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Almost Friends (2017)
Movie Watch
Once a promising chef, now unmotivated and living at home with mom, Charlie gets by as a movie...
Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling
7.2
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TV Show
Rocko hefer and filbert are back after spending 20 years in outer and discovering life back on earth...
Stone of Destiny (2008)
Movie
The story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the...
FIRESTARTER (2022)
4.4
Rate It
Movie
Based on the 1980 Stephen King novel of the same name, FIRESTARTER follows young Charlie as she...
The CyberHippy (15 KP) rated Reel Steel (2011) in Movies
Jul 15, 2017
Can a robot fight as well as a person?
Contains spoilers, click to show
Set in the near future Real Steel is the comeback story of a washed-up boxer, who's only inspiration is is estranged son.
Former boxer Charlie Kenton has had to move with the times as traditional boxing has been replaced by the mega-sport of Robot Boxing and Charlie isn't very good at moving with the times. But when his ex-wife dies and he gains custody of his estranged son, Max, who he's never met, the adventure of a lifetime begins.
Charlie must juggle is meager on-the-road, always look for a new robot and a new fight lifestyle, with looking after an 11-year-old child. But when a freak accident leads Charlie and Max to an old sparring bot, Max is determined to get it running again. Once fixed up the pair find that the bot, named Atom, they discover it has a very rare feature, a mode that will literally let it copy the moves of a user in real time.
Starting in the underground fighting leagues, Atom rapidly rises through the ranks until it is noticed by the Robot Fighting League and offered an official fight. Whilst fighting and winning in the official league, Max sets his sights for Atom on an undefeated mega-robot, much to Charlie's distress.
This is the story of a boy reconnecting with the father he never knew though the one thing they have in common, Robot Boxing. Through the destruction and crashing metal come some heart-wrenching emotional scenes.
Look out for some interesting product placement and a very unusual statue outside the final arena.
10/10
Former boxer Charlie Kenton has had to move with the times as traditional boxing has been replaced by the mega-sport of Robot Boxing and Charlie isn't very good at moving with the times. But when his ex-wife dies and he gains custody of his estranged son, Max, who he's never met, the adventure of a lifetime begins.
Charlie must juggle is meager on-the-road, always look for a new robot and a new fight lifestyle, with looking after an 11-year-old child. But when a freak accident leads Charlie and Max to an old sparring bot, Max is determined to get it running again. Once fixed up the pair find that the bot, named Atom, they discover it has a very rare feature, a mode that will literally let it copy the moves of a user in real time.
Starting in the underground fighting leagues, Atom rapidly rises through the ranks until it is noticed by the Robot Fighting League and offered an official fight. Whilst fighting and winning in the official league, Max sets his sights for Atom on an undefeated mega-robot, much to Charlie's distress.
This is the story of a boy reconnecting with the father he never knew though the one thing they have in common, Robot Boxing. Through the destruction and crashing metal come some heart-wrenching emotional scenes.
Look out for some interesting product placement and a very unusual statue outside the final arena.
10/10
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Ash Doll in Books
Sep 24, 2018
A thrillingly dark read!
This is the second in the Charlie Priest series, but I have to say that it's so well written that it's not necessary to have read the first book in the series, 'The Mayfly' to enjoy this. Suffice to say, I got three chapters in to this book and immediately bought the first book. I can see Charlie Priest becoming my new book obsession!
We're thrown right in to the action on the first page with a small girl, who appears to be on the verge of throwing herself off a cliff in front of a group of hikers. No one knows who she is or where she has come from.
We then flash forward to the present day, and the court case that Charlie Priest and his colleagues are involved with - a libel case between a charity and a magazine. Believe me, I couldn't see how there could possibly be any kind of connection between the two.
The start of the book isn't particularly pleasant (trigger warnings here for anyone that doesn't like reading about child abuse!), but it really drew me in: who is the child? What has happened to her? Ho what she come to be imprisoned and abused? Yes, there's some pretty graphic content, both with regards to her treatment and the murders.
Charlie and his sidekick, Georgie Someday, are so likeable, and Charlie's medical condition adds an interesting layer to the story.
I would highly recommend this, especially if you like dark, well written thrillers.
Many thanks to Readers First, NetGalley and the publisher Bonnier Zaffre for sending me a copy to read.
We're thrown right in to the action on the first page with a small girl, who appears to be on the verge of throwing herself off a cliff in front of a group of hikers. No one knows who she is or where she has come from.
We then flash forward to the present day, and the court case that Charlie Priest and his colleagues are involved with - a libel case between a charity and a magazine. Believe me, I couldn't see how there could possibly be any kind of connection between the two.
The start of the book isn't particularly pleasant (trigger warnings here for anyone that doesn't like reading about child abuse!), but it really drew me in: who is the child? What has happened to her? Ho what she come to be imprisoned and abused? Yes, there's some pretty graphic content, both with regards to her treatment and the murders.
Charlie and his sidekick, Georgie Someday, are so likeable, and Charlie's medical condition adds an interesting layer to the story.
I would highly recommend this, especially if you like dark, well written thrillers.
Many thanks to Readers First, NetGalley and the publisher Bonnier Zaffre for sending me a copy to read.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Six Cats a Slayin' in Books
Oct 24, 2018
Kittens and Murder at Christmas
Charlie Harris's feline family has grown quite a bit. Someone left him a box with five kittens in it, and he's taking care of them while trying to track down the owner so he can figure out what to do with them next. Fortunately, Charlie's Maine Coon cat, Diesel, has taken to the kittens and is helping take care of them as only a cat can. That isn't the only problem Charlie is facing this Christmas, however. There's also his new neighbor Geraldine "Call Me Gerry" Albritton. Gerry is rubbing everyone the wrong way, including Charlie. Charlie isn't prepared for murder, however, and when one happens, he begins to investigate. What will he uncover?
Fans of this series know to expect a wonderful puzzle wrapped in a cozy shell, and that's just what we get here, with the Christmas setting only helping the cozy feeling. The mystery of the kittens occupies much of the early book while the foundations of the main mystery are being laid. Once the dead body turns up, we focus more on that with the kittens taking their place as a sub-plot. The twists of the mystery keep the pages flying, and the story takes a more serious tone. That tone provides a nice contrast to the Christmas season and the kittens, both of which keep the book from becoming too dark. I was thrilled to get to spend so much time with the series regulars; I just love Charlie's family and extended family. This book left me with happy tears in my eyes and Christmas carols in my head. What more could you want?
Fans of this series know to expect a wonderful puzzle wrapped in a cozy shell, and that's just what we get here, with the Christmas setting only helping the cozy feeling. The mystery of the kittens occupies much of the early book while the foundations of the main mystery are being laid. Once the dead body turns up, we focus more on that with the kittens taking their place as a sub-plot. The twists of the mystery keep the pages flying, and the story takes a more serious tone. That tone provides a nice contrast to the Christmas season and the kittens, both of which keep the book from becoming too dark. I was thrilled to get to spend so much time with the series regulars; I just love Charlie's family and extended family. This book left me with happy tears in my eyes and Christmas carols in my head. What more could you want?
LL
Lucky Lupin: A Memoir
Book
Lucky Lupin is a poignant yet light-hearted story of survival against the odds, based on Charlie...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated What the Cat Dragged In in Books
Sep 2, 2021
The Secret in the Old Attic
Charlie Harris has gotten some surprising news – he’s just inherited his grandfather’s house. He thought the home had left the family decades ago, but it turns out it was just under a life lease, and that tenant has just died. Charlie’s grandparents died when he was young, but he still has some fond memories of time spent out there. When he and Diesel are out there exploring the house, Diesel discovers a skeleton in the attic. It is clear that the body was dug up and placed there. Suddenly, Charlie is left wondering what this skeleton says about his family’s past. He can’t help but dig more, especially when a modern body also turns up on the property he’s just inherited. What will he find?
Because I love Charlie, this mystery from Charlie’s family’s past is intriguing. I was pulled in early. Ultimately, I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt and a few details of the story should have been worked into the plot better, but I did enjoy it. Over the last few books, I’ve noticed the insertion of small moments that come across more as lectures than anything else, and that trend continued here. I almost always agree with Charlie, but they bother me because they feel forced into the story. These really are nitpicks, and I enjoyed the book overall, mainly because of the characters. All our favorite two and four legged characters are back, and it is great spending time with them as always. Fans will feel like reading this book is a warm hug.
Because I love Charlie, this mystery from Charlie’s family’s past is intriguing. I was pulled in early. Ultimately, I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt and a few details of the story should have been worked into the plot better, but I did enjoy it. Over the last few books, I’ve noticed the insertion of small moments that come across more as lectures than anything else, and that trend continued here. I almost always agree with Charlie, but they bother me because they feel forced into the story. These really are nitpicks, and I enjoyed the book overall, mainly because of the characters. All our favorite two and four legged characters are back, and it is great spending time with them as always. Fans will feel like reading this book is a warm hug.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Claws for Suspicion in Books
May 4, 2022
Kari’s Life is Upended Before Murder
The shelter that Kari Stuart bought when she won the lottery is finally in great shape. However, all that is threatened when Kari’s ex-husband shows up in town. Charlie Smith arrives baring the news that there was a mistake with their divorce, and they are technically still married. As a result, he is entitled to half Kari’s winnings. Or, he will settle for the land the pet shelter is on. Kari has no interest in giving Charlie anything, so she starts trying to figure out how to get him to go away. Then he dies, and his death looks like murder. The police view Kari as their prime suspect since she is the only one in town with a motive. Can Kari convince them that someone else killed Charlie?
While the ex coming back to town isn’t a new plot element in a cozy mystery, Charlie’s motives and the complications are definitely fresh here. I did feel the plot stalled a bit before Charlie actually died, although it was setting up motives and suspects before it happened. Once it did, Kari followed a logical set of clues to the climax. I always appreciate how well things are laid out when I reach the end of the books in this series. I love Kari’s circle of friends, and it was wonderful to spend time with them again. The suspects fit wonderfully into the world. Naturally, there’s plenty of animal cuteness here as well. Fans of the series will be happy with this book, and if you haven’t started it yet, you’ll be happy you picked up one of the books.
While the ex coming back to town isn’t a new plot element in a cozy mystery, Charlie’s motives and the complications are definitely fresh here. I did feel the plot stalled a bit before Charlie actually died, although it was setting up motives and suspects before it happened. Once it did, Kari followed a logical set of clues to the climax. I always appreciate how well things are laid out when I reach the end of the books in this series. I love Kari’s circle of friends, and it was wonderful to spend time with them again. The suspects fit wonderfully into the world. Naturally, there’s plenty of animal cuteness here as well. Fans of the series will be happy with this book, and if you haven’t started it yet, you’ll be happy you picked up one of the books.