Category: reviews with a 4 of 5 rating

video review : Charles Oliveira versus Michael Chandler at UFC 262

video review : Charles Oliveira versus Michael Chandler at UFC 262

Michael Chandler comes close to a TKO victory in the very first round of this fight, but Charles Oliveira survives. What happens early in round two is akin to Oliveira; “the number-one submission guy in the history of The UFC”; being submitted by Chandler, the “gorilla”.

Oliveira lands a left to Chandler’s face that puts him on his ass. He (Chandler) spins back up only to get caught again, with the same punch, a few seconds later. Down he goes again and Dan Miragliotta’s seen enough, which makes Oliveira the new Lightweight Champion.

my rating : 4 of 5

2021

Quaker Rice Cakes : Lightly Salted

Quaker Rice Cakes : Lightly Salted

I didn’t think I liked whole grain brown rice, but, aside from Salt, it’s the only thing on the ingredients list. There is “no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or added colors”. These Rice Cakes are also “gluten free” and “cholesterol free”.

That makes them a healthy snack; or at least it means they’re not an unhealthy snack; one of the rare ones that actually taste good. That’s partly because of the Styrofoam-like texture, which also makes them fun to eat.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Wonderful Christmastime ( song ) … Paul McCartney

The refrain of this Christmas anthem is indeed Wonderful. Paul McCartney seems to know it too as he reverts to it after every four, or is it two, bars of verse. That gives the song an odd structure in which the bridge is the longest bit.

Not that anyone at the party is paying attention to the structure of the song. Everyone’s too busy having fun, dancing and singing along. “The mood is right, the spirit’s up,” McCartney observes, “We’re here tonight and that’s enough.”

my rating : 4 of 5

1979

video review : Li Jingliang versus Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 267

video review : Li Jingliang versus Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 267

This would be an amazing showcase for Khamzat Chimaev if not for Li Jingliang’s defensive skills. The way Chimaev holds him up in the air like a rebellious toddler and slams him to the ground, all while talking to Dana White, is certainly, as Paul Felder suggests, impressive, but Jingliang is able to survive for a couple of minutes.

Chimaev is a scary prospect. He’s currently the most hyped “phenom” in The UFC. This victory puts him near the ranks of the top lightweight, not to mention welterweight and middleweight, contenders. He says he’s come to “kill everybody” and, considering his ten-fight MMA win streak; all early finishes; he might not be playing.

my rating : 4 of 5

2021

McDonald’s Sausage Biscuit

McDonald's Sausage Biscuit

It’s often best to keep it simple and McDonald’s Sausage Biscuit is a perfect example of that. It’s just a sausage patty sandwiched between two buttermilk biscuits, but it’s one of the best-tasting items on the menu. Two is all you need for a filling 19th-century-style breakfast that also happens to be delicious.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Pure Souls ( song ) … Roddy Ricch + Kanye West ( featuring Shenseea )

Shenseea almost ruins this song. Her coda should’ve been cut entirely. The organ sounds nice, but that whole end section threatens to drag the overall aesthetic quality down a notch.

It would be better as a Roddy Ricch song featuring Kanye West, who actually provides the best part. “Father, I’m yours exclusively,” it goes, “Devil, get behind me; I’m loose, I’m free.”

my rating : 4 of 5

2021

audio review : Donda ( album ) ... Kanye West

audio review : Moon ( song ) … Kid Cudi ( featuring Don Toliver + Kanye West )

This, a sky-gazer’s hymn, is the best cut from Kanye West’s Donda album, but it would’ve been even better than it is if it had a more appropriate song structure. It barely qualifies as a song. There should be not one but two Kid Cudi verses with a Kanye West chorus break in-between.

That chorus, which has West conjuring the melodic chops he showcased on the demo/SNL version of Teyana Taylor’s We Got Love, doesn’t come till near the end. It’s a five-star bit though as he outsings both Cudi, who should also be praised for his wailing ad-libs, and Don Toliver.

my rating : 4 of 5

2021

audio review : Donda ( album ) ... Kanye West

audio review : Ship Those Niggers Back ( song ) … Odis Cochran

This folk anthem celebrates the idea that international race segregation is the way to go, even if via leaking boats. “America for white, Africa for black,” Odis Cochran and his fellow bigots harmonize on the chorus, “Send them apes back to the trees; Ship Those Niggers Back.”

The music is composed of nothing more than an acoustic guitar, leaving the vocals alone to carry the melodies of the song, but that’s all it needs. What it would do better without are the comedy breaks on which a black man who refuses to get on the boat is beaten until he obeys.

my rating : 4 of 5

1964

Pocky : Strawberry

Pocky : Strawberry

Strawberry Pocky; thin biscuit sticks covered in strawberry “cream”; are fun to eat. The soft/crunchy contrast of the frosting and the sticks is, along with its cutesy presentation, a delight.

It’s the taste that barely joins in on the “happiness”. It’s not quite as sweet and flavorful as you’d imagine; I was hoping for a taste similar to cotton candy; but mildly pleasant nonetheless.

my rating : 4 of 5

Bump Patrol

Bump Patrol

If your skin is the streets and razor bumps are the bad guys, Bump Patrol; an aftershave treatmeant; is the police or at least a squad of reliable security guards. It promises “visible results in 48 hours”. It seems to work even faster than that.

After accepting the constant appearance of razor bumps as a fact of life, I started using it on my face/neck and was wowed by the results, but it’s made for “everywhere you shave”; including vaginas, I imagine. Minor drawbacks include stinging and staining.

my rating : 4 of 5