Valeo Windshield Wipers - valeo, valeo windshield wipers

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I just realized today I installed these in the middle of last winter. After quite a bit of rain the last few days, they are still working great and have no streaks. That is absolutely unheard of in the Seattle area! I can't even remember the last brand that lasted 6 months let alone still worked almost as good as new. I will definitely buy these again.



Edited to add:

March 2011 - they are finally starting to streak. My previous Amazon order was December 2009, this was an excellent buy. Valeo 600-19 Series Wiper Blade - 19"

I've tried many of the top sellers, even the Toyota inserts which cost as much as this complete blade, and they didn't work as well.

Easy to install just don't force it or it may break at the connector. I learned with the rain-x I tried, it did break. So it's common with all the plastic parts used at the connection on most wipers.

Same result with the 22" I purchased. Great in rain or snow.

Not much to say, there wipers, but I switched my blades in the last two weeks and they are working great. Much better then any other blades I've had. I liked them so much I switched the blades of our second car the week after.

These wipers are excellent. I replaced a set of wipers that were supposedly "top of the line" but only lasted about three months before they started wobbling and screeching. We've had a ton of rain here in the northeast in the last month, and my Valeo wipers have gotten a big workout. They have performed admirably in all conditions, leaving my windshield rain free with no noise or wobble. They fit my Jetta perfectly too. There were many more expensive options out there, but this wiper does absolutely everything for less. You won't go wrong with it,My only complaint -- and it's a mild one -- is that these were a bit hard to install compared to some others i've put on over the years. But by hard to install, I mean it took 10 minutes instead of 5. Not a big deal, but could have been designed better, especially for the rear wiper.

I bought these wiper blades for my wife's Saturn and they are much better quality than the Anco blades I have been installing on her car. I had some trouble with the connector that cane with these blades though, so I used the Anco connector from the previous wiper set, and they went on without a hitch. I would definitely buy these blades again.

About to buy my second set of these blades for my Jeep Liberty. The last set lasted forever, far better than any other blades I've seen. They're whisper-quiet, they really don't freeze up (barring an ice storm), they clean superbly; and let's not forget, they're half the price of your average wiper blade purchaesd at a lube shop or parts store.



It's not often that I review products on Amazon, but these wiper blades truly deserve a fantastic endorsement. Thank you, Valeo and Amazon! - Valeo Windshield Wipers - Valeo - Best Value - Windshield Wipers'

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Propane Grill - barbecue, roadtrip

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My wife and I wanted a new grill for tailgating at Miami Dolphins games this year. I am somewhat of a home gourmet and I am extremely particular of my cooking accouterments. After reading countless reviews on many different sites we narrowed it down to the Weber Q and the Coleman Roadtrip LXE. We went to Outdoor World here in Fort Lauderdale and actually looked at both as they had floor models available. We chose the Roadtrip based on it's modular ease of set-up and take down (I've never seen anything easier), the high 20,000 BTU output and the dual burner set-up, none of which the Weber Q had unless you purchased the top of the line Weber which was more than double the price in order to get dual burners and the higher BTU's. The Weber Q stand seemed much flimsier also.



After deciding on this grill we ordered it from Amazon for $159.00 and we chose the free shipping as we were not in any hurry since football season pre-games don' start until August. Amazon had the lowest price we could find. We were surprised to see this grill show up on our door step just 4 days later when the free shipping option told us it would take almost 2 weeks.



I opened the box and set it up immediately and I was pleasantly surprised that it came out of the box nearly complete. Just put the wheels on, attach the handle and the regulator and you're good to go. About 15 minutes in all as compared to hours I have spent assemblying other new grills.



Next came the cook test and the clean up test. After reading other reviewers saying that they lined the inside with foil for easier cleanup, I thought this was a good idea and did the same. I laid foil across the entire insides and with a steak knife cut around the 2 burners and a hole so any drippings could fall into the drip pan. I have read that the instructions for some of these roadtrip grills say to place water in the bottom for easier clean-up. NOT this model. The instructions say nothing of the sort. From reading many reviews, I summize that is on the standard Roadtrip model Model No. 9941-768 not this LXE model so the foil is a good idea.



I chose a beautiful 28 day aged NY Stip steak and my wife a 2 1/2" barrel cut filet. I preheated the grill for 5 minutes with the lid open on medium, wiped one side of the grill with vegetable oil and the other side with Pam for grilling(handles higher heats). I wanted to see right from the beginning which worked better on these porcelain coated cast iron grills. I can tell you I saw absoultely no difference between the two and will continue to use the Pam.



This grill gets HOT! I have to say that I was concerned about the fact that these grill surfaces do have the center area as solid cast iron(no open grill) so no flame gets through over the top of the burners. My concern was no flame hitting the meat = less flavor. The purpose for this is so that grease does not fall directly onto the 2 burners themselves. Let me clarify, there is open grill area...just not directly over the burners. I can report that this concern turned out to be competely unfounded. I rubbed the steaks with olive oil and salt & peppered them and placed each one directly over each burner on the unopened flame area. From the very first second I knew that the searing was going to be awesome and it was. It sizzled like nothing I have ever heard before except on commercial kitchen grills. The grill marks were perfect, the taste and flavor was perfect. I can't say enough about this grill. So far I love it but what about clean up.



The grills cooled down very quickly. I soaked the two porcelain coated cast iron grills in soapy hot water in my kitchen sink over night, as they fit no problem. I honestly don't think I needed to because I ran my finger accoss to see how "baked" on the residue was. It semed to come off pretty easily but I was full on a 16 oz NY strip and several glasses of Cabernet so they could wait until morning. The next morning the grills cleaned up so easily with a soapy wet sponge and I removed the foil lining and wiped the whole inside down with a soapy wet sponge and wiped it out with a dry towel. There was no difference in ease of clean up between the vegetable oil side or the Pam side. Both were easy. The porcelain coated cast iron grills do not need "seasoning" as un-coated cast iron grills do and if something does get baked on you can use a brass grill brush to clean them. Just make sure the brush is brass. It's softer and won't damage the procelain coating.



Folks, forget about any of the horror stories you hear about this grill...it's awesome. It gets so hot you don't need to close the lid so don't let that be a deterrent unlesss you smoke your food. The only reason I give this grill a 4 and not a 5 is because of the fact you can't cook with the lid closed. Although I said don't let it be a deterrent, it would be nice to smoke food. Also worth noting is that this new version comes with two grill surfaces. The older version came with one grill and one griddle and you were forced to buy an additional grill surface. Also with this new version the grill does NOT come off of the stand to be placed on a table top and the lid does not come off. I have read the opposite from other reviewers. Perhaps those things were true with older models. I know this was a long review, but these were all things I was concerned about and that I read conflicting stories on. I hope my review is helpful to you! Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill LXE

I am a died in the wool griller and Weber guy. We currently have three grills around the house; a horizontal smoker/charcoal grill, a Weber gas Silver C gas grill (10 years old, the best!!) and the Coleman Roadtrip. I bought this grill because I get stuck doing the cooking at other friends and relatives and always had to load up the Weber. This Roadtrip is the cat's meow for this type of grilling road show.



I was going to get a Weber Q but it doesn't have the cart, at least not at a sub $200 pricepoint. This grill does the job and then some. I used the grill five times in the last two weeks, trying different approaches and methods, and have come up with a few tips and tricks to make the grill work it's best. Please note that this grill is one of the best I have ever used and certainly better than the majority of gas grills I have used. It's no Weber, but then, it ain't 500 bucks either. So, on with the tips.



1. The burner has a "low" to "high" settings. The high settings are ONLY and I mean ONLY for using the burner attachment or griddle attachment. There is no need to use 20,000BTU's of heat on a grill this small. These guys that are melting handles and such are also ruining food with entirely too much heat. They ought to put this in the book, but they don't. So you read it hear first, been grilling for over 25 years, do NOT use the high setting for grilling...PERIOD! Think about it...my Weber, which is almost twice as big and has enough clearance built into the cover for a turkey or upright chicken, only has 40,000BTU. So 20,000 for a grill with a three inch clearance cover and burners less than an inch away from the food is way too much. NO HIGH!!! PERIOD...there, now I feel better.



2. Properly preheat the grill. Fire up the grill, set it to "MED", no higher (READ # 1!!!), close the cover, and let it run for 10 minutes. This will get the grates properly heated as well as everything else. This will allow for even heat for cooking.



NOTE: The cover for this grill (I am referring to the lid that covers the grill during cooking) is durable as long as you (say it with me, folks!) DON'T USE THE HIGH SETTING FOR GRILLING!! Now given that, even on the lowest of heat setting the lid will "warp" when heated. I would bet that even a good dose of sunlight would do this. It's no worries, but it does cause a potential issue. This happens to most grills but it's so little you never notice it. But on this grill, the lid lock pin slides down into a slot that only has about a 1/16" clearance. The cover then heats up, moving the lock very VERY slightly but just enough, causing the grill not to open easily because of the pin catching on the slot. TO avoid this, after unlocking and opening the grill cover, just turn the lever to the "lock" position prior to preheating. ADVANCED FIX: I think utilizing a bit of backyard engineering IE tinsnips to open up the slot for more clearance while still being able to lock the lid may do the trick. IN the interim, just flipping to lock will still allow the lid to close, but the lock pin won't slide into the slot. As far as the highly reported melting lid handle, I have made attempts to get the handle hot enough to melt with the grill on medium and have determined that it simply won't happen. No concern, as long as you FOLLOW RULE#1!!



3. Once preheated, do what you would do with a normal gas grill heat control utilizing the "Coleman Roadtrip Medium" setting as "HIGH." Most folks go to Medium on a gas grill, so that would be half way between MED and LOW on this grill. Make sense? Good. I usually cook a tick above halfway.



4. Now just use like a normal gas grill, keeping the cover closed at all times. I will state that even at these supposedly low heat settings, this grill does cook faster than my big Weber, so keep an eye out the first few times you use it.



5. Foil for cleanup of the drip pan? I don't like that idea. The shiny drip pan cleans up so easily it's not required. Also, there is a problem if the foil is wrinkled at all you won't have proper draining of the grease, resulting in flair up and fire. I use hot, soapy water and let the excess water go to the drip pan. It cleanse up very easily.



That's all I got. If you follow my rules, you will love this grill. - Roadtrip - Barbecue - Propane Grill - Coleman'

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Kindle Popular Classics - sir arthur conan doyle, sherlock holmes

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a number of books, but to me, nothing really worked like his Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The characters are believable, and one begins to think that one almost knows them. The characters in Doyle's other books just don't have the same character.



I've read all these stories before, but I had forgotten how they all turn out at the end. They are perfect for reading just before sleeping; you can finish one story easily each night before your eyes close and drift off to sleep.



I love the way Holmes sees even the smallest details and is able to deduce truths from them. Of course these are classics that people will enjoy for centuries. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

This is the perfect follow up to Klinger's annotated "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." It is exhaustively researched, beautifully printed, and tastefully illustrated. The scope of the annotations are awesome, and truly enhance the appreciation of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Both die-hard fans and casual readers will absolutely love this book!

I love reading Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and now I have them on my ipod! The stories has a couple of typos, but nothing that ruins the story. The complete stories are all there, with no missing parts. The pages are easy to read, flip, and use. I really enjoy using Kindle to read my stories, it's easy to use, and has all the features that I want like view lock, and automatic page saving. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves reading Holmes!

"Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" was the fourth Holmes book and the second collection of short stories. Originally published in the Strand Magazine as "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," it took the name "Memoirs" when published in book form, because the first collection had pre-empted the title "Adventures.""Memoirs" consists of eleven short stories, none of which are as good as the stories in the first collection. In fact, several stories appear to be reworkings of stories from the original "Adventures." "The Stockbroker's Clerk" is a rehash of the plot of "The Red Headed League." "The Gloria Scott" seems to borrow heavily from "The Boscombe Valley Mystery." "The Greek Interpreter" replays "The Engineer's Thumb." "The Yellow Face" harks back to "A Scandal in Bohemia." In "Bohemia," Holmes was stymied, and in "Yellow Face" he again goes badly astray.Obviously Doyle was growing weary of Holmes. So weary, in fact, that he killed Holmes off in "The Final Problem." Holmes fans everywhere would rejoice when Doyle resurrected their hero in "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," and Holmes went on to further, and better adventures. Mediocre Holmes is still far better than most detective fiction. Holmes fans everywhere should also rejoice at the BDD publication of the BBC radio plays starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams. Merrison and Williams make the best Holmes-Watson team since the Rathbone-Bruce collaboration. The production values for the BBC plays are excellent, far better than the production values of the 30's and 40's, when Rathbone and Bruce portrayed the crimefighting duo.The BDD publication consists of three volumes, each volume containing two cassettes, and each cassette containing two plays. The eleven short stories of "Memoirs" does not quite fill the twelve play capacity of the cassettes. BDD solves the problem by borrowing "The Second Stain" from "The Return of Sherlock Holmes."

What a wonderful surprise it was to come across Leslie Klinger's outstanding annotated versions of the Sherlock Holmes stories on Amazon! Klinger's notes are extremely helpful and informative (not to mention entertaining), and the copious illustrations by Paget are a great addition as well. This (and the other volumes, of which Adventures, Hound of the Baskervilles, and Study in Scarlet have been published to date) are a worthy successor to William Baring-Gould's justly acclaimed annotated Holmes from years back, and are, in opinion, a better value and more enjoyable read than the rather dry Oxford editions. If you are new to Sherlock Holmes, this may not be the most economical way to pick up all of Conan Doyle's work. But if you are a long-time Holmes fan, or just want to experience the Holmes stories in a deeper and more informed way, I can think of no better purchase than this. Very highly recommended!!!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous sleuth really doesn't need any introduction -- Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective who can uncover the deeper layers of seemingly simply crimes, and unravel the intricacies of impossible ones. "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" is another round of exceptional mysteries, including the infamous one in which Holmes seemingly meets his death. Spoilers below.



When a famous horse in the Wessex Cup races vanishes, Holmes decides to go solve the case, along with Watson... and quickly discovers that it's not a simple case of theft. Then "The Case of the Yellow Face" comes up when a man asks Holmes to get to the bottom of his wife's weird behavior and strange yellow-faced visitor -- and even Holmes may not fully grasp what is going on.



Among the other cases: a client who suddenly commits suicide, an old man with a guilty secret, an ancient riddle that may have caused a servant's death, a sinister father-son team, a bizarre locked-room murder with the word "David," a man forced to interpret Greek for a sinister kidnapping gang, and a stolen naval treaty.



And in "The Final Problem," the evil Professor Moriarty tries to kill Holmes to keep the detective from bringing down his criminal network, with disastrous results. Don't worry, the shocking ending isn't quite as... well, shocking as it seems.



"The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" is a little more varied than Doyle's previous Sherlock Holmes collection, and it also has an ending that shocked his reading audiences. Namely: Holmes dies. Don't worry, readers nagged Doyle into bringing him back to life, but it's pretty startling since we're used to the good guy triumphing over all.



And as usual, Doyle crafts two kinds of crimes/mysteries -- the ones that are ultra-simple but turn out to have hidden kinks, and the ones that seem impossible to solve but are actually shockingly simple. And something rather startling happens in "The Adventure of the Yellow Face": Holmes screws up. You don't see that very often. The only problem is that the cases are rather less colorful and gripping than "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'."



Doyle also shows the perils of Holmes' job in this one -- he has kind of a nervous breakdown and gets sick from overwork, and needs a vacation that (of course) is interrupted by more cases. Additionally, we get some glimpses into both Holmes and Watson's back histories, such as Holmes' college days and Watson's time in the military.



"The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" is a suitably baffling string of mysteries, with plenty of weird twists and crimes -- including the ultimate one at the end. - Mystery - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Kindle Popular Classics - Sherlock Holmes'

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Everio - hd camcorder, 1080p

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I am an amateur when it comes to cameras, camcorders and the like. I'm basically a point and shoot type of customer that wants a good quality camcorder for recording our families activities. This is an outstanding camcorder for the money! First and foremost it takes very good quality videos. While I'm sure the videos aren't the highest of hi-def possible keep in mind this is a $300 and change camcorder. The video quality far outshines your standard camcorder. The two other features - the time elapse and the motion detection both work very well, although outside of surveillance I'm not sure what the use of either is. The motion detection might be handy at something like a basketball game where you would point it at one end of the court and only capture the action when it's on that end. The only con I had with the camera wasn't really the camera's fault. I couldn't get the Patriot 16GB memory card to work consistently. I bought the Transcend cards and they work perfectly. JVC GZ-HM300 Dual Slot High Definition Camcorder

This camcorder seemed like a great deal, with a 20x optical zoom, HD filming, Time-Lapse, and CLAIMS of super low-light performance.



Reality: Low-Light performance is TERRIBLE !!! Horribly grainy pictures in even moderate lighting. Inside at night, with normal lighting from 3 overhead lights plus a lamp on, the video is grainy and washed out. The video looks like the sample pic in their description that shows what it should NOT look like. This thing has a TEENY TINY little sensor. There is no way this could ever take good video in low or moderate light. I bought this to take video of my soon-to-be-born first child, which will be mostly indoors with normal lighting. To use it for this purpose, I would need to invest in several industrial-strength halogen lights and aim them all at the baby at the same time to illuminate him enough.



Outside, this takes good video, assuming there is plenty of light.



The time-lapse feature seems awesome at first, but it sucks down the battery very quickly, unless it is plugged in. The screen must be kept open while filming or else the camera will shut off. Why not have a time-driven system that only turns on the camera for a few seconds at a time, which would vastly improve the battery life???



This camera is HD, but it is 1080(i)... Interlaced, and not full true 1080p. The description is misleading when it states that it can PLAY BACK in 1080p... they don't come right out and say "oh but by the way, it only records in 1080i." Quite misleading.



This cam does not come with a HDMI cable (most in this price range don't, either). It does come with a RCA type connector and usb cable. This is an HD cam, WHY oh WHY would I EVER choose to use an RCA cable to watch it??? I can't even tell you if it takes decent hi-def video because I can't hook it up properly to my HD tv. Should really INCLUDE HDMI CABLE... they could include one for very cheap, since they would be buying them in bulk at probably 50 cents apiece.



I returned this the day after I bought it. I have ordered the Sanyo FH1a instead, which has a MUCH larger sensor, and is actually CHEAPER now than this JVC! Whatever you do, watch some youtube videos showing demo videos of the actuall camcorder you want to buy, BEFORE you purchase.



This gets 2 stars, one for good zoom and one for time-lapse. But this cam really is 100% worthless indoors. I tested it indoors first at Best-Buy, but they have those very bright ceiling lights, so I was unaware of how bad this cam really is.

It was a tough choice, but I feel confident that I bought the right camcorder. The timelapse function was the main factor in my search, but don't feel that I sacrificed much else in this decision (except for horrible low-light sensitivity).



My only real regret about this camera is the output file format. The software allows for some output options, but the .mts file format is not compatible with most apps. Apparently, the HD output will not be as good as what you see thru the camera playback. The software assumes that you will be burning the videos onto DVD, which is OK if you don't care for HD. I'm still not sure if full HD playback is possible without the camera as the player. There are some conversion programs out there that will allow the videos to be edited with the popular editing apps, but I don't yet have any experience with such conversions. This is the biggest problem with the JVC GZ-HM300.



Good zoom, excellent resolution, and good battery life. Now, if I can only get that HD video out into the real world.

If I'm wrong, please someone set me straight...

Just a point that I noticed while researching cameras- although the product description mentions the "Super LoLux with Back-illuminated CMOS Sensor" this particular camera does not have this sensor. The "big brother" does, and then this is listed under the advantages: http://www.amazon.com/JVC-GZ-HM550-High-Definition-Camcorder/dp/B0032FPYHY.

I have read some of the negative reviews posted for this camera as well as the HM320 and HM340 (which are identical cameras with built in flash memory). First, I think the "haters" need to understand where this product is positioned in the market. This is a mid-level consumer grade HD camcorder, that has been market down to ~$200, making it an entry level price. If you want to compare this camera to flag ship Sony and Canon cameras, the "haters" can fairly say that those cameras are superior in most respects and they are welcomed to buy them for an extra $600 to $800. This JVC Everio GZ-HM series of cameras will give roughly 75-85% of the performance of those cameras, for a fifth of the price. I have had roughly 8 camcorders, and I currently own a Canon HG10-which was the top of the line Canon two years ago. That camera still takes the best video footage I have ever seen short of a professional grade camera.



In outdoor shooting, the JVC looks very good--so long as the zoom is kept below 8X, unless you're using a tripod.Because this camera has a small sensor, using zoom above 8x does reduce the quality of the video, although it is still very watchable. The lack of optical image stablization does the quality of the image as well, but none of its competitors have optical image stablization and you will need to spend an additional $400 to find a camcorder that offers this feature.



As far as fit and finish is concerned, the camera is SMALL--it is basically a smidgen larger than a Flip UltraHD camera and weighs about an ounce more. This camera can fit in your pocket, although you will get a slight bulge (not a bad thing for some of the guys out there). The camera seems to be solidly built, although it is mostly plastic. I would have preferred a mechanical lens cover as proposed to the manual clip on cover that can be easily lost. It's not the end of the world--but for a camera with a list price of $399.99--this is a bit cheap. Although the camera does have a multi-function on/off button, turning the camera on or off is as simple as opening and closing the lcd screen. The camera is equipped with not one, but two SD card slots. I purchased two kingston 32gb class 6 and a cards for $49 each here on Amazon, giving me 63gb of storage--more than enough to cover any trip. If you run out of space, just throw in another SD card and keep shooting.



The user interface is a little difficult to operate. I am not a fan of the "lasertouch" functionality, which is nothing more than a capacitative strip on the side of the screen. It's not particularly sensitive and I find that make the wrong selections half the time. I would definitely prefer a touchscreen or a joystick control like the one used by Canon on its R-series of cameras. Once you managed to navigate the choices, however, you have a wide array of settings, including manual white balance and focus settings. I have found that, for the most part, you're better off just leaving the camera in full auto mode and only tinkering if you're in some oddly lit room.



When this camera launched, it had a list price of $399.99. I found the a factory reconditioned version of this camera online from another retailer for $125.00 and snapped it right up. Currently, fresh new cameras can be had for $175-$210. This puts the JVC in the same price range as the Sony Bloggie Touch, Flip Ultra HD, Mino HD, Kodak Playtouch and Playsports etc. Those are cheap, entry level packet cams that can't come close to matching the JVC in terms of quality or performance (and aren't much smaller). If you can buy this camera for $225 or less, you got a good deal.



If you would like to see some sample footage, I posted some test shots on youtube: [...]



Update 7/28/11: My review and comments regarding the JVC Everio GZ-HM300 remain the same, however, I am reducing the rating from five stars to three. Assuming you intend to buy the JVC new for ~$200, there are currently better options available. The Sony DSC-HX7V or WX9, both are compact megazoom point and shoot cameras that have the ability to record video and 1080i at 60fps in AVCHD at a 24mbps bitrate or, in the case of the HX9V, at 1080p at 60fps at a 28mbps bitrate. Both Sony's are excellent point and shoot cameras and the video quality is outstanding. Both sony's use superior quality lens and have some of the best optical image stablization on the market. I have seen the HX7V for as low as $249, with case and 4gb card at a big box store (currently using a $30 instant rebate). The HX9V sells for around $348. Also available is the compact Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9, which has the same video capability as the HX7V and sells for less than $200 on Amazon (including optical image stablization). All three cameras have better video performance, take beautiful photos and provide custmers with a better value for dollar than the JVC. Based on this new competition, I can no longer recommend the JVC (the Sony's are that much better). - High Definition - Hd Camcorder - 1080p - Jvc'

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Child Abduction - child abduction, crime drama

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Ben Affleck has written (with Aaron Stockard) a superb screenplay adaptation of Dennis Lahane's novel GONE BABY GONE and has proceeded to direct this tough tale with an ensemble cast of both well-known actors and unknown actors and walk-ons from the streets of the Boston area where they grisly story takes place. The result is a film so well tuned and realistic with a perfect sense of pacing and character development that it becomes a remarkable calling card for Ben Affleck's career as a director. That it is going unnoticed (with the exception of Amy Ryan's nomination for Best Supporting Actress) by the Oscars is a grave oversight !



The time is contemporary Dorchester, Massachusetts and Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and his girlfriend/partner Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan), become aware of a missing child Amanda (Madeline O'Brien) in their own neighborhood. The child's aunt Bea (Amy Madigan) and uncle Lionel (Titus Welliver), unable to cope with Amanda's drugged out mother Helene (Amy Ryan), knock on Patrick and Angie's door, pleading with them to help find Amanda: Patrick and Angie are private detectives who just happen to be an integral part of the neighborhood. Reluctant at first to become involved in the now 3-day police hunt for the child, a hunt headed by the respected Captain Jack Doyle (Morgan Freeman) who his lost his own daughter in similar circumstances and detectives Remy Bressant (Ed Harris) and Nick Poole (John Ashton) and who as a triad feel they are competent to handle the case without the 'immature experience' of the young couple. But Patrick and Angie do become involved, uncover leads within the neighborhood that lead to the clues behind the missing child incident and in doing so, unravel a lot of corruption within the police force, and also discover differences between themselves that threaten their otherwise close relationship. To say more would remove the incredible tension this story maintains all the way to the fadeout credits.



The cast is uniformly excellent, from the smallest roles to the most major ones. It is difficult to single out any performer for praise as this is truly an ensemble piece. The flavor of the film is honest, unflinching, and refuses to ignore the grotesque incidents that must be shown for the movie to maintain its impact. Writer Dennis Lahane ('Mystic River', 'Shutter Island') is a master of detailing the spectrum of responses that ugly matters induce: even the most noble of intentions have their shadowy side. Affleck finds all of this in this excellent film, a film so strong that it easily bears repeated viewings. Highly recommended...but not for the squeamish. Grady Harp, February 08 Gone Baby Gone

I'm going to be honest, I really wasn't overly exited to see "Gone Baby Gone." From the previews, it looked like a competent--if familiar--genre picture. I was galvanized, finally, to see the film based on Amy Ryan's practical sweep of the award season's Best Supporting Actress Prizes. The Affleck brothers, Ben as Director and Casey as Star, did nothing to alleviate my limited expectations. But something quite unexpected happened--my opinion completely changed as I was caught up in the twists of this genuinely good sleeper. Ben Affleck has generated a brisk, tough and uncompromising film and Casey Affleck has turned himself into a bona fide leading man! And although not a flawless film, I ended up loving "Gone Baby Gone."



When a child goes missing, the community of Dorchester gets caught in a media frenzy. With Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris as officials in charge of the investigation, Casey Affleck (as a local detective) is brought in by the family as additional help. Having been raised in the area, it is felt that these contacts may give him better access to and communication with the tightlipped Boston neighborhood. Immediately, the story starts to unravel and the sympathetic mother (Amy Ryan) turns out to be not so sympathetic. The route the film follows takes us to some familiar territory but also to unchartered waters. The film dares to raise moral and ethical questions and presents a terrific and thoroughly uncompromising ending! The film's final moments put this head and shoulders above traditional Hollywood product. And I give Ben Affleck full credit for not bending to a more stereotypical conclusion.



"Gone Baby Gone" is actually the fourth in a series of novels by crime writer Dennis Lehane featuring private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. It is, however, the first to be treated to a big screen adaptation. Those familiar with the novels know that the Kenzie/Gennaro dynamic provides much emotion and conflict. Their relationship is almost as important as any case that they work. Fans of this aspect of Lehane's novels, therefore, might be a bit disappointed. In making this stand-alone film, Gennaro is largely marginalized and the impact of what happens to them as a couple isn't as significant to the story as it is in the book. That said, film and novels are two different mediums and "Gone Baby Gone" as a film still works exceedingly well in its own right.



Casey Affleck is not the conventional actor one would picture for this role. Small in stature, relaxed in delivery--his offbeat presence actually makes "Gone Baby Gone" even more intriguing. As he is not a predictable "leading man," you're never quite sure what he's going to do. I found this lack of expectation to be quite invigorating and led me to accept and appreciate the twists of the film to a greater degree. With "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," this was Casey's year to redefine himself. Freeman, Harris, Ryan, Amy Madigan, and Michelle Monaghan (as Gennaro) all give impassioned performances. With a tight script and solid direction, "Gone Baby Gone" is a surprisingly tough film--and I mean that in all the best ways. Highly recommended. KGHarris, 01/08. - Ed Harris - Child Abduction - Crime Drama - Casey Affleck'

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Mp3 Download - maroon 5

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This is the second song from Amazon that I've downloaded that had objectionable words or lyrics in the song. This is definitely not a "clean" version that you might hear played on radio stations. Amazon needs to be more descriptive about the songs they have available for download, whether or not they have anything that might be objectionable to some. Moves Like Jagger

Wow, I love this song. Although when I first heard it, I didn't get hooked. Then I went over to Vevo.com and watched the video and ever since then, I've loved this song. This song will/should make you want to get up and dance, even if you don't know how. Vocals are great, music is equal, and they time the "catch" beats to get you dancin! This song should be a title song in one of the dance games on the game consoles (Wii - Just Dance or Xbox360 Dance Revolution)!



This song is geared Pop. It's also a tribute to Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones). F'in gr8 song, def recommend!

"Moves Like Jagger" is sonic proof that Maroon 5 has IMPROVED over the years. In the beginning, Adam Levine&his cohort attempted blue-eyed soul with the nasally "This Love." Their "Songs about Jane" was pretty lame. They've hit high notes- so to speak- with "Misery", and "Moves Like Jagger", for all its controversy, is great. Christina Aguilera, making a comeback from her meh "Bionic" album, is wonderful as Adam Levine's duet partner. "Moves Like Jagger" is EXCELLENT!

The first couple of times that I heard this song, I absolutely hated it. But then I started realizing that it was going through my head constantly, and it was pretty catchy. So I gave in, and just started enjoying it. Not really a surprise, I like most of Maroon 5's other stuff, so this one just kind of fits in.

I cannot write a review on music because it is different for everyone. There is a preview on amazon and the full version is on youtube. I am giving this 5 stars because it is upbeat and makes me want to get up and dance! Christina Aguilera singing in here is a plus for me!

I can't get it out of my head I'm so happy it's on sale yay! itunes suck! Amazon so Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I always get great deals here love it! "moves like jagger" I have no idea who jagger is lol but the song is Awesome!

Whoever was behind the creation of this song and the blend of Adam & Christina deserves a raise. Not only is the tune a great pop song, it's one of the best of 2011. Listenable, entertaining, and bouncy, "Moves Like Jagger" can make anyone move.



Hopefully, for their sake, the two singers can have a career as long and legendary as Mick and company. - Maroon 5'

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Biblical Eating - junk science, bible belt

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For many years now, I have been teaching classes in Biblical nutrition with a focus on freshly milled grains. I learned of this book when one of the people attending my class asked if I had read Dr. Russell's book because the rules I gave in class were in his book! I had not, but promptly got it and read it. I agree with him 100%. Believe me, in the world of nutrition, that is VERY rare! I have read many of the same books as cited in Dr. Russell's book and arrived at the same conclusions. We certainly serve an awesome God!If you wish to improve your family's health, to turn your health around, get this book and put it into practice. It is simple to do and a much less expensive way to eat.God never intended us to eat food made by man. If you will prayerfully read this book, with an open heart and mind, I know that you will be amazed at the blessings you and your family will receive. What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: 3 Principles that Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health

Russell shares his experience and medical knowledge with insight, and especially important for convincing the skeptics, the background information on WHY foods help or hinder our bodies.



Listed are grains and legumes, and the vital nutrients contained in them.

Listed are meats/seafood that are declared clean and unclean in the Bible, and more helpfully, the understanding of why they would be unhealthy back then and now.



The understanding and knowledge was very helpful in changing my mind about my diet. My mom always tried to get me to eat gross bread, for instance, because it was healthier. I didn't want anything to do with it. Now I am motivated to find enjoyable ways to eat healthy grains, more beans, and reduce animal fat in my diet because of God's plan for health.



Another aspect of the book is the testimonies included about adults and children recovering from ailments after changes in diet. Russell mentions many different types of ailments that doctors generally don't know what to do about, and how reducing processed sugars/flours and adding fiber through fruits and vegetables greatly helped people.



My wife's response as we read some of the book together was, "Why doesn't everybody know this?"

Indeed, if we all wanted healthy bodies, we would change our eating habits, but, we've known that for a long time. This book teaches the HOW of healthy eating.

It's a multi-billion-dollar industry: dieting. Every year, someone comes up with a new spin on the age-old question of how to stay fit. When I was growing up, we dutifully memorized our four food group chart, which was later replaced by the food pyramid. I was shocked to learn recently that the food pyramid wasn't based on true scientific research, but on government subsidy politics. So, once again, we're told to learn something new.



Thankfully, one book never changes: the Bible. That's why Dr. Rex Russell's book should be on every parent's bookshelf: it serves as a companion to God's Word, explaining in laymen's terms how to eat based on the Creator's plan. And it's chock full of warm and witty anecdotes from Dr. Russell's research and life work.



Despite our massive improvements in sanitation, nutrition, and medical research, studies show the average American's lifespan could DECREASE by as much as five years in the coming decades. Why is that? It's because we eat too much, eat the wrong things, and we're too FAT! More than 60% of adults and 30% of children are overweight or obese, putting themselves at a higher risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and a variety of other illnesses.



WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HEALTHY LIVING is based on three simple principles: 1) Eat the foods God created for you. 2) Don't alter God's design. 3) Don't let any food or drink become your God. This book also has a chapter on fasting, which is a topic everyone needs to understand. You see examples of it throughout the Bible, but how many of us actually practice it habitually?



Dr. Russell tells the case of a nine-year-old girl with severe dyslexia who was undergoing expensive therapies and treatments, yet still couldn't read. The surprise came after she fasted a few days from having the flu. She could read! Her parents discovered her learning problems were diet-related. They learned she was sensitive to sugar, corn, white flour, margarine, honey, and other frequently eaten foods.



I think many kids who are diagnosed with ADD and other disorders could be cured through cutting processed food out of their diets and getting hours and hours of fresh air and exercise outside instead of being forced to sit still indoors. Easier said than done, of course. But it's still a lifestyle to aim for.



This is a book I bought on the recommendation of Sue Becker of the Bread Beckers in Atlanta. I try to read it once a year to remind myself of the health truths found in the Bible. It's a staple to add to every mom's shelf of cookbooks -- and gives hope to those suffering from health problems. I also like George Malkmus' Hallelujah Diet and books, though eating a mostly raw diet is tough when trying to feed kids. Still, it is something to keep in mind, and it's a diet that is Biblically based and has cured thousands from severe disease.



--Reviewed by Heather Lynn Ivester

I have been a diabetic for twenty years. My spouse was experiencing some health problems. We read this book looking for how a change in diet might help. We liked the way Dr. Russell explained both the divine wisdom and the scientific evidence behind the information he presents. He persuaded us to change WHAT we eat. Now that I eat the right foods, I eat as much as I want. My obesity is melting away (without increasing my excersize - which I still need to do!) I feel better, look better and even think better. My eye sight is improving. The quality of my life is better. My triglycerides dropped from 245 to 85 six weeks after implementing the changes even though I still eat fats, though only the RIGHT fats. I have bought multiple copies of this book and give them to everyone I know... READ THIS BOOK. YOUR LIFE WILL BE BETTER!!! - Biblical Eating - Bible Belt - Healing Foods - Junk Science'

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Magnetic Letters - alphabet, cookie cutters

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We love Lauri puzzles and this one is no exception. My son is 4 and autistic and has known his uppercase letters for awhile now. This puzzle is teaching him about lowercase as well. Also good for fine motor. The only slight downside is that there are some very small pieces to keep track of. A to Z Lower Case Crepe Rubber Puzzle - Package Colors May Vary

Welp, I have to edit my review. Everything said below is still true. However, my 26 month old has consistently loved playing with this puzzle for the last couple of weeks! It is his puzzle of choice. So, while I may have found the below items to be a "negative", my toddler disagrees. He actually enjoys the little pieces that I described in #3 below (I think he finds them challenging) and loves to just touch and feel the texture of the letters. Since the puzzle is for him, I will have to defer to his "expert opinion"! ;-)



-------------------------------------------------------------



This is overall just a "decent" puzzle to have in your collection of puzzles for your little ones. A couple of things to note:



1. The puzzle I received was actually a blue background with yellow letters. Not a big deal but different from the picture online.

2. The letters are completely flush with the board. It is hard for little ones to pick up the letters by themselves.

3. The "holes" in certain letters come out with the letter. For example, the letter "b" when pulled out leaves only the outline of the letter on the puzzle board. The little "hole/circle" that makes the letter comes out with the letter. I was not aware of this and would have preferred a wooden puzzle had I known (I believe the wooden puzzles have letters where the "hole" actually stays part of the board so that your child can actually see the letter as it should be...instead of just the outline).



Instead of dealing with returning it, I just glued those pieces down to the board as a quick fix. #1 and #2 above are not a huge deal but #3 is why I gave this puzzle two stars only. When a child is learning lower case letters, they should see them as they are...not just the outline. I would have purchased a different puzzle had I known. - Toys - Cookie Cutters - Letters - Alphabet'

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Kenneth Cole - belts, black

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I bought it 2 weeks ago... and the black surface stareted to peel away... I used it every day for like 2 weeks only..it's poorly made ...I guessed I got what I paid for 30 dollar ...Made in China ...very crappy quality ...it split over 2 weeks...

Why you should not buy this ?

- poor quality...split in 2 weeks

- black leather surface peel aways in 2 weeks

- the buckle is quite heavy...the belt split bc of the way it go into buckle...

- the quality of the leather is very poor....

plz do not buy it if u do not want to waste money....Kenneth Coles seems to have problems with the quality control... when u outsource ...to third parties...

I won't buy any Kenneth Coles belts again....it seems to have a problem with a quality control.... Kenneth Cole REACTION Men's Brown Out 1-1/2" Leather Reversible Belt, Brown/Black, 32

I thought this belt would be perfect for frequent flyers, eliminating the need for packing one black and one brown belt. The idea was frustrated a little by the very heavy buckle. On the other hand, it's stylish and well-finished.

This belt is really pretty, the shape, the color, all about it.



But be aware, I'm already have an 32" Flosheim Belt and O know I'm 32 of waist, I order this in this site and I've to return it cause was to short, ask for the 34 and everything is great now.

Very nice looking belt that is well made. Contrary to many other -even brand name belts- that can be used both ways (for black and brown), it does nos separate or split both colors as it wears down with use.



Other belts, even if used exclusively on a single color side, split and have to be discarded. I like this one because it is both, good looking and sturdy.



It is too wide for use as a formal dress belt, but great as a casual dress belt.



Got it at a good price, too. Recommended.

I just returned from a cruise where I took the Kenneth Cole belt I had bought and last worn in my wedding in June 2008...this is January 2010. I have a different belt, its made in America and is a cranberry color with two loops to hold the belt end.

After wearing the belt one night, I used it again for Formal Night, wearing it with my silk suit from the wedding. When I returned to the cabin, I noticed my shirt and pants had what looked like wine streaks across them. I thought it was the dining room table. I pulled out the pants from the night before and they too had the streak. I wore my third and final pair of pants the next night was was going to inspect the table, but after a short time, I noticed these pants also had the streaks across them. I then inspected the belt and noticed the dye was rubbing off the belt and onto my clothing. I also noticed the belt was splitting in several places and the veneer was wearing off. Again, I may have worn this belt 4 or 5 times maximum.

Cleaning does not get streaks out for over $450 of clothing is ruined. I will be contacting Kenneth Cole to reimbursement, so watch this site for updates on how the company handles a situation like this before you choose to buy their product.

I have never bought such a crappy belt to my husband. worse thing is that I bought this one and another style of same brand. in less than a month they were both peeling the black part. i will never buy this brand again.

This belt looks great when you first get it. However, it scratches and stretches very easily and after 1-2 days it's no longer "reversible" because it puckers where the buckle is and develops folds/unevenness in the leather. A complete waste of money. Avoid.

The good:

Its reversible and the mechanism appears to be hearty.

Good leather and quality build.

Wider than most.

Sturdy buckle.



The bad:

Wider than most.

Buckle is heavy.



The ugly:

reversing mechanism can be fussy.



Over all a great buy and a good belt. - Brown - Casual - Black - Belts'

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Scrubbing Bubbles Sonicscrubber

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I like this little gadget so much that I actually gave a couple for Christmas presents to people who love clean, but have back problems. Both friends loved the things. I initially got this to clean the grout between floor tiles. This was so much easier than getting down on hands and knees. I use it with different scrubber brushes for bathroom and floor now. I haven't had any issue with the scrubber falling out. SonicScrubbers HAEXT Scrubbing Bubbles Power Cleaning Tool Extension Handle'

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Fishing Pole - kids fishing, fishing pole

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I bought this fishing pole for my mentally-disabled sister, who for some reason, decided she wanted to go fishing. Since my sister's fishing interests are obviously limited, this basic rod and reel at an extremely reasonable price was worth ordering and it did not disappoint. With assistance, my sister was able to use the pole with ease.



It occurred to me that if any parents are wanting to start their tykes with a fishing pole, this would be an excellent choice for them to order. South Bend Worm Gear Fishing Rod and Spinning Reel Combo, Red

I PURCHASED THIS ROD AND REEL AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT MY BOYFRIEND REALLY DOES LIKE IT FOR THE PRICE THAT I PAYED FOR IT. I GOT THE PRODUCT IN A GREAT TIME IN A GREAT BOX. NO PROBLEM FROM THE SELLER.Fat Cat Catfisher Fishing Rod and Reel with 2 Catnip LuresZebco Spincast Fishing Reel Spooled with 10-Pound Line

Good item at the price i paid. Works well and does the job. line feeds out and reels in smoothly. My kids are learning to fish. At a fraction of the cost of a really good setup I dont mind them destroying this one while learning.

My kids love to fish and instead of having to drop by grandma's....I bought these. I have a 6, 8, and 10yr old and not one of them could use these more than 10min without the line getting tangled. I spent more time fixing them than we did actually fishing. - Fishing Gear - Fishing Pole - Kids Fishing'

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New Zealand - electrical, travel gear

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I bought a couple of these adaptors for a recent trip to China and couldn't be happier.



Features:



1. Converts almost any power plug to the Type I plug common in China and Australia. [I believe the only exception is the Type M used in South Africa and a few other exotic locations].



2. Accepts grounded (three prong) and non-grounded (two-prong) plugs.



3. The Type I "male" side of the plug includes the ground connection.



4. Solid construction--very well built.



Some notes if you travel 'abroad':



1. These adaptors will only bridge the physical connection between your power cable and the wall outlet. They do not perform voltage conversion. Before using, make sure that whatever you are plugging in will accommodate the local voltage. The US is 120 Volts @ 60 Hz --most of the world is 220-240 Volts @ 50 Hz.



2. Some applicances will require a voltage transformer--which is another product altogether (usually higher wattage devices like hair blowers and soldering irons--but your mileage may vary). Always check the limitations of your devices--the requirements (voltage and frequency) are generally labeled adjacent to the power cord or plug. This is true for laptops, cell phone chargers, electric razors, etc.



3. Always use the 3-prong (grounded connectors). They are safer than the two-prong types and tend to be much better built. I have had the two-prong adaptors disintegrate on me -- leaving the disembodied, bare metal blades stuck in the outlet. Yikes! That's why I love this adapter--very well built.



Happy travels! VCT VP 103 - Universal Plug Adapter For Australia / New Zealand / China / Argentina

We couldn't be happier with this simple product. Worked perfectly with no problems on our US electronics while we were in Australia. The image is exactly what you get and the alignment of the plug inputs is perfect. The shipping was fast via USPS and included a receipt. We saw similar adapters with fewer plug options available for $15+ AU making this a great value and definitely worth buying in advance. If you are traveling from the US you will find one of these gizmos mandatory if you want to charge your camera or computer.

This adapter plug has performed flawlessly. I have standard North American plugs, and this adapts them--and others nationalities' plugs--to New Zealand style plugs. The devices I am using (computer, Camera battery charger) are set up to use the 240V current over here, so a 240 to 120V converter is not necessary.



The quality and workmanship of the unit, although not fancy, is top notch and solid. Don't let the low price fool you; this unit is "the bee's knees", as they say.



WELL WORTH THE MONEY!

My daughters just returned on a trip to Argentina. The converter worked perfectly at every hotel they stayed. They journeyed all over the country and found no difficulties at any time. Great to recharge batteries and electronic devices!

I bought one of these plug adapters plus several cheaper two-prong adapters for New Zealand. This is the only adapter that would make my Nikon Coolpix battery charger work. It is a bit bulky, but it stayed in the wall sockets really well.

If you are traveling down-under (Australia or New Zealand) and you are taking 2 or 3 pronged US plugs with you, such as a laptop, or phone charger, you will find that these adapters work perfectly. These are just ADAPTERS, not voltage converters, so if your electric device only works with 110 volts, you will need a converter to convert the Aussie 230 volts down to 110 volts (US)

As long as your devices can run on 120/220 (and most gadgets can these days, thank gawd), you're good to go.



I got one of these, a power strip to plug into it, and was able to keep my tablet, laptop, phone, and camera happily charged for a week in Australia. Just check all your chargers to make sure they can handle 220.

We used this adapter plug on our recent trip to New Zealand. It worked great, we had no problems. Used it to charge all of our electronic equipment, laptop, cell phones and cameras. A great bargain for the money. - Power Plug Adapter - Travel Adapter - Travel Gear - Electrical'

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About Time They Made This

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Okay, those of you that know my review style know that I do my very best to give each game the benefit of the doubt as well as an honest opinion. This game will be no exception to that process!



Back in the day, Duke Nukem revolutionized the first-person shooter genre for its creativity, its graphics, its hardcore nature, and its overall fun-factor. Yet this game, does not revolutionize the genre in any way...in fact, it might be a small step back.



Now with that being said, it IS a good game, don't get me wrong, however after twelve or so years of build-up, delays, and anticipation, I'm simply warning everyone to not "get there hopes up too high," because the end result may end up leaving some disappointed.



I'm not going to give away any spoilers at all, I'm just going to delve into what people should already know, and that is that the very first level you start off on is, in fact, the one you play in the demo. Note: If you pre-ordered the game, you received a code to play the demo, not to mention it was available for play at various conventions. Now, some of you might be asking yourself, have the graphics improved from those that were available in the demo, and the answer is...No. To put it into comparison, the character modules of some of the monsters/characters looks similar to Fallout 3/Fallout: New Vegas. I can understand a game like that having lessened graphics because it is simply massive (for the lack of a better word). However this game, from what I can tell so far, is not nearly as massive and to be quite honest, there is no excuse for why some of the graphics even resemble Playstation 2-esque qualities. However, to be fair, when I get more playing time in with this game, I'll update my review on the length (level selection and so on) later.



Now, if there is one thing we all know, (or should know), it's that graphics don't make a game, no, what makes a game is whether or not it is FUN or not. Now, with that being said, I must say that this game does have its moments. For example, the humor is definitely there. Like I said, I'm not gonna give anything away, especially any of the jokes, but trust me, those oldschool "one-liners" are back and just as great/cheesy as they were back in the 90s. Also, remember playing the old Duke Nukem games back in the day, and being proud/rewarded when you found a secret? Well so far, those secret areas can still be found in this installment of the franchise (which is definitely a plus in my eyes). In addition, the developers also have chosen to add vehicles into the game, which has the potential to be a nice touch, however in my personal opinion, the camera-work/controls for such vehicle segments could use a bit of improvement, though aside from that, it's a great addition! Despite being (for the most part) linear, there is a surprising amount of exploration that can be had within this game, and for that, I am very happy. No, don't expect a massive world like Fallout 3 (sorry to keep namedropping that game ha-ha), or anything of that nature, but the developers did leave room for some exploring throughout the levels as I stated, which is nice, however back-tracking through levels (unless you count a chapter select) is not included in this exploration process.



Puzzles are back as well, and that feeling of "being lost" that retro-gamers once felt can now be re-experienced (which is either a good thing or bad thing, depending on your style of gameplay you prefer). As far as I'm concerned, puzzles such as these are alright, just as long as they don't become tedious and ultimately result in a thrown controller (as some gamers often resort to :P). The assortment of weapons is pretty great, however the only complaint I have in this department, is that you are only allowed to carry two weapons (unless somewhere further through the game this changes, and if so, like I said earlier, I will update this review). So you need to choose wisely as to which two weapons you wish to play through on various portions of the game before picking up/adding a new one. The lineup of enemies is pretty awesome as well, some of the classic favorites have returned, as well as various new ones.



Multiplayer? Well I'll fill this section in later once I give it a try, but for now, I just wanted to get this initial review out to you all (the public). However trust me, expect an update within the next couple of days. Be gentle though, I was trying to get this review out early so buyer's could get an honest opinion of the game.

So for now, my impressions stand as follows:



Graphics: 3/5

Sound: 4/5

Controls: 3.5/5

Multiplayer: 3.5/5

Fun: 4/5

Overall: 4/5



At the very least, a rental is in order, just to see if you like the game or not. It may not be for some, it might be for others, however at the very least, if you consider yourself a Duke fan, you owe it to the franchise (and yourself) to rent it and try it out. As for buying/purchasing it? Well...personally, I would say go ahead, however for the majority of gamer's out there, this one definitely needs to be tried out before spending your hard-earned dollars on it.



As I mentioned, I'll return shortly to update this review, but for now, be gentle! '



UPDATE 6/15: Alright, so I've had some more time with the game's single player campaign now, and I can say that my rating stays the same. Surprisingly, I still haven't beaten the game, which actually comes as a shock to me, since many reviews complain about the length of the game. So in my opinion (for what it's worth), I actually have no complaints about the length. The levels available are also quite nice so far, and I've found myself challenged with some of the puzzles that the level design has offered me. If by chance you get stuck, or don't know where to go/what to do, we are fortunate to live in an age where we have all the answers at our fingertips (the internet), so just look for a walkthrough on YouTube or whatever website that is convenient for you, though for the most part, I doubt you'll need to resort to such actions.



In all honesty though, I can still say this game offers a decent experience that may not outshine other games on the market, but it holds its ground. Obvious improvements could have been made though, and hopefully in the next one (assuming they make one), they'll be more mindful of their errors and not "rush into it;" which sounds odd being that it took twelve or so years to release this game in the state that its in now. I look forward to what the future holds for this franchise, and hopefully people will give this one a try: just don't go in with high expectations.



Update 6/16: Alright, I've spent yet even more time with the single-player campaign, and I just want to make a couple more notes. I noticed many reviews complain about the load times. Yes, they are persistent and somewhat of an annoyance. These load times not only occur between levels, but also after dying (for the most part, as certain deaths like driving a vehicle in a lake results in an instant respawn). True, this is a problem for most players, and hopefully in the next game (assuming they make one), they'll address this issue and really pull for quicker load-times. However, it is what it is, and there really isn't anything WE can do about it (aside from just choosing not to play the game at all :P).



Also, elaborating a bit on my mentioning of level exploration, I really consider it an absolute treat to walk around a level and take a gander at every single detail of the objects around an environment (I love doing that stuff). Little things that most people might overlook, like labels on foods, boxes, and other various objects throughout a level. I even noticed a fully-functional crossword puzzle on one of the objects within the (small spoiler) Duke Burger level. I'd strongly recommend taking the time to venture around and really take-in the environments that the developers have laid out for us, as you'd really be doing a disservice to yourself in not doing so. At least this proves that SOME thought went into the game. My favorite little "Easter egg" of sorts was going into one of the bathroom areas, and finding writing on the wall that said "867-5309." This is of course a song that was made in the 80s, and I couldn't help but grin when I discovered this. Anyway, I won't give away anymore, but these little secrets and things are definitely out there; ya just gotta' find them! :)



MULTIPLAYER:



Alright, as promised, here are my first impressions of the multiplayer of this game. First off, I love the selections of maps and so on that are made available, even one called "Hollywood" which is the opening level from Duke Nukem 3D (if you pay attention), except it's been turned into a slum; why they did this, I don't really know, but still, it's a fine addition. The weapon scheme is the same as in single player in that you can only carry a max of two weapons to switch off with. The weapons spawn out at various portions of the map, and it's up to you to make sure its safe and clear enough to grab one without being killed! I hosted a server for a while and played a few games, I also played on other people's servers and as far as I can tell, there has been no lag issues at all (keep in mind, this is from my own personal experience, and lag issues may vary from person-to-person). Anyway, perhaps the toughest part about the multiplayer (for me at least) is the aiming; which is also a concern in the single player as well and often feels like I'm having to "spray-and-pray." However if you're a seasoned first-person shooter player, this might not be an issue after getting use to how the game plays out/feels. Overall, the game modes are fairly enjoyable (especially a good ole round of "Capture the Babe" which is a spinoff of "Capture the Flag"), and as long as teamwork is everyone's concern, battles should make for some intense and entertaining moments! The only thing that turns me off is that there are no trophies/achievements for the multiplayer, only in-game unlockables. For some, this is perfect, but this was also the case for Uncharted 2 (well...aside from the 2 trophies it awarded you for simply trying multiplayer), and the reason why I never really got into that portion of that game; though that's another story entirely! However, if you aren't a trophy-hungry gamer like I am, and simply looking for a decent online multiplayer shooting experience, then sure, I'd recommend it. However, keep in mind, this is no CoD, Warhawk, Battlefield, MAG, or Resistance...this is Duke Nukem. Which reminds me, yes, just to clarify, the maximum player count for matches is 8 people. So if you're the type that loves to get involved in massive battles, then I suggest you give MAG a try. Though all-in-all, the multiplayer offered in this game is enjoyable, not great, not awesome, not spectacular, and not poor, not bad, and not terrible; just enjoyable.



So with all that being said, my scores remain the same (although I'll add a score for multiplayer now), and I would still strongly encourage (to anyone) at least giving this game a try at a friend's house, or a rent. Who knows, you may just find a gaming experience that you'll find quite entertaining, or you may not care for it at all, turn it in, and move on to the next game. Either way, these are all just MY opinions on the game, and whether we like it or not, Duke Nukem has returned!



I hope all of this helps. Any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments! :) Duke Nukem Forever'

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