There are so many shows on television that leave me baffled. I don’t know why people insist on watching some of the crap they actually put on television. From reality TV to decent shows that are overdone or still here past their worthwhile stay, these are the top 10 shows that need to be cancelled but will remain on television for at least another season.

The Bachelor/The Bachelorette – This show has been on so long that they just keep recycling the same people. One jilted lover on one show ends up being the next season star on the opposite show. Ignoring this little issue, let’s get to the immediate problem. Is it necessary to show how desperate some people really are for love, fame, and attention? Seriously, I don’t care what’s going on in my love life, because I don’t think it will ever be necessary for me to go on television to find a relationship. Furthermore, these couples rarely, if ever, get married and even less stay together in the long run. So, remind me, what is the point of this show again?

The Amazing Race – My distaste for the average reality show is so large that it makes me nauseous just thinking about them. The Amazing Race is one of those shows. So, people pair up and solve clues to win money….or something. It’s like a worldwide scavenger hunt for a pair of people trying to beat four or five other teams. The concept is fine, but when did this become necessary television viewing? What’s next…Picnic Sack Races or Basketweaving for Cash? I mean, don’t we have to draw the line somewhere?

The Biggest Loser – Sure, this is probably one of those most necessary of the reality shows, but I doubt it’s doing much good. Millions of Americans sit on the couch every viewing, eating chips and asking people sitting next to them if they are as overweight as the people on television. I have my fair share of weight to lose, but The Biggest Loser never prompted me to lose any weight. Food Revolution, in comparison, was a life changer. I just keep watching this show (when I do) and thinking that someone is going to keel over from a heart attack and die. Although, I don’t know if this will convince them to cancel the show, even then, since the death will probably allow the ratings to spike.

Survivor – I love a reality show that has been on so long that they can begin doing “Best Player” seasons and can start going to really obscure locations, some of which the average viewer has never even heard of. I don’t watch Survivor and I never have, but the idea that a silly show spawns the unnecessary wannabe celebrities of today definitely makes me cringe. The reason that shows like this are a guilty pleasure for so many is because they do not require thought. They are all sensation and drama. Of course, is it really necessary to create one more show that does not require us to think in the least?

America’s Next Top Model – Words cannot describe the ridiculous nature of this show. I turn the commercials if I can help it, because I cannot even stand to watch those. In fact, the only pleasure I have received at the hands of this show came when The Big Gay Sketch Show did their interpretation of it and I couldn’t stop laughing, as a result. The only way this show wins any points is by showing how vain and shallow (and at times, uneducated) the average model seems to be. Sure, they aren’t all that way, but most of these winners seem to take the cake. We won’t even get in to Tyra’s ability to slow down an entire show with the possibility of some results…after these commercials…no wait these ones….not yet.

The Simpsons – I love The Simpsons. I really do love them. Still, I can’t help feel that they have overstayed their welcome. I remember them appearing when I was in grade school or had just entered middle school. I’m now in my thirties and this show is still on. At some point we need to give it a rest. Homer can only be so dumb and drink so much beer, Bart can only get into so much trouble, and so on. South Park once made a joke about The Simpsons. One of the kids was trying to be a troublemaker, but it was pointed out to him that for every plot to be bad that he had, The Simpsons already did it. The Simpsons need to take a hint from South Park. They did it. It’s done. And now it’s time to go.

CSI/CSI: Miami/CSI: NY/NCIS/NCIS: Los Angeles – I’ve watched at least a few episodes of the majority of these shows. I’ve even reviewed some of the season box sets. I should point out that it is not one of these shows in particular that I have a problem with. It’s twenty of the same show in different cities. Is it necessary? Not unless a network is suffering from a serious mental pause. Jesus, CBS, find something new to air. One of these shows/cities is fine, even two, but any more than that is just pointless and bordering on stupid.

American Dad – I have never watched this show on television, though I did have a chance to watch it for review once. It was one of the most annoying shows I have ever seen. Unless the goal is to make men look like complete and utter morons with no tact, intelligence, or respect, then they failed. Further, if that was the goal, they still fail because it’s not even done in a way that makes it seem funny. Adult cartoons always seem to be hit or miss. For me, and I am sure I am not alone, this is a big miss.

Cougar Town – Don’t get me wrong, I like Courtney Cox. I didn’t hate Friends and I always have found her to play generally interesting characters. Cougar Town takes the cake though. She plays someone that hunts younger men!?! She’s not even that old herself. Yes, I get she’s forty and that there are plenty of younger men out there, but the concept is just dreadfully weak-minded. Why is it that when a topic is brought up the media has to run with it until it makes you want to puke? I get that “cougars” exist. Do we need a sitcom devoted to them? I suppose sitcoms just aren’t what they used to be back in the day.

90210 – I watched the original Beverly Hills 90210 and I just have to say that I hate, hate, hate, this new version of the old show. The only good thing about this show is that it’s in the same location. The new characters suck. The actors are horrid. The plot lines are weak and uninteresting in comparison to the original. Nothing about this show is worthwhile. One season a character is a crackhead and the next season she’s a catch who gave birth after being a crackhead. That is if they wait a whole season, sometimes these changes happen in a matter of episodes. It was a nice touch, in the beginning, having some of the old crew back, but it didn’t last long enough and the reasons for them being there were weak in the first place. What a disappointment.

I could think of other shows that will be back that I wish were never on television to begin with, but this is a good start. So, while you are here, why don’t you let us know what you think needs to be cancelled.

Technorati Tags: The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, CSI, CSI New York, CSI Miami, NCIS, Los Angeles, Americas Next Top Model, 90210, Cougar Town, Courtney Cox, American Dad, The Simpsons, Survivor, The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race

Despite it being a busy holiday season, everyone at LI Reviews and the other Literary Illusions sites wanted to take the time to wish all of our readers a Happy and Festive Holiday Season.

As 2010 approaches we will continue to offer high quality reviews and several new forms of commentary on each of our sites. Some new additions will include local content for Flint, MI, news, gossip, and commentary posts on our other sites and reviews for all types of products, not just movies and entertainment products. As always, we will also strive to offer some of the best contests and giveaways available.

We hope that your holiday season offered everything you wanted and more. The holidays are a time to enjoy with family and friends. They can be busy and stressful, but we hope that you find that they were worth it this year! As the New Year rolls around we hope that you find that 2010 offers everything you want and more. We will be adding our New Years site Resolutions soon and hope that you participate by telling us yours

In the meantime, enjoy your holiday and remember…Santa is already watching for next year.

Technorati Tags: Happy Holidays, New Year, Santa, Adam Sandler, Video, Resolutions, Literary Illusions, LI Reviews, Flint, Michigan

Visiting the Celebriducks website was an eye-opener. They have every celebrity duckie a person could ever want. These are the cutest, most adorable novelty items that you could offer a friend on Christmas (or for any holiday). If they are a huge fan of someone or something and have plenty of memorabilia you can pick them up a corresponding duckie. Sure, they might have other things, but the chance is pretty high that they don’t have anything like this.

In some respects, reviewing a rubber duckie seems silly. So, to change things up a bit, I am going to let you know our 15 favorite Celebriducks.

15. The Lone Ranger
14. Elvis in his 1956 Gold Lame’ Suit
13. Mr. T
12. Dorothy from Wizard of Oz
11. Scream
10. Shakespeare

9. Jake Blues from The Blues Brothers
8. Marilyn Monroe
7. Beethoven
6. Wicked Witch of the West
5. The Devil
4. Mother Superior
3. Dr Frank-N-Furter
2. Mr. Green Recycled Green Duck
1. CanardGram Gift Set

It was hard picking a winner, but the CanardGram comes with some of the best tasting chocolate that you can imagine. That being said, it was hard not giving it the top spot. I received the Dr. Frank-n-Furter first and as a huge fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show I loved it. In fact, I was all ready to write a glowing review. The Canard sealed the deal for sure. If the awesome design wouldn’t have done it, the chocolate certainly would have helped sway me in the right direction.

Prices for the ducks vary slightly based on the design and what, if anything, comes with it. They start at around $12 and the CanardGram set is in the $20 range. For a fun and unique novelty item these duckies cannot be beat.

After looking at the available selection I have to admit, I hope they are working on some new designs as there are a couple of ducks I would love to own. Some of the ones that I hope they make so I can add them to my collection include Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers (Halloween), Miss Piggy, Kermit, Edgar Allen Poe, and Barbara Streisand. I am sure there are many others I could think of, but this is a small sample.

I highly recommend checking out Celebriducks if you’re looking for something off the wall this holiday season. They make great presents and the receiver of the gift is definitely not going to be expecting a rubber duckie like this!

Technorati Tags: Product Reviews, Rubber Duckie, Celebriducks, Review, Holiday, Must Have, Gift Guide Celebrities, Ducks, Canard, Chocolate

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: June 27, 2008
DVD Release Date: September 15, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99

I don’t really get into the documentary films, in the vast majority of cases. Just like I’m more apt to read a fictional story than I am to pick up a non-fiction book at the library, I prefer movies that are typically more fact than fiction. That is not to say that I don’t or haven’t ever enjoyed a documentary style film. There are some great documentaries I’ve watched. I’m merely saying if I were going to Blockbuster to pick out a movie, to watch one night, I’d be more likely to head to the drama or thriller section, not the documentary section.

With that in mind, I have to tell you that I find the entire idea behind Trumbo to be incredibly intriguing. This documentary explores the life of Dalton Trumbo. For those who have no idea who Dalton Trumbo is, shame on you. He was only one of Hollywood’s most prolific and talented screenwriters, responsible for writing such films as Spartacus, Roman Holiday, Johnny Got His Gun (he also wrote the novel), Kitty Foyle and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. Trumbo was one of the highest paid writers in Hollywood in the 1940s, but his career fell apart when he was blacklisted, after refusing to tell the House Un-American Activities Committee anything while being forced to testify about communism in Hollywood.

Trumbo was one of the Hollywood Ten, unable to work after the blacklisting. This ruined the careers of most of the Hollywood Ten, but Trumbo was able to overcome this and go on to write some of his most famous work yet. Brilliantly talented, his own children, especially his son, Christopher, saw something special in Trumbo. That is why Christopher developed the story of his father into a play, Trumbo: Red, White and Blacklisted. The documentary is based on this play, which is about Dalton, while an array of Hollywood’s top names weigh in on Trumbo and his life.

This documentary is focused, detailed and it evokes emotions within each viewer. The entire fact that Dalton Trumbo had to endure the McCarthy witch hunts, and managed to return back to Hollywood eventually, able to make a new name for himself winning Academy Awards in the process, is a testament to the kind of writer he was. While many people in the newer generations may have no idea who Dalton Trumbo is, this documentary and the films he made, some that will live on as true Hollywood classics, are what keep him and his story alive.

Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
While the 1.78:1, widescreen visual quality looks great, for the most part, the use of archive footage and other, older video clips make the overall quality of the film inconsistent. You should expect this from a film like Trumbo. What is filmed in this decade looks impeccable, but the older footage looks exactly like the older footage it is. I don’t find this at all distracting, but some people might.

The audio is presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1. The track is excellent for what is offered. This DVD is primarily dialogue driven. Every word spoken sounds clear and is easily understood. The audio is also available in English Dolby Digital Stereo, which is what most of the older clips appear to use as their audio track. These sound decent, but don’t expect a dynamic, explosive, audio presentation. This documentary doesn’t warrant such a track. Subtitles are available in Spanish.

Visual: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
As magnificent as the documentary is, the bonus features leave much to be desired. There are two letters, written by Trumbo, one is to Ring Lardner, Jr and is read by Paul Giamatti and the other is a letter to someone in film named Arthur that is read by Danny Glover. As interesting as these letters are, they probably would have fit better into the film. They seem kind of silly as bonuses. The only other feature is a photo gallery. Don’t buy Trumbo for the bonuses. Buy it for the documentary. Without these bonuses, it is fine all on its own.

Bonus Features: 1 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
While Trumbo has very few bonuses and the quality of this documentary is spotty in places due to the fact that archived video footage is used throughout this documentary. Overall though, it is the compelling, heart-wrenching story of Dalton Trumbo and the care and love in which his son, Christopher, presents his story that makes Trumbo a rare gem. Whether you like documentaries or not, Trumbo is a must watch film. This documentary comes highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Tumbo, documentary, film, screenwriter, blacklisted, Academy Award, Hollywood Ten, McCarthy

One of the most expensive aspects of college dorm living, after paying for school, is handling your personal needs. Food, whether eating out or in, is a purchase that is regularly made. If you don’t want to eat in the school dining room (assuming you have money on your dining card) or you’re just tired of the same old stuff then you need to have a plan for some cheap eats. This can be easy depending on how many resources you have in the area where you’re going to school.

Of course, if you’re living in a dorm you don’t have a stove or other major cooking surfaces (a hotplate can be a luxury item in college), so you might need to rely on the old standards (pre-made or microwaveable foods). Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of options available. We have compiled some of the best, essential college food must haves, and have listed them below.

-Please note, the specific brands that are listed are not recommendations coming from LI Reviews. They are just mentions of things that could work for college students looking for additional options.

Gorton’s Frozen Seafood: If you’re completely strapped for cash, Gorton’s might seem like a lot of money (a box of fish/shrimp ranges from $3.50+), but it certainly has the ability to provide a good meal. If you want some brain food you can buy a box of fish for under $8 and if you’re the only one eating it, you have something that will last for 2-4 meals (depending on how much/little you eat). If you’re strapped for cash invite some friends over and go in on a box together and have a fish fry. This gives everyone a chance to eat and keeps things light on the pocket book.

Going along with this line of thinking, TV style dinners are also an option. Frozen foods have come a long way in recent years. There are a number of more selective, gourmet options. If you’re thinking seafood you could try some Maryland Crab Cakes or various fish entrees. Of course, there are many other options to choose from Boston Market makes a mean frozen meatloaf and their Salisbury steak and mac and cheese meals aren’t bad either. If you’re broke, you can pick up a Banquet frozen meal for under a buck, but if they taste anything like I remember, you’d be better off going with three packs of Ramen instead.

Ramen: I don’t know one college student that can’t admit to living on this for at least a brief amount of time. It’s nice to know that someone can have a meal that only costs a quarter these days. Ramen Noodles might be considered ghetto by some, but they taste okay and they offer some great versatility. For example, you could add veggies to them and have a veggie noodle soup. I generally eat them with just the noodles and broth.

There are plenty of types to choose from so you shouldn’t get tired of them. The staple flavors seem to be Beef, Chicken, and Oriental, but there are plenty of other flavors available. These days Ramen has everything from Picante Beef to Cheese. It seems the only flavor they don’t offer (anyone) is Tomato (much to Dom’s chagrin – he lived on Tomato Ramen during his dorm days).

Ravioli-Os/Chef Boyardee: Recently Franco American upped the anti by combining Spaghetti-Os with Ravioli to make Ravioli-O’s. Surprisingly, these aren’t so bad for a cheap, college food. The downside to these is that there is no Pop-Top. If you were one of the many that left without a can-opener you might have a hard time opening these without borrowing one. Chef Boyardee has some decent options, as well, for under a buck and they do have the Pop-Tops, should you need the convenience.

Dinty Moore Beef Stew to Go: The Dinty Moore to Go cups make eating inexpensive and easy. They offer big and small cups for less than $2 per cup in either case. Just a few minutes in the microwave and you’re ready to eat. Beyond the Dinty Moore label you can find several other options like this from soup to full dinners. They are located together in the same grocery store aisle. In most cases, all of the options are inexpensive and often sales make them even cheaper.

Progresso Pop Top Soups: You can pick up a can of soup for around $1.50, or less if they are on sale. The can is big enough for a meal (sometimes with some left over). These are even better if you are hoping to lose some weight. Progresso offers High Fiber Soups, Low Carb Soups, and Low Calorie Soups, along with their regular soups. The selection is diverse enough to please just about anyone. Most people should be able to find a small selection of soups that they can enjoy. Cooking is as easy as popping the top and microwaving their meal.

Other Money Saving Suggestions

Planning on going healthy? You should consider picking up pre-cut fruits and veggies at your local grocery store. These are easy to manage, ready to eat, and they compare in price to a bag of chips, for the most part. If you want to save a little money you can also buy whole fruits and veggies and cut them up yourself.

Have deli (or other type of food) parties. In order to cut costs get together with some friends and have everyone buy an ingredient to the dish that you can all prepare (this could be done for grilling, as well with burgers or hot dogs – note – some colleges have grilling policies). In the case of the deli party you could have one person buy the fresh bread, others could bring condiments, someone grabs some meat (or a few people grab a meat for more variety), a person for the cheese, and everyone is good to go. These parties not only save everyone money and allow you to eat better, they also give you a shot to mingle and make more friends.

Interested in going out? If so, you should check your local eateries for food day sales. Around here with have Stromboli or Boneless Thursdays (buy a boneless wing, get one free), Coney, Wing, or Sub Tuesdays, and Pepperoni Pizza Wednesdays. These sales will help you to eat out at a price you can afford and should allow you to find some things that you really enjoy without spending too much money.

Technorati Tags: Progresso, Dinty Moore, Ramen Noodles, College Students, Food Guide, Dining Out, Boneless Thursdays, Wing Tuesdays, Gorton’s Seafood

Here, the actress reveals her thoughts on the second season of the show and her character. She also talks about being an inspiration to women around the world after her battle with breast cancer…

Is it fun to play a mean girl like Samantha Newly?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: It definitely is fun to play a mean girl. Samantha gets away with so much because of her confidence and the way she looks. I get very exhausted playing her because she has so many different sides to her character, but it’s also very fun. I really enjoy working on the show.

How are things changing for Samantha in the second season?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: The first season explored the idea of someone trying to find out who she really was. We take our past, our history and our experiences with us wherever we go, but this character didn’t know anything about her life before the accident. She had a lot of exploring to do in the first season – but now she’s two years old. She’s had enough experiences to see what her interests are on the surface level, but we delve a little deeper in season two.

What does Samantha discover in season two?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: We look into how she feels about love. We also look into what kind of friendships and career she wants. There are also parts of her that are now becoming a little jaded, too. It’s a very interesting and fun season.

What happens to Samantha’s love life?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: During the second season, her love life is going in many different directions – but that’s part of her trying to figure out who she is. She is trying to work out which person she wants and not which person is best for her because of what someone else says. Who’s that person? I don’t know. Todd is always there. There’s so much comfort in her relationship with Todd, but I guess we’ll have to see what happens.

Is there any time for improvisation on set or do you always stick to the script?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: This depends on the writer of the episode we’re working on and how finicky they are. There’s a lot more freedom to improvise when [creator and writer] Don Todd is there. Not that the others don’t let you improvise – but you don’t want to step on their toes because that’s their work. We usually stick to the script for a couple of takes and then they allow us to do what we want to do. But in the end edit, some of our improvisations make it in, but some just don’t work.

The show is very funny… How often do you crack up and laugh in the middle of a scene?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: I try not to laugh. I try to stay as professional as I possibly can – but sometimes you can’t help it. Melissa McCarthy [who plays Dena on the show] is a very funny person and there are things that she does that tickle me, so I’ve definitely been known to lose it and ruin her takes. I try not to, though.

Do you have a favorite episode?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: The show that was the most enjoyable for me was the episode where everything was told in a flashback. We got to see that Samantha’s not all bad, which was interesting. There was part of her that was deeply hurt and that’s why she’s been so mean to Todd. A lot was revealed in that episode, which is why it was one of my favorites.

Are you envious of the way Samantha can reinvent herself?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: Definitely. You get to say, “I wasn’t there.” You get away with a lot. Who wouldn’t be envious of that?

Do you think viewers of the show would like the chance to reinvent themselves?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: Definitely – and I honestly think you can do it if you want to do it. Scientists say that you shed your skin every day, so you are literally brand new every morning. You have the opportunity to change your life right now because the past is gone and every day is a new day. The future doesn’t exist and it’s only what we have right now that’s tangible. Saying that, I don’t think I’d want to be someone with retrograde amnesia because that’s very frightening. It’s a very scary place to be.

Is it your philosophy in life to live every day as it comes?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: I strive for that; although the past creeps its ugly head every once in a while. There’s nothing we can really do about it. It defines who we are, but I try not to live from that or because of it.

You are an inspiration to many women because you are a fighter – especially when it comes to the problems you’ve faced in your private life. How does it feel to inspire other women around the world?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: Well, sometimes I have to be the inspirer for myself, too, which can be hard – but sometimes things happen like this. I don’t believe that things happen for a reason. I don’t believe in a God that would punish you and then make you have to deal with that. I think that you make reasons out of the things that happen and there were two choices that I could make in what happened to me.

What were those two choices?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: I could either fall and succumb to it or I could help people – and I chose the latter. We needed a younger face to a disease that is mostly connected with mothers and grandmothers – and that’s not the case. Around 25 per cent of women under the age of 45 have breast cancer. The statistic is quite high.

How important has your relationship with your mother – another survivor of breast cancer – been during this time?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: She’s been wonderful. I don’t want to talk about this too much, but when you go through something like this, the people that you need around you the most are the ones who have been through it. As much as everybody else in my life has been fantastic, they’ll never get what it feels like. They will never fully understand that.

We talk about Samantha always learning things about herself, but what have you personally learned about yourself in the last year?
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: I’ve always been a ‘push-through’ kind of person and this has become more apparent to me recently. It’s in my nature. I broke my foot a couple years on Broadway and I pushed through. I never think anything is going to take me down, so it was natural for me to push through and continue working and doing what I love to do when I faced this new challenge. I’m happy I’m a ‘push-through’ kind of person – and I’ll continue to push through.

Samantha Who?: The Complete Second and Final Season will be available on DVD on August 25, 2009.

Technorati Tags: Samantha Who?: The Compete Second and Final Season, Christina Applegate, Interview

The folks over at Kim and Scott’s were nice enough to send me their Original Variety Pack of 12 Pretzels. This pack retails for just under $33 and includes the following pretzels:

Stuffed Pizza Pretzel
Stuffed Grilled Cheese Pretzel
Stuffed Spinach & Feta Pretzel
Stuffed Savory Herb & Cream Cheese Pretzel
Traditional Bavarian Pretzel
Stuffed Mixed Berry Cobbler Pretzel
Stuffed Cinnamon Roll Pretzel
Stuffed Twisted Omelette Pretzel
Stuffed Chocolate Crumb Pretzel
Stuffed Apple Cinnamon Pretzel
Stuffed Cheddar Jalapeño Pretzel
Sourdough Asiago Pretzel

Starting out with the packaging, we received the pretzels in a well packed, snug brown box. The pretzels were on the verge of frozen, but they weren’t completely frozen. We unpacked the box and placed the pretzels in the freezer. The pretzels are all wrapped individually in their own pretzel bag. This is great because it ensures maximum freshness for each pretzel and it allows you to see which pretzel you are picking out based on your own personal preference. While I expected the brown box, the individual pretzel bags really won me over.

One of the main reasons that I loved them had to do with ease of prep. Let me tell you, making these pretzels could not be easier. All you do is toss the pretzel bag of your choice onto a baking sheet and put it in the oven based on the package directions. The cook time is the same for all pretzels and the time only ranges based on whether the pretzel has been frozen or if it is thawed out when you are heating it up. Even if you have absolutely no cooking experience, you can handle these with ease.

Packaging: 5 out of 5 stars
Ease of Prep: 5 out of 5 stars

In order to test all of these we had a little pretzel tasting party. Everyone in the house got to pick a pretzel and we would all enjoy portions of them to determine if we liked them and what our favorites were. Overall, these 12 options were quite popular. The pretzel itself was firm yet chewy and the filling always appeared to be made with the freshest ingredients. Of the 12 pretzels, only 10 are technically stuffed. The plain Bavarian isn’t stuffed, obviously, and the Sourdough Asiago is topped with Asiago, so it is not stuffed. Of those two, the Sourdough Asiago won me over, though bread lovers and pretzel feigns will definitely appreciate the Bavarian for the delicious pretzel that it is.

When it comes to the stuffed pretzels you have your choice of a more savory, meal-like pretzel or you can opt for the dessert options. The savory options in this bunch include Pizza, Grilled Cheese, Spinach & Feta, Savory Herb & Cream Cheese, Twisted Omelette, and Cheddar Jalapeño. On the other hand, the dessert bunch includes Mixed Berry Cobbler, Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Crumb, and Apple Cinnamon.

Even if you are not a huge fan of pretzels there is something here that you can enjoy. My favorites in the bunch included Grilled Cheese, Savory Herb & Cream Cheese, Chocolate Crumb, and Apple Cinnamon. When it comes to the dessert pretzels it’s hard to tell they are even pretzels in the first place. The Apple Cinnamon is reminiscent of luscious apple pie with a sweet cinnamon topping and the chocolate crumb will please even the most discriminatory sweet tooth. The decadent chocolate fills every bit of the pretzel from outside in.

Meanwhile, the Grilled Cheese reminds me of those cold winter days when mom would make me a classic grilled cheese to warm up. I am a cheese hound, so this pretzel definitely hit the spot. The Herb & Cream Cheese was not quite as cheesy as the Grilled Cheese, though the mixture of the herbs and cheese was a tasty combination that made it a fast favorite out of the 12 I was able to try.

I think the most disappointing for me was the Pizza pretzel. I absolutely love pizza. When I think of basic pizza I think, at the least, cheese and pepperoni. So, that is what I was hoping for in a pizza pretzel. Kim and Scott’s pizza pretzels have sauce and cheese. I am still down with that. However, the pizza pretzel we had was way more sauce than it was cheese. It also ended up tasting a bit mushier and less firm with goodies inside, than how I prefer it to taste. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever had, but it was definitely the most disappointing in the bunch.

When it comes to children, the chocolate and apple cinnamon should be good choices. If you want something that is a bit healthier for the kiddies, I could see them loving the Grilled Cheese (mine did), as well as the pizza and maybe the Cheddar Jalapeño if they are into the hot stuff.

If you are trying these out for the first time or using them for a party setting, this 12 pack is perfect the way it is. However, if you’re a repeat customer I would recommend ordering your favorites from the pack and leaving the variety packs like this aside for your absolute favorites.

Taste/Flavor: 4 out of 5 stars
Look: 5 out of 5 stars
Kid Friendly: 4 out of 5 stars

These pretzels are definitely filling. They are large pretzels filled with the filling of your choice. They are perfect for a snack or you can add small sides to them and make them a meal if you want to be adventurous. For $33 plus shipping you receive 12 pretzels in a variety of flavors. It’s really not a bad deal, especially for pretzel fanatics. Each pretzel ends up costing $2.75 plus shipping, which is pretty close to what you would expect to pay for one of these delicious, large pretzels.

What You Get: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Price: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Kim and Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels are definitely some of the best pretzels that I have tasted. They are easy to prepare, offer some original, delicious flavors, and they have something everyone in the family can enjoy. When you add in the fact that they are priced extremely fair, it’s hard to go wrong. If you love pretzels, these are a winner. Even if you don’t, if you like things like grilled cheese and chocolate, you can still find a few pretzels to suit your fancy.

Overall Rating: 4.57 out of 5 stars

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For those who are desperate to know what’s ahead (like me!) here’s the sneak peek:

After you’ve watched, feel free to leave a comment letting us know your thoughts. Is Sookie in bed with Eric? Is that Eric chained up at the head of the church with smoke on his face?

What other spoilers did you catch?

Technorati Tags: spoilers, True Blood, Video, Season Two, Promo, HBO, TV Show, Sookie Stackhouse, Vampires

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: 2008
DVD Release Date: June 23, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $22.49

I find the study of various religions to be fascinating. Growing up Catholic, I was not exposed to many other religions as I attended a Catholic school where most of my friends were Catholic, as well. When I got to college and really was able to interact with people from all faiths, I became fascinated with the differences between Catholicism and these other faiths.

Prior to viewing this film, I had heard of the Koran and knew basically what it was. I also had learned in my Political Science classes about the political and social unrest in the Muslim world. However, coming from a Christian background, I never really explored what the Koran really said. So, I jumped at the opportunity to watch and review this film.

While viewing this film an interesting comment was made to me by the ten year old daughter of a friend of mine. I had been viewing it and she came and joined me. After about 10 minutes of watching it, she turned to me and asked, “Is this happening today?” She was then surprised to find out that much of what they were talking about was happening in today’s world. This simple comment made me realize that if our children do not really have an understanding of what is happening in our world, then probably many adults do not as well.

I really feel that people from all walks of life should take the time to watch this film or even just talk to someone who is different from them. I have had the fortunate opportunity to have a nice chat with two Muslim women and it was one of the most enlightening conversations I had ever had. I learned a great deal in 30 minutes and it is something I will remember for all my days.

This film is definitely worth the whole 96 minutes of your time. It tackles many of the issues that are seen on today’s news and provides arguments on both sides. I also feel that this is a film that is a great discussion starter because it discusses both sides. I already have a list of friends in my head that I plan on recommending this to and I feel that you, too, should take the time and watch this powerful film.

The Inside the Koran Plot
Inside the Koran strives to tackle two questions. The first is “What does the Koran actually say?” and the second is “What do Muslims and non-Muslims actually understand about the Koran?” It strives to do this by discussing some of the most well known arguments within the Muslim world. Some examples of this are the status of women with regards to men, suicide bombers and public executions.

The film discusses how the Koran is actually rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition and that Jesus, Mary and the prophets are in fact revered in the Koran. Moreover, it discusses the differences and similarities between Sunni and Shia Muslims. While discussing all these issues the film also delves into the question of interpretation and translation. The film then concludes by discussing the Koran with regards to now, in the 21st century.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The DVD is presented in widescreen with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The overall quality of the film is excellent. There is some raw footage that is included that is a little less clear than the rest. However, I felt that this did not take away from the film at all. In fact, I felt that it enhanced the viewing experience. Those segments made me realize that this film was not staged, that in fact this is happening today.

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital sound. It does not contain Closed Captioning or Subtitles. I wish that it would have contained one or the other because obviously, it would allow the hearing impaired to watch it. Also, most of the interviewees were easy to understand however, there were a couple of folks that you really had to listen to, in order to make out what they were saying. Their English was a little more broken than others.

I would have liked to have been able to turn on subtitles, so that I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from their commentary. Overall the sound is pretty good. Occasionally, I did have to turn up the volume a bit for various interviews cause they talked a little softer than others. However, that was few and far between.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There are no Bonus Features on this DVD.

Bonus Features: 0 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
This is one of the best documentaries I have watched recently. I felt that I was able to get a glimpse into something that is, for the most part, taking place half a world away and to understand where these people are coming from. I plan to recommend this to some of my friends and hope that it will be a way to initiate discussion. This film has a lot of different aspects that would make great discussion starters for small or large group gatherings.

I would recommend this to pretty much anyone who wants to learn more about the Muslim world with just one warning. There are some war images as well as a discussion about female circumcision and so I would heed caution before showing this to children who are not mature enough to understand. Aside from that, this is a very powerful documentary.

Overall Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD, DVD Review, Movie Review, Inside the Koran, First Run Features, Documentary

Oscar® Nominee Rodat (Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot) Writing Pilot Script For Story About a Band of Resistance Fighters

Noah Wyle (ER, TNT’s The Librarian movies) has been cast in the lead role in the pilot for a bold new TNT series from DreamWorks Television and Steven Spielberg. Wyle will play the leader of a rag-tag group of soldiers and civilians as they struggle against an occupying alien force.

The untitled project will be executive-produced by Spielberg, along with DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank and screenwriter Robert Rodat. Rodat, who earned an Oscar® nomination for his screenplay for Saving Private Ryan, is writing the script for the pilot from an idea he co-conceived with Spielberg.

The pilot opens shortly after aliens have wiped out most of the human population. They are now going about the task of rounding up the few survivors.

“Noah Wyle is an incredibly talented actor and also an extraordinary person, so we’re proud to work with him again,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “It’s also great to collaborate with an amazing production team headed by Steven Spielberg on what is certain to be a compelling and provocative series.”

Wyle said, “I am overjoyed to continue my association with TNT on this new project. We have a longstanding relationship spanning four projects, and I couldn’t feel more at home. I also have the pleasure of re-teaming with Steven Spielberg, who was behind the creation of ER, my home for the last 15 years, and look forward to working with the DreamWorks Television team.”

“It is a privilege to be starting a second series with Noah,” Spielberg said. “The first didn’t do too bad.”

“We look forward to extending our relationship with TNT and working with Noah Wyle on this exciting and powerful project,” added Falvey and Frank. “Noah is a truly gifted actor whose everyman qualities will make the drama of the series very real and relatable for viewers.”

This project marks Wyle’s fifth venture with TNT, following three popular Librarian action-adventure movies and the acclaimed movie Pirates of Silicon Valley. The project also marks TNT’s third collaboration with DreamWorks Television, following Into the West, a successful, critically acclaimed limited series from 2005, and Wedding Day, TNT’s first foray into unscripted series.

Wyle earned five Emmy® and three Golden Globe® nominations for his performance as Dr. John Carter on the long-running series ER. His feature films include W, Nothing But the Truth, Boy of Pigs, The Californians, White Oleander, Enough, Swing Kids, A Few Good Men and Donnie Darko. He also starred in and associate-produced The Myth of Fingerprints.

DreamWorks Television is currently in production on seasons five and six of Rescue Me and season two of United States of Tara for Showtime, starring Toni Collette. In the longform arena, DreamWorks Television and co-production partner Playtone are in post production on The Pacific for HBO. The division previously produced the Emmy award-winning Band of Brothers as well as the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Into the West for TNT and the Emmy award-winning Taken for the SciFi Channel. Other past DreamWorks Television projects include Spin City, Father of the Pride, Freaks and Geeks, The Job, Boomtown, Undeclared, On the Lot, Contender, Wedding Day, Carpoolers and Las Vegas.

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter; Raising the Bar, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; Hawthorne, with Jada Pinkett Smith; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott. TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, Cold Case, Law & Order, Without a Trace, ER and Charmed; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.

Technorati Tags: Noah Wylie, Steven Spielberg, TNT, Drama, Alien Invasion, Resistance Fighters, TV Show, Pilot