price：$15.01
Panasonic
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good but not perfect) 『Good product. Good material for interior pot. But I've used Tiger brand before. Compared to that this is less smart - make some noise continuously when keeping the tempreture at F208 (heating all the time); once pressed Reboil button, no way to stop it and has to finish it all the way; hasn't got the little "beep" at press of each button. These are the three major setbacks for it. Apart from these, every thing else seems so far so good.』
(Great Price) 『This is a great product for the price. Similar Japanese Thermal Pots by Zojirushi sell for at least $30 more. I have the Zojirushi at home but bought the Panasonic as a cost effective alternative for my fiance while she's at med school and it works great. Figured we didn't need top of the line if she's only going to use it for 3-4 years so we're both happy. Haven't had any problems though there really aren't varying temperature settings. Only thing I'd change.』
(Nice Value) 『Works as advertised. Has an excellent water level indicator. Great product for tea temperature water as well as two settings for coffee temp. Good volume for all day use. We connect ours to timer to come on at 3 am because it takes about 35 minutes to reach desired temperature. We have hot water all day for tea and coffee. Much easier than smaller pot to constantly refill throughout the day. Does not get too hot on the outside or bottom. Would definitely purchase again and plan to purchase as Christmas presents.』
(liked my old Panasonic hot pot better) 『I am satisfied with my new Panasonic Thermo Pot but I don't like the dark interior, my old one was grey, easier to see how much water I was pouring in, new pot is taller rather than short and squat like more old one, need more height space.New one heats great all the different temperatures no complaint.』
(At home mom) 『Good, reliable product. Very useful to have especially when hot water is needed for sterilizing baby bottles, etc.』 『PAN NC-EH40PC ELECTRIC 4.1QT THERMO POT』
price：$22.28
Panasonic
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great Microwave) 『I am an Office Manager for a property management firm in Downtown Chicago. I purchased this Panasonic microwave for the office because I own two other Panasonic microwaves at my personal properties and I am delighted with the brand.
This microwave not only looks nice and clean, but it stands up to use and abuse of the employees. I also have not had any complaints that it doesn't heat food properly. I would certainly recommend this microwave to anybody.』
(Good Microwave) 『Ordered this microwave to replace a whirlpool brand we had. The microwave works very well and the inverter option is very efficient in thawing foods without cooking the outside first. There are a couple of minor things I miss about this one that our old microwave had. First, our old microwave would do a quick 30 seconds when you just pushed the start button. On this on you have a quick minute button and then have to press start. Most of the time, 1 minute is too long for just a quick zap. Just something we had to get used to. Second is that when the oven is done cooking, you only get on set of beeps letting you know it is done cooking. On our old oven, it would give a couple of beeps every minute until you opened the door. These are just little gripes, overall this is a very nice microwave.』
(The little roaster that could...) 『The Panasonic microwave that my new NN-SN667 replaces had lasted me 23 years, including the original light bulb inside! With that in mind, I gave this brand most of my attention. Nonetheless I devoted considerable time to studying all the major brands, models, types, reading reviews and going to stores to further evaluate what is available today. Although Sharp stood out at times I kept returning to Panasonic, especially after many of the reviews I read. Surprisingly, some of the more upscale Panasonic stainless steel microwaves I examined in stores had doors that were very difficult to open and the units looked bulky when viewed up close. This particular Panasonic microwave, in white metal with a plastic door, is fairly light weight and modestly good looking. The beeps it emits are not overly loud, which improves upon the former model I had. Its basic operations like timed cooking and clock-setting were easy to figure out without the instruction book. I should add that once I did finally read the instruction book I learned about helpful features like 'keep warm' and 'turbo defrost' that came in handy later.
I have a particular space that the microwave must fit in. I pored over dimensions vs. platter size trying to locate a microwave with enough space inside yet somehow be compact on the outside. With that said, I should have reviewed dimensions from multiple sources (such as going to the manufacturer's Web site) because Amazon's stated specs on this unit are slightly out of order. By my own measurements the Panasonic NN-SN667W stands 11-7/8" high, is 20-1/4" wide and 15-1/2" deep if you take into account the 1-inch protrusion on the back of the oven. Trifling difference I know, but I could have moved up to the next larger unit without exceeding my allotted space if Amazon listed the right height.
Many reviewers have commented on how the interior light doesn't come on when the door is opened. Of course the light DOES come on while items are cooking. No light when the door is open is a benefit if you ask me. This unit is so low slung that humidity may condense at the top inside after heating liquids. You may want to get some splatter guard utensils as well. (I like the Progressive International Microwavable Dome Food Cover.) Anyway, leaving the door open for a couple of minutes lets the microwave's interior dry without expending the lamp or electricity while doing so. While the unit is cooking and the interior light is lit the view inside to monitor contents is reasonable. I do not think that the mesh in the door window is overly obstructive as some perceive it to be, it is more likely protective. I should also tell you: 1300 watts of cooking power must be regarded with care. Plus be careful not to run another high wattage appliance off the same outlet at the same time you are cooking with this microwave. You may trip a breaker. This microwave's power cord is only two feet long. If you need more cord length plan on buying a proper power strip. I recommend a Belkin 6-Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector with Rotating Plug and 8' Cord because the cord is strong and the plug is flat, allowing it to fit into narrow places behind appliances.
A mug of cold water will become heated to near boiling in 1 minute, 30 seconds. It can handily defrost frozen meat although I tend to stop the process in about 1/3 of the time the oven calculates (based on weight that you enter into the defrost mode set up). Perhaps someday I'll brave microwaving frozen meat for the full duration of calculated defrost and see whether I regret it or not. In the mean time I'll initiate thawing with this microwave and finish defrost in water.
I share in the opinion that the numeric readout is rough to interpret if seen up close from above. Either stand back a few feet or bend forward slightly to look at it head on. Then the numerals won't look like all 8s. That's something that Panasonic could improve upon to make this an even better appliance, which I currently rate as 4-1/2 stars.
』
(Last 13 months and then lights out for good) 『Pick up this Panasonic NN-SN667W from Best Buy last year after our 10 years 900W Panasonic start smell because we over cook something(It was still working but it just has this smell..). Last month or about 13 months later, The 667W just die without any warning - no power to the unit. Luck me, I bought a cheap standby Microwave from Target a months prior for my wife's shop. The new one has it's issues - from 1 to 6 are preset minutes so you can't put in seconds, now I'm shopping for a new Microwave again.
I'm going to get suck in to another Panasonic Microwave again because my wife only wants white one. I think I'm going to pick the 776W just because is 1250W instead of 1300W. There must be a reason that Panasonic make the model within 50Ws. So I cross my finger and hope that the 776W will work for more then 13 months....』
(Lots Of Power&Fast Cooking) 『This is a great microwave for use on the counter. The 1300 watts of power really make a difference in cooking times. Most of the time you never need more than 2 minutes to defrost something frozen or heat leftovers to eating temp. The sensor reheat is nice to use..just place a cold plate with food from the frig into the oven and the oven runs until it detects steam and then turns off. Nice feature..no guessing reheat times. This I purchased at Best Buy and paid $125 for it. The interior light only comes on when the door is shut and oven operating. This is not a problem because the kitchen is well lit. The display is best read when viewing straight on..if your looking down on it you can't see the numbers. Very quiet when running and easy to wipe down or wash off the glass turntable inside. This is the most powerful oven you can buy except for commercial units and what that really means is that nothing makes you wait more than a few minutes! It's that fast!』 『1.2 cu ft; 1300 Watts cooking power; easy to use button control; pop-out dial; one-touch sensor cooking (9 categories); one-touch sensor reheat; inverter turbo defrost; 6 digit display; keep warm setting; popcorn key; quick minute; more/less control.』
price：$11.02
Presto
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good Buy) 『This is a good, cheap, very usefull, time saving kitchen tool. No, you are probably not going to hand this down to your kids, and it is 'made in China', but I am sorry that I did not buy one sooner. An excellent buy for the money.』
(Great product) 『This pressure cooker is wonderful. It was purchased as a replacement for another Presto Pressure cooker I had for 20 years, that finally gave up. The new cooker is just wonderful. It cooks just like the old one, comes to pressure quickly, and makes food oh, so tender and delicious. I expect this one to last me another 20 years!』
(No complaints) 『This cooker works perfectly. The lid goes on easily, it has a safety mechanism preventing you from removing the lid before the pressure is released and a safety plug that will pop if the pressure becomes unsafe. The handles are ergonomic and help you to comfortably lift the cooker when heavy. The instruction manual comes with 70 recipes and all that I have tried have been delicious. I have no complaints. 5 stars.』
(A real bargain) 『I was looking for a small pressure-cooker to have for a few recipes that required one, and this Presto filled the bill.』
(No fear) 『Pressure cookers can be scary to the novice but this one was easy to operate safely.』 『Pressure cookers have experienced renewed popularity over the last several years because cooks have rediscovered what some cooks (particularly grandmas) have known for a long time--they're really fast. And it's easy to cook healthfully with pressure cookers, since the food retains so much more of its nutrients and flavor. Presto's 6-quart aluminum pressure cooker is a multi-purpose pot that can stand in as a conventional soup pot as well as perform the kitchen magic that pressure cookers are famous for. Chicken Cacciatore cooks in 8 minutes! This durable, polished-aluminum pressure cooker is an economical addition to any well-rounded set of kitchen tools.
The heavy-duty lid locks down during cooking; an inner sealing ring keeps the steam in. In addition to a pop-up pressure indicator and a simple steam release mechanism, there is an overpressure plug that will let off steam if it builds up excessively. This pressure cooker is useful for weeknight dinners or for any meal that needs to come together quickly. An accompanying booklet contains more than 65 recipes, ranging from basic soup stocks to stews and pot roasts--even desserts like 5-minute custards! Tenderize lean cuts of beef or pork; or cook chicken, fish, or vegetables faster than you can in a microwave, and without losing moisture.
Nonabrasive cleansers are best for cleaning this polished aluminum pressure cooker, though occasional use of a fine metal polish will help the exterior keep its shine. The Presto 6-quart aluminum pressure cooker is fully immersible; in addition, the sealing ring should be removed after each use to allow cleaning of the inside rim of the lid. The vent pipe is simple to keep clean with a small brush or pipe cleaner, and both the air vent/cover lock and the overpressure plug are removable. The pressure cooker measures 9 inches in diameter (17 inches including handles) and 8-1/2 inches tall (including lid). Presto guarantees this pressure cooker with an extended 12-year warranty. A detailed instruction and recipe booklet is included; special safety issues that pertain to pressure cookers are clearly explained.--Garland Withers』
『Before microwave cooking was introduced, the pressure cooker was a faster way to cook and prepare delicious foods. Unlike microwave ovens, pressure cooking preserves natural flavors and nutrients. Meats, poultry, fish, seafood, and vegetables cook to perfection in minutes - sometimes even faster than a microwave. If you're seeking a healthier and tastier way of preparing all types of foods, this stovetop pot is a must-have appliance for your kitchen. Does not require electricity - Designed for use on your stove top』
price：$19.98
Ocora France
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (world music fans will enjoy this particular Cd) 『Often in the world music arena one has to have some exposure to various works to enjoy them. This one will be easily assimilated by those who enjoy string instruments. I would recommend sampling the CD before you buy to ensure it is what you are looking for.』
(Deep, Atmospheric, Sublime) 『This CD could have just as well been called "The Soul of the Oud", but since the music that fills it emerges from a place where instrumental technique has already become a transparent voice for something altogether undefinable, "Art" will do just as well.
Like the other guy said, get it now and profess your gratitude later.』
(Authentic and Beautiful!) 『 This album can be a great introduction to the world of Arabic maqams, as well as to Munir Bashir's music. Eight of them are presented here with the masterful performance of this legendary oud player.
Bashir is not really in his usual style here, his music seems rather more traditional and conservative. Anyway, a must-have for any oud fan.』
(Very Relaxing) 『This musuc has been featured in Microsoft Encarta before. I listen to it during homeschooling. It's really soothing.』
(Lovely and warm.. I listen to it all day at work..) 『Excellent renderings on the Oud. I highly recommend this CD for any world music collection.』 『Oud player Munir Bashir is renowned in the Arab world for his work within the tradition of the Persiantaqsim, and his virtuosity on his instrument is possibly unmatched today. But his worldwide fame is a credit to his expansive knowledge of other music from around the world, and an adventurous spirit that is perhaps the most important aspect of a great master of an improvisational music that is nonetheless tied to a strict musical system (maqam). In eight solo works here, Bashir evokes a well of emotion and creates an inspired sense of melody, playing with impeccable skill and understated virtuosity.--Louis Gibson』
price：$11.98
Nonesuch
Usually ships in 3 to 5 days Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (the epitome of Zen Shakuhachi) 『These two songs hold within them a universe of meaning. "Bell Ringing In The Empty Sky" plays like a Zen parable. "Depicting The Cranes In Their Nest" runs a gamut of phases of life and emotion. You can feel the fullness of life as the cranes build and fill their nest, and the hollow ache of the parents as the young fly away to build their own lives -- a reminder of the impermanence of our own lives. Masterfully performed. I have this on an old LP and have spent years anticipating its release on CD.』
(Stark and wonderful to listen to) 『this album stands the test of time. I had this record a long time ago, and now getting the disk, I can enjoy it again. Good disk』
(The shakuhachi artist on this CD is Yamaguchi Goro) 『Although the artist attribution on this page is Kochachiro Miyata, a great shakuhachi master musician, these recordings are actually by the late Yamaguchi Goro, a musician and master instrumentalist whose importance in traditional Japanese shakuhachi music in the 20th century cannot be overstated.
This is the first CD issue of the legendary recordings which comprised this LP version of Nonesuch's Explorer series of the late 1960/early 70s. For many Americans, A Bell Ringing in the Empty Sky was their first exposure to authentic Japanses shakuhachi music. A portion of this recording of Sokaku-Reibo (Depicting The Cranes In Their Nest) flew out into the galaxy on Voyager-1 on that spacecraft's collection of electronic artifacts representing the cultures of humanity on Planet Earth.
To learn more about Yamaguchi Goro and shakuhachi music [...]
(Kochachiro Miyata's fine shakuhachi recordings are on Nonesuch, simply titled: Shakuhachi - The Japanese Flute.)』 『Shakuhachi Music features serenely beautiful, centuries-old compositions performed by solo artist Kochachiro Miyata of the Ensemble Nipponia. With no extraneous production touches, no obvious intrusion of modernity, this album is truly timeless.』
price：$10.98
Angel Records
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The Ravi Shankar Collection) 『Of all the Ravi Shankar recordings I have heard so far, this one strikes me as one of the most emotional and deep. After several listens, the subtle beauty of Raga Malkauns: Alap almost pulls you into a trance, while the Jor speeds up slightly at the end to create a masterful combination. The Tala Sawari and Pahari Dhun are both livelier pieces, especially Pahari Dhun, which is based on folk melodies of India. I have studied Indian music, and, still, I cannot profess that I know very much, for this is such a complex and beautiful music. North Indian classical music will continue to astound me with the complex rhythmic patterns and vast array of "scales" that are used. If you are interested at all in Indian music (North Indian, classical especially), you need to check this out, along with Ravi's other recordings. Read the descriptive liner notes and learn a little something as well...』
(Cryptic, complex, dark, and uplfting at the same time) 『Im writing reviews in search of broadening my musical horizons so to speak. its time to ditch the blink and killswitch and move on to the wide world of music. I grew up in Washington so i do love the alternative music. I hope i don't end up in the same category either.
Its very hard for me to write a review on this artist. How do i rank something in which i dont really know much about. but the more and more i hear it the more and more i understand it my own way and that is what art is all about. in many ways this CD is like a sacred old recipe passed down from generation to generation. youre not going to be into it in the first listen and you cant just put it on and expect to absorb it. Instead, it needs attention and nourishment. i like to sit somewhere and just get lost... i think that is the only way to really get into the music. I first heard of this artist when my father bought a bootleg video of Concert for Bangladesh and Ravi blew me away. many of that same style of playing is in this CD but it also has other fascets. "Raga Malkouns: Alap" seems to be an introduction to "Raga Malkouns: Jor"(although it is a long introduction). it might be the hardest piece to play because there seems to be no repetition except for the background instruments. the lead instrument at first is very dark a low with the occassional high pitched note. this atmosphere paints a picture of some warrior that has fallen on dark times in his town. as the song moves along the high notes become clearer and more apparent showcasing the warrior struggling and making progress and after a long bout of that the instruments get low again showing signs of failure. "Raga Malkouns: Jor" is a fight. there are two main instruments fighting. the high sitar and another instrument. the sitar pleads and kicks and screams but the is held down. until it finally climaxes and both intruments rise above and join together making beautiful music. " Tala Sawari" showcases more tabla chops more than anything else. and the final "Pahari Dhun " puts everything together in a more improvish style. the last song being the climax of the whole album. every song has beginnings and ends they dont view time as a hinderance thus making each song extra long. this music might mean something totally different to somebody else but no one can deny that it is complete. The onl gripe i had was that it wasnt well organized some songs had nothing to do with each other thus the complete CD package was a little discombobulated.』
(Deep and Dark) 『I find this to be among the heaviest (emotionally) of Ravi Shankar's recordings. Satisfyingly deep and dark. He sits on some very low notes, much longer and lower than usual. I only play this disc when I am prepared to seriously listen in a quiet, meditative state. Recording and production quality are immaculate.』
タイトル『 Asian Simplicity Decorative Steel Switchplate Cover >
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price：$8.99
Decoration Sensation
『We also offer a wide range of matching decoupaged switchplates and outlet covers, nightlights, drawer knobs, tiles, mouse pads, and unique housewares. We guarantee your complete satisfaction or money back. We are sure you will be delighted with these unique items. Items will arrive via USPS and a tracking # will be sent to you.』 タイトル『 Best Price Quality Value - 29" Plum Blossom on Black Oriental Vase Table Lamp JCO-X5762-5852 >
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price：$129.00
Oriental Furniture
『Collector's quality, high end, classic oriental lamp, 6 X fired, Jiangxi high temperature vitreous porcelain vase, with simple, beautiful hand painted white plum blossom tree branch design over rich iron black glaze, Remakablehand made work of art. Vase bottom is diamond drilled and wired, with lathed and routed dark Rosewood stain lacquered wood base; top is capped with fine lacquered brass. Standard USA / UL approved wiring, socket, and 3 way switch, lamp harp and finial included, as well as stunning black satin bell shaped shade (See Photo). A large, substantial lamp, we've it priced at half USA retail, ships in 2 business days, professionally packed, fully insured from our Massachusettes warehouse via FedEx, expedited delivery available.』 タイトル『 Magica Tile - Glazed Porcelain Tile Asia Tile: 12X12 Bangalore Nero Tile >
price：$2.46
KINO INTERNATIONAL
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (One of my favorite films) 『Of all the WKW Chunking films, this is the masterpiece. Absolutely beautiful, emotional, hilarious and action packed- all in one film. Wonderfully shot. One of the best visual scenes of all time- when Charlie is in the noodle shop shot through the glass in the pouring rain. masterful.
』
(The kind of film you cannot explain, but must see...) 『"Fallen Angels", directed by Wong Kar Wai, is the kind of film you cannot explain, but must see. Why? Because it manages to transmit the feelings of isolation, love, hope and despair of its main characters, characters that are not like you or me, but that feel the same things we sometimes feel.
This film is driven by inner monologue, that is, you can hear what the characters think. Due to that, you are able to watch their actions but also to hear their thoughts. It is interesting, but also heartbreaking at times. In a sense, "Fallen Angels" could be accurately displayed as a sequel to "Chungking Express", because it is also about people, their stories, and specially their longing for something they don't have but hope for.
One of the main characters is a hitman, Wong Chi-Ming (Leon Lai), who has a beautiful partner (Michele Reis) that coordinates his hits. Wong Chi-Ming knows why he became a killer, a reason that is strange but that makes sense to him: "The best thing about my profession is that there's no need to make any decision. Who's to die... when... where... it's all been planned by others. I'm a lazy person. I like people to arrange things for me". Despite that, he is thinking of leaving his job and becoming a "normal" person, something his partner doesn't like at all.
The other main character is He Zhiwu (Takeshi Kaneshiro), a young mute that lost his voice after eating a tin of expired pineapple. He Zhiwu has a weird hobby: to break into stores at night and pretend to run them, forcing customers to buy things. He also happens to fall in love with a very strange lady, and says to himself "They say that love can change a man. I start to find myself looking better and more charming, and suddenly I discover that I'm turning blonde".
"Fallen Angels" is, again, a strange but magical film. I've tried to explain it, but I know I cannot do that well enough. It is up to you to draw your own conclusions. In my opinion, though, this is a film to be recommended.
Belen Alcat』
(Not the 'feel good movie of the year') 『Not only does Fallen Angels tell a story, giving each character a developmental turn in the spotlight, but it sets the mood to be carried throughout the film. This movie is real and intimate. I was left feeling cold most of the time. It seems that, even though there are strong emotional scenes, most of the characters also recognize the coolness of the world surrounding their niche in society. Sometimes there are smiles, but no happiness. A well-developed, produced, acted, edited and written piece of art.』
(ARTIZTIC VIEW ON ALIENATION) 『indidviduals who are alienated, an outcast within the society tells their different story in this artistic entertaining movie. Cinematogrophy done by the one and only stylish chris doyle. Chris is amazing wih the cinematogrohy done on this film. Shot with neon, dreamy, hallucinatory preparation made this film an artistic beauty to watch. Each characters in this story are very interesting in their own way. We have the cool laid back quite assasin (leon) who lurks his way down at night to the city lights of hongkong in order to fulfill his mission guided and ordered by his dreamy melon-cholic girl partner, in which both of em never met one another but only find cues on things on recognising each others' personality. Such when michelle (the assasin's partner) look through the assasins left overs in her hotel room to know the assasin's preference. We have the mute, entertaining, colorful personality character who also lurks his way with his scooter at night to run his imaginary jobs at random shops and restuarant. This mute guy is takeshi kaneshiro who always run in with this one particular guy in which takeshi forces him to become his customer otherwise painful consequences might happen(a funny scene). The movie is entirely unique in its own way that i really find captivating to the senses. There is way more stuff in the movie than what i just said, you just have to find it for yourself. In my opinion this movie is way better than its predecessor chungking express in which directed by the same director. get the movie if u want to see a unique cinematography and stories of alienated individuals. (grade A)』
(Everything you have seen before and nothing like anything you have seen before.) 『One thing is for sure - it is everything you have seen before and nothing like anything you have seen before. As a Wong Kar-wai junkie, I have to admit - it is getting harder and harder to find a favorite - Fallen Angels is among the top three. In one sense I really loved Fallen Angels because it is full of the same urban angst brought up in Chungking Express. There is something utterly and strikingly gorgeous about Wong Kar-Wai's movies. The mise-en-scene and backdrops his characters inhabit in that give each scene a particular almost brooding feeling. Wong Kar-Wai's are lost and lonely in a world that is dark and full of despair. Fallen Angels is no different.
Fallen Angels' Hong Kong is alive in the evenings. One could argue that the cinematography captures a dreamlike state, pure urban neon, and erotic. In Fallen Angels we travel the gritty back alleys (reminiscent of Chunking Express) into underworld dives, dreary dive bars juxtaposed against a brightly-lit McDonalds. I have to say this... Wong Kar-wai does somewhat put me off with his product placement - but we have to finance our projects somehow, I guess.
Leon Lai's is a lazy hired killer. His portrayal, it can be argues is weighty and conjures up a sense of gaudy (almost caddy) persona. I am reminded of Yuddy in Days of Being Wild. Lai is wonderful as a contradiction of apathy and poetry. Lai plays it with a languid air. Every move is deliberate - smooth. Conversely, Michelle Reis' is his doppelganger - his manager. She is obsessed with him, becomes emotionally attached to him. I would argue that a sense of betrayal set the stage for the hit man's final demise. A nighttime ride in the back of a motorcycle with He Zhiwu (Takeshi Kaneshiro) leads me wonder is she has comes undone. Love though, and its many forms of cruelty is a recurring theme with Wong Kar-wai. Oh that sweet betrayal... He Zhiwu is a potent character. The relationship He Zhiwu develops with his father is proof positive that even in the broken world of dysfunctionality there resides a lotus from the marshes. The videotape sessions, at first almost humorous, forms yet another center of love shattered - sometimes we need to really treasure what we have lest it slip by so suddenly... he Zhiwu is a symbol of the lyricism of youth.
One has to admit, even after Chunking Express, Fallen Angels is different from any Hong Kong movie. Driven by inner monologue (much like the later much acclaimed The Follow from The Hire series) it draws one in. The languid tone and deeply erotic tale is one that will stand the test of time. Fallen Angels according to Teo takes over from where Chungking Express leaves of. I argue that it brought Chungking Express to a whole new realm. Fallen Angels is Chungking Express on steroids.
Miguel Llora』 『Fallen Angelswas originally planned as one section of director Wong Kar-Wai's best-known film,Chungking Express, but eventually it grew into its own distinct and delirious shape. In many ways,Fallen Angelsmay be the better film, a dark, frantic fun-house ride through Hong Kong's nighttime world. Part of the film is a love story between two people who have barely met: a young, ultra-hip hit man (Leon Lai) and the dreamy operative (Michele Reis) who plans his jobs. Much of the movie is given over to a very strange subplot about a manic mute (Takeshi Kaneshiro) who goes on bizarre nocturnal prowls through a closed food market--like almost everything else in Wong's films, this is antic, stylish, and oddly touching, all at the same time. It must be said that, also like Wong's other films,Fallen Angelsis fragmented and oblique to the point of occasional incomprehensibility…but then suddenly something wild or wonderful happens, such as the moment when the killer leaves the scene of a spectacular shooting and is promptly waylaid by a cheerful old school chum on a public bus. These coups--whether lyrical, violent, or simply "how on earth did they get that shot?"--are tossed off by Wong and cinematographer Christopher Doyle with all the cool of the hired killer, as though the movie were a cigarette dangling from a pair of oh-so-casual lips. This is exactly why so many otherwise calm critics fell all over themselves in hailing Wong Kar-Wai as one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation.--Robert Horton』 『Studio: Kino International Release Date: 03/31/2009 Run time: 96 minutes』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The Chaser DVD) 『The Chaser is a very good movie. It is, however, very violent (just in case that type of movie is not you style).
Be forwarned that the DVD is poorly manufactured. I have bought it twice from two different sellers (one the extended version and one the standard version). Both discs had two or three hangups of up to ten seconds about three-quarters the way into the movie. I am not talking about the poor transitions of dual-layer discs. The discs looked new and were factory sealed, but they played at these times as if they had scratches. 』
(Hollywood bow down to the side that is greater than you!) 『Top notch! The acting , the directing and the the story line is perfect. If any one dare talk crap about these film, then he or she is not worth being a movie fan. These film is da bomb and I am speechless. The best thing in this film is that, it is so natural and it wasn't overhyped with too much fighjting scenes and most importantly the fighting scenes were very appropriate and the director went for it. Straight gore!
I hope hollywood doesn't ruin it, because they are good at that!』
(Better than Old Boy) 『Visceral, nonstop carnage. The brutality in this film make Old Boy look like a joke... because it's based on actual events.
Not as good as Memories of a Murder, but better than Old Boy, tenfold.』
(Thrilling and comical crime drama) 『The Chaser is a different kind of investigation movie. You are told who the killer is fairly early in the movie, and the plot is about whether they can find proof to prosecute the killer or not. Just before the killer is arrested in the beginning, he has kidnapped another girl, and the main character tries to find out where she is throughout the movie. The main character is a former detective who has turned pimp, and the killer has presumably kidnapped and/or killed all his girls, making it very personal. There isn't much high-octane action in the movie, as this is mostly a thriller and not an action movie. The story is quite interesting, following mainly the pimp and the murderer seperatly. The story happens mostly at night and has a rather dark atmosphere, but it also has several comical moments that will make you laugh. The scenes are also fairly realistic. For example in foot chases the characters will get tired and sweaty really fast and when the chases are over they will typically gasp for breath and sometimes trip. I think this is very cool to see considering that in Hollywood movies characters can run full speed for 10 miles without sweating. Overall, I think this was a very good movie! Great atmosphere, good story, realistic and funny.』
(Another great Korean thriller!) 『Korea has definitely caught up to Hong Kong in the action/thriller category with "The Chaser" being one of the best Asian crime flicks in years. Our anti-hero is a dirty ex-cop thrown off the task force for taking bribes. Now reduced to running an escort service, his girls start disappearing. Thinking they quit&ran off or "were sold", he sends off his last girl, a sympathetic ill mom raising her small daughter alone, not realizing the client is a serial killer that had murdered the other girls. After he (literally) runs into the killer by accident, the rest of the film becomes a suspenseful edge-of-your seat thrill ride as he must find the missing girl before she dies&nab the killer, despite police department interference, political pressure to release the guilty suspect&ring of keys as his only clue! If you loved Korean crime movies like the great "Nowhere To Hide", "Les Formidables", the first "Public Enemy", etc. you are in for a treat. Even if you've never seen any contemporary Korean thrillers other than "Old Boy", this is one you cannot miss! As I hear it, the same people that took HK's great "Infernal Affairs"&remade it in English as "The Departed", plan the same fate for this one. If you are like me&prefer the original, subtitles and all, do not miss "The Chaser"!』 『The Korean blockbuster film 'The Chaser' (directed by Na Hong-jin, Bidangil Production Company) has attracted more than four million moviegoers since its release on February 14 2008. 'Chaser' has become the second Korean film to attract more than four million moviegoers this year after 'Forever the Moment'. The former exceeded the figure only 34 days after its release while the latter took 39 days to exceed the four million mark. The figure is more significant for 'The Chaser'』
price：$2.96
New Yorker Video
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (An Uncertain Pace) 『STILL LIFE challenges some basic assumptions not just about how life is lived in the wastelands of urbanized China but also about how film directors can record this pace. Director Jia Zhang Ke responds by taking a tack that is alien to the minds of American audiences that are accustomed to the standard beginning, middle, and end of Hollywood plots liberally sprinkled by action, sex, or romance. Here Ke strives to replicate the rhythms of life as they are experienced by those who are actually there. The actors are all amateurs, but their collective talents lie not in individual scenes of great power but in a montage of scenes of incremental strength. There is the natural tendency for western audiences to be turned off by what seems a superficially glacially slow pace of plot. Things seem to take forever to happen and when they do, no big deal is made. The actors simply go on to the next scene, but what is really going on is that change is happening even if that change is internal. The viewer must look at facial expression and body language to determine that. It is precisely here that western audiences have difficulty. This is a cultural attribute but for those who endure past the midpoint, the results are worth it. What is the plot? A coal miner travels to Fengzhie to reclaim a wife and daughter taken from him by the police sixteen years earlier. In a parallel story, a nurse travels to the same city to reclaim a husband who abandoned her two years before. One succeeds and one fails. Other critics have noted an allegorical subtext of the search for a previous civilization even as the current one is being literally dismantled brick by brick. Now this interpretation is pretty heavy fare for a movie that seems to slow down one's mental processes to match the tempo of the cast while at the same time to speed things up by requiring you to think outside the allegorical box. STILL LIFE is a well chosen title. Whether it refers to a pace that reflects the static inertia of a painting or the buzzing of life that occurs just beneath the surface is a function of what the viewer brings to the cinematic table.』
(Chinese Water Torture) 『Beautiful cinematography. Glacially slow plot and narrative pace.
One perspective on the human costs of the Great Modernization in China. Congratulations to the Middle Kingdom!
Progress is here! 』
(You really can't go home again) 『Whoever said "You can't go home again," must have had something like "Still Life" in mind.
Like the recent Australian drama "Jindabyne," "Still Life" examines what happens to the members of a community when the place they call home is deliberately flooded to make way for a new dam. In "Still Life," it is the city of Fengjie that now lies at the bottom of the Yangtze River, its population scattered and its submerged buildings, roads and parks nothing more than memories for those who once lived there (the Three Gorges Dam was completed in 2006). There are also plans to further raise the level of the river, resulting in the eventual loss of much of the surrounding area that still remains above water. As a result of the order to evacuate, what little is left of the city becomes ever more of a ghost town as the movie goes on.
Han Sanming returns to the area after 16 long years, unaware of what has happened to the town in his absence. He then goes in search of the ex-wife and teenaged daughter he hasn`t seen in all that time, seeking news of their whereabouts from family members, acquaintances and total strangers he meets along the way. In an unrelated but concomitant plotline, Shen Hong is a woman who returns to the same area to find the husband who all but abandoned her two years earlier.
As directed by Zhang Ke Jia, "Still Life" is less a narrative-driven drama than a methodically-paced, contemplative look at people whose lives have been torn asunder by the "advancement" of modern technology but who have been so beaten down by an unfeeling bureaucracy that they have all but resigned themselves to a passive acceptance of their fate. Yet, all this is dealt with in an elliptical and oblique fashion as the two main characters focus primarily on the concerns of their own personal relationships and issues. But the true meaning of the film can be found in the penetrating and soul-crushing air of melancholy that hangs over the work.』
(Transcends Linear Plot Driven Films) 『For American Audiences who don't like the unfamiliar feeling of a different language and location can feel at home with the political decisions that damned the homes, neighborhoods, and residents in the film who out of desperation work in unsafe working conditions. Director Zhang Ke Jia does however leave viewers with a positive feeling of the human bonds the workers find with each other on the battle field of life.』
(Digging Up the Past, Burying the Present, Building the Future.) 『"Still Life" was written and directed by Sixth Generation Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke, who brings a documentarian's style to this fictional drama inspired by the upheaval that the incredible Three Gorges Dam project has created. Two people from the city of Shanxi travel south to what is left of Fengjie to look for people from their past. Han Sanming (Han Sanming) is trying to find his ex-wife who took their young daughter and left him 16 years ago. Shen Hong (Zhao Tao) hasn't heard from her husband in 2 years and journeys to Fengjie, where he is a manager for the Demolition Authority, to confront him. Fengjie is a 2000-year-old town in the process of being demolished in 2 years, as it is gradually flooded, with much of the Old City already submerged.
"Still Life" is shot and scripted in a "cinema verite" style with a conspicuously slow, contemplative pace. It doesn't ever speed up, but it did eventually lull me into its languid universe. It is a mediation on people's relationship to the past and to life's forward motion. Sanming and Hong have come to Fengjie to either reclaim their past or to let it go. There is an archeological dig across the river, ironically digging up relics from thousands of years ago, as the town of Fengjie is demolished and buried, while the great Three Gorges Dam is constructed. Director Jia Zhang-Ke has delicately highlighted the strange cultural and social implications of China's massive infrastructure project, where past, present, and future meet head-on. It is clear which is winning, but which should win is less certain. In Mandarin with optional English subtitles.
The DVD (New Yorker Films 2008): The documentary "Dong" (1 hour, 10 min) is included on the disc. This is a loosely structured film about the artist Liu Xiaodong which first introduced Jia Zhang-Ke to the Three Gorges region. There is an "Interview with Jia Zhang-Ke" (18 min) in which he speaks about the film's structure, themes, his documentary approach, visual style, and the Sixth Generation emphasis on the personal and individual. There is also a theatrical trailer (2 min) and a Press Kit and interview with the director in DVD-ROM form, which can be accessed on a Windows or Mac computer. The film and bonus features are in Mandarin with optional English subtitles. The white subtitles can be a little difficult to read at times and would have been better in yellow.』 『InStill Life, great changes have come to the town of Fengjie due to the construction of the Three Gorges hydro project on the Yangtze River. Countless families that had lived there for many generations have had to relocate to other cities. Fengjie's old town, which has a 2000-year history, has been torn down and submerged forever. There are still things that need to be salvaged and yet there are also things that must be left behind. InStill Life, such life-changing choices face both Sanming, a miner traveling to Fengjie in search of his ex-wife of sixteen years, and Shen Hong, a nurse who has come to Fengjie to look for her husband who she hasn't seen in two years. Both Sanming and Shen will find who they're looking for, but in the process they too will have to decide what is worth salvaging in their lives and what they need to let go of.
Still Life is an empathetic portrait of those left behind by a modernizing society and, as in director Jia Zhang-ke's earlier films (Platform, Unknown Pleasures, The World), it is a unique hybrid of documentary and fiction.
Special Features: - Additional feature film,Dong(68 minutes) - Interview with director Jia Zhang-ke - Theatrical Trailer - Scene Selections - Dolby Digital 5.1 - Enhanced for 16x9 TVs - Optional English subtitles
"A BREATHTAKING collision of fact and fiction. A movie to change one's view of both cinema and life. As such, it's very, very dangerous." John Anderson, NEWSDAY
"Extremely beautiful!" David Denby, THE NEW YORKER
"Extraordinary!" Lisa Schwarzbaum, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Delicious!) 『Yummy chocolate and almonds on a pocky stick. Buy plenty because we couldn't stop eating them. I'll be buying lots of these in the future.』 『Biscuit stick dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with almond crush. Yummy almond chocolate snack.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Awesome) 『I brought back some from Japan. Even better when you pack some for a hike on a hot summer day. They are delicious when warm!』
(Yummiest Cookie EVER!) 『These cookies are awesome! Its a slightly salty cracker with tons of chocolate inside. If you heat them up for a few seconds its a flavor explosion!!!! I love Pucca fishies.』 『Pucca are fish shaped pretzel with nice slightly salty, cruncy coating and filled with smooth sweet chocolate inside.』
タイトル『 Decorated Mouse Pad with "black and white", dwelling, structure, mansion, Asia, Japan, kimono, "traditional dress", architecture, home >
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SHOPZEUS
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Ideal for laptops to be used in Europe and Asia. CANNOT BE USED WITH HAIR DRYERS, POWER TOOLS ETC.』
『ASIA MAP CHART』 タイトル『 Phoenix Models Japan Asia DC-10-40 Model Airplanw >
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Minicraft
『This is a 1:400 scale die-cast model airplane from Phoenix Models of the DC-10 aircraft in the colors of Japan Aisia Airlines』 タイトル『 Phoenix Air Asia Naresuan B737-300 Model Airplane >
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great shoes, excellent service) 『Great shoes, fair price and prompt service from East Bay. What more is there to say?』
(Excellent shoe) 『Bought these shoes for my son who lives in Sweden&who regularly runs in half-marathons. He has flat feet&uses special sole inserts. The shoes I bought replaced an older pair of the same,&he used them in the Paris marathon in which he exceeded his objectives, finishing in 3 hrs 57 min. The shoes retail in Sweden for way more than Amazon sells them in the US.』
(Great product) 『Exactly the shoe my husband was looking for to replace his old ones, he gets these all the time...』
(Great Shoes) 『I am 65 yrs old and have been running for>30 years. These shoes are true to size and are very comfortable from initial use. I have a sensitive Achilles, which these shoes help protect. They provide both stability and comfort.』
(Great product) 『This is a great shoe. It fits just like the version prior to it but is even a little better. I would recommend this shoe to any avid runner.』 『You're ready to take your performance to the next level. Now lace up into a shoe that'll help get you there. The MR768 from New Balance, designed for runners with mild to moderate overpronation, is loaded with features to keep you running longer and more comfortably, including a specially formulated, lightweight midsole and fully cushioned ABZORB® in the heel and forefoot that defies foot fatigue and sting with every foot fall. Its Nlock® lacing system provides a secure fit, run after run, while a full rubber outsole and light-reflective panels increase your traction and visibility out on the road and trail.』 『Men's NEW BALANCE® 768 :: Get the men's New Balance® 768, a responsive training shoe for a stable, cushioned ride that'll last for miles. The lightweight upper now has better heel fit, and super comfortable and snug midfoot fit with a roomy toe-box for your most comfortable run yet. 12 ounces』
タイトル『 Istanbul Airport Code IST Turkey Messenger Bag Yellow Barcode >
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『The Istanbul IST airport messenger and travel bag can carry anything, from laptop computers to newspapers.
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- 600 Denier Polyester』 タイトル『 4.5" Metallic Heel Sandal W/Silver Pieces. DISCONTINUED by Ellie >
『CHR SKULL GRIP W/PLN EYES』 タイトル『 Hoodie Mens Navy Blue " ASIA Off-Road Racing " Sports >
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『This Off-Road Racing Hoodie has undergone extensive quality control before reaching you. We have over 10 years experience in selling shirts on the internet. The shirts are created by us and are even customizable! Just contact our great customer service for any inquiries.』 タイトル『 Betty Rides Eco Asia Parka - Women's >
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『What do shredding the slopes, keeping your fashionable profile, and supporting the environment have in common? The Betty Rides Womens Eco Asia Parka. Betty Rides made this snowboard jacket with 45% recycled PET fibers and without using DMF or PFOA (toxic chemicals). But as cool as that is, youll mostly be thinking about this jackets stylin looks and cute button details when you put it on. A snap-back powder skirt, critically taped seams, light insulation, Lycra cuffs, and the parka length of this Betty Rides parka add comfort while you shred.
price：$5.42
NYRB Classics
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Splendid) 『I envy him. I envy his travels and his writing. For me Bouvier writes the best travel novels. It s something different. He doesn't describe the country. he simply lives country's life. Stays somewhere in Anatolia for a month, then suddenly one day decides it is time. Time to go, time to travel.』
(The"Open Road"meets"The road less traveled"in a Fiat.) 『The Way of the World takes me back to when a generation traveled the world with backpacks, motorcycles and VW buses.It is a travel log set in the late fifties, of two casual travelers in their early twenties, who set off on a trip from Europe to India to explore the backroads and see life in its essence as lived by the local people.
The book paints the pictures of gypsys, artists, mountain families andancient cities with bazaars, using local color and the eye of an artist.
Those who have traveled with similiar resources will enjoy the challenges of the innovative repair of an old Fiat in the middle of a desert, the capricousness of venturing into another country with only pocketchange, andthe discovery that most people in the world do have a love of strangers.』 『In 1953, twenty-four-year old Nicolas Bouvier and his artist friend Thierry Vernet set out to make their way overland from their native Geneva to the Khyber Pass. They had a rattletrap Fiat and a little money, but above all they were equipped with the certainty that by hook or by crook they would reach their destination, and that there would be unanticipated adventures, curious companionship, and sudden illumination along the way.The Way of the World, which Bouvier fashioned over the course of many years from his journals, is an entrancing story of adventure, an extraordinary work of art, and a voyage of self-discovery on the order of Robert M. PirsigâsZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.As Bouvier writes,âYou think you are making a trip, but soon it is makingâor unmakingâyou.â』
price：$5.44
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Directions from a goldfish) 『When an author wants to write their first fantasy novel for children, they'll sometimes fall back on the books they themselves loved as kids. If they were Alice in Wonderland fans they might go the route of Neil Gaiman's Coraline. If they were partial to The Wizard of Oz they could do as Salman Rushdie did when he wrote Haroun and the Sea of Stories. As Grace Lin explains in her Author's Note to "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon", some of the books she read at eleven were dozens upon dozens of Chinese folktale and fairytale stories. With her customary cleverness Lin has now taken the essence of those tales and woven them into a quest novel that is a mix of contemporary smart girl pizzazz and the feel of a classic that your parents were read as children. If there's any author out there today with the potential of being remembered and beloved 100 years down the line, Grace Lin has my vote.
Poor in the valley of Fruitless Mountain, young Minli and her family earn their daily rice by working and scraping in the fields near their home. Her sole joy comes at night when her father tells her wonderful stories of far away places. One day Minli buys a goldfish to improve her fortunes, but when her mother sees her "foolish" purchase, Minli frees the fish and sets it in the river. Little does she suspect that this single act will give her the impetus to seek her family's fortune by leaving to find the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way Minli makes friends and outwits foes in her attempt to help not just herself but those she loves and cares about.
The aforementioned "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" was the book I kept thinking about when I was reading, "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon". Like Lin's novel, Rushdie attempted to reawaken that feeling you get when you read a quest novel where disparate characters band together and become friends along the way. The thing is, Lin has been cleverer than Rushdie here. While his novel was essentially an Oz redux, Lin's world combines old stories and classic myths to come up with something that seems entirely new. The feel of this book has similarities to Oz, in that you feel you are in a safe space when you read this tale. Small children will not be frightened when this is read to them while older kids will relate to Minli and understand what makes her want to run away.
In Lin's previous (and younger) novels for kids (The Year of the Dog, The Year of the Rat) she breaks up the text regularly with stories that are pertinent to the action, as well as wonderful little vignettes. While doing so, she impresses you with her writing. Phrases stick in a person's brain, like "The forest was full of shapes and shadows and only barely could he see the faint footprints on the ground - it was like searching for a wrinkle in a flower petal." Lin also conjures up visuals. In one village, each villager cuts a bit of cloth from their own clothes to provide Minli with a warm coat. When she leaves, she waves goodbye. "As she watched the sea of ruined sleeves flutter at her, she realized it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen." And she has so perfectly incorporated real legends and fables too. Generally Lin's interpretations of the tales sound like her own inventions. Only once in a while do you get a glimpse of the old tale behind her words. When the Old Man of the Moon changes a man's fate by turning the number 19 into 91 with a simple flick of a brush, one can assume he's not doing it to numbers as we see them, but as a reader you simply do not care.
One of the other remarkable things about the book is that the story isn't just Minli's journey we're watching but the emotional journey of her mother. From scraping harpy into loving appreciative person, we see this change come about thanks to her grief. How many quest tales can you think about where you cut between the protagonist and their healthy relatives at home? Even if it happens, the relatives are usually in some kind of dire straits. Not here. The biggest problems dealt with in these passages is the loneliness of the parents. And for some kids, this will be a relief. To know that the parents are still safe and sound. To see how much they care for their absent daughter, even while she's off having adventures. There's a kind of tacit understanding at work here. No matter how far you go, your parents will still be back at your home waiting for you. No matter what.
Lin has always been an artist, so it's little surprise that she has illustrated this book. What is new is that the pictures aren't the usual pen and ink spot illustrations. Little Brown shelled out some cold hard cash to make sure that each picture in this book is lush and lovely. While still recognizably her style, the art in this book is not as young as her work on, say, Lissy's Friends or Where on Earth is My Bagel? There's a sophistication here that we've never seen before. For example, the initial view of Fruitless Mountain keeps a finger on what is kid-friendly, but also hints at the history of Chinese art and design at the same time. And in the text there are spot illustrations true, but even these are colorful. My sole regret is how small the book is. Someday it would be nice to see this title in a full lap-sized edition for easier reading. The better to appreciate the pictures, I think.
Sometimes it's just nice to read something to your kids that's beautiful. Holding "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" is like holding a small treasure. A little piece of art. A graceful departure from the younger books she has done before, Lin mixes great writing with even greater kid-appeal and comes up with a story that everyone can enjoy. Boys and girls, kids and parents, everyone will like what they find here. How many books can you say that of off the top of your head?
Ages 7-12.』
(A treasure that will become a classic) 『Minli lived with her parents in a small village, in the shadow of Fruitless Mountain. The family - indeed, the whole village - was desperately poor. Minli's mother bemoaned their threadbare clothes and scanty food. But her father, even though gray and overworked, cheered up every evening when he told Minli one of the Chinese folktales that delighted her. Some of her favorite stories were about the Old Man of the Moon, who lived on the Never-Ending Mountain, and knew everything.
When a goldfish seller came to the village, Minli was enchanted by the cheerful, bright fish, so different from the gray and brown world that she lived in every day. On an impulse, she spent one of her two copper coins, and bought a goldfish to bring fortune to her home.
Minli's mother was not happy with the goldfish. They had barely enough to eat; how could they feed a pet? After her father gave up a few grains of his precious dinner rice to feed the fish, Minli realized what the sacrifice would be to feed it, so she sadly released her goldfish into the river.
To her surprise, the grateful goldfish told Minli how to find the Never-Ending Mountain of her father's folktales. There, she could ask the Old Man of the Moon how to bring good fortune to their house. So Minli set off on a journey to find the Never-Ending Mountains. Along the way, she met a dragon who couldn't fly, and other mythical characters who taught and helped her on her journey.
Interwoven with Minli's story are wonderful stories written in Chinese folktale style. These stories, told by Minli's father, become both the backdrop and the framework for the story of Minli's adventures on her journey.
Overall, a lovely, lyrical book, written for ages 8-12, but more widely enjoyable. A parent or teacher would find joy in reading this book aloud to younger children, who also would be fascinated with Minli's magical journey.
Quickly, get this book while you can. And while you are at it, buy one for a gift for every child you know. A true classic. 』
(Recommended by Dear Author) 『This was recommended by the site Dear Author and I am glad that I took the hint and bought it for myself. Even though it is a book for children it was an enjoyable read』
(had to finish it!) 『What great book! It keeps the art of story telling alive. I loved Grace Lin's illustrations. I read it before my 8 year old son! I'd like to get this on audio books for the whole family to listen to in the car.』
(Great book&illustrations) 『Reviewed by Galia Popov (age 11) for Reader Views (8/09)
"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" is an example of many Chinese folktales and fairytales all blended together into a charming story about a girl who comes to terms with her fortune. Minli, which means "quick thinking," is a young girl who works in the fields all day with her parents in the barren Valley of Fruitless Mountain. Minli's family is very poor, like the rest of their small village. Minli's mother, Ma, sighs at their plain clothes, their small house, and their small portions of rice. But unlike the rest of the village, Minli is bright and cheery, instead of dull and gray - what keeps her from becoming dull are the stories her father, Ba, tells her every night. Minli wishes that she could go to the Never-Ending Mountain to ask the Old Man of the Moon how to change her fortune. When a goldfish man stops in town, Minli spends one of her two precious coins on a pretty orange goldfish with a black fin. Ma is not pleased. "How could you spend your money on that?" Ma scolds Minli. "On something so useless? And we will have to feed it! There is barely enough rice for us as it is." That night, Minli releases her fish into a stream. In return, the fish gives her directions to the Never-Ending Mountain. Along the way, Minli meets a flightless dragon who accompanies her on her journey.
The cover illustrations are dazzling by themselves, with brightly-colored borders and a crimson dragon across the front, Minli riding it through the clouds. There are various items relating to the story woven into the borders, such as a coin or a scroll. The other illustrations are good too, even in black and white (there will be color in the final publication). The story is as well written as the illustrations are elegant. With an easy-to-understand storyline and a nice format, this book would be best for seven to twelve-year-olds.
"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin does not have the most complex storyline of books for this age range, but it does satisfy most of the other requirements for an interesting book. It will hold the interest of a ten to twelve-year-old (okay, twelve might be pushing it), while a younger reader will enjoy it just as much. The point is, "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" is the sort of timeless story kids have and will enjoy for generations.』 『In thevalleyofFruitlessmountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
Grace Lin, author of the belovedYear of the DogandYear of the Rat, returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore,Where the Mountain Meets the Moonis a timeless story reminiscent ofThe Wizard of Oz. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.』
price：$4.78
Dark Horse
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (An Excellent Introduction to the World of Usagi Yojimbo) 『Yokai is the Japanese word for spirits/ghouls, and that nicely summarizes this beautiful 58 page hardbound graphic novel in which our main character, Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai warrior bunny from an anthropomorphic version of Japan's 17th century, finds himself battling an odd lot of ghosts and goblins seeking to enslave the world.
The artwork and water colors are brilliant, the action is abundant, and the tone absolutely delivers in the fine Usagi Yojimbo tradition. It is, at times, absurdly silly, cute, exciting, dramatic, heroic and even tragic. Sakai blends all of this together seamlessly into only 58 pages. It's a rich adventure that puts you through enough powerful emotions to more than warrant the $14.95 price tag, plus it's one heck of a handsome volume.
Extras include an in-depth interview with Stan Sakai about the making of Yokai, including samples of artwork in their early stages, a brief summary of Stan's career thus far, and some very nice Usagi artwork inside the covers, on the title page, and a small piece on the last page. I particularly enjoy that last depiction of Usagi having a conniption fit. Quite cute.
All in all, this is a handsome volume containing one heck of a quintessential Usagi story that any beginner to the series could easily appreciate. Plus it features my all time favorite supporting character in Usagi's Universe, Sasuke The Demon Queller, Sakai's answer to Doctor Strange, only more bad-ass. Still, the volume is family friendly and will easily cater to people of all age groups and interests. Whether or not you're a fan of comics, furry animals, or Feudal Japanese culture, Yokai can't help but impress.』 『Yokai are the monsters, demons, and spirits of Japanese folklore, such as the shape-changing kitsune, the obakeneko demon cats, and the evil oni ogres. Usagi faces all these and more when a desperate woman begs for his help in finding her kidnapped daughter. Tracing the abducted girl deep into the forest, Usagi finds it haunted by creatures of Japanese legend and discovers that they are amassing for a great raid on the countryside! Fortunately, Usagi is joined by Sasuke the Demon Queller, who is also fighting to prevent the invasion, but things aren't always as they seem, especially when dealing with the supernatural!』
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