Category: reviews

video review : Aljamain Sterling versus TJ Dillashaw at UFC 280

video review : Aljamain Sterling versus TJ Dillashaw at UFC 280

Aljamain Sterling earned himself a lot of detractors after faking a concussion and winning the Bantamweight belt via DQ. The stupid dance he does here after another questionable victory; we eventually learn TJ Dillashaw took this fight with a shoulder injury; does him no favors.

Not that Dillashaw isn’t to blame. “I completely blew my shoulder out at the end of April”, he reveals in his post fight interview, “It probably dislocated a good twenty times in training camp”. Why he wouldn’t simply postpone the bout till he has a better chance at a victory is beyond me.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

video review : Petr Yan versus Sean O’Malley at UFC 280

video review : Petr Yan versus Sean O'Malley at UFC 280

I could’ve made a lot of money on this fight if I were a gambler. I figured Sean O’Malley; one of the best pound-for-pound punchers (strikers) in the UFC in regard to technique, accuracy and power; would win when it seems most fans were counting him out. The thing is, he doesn’t really win.

The official judges give him a victory, sure, but I disagree with the decision. It’s a relatively close fight and his strikes seem to hurt Petr Yan more than Yan’s hurt him; O’Malley lands a “huge” head kick in round three; but I think Yan edges it with his wrestling, takedowns and control time.

my rating : 4 of 5

2022

audio review : Midnights ( album ) … Taylor Swift

audio review : Midnights ( album ) ... Taylor Swift

The title concept suggests a whole album of electro house music, which would’ve been a cool surprise after her departure into folk, but it seems Taylor Swift is still lost in the woods. Midnights is more synthy than her last two releases for sure; it would’ve been a fitting follow-up to Lover; but her music is still meandering.

There is, however, a song here that easily stands among Swift’s best. Vigilante Shit, which almost sounds aesthetically out of place compared to the rest of the set, is a hit. The vocals, the theme of which has to do with fashion and revenge, are slick and sinister. The beat; minimalist music; is a banger. Don’t sleep on it.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

Voortman Bakery Sugar Free Cookies : Shortbread

Voortman Bakery Sugar Free Cookies : Shortbread

Sugar Free Cookies may seem too good to be true, but here they are. The secret to the sweetness is the inclusion of both maltitol and acesulfame K; eyebrow-raising items on an otherwise simple ingredients list. Still they’re not as bad (unhealthy) as sugar; few additives are; as they help make these brittle Shortbread circles a tasty treat.

my rating : 4 of 5

video review : Halloween Ends

video review : Halloween Ends

Halloween, the actual holiday, Ends every first of November. The movie franchise might never. Disregard the title of this latest entry and the conclusion of its plot, which seems to display the fate of Michael Myers; Haddonfield’s Bogeyman; at the hands of Laurie Strode; the arch nemesis he first encountered in 1978. Lest we forget she chopped his head off 20 Years Later only for him to be Resurrected.

This is supposed to be their story. Instead we’re introduced to a guy named Corey who, after being involved in a tragic killing of his own, befriends Michael and falls for Laurie’s granddaughter. If that sounds like a silly plot device, it is and his character is the worst thing about the movie, which gets downright corny at times. The best parts are still the kills. Look and listen for the tongue on the turntable.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

HighKey Wafers : Vanilla

HighKey Wafers : Vanilla

“Our Wafer Cookies are crisp and thin”, the promo reads, “perfect for snacking.” That’s hyperbolic, but Vanilla Wafers, which go best in banana pudding, do make a nice snack and these are no exception.

What’s most impressive, aside from the sweet and dreamy aroma you get when you sniff the bag, is that there’s no sugar added, which makes them a “perfect” alternative to their unhealthy counterparts.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Roland Gift ( album ) … Roland Gift

audio review : Roland Gift ( album ) ... Roland Gift

If you listen to this album; Roland Gift’s solo debut; expecting the aesthetic equivalent of the long-awaited third Fine Young Cannibals project, you’re in for a disappointment. “The voice” is here; it’s a joy to hear that gay falsetto after all these years; but the songs aren’t up to par.

A Girl Like You and Lady DJ evoke vintage FYC; the only thing missing is Gift fully utilizing his signature ad-libs during their peaks; and Looking For A Friend is a melodic highlight, but the set is merely decent on the whole. The worst thing about it is the lazy 1980s-throwback self title.

my rating : 3 of 5

2002

audio review : Secrets [ Of Success ] ( song ) … Cookie Crew

I don’t know why the title is plural; it’s used singularly in the song; but the Secrets to making a Successful pop record are all here. Impressive rap skills isn’t necessarily one of them, so when Susie Q comes in sounding more like Brother J from X Clan, it’s all good.

The key is the catchiness not only of the music, led by samples from Brenda Russell’s Little Bit Of Love, but the chorus, which doesn’t really kick in until the second go around. That’s when what sounds like Luther Vandross; actually producer Danny D; starts doing his thing.

my rating : 4 of 5

1991

audio review : Secrets [ Of Success ] ( song ) ... Cookie Crew

Two Good Greek Lowfat Yogurt : Strawberry

Two Good Greek Lowfat Yogurt : Strawberry

You might wonder why a yogurt company would limit itself indefinitely to Two G (Grams) of sugar per serving for the sake of wordplay until you realize it’s actually a subsidiary of Dannon. It does taste Good though, at least in the case of this Strawberry version, which is sweetened with “stevia leaf Reb M”.

my rating : 4 of 5

Dannon Light And Fit Yogurt [ Zero Sugar ] : Peach

Dannon Light And Fit Yogurt [ Zero Sugar ] : Peach

Not only does this yogurt have Zero Sugar, there’s also “no artificial sweeteners or flavors”. Such health boasts aren’t often promising in the way of taste, but it’s pretty good. It is indeed sweet, thanks to the addition of Reb M; a natural extract of the stevia leaf. It’s also surprisingly (“irresistibly”) creamy.

my rating : 4 of 5

Marie Callender’s Savory Swedish Meatballs Bowl

Marie Callender's Savory Swedish Meatballs Bowl

Marie Callender’s original and seemingly discontinued Swedish Meatballs meal was a favorite of mine. This Bowl version looks the same, but she must’ve changed the recipe. The taste is comparatively bland. The Meatballs are (still) good, but the pasta and sour cream sauce are rather unsavory. Perhaps she ran out of seasoning.

my rating : 3 of 5