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Cheap Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Widescreen & Full Screen Edition) Review

Frances McDormand is outstanding in the title role of Miss Pettigrew ~ and she is surrounded by a wholly satisfying cast. This film seems to be a real sleeper – made in 2007 and directed by Bharat Nalluri who has some excellent writing and directing credentials for BBC1 TV. It is such a joyful movie and Ms Pettigrew, who lost a partner to World War I collects another at the outset of World War II. I was pleased to see British actor Tom Payne in his first feature film – he plays Phil – the self obsessed son of a wealthy impresario,with a great deal of joie de vivre – and just as importantly, he is a singularly handsome young man!

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Cheap Age of Empires II, Gold Edition Review

Let me first say this, I have played AoE:AoK for more hours than any other game I have ever played, which I give credit not only to the solid and fun gameplay but to one thing that almost every game, with or without a story mode, should have, random maps. But that is not the only reason why this game is great; the great combination of sound, well-implemented graphics and balanced, constantly engaging gameplay make this one of the most solid RTS game ever. Now I have finally gotten around to reviewing this game after so many years here goes.

The gameplay for this game is superb, with a greatly balanced system for fighting and for the economy. One thing that I found engaging was the map editor which gives you many more things to do than just make a new map. You could, for example, playing with the units stats which I always found fun to see 20 samurai defeat hundreds for paladins. Also, though I never really did this much, you could make scripts for events and other things like how the computer would act and such. One thing that I thought was a nice idea to remain historically accurate was how they block certain civilizations from getting or researching certain technologies, like how the Japanese cant research some gunpowder tech and the like. Though the gameplay is solid and well thought out, people looking for new and innovative features will not find much here. I find this is not hindrance as the gameplay is so fun and addicting that I think that this has no real effect on actual enjoyment of the game.

The graphics for this game are okay but not great, seeing how they are run on a 2d engine. But I usually dont care about the graphics as much as how solid and fun the game is. The units are varied, you can easily tell a galleon from a fire ship in each unit type has a distinct feel to it. But those people looking for a flashy game should go look somewhere else.

The sound in this game fits the mood well and doesnt intrude at all. I generally like music in games and this is no exception, the attacks and such have nice sounds to them and are generally well done.

Then comes the value which is very high. The random maps keep you coming back for more, with experiences that are both new and varied, you will rarely (if ever) get the same map twice, which really raises the replay value. Also there are so many civilizations that its fun to see how you have to change you style according to what civilization your playing, like how the Huns dont have to make houses. Also some value comes from the historical aspect of the game, from which they provide a kind of encyclopedia on the different civilizations and such. I have actually learned a lot from this game and it helped me become more interesting in exploring certain historical topics.

Overall this is a great game that has a lot of replay value, rock solid gameplay and sound that enhances (rather than detracts) from the experience. Since by now you can buy it for very cheap it is a good idea to pick this up and play it, it is a great game that every strategy fan should play.

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Cheap Scholastic Choices – Teachers Edition Review

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Cheap Reel Deal Casino Championship Edition Review

Love those slot machines!!! I play for hours and hours.
The best thing is, you don’t loose real money.

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Cheap King Arthur – The Director’s Cut (Widescreen Edition) Review

I don’t know why I’m reviewing this as there are already over 500 reviews here, but I’ve just finished watching this again (probably the 6 or 8th time) and I really like it. The director, Antoine Fuqua, has essentially remade his previous film Tears of the Sun and couched it within the Arthurian legend. Hear Clive Owen plays the Bruce Willis role.

The Good Stuff: If there ever was a King Arthur this is more in line with what historians think they know about him. His half Roman, half British blood line. His being a commander in the Roman Army, etc. You also have Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman rule, The Sarmatian horsemen, the local tribes who paint themselves blue and a host of other things. This is also a very thrilling movie. There’s bravery, valor, great battle scenes, all for one and one for all and Keira Knightley in blue paint and leather battle gear. What else is there?!

The Bad Stuff: Some of the dialogue is a bit clunky.

But the movie is cool. They take some of what we’ve been told about the legend and use those same components in a more natural way. Excaliber and the drawing of it from the stone (here it’s his father’s grave) are less magical and more real. The magic here comes from the earth itself. The forests, mountains, rivers and forests are all shot to give the land a personality of its own. A mysticism of its own. And did I mention Keir Knightley in blue paint and leather battle gear? What else is there?!

Fuqua does a nice job directing here. He seems to have keyed in on the Ridley Scott school of film making as this movie has a very sweeping quality to it. It’s a big movie with a great look, a good musical score and Keira Knightley in blue paint and leather battle gear.
If you’ve seen the waaayyyy silly Excaliber you should like this miles better.

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Cheap Ed Wood (Special Edition) Review

Do you guys remember Edward D. Wood Jr., considered to be one of the worst directors of all time? Tim Burton did a sought-after biopic film about him as well. Let’s begin. It opens with a similar intro to Plan 9 From Outer Space with The Amazing Criswell (Jeffery Jones) introducing the basis of the movie. It shows Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) struggling to join the film industry. When he hears for an offer from producer George Weiss (Mike Starr) to join in the production of a gender change film, “I Changed My Sex!”, Ed decides to take the offer because he likes to don women disguises with pretty much any women’s garments, which is hilarious! He meets his childhood Idol Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau) and they become friends and Bela joins in the movie. He wrote the script and showed to to his then-girlfriend, Dolores Fuller (Sarah Jessica Parker), who loses her mind when he reviles his secret. He is also great friends with Bunny Breckinridge (Bill Murray), who decides to undergo a gender change surgery, but later changes his mind after an accident. He changed the title of the film to “Glen or Glenda” with Bela beginning the film with his famous line “Pull the String!”,and Ed was enthusiastic that he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his own movie. Unfortunately, it failed commercially, critically and financially. He tries again to land a job at Warner Bros. and fund enough money for his next try at a movie, Bride of the Atom. That was unsuccessful, but he meets Criswell. At the bar, Ed meets Loretta King (Juliet Landau), who he thinks has enough money for his next film. Filming starts, but is put on hold. He convinced meat tycoon, Don McCoy, to fund the rest of the film, on the condition that they cast his son, Tony, and end it with a big explosion. He even meets the local Vampira Show host Vampira (Lisa Marie). As a result of Ed’s transvestism and circle of friends, He and Dolores break up after the wrap party. Bela reveals to Ed that he has depression and a morphine addiction, and tries a double suicide, but Ed convinces him to get help in rehab instead. Ed eventually meets and dates Kathy O’Hara, who doesn’t mind his nature. Ed begins shooting of another film with Bela outside of his home. The group meets up at the Bride of the Monster premier, with an angry mob chasing them away and looting the car. An angry kid even gets Vampira in the chest! Sometime later, Bela dies leaving Ed without a star. Ed convinces Reynolds that his script for “Grave Robbers from Outer Space” will result in a box office success. He finds a stunt double for the late Bela Lugosi in Kathy’s chiropractor Dr. Tom Mason (Ned Bellamy). However, Ed and the Baptists have a problem with the title and decide to change it to Plan 9 from Outer Space along with his cheap movie-making skills. This caused the distressed Ed to leave the set for the nearest bar where he meets another icon Orson Wells (Vincent D’Onofrio). Wells encourages Ed to follow his dreams, finish the movie in his vision, and take action against the producers. The film ends with the premier for Plan 9, and Ed and Kathy getting married in Las Vegas, with an epilogue showing the outcome of all the main characters. This great, underrated, and sought-after movie shows a certain charm to Ed Wood’s career. He made his movies super-fast and super-cheap. He didn’t care about the casting and visual effects much. He mainly focuses on the plot. It is another outstanding film by Tim Burton that rivals Edward Scizzorhands among others. It is really funny and features a message to pursue your dreams and that in terms of movie-making, the story matters the most. Most of the actors played the parts flawlessly, but the film’s portrayal of Dolores Fuller was different from the real-life version, however. The black-and-white style enhances the mood like one of those early movies from the 40’s and 50’s and it worked out surprisingly well. If you find this movie, buy it. It is worth it to learn about one of the underdogs of film history.

P.S. When the Golden Turkey Awards gave Ed Wood the honor for worst director of all time, after seeing this film, I would rather give that honor to Uwe Boll!

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Cheap All Things Must Pass [BOXED EDITION] Review

Having been 7 years old in 1970, I didn’t know the Beatles had broken up, even though I was also aware of John’s and Paul’s solo albums, which my brother was wise enough to pick up right as they came out. Out of the three, I much preferred All Things Must Pass. I didn’t know it then, but George was my favorite Beatle and he always will be. Paul and John were much too extreme in their respective charming showman and curmudgeonly angry-young-man cynic, but George had a nicely measured blend of both, and it is apparent in this album.

Since all albums typically open with a strong lead-in track, “I’ll Have You Anytime” seems to be an odd choice on the surface, but its production stays with you and packs a punch. It immediately sets the tone for the entire album, and the remastering brings out the underlying atmosphere of the recording that I knew was there before, but it’s more apparent now. It’s one of the songs that bears repeated listening. It really makes you want to reach out to people you love. It’s devastating. “My Sweet Lord” and “Wah-Wah” are his versions of “Plastic Ono Band – Primal Album” material. Reaching out to God for peace and lambasting his former bandmates for giving him headaches (to say the very least) are just as potent as Lennon’s “Love” and “I Found Out” as well as, ironically enough, “God”. John and George are both basically saying they’d had enough of Paul Mc Cartney, that he was making them physically ill and that he made himself out to be much more than he actually was, thereby suffocating the two, and they have to break away from the Beatle thing or else they’ll both go insane.

“Isn’t It A Pity” packs a punch in so many ways. It not only echoed Lennon’s feelings about society in general, but it’s also George’s way of smirking in Paul’s face as a parody of the structure of Paul’s beloved “Hey Jude” with its simple acoustic guitar opening leading to the bombastic coda repeating “what a pity”, not to mention the song’s 7-plus minute length. Thankfully, George was wise enough to not do any annoying scat singing at the end.

This album has so much bright about it that it bears a separate review for each side, so that’s exactly what I’m doing here. Individual reviews of sides 2, 3 and 4 will follow on their own, then I’ll have as look at the bonus tracks.

It’s getting a bit late, so I must be on my way to face another day.

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Cheap The Acoustic Guitar Method: Complete Edition (Book/CD) (Acoustic Guitar (String Letter)) Review

David Hamburger has put together a wonderful beginning course for those that want to learn to play the acoustic guitar. I have the book and the DVD set. Each, on their own, is a VERY good resource. Together they are fantastic. Everything positive that is said about this course in the other reviews is absolutely true. Whether you read the book or watch the video, Hamburger comes off as someone who has thought about the best way to communicate to a new learner. The extras on essential listening and other information just make this superb instructional material that much better.

If you are thinking about buying this material don’t hesitate. Get it today. You’ll be glad that you did.

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Cheap Aerolatte Stainless-Steel Deluxe Edition Frother with Stand, Chrome Review

Until I was researching for a good single-cup coffee maker, I never knew there were little “frothers” on the market, but was fascinated. I love Irish coffee and similar drinks but usually don’t have cream to whip for topping. This unit is classy looking and feels solid … even the stand is attractive enough to leave on the counter.

At first, it seemed like it wasn’t really whipping much, then all of a sudden it happened and I had thick, creamy froth … about triple the amount of milk. Very impressive! It really makes froth rich enough for deserts, even using 2% milk. Exceeded my expectations.

BTW, the Aeropress Coffee Maker I purchased is also a great device … the combination of these two purchases prompted me to write my first reviews. Way to go, Aeropress!

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Cheap Omega Men’s Speedmaster Broad Arrow Olympic Edition Automatic Chronograph Watch #3557.50.00 Review

I was a bit leery about ordering an expensive watch from a non-authorized dealer but so far, I am very happy with the purchase. I received it in new condition and with all the documentation. I took it to an Omega jeweler to have the band adjusted and he validated the authenticity of the watch.

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