Review Bunker is a review blog where the goal is simply to review everything. Below are the latest reviews. In the About section you can read more about this blog and it's author. Comments are always appreciated, so if you've got something to say, please feel free!
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Archive for February, 2008 Page 2 of 2
This is a “blog feedback” post. To learn more about my blog feedback category, please visit the Blog Feedback section. Below are a few reviews of other blogs. I would like to thank the blog owners for submitting their blogs for reviews.
Blog #1
Top Quality Men’s Suits
http://qualitymenswear.wordpress.com/
First Impressions: Is this a store or a blog? A quick check of the About section tells me that this appears to be a blog published by a store. Very simple layout, and a pretty generic-looking header. It took me a bit to decide whether this was a legitimate blog, or just a portal for affiliate programs, or something else. It seems that this blog actually does offer advice and information about men’s suits, a very specific niche, but a legitimate blog nonetheless.
Aesthetics: There is nothing really very complex about the layout here, and it certainly isn’t necessary, but as usual, I would suggest a better header. The fact that there is a title section and then a header is also a bit odd, I would probably eliminate the title section as well. If possible, make it more clear that this is the blog for eshopone - right now the bottom of the header looks like an ad.
This blog makes good use of generic seeming pictures of models wearing suits, but they certainly fit the content, and they help define the topic of each post. The use of a few low quality images does seem to cheapen the value of the posts they are attached to, maybe try not to use any low quality images in the future.
The sidebar is nice and neat, without too much clutter - the only things I might remove are the spam counter, blog stats, meta section, and social bookmarking section. You also should probably move your search box to the top of the sidebar, to make it obvious to users who might look for it immediately.
Content: As I previously said men’s suits is a very specific topic, but it seems that the author of this blog is well versed in the topic, and is offering some solid advice and knowledge about the topic. Some of the “sales” posts seem a bit too commercial for a blog that appears to be more individualistic - but are certainly nothing more than the stuff that comes from the “make money online” crowd.
Overall: At first glance this blog is a bit confusing and hard to unravel. Making the visual first impression better might help people know what they are getting into upon their first visit. Good enough content, and good niche.
Blog #2
Thoughts of a Blank Mind
http://blog.treiziethoughts.ws/
I was ready to review this blog, but noticed it has not been updated in over a month - so I will put it on hold for now, hopefully the author will pick it back up later, but we’ll see. On to #3…
Blog #3
Freelancer For Hire
http://www.kellybax.com/
First Impressions: I didn’t have to search for any information about this blog, as the whole description appears to be in the header. It is a bit of a long-winded introduction for the casual visitor, that might be better suited for an “About” section, but I guess blogger does have it’s limitations. Maybe try to cut down the info in the header if possible.
Things don’t seem to be well organized here - the sidebar isn’t in any way separated from the content, the ad below the header seems to jump out and clutter up things.
Aesthetics: I really don’t like this layout. The single solid color is overwhelming, and the lack of boundaries is a bit distracting. I would suggest a more customized theme, and header, if possible.
Your sidebar has so much clutter in it, that I don’t want to even try to dissect it. I would just suggest that you remove as much of the unnecessary content as possible - For example, I doubt that the google ad buried at the bottom will draw many clicks in it’s current position, so better optimizing all of the sidebar content would likely serve you well.
Content: The mix of blog promotion posts, freelancer tips, and other related content seems to work well here. The only thing that might need improvement is that some posts seem a bit too random - if you have people reading for only freelancer info, they may be turned off a bit by the off-topic posts.
Overall: Good content - lots of great freelancing information can be found here. The visual representation of this information could use a lot of improvement - perhaps a switch to wordpress would serve you well, and allow a lot more customization. Good luck, and keep up the good flow of freelancing postings.
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One of the three faithful readers I have here at Review Bunker, my mother, has recently had an experience that lent itself quite well to a review, and being the great mother that she is, she agreed to write up a guest review on her experience. Thanks mom, and here’s the review!
Last night my husband and I were invited to join friends for a pre-opening stay at the brand new Hilton Garden Inn in Laramie, Wyoming. It was a rare treat to stay in a previously unoccupied, state of the art hotel where we were wined and dined along with the family and friends of the developer/owner of the hotel. The food was incredible and included some of the best shrimp, oysters and scallops that I have ever had, some delicious lightly smoked and roasted beef, and many other delectable items.
We were given a private tour of the entire facility which includes a large, beautiful conference center. It seems no expense was spared on the creation of this Hilton Garden Inn. The kitchens have the latest technology which enables them to serve fresh, hot food to hundreds of people simultaneously.
Each hotel room is equipped with a flat screen television, microwave oven, refrigerator, coffee maker, and high speed internet hookups. The beds are dual-controlled air type mattresses and unfortunately it wasn’t until this morning, after a less than sound sleep, that we discovered how the controls work, and that a less firm setting would have been more comfortable. The shower had great pressure and even the shampoo and soaps that were provided were very luxurious. Some of the rooms have hot tubs in them and we were shown the presidential suite that has a large bath tub with a flat screen TV on the wall.
The hotel also has a well equipped gym with the latest and greatest in exercise machines. There is a pool and hot tub area with a fun giant mushroom water fountain that would be a blast for kids to play in, and a flowing stream of water that acts as an in-pool tread mill for swimmers who don’t want to actually do laps.
The staff all seemed very capable and excited to be working at such a fine hotel. It apparently took an enormous team effort to get everything in place with all the last minute details. Rumor has it that the management has a deep appreciation for the employees and treats them accordingly.
All in all, it was a very fun and pleasant stay and I would recommend The Hilton Garden Inn to anyone that will be visiting in Laramie, Wyoming for the next 50 or so years, as the hotel seems so well constructed that it will undoubtedly still be there. I would give our stay there a definite 5 stars!
The Hilton Garden Inn (Laramie, WY): 
5/5
5/5
Thanks for the review mom. If anyone else has any feedback about The Hilton Garden Inn in Laramie, or any other Hilton hotels, feel free to leave a comment!
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Before “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” was released I had never heard of the Stephen Sondheim musical of the same name, and I have never been a Tim Burton fanboy, so I feel that I’ve approached this film from a neutral place. The only things I knew about Sweeney Todd going into the theatre were that it stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter, and that it is a bloody revenge story. Also, I have heard a lot of commotion about how well the film has been received by critics and movie-goers both, so I was expecting a good film - and sadly, I have to say I was disappointed.
Actually, disappointed might not be the best word to describe how I feel after seeing Sweeney Todd - disturbed and disgusted are better descriptions. I tried my best to see the humor and playfulness in the gory action - but I don’t feel that Depp and Burton quite did their job this time, and instead of coming across as humorous this movie was more dark, gloomy, and foul. The large pools and fountains of blood didn’t bother me as much as I thought they might, but other aspects of the film did turn my stomach. I know what you might be thinking, since when is Burton not dark and gloomy? I did expect a certain level of Burton-esque styling, but I felt this was more horror/gore than I’ve ever seen in a Burton film, and I didn’t like it. Of course, the normal Burton style is present as well, and he did an impressive job in providing the audience with a convincing setting.
Looking beyond the gore, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in the seemingly shallow way the plot played out - the focus on revenge may have been too great, taking away from other parts of the plot that could have been developed a bit better. Don’t get me wrong, I love revenge stories more than most people, but I couldn’t help but feel that the plot was too singularly focused. Also, I think I am a bit shocked that the “hero” of this movie was so deranged, but I am in the process of trying to accept just how dark some movies can be.
On the upside, I thought the lyrics in all of the songs were amusing, that the songs were good, and the singing was excellent. The music flowed well with the rest of the film, and added most of the humor. I think all of the actors with singing parts did a great job.
The acting in this film was also very good, and I was happily surprised to see Alan Rickman once again playing an antagonist. Depp’s character didn’t have a whole lot of depth, but he played the “demon” quite well. Helena Bonham-Carter was very convincing, and even all of the more minor roles were acted very well.
Sadly, I think the gore and revenge overwhelmed this film, and it definitely left me with a lost appetite, and a disturbed feeling overall. Maybe I missed something, or maybe I am just not the right person to see the wonder of Sweeney Todd, but I have to say that at this point, I would rather not watch it ever again.
Review: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007): 
2.5/5
2.5/5
I know most of you out there will totally disagree with my verdict (87% of you, according to Rotten Tomatoes) - so here’s your chance - convince me that I am wrong, and that I should see it again, I’ll be waiting.
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