Reviews by Friends of Sowker

Fardreamer says "Brokaw's The Greatest Generation is vivid and readable " about Tom Brokaw - The Greatest Generation

Fardreamer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:18:57 GMT

There is, in American culture and its language, a seemigly unerring penchant for the use of hyperbole and terms such as The Best of...The Most Popular...and The Greatest to promote, sell or attempt to sway people in some form or another.

You've probably seen at least a few "Greatest Movies" or "Greatest Sports Figures" lists in the course of watching television, browsing the Web or reading the newspaper. If you're into politics, doubtlessly you've seen lists of historians' "Greatest Presidents" lists and watched, bemusedly perhaps, as changes in the political mood of the country move certain names up and down depending on what party the Chief Executives were from or what policies they tended to favor.

And ever since the late 1990s, when director Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan and Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation burst into the American cultural landscape, the moniker of Brokaw's book has been attached to the men and women who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s...

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ChrisJarmick says "Murray & Boyle's performances make movie a winner" about Where the Buffalo Roam

ChrisJarmick — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:54:46 GMT

"You know, I hate to advocate drugs liquor, violence, or insanity to anyone--but in my case it's worked."
-- Bill Murray as Hunter S. Thompson

Where the Buffalo Roam (1980) is a relentlessly anarchistic meandering drunk of a movie, addicted to the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson and saved by superb performances by Bill Murray and Peter Boyle.

The movie is only amusing in fits and starts, but Thompson irreverent self is channeled by Murray and you can't take your eyes off of him. Ideas are picked up and frustratingly dropped, we start to get interest in what seems to be a story line and it's over. The comic pacing isn't even consistent with the last half of the movie all over the map and unsastifying. So many opportunities are squandered, so many possible funny scenes missing key ingredients or meaningful observations to score. You would think the whole thing was done on purpose since it is such a relentlessly 'almost' of a movie. The constant drug use seems to make Thompson more...

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Fardreamer says "Orange Clean Cleaner is a must-have housecleaning product!" about Orange Clean Cleaner

Fardreamer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:47:55 GMT

Ever since my mom and I moved back to the U.S. after living abroad for several years, I've been doing household chores from age nine until the present day.

At first, my one job was vacuuming, a choree I liked better in our previous home because that house had only one story while this one has two floors. (Even that did not faze me at first, but when we moved here I was a couple of weeks shy of my 15th birthday and now I'm three times that age.)

However, with the passage of time and with my mom's health in decline, Your Humble Correspondent is now responsible for much, if not all, of the housekeeping chores.

One of the stark realities of housekeeping is that it's a job that would drive Hercules crazy -- you can work long hours wiping, mopping, scouring, vacuuming, dusting, and picking up things and still find some speck of dirt on the floor or a new grease stain on a counter. Let's face it, keeping a home clean and sanitary is a never-ending and often thankless job, but it...

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jasyjen says "Gives new life to even the limpest hair" about Kenra Volume Spray

jasyjen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:33:18 GMT

If you have fine hair that tends to always look 'limp', or if you like your hair to have lots of volume, than Kenra Volume Spray is for you! This hairspray is THE BEST hairspray you will ever try. If you're having a bad hair day, you can spray and play with your hair using Kenra Volume Spray, and it will be transformed into a much better version of the hairdo that you are trying to improve. HONESTLY. Once you try Kenra Volume Spray, you will become a faithful user.

Kenra Volume Sprayis such a good product that it was awarded the winner of the 'Stylist Choice Award' in 2006. What women like about this particular hairspray, is that it has super strong hold (without looking stiff) and gives even the limpest, flattest hair volume and body. It isn't a 'sticky' hairspray. In fact, you can spray and play with your hair to get it just the way you want it and then spray it to give it the hold that you want.

The pros of using Kenra Volume Spray are as follows:

All day hold
Fast drying...

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PattyTherre says "Nine tasty soda flavored lip balm tins to keep or share!" about Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

PattyTherre — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:22:55 GMT

Quick View: This gift set of ten soda flavored lip balms is tasty, hydrating, and fun. Keep some and give some away or keep them all! I got a great deal on these at HSN.com. They were on sale for just $10.00 a set. They're incredibly tasty in flavors i remember as a kid.

My Take on Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

This set comes boxed and has nine separate time of old school Swhweppes soda flavors. The balms are tinted in the tins but have very little color on the lips. Although they have a novelty look to them, they contain good ingredients like organic extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, rosemary and Vitamin E. And boy do they taste great!

You get the following:

# .35 oz. Schweppes' Cider SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Dry Grape Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Raspberry Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Black Cherry Seltzer SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Sarsaparilla...

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TheBard says "You'll Never Need Another Mathematic/Scientific Calculator" about Texas Instruments - TI83

TheBard — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:04:36 GMT

Bottom-Line: The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator is probably the last calculator you will purchase in your academic career, it is just that powerful.

Texas Instruments released the first TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator, and upgrade of the TI-82, in 1996, and it has gone to be one of the most widely used graphing calculators for students across a broad range of educational levels. In addition to the functions found on normal scientific calculators the TI-83 Plus includes graphing, polar/parametric/sequence graphing modes, statistics, trigonometric, calculus (the Plus) and algebraic functions. Texas Instruments released the TI-83 Plus in 1999 as a replacement for the normally aspired TI-83. The TI-83 Plus also ships with flash memory, which would enable the devices’ OS to be updated as needed.

Powered by (4) AAA-sized batteries (plus 1 CR-1616 or CR 1620 lithium battery for backup), the TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator is large unit ideal for advanced mathematics students...

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Jo says "Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Program didn't leave me Cleansed" about Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

Jo — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:15:54 GMT

I am buying into the Herbalife life while doing a 12-week weight loss program. They are the sponsors. I bought the Tea and like it a lot.

Another product I bought is the Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program. This is not the first cleanse I have done. I guess in general they don't work all that well for me.

What is Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

For about $27.00 I got two bottles. One is for the morning and one is for the evening. The products are herbal blends which I like rather than a bunch of chemicals. The morning formula is called the Replenishing Formula and the evening one is called the Cleansing Formula. Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program is called "An internal cleansing system for digestive health."

According to the box the benefits are to helps the body eliminate toxins; to improve nutrient absorption, and it may support weight management. Of course none of these statements nor the product is monitored by the FDA.

I do believe that cleaning out my digestive...

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jasyjen says "An inspiring book, but difficult to read for many reasons" about Precious

jasyjen — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:48:03 GMT

The novel, Precious, was originally released titled, "Push" in 1996. It was renamed Precious, I think, because it was made into a movie that has yet to be released. I learned about the book Precious from Oprah Winfrey, who recommends the book.

NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW:

Precious is an illiterate girl who has been sexually abused by her father, physically abused by her mother, and is pregnant with her second child from her father. For many reasons, the book Precious is difficult to read. There is graphic descriptions of the abuse that Precious suffers at the hands of both her parents, which is difficult in itself. When Precious gives birth to her first child, it is born with many birth defects and is quickly taken away from her. Pregnant with her second child at twelve years old, Precious is confused and concerned about her unborn child's health and wellness, and how she will care for it once it is born.

The book Precious is written AS Precious herself speaks. Her language...

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TheBard says "Most Costly Than Others, But It Brings The Goods" about Kaspersky Kaspersky Internet Security 2010

TheBard — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:31:25 GMT

Bottom-Line: Overall, Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is more than adequate for both power users and those users who take a more set-it-and-forget it approach to their computer’s security.

Even if the antivirus program cannot clean the infected file, most can at least isolate it and keep from doing harm the rest of the computer system. One of the antivirus programs I trust is Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 a program I recently downloaded and installed on a laptop running Windows 7 Enterprise Edition.

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 supports Windows 7 (32/64-Bit), Windows Vista (32/64-bit), and Windows XP Home Edition (SP2).

The 411

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 ships with all the usual suite of protections found in most of its competitors with the exception of a data backup utility. That means you’ll antivirus protection for files, web browsing, e-mail, applications and various processes.

And of course Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 include auto-protect and e-mail...

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jasyjen says "Better than any travel mug I have ever owned" about Chinet Comfort Cups

jasyjen — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:26:22 GMT

It seems that I am always on the go, running the kids somewhere that they need to be. Between football practice, baseball practice, school event, work, and everything in between, there is always somewhere that I need to be. As a coffee lover, I have tried several different types of travel mugs so that I can enjoy my coffee on the go. No matter how much I spend, or what type of brand I buy, travel mugs always leak and drip coffee on my clothing! It frustrates me to no end.

On a recent trip to Walgreens, I saw Chinet Comfort Cups on sale. I liked the fact that they came with lids and a chique' pattern that looked like something you'd see from your corner coffee shop. The cups came 10 to a pack, with lids, for a price of right around $ 3.00.

As soon as I tried the Chinet Comfort Cups, I began telling everyone I know about how great they are. These things are better than ANY travel mug I have ever owned! They don't leak, they keep my coffee nice and warm, and they look nice...

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PattyTherre says "A VERY sweet soap that doesn't strip my hands like the others." about Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:46:55 GMT

Quick View: I like Bath & Body Works' hand soaps and I recently bought nine different scents and types (I had a great coupon!). One that I bought was Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple. Normally I'm not a fan of the deep cleansing soaps and go for the moisturizing ones but I didn't see this scent in the moisturizing hand soap area so I bought the deep cleansing one. It is VERY sweet but doesn't seem to dry my hands out like the other deep cleansing soaps from BBW.

My Take on Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

I never smelled this scent but I knew candy apples are very sweet. I guess the name intrigued me. Winter Candy Apple. Is there a difference between summer and winter candy apples? I had to know so I bought the hand soap.

When I first tried this eight ounce pump soap, I was overwhelmed with the sweet candy scent. I smelled no apple at all, just the candy coating that the apples are dipped into. It...

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stef42678 says "Great Sequel and Great Characters" about New Moon

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:10:08 GMT

I am a huge fan of the Twilight series of novels by Stephenie Meyer, so I couldn't wait to check out the new movie sequel New Moon. My first reactions to this sequel of the Twilight saga was amazing! I absolutely loved the plot, the characters and the scenery was fantastic. I had previously read all four of the novels in the series so I was anxious to find out if this movie followed along with the novel, and it followed it to a tee. There was only one scene that went off on a new tangent, but it was done well and fit the movie. I really loved the characters of Edward, Bella and Jacob in this movie and the Volturi characters were displayed just as I had pictured them in the novel. Edward seems to take a secondary role in this movie to the mysterious Jacob, but there is still a lot of romance and tension between the characters of Bella and Edward. As Edward leaves the area to save Bella from the world of Vampires, Bella spirals into a depression only to be saved by her friend...

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stef42678 says "Adds Life to Hair" about Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo for Accumulated Damage

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:26 GMT

I work outside all day so am prone to weather conditions of strong heat and winds, so my hair suffers a lot of damage. I am also in and out of the pool a lot so the chlorine can make my hair dry, so this is a great therapy for my hair. I love the Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo for Accumulated Damage because not only is it a high quality shampoo at a low price, but it always improves the condition of my hair. I found this Dove shampoo for four dollars and it is so easy to use and like first aid for your hair. The shampoo has a soft, and fresh scent that is long lasting and it really works on my dry and damaged ends. It adds a lot of moisture to my hair and seems to make each lock a little stronger and takes away those ugly split ends. The shampoo pumps out easy of the bottle and forms a strong lather that rinses out easily leaving clean and fresh hair. My hair gets a little shine and feels fuller, and healthier everytime.

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stef42678 says "Great Confitioner and Softer Hair" about Herbal Essences hydralicious reconstructing conditioner

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:54:32 GMT

I really love Herbal Essences line of hair products because not only do they work great, but they always have a unique and great fragrance. I found this Herbal Essences hydralicious reconstructing conditioner on sale for under five dollars and it is my new favorite conditioner because not only does it soften my hair and add shine, but it makes my hair look and feel healthier. I use a blowdryer constantly throughout the week as well as suffer from dry and damaged ends on my hair, so this is definite hair therapy. I love that it adds so much moisture to my lock and everytime I use this product, my hair is easier to manage and has a little more shine. It makes my hair look fuller and thicker and if you have hard to manage hair, it works great as a frizz control or style holder. The scent of this conditioner is fruity and delicious and long lasting. It is refreshing to use, and has a great lather that rinses out cleanly. This is a great conditioner for your hair and makes your...

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Katrena says "The Emperor's Egg is an Amazing Story About Penguins" about The Emperor's Egg

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:51:48 GMT

The Emperor's Egg [1999, Candlewick Press, ISBN: 0-7636-0557-3], by Martin Jankins and illustrated by Jane Chapman is a 29-page children's book about Emperor penguins.

The Story:

This book gives lots of information about Emperor Penguins. It gives the information in simple terms and has colorful and engaging illustrations that compliment the story nicely.

I actually found this book to be quite informative since I know very little about these amazing birds. I didn't realize that Emperor Penguins can be about three feet tall and that they are the only ones the breed in mid-winter in Antarctica. I find it amazing what these penguins must endure just to ensure that their one egg will survive to hatch.

My Viewpoint:

The Emperor's Egg would be a great book to read at home or to a group of kids that are learning about penguins or how animals protect their eggs. This simple story and colorful illustrations can help to educate children and adults on the interesting world of the Emperor Penguins....

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stef42678 says "Great for Hydrating Hair" about Biolage Hydrating Shampoo

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:49:36 GMT

I shampoo my hair almost everyday, and I am constantly looking for products that not only fit my small budget, but also that add health to my hair. I truly love this Biolage Hydrating Shampoo because it always leaves my hair looking great and it isn't expensive. Biolage is a high quality brand and always makes my hair health improve. This is perfect for anyone with dry and damaged hair because it adds a large amount of moisture to your hair and keeps it healthy. I love that it has a great fragrance that is not too strong, and it is long lasting after you dry your hair. I use a blowdryer throughout the week, and this shampoo helps protect my hair from heat damage and adds a better fullness to it. If you have frizz proned hair, this shampoo also helps make hair more manageable and stay styled. Once applied to your hair, you will love that it deeply conditions and lathers up softly and smoothly. The lather rinses out cleanly without leaving a residue and will leave your locks...

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stef42678 says "Great Cleanser and Acne Control" about DHC Deep Cleaning Oil

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:44:44 GMT

I work outside a lot and am a highly stressed person around my job, so I need a cleanser that not only works to keep my face clean and not dry, but also controls breakouts and blemishes, which is what this DHC Deep Cleaning Oil product does. It is a little expensive at around thirty dollars, but it is definitely worth the splurge because it is a great cleanser and it doesn't dry your face or make your pimple problem worse. This solution is a thin liquid oil, but works great to clean your face and doesn't require any harsh scrubbing. The oil doesn't feel heavy or greasy. You can apply it to just your breakout areas, or your entire face and it starts working fast to cleanse your pores and blemish areas. Once rubbed on, it rinses off cleanly in a soft lather and it doesn't have a harsh drying effect. I think this is a great product for dry and sensitive skin because it will leave your face soft and not overdry it as it cleanses. I love that I can feel the difference in my skin...

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Katrena says "Bear Feels Sick is Cute Story Especially if Child is Sick" about Karma Wilson - Bear Feels Sick

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:41:32 GMT

Bear Feels Sick [2007, Margaret K. McElderry Books, ISBN-13: 978-0-689-85985-4], by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman is a delightful story of a sick bear and his friends.

The Story:

Poor Bear is feeling sick, but his faithful friends decide to help him and offer all sorts of help. Each of his friends tries to assist Bear, but it is quite a while before he is ready to play again. Finally, Bear wakes up feeling ready to play, but what's wrong with all of his friends?

My Viewpoint:

Bear Feels Sick is a nice story about friendship and how friends can help one another. Maybe the author should have put something in there about hand washing or should I say paw washing? In the midst of the flu season, I'm sure that kids who are sick might find this book helpful and fun to read, but hopefully the same thing wouldn't happen to anyone who is helping the sick one at home! The illustrations are colorful and the characters are likeable, and the story flows nicely and quickly from one page...

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stef42678 says "Long Lasting Color" about China Glaze Nail Polish

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:38:56 GMT

I really love painting my nails because it is a great way to express my style, so I was thrilled when I found this China Glaze Nail Polish on sale. It comes in great color, and every color has just a little shimmer and is very bold. The nail polish was on sale for under five dollars and it is definitely worth its value because it added a bold color to my nails and was long lasting. I work around a lot of water and outside where there are so many opportunities for my nail color to chip, but this color withstood everything and lasted for almost two weeks. I liked that the bottle was clear so you could see the exact color you were buying, because it went on in a nice thick coat of color. The brush is easy to apply color and doesn't drip or smear. I loved that it had a nice shiny tone and made a great statement on my nails. This nail color is a true winner and the perfect way to show off your fashion style on your nails. I also loved that the color served as an amazing nail hardener so it not...

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Katrena says "Vegetarians Will Like Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving" about Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:31:56 GMT

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving [1990, Orchard Books, ISBN: 0-531-08505-8], by Dav Pilkey, is a story of a children's field trip to a farm on the evening before Thanksgiving.

When the children arrive, they are delighted to see lots of beautiful turkeys at the farm. Then they discover that these turkeys are going to be the main course for the big holiday the next day. The children decide to do something about the situation, and each child decides to stuff a turkey up his or her shirt, but the book doesn't really say what they do--the reader has to figure that out on her own. They are quite comical walking out to the bus.

The end of the book shows that the turkeys are actually a part of Thanksgiving dinner, but not in a way that most people would suspect. The story flows well with rhyming sentences that are short and the illustrations compliment the story nicely.

My Viewpoint:

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving is a cute book that incorporates humor and an interesting side to Thanksgiving....

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