http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/jasyjen Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:07:19 GMT Reviews by jasyjen http://www.viewpoints.com/Wipeout-review-49ce3 I know it is soooo wrong, but I love to see people fall, tumble, or otherwise make total idiots out of themselves.  That is why I am enjoying the new show WIPEOUT.  It's an hour long show, which is supposedly a fitness competition, but is more like a live version of America's Funniest Home Videos. — Twenty four contestants (men & women) compete in a first event by climbing over slippery walls, try to avoid being punched in the face by automated punching fists, trying to avoid a mud pit, and bouncing off these ENORMOUS big red balls.  The first eight (I think it's eight) people that make it through get to move on to the next event. — And the events get worse from that!  They stand on isolated platforms and have to jump over a huge arm type thing that rotates quickly towards them.  They must endure a very fast merry go round sort of thing and then race running to the end of the obstacle course, and so forth.  You get the idea.  At... Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:07:19 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Wipeout-review-49ce3 jasyjen 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Water-Horse-Legend-of-the-Deep-review-a0eb4 When a young boy, named Angus, finds something unusual in the water, he takes it home with him.  He cleans it up, and begins chipping away at the outside of it, only to discover that it appears to be glowing.  Angus is intrigued and keeps it, and later finds it to be an egg that something has hatched out of. — Of course, it turns out to be an odd little creature that he can't quite place.  Angus is a smart, yet sad little boy, that quickly finds pleasure in the creature.  Angus' father is away at war and this little creature helps fill the lonely void.  After much research, and with a little help from the handyman, Angus learns that it is actually a Water Horse, which he later names Crusoe. — Watching Crusoe grow up is very fun!  All of us loved the scenes with Crusoe swimming, getting into trouble, and making his very unique little noises.  They really did a great job in creating him and making him so lifelike.  When Crusoe gets... Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:15:29 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Water-Horse-Legend-of-the-Deep-review-a0eb4 jasyjen 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/RewardTV-review-030b3 I actually hear about rewardtv through viewpoints.  It sounded pretty fun and an easy way to earn points that you can redeem later for gift cards.   — The site is all about television shows and movies playing in theaters.  You can answer many different kinds of surveys about these subject and receive points.  It's real easy to rack up the points too.  In no time at all I was up over 400,00 points!  I thought, "This is great!"  But as exciting as it was to see those points rack up, I was equally as disappointed when I tried to get something with these points. — They have "shopping sprees" once or twice a week.  There is a specific day and a specific time of that day that you logon to try to use up your points.  They'll usually have three different gift cards you can choose from, but the thing is, they have a VERY limited amound of each gift card available.  For instance they'll have 25 gift cards for a gas station,... Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:05:48 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/RewardTV-review-030b3 jasyjen 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Chakushin-ari-One-Missed-Call-review-8f4e4 The idea of a ghost or spirit living inside your cell phone is utterly ridiculous.  Within the first few minutes of the film, I thought I'd made a bad mistake renting the movie.  However, I have to say it did get better. — The movie is actually a remake of a Japanese horror film "Chakushin Ari".  The idea behind the movie is people receive an eerie ring on the phones, alerting them of a missed call.  When they call in to view the details, they find that the call has actually come from the cell phone of whoever had died prior to them.  (All the victims are linked to each other's contact lists)  When they listen in to their messages they hear their own voices, their own last few moments of life, and it gives them the precise day, and time of when they will die. — If you're thinking, "Why don't they just get rid of their cell phones?"  Well, they do.  They smash them, throw them in the water, etc., but the "spirit" just finds other ways... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:35:20 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Chakushin-ari-One-Missed-Call-review-8f4e4 jasyjen 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Mr-Woodcock-review-8f313 Seann William Scott is hilarous as John Farley, writer of a self help book titled "Letting Go".  As a child, Farley is traumatized by his gym teacher, Mr. Woodcock (played by Billy Bob Thornton).  Mr. Woodcock is one of those gym teachers that we all hated.  He expects too much, gives the kids a real hard time, is verbally abusive and basically puts the fear of God into them.  — John Farley (Seann William Scott) thinks he's "let go" of the trauma put on him by Mr. Woodcock. But when Farley returns home to receive an award offered by his hometown, he finds that his mother (Susan Sarandon) has begun dating Mr. Woodcock.  Not only dating, but they are in love. — The remainder of the movie is absolutely HILARIOUS!  Watching Farley have "flashbacks" of his gym classes had me rolling on the floor.  Billy Bob Thornton is at his best as Mr. Woodcock; he delivers his lines without any emotion whatsoever, and it is still funny.... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:24:15 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Mr-Woodcock-review-8f313 jasyjen 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Playstation-2-The-Sopranos-Road-To-Respect-Video-Game-review-0fb72 I purchased this video game on clearance for $ 5.00 at the store.  It was worth the $ 5.00, but I have a feeling that people that paid full price were disappointed with it. — I am a HUGE fan of The Sopranos tv show on HBO, but I'm not very good at video games.  However, I found this game to be real easy to play.  It actually plays more like a movie, than a video game. The levels and moves are very easy to complete, which is why I liked it, but it's also the reason why I think a true gamer would not enjoy it. — The actors from the television show actually do the voice overs for the characters in the game and I found that pretty interesting.  The game takes you through many familiar, and some not-so-familiar locations ranging from the Bada Bing Strip Club, Satriale's, Vesuvio's restaurant, a porn studio (yeah), among other places. — You advance through the game by getting easy missions to complete and beating up most everyone in your... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:08:20 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Playstation-2-The-Sopranos-Road-To-Respect-Video-Game-review-0fb72 jasyjen 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Playtex-Diaper-Genie-Pail-review-f1034 I really was on the fence with whether to give this product a good review, or a bad one.  There were things I really liked about this product, but also things I really disliked.  First off, let me say that I got my Diaper Genie as a gift with my first son.  I used it with both of my boys simply because it seemed to make life easier.  I could just shoot the dirty diaper into the genie, seal it off and then forget about it.  — But.  One thing you have to know about this product is: STAND BACK when you open up the base to empty it!!  P-U!!!  The smell that hits you it just horrible.  Think about it, you probably have at least one days worth of diapers jammed in that thing, maybe even more than that!  It is NOT pleasant!  Once you empty all the messy diapers (which come out looking like a roll of sausage) the Diaper Genie smells fine again and is ready to receive more diapers. — But then......time marches on, and you've... Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:24:09 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Playtex-Diaper-Genie-Pail-review-f1034 jasyjen 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Booda-Dome-Litter-Pan-All-Colors-review-73174 It took me years to figure out a way to be able to live with a litter box in the house.  I hated the regular ones that are just open for the world to see.  I couldn't stand walking by it and seeing the cat using the bathroom, or worse yet, seeing his "mess" in it.  Then, when we got our Bassett Hound, he thought it was an open buffet just waiting for him!  So.....it forced me to go out and find some kind of alternative solution. — I found this litter box and immediately liked the fact that I don't have to see the cat in it!  Also it hides his messes, helps (a little) in keeping the litter from flying out of the box as much as before, and also offers a little protection for the Bassett Hound.  Sure, the dog can still get into it, but it requires much more work and we can usually catch him before he gets all the way into it. — Also, I have to say that the dome over top of the litter box helps keeps odors at bay.  And it helps A LOT with... Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:12:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Booda-Dome-Litter-Pan-All-Colors-review-73174 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Armor-All-Cleaning-Wipes-25-ct-review-6e521 I have two boys, and trying to keep my car clean isn't easy.  When I got my new car a few months ago, I was determined to try to keep it looking nice.  But I didn't want to have to work very hard at it.  ;-) — I bought Armor All wipes hoping they'd work okay, but I wasn't expecting much from them in all honesty.  It seems whenever they make a product a "convenience" product, the quality of it sometimes goes downhill.  But not with these!  I have honestly never used regular Armor All, so I don't know how they compare to it.  But I can't imagine that it would work much better. — Once I use these wipes on the inside of the car, the vehicle looks (and smells) brand new!  It is unbelievable what a difference it makes.  The dashboard looks darker and shinier, and the Armor All really does seem to protect the material you apply it to.  You can use it on rubber, vinyl, or plastic.  I clean up practically everything,... Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:45:47 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Armor-All-Cleaning-Wipes-25-ct-review-6e521 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/PaperBackSwap-com--26737-review-a5212 What I'm about to tell you sounds too good to be true, but there is absolutely NO CATCH whatsoever.  I've been a member of paperbackswap for about a year, and I can tell you from experience that it's a very simple way to get used books for free.  FREE! — Here's the deal.  Just dig through your closet and find some old books you no longer want.  Then you "post" your books on the site under your name.  If someone on the site wants one of your books, you simply print out the wrapper from your computer.  The wrapper will already have the address of the person that wants the book, and will tell you how much postage to place on the wrapper.  Then you mail the book!  When the person receives the book they requested, they will log in and mark it as "received".  Then you receive points for sending it to them!   That is ALL you have to do to receive books from other people on the site. — Most any book I've ever looked for has... Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:33:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/PaperBackSwap-com--26737-review-a5212 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Everyday-with-Rachael-Ray-review-2c3e3 The first thing I noticed about this magazine is it's appearance.  It's very pleasing to the eyem, with larger than normal pages and glossy slick pages.  That I was impressed with.  Other than that, I was disappointed. — Sure, there were a lot of recipes.  However, they aren't the kind of recipes that an average family, with children, would really be able to use.  I'm sure there are some families out there that would appreciate a Curry Grouper with Mint Leaves recipe, but not ours.  (That may have been the actual meal, but you get the picture)  My family needs "kid friendly" dinners.  This magazine would have us serving the children Goat Cheese Pizza, but if I served that to my kids, they'd go without eating.  Plus, some of the ingredients are things I've never heard of and wouldn't have a clue as to where to find them. — And then there's the section where readers write in with questions.  Now, I know that Rachel Ray is a... Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:35:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Everyday-with-Rachael-Ray-review-2c3e3 jasyjen 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/General-Mills-Nature-Valley-Crunchy-Granola-Bars-review-c84e2 Nature Valley Oats 'N Honey Crunchy Granola Bars are one of my all time FAVORITE mid-morning snacks.  They are sooooo good  and I can enjoy them without worring about them being unhealthy.  — If you've never had one and think, "Ewwww, granola."  I have to say that it's just a misconception people have about granola.  IT IS DELICIOUS!  It's crunchy, but sweet, and doesn't taste anything like a diet food, or a healthy food.  Some people have this idea in their heads that in order to eat something good for you, it has to taste bad.  But no, not these.  Honestly, they aren't really that low in fat.  Each package has two granola bars, which is a serving.  Each serving has 180 calories and 6g of fat.  There is NO cholesterol and No trans fat!  (I love that)  Also, it's loaded with carbs (29g) so it's an all natural energy bar. — The best part about them is that my kids LOVE them too.  They're great to... Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:24:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/General-Mills-Nature-Valley-Crunchy-Granola-Bars-review-c84e2 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Taco-Bell-Fruitista-Freeze-review-7dec4 There are coupons all over the internet for these things!  If you haven't already tried one, just go to taco bell's website and print a coupon to try one for free. — With that said, I think Taco Bell has a winner with this product.  The Fruitista Freeze beverages comes in two flavors.  Strawberry or Mango Strawberry.  Each one is topped with real strawberries, adding something special that you don't see at most fast food chains.  In fact, you really don't see anything like this at any of the other fast food restaurants, and I think that's what makes these such a nice change of pace. — They are so cold and refreshing.  I can only describe it by telling you that it's not as thick as an icee, but thicker than an actual fruit drink.  The ice is chipped so finely, that it makes it similar to an icee but easier to drink through a straw.  In fact, they give you a straw similar to what you'd get with a thicker drink, you know the kind... Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:41:06 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Taco-Bell-Fruitista-Freeze-review-7dec4 jasyjen 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Good-in-Bed-review-9b7e0 I don't typically read fiction books, but I picked this one up and then couldn't put it back down.  It is rare to see the lead character in a book that is a plus size woman, and when it does happen, normally she is portrayed as "fat and ugly".  But in this book, I enjoyed reading about "Cannie" a plus sized girl who is actually succesful, intelligent, funny, and normal.  Sure, she has her baggage from childhood, but who doesn't? — I honestly didn't know what to expect from a book titled, "Good In Bed."  But it's not what you think.  The title is actually the name of an column in a magazine, written by Cannie's ex boyfriend.  His column is mainly about her, her weight issues, their relationship problems, etc.  When Cannie's friend discovers the column, she promptly informs Cannie about it, and Cannie is MORTIFIED to discover her most personal and private issues in print for the world to read.  Her reaction to this, among... Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:26:14 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Good-in-Bed-review-9b7e0 jasyjen 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/General-Mills-Curves-Chewy-Granola-Bars-review-55ff4 I recently purchased Curves Chewy Granola Bars, Chocolate Peanut.  I think it was the first Curves food product I've ever bought.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised at its yumminess!  If all the Curves snacks taste this good, I'll will definately be being a variety of them.  — They remind me A LOT of the chocolate chip chewy granola bars I buy my kids, except that they half 1/2 the calories.  ONLY 100 CALORIES PER BAR!  They have a delicious chocolate, peanut flavor too. The bar itself isn't all that big, but because it's chewy, you really get to take the time to enjoy it.  There's no unpleasant aftertaste, in fact, it doesn't taste like diet food at all.  I don't know if I'd be able to tell the difference between this and a regular bar in a similar flavor. — I believe the box had six granola bars in it, and I think I got it on sale for about $ 2.50.  So, yes, it's a little more expensive, but anytime you try to eat healthy... Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:47:58 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/General-Mills-Curves-Chewy-Granola-Bars-review-55ff4 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Breakers-Resort-and-Boutique-North-Tower-Myrtle-Beach-SC-review-16e81 Myrtle Beach is a favorite vacation spot for our family.  It's only a two hour drive, and there is so much to do!  If you go on the off season, it's really affordable too.  We've stayed at this particular resort several times, and have always been pleased with our stay. — The rooms we stay in are very spacious.  On our honeymoon we stayed in the honeymoon suite, and it had a large bathtub/jacuzzi tub.  There was an extremely large enclosed shower area as well.  It had a bedroom, a kitchen, a living area, and a private balcony.  For this suite we paid $100.00 a night in September.  Not too shabby!  When we stay in a regular room, we also have plenty of room with a bed for us and a sofa bed for the kids.  There's usually a small kitchen in those rooms as well. — The hotel is right on the beach and the ocean view rooms are just breathtaking.  They overlook the ocean and also the pool area as well.  The... Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:29:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Breakers-Resort-and-Boutique-North-Tower-Myrtle-Beach-SC-review-16e81 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Pepsi-review-22936 We live in North Carolina, and one thing our state brags about, is being the birthplace of Pepsi.  In fact, we have a bottling plant down the road from us.  I have always liked Pepsi better than the other soda companies, the taste is crisper and not as sweet in my opinion. — Now they are offering Pepsi Points on all of the pepsi and diet pepsi cans, two liters, and twelve packs.  You receive a code on each of the products, and enter that code at pepsistuff.com.  You can redeem the points for music downloads, CD's, DVD's, enter them into sweepstakes for money, or even redeem them for apparel.  I've easily racked up over 100 points in a matter of a month, I just request my co-workers to give me theirs!  It's nice to be offered something for drinking Pepsi's product. — One con about Pepsi is that it has a very carbonated taste.  I usually can't drink it straight out of the can, I have to A LOT of ice to calm it down a little. ... Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:23:22 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Pepsi-review-22936 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Bushs-Original-Baked-Beans-brown-sugar-and-bacon-review-a42b1 Actually Bush's Baked Beans are one of my 'go to' items for cookouts, barbeques and pig pickin's.  (if you don't live in the south, a pig pickin is where they cook an entire pig on the grill.  I know, weird)  The beans go with just about anything, and would be nice to take to church functions as well.  Plus, kids like them too! — I don't just throw mine in a dish and bake them, although I'm sure they would be good that way.  I very finely dice up onion and bellpepper and add a little ketchup.  Believe it or not, it's DELICIOUS.  If I bring my beans, and other people bring theirs, mine always gets eaten first.  They have such a comforting sweet taste, much better than any other canned baked bean I've ever tried.   Maybe it's that little bit of bacon in the can?? — And they are so affordable too!  I can find them on sale for about $ 1.00, and the large can goes a long way.  I usually make two large cans if I'm... Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:14:14 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Bushs-Original-Baked-Beans-brown-sugar-and-bacon-review-a42b1 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Kashi-Mountain-Medley-Cereal-review-118e0 I had to laugh at myself after trying this product.  I received a free sample of the Kashi Mountain Medley in the mail, and sat down and had the bag for a snack.  It was surprisingly DELICIOUS.  But what I didn't know until afterwards is that it's a cereal!  DUH.  But I have to say it is great just plain by itself! — There is so much flavor packed into this product, and what I like the best is it doesn't taste like sugar has been dumped all over it.  It's very healthy tasting, but not in a bad way. :-)  Mostly it is granola, but there's also slivered almonds, raisin, cranberries, pecans, and even sunflower seeds!  I've never eaten anything that is so healthy and tasted this good.  THIS is what I've always thought of as trail mix. It would make a great energy booster because there's 37g of Carb's and 6g of Protein packed inside just a 1/2 cup serving.  I guess it's a little high in fat at 7g, and also calories, at 220,... Mon, 26 May 2008 20:45:30 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Kashi-Mountain-Medley-Cereal-review-118e0 jasyjen 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/An-American-Crime-review-eb760 I watched most of this movie with my jaw hanging open.  It never ceases to amaze me how utterly cruel one person can be to another.  This movie is based on a true story of abuse of a young girl left in the care of a woman she doesn't even know, back in 1965. — The film tells the story of one of the most shocking cases of abuse I have ever seen.  Sylvia & Jennie Likens are daughters of traveling carnival workers.  Their parents left them in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski, a single mother of six, after only metting her ONCE!  Gertrude is hard up for money, and makes an arrangement that the parents would send Gertrude payment of $ 20.00 every two weeks in exchange for her taking care of the girls. — But when their first payment doesn't arrive in time, Gertrude becomes upset and begins abusing Syvlia.  It begins with beatings with a belt, then moves on to cigarette burns, and gets even worse from there.  Eventually, Sylvia is isolated... Fri, 23 May 2008 15:35:10 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/An-American-Crime-review-eb760 jasyjen 4