Category: reviews with a 3 of 5 rating

video review : Friday The 13th : Part 6 : Jason Lives

video review : Friday The 13th : Part 6 : Jason Lives

The title is redundant. Of course Jason Lives. Even after being buried twice, Jason Lives. The ending, in which the masked killer meets what initially appears to be his final demise, merely signifies another break between chapters.

6 marks not only a surprising return to form; the plot is comparable to the decency of the first two; it’s probably the best Friday The 13th so far. Tom McLoughlin, a new director/screenwriter to the series, deserves most of that credit.

my rating : 3 of 5

1986

video review : Friday The 13th : Part 7 : The New Blood
video review : Friday The 13th : Part 8 : Jason Takes Manhattan
video review : Jason Goes To Hell : The Final Friday
video review : Jason X

video review : Friday The 13th : Part 2

video review : Friday The 13th : Part 2

The prologue, which recaps Part 1, is tacky and superfluous, but it gets better from there. This Friday The 13th is slightly superior, in fact, and the girls at Camp Crystal Lake’s Counselor Training Center show enough ass and tits to keep us perverts delighted. It’s five years later, according to the story, and “Jason’s a legend.”

He’s also a bit of a goofball; a fact that doesn’t reveal itself until near the end when the deformed killer goes after what becomes the protagonist, gets toppled by an opening car door and falls off a chair. Ginny is just as inept in her escapes; tropes a slasher flick like this needs to build suspense and keep the plot moving forward.

my rating : 3 of 5

1981

video review : Friday The 13th : Part 3
video review : Friday The 13th : The Final Chapter
video review : Friday The 13th : A New Beginning
video review : Friday The 13th : Part 6 : Jason Lives
video review : Friday The 13th : Part 7 : The New Blood
video review : Friday The 13th : Part 8 : Jason Takes Manhattan
video review : Jason Goes To Hell : The Final Friday
video review : Jason X

3D Energy Drink : Spicy Mango

3D Energy Drink : Spicy Mango

This would be one of the best-tasting Energy drinks; the Mango flavor is sweet and somewhat delicious; if not for the Spicy bit. Carbonation; the worst thing about these types of beverages; is bad enough. The addition of “natural habanero” extract puts a real damper on what could’ve been a pleasant experience.

my rating : 3 of 5

video review : Jackass : Best And Last

video review : Jackass : Best And Last

This isn’t the Best Jackass and probably won’t be the Last, despite what Johnny Knoxville claims. The former term could also refer to the fact that it isn’t entirely new. It also serves as a best-of compilation. That would’ve been a bad idea on its own. Blending it with fresh bits, instead of going all out on another bona fide sequel, only makes it come across half-assed.

my rating : 3 of 5

2026

audio review : In Cinerama ( album ) … April March

audio review : In Cinerama ( album ) ... April March

March was Born back in April of 1965, during the heyday of The Beach Boys whose summer surf music seems to have inspired some of these songs, but she still sounds cute. It’s when her voice latches onto a charming melody or few that the album begins to Lift Off. It doesn’t soar for long; she loses momentum after Rolla Rolla; though Baby, despite its saccharine sentiments, is another favorite.

my rating : 3 of 5

2021

audio review : Algorithm ( album ) … Natalie Imbruglia

audio review : Algorithm ( album ) ... Natalie Imbruglia

Natalie Imbruglia’s Algorithm is formulated to output a dozen or so songs; mostly middling but occasionally to the left; every few years. That means she’s been making mediocre albums since 1997 and this new one is no exception. Her voice still sounds good; her age is hidden in the cover code; and Just Drive is nice, but you won’t be favoriting most of these tracks.

my rating : 3 of 5

2026

audio review : Bay West ( album ) … Suga-T

audio review : Bay West ( album ) ... Suga-T

The cover, once you realize it’s not a birthday party promo, makes this seem like some kind of compilation, but it’s the new Suga-T album and it sounds better than you might expect. One advantage the rapper has over her brother (E-40) is that she can also sing, which does wonders for some of these hooks. Standout songs include Day Ones, JOB and We Made It Out.

my rating : 3 of 5

2026

audio review : Criminal Migraine ( album ) … Ice-T

audio review : Criminal Migraine ( album ) ... Ice-T

Aside from novelty acts like Lyrically Lively, I think this album; Ice-T’s first in 20 years; makes him the oldest rapper to drop a new album. The fact that it sounds better than a lot of what’s out now says less about the 68-year-old’s skills than the current state of the genre.

“You wanna age niggas out in hip-hop?” he asks on No Competition, “Most you bitch niggas so garbage, why the fuck should I stop?” I don’t think he should; at least not until his teeth fall out or dementia begins to set in. Even then the OG title would’ve never rang truer.

Not that Criminal Migraine compares to Original Gangster. That was his magnum opus. This could very well be his last hurrah; he’s old, rich and not nearly as innovative; but he’s spitting more game (wisdom) than ever. The best songs include Keep It Gangster and No Regrets.

my rating : 3 of 5

2026

audio review : Dragon’s Breath ( album ) … Inspectah Deck + PA Dre

audio review : Dragon's Breath ( album ) ... Inspectah Deck + PA Dre

The title implies spitting fire and, though he’s not on my top five list, Inspectah Deck’s been “that dude” ever since he held down The City on Wu-Tang Forever. You’ve probably never heard of PA Dre and the producer shouldn’t share album credit; one of hip-hop’s most annoying trends; but his beats are the best thing here. The best songs include Never Fold and Lighter Fluid, though all the collabs are a bit much.

my rating : 3 of 5

2026

Pringles : Beer-Braised Steak

Pringles : Beer-Braised Steak

These are easily the worst of the three “limited edition” (Miller) Lite Pringles released in celebration of America’s 250th Independence Day. If they taste like Beer-Braised Steak, I wouldn’t know. The closest thing I can compare the flavor to is coffee, which doesn’t go well with potato “crisps”.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Sir Too Short : Volume One [ Freaky Tales ] ( album ) … Too Short

audio review : Sir Too Short : Volume One [ Freaky Tales ] ( album ) ... Too Short

This is a new Too Short album, but you can’t tell by the convoluted title, which suggests a “greatest hits” compilation. The songs themselves, none of which are Freaky Tales, make a lot more sense. Short is almost 60 and “still rapping”, though he acknowledges he’s not technically good at it. He never was. His claim to fame is his undeniable legacy as “the godfather of Bay area rap”.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

audio review : Sir Too Short : Volume Two [ Drink And Smoke ] ( album ) … Too Short