Obscure accessory for obsolete Olympus Digicams

Advantages: reasonably high quality cable
Disadvantages: Of very limited use

...My 100th review ? in some ways I wish I?d chosen a more glamorous item to cover, but this will have to do! Earlier Olympus Digital cameras used RS232c interfaces to connect directly to Personal Computers; my first semi-serious digital camera (an Olympus CAMEDIA C 960ZOOM reviewed previously) was one such example. Cameras of this vintage frequently have two 3.5mm jack sockets, one for Composite Video out (and feature a yellow collar) the other, for data is beige to match the cable. The cable is reasonably high quality, being roughly a metre long, and terminating in a 3.5mm jack plug at one end, and a 9 pin serial connection at the other. The camera automatically supplies the 12v signals required by an RS232 interface, there?s nothing ?smart? about the cable, it?s just a lump of wire! A screened cable is used, and features...

dobieg 16.01.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Olympus serial cable - RS-232

Serial Mom- Sick Laughs.

Advantages: The best of American comedy.
Disadvantages: Might not appeal to all senses of humour.

...'Serial Mom' is a great comedy and a thoroughly entertaining film, exploiting to the full the talents of Kathleen Turner. She delivers a highly fun and amusing performance, from the start presenting the viewer with the image of a unique and humorous character. The film is set in 1990s America with an apparently perfect household, ran by an apparently perfect housewife. However, this illusion is soon shattered and a somewhat more sinister appearance becomes apparent- that of Mrs. Beverley Sutphin and her morbid behaviour. Her murderous exploits are not sick, but funny, so this film is not one for those with a humour based on light-hearted themes. She lives a dual life with a split personality and psychopathic tendencies- her constant and extreme changes from pleasant, loving lady to crazy killer adds to the entertainment value...

MasonEsq 24.08.2008 (16.09.2008) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Serial Mom (DVD)

Britain's Bloodiest Serial Killers

Advantages: Incredible insight into serial killers
Disadvantages: Freaked me out a bit!

...Now, without sounding too much of a "freak" I have a secret passion for serial killers, British or otherwise, it amazes me how someones mind can work in justifying these terrible crimes. This DVD, which I bought myself a little while ago, is priced at approx. £13, and if you are into crimes, especially murders, I would say you would not regret paying it to watch this. Let's start with the packaging, with a title like "Britain's Bloodiest Serial Killers," you would expect it to be a bit graphic. The front of the DVD box also reflects that, being covered in blood, with a gun, syring, rope and a meat cleaver. Now, personally, I prefer a bit of blood, the more gruesome, the better! (I'm not really a secret murderer I promise!) It was released on the 7th June 2006, and I was surprised because before seeing this on the website I...

kimhumphreys 17.03.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Britain's Bloodiest Serial Killers (DVD)

'A modern day Jack the Ripper'?

Advantages: Fascinating insight into the case against the killer
Disadvantages: Not enough insight into the reasons behind the crime spree

.... Nevertheless, this is a shocking story. My knowledge of serial killers, for what it is, has always lead me to believe that there are links between crimes. They may not always be obvious, but they are there all the same. In this case, Knowles' acts of violence seem totally random and unprovoked, which is incredibly frightening - I think everyone likes to think that there is a reason behind someone's violent behaviour. Unfortunately, this is also the downfall of the documentary, because there seems to be no rhyme nor reason for his actions and only a superficial explanation is attempted. I suspect that this is because no-one really knows the workings of Knowles' mind, but I would have liked a little more insight into his past at least. As it is, it is a step by step explanation of how the case was investigated, and, while interesting, I'm not sure...

sunmeilan 28.05.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Serial Killers: Dangerous Pursuit (DVD)

Life of a serial killer

Advantages: well acted
Disadvantages: I thought the plotline was flat

...Usually the only films I watch are girly romances or comedies, however a few nights ago when Monster was shown on TV I found myself watching it. The film is based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, America's first female serial killer. I knew a bit about her story before watching the movie, having seen a documentary about her a few years back. ~The Plot~ Aileen (Charlize Theron) became a prostitute at the age of 13 after a difficult upbringing. She also had a baby at this age, giving it up for adoption after its birth. She had no family around her, and really brought herself up. Although these issues were briefly touched on at the beginning of the film, where the film really starts is the day Aileen (referred to throughout the majority of the film as 'Lee') meets Selby (Christina Ricci) in a bar. Selby is a lesbian...

pink_champagne 19.11.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Monster (DVD)

The first 'serial killer'

Advantages: A chilling true story
Disadvantages: Acting and direction not brilliant

...Introduction I read a review of this film by a fellow ciao'er not long ago and as a true crime addict, I knew that it was a film I had to see (so thanks for the recommendation!). Few people of any generation won't have heard of Ted Bundy, a killer of at least 36 young girls in the 1970s across a number of states. The main reason that he is so well known is that he was a good looking young man, who had a girlfriend and was a colleague student; he was far from having the profile associated with most serial killers. The term 'serial killer' was first coined for Ted Bundy. The story Ted Bundy certainly had a knack of attracting women's attention. He came across as being cultured and honest and used this to initiate conversations with young, good looking women, persuade them to get into his car, and then attack, rape and later kill them...

sunmeilan 02.05.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ted Bundy (DVD)

The Serial Slayer of Seductive Scent and Smell

Advantages: Outstanding period detail, performances, music and direction
Disadvantages: Some slow spots, disturbing images/story elements

...up. To be honest, though, I would be hard pressed to disagree with Suskind that this is really what it was like in 18th-century Paris before the French Revolution. Suskind's novel made for more than a compelling read; at first, I thought it would be the simple tale of a serial killer that murders in order to create the ultimate perfume (as the synopsis on the back suggested), though it is also a mesmerizing character study of a most unusual individual. In many ways, he is a creepy chimera, dross of a derelict that speaks little and acts like a murderous mutt on a mission. The truth is that it's impossible to identify with him, and yet we find ourselves curiously following his journey from being an infant left to die by his mother to being a creator of a scent so overpowering and titillating that Suskind makes him come across as...

eve6kicksass 16.02.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer (DVD)

Cults and serial killings

Advantages: Excellent first half
Disadvantages: Disappointing second half

...Introduction Michael Dibdin is most famous for his books featuring the detective Aurelio Zen. However, he has also written a number of other books, including this one. Whatever else Michael Dibdin is, he is certainly a versatile writer; the Aurelio Zen books are about policing in Italy, this book is about a religious cult in the US and the other book I have read by Michael Dibdin, 'A Rich Full Death' is set in Florence in the last century during a spate of serial killings. He has also written a book entitled 'The Last Sherlock Holmes Story', his first book, published in the 1970s. Surprisingly, Michael Dibdin is actually English - he was born in Wolverhampton. After an education at Sussex University, where he studied English, he then moved to Canada to continue his education, although he did not complete his course. After his first wife...

sunmeilan 29.11.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Dark Spectre - Michael Dibdin

I Can't Be Bothered Thinking Of A Title

Advantages: A Great Chilled out Ecclectic Mix
Disadvantages: ---------------------------

...effect here. Then we slip into the low down Jazz Blues of "Clean In Too" just guitars and harmonica with Holly pouring over vocal honey, this is totally chilled out late night relaxing music..................... Following on the heels of this is "Down, Down, Down", which is chilled out trippy garage rock and roll, wonderfully atmospheric stirring stuff .......... "Come The Day" is a drunken bluesy staring at the stars whilst lying in the gutter number, as with the rest of the record it is relaxed, effortless and totally chilled. "Serial Girlfriend" is a haunting number with big musical crescendos, with wonderful fuzz guitar, stirring stuff indeed....... "My Own Sake" has a very cluttered arrangement which works even though it should not, every thing is thrown into the song causing some disorientation amongst the listener but that is...

Champ666 29.03.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Serial Girlfriend - Holly Golightly

Moms Know best.....

Advantages: lots of funny parts, that will make u laugh during the whole movie.
Disadvantages: special features are limited

...****** Serial Mom ****** This film is one of John Waters finest; he takes a normal family and gives them a few interesting twists. Though this film is alittle predictable at times I don't think it matters one bit, as it suits the cast well. My cousin Thomas or Tomsk as I like to call him first showed me this film about 5 years ago, while having a pizza hehe. It really made me laugh at times how cheeky and naughty the mother (Kathleen Turner) is. She leads a normal life, cooking her family their meals, tidying the house hold; she is the world's finest housewife. On the other side to her character you wouldn't ever want to cross her path if she disagrees with you. The facial expressions she makes during the film make it even more comical, I don't think anyone could have pulled this movie off the way she did. John Waters picked...

VampirePrincessLizzy 13.03.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Serial Mom (DVD)