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Virtual Reference Service: From Competencies to Assessment (The Virtual Reference Desk Series)
Published in Paperback by Neal Schuman Publishers (2007-11-21)
List price: $75.00
New price: $67.83
Used price: $59.95
Used price: $59.95
Average review score: 

"Virtual Reference Service" is a key and fundamentally recommended addition
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-06
Review Date: 2008-01-06
With the coming of the internet, the phenomena of the 'Virtual Library' has become ubiquitous for community, academic, corporate, and governmental libraries and library systems around the world. Compiled and edited by the team of librarians and information technology experts R. David Lankes, Scott Nicholson, Marie l. Radford, Joanne Silverstein, Lynn Westbrook, and Philip Nast, "Virtual Reference Service: From Competencies To Assessment" provides the cutting edge of Virtual Reference Services (VRS), summarizing important research, illustrating VRS principles and practices with real-world case examples and case studies. Of special note are the discussion on programs and tools that libraries can utilize to enhance their current offerings ranging from Instant Messaging, to subject-specific taxonomies enabling virtual medical and health reference support. "Virtual Reference Service" is a key and fundamentally recommended addition Library Science reference collections and library staff member in-house training supplemental reading lists.

The People Vs. Larry Flynt
Published in Video Download by ()
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Average review score: 

A non conformist for the ages
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-04
Review Date: 2007-11-04
This is an awesome movie. Funny a lot of the time yet gripping to see all the things Larry Flint went through . I was purley fascinated. I am now reading his autobigography, which is also good.
Makes Boogie Nights Boring
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-27
Review Date: 2007-01-27
Great movie. I laughed, and cried, and laughed again at this incredibly wild film. Boogie Nights can't hold a candle to this one. Look for a guest appearance by THE Larry Flynt.
Very well done, Woody was terrific and should have been
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-14
Review Date: 2006-11-14
nominated for an Academy Award. Courtney was also terrific and also should have been nominated. They both played off each other well and pulled off a piece of history regarding "free" speech. which we know there really isn't any "free" speech in this country. Enjoy!
GREAT!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-27
Review Date: 2005-11-27
I love this movie, and I recommend this movie to anyone that does not like Larry Flynt-it has the potential to change your opinion. This movie was tongue in cheek, and it was tragic. This wonderfully directed and acted movie will show people that Larry Flynt may not be the most moral person (in some people's minds), but it shows that he has fought for every American's rights.
Courtney Love blew me away as Larry Flynt's late wife. Every movie I've seen with her, she proves that she has a talent, and this movie let her shine with her acting ability.
Courtney Love blew me away as Larry Flynt's late wife. Every movie I've seen with her, she proves that she has a talent, and this movie let her shine with her acting ability.
"I turned the whole world into a tabloid."
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-08
Review Date: 2006-06-08
I didn't know too much about the man that was Larry Flynt before the other night. I new he was the man behind 'Hustler' but that was about it. Watching this surprisingly tastfully done biopic on the man opened my eyes to what he stood for. Pulling himself out of nothing, Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson) stood up for the rights of every American when he fought for the publication of his magazine. Starting out the owner of an exotic dance club but looking for more he started a newsletter advertising his 'girls', but after his little side project took off running it was apparent where his big break was going to fall. The film follows Flynt throughout his life, from his marriage to dancer Althea (Courtney Love) who is just as excited about his magazine as he is, to his arrest's and constant battles with the court over the right to publish 'smut' as they called it.
His legal battles are really where the meat of this film lies for is really shows the hypocrisy of the legal system. They were forcing opinions on citizens instead of inforcing law. There was no law against the publication of porn, but it went against what many people belived to be good morals. As Flynt so noted, he was guilty of nothing but bad taste.
As the film progresses we see the aftermath of a shooting gone wrong, a man obviously upset over the magazine shot Larry outside of the courthouse paralizing him from the waist down. This has to of course be a terrible blow to a man obsessed with sex. Just before the shooting Larry was starting to turn over a new leaf after being converted the Christianity. He was trying to turn his magazine around (even though he ended up making it worse) but after the shooting he swore off god altogether and became athiest. Through the course of the next three years he and his wife became addicted to pain killers and his wife ended up suffering the fatal price when she was diagnosed with AIDS. The film shows beautifully, as well as heartbreakingly, Larry's devotion to his ailing wife and there illicit love affair that was in all sense of the word genuine.
The film helps show the triumph of the everyman as he battles for the freedoms we all enjoy and is relentless in doing so. He's not doing this for the money or the fame but to prove that we all want the same thing. It doesn't matter whether we agree with what this man did or what he promoted, for theres not one of us who doesn't enjoy the freedom we have in this country, and all Larry Flynt wanted was the right to enjoy that freedom as well. What this film proved, and better yet what Larry's life proved, is that once you start taking away the freedoms of one person based on our own viewpoints we start to limit ourselves and everyone around us. If we started punishing those who didn't think like us the world would be a much colder place.
Now what needs to be mentioned, and what makes a film like this so great, is the brilliant acting on the part of the entire cast, from Harrelson's brilliant take on Larry Flynt to Edward Norton's turn as his cautious lawyer. I wholeheartedly agree that Woody should have won the Oscar for this, for there is no one else that could have pulled this off the way he did. Courtney Love is another cast memeber who deserves heeps of praise for her scene stealing performance as Larry's bisexual, drug addict wife. Her performance blew me away with her commiment and dedication to her role. She was the def. of commanding and stole every scene out from under Woody's feet. I believe Courtney to be a huge star, and if she would only harness that drive she showed in this film then she could be much further then she is now. As a whole, in everyway, this is a great film that is about so much more than 'porn' but about growth and the fight for the American dream!
His legal battles are really where the meat of this film lies for is really shows the hypocrisy of the legal system. They were forcing opinions on citizens instead of inforcing law. There was no law against the publication of porn, but it went against what many people belived to be good morals. As Flynt so noted, he was guilty of nothing but bad taste.
As the film progresses we see the aftermath of a shooting gone wrong, a man obviously upset over the magazine shot Larry outside of the courthouse paralizing him from the waist down. This has to of course be a terrible blow to a man obsessed with sex. Just before the shooting Larry was starting to turn over a new leaf after being converted the Christianity. He was trying to turn his magazine around (even though he ended up making it worse) but after the shooting he swore off god altogether and became athiest. Through the course of the next three years he and his wife became addicted to pain killers and his wife ended up suffering the fatal price when she was diagnosed with AIDS. The film shows beautifully, as well as heartbreakingly, Larry's devotion to his ailing wife and there illicit love affair that was in all sense of the word genuine.
The film helps show the triumph of the everyman as he battles for the freedoms we all enjoy and is relentless in doing so. He's not doing this for the money or the fame but to prove that we all want the same thing. It doesn't matter whether we agree with what this man did or what he promoted, for theres not one of us who doesn't enjoy the freedom we have in this country, and all Larry Flynt wanted was the right to enjoy that freedom as well. What this film proved, and better yet what Larry's life proved, is that once you start taking away the freedoms of one person based on our own viewpoints we start to limit ourselves and everyone around us. If we started punishing those who didn't think like us the world would be a much colder place.
Now what needs to be mentioned, and what makes a film like this so great, is the brilliant acting on the part of the entire cast, from Harrelson's brilliant take on Larry Flynt to Edward Norton's turn as his cautious lawyer. I wholeheartedly agree that Woody should have won the Oscar for this, for there is no one else that could have pulled this off the way he did. Courtney Love is another cast memeber who deserves heeps of praise for her scene stealing performance as Larry's bisexual, drug addict wife. Her performance blew me away with her commiment and dedication to her role. She was the def. of commanding and stole every scene out from under Woody's feet. I believe Courtney to be a huge star, and if she would only harness that drive she showed in this film then she could be much further then she is now. As a whole, in everyway, this is a great film that is about so much more than 'porn' but about growth and the fight for the American dream!

Armed Robbers In Action: Stickups and Street Culture (Northeastern Series in Criminal Behavior)
Published in Library Binding by Northeastern (1997-10-23)
List price: $37.50
Used price: $8.19
Average review score: 

You Can Not Make This Stuff Up
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-17
Review Date: 2007-11-17
This is an excellent piece of qualitative research and I use it as an example in my research class. As other writers have noted this book is entertaining and fun. Also, it demonstrates how a researcher uses snowball sampling to find individuals who may otherwise be reluctant to admit to others that they are engaging in some kind of behavior which society considers immoral or which is outright illegal. Research does not have to be dull and good qualitative research reads as well as the best fiction.
Brilliant.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-09-24
Review Date: 2004-09-24
All I can say is... wow. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to currently be a student of Richard Wright's, studying Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. While this ethnography is extremely insightful and intriguing, it doesn't even begin to capture the sheer brilliance that IS Richard Wright. He is truly a one of a kind researcher, and many of his ideas have been groundbreaking in the field of Criminology -- especially since the studies for this book were done in the '80s, a much more conservative period as far as criminological research is concerned. This book would be interesting and even entertaining for anyone, but especially for those with a background in Criminology or Sociology. I would also recommend Richard Wright's other piece about this research project, BURGLARS ON THE JOB.
A reader from Palo Alto, CA
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-03-23
Review Date: 2000-03-23
Sounds good. A bit too verbose. The book's name is better than the conclusion. Nothing you would not expect if you watched enough violence movies.
All that and a bag of chips
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-01
Review Date: 2000-04-01
This is first rate ethnography that is well-written, insightful, and entertaining. Yes, I said entertaining, as in a good read. Fascinating book that will really make you think about what lies behind criminal decision-making . . . highly recommend it.
Laughed my ass off and then thought about it.
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-25
Review Date: 1999-09-25
I spent three years being bored to points beyond death in law school, but this book was something all together different. The fact that it was written at all is impressive. You read about the inner city in the papers, but this book takes you there, and not just into the slum, but into the heads of the dregs of society. The logic expressed by the subjects of this book is so radically foreign to those of us in textbook America. Take a chance and look into the underclass. Oops, I used the class-word. I know we don't have those in this country, but this book may make you think. I only wish Pat Buchanan could meet some of these guys.

Cryptonomicon
Published in Audio Cassette by Audio Literature (2001-12-10)
List price: $32.00
New price: $55.85
Used price: $54.98
Used price: $54.98
Average review score: 

Genious
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-16
Review Date: 2008-05-16
This is a staggeringly clever book, extremely well written. Not an easy read, but so funny and insightful that one never minds the effort. Carry it everywhere and savor it slowly.
Dull and pointless
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-15
Review Date: 2008-04-15
I couldn't finish this book, finding I had no desire to read any more after I got about halfway through. There are several concurrent storylines, none of which have anything to do with each other except in the most peripheral sense. The book spends so much time plodding along, I found I had a surge of excitement when he finally got to the announcement of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. At last, something was happening! Unfortunately, the next page began "Three months later,". I was incredibly disappointed after hearing the rave reviews this book got, and now I am completely mystified how it received them.
Much Fluff
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-15
Review Date: 2008-04-15
It was a struggle to finish this book. The book is an excellent 400 page novel crammed into a 900 page tome. I can't believe that the book wasn't heavily pruned by an editor prior to release.
Some parts of the book are indeed very entertaining and funny. At other times, it's like reading the phone book.
Some parts of the book are indeed very entertaining and funny. At other times, it's like reading the phone book.
Lots of promise, never gets going
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-02
Review Date: 2008-04-02
This is the first book I have ever failed to finish. This is out of thousands upon thousands of books, I read nearly continually. I've read long meandering epics etc. and loved them, but this one just did not have anything going for it.
I only made it to page 300 and the entire time I was wondering when a plot was going to be presented to the reader, a central story. A REASON to keep reading beyond just reading about these completely separated characters in two different time periods. I kept thinking that the story was going to get started after the author introduced the characters a bit more, but at page 300 I realized that this was all the book was going to be . . . character introduction and lots of it.
Maybe these characters all tie together in a wonderful and thought provoking way around page 1000 or so, but I'll never know because the author never gave me a reason to want to find out.
I only made it to page 300 and the entire time I was wondering when a plot was going to be presented to the reader, a central story. A REASON to keep reading beyond just reading about these completely separated characters in two different time periods. I kept thinking that the story was going to get started after the author introduced the characters a bit more, but at page 300 I realized that this was all the book was going to be . . . character introduction and lots of it.
Maybe these characters all tie together in a wonderful and thought provoking way around page 1000 or so, but I'll never know because the author never gave me a reason to want to find out.
In dire need of an editor
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-16
Review Date: 2008-03-16
Have you ever hated yourself for finishing a book? For a long, long month, I resisted my own desire and my wife's urgings to drop the book. I should have listened. The book badly needs editing, the characters are shallow, and the author's (very) high opinion of himself stains the pages. There are two crypto-analytic themes to this book: World War II codebreaking and the struggles of a modern day cryptographic computer company to turn profitable. By page 500 (of the 910), I had no idea how they related; by page 700, I had an inkling but no longer cared. I only finished because I felt some undefined need to do so.
I would guess that by the time Stephenson wrote this book, he had enough critical and financial success that he was able to demand no restraints from his publisher. Consequently, the writing meanders and much of it is irrelevant. Stephenson dedicates three pages to description when three paragraphs (and sometimes only three sentences) will do. Worse yet, many of these wanderings are completely unrelated to the story, such as discussions of Captain Crunch and wisdom teeth. By page 300, the reader can see when these airy insignificances arise, and to continue, he or she must painfully wade through them.
Most of the characters in the book share the exact same personality: gruff and cynical. The exceptions are academics, who are portrayed as wimps with no grasp on reality, and East Asians, who all have a personality similar to the characters from Shogun. Otherwise, a World War II Marine shares the same personality as a modern day billionaire-investor who shares the same personality as a modern day entrepreneur. An example of the same-flavor feel of Stephenson's characters: One character (Enoch Root) was an Army Priest during World War II and dedicated himself to peaceful causes afterwards. By the time one of the modern characters encounters Root, in a jail cell in the Phillippines, Root (who must be at least in his mid-eighties) has been running a Church in the Phillippines for a number of years. Nevertheless, Root describes the goddess Athena as a virgin who was "leg-f***ked [] once but did not achieve penetration." This same character uses the word "dissed," just like any modern fifteen year old boy. Character development, needless to say, is non-existent in this book.
On the plus side, Stephenson has encyclopedic knowledge and an expansive vocabulary. Even this becomes a turn-off, however: Stephenson's writing reflects a man who thinks of himself as intellectually beyond the realm of mere mortals. Perhaps he is different in real life, but he comes across as the geek in high school who justified his social-ineptitude by the fact that he got great grades (especially in math!). That same geek who got great grades lost many arguments because he lacked intellectual and logical skills outside of "book learnin'."
Stephenson is like that: For example, he ticks off a long list of German and American technological advances during World War II, but then concludes that the Allies won because America stood for technological advance while Germany stood for mindless warfare. In another story line, Stephenson's modern day protagonists set out to create a data bank near the Phillippines that is protected by the most advanced cryptography in existence. These protagonists are some of the most brilliant computer code-writers and cryptographers in the world, and they are attempting to set up a company which hides information so well that even governments cannot access it. These same brilliant people are shocked to discover that criminals are keenly interested in the project. Again, Stephenson has incredible knowledge but weak logical skills.
Why give the book two stars instead of one? There are some redeeming aspects of the book: I liked the aspects of cryptography and analysis, a subject to which I have never paid much attention. Any book that I can learn from cannot be all bad.
I would guess that by the time Stephenson wrote this book, he had enough critical and financial success that he was able to demand no restraints from his publisher. Consequently, the writing meanders and much of it is irrelevant. Stephenson dedicates three pages to description when three paragraphs (and sometimes only three sentences) will do. Worse yet, many of these wanderings are completely unrelated to the story, such as discussions of Captain Crunch and wisdom teeth. By page 300, the reader can see when these airy insignificances arise, and to continue, he or she must painfully wade through them.
Most of the characters in the book share the exact same personality: gruff and cynical. The exceptions are academics, who are portrayed as wimps with no grasp on reality, and East Asians, who all have a personality similar to the characters from Shogun. Otherwise, a World War II Marine shares the same personality as a modern day billionaire-investor who shares the same personality as a modern day entrepreneur. An example of the same-flavor feel of Stephenson's characters: One character (Enoch Root) was an Army Priest during World War II and dedicated himself to peaceful causes afterwards. By the time one of the modern characters encounters Root, in a jail cell in the Phillippines, Root (who must be at least in his mid-eighties) has been running a Church in the Phillippines for a number of years. Nevertheless, Root describes the goddess Athena as a virgin who was "leg-f***ked [] once but did not achieve penetration." This same character uses the word "dissed," just like any modern fifteen year old boy. Character development, needless to say, is non-existent in this book.
On the plus side, Stephenson has encyclopedic knowledge and an expansive vocabulary. Even this becomes a turn-off, however: Stephenson's writing reflects a man who thinks of himself as intellectually beyond the realm of mere mortals. Perhaps he is different in real life, but he comes across as the geek in high school who justified his social-ineptitude by the fact that he got great grades (especially in math!). That same geek who got great grades lost many arguments because he lacked intellectual and logical skills outside of "book learnin'."
Stephenson is like that: For example, he ticks off a long list of German and American technological advances during World War II, but then concludes that the Allies won because America stood for technological advance while Germany stood for mindless warfare. In another story line, Stephenson's modern day protagonists set out to create a data bank near the Phillippines that is protected by the most advanced cryptography in existence. These protagonists are some of the most brilliant computer code-writers and cryptographers in the world, and they are attempting to set up a company which hides information so well that even governments cannot access it. These same brilliant people are shocked to discover that criminals are keenly interested in the project. Again, Stephenson has incredible knowledge but weak logical skills.
Why give the book two stars instead of one? There are some redeeming aspects of the book: I liked the aspects of cryptography and analysis, a subject to which I have never paid much attention. Any book that I can learn from cannot be all bad.

Aquarium Care of Oscars (Animal Planet Pet Care Library)
Published in Hardcover by TFH Publications (2006-09)
List price: $9.95
New price: $6.19
Used price: $6.02
Used price: $6.02
Average review score: 

Basic......very basic.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-15
Review Date: 2007-10-15
This book has many quality pictures but the info would only be helpful to a new aquarist interested in owning an oscar or two. I've counted at least two typos as well. This hints at a hasty release of this book possibly to turn a quick profit. There is not much attention payed to diseases and disorders of oscars. So in fewer words.....this book is meh.
Aquarium Care of Oscars
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-25
Review Date: 2007-03-25
Fast delivery & like new condition. Definately a thumbs up!
Very basic stuff
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-15
Review Date: 2007-02-15
Still it is easy to read, and there are some interesting facts. Primarily for beginners, and as such pretty good in my opinion.

Vanilla Sky
Published in Video Download by ()
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New price: $2.99
Average review score: 

One of my favorites
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-17
Review Date: 2008-03-17
Original, fun, with a sad unconventional ending. A definite love it or hate it movie. Makes you appreciate what you have rather than taking everything for granted as David Ames does. If you "don't get it" at first, watch it again. If you watched it once and hated it...don't bother.
Some of the most beautiful ideas and scenes I know of in a film
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-14
Review Date: 2008-01-14
For many years this has been one of my favourite films. The very film itself is very "Faustian", in it's theoretically never ending quest for love, experience and knowledge. It also has a much darker side to it, reminding me somewhat of another absolutely wonderful dark film; "The Jacket", with a touch of "Donnie Darko". I've seen the original Spanish film "Abre los ojos" that this more or less is an exact remake of, and amusingly, it contains the same lovely Penelope Cruz in her role as Sofia Serrano. The lead character David Aames is played by Tom Cruise, not someone I particularly like neither in "real life" nor in this film, but he does a good job in this film, and that is after all what counts. His role as a lucky rich boy with no responsibility and who's "all about fun", in his own words, represents my complete opposite, that being so, he quickly finds himself forced to recognize that "there are consequences in life".
Aames falls completely in love with a girl that his lonely best friend brings to Aames' own birthday party (some friend, huh?). Jason Lee does an excellent role with his character Brian Shelby. The happiness ends suddenly though, after Aames lack of responsibility comes back around to him the morning after and he ends up emotionally and physically crippled afterwards. Cameron Diaz plays the character of the slut stalker of Aames, and no fault of Diaz, her character is completely horrible, an awful person.
Without revealing the end and the entire plot for those of you out there who strangely have not seen this marvellous film yet, I would just like to recommend this beyond words. Even though the upper layer of the film seems very "decadent" and "shallow", it really is about (in my view) the greatest thing of all, the search for knowledge and experience. Add the beautiful Penelope Cruz and a really existentialist theme throughout, which I'm sure everyone who thinks for him or herself can relate to (is the world real or merely an illusion?), and you've got yourself one of my favourite films. The end scene is simply sublime, with what probably is the best song in the world, Sigur Ros' divine "Njosnavellin".
Watch it!
Aames falls completely in love with a girl that his lonely best friend brings to Aames' own birthday party (some friend, huh?). Jason Lee does an excellent role with his character Brian Shelby. The happiness ends suddenly though, after Aames lack of responsibility comes back around to him the morning after and he ends up emotionally and physically crippled afterwards. Cameron Diaz plays the character of the slut stalker of Aames, and no fault of Diaz, her character is completely horrible, an awful person.
Without revealing the end and the entire plot for those of you out there who strangely have not seen this marvellous film yet, I would just like to recommend this beyond words. Even though the upper layer of the film seems very "decadent" and "shallow", it really is about (in my view) the greatest thing of all, the search for knowledge and experience. Add the beautiful Penelope Cruz and a really existentialist theme throughout, which I'm sure everyone who thinks for him or herself can relate to (is the world real or merely an illusion?), and you've got yourself one of my favourite films. The end scene is simply sublime, with what probably is the best song in the world, Sigur Ros' divine "Njosnavellin".
Watch it!
a good movie at a good price
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-21
Review Date: 2007-12-21
This movie is a love story with some sci-fi elements awkwardly thrown in, but there are some moments of good acting and dialogue that make it worth watching.
Hate/Love it? I'm on the hater's boat!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-14
Review Date: 2008-04-14
All the reviewers who said that this is a movie you love or hate,and I really hated it. It was long, boring, and I just didn't connect with any of the characters. I would have turned it off long before it was over, but I was watching it with other people. The only thing remotely good is Camron Diaz, I guess I did like one character after all. Stay away unless you feel you just have to, and if you hate it, you can jump into our ship!
The 'Vanila' Sky is the limit
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-09
Review Date: 2007-12-09
A film which makes an attempt to pattern itself on the fantasy vs. reality films that had become popular at the turn of the new millennium - David Fichner's "Fight Club" and M. Night Shamalan's "Sixth Sense" both from 1999, Christopher Nolan's "Momento" from 2000, and David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" released the following year (all of which don't surpass the reigning king of this genre when Terry Gilliam released his 1985 masterpiece "Brazil") - by no means fails in this respect since I found it both entertaining and intriguing for the most part, but is noticeably long and certainly may confuse the average '2hr-max-movie-goer'. Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz both stand out playing their respective, 'good gal/bad gal roles and Jason Lee is quite appealing as the best friend of our dashing lead Tom Cruise. Yet Cruise may be viewed as stretching this performance given the physical challenges that are demanded. I hesitate to reveal these challenges to those that have not seen the picture as they are indeed the focal point of the plot. Many good things like the witty Cameron Crowe retrospective soundtrack that is weaved into clever culture references and tributes which are indeed enjoyable and even necessary to solve the riddle presented in 'what's is going on?' scenario of the main character's pressing dilemma which may not be easy to access with a single viewing. But still the ride can be entertaining as Tom runs away and into trouble as he often does in quasi-action films that are laced with mystery and intrigue like Sydney Pollack's 1993 "The Firm", Brian De Palma's 1996 "Mission Impossible" and even the more cerebrally dark, "Eyes Wide Shut" from Stanley Kubrick. As noted by many educated critics as well as the tasteless tabloids Mr. Cruise may be biting off more than he can chew as he dives into the land of independent production. I applaud Tom for his efforts and are rooting for his success yet do believe that his choice for future roles should include a return to comedic territory as a deviation/diversion to selecting elaborate/complicated efforts which could be prove too risky and result in a poor reception at the box office.

Vanilla Sky
Published in Video Download by ()
List price:
New price: $9.99
Average review score: 

One of my favorites
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-17
Review Date: 2008-03-17
Original, fun, with a sad unconventional ending. A definite love it or hate it movie. Makes you appreciate what you have rather than taking everything for granted as David Ames does. If you "don't get it" at first, watch it again. If you watched it once and hated it...don't bother.
Some of the most beautiful ideas and scenes I know of in a film
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-14
Review Date: 2008-01-14
For many years this has been one of my favourite films. The very film itself is very "Faustian", in it's theoretically never ending quest for love, experience and knowledge. It also has a much darker side to it, reminding me somewhat of another absolutely wonderful dark film; "The Jacket", with a touch of "Donnie Darko". I've seen the original Spanish film "Abre los ojos" that this more or less is an exact remake of, and amusingly, it contains the same lovely Penelope Cruz in her role as Sofia Serrano. The lead character David Aames is played by Tom Cruise, not someone I particularly like neither in "real life" nor in this film, but he does a good job in this film, and that is after all what counts. His role as a lucky rich boy with no responsibility and who's "all about fun", in his own words, represents my complete opposite, that being so, he quickly finds himself forced to recognize that "there are consequences in life".
Aames falls completely in love with a girl that his lonely best friend brings to Aames' own birthday party (some friend, huh?). Jason Lee does an excellent role with his character Brian Shelby. The happiness ends suddenly though, after Aames lack of responsibility comes back around to him the morning after and he ends up emotionally and physically crippled afterwards. Cameron Diaz plays the character of the slut stalker of Aames, and no fault of Diaz, her character is completely horrible, an awful person.
Without revealing the end and the entire plot for those of you out there who strangely have not seen this marvellous film yet, I would just like to recommend this beyond words. Even though the upper layer of the film seems very "decadent" and "shallow", it really is about (in my view) the greatest thing of all, the search for knowledge and experience. Add the beautiful Penelope Cruz and a really existentialist theme throughout, which I'm sure everyone who thinks for him or herself can relate to (is the world real or merely an illusion?), and you've got yourself one of my favourite films. The end scene is simply sublime, with what probably is the best song in the world, Sigur Ros' divine "Njosnavellin".
Watch it!
Aames falls completely in love with a girl that his lonely best friend brings to Aames' own birthday party (some friend, huh?). Jason Lee does an excellent role with his character Brian Shelby. The happiness ends suddenly though, after Aames lack of responsibility comes back around to him the morning after and he ends up emotionally and physically crippled afterwards. Cameron Diaz plays the character of the slut stalker of Aames, and no fault of Diaz, her character is completely horrible, an awful person.
Without revealing the end and the entire plot for those of you out there who strangely have not seen this marvellous film yet, I would just like to recommend this beyond words. Even though the upper layer of the film seems very "decadent" and "shallow", it really is about (in my view) the greatest thing of all, the search for knowledge and experience. Add the beautiful Penelope Cruz and a really existentialist theme throughout, which I'm sure everyone who thinks for him or herself can relate to (is the world real or merely an illusion?), and you've got yourself one of my favourite films. The end scene is simply sublime, with what probably is the best song in the world, Sigur Ros' divine "Njosnavellin".
Watch it!
a good movie at a good price
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-21
Review Date: 2007-12-21
This movie is a love story with some sci-fi elements awkwardly thrown in, but there are some moments of good acting and dialogue that make it worth watching.
Hate/Love it? I'm on the hater's boat!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-14
Review Date: 2008-04-14
All the reviewers who said that this is a movie you love or hate,and I really hated it. It was long, boring, and I just didn't connect with any of the characters. I would have turned it off long before it was over, but I was watching it with other people. The only thing remotely good is Camron Diaz, I guess I did like one character after all. Stay away unless you feel you just have to, and if you hate it, you can jump into our ship!
The 'Vanila' Sky is the limit
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-09
Review Date: 2007-12-09
A film which makes an attempt to pattern itself on the fantasy vs. reality films that had become popular at the turn of the new millennium - David Fichner's "Fight Club" and M. Night Shamalan's "Sixth Sense" both from 1999, Christopher Nolan's "Momento" from 2000, and David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" released the following year (all of which don't surpass the reigning king of this genre when Terry Gilliam released his 1985 masterpiece "Brazil") - by no means fails in this respect since I found it both entertaining and intriguing for the most part, but is noticeably long and certainly may confuse the average '2hr-max-movie-goer'. Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz both stand out playing their respective, 'good gal/bad gal roles and Jason Lee is quite appealing as the best friend of our dashing lead Tom Cruise. Yet Cruise may be viewed as stretching this performance given the physical challenges that are demanded. I hesitate to reveal these challenges to those that have not seen the picture as they are indeed the focal point of the plot. Many good things like the witty Cameron Crowe retrospective soundtrack that is weaved into clever culture references and tributes which are indeed enjoyable and even necessary to solve the riddle presented in 'what's is going on?' scenario of the main character's pressing dilemma which may not be easy to access with a single viewing. But still the ride can be entertaining as Tom runs away and into trouble as he often does in quasi-action films that are laced with mystery and intrigue like Sydney Pollack's 1993 "The Firm", Brian De Palma's 1996 "Mission Impossible" and even the more cerebrally dark, "Eyes Wide Shut" from Stanley Kubrick. As noted by many educated critics as well as the tasteless tabloids Mr. Cruise may be biting off more than he can chew as he dives into the land of independent production. I applaud Tom for his efforts and are rooting for his success yet do believe that his choice for future roles should include a return to comedic territory as a deviation/diversion to selecting elaborate/complicated efforts which could be prove too risky and result in a poor reception at the box office.

Volcano
Published in Video Download by ()
List price:
New price: $9.99
Average review score: 

Volcano
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-23
Review Date: 2008-04-23
I will tell you up front that the vast majority of disaster movies have a hard time holding my interest. Most are so soaped down with romances I could care less about, that I shut them off after about fifteen minutes. This movie does not suffer from that movie killer affliction and in fact it is one of the few I actually like. Tommy Lee Jones is a great part of the reason. Cast in the lead as the FEMA Director trying to control a Volcano that has erupted in the city, it is well handled and with the normal available resources. Nothing over the top and therefore it earned my respect. Granted they probably could not have handled the real deal as well as they do here, but it didn't seem so outrageously ridiculous as most disaster movies. The action mainly involves Jones, Anne Heche, and their assistants trying to predict the path and scout areas to see if they have been hit and change the flow when necessary. I found the movie moved at a good pace without the undue buildup found in so many disaster movies. This one felt like it moved along from beginning to end. If you enjoyed this be sure to catch "Dante's Peak" and "Twister". Good quality DVD with decent replayability.
*Good Movie!*
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-02
Review Date: 2007-11-02
I have seen this movie more than once.Everyone in my family likes this movie.It keeps you watching.
seat gripping
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-12
Review Date: 2007-08-12
i think this movie is seat gripping, filled with action -drama-down to earth kind of movie
yeah right
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-11
Review Date: 2007-08-11
Sure it is cool to see the filthy city of Los Angeles get cleaned up by some hot molten lava, but c'mon now this is too far fetched. You got these Chevys driving around on asphalt that is melting from heat but the tires don't pop...yeah right.
Tommy Lee Jones is running around like he is Carl Lewis on a bad day, yet is never out of breath...yeah right.
Some kid shows bravery and actually minds his dad, instead of telling his dad and the co-workers to take a hike while he goes joy riding in the suburban...yeah right.
Fun disaster film but you know...yeah right.
You know what I am talking about. Twister Volcano Hurricane Tsunami Earthquake you know they did like every single one now so there cannot be another. oh wait...Tornado? Yeah right.
Tommy Lee Jones is running around like he is Carl Lewis on a bad day, yet is never out of breath...yeah right.
Some kid shows bravery and actually minds his dad, instead of telling his dad and the co-workers to take a hike while he goes joy riding in the suburban...yeah right.
Fun disaster film but you know...yeah right.
You know what I am talking about. Twister Volcano Hurricane Tsunami Earthquake you know they did like every single one now so there cannot be another. oh wait...Tornado? Yeah right.
Volcano
Helpful Votes: 26 out of 26 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11
Review Date: 2008-03-11
In 1997 there were two eagerly anticipated volcano movies released. Dante's Peak was more of a blockbuster hit, but not very accurate from a geologist's standpoint. Volcano was more realistic and accurate. It was nice to see a disaster movie depicted as it would naturally happen.
Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche were wonderful to watch!
Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche were wonderful to watch!

Volcano
Published in Video Download by ()
List price:
New price: $3.99
Average review score: 

Volcano
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-23
Review Date: 2008-04-23
I will tell you up front that the vast majority of disaster movies have a hard time holding my interest. Most are so soaped down with romances I could care less about, that I shut them off after about fifteen minutes. This movie does not suffer from that movie killer affliction and in fact it is one of the few I actually like. Tommy Lee Jones is a great part of the reason. Cast in the lead as the FEMA Director trying to control a Volcano that has erupted in the city, it is well handled and with the normal available resources. Nothing over the top and therefore it earned my respect. Granted they probably could not have handled the real deal as well as they do here, but it didn't seem so outrageously ridiculous as most disaster movies. The action mainly involves Jones, Anne Heche, and their assistants trying to predict the path and scout areas to see if they have been hit and change the flow when necessary. I found the movie moved at a good pace without the undue buildup found in so many disaster movies. This one felt like it moved along from beginning to end. If you enjoyed this be sure to catch "Dante's Peak" and "Twister". Good quality DVD with decent replayability.
*Good Movie!*
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-02
Review Date: 2007-11-02
I have seen this movie more than once.Everyone in my family likes this movie.It keeps you watching.
seat gripping
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-12
Review Date: 2007-08-12
i think this movie is seat gripping, filled with action -drama-down to earth kind of movie
yeah right
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-11
Review Date: 2007-08-11
Sure it is cool to see the filthy city of Los Angeles get cleaned up by some hot molten lava, but c'mon now this is too far fetched. You got these Chevys driving around on asphalt that is melting from heat but the tires don't pop...yeah right.
Tommy Lee Jones is running around like he is Carl Lewis on a bad day, yet is never out of breath...yeah right.
Some kid shows bravery and actually minds his dad, instead of telling his dad and the co-workers to take a hike while he goes joy riding in the suburban...yeah right.
Fun disaster film but you know...yeah right.
You know what I am talking about. Twister Volcano Hurricane Tsunami Earthquake you know they did like every single one now so there cannot be another. oh wait...Tornado? Yeah right.
Tommy Lee Jones is running around like he is Carl Lewis on a bad day, yet is never out of breath...yeah right.
Some kid shows bravery and actually minds his dad, instead of telling his dad and the co-workers to take a hike while he goes joy riding in the suburban...yeah right.
Fun disaster film but you know...yeah right.
You know what I am talking about. Twister Volcano Hurricane Tsunami Earthquake you know they did like every single one now so there cannot be another. oh wait...Tornado? Yeah right.
Volcano
Helpful Votes: 26 out of 26 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11
Review Date: 2008-03-11
In 1997 there were two eagerly anticipated volcano movies released. Dante's Peak was more of a blockbuster hit, but not very accurate from a geologist's standpoint. Volcano was more realistic and accurate. It was nice to see a disaster movie depicted as it would naturally happen.
Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche were wonderful to watch!
Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche were wonderful to watch!

Encyclopedia Of Exotic Tropical Fishes For Freshwater Aquariums
Published in Hardcover by TFH Publications (2005-03-31)
List price: $89.95
New price: $56.67
Used price: $57.05
Used price: $57.05
Average review score: 

THE BEST BOOK REFERENCE
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-14
Review Date: 2006-08-14
I HAVE WANTED THIS BOOK SINCE IT WAS PUBLISHED, AND WHEN I COULD
GET IT FROM YOU, I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY. I FIND IT TO BE THE BEST
OF REFERENCE BOOKS AROUND TO DATE. THANK YOU.
GET IT FROM YOU, I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY. I FIND IT TO BE THE BEST
OF REFERENCE BOOKS AROUND TO DATE. THANK YOU.
Truly exceptional book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-27
Review Date: 2006-07-27
I enjoyed the book immensly. I read it in one day cover to cover all 900+ pages. Very informative and great pictures of fish. I have been a hobbyist for 20 years and I still learned something from it.
Disappointing
Helpful Votes: 16 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-11
Review Date: 2006-03-11
I wanted one great dictionary for reference as I just got started with my aquarium a few months ago. I found this to be badly indexed, and since it is alphabetical by Latin subspecies and then Latin name within it, they assume a great deal of knowledge right off the bat. Then you need to look up the common name in the index to find the latin name and my most common fish aren't even in there under common name (ie., Molly, Platy). Guppy is under "D" in the index, a typo for "G" - which makes me think this wasn't even proofread. I really didn't need information on freshwater fish like bass and pike, since those aren't aquarium fish, so don't understand who the audience is supposed to be. Many fish in here measure over a foot in length. I have an aquarium, I'm not going fishing.
A Very Good Reference but not Perfect
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-04
Review Date: 2006-03-04
Unlike many previous Tropical Fish books from the Tropical Fish Hobbyist publisher that were not much more that an unorganized child's picture book, this Encyclopedia is well oganized and has a great common name and scientific name index. A desciption of the fish is on the left page with two corresponding pictures on the right page which makes for easy reading. I would rate this book 5 stars if the descriptions were more detailed. It leaves out temperature range, PH range, sexing information, etc. even though there is sufficient room in the description area for about 40% more verbiage. I recommend this book to be used in conjunction with the 4 Volume set of the Baensch Aquarium Atlas which provides much greater detail of each fish species.
A space filler book
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-22
Review Date: 2006-06-22
The author doesn't even include the temperature to keep the fish.
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