Reviews by Friends of deniseb66

ChrisJarmick says "Remarkable visual feast is full of predictable cliches." about Avatar (2009)

ChrisJarmick — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:17:08 GMT

Avatar is the biggest, most expensive movie ever made. It costs over 300 million, perhaps 350 million to make and they are spending over 50 million to market it. It's a staggering sum of money which created new devices and upgraded available technologies with which to make movies.

Avatar is of course a breathtaking visual feast particularly seen in IMAX 3d. It looks much better than it did in the previews. There are many well staged action sequences and lots of things blow up.

Director James (Aliens, Terminator 2, True Lies, Abyss, Titanic) Cameron has been talking about this movie since he made Titanic. He said it would be several years before he could make this movie because technology had to catch up so he could do it the way he wanted to. Cameron pushed movie technology when he made Terminator 2, Abyss and Titanic. With Avatar he again borrows ideas from writers like Phillip K Dick, A.E. Van Vogt, Isaac Asimov and others and expanded on how worlds were created...

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Bryan-Carey says "Melissa and Doug World Map Puzzle: Educational, but Flawed" about Melissa and Doug World Map Puzzle

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:31:40 GMT

Educational toys are almost always an improvement to the mindless objects commonly passed off as child entertainment. Some manufacturers are known for their educational child entertainment and one of them is Melissa and Doug. One of their many educational tools is the Melissa and Doug World Map 33- Piece Puzzle, a large puzzle that teaches kids world geography.

Puzzle Commentary:

The Melissa and Doug World Map Puzzle is a large, two feet by three feet puzzle (61 by 92 cm) that is large enough that most will assemble it on the floor or on a large table. This world map includes a grand total of 33 pieces, with each of the continents clearly named and identified by a separate color. Individual countries (and U.S. state) boundaries are clearly marked, but individual countries are not named. The oceans include the names and the map is covered with small depictions of animals native to the world’s many lands.

Puzzles are good for developing many skills, but they are even better when...

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Jo says " Quick Top Can Cap: best invention under $2.00" about Compac Industries Quick Top Can Cap

Jo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:22:27 GMT

To the Point

Although the Quick Top Can Cap is an "as seen on TV" product, I picked it up in Wal-Mart. I was looking for inexpensive soda can tops but found the Quick Top Can Cap instead. I hesitated because it was over $2.00. I thought that a lot for what seemed to be a plastic top but it is so much more and really worth the money.

A Closer View

The Quick Top Can Cap was really a necessity for me. We are on the road traveling so I can put the cap on my soda and not be afraid of taking a drink and having it all over me. We also pull a travel trailer. I made the mistake of putting an open soda in the refrigerator.

I love using the Quick Top Can Cap on the beach or outside. I put the can in the arm of my chair and feel as if a bug or bee won't fly in my can.

The Quick Top Can Cap is amazingly versatile. The cover acts as both a cover and a coaster. The can seals into the cover so it stays put. The cap can also be used as a cup.

The Can Cap is dishwasher safe though I have only washed...

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BayouBengal says "Beyond BodiHeat Delivers Heat to Sore & Aching Areas for Relief" about Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pad

BayouBengal — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:42:21 GMT

When it comes to aches and pains, I have my fair share having both Fibromayalgia and arthritis. I've learned to live with both and the pain that they bring. I have several prescriptions for pain relief, but I prefer to deal with the pain in other ways if at all possible. Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads have proven to be one of the products that I can count on for non-prescription relief from aches and pains.

Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads

Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads come in various size packages. I picked up the 4 pack which had a bonus pad inside. They were also on Rite Aids rebate list for the month of November so this was a pretty good deal with a discount and also an extra pad! The 4 pack normally retails for around $8.99 a package.

Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads claim to sooth and comfort sore muscles and also relieve pain in backs and joints. The pads have an adhesive backing which attaches to clothing so you can adjust the pad for the exact area that needs the warmth and pain relief....

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BayouBengal says "Graveyardmall.com is a Great Online Site for Bargains" about Graveyard Mall

BayouBengal — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:45:58 GMT

It has been some time since I ordered anything from www.graveyardmall.com and today I decided to visit the site to see what they had to offer. I was surprised to see many high end items for the kitchen and also name brand lighting fixtures added to the site since I last visited. All of these items will be of interest as we start to remodel our house we moved out of last year. And yes, the project is way behind with my dad's illness.

Graveyardmall.com

In case you don't know www.graveyardmall.com is a discount online store that sells closeouts and other discontinued items. You can find some hard to find items here and some good buys. There are other deals that just make you want to say, "that is junk!" So visit the site with an open mind.

I've always enjoyed surfing the site to see what is available. Stock changes often, sometimes even daily. If you see something you want, you should buy it NOW.

The site is easy to navigate and the pages load quickly. All items are shown with...

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Jo says "Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser Sparkles in the Snow or Sun" about Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser- all scents

Jo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:31:06 GMT

Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser was my first diffuser. I was always afraid to buy one because of the warnings of not putting them on fabric, etc. I have the Sparkling Snow scent which was a gift.

It wasn't until I started this review that I realized why I like the scent - it has patchouli in it - one of my favorite smells- along with pine and fruits.

The Pros

Unlike some fragrance dispensers the Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser gives off the same smell for a long time.
The reeds are put into a beautiful decorated glass piece. The Sparkling Snow has a hand-decorated (really?) white snowflake on it.
The aroma is subtle unless you are sitting right next to it.
There is no flame.

The Cons

It takes 24 hours after putting in the reeds for the fragrance to come about. It can be quicker and these can be refressed by inverting them and then re-inserting the reeds.
The Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser is made in China.
You have to be careful with the oil.
The price is $12.00.

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JovialCougar says "Finish Dishwasher Detergent gets the job done" about Electrasol Finish Quantum

JovialCougar — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:32:33 GMT

I recently tried using Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent and have been happy with the results. Not only is this product very easy to use, it really gets your dishes as clean as a whistle.

This dishwashing detergent comes in the form of little blocks - about 1 inch X 2 inches. There is a red dot in the middle with Jet Dry gel for shinyness. The rest of the detergent block is a combination of bleach and enzymes, The block is small enough to fit in any dishwasher cup (according to the manufacturer).

What I like best is how easy it is to use this dish detergent. Just toss the pre-measured block in the dishwasher cup, close it, and turn on the machine. Presto - your clean dishes will be ready when the machine is done running. They dissolve completely and are biodegradeable. The packaging says this brand is recommended by Maytag, Whirpool. Bosch, and Kitchen Aid.

The only drawback is that there was quite a bit of packaging with this product. The tabs are in a somewhat rigid plastic tray and...

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BayouBengal says "ProAir HFA is Not as Good as Albuterol" about ProAir HFA Asthma Inhaler

BayouBengal — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:21:12 GMT

I discovered that I had asthma several years ago. I had no idea that I had it but started having allergic reactions to certain things quite often and was sent over the edge with chemical pneumonia when someone decided to do some painting indoors at work without ventilation the building. After that episode it was all downhill. I developed a bad case of allergy induced asthma and was prescribed an inhaler, Albuterol. This past fall when I got my new prescriptions I found a new drug, ProAir HFA, which is the good source of Albuterol sulfate so I was told.

The ProAir HFA Inhaler is smaller than the inhaler I was accustomed to but other than that, it was made the same way. There is a small canister and a mouthpiece with a cover. To use the inhaler you should first shake it up well, remove the cover, place in mouth and make sure your mouth is closed completely over the mouthpiece and press down on the canister to administer the medication. Hold your breath for 10-12 seconds before...

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Bryan-Carey says "Strawberry Shortcake Cafe: Fun, but Parts will Become Lost" about Hasbro Strawberry Shortcake Playset - BERRY CAFE

Bryan-Carey — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:53:10 GMT

My girls count many cartoon and television characters among their favorites and one relative newcomer to their list is Strawberry Shortcake and one of several themed toys bearing this character's likeness is the Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café, a small, simple toy.

Toy Commentary:

The Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café is a small plastic toy, shaped like a carved- out strawberry, designed in the form of a dollhouse. The inside has two levels and on one side of the toy, there is a series of leaves stacked on top of one another, forming "steps" to the top level. On the top of the toy, you will find an extension of the strawberry's stem, with a small bird attached.The toy also comes with a large number of accessories. There are about twenty in total and they include things like a Strawberry Shortcake doll; a dress and hat for the doll; bed; bed tray; and more. The unit is small enough that any child in the targeted age group (4 to 7) can carry it around. There are no automatic moving parts...

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JovialCougar says "Rival Crock Pot: The Original Slow Cooker" about Rival Crock-Pot 6 Quart Slow Cooker

JovialCougar — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:49:21 GMT

I recently bought a Rival Crock Pot to use at pot luck dinners and similar events. I went with the Rival brand because they are the ''Original Slow Cooker'' and still make them right. It also helped that the price was really reasonable.

My Rival Crock Pot is a 6-quart size. The exterior is stainless steel with black handles. The pot inside is a round, heavy-duty ceramic, 10 inches across and topped with a glass lid. It has black plastic handles and the lid has a black plastic knob on top. There are three settings: Low, High, and Warm. Overall it looks decent.

I've used this crock pot several times to take cooked foods to an event. I was very happy with how it kept the foods warm enough on the low setting for many hours. Nothing burned and I didn't have to go turn it on and off throughout the day. The higher setting is definitely a lot hotter so is best used when really cooking a meal.

Rival makes quite a few different crock pots and this one has few bells and whistles. The three...

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JovialCougar says "A perfect skillet of omelets" about Rachael Ray 8" nonstick skillet

JovialCougar — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:35:45 GMT

I needed a decent skillet for making omelets and finally found one - the Rachael Ray 8'' Nonstick Skillet. This skillet is just the right size for cooking up an egg breakfast or a small meal like a grilled cheese sandwich or one hamburger.

The skillet is made of stainless steel which will be durable over the long haul. I also like the non-stick surface inside the pan. Eggs slide right out! If you keep the stove's heat at a reasonable temperature nothing will burn either.

The handle is made of silcon, which I am seeing more and more of in kitchenware. It does not get hot up to 400 degrees (F) so you can even put it in the oven. Also, the handle is firmly attached with two riveted-on bolts. I'm not crazy about the orange handle color, but can live with it, especially since it has ergonomic qualities.

I've heard that Rachel Ray has a full line of cookware but this it the only piece that I have used so far. Another reviewer mentioned flaking on their skillet, but I have not experienced...

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Bryan-Carey says "Budweiser Select 55: Anheuser- Busch Has Truly Hit Rock Bottom" about Budweiser Select 55

Bryan-Carey — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:44:55 GMT

Light beer products serve an important market need and while many individuals reach for a light brew to lessen the effects on the waistline, I generally find them too watery and bland to waste my time drinking. Most every major brewer offers at least one light beer, but one beer product promises to outdo all of them with its ultra- low calorie levels. The “beer” is Budweiser Select 55, a product with less than half the calories of most light beer.

Beer Commentary:

Budweiser Select 55 pours to a golden color with an aroma that is adjunct- laden, with scents of corn and basic grain. There is almost no head of foam at all and what little you get is gone within seconds- even with an aggressive pour. And the flavor isn’t much better than the appearance. It combines seltzer water, lightly skunked grain, and barely perceptable hops. There is a certain sulphur character as well and the product finishes with the familiar taste of Budweiser, for a brief second, before making way to a watery...

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BayouBengal says "Cold Sores and/or Chapped Lips? Carmex to Rescue!" about Carmex Lip Balm - 0.5 oz tub

BayouBengal — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:39:05 GMT

I was never one to pick up Carmex when winter weather brought on dry, chapped and cracking lips. My husband, on the other hand is a Carmex believer. It is his product of choice and the first he will pick up when he feels a cold sore coming on or has chapped lips.

Carmex .5 oz Tub

The famous little Carmex Tub with a yellow lid is a familiar thing to see on my husbands nightstand. He reaches for it at bedtime and puts it in his pocket in the mornings on the way to work.

Carmex .5 oz Tub is designed to relieve the symptoms of cold sores and dry, cracked or chapped lips. It contains moisturizers along with active ingredients of menthol and camphor to sooth lips.

Priced at $1.99 or less, it is a good choice for relieving dry, chapped lips or when you are coming down with a fever blister. The product works well at soothing and contains a moisturizer to help restore moisture back to your lips. Carmex can also be found at just about any store or convenience store. Look by the checkout...

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ChrisJarmick says "Clever, unique Rom-Com gem that deserves larger audience" about Answer Man

ChrisJarmick — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:00:02 GMT

The Answer Man is a low budget gem you probably haven't heard about. It was released to theaters in selected cities in August of 2009 but within a few weeks amidst the summer blockbusters, this little favorably reviewed independent movie was neglected and disappeared within a few weeks.

Where was the critic writing for a national magazine or syndicated in newspapers who would write passionately about this wonderful little movie that deserved the kind of attention and audience crappy movies like The Ugly Truth received this year?

Alas, things are too fast paced and disposable these days. The other excellent lightweight movies of this year didn't attract big audiences either; (Away We Go and 500 Days of Summer).

The best of all of them, The Answer Man, is destined to become one of those movies you see in the discounted DVD bins for $5.00 bucks and wonder if it could possibly be any good.

The answer is yes, This one is very good. It's a sleeper, a gem, a movie...

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ChrisJarmick says "Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson like Batman & Robin in old England" about Sherlock Holmes (2009)

ChrisJarmick — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:32:04 GMT

Sherlock Holmes directed by Guy Ritchie arrives in theaters on Christmas Day because we need a loud, over the top fast moving gimmicky action movie that's NOT in 3D to occupy our minds this holiday season.

I mean when you think Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson don't YOU think of updating them into an Indiana Jones, Batman and Robin kind of movie with lots of fisticuffs, foot chases fast cutting, explosions and mayhem?

Well Michael Rober Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg took Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved stuffy sleuth character and turned him into something quite different. The eccentric risk taker known as Sherlock Holmes now is also not beyond challenging himself to do well as a bare knuckle fighter. And for someone who doesn't like people and stays locked in his apartment trying to invent things when he's drunk or high on substances, this Sherlock Holmes can sure run, and leap about with amazing agility.

But wait... before you decide to hate this one, consider that...

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Bryan-Carey says "Hayneedle.com: More than 200 Stores to Keep you Busy" about Hayneedle

Bryan-Carey — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:25:28 GMT

Finding the right gift can take some time and shopping online can often involve jumping from web site to web site as you seek out the right item for the occasion. One web site that offers a large variety of merchandise in a sngle place is Hayneedle.com, an online store that sells home- related products.

Online Store Commentary:

Hayneedle.com is an online store that offers goods in categories like patio & garden, home accessories, babies & kids, sports & games, and more. Hayneedle.com is unique in that it combines multiple “web sites” into a single online shopping experience. As you click the links and search for something to buy, you will notice that the screen changes names to another web site, such as cribs.com, musicboxes.com, birdcages.com, etc. However, the Hayneedle.com logo remains at the top of the screen and this is because most all of these web domains are part of Hayneedle.com. There are a few exceptions, but most of the stores you find while shopping at Hayneedle.com...

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MikeMaroon says "Lost in, but never Rescue Me from These Shows I watch with Glee" about Best TV 2000-2009

MikeMaroon — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:17:57 GMT

Here we are at the end of another decade. Of course, I know you can carve any 10 year chunk of time out of the calendar and call it a decade and, well, it is. 1993- 2002 is a decade, BUT we mortals tend to think in multiples of 10 and so, for the purpose of categorising things, we think the beginning of all decades involve a number ending with a zero. Therefore, for most of us, Jan 1, 2010 will begin a new decade.

Now, any ole hack can pick the top 10 TV shows for a year, but this ole hack is gonna have the audacity to name the best (at least in my mind) TV shows I saw in the past 10 years. I KNOW! But, anyway I do understand that anyone making a list like this is gonna bring their preferences and biases into it and I'm not a huge sitcom or reality show fan, which is why you won't find much of that here. I must say, there was a LOT of quality TV out there and it was a tough choice, but I picked the shows that I just couldn't resist. You may or may not be surprised by some...

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lilsquibb says "Faded Glory Life Suede Slip-On's are Like Pillows for My Feet" about Faded Glory - Women's Life Suede Slip-On Shoes

lilsquibb — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:31:30 GMT

I admit it… I’m a shoe person. If we had more resources I would have more shoes. But I normally keep it to a pair of tennis shoes, pair black and pair brown. Since I rarely buy myself new shoes my black pair was getting really worn, where I knew they would not make it through the winter. So, my search began for a pair of black shoes that were both comfortable and dressy enough for work wear – oh yeah a cheap price tag would be helpful as well. My quest ended when I spotted the Faded Glory Women's Life Suede Slip-On Shoes at Wal-Mart.

The Faded Glory Life Suede shoes are simple in style, yet look nice enough to put with dress pants or jeans with no problem. The shoe is a slip on, with a touch of elasticity on each side. These are simple black suede shoes with a plaid accent on each side of the shoe and accent stitching. These shoes come in 2 different colors; black with wither dark grey or light grey and brown with a tan plaid. My choice was the black with dark grey,...

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Jo says "New Green Acres RV Park, SC: A great overnight stay" about New Green Acres RV Park, Walterboro, South Carolina

Jo — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:59:27 GMT

We left Massachusetts several days ago heading south. The first campground in which we stayed one night was New Green Acres RV Park in Walterboro, SC.

Information you may want:

www.newgreenacres.com
396 Campground Road, Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 538-3450
The longest and widest pull-thru sites east of the Missisippi. That is according to the website; however, the sites were very long and although we are used to backing, in most of the sites were pull-throughs so we went with that.
Electric hook-up (30 and 50 amp)
Water and sewer
Cable- but note: it is an additional $2.00.
Laundry
Swimming Pool
Children's Playground - Note: I wan't all that impressed with the playground. All in all I consider New Acres a great place to stay for a night of two but it is not a destination campground- especially since it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere!
Dog Playground
Wireless Internet Service though we didn't use it so it either wasn't available or it was to hard to use.
Restrooms...

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BayouBengal says "Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow -- It's Moussey!" about Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow

BayouBengal — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:15:26 GMT

I'm not a morning person but I'm also not one to go out of the house without makeup! And that goes for eye shadow too on most mornings. One of my new finds is Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow. I picked it up because I found it at Dollar Tree and I knew my daughter loved the foundation. So I decided to give it a try.

I bought the pastal lilac shade of Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow for only a buck at Dollar Tree. I picked up two different shades if I recall. I have opened and have been using the lilac shade for several days now.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow is a whipped formula of eye shadow that is very lightweight. The shade I have is a pastel lilac and it has a shimmer to it that is barely noticeable.

I love the way Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow applies. It dries quickly, and will allow for you to add another dab if you need the shade to be a bit darker. It is not sticky nor greasy. The slight shimmer is just enough to catch the light and add a bit...

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