Category: reviews with a 4 of 5 rating

audio review : Poppin Tags ( song ) … Jay-Z + Twista + Killer Mike + Big Boi ( featuring Sleepy Brown )

This song would be better without Twista. That’s not a knock on his rap skills. All four verses are up to par. It’s just that, with Sleepy Brown, Killer Mike and Big Boi already being associated with each other, he seems out of place, especially considering the fact that Big Boi fails to mention him when name-dropping each rapper as if Jay-Z included him as an afterthought.

It’s a good song though, despite Brown emulating the beat on the chorus, which I normally detest. What saves it is the slight alteration in melody, though the song would be less repetitive if there were a new layer; not just Jay-Z ad-libs; added to each break. The title is a reference to buying expensive clothes, which makes this not only baller music but maller music.

my rating : 4 of 5

2002

audio review : The Blueprint 2 [ The Gift And The Curse ] ( album ) ... Jay-Z

video review : Mackenzie Dern versus Tecia Torres at UFC 273

video review : Mackenzie Dern versus Tecia Torres at UFC 273

The most entertaining round of this fight for me is the second, which jumps off when, just as Joe Rogan is about to suggest it, Mackenzie Dern pulls guard against the cage and goes for a standing Kimura. She eventually brings Tecia Torres down to the ground; commentator Paul Felder makes a funny “weight” joke here; which results in a sexy tangle that lasts to the horn.

my rating : 4 of 5

2022

video review : Gilbert Burns versus Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273

video review : Gilbert Burns versus Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273

The betting odds for this bout were so ridiculously in favor of Khamzat Chimaev; it seems most fans thought he’d “smash” Gilbert Burns in the very first round; that even given a hard-fought victory, his hype train takes a massive hit. It’s actually the loser (Burns) whose stock goes up as he makes what seemed like an unbeatable enigma look human.

Of course Chimaev deserves a lot of credit for proving himself against a top contender. Burns is number two under champion Kamaru Usman and, though this is a damn close fight, the winner of which could’ve went either way, Chimaev beats him by unanimous decision. That’s quite a feat for someone who’s relatively new to the world of UFC.

my rating : 4 of 5

2022

Breyers Frozen Dairy Dessert : Butter Pecan [ No Sugar Added ]

Breyers Frozen Dairy Dessert : Butter Pecan [ No Sugar Added ]

The main ingredient; the Pecans; are actually the worst part of this Breyers Frozen Dairy Dessert. They’re fine if you get a fresh mix, but sometimes they’re stale and bitter. Still it doesn’t take away from the Butter-flavored ice cream itself, which tastes almost too good to have No Sugar Added.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : First Time In A Long Time ( song ) … Kanye West ( featuring Soulja Boy )

The only thing I dislike about this song is the way Kanye West leaves the word Time out of the title phrase every other time he says it. I understand he does it for melodic purposes and it’s a catchy hook in that regard, but it doesn’t make grammatical sense. Perhaps he should’ve said something about the “song” instead of repeating it.

It’s a flagrant flaw but not significant enough to ruin what sounds like a damn good song demo. The music is charming; I can’t tell what the girl or kid is saying on the loop; and the Soulja Boy verse is a welcomed addition. It’s his vocal flow/delivery that makes it work and I like the way it ends, despite him rhyming Long Time with Long Time.

my rating : 4 of 5

2022

audio review : Touch ( song ) … Daft Punk ( featuring Paul Williams )

This song could be, and probably should be, in a Disney movie. “Sweet Touch,” Paul Williams says with Pinocchio-like wonderment, “You’ve almost convinced me I’m real.” It’s the vocals; not just their magical melodies but the poetry of the words themselves; that make this Daft Punk collaboration something special.

It’s a rhapsody of sorts; one that goes back and forth between vocal and instrumental whenever it feels like. The festive horn bit near the middle reminds me of Billy Joel’s “rock and roll” scene From An Italian Restaurant. The song is majestic. My only complaint is that the space prelude goes on a little too long.

my rating : 4 of 5

2013

audio review : Random Access Memories ( album ) ... Daft Punk

video review : Robin Harris on One Night Stand

video review : Robin Harris on One Night Stand

Don’t be disillusioned by the corny prelude. Robin Harris is a funny man. He’s often downright hilarious, especially when he’s making fun of people. “What you laughing at,” he says to a balding man in the audience before directing a stage technician to beam in on him, “Put the light on the brother with the hole in his natural.”

It’s not just the jokes that are funny. It’s also Robin’s vocal inflections, body language and overall delivery. He’s like the uncle who talks (shit) about everybody at the family get-together. It’s all in fun though. He spends a little too much time on the ending bit about Bébé’s kids, but the show is a thoroughly entertaining affair.

my rating : 4 of 5

1990

Snickers : Cinnamon Bun

Snickers : Cinnamon Bun

If you bite into this candy bar expecting it to taste like a Cinnamon Bun, you’re in for a disappointment. There’s a hint of it, but the (“artificial”) flavor is almost undetectable. It basically just tastes like a Snickers bar to me, which has always been a good thing.

my rating : 4 of 5

video review : Fatal Attraction

video review : Fatal Attraction

Jeez. They couldn’t have casted a more Attractive lead actress than Glenn Close? I admit to not turning away during the bare breast scenes, but her big manly face leaves much to be desired. Perhaps that’s the point. Her romantical obsession for a lawyer named Dan after their weekend “love” affair would be less realistic if she were prettier than his wife.

It might take a while for you to realize the daughter isn’t the son, speaking of odd casting, but the plot is clear and straight-forward once the gist is established. What makes it good is the suspense, which revolves around Alex’s mental state. The crazier her obsession gets, the more it thrills, though some of her antics near the end go a bit over the top.

my rating : 4 of 5

1987

Breyers Frozen Dairy Dessert : Salted Caramel Swirl [ No Sugar Added ]

Breyers Frozen Dairy Dessert : Salted Caramel Swirl [ No Sugar Added ]

The toffee pieces aren’t nearly as big as the picture on the carton suggests; they’re tiny; but this Salted Caramel Swirl ice cream; okay, Frozen Dairy Dessert; seems too good to be true. That is to say your taste buds will have a hard time believing there’s No Sugar Added. The plain Vanilla version is good too, but this is better.

my rating : 4 of 5

Krystal burgers : Original

Krystal burgers : Original

The obvious comparison here is to Sliders; the first Krystal restaurant was reportedly inspired by White Castle almost a century ago; which taste better. The style is nearly identical; both are generally better than full-sized burgers on unsteamed buns; but Krystal adds mustard, the signature sharpness of which serves as a minor distraction.

my rating : 4 of 5