Reviews by Friends of californiaboy

ChrisJarmick says "wide mix of musical styles, salsa, dance to opera = great album" about David Byrne - Grown Backward

ChrisJarmick — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:58:44 GMT

Only 2 of the 15 songs on Grown Backwards are opera--well David Byrne's skewed version of opera, with the help of Rufus Wainwright.

Grown Backwards is a pastiche of influences and styles that seem to be touched upon in this interesting hodge podge of an album that on this album includes music created by kitchen utensils, a vacuum cleaner, a theremin, classical string arrangements, South American and South African percussions and the inclusion of the Middle Eastern influenced Curtis Mayfield-like 2002 European Dance hit: Lazy (all 9 minutes and 35 glorious seconds of it).

If you're a Byrne fan, all you need to know is that this is nearly as strong an album as 'Look Into The Eyeball' was. It's a solid album and if you only like Byrne when he approximates Talking Head type music-there's 3 or 4 songs on this album for you too. If you don't mind Byrne's musical explorations then there are at least a dozen keepers on this album.

Which brings us back to opera. Byrne really does give us two songs...

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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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ChrisJarmick says "Movies to make even manly men cry. Five hankie movies." about Best Movies top 5 Tear Jerkers to make you cry.

ChrisJarmick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:49:02 GMT

Here are some movie that are sure to bring a tear or two or a whole flood to your eye. Powerful movies that will make even the most manly of men cry. No not Fried Green Tomatoes, or even Gone with the Wind.

5. Edward Scissorhands (1990) directed by Tim Burton)

A dark fairy tale about a lonely outsider who falls in love with a girl he cannot have. Johnny Depp imbues a rain forest of emotion in his mostly silent character, a mad scientist's creation an artist with scissors for hands left alone to fend for himself in a harsh cruel world.

4. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg) directed by Jacques Demy

A love story that is told completely through song is what they call a three hanky film. It's about love and soulmates and how two beautiful people meet in France and fall in love and life is perfect-until he goes off to war, leaving behind his true love and the child he did not know he made. Years pass, they marry other people and then.... Well......

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ChrisJarmick says "unique look at a group of river raft guides over 20 years time " about Same River Twice Documentary

ChrisJarmick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:48:29 GMT

The Same River Twice is a unique but rather static documentary focusing on 5 people who back in 1978 were part of a group of 17 River Rafting Guides who took a 6 week long river trip together. They often ran around stark naked as if they had formed a nudist commune. The film contrasts 16 m.m. footage from 1978, with footage shot 20 plus years later on digital video; youth to middle age; naked rebellion to societal conformity.

It is interesting, particularly because it's all done in a modified verite style. We don't get explanatory narration. No one is asked questions about how they have changed, what they miss about the past, their regrets of what they did. We learn some details about relationships then and relationships now, but in a piece meal fly on the wall fashion. Life goes on.

In a way that is refreshing. It forces you as the viewer to put everything into your perspective. How do you feel about what you are watching? Perhaps you know people like the ones you are watching, or perhaps...

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ChrisJarmick says "Warm, honest, engrossing, look inside King's mind & heart." about On Writing

ChrisJarmick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:04:47 GMT

Drink and be filled up - Stephen King

On Writing is part memoir, part autobiography and part how to. King had about half this book finished on that fateful day on June 19th, 1999 when he went out for one of his customary walks in Maine near his home and was hit by a Van and nearly killed. He talks about this briefly toward the end of the book.

You probably noticed I wrote; 'he talks about this..." This is what King does in ON WRITING. He writes in an almost conversational voice, it is warm, genuine, and honest. The book is short and if you take your time you'll be finished in a bout 6 to 8 hours max. It's like having a very long leisurely cup of coffee with Stephen King as he reminisces about his past, shares some ideas and thoughts he has about writing including his life as a writer and his teaching of new writers.

If you've curious about how King's mind work, some of his personal struggles, his thoughts on what he does for a living and what he was reading...

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ChrisJarmick says "Right back to being a kid enjoying Christmas with a smile." about Alvin and the Chipmunks aka Ross Bagdasarian - Christmas with The Chipmunks Volume 1

ChrisJarmick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:57:18 GMT

What's my favorite Christmas Album?

Let me explain....

I went through a period in my teens where I absolutely abhorred Christmas music and considered 90 percent of all Christmas music detestable schmaltz worthy of throwing up to. The Beach Boys? Bing Crosby and David Bowie doing Little Drummer Boy... are you insane?

A few years after I passed through my phase came Bruce Springsteen doing Santa Claus is Coming to Town which made me laugh out loud the first time I heard it. I mean what drugs was he on? Remember The Dead Kennedy's (punk band) Christmas classic? F. . . Christmas? Sometimes I wish THAT song would blare into the ears of those rude store parking lot drivers who ignore the rules of decency in their quest to find a half-way decent parking spot. Some will block aisles as the wait for up to five minutes for someone to unload their cart, get into the car, back up and drive away. Why? To save 50 or 100 steps?

Of course there's the driver who goes the wrong...

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ChrisJarmick says "compilation of Lennon interviews and old Tony Sheridan music; " about In My Life [Box] [Limited] by John Lennon

ChrisJarmick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:43:30 GMT

Lennon in My Life is a collection of interviews and Beatle press conferences mixed with several excerpts from John Lennon's last interview sessions recorded in 1980 just as the album Double Fantasy was released.

The front cover of the cd promises that the 3 CD collection contains over three hours of music and interviews. BUYER BEWARE. There is approximately 113 minutes of total material (less than two hours) on the discs combined. The sound quality varies from good to poor. Usually you can hear what is going on without problems, but sound levels and quality vary from track to track and sometimes within the track itself.

This is a CD for Lennon collectors and Beatle fanatics. For most, you might enjoy listening to 90 percent of this material ONCE and 10 percent a few times. The music on this album are Tony Sheridan tracks dating back to the very early days of the Beatles when John Paul and George were the band for lead singer Tony Sheridan. You won't hear John...

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ChrisJarmick says "service, communication slow delivery issues lower rating." about DeepDiscount.com

ChrisJarmick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:14:48 GMT

I used to be a regular customer of Deep Discount DVD. The prices were low, and the selection was good. Since I didn't have to pay tax or shipping, the prices used to be the best ones out there.

Saving a buck meant I put up with the sometimes slow delivery times and I would use other sites to figure out what I wanted to buy rather than try to figure out from their inconsistent listings what I wanted.

Then I discovered that Amazon prices were often very close to Deep Discounts. If you ordered at least $25 worth at Amazon you get free shipping and if paying the tax meant I paid a few more dollars for the DVDs well I would usually get what I ordered in a very timely fashion.

The other thing that changed is that I had a problem. I ordered a special edition of a DVD and I got the wrong edition. The item was mis-labeled on the site. I wrote many many emails and it took me several weeks before my emails were answered by a live breathing person and not a bot.

I also challenged...

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ChrisJarmick says "Somewhat interesting struggling student filmmaker Reality Show " about Documentary Series Film School IFC Reality Show

ChrisJarmick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:33:44 GMT

Film School is a less sensational, lower budgeted reality television program than Project Greenlight was. It originally aired on the Independent film channel in the 2005/2006 season and was originally available only through Netflix in 2007. You can buy the DVD at Amazon and other places now. I got mine through the local public library.

There are 10 half hour episodes (on 3 DVD discs) that focus on 4 New York University Film School Students as they attempt to produce (raise money), film, edit and get their film into the very important New York University First Run Film Festival.

We follow 4 film students separately. They have almost no connection with each other; each working on their own film projects. Alrick is a late 20s black black student whose short film; The Adventures of SuperNigger has a political message and is in response to the brutal police shooting of Amadou Diallo (an unarmed black man who was shot over 40 times by the police). Leah; a 20 something conceptual...

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ChrisJarmick says "Worst of the Worst, No Fun Turkey Movies to Avoid Watching" about Worst Movies Bad Films Part 16 of 16

ChrisJarmick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:42:13 GMT

Wrapping up my Worst of the Worst Movies series with this installment. These are movies that are worthless. These are movies that are not fun to watch, not fun to laugh at, they are just wastes of time, so avoid them. Whatever the cover promises, whoever is in the movie, avoid the temptation. If you start watching one and you consider turning it off... turn it off, it's a bad move.

Avoid these and watch something else.

Wheels of Terror (1990) Director: Christopher Cain

Joanna Cassidy stars in this rip-off of The Car. A supernaturally possessed black car is raping (yep) and killing little girls. So bus driver mom (Cassidy) with a bus load of kids goes after the car in the wilds of Arizona. It's ludicrous, awful and BORING.

When Lightning Strikes (1934) A cheap rip-off of Rin Tin Tin (which wasn't expensive to begin with) is Lightning the Wonder Dog. Lightning stops the owner of a lumber company from stealing his master's land. He runs a lot, barks a lot, swims and oh yes.. smokes...

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LisaCarey says "Keeps my dog safe and my floor clean " about Midwest 1642DD Life Stages Folding Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:36:25 GMT

I have two dogs, and my older one needs some extra care, which included a new kennel for keeping him (and my younger children) safe, cool and comfortable, so we bought him the MidWest Life Stages Fold & Carry Pet Home Crate Model 1642.

What I like about the MidWest Life Stages Fold & Carry Pet Home Crate Model 1642

easy to use
easy to clean
open
cooler than enclosed kennels
pull out cleaning tray
easy to put together

What I don't like about the MidWest Life Stages Fold & Carry Pet Home Crate Model 1642.

sad to have to use the kennel
it is so heavy I could barely lift the box

When the MidWest Life Stages Fold & Carry Pet Home Crate Model 1642 arrived I couldn't even carry it into the house it was so heavy. But my husband had it assembled in minutes. Now our larger and older dog can be housed comfortably and when accidents do occur they aren't on my floor but on a removable pull out tray. The children can see the dog and say hello and good bye to him, and see...

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LisaCarey says "The name says it all " about Boogie Wipes Saline Wipes, Magic Menthol

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:25:18 GMT

Ok, let's face it parents, kids are messy and with little ones trying to catch them to wipe their nose properly isn't always that easy. But now there is a way to wipe cleanly, easily, gently and thoroughly, getting your child's face clean and leaving no "boogies" left behind when you wipe with Boogie Wipes Saline Wipes, Grape Scented.

Boogie Wipes Saline Wipes, Grape Scented are wipes like many others, but designed especially for cleaning little faces of well, for lack of a better term, boogie and snot. It's not a pleasant thing to think about but it is pretty upsetting to see your child's face with dry crusty stuff all over it because they couldn't get their nose cleaned in time.

With Boogie Wipes Saline Wipes, Grape Scented parents and caregivers have a neat and clean way of wiping noses and faces. It smells so good too!

Sure, it's not the most eco-friendly way on the planet to keep my daughter's nose and face clean, but I like that I can reach in the package and get these handy...

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LisaCarey says "Tinker Bell finds the lost treasure of friendship " about Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:53:04 GMT

I admit that I watch more children's movies than I do adult, but what's a busy mom to do. My daughter's loved the first Tinker Bell, especially my youngest so it was with much anticipation that they looked forward to Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure recently released on DVD.

In Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Tink finds herself with lots of friends, especially her best friend Terrence, who encourages her in all her adventurous tinkering. With the belief of Fairy Mary and the Queen Fairy, the most important of all fairy tasks rests on her shoulders. Of course, being Tinker Bell things happen and get broken, I won't say too much or you won't enjoy the story.

In true Tink fashion she comes up with a grand plan to fix the problem and to finish her task, but forgets about all her friends and their love and support as she makes her own way.I am sure we have all heard the saying, "If you were my friend you would. . . " and in Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure she finds out exactly what...

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LisaCarey says "Natural healing of dry skin and hot spots for cats and dogs " about Veterinarians Best Hot Spot Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs and Cats 8oz

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:34:58 GMT

With the arrival of hot spots on my dog I hit the Internet hoping to find an environmentally friendly way (and vet free) of treating the hot spots. While there were many discussions on what to use that was all natural or organic, Natural Care Itch Relief Hot Spot Shampoo was the one thing that I could find consistently recommended for dry skin and hot spot relief to both cats and dogs.

Natural Care Itch Relief Hot Spot Shampoo is made using tea tree oil, aloe vera, allantoin, panthenol, and vitamin E. Priced at approximately $6.99.

To use Natural Care Itch Relief Hot Spot Shampoo you have to mix it in a bucket with water first, then pour the mixture over your cat or dog, lather and rinse. The aroma is not unpleasant and it did seem to make my dog feel more comfortable after using. Immediately after drying we applied a hot spot relief medication (also priced at $6.99) which we continued to use on our pet.

Natural Care Itch Relief Hot Spot Shampoo didn't cause miracle results...

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LisaCarey says "Cooled my dogs hot spots without a trip to the vet " about Sergeant's Sentry HC Hot Spot Skin Medication 4 oz

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:24:59 GMT

My West Highland White Terrier is prone to "hot spots." These are painful, red, itchy spots normally on his back that occur as his hair grows out for the winter long before the Houston weather catches up with the fact that everyone else thinks it is fall/winter. He also gets them during bad summer heat, if I don't keep him shaved. A search on the Internet for a home remedy directed me to Sergeant's Sentry HC Hot Spot Skin Medication 4 oz.

Normally I take my dog to the vet when we find hot spots on his back. But this year since we caught them early and they were small we decided to try treating them at home. After reading several reviews we decided on both a shampoo and medication.

Sergeant's Sentry HC Hot Spot Skin Medication 4 oz is approximately $6.99 and is easily available at most pet stores. The 4 oz bottle has an easy to use applicator tip so after shaving and washing our dog we were able to easy apply the blue gel like medication to his skin.

After using Sergeant's...

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LisaCarey says "Sleek, smooth, silky, soft hair using organic ingredients" about Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Shampoo

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:12:43 GMT

Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Shampoo priced at $6.99 is a mid priced not quite salon style shampoo that first and foremost moisturizes your hair and leaves it clean and shiny.

Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Shampoo Ingredients: Di Water (Aqua), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Dimethicone Copolyol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamide DEA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium 11, Panthenol, DMDM Hydantoin, Silk Amino Complex, Yogurt Protein Extracts, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Tocopheryl Acetate, and Fragrance.

One wash is all you need to use this shampoo, no need to rinse and repeat. I have thick, curly hair and it needs a little extra help staying silky smooth. I use Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Shampoo about two times a week and the Organix with Grapeseed one time a week to get a good clean, and residue build up washed off.

Some people with thin or oily hair will...

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LisaCarey says "Fruity flavors for the average wine drinker " about Beringer Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2008 ml

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:50:50 GMT

Beringer wines are a name even non wine drinkers recognize from their trips to the grocery store. Anyone just looking around can see that there are many Beringer wines to choose from that don't empty the wallet when you get to the cash register. An end cap at the grocery store offered Beringer Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2008 for $5.99 and suggested that this white pinot had the flavors of apricot and pear.

Beringer Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2008 is exactly what it appears to be, mediocre in both price and flavor. Their is a faint taste of pear, apricot, and white grapes. It is a little on the dry side for me, but those that like dry white wines will find it acceptable. Alcohol content 13%.

Beringer Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2008 is a good choice for serving to friends or during a party when you don't know what wines your guest will prefer. It also won't break the bank. You may want to have a back up of a good red wine or Riesling on hand for those that prefer a sweeter wine to enjoy. ...

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LisaCarey says "To the stars and beyond floor puzzle " about Solar System Floor (48 pc) Melissa and Doug

LisaCarey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:36:05 GMT

My daughters love floor puzzles and Melissa and Doug puzzles and toys always seem to be quality items, so when we got the opportunity to play with the Solar System Floor (48 pc) Melissa and Doug Puzzle we were thrilled.

The Solar System Floor (48 pc) Melissa and Doug Puzzle when assembled ends up being 2ft by 3ft big. The puzzle pieces, while cardboard are thicker than many other cardboard puzzles and hold up well to "wear and tear" of children playing with and putting this puzzle together over and over again. The colors are brilliant, the sun's yellow stands out boldly and each of the planets (and moon) are beautifully detailed, even down to the rings. The Solar System Floor (48 pc) Melissa and Doug Puzzle is also easy to wipe off and keep clean.

While I like the colors, durability and quality of the Solar System Floor (48 pc) Melissa and Doug Puzzle there are a few problems. It is a large puzzle and has no carry case, bag or container to store it in. Also, there doesn't appear...

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ChrisJarmick says "Simple, Convenient, Reliable, Inexpensive Grinder" about Mr. Coffee IDS55 Electric Blades Grinder

ChrisJarmick — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:57:45 GMT

The low-down on the Mr. Coffee brand Coffee Grinder.

Background

I'm a grind my own coffee, java snob kind of guy. I make my own blend from a few bags of beans I buy at Costco (to save money) mixing medium and dark roasts usually from Sumatra and Ethiopia that will then be made via a French Press and give me a good robust cup of coffee with some enjoyable citrus after-tastes.

I've had four different coffee grinders and tried several others over the years. I rarely grind more than one pot's worth of beans at a time, so I don't have much use for the grinders that allow you to grind several scoops of ground at once. I don't need pretty lights, or a reserve container the grounds are supposed to fall into so you can transfer it without spilling it to the coffee pot or French press. If I spill a few grounds, I'll clean it up.

Grinder Model IDS55 Experience

I've been using a basic Mr. Coffee Grinder for years. Inexpensive, easy to use, and it does the job. I bought a simple...

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ChrisJarmick says "Unique Website, exploring unique writing experiment" about 3:15 Poetry Experiment

ChrisJarmick — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:54:40 GMT

People who write regularly, professionally or just for fun, have contemplated their sources of inspiration, experimented with writing prompts and challenges and might have read a few books on the subject of writing as well.

Beyond the thinking and reading about writing inspirations, people have been conducting writing exercises and experiments for many years.

One such experiment began in 1993 and involved waking up from a deep sleep to force yourself to write something down on a piece of paper and then go back to sleep. The writings would not be edited or re-written, but observed and shared. How close to a subconscious or shared subconscious level of writing can someone get to?

Every night in August, several poets have been waking up at 3:15 a.m. in the morning to write something. The idea to do this was started in 1993. Since then, different versions and experiments have been tried. Since 1999 a group of writers who participated in the 3:15 a.m. experiment have been sharing...

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