http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/professorcaticus Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:11:26 GMT Reviews by professorcaticus http://www.viewpoints.com/National-Treasure:-Book-of-Secrets-review-118f0 I really loved the first National Treasure. This sequel was great. It was more action packed than the first, and I laughed during this movie... a lot. There were a lot of great one liners and even some physical comedy. The plot was addicting and the characters are even more lovable this time around. I have many more good things to say, but I can't without spoilers.<br/><br/>On the downside, this sequel played like a reworked version of the first. Same basic plot, same character archetypes, but new lines, sets and puzzles. Instead of fleshing out the characters and taking them to the next level the writers merely pushed them harder into their two-dimensional stereotypes. Ben's trivia felt more erroneous, Abigail was still a faithfully independent woman, and Riley was ever the painfully underutilized, scrappy sidekick.<br/><br/>I also found it hard to suspend my disbelief as the heroes performed even more audacious and outrageous exploits. I didn't, however, find myself minding.<br/><br/>It was a safe movie for the studio,...... Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:11:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/National-Treasure:-Book-of-Secrets-review-118f0 professorcaticus 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Singer-Sewing-machine-review-2c1e0 I am in love with my new Singer 1120 sewing machine. I have found in very easy to use. The instruction book that comes with it is simple to follow and covers a wide range of sewing situations. <br/><br/>This machine is great for beginners like me. I was able to start in minutes and made my first simple project, a lunch bag, the first night. The price point was perfect for an entry level machine as well. <br/><br/>The Singer 1120 comes from the box ready to go. You only need to fill a bobbin and thread the machine. The tension settings are preset.<br/><br/>I did find the automatic threader difficult to understand and use. Since I had never seen one before, I couldn't even locate it easily. I have now mastered the auto-threader, but the lever for it has gotten stuck once. I still thread the needle by hand most of the time by habit.<br/><br/>The stitch selection is very basic. There are three variables, stitch length, stitch width, and stitch shape. I have had no trouble adjusting these to suit my projects. The manual has a basic...... Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:37:29 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Singer-Sewing-machine-review-2c1e0 professorcaticus 4