Category: reviews

audio review : IMAMCRU12 ( album ) … KRS-One

audio review : IMAMCRU12 ( album ) ... KRS-One

This album is best at The Beginning and end. The former has KRS-One rapping “straight thru”; something he should do more often because, like most MCs, his skills decline at the breaks. When he passes the mic to a guest vocalist with “the right hook”, as he does with wife G Simone on the latter; a melodic life lesson entitled Think Bigger; “the song becomes a knockout”.

The ones in-between are mostly mediocre. At 50-something, Kris still spits better (raps) than most of his students, but Can You Dance; a tribute to old-school hip-hop dances like the wop; sounds like an unfinished demo. The worst thing about the album though is the title. IMAMCRU1? Get it? No? Well, there’s a whole song to explain it. Not that it’ll make it any less lame.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

video review : Johnny Walker versus Jamahal Hill at UFC Fight Night

video review : Johnny Walker versus Jamahal Hill at UFC Fight Night

Johnny Walker fights usually end with him either knocking someone out or getting knocked out and this bout is no exception. Jamahal Hill finishes him with a punch to the forehead, of all places, which, after being dropped twice by Ryan Spann when they fought, suggests he simply can’t take a punch. Perhaps it’s that same brain defect that makes his body react in cartoonishly amusing ways. Here he goes unconscious after a delayed back flop à la Ric Flair.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

video review : Fatal Attraction

video review : Fatal Attraction

Jeez. They couldn’t have casted a more Attractive lead actress than Glenn Close? I admit to not turning away during the bare breast scenes, but her big manly face leaves much to be desired. Perhaps that’s the point. Her romantical obsession for a lawyer named Dan after their weekend “love” affair would be less realistic if she were prettier than his wife.

It might take a while for you to realize the daughter isn’t the son, speaking of odd casting, but the plot is clear and straight-forward once the gist is established. What makes it good is the suspense, which revolves around Alex’s mental state. The crazier her obsession gets, the more it thrills, though some of her antics near the end go a bit over the top.

my rating : 4 of 5

1987

video review : The Pepsi Super Bowl 56 Halftime Show

video review : The Pepsi Super Bowl 56 Halftime Show

Snoop Dogg is the highlight here and that’s not a weed pun. In a Halftime Show full of stilted performances; Mary J Blige, who isn’t a protégé of Dr Dre and shouldn’t have been included, goes way over the top; he easily comes across as the most authentic and likeable. Watching him Crip walk to California Love, you’d think he was entertaining guests at a backyard barbeque; not on stage in front of the biggest viewing audience in America.

50 Cent is comparatively stiff, but he at least has sexy groupies In Da Club with him. The logic of giving three fat chicks a stage to themselves is lost on me. Not that the show, which is a bit of a mess, makes a lot of sense in the first place. Eminem is big enough to headline The Super Bowl on his own. His appearance here to perform his most obvious hit comes across as both anticlimactic and corny. Still he’s not as annoying as Kendrick Lamar. Few rappers are.

my rating : 2 of 5

Breyers Frozen Dairy Dessert : Salted Caramel Swirl [ No Sugar Added ]

Breyers Frozen Dairy Dessert : Salted Caramel Swirl [ No Sugar Added ]

The toffee pieces aren’t nearly as big as the picture on the carton suggests; they’re tiny; but this Salted Caramel Swirl ice cream; okay, Frozen Dairy Dessert; seems too good to be true. That is to say your taste buds will have a hard time believing there’s No Sugar Added. The plain Vanilla version is good too, but this is better.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : BODR ( album ) … Snoop Dogg

audio review : BODR ( album ) ... Snoop Dogg

If you’re wondering why Snoop (Doggy) Dogg is Bacc On Death Row, which should be the actual title instead of the silly initialism, it’s because the record label is now owned by him. This album serves as a toast, rather a puff of that “sticky icky”, in celebration of the news.

There’s a song called Daddy about his allure when it comes to “bad bitches” young enough to be his daughter. It’s better than anything from Tha Doggfather, but BODR, his third album on Death Row Records, doesn’t come close to matching his “classic” Doggystyle debut.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

video review : Jeremiah Wells versus Blood Diamond at UFC 271

video review : Jeremiah Wells versus Blood Diamond at UFC 271

Mike Mathetha, known as Blood Diamond and better known as Israel Adesanya’s training partner, fails to live up to his hype in this UFC debut. Jeremiah Wells makes a blunder at the very start of the bout, which Diamond attempts to capitalize on, but he allows himself to get grabbed and eventually taken down. That’s the beginning of the end for the “highly touted” kickboxer who misses his one strike thrown.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

Krystal burgers : Original

Krystal burgers : Original

The obvious comparison here is to Sliders; the first Krystal restaurant was reportedly inspired by White Castle almost a century ago; which are better, but not by much. The style and taste are nearly identical; both are damn good and more fun to eat than full-sized burgers on unsteamed buns; but Krystal adds mustard, the signature sharpness of which serves as a minor distraction.

my rating : 4 of 5

Wendy’s 4 For $4 Meal : Junior Bacon Cheeseburger

Wendy's 4 For $4 Meal : Junior Bacon Cheeseburger

This is the best of Wendy’s 4 For $4 Meals when it comes to both value and taste. It’s the “Applewood smoked” Bacon Cheeseburger that sells it; it can be argued that being a Junior gives it the psychological impression of tasting better simply because you have less of it; but there are ways to improve it even more.

As a mayonnaise man, what I like to do is ask for two or three extra packets; they’re free; and add it to the burger. It’ll start to run off the sides when you replace the top bun, but that’s okay because it serves as a fry dip. My favorite customization though is to select for the drink not an actual beverage but a Vanilla Frosty.

my rating : 4 of 5

Land O Lakes Butter With Canola Oil

Land O Lakes Butter With Canola Oil

The farmers at Land O Lakes are cowardly morons for getting rid of their Indian mascot at the behest of the endlessly offended instead of telling them to kiss their Buttered asses, but you’ll have a hard time finding a better spread.

The Canola Oil is what’s promoted, but the main ingredient is sweet cream, which your taste buds will appreciate the most. The only other ingredient is salt. That makes this a wholesome topping for pancakes, biscuits and the like.

my rating : 4 of 5

Quaker Instant Oatmeal [ Protein ] : Cranberry Almond

Quaker Instant Oatmeal [ Protein ] : Cranberry Almond

The aroma that arises when you pour “hot milk or boiling water” into a bowl of this oatmeal, from the Quaker Protein series, is quite delectable. It smells like fresh-baked soft and gooey Cranberry Almond oatmeal cookies, but the taste is a comparative letdown. It’s not as sweet as you expect or “delicious” as the box claims.

That’s a drawback of trying to balance tasty and healthy, but there’s a way to make eating this and other run-of-the-mill oatmeals an enjoyable experience. Add just enough bowling water to make it wet, stir, make a milk well, pour in cold milk and eat mainly the milk with a spoon while scooping in bits of warm oatmeal.

my rating : 3 of 5

Planters Select Cashews Almonds And Pecans

Planters Select Cashews Almonds And Pecans

Planters describes this Select nut blend as “delicious” and they’re almost right. Skittles tastes better; I generally prefer sweet than savory; but they’re profoundly unhealthy. These are both wholesome and tasty; thanks partly to the additional of sea salt; a rarity in the snack world. My only complaint is that there aren’t enough Pecans.

my rating : 4 of 5