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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Raiders of the Lost Bark in Books
Dec 4, 2019
Glamping with Dogs…and a Killer
Over the last few months, Mel has been the victim of Addison Rae. Addison is trying to become the premier gourmet pet chef in Laguna Beach, and she is using old letters from Mel’s mother to get Mel to make introductions. Addison’s latest gig is as the chef at a camping trip for dog owners and their pets, and Mel intends to get the letters over the course of the trip. However, before she can, Addison turns up dead. Mel knows she makes a great suspect, but can she find the really killer before her mother’s secret, and her motive, is exposed?
The books in this series are always fun, and this book is no exception. The mystery starts well and moves quickly as we get more suspects and motives to sort through before Mel finally figures things out. The dogs’ antics are always entertaining. The people can tend to be more caricature than full character here, but it works for the series and provides us with some laughs. Mel is real and helps ground things. Mel’s assistant Betty is also along for the ride in this book. She’s a hoot, but we get a bit too much of her here, and I grew tired of some of her antics at times. The brooch that Mel is feuding over with her cousin Caro continues to make things challenging here, and I’m anxious to find out what happens next in that saga. Readers who have pets will be interested in the two recipes at the end of the book. Pack your bags because this is a glamping trip not to miss.
The books in this series are always fun, and this book is no exception. The mystery starts well and moves quickly as we get more suspects and motives to sort through before Mel finally figures things out. The dogs’ antics are always entertaining. The people can tend to be more caricature than full character here, but it works for the series and provides us with some laughs. Mel is real and helps ground things. Mel’s assistant Betty is also along for the ride in this book. She’s a hoot, but we get a bit too much of her here, and I grew tired of some of her antics at times. The brooch that Mel is feuding over with her cousin Caro continues to make things challenging here, and I’m anxious to find out what happens next in that saga. Readers who have pets will be interested in the two recipes at the end of the book. Pack your bags because this is a glamping trip not to miss.

graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Tale of Halcyon Crane in Books
Feb 15, 2019
THE TALE OF HALCYON CRANE is an interesting, easy Gothic read. It wasn't a book that held my interest in one sitting, but was enjoyable whenever I picked it up. A bit slow to start, it didn't really pick up until halfway, maybe two-thirds of the way through. The end was a bit anti-climatic but it fit the book, so that's fine. The author has a wonderful imagination and usually brought that through life, mainly through the island setting and the Hill history, which was enthralling. I loved the inclusion of two Alaskan Malamutes, which are one of my favorite dogs. So, if you like Gothics, and like a more modern setting with a heroine who isn't helpless, give it a go. It's a good book that's very easy to read.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars

Hutch (9 KP) rated True Romance (1993) in Movies
Jun 18, 2019
Who said Romamce was dead?
Tarantino really burst onto the scene in unforgettable fashion in the early 90s and sandwiched between Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction is this often overlooked Tarantino penned gem.
Full of the witty dialogue, odd ball characters and great music that we've all come to expect from Tarantino, all bought to life by a stunning supporting cast.
I've always thought Christian Slater has been under rated and he proves my point here. Playing Clarence with so much charm and swagger that you can't help rooting for him and Alabama right from the start.
And the scene with Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken is so well written and played out that its gotta rank right up there with the best of Tarantino.
Full of the witty dialogue, odd ball characters and great music that we've all come to expect from Tarantino, all bought to life by a stunning supporting cast.
I've always thought Christian Slater has been under rated and he proves my point here. Playing Clarence with so much charm and swagger that you can't help rooting for him and Alabama right from the start.
And the scene with Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken is so well written and played out that its gotta rank right up there with the best of Tarantino.

BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Isle of Dogs (2018) in Movies
Jul 16, 2019 (Updated Jul 16, 2019)
Strange but so very fantastic!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I had been waiting a very long time to see this since nobody I knew would watch it with me... I'm a big fan of stop motion movies but apparently nobody else is?? Finally, Netflix added it and I must have seen it about 20 times since then.... the whole movie is so strange but I can't get enough! The casting is fantastic! Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum and Brian Cranston? Genius! They definitely added to the movies feel and made it a better watch but the plot is just so great! City that doesn't allow dogs so they get dumped. Boy goes to find his dog on island. Epic journey to save his best friend. New friends along the way and a possible love interest... spectacular!

TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated No Filter (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
No Filter by Heather Day Gilbert
This was a nice laid-back mystery. I do not often read cozy mysteries as they do not seem real to me, however, after reading the synopsis for this one I was intrigued! I mean who does not like dogs or coffee? This is the first book in Heather Day Gilbert’s new Barks & Beans series, and I am already hooked.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, the way the story unfolded was believable and interesting. I liked the characters and getting a glimpse into their lives that I am sure will continue in the next book. They were people I can see myself being friends with. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series to see what comes next
This was a nice laid-back mystery. I do not often read cozy mysteries as they do not seem real to me, however, after reading the synopsis for this one I was intrigued! I mean who does not like dogs or coffee? This is the first book in Heather Day Gilbert’s new Barks & Beans series, and I am already hooked.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, the way the story unfolded was believable and interesting. I liked the characters and getting a glimpse into their lives that I am sure will continue in the next book. They were people I can see myself being friends with. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series to see what comes next

Ariel Pink recommended Paradieswarts Duul by Amon Duul in Music (curated)

Awix (3310 KP) rated White God (Feher Isten) (2014) in Movies
Feb 13, 2021 (Updated Feb 13, 2021)
Lassie meets Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Hungarian-style. A young girl and her faithful pet are forcibly parted, which is the stuff of many a tear-jerking melodrama. The dog raises an army of mongrels and sets out to take revenge on human civilisation, which is not.
Obviously scores quite highly on the 'never seen *that* in a movie before' front; excellent direction and storytelling, and a remarkably self-possessed performance by Zsofia Psotta. Never really overcomes a slightly self-conscious weirdness that keeps it from completely working as either horror or drama. It's not entirely clear what the moral premise of the movie is, other than 'be kind to dogs'; can't help thinking it's probably quite facile, anyway. But the dog trainers do a sterling job of keeping it interesting.
Obviously scores quite highly on the 'never seen *that* in a movie before' front; excellent direction and storytelling, and a remarkably self-possessed performance by Zsofia Psotta. Never really overcomes a slightly self-conscious weirdness that keeps it from completely working as either horror or drama. It's not entirely clear what the moral premise of the movie is, other than 'be kind to dogs'; can't help thinking it's probably quite facile, anyway. But the dog trainers do a sterling job of keeping it interesting.

Nickg24 (492 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) in Movies
Aug 30, 2019
Weakest of the trilogy but still enjoyable
So this movie picks up right where chapter 2 ended with john going on the run.A brutal first 20 minutes of action follows (the library scene is brilliant) but once that is over the story starts to get a little dull.Everything feels rushed with john going from one country to another, then the massive fight scene with halle berry and 2 german shepherd dogs which felt like it had so much going on in it that you just couldn't keep up with it.
But thankfully once john is back on home soil things improve again leading up to the big finale at the continental hotel.All in all another excellent addition to the franchise and things are set up for a fourth movie to come along in the future
But thankfully once john is back on home soil things improve again leading up to the big finale at the continental hotel.All in all another excellent addition to the franchise and things are set up for a fourth movie to come along in the future

Dean (6927 KP) rated Magnum P.I. in TV
Aug 25, 2020 (Updated Jul 10, 2021)
Hawaii (2 more)
Cool Ferrari
Good action scenes
Cool TV series
Well I can guess the low ratings are from people who don't like it compared to the original 80's series. A female Higgins probably didn't go down well? I don't remember much about the old series apart from set on Hawaii, Tom Selleck, Ferrari and the English butler with the Doberman dogs.
20 years since that ended this is the reboot. It keeps all those elements, with a modern Ferrari and T. C. with an identical Helicopter.
Now that Hawaii 5o has finished if you want a light hearted action series in a beautiful location, this is it. Some good action scenes and cameos from the original cast. It's easy viewing, maybe not as funny as it thinks but generally a good watch.
20 years since that ended this is the reboot. It keeps all those elements, with a modern Ferrari and T. C. with an identical Helicopter.
Now that Hawaii 5o has finished if you want a light hearted action series in a beautiful location, this is it. Some good action scenes and cameos from the original cast. It's easy viewing, maybe not as funny as it thinks but generally a good watch.

BookInspector (124 KP) rated Dog Share in Books
Jul 1, 2021
This novel is told from a dual perspective. Suzy is a woman in her late forties, that is left on her own to deal with her partner’s “project”, a failing whisky distillery on Hebridean island. I really liked Suzy, she is a strong and hard-working woman, who is ready to take responsibility to save people’s livelihood. Ricky is our second protagonist, he is a single father to an eleven-year-old boy, who really wants a dog. 😀 Ricky brings funny relationship stories and single parenthood woes to this novel. But all the characters in this book are connected by Scout, a stray dog that Suzy adopts.
The narrative of this novel is pretty easy flowing, and most of the time the characters are sharing their past and present lives and thoughts. The topics discussed in this novel are parenthood, compatibility in relationships, love for dogs, and life in general. I really liked how the author incorporated her life in York and Glasgow in the novel.
The audiobook I listened to was narrated by Cathleen McCarron and Robin Laing, and they have done an amazing job in bringing this book to life. I loved the northern accent, it gave this book a completely different feeling compared to my reading style. I love Scotland, and to hear all the details about nature and the island itself made me want to go there asap. 😀 The ending of this book rounded up the story very nicely.
So, to conclude, I enjoyed listening to this book, It is set in a beautiful environment with very realistic and believable characters, that make me want to have a pet of my own. 🙂 I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great place to travel while reading and who loves dogs, because in this case, Scout brought people together.
The narrative of this novel is pretty easy flowing, and most of the time the characters are sharing their past and present lives and thoughts. The topics discussed in this novel are parenthood, compatibility in relationships, love for dogs, and life in general. I really liked how the author incorporated her life in York and Glasgow in the novel.
The audiobook I listened to was narrated by Cathleen McCarron and Robin Laing, and they have done an amazing job in bringing this book to life. I loved the northern accent, it gave this book a completely different feeling compared to my reading style. I love Scotland, and to hear all the details about nature and the island itself made me want to go there asap. 😀 The ending of this book rounded up the story very nicely.
So, to conclude, I enjoyed listening to this book, It is set in a beautiful environment with very realistic and believable characters, that make me want to have a pet of my own. 🙂 I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great place to travel while reading and who loves dogs, because in this case, Scout brought people together.