezhitch\\\" wheel on the front is just that! It's one pin to remove the small front wheel, store that wheel on the top of the bar, then pin it back in to secure. The ezhitch quickly extends and easily secures to a special bracket mounted to the center of the back wheel of a bike and the stroller stays centered nicely. We have a Schwinn trike, and found it is still very easy to attach that special bracket to the trike using common hardware (a 90-degree corner bracket and a nut, washer, and bolt) we had in our utility room.\\n\\nThe front of the stroller has a soft plastic, transparent \\\"windshield\\\" which keeps water/rain/mud from kicking up into the cockpit, and underneath has a nice mesh netting for clear days which would keep mosquitoes and any road debris from kicking in, either. There is a nice parking break feature at the wheel of the coaster.\\n\\nThe whole unit folds up in less that a minute to something the size of a medium-sized piece of luggage. It can store by hanging in a shed or in the back of a modest suv or car trunk.\\n\\nThe $399 price is appropriate; it's well-built, thoughtfully designed, and runs smoothly. With an 80-pound capacity, you may not be using it forever, but while you have two little ones (or even one!) this Thule is a wonderful bargain, and I highly recommend it.\",\n \"Product: Inflatable SUPs are a great option for camping trips, boating and riders with limited transport/storage space. Extremely durable drop-stitch construction allows the puffer to maintain unrivaled stability and rigidity.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: This was the best addition to our camping gear since our camper!\\n\\nReview: We received our JimmyStyks Paddleboard before the snow had melted this spring, and my 8-year old was thrilled to get it. When we finally went camping for the first time just before the beginning of summer, we were out there on the lake inflating this bad boy for the first time. My son couldn't wipe the smile from his face. With flotation vest on, he set forth to explore -- his mother and/or I nearby at all times -- and only when hunger or nature called did he retreat from his newfound joy and ability.\\n\\nThe JimmyStyks Paddleboard is very easy to inflate and deflate, and it's tough! It's also true that the rigidity this inflatable board achieves is fantastic. When you look at the picture, does it appear to be an inflatable? Not at all, right? And that's the way it feels in real life, it's virtually a \\\"wooden\\\" quality/durability. The graphic above showing the four layers of PVC material on either side of the nylon drop-stitch nicely explains how the rigidity is achieved in a light-weight, easy-to-transport board. It's simply splendidly constructed.\\n\\nMy son weighed about 95 pounds this summer, and the board had no trouble whatsoever with his weight. I, on the other hand, scale in at about 250, and while I didn't spend much time on it this summer, the board still managed to handle my mass with surprising ease. I can't say that about everything which claims to support 250+ pounds! So if you are a larger mammal such as myself, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you that even pushing the limits on this board is okay; you should still be able to enjoy it just fine.\\n\\nThe $600 price tag is something I usually would flinch at, but as I look at other similar items throughout Amazon and other sites, this time I have to say that this price seems to be a good value, and the more reviews I read from seasoned outdoor water enthusiasts, that supposition feels more and more merited. It's a handsome board, and we not only had fun with it every time out this year, we also didn't feel at all like we had to lug it around. I highly recommend it.\",\n \"Product: Academy Award(R) nominated stars Joaquin Phoenix (Best Supporting Actor, GLADIATOR, 2000) and John Travolta (Best Actor, PULP FICTION, 1994) ignite the intense action in this heroic tale of ordinary men with uncommon courage! As part of a tightly knit brotherhood of skilled firefighters, Jack Morrison (Phoenix) grows from inexperienced rookie to seasoned veteran as he faces a dangerous job that makes him a hero to strangers but often shortchanges his wife (Jacinda Barrett -- THE HUMAN STAIN) and kids. Then, when he becomes trapped in the worst blaze of his career, the things Jack holds most important -- family, duty, courage -- come sharply into focus.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: The Life of a Firefighter\\n\\nReview: Director Jay Russell has sculpted somewhat of a Frank Capra type tribute to the firefighter; the mostly unsung hero who isn't trying to be a hero, he (or she) is just doing the job they know and love. Picture George Bailey running into a burning building in Bedford Falls; that's how I see Joaquin Phoenix in this film. Quiet, stoic, family-oriented. Devoted to a duty.\\n\\nYou won't mistake the plot for one crafted by M. Night Shamalan. It's straightforward, softly dramatic, with no real plot twists, save for the will-he-or-won't-he finale. What powers this film is the simple evolution of a young rookie into a seasoned firefighter; his relationships with his wife and kids as well as with his comrades. There are the same very-close-to-cliche dilemmas between husband and wife associated with other \\\"he's got a dangerous profession\\\" films (see the astronauts in Apollo 13 or the test pilots in The Right Stuff, the flyboys in Pearl Harbor, the bomb defuser in The English Patient, and many more), but screenwriter Lew Colick never abuses those themes. The film flows with the consistancy of main character Jack Morrison's (Phoenix's) life. Day by day.\\n\\n**SPOILER ALERT** My only wish for this film was for the ending -- and skip forward a paragraph if you don't want any hint of what happens -- to have been different. Sometimes, in such films, with such very high regard for the men and women of this profession, I wished for something I usually never wish for: That Hollywood Ending. **END OF SPOILER ALERT**\\n\\nJoaquin Phoenix is becoming an actor whose work I look forward to viewing. His work in \\\"The Village\\\" was very good. He has a knack of playing the soft-spoken and, as I said earlier, stoic roles, and it suits him. John Travolta plays the one-of-the-boys fire chief, protecting, fatherly, loving and stern all at once, and it was a nice part for him; a very strong supporting role. I agree with what one of the other reviewers noted; that it is nice to see him in these supporting roles rather that directly in the spotlight. His charisma is so present that he spices the atmosphere surrounding his fellow actors.\\n\\nIn short, Ladder 49 is a very nice popcorn drama for grown-ups. It's not an edge-of-your-seat manly man flick, though it does have its action moments. It is more of a fictional biography of one man and his \\\"two families.\\\" You might want to rent before you buy to see if it's one you'd add to your collection.\",\n \"Product: Driving with correctly inflated tires is important for several reasons: increased safety reduced tread wear improved handling and ride performance better fuel economy\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Good for inflating basketballs, until it breaks\\n\\nReview: I didn't get the Accutire MS-5550 for inflating tires, and it's a good thing. Within perhaps six weeks, I used the device three times, and already it is inneffective and not worth keeping.\\n\\nThe first thing I noticed about it is the cheap plastic. It is not a heavy duty unit at all; it weighs in at maybe 4 pounds and the plastic, I think, is why it's so light. I found myself using it the same way I use my iPod; extremely careful not to drop it! We used it to inflate a pool raft the first time, and it took quite a while (I do wish I'd timed it!), and we used the air compressor I gave my wife to inflate the second pool raft (I will update this review and get the make and model of it when I get home; it's in her car). Her compressor, a sleek, miniature briefcase of a tool, well-built and solid, inflated the same model raft in about 60% the time.\\n\\nThe emergency light on the MS-5550 is not an LED, by the way. Antiquated! And the guage is cheap; I never had the chance to compare it against my digital air-pressure guage because this guage stopped working completely as of the third time we used it.\\n\\nI'll just stop here and say I wouldn't recommend this thing at all. We do still have it because I might need to inflate a basketball sometime when my wife's car and the good compressor it contains is not at home. I can barely give it two stars... more like 1.5.\",\n \"Product: Driving with correctly inflated tires is important for several reasons: increased safety reduced tread wear improved handling and ride performance better fuel economy\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Good for inflating basketballs, until it breaks\\n\\nReview: I didn't get the Accutire MS-5550 for inflating tires, and it's a good thing. Within perhaps six weeks, I used the device three times, and already it is inneffective and not worth keeping.\\n\\nThe first thing I noticed about it is the cheap plastic. It is not a heavy duty unit at all; it weighs in at maybe 4 pounds and the plastic, I think, is why it's so light. I found myself using it the same way I use my iPod; extremely careful not to drop it! We used it to inflate a pool raft the first time, and it took quite a while (I do wish I'd timed it!), and we used the air compressor I gave my wife to inflate the second pool raft (I will update this review and get the make and model of it when I get home; it's in her car). Her compressor, a sleek, miniature briefcase of a tool, well-built and solid, inflated the same model raft in about 60% the time.\\n\\nThe emergency light on the MS-5550 is not an LED, by the way. Antiquated! And the guage is cheap; I never had the chance to compare it against my digital air-pressure guage because this guage stopped working completely as of the third time we used it.\\n\\nI'll just stop here and say I wouldn't recommend this thing at all. We do still have it because I might need to inflate a basketball sometime when my wife's car and the good compressor it contains is not at home. I can barely give it two stars... more like 1.5.\",\n \"Product: Create an incredible Disney fireworks light and sound show in your room featuring your favorite Disney characters! Pump the launcher, choose your firework, aim and pull the trigger! Watch as amazing firework light effects burst and expand on your walls! Booming sound effects! Easy to use handheld launcher.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: It's neat for a minute, but not worth the purchase\\n\\nReview: I bought this was hoping that it was going to be a spectacular indoor distraction during bad-weather days or sleepovers. I probably had my hopes up a little bit more that they should have been, and that's my bad. For approximately $20, you're not going to get \\\"spectacular.\\\"\\n\\nWhat I did get is something which will keep a kid's or kids' attention(s) for a couple of minutes before they reach the \\\"it's really a gimmick\\\" understanding that kids get. If you can present the showing of these fireworks with the unbridled passion of a Barnum & Bailey Ringmaster, it won't go much farther than that.\\n\\nThere are eight different fireworks on the \\\"gun\\\", but there is only one sound effect. It gets monotonous. There's a red dial that runs almost all the way around the center of the gun that allows you to switch to another firework. As I said, if you're an enthusiastic presenter and can choreograph the launches and fireworks, and perhaps add your own crowd reactions and explosion sounds, you can make this work for a few additional minutes. Make some popcorn and I would give this \\\"light show\\\" three stars instead of two.\\n\\nI suppose the bottom line for me is that the success of this product will be based more on the way you make it an event over the actual performance of the toy.\",\n \"Product: Pets love fresh flowing water! Ultra-quiet purifying pet fountain for multiple cat households or small dogs, provides naturally cool and oxygenated water. Features include a replaceable filter and a reservoir that adds water automatically.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Great at First - But Lasted Only Four Months\\n\\nReview: I received the PetMate FreshFlow in November, 2005, and put it to work right away. My wife and I have six cats, ranging from longhair to shorthair to haireverywhere, and I am pretty sure they all drank from it. They became accustomed to it very quickly, the youngest being absolutely fascinated by it. The entire time, I also had a high-capacity gravity-fed waterer in another room, so it wasn't the only source of water being used.\\n\\nMost noticible is that the FreshFlow is almost silent when the water is topped off, but if the water level falls, there is a very discernable motorized-gurgling noise. This goes away as soon as you refill the reservoir tank by removing the lid, pulling out the tank (which reminds me a bit of a gerbil waterer on steroids), unscrewing the cap, filling it up, then doing all this in reverse; a 30-second process.\\n\\nThe gurgling happens every day, and I would rinse the unit every couple/few days, and completely wash the unit out once every two weeks. I also changed the filter regularly, at least once a month. Beyond this, I made a point of pulling cat hair away from the little plastic screen in the water bowl, well, all the time. In short, I thought I did a pretty good job in maintaining the equipment. Any more than what I did, and honestly, I would rather buy surgical steel dishes and rotate them on a daily basis for the cat's use.\\n\\nStill, after taking the machine apart completely every few weeks to clean as instructed, the submersible pump failed after exactly 19 weeks and three days of use. I liked the machine... when it was working.\\n\\nI just purchased a pet fountain from a different company (I can't recall the make offhand... I should be receiving it soon) that ran in the $40 neighborhood, and I think it will be worth the extra money, but time will tell.\\n\\nAll in all, I don't think this purchase was worth it. Maybe it's because of all the cats and cat hair, but for those of us at least who do have a multiple cat household, I think it's wise to consider buying a higher-scale unit.\",\n \"Product: Designed with a limited number of premium protein and carbohydrate sources, this grain-free cat food is an excellent choice when seeking alternative ingredients for your cat. Our L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets ® Duck & Green Pea Canned Cat Formula is designed to support healthy digestion and to maintain skin and coat health—all while providing complete, balanced nutrition for all life stages! Product Highlights: Complete, Balance\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: My Five Cats, Sadly, Won't Acknowledge This Cat Food\\n\\nReview: I had high hopes for Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Chickpea Formula pate-style cat food; I thought the ingredients list was very good, with salmon broth and salmon right at the forefront. My wife and I have five cats, ranging in age from two to fourteen years, and sadly, not one of them will touch it. We've been offering the food, fresh, for five straight days, and I don't think one bite was taken by any of the cats, and that's the cat reality of it.\\n\\nI still give the food three stars based on the healthiness of the ingredients and the great job they've done labeling the health information on the can. As I write this review, the product is unavailable on Amazon, so I can't incorporate price into my rating.\\n\\nI have the hypothesis that my cats are all tuna-loving life forms with a disdain for salmon, so I will look for Natural Balance products with that main ingredient from now on. I'm sure that there are many cats out there who prefer salmon, but none of my five will do more than acknowledge that there's something they won't even sniff in the bowl. I was actually saddened by their reactions!\",\n \"Product: The flutter balls set is a teasingly tempting pair of soft balls with enticing feathers that offer an irresistible prey substitute for your cat. Flutter balls promise great fun with an emphasis on safety. This toys are designed without potentially hazardous beads, buttons and decorations that are common in many cat toys but are meaningless to your cat. Includes two balls per pack--style may vary. Measures 1-3/4-Inch length by 5-Inch width by .07-Inch height.\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: The cats walk by it with disdain\\n\\nReview: I have one cat who is certifiably insane for toys. Large boxes? He jumps in them and they are fortresses of peeking and mad shuffling. Small boxes? They are hockey pucks on the kitchen floor. Little paper balls, those plastic things you pull off of milk caps, my shoelaces, you name it, Alex the Cat will lunge for it, be fascinated by it, and will be absorbed by it, instantly, comically.\\n\\nAlex the Cat, when introduced to this toy, just looked at me. It was a look that made me feel like Joe Pesci had just slapped me. I've tried marinating the thing in good catnip, and even then, Alex, Bella, and Smootchy wouldn't acknowledge it.\\n\\nI'll just stop right here. Don't buy this. Your cats will lose respect for you.\",\n \"Product: Give your cat the flavors of salmon, chicken, and beef with 9Lives Daily Essentials cat food. Our delicious formula helps support heart health, clear vision, strong muscles, and healthy skin and coat. It's the great taste they want with the balanced nutrition they need to help provide a long, healthy life.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Well-Liked by the Cats, The Ingredient List Still Doesn't Impress\\n\\nReview: We have three cats; one 2 year-old tiger male, a ten year-old tux female, and an eleven year-old calico female. The three of them have outrageously different eating habits, and we try to keep a close eye on how and what they like, which is not always easy.\\n\\nThe oldest cat in particular has always had a problem with digestion issues. Most dry cat foods generally make a re-appearance somewhere on the carpet, in almost pristine condition. She's always been a lean cat, and my wife calls her \\\"bulemi-kitty\\\" for her regurgitations. One positive of this 9 Lives cat food is that this behavior/issue has almost stopped since she began eating it.\\n\\nI know that all three cats enjoy this dry food. My concern is the list of ingredients, which start with corn-based and bone meal-based products, fats and by-products, then go on to those chemically-sounding names that require research to identify properly. I've reviewed several different dry cat foods, and this one would be on the bottom of that list, in my opinion, and the only thing that gives it three stars is that my cats enjoy it. I have a guilty feeling giving it three stars knowing that there are much healthier options that I've already reviewed.\\n\\nI still have a while before the three fur-kids finish this bag, and I don't think I'm going to get it again, but I will watch the Calico to see if she continues not having her hurling problems. If she doesn't, I may get this one just for her.\",\n \"Product: Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Cat Food Salmon, Whitefish & Herring Recipe is healthy, 100% natural poultry free, gluten free, grain free cat food for adult cats made with salmon, whitefish, herring, tuna, cranberries and botanicals to help support inner wellness and fortified with vitamins and minerals, including fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat. Each wet canned cat food can be served as a complete, balanced meal or can be added on top for an extra boost of protein and is perfect for encouraging hydration and promoting healthy urinary tract function. Wellness CORE grain free cat food formulas are based on the nutritional philosophy that cats thrive on a diet mainly comprised of meat. Each grain free, nutrient-rich formula provides high quality protein for your cat.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Perhaps the Best Wet Cat Food We've Given Our Five Cats\\n\\nReview: No too long ago, we tried a hard cat food by Wellness CORE that just wasn't popular at all with our five cats, so I was skeptical about this soft cat food. It didn't take long for the five cats to change my mind. The cats not only love it, but one of the cats, Bella, who has never shown an interest in soft cat food, not only engages in it, but is waiting at the feeding area before the bowls get there. It's one of those happenings that dumbfound pet owners who thought they knew their 13 year old cat!\\n\\nOf course, there have been very few times when we have tried a wet cat food and the cats didn't really go for it, but this Wellness CORE grain-free has a phenomenal ingredients list; Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken Meal, Turkey Liver, Dried Ground Potatoes, Natural Chicken Flavor, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Cranberries, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Chicory Root Extract, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Niacin, Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Panthothenate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin.\\n\\nThe ingredients list ends with the disclaimer, \\\"This is a naturally preserved product.\\\" Also a very good thing to know and be impressed about.\\n\\nI am still amazed when I see Bella the Cat line up at the feeding area after I pop the lid of one of these cans, but I feel very good feeding this to all the kittehs. At $1.42 a can, it is kind of a steep price, but I wouldn't take a single star from my rating for it. It's worth it.\",\n \"Product: Give your cat the flavors of salmon, chicken, and beef with 9Lives daily essentials cat food. Our delicious formula helps support heart health, clear vision, strong muscles, and healthy skin and coat. It's the great taste they want with the balanced nutrition they need to help provide a long, healthy life.\\n\\nRating: 3.0\\n\\nSummary: Well-Liked by the Cats, The Ingredient List Still Doesn't Impress\\n\\nReview: We have three cats; one 2 year-old tiger male, a ten year-old tux female, and an eleven year-old calico female. The three of them have outrageously different eating habits, and we try to keep a close eye on how and what they like, which is not always easy.\\n\\nThe oldest cat in particular has always had a problem with digestion issues. Most dry cat foods generally make a re-appearance somewhere on the carpet, in almost pristine condition. She's always been a lean cat, and my wife calls her \\\"bulemi-kitty\\\" for her regurgitations. One positive of this 9 Lives cat food is that this behavior/issue has almost stopped since she began eating it.\\n\\nI know that all three cats enjoy this dry food. My concern is the list of ingredients, which start with corn-based and bone meal-based products, fats and by-products, then go on to those chemically-sounding names that require research to identify properly. I've reviewed several different dry cat foods, and this one would be on the bottom of that list, in my opinion, and the only thing that gives it three stars is that my cats enjoy it. I have a guilty feeling giving it three stars knowing that there are much healthier options that I've already reviewed.\\n\\nI still have a while before the three fur-kids finish this bag, and I don't think I'm going to get it again, but I will watch the Calico to see if she continues not having her hurling problems. If she doesn't, I may get this one just for her.\",\n \"Product: Keep your home smelling fresh and inviting with Purina Tidy Cats LightWeight Instant Action clumping litter for multiple cats. Tight clumps make it easy to clean your litter boxes, and the TidyLock protection helps lock away odors. You want to show your cats just how much you love them, which is why our Tidy Cats LightWeight Instant Action formula goes to work right away to control urine and fecal odors and keep their cozy cat territory fresh and clean. The added Ammonia Blocker prevents ammonia odors from forming for at least two weeks when used as directed. Because it's designed for multiple-cat households, this litter makes for happy cats, whether you have one litter box or several placed throughout your home. Weighing half as much as leading clumping litter, this litter helps simplify litter box maintenance. Getting your feline what she needs is easy with just a few clicks when placing an order for Purina Tidy Cats clumping litter on Amazon.com.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Didn't Cut the Workload, and was Messy\\n\\nReview: This Tidy Cats light-weight litter does live up to its name. The size of the jug vs. the weight of the jug would definitely indicate that this litter is very close to half the weight of any average scoopable cat litter. I do wish I could rate it four or five stars, but since we received our two jugs of this product a couple of weeks ago, our experience has been that it is a below-average litter.\\n\\nWe have five cats, three adults and two kittens. We've had as many as seven adult cats in our house at one time, and litter odor has rarely been a problem. Currently, we exist in a world that almost always smells like a cat pooped nearby. We know they haven't, but we check regularly anyway for any accidents. There have been no accidents; this is litter box smell, even though the three large boxes are maintained daily.\\n\\nI've found that this litter is dustier than others we've used recently. While pouring the product into the boxes or even after a cat has used the box, there is a perceptible light dust-fog in the room or rooms we are keeping the boxes. Don't pour it fast, that's for certain. And perhaps it is because of the light weight, but the cats do manage to track this litter further than other litters. The kittens especially are \\\"flingers\\\" in this regard.\\n\\nThe price is definitely too high for the quality of the product; if this were an odor-eating, no-dust litter, it might be appropriately priced at $45 for two 8.5 jugs, but not for this product. For the most part, I've always liked Purina products and other Tidy Cats litters have been staples in our home. This one just didn't cut it for us. I hope that over time, Purina will improve its formula.\",\n \"Product: Advance high performance cat litter was specially designed by cat owners, scientists and veterinarians to exceed your cat's everyday needs. Not only is it high performing, but it also weighs up to 25-percent less than other leading scoopable clay litters, making it easy to lift, carry and pour. You get all the performance without all the heavy lifting. Further, its unique moisture activated odor defender stops odors before they start, leaving your home smelling fresher, longer. Directions for use: fill litter box to a depth of at least three inches, remove clumps and solid waste and dispose in trash. Refill as needed. Once a month, clean the litter box with soap and water and refill. Do not flush or put in drains. Put used litter into trash.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Perhaps the best litter we've seen so far\\n\\nReview: My wife and I think that this Advance High Performance Scented Lightweight Multi-Cat formula is outstanding. It is probably the best scoopable litter we've seen, and we've had as many as seven cats in our home for over ten years now. The product does have a fairly extensive in-box life while maintaining quality.\\n\\nFirst, it's definitely lighter. Markedly so for the size of the container. We order two at a time and they come in one box that, albeit heavy, is manageable for my wife if they are delivered before I get home. In her own words, she \\\"no longer feels bad for the FedEx/UPS guy\\\" when these are delivered. When we ordered the big square boxes, it was like lifting a rectangular boulder.\\n\\nOut of the box, the handles on the container are FAR easier to use than the awkward boxes were. The boxes would tear where you didn't want them to tear, and not tear where you wanted them to tear. They didn't pour well at all, and handling a full box made it worse. The containers from Advance are wonderful. They are capped and re-sealable and are wonderfully manageable. And there is virtually no dust compared to some of the cloud-belching litters we've dealt with in the past. It used to feel like 10% of the litter would have to be dusted off of furniture in other rooms. This stuff is very low-dust and man, what a difference.\\n\\nCurrently, these go for $23.98 for a two-pack of 15lb containers. This is more expensive than Cat's Pride Fresh and Light Multi-Cat Premium Scoopable Litter ($17.98 for two 15lb similar containers). I haven't tried this one yet, but there is a $6 difference is price, so I will, and I'll be curious to see a side-by-side comparison, and I'll report on it when that happens.\\n\\nIn the meantime, I wish I could give an extra half-star to this Advance litter. We've been very happy with it.\",\n \"Product: Feed your cat's true nature with Purina Pro Plan True Nature 45% Protein Formula Natural Trout & Rice Recipe plus essential nutrients adult dry cat food. This formula features multiple sources of protein, including real trout as the number one ingredient, and every high-quality ingredient that goes into this premium cat food is carefully selected for a specific purpose. We optimize this recipe for lean muscle, strength and energy, so your cat gets the fuel she needs to maintain her active, adventurous lifestyle. You care about what goes into your cat's dish every day, which is why this dry cat food is made without added artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, allowing you to give her the nutrition she needs to fuel her natural instincts. Each time you fill your cart with Purina Pro Plan True Nature 45% Protein Formula Natural Trout & Rice Recipe plus essential nutrients adult dry cat food, you're one step closer to giving her the strength to help her excel from the inside out.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: While Tasty for the Cats, the Ingredients List Isn't the Best\\n\\nReview: My cats did seem to enjoy Purina Plan Dry Cat Food, but I don't think it ranks very highly in terms of ingredients. While turkey is listed number one -- and that's a good thing -- brewer's rice is listed second. Brewer's rice is basically your ordinary plain grain rice, but it's not visually appealing to humans because these are broken grains (brewer's rice is also known as \\\"broken rice\\\"). According to The Association of American Feed Control Officials, \\\"since cats are obligate carnivores, they do not require a large amount of grain in their diets, so this ingredient should be listed way down on any cat food label.\\\" Taking into consideration the fact that meats are listed on the ingredients list by their pre-hydration weight, that is, before the water weight is removed, brewer's rice might be considered the number one ingredient in this cat food.\\n\\nAccording to Dr. Karen Becker of Mercola Healthy Pets, \\\"a specific meat is what you want to see first on the label, but what you want to see second and third is also specific meat or specific meat meal. If the second and subsequent ingredients are grains, don't be snowed into thinking you're about to purchase a primarily meat-based food. It's a primarily grain-based food, so don't be fooled.\\\"\\n\\nThat said, take a look at the other ingredients and there always seems to be one word too many. Pea \\\"protein\\\". Chicken \\\"meal\\\". Dried egg \\\"product\\\". And a lot of \\\"supplements\\\". And these are the words we can pronounce easily.\\n\\nFor many cats, rice is an allergen. If your cat is having difficulty digesting a dry cat food, you might want to consider the rice content and see where it appears on the list.\\n\\nWhile it did appear to be a popular food for our three adult cats, I don't think I will be getting any more Purina Pro Plan Cat Food.\",\n \"Product: Treat your kitten to a great-tasting meal that gives them everything they need to grow up to be healthy adult cats. NUTRO Kitten Minced Salmon Cuisine in Tasty Gravy Canned Cat Food is made with real salmon as the first ingredient for a taste your feline friend will adore. This grain-free formula also contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, making it a wholesome choice for your growing cat. So whether you're looking for a natural cat food formula or just want to give them a feast to remember, NUTRO Canned Cat Food delivers excellent nutrition and visible benefits.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Very good ingredients and a fair price, loved by our five cats!\\n\\nReview: This is the first product we've tried from Nutro Company, and it won't be the last. All five of our cats, ranging in age from a couple of months to 12 years, are loving this product. They all have a variety of dry foods available to them during the day (only the male 3-year old is a little overweight... working on that!) but when a can of Chunky Loaf is opened during the evening, I am instantly surrounded by all our felines.\\n\\nThe price is also reasonable at a little more that $1 per 3oz can. I've seen substantially more expensive for products that do not have as good a quality of listed ingredients. And speaking of listing the ingredients;\\n\\nChicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Pork Broth, Natural Flavors, Guar Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Salt, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine.\\n\\nThe first four ingredients are always what I look at first as the contents of the can are listed in order of content per volume (I think I said that right). This is a pretty high-scoring list in my experience; not the best, but not at all bad. And all five cats make sure that these cans are completely finished every night.\\n\\nI highly recommend that you at least try this product for your cat. We scored five stars from five cats, so the odds are good that your cat will love it as well!\",\n \"Product: Wellness CORE Air Dried Natural Grain Free Dry Cat Food is healthy, grain free cat food for adult cats featuring tender protein morsels made with 70% natural, raw protein fortified with vitamins and minerals for whole body health and then air dried for the taste of raw and the ease and convenience of kibble, yet no refrigeration required. Wellness CORE grain free cat food formulas are based on the nutritional philosophy that cats thrive on a diet mainly comprised of meat. Each grain free, nutrient-rich formula provides high quality protein for your cat.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: I love the ingredients... but the cats just don't approve\\n\\nReview: I was very excited to receive Wellness CORE Air-Dried Natural Grain Free recipe for indoor cats. There was just one problem.\\n\\nFive cats... no one will eat it. One cat tries to cover it up by scratching the ground around it.\\n\\nThe ingredients are actually very good; Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Peas, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Tomato Pomace, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Fiber, Salt, Dried Cultured Skim Milk, Sunflower Lecithin, Ground Flaxseed, Chicory Root Extract, Zinc Propoinate, Potassium Citrate, Choline Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Cranberries, Cranberry Extract Powder, Cranberry Fiber, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Taurine, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, L-Carnitine, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.\\n\\nAnd as the last line in the ingredients says... \\\"This is a naturally-preserved product.\\\" Wow. That really is great.\\n\\nBut my five cats don't care about the fine print, and that's really disappointing. At $27 for a two-pound bag, no matter how good the ingredients list is, I can't make 'em eat it. Of course, your cats might love it; it seems to be a fairly well-liked product by those on this page, but sadly, my cats can't recommend this product.\",\n \"Product: IRIS 4-Tier Cat Tree Condo has sturdy wood components and heavy-duty hardware. The IRIS 4-Tier Cat Tree Condo is built to give many years of safe, playful fun. It assembles in minutes, and will provide a great space for your cat friend to explore and play. Cleanup is easy with a soft brush or vacuum.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good price, well made, but the star taken away is mostly for lack of instructions\\n\\nReview: This is a great \\\"cat tower.\\\" We have five cats, ranging in age from 6 months to 13 years. Four of the cats love cat towers, and four of the cats are all about loving this one.\\n\\nA few things; the tree comes in one very heavy box, and it took me less than 45 minutes to put it together. Like just about all things nowadays, the instructions were terrible. There were no step-by-step directions, there was just an exploded-version of the pieces included. The last step, putting the large top on the tree (maybe it should have been the first step?) involved me trying to screw the final leg in two different directions into two different pieces. Holy mackerel. Talk about maddening.\\n\\nThe dangling piece at the top should just be tossed out. It broke after two days. Before it broke, I placed one of the cats on it and the poor animal looked like he had no idea what was going on. He spend four seconds on it trying to gather his footing, and that was the only time one of the cats looked at it. I took it off after one of the support strings broke.\\n\\nI sprinkled a little cat nip onto the round cat hammock, and my second-oldest cat loves it now. It makes my heart swoon to see her all bundled up and snoozing in there. She couldn't be happier.\\n\\nWe have stationed the tree near our French doors and the cats spend most of the time on the top shelf, looking outside and sleeping. The cats all began scratching at the posts immediately upon placement of it. Perfect.\\n\\nOther than the terrible lack of instructions, this Iris Cat Tree is very reasonably priced, and the cats are certainly loving it. I highly recommend it... especially if there are instructions online somewhere!\",\n \"Product: Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain for Cats Whitefish & Potato Recipe is made with simple, natural ingredients with zero grains, glutens or fillers. Delicious whitefish is always the number one ingredient, combined with wholesome potatoes, peas and carrots, plus the vitamins, minerals and taurine that your cat needs for a complete and balanced diet.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Cats Love the Taste, I like the Ingredients List and the Price\\n\\nReview: This is another very, very good Rachael Ray cat food product. I've reviewed many cat foods and at least a couple of RR Nutrish items, and while there are other dry foods that I've reviewed that I would rank higher, this one is definitely a respectable item that should be graded very highly.\\n\\nFirst of all, I have five cats, ranging in age from 13 to 1. They are all different shapes and sizes, only one of them having a bit of a weight problem; the others are lean, athletic, and spritely. I am happy to report that they do enjoy this RR Zero-Grain Chicken & Potato recipe. We just finished several bags of RR Chicken & Brown Rice recipe, which we order monthly, and there has been no intolerant behavior (you know, cat puke, left for us on the floor to step in at night in the darkness, usually at the top of the stairs) from switching to a new food. I think RR's dry cat foods are very similar to the kitteh's digestive tracts, and are fairly easy to assimilate to when trying a different \\\"flavor\\\". Of course I'm not a vet, and that's just my theory.\\n\\nThe ingredients list, again, is very good: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Dried Ground Peas, Whole Dried Potato, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavor, Egg Product, Cranberries, Whole Flax Seed, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Phosphoric Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Potassium Iodide.\\n\\nWhile I have seen better ingredients lists for a cat's dry food, this list is very respectable, and for $9.99 for a three-pound bag, this product is far less than some of the dry foods I've seen well above $20 for the same size bag. It represents a very good value for a good product.\",\n \"Product: Its time to add some color to your home while encouraging your pet to drink more water. The new Pet Safe Current circulating fountain is an affordable way to provide your pet with a constant source of fresh, filtered water. The Current comes in a trendy Orchid color and is available in 3 sizes. The submersible pump constantly circulates the water through the bowl, keeping the water aerated and appealing to pets. The BPA Free plastic design comes apart for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe. The Current ensures your pet has access to clean water even when youre away.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Good quiet fountain for a good price\\n\\nReview: We have the small version of the Petsafe fountain, and after about a month of consistent use, we're happy to report that all of our five cats are enjoying it. Our two senior cats have seen such water dishes in the past, and we got this one with one of them -- 12 year old calico Bella -- in mind. We'd observed that she really only ever drank water when the water dish was just filled with clean water, and we remembered seeing her drink much more regularly when we had a circulating dish years before.\\n\\nIt was a bit of a curiosity to the five cats at first. One of the two kittens under a year old loved splashing her paws around in it, and we had to put a kitchen towel underneath it to protect the floor. The whirring of the motor is very quiet, and before too long the cats understood what the dish was there for. To note, we have this dish in an area away from their regular food and water area because there's no convenient place to plug this number in where they usually eat. I've seen all five cats drink from it several times now.\\n\\nThe unit does get a little bit louder when the water level gets too low. It's not a concerning or annoying sound, not too loud, but it serves the purpose of getting you to fill the water dish when that action is needed. The small unit is perfect for cats, and I'm sure it would be fine for small dogs as well. And at $19, it's a very fair deal in my estimation. After about a month of ownership, I would recommend this circulating pet fountain.\",\n \"Product: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal with Micro Guard prevents bacterial odors7 day odor control guaranteed. This new technology works differently. It seals in immediate odors, plus prevents growth of bacterial odors. A proprietary blend of moisture-activated Micro-Granules forms an odor containing seal around urine and feces. Then a powerful formula with heavy duty odor eliminators plus Arm & Hammer Baking Soda destroys sealed-in odors on contact. New Micro Guard technology guards against future bacterial odor buildup. No crumbly clumps, ultra low dust, seals and destroys odors.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Very Nice Product, Especially for a One-or-Two Cat Family\\n\\nReview: First I should tell you that we have five cats. I've reviewed so many different cat products beginning with that disclaimer that I think even our cats expect it. They range in age from 1 year to 13, one male, four girls, all fixed and generally happy. We have four large litter boxes for them; we'd have a fifth, but sadly we just ran out of house to put them.\\n\\nAfter I spent six hours re-organizing the room in which the cat boxes are kept, including cleaning all the boxes (we have eight, and rotate them when cleaning the four that were previously in use), I isolated one box for this Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal litter. It has one of the best low-dust factors I've seen so far, especially after using a Tidy Cats product that makes no such claim (but honestly, still isn't all that bad). It has a pleasant scent (the ingredients do mention an artificial fragrance). While I'm on the subject, the ingredients do mention tree fiber and plant-based contents, along with the expected Arm & Hammer baking soda.\\n\\nAfter two days, which is our usual scoop & tidy up schedule with the cats, it actually seemed like the A&H litter had heavier use than our standard litter in the other three boxes, but that might be due to the positioning of the boxes and the A&H box being nearer the \\\"preferred\\\" outside of the line-up. The contents were easy to clean and again, almost no detectable \\\"dust\\\". This litter is the best I've seen so far for that.\\n\\nMy only complaint with the product is the price; almost $32 for 28 pounds at the time of this review, I'm going to directly compare it to the 35-pound, $25 bucket of my usual litter. There's no doubt it's a superior product, but it will get steep for the multi-multi-cat family such as my own.\\n\\nMy only other complaint is that I was sent a smaller box than I thought I was going to get; I wish I could have had the extra to perhaps fill a second box or to top of the one I used. But that has nothing to do with the product itself.\\n\\nI would certainly recommend this Arm & Hammer litter.\",\n \"Product: Hopkins2610XM Super Extender 52' Snow broom Heavy-duty broom for easy clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Designed with a steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip ensures extra power for removing snow. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Easy snow clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Colors may vary. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which is [are] known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Bought two... andBoth Disappointed\\n\\nReview: This ice scraper and brush combination looked so ideal to me when I first saw it that I bought one for myself and one for my wife. We both have small SUVs, identical in every way except for color, and after two New England winters, I have finally decided to buy two new (and different model!) scrapers.\\n\\nAgain, this scraper looked ideal, and if it were made well, it would be ideal. I really like the squeegee and brush idea, which should push snow off of my roof, but the locking mechanism simply doesn't work (and I have two of them, remember, so my experience comes from both brushes, not just one). It's frustrating having the \\\"extender\\\" collapse each and every time I try to push the snow. The sleeve-and-tighten dial needed to be truly heavy-duty, but there's not nearly enough beef here to dothe job. Flip it over to use the scraper and it's just as frustrating, trying to get to the middle of the windshield and not being able to apply enough pressure to scrape real ice off of it.\\n\\nSpeaking of the scraper side, the scraper is actually a piece of hard plastic which is \\\"plugged\\\" into the yellow metal tubing of the shaft. The problem is there is a seam that runs the length of the shaft, so if it splits at all (which it will) the plastic scraper part will not be in securely. My scraper spins or pops out, and I've had to use a hammer to pound the assembly back into order... but because the metal is not a thick guage, it doesn't take long to degrade again.\\n\\nI'm not going with the \\\"telescopic\\\" extension this time; I'm hoping to find a fold & lock version and see if that works better.\",\n \"Product: Hopkins2610XM Super Extender 52' Snow broom Heavy-duty broom for easy clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Designed with a steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip ensures extra power for removing snow. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Easy snow clearing of snow from cars or larger vehicles. Steel extender handle with a soft cushioned grip. Extra wide blade with a convenient squeegee makes removal of wet, melting snow efficient. Colors may vary. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which is [are] known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Bought two... andBoth Disappointed\\n\\nReview: This ice scraper and brush combination looked so ideal to me when I first saw it that I bought one for myself and one for my wife. We both have small SUVs, identical in every way except for color, and after two New England winters, I have finally decided to buy two new (and different model!) scrapers.\\n\\nAgain, this scraper looked ideal, and if it were made well, it would be ideal. I really like the squeegee and brush idea, which should push snow off of my roof, but the locking mechanism simply doesn't work (and I have two of them, remember, so my experience comes from both brushes, not just one). It's frustrating having the \\\"extender\\\" collapse each and every time I try to push the snow. The sleeve-and-tighten dial needed to be truly heavy-duty, but there's not nearly enough beef here to dothe job. Flip it over to use the scraper and it's just as frustrating, trying to get to the middle of the windshield and not being able to apply enough pressure to scrape real ice off of it.\\n\\nSpeaking of the scraper side, the scraper is actually a piece of hard plastic which is \\\"plugged\\\" into the yellow metal tubing of the shaft. The problem is there is a seam that runs the length of the shaft, so if it splits at all (which it will) the plastic scraper part will not be in securely. My scraper spins or pops out, and I've had to use a hammer to pound the assembly back into order... but because the metal is not a thick guage, it doesn't take long to degrade again.\\n\\nI'm not going with the \\\"telescopic\\\" extension this time; I'm hoping to find a fold & lock version and see if that works better.\",\n \"Product: The Eureka Flip heater is the perfect solution for any room needing that little extra warmth. The heater can operate at 750 W to 1500 W. This heater is bathroom certified. It is called the Flip heater because it can be placed on the floor or desktop b.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Good Wall-Mounted Heater After The Initial Aroma Goes Away\\n\\nReview: The Heat Storm EW-800H-W is a very good small-room heater. I would not say it lives up to its name -- \\\"Heat Storm\\\"! -- which is a little over-the-top for how much heat it actually produces, but it certainly provides a very nice warmth to a small area in a respectably short period of time. In late winter, we have turned it on shortly before bedtime in a furniture-dominated 11x10 room and after reading a couple of children's books in bed, the room is toasty, and we can turn the heater off.\\n\\nThe heater was simple enough to wall-mount; the instructions were simple and a paper template was provided for the wall. It took just a few minutes to complete the job, especially because my brother-in-law did it. Truly, I am envious of his abilities to do everything in five minutes in what would take me an hour.\\n\\nAt first use, the Heat Storm produces what I can only describe as a heated-plastic smell, and it really doesn't go away for a few uses. It's annoying, enough that we felt compelled to keep a close eye on it to be sure everything was okay. Now, we feel comfortable enough to have wall-mounted it in my 5-year old son's room.\\n\\nI would suggest wall-mounting it, actually. The kick-stand that comes with the unit doesn't inspire me to sing praises of great engineering, and as with many heaters, I would be nervous to keep this on a bureau or countertop.\\n\\nFor $70, the Heat Storm might be at the high range for what I would consider a good price for this device, but I can tell you it is a good heater -- after the initial odor fades -- and I'm glad we have it.\",\n \"Product: Arrow PT18G Pneumatic Brad Nailer is the perfect companion for most small trim and interior molding work. Made of lightweight die-cast aluminum it's easy to handle yet durable enough for heavy duty use. A low nail indicator window lets users know when the magazine is nearing empty and the tool-less jam clearing nose allows for easy jam clearing.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: If it had instructions, it'd be 5 stars\\n\\nReview: First off, this is a great tool. I'd never used a nailer before, but I had some work to do with some trim edging my stairs, and I knew it would be worth it to get one, and I'm glad I did. But as you'll see in so many other reviews of this product, by far the most frustrating thing to deal with was the complete lack of instructions. The packaging was as generic as could be, and I expected that, but I also expected a minimal amount of informational materials with the product.\\n\\nSo, to my embarrassment, I had to rely on asking a favor of my Dad, whose compressor I borrowed to do the project. I felt like the six-year old watching what Dad was doing to fix the house again. The good part of this is that I felt like a six-year old watching what Dad was doing to fix the house again, and I was glad to hear that he really liked the super-light weight Arrow Brad Nailer.\\n\\nReading the other reviews, someone had mentioned that a Google search will find the instructions/manual for the PT18G, but I've had no luck with that so far. I have found some very interesting sites, including a British fellow making good used of the nailer in a video, but nothing I need to understand the use and care of the product. I imagine that with the \\\"regular\\\" packaging (not the no-frills packaging that I received) there might be a booklet, or what I refer to as the hypothetical rosetta stone of the PT18G nailer.\\n\\nNow the project is done and I don't expect to use this particular tool for a while, although I say this as a hardcore novice in terms of carpentry and DIY projects. I can see how more seasoned DIYers could use this tool with great frequency. It is very easy to use and the light weight was really surprising; several years ago, serving in my capacity as \\\"here, hold this\\\" guy during the renovation of two bedrooms during my wife's late pregnancy, we used a framing nailer from the 1970s that weighed nearly as much as Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor. Two totally different jobs, of course, framing and brad-tacking, but the PT18G seems helium-filled in comparison.\\n\\nThe price was also very reasonable, I thought, at under $60. I know that this brad nailer is a useful item because my brother-in-law is already borrowing it for some work in his downstairs man cave, and he also seems to approve of it.\",\n \"Product: Fill with candy, gum or small toys and test your skills at grabbing a prize using the three joy stick controls and dropping it down the chute before the music stops. It's so much fun! Once you start you just can't stop. The Claw! is a fully functional prize crane that provides hours of fun for people of all ages. The user friendly controls allow for a full range of motions left, right, back, forth up and down. Players enjoy giddy excitement as they command the crane and try to obtain. Just line the fairground, use the controls to move the claw...fill it with treats...and feel the frustration as you try to extract one from this irritatingly difficult machine...all before the music runs out!!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Frankly, it's pretty darn cute and a good value for the dollar\\n\\nReview: I received my \\\"Sweet Machine\\\" last week for my office. I must admit that for the price, it really is quite a sturdy little machine. I can't tell how many times co-workers have come into my office to try it (I also have a miniature soda machine, a gumball machine, and a full-size 4-ounce carnival-style popcorn machine in my office).\\n\\nThe machine fits anything under 2\\\" by 2\\\" (that's the size of the chute and the limit of what the little crane will carry). Right now, I have gumballs in there, but I'm looking for other goodies everytime I go to the store. Miniature wrapped candies will probably be perfect, and my own boss is ordering stuff to in there as well. It certainly breaks up the monotony of the day.\\n\\nGreat thing; you can shut the music off. Kids would love the music, but it will drive everyone else nuts within minutes. The music off button is a good thing!\\n\\nMy boss's son (who is turning two in a few weeks) visited and with the help of his dad managed to get a gumball on his second try (unfortunately he had to put it back... he's still too young for gumballs!) and so far, everyone has managed to grab prizes without too much frustration. A little, but not too much.\\n\\nThe controls are easy enough to use; you could probably do the same thing with one joystick rather than three, but there have been no complaints.\\n\\nIt takes three D-cell batteries and there is no option to plug-in to an outlet, but if anything, this makes the machine more portable so that the boss can bring it into his office and play with it for a while without fear of embarrassment. :^)\\n\\nSo far, I'm torn about giving this a 5-star rating... more like a 4.45, which makes me round down to four. But I do really like the machine and I'm very happy I got it! It's a fun thing to have when the kids of co-workers are visiting.\",\n \"Product: Robots and humans saving the day, working together the Rescue Bots way! Help fight fires, floods and crime, or anything in between when you partner up with the Rescue Bots team! Get ready for super-cool Transformers Rescue Bots emergency missions with this roving rescue station! This 2-in-1 rolling playset looks like a fire truck from the outside, but it opens to a giant electronic Mobile Headquarters, where your Cody Burns figure and Optimus Prime vehicle can keep a watchful eye from the command post. When disaster strikes, you can drop your Cody Burns figure into the Optimus Prime vehicle and push the lever to send them to the scene in a flash with a quick-response rescue launch! Lift the ladder for lights and sounds to make the action more real and to let everyone know that help is on the way!\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: My three-year old son has forgotten his other toys since this arrived\\n\\nReview: When I got home the other day to see the familiar Amazon.com box waiting for me on the mudroom floor, I asked my wife how our son did that day. He had no potty accidents, said nice things to people, ate well, and complained little. \\\"Good!\\\" I exclaimed. And when he came downstairs with his familiar \\\"Daddy!\\\" welcome to give me a hug, I opened the top of the Amazon box and told him that Mummy and I had a special treat for him because he'd been such a good boy.\\n\\nOf course, that box actually contained a towel and a replacement light bulb, so I was glad to learn that there was another box upstairs which contained the Playskool Transformer toy. My wife hasn't stopped laughing at my expense.\\n\\nWhen he opened the correct box, he was energized and completely overjoyed. It was a fire truck toy which made thankfully not-too-loud siren noises and other effects. It took a minute to untangle the little twirly-wraps that keep the toy in the packaging, and shortly after that he was exploring every aspect of the toy. He took it to bed with him that night. Now days later, he still comes home and searches for his Transformer toy first. He loves driving Optimus up the ramp and storing him within the transforming body of the rescue vehicle. Even more so, he loves opening and closing the vehicle, turning it from Fire Engine to the headquarters; although I don't think he knows they are supposed to be headquarters... he flies the HQ all around the house and occupies him totally in fantasy. Last night, he watched a Pixar movie and played with this toy at the same time. It was fun for me to watch him.\\n\\nI think this toy is a classic Playskool tough toy, made to last even in the hands of the most destructive force known to parents; their little angels. But my best recommendation for it is how much fun my little boy is having with it. He's having a blast; he wants to show it to everyone, he wants to bring it with him wherever he goes. He played it with his Pepere yesterday and it was popular with both of them. :^)\",\n \"Product: The Franklin Sports Electronic Bounce-A-Bucket has durable frame construction and easily folds for travel or storage. Simply bounce the mini basketball off the trampoline target and the LED electronic digital scoring and in-game play by play sounds gives it an arcade feel. Includes (2) mini basketballs and is 21\\\"x 11\\\" x 19\\\".\\n\\nRating: 1.0\\n\\nSummary: What a disappointing result to a good idea\\n\\nReview: There was a lot of possibility in this game, and I thought my seven-year old would love it, especially after summer trips to local amusement parks and arcades. That idea faded shortly after taking this game out of the box.\\n\\nFirst, the instructions on how to put this together are so abysmal that I am fighting to write complex insults to anyone involved with putting them together. Completely lacking adequate description, depiction, or process, the napkin-sized \\\"instructions\\\" show how a couple of arrows pointing to nondescript shapes on a page miraculously result in the product shown at the top of this page. I kept on picking up the instructions, then putting them down in the futile attempt to glean the smallest hint at what the ((censored)) illustrators were attempting to tell me.\\n\\nSecond, after more than half an hour of hieroglyphics-reading, I realized that one of the main pieces to stabilize the game was broken. Therefore, there was no chance that the game was going to stand up straight, and the ill-fitting netting all around didn't help at all. I tried fifty different ways to keep the game stable while tugging the netting/ball return this way and that to also have the ball return work, and nothing really helped.\\n\\nWith my son having patiently waited for an hour to try the game, I just let him go for it. The first ball bounced off the trampoline and came back and hit him in the face. More adjustments, and I mean radical adjustments, ultimately using hardware from my utility room, and there were a few moments of entertainment for my son, who went ahead and made up his own slam-dunk rules.\\n\\nI wouldn't spend a single penny for this game. Perhaps some of the earlier, more successful ratings for this game were for a better-made product with better-written and better-illustrated instructions, but this rickety contraption sitting on my floor isn't what it might have been. What makes it so frustrating is that the electronic parts and scoring and sound seem to work well, and this game had the potential to be a complete hit, but cheap and broken plastic parts and a lackadaisical effort to help the consumer put the game together make this game a complete wash. I am considering building my own ball-return system and case for the electronics just to see how much better the game could have been.\",\n \"Product: Voyage to a distant galaxy or colonize a new world with this awesome 24 in 1 National Geographic Space kit from Laser Pegs! You are the astronaut as you build out of this world models like the Mars Voyager, Hover Vehicle, Alien Stunt Fighter, Star Cruiser, and many more. When space gets too dark light up your creations to keep exploring to the edge of the universe and beyond! Includes Sound Activated Triangle Power Base, Peg Cord, 36 Laser Pegs, and 125 Tinted Construction Bricks. Officially Licensed National Geographic Dinosaurs Series Girls and Boys Can Construct many models in 1 Award Winning construction building set. All Laser Pegs Lighted Construction Sets Make Excellent Holiday Gifts with their Slide, Stack and Spin play pattern. Excellent NATGEO educational toy for autistic children.\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: Bright Lights, and a Good Learning Process Toy\\n\\nReview: This is the second Laser Pegs toy I've gotten for my son, who is now 6 1/2 years old. He is pretty much exclusively a by-the-imagination builder and doesn't enjoy going by instructions, so he's a lot like his dad. That said, it was fun putting the pictured space cruiser together step by step, and a great learning experience.\\n\\nMy son has a ton of Legos and they've provided countless hours of design and experimentation, and Laser Pegs are almost in that same vein. I don't think they are as well constructed as the beefy, burly Lego brick -- they sacrifice a little of that solidness and durability for the benefit of semi-transparency. And they don't have the same easy-snap factor that Legos have; they are definitely more difficult to connect. But when they are all set up and attached to the power base, the resulting light show is awesome.\\n\\nI have not yet checked out the other 23 configurations of the set; indeed, I was not particularly thrilled with the instructions for the pictured assembly. Once the first configuration was complete, my son didn't really want to take it apart. It's still in it's finished form and he wants it to stay that way, at least for now. I might go online in the next couple of weeks and show him some of the possibilities for this model and see what he says.\\n\\n$47 is kind of a lot for this toy; is it worth it? Sure. Do you get the same bang for your buck as $47 worth of random Lego pieces? I don't know about that. It is definitely an interesting variant to the block-building genre and visually more spectacular. I am glad we got the set, and I look forward to working with my son again to create something else from the catalogue.\",\n \"Product: This is Gobblet Gobblers Childrens Game. - 1 Grid - 12 Gobblers - Rules\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Simple Premise, Simple to Learn... but WOW, How Fun it is to Play!\\n\\nReview: We received this game in a delivery today, and already I can tell you it's a five-star game. I played almost 30 games with my 6 1/2 year old son today, and he beat me close to half of the time. It takes traditional tic-tac-toe and spices it with hints of Othello and chess... you just don't realize it right away because the rules are so simple, the pieces are silly-faced orange and blue googley-eyed characters, and you think you're just going to be playing tic-tac-toe.\\n\\nBasic rules; yes, three in a row and you win. But the Xs and Os come in three sizes, and if your opponent uses a small piece in a square, you can cover it with a medium-sized piece or a large piece. But that doesn't mean that square is done! You can move any of your pieces on the board as long as they are on top, and then the piece underneath comes back into play. So you need to remember what is underneath.\\n\\nEach player has two large pieces, two medium pieces, and two small pieces. As we learned along the way, it isn't always the best move to use your largest pieces first. There are strategies that can be utilized with each play, but honestly, it isn't complicated... it just makes for fun gameplay. I am so glad that my son and I opened the box tonight and began playing. I thought for a moment about saving it for Christmas, but this is a game I would buy for my parents (in their 70s) knowing they would get a big kick out it as well. I'm really looking forward to sharing this game with others.\",\n \"Product: The Minions have accidentally locked themselves inside a high-energy force field and need to be saved! Kids can score points by knocking over as many Minions as possible with each throw, making for constant entertainment.\\n\\nRating: 2.0\\n\\nSummary: Thrown-Object Mayhem is the Only Positive Aspect of This Expensive Game\\n\\nReview: To answer a question, yes, there are seven minions in the box, not just three. The minions are the best part of the purchase because, well, they are minions. They're well-constructed, and yes, they're cute and funny.\\n\\nThat said, unless you are looking to collect plastic cup-like minions, my advice is: save your money. The Minions Hit Them Out \\\"Board\\\" game does not have a board to play on; you set up the seven minions and you try to know them down by hurling a hackey-sack-like \\\"ball\\\" at them. It's not bowling; you can't really roll the hackey-ball. If you have a TV or anything else breakable in your home which you value, something being thrown by children at high velocity is --- NOT --- and indoor game in my estimation. You need space for this game, and unless you have a rec room in your house, outside is the only real place to do it.\\n\\nAnd I don't think the \\\"game\\\" is actually all that fun. My observations from watching kinds between 5 and 12 \\\"playing\\\" this game is this; knock them down by throwing the sack as hard as possible, laugh when one or more of them go flying, lose interest. This isn't really a math skills-improving game or one of hand-eye coordination, it's one of destructive intent for the sake of short-lived comedy. There are scores of games out there which are better for math or coordination skills and will also keep the interest of children. Without parents being worried about things breaking.\\n\\nAnd for $25? WOW. Way too expensive.\\n\\nI love the minions and the Despicable Me franchise, but I just can't recommend this game.\",\n \"Product: Hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit hot wheels a.I. Starter kit\\n\\nRating: 4.0\\n\\nSummary: An exciting racing experience totally worth overlooking the \\\"cons\\\" side of the list\\n\\nReview: The reasons why I love it; First and foremost, it's awesome, realistic racing action. The speeds are imaginably realistic and not helter skelter like so many slot track race tracks. The track is also enormous, wide, with a wide variety of shapes. My seven year old had very little difficulty getting used to the controller and he does a great job being competitive with his dad! We are not so much into the oil spills and tire wear right now; it's usually just \\\"GO\\\" and see who can stay on the track for appreciable periods of time and trying to post track records.\\n\\nThe reasons why it could be better; It is a delicate track, and it takes a while to assemble. You need to focus on the tabs and slots; it doesn't just pop together and if you try to force something, you risk permanently ruining a section of track. Racing requires a half a dozen AA batteries AND a half a dozen AAA batteries. I haven't found any requirement that says rechargable batteries can't be used, so that's what I'm looking into now to try to save some money. $95 price tag is still pretty steep, but the racing IS worth it!\\n\\nAll in all, this really is a special racing experience and one of those things I keep thinking, \\\"don't I wish I had something like this when I was a kid!\\\"\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":78,"string":"78"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1798,"string":"1,798"}}},{"rowIdx":1799,"cells":{"question_id":{"kind":"string","value":"ARGV6Q8VZW3SY"},"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of \"5.0\" for a product with description \"Mark Goodwin is a Christian constitutional author and the host of the popular Prepper Recon Podcast which interviews patriots, preppers, and economists each week on PrepperRecon.com to help people prepare for the coming storm. Mark holds a degree in accounting and monitors macro-economic conditions to stay up-to-date with the ongoing global meltdown. He is an avid student of the Holy Bible and spends several hours every week devoted to the study of Scripture and the prophecies contained therein. The troubling trends in the moral, social, political, and financial landscapes have prompted Mark to conduct extensive research within the arena of preparedness. He weaves his knowledge of biblical prophecy, economics, politics, prepping, and survival into an action-packed tapestry of post-apocalyptic fiction. Having been a sinner saved by grace himself, the story of redemption is a prominent theme in all of Marks writings. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:2\". The summary of the review text is \"Great second book in the series. We find our groups moving farther into the insanity of a rogue action against the nation!\"."},"answer":{"kind":"string","value":"The second book in The Days of Noah series by Mark Goodwin is a smashing success. It was a great follow up book and held it's own in bridging the series to the third book. Beginning where book 1 left off, the author didn't bog the book down by retelling the previous story. Those who buy this book as a stand alone book may be confused at times regarding characters, plot, etc. (That should encourage you to purchase book 1 first!!)\n\nThe plot starts off quickly, gaining momentum as the predictions and trajectory of events begin to unfold immediately. Because of the anti Christian sentiment in the country, when a series of terrorist attacks take place, Christians are immediately suspected, and rounded up without cause and without due process. The primary characters of the story from Faith Church who are in a bible study together form an alliance to continue their study and worship in the confines of homes without the oversight of an out of control system. They also pool their resources and helps to bring comfort and aid to as many around them as possible.\n\nWith the tightening of central control of resources and economics taking place, and with everyday Americans finding themselves restrained by fences and military forces to certain areas of the cities, people who are in the small towns and rural areas begin to plan liberation of their fellow Americans. Can an untrained militia, without the resources of the federal government and the military, take back the America promised by the Constitution? How do families fit into the scope of a resistance that is gaining momentum?\n\nThere is another group of characters formed by mutual friendships, and governed by a new knowledge of the depth of treason that has been perpetrated who hide out far from the maddening situation. But, things are changing for the small group. Radio evangelism is reaching them just as they are coalescing into a type of \"family\"; not everyone appreciates the distraction either. And what is happening back at CIA headquarters? Why are they reaching out to old acquaintances when they've decided that going along with the present path is untenable?\n\nThe final chapter of the book finds our group from Faith Church at the cusp of some of these questions, scared, determined, together, attempting to right a terrible wrong and free Americans from a repeated history of detainment and detention. The intensity of the moment and the fear they are feeling is well developed and caused my own heart to tremble as their actions and their attempts are all too possible given the right circumstances. Mr. Goodwin has done a great job of making us part of the action, part of the group, and part of the plan. I can't wait for Book 3 to see what happens to us. Great job on this series."},"correct_answer":{"kind":"string","value":"The second book in The Days of Noah series by Mark Goodwin is a smashing success. It was a great follow up book and held it's own in bridging the series to the third book. Beginning where book 1 left off, the author didn't bog the book down by retelling the previous story. Those who buy this book as a stand alone book may be confused at times regarding characters, plot, etc. (That should encourage you to purchase book 1 first!!)\n\nThe plot starts off quickly, gaining momentum as the predictions and trajectory of events begin to unfold immediately. Because of the anti Christian sentiment in the country, when a series of terrorist attacks take place, Christians are immediately suspected, and rounded up without cause and without due process. The primary characters of the story from Faith Church who are in a bible study together form an alliance to continue their study and worship in the confines of homes without the oversight of an out of control system. They also pool their resources and helps to bring comfort and aid to as many around them as possible.\n\nWith the tightening of central control of resources and economics taking place, and with everyday Americans finding themselves restrained by fences and military forces to certain areas of the cities, people who are in the small towns and rural areas begin to plan liberation of their fellow Americans. Can an untrained militia, without the resources of the federal government and the military, take back the America promised by the Constitution? How do families fit into the scope of a resistance that is gaining momentum?\n\nThere is another group of characters formed by mutual friendships, and governed by a new knowledge of the depth of treason that has been perpetrated who hide out far from the maddening situation. But, things are changing for the small group. Radio evangelism is reaching them just as they are coalescing into a type of \"family\"; not everyone appreciates the distraction either. And what is happening back at CIA headquarters? Why are they reaching out to old acquaintances when they've decided that going along with the present path is untenable?\n\nThe final chapter of the book finds our group from Faith Church at the cusp of some of these questions, scared, determined, together, attempting to right a terrible wrong and free Americans from a repeated history of detainment and detention. The intensity of the moment and the fear they are feeling is well developed and caused my own heart to tremble as their actions and their attempts are all too possible given the right circumstances. Mr. Goodwin has done a great job of making us part of the action, part of the group, and part of the plan. I can't wait for Book 3 to see what happens to us. Great job on this series."},"documents":{"kind":"list like","value":["Product: Erica Stevens is the author of the Captive Series, Kindred Series, Fire & Ice Series, Ravening Series, and the Survivor Chronicles. She enjoys writing young adult, new adult, romance, horror, and science fiction. She also writes adult paranormal romance and historical romance under the pen name, Brenda K. Davies. When not out with friends and family, she is at home with her husband, dog, and horse.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Surprise! Excellent series. Can't wait for the next book!\n\nReview: I read Book 1 and Book 2 in two days! They were riveting. Book 1 had been in my Kindle for a while, and truthfully, I was afraid it would be a book for teens, but as this genre is one that fascinates me it was on my list. The first few chapters of book 1 started a little slow to me, but picked up speed and I was amazed when I'd finished the book. Immediately starting book 2, I zoomed through it, hanging on to each and every scene with fascination. The author really put a lot of thought into the story line; plot development was amazing. Never knew what would happen next. There were times when I had to put the book(s) down to catch my breath! Loved the way each of the main characters changed with each situation they confronted. It made all of them become important to the reader, to the point that I find myself thinking about them and wondering what's happening while we're waiting on book 3! Excellent book. Well worth the read.","Product: \"You ought to write some of this stuff down! You could be a writer!\" These are words of wisdom from my mom, and lo and behold, I finally listened. I've been writing since high school, and reading since I could reach the bookshelf. I was born into a military family, spent four years in the Air Force after high school, and books have always been my friends, my escape and my window to other worlds. When I wasn't exploring other worlds via words, I was exploring some of the more interesting nooks in the real world. I've been a gamer since D&D came in a cardboard box, played in the Society for Creative Anachronism on and off for two decades, and worked in everything from video game arcades to poultry farms to a New Age bookstore (best three years of my life). My own reading tastes run to urban fantasy and the occasional steampunk story. I love my readers, and extend my thanks to each of you. Every writer owes their success to their fans. Thank you, True Believers.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Wow! What a story! Read it straight through\n\nReview: It's not often that I find a story that I find a story that captures my interest so completely as this one has. The story line is crisp and clear, though the complete back story on the characters has not been told. Glimpses of who they are and their importance to the plot line are revealed in snippits, in small morsels that are doled out through the struggles of not only surviving zombies, but unaffected humans as well. I love seeing the humanity of the characters as they try to figure out survival and how to be true to themselves. Their development is awesome. The action is unrelenting. It kept my heart racing right up to the end. Now, the waiting begins for part two! Great, great read.","Product: Joseph Zuko lives in the SW Washington with his wife and two small children. He loves all things zombies. Co-owns a Zombie themed T-shirt company called Zombie Camp 17. He also does a weekly comedy podcast called Shotgun and Scotch. When he is not writing zombie fiction he spends his free time playing guitar and getting ready for the next Spartan Race.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: High intensity, funny, and fast moving!\n\nReview: What a hoot!! A thrill ride! The details, the incidents, the situations just keep on rolling! Great book no matter what genre you put it in, but as a zombie book, it just works...really, really well. Jim, our stalwart hero, is your average guy who works sales. When the zombie apocalypse breaks loose Jim finds that he is thrust into the role of protector, leader, and a zombie fighter who just wants to get home to his family. Others follow him, look to him for guidance, and despite his hesitancy in taking on that role, he just can't help himself. His compassion, and his belief in humanity make him a man worth reading about. His sense of humor is, well, humorous! The quick wit and sarcasm is perfectly balanced. He brings home a motley crew of people he's picked up along the way, and their interaction and relationship, forged in the day long journey to Jim's family, is deeper due to what they've been through.\n\nThis is a high velocity, fantastically funny thrill ride of a book. The depth of the plot, and the characters puts it in a category of best in genre, for sure. I can't wait to find out what else happens in this series. Well done, Mr. Zuko, well done.","Product: Franklin Horton lives and writes in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. He attended Virginia Intermont College and Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a B.A. in English from Virginia Commonwealth. In his spare time he pursues outdoor adventures with his wife and children, including camping, kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking, and shooting.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Something for everyone in this. Interestingly written. Compelling characters and situations. Great book. Great read.\n\nReview: Having read quite a bit of apocalyptic books, this one came as a rather refreshing first published work by author Franklin Horton. Since apocalyptic drama, especially disaster (natural or man-made) drama, doesn't often lead to much variety when it comes to plots or characters. Mr. Horton seems to find a sweet spot with both that allows the reader to gradually get to know the characters through their travels and struggles.\n\nThe book is really two story lines, or maybe three, if you count the story from the main character's past; his reminiscing thoughts from his grandfather's life. The story starts with a very real scenario describing a terrorist setting the stage for an event on American soil. Mr. Horton posits some events that I've often thought of myself when looking at the vulnerabilities of our nation, and how we tend to cavalierly give away information to our enemies. He does an excellent job of describing how the events might take place; believable and scary.\n\nAs the terrorists unleash their attack on America, a group of state governmental coworkers have traveled from one side of their state to the capital on the other side of the state to attend meetings. Not an unheard of situation by any means. The co-workers, a very diverse group in age, background, sexes, and philosophies, find themselves thrown together when the attacks cause the national infrastructure to begin failing. With five hundred miles to get home, they quickly realize that unless they begin moving immediately, their ability to get there may be compromised.\n\nThe main character of the book, a man by the name of Jim, is a man who's grown up to be a man who has seen the writing on the wall, as far as our potential for harm is concerned, and has taken steps to make his family safe. He is an organizer. A thinker and planner. He loves the outdoors, and he loves his family, so takes steps to combine the two. He is a pragmatist, and a realist who doesn't suffer fools gladly. Some, both in his group, and outside, think him rude and selfish, but his family and friends understand his loyalty, which is a big strength, is sometimes hidden by his lack of compassion for those who don't view life from his lens.\n\nAs they travel home, it becomes apparent that the world is becoming a not so friendly place much quicker than anyone thought. While I've read a few reviews that felt like the author took the liberty of creating people who were stereotypical in some areas, I have to honestly disagree with them. Not that he took the liberty, but because stereotypes are there because they represent real people in real situations. In the area of the country the book is written in, the people, and the scenarios are only too real. Through Jim, we see the condition of America, not through an idealistic lens, but through a perspective of a man who was deeply affected by his grandfather's experiences as a young man in the coal mines, and later by Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. These are the things that color his worldview, and while we see glimpses of his humanity, like his conversation with the preacher, and his care of the elderly couple, we also know that what he's seeing in his focused view are the groups that for him mean danger.\n\nThe second story line is with his wife, kids and parents. We find that Jim is dedicated and driven to return home to them, and Mr. Horton does a great job of letting us see who they are, and why they are valued. Through their story, we find out where Jim comes from, who he is and what he does. We see his kids, and know that he has a close relationship with them. We find that he's not just done preparations at home for himself, but he's taken steps to make sure they are all taught and trained. And we find out these things, not because the author tells us that, but because the story unveils it as it goes along.\n\nIn the end, Jim and the two people who remain with him make it part way home. They are bruised, battered, injured, and changed. Even Jim, who was a harder man than most when he began, has spent time thinking about the lessons his grandfather tried to instill. Before the end of the world, Jim had no context in which to understand and know what he had to be. Now he does. The question remains, can he be that person in the way his family needs him to be?\n\nAt the end of the book, after we've traveled, and struggled with Jim and his family, Mr. Horton leaves us with a parting \"gift\"; our adrenalin, back from the excitement and danger of the journey, gets kicked up a notch and leaves us wanting more. But more has to come in book 2, which will definitely take too long to get here!\n\nI loved this book. Jim's wife was someone that I can relate to, and sympathize with. Her struggles made my heart hurt, and my pride swell as she overcame so much. It's a first book, and a great book. Get it. Read it. Get ready for book 2!","Product: Sometime in high school, I decided I wanted to follow my father and serve in the Army. My father volunteered for the Army in 1943, went to OCS to become a 2nd Lt. of Infantry, and fought in WWII. He was seriously wounded, but recovered and finished his Army career, retiring as a Colonel. So I grew up in various countries: Japan, Venezuela, Brazil, and throughout the U.S. In 1962, at the age of 17, I got an appointment to West Point, and after graduation I earned my paratrooper wings and my Army Ranger tab. My first assignment was in Germany, and throughout my career I had other assignments in Vietnam, Korea, Spain, Panama, and El Salvador, and of course several Army posts in the U.S. I served in combat in Vietnam and El Salvador in Infantry units. My assignments have included Commander of an Airborne Infantry Rifle Company, Commander of a Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Senior Fellow at the State Department's Center for the Study of Foreign Affairs, and Military Attache to Spain. I retired as a Colonel. Since retirement I have worked on Wall Street, and taught Spanish in several colleges part time. I enjoy reading, working out in the gym with my wife (religiously, three times a week), and traveling. Lately I have been reading stories of survival, but I avoid supernatural books with zombies, vampires, and super heroes. Most of the post-apocalyptic novels I read deal with men and women escaping to a bunker or cabin in the woods, or some sort of survivalist compound. In reality very few people go that far in preparing for a natural disaster, and most are totally unprepared. So I wondered what a community of normal, middle class Americans would do in a total collapse, and began thinking about how real, everyday people would react. More importantly, I envisioned all the things a community would have to do in order to survive, and how difficult that adjustment would be for most Americans. The result was \"Defending Sea Breezes,\" my first novel. I hope you enjoy it.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Well worth the time and cost to read this informative, well written and exciting book. Well done.\n\nReview: I really enjoyed this book. The author spent the first third of the book setting up the situations, characters, and the complications of life that make us into who we are. Thus, when the action started, there was a foundation to draw from that allowed the reader to enjoy the details of the efforts of the community to survive. The writing flowed well and the character development was clear, with good guys and bad guys. The author even included a few people who showed themselves to be one way, but were really another. This lent some reality to the story.\n\nThe story is about a neighborhood and their attempts to provide security, provision, and possibilities for a future. It centers on two families who have a military background, which is not that unusual in Florida. We have a long, friendly position with military families so seeing them come together wasn't so far out of the realm of possibility.\n\nEach day in the community brought more challenges and it seemed like a never ending series of events that moved them to respond. With the guidance of the two men, a fair and even distribution of goods and services, and security provided them with success and some failures. As this book is presumable one in a series it will be interesting to see what unfolds in the future books.\n\nThe government response was slow in coming due to the destruction of so much of the infrastructure. Months after the event we begin to see elements of governmental response, and it is assumed world wide response to our tragedy, but no details were provided in this book. The potential is there for problems that may impact the community, thus I look forward to seeing what happens.\n\nIf nothing else, this book reminds us that no one person will survive alone, especially in a community, and that there are ways to go forward that retains the sovereignty of the individual while maintaining the safety, security and provision of the community. I applaud the author for a well thought out story, details that provide some interesting ideas for readers on how to respond, and a compassionate response to some of the more egregious acts of violence that will surely be part of a civilization coming unglued. Hats off to you for that.","Product: Mark Goodwin is a Christian author and host of the popular Prepper Recon Podcast which interviews patriots, preppers and economists to help people prepare for the uncertain times ahead. His previous fiction series, The Days of Noah spent several months at number one on the Amazon best-sellers list in multiple categories. His first series, The Economic Collapse Chronicles, also hit the Amazon best-sellers list in several categories.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Has all the elements needed to be called a great post-apocalyptic novel!\n\nReview: Can I just say that I loved the title. It's what caught my eye to begin with when looking for my next read. But the book as a whole is just one \"I loved it, loved it, loved it\" from start to finish. First rate writing. Excellent references. Great alignment of events in story form with references that make sense.\n\nMr. Goodwin has authored many solid books in the apocalyptic collapse genre, with story lines that read right off the pages of today's news sites. He is a gifted story teller, and an insightful writer who understands the many sides of the human experience, and isn't afraid to address them in his work. He is a no-holds-barred writer, who is also able to fill us with hope as we read his stories of TEOTWAWKI. However, this book is by far his most biblically referenced book to date.\n\nDanny, Alisa, and Stephen are college students and friends, working at a high end restaurant in Savannah, GA. Danny and Alisa are in a relationship together, yet maintain a good friendship with Stephen who is a Christian. Around the Christmas holidays, the three attend Christmas Eve services and Danny finds that his life is missing a key ingredient - Christ. After receiving Jesus, he is awakened one morning after a vivid and terrifying dream, which Stephen feels is a prophetic dream from God concerning a catastrophic event that lines up with scripture. Through a series of confirmations, the three work to figure out the message being sent, and attempt to ring the bell of warning. Along the way, they find that others are hearing that same warning.\n\nBecause Danny now begins to find a new and different worldview, his relationship with Alisa begins to change. As the weeks pass, Alisa finds herself facing the same crisis of conscious that Danny had, and she, too, receives Christ. With this new iteration in their lives, things continue to evolve. More dreams, and more warnings come, increasing the worry they all three have that time is running out.\n\n For those who think this is just a Christian book, you will be sorely disappointed if you miss it. It has all the elements of a well written post-apocalyptic book yet it seeks to put understanding and perspective on events that seem destined to be part of our landscape. Personally, it's refreshing to find a book like this. Can't wait to read the remaining books in the series!","Product: Jack Hunt is a bestselling author of horror, sci-fi and post-apocalyptic novels. Jack lives on the East coast of North America. jhuntauthor@gmail.com Sign up for his newsletter and visit him at his site here http://jackhuntbooks.com/\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Really enjoyed this book. Refreshing change.\n\nReview: I loved this book. It was a refreshing change from many of the post apocalyptic books I've read. It describes the lives of five friends who went through school together, and their relationship with a man who helped them become men. After high school, each of them takes a different path until life \"happens\" to them. Thrown together, first by the death of the old man, then by circumstance, they are left to find the relationship they had in order to survive where they are. The end of the book leaves just enough questions, and story lines to fuel lots of anticipation for book 2. Highly recommend this for people who are looking for more than a \"how to\" fiction.","Product: Hugh Taylor started his law enforcement career as an intelligence specialist, where he worked in various roles for almost a decade. Hugh recently moved to program analysis, with a focus on information systems, which allows him to combine his intelligence and investigative experience with his background in computers and love of strategy. Hugh's academic background is in computer and information science and economics, but he has a wide variety of interests including (but definitely not limited to): astronomy, chemistry, geopolitics, cyber-security, and history. Reading has been a lifelong hobby of his, which helped make writing Paradigm Lost a dream come true.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great, thoughtful, yet suspenseful\n\nReview: It's hard to believe this is a first novel because the book is written with such depth and such complex characters that start out as separate and individuals, but slowly, over time, incidents and finally, battles, they learn to work and think as a team. The passionate cries of Mr. Hall when he realizes how much he's lost in life as well as in the latest engagement is one of the most believable passages I've read. You hear his pain, his determination, and his dedication to his ship and shipmates. What better can we hope for on a military battle cruiser, out beyond known space?\n\nLoved this book and highly recommend it. I can't imagine how the next one will top this one, but I'm willing to read it and see...A great job of writing. A great job of understanding the subtle differences in the writing of not just a story, but an epic. Look forward to book 2!!!","Product: Stephen Knight is the author of the bestselling zombie apocalypse series The Gathering Dead (The Gathring Dead, Left with the Dead, and The Rising Horde), as well as the horror thriller City of the Damned and the action-adventure Hackett's War. Together with Derek Paterson, he wrote the erotic thriller White Tiger. Knight lives in the New York City area.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Wish there were more stars to give this book. Fast paced, realistic, scary, and just plain good.\n\nReview: Earthfall could be considered a stand alone novel, though thankfully, it isn't. Set in a post apocalyptic world ten years following a worldwide nuclear war, it is the story of an Army base of people who were strategically placed by command to return the people of America on the road to recovery. But no one was prepared for the decimating effects of so much nuclear destruction. With almost a decade after the \"Sixty Minute War\", teams of people are sent out is special mobile units called, SCEV's seeking signs of life. It is the story of the people of the base, and the encounters the SCEV teams have on a journey to safe what is left of humanity.\n\nFirst, having read many of Mr. Knight's work, I was prepared for the quality of it before opening a page. This book, however, was an even greater page turner than I've come to expect. I read it in one day.\n\nThe prequel to the book was helpful in understanding what drove some of the characters, but it wasn't necessary to fully enjoy and follow the story line of Earthfall (I do highly recommend it simply because it is excellent, too.). There are several main characters in this story that bring life to the book. Three of them that probably drive the narrative the most are the dour Sarmajor Mulligan, and the young captain of SCEV Four, Mike Andrews and his wife, Rachel. There is a history with and between the three of them that is intertwined, and is cogent to the plot, so their development was key. All three were very realistic in the attitudes, emotional trauma, and the actions that play out between them.\n\nThe minor or supporting characters were equally as enjoyable. The provided a good foil for the hardness of the Sargent Major, and the more human issues that each faced. There was an element of crisp humor, and bantering that is often found between team mates that face dangerous situations on a daily basis. There was a camaraderie between the teams that rang true.\n\nThe \"bad guy\" was truly bad. There was no time that the reader would feel any sorrow for him or his decisions, though surviving the apocalypse with all your humanity intact would be difficult. The author did not let that thought pass and certainly it was the only thing that kept him from seeming too bad.\n\nOverall, I wish there were more stars to add to the evaluation of the story. Fast paced, realistic, scary, and gritty, it didn't focus on the destruction or killing or feel the need to bring cursing into what was clearly a military environment, which I appreciated. It is a book that I highly recommend, and have recommended to several friends and family. Well worth the time to read."],"string":"[\n \"Product: Erica Stevens is the author of the Captive Series, Kindred Series, Fire & Ice Series, Ravening Series, and the Survivor Chronicles. She enjoys writing young adult, new adult, romance, horror, and science fiction. She also writes adult paranormal romance and historical romance under the pen name, Brenda K. Davies. When not out with friends and family, she is at home with her husband, dog, and horse.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Surprise! Excellent series. Can't wait for the next book!\\n\\nReview: I read Book 1 and Book 2 in two days! They were riveting. Book 1 had been in my Kindle for a while, and truthfully, I was afraid it would be a book for teens, but as this genre is one that fascinates me it was on my list. The first few chapters of book 1 started a little slow to me, but picked up speed and I was amazed when I'd finished the book. Immediately starting book 2, I zoomed through it, hanging on to each and every scene with fascination. The author really put a lot of thought into the story line; plot development was amazing. Never knew what would happen next. There were times when I had to put the book(s) down to catch my breath! Loved the way each of the main characters changed with each situation they confronted. It made all of them become important to the reader, to the point that I find myself thinking about them and wondering what's happening while we're waiting on book 3! Excellent book. Well worth the read.\",\n \"Product: \\\"You ought to write some of this stuff down! You could be a writer!\\\" These are words of wisdom from my mom, and lo and behold, I finally listened. I've been writing since high school, and reading since I could reach the bookshelf. I was born into a military family, spent four years in the Air Force after high school, and books have always been my friends, my escape and my window to other worlds. When I wasn't exploring other worlds via words, I was exploring some of the more interesting nooks in the real world. I've been a gamer since D&D came in a cardboard box, played in the Society for Creative Anachronism on and off for two decades, and worked in everything from video game arcades to poultry farms to a New Age bookstore (best three years of my life). My own reading tastes run to urban fantasy and the occasional steampunk story. I love my readers, and extend my thanks to each of you. Every writer owes their success to their fans. Thank you, True Believers.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Wow! What a story! Read it straight through\\n\\nReview: It's not often that I find a story that I find a story that captures my interest so completely as this one has. The story line is crisp and clear, though the complete back story on the characters has not been told. Glimpses of who they are and their importance to the plot line are revealed in snippits, in small morsels that are doled out through the struggles of not only surviving zombies, but unaffected humans as well. I love seeing the humanity of the characters as they try to figure out survival and how to be true to themselves. Their development is awesome. The action is unrelenting. It kept my heart racing right up to the end. Now, the waiting begins for part two! Great, great read.\",\n \"Product: Joseph Zuko lives in the SW Washington with his wife and two small children. He loves all things zombies. Co-owns a Zombie themed T-shirt company called Zombie Camp 17. He also does a weekly comedy podcast called Shotgun and Scotch. When he is not writing zombie fiction he spends his free time playing guitar and getting ready for the next Spartan Race.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: High intensity, funny, and fast moving!\\n\\nReview: What a hoot!! A thrill ride! The details, the incidents, the situations just keep on rolling! Great book no matter what genre you put it in, but as a zombie book, it just works...really, really well. Jim, our stalwart hero, is your average guy who works sales. When the zombie apocalypse breaks loose Jim finds that he is thrust into the role of protector, leader, and a zombie fighter who just wants to get home to his family. Others follow him, look to him for guidance, and despite his hesitancy in taking on that role, he just can't help himself. His compassion, and his belief in humanity make him a man worth reading about. His sense of humor is, well, humorous! The quick wit and sarcasm is perfectly balanced. He brings home a motley crew of people he's picked up along the way, and their interaction and relationship, forged in the day long journey to Jim's family, is deeper due to what they've been through.\\n\\nThis is a high velocity, fantastically funny thrill ride of a book. The depth of the plot, and the characters puts it in a category of best in genre, for sure. I can't wait to find out what else happens in this series. Well done, Mr. Zuko, well done.\",\n \"Product: Franklin Horton lives and writes in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. He attended Virginia Intermont College and Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a B.A. in English from Virginia Commonwealth. In his spare time he pursues outdoor adventures with his wife and children, including camping, kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking, and shooting.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Something for everyone in this. Interestingly written. Compelling characters and situations. Great book. Great read.\\n\\nReview: Having read quite a bit of apocalyptic books, this one came as a rather refreshing first published work by author Franklin Horton. Since apocalyptic drama, especially disaster (natural or man-made) drama, doesn't often lead to much variety when it comes to plots or characters. Mr. Horton seems to find a sweet spot with both that allows the reader to gradually get to know the characters through their travels and struggles.\\n\\nThe book is really two story lines, or maybe three, if you count the story from the main character's past; his reminiscing thoughts from his grandfather's life. The story starts with a very real scenario describing a terrorist setting the stage for an event on American soil. Mr. Horton posits some events that I've often thought of myself when looking at the vulnerabilities of our nation, and how we tend to cavalierly give away information to our enemies. He does an excellent job of describing how the events might take place; believable and scary.\\n\\nAs the terrorists unleash their attack on America, a group of state governmental coworkers have traveled from one side of their state to the capital on the other side of the state to attend meetings. Not an unheard of situation by any means. The co-workers, a very diverse group in age, background, sexes, and philosophies, find themselves thrown together when the attacks cause the national infrastructure to begin failing. With five hundred miles to get home, they quickly realize that unless they begin moving immediately, their ability to get there may be compromised.\\n\\nThe main character of the book, a man by the name of Jim, is a man who's grown up to be a man who has seen the writing on the wall, as far as our potential for harm is concerned, and has taken steps to make his family safe. He is an organizer. A thinker and planner. He loves the outdoors, and he loves his family, so takes steps to combine the two. He is a pragmatist, and a realist who doesn't suffer fools gladly. Some, both in his group, and outside, think him rude and selfish, but his family and friends understand his loyalty, which is a big strength, is sometimes hidden by his lack of compassion for those who don't view life from his lens.\\n\\nAs they travel home, it becomes apparent that the world is becoming a not so friendly place much quicker than anyone thought. While I've read a few reviews that felt like the author took the liberty of creating people who were stereotypical in some areas, I have to honestly disagree with them. Not that he took the liberty, but because stereotypes are there because they represent real people in real situations. In the area of the country the book is written in, the people, and the scenarios are only too real. Through Jim, we see the condition of America, not through an idealistic lens, but through a perspective of a man who was deeply affected by his grandfather's experiences as a young man in the coal mines, and later by Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. These are the things that color his worldview, and while we see glimpses of his humanity, like his conversation with the preacher, and his care of the elderly couple, we also know that what he's seeing in his focused view are the groups that for him mean danger.\\n\\nThe second story line is with his wife, kids and parents. We find that Jim is dedicated and driven to return home to them, and Mr. Horton does a great job of letting us see who they are, and why they are valued. Through their story, we find out where Jim comes from, who he is and what he does. We see his kids, and know that he has a close relationship with them. We find that he's not just done preparations at home for himself, but he's taken steps to make sure they are all taught and trained. And we find out these things, not because the author tells us that, but because the story unveils it as it goes along.\\n\\nIn the end, Jim and the two people who remain with him make it part way home. They are bruised, battered, injured, and changed. Even Jim, who was a harder man than most when he began, has spent time thinking about the lessons his grandfather tried to instill. Before the end of the world, Jim had no context in which to understand and know what he had to be. Now he does. The question remains, can he be that person in the way his family needs him to be?\\n\\nAt the end of the book, after we've traveled, and struggled with Jim and his family, Mr. Horton leaves us with a parting \\\"gift\\\"; our adrenalin, back from the excitement and danger of the journey, gets kicked up a notch and leaves us wanting more. But more has to come in book 2, which will definitely take too long to get here!\\n\\nI loved this book. Jim's wife was someone that I can relate to, and sympathize with. Her struggles made my heart hurt, and my pride swell as she overcame so much. It's a first book, and a great book. Get it. Read it. Get ready for book 2!\",\n \"Product: Sometime in high school, I decided I wanted to follow my father and serve in the Army. My father volunteered for the Army in 1943, went to OCS to become a 2nd Lt. of Infantry, and fought in WWII. He was seriously wounded, but recovered and finished his Army career, retiring as a Colonel. So I grew up in various countries: Japan, Venezuela, Brazil, and throughout the U.S. In 1962, at the age of 17, I got an appointment to West Point, and after graduation I earned my paratrooper wings and my Army Ranger tab. My first assignment was in Germany, and throughout my career I had other assignments in Vietnam, Korea, Spain, Panama, and El Salvador, and of course several Army posts in the U.S. I served in combat in Vietnam and El Salvador in Infantry units. My assignments have included Commander of an Airborne Infantry Rifle Company, Commander of a Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Senior Fellow at the State Department's Center for the Study of Foreign Affairs, and Military Attache to Spain. I retired as a Colonel. Since retirement I have worked on Wall Street, and taught Spanish in several colleges part time. I enjoy reading, working out in the gym with my wife (religiously, three times a week), and traveling. Lately I have been reading stories of survival, but I avoid supernatural books with zombies, vampires, and super heroes. Most of the post-apocalyptic novels I read deal with men and women escaping to a bunker or cabin in the woods, or some sort of survivalist compound. In reality very few people go that far in preparing for a natural disaster, and most are totally unprepared. So I wondered what a community of normal, middle class Americans would do in a total collapse, and began thinking about how real, everyday people would react. More importantly, I envisioned all the things a community would have to do in order to survive, and how difficult that adjustment would be for most Americans. The result was \\\"Defending Sea Breezes,\\\" my first novel. I hope you enjoy it.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Well worth the time and cost to read this informative, well written and exciting book. Well done.\\n\\nReview: I really enjoyed this book. The author spent the first third of the book setting up the situations, characters, and the complications of life that make us into who we are. Thus, when the action started, there was a foundation to draw from that allowed the reader to enjoy the details of the efforts of the community to survive. The writing flowed well and the character development was clear, with good guys and bad guys. The author even included a few people who showed themselves to be one way, but were really another. This lent some reality to the story.\\n\\nThe story is about a neighborhood and their attempts to provide security, provision, and possibilities for a future. It centers on two families who have a military background, which is not that unusual in Florida. We have a long, friendly position with military families so seeing them come together wasn't so far out of the realm of possibility.\\n\\nEach day in the community brought more challenges and it seemed like a never ending series of events that moved them to respond. With the guidance of the two men, a fair and even distribution of goods and services, and security provided them with success and some failures. As this book is presumable one in a series it will be interesting to see what unfolds in the future books.\\n\\nThe government response was slow in coming due to the destruction of so much of the infrastructure. Months after the event we begin to see elements of governmental response, and it is assumed world wide response to our tragedy, but no details were provided in this book. The potential is there for problems that may impact the community, thus I look forward to seeing what happens.\\n\\nIf nothing else, this book reminds us that no one person will survive alone, especially in a community, and that there are ways to go forward that retains the sovereignty of the individual while maintaining the safety, security and provision of the community. I applaud the author for a well thought out story, details that provide some interesting ideas for readers on how to respond, and a compassionate response to some of the more egregious acts of violence that will surely be part of a civilization coming unglued. Hats off to you for that.\",\n \"Product: Mark Goodwin is a Christian author and host of the popular Prepper Recon Podcast which interviews patriots, preppers and economists to help people prepare for the uncertain times ahead. His previous fiction series, The Days of Noah spent several months at number one on the Amazon best-sellers list in multiple categories. His first series, The Economic Collapse Chronicles, also hit the Amazon best-sellers list in several categories.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Has all the elements needed to be called a great post-apocalyptic novel!\\n\\nReview: Can I just say that I loved the title. It's what caught my eye to begin with when looking for my next read. But the book as a whole is just one \\\"I loved it, loved it, loved it\\\" from start to finish. First rate writing. Excellent references. Great alignment of events in story form with references that make sense.\\n\\nMr. Goodwin has authored many solid books in the apocalyptic collapse genre, with story lines that read right off the pages of today's news sites. He is a gifted story teller, and an insightful writer who understands the many sides of the human experience, and isn't afraid to address them in his work. He is a no-holds-barred writer, who is also able to fill us with hope as we read his stories of TEOTWAWKI. However, this book is by far his most biblically referenced book to date.\\n\\nDanny, Alisa, and Stephen are college students and friends, working at a high end restaurant in Savannah, GA. Danny and Alisa are in a relationship together, yet maintain a good friendship with Stephen who is a Christian. Around the Christmas holidays, the three attend Christmas Eve services and Danny finds that his life is missing a key ingredient - Christ. After receiving Jesus, he is awakened one morning after a vivid and terrifying dream, which Stephen feels is a prophetic dream from God concerning a catastrophic event that lines up with scripture. Through a series of confirmations, the three work to figure out the message being sent, and attempt to ring the bell of warning. Along the way, they find that others are hearing that same warning.\\n\\nBecause Danny now begins to find a new and different worldview, his relationship with Alisa begins to change. As the weeks pass, Alisa finds herself facing the same crisis of conscious that Danny had, and she, too, receives Christ. With this new iteration in their lives, things continue to evolve. More dreams, and more warnings come, increasing the worry they all three have that time is running out.\\n\\n For those who think this is just a Christian book, you will be sorely disappointed if you miss it. It has all the elements of a well written post-apocalyptic book yet it seeks to put understanding and perspective on events that seem destined to be part of our landscape. Personally, it's refreshing to find a book like this. Can't wait to read the remaining books in the series!\",\n \"Product: Jack Hunt is a bestselling author of horror, sci-fi and post-apocalyptic novels. Jack lives on the East coast of North America. jhuntauthor@gmail.com Sign up for his newsletter and visit him at his site here http://jackhuntbooks.com/\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Really enjoyed this book. Refreshing change.\\n\\nReview: I loved this book. It was a refreshing change from many of the post apocalyptic books I've read. It describes the lives of five friends who went through school together, and their relationship with a man who helped them become men. After high school, each of them takes a different path until life \\\"happens\\\" to them. Thrown together, first by the death of the old man, then by circumstance, they are left to find the relationship they had in order to survive where they are. The end of the book leaves just enough questions, and story lines to fuel lots of anticipation for book 2. Highly recommend this for people who are looking for more than a \\\"how to\\\" fiction.\",\n \"Product: Hugh Taylor started his law enforcement career as an intelligence specialist, where he worked in various roles for almost a decade. Hugh recently moved to program analysis, with a focus on information systems, which allows him to combine his intelligence and investigative experience with his background in computers and love of strategy. Hugh's academic background is in computer and information science and economics, but he has a wide variety of interests including (but definitely not limited to): astronomy, chemistry, geopolitics, cyber-security, and history. Reading has been a lifelong hobby of his, which helped make writing Paradigm Lost a dream come true.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Great, thoughtful, yet suspenseful\\n\\nReview: It's hard to believe this is a first novel because the book is written with such depth and such complex characters that start out as separate and individuals, but slowly, over time, incidents and finally, battles, they learn to work and think as a team. The passionate cries of Mr. Hall when he realizes how much he's lost in life as well as in the latest engagement is one of the most believable passages I've read. You hear his pain, his determination, and his dedication to his ship and shipmates. What better can we hope for on a military battle cruiser, out beyond known space?\\n\\nLoved this book and highly recommend it. I can't imagine how the next one will top this one, but I'm willing to read it and see...A great job of writing. A great job of understanding the subtle differences in the writing of not just a story, but an epic. Look forward to book 2!!!\",\n \"Product: Stephen Knight is the author of the bestselling zombie apocalypse series The Gathering Dead (The Gathring Dead, Left with the Dead, and The Rising Horde), as well as the horror thriller City of the Damned and the action-adventure Hackett's War. Together with Derek Paterson, he wrote the erotic thriller White Tiger. Knight lives in the New York City area.\\n\\nRating: 5.0\\n\\nSummary: Wish there were more stars to give this book. Fast paced, realistic, scary, and just plain good.\\n\\nReview: Earthfall could be considered a stand alone novel, though thankfully, it isn't. Set in a post apocalyptic world ten years following a worldwide nuclear war, it is the story of an Army base of people who were strategically placed by command to return the people of America on the road to recovery. But no one was prepared for the decimating effects of so much nuclear destruction. With almost a decade after the \\\"Sixty Minute War\\\", teams of people are sent out is special mobile units called, SCEV's seeking signs of life. It is the story of the people of the base, and the encounters the SCEV teams have on a journey to safe what is left of humanity.\\n\\nFirst, having read many of Mr. Knight's work, I was prepared for the quality of it before opening a page. This book, however, was an even greater page turner than I've come to expect. I read it in one day.\\n\\nThe prequel to the book was helpful in understanding what drove some of the characters, but it wasn't necessary to fully enjoy and follow the story line of Earthfall (I do highly recommend it simply because it is excellent, too.). There are several main characters in this story that bring life to the book. Three of them that probably drive the narrative the most are the dour Sarmajor Mulligan, and the young captain of SCEV Four, Mike Andrews and his wife, Rachel. There is a history with and between the three of them that is intertwined, and is cogent to the plot, so their development was key. All three were very realistic in the attitudes, emotional trauma, and the actions that play out between them.\\n\\nThe minor or supporting characters were equally as enjoyable. The provided a good foil for the hardness of the Sargent Major, and the more human issues that each faced. There was an element of crisp humor, and bantering that is often found between team mates that face dangerous situations on a daily basis. There was a camaraderie between the teams that rang true.\\n\\nThe \\\"bad guy\\\" was truly bad. There was no time that the reader would feel any sorrow for him or his decisions, though surviving the apocalypse with all your humanity intact would be difficult. The author did not let that thought pass and certainly it was the only thing that kept him from seeming too bad.\\n\\nOverall, I wish there were more stars to add to the evaluation of the story. Fast paced, realistic, scary, and gritty, it didn't focus on the destruction or killing or feel the need to bring cursing into what was clearly a military environment, which I appreciated. It is a book that I highly recommend, and have recommended to several friends and family. Well worth the time to read.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"profile_size":{"kind":"number","value":9,"string":"9"},"task":{"kind":"string","value":"longlamp_3"},"split_kind":{"kind":"string","value":"user_based"},"id":{"kind":"number","value":1799,"string":"1,799"}}}],"truncated":false,"partial":false},"paginationData":{"pageIndex":17,"numItemsPerPage":100,"numTotalItems":14745,"offset":1700,"length":100}},"jwt":"eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSIsImtpZCI6IjVHZDBvd0g5MTM2eDZjc1FvbE1zcktNWUZoRVFoUm5PVVVybEpjOUhaUEEifQ.eyJyZWFkIjp0cnVlLCJwZXJtaXNzaW9ucyI6eyJyZXBvLmNvbnRlbnQucmVhZCI6dHJ1ZX0sImlhdCI6MTc4NjMyMzAxNiwianRpIjoiMzQ5MjkyMzQtNDIyZi00N2M3LWI2YjYtOTg2ODI0NmIyMTJkIiwic3ViIjoiL2RhdGFzZXRzL01lbW9yeUFzTW9kYWxpdHkvTG9uZ0xhTVAtMyIsImV4cCI6MTc4NjMyNjYxNiwiaXNzIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9odWdnaW5nZmFjZS5jbyJ9.UAAjHgCkV29liAs9x432u1TgEtiCIYTlkDHIITdROxeRlLR1aHp_lnyhFsVXoVSP8n8DJA4EGo4ZEaAuaYUoAw","displayUrls":true,"splitSizeSummaries":[{"config":"default","split":"train","numRows":14745,"numBytesParquet":685612512},{"config":"default","split":"validation","numRows":1826,"numBytesParquet":81282560},{"config":"default","split":"test","numRows":1822,"numBytesParquet":90474619}]},"discussionsStats":{"closed":0,"open":1,"total":1},"fullWidth":true,"hasGatedAccess":true,"hasFullAccess":true,"isEmbedded":false,"savedQueries":{"community":[],"user":[]}}">
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A14Z4E4FAZ9S88 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Fully molded clog". The summary of the review text is "Comfortable shoes that are perfect for people who hate tying and who hate wearing socks.". | My son absolutely love these. I have trouble understanding it, but he refuses to wear any other type of shoe except for this one. He hates tying his shoes and loves to be able to slip these on. They are remarkably comfortable and last around a year, even with constant wearing. This will make the third year of wearing ... | My son absolutely love these. I have trouble understanding it, but he refuses to wear any other type of shoe except for this one. He hates tying his shoes and loves to be able to slip these on. They are remarkably comfortable and last around a year, even with constant wearing. This will make the third year of wearing ... | [
"Product: The Pyle PSiB27 Sound Isolation Recording Booth Cube Shield features sound dampening foam that assists unwanted sounds from contaminating your recordings. The box shield creates an acoustic boundary around the microphone that improves vocal audio flow -- directing your voice to the containment area, and a... | 36 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,700 |
A3BO1VM9CSCWW1 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Book by China Books". The summary of the review text is "A fantastic resource for those learning Chinese!". | This is an indispensable resource for learning Chinese characters. The flashcards are high quality and a perfect size that balances readability and portability. The front of the card contains the character in large font, and also the frequency of usage, character radical, traditional character equivalent (if different)... | This is an indispensable resource for learning Chinese characters. The flashcards are high quality and a perfect size that balances readability and portability. The front of the card contains the character in large font, and also the frequency of usage, character radical, traditional character equivalent (if different)... | [
"Product: This is a lifestyle magazine for men and women interested in building their bodies and minds. It contains advice on getting in shape and staying fit. Each issue includes articles on exercise routines, diet, nutrition, sexual fitness, psychology, sports medicine, kinesiology, physiology, weight control and... | 8 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,701 |
A3NRRBCW93V84Y | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Compatible Printer List: DCP-L2520DW, DCP-L2540DW, HL-L2300D, HL-L2320D, HL-L2340DW, HL-L2360DW, HL-L2380DW, MFC-L2700DW, MFC-L2720DW, MFC-L2740DW". The summary of the review text is "Great toner, g... | I bought this because I needed a replacement for my <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Brother-DCPL2540DW-Wireless-Compact-Laser-Printer/dp/B00MFG57ZK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Brother DCPL2540DW Wireless Compact Laser Printer</a> that I bought here at amazon and linked for... | I bought this because I needed a replacement for my <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Brother-DCPL2540DW-Wireless-Compact-Laser-Printer/dp/B00MFG57ZK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Brother DCPL2540DW Wireless Compact Laser Printer</a> that I bought here at amazon and linked for... | [
"Product: There should be no question marks when it comes to your period. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Applicator-Free Tampons give you the leak-free protection you need without added fragrances, so your most sensitive skin isnt exposed to unnecessary chemicals. Our pocket-sized digital tampons are made with sof... | 69 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,702 |
A1H4R7TY2G50DH | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The IRWIN VISE-GRIP Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper, 8", makes stripping wire from 10-24 AWG easier than ever. It has a self-adjusting mechanism and a swivel knob for micro-adjustments for gauges small... | These work like they are supposed to, very easily pulling plastic off a cut wire. The one complaint is there no auto-adjust for the initial cut, which most wire strippers have. It is good for pulling once the plastic is cut, but there is just a bulk wire shop, and a sheath puller, so you can't actually strip a wire wit... | These work like they are supposed to, very easily pulling plastic off a cut wire. The one complaint is there no auto-adjust for the initial cut, which most wire strippers have. It is good for pulling once the plastic is cut, but there is just a bulk wire shop, and a sheath puller, so you can't actually strip a wire wit... | [
"Product: The M Audio Keystation 61es is an affordable USB-MIDI controller keyboard. The 61es offers semi-weighted keys that give you the feel of a piano in a compact, affordable MIDI controller. Ideal for a multitude of music creation and education applications, the Keystation 61es offers you modulation and Pitch ... | 30 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,703 |
A2R7KKWQANJDLJ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "100% uncut, region 0 (worldwide playable), english / italian and german audio: A young student is murdered in a park by an unseen assailant during a heavy thunderstorm. The murderer makes his escape... | Although it was produced at the height of Italy's giallo boom, 1971's The Bloodstained Butterfly is remarkable not so much for its similarities to popular titles of the time as for its differences. With a focus on forensic science and courtroom drama, the film leans closer to Hitchcock's The Wrong Man than anything in... | Although it was produced at the height of Italy's giallo boom, 1971's The Bloodstained Butterfly is remarkable not so much for its similarities to popular titles of the time as for its differences. With a focus on forensic science and courtroom drama, the film leans closer to Hitchcock's The Wrong Man than anything in... | [
"Product: Prehistoric lovers are ostracized by their respective tribes. Academy Award Nominations: Best Special Visual Effects.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Stop-motion mastery...plus the chance of a nip-slip!\n\nReview: While not the first direct follow up to One Million Years B.C. - that would be Prehistoric Women,... | 26 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,704 |
A2QEA1RKT5N09I | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "Inspired by professionals and designed for connoisseurs, KRUPS products have been built with three key attributes in mind: Passion, Precision and Perfection. The KRUPS FL701850 Personal Tea Kettle h... | This is an attractive design that matches many of the espresso coffee makers, with its black base and bold glass shape. It looks great.
Alas, it is very limited on tea-making. It is on a fixed time cycle at a fixed temperature. For tea bags, that's OK. The tea will generally be small leaf, often the "fannings" that ar... | This is an attractive design that matches many of the espresso coffee makers, with its black base and bold glass shape. It looks great.
Alas, it is very limited on tea-making. It is on a fixed time cycle at a fixed temperature. For tea bags, that's OK. The tea will generally be small leaf, often the "fannings" that ar... | [
"Product: McAfee LiveSafe service, from Intel Security, protects your data and identity on your devices. Guard your PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets against viruses and online threats with one subscription. McAfee LiveSafe also includes a password manager and secure cloud storage, so you can easily manage your o... | 25 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,705 |
A2OT7AEHVZ0AZ0 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Tafiq Akhir, America's Healthy Lifestyle Coach, has created a dynamic program that will maximize your workout without monopolizing your time. Just 20 minutes 3 times per week to physiologically tran... | I won't lie, I ordered this program because I needed something new and quick. I had tried P90X, more like P32X since I only made it a month, and then tried Insanity, but lost interest quickly. Though I really liked Insanity, and honestly still think they're both great programs, they just couldn't keep my interest. P90X... | I won't lie, I ordered this program because I needed something new and quick. I had tried P90X, more like P32X since I only made it a month, and then tried Insanity, but lost interest quickly. Though I really liked Insanity, and honestly still think they're both great programs, they just couldn't keep my interest. P90X... | [
"Product: The Blues King harmonica is also available in a complete set. The set includes twelve harps in all twelve major keys packaged in a lightweight carrying case.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: If you are serious about harp playing, buy a more reliable set\n\nReview: I am not truly a harmonica player, I just mostl... | 21 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,706 |
AIST7V8XF4A18 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "Denon's Music AH-MM200 On-Ear Headphones feature 30mm drivers professionally tuned to a Flat EQ to deliver acoustically transparent music experience. Ease to carry outside because of compact and lig... | The Denon Music Maniacs get 3.5 stars. Maybe I'm just not hearing things the way I used to, because the Denons just sounded average to me. I own a pair of Philips Fidelio X1's, Beyerdynamic DT990's, RHA 750i IEM's, and Bose OE's. They all do an excellent job of serving the purpose for which they were bought. I trie... | The Denon Music Maniacs get 3.5 stars. Maybe I'm just not hearing things the way I used to, because the Denons just sounded average to me. I own a pair of Philips Fidelio X1's, Beyerdynamic DT990's, RHA 750i IEM's, and Bose OE's. They all do an excellent job of serving the purpose for which they were bought. I trie... | [
"Product: With the Oreck Graphite, it's all about making cleaning easy on you. Moving from carpet to fine Berber and Persian rugs is a no-brainer with the Quickswitch on the handle. It allows you to quickly go from carpet to hardwood to tile without stopping and bending down to adjust the roller brush height.\n\nRa... | 23 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,707 |
A2013JDMPUV6D9 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "This innovative, low-profile mechanism can be used as a tool guide, fence, or bar clamp. When used as a power-tool guide, it provides instant accuracy for crosscutting and routing up to 36 inches. I... | I am a big fan of these Clamp'N'Tool guides. I mainly use mine as a straight edge tool guide and I have found that it performs well for this purpose. Clamping it square to the workpiece takes a bit of fussing, but once it is square and locked down there are no worries of slippage or flexing, even under significant pre... | I am a big fan of these Clamp'N'Tool guides. I mainly use mine as a straight edge tool guide and I have found that it performs well for this purpose. Clamping it square to the workpiece takes a bit of fussing, but once it is square and locked down there are no worries of slippage or flexing, even under significant pre... | [
"Product: The product that started it all. Original Gorilla Glue built a name for itself with its incredible, industrial holding power and versatility. The water activated polyurethane formula expands into materials to form an incredibly strong bond to virtually anything. Gorilla Glue is a 100% waterproof glue, saf... | 20 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,708 |
A11OYMBM9XVB1A | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description ""Trouble in Glamour Town is very historically accurate, portraying thereal workings of the Hollywood sleaze, dishonesty and corruptionhappening at that time. S.R. Mallery is a gifted author who... | Hollywood in 1926 was a place where actors and actresses tried to get their big break. When a well-known producer is shot and killed, someone has to be blamed for it. Rosie's boyfriend Eddie is blamed for killing producer Harris, but Rosie knows that he had nothing to do with it. It is only a matter of finding out who ... | Hollywood in 1926 was a place where actors and actresses tried to get their big break. When a well-known producer is shot and killed, someone has to be blamed for it. Rosie's boyfriend Eddie is blamed for killing producer Harris, but Rosie knows that he had nothing to do with it. It is only a matter of finding out who ... | [
"Product: Proud author of Dead by Morning, fascinated by the dark and macabre. Stephen King is her all time inspiration mixed in with a little bit of Eminem. When she began writing, she started in horror but it somehow drifted into thriller. She loves the 1988 movie Heathers. She was born and raised in Michigan but... | 4 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,709 |
AYPTO9U0ZFROE | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Debut 1971 solo album prior to his fame as theguitarist for Be-Bop Deluxe, on CD for the 1st time &remastered from 1st generation master tapes. Includes theoriginal artwork & the limited booklet tha... | Bill Nelson's career has gone so many fascinating places. He's worn the mask of guitar hero, ambient wizard and outre film and play score generator. Prior to his time of multi-volume electronic CDs, ringing guitar and .com commercial soundtracks, there was Northern Dream.
A folky current ran through the first Be Bo... | Bill Nelson's career has gone so many fascinating places. He's worn the mask of guitar hero, ambient wizard and outre film and play score generator. Prior to his time of multi-volume electronic CDs, ringing guitar and .com commercial soundtracks, there was Northern Dream.
A folky current ran through the first Be Bo... | [
"Product: In pre-WW1 England, a youngster is expelled from a naval academy over a petty theft, but his parents raise a political furor by demanding a trial.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Donat and Leighton shine\n\nReview: The Winslow Boy tells the story of a family's effort to prove that an English schoolboy has been... | 12 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,710 |
A1OA65HXZIINHR | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The acclaimed new novel from the author of The Corrections. Patty and Walter Berglund were the new pioneers of old St. Paul - the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the avant-garde of the Whole Food... | You can read hundreds of reviews of Franzen's FREEDOM, but as an audio book enthusiast, I've decided to review the actual audio book reader, David LeDoux. While Franzen's book seems to be either a "love it" or "hate it" work, David LeDoux deserves great credit for bringing this literary work to life in the unabridged a... | You can read hundreds of reviews of Franzen's FREEDOM, but as an audio book enthusiast, I've decided to review the actual audio book reader, David LeDoux. While Franzen's book seems to be either a "love it" or "hate it" work, David LeDoux deserves great credit for bringing this literary work to life in the unabridged a... | [
"Product: Its no accident that Lavazza is Italys favorite coffee. Four generations of the Lavazza family have dedicated over 120 years to finding the best blends of coffee beans from all over the world to provide you the authentic Italian experience. The Lavazza Gran Aroma Ground Coffee Blend is no exception. The s... | 83 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,711 |
AD39QGHGWAOPQ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "CD ALBUM". The summary of the review text is "Innovative '80s metal from the Far East". | Disillusion was the first album released in the United States (in 1984) by the Japanese metal band Loudness. They added English lyrics to their homeland material and the result was a solid, innovative album. I like Thunder in the East (1985) and Lightning Strikes (1986) better. They are two of my all-time favorite m... | Disillusion was the first album released in the United States (in 1984) by the Japanese metal band Loudness. They added English lyrics to their homeland material and the result was a solid, innovative album. I like Thunder in the East (1985) and Lightning Strikes (1986) better. They are two of my all-time favorite m... | [
"Product: Historically based video game about a mystery aboard the HMS Titanic.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Sail on the Titanic and Change History!\n\nReview: This game is so intriguing and so realistic I found myself rushing to my computer after work to play it. In this game, you're free to tour the famous ship: th... | 137 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,712 |
A1G8USRY17IR1X | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The Dispos-Oil is a practical and environmental solution for recycling your used motor oil. Features a large opening with a 3 gallon capacity. The molded handle provides ease in carrying and transpo... | As the previous reviewer noted, "it is what it is". This container will easily hold 12 quarts (3 gal.) of spent oil. I'm honestly not sure who all the folks are pouring it into their back yards, but unless you use your old oil for dipping fence posts to keep 'em from rotting (yes, that works), then this saves you from ... | As the previous reviewer noted, "it is what it is". This container will easily hold 12 quarts (3 gal.) of spent oil. I'm honestly not sure who all the folks are pouring it into their back yards, but unless you use your old oil for dipping fence posts to keep 'em from rotting (yes, that works), then this saves you from ... | [
"Product: You don't have to spend a fortune to own a great sounding guitar. Just score a Dean tradition AK48 dreadnought. With at spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it delivers great tone. Its rosewood fingerboard and comfortable neck makes it easy to play, and quality sealed tuners stay in tune to keep your s... | 42 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,713 |
A1UD2MOSQMLF08 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Lots of elegant colors to choose from to match your favorite shoes or boots. For those who know who they are. desire to show who they are. who crave something extraordinary. Putting anything other t... | Very nice dress laces. Smooth tight knit, very strong. The small round laces are made to fit into dress shoes. These are not what you're looking for if you're trying to find laces for sneakers. Very nice dress Lakers. Move tight knit, very strong. The small round basis for made to fit into dress shoes. These are not wh... | Very nice dress laces. Smooth tight knit, very strong. The small round laces are made to fit into dress shoes. These are not what you're looking for if you're trying to find laces for sneakers. Very nice dress Lakers. Move tight knit, very strong. The small round basis for made to fit into dress shoes. These are not wh... | [
"Product: US Art Supply Stretched Canvas features superior quality medium textured, duck canvas. It is double-primed with acid-free acrylic gesso for use with oil or acrylic painting. The canvas is stapled onto the back of standard stretcher bars. Paint on all four edges and hang it with or without a frame. Great f... | 18 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,714 |
AGSWTH7SP2256 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The Corrections is a 2001 novel by American author Jonathan Franzen. It revolves around the troubles of an elderly Midwestern couple and their three adult children, tracing their lives from the mid-... | "The Corrections" has been delivered with a blizzard of media hype than can be off-putting to the very readers the publishers want to reach (people starved for serious, readable, intelligent fiction.) But you really should get ahold of this excellent novel. I devoured it in one night's frenzied reading. Yes indeed, ... | "The Corrections" has been delivered with a blizzard of media hype than can be off-putting to the very readers the publishers want to reach (people starved for serious, readable, intelligent fiction.) But you really should get ahold of this excellent novel. I devoured it in one night's frenzied reading. Yes indeed, ... | [
"Product: An American nurse living and working in Tokyo is exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse, one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Really Very Scary and Effective\n\nReview: I am at a loss to explain a few of the n... | 23 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,715 |
A1NX6JFDR8RDOC | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Daz from Snoop Dogs Dog Pound". The summary of the review text is "Best album of 2002 so far; Daz releases another classic.". | Daz Dillinger has permanently gained respect as being the type who will release a great album no matter what state hip-hop is in. This Is The Life I Lead shows that Daz has matured a lot since Retaliation, Revenge And Get Back, and even R.A.W. in many ways. However, Daz also sounds angry on a number of tracks here. ... | Daz Dillinger has permanently gained respect as being the type who will release a great album no matter what state hip-hop is in. This Is The Life I Lead shows that Daz has matured a lot since Retaliation, Revenge And Get Back, and even R.A.W. in many ways. However, Daz also sounds angry on a number of tracks here. ... | [
"Product: Snoop Dogg ~ Doggfather\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: Good album, but still disappointed many.\n\nReview: Snoop was really jumped on by many G-Funk fans after this 1996 release. While it might not have been on the level of The Chronic, Doggystyle or Kurupt and Daz's Dogg Food, it's still a good album and do... | 8 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,716 |
A131WEOLG7Z4GB | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Plast-aid forms a strong, waterproof, durable plastic with thousands of uses in about 15 minutes. As it cures, it changes consistency to be used to cast, glue, fill and form. It chemically fuses to ... | I purchased this to repair a crack in tub floor. After trying a few other items that didn't work, this was a last resort method. I watched a couple Youtube videos and was very impressed from what I saw. I followed the directions of adding the powder to the cup that came with it, saturating the powder with the liquid an... | I purchased this to repair a crack in tub floor. After trying a few other items that didn't work, this was a last resort method. I watched a couple Youtube videos and was very impressed from what I saw. I followed the directions of adding the powder to the cup that came with it, saturating the powder with the liquid an... | [
"Product: Ultimate security for your devices. The product is only valid for sale/activation in U.S., Canada, and Caribbean.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Best Security Software Available!\n\nReview: I have used Kaspersky for many years and it has never let me down. This version, like all the rest I have used, is effic... | 30 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,717 |
A3K7IDR3KOOQO1 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "K.E. Ganshert was born and raised in the exciting state of Iowa, where she currently resides with her family. She likes to write things and consume large quantities of coffee and chocolate while she... | Oh my word the second book is even better than the first!
I think I alienated everyone around me, because I concentrated so much on the story, I heard nothing and no one. But not to worry; they love me and they understand me and my compulsion with books.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters in this s... | Oh my word the second book is even better than the first!
I think I alienated everyone around me, because I concentrated so much on the story, I heard nothing and no one. But not to worry; they love me and they understand me and my compulsion with books.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters in this s... | [
"Product: Holly Michael, published in various magazines, newspapers, and in Guideposts books has released her debut novel, Crooked Lines. She and her husband, Anglican Bishop Leo Michael, regularly travel from their home in Kansas City to India. She has a grown daughter, Betsy and two sons. She enjoys watching foot... | 5 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,718 |
AED59NYH7SZKR | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The ex-planet Pluto has a few choice words about being thrown out of the solar system. A listing of alternate histories tells you all the various ways Hitler has died. A lawyer sues an interplanetar... | This book is packed full of fun, yet fast, fiction from one of the most humorous voices in Science Fiction today. Scalzi delivers time and again with the flair that readers have come to expect from his longer works, such as Redshirts. Scalzi's preferred approach, to jump into situations where humans are already coexist... | This book is packed full of fun, yet fast, fiction from one of the most humorous voices in Science Fiction today. Scalzi delivers time and again with the flair that readers have come to expect from his longer works, such as Redshirts. Scalzi's preferred approach, to jump into situations where humans are already coexist... | [
"Product: Can Agatha and Sophie find the perfect ending to their story in this epic conclusion to this bestselling series. Once best friends, Agatha and Sophie were pulled apart like strangers, each in the arms of a boy, Good with Good, Evil with Evil...is their friendship lost forever after...But as they settle in... | 5 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,719 |
A3Q0SBW6652MIG | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "When a freak hurricane swamps Los Angeles, thousands of sharks terrorize the waterlogged populace, and nature's deadliest killer rules sea, land, and air.". The summary of the review text is "Campy ... | Campy, bloody and good special effects. I am a big fan of Ian Ziering and I have to say that he does the best he can with whatever scripts he gets in any movie or TV show. The writing was more than a little predictable. The acting was as good as it gets for a script that doesn't claim to be more than it is. I enjoyed t... | Campy, bloody and good special effects. I am a big fan of Ian Ziering and I have to say that he does the best he can with whatever scripts he gets in any movie or TV show. The writing was more than a little predictable. The acting was as good as it gets for a script that doesn't claim to be more than it is. I enjoyed t... | [
"Product: Honeywell Quiet Set Whole Room Tower Fan with 5 speed/levels of quiet control including \"white noise\". 8 hour auto shut off timer with oscillation.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: My reliable choice for this price range.\n\nReview: This is my second summer with this fan and it is still quiet and puts out coo... | 7 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,720 |
A9MTN0D260WAD | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "This durable well-made scrapbook features a leatherette cover with 3- 3/4 by 3-3/4-inch photo window on the front, and they are acid, lignin, and PVC safe. This album uses standard 12 by 12-inch 3-R... | I was expecting this to be 12x12". It is 15"L, 13"H, and just shy of 4" wide. The bright blue is a shade bluer than pictured. I have seen it described as electric blue in other places. It looks nice and is one of my daughter's favorite colors, so it works in my favor. My initial reaction to this is that is it a very ni... | I was expecting this to be 12x12". It is 15"L, 13"H, and just shy of 4" wide. The bright blue is a shade bluer than pictured. I have seen it described as electric blue in other places. It looks nice and is one of my daughter's favorite colors, so it works in my favor. My initial reaction to this is that is it a very ni... | [
"Product: Yamaha YFL 221 Standard Flute\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Great price edit 6/2017\n\nReview: I paid less than half the price our neighborhood music stores were charging for the same flute. I half expected there to be some sort of flaw or need work done to it, so I had it inspected by a shop. Everything is ... | 33 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,721 |
A2WE93LJX8PMT1 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Household Essentials galvanized metal accent Vase is a charming metal Vase made from galvanized steel and Rose gold painted accents. The Vase is lightweight and thin sided, with its wide rim made fr... | Pretty decent item. You could use this for a variety of things, I am using it for a faux planter by the fireplace. The "item" (because I am not sure how I should refer to it), is fairly light. I mention this because I assumed it would be heavier. The rings on the side are super light as well. The copper color that... | Pretty decent item. You could use this for a variety of things, I am using it for a faux planter by the fireplace. The "item" (because I am not sure how I should refer to it), is fairly light. I mention this because I assumed it would be heavier. The rings on the side are super light as well. The copper color that... | [
"Product: The Razer Mamba Tournament Edition is designed for eSports athletes who demand the very best performance. Engineered with the worlds most precise 16,000 DPI gaming mouse sensor, capable of tracking up to 1 DPI increments and a lift-off cut-off distance as precise as 0.1 mm, the Razer Mamba Tournament Edit... | 55 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,722 |
A2TT4AA3QO0DPY | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The Jungle Book (Fully Restored 30th Anniversary Limited Edition) [VHS]. Feature running time: 78 minutes". The summary of the review text is "You'd Better Believe It!". | I hadn't seen this movie from beginning to end since I was 4 or 5, so I didn't remember it too well. When I finally got the DVD for Christmas and watched it, I loved every minute of it. Jungle Book has lost none of its charm over the past 40 years. From the very beginning, when we see Bagheera rescuing the abandoned "m... | I hadn't seen this movie from beginning to end since I was 4 or 5, so I didn't remember it too well. When I finally got the DVD for Christmas and watched it, I loved every minute of it. Jungle Book has lost none of its charm over the past 40 years. From the very beginning, when we see Bagheera rescuing the abandoned "m... | [
"Product: 1988 ORION HOME VIDEO VHS\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: No Artist is Poor\n\nReview: \"Babette's Feast\" is definitely one of the best movies I have seen. It combines excellent characterization, cerebral dialogue, and beautiful cinematography to create a masterpiece. All of the subplots come together at the ... | 13 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,723 |
ACUTHHE0G8FU3 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Set in New England mainly and London partly, "On Beauty" concerns a pair of feuding families - the Belseys and the Kipps - and a clutch of doomed affairs. It puts low morals among high ideals and as... | If this book owes its "structure" to Howard's End (as the author readily admits), it nonetheless seems better compared to Tom Wolfe's "I Am Charlotte Simmons." Like that 2004 novel, "On Beauty" shows how college campuses simmer with the tensions of diversity. Race and class flare up to confound the lives of the Belse... | If this book owes its "structure" to Howard's End (as the author readily admits), it nonetheless seems better compared to Tom Wolfe's "I Am Charlotte Simmons." Like that 2004 novel, "On Beauty" shows how college campuses simmer with the tensions of diversity. Race and class flare up to confound the lives of the Belse... | [
"Product: IZOD flat-front chino pant featuring side-slant pockets and single welted back pockets with buttons.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Pay the Extra and Buy Dockers - Better Fit, Better Material with Dockers\n\nReview: I recently bought several pairs of khakis all at once, with the intention of keeping a few and... | 6 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,724 |
A3LHQZXCE4UDCQ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The debut solo album from one of Broadway's most prolific new generation leading ladies. Sutton Foster has wowed audiences since her star turn in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which she won the Tony... | I came across Sutton Foster in Amazon's "Recommended" List. I found Sutton to have a nice, pleasant voice. This album contains a nice variety of classic, popular and show tunes. She starts off with an uptempo version of "I'm Beginning to See the Light," which segues into the beautiful, dreamy "Warm All Over." To pro... | I came across Sutton Foster in Amazon's "Recommended" List. I found Sutton to have a nice, pleasant voice. This album contains a nice variety of classic, popular and show tunes. She starts off with an uptempo version of "I'm Beginning to See the Light," which segues into the beautiful, dreamy "Warm All Over." To pro... | [
"Product: The Tascam CC222mkIV CD and cassette deck now features tray-loading CD transport that was designed purposefully for audio recorders in-house by TEAC. Unlike computer drives, it's firmware allows it to record without gaps between track meters. The CC222mkIV includes a RIAA phono input which allows direct r... | 29 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,725 |
A1NLYUU98Y245T | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "1.0" for a product with description "This tool is a must have for all pipe smokers. Functional, practical, easy to use and great value for money.". The summary of the review text is "Looooooove this.. When it's not broken". | I cannot even begin to tell you how convenient this tool is for your pipes. I ordered several and gave them away my special friends because they are pretty cheap and everyone wanted mine!
Update 10/12/14
One month later
Since I buy so many of these from one of the domestic sellers (WWInc), I ordered another. It came w... | I cannot even begin to tell you how convenient this tool is for your pipes. I ordered several and gave them away my special friends because they are pretty cheap and everyone wanted mine!
Update 10/12/14
One month later
Since I buy so many of these from one of the domestic sellers (WWInc), I ordered another. It came w... | [
"Product: Iron-On Appliques are the perfect decorative addition to a wearable garment or a craft project. They come in a variety of sizes and styles. Great for towels, blankets, pillows, purses, scrapbooks, backpacks, aprons, jackets, pants, t- shirts, costumes, baby clothes and so much more! This package contains ... | 27 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,726 |
A2IMLOJ2Z2QEU2 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "30 Day Money Back Gurantee/Exchange
Dell 1-Year Warranty". The summary of the review text is "Great monitor, been running it for years". | Simply put, I love the Dell Ultrasharp line of monitors. I currently have two monitors, one 24" and one 21", the older one has been running for over five years with zero problems, the "younger" of the two has been running strong for three years.
I would consider myself both a medium level gamer and a medium level Pho... | Simply put, I love the Dell Ultrasharp line of monitors. I currently have two monitors, one 24" and one 21", the older one has been running for over five years with zero problems, the "younger" of the two has been running strong for three years.
I would consider myself both a medium level gamer and a medium level Pho... | [
"Product: Perfect for travel, backpacking, or hiking, this compact, super lightweight, high absorbency, and quick drying travel towel helps you stay fresh on your adventure. The anti-bacterial microfiber fabric will absorb 4 times it weight and can quickly dry with hanging.\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A nice foldabl... | 200 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,727 |
A34OI15IEVR226 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children. She is the author of multi-genre romance, including the Amazon international bestseller, Broken. When she is not busy playing wi... | Nicola Haken is another amazing author who made me fall in love with this genre of writing! Counting Daisies for me on a personal level at times was hard cause of the contents of the book and how at times it hit so close to home. I have known two good people that had lost their way in life and unfortunately never was a... | Nicola Haken is another amazing author who made me fall in love with this genre of writing! Counting Daisies for me on a personal level at times was hard cause of the contents of the book and how at times it hit so close to home. I have known two good people that had lost their way in life and unfortunately never was a... | [
"Product: Nicky James live in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada and is mother to a wonderful teenage boy and wife to a truly supportive and understanding husband, who thankfully doesn't think she is crazy. Nicky has always had two profound dreams in life; to fall back hundreds of years in time and live in... | 4 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,728 |
A3I4EQ1A96IBG8 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Tara West writes books about dragons, witches, and handsome heroes while eating chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate. She's willing to share her dragons, witches and heroes. Keep your hands off her... | OMG I loved, loved, loved this book.
It had me laughing so hard I was crying! It is just that good. A book hasn't made me laugh this much in a very long time!
Tara West does it again. This book sucks you in from word one. There is more than just comedy to this book as well. It will put you on a roller coaster ride yo... | OMG I loved, loved, loved this book.
It had me laughing so hard I was crying! It is just that good. A book hasn't made me laugh this much in a very long time!
Tara West does it again. This book sucks you in from word one. There is more than just comedy to this book as well. It will put you on a roller coaster ride yo... | [
"Product: These premium pet tags are perfect for the fashionable pet owner. This pet tag is perfect for the most fashionable pooch! **PLEASE SELECT \"GIFT MESSAGE\" DURING CHECKOUT AND TELL US: (1) Shape: Star, Bone, Round, Rectangle, or Bone with artificial crystal; (2) Color: Blue, Purple, Red, Pink, or Black; (3... | 7 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,729 |
A38U2M9OAEJAXJ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Their first album in five years! Earliest release from Japan. Virgin. 2003.". The summary of the review text is "A Respectable Step Forward.". | Massive Attack may not be Britain's most prolific group (in the last 12 years, they've released only 4 albums), but they are among the most influential. Each CD is less a recording than a dreamy landscape, replete with smart beats and dark atmospherics that shape up what we now know as trip hop. On "100th Window," Ma... | Massive Attack may not be Britain's most prolific group (in the last 12 years, they've released only 4 albums), but they are among the most influential. Each CD is less a recording than a dreamy landscape, replete with smart beats and dark atmospherics that shape up what we now know as trip hop. On "100th Window," Ma... | [
"Product: Shiny, glossy disc in like new condition! Capitol Records Rainbow Trim label, original picture sleeve with 32 bw square pics of the band! Jacket is in beautiful condition with only the lightest touch or corner wear in spots, Gatefold opens to reveal full size color image of \"Butcher Album\" Cover on the... | 161 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,730 |
A1VPJT3BHZ9UAS | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Comfort, style and quality are the watchwords of all meco's folding chairs and tables. from trend-setting all-steel or steel and upholstered folding furniture to the comfortable and high-style desig... | I got these because I needed extra chairs for a big party. Well, I liked them so much I've hardly put them away since! Throw a 2 dollar IKEA cushion on and these things are pretty comfortable. (I'm a little embarrassed to admit that but it's true!). Need to reach something on a high shelf? You can feel confident sta... | I got these because I needed extra chairs for a big party. Well, I liked them so much I've hardly put them away since! Throw a 2 dollar IKEA cushion on and these things are pretty comfortable. (I'm a little embarrassed to admit that but it's true!). Need to reach something on a high shelf? You can feel confident sta... | [
"Product: Here it is. The 1 stompbox for legions of crunch-craving guitarists all over the planet. This DS-1 distortion pedal is a time-proven mainstay of rock and metal tone, no doubt about it. Three knobs make way for practically every rock sound you've ever heard. If you dig it loud and distorted, you've simply ... | 83 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,731 |
AOVROBZ8BNTP7 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Mill AB-H1500DNis a great all-round heater. This model will keep your rooms heated at all times. It has an advanced day/night program, which enables you to lower the temperature when you are not the... | I love oil filled radiators. I can't understand why they don't rate higher in Consumer Reports. Yes, they are slow to heat up. However, once an oil filled radiator gets hot, it stays hot. And, as the name suggest, it radiates a gentle, non-drying heat. These beasts are best when placed near a window or any other locati... | I love oil filled radiators. I can't understand why they don't rate higher in Consumer Reports. Yes, they are slow to heat up. However, once an oil filled radiator gets hot, it stays hot. And, as the name suggest, it radiates a gentle, non-drying heat. These beasts are best when placed near a window or any other locati... | [
"Product: This product is not eligible for Priority Shipping.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Completely happy with this shaver\n\nReview: Philips Norelco recommends using this razor for 21 straight days before deciding if it's right for you. It only took one shave to realize my Mach 3 days were over. This \"made in H... | 54 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,732 |
A51S8DVZYCI0E | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Jane Harvey-Berrick writes thoughtful, life-affirming romances for mature audiences.". The summary of the review text is "Wow. I was absolutely gutted while reading this book.". | Single mom, Dawn, is a small town veterinarian. Due to her past with her ex-husband she doesn't have much trust in men.
She comes to know Alex through his vet visits for his dog, Stan. Alex first comes across as a strange hermit.
Alex has only survived life due to his dog Stan.
Dawn and Alex get beyond each others ... | Single mom, Dawn, is a small town veterinarian. Due to her past with her ex-husband she doesn't have much trust in men.
She comes to know Alex through his vet visits for his dog, Stan. Alex first comes across as a strange hermit.
Alex has only survived life due to his dog Stan.
Dawn and Alex get beyond each others ... | [
"Product: I live in the Mile High city with my wife, daughter and dog, where the Rocky Mountain High isnt always achieved with an herbal substance. When not glued to the computer for work and writing, I relax by enjoying the outdoors; playing tennis, travelling in our motorhome and riding a motorcycle wherever the ... | 9 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,733 |
A1LZQPBALDJ0Y5 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The Phantom 2 Quadcopter from DJI brings all the features you love from the original Phantom but with 2X longer flight times and native support for the Zenmuse H3-2D Gimbal, which is included in thi... | I really loved it until it crashed (pilot error) and damaged the gimbal. The dealer is sending it back to DJI to check it out and recalibrate it. This is not really a toy but is great for the RC beginning adults since it's so stable and if you get in trouble just release the sticks and it stops and hovers in place. ... | I really loved it until it crashed (pilot error) and damaged the gimbal. The dealer is sending it back to DJI to check it out and recalibrate it. This is not really a toy but is great for the RC beginning adults since it's so stable and if you get in trouble just release the sticks and it stops and hovers in place. ... | [
"Product: The Loc8tor Lite can help you find missing items like keys, phones or even kids or pets by leading you straight to the homing beacons attached to your belongings. The LEDs on the handheld main unit can lead you to as many as 4 registered homing tags. When you activate the attached beacon, you'll hear it c... | 23 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,734 |
A2DQG1MYUKGNHW | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Saint Odd". The summary of the review text is "Saying Goodbye To Odd One.". | I was given both the e-book and paperback of this book from family, I put off reading it for about a year because I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Odd Thomas and friends. It has taken all month to put a pen to paper to write the review. I still don't have the words I want to relay to someone who just picked up this boo... | I was given both the e-book and paperback of this book from family, I put off reading it for about a year because I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Odd Thomas and friends. It has taken all month to put a pen to paper to write the review. I still don't have the words I want to relay to someone who just picked up this boo... | [
"Product: Dean Koontz, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Anna, and the enduring spirit of their golden, Trixie.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Odd Thomas the Author.\n\nReview: You are Destined to be together forever. Odd Thomas ... | 5 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,735 |
A2PEWTNRSWDA86 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "The Farberware Spiraletti Spiral Vegetable Slicer is perfect for creating visually stunning spiral cuts of fruits and vegetables. It includes three stainless-steel blades -- a thin spiral blade, a t... | This is a fine ricer, if you don't have a food processor or anything with which to rice your cauliflower and broccoli. It is easy to put together and use. It's works through a pump motion, pushing down on the green button on top to make the blades spin. It' s very easy to do and since it's manual, it doesn't need to be... | This is a fine ricer, if you don't have a food processor or anything with which to rice your cauliflower and broccoli. It is easy to put together and use. It's works through a pump motion, pushing down on the green button on top to make the blades spin. It' s very easy to do and since it's manual, it doesn't need to be... | [
"Product: What's Better than a quart of luscious homemade ice cream, sorbet or frozen yogurt? Two quarts! The fully automatic Cuisinart Pure Indulgence makes 2 quarts of your favorite frozen desserts or drinks in as little as 25 minutes. It's easy - an intergrat\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Awesome! (But may sabotage... | 23 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,736 |
A2MY5CN48538CO | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "AlTonya Washington has been a romance novelist for 5 years. Her novel Finding Love Again won the Romantic Times Reviewer?s Choice Award for Best Multicultural Romance 2004. In November 2007, she rel... | OMG this book was off the chain!!! It is so true that with each Ramsey saga the stories get better than the one before. I am so glad Yohan and Melina were given a second chance. Yohan was ole so sexy and I was so excited to see Josephine wake up from the the fog I thought she was in in the previous books,but little di... | OMG this book was off the chain!!! It is so true that with each Ramsey saga the stories get better than the one before. I am so glad Yohan and Melina were given a second chance. Yohan was ole so sexy and I was so excited to see Josephine wake up from the the fog I thought she was in in the previous books,but little di... | [
"Product: An action adventure film star becomes smitten with an idealistic high school teacher when he agrees to participate in a business deal involving the teacher's ambitious clothing designer brother.\n\nRating: 2.0\n\nSummary: Its Ok it you don't have anything else to watch\n\nReview: It was ok, but definitely... | 6 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,737 |
A2ZPZE3I9VHVA7 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Tracklist A1 A Hard Day's Night (Vocal) 2:28 A2 Tell Me Why (Vocal) 2:04 A3 I Cry Instead 2:06 A4 I Should Have Known Better (Instrumental) 2:16 A5 I'm Happy Just To Dance With You 1:59 A6... | Between 2005 and 2008, they finally remastered with decent quality all the Beatles cds. Since a good share of the originals were MONO, not stereo at all, this makes for some major improvements over the George Martin 1986 masters (ack, I actually choke on relating the word masters to those earlier cd editions). From wha... | Between 2005 and 2008, they finally remastered with decent quality all the Beatles cds. Since a good share of the originals were MONO, not stereo at all, this makes for some major improvements over the George Martin 1986 masters (ack, I actually choke on relating the word masters to those earlier cd editions). From wha... | [
"Product: NTSC/Region 0. with a renewed energy, March 16th, 2010, was the night of all nights for the Classic Rock band. Foreigner rocked the beautiful, historical Ryman Theatre in Nashville, and showed once and for all that the current line-up is possibly the best ever. Songs from the most recent album, Can't Slow... | 8 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,738 |
A2OAD5Y7MXUOFZ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Fact: dull, smudgy ink is a downer. So boost your writing fun-factor with Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens! With a rainbow of bright colors and smear-resistant ink that wont bleed through the page, th... | I really like these pens; they have nice colors and work well on most surfaces. The ultra fine point means that even on coarse paper they make a fine line without the ink spreading. On slick coated paper, of course, the ink sits on the surface and you have to be careful not to smear it before it dries (which is pretty ... | I really like these pens; they have nice colors and work well on most surfaces. The ultra fine point means that even on coarse paper they make a fine line without the ink spreading. On slick coated paper, of course, the ink sits on the surface and you have to be careful not to smear it before it dries (which is pretty ... | [
"Product: For centuries, the luxury of French-milled soaps has remained the gold standard of excellence. Each time you begin to lather a French made soap, you enter a time and place where quality and craftsmanship have stood still. Traditional French soap is triple-milled to produce a completely uniform and smooth ... | 33 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,739 |
A33B3XCIXB4ZVG | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The IRWIN Tools 8-in-1 ratcheting screwdriver features the most commonly used screwdriver bits in 1 convenient tool to save time and get jobs done fast. Including #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers, 1/... | I've gone through a fair share of various screwdrivers. Quite often I'm annoyed that they are cheap and poorly made. This Irwin is neither cheap nor poorly made. It is strong and solid enough for regular use. It does have a bit of bulk, so it might not fit in tight spaces. However, this is a great tool for regular... | I've gone through a fair share of various screwdrivers. Quite often I'm annoyed that they are cheap and poorly made. This Irwin is neither cheap nor poorly made. It is strong and solid enough for regular use. It does have a bit of bulk, so it might not fit in tight spaces. However, this is a great tool for regular... | [
"Product: The Corsair Gaming Sabre RGB Laser Gaming Mouse delivers pixel-precise confidence with every command. Its 8,200 DPI sensor supplies fast-paced smart-tracking and clear-cut accuracy in even the most demanding situations, and high-grade internal switches rated for 20 million clicks ensure long-lasting endur... | 36 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,740 |
A3DE0SNPHU1RZG | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "2.0" for a product with description "Oxford Blank Color Index Cards are blank on both sides for versatile, reversible study. Extra-large 5" x 8" cards fit more content per card for detailed notes and drawings. Commit it to memory at ho... | It doesn't seem necessary to add to the chorus of "these are too thin and flimsy" but here I am doing just that. I'm old enough to remember when index cards were a household staple, used for everything under the sun; while not indestructible, they could be reused and dog-earred and still serve their purpose. A recent p... | It doesn't seem necessary to add to the chorus of "these are too thin and flimsy" but here I am doing just that. I'm old enough to remember when index cards were a household staple, used for everything under the sun; while not indestructible, they could be reused and dog-earred and still serve their purpose. A recent p... | [
"Product: You don't have to be a makeup artist to create beautiful, naturally shaped brows. With our Essential brow kit, it's a cinch. The kit supplies you with all the tools you need to get the gorgeous look you're going for - soft, shapely brows that highlight your eyes and frame your face. It's finally time to t... | 69 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,741 |
A1ZVMTIRYZQDL4 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Never hide a key under a mat again. The South Main Hardware shackle mounted key storage box is a great combination key lockbox for both the house and car. This lockbox easily hangs from interior and... | I really like this lockbox. I sell real estate and I use it a lot on properties that I have listed. It's on the heavy side and it feels pretty sturdy. It's one piece which is great since you don't have to worry about loosing the cover when you open the lockbox to get the key out. When the lockbox is closed, it seals pr... | I really like this lockbox. I sell real estate and I use it a lot on properties that I have listed. It's on the heavy side and it feels pretty sturdy. It's one piece which is great since you don't have to worry about loosing the cover when you open the lockbox to get the key out. When the lockbox is closed, it seals pr... | [
"Product: Covers Victorian decorative arts and lifestyles of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Provides ideas, inspiration and information on how architecture and designs can be adapted and made relevant to today's living.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!\n\nReview: I have been a subscriber to Vic... | 20 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,742 |
A937SB5J1H7O0 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Choose the Dayton Audio DA30 amplifier for your fixed audio application. Its small chassis fits away neatly for security, while the big sound fills classrooms and conference rooms.". The summary of ... | I have NO idea how much experience with amp's the other person who left a 1 STAR review has but to me it's obvious it isn't very much. This amp is a SOLID performer with a Solid name to back it up. I have used, owned & own SEVERAL T-amp's as well as another D-class amp, tube amp & an A-B Amp.
This little black box has... | I have NO idea how much experience with amp's the other person who left a 1 STAR review has but to me it's obvious it isn't very much. This amp is a SOLID performer with a Solid name to back it up. I have used, owned & own SEVERAL T-amp's as well as another D-class amp, tube amp & an A-B Amp.
This little black box has... | [
"Product: Pro Dynamic: the modern knife range, with full plastic handle and quality blade.The ergonomic handle will not slip in your hand. The plastic handle and the blade are connected seamlesslyHigh quality steel to ensure high sharpness retentionSeamless connection Safety through slip resistant handle material B... | 20 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,743 |
AJDYDG7YZY9QL | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Paperback-Acceptable-Red cover instead of white and same book.". The summary of the review text is "A valuable horror story". | It's a pity this book has been relegated to the status of 'special order'. As an account of a single Lancaster night raid, it's without peer in portraying the lives of people enduring the horrors of war in any age. Deighton's skill at depicting characters has few matches, and the scope of this book, set in both Ge... | It's a pity this book has been relegated to the status of 'special order'. As an account of a single Lancaster night raid, it's without peer in portraying the lives of people enduring the horrors of war in any age. Deighton's skill at depicting characters has few matches, and the scope of this book, set in both Ge... | [
"Product: 1183 AD: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. They and his wife variously plot to force him.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: 'Every family has its ups and downs . . .'\n\nReview: . . . especially when that family belongs to the first Plantagenet king, th... | 29 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,744 |
A17N23WXA7EAF | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "John Cusack, Noah Taylor, Leelee Sobieski. A tangled and emotional what-if" drama about a Jewish German WWI veteran who is running an art gallery and takes a promising painter under his wing-a young... | "Max" is an interesting albeit somewhat flawed work of historical fiction that explores the role of artistic frustration and failure in the personality of young Adolph Hitler. The film is essentially about the historical and psychological intersection of art and politics in young Adolph Hitler's thinking.
Max, played b... | "Max" is an interesting albeit somewhat flawed work of historical fiction that explores the role of artistic frustration and failure in the personality of young Adolph Hitler. The film is essentially about the historical and psychological intersection of art and politics in young Adolph Hitler's thinking.
Max, played b... | [
"Product: OUT OF PRINT\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A satircal view of the eighties with incidental killing\n\nReview: Despite its title and a considerable amount of bloodshed, “American Psycho” is a superbly witty and satirical film. The film is ostensibly about a serial murderer who happens to be fabulo... | 24 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,745 |
A3U5Z6UTIJ8FZ9 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "FEATURES of the Gear Up Lean Machine Gravity Rack The Lean Machine 2 Bike Gravity Rack holds 2 bikes with a patent-pending arm assembly that offers 3 dimensions of adjustment to accommodate any styl... | The Gear Up Lean Machine 2-Bike Gravity Stand
The box it ships in comes nicely compact, so it's not a strain to carry. There are instructions that make sense (a plus!), and nothing is too complicated about assembly.
The stand leans nicely against the wall, and holds the 2 bikes (one a heavy beach cruiser, most of th... | The Gear Up Lean Machine 2-Bike Gravity Stand
The box it ships in comes nicely compact, so it's not a strain to carry. There are instructions that make sense (a plus!), and nothing is too complicated about assembly.
The stand leans nicely against the wall, and holds the 2 bikes (one a heavy beach cruiser, most of th... | [
"Product: Sort, put away, and find clothes easily As seen in Better Homes & Gardens, Parents Magazine, and the Rachael Ray Show Organize your clothing like a pro! We have been using this product professionally for years in every closet we organize-- and we liked it so much we acquired it! Our clients love how this ... | 19 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,746 |
A2P6ERN46L89FZ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Brenna Aubrey is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary romance stories that center on geek culture. She has always sought comfort in good books and the long, involved stories she weaves in ... | This book in the series had a different vibe from the first book. But i still really enjoyed it. The first book was about two people stumbling into a love they weren't really looking for. This book was heart wrenching. I found myself arguing with the characters. The first book was from Mia's point of view and dealt w... | This book in the series had a different vibe from the first book. But i still really enjoyed it. The first book was about two people stumbling into a love they weren't really looking for. This book was heart wrenching. I found myself arguing with the characters. The first book was from Mia's point of view and dealt w... | [
"Product: WINNER OF THE 2011 FORWARD NATIONAL LITERATURE AWARD in the category of Drama #1 Amazon bestselling author, SUSAN WINGATE, is co-host of the very popular talk radio show, DIALOGUE: BETWEEN THE LINES. Susan has written several plays, one screenplay, two short story collections and nine novels, four of whic... | 4 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,747 |
A1MY5D77UNWLI8 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Complete your look in these officially licensed Star Wars 7 the force awakens villain trooper red gloves. Rubie's Costume Company has been bringing costumes and accessories to the world since 1950. ... | If there is anything that you can say it my house that will make most of the occupants in it scream with delight its Star Wars..ok its just my husband that get excited but thats okay. Me and my husband are both huge fans and cant wait until the new movie premieres (yes we have ticketsfor all week.) SO these gloves are ... | If there is anything that you can say it my house that will make most of the occupants in it scream with delight its Star Wars..ok its just my husband that get excited but thats okay. Me and my husband are both huge fans and cant wait until the new movie premieres (yes we have ticketsfor all week.) SO these gloves are ... | [
"Product: Set of 12 Assorted Design Glass Ball Christmas Ornaments\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Takes me back to my youth\n\nReview: <div id=\"video-block-R1BS5VTHFWUS3B\" class=\"a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block\"></div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"\" value=\"https://images-na.ssl-images-ama... | 21 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,748 |
A3H5TH1NOJYN8W | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Sony ECMCS3 Clip style Omnidirectional Stereo Microphone". The summary of the review text is "One of the best lapel mics I've used". | I love this mic, it's inexpensive, small and has great sound quality for the price. Only real con of it is that it's cheap feeling (which I guess is fitting since it is inexpensive). I've bought one a few years ago, never had issues, and just bought it again. So It might be more durable than I thought.
It is true ster... | I love this mic, it's inexpensive, small and has great sound quality for the price. Only real con of it is that it's cheap feeling (which I guess is fitting since it is inexpensive). I've bought one a few years ago, never had issues, and just bought it again. So It might be more durable than I thought.
It is true ster... | [
"Product: This Miracle Sound Clip-on Microphone and Extention Cable is especially designed for video recording and provides clear and accurate voice, better than great majority of built-in microphones, really ideal for video recording in outdoor or indoor. Specifications Transducer: Electret condenser Polar Pattern... | 34 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,749 |
A2YHK9GHM9OBTA | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "Adidas Cushioned Crew Socks are perfect for the on-the-go athlete who wants to keep cool, dry and comfortable.". The summary of the review text is "Taller than they appear and the top cuff is tight"... | I am pretty picky about which socks I like and decided to try these Adidas crew socks. They are much taller than they look in the product listing--in fact, they come almost to my knee. The socks are soft and do not have any obnoxious toe seams. They terry-like inside does absorb moisture. They have held up well in the ... | I am pretty picky about which socks I like and decided to try these Adidas crew socks. They are much taller than they look in the product listing--in fact, they come almost to my knee. The socks are soft and do not have any obnoxious toe seams. They terry-like inside does absorb moisture. They have held up well in the ... | [
"Product: The Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin is a comfortable, light formula made for normal or dry skin that provides a smooth, perfected look. Oil-Free and SPF20, the demi-matte finish comes in a mess-free pump and lasts for up to 24 hours. The Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin also contain... | 25 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,750 |
ACEXWBDOIIG2H | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The Number One international bestselling author of Jurassic Park, Congo and Sphere takes on global warming in this gripping and critically acclaimed thriller. In Paris, a physicist dies after perfor... | A short while ago, I received an online recommendation that I might like this book, from two different sources. One was from Google Ads and the other was from Amazon. I was intrigued because Michael Crichton is known for Sci-Fi novels and I have not read any Science-fiction in the last fifteen years. As I read a synop... | A short while ago, I received an online recommendation that I might like this book, from two different sources. One was from Google Ads and the other was from Amazon. I was intrigued because Michael Crichton is known for Sci-Fi novels and I have not read any Science-fiction in the last fifteen years. As I read a synop... | [
"Product: Keep important travel documents organized and secure while you travel\n Large stash pocket and full-length zippered pocket store tickets, passport and most sizes of currency\n Dedicated slots store credit cards and business cards\n Micromesh zippered pocket for coins\n Micromesh slot keeps you... | 22 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,751 |
A2FF6HVK48D1C0 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "Josh Hamilton is currently the 27-year-old Center Fielder for the Texas Rangers. In the offseason he lives in North Carolina with his wife Katie and their two daughters.". The summary of the review ... | The New Testament tells a story of Jesus healing a demoniac. After his spectacular recovery, the healed man begged Jesus to let him travel with him, but Jesus told him to go back to his own city and tell them there what the savior had done for him, and that's what he did. While I was reading "Beyond Belief", I thought ... | The New Testament tells a story of Jesus healing a demoniac. After his spectacular recovery, the healed man begged Jesus to let him travel with him, but Jesus told him to go back to his own city and tell them there what the savior had done for him, and that's what he did. While I was reading "Beyond Belief", I thought ... | [
"Product: VHS\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Bull Sacrifices and Temple Prostitutes\n\nReview: Garrison Keillor said of T.S. Eliot, How better to identify yourself as a serious poet than to be incomprehensible? I thought of that quote as I watched the much-lauded Bull Durham. Although it isn't in the same incomprehensi... | 6 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,752 |
AUUH6Z8MSGGF | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they re... | "Vantage Point" was directed by Pete Travis and written by Barry Levy. The attempted assassination of the President of the United States is told from several different points of view until all the pieces come together. Members of the cast include Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Matthew Fox, William Hurt, Edgar Ramirez, ... | "Vantage Point" was directed by Pete Travis and written by Barry Levy. The attempted assassination of the President of the United States is told from several different points of view until all the pieces come together. Members of the cast include Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Matthew Fox, William Hurt, Edgar Ramirez, ... | [
"Product: Out of the pages of the legendary comics and graphic novels steps Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) a scarred drifter and bounty hunter of last resort. Jonah's past catches up with him when the U.S. military offers to wipe out the warrants on his head if he hunts and stops dangerous terrorist Quentin Turnbull.\n\nR... | 50 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,753 |
A1FUJRK1RAELZB | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Great comfortable beathable soft material yoga tank top shirt. Great for layering. Comfortable and easy to wear. Must have essential wardrobe. Emmalise is a progressive active basic apparel line des... | This fit my wife a bit tighter than the size would indicate, but then again it is workout gear so perhaps it fit just about right. Just keep that in mind when you're ordering / how do you like your stuff to fit. If loose, go higher on the size. She's reported back that she's happy with the quality of the top and by ... | This fit my wife a bit tighter than the size would indicate, but then again it is workout gear so perhaps it fit just about right. Just keep that in mind when you're ordering / how do you like your stuff to fit. If loose, go higher on the size. She's reported back that she's happy with the quality of the top and by ... | [
"Product: manage your cables\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Good enough for a plastic box...\n\nReview: What you've got here folks is a big ole plastic box!\nSo yeah, but you knew that signing up / buying this. But that is what it is for all intents and purposes. The box itself is that harder plastic, which I think is ... | 9 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,754 |
AHFZOJAV889Y9 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Winning plastic canvas patterns". The summary of the review text is "Finding Our Own Wave". | I found this book at the library. It's a children's book, but I read it and enjoyed it so much. "The Sailor Who Captured the Sea" is the story of the three brother who helped to complete the famous "Book of Kells," in Ireland. One brother was a stone mason, one brother was a metal worker, and the third brother was a... | I found this book at the library. It's a children's book, but I read it and enjoyed it so much. "The Sailor Who Captured the Sea" is the story of the three brother who helped to complete the famous "Book of Kells," in Ireland. One brother was a stone mason, one brother was a metal worker, and the third brother was a... | [
"Product: CD ALBUM\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Let Christmas Come Early This Year\n\nReview: This is by far one of the most enchanting and magical Christmas CDs I've listened to in a long time! If you were impressed with Celtic Woman, I promise that this CD will not disappoint! Every track is most worthy of its ow... | 4 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,755 |
A2561PYW9TTMYD | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "children; aliens; underpants; humor; cartoons". The summary of the review text is "Aliens Love Underpants and You'll Love this Book!". | Underwear is always a lively topic amongst children. So why not combine their love of underwear with another--Aliens! Most of our vision of Aliens consists of those little green martians flying from outer space to take over Earth. But in this hilarious picture book, that's just not the case.
"When aliens fly down to E... | Underwear is always a lively topic amongst children. So why not combine their love of underwear with another--Aliens! Most of our vision of Aliens consists of those little green martians flying from outer space to take over Earth. But in this hilarious picture book, that's just not the case.
"When aliens fly down to E... | [
"Product: The Slipcovered Headboard is constructed with a sturdy wood frame that is padded for maximum comfort, making it solid yet cozy. But what makes it truly unique is the removable tailored slipcover! Change colors on a whim or with the seasons or simply because it is time for a wash. Additional covers are ava... | 12 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,756 |
A392X0SV97FYXA | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "Tzumi Bluetooth Stereo Foldable Rechargeable Wireless Headphones with Powerful Bass - Built in High Definition Microphone and Remote Music Control (Black)". The summary of the review text is "Wired ... | These fit me weird- the ear cushion was round and did not fit comfortably on my ear anywhere- set at the smallest adjustment they sat down and left an uncomfortable feeling on my ear if I could have raised up the head part- the ear cushion would have hit my lobe funny-
I think an oval shape would be best, These come w... | These fit me weird- the ear cushion was round and did not fit comfortably on my ear anywhere- set at the smallest adjustment they sat down and left an uncomfortable feeling on my ear if I could have raised up the head part- the ear cushion would have hit my lobe funny-
I think an oval shape would be best, These come w... | [
"Product: The tourniquet utilizes a durable windlass system with a free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure to the extremity. Its unique dual securing system avoids the use of screws and clips which can become difficult to operate under survival stress or where fine motor skills are comprom... | 18 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,757 |
A2Z6KRS3OMTLLJ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The Miracle Maker is coming!" If any town is in need of a miracle, it's Woodhaven, a tiny town hanging on the edge of the American frontier, It's nearly Christmas, but it's hardly a season of celebr... | MY REVIEW:
The acting was "top-notch"! Their on-scene personalities were so real - natural - one immediately felt endeared to each one...except the villain (he really fit the arrogant, pain in the behind, part!).
It was a well-written script for the most part. I do not feel any of the acting parts could have been bette... | MY REVIEW:
The acting was "top-notch"! Their on-scene personalities were so real - natural - one immediately felt endeared to each one...except the villain (he really fit the arrogant, pain in the behind, part!).
It was a well-written script for the most part. I do not feel any of the acting parts could have been bette... | [
"Product: Based on Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times best-selling novel, DIVERGENT is a gripping action thriller set in a futuristic world where society has been divided into five factions. As each person approaches adulthood, he or she must choose a faction and commit to it for the rest of their life. Tris Prior (... | 31 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,758 |
A10X3LYWCWIDAH | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The Crosley Director CD recorder allows you to be your own producer, or at least a preserver. Capturing your favorite songs from your private collection has never been easier. With the simple touch ... | Have been threatening to convert my old collection of 300+ LPs to CD for about four years now. A daunting task.
I bought a Crosley Director a month ago and have burned 12 CDs so far. A couple records at a time when there is time to spare. So far, I have been very pleased with the recording quality and transfer proc... | Have been threatening to convert my old collection of 300+ LPs to CD for about four years now. A daunting task.
I bought a Crosley Director a month ago and have burned 12 CDs so far. A couple records at a time when there is time to spare. So far, I have been very pleased with the recording quality and transfer proc... | [
"Product: Teac DUAL CASS RECORDER\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: I love it. It is a Teac after all.\n\nReview: My Technics dual cassette machine bit the dust after some 24 years. The second Technics (bought used) only lasted a few months, being the same age as my first machine. The little gears that operate the forward... | 29 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,759 |
A18OJH46CSHJR4 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "BRAND NEW, Exactly same ISBN as listed, Please double check ISBN carefully before ordering.". The summary of the review text is "A Lilac Wolf and Stuff Review". | Awhile ago I read "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by Mindy Kaling. I never knew her as a writer/actor on The Office - that show never drew me in. But I am a fan of The Mindy Project, which she also writes and stars in. That book was hilarious. She's a really funny person and full of personality.
This book, "Why ... | Awhile ago I read "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by Mindy Kaling. I never knew her as a writer/actor on The Office - that show never drew me in. But I am a fan of The Mindy Project, which she also writes and stars in. That book was hilarious. She's a really funny person and full of personality.
This book, "Why ... | [
"Product: Emily Hemmer was raised in the Chicago suburbs before settling in Kansas City in 1996. She was raised in a house full of women, which gave birth to her many loud OPINIONS about men, women, and the roles they play in la romance. A huge fan of romantic comedies, Emily was overjoyed to realize her college ro... | 4 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,760 |
A2VRXV6VILWQG7 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "NEW Combo BLUWAVS CD and FLAC FILE". The summary of the review text is "TRACKLIST FOR '16 Greatest Truck Driver Hits"". | ON Gusto Deluxe Label (Catalog # GT-0578-2)
Out of Print
UPC 012676979726
TRACKS:
1. How Fast Them Trucks Can Go - Claude Gray
2. Give Me Forty Acres - Willis Brothers
3. Woman Behind the Man Behind the Wheel - Red Sovine
4. Gear Shiftin' - Pete Drake
5. Widow Maker - Jimmy Martin
6. Rollin' on Rubber Wheels - Stanley... | ON Gusto Deluxe Label (Catalog # GT-0578-2)
Out of Print
UPC 012676979726
TRACKS:
1. How Fast Them Trucks Can Go - Claude Gray
2. Give Me Forty Acres - Willis Brothers
3. Woman Behind the Man Behind the Wheel - Red Sovine
4. Gear Shiftin' - Pete Drake
5. Widow Maker - Jimmy Martin
6. Rollin' on Rubber Wheels - Stanley... | [
"Product: Assorted artists include Perry Como, Kay Starr, The Ames Brothers etc...\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: TIME-LIFE Your Hit Parade 1953 TRACKLIST\n\nReview: TRACKLIST:\n1. DON'T LET THE STARS GET IN YOUR EYES - PERRY COMO\n2. SIDE BY SIDE - KAY STARR\n3. YOU YOU YOU - THE AMES BROTHERS\n4. APRIL IN PORTUGAL ... | 30 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,761 |
A1K2ACRU9YJS17 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "A female reporter interviews a homeless man with alleged psychic powers to obtain the final score of a big football game that is about to played. The homeless man instead tells the woman that her li... | This is yet another romantic comedy where all steps of the tale are crystal clear from stage 1. You know for sure who's gonna get the new job, who is going to be proven unworthy (of our heroine) and thrown away and who is going to end up in who's hands. Like all other movies of this kind all measures of regular logic a... | This is yet another romantic comedy where all steps of the tale are crystal clear from stage 1. You know for sure who's gonna get the new job, who is going to be proven unworthy (of our heroine) and thrown away and who is going to end up in who's hands. Like all other movies of this kind all measures of regular logic a... | [
"Product: Based on a true story, BLOW chronicles the high-speed rise and fall of George Jung (Johnny Depp, Sleepy Hollow), who became the largest importer of Colombian cocaine to the United States, forever changing the face of drugs in America. Set in the decadent 70's and 80's, Blow traces George Jung's partnershi... | 19 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,762 |
A3GCO06JSOXWIG | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "USA Today bestselling author Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes -- and the women who love them. Meli rod... | Wow, this book was not nearly as good as the first in the series, almost a let down. I really liked Drew by the end of the first book, but I almost hate him in this book. If I had been Lindsay, I would have ran screaming to get away from Drew in this book. He just kept up with the emotional whiplash on her. There's a l... | Wow, this book was not nearly as good as the first in the series, almost a let down. I really liked Drew by the end of the first book, but I almost hate him in this book. If I had been Lindsay, I would have ran screaming to get away from Drew in this book. He just kept up with the emotional whiplash on her. There's a l... | [
"Product: Donna writes about exotic locations and the men you aren't married to, but wish you were. Escapism reads with heart and humour, and of course, plenty of steam. Hailing from the North of England, Donna is a nomad at heart, moving houses and continents more times than she cares to recall. She once worked at... | 4 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,763 |
A30U2QQN2FFHE9 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description ""The SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 sewing machine has loads of ease-of-use features to allow you to fulfill your creative dreams. Its 600 Built-In Stitches include 5 Alphanumeric Fonts and 13 Fully Au... | The sewing machine is really a great investment for experienced users rather than beginners. It offers a lot of features that are necessities for the advanced users of the machine. The 9960 gives the user their money's worth since it is capable of many functions not found on any other models, plus it is easy to use.
F... | The sewing machine is really a great investment for experienced users rather than beginners. It offers a lot of features that are necessities for the advanced users of the machine. The 9960 gives the user their money's worth since it is capable of many functions not found on any other models, plus it is easy to use.
F... | [
"Product: Dont waste your money, this heater can actually give you an energy savings of up to 40%. The eco-energy function saves by intelligently selecting the ideal power level based on the users set temperature and current room temperature. You can customize your heating needs with the adjustable electronic therm... | 16 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,764 |
A3KY3IL0QCID4U | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Use this 112-quart storage container from Homz to store clothing, decorations, supplies or other personal items. See-through design keeps contents visible. Lid snaps on securely. Stack multiple boxe... | These are nice boxes for storing stuff. The closures are easy to operate and the boxes are designed with as much usable space as possible. The tubs nest, but the sides are only very slightly tapered and the corners aren't over-rounded. There aren't big dips in the ends under the handles, unlike some other brands. So th... | These are nice boxes for storing stuff. The closures are easy to operate and the boxes are designed with as much usable space as possible. The tubs nest, but the sides are only very slightly tapered and the corners aren't over-rounded. There aren't big dips in the ends under the handles, unlike some other brands. So th... | [
"Product: HANGZHOU WESTING BRIDGE-ChiaoGoo Wooden Yarn Swift. This Amish-design yarn swift is something you've just got to have! Yarn swift sits on the table top and features non-skid pads on the bottom to keep it from moving. Four adjustable pegs can easily be moved to accommodate any size hank of yarn. And it can... | 39 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,765 |
A1VFKMHY42W2O3 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Joy R. Butler is an attorney who regularly assists individuals and companies with their online activities. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School.". The summary of the review text is "A Well Organi... | The internet and cyberspace are becoming more and more a part of everyday life. Familiar though it may be, however, cyberspace is a dangerous world. Simply knowing how to navigate the internet does not insure that you can avoid the hidden reefs. If you plan to spend much time in cyberspace, and particularly if you p... | The internet and cyberspace are becoming more and more a part of everyday life. Familiar though it may be, however, cyberspace is a dangerous world. Simply knowing how to navigate the internet does not insure that you can avoid the hidden reefs. If you plan to spend much time in cyberspace, and particularly if you p... | [
"Product: A murder is committed on a Nile steamer, but Hercule Poirot is on board...\n\nRating: 4.0\n\nSummary: A Sinister Shipboard Slaying\n\nReview: Agatha Christie wrote \"Death on the Nile\" in 1937, one year after \"Murder in Mesopotamia\", and to all appearances \"Death on the Nile\" was intended as a preque... | 30 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,766 |
A31YYDDZNM6NAG | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "The Logitech Wireless Combo MK345 pairs a comfortable full-size keyboard with a right-handed mouse. Its wireless connectivity gives the reliability of a cord plus wireless convenience and freedom". ... | I have several Logitech Keyboard and mouse combo units. They all work well but I like this one because the keys have the right feel and the keyboard is a little more compact and easy to place under the monitor. I like the mouse a lot and the feel and action is almost perfect. I bought this unit from Amazon, sight unsee... | I have several Logitech Keyboard and mouse combo units. They all work well but I like this one because the keys have the right feel and the keyboard is a little more compact and easy to place under the monitor. I like the mouse a lot and the feel and action is almost perfect. I bought this unit from Amazon, sight unsee... | [
"Product: Microsoft Windows 8 Pro (Upgrade)\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Window 8 Pro, A Very Frustrating and Disappointing Upgrade\n\nReview: I decided to try Windows 8 in spite of the negative publicity but wisely decided to put it on a separate disk drive. I am using SSD's now so everything will operate a little f... | 32 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,767 |
A12R54MKO17TW0 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Bad Company Burnin' Sky US CD album". The summary of the review text is "Great Songs but only one hit - Find out what you've been missing.". | Bad Company
Burnin' Sky
"Burnin' Sky" (title track) was the only song from this album that the radio would play (I guess the radio programmers already had too many Bad Company songs on permanent rotation to take the chance of adding more). The only weak song is the tiny "Knapsack" ditty, and even that one fits well i... | Bad Company
Burnin' Sky
"Burnin' Sky" (title track) was the only song from this album that the radio would play (I guess the radio programmers already had too many Bad Company songs on permanent rotation to take the chance of adding more). The only weak song is the tiny "Knapsack" ditty, and even that one fits well i... | [
"Product: Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof (in his screen debut) is a fine choice to play Waters's alter ego--an alienated, \"comfortably numb\" rock star whose psychosis manifests itself as an emotional (and symbolically physical) wall between himself and the cold, cruel world.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Review a... | 51 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,768 |
AJ27FPFTE22QR | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Specially formulated urease producing bacteria targets strong cat urine. Removes yellow stains & residue left behind by urine & spraying. Formula continues to work until all traces of urine and urin... | Bought a bottle of this before and used it all up. My elderly cat became incontinent (or rather, he no longer cared where he went) so after he died I wanted to do a thorough floor, wall, etc. cleaning and this stuff worked great. Smells good too. Just poured a bit into a bucket and went at it. I haven't gotten a ne... | Bought a bottle of this before and used it all up. My elderly cat became incontinent (or rather, he no longer cared where he went) so after he died I wanted to do a thorough floor, wall, etc. cleaning and this stuff worked great. Smells good too. Just poured a bit into a bucket and went at it. I haven't gotten a ne... | [
"Product: The triple-action fibers of this mop refill provide a powerful deep clean. Plus, its cloth head is machine washable up to 50x!\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Really good mop, really excellent mop refills\n\nReview: This really works. I've always used a sponge mop, Swiffer, or gotten down on my knees (well, u... | 38 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,769 |
A30A5I8FG82M2E | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no exper... | Certainly a freaking good movie and a rare affirmation of femme-power in a male dominated world. We're witness the rebirth of Reese Witherspoon as a capable actress after the horrible That Mean War and other uninspired efforts. Heck, even Laura Dern turns up with a decent role. This was based on a memoir of a girl who ... | Certainly a freaking good movie and a rare affirmation of femme-power in a male dominated world. We're witness the rebirth of Reese Witherspoon as a capable actress after the horrible That Mean War and other uninspired efforts. Heck, even Laura Dern turns up with a decent role. This was based on a memoir of a girl who ... | [
"Product: PLEASE READ!!! THIS IS VHS VIDEO NOT DVD!!! New!!! (3-Tapes Box Set) VHS TAPE Sealed (as shown) \"Star Wars Trilogy (VHS Boxed Set)\" Fast shipping..(T6)\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: New Hayden Christensen cameo? Gag me with a spoon!\n\nReview: Lucas must have some kind of mental disorder. 'Star Wars' was ... | 30 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,770 |
A3UOK4B9B2PCG9 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Brother Part # DR-110CL OEM Drum Unit - 17,000 Pages The page yield for this drum is 17000 pages. Page Yield is based on Brothers manufacturer specifications. The actual yield can vary depending on ... | This part does what it should do... It fixed all the problems I was having with bad spotting down the sides of my pages. I recommend this highly if you are at the end of your drum life, or begin to have problems that won't go away after cleaning and replacing other common sense items. I have the 9840 cdw from Brother a... | This part does what it should do... It fixed all the problems I was having with bad spotting down the sides of my pages. I recommend this highly if you are at the end of your drum life, or begin to have problems that won't go away after cleaning and replacing other common sense items. I have the 9840 cdw from Brother a... | [
"Product: GIGABYTE Dual Lens Gaming Mouse w/ 1600 DPI and 2-Level DPI Switch\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Put it in Coach....\n\nReview: This is about as good as you can get for the price. I looked at a lot of mice before ultimately buying this one. It is more for a practical user than others. No sharp edges to look ... | 23 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,771 |
A3ATD1VNKRQ23C | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Lightweight durable mesh top Clarino padded palm Absorbent terry cloth thumb back Velcro wrist closure". The summary of the review text is "They're GRRRRRReat! 1st Gloves I've Actually Liked!". | These are the PERFECT 3-season gloves! Padded...but not TOO padded (Too much padding is not a good thing!); They're inexpensive; they look and feel nice! Basically, everything i want in a cycling glove! I had tried more expensive gloves...and hated them/don't wear them. Figured I might as well try these...and wish I wo... | These are the PERFECT 3-season gloves! Padded...but not TOO padded (Too much padding is not a good thing!); They're inexpensive; they look and feel nice! Basically, everything i want in a cycling glove! I had tried more expensive gloves...and hated them/don't wear them. Figured I might as well try these...and wish I wo... | [
"Product: Instantly cover unwanted gray hair. Color comb from Clubman has a cream based and quick-drying formula to instantly blend in natural color right where you want it. Ideal for use on hairline, moustache, beard, sideburns, and eyebrows.Use gentle strokes to lightly blend in color where desired. Use heavier s... | 37 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,772 |
AFUHVCBFHXB89 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The 8mm F3.5 Ultra-Wide-Angle Fisheye Lens for Canon EF Mounts DSLR from Rokinon gives you a 180 view with dramatic, exaggerated perspective when used with an APS-C camera, or a circular image float... | I'm no professional photographer but do enjoy using a real camera to take pictures when I care about the quality or want to be a little creative. Have always wanted a fisheye lens to play with but always found the price to be a barrier. This lens I stumbled upon before a European vacation on Amazon priced during a "l... | I'm no professional photographer but do enjoy using a real camera to take pictures when I care about the quality or want to be a little creative. Have always wanted a fisheye lens to play with but always found the price to be a barrier. This lens I stumbled upon before a European vacation on Amazon priced during a "l... | [
"Product: The Shark Rotator 3-in-1 Vacuum provides incredible suction to get your home as clean as can be. It functions as a powerful upright vacuum for your floors, a lift-away pod for portable cleaning and a convenient canister vac for stairs. It also includes LED lights in the handle and floor nozzle for a thoro... | 36 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,773 |
A3H2UI9EI25OAR | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Monitor your pedaling cadence and/or speed as you ride with these Easy-to-install wireless sensors. Simply attach the sensors and ride. With no magnets or other exposed parts to line up, these senso... | I purchased these sensors to replace magnet based Cateye sensors and I couldn't be happier. These Garmin accelerometer based sensors are great. No need to properly align sensors & magnets. Just attach, sync, and go!
I use these in combination with a Garmin Edge 500. As some others have mentioned, the sensors sync up b... | I purchased these sensors to replace magnet based Cateye sensors and I couldn't be happier. These Garmin accelerometer based sensors are great. No need to properly align sensors & magnets. Just attach, sync, and go!
I use these in combination with a Garmin Edge 500. As some others have mentioned, the sensors sync up b... | [
"Product: Universal durable white tine tip covers restore rusty dishwasher rack. Set of 125 white dishwasher rack tip cover caps. Simply push on. No glue or adhesive required. Tip covers prevent dishware rust and scratch damage from worn out rusty rack tines. Install in seconds.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Those wor... | 34 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,774 |
A2CV5WECEUP6YS | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "D'or Designs French Cuff Top Quality Initial Alphabet Cufflinks". The summary of the review text is "so I thought these would be a great gift for him". | My husband wears dress shirts everyday for work, so I thought these would be a great gift for him. They come in a very nice box - they can be gifted as is. They're really nice, very high quality cufflinks. They will definitely stand the test of time, so I won't have to replace this often, unless I want to. I'm even pla... | My husband wears dress shirts everyday for work, so I thought these would be a great gift for him. They come in a very nice box - they can be gifted as is. They're really nice, very high quality cufflinks. They will definitely stand the test of time, so I won't have to replace this often, unless I want to. I'm even pla... | [
"Product: Unleash Your Imagination And Create Just About Anything Thanks To The Ultimate Self Setting Moldable Silicone! The V tie self setting silicone is extremely durable, versatile and flexible. It is moldable by hand, it cures overnight at room temperature and once it is cured, it is waterproof, electricall... | 16 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,775 |
A11IXJ8M1JO296 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "2.0" for a product with description "It began with iPhone. Then came iPod touch. Then MacBook Pro. Intuitive, smart, dynamic. Multi-Touch technology introduced a remarkably better way to interact with your portable devices - all using ... | My magic mouse came with my new 27" iMac. Love the Mac but this mouse is a huge disappointment. I've used Macs for 20 years and this is the first Apple product I've found to be inferior. I'm a small person and have small hands. This flat design is very uncomfortable, makes my hand feel crampy. I can't imagine how peopl... | My magic mouse came with my new 27" iMac. Love the Mac but this mouse is a huge disappointment. I've used Macs for 20 years and this is the first Apple product I've found to be inferior. I'm a small person and have small hands. This flat design is very uncomfortable, makes my hand feel crampy. I can't imagine how peopl... | [
"Product: Most families today are more connected than they realize. Without even thinking about it, its just a part of how they live today. Mom and dad may have a PC or a Mac, iPhone, or Android. The kids may have computers, tablets or phones of their own. Shopping and banking is done online.\n\nWebroot SecureAnywh... | 19 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,776 |
A3URJ3TN8NGM16 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "characteristic: Materials: Washi Paper Tape width0.8 cm (0.28 inches) Single total length: approx. 5 m Single diameter: 3.5 cm Box height: 8 cm Box width: approx. 4 cm Color: 10 colors Quantity: 10 ... | This set includes TEN rolls of decorative tape! It's very thin - perfect for cardmaking, attaching tags to gifts, etc. The colors I received did not match the photo on the listing. Please see my photos for the exact colors I received.
Pros:
-Includes TEN rolls of washi tape for DIY projects
-Self adhesive, easy to ... | This set includes TEN rolls of decorative tape! It's very thin - perfect for cardmaking, attaching tags to gifts, etc. The colors I received did not match the photo on the listing. Please see my photos for the exact colors I received.
Pros:
-Includes TEN rolls of washi tape for DIY projects
-Self adhesive, easy to ... | [
"Product: A true classic, our double sided satin ribbon features unmatched width and color selection, a high quality, glossy finish on both sides of the ribbon, and is available for ordering in multiple put-ups, including by-the-yard. Choose from over a 115+ solid colors and 10 widths ranging from 1/8\" all the way... | 17 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,777 |
A3TIJLY4VX8CH3 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "Verbatim's Folio Flex for iPad (2, 3, and 4) offers the usability of a stand and the protection of a case - all in one! The magnetic cover doubles as an auto on/off control and folds into a two angl... | We have over a dozen cases around our house for our tablets. I have had the opportunity to review a number of different styles over the past 2 years. This case is ok, but not one I would recommend given how I use a tablet.
I prefer a case that also doubles as a stable stand and provides multiple viewing angles. The c... | We have over a dozen cases around our house for our tablets. I have had the opportunity to review a number of different styles over the past 2 years. This case is ok, but not one I would recommend given how I use a tablet.
I prefer a case that also doubles as a stable stand and provides multiple viewing angles. The c... | [
"Product: Run a designer jewelryboutique and create your own jewelry styles.ProductInformationStyle Lab: Jewelry Design brings the art of jewelry design toNintendo DS and DSi. Make beautiful designer jewelry thatfits your style then order own and wear your own creations. Take on the challenge of running ... | 35 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,778 |
A36R6GFSVFP29R | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The BISSELL power fresh steam mop provides superior steam cleaning with a fresh scent. For those tough, dried-on messes we all experience on our floors and on grout, use the flip-down easy scrubber ... | I purchased this (the first time around) in August of 2014. It died yesterday. but even though it only lasted a year and a half I still give it 4 stars. It takes about a minute to get going and then it never really stops throughout. I had a Shark that would steam for about a minute and then take 20 seconds to build up ... | I purchased this (the first time around) in August of 2014. It died yesterday. but even though it only lasted a year and a half I still give it 4 stars. It takes about a minute to get going and then it never really stops throughout. I had a Shark that would steam for about a minute and then take 20 seconds to build up ... | [
"Product: BHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation Features Enhanced Bass, Inline Microphone and 18-Hour (Max) Battery BHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation Advanced Bluetooth 4.0: Industry-leading CSR Bluetooth 4.0 supports A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP for a fully wir... | 37 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,779 |
AIO247KHD2O40 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Germany released, Blu-Ray/Region B : it WILL NOT play on regular DVD player, or on standard US Blu-Ray player. You need multi-region Blu-Ray player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dol... | This a nice fun contribution to the alien creatures attack a small town genre. Reminds me a lot of Critters and other movies like this that were my staple viewing as a little kid in the 80's. This one's creatures resemble squids when fully grown with mouths like the pit thing had that Jabba tried to dump Luke, Han an... | This a nice fun contribution to the alien creatures attack a small town genre. Reminds me a lot of Critters and other movies like this that were my staple viewing as a little kid in the 80's. This one's creatures resemble squids when fully grown with mouths like the pit thing had that Jabba tried to dump Luke, Han an... | [
"Product: Original Reliance DVD\n\nRating: 1.0\n\nSummary: Thought it Was Going to Be a Fun Road Trip Movie\n\nReview: From the DVD cover I thought this was going to be a fun Indian road trip movie, but it's not. Basically the movie revolves around a 30 year old woman who for the first part of the movie is hated by... | 200 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,780 |
A1BSZ4000U2UCK | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "E.O. WilsonOf Ants and Men chronicles the famed biologist lifelong love for the natural world and his groundbreaking research. His work with ants led to his remarkable studies of advanced social beh... | This is a thought-provoking summary of some of Prof. Wilson's ideas and views, and captures a little of his life, of interest to his career, as well. I think that the visual impact of the various scenes, and the focus on certain ideas and things that he considers to be of particular importance, help one to understand ... | This is a thought-provoking summary of some of Prof. Wilson's ideas and views, and captures a little of his life, of interest to his career, as well. I think that the visual impact of the various scenes, and the focus on certain ideas and things that he considers to be of particular importance, help one to understand ... | [
"Product: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock star in this award-winning sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarn. Seasoned astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) is on his final mission in space, while medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is making her first outing on the NASA Space Shuttle Explorer. While they are... | 12 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,781 |
A1UINGIK3UG77D | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Emerson Eggerichs and his wife Sarah travel the country conducting the Love and Respect marriage conferences. Before launching Love and Respect Ministries, Emerson was senior pastor of Trinity Churc... | The most recent in the Love & Respect family is a fine edition to expand on how men and women should communicate. Remembering that, in general, men want respect and women want love is the basis for how we should communicate, according to the author. This is a book based on Christian principles, and the "rewarded" cyc... | The most recent in the Love & Respect family is a fine edition to expand on how men and women should communicate. Remembering that, in general, men want respect and women want love is the basis for how we should communicate, according to the author. This is a book based on Christian principles, and the "rewarded" cyc... | [
"Product: The arts and crafts pedestal desk and hutch is made of solid hardwood. Comes with rich cottage oak finish including clear coat finish helps guard against wear and tear from normal use. It has a practical blend of artistry and utility. Designed for home office use with a left pedestal having a CPU storage ... | 13 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,782 |
A1XVYE0A34BDKR | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Listen to the music! The first truly complete single-disc retrospective covering the Doobies' extended career. Twenty hits released between 1971 and 1991, including "Jesus Is Just Alright," "China G... | The Doobie Brothers were really two bands: The Tom Johnston era and the Michael McDonald era. The two eras sounded so different, one almost wonders why they didn't rename themselves. However, as luck would have it, both versions of the band were pretty terrific (although I'm partial to Tom Johnston). These chaps pre... | The Doobie Brothers were really two bands: The Tom Johnston era and the Michael McDonald era. The two eras sounded so different, one almost wonders why they didn't rename themselves. However, as luck would have it, both versions of the band were pretty terrific (although I'm partial to Tom Johnston). These chaps pre... | [
"Product: Two childhood rivals grow into adult enemies and go to war over ownership of their old territory, in this action-filled movie.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Horror does not have to be supernatural\n\nReview: Stephen King finally got around to revealing that real horror is what evil people do in real life and... | 26 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,783 |
AOP2ZRNSHY2Z3 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "Stunning 6-inch Quad HD display is great for movies, videos, gaming, e-books, and surfing the web, with round-the-clock battery life. It includes Phone, Charger and Quick Guides. Compatible with Goo... | I used (and reviewed) a Nexus 6 back in 2013-2014, and gave it high marks. At the time there was very little going against it, except for the somewhat slow performance that cropped up intermittently due to the locked-in device encryption. Some probably saw that as a positive thing; it was a neutral feature for me. But ... | I used (and reviewed) a Nexus 6 back in 2013-2014, and gave it high marks. At the time there was very little going against it, except for the somewhat slow performance that cropped up intermittently due to the locked-in device encryption. Some probably saw that as a positive thing; it was a neutral feature for me. But ... | [
"Product: Classic pepperoni flavor. Crafted with lean, humanely-raised turkey, peppers, paprika and garlic for nourishing real meat protein.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Great, except when they're bad.\n\nReview: I wanted to like these meat sticks, and I was willing to put up with the, uh, different, texture, knowing... | 48 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,784 |
A28PSM8NWK7W4W | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "Farberware is the #1 selling cutlery brand in the U.S. (Source: The NPD Group, Inc./Retail Tracking Service. 52 weeks ending March 2016). Set includes one 3-1/2-inch paring knife with blade sheath a... | We had wondered about these Ceramic blades for some time, and was at a store where someone chimed in and offered, --"for slicing meat, and only that, they can't be beat for general use"; so, we bought the larger blade and then this, to us is a "utility" size blade.
For us, "for slicing meat, and only that for general ... | We had wondered about these Ceramic blades for some time, and was at a store where someone chimed in and offered, --"for slicing meat, and only that, they can't be beat for general use"; so, we bought the larger blade and then this, to us is a "utility" size blade.
For us, "for slicing meat, and only that for general ... | [
"Product: The MXL 770 condenser microphone continues to amaze recording artists all over the world with its incredible price/performance ratio. Singers, especially rappers, love the 770 for its solid bass, as well as its upfront high-end. The MXL 770 even uses a high quality FET preamp with balanced output for a wi... | 50 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,785 |
A2HJB9J5O5CLPB | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "VHS". The summary of the review text is "Jenn Aniston is Right". | This film, made in the late 90's, highlights a newcomer, Vince Vaughn. Frankly, I've missed his stuff till he showed up in the National Enquirer dating Jenn Aniston. Recently I saw Thumbsucker, where he had a minor part, a be-glassed school teacher and chess coach. Then the Wedding Crasher thing happened and we saw a... | This film, made in the late 90's, highlights a newcomer, Vince Vaughn. Frankly, I've missed his stuff till he showed up in the National Enquirer dating Jenn Aniston. Recently I saw Thumbsucker, where he had a minor part, a be-glassed school teacher and chess coach. Then the Wedding Crasher thing happened and we saw a... | [
"Product: Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Ben Stiller (directing his first feature film) star in this wildly romantic comedy that looks at life, love and the pursuit of gainful employment through the eyes of a generation sandwiched somewhere between The Brady Bunch and Melrose Place! As her college valedictorian, Lel... | 27 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,786 |
A56PCDBOVXXSR | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "year 2002". The summary of the review text is "The True Horrors & Sacrifice Of War.". | Having watched this film now on two occasions I felt compelled to write a review. Yet having sat down I felt lost for words. How does one do justice to such a film as this ?
As a Christian I abhor war and all that it stands for. Yet having served in the military I appreciate all the values depicted here, not least the ... | Having watched this film now on two occasions I felt compelled to write a review. Yet having sat down I felt lost for words. How does one do justice to such a film as this ?
As a Christian I abhor war and all that it stands for. Yet having served in the military I appreciate all the values depicted here, not least the ... | [
"Product: 3-Button USB wired mouse (Black) An Amazon Brand.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Impressed! Cheap but does the job perfectly.\n\nReview: My first impressions were that this mouse seemed rather cheap and 'plasticky'. After plugging the mouse into my laptop via the usb port, I was instantly informed that it was... | 9 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,787 |
A1YUL9PCJR3JTY | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "2.0" for a product with description "Fruit of the loom offers the plus consumer the comfort of cotton for the perfect fit". The summary of the review text is "These Ride Up--Not Recommended". | **
I have bought Fruit of the Loom "Fit for Me" regular underwear in a plus size for several years. I purchased these panties in the Hi Cut thinking they would be as comfortable or perhaps even more comfortable. They were not. They did fit just fine (so I'm sure I'm an 11 like in my full cut "Fit for Me" briefs), but t... | **
I have bought Fruit of the Loom "Fit for Me" regular underwear in a plus size for several years. I purchased these panties in the Hi Cut thinking they would be as comfortable or perhaps even more comfortable. They were not. They did fit just fine (so I'm sure I'm an 11 like in my full cut "Fit for Me" briefs), but t... | [
"Product: Pamper and sooth even the driest, most neglected feet with Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream. This cream helps prevent and protect dry, cracked and rough skin with deeply penetrating emollient botanical oils. Enriched with a softening blend of super-saturated coconut oil and other natural emollient ingredien... | 124 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,788 |
A21X0EO0R0T6FT | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "First Edition published by International Collectors Library, Garden City, New York. Nicholas-Denis Derome replica binding. Leatherlike covers with 24K gold decorations stamped on cover and spine, go... | Whatever age you happen to be, if you are hit with despair at how meaningless, trite and ordinary your life is, then I urge you to get a grip on yourself and read this book. You need to learn how to live for yourself, and you need to do so without becoming selfish.
I can think of no other book that better celebrates t... | Whatever age you happen to be, if you are hit with despair at how meaningless, trite and ordinary your life is, then I urge you to get a grip on yourself and read this book. You need to learn how to live for yourself, and you need to do so without becoming selfish.
I can think of no other book that better celebrates t... | [
"Product: Timeless looks and powerful performance combine in one sleek machine. The Oster Beehive Blender has a classic toggle switch which controls two speeds and a whopping 600 watts of power. Its got every blending possibility covered, from frozen drinks to dips, sauces to smoothies, and soup to nuts. The 5-cup ... | 32 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,789 |
AVFB9B931P1CJ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "The Summit 6.5 inch utility knife features our intuitive, smarter handle design that guides your hand to the ideal grip automatically. We studied chefs and found they pinch the blade for maximum con... | I'm reviewing the paring knife. It has some interesting traits, positive and not so much.
My oldest parer is a Chicago Cutlery 100S, from the days when that brand was manufactured exclusively in Minneapolis. More recently, I added the KitchenAid Classic Forged Series Triple Rivet Paring Knife. The Chicago was never a ... | I'm reviewing the paring knife. It has some interesting traits, positive and not so much.
My oldest parer is a Chicago Cutlery 100S, from the days when that brand was manufactured exclusively in Minneapolis. More recently, I added the KitchenAid Classic Forged Series Triple Rivet Paring Knife. The Chicago was never a ... | [
"Product: The R H Forschner by Victorinox Paring Knife features high carbon, stainless steel blade, hand finished at Victorinox in Switzerland by skilled craftsmen. A special tempering process is used to produce an edge that can be resharpened over and over again, so the knife can keep its original sharpness throug... | 23 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,790 |
A3UV7L5ND3EH8T | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "A wave of underwater action!Product InformationGo Hawaiian in this gorgeous underwater adventure! Discover Sea Turtles andother aquatic life as you break open boxes in this classic matching game. Us... | Big Kahuna Reef is like several PC games out there that require players to make matches of three or more items in order to clear the board. With this game, your goal in the earlier stages is to clear the board and free the fish by making matches of three or more items. In later levels, you have to match 3 or more items... | Big Kahuna Reef is like several PC games out there that require players to make matches of three or more items in order to clear the board. With this game, your goal in the earlier stages is to clear the board and free the fish by making matches of three or more items. In later levels, you have to match 3 or more items... | [
"Product: Explores today's spiritual renaissance and the connection between health and spirituality. Offers psychological and spiritual support, health news, advice on prayer, spiritual practice and meditation. Discussing all aspects of personal growth including spiritual beliefs, music, media and the arts.\n\nRati... | 68 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,791 |
A3TBIM2NBG4IB1 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Melissa resides in a small mid-Michigan farm community with her husband and three children, all of whom they home school. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, taking photos, and motorcycle rides wit... | Immediately engaging, I was completely engrossed in the story from page one and putting it down was not an option!
Dance and Be Glad is a heart-warming story of loss, love and faith which left me with tears streaming down my cheeks as I read the last few paragraphs. Melissa Wardwell has crafted a storyline that clear... | Immediately engaging, I was completely engrossed in the story from page one and putting it down was not an option!
Dance and Be Glad is a heart-warming story of loss, love and faith which left me with tears streaming down my cheeks as I read the last few paragraphs. Melissa Wardwell has crafted a storyline that clear... | [
"Product: Chautona Havig lives and writes in California's Mojave Desert with her husband and six of her nine children. When not writing or reading, she enjoys paper crafting, sewing, and looking forward to retirement as a homeschool teacher.\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: Well-written and keeps you intrigued!\n\nReview... | 7 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,792 |
A3KURTMF4YP4S2 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "One of out bestselling swimwear styles, the navy and white stripe maternity tankini is a holiday and pool must-have.". The summary of the review text is "High quality, timeless design, flattering cu... | I bought this suit as a backup, in case the one I ordered online from LOFT didn't work out (and from pictures, I just knew I would LOVE it). Well, this suit surprised me and I LOVED it too! It fits me well now, with some room to grow. For reference, I was a size 2/4 pear shape, 32B bust, long torso before pregnancy and... | I bought this suit as a backup, in case the one I ordered online from LOFT didn't work out (and from pictures, I just knew I would LOVE it). Well, this suit surprised me and I LOVED it too! It fits me well now, with some room to grow. For reference, I was a size 2/4 pear shape, 32B bust, long torso before pregnancy and... | [
"Product: Trusted by dermatologists, pediatricians and people like you. Aquaphor Healing Ointment provides the special care that your very dry, chapped or irritated skin needs. Specially formulated to create an ideal environment that protects and helps heal your skin, it's also free of fragrance, dyes and preservat... | 26 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,793 |
A14B2NR2XELLQ0 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "4.0" for a product with description "NEW Combo BLUWAVS CD and FLAC FILE". The summary of the review text is "Real Alternative Rock: Punk is Alive". | Although I've heard several Concrete Blonde songs over the years ('Tomorrow Wendy', 'Bloodletting' and the amazing cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Everybody Knows', among them), 'Live in Brazil' is the first of their albums I listened to. Although 'Live in Brazil' is not a perfect introduction, it is truly a great album, an... | Although I've heard several Concrete Blonde songs over the years ('Tomorrow Wendy', 'Bloodletting' and the amazing cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Everybody Knows', among them), 'Live in Brazil' is the first of their albums I listened to. Although 'Live in Brazil' is not a perfect introduction, it is truly a great album, an... | [
"Product: What would you do if you were invisible? How far would you go? After years of experimentation, Dr. Sebastian Caine, a brilliant but arrogant and egotistical scientist working for the Defense Department, has successfully transformed mammals to an invisible state and brought them back to their original phys... | 18 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,794 |
A16LP6AB6C5LMZ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Sandra Bullock is at her funniest in THE PROPOSAL -- the fresh, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy on Blu-ray Disc(TM) with its hi-def picture and theater-quality sound. On the verge of being deported a... | Set in New York, Sandra Bullock is a hard-nosed, no-nonsense, heartless boss with no life. Ryan Reynolds is her underling secretary. An INS agent harrasses Bullock. Her out is to be married to stay in the States & not be deported to Canada.
Therein begins the romantic comedy. Set mostly in Alsaka, the movie becomes as ... | Set in New York, Sandra Bullock is a hard-nosed, no-nonsense, heartless boss with no life. Ryan Reynolds is her underling secretary. An INS agent harrasses Bullock. Her out is to be married to stay in the States & not be deported to Canada.
Therein begins the romantic comedy. Set mostly in Alsaka, the movie becomes as ... | [
"Product: dvd\n\nRating: 5.0\n\nSummary: A Movie Which Follows the Book Fairly Closely\n\nReview: I caught this last night and enjoyed it. Of course, not all the details can be available in the movie as they are in the book. Yet, the movie follows quite faithfully.\nThe abbreviated scenes are really in non-too impo... | 14 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,795 |
A3ANLUEKJBC1IZ | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "A daydreamer at heart, Patricia A. Rasey, resides in her native town in Northwest Ohio with her husband, Mark, and her lovable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Todd. Ms. Rasey is a three-time recipien... | ~ 2.5 Viper Stars ~
Viper is book one in the Sons of Sangue series by Patricia A. Rasey. Ive never read a vampire bicker romance before and have had this one on my TBR for sometime. When it popped up on sale I bought it. This is my first experience with Ms. Rasey and it was just ok.
Viper aka Kane is the president of... | ~ 2.5 Viper Stars ~
Viper is book one in the Sons of Sangue series by Patricia A. Rasey. Ive never read a vampire bicker romance before and have had this one on my TBR for sometime. When it popped up on sale I bought it. This is my first experience with Ms. Rasey and it was just ok.
Viper aka Kane is the president of... | [
"Product: The MiniBow aquarium has been redesigned to incorporate a low-profile hood with energy-saving LED lighting. Each kit still comes with the familiar bow-front vessel and powerful filtration, but the added base provides a contemporary flair to the reliable design.\n\nRating: 3.0\n\nSummary: Works for one bet... | 18 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,796 |
AT393OR1JTYNR | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "2012 solo album from the former lead vocalist for Norwegian Pop trio a-Ha. Features the singles 'Lightning' and 'Scared of Heights'. Universal.". The summary of the review text is "Like Harket's oth... | Now that a-ha has broken up, a new Morten Harket solo album is better than nothing.
Morten's still Morten vocally, but without Pal and Mags' input lyrically and musically, this album doesn't emote and shine as a-ha's albums did.
This very short set of 10 songs is pleasant enough, but it lacks gems or any songs with t... | Now that a-ha has broken up, a new Morten Harket solo album is better than nothing.
Morten's still Morten vocally, but without Pal and Mags' input lyrically and musically, this album doesn't emote and shine as a-ha's albums did.
This very short set of 10 songs is pleasant enough, but it lacks gems or any songs with t... | [
"Product: Five years ago, Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas, a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. Now, it’s the early 90’s. Carl’s got to go home, but his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are heading towar... | 29 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,797 |
A3M2O06MCHJG18 | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "3.0" for a product with description "The highly anticipated family comedy The Smurfs 2 is now a video game! The evil wizard Gargamel has created the Naughties, who kidnap Smurfette from Smurfs Village and imprison her in Paris. It's no... | This game may be fun for fans of the Smurfs, but others, I fear, will not find The Smurfs 2 entertaining for long.
This is a left-to-right scrolling game much like the Super Mario Brothers of old, except you do have the opportunity to go back to the places you've already visited by heading left. There are screens whe... | This game may be fun for fans of the Smurfs, but others, I fear, will not find The Smurfs 2 entertaining for long.
This is a left-to-right scrolling game much like the Super Mario Brothers of old, except you do have the opportunity to go back to the places you've already visited by heading left. There are screens whe... | [
"Product: The Porter-Cable 6-gallon, 4 peak horsepower, wet/dry vacuum features a high performance motor which provides maximum suction power. The strong handle and compact design is ideal for easy transport. The 10-foot power cord with cord wrap design perfect for easy organization. Accessories included 1-7/8 x 6 ... | 78 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,798 |
ARGV6Q8VZW3SY | Generate the review text written by a reviewer who has a given an overall rating of "5.0" for a product with description "Mark Goodwin is a Christian constitutional author and the host of the popular Prepper Recon Podcast which interviews patriots, preppers, and economists each week on PrepperRecon.com to help people p... | The second book in The Days of Noah series by Mark Goodwin is a smashing success. It was a great follow up book and held it's own in bridging the series to the third book. Beginning where book 1 left off, the author didn't bog the book down by retelling the previous story. Those who buy this book as a stand alone book ... | The second book in The Days of Noah series by Mark Goodwin is a smashing success. It was a great follow up book and held it's own in bridging the series to the third book. Beginning where book 1 left off, the author didn't bog the book down by retelling the previous story. Those who buy this book as a stand alone book ... | [
"Product: Erica Stevens is the author of the Captive Series, Kindred Series, Fire & Ice Series, Ravening Series, and the Survivor Chronicles. She enjoys writing young adult, new adult, romance, horror, and science fiction. She also writes adult paranormal romance and historical romance under the pen name, Brenda K.... | 9 | longlamp_3 | user_based | 1,799 |
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