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When I first saw this book I wasn't sure, a book written from the dog's point of view and a Dachshund's point of view at that, hmmm, how wrong could I have been. The author, Kathleen Chamberlin, captures the spirit and character of doxies totally. Showing how it is their home and life and we should be honoured to be allowed to share it with them. Marcy's disdain for the visitor is clearly felt and when the story takes a twist the reader eagerly follows Marcy, cheering on the family and generally revelling in the feeling of euphoria by the end.
A real, feel-good book for dog or pet owners, but a true treasure for anyone who has ever spent time with a doxie. I love it.
  
Pongo and Missis are settling into their new married life with their newly wed pets - Mr. and Mrs. Dearly. Missis is expecting puppies, but these puppies have caught the eye of their neighbor and Mrs. Dearly's schoolmate Cruella de Vil. What will she do to get her hands on the puppies?

This is the book that inspired the Disney animation classic, and it is a lot of fun. The basic story is the same, but there are lots of changes along the way, plus more about the de Vil family. The humor is much more subtle than the film, but it still made me laugh and smile. Definitely a charming, fun read.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-101-dalmatians-by-dodie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Conan the Barbarian (1982) in Movies

Feb 22, 2018 (Updated Feb 22, 2018)  
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
1982 | Adventure, Fantasy
Well-remembered fantasy movie isn't very similar to Howard's original stories, but gets the tone more or less right and made Arnie into a proper movie star. Strapping barbarian lad's family is murdered, spends montage sequence growing up while strapped to a capstan, escapes, sets out for revenge, and so on.

Dodges most of the more tedious fantasy-movie cliches by being about a straightforward hunt for revenge rather than a quest for plot coupons. Arnie isn't quite up to portraying Conan's inner life, but hits people with an axe very capably. It's all very staunchly right-wing - opens with a quote from Nietzsche and continues in a similar vein - but the results are campy more than actually problematic. Bombastic score from Basil Poledouris is a major plus.
  
I have no idea why I wanted to read this book, but the curiosity bug hit me. It brought back some memories for me watching my own sister deal with heroin issues, addiction issues because of wanting to numb herself. Surprisingly, I was not disturbed reading the accounts of Nikki Sixx's journey through addiction, maybe because I lived this life, not as a rock star who gets everything he wants. More as, the by stander watching someone she loves go through the pits of hell so they can hide from the core of what is destroying them. I feel a sense of awe and respect for the man who has much strength to keep himself away from his vices and focus it on his zeal for his family and projects he creates.
  
White Boy Rick (2018)
White Boy Rick (2018)
2018 | Crime, Drama
I pushed some major weight tonight, when I got up out of my recliner to go see White Boy Rick. I ain't no snitch, but let me tell you, this movie is dope. One thing that is great about this movie is it's not so much about the drugs and that life, I mean it's a big part of the storyline, but rather it focuses on something even more influential and valuable on the streets; family. Now, this can't be found at your local mom and pop video store, you're gonna have to get your fix at your local cinema house. Like a teenager at a skating rink I gotta roll, and if someone asks who said this was a good movie, you can tell 'em White Boy Russ told ya so.