Organizing from the Inside Out
by Julie Morgenstern
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 September, 1998)
list price: $15.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

It's about time! Julie Morgenstern has written an organizing book that covers a new way of looking at the task of organizing effectively without labeling or blaming the person behind the lack of organization. Rather, she says, people who don't organize just never learned how to organize, through no fault of their own--after all, it's not a skill that's taught in school. That said, she gets down to work helping you figure out an organizing system that will really work for you, not a system based on cookie-cutter filing concepts or special storage units.

Morgenstern's "from the inside out" system begins by laying out the possible reasons for a failure of organization: technical errors (like having a complex organizing system that breaks down), external realities (like not enough space for your belongings), and psychological obstacles (like fear of failure--or success). Then, her Analyze and Strategize steps help create a plan of action based on your needs and goals, and the brief chapter called "Attack: Getting the Job Done" offers basic ideas for making space. The largest section of the book, "Applying What You've Learned," addresses the specifics of organizing workspaces, home offices, living spaces, and storage areas. Each section has a "How Long Will It Take?" box that gives a realistic time estimate, and Morgenstern's "Julie's No-Brainer Toss List" for each area gives the permission and encouragement that most of us have been waiting for to get rid of things we'll never use again. The section at the end, "Tackling Time and Technology," is worth its weight in DayTimers and PalmPilots. Whatever your organizing issues are, you're not a hopeless case, and you don't need special equipment--just a little understanding of the problem and a willingness to plan before diving in. ... Read more

Reviews (129)

A sure time investment
The author helps readers become more organized by "analyzing, strategizing, and attacking."She covers organization of some of the areas, mentioned in Fifty Ways, such as workplace, home, home office, and garage.Her estimate of the hours readers will need to invest to accomplish specific chapter goals is daunting.

A Lifesaver!
Julie Morgenstern's personalized approach to organizing is a breath of fresh air.Most organizing books out there tell you what works for them, the author.Ms. Morgenstern teaches her readers how to find out what will work for us!Reading this book and putting these methods into practice has changed the way I deal with the "stuff" in my life and my house has never looked, felt, or worked better.

good/informative...
i've read a handful of outlines in this vien. this guide should b considered with other guides. it's not a guide onto itself. ... Read more

Isbn: 0805056491
Subjects:  1. Business Life - Health/Stress    2. Cleaning & Caretaking - Household Hints    3. Cleanliness    4. General    5. Home economics    6. Orderliness    7. Personal Growth - General    8. Psychology    9. Self-Help    10. Self-Help / General   

Pokemon Puzzle League
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (28 September, 2000)
list price: $49.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Although the Pokémon aspect of Pokémon PuzzleLeague is purely thematic--which might disappoint lovers of Pikachu, whilestill warding off nonfans--the fun and challenging gameplay here makes thistitle one of the best in the puzzle genre.

Gameplay in Pokémon Puzzle League is a variation on the puzzleclassic Tetris: players must clear blocks off the screen by switchingadjacent horizontal blocks to create horizontal and vertical lines of three ormore identically colored blocks. Blocks rise in rows from the bottom of thescreen, and, once they reach the top, the game is over. While it's deceptivelyeasy at first, the steadily increasing speed of the rising blocks requiresplayers to make combos (more than three blocks in a line) and chains (creatingmultiple lines simultaneously), both of which pause the rise of the blockstemporarily.

Featuring six gaming modes and puzzles in both 2-D and 3-D, PokémonPuzzle League is best played by one player versus the computer (in theStadium) or in two-player "versus" mode. In these modes, creating combos andchains causes "garbage" blocks to fall from the top of your opponent's screen,which results in some villainously vindictive gameplay.--Joe Hon

Pros:

• Fun and challenging Tetris-like game for all ages
• Outstanding two-player "versus" gameplay
• 2-D and 3-D puzzles, six gaming modes, and very thorough tutorials
• "Puzzle University" mode lets players create their own puzzles

Cons:

• Pokémon aspect of the game is purely thematic

... Read more

Reviews (31)

Great Game!
Even if you hate Pokemon, but like puzzle games, you will love this! It's very addicting, I really enjoy playing it! It's even better than Tetris! Give it a try!

tetris on speed only more competitive
My roommates in college and I played this every day for a semeseter.Some of our friends bought N64 just for this game.The Pokemon element is annoying and has nothing to do w/ the game and only makes people look at you funny when you try to tell them how cool the game is.Were this Mario's puzzle league it would probably have the name recognition Dr Mario enjoyed.the folks at nintendo botched this one.If you play this long enough you almost enter the matrix so to speak, you can set up huge combos, the head to head 2d mode is my favorite and it's a blast to play w/ your friends. Drinking a little when you play seems to help too.This is like tetris on speed only more competitive b/c the head to head mode also includes strange trash talk from wierd little pokecharacters.dont let the annoying little creatures stop you from checking out this game, its one of the best i've come across.

It is SO addictive!
And so so fun!I play it ALL the time when I get bored (got it used at a blockbuster for 9$!) and love it.It's just like Tetris Attack, but harder (good for someone like me who graduated quickly from the limited difficulties of the Tetris Attack version!)The 3-d mode is fun too!My mom hates the repeating sounds, though... so I sometimes turn it down for her! ... Read more

Asin: B00004U1QX
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo 64 (Nintendo64)    3. N64    4. Classics (Classic)    5. Retro    6. Pokemon (Pokeman)    7. Great Deals (Outlet store)   

Pokemon Puzzle Challenge
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (09 December, 2000)
list price: $29.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

From the second you plug this game into your Game Boy Color, it'sapparent that Pokémon Puzzle Challenge is essentially theTetris Attack that was released some time ago for the Nintendo 64 andGame Boy systems.

Pokémon characters abound; your young cousin or little sister should beable to rattle off many of their names effortlessly. The game is designed foryoung gamers, and encourages problem solving--something that all parents shouldwant their children to learn while playing a game. Thankfully, the game controlsare easy to pick up, and the tasks are easy to execute.

For a puzzle game, this one has a good number of gameplay options and modes.Puzzle University looks simple, at first, but it proves to be a realbrainteaser. In this mode, you must clear the entire screen in a limited numberof moves--a twist that makes the game surprisingly addictive. It's good to seethat Pokémon Puzzle Challenge has made some minor improvements onthe now-classic game of Tetris.

Naturally, the graphics are better on the Nintendo 64 version; but, if you'vegot a long ride planned, or that plane's been delayed, this game will turn hoursinto minutes. If you're looking for a family-friendly title for all of the GameBoy Color users in your family, look no further than Pokémon PuzzleChallenge. --Todd Mowatt

Pros:

• Challenging and extremely addictive Tetris variant
• Fun for just about anyone

Cons:

• Repetitive voice samples quickly become annoying

... Read more

Reviews (19)

Ow, My Fingers!!
This game is, to say the least, Addictive With A Capital "A".
It might seem hard when you start playing (I know it was for me; I got stuck at one point in Easy Mode the first time around), but it becomes much much easier over time.However, I've had it for give or take a few years and bits of it still escape me (i.e. how to get Sentret, how to beat the thing in less than 25 seconds, etc. etc.).Oh well, I expect I'll figure those bits out too.
One more thing: do NOT play this at night if you can't sleep.I did this once, and for about two days afterwards, whenever I stared at the wall, I saw puzzle designs.True story.
And you will probably like this game if you like Tetris.

Fun, fun, fun!
Don't be turned off by the cutesy Pokemon theme.This is "Tetris Attack" (from the SNES), but with lots of extra modes.The creators took advantage of the Pokemon world to create some neat challenge modes.This game is extremely addictive.I recommend playing this on a Gameboy Advance SP so that you'll have a lighted screen.If not, you may have some eye strain trying to see the small blocks.

ADDICTIVE!
This game will steal your soul.I'm not kidding.I turned it on once, planning to only play for a few minutes, and ended up glued to the spot (possibly drooling) for the remainder of the day.I might have fossilized if it hadn't been time for dinner.

But there's a downside as well.It's very hard.My 11-year-old sister, a much more rabid Pokemon fan than myself, has informed me of the different ways to play the game so as to win the "extra Pokemon" (Sentret, Marrill, etc.) but it is almost impossible to do so.I have had the game for over a year and have still not managed to win Sentret.Still, it's not as if I'm going to stop trying.(Read: it's not as if I CAN stop trying.) :-) ... Read more

Asin: B00004U5IF
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    3. Pokemon (Pokeman)    4. Classics (Classic)    5. Puzzle   

Into Thin Air : A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
by JON KRAKAUER
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (06 April, 1998)
list price: $7.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Into Thin Air is a riveting first-hand account of a catastrophic expedition up Mount Everest. In March 1996, Outside magazine sent veteran journalist and seasoned climber Jon Krakauer on an expedition led by celebrated Everest guide Rob Hall. Despite the expertise of Hall and the other leaders, by the end of summit day eight people were dead. Krakauer's book is at once the story of the ill-fated adventure and an analysis of the factors leading up to its tragic end. Written within months of the events it chronicles, Into Thin Air clearly evokes the majestic Everest landscape. As the journey up the mountain progresses, Krakauer puts it in context by recalling the triumphs and perils of other Everest trips throughout history. The author's own anguish over what happened on the mountain is palpable as he leads readers to ponder timeless questions. ... Read more

Reviews (1315)

Enjoyable
Krakauer does a very decent job of recounting this tragedy. I thought that he resisted extremely well the temptation of finger pointing. It is obvious that the storm in itself is not the cause of the deaths. It is a combination of greed, fame, unpreparedness, inadequate planning and erratic decision-making. Only the leader of the South African Team (Woodall) comes out as a villain and from what I read elsewhere, it is well deserved. Even Boukreev gets a fair account, both sides of the coin being shown. Krakauer does not make a final judgment on this and lets the reader decide. The debate will go on.
Krakauer may embellish some of the facts and his own actions, but he does not hide his guilt, the fact that he made critical mistakes (re Harris).

What I personally enjoy is not so much the macabre side (people on the edge of death, and consciously or not playing with their lives). It is the capacity of human beings to go beyond exhaustion, what made Weathers rise from the dead and walk to safety, what made Fisher, Harris, Hansen and others go on and on only supported by willpower, despite the lack of sleep, food, the intense cold, the wind, etc. The way Hansen collapsed after the summit is extremely revealing on how the mind can drive the body.

The only weakness of the book is that I got several times lost among the many characters/climbers involved. But this may also be due to my generally fast reading pace.

Que libro!
5 stars is short for this book, after reading It makes you feel quite dizzy, about how death can close so fast up there on a mountain, all of a sudden.

Nothing that an outsider expectator may say can change or diminish what is related here, about what happened on the spring of 96 at the top of World.

But I want to leave two messages, first for Beck Weathers, if you ever read this lines, I really would be proud for that, you define the term for endurance and principles.In my opinion Americans like you founded your country, and might stay at the TOP of United States too!!, I hope some day I could give you a hug personally, I never seen a survivor treated that bad!!... Sorry.

The other message is for Jon Krakauer, as an Ecuadorian Climber, and as a human I must say, forget that guilty feeling, after what you survived up there, you must thank God that you are still alive! just to remind you this: you did a great job up there and writing this unvaluable book.Astounding research, and a survivor hug too!

And for both of you, if you ever came to Ecuador give me a call with pleasure I can show you part of my amazing country.

Congratulations

Francisco

What a book, translated to spanish = Que libro!

Read 'The Climb' by Weston DeWalt Instead
Reading 'The Climb', you will come to understand that Krakauer is another overpaid Westerner, full of hubris. He slept in his tent after his return from the summit of Everest, knowing that others from his team were in peril.Alone, Anatoli Boukreev attempted a rescue. ... Read more

Isbn: 0385492081
Subjects:  1. Accidents    2. Adventure Consultants    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Everest, Mount (China and Nepa    5. Everest, Mount (China and Nepal)    6. Guided Expedition    7. Mountaineering    8. Mountaineering accidents    9. Mountaineering expeditions    10. Special Interest - Adventure    11. Sports    12. Sports & Recreation    13. Sports - General    14. Krakauer, Jon    15. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Tae-Bo Workout
Average Customer Review:
DVD (16 November, 1999)
list price: $49.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Billed as the "future of fitness" and hawked by numerous celebrities, Billy Blanks's Tae-Bo actually deserves much of the hype it's receiving. A mixture of boxing punches and martial arts kicks, Tae-Bo is fun and easy. One of the best elements of this four-tape set is that the first tape (which is 40 minutes long), Tae-Bo: Instructional, lays out the movements you need to successfully complete a workout. Once you've mastered the steps, you won't have to fast-forward through half the tape to get to the workout, nor will your workout be slowed down by the repeated lessons. After you feel comfortable with the movements (and they're really quite easy to follow; nothing too complicated to trip you up), you're ready to move on to Tae-Bo: Basics, a 27-minute workout (5 minutes of warm-up, 18 minutes of Tae-Bo, and 4 minutes of cool-down) that will have your heart pounding and your body sweating. Next comes Advanced, a 57-minute workout that will have your heart racing, pulse pounding, and sweat glands working overtime. There's razzmatazz on the moves, with slightly more complicated combinations that should be fairly easy to master if you've completed the first two tapes. This video seriously raises the bar on the difficulty factor.

In addition to the short warm-up, the cool-down, and the 30 minutes of Tae-Bo, Advanced Tae-Bo also includes 18 minutes of muscle-crunching floor work. You know you're in trouble when even the guys in the tape have trouble keeping up. Make sure you have truly mastered the first two tapes before attempting this one. The 8-Minute Workout is a highly compacted workout (actually 14 minutes long when you include warm-up and cool-down) for those days when you're too short on time for Basic or Advanced. While the 8-minute idea is compelling, it's not an adequate substitute for the longer workouts. Blanks, a seven-time World Martial Arts champion, is a superb instructor, providing encouragement and careful instruction (if you don't know by the end of the tape to hold in your stomach, that's no one's fault but your own). The only downside to these tapes is the less-than-exciting music. Not only is Tae-Bo great exercise for all levels, but the punches and kicks are wonderful for working out stress and aggression. This is the aerobics exercise video for people who are bored by aerobics. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Box set

Reviews (201)

Must-have introductory package for Tae Bo beginners!
I've been doing Tae Bo for about 15 months, and have dropped 30 pounds (and counting!).I started at a very unhealthy 140 pounds (just for reference, I'm 5'4"), and I'm now down to a lean, mean, fighting-machine 110.I'm in better shape than I've ever been, and I owe it all to Tae Bo!

Before starting Tae Bo, I had tried several other workouts, to no avail.At one point I was working out with Jane Fonda an hour a day, every day, and was actually gaining weight!I bought the Tae Bo original 4-pack on a whim, but it sat on my shelf for years before I finally gave it a go - I had watched my sister do it, and it just looked too hard.Eventually I had trouble squeezing into my fat jeans and, frustrated, I made the commitment to lose some weight and stick with Tae Bo for at least a year.

I began by watching the Instructional video for a week and practicing the moves.Admittedly, this was rather tedious - the pace is very slow and you end up standing around most of the time.However, correct form is essential, both to prevent injury and properly work the targeted muscle groups.Before beginning even a Basic workout, you should definitely run through the Instructional video a few times.You won't regret it!

Once I had the moves down, I went on to the 30-minute Basic workout, and stuck with it for six months.I was so horrendously out of shape that I had to stop for breathers, even though Billy gives you plenty of rest in between exercises.It took quite some time before I was comfortable with the moves, but I did get there.If you're new to Tae Bo (or to exercising in general), you'll probably find even the Basic workout to be challenging.Don't give up, though - it might take some time, but you WILL see improvement.I was very frustrated at first, as I didn't start shedding the pounds right away, and my lack of balance was a significant obstacle.Around the fourth month, though, I noticed some definite improvement, and was confident enough after month six to move on to the Advanced workout.

Initially, I found the Advanced workout to be difficult, but after a few months I had mastered it as well.By this time I had lost about 20 pounds and gained a ton of confidence.I finally retired the original Tae Bo workouts six months ago and moved on to the Get Ripped and Ultimate Abs/Butt series.After seeing how demanding the newer workouts are, I'm extremely glad I started with the original 4-pack - had I overestimated my abilities, I seriously doubt that I would still be doing Tae Bo.I probably would have given up within the first week instead!

The Advanced workout, which runs 55 minutes, is paced more quickly than the Basic workout, though it's much slower than, say, the Get Ripped Advanced workout or the Ultimate Abs/Butt DVD.In addition to the kicking/punching combos that you learn in the Basic workout, you also do some floor work for your abdominals and gluteals.Billy really introduces a wide variety of exercises during this session, many of which you'll see again if you try out other videos.This is a great intermediate workout - it really bridges the gap between the Basic workout and the more intense Advanced workouts that he produced later on.

For anyone who's new to Tae Bo, I'd definitely recommend that you pick up this 4-pack before buying anything else.Each workout builds on the previous one and, when viewed in succession, they offer a great introduction to Tae Bo.If you try to just jump right in with an Advanced workout, you'll not only get discouraged, but you might even hurt yourself.For those of you who are shopping around for a new fitness program, look no further - Tae Bo is fun and effective.Plus, with so many different DVDs available, you'll never get bored or plateau.Should you find your mind wandering or your weight loss stalling, just try another workout.

A word of caution - Tae Bo certainly isn't without its flaws.The production quality isn't the best (this is especially true with the earlier videos).Billy also tends to switch quickly from one move to the next, and to do uneven repetitions on each side (a problem he has yet to resolve).Nonetheless, this is the best workout series I've tried.It's transformed me from a couch potato to a fitness freak!

- Kelly Garbato, Tae Bo "Hero"

Really Worked For Me
I got the VHS set of this several years ago, and reluctantly tried it out one night. Before I knew it, I was hooked!

I went from around 220 down to 165 in my prime in the area of 6 or 7 months just using the beginner and then the intermediate tapes.

The excercises are easy to follow and once you get the hang of it, its quite enjoyable. I used to look forward to doing my workout every weeknight.

If they worked for me, they certainly can work for you!

The ones that started it all!
I have been doing TaeBo faithfully for about 5 years now. This was the first set I bought. I spent about two months on the instructional workout. It was not aerobically challenging for me but I really wanted to have the moves down. I moved on to the Basic Workout, and even though I was already in pretty good shape because I still used my NordicTrak machine while I was learning TaeBo, the Basic workout just about killed me! Once I got going though, I got the "exercise high" the first time ever, and I was hooked! I made my friends crazy talking about TaeBo. I spent a few months on the Basic and then moved on to the Advanced. Once again, it just about killed me! I stuck with it, lost about 15 pounds, and am now in great shape. I continue to use the Advanced along with other TaeBo DVDs and am still losing some weight, even though I'm also addicted to chocolate!

If you want a really hard workout, TaeBo Advanced is it! My advice is to take time to learn the moves properly, so you get the best workout possible and avoid injuries. The better your form is, the better your workout will be. Have fun and get fit! ... Read more

Asin: 6305608733
Subjects:  1. Exercise/Fitness   

Bring It On
Director: Peyton Reed
Average Customer Review:
DVD (08 February, 2005)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $11.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Sunny, happy Torrance (Kirsten Dunst) is the new leader of the Toros,the cheerleading squad of Rancho Carne, an affluent San Diego high school that has lousy football players but one hell of a cheerleading team. National champions, they're the ones who bring in the bodies to the football games with their award-winning moves and sassy grace, and they're poised to take their sixth national cheer title. Torrance's new reign as cheer queen, though, is cut short when she discovers that her snotty, duplicitous forerunner was regularly stealing routines from the East Compton Clovers, the hip-hop influenced cheerleaders of a poor inner city school, and passing them off as the original work of the Toros. Scrambling to come up with a new routine for the Toros--and do the right thing by giving the Clovers their due--Torrance butts heads with the proud and understandably wary Isis (Gabrielle Union), the leader of the Clovers, who wants nothing to do with a rich blond white girl, but does want to get her squad to the championships. Problem is, only one team can take home the national title. Who's it gonna be?

An unexpected box-office hit in the late summer of 2000, Bring It On is a smart, snappy teen comedy that bristles with good cheer (literally) and lively, down-to-earth characters. The story may be fairly predictable (who's going to win the big championship?), but director Peyton Reed and screenwriter Jessica Bendinger have fleshed out their characters with formidable strength and provided them with sharp dialogue. Dunst is a radiant comedian, projecting warmth, determination, sincerity, and a sublime airheadedness, and Union is an impressive dancer and counterpart to Dunst, matching her admirably despite her limited onscreen time. An excellent young supporting cast rounds out the film, most notably Eliza Dushku (Faith of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Jesse Bradford (Steven Soderbergh's King of the Hill) as siblings new to Rancho Carne, who become Torrance's best friend and potential new boyfriend, respectively. All in all, a pleasantly surprising and intelligent teen movie. Don't miss the opening sequence, a hilarious send-up of all those high school cheerleading routines you had to sit through at boring pep rallies. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• DTS Surround Sound
• Widescreen

Reviews (269)

A FAB Movie!!!
This movie is literally the best movie i had ever seen. It starts with Torrance (Kirsyen Dunst), having a dream about messing up her dream! She actually makes it as cheerleading captain, but things go terribly wrong when she is discoved that her team are cheating!

My favourite part is at the beginning, "I'm Sexy, I'm cute, i'm popular to boot!" and at the end where they win the trophy, and they make freinds with the clovers.

I Can't Believe I Like A Movie About Cheerleaders
In high school I fought against the elite group of blonde haired, blue eyed beauties known as The Cheerleaders. Their perky, their cute, their popular to boot. And they annoyed the bajeezes out of me, which is why I am so shocked that I enjoy this movie.

Kirsten Dunst is Torrence, a great cheerleader and new squad captain. On her first day, one of the girls topples down the pyramid (which seriously made me flinch) and breaks her back. They need a new girl, so in comes Missy, a sort of misfit, tomboyish, gymnast who is perfect for the squad. And of course Missy has a brother that's just perfect for Torrence.

This is a very funny movie. Everyone can find something to laugh at. If I can, I know you can. Torrence's little brother provides some laughs as do the crappy football players and, of course, the funky band of cheerleaders. Kirsten Dunst is cute in this one and Jesse Bradford is, like, totally awesome!! Oh my Gosh! No, I'm just messing around (don't worry, they don't talk like valley girls in this), but Bradford really is pretty good in this movie, though I haven't seen him really in much else besides that movie with the dog. This one is on TV all the time, but I suggest you rent it. No movie is good on TV, unless they are in fact made for TV. Check it out!

THESE..............................are spirit fingers!!!!!!!
Way to go!!! Ready??? Ok!!!I grew up watching my sister make her own cheers for school.She was head cheerleader for many years. She always told me that it was very very hard work, but she made it look easy. She would go to competitions and would come back winning just about every time.
Anyway, about the movie, it is good to finally see a cheerleader movie that focuses on, well, sheering!!! Dunst is a very wise choice on the lead and all to the other actors just work in around her. I think some of the negative reviews are kinda cheesy. I mean what were they thinking???

I feel that it is a real crowd winner, over all. It is full of good looking guys, and sassy women!!! It is a "booster" for all the cheerleaders around the world.
... Read more

Asin: B00003CXMP
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Super Smash Bros
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge
list price: $49.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

All of your favorite Nintendo characters have come together to answer the question: who is king of the Nintendo hill? The format can aptly be described as Super Mario Kart meets Mortal Kombat, which makes for an odd, yet addictive game. The object is to throw, punch, smash, or blast your opponents off the edge of the beautifully rendered, themed arenas. Numerous power-ups, weapons, and surprises help or hinder the melee. Your eventual goal is to fight your way through to a bizarre final boss character. Victory in this battle rewards you with another character to play, such as the scene-stealing Pokémon, Jigglypuff.

From Star Fox's laser pistol to Link's hook shot, each character's trademark special abilities are utilized to knock one another off the screen. The game does a great job balancing the characters' widely differing powers so that no one character has an insurmountable advantage. The sound and animations are also dead-on: Donkey Kong is a huge, cartoonish ape, while Link is much more detailed and realistic. And Pikachu's famous thunder shock attack is accompanied by a fearsome yell of "PIKA!"

Unlike most fighting games, Super Smash Bros. allows you to team up with a computer partner and take on other teams in both single and multiplayer modes. But the most fun is had when four human players play in a battle royale. The game quickly becomes a scene of incredibly fun chaos: picture Mario beating up on Luigi, while Donkey Kong is chased by a scampering, sledgehammer-wielding Pikachu. It's the perfect party game. --Hugh Arnold

Pros:

• Great characters: Mario, Luigi, Pikachu, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Link, Star Fox, Yoshi, and more
• Simple gameplay
• Computer partner option
• Colorful arenas

Cons:

• Limited number of arenas

... Read more

Features

• Four-player simultaneous mode
• Variety of power-ups and weapons
• Twelve original Nintendo characters
• Dozens of levels

Reviews (327)

Okey for a while
If you love Meele, you will not enjoy this. If you have this you would say it was fun for about.... 3 weeks. 4 maybye. I think the game is excellent but it was'nt addicting at all. But Meele is still my favourite game and is fun to play. So buy it if you hate being addicted.

The best fighting game ever
If you're into pretty colors and flashy graphics, and care much less about actually having controller inputs match character actions, go ahead and get SSB:Melee instead. It's got a general "random" feel to it and skill isn't as important as luck and drooling mindlessly over the images on the screen.

However, if you prefer to buy a fighting game because...it's a fighting game, and not pathetic eye-candy, the original SSB is godly. The controls are extremely precise, and it's possible to execute combos to near perfection. Indeed, combos are key to this game, something most players seem not to understand. Melee seems to have been created to eliminate combos and reduce fighting to random hacking and button-mashing; this is perfectly suited to mentally deficient monkeys, but humans with brains might prefer something that takes a little bit of skill. The only problem with SSB is that the combos can become degenerate, and certain characters are simply not viable, but most players don't seem good enough to take advantage of this (almost no one thinks Jigglypuff is anything more than a pathetic waste of a spot, for instance) so enjoy!

The memories...
Oh my gosh, this was the greatest game ever made (besides Zelda). Anyway, you get to be alot of Nintendo charicters and...BEAT UP EACH OTHER!!!!!!!!!!! Well, not beat up, more like, nock them off of the edge. OVERALL:This game is the best. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J2W7
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo 64 (Nintendo64)    3. N64    4. Fighting (Fights, Fight)   

Gladiator
Director: Ridley Scott
Average Customer Review:
DVD (21 November, 2000)
list price: $29.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• DTS Surround Sound
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (1513)

OMG
First of all I decided to write my review for Gladiator today and I pulled it up and now I just have to say I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY ARE RELEASING AN EXTENDED VERSION TO THIS MOVIE!!!Now that I said all that...This movie introduced me to Russell Crowe.I've been hooked ever since.My wife says I'm obsesive, but who can blame me.In this film Russell glows, he reaks of star, he oozes forward with OSCAR written all over him...Yes, there are other films that Russell owned, like A Beautiful Mind and the recent Cinderella Man, but this is what really got him noticed.The story here is quite good for an action film, considering most action films lack (there are a few exceptions, like Armegedon & The Matrix for example)There is pure emotion portrayed here by the entire cast, but notibly moreso in Crowe and Phoenix...The movie is quite gory, but please don't let that hinder you from watching this film...Ridley Scott brilliantly placed this film together and made one of the best films I've ever seen.The battle's and fights are amazing and very well put together...everything about this film is eye catching.I would recommend to anyone.You won't be dissapointed.

Rome didn't Fall---it was pushed.
Here's a recipe for a bad career move if you're Roman General Maximus:

1)Start off your morning by opening up a can of old-fashioned Imperial Roman whup-a** on some barbarian hordes;

2)Top off your understandably impressive win with a victory dance around the battlefield on your warhorse(accompanied by war-dogs, no less), culminating in a little tete-a-tete in the tent of the Big Enchilada himself, Emperor Marcus Aurelius (a dying man played, appropriately, by another dying man, Richard Harris);

3) Get outmaneuvered by scheming daddy's boy and heir to the Empire Commodus (the mostly insufferably smarmy Joaquin Phoenix), who does a little downsizing: throttling the Emperor and demoting you from General of the Roman Legions to, ah, Dead Guy. You and your family too.

So that's pretty much "Gladiator": equal parts saucy historical epic and revenge flick, "Kill Bill" with a toga and a gladius instead of shades and a katana.

It's the sort of soaring, riveting, exotic concoction Hollywood was born to do: use classical history as grandpa's attic, ransack it, gussy it up, inject gobbets of gore and glory and a huge dose of trashiness into it, and in the end just dump the entire audience down the chute into the steaming, sandy vortex of a Roman gladiatorial pit. We who are about to die, Salute You!

"Gladiator" is basically just 1964's epic "Fall of the Roman Empire" with a fresh coat of paint and some nifty CGI-tigers, and with all the eye-glazingly dull diplomatic blather cut out (because let's face it: who in their right mind goes to these things to watch old dudes in skirts babble on about how they'll take over Lutullus? Not *this* centurion!).

Come to think of it, that flick featured the same characters (Marcus Aurelius, love-interest Lucilla, a wicked Commodus, even a disgraced general Livius) agonizing over the same conflict: Emperor kicks off, bad boy Commodus takes over, hero and villain go mano a mano in the arena at the end. Hmmm---maybe somebody should call their lawyers...

At any rate, this version looks gorgeous, and is there anything---anything, I ask you?---that is as glorious as pumping up the volume on the big arena fight until you can rock the rafters of the house two counties over?

Everything is quick, deadly, stylish, and tantalizingly rustic: all the high style (courtesy of Ridley Scott and cinematographer John Mathiesen, with a martial, exotic score mustered up by Hans Zimmer) cloaks the fact that "Gladiator" pretty much boils down to two brilliantly-staged fight scenes strung together by about 100 minutes of tedium.

Russell Crow broods and glowers, and the flick is ninety shades of electric when he's at the center of it. Richard Harris does his patented "Old King in Winter" thing charmingly for his five minutes of screen time; Phoenix spins his sword and appears, mostly, painfully constipated; veteran character actor David Hemmings scarifies with his eyebrows; Oliver Reed works it as Proximo; Connie Nielsen (Lucilla, and yep, that was the Sophia Loren's name in "Fall of the Roman Empire"...hmmm) manages to be shockingly, mouth-wateringly beautiful in a scant role.

But "Gladiator" isn't about that. It's about the spectacle at the dark, rotten heart of the Ancient World: about the Colosseum filled with the bellowing of ten thousand throats, filled to bursting with bloodlust and giddiness, about blood and sweat and steel and fear on the sand-covered surface of an arena of death two thousand years ago. In that regard, "Gladiator" succeeds wildly.

Are you not entertained?

JSG

Magnificiant motion picture
This is a great movie. Russell Crowe shows why he is such a great actor here playing Maximus. He carries this movie throughout. You also have great performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, and Djimon Hounsou. The action is great, the lines are catchy, and you have a great plot from start to finish. A truly remarkable motion picture worth seeing! ... Read more

Asin: B00003CXE7
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure   

Art Nouveau Cross Stitch
by Barbara Hammet
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 October, 1999)
list price: $24.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (5)

Exquisite and Unusual Designs
I have always wished I could make a cross stitch project that looked like a Tiffany or Art Nouveau.This book provides some of the most beautiful and artistic patterns I have found.I'm sure I will find a lifetime of inspiration from the patterns provided in this book as well as enjoying the interesting reading.

a great addition to any stitcher's collection
I love to cross-stitch, yet I have trouble finding patterns that interest me. This book is such a wonderful find. It has a wide variety of patterns (the Klimt doesn't look anything like the Tiffanys on the cover) which are challenging enough for a stitcher who likes a more intricate pattern (like myself.)The patterns in this book are some of the best I've ever seen as far as artistry goes. The small motifs and decorative borders included at the back of the book encourage us to use our own creativity. I can't wait to make more of the projects in this book - right now I'm working on a pillow with one of the decorative borders.

a nice cross stitch book
I ordered this book because I love stained glass designs and there were two pictured on the cover. I had been hoping for more of them inside but was disappointed to find that there weren't any others.

However, it is anice book with background on art nouveau and designs inspired by artistssuch as Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt, and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Alsoincluded are instructions for basic cross stitch, cleaning your work,stretching needlework, and turning your piece into a cushion.

If you havea preference for either color or b&w charts, you should be aware thatthe charts in this book are in color with symbols. ... Read more

Isbn: 0715308378
Sales Rank: 770464
Subjects:  1. Art nouveau    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Cross-stitch    5. Decoration and ornament    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Needlework - Cross-Stitch    8. Patterns   

Complete Origami : An A-Z facts and folds, with step-by-step instructions for over 100 projects
by Eric Kenneway
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 November, 1987)
list price: $18.95 -- our price: $12.89
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (12)

Great gift item for earliteen/teenage kids to keep them busy
I thought this was a great book to give as a gift for earliteen/teenage kids to keep them busy & out of trouble.If you know what I mean.When I was about that age, I used to keep myself busy with origami during the vacation months.Therefore, I want to help other youth in my circle of community do the same thing.This was an excellent book that provided great step-by-step illustration.Although, it is not a beginner's origami book.

Fine book, not for experts...
I found this book really complete, with some new models, but to be honest I was kind of disapointed 'cause there is not much challenge into it. But if you're looking for a book with some variety into it, a bit of story and some 'not to hard' models, then buy it!

This book is completely horrible.
1- Project pictured on the cover is NOT included.

2- Only a handfully of the projects are true traditionally japanese paper origami.

3- most of the projects are things like:
Making paper hats
Folding a napkin into a mouse
Making a paper cup
Paper knots
Folding a diaper (no i am not making it up)
Making slippers out of newspaper
Paper Fans.

4- The illutrations are abhorrent, many do not include a picture of the finished product or skip steps.

There are far better books out there.If you are looking for a book that is basic, scattered and offers no real knowlegde of orgamini, this is the book for you.

But you if are looking for more projects, to master Japanese origami or for an indepth lesson this is not for you. ... Read more

Isbn: 0312008988
Sales Rank: 9511
Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Origami    5. Paper Crafts    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Origami