Reviews Written by Brahms_Blue_Rose

EXCELLANT QUALITY AT GREAT PRICE!

Pros: Quality pics; Ease of use; Easy on pocketbook.

Cons: Small "lag" with flash. That's it!

I'm just your 'average Joe' with a need for 'above average' electronics, lol! I did my homework first via the internet and wanted a sturdy digital camera with both 'optical' and 'digital'that takes high quality pics at a reasonable price. Let's face it, most of us are NOT professional photographers but we want the pics to 'look' like they could have been done by a professional. Well, this camera will accomplish that. It's packed with enough features to be taken seriously and it's easy enough to use straight out of the box with very minimal effort needed. KODAK products are also a name you know you can trust. ...

Take a wonderful BOOK and mix with 99% Hollywood

Pros: It was filmed in Tuscany. Diane Lane is a decent actress.

Cons: Hollywood got their hands on this book.

Long before Frances Mayes book "Under the Tuscan Sun" became a 'block' for Hollywood's chopping, I was a big fan. The first book I read by Ms. Mayes was titled "Bella Tuscany" and...having always wanted to go there myself for an extended period...I found her book intoxicating! The wording she chose and the scenerio she set in this reader's mind transported me to Tuscany without ever having left the comfort of my own home and Country. Next up was "Under the Tuscan Sun" which was equally fascinating and drew me in. Then, on to a book about poetry by Frances. You see, there are some stories that are told that "Hollywood" should simply N-O-T get their slimy hands on. This was one of them. This 'movie' is so loosely based on Ms. Mayes book that I am surprised she allowed it to be made. She's in good company though. An old favorite of mine, "Stephen King" is suffering from almost the same infliction that I see Mayes headed for. King was once a fantastic storyteller. I could name a 'certain story' about an evil wizard and a son in a palace but, then again, THAT was BEFORE King let Hollywood lead his stories to the 'slaughter' and then he began 'writing' hi stories as if already writing for a made-for-TV-movie thereby 'losing' his ability. To Frances Mayes I say, "Please, do NOT let "Hollyweird" get ahold of "Bella Tuscany". That's all I ask". ...

Tupac

Pros: Larger than Life/From the Gut & Heart

Cons: The Man died for ...NOTHING.

I have three daughters...two are teens. They have always enjoyed listening to Tupac and...being the caucasian, middle-aged, professional woman that I am...I simply could NOT understand WHY they loved this man's music so much and could not understand HOW they could empathize with what he was saying in his songs. I lumped all 'rap' music into one pile...what I THEN referred to as "Rap Crap". I must admit that I loved the actual 'beat' of his songs, even the slower ones. I frequent the library a lot and I ran across a book titled "The Rose that grew from Concrete" by...Tupac. I initially checked it out for my daughters as I thought it would be of interest to them. They weren't going to be home until later that evening so I sat down just to thumb thru it figuring it would give my kids and I something to discuss. I read the whole book...filled with Tupac's poetry...in one sitting. I was astounded! This man had real 'depth' and he was extremely 'creative' and 'gifted' as a 'writer'! God! What a waste that he was shot down like he was! So then I HAD TO pop in one of my girls' CD's for a REAL listen. First song I chose at random was "Brenda's Got a Baby". A REAL 'heavy' story. Sure, some of the other songs had filthy language and seemed downright 'sexist' but overall...I ENJOYED listening to his music! Shocked the hell out of me! Imagine the reaction of my girls' when, upon coming home that night, "MOM" was sitting there listening to TUPAC?! Aside from his music...the one thing I can honestly say that Mr. Shakir left me was..."quality time with my kids to discuss his lyrics and music and life". Sounds strange but...it matters to my girls and what matters to them...matters to me. ...

Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the&q

Pros: Hilariously swaggering, action-packed adventure will keep you totally entertained and wanting more!!!

Cons: What. YOU haven't seen it more than once? The audacity!!!

With his 'Keith Richard' swaggerly-sway and his hilarious dialog, Johnny Depp once again isn't afraid to portray a truly 'unique'character that makes the other actors practically non-existant. "Disney" has struck GOLD with this visually moody, yet hilariously funny, action-packed adventure that will keep young and old alike on the edge of their seats wanting...NEEDING more! Romance? You got it! Horror? Got that! Action-packed fighting scenes? Got that too! It's ALL here! Never before have "I" been able to go to a movie WITH my teenagers that we "ALL" wanted to see and "ALL" ended up enjoying. Here's looking forward to "Pirates: Part 2"! Bring it on! ...

I feel good, na-na-na-na-na-na-na!