G Fuel Energy Drink : Dream Demon

G Fuel Energy Drink : Dream Demon

What A Nightmare On Elm Street has to do with beverages may be initially confusing, but consuming an Energy Drink to stay awake does make for a clever connection. Too bad the name seems to negate that fact by putting the emphasis on the Dream Demon Freddy Krueger himself. Don’t Sleep would’ve been better. The indistinct flavor is described as “tart fruit punch”.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Man Up ( album ) … Ice Cube

audio review : Man Up ( album ) ... Ice Cube

This is apparently a sequel to Man Down; the album Ice Cube put out less than a year ago. It’s about on par, but these beats; easily the best parts of the set; bang even more consistently, at least before it takes a clumsy turn near the end. Highlights this time around include Guess What, Ratchet Ass Mouth and a grumpy old Scarface on Act My Age.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

Pen And Gear Kids’ Scissors

Pen And Gear Kids' Scissors

The fact that these are sold as Kids’ Scissors makes the neon colors; they’re available in purple, pink, green and blue; more forgivable than they otherwise would’ve been. I’d prefer plain black handles, but they get the job done when it comes to cutting everything from paper to grown-up beard hair.

my rating : 3 of 5

Great Value Cheesecake Sampler : Strawberry And New York Style

Great Value Cheesecake Sampler : Strawberry And New York Style

You’ll be doing yourself a major disservice following the “serving instructions” of this Cheesecake Sampler, which says to thaw it in the fridge for at least 24 hours. It’s good that way but tastes a lot better store-frozen; perhaps one of the best-tasting desserts I’ve ever consumed, in fact. It’s a damn shame it isn’t marketed (supposed) to be eaten that way.

my rating : 4 of 5

Callaway Blue Spring Water

Callaway Blue Spring Water

“Each bottle of Callaway Blue spring water contains refreshingly pure water straight from the Georgia mountains,” the promo reads. Distilled is the best, but this is a nice natural; “minimally processed”; alternative. For rock water, it tastes better than you might expect, especially when you drink it cold.

my rating : 4 of 5

3D Energy Drink : Watermelon Grape

3D Energy Drink : Watermelon Grape

Watermelon and Grape are generally two of the best natural/artificial fruit flavors, so this combination is a welcomed addition to the growing list of 3D Energy Drinks. The underlining taste is about as good as you’d expect. It’s the carbonation, not so much the sting but the fizziness, that dampers the experience.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Sons Of The P ( album ) … Digital Underground

audio review : Sons Of The P ( album ) ... Digital Underground

This album, coming after the EP Release, is the official follow-up to Sex Packets. It’s not as addictive or imaginative, but there are some Parliament/Funkadelic-inspired beats to groove to. Highlights include Tales Of The Funky and Kiss You Back, but the best song is Family Of The Underground; an affiliate collaboration led by what sounds like a gorgeous organ riff.

my rating : 3 of 5

1991

Reese’s Puffs

Reese's Puffs

These Puffs may be “made with real Reese’s peanut butter”, but you can’t really tell from the taste. They’re good but not very peanut-buttery. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are better and, if that’s an unfair comparison, so is Peanut Butter Crunch; a similar cereal without the bits of chocolate.

my rating : 4 of 5

video review : UFC 319

video review : UFC 319

If not for MVP being controlled on the ground in the final round of his bout with Jared Cannonier; a flashy KO seemed near after knocking him down in the first two; every UFC 319 win would be a noteworthy one. Tim Elliott gets a surprise victory over Kai Asakura. Carlos Prates and Lerone Murphy deliver stunning back-to-back first-round spinning-back-elbow knockouts. Khamzat Chimaev dominates Dricus Du Plessis.

That last bit is somewhat of a head-scratcher; not because Chimaev starts the fight with his relentless wrestling as expected but that Dricus Du Plessis has no answer for it over the course of five rounds. I thought he’d find a way to win; he said he would and there is indeed a brief Silva/Sonnen-like moment near the end; but it’s as if, as Daniel Cormier suggests, his gameplan was to exhaust Chimaev, which never happens.

my rating : 4 of 5

2025

audio review : a Mathematics compilation : Black Samson [ The Bastard Swordsman ]

audio review : a Mathematics compilation : Black Samson [ The Bastard Swordsman ]

The cover art suggests this is a Blaxploitation movie “starring” Mathematics; he produces the music for every track; but it’s also a Wu-Tang compilation of sorts. Every member is featured. It could almost be their new album. The best songs are the first three; Mandingo, Roar Of The Lion and Claudine. The plot starts to go astray from there.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

Quaker Fruit Fusion Instant Oatmeal : Strawberry Peach

Quaker Fruit Fusion Instant Oatmeal : Strawberry Peach

Strawberry and Peach are two of the best Quaker Oatmeal flavors, so this Fruit Fusion makes sense. What’s perhaps even more impressive is the full ingredients list, which, aside from the sugar, is indeed “heart healthy”. Pour cold milk over the top, don’t stir it in and eat it like that to maximize the taste.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Motel Du Cap ( album ) … Good Charlotte

audio review : Motel Du Cap ( album ) ... Good Charlotte

A stay at Motel Du Cap is somewhat of a pleasant experience. There aren’t any fancy amenities like banger beats or killer choruses, despite lead singer Joel Madden putting in what seems like a considerable amount of effort to achieve the latter, but it’s decent enough for a three-star inn. The better songs include Bodies and Stepper.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025