“Hype train derailed”, Billy Goff posts on X, but it’s not a total surprise. The wheels were getting wobbly in Bo Nickal’s last two fights. Cody Brundage and Paul Craig raised questions about a potential undefeated streak. Reinier De Ridder, his toughest opponent yet, answers them here by not only stifling his prestigious wrestling but defeating him “by knockout” via knees to the midsection.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
Anthony Smith is past his prime and this was promoted as his retirement fight, so it’s no surprise nor shame that he’d lose to a knockout specialist like Zhang Mingyang. It’s the way he loses; giving up in the first round but having the gumption to go after a prodder in the crowd as his family watches on; that’s embarrassing, especially considering he loss in a similar way in his previous bout.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
![video review : Vacancy 2 [ The First Cut ]](https://marcellee.com/posts/132815.jpg)
The trembly camera is a tad annoying and the plotting is somewhat hackneyed, but this Vacancy sequel, which serves as a prequel, is a decent follow-up. It’s not as thrilling as the original; part Twos rarely are; but there’s enough suspense to keep you checked in. The protagonist this time around is a “hillbilly” named Jessica staying at the Meadow View Inn with her fiancé and his friend.
my rating : 3 of 5
2008
![audio review : Temple Of Hip Hop [ Global Awareness ] ( album ) ... KRS-One](https://marcellee.com/posts/132800.jpg)
This is released as a KRS-One album, but it’s more like a mixtape to promote his new European Tour. The concept is established from the very start; “Welcome to the Temple Of Hip Hop 2025 Global Awareness Tour,” he says, which limits the set to not only a specific purpose but a specific date range.
The songs are what fans have come to expect; raw raps over boom-bap beats; but he should’ve saved the best ones for a proper release. The Tribute interludes, on which his industry peers praise him in the past tense as if he’s retired or dead, are reminiscent of the ones from the 1995 KRS-One album.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
This album is a year late; their first two releases came two years apart; but the Techno Bass Crew is forgiven as they were too busy winning Bass Sound Off USA. There are intergalactic laser beams on the cover, but is there anything here as electric as Machine Language? Subsonic Love perhaps. Other highlights include The Age Of Machines, Do It To Me and Undertow.
my rating : 3 of 5
1998
I don’t like the taste of Raspberry, Blue or otherwise, but it doesn’t overwhelm the general sweetness of this A Shoc Energy drink. That’s despite the fact that it contains “zero sugar”; not that sucralose is a healthy replacement. The “natural caffeine” count; it’s “charged by nature”; is 200 milligrams.
my rating : 3 of 5
Even topped with Five Cheeses; mozzarella, provolone, Monterey Jack, Parmesan and Romano; a serving of this Pizza, which for me usually means the whole pie, is a bland affair. Part of the blame goes to the lack of meat; pepperoni alone could improve the taste drastically; but most of it goes to the underwhelming flavor of the sauce and spices.
my rating : 3 of 5
Who are Bone at War with? “Hatin-ass niggas” according to the Intro, including rappers stealing their style. It’s not the rapid-fire delivery nor the Harmony but their melodies that make them sound better than the average rap group. They’re Thuggish Ruggish R-and-B singers too as all the best songs; Ready 4 War, Look Into My Eyes, Hardtimes, Nothin Changed; have them crooning the choruses all the while toting guns and murdering people.
my rating : 3 of 5
1997
The cover photo is tacky and gay, but Elton John’s been that way for decades. Why he decided to bring Brandi Carlile into his wacky world to the point of making a whole album together is one of the universe’s great mysteries, but conceptually it comes across more like his than hers. She’s not even on the last and best song; a poignant lament entitled When This Old World Is Done With Me.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
If you heard Bass Sound Off USA, you heard this album. It’s better here though as a cohesive project. The title theme is mostly techno with elements of house and Trip-hop, but it’s mixed like a night at the club, which makes for a sloppy mess when you want to isolate tracks. It would also be better without the formulaic vocal samples, but the music is decent. The best songs are Burning Out and Self Transcendence.
my rating : 3 of 5
1997
If you drink this expecting the taste of fruit punch as the name seems to imply, you may be disappointed. The flavor is nothing like it. Tropical Punch is apparently it’s own thing; more akin to piña colada, champagne even, with a hint of stale nuts. Included is a “natural energy blend” with 200 milligrams of caffeine.
my rating : 3 of 5
It’s hard to go wrong with Brown Sugar Baked Beans, but BeanVivo sort of does. Never mind the fact that they smell like prunes. The taste, specifically the spices in the sauce, leaves a lot to be desired. Their one saving grace is the sweetness of the Sugar itself. The organic ingredients list is also otherwise impressively healthy.
my rating : 3 of 5