Reviews by Rachel3

Rachel3 says "This cameras is awesome!" about Samsung Dual View 12.2 Megapixel 3X Optical Zoom Digital Camera - Black

Rachel3 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:49:22 GMT

This Samsung Dual View camera was so easy to use and delivered professional-grade results....

Rachel3 says "TurboTax made filing taxes SO easy!" about Intuit TurboTax Deluxe NS 2008

Rachel3 — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:01:28 GMT

Last year was actually the first time I filed taxes without my dad's help, and I was really intimidated. His only advice? "Get TurboTax." I'm so glad I listened to him.

TurboTax couldn't make it easier. All you have to do is answer the simple questions that are prompted and TurboTax does the work for you!

The only annoying thing is that you're "supposed" to purchase a new edition of TurboTax each year due to tax law changes. However, I heard Turbo Tax is starting an online version, which may solve this problem.

...

Rachel3 says "Weight Watchers has SO many great recipes to try out!" about Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook

Rachel3 — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:00:28 GMT

...

Rachel3 says "Globalization called - Skype answered." about Skype

Rachel3 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:36:35 GMT

I first learned about Skype right before I left to study abroad in China during the summer of 2007. Despite the fact that I had lived overseas before, my mom was worried. When I hurt my ankle two days before my flight, she became extremely worried. Like any mother, she wanted frequent status updates.

The price of the number of cell phone calls it would have taken to appease her anxiety would have been astronomical. Fortunately, I had discovered Skype before my trip and set my mother up with a Skype account and a webcam.

Calls over the Internet are completely free, and calling landlines from my Skype account is a fraction (a tiny fraction) of the cost of a regular phone call. But the price isn't the only benefit. To be able to see my mom as I talked to her was fantastic. It made an opportunity like living in China for a few months seem a lot more manageable and less intimidating.

While there are bugs in any program, Skype is pretty reliable and very straight-forward. The call clarity is...

...

Rachel3 says "One of the most introspective accounts I've ever read" about The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography

Rachel3 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:04:34 GMT

Having already written an autobiography focused on his career, Sidney Poitier decided to write this book, "The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography," about his life and the lessons he had learned throughout and the realizations he has come to over the years.

Though the narrative line isn't as established as most typical autobiographies might be, I still ate up every word, every idea and every insight Poitier had to offer. Even though I have hardly any time to read these days (pretty much only on the hour train ride to and from work), it only took me a couple of days to finish the 255 pages because I just so intrigued by what this truly extraordinary man had to say.

I came across "Measure of a Man" when I was browsing through a small bookstore in Mystic, CT with my grandmother. My grandmother, who is an even more voracious reader than me, plucked the book off the shelf and told me that she was going to buy it for me because I just HAD to read it.

"Okay," I laughed, thinking to...

...

Rachel3 says "This show took quality to a whole new level" about Band of Brothers

Rachel3 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:52:46 GMT

I recently watched this series again for the first time since it originally aired on HBO. I remember loving it then, but I think I fell in love with it even more after I watched it again. Perhaps this is because I'm older now and can better understand the subtle nuances in the story line and how much effort was put into the production of "Band of Brothers."

I think this might have been one of the most historically accurate war movies, let alone WWII movie, ever made. Apparently, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and the other producers let each of the surviving men of Easy Company look at the script to check for any factual errors. I think Band of Brothers made the best casting decisions I've ever seen in a movie/television show/mini-series. Each actor looked eerily like the man he was portraying, to the point I could match the character with the elderly men in the opening of each episode. It was also interesting to see the cameos in "BoB." Other than the obvious Ron Livingston, Damian Lewis...

...

Rachel3 says "Wanted will give you the adrenaline high you've been craving" about Wanted

Rachel3 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:49:17 GMT

I saw the trailer for "Wanted," several months ago and immediately knew I couldn't wait to see it. By the end of the 30-second teaser, my pulse was already racing. Generally, when I get really excited about a movie, I hype it up too much in my mind and am often let down when I actually see the movie. This was definitely NOT the case with "Wanted."

The cast is amazing. You know a movie is quality when Morgan Freeman decides he's going to be in it. Angelina Jolie adds the crazy sex appeal we have come to expect, and love, from her. But "Wanted" could never be "Wanted" without James McAvoy. I read somewhere that McAvoy does for "Wanted" what Dustin Hoffman did for "The Graduate." And I completely agree. McAvoy, of "Atonement" and "Becoming Jane" fame, adds a completely new dimension to the action movie. His journey from "average joe loser" to "dauntless assassin" was really great to watch because he plays both roles so well.

But let's not forget the special effects. The whole movie is visual...

...

Rachel3 says "This show makes southern accents cool again" about The Closer

Rachel3 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:39:19 GMT

I remember being completely captivated by Kyra Sedgwick's character during the series premiere of "The Closer" in 2005. I was vaguely familiar with Sedgwick's previous work (I mostly knew her as John Travolta's love interest in "Phenomenon"), and was completely blown away by her performance in "The Closer."

I love how Sedgwick has infused her character, Brenda Lee Johnson, with various idiosyncrasies that make her so human. The characteristics, including her addiction to sweets, her southern charm (well, as much charm as a cop in L.A. can have), her self-confidence issues and her ability to be tough when necessary, create a lot of depth and complexity in a character that could have easily become a static and generic "L.A. super-detective."

I remember when I watched the first episode, I was captivated throughout, but the end when Brenda "closes" and gets the confession was absolutely amazing. I like how you don't know what exactly is going on in Brenda's mind and how exactly the murder...

...

Rachel3 says "People will be listening to this album generations from now" about Coldplay Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

Rachel3 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:36:02 GMT

If you only hear one new album this year, make it Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. I've been a fan of Coldplay's music in the past, but Chris Martin and the band have achieved completely new levels of excellence on Viva La Vida. Each song has amazing complexity and depth and the band has gone past being just "great," to having the potential to become legendary. Each band member has improved upon their already impressive skills. Lead guitarist Jonny Buckland is more aggressive than ever and it seems that Chris Martin has discovered that singing in a lower register definitely brings a seductive sultriness that wasn't there before.

I first heard the title song, "Viva La Vida," on an iTunes commercial and was immediately hooked. I bought the song and listened to it over, and over, and over again. Usually when I do this, I eventually get sick of the song, but I still get a rush every time I hear it. Melodically, the song is breathtaking and is sure to spark the interest...

...

Rachel3 says "NBC's Chuck is truly one of the most quality shows on TV today" about Chuck

Rachel3 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:55:27 GMT

Though I often fall in love with TV shows and movies, I'm very realistic about the fact that they are not reality. I don't cyber-stalk my favorite celebrities on TMZ or People.com. I never put up posters of the latest hotties on my wall. In fact, it's rare that I'll even buy the DVD.

But when it comes to Chuck...well...let's just say we're going to get married. He just doesn't know it yet.

All kidding aside, "Chuck" is one of the most clever shows on TV these days. Usually when a show tries to be too many things, it fails. But "Chuck" successfully combines comedy, action, romance and a little bit of drama.

"Chuck" brings a whole new spin on the spy genre. The story lines are unique and unlike anything I've heard on any other TV show. The dialogue between characters is HILARIOUS. Nothing is forced or contrived--it's just the actors bantering with each other and letting their natural acting ability shine through.

Chuck's character is extremely likeable and relatable (and complete with...

...