I don’t think the Rainbow here represents LGBT. At least I hope not. The illustrations on the can suggests it stands for a Rainbow “of flavor”; candy flavors; à la Skittles, though the taste is more akin to bubble gum. In any case there’s “zero sugar”; it’s sweetened with sucralose; and 300 milligrams of caffeine, “which is more than two cups of coffee.”
my rating : 3 of 5
The name suggests this should be served chilled from the freezer on a hot summer day, which is how I prefer my Energy drinks, but that would be hard to do on a court or field. C4 is subtly promoted as a sports beverage for “superhuman Performance”, though that could also apply to sex. The taste is par for the course; sweet and Pez-like with a slight sting.
my rating : 3 of 5
Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon is, coming after The Irishman, somewhat of a disappointment. There is suspense, at least for those unfamiliar with David Grann’s book about The Osage Murders, but it comes scantily as is often the case with stories based on real-life events. The acting, led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, is generally superb, along with the cinematography. It’s the convoluted plot that could use a shot in the belly.
Headrights money is an underlining theme here, but if you’re not paying attention, you could easily get lost on the reservation. Plot-turning revelations happen in a flash. It’s hard, for example, to keep count of how many people are Killed with little fanfare. This is, in that sense, another Scorsese gangster flick. Being set in mostly 1920s Oklahoma; a time and place where a homely pie-faced Lily Gladstone could pass as “beautiful”; is what distinguishes it.
my rating : 3 of 5
2023
At first spoonful, this treat, made with real Kraft Cheese “sauce mix”, is better than expected. That’s because, while it does taste like “the comforting bowl of Kraft Mac And Cheese you grew up with”, the flavor is more (sweet) Ice Cream than (savory) Macaroni. It doesn’t take long though for the novelty to wear thin and you’d rather just be eating regular Ice Cream.
my rating : 3 of 5
The flavor of this Energy drink; a product of Bucked Up; is more akin to Lucky Charms marshmallows than Cotton Candy. That’s a sweet thing as it makes for a delight for the taste buds. The scent brings to mind fresh-baked birthday cake; another sweet kids treat that has little to do with hunting Game.
my rating : 3 of 5
This Energy drink really does taste like Sour Gummy candy. There even seems to be malic/tartaric acid crystals left over when you get to the bottom of the can. It’s much more sweet than sour though; there is “zero sugar”, but it does contain sucralose as a substitute; so the (applelike) flavor is better than the name suggests.
my rating : 3 of 5
There’s no rapper Bigger And Deffer than LL Cool J on the grandiloquent title song. It starts the album with such a bang that the following “love” ode (Kandy) comes across as rather anticlimactic, especially considering the fact that J and his boys are Bad at hooks. The best songs are the ones without one; namely The Breakthrough, The Do Wop and My Rhyme Ain’t Done. I Need Love is another standout.
my rating : 3 of 5
1987
The “flavor profile” of this Monster Energy drink is listed as “light citrus and berry”, but it’s the latter that stands out. The taste is, as the name suggests, akin to Blueberries, which typically grow in the summer and spring. The concept, in contrast, has more to do with winter “snow trips” to “mountain towns” like Aspen and Chamonix.
my rating : 3 of 5
This album is executively produced by Pharell, Timbaland and Swizz, so perhaps it’s no surprise the best thing about it are the beats, most of which have enough bass to blow your woofers (up) like the blurry cover image. Busta also holds it down with the Rhymes; guest rappers include YGs Kodak Black and Coi Leray; but Blockbusta would be better without the blatant song samples and annoying Tigger duet at the end.
my rating : 3 of 5
2023
![Java Monster : Cold Brew [ Sweet Black ]](https://marcellee.com/posts/123698.jpg)
This Cold Brew Java Monster; an energy drink made with “nitro infused coffee”; is Sweet, yes, but it’s only “subtly sweet”. That leaves not much to distract from the relatively “bold” flavor of coffee; somewhat of a disappointment for those of us who drink it for the caffeine and don’t like the taste.
my rating : 3 of 5
An album of lullabies? Why not? It seems Kenny G stopped making regular (nonconceptual) albums years ago. Entering the genre of baby sleep music also serves as an unintentional quip at critics who complain that his music is boring. He should’ve used a different title though. Innocence brings to mind that song from The Moment.
There are only seven originals here. The rest are covers; the worst thing about the set. Mixing them, as opposed to just making a full-on cover album, is even more of a misstep. Still the project ultimately serves its purpose. I’d prefer a lead piano, even guitar, over a sax, but; screw the kids; it’s pleasant and serene enough to put me to sleep.
my rating : 3 of 5
2023
Ghetto Thang sounds damn good when the bass loop plays out in full with its accommodating whine synth. When it drops out, as during the title breaks, the quality plummets. The question is whether or not that happens often enough to ruin the song completely.
The refrain lasting just four bars as opposed to the usual eight, with one exception at the end, makes it more forgivable than it otherwise would’ve been. Still it’s an annoying distraction on a song the rappers (Trugoy/Posdnuos) should’ve rapped straight thru.
my rating : 3 of 5
1989
