Category: reviews

video review : Child’s Play 2

video review : Child's Play 2

If you’re going to cash in on the success of Child’s Play, you have to do it while its star kid; Alex Vincent as Andy Barclay; is still young and cute. It’s two years later; the theatrical premiere comes on the exact same day; and Chucky’s back, still trying to take over the boy’s body but this time at his new foster home.

This sequel, like RoboCop 2; another recent movie based on a man trapped in a man-made body; pales in comparison to an original that should’ve been left alone. Some of the plotting doesn’t even make sense; Andy acts afraid of Chucky yet seeks him out in a dark basement; even for a horror flick about a killer doll.

my rating : 3 of 5

1990

video review : Child’s Play 3

video review : RoboCop 3

video review : RoboCop 3

RoboCop 3 isn’t as bad as its first several minutes; too much time goes by before he makes his first appearance; suggest. The pace and tone seem made for TV as opposed to something you’d pay to see at a movie theater, but it’s surprisingly better than 2. That’s despite the silliness of its plot, which pits the protagonist against a “damn ninja”.

my rating : 3 of 5

1993

video review : RoboCop 2

video review : RoboCop 2

Not even the crime-ridden city of Detroit, now plagued by a popular street drug called Nuke, needed another RoboCop. The original stood on its own as a sort of modern-day Frankenstein. 2 is a lot less endearing. Nor is the editing and cinematography as slick. The plot continues with OCP and an underlining theme of corporate greed; appropriately enough for a money grab.

my rating : 3 of 5

1990

video review : RoboCop 3

video review : Anderson Silva versus Tyron Woodley at Jake Versus Joshua

video review : Anderson Silva versus Tyron Woodley at Jake Versus Joshua

“It might not look like much is happening,” David Haye says during the uneventful first round, “but all of a sudden a shot will land and Woodley will go down.” That’s exactly what happens in round 2. It’s an odd knockout though as the ref waits till Woodley gets up and resets to stop it. Anderson Silva should also stop here, but his Chris Weidman callout would make for a more appropriate career ender.

my rating : 2 of 5

2025

video review : American Sasquatch [ Man Myth Or Monster ]

video review : American Sasquatch [ Man Myth Or Monster ]

I suspect the Sasquatch is a Myth. This documentary; the first from David Paulides not related to Missing 411; only reinforces my suspicion. Bigfoot as simply an undiscovered species of “flesh and blood ape” is intriguingly plausible. It’s the creature being given supernatural attributes, enabling it to literally disappear before you can get a good camera shot, that makes the eyes roll.

It’s a convenient excuse, in other words, for what is essentially a lack of evidence. People talk about their alleged encounters; one woman swears it stared into her bedroom window one night à la Peeping Tom; but the video/audio recordings are rather unconvincing. Sasquatches, even magical ones from “the spirit world”, might exist, but this doc, while interesting, fails to make the case.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

audio review : A Miracle ( album ) … Lyrical Lively

audio review : A Miracle ( album ) ... Lyrical Lively

This is Lyrical Lively’s first album since going viral, but it seems to have been released in its demo stage. The drums on a couple of songs; Lost Sheep and Blind Bartimaeus; sound unintentionally clipped, but the most obvious flaw is the awful vocal edit on Stand Up For Jesus. Even he couldn’t forgive such a sin. Not that the set isn’t decent overall.

my rating : 3 of 5

2017

Homestead Creamery Eggnog

Homestead Creamery Eggnog

The presentation is elite, or perhaps just nostalgic, in that this Eggnog comes not in a carton but a glass bottle like the milkman used to delivery a century ago. The taste is comparatively unexceptional. It’s good but not as thick and gourmet as you might anticipate from the looks of it.

my rating : 4 of 5

video review : Supergirl

video review : Supergirl

Helen Slater is pretty enough as Supergirl; Superman’s younger cousin; but it’s her nemesis Selena who gets the beauty (butterfly) lighting for what seems like every scene she’s in. That’s just part of what makes this movie; a big-budget fantasy adventure; as campy and silly as it is; traits you’d have to embrace to fly anywhere near enjoying it.

my rating : 3 of 5

1984

Trader Joe’s Egg Nog

Trader Joe's Egg Nog

Trader Joe’s Egg Nog is far from the best. The carton describes it as “rich and creamy”, but it actually seems quite diluted as if he (Joe) added too much milk and not enough of the good stuff. Still it’s a mildly pleasant drink; it’s egg nog after all; especially when consumed with graham crackers or the like.

my rating : 4 of 5

Hood Golden Eggnog

Hood Golden Eggnog

The Golden bit is appropriate in that this Eggnog; a “limited edition” Hood product; has an almost caramel aftertaste. That helps make it the sweet treat it is, especially when served ice-cold like the neighborhood in the illustration on the carton. There’s also a recipe for Eggnog Cake, which sounds good.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Singing The Word ( album ) … Lyrical Lively

audio review : Singing The Word ( album ) ... Lyrical Lively

The title is mostly true. Lyrical Lively is Singing more and rapping less this time around. The elder; she was 74 on her previous album; actually performs her novelty on just one song; Holiness Is Beautiful. It; the best song; is also the only one she says Uh Huh on, which suggests it’s probably a leftover. This follow-up release is decent but inferior overall.

my rating : 3 of 5

2015