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This feed is subject to our terms of use: http://www.epinions.com/help/rss_terms http://www.epinions.com/user-mike.holmes Recent reviews written by member mike.holmes en-us 121 37 http://www.epinions.com/ http://img.epinions.com/images/epi_images/logos/epinions_121.gif http://www.epinions.com/content_476120256132?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - Amidst all of the celebrity deaths this last week, many are stiil mourning the loss of one of the great "news" men of the last several decades:  Tim Russert.  Mr. Russert died on June 13, 2008 but he left a host of friends and family plus... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~476120256132 Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:41:10 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_476120256132?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_476028636804?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I'm a big fan of Johnny Depp who I believe is one of our finest living actors.  He's amazingly versatile as is obvious from the roles he has played over the years from "Edward Scissorhands", through "Donnie Brasco", "Finding Neverland", "Pirates of... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~476028636804 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:27:40 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_476028636804?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_475893829252?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I intentionally did not end the title to my review because it was going to exceed the 15 word limit.  The "but" in my review title would have been followed by:  the movie lacked something which was the compassion that I had expected to feel for... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~475893829252 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:19:04 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_475893829252?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_475540917892?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - A few years ago, I played one of Chris Botti's CD's on my radio show.  The songs I played featured a sax player and Botti and a very knowlegeable musician told me the next day that "that sax guy was great but the trumpet player was... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~475540917892 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:28:33 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_475540917892?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_475343588996?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I went to the theater with the intention of seeing the new "Transformers" film.  Not that I really expected anything but loud noise and wild machines.  However, the film was sold out.  Naturally.Therefore, I went to a film that I... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~475343588996 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:40:51 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_475343588996?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_475253345924?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - When I picked up "Killing Time", I noticed that Caleb Carr had written two other "bestselling historical thrillers, "The Alienist" and "The Angel of Darkness".  I have not read either of those books but this novel, subtitled "A Novel of the Future"... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~475253345924 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:59:18 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_475253345924?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_475027312260?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - A few weeks ago, I reviewed Dave Gross's "Take The Gamble" on this site.  One week later I received a package from SwingNation Records thanking me for the review.  The package included Dave's most recent CD, "Crawling The Walls" and a letter... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~475027312260 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:52:43 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_475027312260?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_474678464132?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I really didn't expect much when I went to see "The Proposal".  I'd read a luke-warm review and the trailer didn't overwhelm me.  However, after seeing one of the worst movies of the decade the day before ("Year One"), I needed a few... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~474678464132 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:27:35 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_474678464132?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_474548047492?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 1/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - After I saw the trailers for this, uh, film, I had at least modest hopes that it might be entertaining.  I like Jack Black, Michael Cera and Oliver Platt.  Director, co-screenwriter Harold Ramis has been associated with a number of amusing... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~474548047492 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:49:54 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_474548047492?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_474320965252?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I read several books a year with a fairly wide range of interests from mysteries to historical works.  I had never heard of "The Shadow of the Wind" until I read the excellent review by jankp right here on Epinions.  I respect jankp's opinion... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~474320965252 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:42:57 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_474320965252?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_473941315204?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - Recently, I've been reading about the young bassist, vocalist, composer Esperanza Spalding in "Jazz Times" and other publications.  The 23 year old young lady is truly an amazing multi-talented artist.  "Esperanza" is actually her second studio... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~473941315204 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:32:57 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_473941315204?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_473763384964?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - Tony's Scott's remake of the 1974 "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is certainly an exciting, if somewhat stressful, movie.  The story is not all that realistic but the film was worth watching because of the acting of Denzel Washington and John... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~473763384964 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:12:20 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_473763384964?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_473517690500?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - During the almost 20 years that I've DJ'd my jazz radio show on my local NPR affiliate, KOCV, I have bought over 90% of the albums that I have featured.  Every once in a while, the station receives CD's and "Take the Gamble" by Dave Gross is one... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~473517690500 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:19:30 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_473517690500?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_473187585668?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - It's actually inaccurate to say that the band "Swing Out Sister" is back because they've never really never left the pop/rock music scene since their debut album in 1987 ("It's Better to Travel").  However, in truth, although the group has had some... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~473187585668 Mon, 8 Jun 2009 01:41:21 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_473187585668?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_472935206532?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I wasn't too sure about seeing this film.  Director Todd Phillips has made some good films, "Old School", "Road Trip") but he has also directed some less-than-stellar movie, "School for Scoundrels", "Starsky & Hutch".  Neither of the... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~472935206532 Fri, 5 Jun 2009 18:41:34 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_472935206532?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_472845553284?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - "Blood Rites" is the sixth book in Jim Butcher's excellent Dresden Files series.  I've enjoyed every one of the books and have been amazed at how the author continues to expand the wizardly world of Harry Dresden with little repetition.THE... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~472845553284 Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:51:48 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_472845553284?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_472724967044?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - The "Preacher Ed" I am referring to in my title is fellow Epinions writer Ed Williamson who is retiring from preaching after over 30 years in the pulpit.  Actually, he did not drag me to this film but we agreed to go see it rather reluctantly last... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~472724967044 Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:06:54 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_472724967044?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_472488709764?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - For some reason I couldn't find this movie on the Epinions database so thanks to Milinoket for leading me to the right place.  When I finally "found" the film, all eight reviewers had already given the movie the maximum 5 star ratings.  I've... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~472488709764 Mon, 1 Jun 2009 23:07:30 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_472488709764?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_472227679876?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - As I was browsing through the jazz section of my local music shop, Endless Horizons (the only place in Odessa that has a jazz section), I came across this new CD.  I had never heard of the artist nor did I know any of the songs listed with the... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~472227679876 Sat, 30 May 2009 17:04:56 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_472227679876?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_471929294468?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - As a local DJ on my own little jazz show for the last 20 years, I've always enjoyed "discovering" new talents.  I "discovered" Ms. Peyroux several years ago after she released her first album, "Dreamland" in 1997 and I've played all of her CD's on... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~471929294468 Thu, 28 May 2009 02:36:50 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_471929294468?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_471518908036?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - Toni Morrison is one of our country's greatest writers.  She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for "Beloved" and she became the first black woman to ever win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993.  I was surprised when I discovered that "A Mercy"... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~471518908036 Sun, 24 May 2009 14:33:06 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_471518908036?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_471372893828?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - After readiing a few reviews about the new "Terminator" movie, I really didn't expect much.  I read (and heard) complaints about the bleak scenery in the film and the claim that it was too loud.  Although I didn't find the movie to be perfect,... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~471372893828 Sat, 23 May 2009 03:50:59 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_471372893828?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_471248440964?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - We rarely get to see foreign films on the big screen in Odessa, Texas.  Our Century Theater, however, does show several such films a year.  However, as with this movie, the films are only shown for one week.  When I saw that "Rudo y Cursi"... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~471248440964 Fri, 22 May 2009 00:20:54 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_471248440964?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_471029812868?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I was a little surprised when I discovered that I have only reviewed one album from the "multi-platinum-selling singer, composer, lyricist, pianist and actress" Ann Hampton Callaway.  I have almost every CD that she has recorded and I've featured... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~471029812868 Wed, 20 May 2009 02:49:40 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_471029812868?linkin_id=8003929 http://www.epinions.com/content_470791589508?linkin_id=8003929 rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author mike.holmes - I have been privileged to witness the guitar playing mastery of John Paul "Bucky" Pizzarelli for the last 30 years at the Jazz Party in Odessa or Midland, Texas.  The 43rd addition of that party just wrapped up this afternoon.  Bucky has been a... http://www.epinions.com/content/submit.html/comment_~470791589508 Mon, 18 May 2009 01:55:53 GMT http://www.epinions.com/content_470791589508?linkin_id=8003929