Reviews by Friends of gharlic

TheBard says "Is This Supposed to be Christmas Music?" about Brand New Year by SHeDAISY

TheBard — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:16:24 GMT

Bottom-Line: When all is said and sung, Brand New World is a worthy effort, but for a traditionalist like me the CD just doesn't work.

I have been a fan of Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn, better known as the Pop-Country group, SheDaisy, since 1999 when I saw the video for the single Little Good-byes from their debut album The Whole SHeBANG (1999). To this day Little Good-byes typifies what SheDaisy's music is all about; the song is fun, whimsical, full of energy and highlights the trio's harmonizing acumen.

In between The Whole SHeBANG and Knock on The Sky the trio released the obligatory Christmas CD, entitled Brand New World in the fall of 2000. However, the CD was less than I expected. Now I like my Yuletide music traditional, thank you very much and with one, okay two, exceptions, Brand New World fails to deliver.

Yes, the trio put their own new-age country-contemporary spin on wintery seasonal favorites like Deck The Halls (track No.1), Jingle Bells (track No.4), and

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TheBard says "A Submarine Movie This Bubblehead Can Enjoy" about Crimson Tide

TheBard — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:03:59 GMT

Bottom-Line: Crimson Tide is now one of my favorite must see once-a-year movies.

Directed by action junkie Tony Scott (Top Gun, Man on Fire, Spy Game), Crimson Tide revives and old enemy (Russia) for some tomfoolery and high intrigue in the middle of the Pacific Ocean onboard the nuclear-powered ballistic submarine U.S.S. Alabama. The "Bama" has been sent to counter possible first strike moves by a rouge Russian rebel leader who has managed to seize a Russian nuclear base on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in the Northwestern Pacific. The U.S.S. Alabama is led by a no nonsense, by-the-book skipper, one Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman ~ A Bridge Too Far, Superman, Mississippi Burning).

The acting executive officer is one Lt. Commander Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington ~ Glory, Malcolm X, American Gangster) and almost immediately the two men butt heads. One man is doer, an old-school sub driver, while the other is a thinker a graduate of Annapolis.

The differing leadership...

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TheBard says "Nice To Look At, The Unit Has Problems" about AT&T - Quickfire Cell Phone

TheBard — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:30:51 GMT

The AT&T Quickfire 3G Handset (made by UTStarcom and distributed by PCD) serves up a capacitive touch screen, similar to the one used on the Apple iPhone and the T-Mobile G1. In addition, the sliding handset ships with a full QWERTY keyboard idea for texting, e-mailing, surfing the Internet, or performing Instant message functions.

The AT&T Quickfire 3G Handset ships with a plethora of useful features including a 1.3 megapixel camera, micro-SD media card slot, 500-entry address book, a full HTML Polaris browser, and MP3 player. In addition, the unit ships with stereo Bluetooth, mobile e-mail, instant-messenger support, and A-GPS. With A-GPS, the Quickfire also comes with AT&T Navigator, as well as AT&T's own traffic and turn-by-turn direction service.

First Impressions

I did a considerable amount of research on the AT&T Quickfire 3G Handset before I agreed to purchase it for my off-spring and what I found was not altogether encouraging! The handset has a high failure rate,...

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stef42678 says "Great Scent and Product for the Holidays" about Philosophy The Gingerbread Man

stef42678 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:34:01 GMT

I really love Philosophy products because not only are they good for your skin, but it seems like every month they come out with new scent varieties and I love to try the newest ones. I couldn't wait to try the Philosophy The Gingerbread Man because it sounded perfect for the holidays. I bought one for me and a couple for gifts because not only did the scent sound wonderful, but I see the product as a great deal because it is actually three products in a one. I love the cute bottle it comes in with an easy cap to open and the cute gingerbread man on the label. I use this as a shower gel, shampoo and conditioner and it leaves my skin and hair feeling and looking great. The scent is the sweet smell of fresh gingerbread, with spices of ginger and cinnamon and reminds me of the holidays. It is a great product to use and smell when you want to relax, and the scent won't overpower your hair or skin. The lather foams up easily and doesn't leave a residue on your skin or in your hair. ...

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stef42678 says "Great Scent of Gingerbread" about Philosophy Gingerbread Lip Shine

stef42678 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:28:22 GMT

I really love Philosophy brand products because not only do the products really work, but they come in a huge variety of scents, so I love to try the newest fragrances and change up the products I use based on the holidays. I was happy to find this Philosophy Gingerbread Lip Shine because I am a huge lip product fan and I thought the scent of gingerbread would be perfect for the christmas time. The product comes in a clear lip tube so I was happy that I could see the product and shade before I bought it. It was on sale, so it sounded like a great deal. After uncapping the lip product I smelled the sweet scent of fresh gingerbread, a little sweetness and a lot of spice. The lip shine is easy to apply and goes on smooth. The lip product is paraben free and looks great on the lips. I liked the smooth shine, no glitter or sparkles, but lots of shine. The scent of gingerbread lasted on my lips, but not too strong and a spice of cinnamon. My lips felt moist and not sticky and...

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stef42678 says "Great Scent, Great Scrub" about Philosophy The Gingerbread Man Hot Salt Scrub

stef42678 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:23:54 GMT

I am a huge fan of skin products and love changing up the scent of my products for the season. I was really excited to find this Philosophy The Gingerbread Man Hot Salt Scrub because the scent sounded perfect for the holidays. The salt scrub comes in a cute jar container that makes the product easy to apply. As soon as I opened up the lid I smelled the sweet taste of ginger and was ready to have that fragrance on my skin. The salt scrub is neat to apply and doesn't feel like a gloppy mess. I used it on my skin and immediately my skin felt refreshed and revitalized. This is a great product to use for exfoliating and gets your skin ready for makeup, bronzers and lotions. It smoothed out my skin and the fragrance seemed to last a long time. When the product is applied the scent is a little strong, but slowly weakens for just the right hint of ginger after it is applied. The scent is a little sweet, spicy and exotic. I would recommend this gift for the holidays and for...

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TheBard says "No New Revelations, But The Movie is Worth the Watch" about Battlestar Galactica: The Plan

TheBard — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:57:06 GMT

Bottom-Line: Before watching Battlestar Galactica: The Plan do watch all four seasons of Battlestar Galactica the (2004) television series; it will make understanding this movie so much easier.

Directed by Edward James Olmos, Battlestar Galactica: The Plan tells the story of the attack and its aftermath from the group of (12) Cylons perspective. The Cylon's plan was supposed to be simple: destroy the hated human race in its entirety. But when their devastating nuclear attack upon the colonies leaves human survivors, the Cylons have to improvise and set about destroying the rest.

Two powerful Cylon leaders, both portrayed by Dean Stockwell (JAG, Battlestar Galactica, The Manchurian Candidate); are working separately; one on Occupied Caprica (one of the twelve colonies), the other aboard the Galactica. And both are determined to finish the task at hand. The story is all-too-human in its exploration of how the best laid plans oft go awry.

My Viewpoint

If Battlestar Galactica...

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TheBard says "I'm Just Not Into This (Very Bad) Movie" about He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

TheBard — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:50:49 GMT

Bottom-Line: He's Just Not That Into You is a humorless, white bread, loaf of a movie that is short on drama as well.

Directed by Ken Kwapis (The Office, The Bernie Mac Show, Malcolm in the Middle) and festoon with an A-Lister's dream of (non-minority) Hollywood actors and actresses, including Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Connolly, Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, just to name a few, He's Just Not That Into You chronicles the failing fortunes of a multitude of 20 and 30-something single women juggling relationships.

He's Just Not That Into You is based on the (best-selling) relationship book entitled "Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys" by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo.

Despite the who's-who list of Hollywood wattage, and story more or less coalesces around Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin ~ Robot Chicken, Big Love, Ed) who has a hard time holding a man's interest. Could it be that men react this was way she is unbelievably...

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jasyjen says "If you want to make your dog smile, give them this food!" about Pedigree Little Champions; Pouched Dog Food

jasyjen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:35:03 GMT

As a very special treat, I purchase a box of Pedigree Little Champions packets for my two dogs to share. My pups usually get dry food only, so giving them a combination of the wet food and dry food together was a big treat for them.

I absolutely LOVE the way Pedigree Little Champions comes packaged. In one box, you get several pouches of food. Each pouch is one serving. The serving is small - Only a little over five ounces. The pouches are lined up nice and neatly in the box, so you can keep them all stored in the box until they are gone. The pouches are very easy to open and the food, literally, slides right out. You don't have to get a spoon and dig it out, or bang on the bottom it to get the food out....it just slides right out. SO EASY! Since the servings are so small, I mix it in with the dry food and give it to my pups. THEY LOVE IT! I have never seen my dogs devour their food with such intensity. They don't eat it down very fast, it's almost as if they are...

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jasyjen says "Get the scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree with this product!" about ScentSicles Scented Ornaments

jasyjen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:18:41 GMT

While out shopping, I was speaking to another shopper about how much I miss the Glade holiday scent, Glistening Snow. Discontinued this year, it was the only scent that I had ever found that smelled like Christmas. As we were talking, the woman happened to mention a product I had never heard of. ScentSicles. She informed me that ScentSicleswere sold at Walmart (where I happened to be) and worked really well in giving an authentic scent of pine.

I was able to located ScentSiclesscented ornaments in with the seasonal merchandise in Walmart. They were actually on an endcap all by themselves. There were only two packages left, and I bought the 'White Pine' scent. ScentSicles are green sticks that you hang directly on the Christmas tree. There were six ScentSiclesto a pack and each stick was about 5" in length. The top of each stick in capped with a silver area where you can insert a ornament hanger. The package is tightly sealed, and when you open it up, the sticks are wrapped...

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jasyjen says "Get the scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree with this product!" about ScentSicles Scented Ornaments

jasyjen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:18:30 GMT

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TheBard says "I wanted enjoy this movie more than I did" about The Wrestler

TheBard — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:51:13 GMT

Bottom-Line: After all the hype surrounding The Wrestler, I expected more.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, Requiem For a Dream) The Wrestler chronicles the failing fortunes of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson a once successful professional wrestler who now lives alone in a rented trailer, works part-time at a super market and wrestles at small venues on the weekends.

My Viewpoint

The wrestling moves and action sequences took me back to yesteryear. Yes, I have long since given up the ritual, but I can still remember the signature moves, the back and forth of the opponents seeking the upper hand. The move captures that magic all over again with startling realism. Ram's body truly dies take a beating, but he keeps coming back for more. He knows wrestling is all there is for him; life has lost its meaning outside the comfortable cocoon.

And therein lies the problem with The Wrestler, Ram is not smart and neither is the movie. The movie is predictable and that...

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TheBard says "Never Trust Two White Guys with White Gloves" about Funny Games (American Version)

TheBard — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:58:55 GMT

Bottom-Line: Funny Games, for me, failed to shock, failed to thrill, and failed to entertain, despite the always perfect performance by one Ms. Naomi Watts.

Written and directed by German-born Michael Haneke Funny Games starts innocently enough as a family of three-mom (Naomi Watts), dad (Tim Roth), and son (Devon Gearhart)-settle into their vacation home on a lake. Not long after the groceries are put away and the boat is assembled two psychotic young men Paul and Peter (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet respectively) in white gloves a-come calling under the pretext of wanting to barrow some eggs.

And so the "funny" games begin. Ann (mom) demands the two young men leave, they don't. George (dad) comes home and demands same and gets a driver to the knee for his insistence. And the violence escalates from there...

My Viewpoint

Funny Games is a remake of a German movie of the same name, where of course the same sadistic things happen to an Austrian family. At times the movie...

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TheBard says "The Perfect "Starter" Display" about ViewSonic VX1940w (Black) 19 inch LCD Monitor

TheBard — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:34:40 GMT

Bottom-Line: When all is said and done I have to say that I am very pleased with the VX1940w 19" (Widescreen) LCD Monitor, despite its rather austere features.

When it came time to build my daughter a new computer for Christmas, ViewSonic was my first and only choice for the matching display. So which model?; I settled on the VX1940w 19” LCD Display, not only because of my past experience with ViewSonic, but also because the monitor/display is quite affordable checking in at slightly under $130.00 at TigerDirect.

The 411

The VX1940w 19" (Widescreen) LCD Monitor from ViewSonic is an entry-level thin-bezel LCD. By entry-level I mean no frills: no speakers, no USB ports, and no telescoping bezel. What the monitor does offers up is an outstanding picture (2ms, 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and Super-HD 1680 X 1050 resolution) at an affordable price-point. The monitor offers both standard VGA (analog) and DVI-D (digital) inputs.

The VX1940w 19" (Widescreen) LCD...

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stef42678 says "Great Hair for Blondes" about Bed Head Dumb Blonde

stef42678 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:18:15 GMT

I work outside all day so my hair gets damaged from the sun, wind, chlorine and my color seems to fade over time. This Bed Head Dumb Blonde product is great for my hair because not only does it make my hair brighter and blonder, but it helps keep my highlights from fading as well as makes my hair look great. This duo of shampoo and conditioner are high quality with a great scent and work really well. The products are easily dispensed from a pump and lather up quickly. A little product goes a long way and I love that it rinses out clean and leaves my hair feeling soft and shiny. I even noticed that it helps make my hair more manageable by getting rid of tangles and adds a little volume so my hair feels bouncier and not heavy. Everytime I use these products together my hair looks great, and I love that it transforms my locks from dull to bright and the brightness and scent last a long time. This is a great solution for blondes and keeps my hair looking great.

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stef42678 says "Strong and Soft Tissues" about Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong Tissue

stef42678 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:13:36 GMT

I don't use tissues too often, but when I do, I want a tissue that is strong and durable and these Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong Tissue are high quality and really soft. Each tissue is soft and sheer and won't irritate your face or your nose. I recently used these when I had a cold and they worked great because they were as soft as a blanket against my skin so they didn't cause redness on my nose or irritate it more. I like that these are really strong too and don't break. I not only use these for my nose and sneezing, but they work great for quick cleanup of spills as well as are still strong when they get wet. I keep a box of these in my car and one at work because they are a great product. They are perfect for controlling germs and a feel good reliever for your nose when you have a cold or allergies. These easily dispense from the container for quick grabbing and are strong enough to wipe up spills around the house or pick up and wrap things when needed.

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TheBard says "This Ergonomic Keyboard Could Be It!" about Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard (B2M00012)

TheBard — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:32:24 GMT

Bottom-Line: Overall, I would state the Microsoft has designed a good, solid, useful, ergonomic keyboard with a lot to recommend it in the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.

Let’s face it there is nothing sexy or even new about keyboard design, expect for the rise of backlit units. But the keyboard is one of the most essential parts of the computer; after all, without one the computer is close to useless.

I’ve tried quite a few keyboards over the years so it was time to give Microsoft a try. The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 almost delivers.

The 411

Microsoft says of the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 “has been expertly crafted to allow you to work in a more natural position. The new Gull Wing design features a 14-degree gable, a natural arc and a curved key bed - bringing the keys closer to your fingers to reduce reach and unnecessary motion, while encouraging a more natural typing position. It also comes equipped with an optional palm lift for...

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TheBard says "No Other Mouse Delivers Like a Logitech!" about Logitech VX NANO Cordless Laser Notebook Mouse

TheBard — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:04:06 GMT

Bottom-Line: The VX Nano Cordless Laser Notebook Mouse is an excellent example of a pointing device done right!

I have long trusted and enjoyed Logitech pointing devices (mice); they are on the whole, affordable, attractive, highly functional performance stars. So when I started looking for the perfect companion to my new Dell Latitude E6500 notebook computer, the brand of mouse I would eventually get was never in doubt. But the model took some time to decide on, Logitech offers so many! In the end I decided on the VX Nano Cordless Laser Notebook Mouse, for its size, feature-set, and price.

The 411

The ($39.99 at Amazon.com) Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Notebook Mouse is a highly functional, lightweight laser mouse that fits perfectly in the (my) hand. Though it is designed for right-handed users (of course, we left-handed users are always an afterthought it seems), the mouse feels equally at home in my left hand.

The (AAA battery powered) mouse is cleverly designed. ...

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alatba says "The Wilton Gingerbread House is easy and fun to make." about Gingerbread House

alatba — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:28:08 GMT

The Wilton Gingerbread House kit comes with everything you need to make a professional looking gingerbread house. Everything you need is included in the kit. The gingerbread house is pre-baked and fully assembled. It is ready to decorate with white icing and three colorful candies. It comes complete with decorating instructions and decorating bag and tip. You then have the fun of creating a beautiful gingerbread house to add to the Christmas spirit of your home. It is admired by everyone.

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TheBard says "An Affordable, Reliable Network Adapter" about Linksys LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card

TheBard — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:03:34 GMT

Bottom-Line: If you need an affordable, reliable, easy-to-install and configure 32-Bit NIC look no further than the Linksys LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card.

For the past few months the unthinkable has been happening, my Intel Pro 100/1000Gbps desktop-class Network Interface Card (NIC) had been failing. I didn’t want to believe it, but the last few days it has been none too obvious.

The problem: every time I restarted the (file) server the NIC was installed in, the adapter flapped, that is the link was dropping for long seconds, then come back for a minute, then dropping the link again.

The solution: the Linksys LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card

The 411

The LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card is a high performance NIC designed for desktop computers with 32-bit PCI expansion slots. Right out of the box, the LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card is ready to run on both 10BaseT and 100BaseTX networks. The 10/100Mbps NIC can automatically detect your networks maximum speed and adjusts...

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