I have listened and grown to love the eclectic compilations known as Quentin Tarentino's movie soundtracks. I am total amorous of the discs for Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, and when I heard the "Kill Bill Vol. 1" soundtrack, I once again in love.
Soundtracks can make a movie that much better, and no one knows how to pick the selected pieces like QT. From the opening song, "Bang Bang", sung by Nancy Sinatra, who is more famous for "These boots were made for walking" than this unknown recording, to "Don't let me be misunderstood" which is somewhat a lost disco classic. To "Twisted Nerve", which is whistling made cool.
Quite a difference in music genres there, and that isn't where it ends. Highly entertaining and a feast for a true music fans ears, "Kill Bill Vol. 1" is a soundtrack worthy of a purchase.

"The Earth, my butt, and other big round things" is one of those rare books that I've read more than once. I also plan to read it again, and again, and again.
Chock full of the insecurities I myself felt as a 15 year old gilr, like "Virginia Shreves", who is the girl in this funny but sad tale.
The main reason I like this character and this book so much as it mirrors my own teenaged life so well. Maternal denial, sisters that move away because of it, and food being stuffed thy throat. This novel is the perfect recipe for my life as a teenager.
Virginia, however, learns that lesson about life being what YOU make it and not what others make of it, learns much sooner than I did. Froth with realistic dialogue this is a book I highly recommend to girls of all ages. It is brightly written and Carolyn Mackler has earned my highest respect. Buy this one as Virginia is a friend you will want to visit again.

I caught 'Roads to Riches' on late night HBO. It is a fine film, with even better acting by Rose McGowan as a striper, Robert Forrester as a washed up child actor who is trying to win cash on game shows and scam some soda company, and Kip Pardue, a dashing looking young actor who plays a Texan that has just made his way to L.A. to become an actor but ends up elsewhere.
Henry, Kip's character, meets Jack(Forrester) at a game show. They become buddies and Jack shows Henry around and to Moira(McGowan), who was taken under Jack's wing and works as a striper.
"Roads" is a dramatic movie with some twists to our three loners lives. It is part love story, part character study, and at times not sure what it wants to be.
It was the heart of its' stars that made it shine bright enough to be worthy of this review.
If you are fans of any of these stars, it's worth a look.

I absolutely love all of Quentin T.'s films. "Kill Bill Vol. 1" is just as exciting and fiercely entertaining as I suspected it would be.
I can remember reading about the making, and how it was originally going to be one long movie instead of cutting into two films. The idea of this story peeked my interests, but I unfortunatly waited til it was on dvd to see it. If it is shown on big screens again, I have to go. This is definitely a film that should be seen BIG.
With it's cartoonish blood, fight scenes, revenge filled plot, and awesome soundtrack, "Kill Bill" delivers a true homage to a variety of movie genres.
Starring Uma Thurman as our vengeful Bride, who was left for dead on her wedding day, who kicks butt clear across the entire movie. It is really quite a spectacle to see.
One thing I couldn't quite get over was that the actor playing "BUck", who seems to always play a jerk of all trades, played the boyfriend in "Valley Girl". While that doesn't do anything to tell you whether or not to view this extremely fine film, it's a bit of trivia for ya.
I am highly recommending this one! It's truly a great show.

"The Chelsea girl murders" by writer Sparkle Hayter is the fifth in a series of mystery novels about Robin Hudson. The only series I've ever gotten into as a mystery reader. Sparkle's writing is intelligent and witty. Even with the myriad assortment of characters throughout the story, they all serve a purpose and Sparkle is so good at making them all have meaning and not add confusion.
Robin's apartment building burns down, and she takes shelter at the "Chelsea". An out of town friend left her a key to her place there, and Sparkle takes advantage. Little does she know what she's about to get herself into. As she seems to do in all the stories. It is still extremely entertaining and a laugh out loud book.
What I love most about this book is Sparkle's witty dialogue, and how she chose the illustrious "Chelsea hotel" as her set.
This is worth reading if you like funny/mystery stories. Robin Hudson is a character I always look forward to reading more about.

Eileen F.

I bought this c.d. probably 10 years ago for the 'anniversary song'. It is the best thing going for this tedious disc.
I like women in rock with harmonious and soothing voices, and the singer here definitely falls into the category. However, I found this album very boring, but her voice is excellent. Most of the songs sound alike with the exception of it's most commercial recording of the anniversary song.
I don't know their catalog of music but I hope that the rest of their records aren't as bland as this one. Just my thoughts..I seem to have the lowest star review here so other people seem to appreciate their haunting lyrics hopefully over their non melodies.

I had this movie on vhs for years and must have watched it a million times as it's just that kind of film I like to watch over and over and never get tired of.
Then, the day after my birthday last summer, it came out on dvd. It seemed like perfect timing..I thought for sure I'd get it as a gift. I didn't. I did get a late Christmas present from my husband a few days ago, and this was it.
It is the most romantic gift he gave me next to the sparkly diamond stud earrings. I think this movie belongs in the class.
Why? Well, first off, I am 34 yrs old, which make this movie one of many of my generation. It brings me back to those glory days of 1980's high school.
"Valley Girl" is a romantic comedy/drama, that has so much heart and such a clear and simple message of it's what inside that counts. Frederick Forrest, who plays the father to Julie, who is played by Deborah Foreman, and is Valley Girl extradionare, delivers some of the best lines of the movie in the scene where he talks to her about what really matters in life.
This is a very 80's version of Romeo & Juliet instead it's Randy & Julie. Randy, who is played by a very young Nicholas Cage, is the punker dude type that Julie falls in love with. Their's is a typical teenage romance with phony friends and a jilted ex boyfriend trying to tear it all to pieces.
"Valley Girl" has a bittersweet quality to it. I always cry when I watch it, and my heart swells up like a balloon. It sounds corny, but it's true. I still adore it after all these years.
The dvd had some good extras, I'm still checking some out, can't comment on all of them. One really good bit of trivia I learned is that Michael Bowen, who played Tommy, the Valley dude boyfriend of Julie, has appeared in a few Quention Tarentino films. It seems QT is a fan of this small, indy film..Gee, I wonder why? It's totally cool to know that now. I am only sad that Deb Foreman is not among the stars that came back after 20 years to be interviewed for this special edition disc.

I highly recommend this to fans of 80's films, or even just films about the 80's, or fans of love stories...Oh to heck with it, all movie fans will find something to appreciate in the movie "Valley Girl". My husband did.

Eileen F.

Both of these stories about teenaged girls, Halley & Scarlett in "Someone like you" and Colie in "Keeping the moon" held me captive. Sarah Dessenï¿s writing is refreshingly honest, and she is a highly respected writer for the genre. Iï¿ve never seen a bad review of her writing. I identified so well with all of these characters on some level. I was never pregnant, but one of my best friends was. These books suck you right in.

I highly recommend you buying this! I am glad I did.

Having read all books now, but one, the newest one, "That Lullaby", I can easily say that Sarah Dessen is a groundbreaking, utterly amazing writer. I just finished "Someone like you", and while there is so much I could say, I'd rather just say this:
Every topic in the story of Halley Cooke's coming of age is covered in a vast array of novels for the genre. It is Dessen's approach and style that make it her own. Everything flows like a smooth brook of crystal clear water. She sucks you in and breathes life into all her characters. I just want to sit and read until I finish every last page every time I read any of her books.
I'm just sad there were no writers like her around when I was a teenager back in the 80's.
Enough said. Now go check this book out!!!

Sarah Dessen's debut novel, "That Summer", isn't her best achievement but it shows true hope and promise of her rising YA author stardom.
However, it is a coming of age story I think a lot of people, young adult and older(like, say 34) could relate to. At some point in our lives we all have similar experiences to the main character, Haven. She is 15, feels awkward in her own skin, and with divorced parents, an older sister who is getting married, and a best friend who's fallen in love. After reminiscing about a summer trip, she bumps into her sister's ex, Sumner.
Not only is he not who Haven thinks he is, but she's not the same person by the time her sister's big day arrives.
I think it's best to read this before her other novels because if you go to this after reading, "dreamland", you will be sorely disappointed.
I didn't do this, and I loved all her other books much more immensely. Her writing gets better with each book.
This was a very green Dessen, but very hopeful.