Category: reviews

audio review : Forever ( album ) … Diddy

audio review : Forever ( album ) ... Diddy

The polished production and sleek presentation of this album; is that a GQ model on the cover; suggests Puff Daddy, P Diddy or whatever he’s calling himself these days wants it to be his magnum opus. Whether or not he succeeds; this is only his second solo project, so the only one we have to compare it to is No Way Out; is up for debate.

“Do you like it?” Nah; it’s a case of style over substance; but I like some of it. Gangsta Shit; a dedication to the gangster lifestyle; and Best Friend; a dedication to Jesus Christ; represent the rapper’s hypocritical mindset, but they’re the best songs. I also like the funny Mad Rapper interlude and Hurricane G’s introduction on PE 2000.

my rating : 3 of 5

1999

video review : Tony Ferguson versus Kevin Lee at UFC 216

video review : Tony Ferguson versus Kevin Lee at UFC 216

I wouldn’t want to meet either of these guys on a dark street corner; Tony Ferguson looks like Count Orlok from Nosferatu; but Kevin Lee is more muscular and a little more intimidating. It’s his cardio that costs him this fight as he begins to tire in the second round, which eventually opens him up to a triangle choke.

my rating : 4 of 5

2017

audio review : Scarred ( song ) … Verb ( featuring Trick Daddy + Uncle Luke )

I don’t know what’s Scarred. Luke’s erratic bridge suggests he’s referring to a girl’s titties and pussy, perhaps from a violent sexcapade. Captain Dick is certainly forceful in his vocal delivery.

He’s the life of the party though, along with a fun synth loop the song wouldn’t be good without. Verb is a better rapper than Trick Daddy, but the way Trick ends his verse is classic comedy.

my rating : 4 of 5

1996

audio review : Scarred ( song ) … Verb ( featuring Trick Daddy + Uncle Luke )

The Death Of Jack Hamilton ( story ) … Stephen King

Jack is John Hamilton; a real-life member of the infamous Dillinger Gang. This is Stephen King’s depiction of his final days told from the perspective of partner-in-crime Homer Van Meter.

It’s a narrative that reads like an old western à la Louis L’Amour. If it weren’t based on true events, The Death Of Jack Hamilton could’ve made for the start, or end, of an interesting series.

my rating : 4 of 5

2001

The Death Of Jack Hamilton ( story ) ... Stephen King

video review : Anderson Silva versus Yushin Okami at UFC 134

video review : Anderson Silva versus Yushin Okami at UFC 134

Yushin Okami, who reportedly claimed he would beat Anderson Silva up during the build-up to this fight, looks to be an about even match for the champion during the first round. That all changes in the second when Silva begins to, as Mike Goldberg puts it, push the pace.

There’s a moment reminiscent of Silva’s comical slaughter of Forrest Griffin as The Spider enters The Matrix. His head movement is “sick”, his punches, which don’t look like much, are accurate and powerful enough to floor Okami, who looks completely overwhelmed, terrified even.

my rating : 4 of 5

2011

Dolan’s Cadillac ( story ) … Stephen King

It’s not really about the car. It’s about Dolan himself; the “high-priced hoodlum” responsible for the death of a woman named Elizabeth. She was going to testify as an eyewitness against him in criminal court and probably have him sent to prison for a long time. This tale is told from the perspective of her widower husband Robinson.

What makes it work is that the goal; to avenge Elizabeth’s car bomb murder by killing Dolan in his Cadillac; is set from the beginning, resulting in a steady drive of anticipation as Robinson plans it out in meticulous detail. The story goes on a little too long at the end, but Dolan’s Cadillac stands as one of Stephen King’s best.

my rating : 4 of 5

1985

Dolan's Cadillac ( story ) ... Stephen King

Northland Orange Juice

Northland Orange Juice

This is promoted as “100%” juice, but, according to the ingredients list, it’s not. The first ingredient is filtered water, the presence of which probably has more to do with cutting production costs than making it taste better. Still, for what it’s worth, the drink is sweet, tangy and refreshing.

my rating : 4 of 5

If It Bleeds ( book ) … Stephen King

If It Bleeds ( book ) ... Stephen King

“If It Bleeds, it leads,” the old news trope goes, but what if it bores? That’s the problem with this book; a set of Stephen King novellas à la Full Dark No Stars, Four Past Midnight and Different Seasons. The worst is The Life Of Chuck; a fictional biography about a man I couldn’t care less about.

The best is Rat, which seems like it’s going to be a decent story; the headline here reads something like Novelist With Flu Stuck In Cabin During Killer Cyclone; until its ridiculous title character comes into play. It’s Stephen King’s preference for the strange and supernatural that ruins this one.

Mr Harrigan’s Phone, about a boy gifting a dying “luddite” with an iPhone, plods along drearily, though John Harrigan is probably the most interesting character If It Bleeds has to offer. The silly title bit, which stars Holly Gibney and follows The Outsider, is about a shapeshifting news reporter.

my rating : 2 of 5

2020
 

richardhdent :

Look forward to reading it!

audio review : Ladies ( song ) … Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple’s man is leaving her. She’s not bitter though, at least not on the outside, as she offers her personal items; the ones she has at his house; to his other/future Ladies. “There’s a dress in the closet,” she reveals, “You’d look good in it.”

The beginning and ending bits in which the singer repeats herself tunelessly should’ve been cut, but there’s a good song in the form of a feminist power anthem in-between. The best parts are when the background humming comes in.

my rating : 4 of 5

2020

audio review : Fetch The Bolt Cutters ( album ) ... Fiona Apple

video review : Chris Weidman versus Anderson Silva at UFC 168

video review : Chris Weidman versus Anderson Silva at UFC 168

Jeez. It seems when it comes to fighting Chris Weidman, Anderson Silva can’t seem to catch a break. Bad jokes aside, what happens to Silva in this rematch at almost the exact same time he got knocked out in their first bout is, for him and his fans, a tragedy.

The Spider isn’t dead, but his career may well be as all it takes is a kick check (block) from Weidman to snap one of his eight legs at the shin. That Weidman was winning up to that point suggests, as crazy as it seems to say, he might just be a better fighter.

my rating : 3 of 5

2013

video review : Daniel Cormier versus Anderson Silva at UFC 200

video review : Daniel Cormier versus Anderson Silva at UFC 200

I’d bet on Daniel Cormier to beat Anderson Silva at this point in his (Silva’s) career even if both fighters had ample time to prepare. That The Spider crawls into this bout to replace Jon Jones on just two days notice gives him even less of a chance and his losses are starting to stack up.

Cormier may be going easy on him for that reason; he takes and holds him down but doesn’t seem eager to finish him; though Silva is defensive on his back. I wonder how the match would go if the fighters remained standing the whole time as those exchanges look about equal.

my rating : 3 of 5

2016

video review : Anderson Silva versus Nick Diaz at UFC 183

video review : Anderson Silva versus Nick Diaz at UFC 183

Anderson Silva seems tentative and a little rusty here. What he does after his decision victory is announced; fall down and cry like a baby; suggests it’s because he’s nervous returning to The Octagon for the first time since getting his leg snapped in two by Chris Weidman.

Whatever the case, this fight starts off close and stays that way until the later rounds when Nick Diaz, who’s been taunting Silva much to the amusement of Joe Rogan; I think it just makes him look silly; seems to tire. That’s when Silva starts “loosening up” and taking over.

my rating : 3 of 5

2015