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Reviews Written By: A2X61KKXXR6WNP

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	KitchenAid KHM9PWH 9-Speed Professional Hand Mixer, White
	"Mix it up a little!"	2008-07-11
I have an enormous KitchenAid stand mixer, which is great for kneading dough, whipping large volumes of egg whites, and other "heavy lifting" type jobs. But, I frequently need something in between a hand whisk and the huge mixer. For smaller quantities, in particular, a hand mixer is a necessity. I had been using an old Black and Decker model I bought out of college, but one day one of the beaters stopped turning, and it was time to take another look around. Luckily, I found this one. It isn't perfect, by any means. As usual, there are design tradeoffs here. It is lightweight, but that means the case is plastic, not stainless, which I would prefer at this price point. It is very slim, but doesn't feel very stable when set down (resting). On the other hand, I expected the digital control to be fidgety and annoying, and it actually works very smoothly and doesn't get in my way or collect food. The beaters don't hold lots of batter like the traditional type on my old mixer. I like that, and will gladly trade some strength to get it. I like this, and would buy it again. Sean P. Logue, 2008
	Risky Business
	"Time of your life, huh kid?"	2008-05-25
Risky Business is a fantastic movie, much more complex than the standard teen fare at the time. Great music by Tangerine Dream (written especially for the movie) and strong performances from its young cast, most notably a nineteen year old Tom Cruise and twenty four year old Rebecca De Mornay. (Small side note: Cruise and De Mornay lived together for over two years after making the movie, so the chemistry on-screen must have been pretty real!) The original end of the movie was much darker than the happy, everything turns out okay version that was released. Both versions were filmed and shown to a test audience, which preferred the happier, lighter version. The original has (to my knowledge) never been released in any form, and I was concerned that it had been lost. I'm very happy to report that this 25th anniversary release is planned to include a new making-of documentary along with the alternate ending and commentary by Tom Cruise, director Paul Brickman, and producer Jon Avnet. So, it appears that this is what Risky Business fans have been waiting since 1983 to see! The DVD is scheduled for release on September 16th, so we'll have to wait just a little longer. Keep in mind also that while the press information is normally correct, all of it is subject to change prior to release. But, it certainly looks very promising. Sean P. Logue, 2008
	Risky Business
	"Time of your life, huh kid?"	2008-05-25
Risky Business is a fantastic movie, much more complex than the standard teen fare at the time. Great music by Tangerine Dream (written especially for the movie) and strong performances from its young cast, most notably a nineteen year old Tom Cruise and twenty four year old Rebecca De Mornay. (Small side note: Cruise and De Mornay lived together for over two years after making the movie, so the chemistry on-screen must have been pretty real!) The original end of the movie was much darker than the happy, everything turns out okay version that was released. Both versions were filmed and shown to a test audience, which preferred the happier, lighter version. The original has (to my knowledge) never been released in any form, and I was concerned that it had been lost. I'm very happy to report that this 25th anniversary release is planned to include a new making-of documentary along with the alternate ending and commentary by Tom Cruise, director Paul Brickman, and producer Jon Avnet. So, it appears that this is what Risky Business fans have been waiting since 1983 to see! The DVD is scheduled for release on September 16th, so we'll have to wait just a little longer. Keep in mind also that while the press information is normally correct, all of it is subject to change prior to release. But, it certainly looks very promising. Sean P. Logue, 2008
	Risky Business [Blu-ray]
	"Time of your life, huh kid? "	2008-05-25
Risky Business is a fantastic movie, much more complex than the standard teen fare at the time. Great music by Tangerine Dream (written especially for the movie) and strong performances from its young cast, most notably a nineteen year old Tom Cruise and twenty four year old Rebecca De Mornay. (Small side note: Cruise and De Mornay lived together for over two years after making the movie, so the chemistry on-screen must have been pretty real!) The original end of the movie was much darker than the happy, everything turns out okay version that was released. Both versions were filmed and shown to a test audience, which preferred the happier, lighter version. The original has (to my knowledge) never been released in any form, and I was concerned that it had been lost. I'm very happy to report that this 25th anniversary release is planned to include a new making-of documentary along with the alternate ending and commentary by Tom Cruise, director Paul Brickman, and producer Jon Avnet. So, it appears that this is what Risky Business fans have been waiting since 1983 to see! The DVD is scheduled for release on September 16th, so we'll have to wait just a little longer. Keep in mind also that while the press information is normally correct, all of it is subject to change prior to release. But, it certainly looks very promising. Sean P. Logue, 2008
	Sonos CC100 Charging Cradle for Sonos CR100 Controller
	"Even more expensive than it appears"	2008-01-02
Because this cradle does not include the power supply, it is even more expensive than it first appears. This is an attractive piece of plastic without power. You'll need to buy the power supply to keep your controller charged while it rests in the cradle. Here is the power supply: Sonos AC100 Charging Adapter for Sonos CR100 Controller Unfortunately, there aren't any aftermarket alternatives, so the price gouging continues.
	GB Electrical GFI-501A Ground Fault Receptacle Tester & Circuit Analyzer
	"Don't get shocked!"	2008-01-01
This is a nice little tester, and is compact and easy to carry. I plug this into every outlet after I've done any wiring work with it to double-check that I didn't miswire it. Also, sometimes when cramming an outlet back into a tight fitting box, a wire will get disconnected. This will identify that immediately. A disconnected ground wire will generally not stop something from working when it is plugged in, but could increase the chance of electrical shock. Crossed hot and neutral lines will also not stop the item from working, but, again, can increase the risk of shock. Don't take chances -- test them. It is very common for additional outlets to be wired to a single GFCI "downstream" of the main one. This allows a single GFCI outlet to protect multiple, non-GFCI equipped outlets in the same area. The test button built into all GFCI outlets (required by code) will test the mechanism in that single outlet, but is not as useful for testing outlets that are wired downstream from the GFCI. They will turn off when the main GFCI is tripped, but then you have to test them for power when the GFCI is both on and off to make sure they are properly wired, which is a real time waster and is not as comprehensive. So, make sure you get a tester with a ground fault button to check GFCI circuits. Not all testers like this have one, and it is worth the modest extra cost. The little black button fell off of mine, though I can still press it with a fingernail. So, minus one star for that, but otherwise a very nice little unit for quick tests. Sean P. Logue, 2008
	Sonos AC100 Charging Adapter for Sonos CR100 Controller
	"Light me up!"	2008-01-01
This charger is for the Sonos remote control unit. It can plug directly into the jack (hidden behind a rubber stopper) on the controller. It is more commonly used to supply power to the cradle. The cradle is sold separately, so you'll need to buy both this power supply and the cradle. It should come with the cradle instead of requiring a separate purchase, so minus one star for that. Otherwise, it works fine. Sonos CC100 Charging Cradle for Sonos CR100 Controller Sean P. Logue, 2008
	OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs
	"Almost like having longer arms"	2007-12-30
Tongs are the workhorse of a kitchen, and these are an exceptionally good version. They are stainless steel, have rubber grips, and are a good length. The ability to lock when the hook is pulled is a good one. The manual lock is much better than the kind that lock when you point them a certain way, even though this requires more than one hand to use it. The auto-locking type are always locking when I don't want them to. The lock is really only useful to make them collapse for storage, and if you are putting it away, you probably also have both hands free. The length of this one is just right. The jaws spread larger than with smaller tongs, which allows grabbing larger items. It also gives you some reach, which is important when using them on something in the middle of a hot pan. I have a set of smaller ones that I rarely use, so if you only want one, this is the right one to get. The only negative is that the metal head can scratch nonstick pans if you aren't careful with it.
	Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill 9-in.
	"Nearly perfect!"	2007-12-30
You would think that after all this time, a pepper mill that actually works would be easy to find. It isn't. I went through many, many mills. None of them had much output. None of them really allowed me to adjust the grind to anything other than subatomic dust size. And then I found this. It holds so much pepper you'll need to buy some more. I use mine constantly, but can't remember the last time I filled it. Maybe once a year, maybe less. Good thing, too, because the refill hole seems really big until you try to figure out how to get peppercorns into it. They are large and rough, so funnels get clogged fast. The last time I did it I used a rolled up sheet of paper, and that seemed to work. I still keep my vacuum handy. The company that makes these is based in Nantucket, but they went all the way to Italy to get the grinding mechanism. It was worth the trip, because they certainly found a good one. The main problem with the other mills is that the companies that make them spend all their time trying to make the exterior distinctive to differentiate their product from all the other mills out there, and no time on the grinding mechanism inside, which is really the most important part of a mill. Lots of pepper comes out with a quarter-turn. So much so, that a full turn will literally hide your food behind the pepper. If you like pepper as much as I do, that's a great thing. I especially like the fact that it will let me adjust the grind to big and course. Great flavor, no dust. They make this in two sizes. The Magnum Plus is the size meant for waiters. The company sells a holster for this purpose on their web site. It is very tall, and holds tons of pepper. I keep one next to my stove at all times, and use it for covering steaks, chicken breasts, and other foods with pepper. The Magnum size is the exact same mill and grinding mechanism, but is much shorter and doesn't hold as much pepper. I use the Magnum size on my kitchen table, as it is a better size for individuals who just want to add some pepper to their food. I have a couple of the matching salt grinders to go with them, and they also work well. Magnum Peppermill - 6-Inch Magnum Salt Mill- 6-Inch It has one real flaw, though. The ring that opens the filling hole turns way, way too easily. When you first get yours, fill it all the way up and get out a black roll of electrical tape. Cut a short piece of it and put it along the bottom of the ring (no need to go all the way around, an inch will do). It hardly shows, and it will save you from the inevitable pepper storm that happens when the ring turns while grinding. I'm still finding the occasional peppercorn in my kitchen left over from that little incident. Now that you've found the best pepper mill, you'll want to fill it with something good. I recommend black Tellicherry peppercorns, which have a really high piperine (the part that makes it hot) content of 6.6%, and volatile oil (the part that makes it flavorful) of 4.7%. India Tree Tellicherry Pepper, 2.3 lb
	GB Electrical SE-92 Heavy Duty Automatic Wire Stripper
	"How far can you shoot the wire tips?"	2007-12-29
Seems like every tool has a built-in wire stripper these days. Crimpers and pliers, I even have a pair of scissors with one. And they're all pretty crummy strippers, too. This tool does one thing, and it does it very well. It can strip a wire using only one hand, so your other hand can hold the wire. After the cut, it flicks off the insulation in one smooth motion, which eliminates wrestling with the wire to get the tip off. It also has a very wide range of gauges that it can do, and it is easy to compare the wire tip with the holes to find the right one. For example, sometimes a 18 gauge stranded wire is "fluffier" than usual, and needs the 16 gauge hole. Even if you guess wrong and use the larger hole, it is easy to put the wire back in and do it again one smaller. There is one disadvantage, which is that it flicks the insulation end off onto the floor. This is kind of fun while you're doing it, but then you'll end up crouching down and trying to find them after it is over (or vacuuming, if you've been doing a bunch of them). I used mine to strip a bunch of wires for a car alarm, and had little multicolored tips all over the parking lot when I was done.
	Abba - ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits
	"Fantastic! And what fun, too!"	2007-12-28
I was watching a movie a while ago that had some Abba songs in it, and it really reminded me of how uplifting and fun the music is. So, I bought this album and I'm very happy with it. Even though every song was very recognizable, there were many that I hadn't even realized were Abba. This is a good value, too, as this CD has nineteen songs and runs over an hour of great music, with no clunkers to skip through. Good stuff. It will bring a smile to your face, and that is kind of nice every now and then!
	Gray Two-Stage Seatsaver
	"Self defense for leather"	2007-12-28
This works really well, and looks good, too. The belt for the LATCH system on my car makes the back buckle a bit, but the velcro problem of the earlier models has definitely been fixed. There is no separation between the two pieces at all, even after I belted the car seat in tightly. They make this in two colors, black and a light gray. The black color stained my light color seats, so I've since switched to the light gray, which does not seem to have this problem. Unless your seats are a very dark color, go with the gray color instead.
	Weber 3301 Large Aluminum Drip Pans
	"Great pans"	2007-12-28
Okay, I admit it -- I bought these because they had a big Weber name embossed in them. ;-) Turns out it was a good purchase, though. The pans are much thicker and sturdier than expected. I actually went back to the package to make sure I bought the disposable ones. I've been able to get multiple uses out of them with a quick rinse, depending on the food that is cooking over them. I use mine when I'm cooking something with indirect heat, which is a technique that Weber often recommends. I push the coal grates to the left and right sides of the grill, and put this pan in the center. Sometimes I add water if I want it to be more of a moist heat. Works especially well for putting under the rotisserie to catch drips.
	OXO Good Grips Meat Tenderizer
	"Okay, but they make a better one"	2007-12-26
I used this for several years, and it is fine for what it is. I like the handle, but the head is a bit small, which can tear the meat. I've since replaced it with the i-series version, which I like a lot better: OXO Good Grips 1057946 i-Series Meat Pounder If this review was helpful, please mark it as such.
	Stanley 58-930 3-Piece Cushion Grip Nail Set
	"They should make them all like this"	2007-12-26
Standard nail sets are uncoated steel, which is prone to rust, slippery to hold, and difficult to determine the size. It is surprising to me that a simple, color-coded rubber coating is all it took to fix every one of these issues with standard nail sets. I'll even add another advantage: the bright colors make them easy to spot in the bottom of a toolbox, where they inevitably land. This is such an innovation, that I really think all nail sets should be made this way. Highly recommended.
	Weber 9600Char-Basket Charcoal Fuel Holders
	"Heat me up!"	2007-12-26
A set of these is included with the Weber Performer grill. They do a great job of holding the coals at just the right depth. They allow starting all the coals together, then separating them for indirect cooking in the center of the grill. Usually I put my two together in the center and leave them there, using the edges of the grill for items that I don't want to put over the direct heat of the coals. One thing to look out for is excessive build-up of little charcoal bits (like those found on the bottom of the charcoal bag) and old ash. Too much of that and the airflow will be reduced to the point where the charcoal may not light. It is pretty easy to grab them with the tongs before starting and shake them. This makes any loose ash fall out of them and will help keep the air channels clear for the fire.
	Weber 1647 18" Grill Brush
	"Works well at first, but then the bristles flatten"	2007-12-25
This brush works well at first, but then the brass bristles flatten down and make it a lot less effective, particularly on flat surfaces like the top of the grill grates. I bought a Grill Wizard brush, which is basically a steel scouring pad with a handle, and it works better for the top surfaces. The Grill Wizard isn't as good at getting into the nooks and crannies between the grates, however, so I use this one along with it. Because I use the other brush for the flat surfaces, this brass one lasts a lot longer. Grill Wizard BBQ Brush So, I'd recommend getting both as they have different strengths and compliment each other nicely.
	The Lake House [Blu-ray]
	"Very sweet, and very interesting"	2007-12-25
This is a fascinating film. It has a sweetness about it that is generally reserved for classic holiday films like "It's a Wonderful Life," yet manages to maintain a modern sensibility and complexity. Too often, films of this type are overwhelmingly sappy, and artificial. This one felt genuine and real. The main characters seem intelligent and earnest. I really believed the love the two main characters developed for each other, and I liked that it developed over time rather than "love at first sight," which tends to be a common movie cheat to save time. I liked it so much I tried to find others like it, and while I did find some, they were nowhere near as good. This is a real standout in the genre. Highly recommended.
	The Lake House (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD-DVD]
	"Very sweet, and very interesting"	2007-12-25
This is a fascinating film. It has a sweetness about it that is generally reserved for classic holiday films like "It's a Wonderful Life," yet manages to maintain a modern sensibility and complexity. Too often, films of this type are overwhelmingly sappy, and artificial. This one felt genuine and real. The main characters seem intelligent and earnest. I really believed the love the two main characters developed for each other, and I liked that it developed over time rather than "love at first sight," which tends to be a common movie cheat to save time. I liked it so much I tried to find others like it, and while I did find some, they were nowhere near as good. This is a real standout in the genre. Highly recommended.
	Under Siege [HD DVD]
	"Imagine what he would do if someone complained about his food!"	2007-12-25
Definitely one of the better of the "Die Hard on a (fill in the blank)" movies that came around in the early nineties to capitalize on the success of that film. The movie spends enough time setting up the characters (both good and bad guys) to ensure they are more than cardboard cutouts, then launches into the kind of non-stop action that is a hallmark of the genre. Picking the bad guys off one at a time while protecting the innocents is always fun, and it is even better when the person doing it is underrated by the bad guys (which is why he's a cook/former navy SEAL). Fun stuff for a Friday night with popcorn.
	Under Siege
	"Imagine what he would do if someone complained about his food!"	2007-12-25
Definitely one of the better of the "Die Hard on a (fill in the blank)" movies that came around in the early nineties to capitalize on the success of that film. The movie spends enough time setting up the characters (both good and bad guys) to ensure they are more than cardboard cutouts, then launches into the kind of non-stop action that is a hallmark of the genre. Picking the bad guys off one at a time while protecting the innocents is always fun, and it is even better when the person doing it is underrated by the bad guys (which is why he's a cook/former navy SEAL). Fun stuff for a Friday night with popcorn.
	Weber Style Professional-Grade Chef's Tongs
	"Tongs with attitude"	2007-12-25
These are really nice. I like that the hanging loop is narrow for closely spaced hooks (like on the Performer grill). Pulling the loop, as when hanging it, locks the tongs shut for compact storage. They are a little lighter weight than the rest of the tools in the Style line, and are not as curvy. Nothing to stop you from buying them, but they could be a little heavier, and it would be nice if they had that "carved out of a solid block of alloy" look that the rest of the line has. Harder to do with something that has moving parts like this, I suppose.
	Weber Style Professional-Grade Stainless-Steel Spatula
	"Flip me!"	2007-12-25
I bought this when I purchased my new Weber Performer grill. It has three, closely-spaced hooks on the front, and I thought it would look good hanging there. (It does.) Well, it turns out it works better for the grill than any other tool I have tried, and I've tried a lot of them. Sleek stainless shapes, that are easy to hold but don't have nooks and crannies that debris can get into. Just the right length, weight, and thickness. I'm really shocked! When I was using the spatula today, I noticed that the hook rotates down so that the handle is perfectly horizontal and ready to grab when placed on the side shelf. Somebody put a lot of thought into these. I honestly can't believe how inexpensive they are. I went back and bought the other items in the new Style line, and they are great too.
	OpenX
	"The little blade is very useful, the larger one not so much"	2007-12-25
I have several of these, and use them to open boxes all the time. They are superior to a standard box cutter for this, because the blade only sticks out a little bit and is therefore less likely to cut too deeply into the package and damage the item within. I also like that it is spring loaded, so when not in use it disappears back into the handle. The front of the device, however, is not very useful. In order to make the plastic "jaw" strong enough, they made it very thick. Too thick to easily slip into the package and slide along to make a cut. So, if you are just looking for a better boxcutter, this is your product. If you want something more versatile, try this instead: Zibra ZPCOPEN-OR Open It Universal Package Opener
	The Lake House (Widescreen Edition)
	"Very sweet, and very interesting"	2007-12-25
This is a fascinating film. It has a sweetness about it that is generally reserved for classic holiday films like "It's a Wonderful Life," yet manages to maintain a modern sensibility and complexity. Too often, films of this type are overwhelmingly sappy, and artificial. This one felt genuine and real. The main characters seem intelligent and earnest. I really believed the love the two main characters developed for each other, and I liked that it developed over time rather than "love at first sight," which tends to be a common movie cheat to save time. I liked it so much I tried to find others like it, and while I did find some, they were nowhere near as good. This is a real standout in the genre. Highly recommended.
	Grill Wizard grill cleaning brush
	"Great for the top of the grate"	2007-12-25
This is basically a steel scouring pad with a handle. It is excellent for cleaning the tops of the grate, which is where traditional brass bristle brushes fall short (the bristles tend to flatten out and eventually ruin the brush). I recommend giving your grill a good once-over after you are finished grilling, but before the grill cools off. This will loosen any oil-based debris and make it easier to scrub off. For the nooks and crannies in between the grates, however, you'll want to hang onto your brass brush. I use them both together and they complement each other well.
	Under Siege (Blu-Ray)
	"Imagine what he would do if someone complained about his food!"	2007-12-25
Definitely one of the better of the "Die Hard on a (fill in the blank)" movies that came around in the early nineties to capitalize on the success of that film. The movie spends enough time setting up the characters (both good and bad guys) to ensure they are more than cardboard cutouts, then launches into the kind of non-stop action that is a hallmark of the genre. Picking the bad guys off one at a time while protecting the innocents is always fun, and it is even better when the person doing it is underrated by the bad guys (which is why he's a cook/former navy SEAL). Fun stuff for a Friday night with popcorn.
	Under Siege
	"Imagine what he would do if someone complained about his food!"	2007-12-25
Definitely one of the better of the "Die Hard on a (fill in the blank)" movies that came around in the early nineties to capitalize on the success of that film. The movie spends enough time setting up the characters (both good and bad guys) to ensure they are more than cardboard cutouts, then launches into the kind of non-stop action that is a hallmark of the genre. Picking the bad guys off one at a time while protecting the innocents is always fun, and it is even better when the person doing it is underrated by the bad guys (which is why he's a cook/former navy SEAL). Fun stuff for a Friday night with popcorn.
	OXO Good Grips i-Series Meat Pounder
	"Food therapy!"	2007-12-24
Standard mallets work, but put a tremendous amount of stress on your wrist every time they hit. The design of this one redirects the stress from your wrist to your hand, so your joints won't take a pounding. The grippy, soft oxo rubber handle is thick and easy to hold, and the rubber extends past the handle onto the base, where it creates a nice base for your hand to rest on while absorbing shock. The weight of the solid aluminum base is all in the base, which keeps it from wobbling during the swing. All in all, a very well thought out design and good reason to toss the old fashioned wooden mallets you may be using now. I've used mine for pounding chicken breasts flat. Just put them on a cutting board with plastic wrap over them, and pound them into an even thickness. This makes the cook more quickly and evenly. No more thick spots or parts that lift off the pan and undercook, or thinner spots that overcook. Works really well for pounding garlic flat, too. Just peel the clove, put it on a cutting board, and give it a good whack with the smooth metal bottom. It's food therapy!
	Dynamat Xtreme 9-Sheet Bulk Pack
	"Rattles are for babies"	2007-12-24
This has a lot of uses beyond car applications. I used a sheet of it on the drywall behind in-wall speakers to cut the amount of sound radiating through the back wall and tighten the sound. I used a sheet of it inside a computer case, to eliminate a tinny rattle that came from the case vibration while it was on. You can even put pieces of it on the inside of washing machine or dryer panels to make them quieter. It does have one drawback, and that's the fact that once you stick it on something, you will not be able to get it off without making a big mess. It is essentially tar with a foil outer cover, and trying to get it off just leaves a bunch of sticky tar behind. So, choose the place you want it carefully before sticking it down!