"Tales of a Librarian" is billed as a collection of Tori's favorite "girls" with slight remixes and production changes. As an EWF with over 10 years of Tori behind me, I've quickly fallen in love with it. Some purists will say that she shouldn't "mess with perfection," but I gladly welcome any new interpretation of her music. After all, the originals are still there. Why not accept a new spin on an already good thing?

The difference is almost undetectable in some songs, such as "Precious Things," and "Winter." Others like "Sweet Dreams," "Cornflake Girl," and "Mary" have been intensified and added to. The piano is a little more crisp, Tori's voice is as clear as a bell and brought to the forefront. My only complaint is the low representation from either "From the Choirgirl Hotel" and "Under the Pink." But again, these are Tori's hand-picked favorites.

As for the two new songs on the album, "Snow Cherries from France" and "Angels," both are pretty wonderful, "Snow Cherries" in particular.

All in all, if you're a longtime Tori fan or just a casual admirer, absolutely get this album. It's a great sampling of her music but in no way fully representative of her sound and writing as a whole.

(Have I mentioned how beautiful the artwork is and how clever the Dewey Decimal System organization is? Well, I just did.)

Thanks again, Tori.

The only reason this gets a two is because this poor girl is now the subject of possibly unwanted media attention. One minute she's in Iraq as a POW and the next minute she's being used (yes, used) to strengthen government propaganda. Question: why didn't Bragg throw together a book about the soldiers who rescued her?! I can't tell what's sillier: Lynch being made into a hero or the possibility of Larry Flynt publishing the topless photos of her. You could find better things to do than read this book.

Now, go ahead and disapprove of my review! Be a hero!

"Want One" is quite easily my number one album of 2003 (and 2002, for that matter). I have never heard this incredibly talented man sound so utterly beautiful. Come to think of it, I've said that with each of his new albums.

Rufus's musical style and sense of orchestration have definitely matured over time. This album is like stepping into the mind of a guy sitting in a coffee shop or on the subway and reading this thoughts. He still hasn't lost that great sense of lyrical playfulness. Standout tracks include "Vibrate," "Oh, What A World," and "14th Street," and "Harvester of Hearts."

It's wonderful to find an album that brings one to tears with simply the music and the singer's voice. Through his excellent self-titled debut, and "Poses," I was waiting for THIS album from a wiser Rufus. "Not that I have that much to offer/God knows I have so much to gain." He's growing up.

Rufus, you are just . . . such a beautiful child.

Well, since it seems like everyone is writing a review only to bag this film, I guess I'll join the crowd . . .

Jack, something has happened to you! Yes, I know you aren't going to star as a wacky mental hospital patient anymore, or hack through doors with an axe, but my God, let's at least have some of the life from previous years!

About Schmidt was a bit of a risk for me. I knew from friends' reviews that it was slow-moving, but ultimately poignant. I rented it for the "life lessons" alone. The only thing I found here, from moment one, was a dull, banal, utterly vapid film. I think it would resonate for someone going through some life changes, but for the average filmgoer under 40 or so, I don't think it offers much. Also, Jack, Jack, Jack!! I miss your acerbic wit and biting sense of humor. *sigh* Oh well.

First of all, to anyone who loved this movie: please, please read Billie Letts' book. Not to keep the book vs. movie debate going or anything . . . The scenes are described beautifully, and you really feel the charcters much more than you can from the screen version.

One question: why did they change Novalee's bad luck number to 5? HUH??! There were a few liberties taken with the plot, such as the omission of Benny Goodluck and Moses's wife, Certain. They really helped to flesh out the story.

A MAJOR complaint about the character of Lexie Coop: Why, oh why did they case Ashley Judd as Lexie? I admit, Judd did a nice job and seemed to understand the role. But the Lexie in the book is very overweight and not the most attractive lady ever. What she IS is a great lady and the mother of some beautiful children. It seems like the director "prettied up" Lexie's character by casting Judd, easily a size 4. Why?!

All in all, a nice movie to watch, but if you want to know the real story, pick up the book.

From politics and race to fatherhood and relationship problems, Eminem covers it all on The Eninem Show. Each song serves as a vignette of pain, humor, and amazingly witty, flowing lyrics. This is my first real listen to one of Eminem's album. I'm not among the stereotypical folks you might think would appreciate it. I've spent 20 years listening to stuff like The Beatles, Tori Amos, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. I bought all the talk the conservative media levelled at Eminem, claiming he was nothing more than an angry white boy who couldn't control his stream of vitriol and obscenity. If the lyrics weren't so clever, I might never have paid it any attention.

Give it a chance if you're in doubt. Give it a chance if you've ever been through some serious troubles in life. Give it a chance if you ever feel alone in your pain. Let Eninem help you to siphon a little of it off, and entertain you pretty well at the same time.

As the mother of a three-year-old with the attention span of the common squirrel, I love this video. It's the only thing that will insure thirty minutes of peace and quiet. The "music video" at the beginning is a catchy way to start the three-part series. The "Crazy Bus" segment is also good, and has started my daughter singing the song every hour on the hour (I find the song funny so it doesn't matter). But above all, "The Ballad of Baxter Bunny" is excellent. There is something so funny about the way Art "The Moose" Garfunkel pops in and out of the scene. "He's a sad, sad bunny . . . " HAHA! Hilarious. I don't know who enjoys this video more, me or my daughter.

Situations are handled with care and sensitivity by Arthur's parents, which I definitely appreciate. Everyone has so much common sense, something that is rarely seen on TV shows these days. I definitely recommend "Arthur" to anyone with kids. The lessons taught and the subtle humor are unmatched in kid's programming.

I was completely unprepared for what this book did to my mood and mind for the next few days after I read it. I knew going in that it was going to be an enveloping, deep read, but . . . wow.

To those reviewers who have said that some of the situations in the book were a bit unbelieveable and fanciful, let me just assure you that they are not. Trust me on that one. To those reviewers who have said they grew tired of Astrid's "teenage whining and self-pity," let's not forget that for a kid in the foster system, having gone through what she did, I think she handled herself quite well. She grew to recognize bad situations and did her best to keep herself out of them, while relying on a woefully inadequate adult support system. When I finished this book, my present-day problems seemed pretty small in comparison.

Before we judge others, let's look around at our comfortable homes and look back on our (while not perfect) childhoods and consider who might have the RIGHT to a little self-pity now and then.

I really wanted to climb on the bandwagon with the rest of America and rave over this movie, I did. I rented it to watch at home and tried to keep an open mind. I usually prefer satire and dark humor to clean 'n wholesome family fun but there have been exceptions.

The first 15 minutes were passable. There was Toula: a hopeless case with thick glasses and a dour attitude that no one could penetrate. She seemed destined to live the rest of her life with her somewhat controlling but well-meaning family, helping out at her father's restaurant. Until . . . *fanfare!!* . . . in walks this tall, blond cookie-cutter dude with longish hair and an obvious pocketful of cash. Toula decides, based on the strength of one quasi meeting with this man (i.e. pouring him a glass of water) to get her life into shape. For her, this means getting contacts, a snappy new hairstyle and enrolling in college classes. It was around this point that I stopped believing anything on the screen. Toula finally connects with the Himbo and gets to know him through a series of contrived "rendezvous." There was very little character development on the part of the Himbo to the point that he seemed almost one-dimensional, like a remote control puppet being manipulated by the director from offstage. And I have to say it: if all it takes to land a rich dude after 30-some years of loneliness and depression is a haircut and a job at a travel agency, well sign me up for one of both.

I found the behavior of the family to be stereotypical and overacted. Every extended family member should have been wearing a t-shirt imprinted with, "I Am Olive-Skinned, Loud and Obnoxious, and Therefore, Greek!" Utterly ridiculous.

I truly can't figure out why ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE is so enamored with this movie. It was embarrassing and boring to watch. A big fat waste of money, you might say...

I watch MTV. I see Kelly Osbourne's album being advertised on MTV. I see lots of other artists being advertised, and lots of times, they're the same ones hour by hour. I got Kelly Osbourne's album based on the daily ads I saw on MTV. It felt like brainwashing, but at the time I wasn't quite sure; all I could hear in my head were the lyrics from "Shut Up." After I bought the album, I was pretty angry because the album basically sucked. I was certain that my sixth grader sister could come up with better lyrics and come off sounding more authentic. I'm not so sure Kelly Osbourne has so much to complain about compared to other people in this world but I'll keep watching MTV and buying albums. Tony Mottola would want it that way.