This documentary series, about (stupid) people lost or stranded alone for Days in dangerous conditions with little means of survival, is apparently based on real stories. That, along with its snappy albeit formulaic production, is what makes it captivating. The details rely on not much more than what the survivors say happened; the visuals are mostly re-enactments; but the gist rings true enough to astound.
my rating : 4 of 5
2012
You’d have a hard time finding a healthier Peanut Butter. This Whole Foods product is healthy in the sense that there is no sugar or unnecessary ingredients. The only listed here are “dry roasted peanuts” and salt. What helps the taste, aside from the Crunchy bits, is its oily consistency. It’s more like a spread.
my rating : 3 of 5
The Intuit Dome screen erroneously lists Jamahal Hill as having one loss at the start of this bout, but this is his third. That it comes via TKO after making excuses for his previous knockout; Alex Pereira’s bad sportsmanship after a confusing pause in action by Herb Dean was to blame; will only add more salt to his wounds; namely a swollen eye and busted nose.
Not that it isn’t a close fight. My score card actually favored Hill, despite his face telling a different tale, up until the ending sequence. That bit begins in Round 3 when he’s floored by a left/right combination he’s not able to recover from. Jiří Procházka fighting for a cancer patient in the crowd makes his victory, in contrast to Hill’s salt, that much sweeter.
my rating : 4 of 5
2025
This should’ve been a stand-alone biopic of sorts about a successful pop singer; Skye Riley may as well be Lady Gaga; dealing with drug-induced psychosis. That would at least explain, if not excuse, all her scary hallucinations, which aren’t scary when they’re basically presented as such. Smile 2 is a lot more fun than the abysmal original. It’s the horror theme; the “supernatural bullshit”; that nearly ruins the show.
my rating : 3 of 5
2024
“Roses are red, grapefruit is pink,” the can reads, “Ultra Rosá is not what you think.” I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean, but the flavor is described as “light and easy” with “a floral finish.” Silly metaphors aside, it is one of the more pleasant-tasting Monster Energy drinks.
my rating : 3 of 5
The Razz bit is a snazzy abbreviation for Raspberry and the flavor of this energy drink, which contains a whopping 300 milligrams of caffeine hence the Bang, is indeed akin to the fruit. That isn’t a good thing though as raspberries are one of the worst fruits when it comes to taste.
my rating : 2 of 5
These Mandarins are marketed as “sweet, juicy and easy to peel” and that’s all true. You’d be hard pressed to find a better tasting and more convenient fresh fruit to eat. You’ll need a garbage can or disposal unless you like to literally eat Peelz, which means they’d be even better if they were ready to eat; pre-peeled and cupped.
my rating : 4 of 5
The Ruler’s Back, but is he really? This Slick Rick album, produced entirely by Vance Wright with the exception of an incongruous club coda by Mr Lee, is mostly underwhelming. The constant scratch samples, on every song, give the set a monotonous tone. The highlights; all stories about dating girls; include Runaway, Venus and Mistakes Of A Woman In Love With Other Men.
my rating : 3 of 5
1991
Lucinda Williams may, at almost 70 years old, technically be a deplorable singer; she sounds like a homeless drunkard; but that’s just what a song like this needs. It’s the main theme from Lost Girls; a Netflix movie about the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert. Williams takes on the role of Amy Ryan as Mari Gilbert; Shannon’s mother.
“I’ll look for you on every corner and every street I look down,” she laments, “I will never give up hoping that one day you will be found.” It’s a sad and solemn affair, but, despite her weary disposition and singing voice, the main vocal melody stands strong. The song is especially poignant considering it’s based on a true (crime) story.
my rating : 4 of 5
2020
This is the sequel to Doggystyle; Snoop Dogg’s first and best album. If the titles seem out of order; it’s more appropriate to start with the standard Missionary position before hitting it from the back; perhaps it’s a fitting metaphor. It’s 30 years later, the rapper reminds us; it’s actually 31, so the album comes a year late; and he’s not the pup he used to be. Ain’t No Fun these days without a tab of Viagra. At one point, he’s complaining about his cataracts.
Not that anyone can see thru the clouds of weed and gun Smoke; the latter of which inspires a song with 50 Cent and Eminem; the latter of which once made an inferior sequel of his own. Part of the problem with The Marshall Mathers LP 2 was the absence of Dr Dre. Snoop avoids that mistake by inviting the legendary beatmaker to produce every song here, though the abundance of co-producers suggests he’s become more of a musical figurehead.
Those beats are the best thing here, but that’s not saying much. Long gone are the banger basslines of the G-funk era. The production here is polished and contemporary; routine sex with your wife while longing for those “bitches in the living room getting it on”. The biggest turnoff though is the breaks, where the music too often changes for the worse in order to accommodate a limp chorus. Minor highlights include Pressure and The Negotiator.
my rating : 3 of 5
2024
You wouldn’t know from the title, but this is a sequel to The Shining. Both movies, based on Stephen King horror novels, are stupid, but this one is worse. The underlying concepts of telepathy and ghosts, which allow supernatural “magic” to happen seemingly at random, make for a plot that’s both silly and confusing.
my rating : 1 of 5
2019
Fans expecting a cover of the Elvis Presley song; the only other popular song with the title; are in for a pleasant surprise. Before you can grab the doorknob; it’s actually one of those fancy handles; you’re greeted by a bellboy who offers to carry your luggage.
Michael Jackson’s Heartbreak Hotel is indeed more extravagant and much better than Presley’s, though it’s more like a prison. “Every smile’s trial thought in beguile to hurt me,” the singer laments, “The man next door… he’s been here in tears for fifteen years.”
my rating : 5 of 5
1980
