I'll give three stars. . .
579984
. . .to any product that can make the writings of the Church Fathers more readily accessible.
But this edition doesn't get more than three!  This is an electronic edition of "The Early Church Fathers" 38 volume set, edited by Philip Schaff, currently in re-print by a number of vendors.  It's entitled "Protestant Edition" because it retains the vast number of notes and essays, penned mostly by 19th century Protestant scholars with serious anti-Catholic issues.  So it loses one star here.  The set loses a second star because it is quite dated.  In the last 100 years, better, more scholarly translations have been published -- a fact recognized by Protestant and Catholic scholars alike.
NEVERTHELESS, this is a set well worth acquiring; and the electronic search features make research much less time consuming.
1097055
Inhale Exhale's first album was pretty awesome; it contained a handful of songs that helped it stand out among the homogeneity of sound in the current hardcore scene.  I find this album disappointing to say the least.  While I do appreciate the singer's solid attempt at using a wider range of vocal sounds, I feel the vocals took a hit in terms of the stylistic manner in which they are woven into the music. The screaming isn't very funky, mostly just blanketing over the guitar work in a semi-rythmic fashion. And the music . . . while some songs do have some pretty clever riffs, I don't really see a step forward with the guitar work or song writing.  Instead there has been an incorporation of the type of spacy echoed clean notations that are characteristic of bands like Cave-In, etc.  I can appreciate when bands expand horizontally, by incorporating new stylistic components, but I don't really see any vertical expansion in quality here--that is, expansion in the crafting of song structures, innovation of guitar, drum, and bass work, etc.  Taken by itself, the album is great compared to commercial sounds or most other immitative stupid-core bands out there.  All in all, I am disappointed, but only because my expectations were paved by prior work. For those of you who loved the songs "dance all night" and "Call to the faithful" and "Redemption," this album may be a bit of a disappointment for you as well.  I'm still glad I bought the album though, because it does my part in affording the band the opportunity to make it up to me with their third album.  The highlights of the album are pretty much the songs they currently have posted on their myspace page.
2063661
i was SO expecting this album to be a letdown...it is not - in fact (admittedly after only three listenings) - i'll put it up at LEAST in boxer/alligator territory

thank you, "The National", for restoring my faith in american indie...
752038
There are a few good songs, but most are lacking the edge of the previous albums. And I don't need screaming in a song for it to be exciting (although, it can help). But I do expect greater dynamics, more memorable guitar riffs, and catchier melodies. I actually expected more banjos, resonators, harmonicas, and mandolins, to be quite honest. I thought they had a good thing going with "Waiting on my Deathbed" and "Oh Lonely Grave". I really find it interesting that they actually thought this would go over well with their fans.

From Wikipedia:
Maylene's official Twitter said on March 2 "There is no way to describe this record. Be ready to have your minds open to the best Maylene yet."

Dallas was quoted saying "We are so excited about this new record... it will be by far our best yet..."

Seriously? Considering the different direction of the record, I would've expected something like "We're taking a little creative liberty with this record, but we still think you'll love it.. etc."

It has grown on me some, but overall it was a bit disappointing.
4932046
I really wanted to love this book, but I didn't. Altogether it's a fun read and good premise but it fell short in a few places.

This book starts off strong and promising but the main character, throughout the book, seems inconsistent to me. One moment she is riveted in place, the next she is forceful with her words. She wasn't the super strong heroine that I like to see, but sometimes she stood up for herself. She was smart and passed her test with "flying colors" but then it takes her a LONG TIME to connect some of the dots that are askew in her life. If you are truly that smart then it shouldn't take so long, be so hard, or drawn out. So, like I said, inconsistent.

I also thought that the book grew very long in a few places and there were several missed opportunities to show additional conflict inside and outside of prison and how horrible prison life really was for her. It touched on it, but I thought it could have been grittier. It definitely needed more conflict! And the main bad guy shows up sporadically. I think he could have caused a lot more drama and I kept waiting for it to happen, but it wasn't at the level I was hoping and expecting. I will say that the dude did give me the creeps though, so at least he was well written.

The ending I was not thrilled about. I was expecting a twist or something that makes me go "AHHH!" but it never happened. I hear there is a sequel to hopefully be out in June of 2014, not sure if I will buy it or not at this point. I don't feel like I 'have' to read it after finishing this one.
3951060
...I was disappointed with the quality of the writing (the actual writing - not the story).  I was not expecting elegant prose, but it would have been nice had the writing and sentence structure been geared at the very  least toward someone of the high school age group; there were many  bothersome incomplete sentences, while many others provided very little  detail that was not absolutely essential to the story.
I had been  hoping for something on the caliber of the first two Larson/Thurston novels  (let's face it - the other 12 books in the original series did not compare  to the first two).  Alas, I was disappointed.
Storywise, however, it  was nice to see the women in the Galactica universe having something to do  other than play doorbell and "nurse Nancy."
4529586
Even though I'm a huge Sarah Brightman fan, I have to be honest. A Winter Symphony is lovely, but a let down for me. Hopefully Sarah's website forum-members will understand and know what I mean. I was expecting a whole lot more, unfortunately. Don't slander me for saying what I've said and will say. For now, I'm not loving the CD, but it will eventually grow on me. I will upload it to my ipod and will listen to it on my stereo over the course of the holidays just the same. The main reason why I feel this way is because of the love-song style ballads. Tracks 2 and 3 are really ballads and didn't do anything for me.

It's nice music and all, and nice production, but lacks the joyful holiday spirit. Where are the traditional holiday songs? Ave Maria (duet with Fernando Lima) could've very easily been replaced by a fun duet like 'Santa Claus is Comin' To Town' or, perhaps 'O Holy Night' re-recorded for this album. 'Silent Night' is beautiful and ethereal though. Even track 1 (Arrival) is beautiful in it's "Abba-Esque" sort of way. I just don't feel in the Holiday Spirit yet, having played the first 5 songs. Too bad, because this album could've offered so much more. Track 6 (I've been this way before)....another ballad, just doesn't work for me. If they wanted to put many ballads on a new Sarah album, why didn't they make the "Symphony" album a 2-disc edition? Both my partner and I don't see Christmas yet, while track 6 is playing. Sorry but it's true. I'm just not as impressed as I would've liked to be.

I'll talk about the packaging, booklet and photos for a while. The standard CD (Navy Blue with silver lettering) comes in a stunning digipak with a 12-page booklet and features some really stunning photos of Sarah dressed all in white. There's a lot of lovely photo-retouching going on here too, which really makes the photos very sexy and holiday-inspired. I didn't expect the booklet to feature such lovely photography (by Simon Fowler). All lyrics are there for each song and lots of production info is included for those who are interested, at the end of the booklet. I'm wondering what the deluxe edition booklet (20 pages) is all about, if this booklet is so nice.

'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring' is lovely but I didn't hear any church organ and there's supposed to be one in the accompaniment. 'Child in a Manger' is pretty too, but slow as well. At least this song is meant to be slow. And then, finally...we get a fast song with 'I Wish It Could Be...'. Now this is what a happy, holiday song should sound like, and it's the first time I've heard a Sarah Brightman song of this style. Really cool! 'Amazing Grace' is pretty and the way she changes key from verse to verse is a nice touch. All the songs so far have been sung in an angelic voice. We need some Bel-Canto though, because Sarah sings it so well.

'Ave Maria (Gounod)' has to be one of my favorite versions of this song, of all time. Sarah sings it very well and her vocal attack on the high note is right on, though it's a bit high for her angelic range. Makes me wish it were sung in another key. 'I Believe in Father Christmas' is fun and very fanfare. Too bad it's at the end of this ballad-filled album. Oh well, it's not all that bad, but just not Sarah's best. Thank You Sarah anyhow, for releasing a holiday album, because for a long, long time, that's what her fans have been asking for.
3763312
I've just finished reading this story arc in the form of individual issues from last year. I was aware of the controversy surrounding "the decision" made by the Parkers, and hoped that reading it myself in full would give me some sort of insight as to why that decision was made (an inescapable cataclysm requiring their sacrifice, or a deal that was thought to be straight-up but was turned on its ear by Mephisto's trickery, or something along those lines). Unfortunately, it only increased my incredulity, as the decision was essentially borne of the base obsession that Peter Parker has with keeping his (perhaps deservedly) sainted Aunt May alive.

I simply have a very hard time accepting the idea that these two people would forsake both their past and their future together (and any offshoots thereof) to give a few more years, at best, to a woman who has given everything she can to ensure their happiness as individuals and as a couple over the course of a long and fruitful life. They both must know that not only is May probably ready, and perhaps awaiting her eternal rest, she would also beat them both senseless if she were ever to find out about the arrangement that they made (in some sort of "cosmic epiphany" that I'm sure is in the works at some point).

(okay, I'm projecting, onto a comic book character, perhaps it's time to wrap up...)

Aside from that, the art just rubbed me the wrong way. All of the characters looked very rubbery, with facial expressions that didn't seem to quite fit onto their faces, and contortionist body language throughout (even by Spider-Man standards).

I'm hoping there's a re-re-boot that features the removal of this removal waiting for me on the shelves at some point, but I don't see that "day" coming. (I'm sorry.)
1216681
So, this review is based on my opinion, and as I often say before I give any opinion on games, I am not looking for you to challenge my opinion. So, take it as it is..

Owning the other two games of the series, this game kind of left me sad. I could see the promise in it and the story-line isn't bad...but...

Something about this game just felt...rushed? Like...everything is just repeat everything as you did the first time, but a few different steps... For a game with 28 endings, you're repeating yourself a lot... I know that is similar to the design of the other two, but I feel they could have expanded a bit and given us more to do... It really is limited...

The new 'instant kill' is also BS in response to the old... In the old, it was luck and easier to achieve... In this one, they try to do a sequence action, but the problem is, the button you need to push only appears for a very short time and then it's gone, and you rarely have time to register what button just flashed on screen...

The text is also incredibly small and hard to read at times...even on a 40inch TV.

While I could go on listing small things I don't like, I'm going to leave it be... Long story short, it's a fun game, but kind of a letdown from the two before it... If you collect the series, get it. You won't regret it. I'm going to be ordering the 4th installment once I finish all the endings...
2718046
I want to be fair as my sheer excitement and anticipation for this product may be the reason I'm underwhelmed.  I haven't had the instant success others have mentioned.  I'm a bit disappointed.
There are a few good points though. The thread is a good quality it probably won't stretch out or break any time soon. The clasp is awesome I was concerned about it coming a loose if little one chewed on it, not likely.  The necklace is a darker color; my recent research leads me to believe it may take longer to start working.  I'm going to give it a few weeks but right now I'm not sure if these are really Amber beads,  there was no certificate of authenticity.  This almost made me return it right away.  I choose this product because it claimed to have the certificate and I wanted to ensure these were genuine raw Amber.  Makes me wonder if the other post that they are plastic is true (they feel more like plastic than bean/bead.  Right now it's an accessory,  my baby is still as moist as ever!
1010978
I will finish this series, but I can't say it's all that great. Much of it is just plain boring, however I started it..sigh read the first 2 so I feel like I have to finish it, it does read pretty fast so it won't take to long.  I could really get into this book if it just had more actual story to it. There could be so much more to it if it weren't written as a blog, one guys (for the most part) brief accounting of the days events...I need more detail here...I want to follow Pat on his journey to find family or Courtney's trip to help others, I want to actually get to know the other people plus Josh is starting to give me a headache with all his preaching about this or that...at least thats how I feel about it
1481370
I gave it a three because I haven't charged it yet.  Once I have to I will know more on how it will hold up.
3077030
Spoilers here...... I say that it wasn't as good as I'd hoped for a few reasons. One, when laney and finally became mated it was probably the most anticlimactic mating I have ever read. I was so disappointed by the lack of feeling and the insignificance of the bite, also by the lack of emotion that the bond was supposed to represent. Two, I felt that laney should have been stronger by this book, instead she was a weak and blubbering girl who had no survival instinct. When a person goes into survival mode they don't think about all the stupid and petty things she thought about, especially learning about what she was I think she should have had more of a survival instinct and have been stronger. She really drove me nuts! three, Oliver is supposed to be mentally in his thirties but when we were in his pov he thought like an eighteen year old and we didn't learn anything more deep about him either. Last but not least that whole switch thing that happened, the freaky Friday thing? Yeah, way too confusing. It wouldn't have been confusing if it wasn't for all the parentheses and the fact that they couldn't keep it straight. I could keep it straight just fine as long as I ignored their confusion. I don't know if I will continue reading this series because I know there is so much more going on but it's moving too slow and basic for me, not enough mystery I'm figuring it out before I'm supposed to I think. On a positive note I am so glad that they finally bonded and I enjoyed having a long book to read. I'm still trying to figure out if "treeville" is as close to me as I think it is ;)
4649119
If I could give it 3.5 I would. I just can't give it a 4 - it's not quite that good.
186900
The music is always beautiful, the Orchestra, of course, did a marvelous job and even the chorus.  I was a little disappointed in the soloists and I can't quite put my finger on it.  Perhaps their voices lacked the timbre I'd hoped for.  Some of the pieces seemed a little slow.  I think I'll be seeking a different recording.  Still for $1.99, it wasn't a waste of money.
519758
...by the positive reviews. Story is okay at best. Some serious editing is needed. I'm not one to nitpick, but the writing is so awkward and confusing at times that it distracts from the already mediocre plot...perhaps an unexpected blessing.
2613322
I love the first three Verve albums and EP.  I'm really glad they're back and hope they go on tour in the U.S. So I hope this album is a hit.  As a "reunion album", Forth isn't so bad, but as a classic Verve album it is their weakest album by far.  There are some beautiful musical moments on this album, but I am having a hard time getting into any of the songs.  There's a certain vagueness in their structure and lyrics.  None of them seem to build up much tension or energy, and they need more in terms of dynamics.  A lot of the songs are just ok. The standout tracks for me are Sit and Wonder,  Epic Noise, Rather Be, Columbo and Appalachian Springs.  I cannot stand that "Love is Noise" song.  Is it a lost reject from Zooropa or Pop?  I love the guitarist (Nick  McCabe), they should have turned him up in the mix.  But what's wrong with the singer?  Why's he so down?  Maybe he needs another latte.  The song Judas sums why this is an ok, but not great album, for me.  The music is beautiful, but the lyrics (and to a lesser degree their delivery)ruin it.  I accept that most pop song lyrics are not that great, but there is something especially grating about the words on Judas - maybe its just because the vocals are so high in the mix, I don't know.  Actually what saves "Noise Epic" is the fact that the singer is way down in the mix.  An instrumental version of this album might be great (like they did with Dre's 2001).  Despite all this, as reunion albums go, its pretty good, and I hope they continue make albums and tour. An interesting list idea - what bands have made a good or great album after a 10+ years absence?  Besides Mission of Burma....