Category: reviews with a 4 of 5 rating

Mrs Smith’s Original Flaky Crust Pumpkin Pie

Mrs Smith's Original Flaky Crust Pumpkin Pie

Though I question the addition of corn syrup and dextrose over just plain sugar, the ingredients list looks impressively simple. It’s apparently based on Amanda Smith’s Original recipe from a century ago. This Pie also tastes homemade; you have to bake it yourself; for whatever that’s worth.

The flavor isn’t what you might expect if you’re used to eating sweet potato; Pumpkin Pie isn’t quite on the same level; and follow the bit on the box about it being “best when freshly baked”. It actually tastes significantly better when you wait for it to fully cool and thicken in the fridge.

my rating : 4 of 5

Velveeta Shells And Cheese : Bacon

Velveeta Shells And Cheese : Bacon

Bacon can improve the taste of damn near anything. Macaroni (Shells) And Cheese is no exception. They refer to Velveeta as Liquid Gold, but that’s just promotional hyperbole. It is good though, especially with Bacon. Ignore the directions on the box and sprinkle the bits over the top instead of mixing them in for the full effect.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Sunset On Rio ( song ) … Kingston Coalition

People who aren’t fortunate enough to watch the Sunset On Rio De Janeiro in Brazil can listen to this song and imagine. That’s if they aren’t too busy dancing to the beat; a deep house groove marked with pretty synth sounds where applicable. I don’t know what the girls are saying; I assume they’re speaking Portuguese; but their chants add a nice touch.

my rating : 4 of 5

1996

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Deep House LA [ Volume 1 ]

audio review : Move ( song ) … Beyoncé ( featuring Grace Jones + Tems )

This song doesn’t really vibe until the chords drop halfway in. That’s when it goes from just a bassy party anthem; the scene is the ballroom of a five-star hotel; to something special. It’s an example of how effective the addition of one music instrument can be, but it should’ve sounded that way from the start.

The queen is faultless though as she struts a path thru the crowd. The title is literally her telling them to get out of the way, though it also serves as a command to dance. She’s headed to the VIP section, but not before grabbing a glass of Champagne and sharing a kiss with some guy who doesn’t look like Jay-Z.

my rating : 4 of 5

2022

audio review : Renaissance ( album ) ... Beyoncé

audio review : More News At 11 ( song ) … Flavor Flav ( featuring Harry Allen )

It’s the beat, specifically that little piano riff, that leads here. Flavor Flav is more or less a backdrop. The first verse barely makes sense, though it does contain his best line about a man whose “turkey ain’t got no stuffing.” This is a rare example of a good song with a weak hook. Harry Allen, with his corny News reporter voice, adds authenticity to the concept.

my rating : 4 of 5

1991

audio review : More News At 11 ( song ) ... Flavor Flav ( featuring Harry Allen )

Sara Lee Classic Strawberry Cheesecake

Sara Lee Classic Strawberry Cheesecake

I don’t consider this a Classic, but perhaps it could be with one major alteration. The best part is the Cheesecake itself; the actual cream cheese filling; and the Strawberries make for a fitting topping. I certainly prefer them over cherries. It’s the crumbly graham cracker crust the pie would do better without.

my rating : 4 of 5

Rosen Oatmeal Soap : White Tea And Aloe Vera

Rosen Oatmeal Soap : White Tea And Aloe Vera

This soap is “exclusively created for guests of” Rosen Hotels And Resorts. The Cleansing bit is redundant; what soap doesn’t cleanse; and the scent is surprisingly pungent, but it’s fancy stuff. There’s actual (visible/feelable) Oatmeal embedded in the bar, which, beside looking like it fell on a dirty floor, is fun to use.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : 1000 Xs And Os ( song ) … Prince

The one thing I hate about this song is the title, rather its awkward stylization. It should be A Thousand Hugs And Kisses, but if any song artist can be forgiven for such an aesthetic flaw; the grammar rules of my site omit those two ugly apostrophes; it’s Prince. He’s been doing it with his songs for so long, it’s become somewhat of a trademark.

The one thing I love about the song; a demo version of which has been circulating among hardcore Prince fans since 1992 or 1993; is the beat; easily one of the best he’s ever sang to. It’s produced by, or co-produced with, Joshua Welton and not even Prince’s middling chorus; he’s singing to his “baby”, meaning a wife or live-in girlfriend; can bring it down.

my rating : 4 of 5

2015

audio review : Hit N Run [ Phase One ] ( album ) ... Prince

Breyers CarbSmart Fudge Bars

Breyers CarbSmart Fudge Bars

Vanilla would be better, but there’s nothing wrong with these chocolate Bars, especially considering they’re made with Fudge; one of the best varieties of the flavor. They’re served on a wooden stick similar to a tongue depressor like a treat from the ice cream truck and just as fun to eat. They’re also low in Carbs as advertised.

my rating : 4 of 5

Murray Sugar Free Cookies : Shortbread

Murray Sugar Free Cookies : Shortbread

Murray describes these as “Delicious shortbread cookie rings that kick the sugar to the curb without sacrificing flavor” and that’s right. They taste about as good as any Shortbread cookie I’ve had, though the ingredients list does include sugar alcohols and sucralose; the combination of which might be just as unhealthy as plain Sugar.

my rating : 4 of 5

video review : Israel Adesanya versus Alex Pereira at UFC 281

video review : Israel Adesanya versus Alex Pereira at UFC 281

Israel Adesanya’s first UFC loss came at the hands of Jan Błachowicz, but that didn’t really count. He stepped up to test himself in a new weight class and got outwrestled, but his belt wasn’t on the line. This; getting Technically Knocked Out by Alex Pereira; is his first real defeat and it’s sort of surreal. Even the commentators can’t seem to believe it as the normally elusive Stylebender gets pummeled by what may as well be the final boss in a video game.

To Adesanya’s credit, he looks to be on his way to another decision victory; he wobbles Pereira at the end of the first round and, perhaps taking a cue from Błachowicz, even goes on to mix in some ground work; until that fifth and final round when he gets a kick checked and tumbles backward. That marks the beginning of the end as Pereira backs him up against the cage and almost leaves him “Frozen like” he did in their last kickboxing bout.

my rating : 4 of 5

2022