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Little Ray Of Sunshine (41 KP) rated The Guardian in Books

Jan 11, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)  
TG
The Guardian
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book Review | The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks is a well known author as some of hes books have been made into films. If you don't know the author or what book have been turned into a film they are the following The Notebook, The Best Of Me, Dear John, The Longest Ride, The Last Song, Safe Haven, The Choice, The Lucky One, A Walk to Remember, Message In A Bottle and Nights in Rodanthe. All these films I have seen but I aint read the books yet. But I am a type where I always think back to the actors in the film and can't imagine my own imaginary character.

But when I saw this book on Amazon I thought why not read more of hes books because I've read A Bend in the Road I love how he grips me with twist and turns that what this book The Guardian is like. But the only differences its more of a love story with a thriller story entwined.

The story is about Julie who is widowed early into her marriage as her husband Jim had cancer and passed away. Jim left her two unexpected gifts one is a puppy Great Dane called Singer and also to tell her to find someone who she can spend her life with (her late husband's best friend Mike). Mike is a down-to-earth guy but someone else grabs her eyes called Richard hes charming he comes to her work (shes a hairdresser) but she doesn't know that hes a obsessed with her and starts stalking her and taking photos of her. But through the story Mike his there to help her remember her late husband and Singer the dog is her 'Guardian'. They also form a bond Singer and Mike and the dog only trusts him not Richard. But Julie starts getting feelings for Mike and calls off her relationship with Richard. He doesn't like this so the character gets darker and plots you will have to read the book to find out the ending.

Sorry but I don't like giving away spoilers so go and buy the copy and find out what you think.

Q. Have you read any Nicholas Sparks' books, If so which ones have you read?

P.S I have purchased another book of hes called True Believer. Can't wait to get into it after I've read Professor Green Autobiography called Lucky.
  
Dead Cold Brew (Coffeehouse Mystery, #16)
Dead Cold Brew (Coffeehouse Mystery, #16)
Cleo Coyle | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I always look forward to another adventure with Clare, Matt, Mike, and all of the gang at the Village Blend. A lot of series seem to lose steam after a while, but Cleo Coyle manages to keep the Coffeehouse mysteries feeling fresh, even at #16.

Her boyfriend Mike finally proposes, but a sniper is targeting members of the NYPD, leaving Clare in fear for her fiancé’s life. When her ex Matt’s godfather is poisoned, Clare sees a connection between the two cases that sets her and Matt on the trail of a blackmailer and jewel thief, and quite possibly a killer.

Dead Cold Brew was a fast-paced story and once I got started, I couldn’t put it down. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and even new readers should be able to pick this one up without feeling lost.
  
Angel Has Fallen (2019)
Angel Has Fallen (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, Thriller
Verdict: Franchise Hasn’t Fallen

Story: Angel Has Fallen starts when Mike banning (Butler) is the only survivor of a drone attack on President Allan Trumbull (Freeman), the rest of the team are killed and Mike has been framed for the assassination attempt. FBI agent Helen Thompson (Smith) is investigating the case, with Mike looking cut and dry to have been the man behind it, but when Mike escapes, he sets out to prove his innocence.

Mike turns to his estranged father Clay (Nolte) as he looks to discover why his old friend an private contractor Wade Jennings (Huston) has set him up and how he can prove his isn’t involved despite a nationwide manhunt for him.

Thoughts on Angel Has Fallen

Characters – Mike Banning is still a senior secret service man, playing righthand to the President, he has been keeping his injuries secret, which is nice to see an action man actually suffering injuries, instead of just being fine, like most action stars. He does his duty saving the President from an attack, only to find himself framed. When the people come to finish the job on Banning, he escapes and uses all his training to allude and search for a way to prove his innocence. Allan Trumbull is now the President, stepping up from his role as the Vice in the previous two outings, he is looking to change certain ideas, though he spends most of his film in a coma after the attack, he is the only other witness who could defend Mike’s involvement too. Wade Jennings is the private military contractor and old military buddy of Mike’s, he has framed him and is using his expertly trained team to hunt him down and finish off the job. Leah is the wife of Mike’s she is trying to keep him from working now they have a child and must deal with the consequences of seeing the name dragged through the dirt. FBI Agent Helen Thompson is trying to put the pieces together, seeing Mike as the prime suspect, she just wants the case closed without anybody else being hurt. Clay Banning is the estranged father of Mike’s he has been off the grid for years because of his own trauma from his time in the war, he is the only person Mike knows he can turn too.

Performances – Gerard Butler is great in the leading role, he is always going to be a bankable star when it comes to action roles and this is no different. Morgan Freeman does everything you would expect from a President role, without needing to do much. Piper Perabo takes over from Radha Mitchell in the wife role, which doesn’t have much to do if we are being honest. Danny Huston is one of these actors that you know is always going to be a villain, he does everything we know he can do in this role. Nick Nolte is a lot of fun, bringing his trademark estranged father role to the big screen once again, he gets a few laughs in too.

Story – The story here sees Mike Banning being framed for the assassination attempt of the President, the figure that he has been guarding for years and he must go off the grid to prove who was really behind it. The story is one that is great to watch for action, but if you have seen the previous instalments of the franchise, you will be left asking a few questions. First what happened to President Benjamin Asher, we have zero mention of him, secondly, how is nobody on Mike’s side after all he has done in the past, like seriously, he pretty much saved the President against impossible odds twice. While this question could be answered with the number of pieces of evidence placed on him, it still doesn’t seem to fit the character these people have created. Away from these questions, we must say this does build on the scale of the previous film’s stories, which is good because it does feel different, which each film does do. We could easily watch this story as a single film too and the fact that we do touch on the physical injuries that Mike has suffered through his job, does show a vulnerable action character.

Action – The action is big, we might not have the large scale opening attack, but once we get into the military formations ideas, we get plenty of tactical shootings.

Settings – The film does build on the settings, with the first one being one building, the second being one city, now we have a nationwide hunt.

Special Effects – The effects, well this has been an issue for the franchise all along, but the green screen scenes are so clear to see it almost feels like they didn’t finish the job yet.


Scene of the Movie – Mike and Clay have an escape plan.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – No mention of former President Benjamin Asher, like what happened here?

Final Thoughts – This is a action sequel that does enough different to make it feel fresh even if certain parts of the story feels too farfetched, it does continue to have a 24 vibe to everything, but it is well for a watch if you have seen the franchise or not.

Overall: Trilogy that hasn’t Fallen.
  
MO
Murder Off Mike
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Shauna J. Bogart, Sacramento talk show host, is devastated when her fellow talk show host Dr. Hipster is murdered. When the police rule it a suicide, she starts to investigate. This debut grabbed me from the start with the real characters and the fast paced twisty plot.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-murder-off-mike-by-joyce.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
FT
For the Love of Mike (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #3)
Rhys Bowen | 2004 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Searching for missing woman and working undercover in the sweat shops of 1901 New York is enough to keep Molly very busy. Can she find the woman while also forming an early union? The historical detail, characters, and plot all come together for a great book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-for-love-of-mike-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Andy K (10823 KP) created a post in Dear Smashbomb....

Sep 8, 2018  
Important question of the day. I have always been fortunate to have hair. I recently had a birthday. I'm now 47. The front of my hair has started to do that receding thing. I'm depressed about it.

The question is: do I keep leaving it alone assuming it will continue to look mike 50s Bill Murray hair or do I go full on Bruce Willis and get rid of it all?
  
Show all 20 comments.
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Andy K (10823 KP) Sep 19, 2018

Thanks for all the great posts. Really appreciate it!

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Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) Sep 19, 2018

Anytime!

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Ross (3284 KP) rated Better Call Saul in TV

Oct 31, 2018  
Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul
2015 | Crime, Drama
Quite simply, better than Breaking Bad. With a slightly different mix between the underground criminal life and real life (here Jimmy MacGill's life as a respectable but morally dubious lawyer, rather than Walter White's family life), the tension is there and we watch as these characters (mainly "Saul" and Mike) start to move from respectable to the lovable rogue/terrifying gnome we have come to love from BB.
  
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Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies

Jul 15, 2019  
Hellboy (2019)
Hellboy (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Nothing (0 more)
The Storyline The Dialogue The Special Effects (0 more)
A horrific reboot
A rushed story..no character development and an ending that was about as exciting as watching paint dry,whoever authorised this reboot should never be allowed to work in the movie industry again.

Hellboy will always be Ron Perlman with Guillermo del Toro directing the way.How hellboy creator Mike Mignola gave the ok to this reboot is beyond comprehension.
  
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Peter Cowie recommended Häxan (1922) in Movies (curated)

 
Häxan (1922)
Häxan (1922)
1922 | Documentary, Fantasy, Horror

"Scandinavian cinema has, I admit, obsessed me for most of my career as a critic. But all credit to Criterion for giving this bizarre and seductive silent film from 1922 the same loving attention as they would a new release by Richard Linklater or Mike Leigh. For extra value, the DVD includes an abridged version of the movie issued in 1968, with a sly offscreen narration by William S. Burroughs."

Source
  
Beavis and Butt- head Do the universe (2022)
Beavis and Butt- head Do the universe (2022)
2022 | Comedy
7
6.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Beavis (1 more)
Butt - Head
They are back its been along time since the last time Beavis and Butt - Head were on the tv but thanks to paramount plus they are back with a vengeance this time as astronauts. Anyway it's not perfect by any means decent plot brining them into the 21st century Mike judge is back as the voices of beavis and butt - head which is only right overall decent comedy