price：$60.97
DeLonghi
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Review from Italian user (born and raised in Italy)) 『Although the latest trend in Italy is oriented to the fully automated computerized espresso makers (EVERYBODY needs to have one in Italy) I really didn't want to spend well over $ 1,000 for a coffee maker (call me cheap, but with a thousand dollars, plus the money you need to add for a good coffee bean, you can buy 5 years of daily espresso at any bar in Italy). I saw this unit on sale for $ 79.00 at a local Target and because of the excellent reputation of De Longhi I gave it a shot. Considering the ridicolously low price, I obviously didn't expect much from this unit but - still - I decided to try. What a surprise! This machine makes excellent espresso, with a thick, delicious, consistent crema. I have a pair of full-glass Bodum double body espresso cups and everytime I make an espresso, the crema is so thick and rich that it looks like a micro pint of Guinness. Fantastic machine, excellent quality/price ratio. Only a few cons: you have to be EXTREMELY careful with selecting the right quality of coffee: if it's too coarse, you don't get enough crema, if it's too fine you'll end up clogging the filter and the pump is not strong enough to overcome the pressure. I would recommend (in general, for all machines) to always make ONE cup per espresso and forget the two-cup option. In Italy they sell coffee specifically ground for domestic pump machines... in the U.S. is not easy to find them. You can stick with Illy or Lavazza, or - even better - go to my very dear friend Robert (importer of Jolly coffee: a blend from Florence, made of twelve 100% arabica beans). Important maintenance reccomendations: NEVER wash the filter with soap (only water), NEVER put it in the dishwasher. Once every 4-6 months, disassemble the filter and (with A LOT of patience... it takes approximately 10 to 15 min) unclog each hole with a needle. I had this machine for 3 years now, I use and abuse it every day (average of 3-4 espresso/day) and NEVER had an issue. Great product. I would recommend it over an over.』
(Do not buy the EC 140B) 『I have been using a Delonghi BAR 140 F for about 6 years, about 10 espresso's each week no latte's (don't like them), so no experience with that). That was a splendid machine, simple construction, good crema, and little maintenance. I was very happy with it. Last week the pump stopped working so I ordered an EC 140 B Execution: C, which on the surface looked like the same machine. Why change when you are on to a good thing. Right? BIG MISTAKE! I used it for the first time this morning and it is a disaster! The problem is the Filter Holder design. Some smart engineer decided (as they are wont) to improve the Holder and Creamer design. Instead of the old simple two-piece assembly and rubber disk, it now has 5 parts with a difficult to clean complicated screw-together assembly and a rubber gasket, which is bound to fail. On top of that IT DOES NOT MAKE ESPRESSO. When handle is normally tight, it runs (i.e. dribbles) very slowly. When tightened lightly to have the coffee run normally, steam escapes on side of Filter Holder. Coffee looks like drip i.e. no crema. Filter is full of coffee/water sludge when you take it off i.e. not the nice dry "puck" I got on the old machine. I am really disappointed and to rub it in, Delonghi has changed the diameter of the holder attachment so I cannot use the Filter Holder of the old 140 F. I am returning the EC 140 B. Does anyone have a lightly used 140 F that I can buy? 』
(DeLonghi EC140B Expresso&Cappuccino Maker) 『I just received this item promptly yesterday and began using it this morning. I am on my second shot of expresso and am loving the simplicity of it all. This is the first machine of this type I have owned, so I can not impart a comparison of any sort, but can say this machine is easy to use and makes a nice cup of expresso with ample crema. It also steams milk like a little champ. The unit is small and will not take up a lot of space on your counter. My expresso bean of choice is Lavazza.
Update: 11/22/2009 This little champ is still going strong and I have no complaints. Be sure to have a good grinder. When this machine goes to expresso maker heaven, I will buy another DeLonghi!
』
(Extremely satisfied and surprised) 『I have never owned an espresso maker so I will not be able to compare it with other models and the more expensive ones out there. All I know is that I love coffee (I even started roasting my own beans) and I am amazed at the quality of coffee this little inexpensive machine is producing. I can't believe I make my own cappuccinos and lattes so easily every morning. I did have to experiment for a few days with the size of the grind (I recommend a good grinder as other have stated) until I finally got it right. I have had no problems with making steamed milk and froth. I must admit that since I have never used this type of machine before, I did have to read the instructions a couple of times to make sure I understood how to use it, but after a few times, I can whip out coffee in no time. I have only had this for a couple of weeks and I use it daily (sometimes several time a day) so I hope it lasts me a long time.』
(WONDERFUL!!) 『I have owned this espresso maker for about a year now and absolutely love it. It's easy to use and easy to clean.It makes a great cuppa. I lived in Sicily for 3 years where coffee is so important that there are signs on the highway that tell how many kilometers until the next cup. The espresso I am able to make with this machine is exactly like the espresso I had there. I highly recommend this machine and you can't beat the price. It can be found at Target.』 『Making espresso is a craft, and De'Longhi has the perfect tool. Inside this pump-driven machine, the patented "Sempre Crema" filter holder mixes air into the brew to yield a perfect caramel-colored cream, the hallmark of authentic espresso. One-year warranty. Model EC140B.』 『Savor a burst of true Italian flavor at home with this DeLonghi espresso and cappuccino maker. With a durable stainless-steel boiler, two thermostats (for water and steam), 35-ounce water reservoir (which removes for easy filling and cleaning), and two nozzles, this self-priming pump machine brews up single or double shots of espresso in just minutes. As for taste, the machine's `sempre crema' filter holder produces a perfect, caramel-colored crema, the essence of great espresso. Before brewing, a built-in tamper levels and presses the grounds before use; some practice is usually required to tamp at just the right pressure. After brewing, a lever on the filter holder flips up to hold the metal basket in place in order to knock out the used grounds. Three switches make the entire brewing process intuitive: on/off, espresso/water delivery, and steam: the machine preheats cups and filter holder with hot water and also froths milk for cappuccino using a swivel steamer and adjustable steam control knob. An "OK" light illuminates when the machine is fully heated and ready to go. A drip tray under the nozzles holds two espresso shot glasses or cups (not included), and removes for dishwasher cleaning. The machine measures 11-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 7-1/4 inches, and is covered by a one-year warranty against defects.--Ann Bieri』
price：$136.20
Sharp
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (big for low price) 『This is a large microwave for under $100.It is very easy to set up and program.I have had no problem with it and am very happy about my choice.The only complaint might be it is that it takes up a lot of space. ccrusty 』
(Good looking and powerful microwave) 『I own this for almost 2 weeks now, the look is awesome and love the design.』
(Great value, great microwave.) 『I needed a medium size microwave for my finished basement/playroom. This fits the bill perfectly. Has plenty of power and room for cooking frozen foods/snacks etc. Works great and looks real sharp! (pun intended). Also, I used the free shipping from Amazon and it got here surprisingly fast. Overall I am totally happy with this unit.』
(Sharp R315JS) 『So far, I have it for about a month and no complain at this time. Hope it will last longer than what I have before. Looks and usage are nice and very easy. Overal it is a good buy.』
(Disaster - i month before warranty expires!!) 『Bought this July of 2008 because it was not made in China. However, entire midsection of the control panel stopped working 2 months ago, as did the minute-plus button. Had to resort to creative math to set times. Very finicky panel. Contacted Sharp. They identified a service provider nearby. Its now been 2 weeks. The panel he replaced seems to work, but according to him, something else is not working and so he has to order another part. We requested Sharp to replace the microwave, but they would rather pay a technician more money to try and fix a very finicky appliance than replace it. Beware of buying this piece of junk.』 『Six cook options ensure perfectly cooked popular foods for up to 6 servings (even popcorn with one-touch). Six reheat options make it especially easy to heat frequently served foods including beverages, pizza, rolls and muffins. Four defrost options quickly defrost meats and poultry by weight. Minute Plus sets the oven at high with a single touch Interior Dimensions (w x h x d) 14 3/4" x 8 7.』
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.』 『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』 『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』
price：$5.01
Geffen Records
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (An Even Better Version Of ANTHOLOGIA) 『Asia's GOLD is an even better version of their ANTHOLOGIA double-CD set; both include the entirety of the recordings they made for Geffen between 1982 and 1990. This one improves the sound quality immensely and corrects some errors in the original version. Therefore, even if you own ANTHOLOGIA, you should buy this set, especially since the belief among the members of the original line-up- now back together- that Indonesia's 2005 drug-smuggling conviction of a young Australian tourist was trumped-up and unjust makes this collection an essential purchase for your conscience as well as your ears, even if the original album covers aren't in the booklet for this one.』
(Incredible compilation cd) 『After having been slightly dissapointed in ASIA's current album Pheonix, Listening to ASIA GOLD was an incredible pleasure as well as a rich nostalgic trip back to the eighties. Lets face it, without john wetton, it just isnt asia. This compilation of greatest hits has some great b-sides that I havent heard since the late eighties/early nineties. This is as complete a collection of Asia as you're bound to get. Two Discs with all three albums..b sides from the first two albums, four original songs that were included in the previous asia greatest hits cd. Wow is all I can say. The sound of Asia is still rich and epic as ever. A great bargain for the price that amazon is selling it. This is a must have for any Asia fan.』
(What more do you want?) 『great band and all their music before their breakup. Finally back together and making more good music. Buy this now!』
(Have it all !!) 『Based on a previous review, someone said that this was the best, most complete collection, I purchased this album...and the review was correct. I got a great album. The quality of musician-ship is surrounding. If you like Asia and you want a sampling of their music, then go for the GOLD.』
(Excellent value and sound quality.) 『Asia was a supergroup comprised of ex-King Crimson bassist/vocalist John Whetton, ex-Yes guitarist Steve Howe, ex-Buggles keyboardist(and one time Yes member in 1980) Geoff Downes and ELP drummer Carl Palmer.
They exploded out of the gate in 1982 with their self titled debut that saw huge success due to the huge singles Heat of the Moment&Only Time Will Tell. The album went multi-platinum and a massive tour ensued. Unfortunately, the band would never match that initial success as their 1983 follow-up Alpha would stall after barely going platinum. Band fights followed, John Whetton was for a short time replaced by ELP bassist/vocalist Greg Lake, John was then brought back in 1984 but Steve Howe ended up walking at that point to be replaced by ex-Krokus(!) guitarist Mandy Meyers.
They then released the 1985 commercial disaster Astra and would break up soon thereafter. Keyboardist Geoff Downes would put Asia back together with a revolving lineup of musicians in the 90's after a brief and unsuccessfull attempt at a comeback and the original 4 members would finally get back together for a hugely successful reunion tour in 2006.
This 2 disc Gold anthology comprises their 1980's geffen records output in the form of all the tracks from the 1982 debut, 1983's Alpha and 1985's Astra. Also, all of the B-sides are present as well in addition to the 2 new studio tracks that were on the 1990 retrospective Then&Now.
All of the tracks are remastered in crystal clear sound. Some purists might cry foul over the fact that mainly on disc 1, the engineer faded out the songs a few seconds earlier to cram 18 songs on that disc (disc one is 79 min. 56 seconds long and disc 2 is 79 min. 26 seconds long) but it isn't noticeable at all. The songs aren't any of the horribly edited single versions as well. They just fade out a bit quicker which is understandable for them being able to cram everything onto just 2 discs. You get 36 tracks with 18 on each disc.
The booklet features a very insightful/informative essay on the band's 1980's Geffen era in addition to some priceless vintage band member photos.
Now, some people might remember that Universal/Geffen already released this package in the form of 2002's Anthologia 20th anniversay collection. That one lacks the great pictures but includes the essays.
I had read that this Gold was just simply a re-pressing-re-packaging of the Anthologia set. At first it seemed that way, but I did seem to notice that the sound quality on this gold edition is actually clearer and punchier than the Anthologia remasters. Also, there was an error on track 9 on Disc 1 of Anthologia in which during the song, the sound in the left channel would drop out for about 3 to 4 seconds. I don't know if that was a pressing error or what, but it has been fixed on this Gold edition.
The differences are subtle but I do think that these are in fact updated/corrected masters as everything sounds cleaner and some of the noises/pops that were present in the Anthologia masters are gone as well. So, I would go with the Gold release for this reason in addition to the band photos that aren't in the Anthologia release. Basically, this is a very classy package and considering that you're getting remastered versions of their 1st 3 albums (which are their best stuff anyway) in addition to B-sides and the 2 studio tracks off of their 1990 compilation, this is a steal for people who like well performed and smart pop-rock of the highest order. I know that a lot of people find Asia cheesy but oh well, it's their loss. They were a great band.
Highly recommended!』 『Japanese only SHM pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. Universal. 2009.』
price：$14.98
Polygram Records
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Amazing...but some clarification) 『This is a great CD of Ustad Zakir Hussain's tabla art. Just a quick note of clarification: the notes seem to indicate that Zakir Hussain played the sarangi for this recording. I highly doubt this to be the case. If anyone knows of Ustad Zakir Hussain's long association with the magnificent Ustad Sultan Khan, one will immediately recognize the sarangi playing of this recording as belonging to this great performer.』
(For the tabla lover) 『Ustad Zakir Hussain is one of the most famous living master tabla players. He tours and records widely. This CD showcases his drumming.
The sarangi and tanpura are very much in the background, playing the melody and drone of traditional classical music of India. The tabla playing is indeed masterful and brilliant. The music is well-recorded.
Any fan of truly exceptional drumming should enjoy this recording. Fans of traditional Indian music may wish to hear more of the other instruments in the mix.
~heidimo』
(No false advertising here) 『This disc lives up to its name. Zakir Hussain is an extraordinary artist and his tabla playing almost seems melodic at times. There is a drone accompaniment from Suchismita Chatterjee, but Zakir is very much to the fore on each of the three tracks. Incredible virtuosity on an instrument you either love or hate. It is entrancing - and I love it.』
(U S T AAAAAAAAAA D J I) 『Once again, Ustad Zakir Ji has proved his mastery over the tabla in this most amazing recording. I enjoyed this recording for a number of reasons: he demonstrates ways and methods to play off of odd timed cycles of 10, 12, and 15 beats - rather than the age old favorites of 4, 8, or 16 (which everyone feels comfortable in). He takes these, and incorporates"tukras"and"kaidas"of teen taal and kehrva and shows how to confuse even the beat itself- that is, he places four of five, eight over fifteen, 32 over six, 49 and a half over nine, 20 and three quarters over three and a third...and unless you are locked into the lahara (the cycle keeping melody behind the tabla) you will trip over yourself trying to find the ONE. also, except for the track that his younger brother, Fazal Ji (who is also AMAZING), accompanies him on - this cd is pure Z A K I R. He plays the sarangi, he plays the tabla, and he plays the tabla (duets with himself). Tuning his tablas to the root note as well as the perfect fourth (correct me if i'm wrong), he gets a really cool sound with duel tabla solos, and tabla duels between the"Sa"pitched tabla and the"Ma"pitched. Thank you, Ustad Ji.』
(Punjabi at its best) 『Anyone who knows the name Zakir Hussain knows to expect nothing but top notch tabla acompanyment. This cd spotlights this phenomanal artist in three solos. Mindboggleing intrcacy and impecable timing are but a few things to expect from this indescribable cd. A must have for percussionists, tabla enthusiasts, or anyone whose heart beats.』
『Tibet, which has always been isolated by being located high in the Himalayas, is visited in this documentary by an Indian mountain climber who was part of a team that once climbed Mt. Everest. Approaching Tibet by way of the highest road on earth, the caravan of jeeps passes through scenery that is both forbidding and spectacular. Along the side of the road, a Buddhist pilgrim does full-body prostrations as he slowly makes his way toward a holy site. The unique nature of Tibet, where a society based on Buddhist concepts of compassion and devotion flourished for centuries, is illustrated by vintage films shot by visitors decades before the Chinese invasion of the 1950s. The narration cogently notes that the old color films of Buddhist pageants conducted in Lhasa, depicting hundreds of colorfully attired monks and pilgrims, are the last look at an ancient society. The footage shot in the 1980s, when the Chinese had relaxed the borders of Tibet and allowed westerners to film, including scenes of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the traditional home of the Dalai Lama, is often fascinating. But contrast across the decades shows modern Tibet to be a deeply troubled land under Chinese rule, with its ancient culture and traditions slowly being erased.--Robert J. McNamara』 タイトル『 Asian Accent Sunset Decorative Steel Switchplate Cover >
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price：$8.99
Decoration Sensation
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price：$882.50
La Toscana
『La Toscana 7063-W ASIA Tall Linen Tower with Mirror, WengeLa Toscana 7063-W ASIA Tall Linen Tower with Mirror, Wenge Features:; Overall: 11 - 3 / 4 Inch x 9 Inch x 79 - 1 / 2 Inch; Black&Red - Glossy Lacquered Finish; Wenge - Wenge Wood Veneer; Mirrored Front; 6 Glass Shelves Inside; Wall Mount Installation; Hardwar Included』 タイトル『 Golden Asia Solar #SS80 4PK Solar XMAS OrnaBall >
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (An exquisite costume drama) 『The French title of "The Last Mistress" could be more accurately translated as "A Former Mistress," or even "An Elderly Mistress"--since the courtesan Vellini is a then-considered-ripe 36 when the movie begins. It is based on a novel by Jules-Amédée Barbey d'Aurevilly published in 1851, and its period sensibility is as exquisitely accurate as the movie's costumes and sets. This is a portrait of a peculiar marital system. Well-bred French girls were educated in convent boarding schools, primarily in piety, needlework, and social graces. At the age of 17 or so, they returned to their families, who quickly arranged marriages for them. After marriage they were expected to learn how to run a comfortable home and to adopt their husbands' opinions and tastes--but not much else, unless they possessed enough brains and initiative to give themselves intellectual educations.
Meanwhile, well-bred French men of all ages were permitted to enjoy themselves in the demi-monde, drinking, gambling, and visiting courtesans. "The Last Mistress" shows the likely consequences of one such young man marrying one such young woman.
The rake Ryno de Marigny has gambled away his fortune, a much more serious drawback to marriage than his by-then-ten-year relationship with Vellini. However, Hermingarde, the lovely, supremely innocent, aristocratic, and wealthy bride he chooses, is under the sole guardianship of her grandmother, who rather fancies Ryno. As she tells a meddlesome friend, the girls of their own generation grew up in the time of de Laclos (the author of _Les Liasions Dangereuses_). They married rakes and were quite happy, so why should Hermingarde not be happy with Ryno?
At the beginning of the film, the meddlesome friend sends her husband (who, unbeknownst to his wife, was an occasional client of Vellini's well after his own marriage) to tell Vellini to let go of Ryno. The two stage a last farewell--as it develops, only one of many in their long relationship. Vellini tells Ryno that he will return to her, as he always has. Two days before his church wedding, Ryno confesses the story of the entire relationship to his fiancée's enchanted grandmother (who is comfortably swilling port) in a one-night narrative that occupies most of the film. He swears that it's all over.
The next scene is Ryno's wedding . . . so viewers may wonder, why is Ryno wearing a wedding ring on his right hand (the European custom) during the long, one-night narrative? In the 1830s the French state required a legal marriage at a registry office, but not a church wedding. Social and Catholic/religious convention required a church wedding, but this did not meet the legal requirement. Therefore most couples had a very small legal wedding at a registry office, then a church wedding about three days later. The couple did not cohabit till after the church wedding . . . still, Ryno seems to be already legally married when he tells his story.
Vellini is Spanish--exotic, tempestuous, amorous, and prone to wearing clinging Moorish-inspired boudoir outfits and puffing cigarillos. (The movie opens with a version of "Les Folies d'Espagne," an extremely popular base for instrumental variations in the 18th century. "Folie" translates to madness, wildness, extravagance, folly; and of course "d'Espagne" means Spanish.) Vellini's tantrums and occasional violence seem rather tiresome to modern eyes, but for some, represented an ideal mistress of the period--Carmen is a similar character. For men moving in a polite society full of prudish, docile, quiet, conventional women, wild threats and mild dagger cuts were exciting. Then there was all that hot-blooded passion . . . "The Last Mistress" is highly sexually explicit. (I constantly found myself thinking "yes, that's physically _possible_, but definitely not convenient or comfortable.") Ryno's very full red lips, as well as his immaculate dress, make him an 1830s fashion plate. His following his impulses--whether it's to have a wealthy bride, a passionate mistress, or both--seems excusable, because really, he doesn't have much else to do with his life either.
"The Last Mistress" is not just an exquisite historical costume drama: It contains some real food for thought. 』
(highly enjoyable and great acting from Asia Argento) 『With superb acting from Asia Argento, The Last Mistress enchants and repels at the same time. It's a worn tale of love and destruction that so devastating that it will be a downer for the rest of the day or week that you watch it.』
(Criminally hard-to-find, but wonderfully rewarding film) 『I don't know the details, but it appears that Blockbuster really "locked up" the distribution rights to this brilliant, heart-breaking French film. There are currently no plans to release this to the mass retail U.S. market, so your options are to find a Blockbuster copy, import it from another region 1 country, or buy from someone who has done one of those two things.
Though I'm tempted to prattle on about the movie itself, countless reviews of this Cannes Film Festival Palm d'or nominee can be found online. I will say, it is one of the most stunning, sexually frank, thought-provoking, and melancholy period pieces I've ever seen (I'm a cinemaphile, so I've seen a lot). Filmmaker Catherine Breillat has finally made the film I always felt she was capable of--a true masterpiece. (My opinion of her work at large, is that I always liked what she was attempting, but never found her films that engaging.) I also think Asia Argento was criminally overlooked for her performance here, she has matured from being a joke of an actress (see any of her early films)...to a wonderfully subdued, but still sexually brazen siren who, unlike many of her counterparts, does not "over act." (I think her newfound acting maturity is why she is working with top notch filmmakers, like Breillat and Assayas, despite her relative obscurity in the U.S.)
What I'd like to address specifically though, is this version of the dvd. The Blockbuster version appears to be the same "unrated" version that played in theatres. I saw it theatrically and watched the dvd, and while Blockbuster has a reputation for editing/censoring their films, to my knowledge, I didn't notice that being done here.
(Be warned...the sex scenes are fairly graphic, though less so than Briellat's previous films.)
I would also like to say, being that I managed to acquire two copies of the film (an authentic imported Region 1 DVD and the U.S. Blockbuster version) that this one wins hand down for three reasons:
1. This is the 114 minute U.S. and film festival release of the film (most imports of the film are the 104 min. French cut of the film--I prefer the longer version.) 2. Though the bit rate is higher on my import DVD, the encoding is far superior on the Blockbuster DVD, thus the image quality is better. Further, the Blockbuster DVD (unlike the import) is enhanced for widescreen 16:9 televisions. 3. The subtitles are larger, and easier to read--the actual translations were identical to both dvds I watched.
How much you're willing to pay for this film is up to you, I've seen the prices fluctuate, but if you do want to add this to your film library, I would definitely suggest the Blockbuster DVD for its superior picture quality/widescreen TV enhancement, and any DVD version is going to give you a better movie experience than a digital version, though frankly, the digital versions of this film are MUCH more affordable.』 『directed by Catherine Breillat
France | Italy 2007
French director and provocatrice extraordinaire Catherine Breillat is finally tamed by a partially stilted adaptation of an early 19th century literary classic in Une vieille maîtresse. Asia Argento stars in the title role of Spanish courtesan who imperils the happiness of a young married couple, though it is model-turned-actor Fu'ad Aït Aattou as the married man and her doomed former lover who steals the show -- and not only because he has the biggest lips this side ofAngelina Jolie. To further pile on the unusual qualities of a costume drama by the director of A ma soeur (Fat Girl) and Sex is Comedy, Breillat regular Roxane Mesquida (the promiscuous sister from A ma soeur) is cast here as the beatific virgin married to Aattou.Based on the novel by Jules-Amédée Barbey d'Aurevilly, Une vieille maîtresse tells the story of a 30-year-old libertine called Ryno de Marigny (Aattou) who is set to marry the beautiful and pure aristocratic child Hermangarde (Mesquida). Before marrying her, Ryno tells her curious grandmother the Marquise de Flers (French entertainment journalist Claude Sarraute) how he has been under the spell of La Vellini (Argento), an Andalusian courtesan, for ten years but that he has put a stop to it on the night before arriving at the marquise.』
price：$3.96
Criterion Collection
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Gaudi's work speaks for itself.) 『The beauty of this film is that there is little dialog. This isn't a biography in the traditional sense, which is what I loved about it. It follows Gaudi's career through the evolution of this architecture. It's a brilliant approach. The Criterion addition also includes a BBC bio, but the host can't see beyond his personal religious upbringing, that is definitely gets in the way of a bio of Gaudi. I have a long time fan of Gaudi, he was one of a kind, his work has never been replicated and he did it on a scale that couldn't happen again. Fascinating.』
(Exploring the Surreal Designs of Antonio Gaudí.) 『Hiroshi Teshigahara's film offers a visually stunning window into the designs of Spanish Catalan architect, Antonio Gaudí (1852-1926). Gaudi is known for his unusual sculptural designs. Influenced by French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, Gaudi incorporated nature's organic angles and curves into his highly-original buildings, interiors, and park designs. As Teshigahara reveals, Gaudi's creations--most notably the still-unfinished La Sagrada Família in Barcelona--are nothing less than spectacular, requiring few words to describe them: bizarre, fantastic, magical, and surreal. This poetic film reveals how Gaudi transformed his singular vision into his greatest designs: Casa Vicens (1883-1885), Palau Güell(1885-1889), College of the Teresianas (1888-1890), Crypt of the Church of Colònia Güell (1898-1916), Casa Calvet (1899-1904), Casa Batlló (1905-1907), Casa Milà (La Pedrera) (1905-1907), Park Güell (1900-1914), Sagrada Família Nativity façade and Crypt of the Sagrada Família church (1884-present). Those viewers interested in the work of Antonio Gaudí may also be interested in Isabel Artigas's comprehensive collection of Gaudi: Gaudi: Complete Works, which complements this DVD rather well.
The two-disc Criterion edition of Teshigahara's film features a newly restored high-definition digital transfer; a video interview with architect Arata Isozaki; "Gaudí, Catalunya, 1959," footage from director Hiroshi Teshigahara's first trip to Spain; "Visions of Space: Antonio Gaudí," a one-hour documentary on the architect's life and work; a BBC program on Gaudí by director Ken Russell; "Sculptures by Sofu--Vita," a short film by Teshigahara on the sculpture of his father, Sofu Teshigahara; and booklet featuring a new essay by art historian Dore Ashton, a reminiscence by Hiroshi Teshigahara, and Hiroshi and Sofu discussing their trip to the West.
G. Merritt』
(an excellent look at a unique artist) 『This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film
Antonio Gaudí is a film about the fames Spanish Catalan architect, Antonio Gaudí, also known as Antoni Gaudí. This great artist designed many buildins in Barcelona way ahead of their time and his masterpice, a cathedral, Sagrada Família, is still incomplete.
The film is largely silent with a musical track with occasional narration but shows his work in great detail and beauty. It was directed by famed Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara.
The special features of more of my attention as they had more information about Gaudí.
Disc one contains the film with a theatrical trailer.
Disc two contains "Gaudí, Catalunya, 1959" footage from the director's first trip to Spain, "Visions of Space: Antonio Gaudí" a biographical documentary on Gaudí's life and his buildings. (This documentary was excellent and one of the few times the special features on a Criteiron DVD are better than the film), A BBC documentary on Gaudí, "Sculptures by Sofu--Vita" a film by Teshigahara about the sculptures made by his father, Sofu Teshigahara.
This is one of the finest releases Criterion has done in terms of it's actuality and beauty. I consider this a must buy DVD.』
(Gaudi Needs Some Words) 『The two-disc set -- Antonia Gaudi -- is truly gorgeous. The slow and elegant tour of Barcelona's Gaudi collection is very satisfying visually. What is missing is any kind of voice-track. I was hoping to discover how he raised the money to build all those art works. What kind of developer would take a chance on him to bring back a profit on a big apartment complex? I also wanted to learn a bit more about his personal biography. I would have to give this one only two stars because it did not meet my personal expectations.』
(gaudi) 『It is an excellent film and a very good portrait of our Gaudi, simple and deep as Gaudi was.』 『Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 03/18/2008』 『Creator of one of the most bizarre and organic styles in the history of architecture, Antonio Gaudi Cornet, Spain's national treasure, was blessed with not only the vision, but the patronage that allowed him to build his elaborate and surreal designs. WithAntonio Gaudi, Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara (Woman in the Dunes) gives a tour of the makings of Gaudi's world. Almost entirely without narration, Teshigahara guides us instead with an eerie score by Toru Takemitsu and a few subtitles. The film is more a poem than a documentary, but don't expect an approach similar to Godfrey Reggio'sKoyaanisqatsi. Instead we are given a quiet soundtrack that mixes Takemitsu's sparse score with the natural sounds surrounding Gaudi's structures, and a stationary camera presents the buildings as if they have sprouted: supports seem to magically erupt from the ground like roots, and our eyes are led through the textures and patterns of Gaudi's elaborate mosaic stone and brick designs. Visually revealing and comprehensive, Teshigahara leaves us with only one thing to do--to view Gaudi's amazing world with our own eyes.--Ted Sonnenschein』
price：$5.98
Screen Media
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Very Good!) 『I had started watching this movie on the Lifetime Movie Network in January 2009. I did not get to finish watching it, so I was very happy to find it on Amazon.com. It was a very moving film. With good actors and a story that needed to be told.』
(Don't let the title fool you...) 『This movie is not really about a soldier or any changes he undergoes. It goes much deeper than that and the person who undergoes the change is not the soldier.
The original title for this film was "The Painting" which is a more fitting title and which created a sense of awe and wonder as the story unfolded. Where is this painting? What is it about? What does it have to do with these people? Oh wait I know what the painting is of!... Oh crap, I was wrong, but there went my heartstrings.
Initially I decided to see this movie because it had Stacey Dash whom I've had a crush on for years. She plays a teenager in this movie and was 35 or 36 at the time. She was also in "Clueless" where she played a 16 year old while actually being 29.
So I sat down to watch this movie and was very pleasantly surprised by the storyline and depth of emotion that was touched within me. Set in the 1960s, this is a story about honoring your family, standing up for what you believe in, and the decisions necessary to follow your heart knowing someone is going to get hurt. Is there such a thing as too open-minded? And is there any hope of redemption for the closed-minded? Is a gap between generations inevitable or can it be bridged?
Also starring Clifton Davis as the loyal friend, confidante and employee; Charles Shaughnessy as the stalwart patriarch; Heath Freeman as the son with seemingly 2 fathers; Stacey Dash as the love interest who fuels a young man's imagination of what could be and his search for equality.
Watch this movie and see how love can fracture and heal.』
(Soldiers of Change) 『I much enjoyed Soldiers of Change. The movie takes two families looking at the same events and how those events affected their lives. A must see.』
(I think this professional review says it all...) 『"Soldiers of Change" (aka "The Painting") by Bob Westal (2002-05-22) 2002, Un-rated, 120 minutes, A Joshua D. Rose Film The thousands of mixed-race couples brave enough to get married before the establishment of civil rights deserve a movie, but no one deserves "The Painting." This is the sort of film that would drive Miss Daisy to upchuck at the shenanigans of its saintly, cardboard characters and its bizarre, rose-colored depiction of U.S. race relations. "The Painting" starts out as a sort of wannabe Ivory-Merchant, a production of "The Not Ready for Masterpiece Theater" players, and then it gets weird.
Directed by Joshua Rose and written by Buddy Shieffield, with a story by David Rose and J. Marina Muhlfriedel, this is the story of the love between the white, rich and privileged Randy Barrington IV (played by Cody Dorkin at age 13, and from 18 on by Heath Freeman) and the black and somewhat less privileged Hallie Ayres (Shari Dyon Perry and Stacey Dash). The problem is, we're in the 1960s, and Randy is the son of an art-obsessed multimillionaire.
A third-generation Kansas City-born tycoon with a mysterious British accent, Randolf Barrington IV (Charles Shaughnessy, TV's "The Nanny") is a basically decent and broadminded man, but he ultimately draws the line at an interracial marriage. Randolf the elder is notable because he's the only person around with the slightest persistent character flaw.
The reason no one else in the movie has any flaws is that they all listen to Thomas Ayres, the Barringtons' butler and driver. Played with dignity and a touch of humor by showbiz lifer Clifton Davis ("Any Given Sunday," "That's My Mama!"), Ayres is in the Sidney Poitier tradition of superhuman cinematic black men. His superpower is that every time he gives a speech, which he does as often as most people change their underwear, whoever is listening immediately realizes the error of his or her ways. (Mr. Dickson of "Room 222" had the same ability. Must be some kind of power-ring bequeathed by the Guardians of Oa....)
As the story progresses and the millionaire tries to keep his son away from Thomas's niece, the butler quits rather than be a party to keeping the couple apart. A whole lot of other stuff happens over the film's 105 minutes, but, despite a mostly African-American cast, most of it still happens to the white people.
Speaking of the cast, nobody - black or white - emerges unscathed. Sometimes the actors almost connect; other times, they barely seem to be listening to each other. I enjoyed seeing Ben Vereen ("Roots," "All That Jazz," etc.), a favorite of my youth, but I didn't know what to make of his wizened blind gospel singer. He would be just another walking, talking cliche, except that also seems to be putting the moves on a teenage male civil rights worker.
Boy, but these people are ahead of their time.Yet, "The Painting" is the sort of sixties movie where the makers are so terrified we'll forget it's about the sixties that they feel compelled to include every historical event of the time. There will be shock and horror after the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and RFK. There will be arguments about the Vietnam war. We will hear "A Whiter Shade of Pale" and "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." We will spend time with the grunts in 'Nam. Ultimately, the only thing which saves viewers of "The Painting" from unrelieved torture is its steadily growing shamelessness. By the film's end, the plot has taken so many turns in its desperation to make us feel something, a kind of giddiness takes over. A few tragic moments might actually threaten to cause a brief lump in the throat - but then something so absurdly contrived happens, so obviously inflicted on the characters, that all you can do is giggle.
Note to screenwriters: If you're going to create an African-American character who's a kindly, wise and compassionate servant, and people keep calling him "Uncle," you might want to think through the implications of naming him "Thomas."』
(Good premise ... lousy movie) 『Felt like I was watching an "ABC After School Special" from the 70's...Historically inaccurate, the son is too perfect (and his father too wooden). Most viewers could probably fast-forward through the dialog and guess fairly accurately what was being said. The cover is confusing, as so little time is spent in Vietnam.
I'd rather watch "Platoon" again...』 『In the midst of riots rebellion and revolution of the 1960's a reluctant soldier finds himself in the center of two wars. Ripped apart from the front lines of the civil rights struggle at home and thrust into the war in Vietnam Randy is forced into a heroic struggle for his life and his love. Soldiiers of Change tells the explosive story of one man's coming of age during the assassinations protest and war that defined the 60's and changed the world.System Requirements:Running Time: 95 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: PG-13 UPC: 025192983429 Manufacturer No: 29834』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Maybe the greatest soft drink EVER!) 『Ramune has to be one of the coolest and most unique soft drinks that I have ever seen. My kids had been dying to try this stuff ever since they had come across it on J-Box, the popular Japanese import webshop. Ramune is incredibly popular in it's native Japan, and now it looks like the fun is beginning to spread here in the States.
To open a bottle of Ramune, you have to remove the top, pop out this little plastic plunger from it's casing, and then use the plunger to pop out a marble that seals the neck of the bottle. The neck of the bottle has two indentions that will hold the marble when you tip the bottle back to drink from it, keeping the neck of the bottle clear. Hold the bottle the wrong way, and the marble will clog things up. You can avoid carbonated overflow when opening by pressing gently on the plunger until it depresses the marble; knock it down with force and you're sure to get a fountain of spray.
The orange flavor reviewed here tastes a lot like a lighter version of Orange Crush, without the cloying sweetness. It's hard to put my finger on it, but there is enough of the original flavor's lemon-lime backbone to make an impression on the taste, in other words you get a distinct Ramune-brand flavor with this drink. It's incredibly good and not heavy on the palate like a lot of Western sodas.
This is a way fun product that kids (and most adults) will have a blast with. It's a smaller portion (8 ounces) than what we're used to here in the US, but that actually works out for us as we're trying to limit the amount of soda that our kids consume. Ramune works great as an occasional soda treat and the fun factor alone keeps us coming back for more. Ramune is easy to find at just about any Asian market, but for those who don't have easy access to one, ordering here on Amazon would be recommended.
Also, for the safety conscious, I can attest that these drinks are very safe. We've never had a problem with the marble, and I can't find any reports on the internet that would indicate any safety concerns with this drink. It's not a choking hazard, in other words. Ramune means 'carbonated' in Japanese, and I can highly recommend this wonderful and very different drink.』 『Ramune Japanese Soft Drink Orange Flavor』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Not quite Moon Pies) 『If you like Moon Pies you'll probably like these, but they're not the same thing. I tried Moon Pies when I was homesick for Choco Pies, and while they're good, I was disappointed in the difference.
The main difference is Moon Pies have a marshmallow filling that's appropriately spongy...just like a regular marshmallow. These have a cream filling that has the subtle flavor of marshmallows, but has a creamy texture. More like thick whipped cream--it's not spongy.
The cake-like part tends to be a bit dry, but that's a good thing. It's more like a cross between cake and cookie. It has the softness of cake (not crisp like cookies), but the texture of a cookie (not moist like a cake). A perfect balance for the softness of the cream.
The chocolate outside is very delicious. I wouldn't call it dark chocolate like another reviewer said. But it's sweet without being overwhelmingly sweet. It's a fairly thin layer.
These Choco Pies are popular with both children and adults. Each pie comes individually wrapped inside the larger container. Each are roughly the size of the palm of a small hand, and about an inch or so thick (going by memory, here). They usually come 9 to a pack, I think. But I don't know about the one being sold here, since there are a variety of pack sizes available on the market.
Moon Pies and Choco Pies are both great but are different snacks. Each should be enjoyed for the qualities it has, rather than as a substitute for the other.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Memories!) 『Just like I remembered! So delicious, I finished the whole bag as soon as it got to my house!
Good Point: It doesn't really taste like shrimp, so don't be afraid, give it a try. It does smell a bit fishy when you open the bag, so have gum ready, and make sure you're not in a place that something like that will give you unwanted attention, lol. :)』 『Ingredients: Tapioca flour, shrimp, eggs, salt, sugar , veggie oil, Soybean and/or corn and/or coton seeds oils, with TBHQ to protect flavor), Monosodium Glutamate.』
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SHOPZEUS
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SHOPZEUS
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SHOPZEUS
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『 Invisibleshield Nokia N81 >
『 Nokia N81 Unlocked Phone with MicroSD Slot, 2 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, and Media Player--U.S. Version Version with Warranty (Graphite Gray) >
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good but Slow) 『This product is very good in terms of cooking the rice. However, it takes about an hour to just cook plain white rice. I don't think it's worth the money.』
(wonderful!) 『We received this rice cooker as a gift and I absolutelly love it. I prefer brown rice and it cooks perfectly with no splattering, all over the counter, like my old rice cooker. It has options to start your rice automatically and to keep it warm, which I haven't used yet, but I will.
It has a large enough capacity to cook for a crowd but the rice cooks just as light and tender when I only make 2 cups. And clean-up is a breeze. Just a quick wipe with soapy water and it's clean. I have had no sticking at all.
I never realized a rice cooker could be so wonderful !』 『Features: 10 cup capacity. Compact and smart. Retractable power cord. Large, easy to use LCD control panel. Computerized quick cooking menu setting. Detachable steam release vent for easy cleaning. Elegant design fits any kitchen decor. Detachable stainless steel inner lid. Scratch resistant cooking pan. Convenient carry handle. Stainless steel lid.』 タイトル『 Sanyo SCPU1 Twin Pack Performax Series Replacement Vacuum Bags >
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price：$7.37
SANYO
『Sanyo Vacuum Bags』 タイトル『 Obey Made In China Tri-Blend Men's T-Shirt >
『90% cotton 10% polyester, 10 oz. (note: charcoal heather is 65% cotton and 35% polyester). Cotton/spandex neck, cuffs and waistband.』 タイトル『 Hoodie Mens Navy Blue " ASIA Korfball " Sports >
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Asia Overstock
『This charming puppet depicts a very traditional and mythical animal in Chinese folklore. The marionette-style allows you to recreate the dramatic and life-like movements. A great, fun addition to your Chinese New Year decorations, or fun any time of year! Measures 9 inches by 4 inches by 9 inches.』 タイトル『 Phoenix Qatar A330-300 (Asia Games Yellow/Orange) >
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Phoenix
『Scale 1:400』 タイトル『 Dragon Wings Malaysia Airlines 777-200 "Manchester United Asia Tour 2005" >
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Dragon Wings
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Mariner Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good read, heavy politics) 『I'm a fan of Theroux's work. I've read The Patagonian Express and Dark Star Safari. Ghost Train to the Eastern Star is also a compelling read. As with his other books, Theroux's eye for detail and characters, combined with his extensive research and book recommendations, make Ghost Train an entertaining and informative background for countries that many Americans are unfamiliar with. I found his descriptions of Singapore, Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia particularly fascinating, as well as the description of India. His impressions of Eastern Europe as he travelled from London, through Turkey and the -Stans sounded similar to Robert Kaplan's descriptions from Eastward to Tatary and The Ends of the Earth.
If I have a gripe, it's with the constant reminders that the rest of the world despises George W. Bush. This might be true, but it's tedious after a while. Further, Theroux seems determined to justify his opposition to the Vietnam War by making such risible claims as the US caused the Cambodian genocide by bringing Pol Pot to power and the US almost singlehandedly kept the Khmer Rouge in power by failing to "prevent" the Chinese from arming him....though he never explains how a beaten and humiliated USA in the `70s could have "prevented" the Chinese from doing anything they felt was in their interest, even if it hadn't been in America's interest to use the Chinese to contain the Soviets.
Some reviewers have criticized Theroux for indulging in navel-gazing, but the premise of the book was to see how the places visited and the eyes that saw them changed in 30 years. I thought many of his observations about himself were insightful, in the way a good novelist can teach the reader about the reader.
Theroux is a good writer. He's irreverent, streetwise, thoughtful, observant, and entertaining. If you can ignore the 50+ pages of polemic, I'd highly recommend the book. I'd give him 5 stars had he not belabored the "US is evil" trope. 』
(Gutsy, with More Compassion) 『The Ghost Train of Paul Theroux's life has clacked down the decades from witticism to compassion. Closing the cover of "The Great Railway Bazaar" at the height of the Me Decade, I marveled at what was then a bright new talent whose flippancy, sardonicism and wonderful turn of phrase brought a whole new perspective to travel writing. Now, as an era of global angst closes, I have shut the cover on a more somber, introspective and edgier take on some once familiar terrain, transformed by time and politics. Only the people - the glorious people - remain the same. In "Ghost Train", Theroux displays a deeper appreciation for their humanity and their lot in life, keeping his vitriol in check until he comes across those special fools that he simply will not suffer gladly.
Make no mistake, "Ghost Train" was a courageous undertaking. Fond memories could easily be destroyed, the body may not hold up, the muse might not cooperate. (He hints about this last matter several times when he cautions the reader that he was about to default to a knee-jerk, idealized picture of rural life in Asia, and tries to catch himself.) These three variables alone would have been reason enough for Theroux to leave well enough alone. Yet he left the comfort of his well-earned home in Hawaii and committed himself to seven months of relative discomfort and unpredictability (as opposed to the four months he took 33 years earlier). What emerges from this bit of a crapshoot is one part vintage Theroux (beautifully skewering a patently unlikeable fellow traveler and showing disdain for a smug evangelizer); one part first-person journalism (great reportage on what strongmen have wrought on their citizenry); and one part serendipity (allowing us to eavesdrop on genuinely telling conversations with a preeminent author in Turkey and Sir Arthur Clarke in Sri Lanka; and in perhaps the single most compelling vignette, being feted by the son of an innkeeper in the solace of the Burma highlands). Our guide has some miles on him now, and he understands more keenly than ever the weight that poverty imposes on the honest and the humble. Yet he never fails to castigate those who look upon the globe as a chess board, penning some of the most damning comments of his career, and occasionally going "over the top."
This is not a book of bon mots. Duffill, Molesworth and the others have been largely replaced by simple folk attempting to make a difference, victims of political repression, and women in sexual servitude. Read the last two pages of "Railway Bazaar" and the last two of "Ghost Train" and you will see the road that Theroux has traveled.
As for the sweeping generalizations that occasionally become part of the landscape, well, we're talking Paul Theroux here. The phrase that comes to mind is "maddening charm"... with the emphasis on charm. After all, everyone loves a bad boy... especially an aging one.
』
(Okay but some of the newer writers are more enjoyable) 『Paul Theroux is supposed to have created the genre of travel writing but I arrived at Theroux after reading practically all the works of other authors like Bill Bryson, Peter Mayle and Stephen Clarke. I found that I did not warm up to Paul Theroux as I did to the other three and I think that is a problem. In travel writing, you see the world through the eyes of the writer. If the writer sees only the dark side of humanity - then that is how the readers are going to see the world. He sees every country in the context of two of the criteria that seems to appear to him as most important - the type of government the people are ruled by and the nature of prostitution in each country and of course, the views of well known writers like him that he can call upon in each country. I think this makes for a rather limited menu in understanding the culture of every country. It may be justified in countries like Singapore, Kampuchea and Turkmenstan where the politicians have "in your face" presence in people's lives - but my guess is, there is more to life in other places.
Bryson, Mayle and Clarke are fun people and through their writings the readers have fun as well. Paul Theroux is NOT a fun person - so it is not as much fun reading him. When Bill Bryson talks about the inane boredom of life in the Mid-West or Stephen Clark talks about his experience in Deep South of USA - one does not detect a tone of resentment but of amusement - whereas when Paul talks of his experiences in Singapore and talks of Lee Kuan Yew, there is tone of disgust. I lived in Singapore for 17 years and what I liked about the place is the honesty of the ordinary people like the cab drivers, the approachability of its civil servants (try reaching a CIS official in USA) and the professionalism of its airlines Singapore Airline. Compare that with any of the American airlines. I wish he had mentioned these as well. Give me Lee Kuan Yew any day over Bush.
I think it is possible to reach the same (accurate) conclusions as he does of various places and have the whole thing narrated with a sense of amusement making it more pleasurable for the reader to be his companion on his journeys. For example there is no way Stephen Clarke could be said to like everything about France but he makes us laugh about French idiosyncracies and that makes it pleasurable reading. Reading the gory details of Pol Pot's massacres or the disgusting comic book culture in Japan is not what one picks up a travel book for. Travel, like life can be viewed as glass that is half empty or half full. It is how one chooses to look at things.
』
(Open Letter to Paul Theroux on "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star,") 『Open Letter to Paul Theroux on his latest book "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star," on the Tracks of the Great Railway Bazaar, Published iu 2008
Dear Paul,
I read the first 5 sections of your new book while stuck at home during the worst rain storm that hit Istanbul , the town that you have written about and seem to like very much. It is a very interesting book like many that you have written before, including the Great Railway Bazaar which is re-created in the new book with additional comments. I had read Great Railway Bazaar in 1988 while working in Atlanta , Georgia , more then 21 years ago and will keep referring to it as I read the "Ghost Train" which may take some time.. However, I would like to point out several issues with your book now, which are quite bothersome and puts you in the same category of authors who tell only one side of the stories.
The first of thirty two chapters of "Ghost Train" is on the Eurostar and the second chapter on the Orient Express, which incidentally was in Istanbul just last week, despite the rumours that it will be discontinued. In Chapter three, the Ferry to Besiktas, you write about Orhan Pamuk and refer to his book "Istanbul" and his comments on the Armenians and the Kurds. Then on page 43, you make the following statement:
"The massacre of Armenians a century ago, the later expulsion of Greeks, and the Kurdish outrages and Turkish reprisals are lamentable facts of Turkish history; still, no city in Asia is so self-consciously reform-minded."
First, dear Paul, don't you think you should have also mentioned the Armenian rebellions and uprisings all over eastern Anatolia and the massacre of Turks by the Armenians which resulted in the death of Armenians as well when many Armenians revolted against their government with the support of the British Empire , the French the Russians and others. I would recommend you to watch a documentary called "Revolt" that will show you the other side of the Story. The Greeks invaded Anatolia in 1919 and the Greeks of Anatolia joined the Greek army in the devastation of cities and the massacre of Turks across western Anatolia which resulted in the population exchange of Greeks, not expulsions. I am sure you are aware of the thousands of killings by the Kurdish terrorists since 1984 which took the lives of 7 soldiers just two days ago.
In the following paragraph you state:
"This (Istanbul) is the most easily negotiated and hospitable cities in the world makes me a mild Turkophile". Well, why then don't you tell the truth about the Armenian, Greek and Kurdish issues.
In the next chapter 4, "Night Train to Ankara" you write about your encounter with Prof. Talat Halman, the Culture man of Turkey . I am glad you were enlightened on some aspects of Turkish issues thanks to Prof. Halman.
It is a pity that you had to take a bus from Ankara to Trabzon instead of taking a train from Ankara to Erzurum and bus on to Trabzon . This trip in train carriages made in Turkey (which you do not mention in your book) would have given you a chance to stop in Sivas where Ataturk held a conference on September 4 1919 during his incredible trip from Samsun to Ankara which lay the foundation of the Turkish Republic . A visit to Ataturk's Mosaleum in Ankara would have also helped you to really understand Turkey , which you have not mentioned in your book, a monument like no other in the world. You mention Elif Safak with affection and state that you had her book with you during the journey, which is fine. I read many of her books, including "Baba ve Pic", which I did not care for and wrote to her about it. But how about Merry Lee Settle's "Turkish Reflections", a book that very traveller to Turkey should read. Also, "The Birds Without Wings" by Lous Bergier which tells the story of the Greeks and Armenians in turkey truthfully. Of course the book by Gazi Mustafa kemal Ataturk himself, "Nutuk - The Speech." If you had read these books, you would not have made the statement on page 43.
In a review of your book, "Riding the Iron Rooster", Mark Salzman wrote on June 19, 1988 that, although you saw every corner of the country ( China ), apparently didn't make any Chinese friends. Having read many of your books (27 fiction and 14 nonfiction - book of criticism on V.S. Naiapul is something else altogether), I can also state that you have made friends with the wrong people in Turkey except Prof. Emel Dogramaci of Cankaya University and Prof. Talat Halman of Bilkent University, one of my and many Turk's hero.
I hope you will consider revising the above paragraph because it does not tell the whole story and please come and stay longer in Turkey to really understand this nation of Turks better.
Regards.
Yuksel Oktay
Washington , NJ
』
(One of his best!) 『I read "The Great Railway Bazaar" about 30 years ago, and remember not being able to put it down. Since then I have read many of Theroux's novels and travel books. Some of his "middle years" travel works were so fretful and sad that I stopped with "Patagonia" and didn't pick one up again until "The Pillars of Hercules". He has mellowed, and "Hercules" and "Dark Star Safari" are very fine.
I'm happy to report that though Theroux is melancholy, and sometimes a little mean-spirited, "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star" is a can't-put-it-down read. I've enjoyed it tremendously, and am going to revisit "Bazaar" with new pleasure.』 『Amazon Best of the Month, August 2008: Way back in the dark pre-Internet, limited-air-travel world of 1975, the way to get from Europe to Asia was by train. A young and ambitious writer named Paul Theroux made his literary mark by taking the 28,000-mile intercontinental journey via rail from London to Tokyo and back home again. His book,The Great Railway Bazaar, became a travel-lit classic. Thirty years later, an older, wiser, and even less sanguine Theroux decided to retrace his steps. The result is Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, a fascinating account of the places you vaguely knew existed (Tbilisi), probably won't ever go to (Bangalore), but definitely should know something about (Mandalay). Get on board Theroux's fast-moving travelogue, which features some of the most astute commentary on our distorted notions of time, space, and each other in the age of jet speed, broadband connections, and cultural extinction.--Lauren Nemroff』 『
Half a lifetime ago, Paul Theroux virtually invented the modern travel narrative by recounting his grand tour by train through Asia. In the three decades since, the world he recorded in that book has undergone phenomenal change.The Soviet Union has collapsed and China has risen; India booms while Burma smothers under dictatorship; Vietnam flourishes in the aftermath of the havoc America was unleashing on it the last time he passed through.
InGhost Train to the Eastern Star,Theroux re-creates that earlier journey. His odyssey takes him from eastern Europe, still hung-over from communism, through tense but thriving Turkey into the Caucasus, where Georgia limps back toward feudalism while its neighbor Azerbaijan revels in oil-fueled capitalism.Theroux is firsthand witness to it all, encountering adventures only he could have: from the literary (sparring with the incisive Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk) to the dissolute (surviving a week-long bender on the Trans-Siberian Railroad).Wherever he goes, his omnivorous curiosity and unerring eye for detail never fail to inspire, enlighten, inform, and entertain.
price：$4.20
Harper Perennial
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A Poignant Account) 『A well-written memoir, an eye-opener to those who had never been to China and an appetizing read for me who had first-hand experience of what it's like to live and work there. This, I could read and reread every few years, satiating my desire for Zhong Guo's landscape, culture and food. Peter Hessler is a wonderful writer who can easily transport the reader to China's River Town.』
(Outstanding Diary regarding Communist China) 『The author just tells it like it is. His honest description on how the common folk live in this Town that had seen virtually no one from outside China for centuries is informative and interesting. There are attributes about the Chinese that you will like and there are attributes that you will not like, but his account is always on target. You will feel like you know these people for all their strengths and faults.』
(Packed with hilarious remarks&profound insights) 『The book is peppered with hilarious remarks about small details and profound insights about Chinese culture. And it is very well written. What Hessler describes in his book is what all foreigners notice when they come to China and observe the locals, I guess. I starting living in another province about 10 years after his stay in Fuling, yet I was struck by the same things. Except maybe the omnipresence of political propaganda, but it may be due to his position in the education system. The attitude of the "laobaixing" is not the same here in Shenzhen, but I lived in a small town for a few months and it was much closer to what Hessler describes. Easily readable. Highly recommended if you are wondering how the "Chinese system" works.』
(Excellent Book) 『I loved this book, i didnt skip any pages and was laughing out loudly at some of the names (Coconut, William Jefferson Foster, George Baker Frost).Peter Hessler is an excellent story teller.』
(Peace Corps teaching in China) 『This was a real pleasure to read. It took me back to the many rewards of being a Peace Corps volunteer myself, as well as to my teaching for a year in China in the late 1980s. Hessler writes well, and the book succeeds nicely on that level. Also, his insights are fresh - and candid. He is able to capture the richness of his experiences in China, and also to honestly talk about some of the more unpleasant episodes as well. Many of his experiences ring absolutley true to me in my experiences in China. And, he does especially well in capturing a China in the process of profound change, as well as a China complex and contradictory in many ways. I have just begun reading his second book, Oracle Bones. Already I am enjoying it. I would certainly recommend River Town - and I suspect Oracle Bones as well. One learns many facts about China and gains some broader understandings of the culture and the people. 』 『
ANew York TimesNotable Book
Winner of the Kiriyama Book Prize
In the heart of China's Sichuan province, amid the terraced hills of the Yangtze River valley, lies the remote town of Fuling. Like many other small cities in this ever-evolving country, Fuling is heading down a new path of change and growth, which came into remarkably sharp focus when Peter Hessler arrived as a Peace Corps volunteer, marking the first time in more than half a century that the city had an American resident. Hessler taught English and American literature at the local college, but it was his students who taught him about the complex processes of understanding that take place when one is immersed in a radically different society.
Poignant, thoughtful, funny, and enormously compelling,River Townis an unforgettable portrait of a city that is seeking to understand both what it was and what it someday will be.
』 『In 1996, 26-year-old Peter Hessler arrived in Fuling, a town on China's Yangtze River, to begin a two-year Peace Corps stint as a teacher at the local college. Along with fellow teacher Adam Meier, the two are the first foreigners to be in this part of the Sichuan province for 50 years. Expecting a calm couple of years, Hessler at first does not realize the social, cultural, and personal implications of being thrust into a such radically different society. InRiver Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, Hessler tells of his experience with the citizens of Fuling, the political and historical climate, and the feel of the city itself.
"Few passengers disembark at Fuling ... and so Fuling appears like a break in a dream--the quiet river, the cabins full of travelers drifting off to sleep, the lights of the city rising from the blackness of the Yangtze," says Hessler. A poor city by Chinese standards, the students at the college are mainly from small villages and are considered very lucky to be continuing their education. As an English teacher, Hessler is delighted with his students' fresh reactions to classic literature. One student says of Hamlet, "I don't admire him and I dislike him. I think he is too sensitive and conservative and selfish." Hessler marvels,
You couldn't have said something like that at Oxford. You couldn't simply say: I don't like Hamlet because I think he's a lousy person. Everything had to be more clever than that ... you had to dismantle it ... not just the play itself but everything that had ever been written about it.
Over the course of two years, Hessler and Meier learn more they ever guessed about the lives, dreams, and expectations of the Fuling people.
Hessler's writing is lovely. His observations are evocative, insightful, and often poignant--and just as often, funny. It's a pleasure to read of his (mis)adventures. Hessler returned to the U.S. with a new perspective on modern China and its people. After readingRiver Town, you'll have one, too.--Dana Van Nest』
price：$5.74
Avalon Travel Publishing
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good, But ...) 『I have used Rick Steves' guides for Portugal, Spain, and Italy (including his specialty city books for Venice, Rome, and Florence). I typically read in advance of our visits abroad Rick's guides as well as other materials, usually a DK guide and novels and histories involving the locale, and whatever I can find on-line. I have always found that Rick's guides to be invaluable re: practical tips, walking tours and solid explanations of major sights. This review is written prior to our trip to Istanbul. The guide is in the same format (a good thing). I note, however, that this guide is written by a husband&wife who apparently are local tour guides. I mention this because Rick's guides typically include a few recommendations of guides, ranging from companies that are staffed by academics (like Context Travel whom we used in Rome)&expensive to moderate or even cheap for quick highlight tours. The R. Steves' Guide of Istanbul ONLY RECOMMENDS the company owned by the husband&wife who really authored Rick's city guide book of Istanbul. It mentions no other companies. This is doubly disappointing and seems very self-serving. I say doubly because when one checks out the company on-line it's website does not appear to have been recently updated and does not list any prices for its standard menu of tours. That aside, the guide otherwise appears to be Rick's standard fare of advice (a good thing, in my opinion). This is why I rate this book as "Good, But ...."』
(I did not think I liked it until I was in Istanbul) 『I bought 4 books - (can you tell that it was my first trip abroad). This book was the book that I thought I would like the least. It seems wordy and the pictures are not so good... That was until I was in Istanbul. In the first few days, we traveled with other books. But at the end of day 2 - I sat in the hotel room and began reading this book. Once I had a good idea of the city -this book was invaluable especially the walks in different regions. On day 2 (at night) I found out that I was about 100 feet from some place I had wanted to go.. but did not get the spatial relationship of different sights. I began using this book religiously. I really liked the short historical descriptions of different sights and the way it grouped sights that were near each other together. It made my sight seeing more efficient. The index was well organized so I could look up things that we were considering going to quickly. The directions were very good. The only place we had problem was a trip we took to Kirkakoy on the Asian side.. (but there was a huge construction project that made it hard for us to orient with the book's directions).
I would highly recommend this book. I thought their recommendations on must see, should see, and see if you are nearby were very good.. They also used Turkish and English names for places - so I was able to point in book for cab drivers on occasion when necessary. The maps it had were clear but not flashy - but allowed me to use to public transportation on several occasions. The only thing I wish it had done better was talk about Turkish food.. I also bought a Just Enough Turkish for deciphering menus and they made an excellent pairing. 』
(Another positive review) 『Like all other reviewers, I have been happy with this guide. Indeed, very happy. I particularly liked the large amount of space devoted to describe arts and history. Unlike some other guides (e.g. most lonely planet) who devote 30% of space to sightseeing information and 70% of space to eating/sleeping/night life, in this guide the weights are probably the opposite. I enjoyed my trip to Istanbul much more because of all the information in Rick's guide and I thank him for it.
I also appreciated the "don't miss" lists, although I am not sure I would have included the cruise on the Bosphorus in it (nice, but hardly unique).
The guide also provides several maps, which I found very useful and well done. You will find separate maps in the first pages for "old" Istanbul, the New District and the larger Istanbul area, and inside the guide you will find more detailed maps for specific areas which also indicate the exact location of places discussed in the guide.
Overall, higly recommended!』
(If you're only going to take one guide, this is it) 『I've always been a bit underwhelmed by Rick Steves's guide books, but this one is an exception. The authors (not Rick) clearly know Istanbul intimately and have a knack for providing concise, useful descriptions and advice for first time visitors to Istanbul and surroundings. The only reason I didn't give this little gem 5 stars is that it lacks a separate street map (which is essential for finding your way around the labyrinthine streets and alleys of Istanbul). If you're only going to take one guide, get a street map and take this one.』
(Valuable guide) 『This book was perfect for our trip. Not only does it give the typical "how to get there" and "where to stay" information, it provides several "tours" of locations (including the Haiga Sophia museum and several guided walks around the city). The suggested itineraries based on travel time are helpful as well.』 『
Rick Stevesâ Istanbulis aâtour guide in your pocketâ to one of the worldâs grandest cities. Walking in the footsteps of Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans, youâll explore the city where Europe meets Asia. With this up-to-date advice, youâll make the most out of your time and money, and have yourpick of good-value hotels and restaurants. Self-guided walking tours lead you through historic mosques, ancient mosaic-speckled churches, bustling bazaars, and artifact-packed museums. Youâll find out where the locals go for sea-food and for the tastiest Turkish delight candies. In this guide,Lale Surmen Aran and Tankut Aran team up with Rick Steves to bring you the best of Istanbul.
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getting to know the technique of motorbike expensive sale -- Ta -- if -- -
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