Online Amazon Reviews Posted by Friday April 14, 2017 written by Stella Carrier (images and text from Amazon.com)

		Star Wars: A New Hope DVD
A Brand New Beginning, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Star Wars: A New Hope (Amazon Video) I am glad to have got the chance to watch Star Wars: A New Hope yesterday (Thursday April 13). My husband watched some of the film with me and explained what was going on between the various characters involving Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) and other various character portrayals featured in the film. One scene that stood in my mind was how Skywalker pretty much forced into fighting early on in the film, and how his destiny became intertwined with Princess Leia and Han Solo after Obi Wan Kenobi (Alex Guiness) took Skywalker under his wing. I have to credit my husband for getting me interested in Star Wars and the aspiring writer in me is glad to have purchased the film (due to the information I can glean from creative plot sequences).  Comment | Permalink
				Timber Creek Lodge, Season 1 DVD Price: $14.99
A Day In The Life Of, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Timber Creek Lodge, Season 1 (Amazon Video) I am glad to have taken a chance on purchasing Season 1 of Timber Creek Lodge. Episode 1 opens with the introduction of the crew to the Timber Creek in Whistler B.C. (Canada) Some of the following people featured in this episode; Lodge Manager Katy, Assistant Lodge Manager Jamie, Chef Nikita, Colston VIP Mountain Host, Mark Senior VIP Mountain Host, Cynthia VIP Mountain Host, Lodgehand Blake, Jenna Housekeeping/Server, and Louise Head of Housekeeping. The crew is preparing for a group of U.S. military males who are coming to Timber Creek Lodge to throw a bachelor party. The groom David is shown shortly after their arrival and Andrew is listed during the show to be the best man at his wedding. Some of the info shared during the show; Katy started her own company in grad school around 2007 and Nikita started cooking around the time she was 14 years old and became a sous chef by age 21.  Comment | Permalink
				Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy DVD Price: $2.99
Comical, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (Amazon Video) I admit that I eventually decided to check out the film Anchorman The Legend of Ron Burgundy after hearing the the funny dialogue from Will Ferrell on opening a version of the song Carry On by Kansas with his lines being a fresh faced 32 year old and one of his parents telling him there is still another year. Anyhow, it is easier to enjoy this film as long as it is understood that it is not meant to be taken seriously. The characters of Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Champ Kind (David Koechner), and Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell) enjoy their life together as employees at a popular news station in San Diego California during the 1970’s. The men end up initially being far from accepting of Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) joining the team. Corningstone realizes that they did not even set aside an office for her when she tries to inquire about it to station director Ed Harken (Fred Willard). There are multiple celebrity cameos in the film from such celebrities as: Jack Black, Danny Trejo,Vince Vaughan, Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow, Tim Robbins, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller etc.  Comment | Permalink
				The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency Offered by Random House LLC Price: $13.99
Informative, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency (Kindle Edition) The kindlebook of The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency by Chris Whipple features details around December 5, 2008 with some of the various men who wanted to give advice to the successor’s of Obama’s 2008 Presidential election. Joshua Bolten, listed to be former President George W. Bush’s White House Chief of Staff is said to have helped to mastermind and spearhead the meeting. Some of the following men listed to have been there; Andrew Card who is listed to have been Bolten’s predecessor, Leon Panetta who also had political experience with his work during Bill Clinton’s time as President, Thomas F. McLarty Bill’s Clinton’s first chief of staff, John Podesta head of Obama’s transition team, Jack Watson who served during the last 8 months of Jimmy Carter’s presidency and who is listed to have set an obstacle course record in Quantico Virginia that stood more than twenty years. Other men referenced at the beginning; Ken Duberstein,Donald Rumself, former Vice President Cheney, Erskine Bowles being asked by people if his time in the White House was like the tv show the West Wing,historian Richard Smith, Bob Haldeman, Robert Reich who was Bill Clinton’s Secretary of Labor etc.  Comment | Permalink
				Lady Bird and Lyndon: The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President Offered by Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc Price: $13.99
Complicated Circumstances That Shaped An Emotionally Resilient First Lady, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Lady Bird and Lyndon: The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President (Kindle Edition) This kindlebook of Lady Bird and Lyndon: The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President by Betty Boyd Caroli covers among some of the following details of Lady Bird Johnson’s life; how she got the nickname Lady Bird, Lady Bird Johnson’s father supposedly had a womanizing reputation and one of the children named Sugar was rumored to be one of love children of her (Lady Bird’s)father T.J. with a woman outside of his marriage, Lady Bird Johnson’s mother unexpectedly died young in her 40’s and under mysterious circumstances, being raised by an aunt after her mother’s death etc.  Comment | Permalink
				Jackie Kennedy Onassis: The Biography of America's First Lady (Women in History Book 1) Price: $2.99
The Multi-Layered Life of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Jackie Kennedy Onassis: The Biography of America's First Lady (Women in History Book 1) (Kindle Edition) This kindlebook of Jackie Kennedy Onassis: The Biography of America’s First Lady (Women in History) by Adam Brown is perfect for people who are curious about the life of Jackie Kennedy with such details as; through her stepfather’s contacts, she was able to get a job in 1951 at the Washington Times Herald enaring $42.50 a week. During this time she is listed to have interviewed Richard Nixon and covered the first Presidential inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. She was listed in the kindlebook to enjoy going to various restaurants and parties around Washington D.C. One of the parties that she attended was arranged by a Washington correspondent for the Chattanooga Times named Charles Bartlett. It is listed that at this party was where she met her future husband John F. Kennedy.  Comment | Permalink Public Reviews Written by You   Show:   Most recent reviews  Most recent comments     Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11-20 The Fantasy Fiction Formula Price: $11.69  Illuminating, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Fantasy Fiction Formula (Kindle Edition) This kindlebook of the Fantasy Fiction Formula by Deborah Chester caught my attention as an aspiring writer who intends to explore fiction in my writing improvement goals. Among the following instructional details in this kindlebook; books typically run from 60,000 to 100, 000 words. However, she includes the caveat that some authors such as the writer affiliated with the Games of Thrones (George R.R. Martin)and another writer affiliated with multiple books such as the Dragon Reborn, the Eye of the World and A Memory of Light (Robert Jordan) create books containing between 150,000 to 200,000 words. Chester advises new writers to consider staying within 100,000 words or less with an explanation why. Additionally, Chester recommends planning the plot through extensively reading fiction works such as; Propp’s morphology of the fairy tale (1968), Chris Vogle’s The Writer’s Journey etc. Chester also includes a sample exercise to choose a favorite fantasy novel or go with the first Harry Potter book for writers undecided on their most favorite books. Chester also talks about dialogue and an exercise where a writer could think about the attitude and image they want their character to project and choose one page out of a novel of the type of desire dialogue and type it out. I am also fortunate in the fact that my husband loves to read various science fiction books and is supportive of my writing dreams. The reading more fiction idea, along with dialogue, reminds me to ask him for book reading ideas since he is a prolific sci-fi reader.  Comment | Permalink Storyworld First: Creating a Unique Fantasy World for Your Novel Price: $2.99  Mesmerizing Kindlebook, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Storyworld First: Creating a Unique Fantasy World for Your Novel (Kindle Edition) I must preface my writing by making it clear that I am communicating as an amateur reviewer who enjoys writing as a fun hobby. This kindlebook of Storyworld First: Creating a Unique Fantasy World for Your Novel by Jill Williamson attracted my interest due to my intent as a writer to improve upon and add more extensive detail on the worlds I create in my writing. A few of the illuminating details included in this kindlebook;The emphasis on aiming to read books related to the types of worlds that an author desires to create. Williamson mentions cities and town references with examples such as Wizard of Oz the Emerald City,the planet Coruscant in Star Wars which is one big city, the city of the dead Hamunaptra from the Mummy film etc. Williamson also explains the why in the tips given for a writer to include landmarks in world-building with such as examples as the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz, the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, the HogWart’s Caste, the Tardis machine in the Doctor Who series etc. There is also the mention of using creativity in drawing maps for world building and website links. The use of magic in world building is included, ways to explain the impact of the magic used in the world of the story, and examples of talents pertaining to magic; probability-the ability to predict the future andor alter it listed under intelligence, shape-shifting etc.  Comment | Permalink The Hustler DVD Price: $2.99  Love and Risk Rolled Into One, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Hustler (Amazon Video) The Hustler film features the character of Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) who is extremely eager to take on popular pool player Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). Things turn out differently than planned for him yet he does meet Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie) during the midst of all this. Felson also unknowing catches the intrigue of Bert Gordon (George C. Scott) during his game with Minnesota Fats. Gordon offers Felson a deal to help him turn his finances around, just with a major caveat. Additionally, to complicate matters, Felson actually cares a lot about Packard so he is pretty much forced to choose between the safe option that would give them more time together but with the caveat that his finances might stay the same andor get more challenging or go along with Gordon’s plan yet also risk what he (Felson)could be developing with Packard.  Comment | Permalink Music For Lovers Only Price: $8.99  Distinctive, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Music For Lovers Only (MP3 Music) I admit that it is pretty personal how I came across this collection of Music For Lovers Only by Jackie Gleason. The music itself is very tranquil and relaxing. However, due to this music being more for relaxation, it is best to save it for such occasions involving just unwinding at home, before going to sleep etc.  Comment | Permalink Office Christmas Party (Unrated) DVD Price: $14.99  Festive Comedy, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Office Christmas Party (Unrated) (Amazon Video) This film Office Christmas Party is another movie that is definitely not meant to be taken seriously. Zenotech employees Josh Parker (Jason Bateman) and Clay Vanstone (T.J. Miller) are close friends and two men who have much invested in the company. Their life is changed dramatically when Clay’s sister Carol Vanstone (Jennifer Anniston) threatens to close down the company which would also affect other employees such as Tracey Hughes (Oliva Munn), Mary Winetoss (Kate McKinnon), Allison (Vanessa Bayer) and other employees at Zenotech. Josh and Parker hatch a plan to strive to save the company by obtaining a business deal with Walter Davis (Courtney B. Vance). Of course, there are also other actors/actresses featured in the Office Christmas Party film.  Comment | Permalink Waterfall Price: $1.29  I’m Glad That This Song is Available on Amazon Because, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Waterfall (MP3 Music) I confess that I am still trying to decipher the full meaning of the song Waterfalls by Stargate feat. Sia and P!nk. From my perspective, it appears to be a unique electronic/dance love song of a person who has left a major impact on someone else. As many know, I access various online sources; Amazon, Youtube, Pandora, iheartradio to discover my music as well as local radio. I wish that I could remember if it was hearing the song from Pandora, iheartradio, or youtube that influenced me to eventually listen to this song more (maybe it was listening to it on Pandora?). Regardless, Waterfalls by Stargate feat. Sia and P!nk is great to listen to if you like electronic/dance club love songs.  Comment | Permalink Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 53 [Clean] Price: $9.99  A Strong Eclectic Mix, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 53 [Clean] (MP3 Music) Now 53 is a perfect music collection to obtain because of the eclectic mix of music from the pop, dance, and rock music genres; Love Me Harder by Arianna Grande feat. the Weeknd, The Heart Wants What it Wants by Selena Gomez, A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay, Shut Up And Dance by The Weekend, Animals by Maroon 5, Beg For it by Iggy Azalea feat. M0, Trumpets by Jason Derulo etc.  Comment | Permalink Starboy [Explicit] Price: $13.49  Amusing, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Starboy [Explicit] (MP3 Music) I am glad that this music collection of the Starboy by the Weeknd is available with an Amazon music subscription because it was listening to it through my subscription that influenced me to take a chance on purchasing the mp3 collection. Additionally, my husband likes Selena Gomez which I admit also indirectly influenced me to get this collection. Anyhow, like many others, I do enjoy the Starboy and Feel It Coming songs. However, this is also a collection where a person could also enjoy other songs on this collection due to the sense that much creative effort was put into each of the songs. I also like the Stargirl interlude that Weeknd featured with Lana Del Rey. Last, but not least, one of the other multiple reasons why I am glad to have obtained this collection is due to the thrilling club/dance vibe of many of the songs on this collection. Starboy by the Weeknd is also a perfect collection to get if you are familiar with his Worth It song from the Fifty Shades of Grey movie soundtrack andor his Can't Feel My Face song (due to the vibe of this music collection being in a similar playful manner as those songs).  Comment | Permalink Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix) Price: $1.29  Elevating, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix) (MP3 Music) Call On Me by Starley (Ryan Ribeck mix) to me is an uplifting pop song about being there in a reliable way for someone else. The vocals to this song add to the strength and depth to the meaning of Call On Me. The music gives the song a perfect music mood that is right in time for the summer time.  Comment | Permalink Cake Price: $0.69  If You Like the Cake by the Ocean Song, April 14, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Cake (MP3 Music) I admit that I had heard Cake by Flo Rida & 99 Percent before through iheartradio and most recently Pandora. I still need to decipher the full meaning of this song, yet for some reason this song reminds me of the Cake by the Ocean song by DNCE. However, this song Cake by Flo Rida & 99 Percent is performed and created in a unique way because of the club and house vibe type of feel coupled with this song seeming to spend time with someone in a fun, harm-free, and carefree way.  Comment | Permalink

Online Amazon Reviews Posted by Sunday April 2, 2017 written by Stella Carrier (images and text from Amazon.com)

		Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House Offered by Hachette Book Group Price: $13.99
Employment Satisfaction Recollection, April 2, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House (Kindle Edition) This kindlebook of Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House by Alyssa Mastromonaco is a memoir of someone who documents her time in the White House with in both a candid manner and inspirational pride. The beginning of the kindlebook explains how she came to work for former President Obama. She had found out about the opportunity from someone who had previously worked with her on John Kerry’s 2004 Presidential campaign.Mastromonaco is truthful about her feelings when concern initially seemed to be raised about her working on Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign due to her not originally being from Illinois. Mastromonaco’s account of her experience with Queen Elizabeth’s 60th jubilee celebration makes for a fascinating read. I also enjoyed how she admitted to sensing surprise from other people of how she came so far professionally in spite of coming from a very humble background (different from what many people would consider a prestigious background).  Comment | Permalink
				Get Smart DVD Price: $12.99
Comedy Healing Type of Film, April 2, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Get Smart (Amazon Video) I watched this film Get Smart this past Friday night shortly after getting back to my apartment after a shift at work that went fine. However, this film made me laugh and I’m elated to have bought this film. The first reason; Steve Carrell as Maxwell Smart and Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. Max Smart and Agent 99 end up initially meeting each other by chance and working with each other through dangerous situations that break their initial tension. The scenes involving Max Smart and Agent 99 on an airplane involving Dalip (Dalip Singh) comedically foreshadow some of the other adventures that they unexpectedly get into. Dwayne Johnson features as Agent 23, the type of employee that Max Smart initially seems to secretly aspire towards for justified reasons. Terry Crews plays Agent 91 who is friends with Larabee (a Control Worker). There are also cameos by Bill Murray and James Caan. Max Smart expresses willingness to go on some dangerous missions involving Siegfried (Terrence Stamp) after successfully losing much weight. However, The Chief (Alan Arkin) initially prefers Smart to stay in the office. Of course, there are other characters who also contribute to the plot points. Some of the location andor pop culture references in the Get Smart film; Washington D.C., Moscow, the song Ain’t No Other Man by Christina Aguilera, Moskva River Russia, Smolensk Russia, some bakery in Moscow, Homeland Security, Disney Hall Los Angeles California. I also liked how the movie ended with the song 4 Minutes by Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.  Comment | Permalink
				We Are Your Friends DVD Price: $12.99
Friends, Fun, Life Etc., April 2, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: We Are Your Friends (Amazon Video) This film We Are Your Friends is actually a pleasing film to watch if you have listened to andor enjoyed club, trance, andor dance music before. The film features Zac Efron as Cole Carter. Cole Carter is both trying to make the best out of his life and break into being a DJ as a career, along with his friends Dustin Mason (Jonny Weston)Squirell (Alex Shaffer), and Ollie (Shiloh Fernandez). Cole Carters gets invaluable career help in his goals when he meets and forms a friendship with Wes Bentley (James Reed). However, what complicates the situation is the dynamics that develop between Cole Carter and Bentley’s girlfriend Sophie (Emily Ratajkowski). I bought this film before the Accountant, so imagine my surprise when I noticed that Jon Bernthal is featured in the film as realtor Paige Morrell. I admit that Bernthal’s character performance to Cole Carter inspired me eventually study up on whatever low cost andor free resources I can get on learning real estate after a dramatic scene that I had seen in the film. Online sources such as Wikipedia and the Internet Movie Database list musicians Nicky Romero, DJ Alesso, and Dillon Francis to also make appearances in the film.  Comment | Permalink
				Let Your Spirit Guides Speak: A Simple Guide for a Life of Purpose, Abundance, and Joy Price: $9.99
Spirit Team Connection Book, April 2, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Let Your Spirit Guides Speak: A Simple Guide for a Life of Purpose, Abundance, and Joy (Kindle Edition) This kindlebook of Let Your Spirit Guides Speak: A Simple Guide for a Life of Purpose, Abundance, and Joy by Debra Landewhr Engle is very encouraging. Some of the ways that the author shares that a person is connecting with their celestial spirit ally team; significant dreams, strong impressions about what paths to take and what not to do, standing in front of a dishwasher and hearing something as mundane as Sears, doing whatever it takes to acknowledge and elevate the role of your spirit team in life (very important as some influential skeptics are may label you crazy to others, even some people who do believe but may not understand your life path/life purpose may judge you harshly so obviously a thick skin and a nurturing/enduring faith in one’s ideas are a must). I do like how the author admits that the guidance given to you from your celestial spirit team may be different from what you initially expect from yourself/initial plans (this is one thing I am still in the process of learning because I am being given ideas/dreams that are slightly different from what I initially expected to get). The author shares how she met her guides. I also like that the author shares practical ways to keeping the connection with a person’s celestial spirit team strong such as through asking them to meet you in your dreams and asking questions for why some dreams come out the way they do, clearing your mind with meditation, open your mind with physical activity etc.  Comment | Permalink
				Light My Body Up (feat. Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne) Price: $1.29
Glad I Found Out About This Song Online Less Than 10 days Ago, April 2, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Light My Body Up (feat. Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne) (MP3 Music) The song “Light My Body Up” by David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne is a sultry dance and club tune that is basically about a self-confident andor aggressive woman admitting her seductive wishes. This song kind of reminds me of two of Nicki Minaj’s other brilliant collaborations with David Guetta (Turn Me On and Hey Mama, I would recommend listening to those two songs first for those who are still on the fence about the exhilarating dance gem “Light My Body Up”). This is because “Light My Body Up” has the same unique dance music energy as Turn Me On and Hey Mama.  Comment | Permalink
				Imaginary Mary - Season 01 DVD Price: $14.99
The Dilemma of Becoming A Career Woman And A Stepmother?, April 2, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Imaginary Mary - Season 01 (Amazon Video) The tv show “Imaginary Mary” features ambitious, independent, and successful public relations specialist Alice (Jenna Elfman) as a woman who is very much content with both her life and career until her views are turned upside down a little after meeting Ben (Stephen Schneider). Alice and Ben form a strong emotional and romantic connection. Alice is also trying to see how she can be up to the task of interacting with and treating Ben’s three kids. What complicates matters is that the character of Imaginary Mary (voice of Rachel Dratch) unexpectedly pops up again to Alice after such a long time. The tv show has a well-meaning start, however some questions come to my mind after watching the series. Why is Ben now raising his three children seemingly without any help from their mother and what directly andor influenced him to go into public relations? Was the mother of his children working public relations when they met, did she die after the divorce or is she still alive etc. As for Alice, is Alice’s mom still alive? What influenced Alice to choose public relations for her career, open her own public relations agency etc. Additionally, with the good money that Alice probably makes from her public relations career, why does she not seek out a therapist, psychic, life coaches, etc. on why Imaginary Mary is all of a sudden making an appearance in her life again. I think it is a good thing that Alice is shown not listening to everything that this Imaginary Mary tells her. However, I am surprised that the writing does not yet include someone with Alice’s money as a public relations specialist not yet having multiple people she could turn to (therapists, life coaches, etc.)regardless of if Alice has a strong family andor friend network to turn to.  Comment | Permalink
				Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) Offered by Random House LLC Price: $11.99
Fable Fine Tuning, April 2, 2017 Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) (Kindle Edition) The kindlebook Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) by Lisa Cron caught my attention in response to a subconscious intent that I have to attract key information to improve my writing (especially with my awareness that even getting published is competitive for authors from much more professionally prestigious backgrounds than myself). Some of the writing mentoring ideas discussed; thinking of writing from the What If perspective, the tricky whose life you will turn upside down, disclosure on the worldview of a protagonist and more.  Comment | Permalink