I bought this book in Hixon, TN while in the area visiting relatives. One of my relatives really liked the book and recommended it as they know that I like reading “real” ghost stories. This one was good but, despite having been written by a journalist, it was just maybe a bit dramatized for my taste. It really failed to hold my interest.

I started watching this show this season (second season) while my parents were here because they watch it. Out of curiousity, I rented the first season. What an excellent show. Loved the running build up for the final two episodes through the season. Also, while my heart broke, I loved the last episode. It was so unepected that they would do what they did and so perfect. I now can’t wait for the next season to come out on DVD so that I can see all of the episode then. A definite bonus to watch them in order.

The special features, while some of them dragged (do we really need to know about the shows opening play by play) were fascinating – especially with the psychics. Just a good show and worth the time to watch.

We rented this for the four year old – she loves superheroes – and watched it as a family. It was a surprisingly good movie and while we weren’t over the moon, all of us (mommy, daddy and 4 year old) enjoyed the viewing. Mommy and Daddy especially liked the “All American Boy (you can call him “Mr. Boy.”) character acted by Dave Foley of “Kids in the Hall.” Equally amusing was fellow fomer castmate, Kevin McDonald, who played the science teacher. Not a lot of meat but it was uncomplicated, amusing and acted well. Well worth a view if you have to watch a movie in a company of mixed ages.

The first two deleted scenes would have added so much to this movie. It had a good premise but the story and the way it was executed was horrific. I recall laughing once but most of the movie, for me, was a joke gone too far. The gay bully, the nipple thing (the first time it was mentioned, by Jon Lovitz, I laughed – all after were just too much). I especially didn’t like – and this may either be a reflection of my age which I’m sure is above the 12-14 year old target audience and where I live – was the scene in which Reggie Jackson has them practice their swing by hitting mailboxes. It wasn’t funny and there really had to be a better way. The unfortunate thing is that this was a movie with a cast that if it had been fleshed out and a better story written, could have really made this a good movie. Totally not worth the time it took to watch.

I am a huge Kasey Michaels fan so maybe my review isn’t to be trusted. This is yet another book in the Maggie Kelly series – Maggie Kelly is a mystery author with a successful series whose main characters – a Regency gentleman detective and his sidekick – have decided to exit her head and live in the real world. This is a series to start with the first book.

This particular book has a number of developments including a better storyline than has been in previous books in the series and character development in a big way. Definitely an excellent read.

I’d been to the stage version of this play and, I suppose, didn’t remember how tense some of the themes were. This is a very moving film about overcoming adversity and being there for family in a time of need. Several tearjerking moments designed as such for a live audience that just ripped me apart. Love Madea. And for all the heartbreak and tears and rising from the flames, the tenderness and laughter remained. Joe’s farting scene with the young man waiting for his date. OHMYGOSH too funny. Cicely Tyson’s motivating speech on the steps of the cabin owned by former slaves – moving with a touch of triumph. Definitely a must see.

As a huge fan of the British version and the fabulous Mr. Brent played by Ricky Gervais, I was hesitant to try this retread. After all, “Coupling” – another favorite – was a huge failure in translation. After waffling for half a season, I found a night with nothing to do and gave the show a shot and instantly fell for this very differently done show. There are parralels, of course, but across the board both versions are just great shows. I listened to the commentary available in Season One and could appreciate that the Michael Scott character was able to set the tone for the other actors on the show (SC had one seen 30 minutes of the Brit version and knew he couldn’t watch anymore lest he be a bad imitation).

One thing that really surprised me was how many of the writers on the show are also actors. I now can’t wait to see Season 2 to find out why they morphed the characters as they did. Very worth watching if you have a few hours to spare.

I have watched “Corner Gas” since its debut on CTV and simply love the show. It’s set in small town Sask and features an irreverant wit that makes it so hard not to laugh and the stories appeal across the board. Whenever my parents are here for a visit, they want to pull out the Corner Gas DVDs and watch them again and again. Makes a great way to spend the afternoon – or a great gift for almost anyone from great-grandparent to young teen. Excellent show.

I skimmed a bit of this book – not all of it – but there were parts where it was pretty clear that this was where the story was going because that’s where all stories of this nature go and there was no point in reading. Here’s the story. Rich boy falls for maid, maid dumps rich boy because of evil parents, rich boy comes back years later when maid has risen above that statud and plans to sell. The back of the book said that the employees fight to stop the sale but that’s not really happening in the book. The other employees with the exception of one doesn’t know about the sale. Reading further on in the book proved this to be the case. I suppose for someone in the mood for cheese, this could be a half decent read – okay, maybe not even then. In one scene, the main character is holding up a wall that has been cut out in an attempt to save the mansion from sale and has a casual conversation with the main male character at the end of which he holds up the wall and he goes for help. What? Not even the book for those who love the struggle and the happy sappy ending.

The mind of a crazy killer that knows he’s crazy and strives to be perfect in his killing and never caught. We cut to Lucas Davenport, a detective with the highest kill rate on his police force and who is a very successful game creator. Lucas approaches detective work like he approaches his games – methodically – and this suits the killer perfectly. They’re both playing a game and they both intend to win. In the meantime, Lucas is having some personal trouble – nothing big – one of the women (a reporter) he’s sleeping with got pregnant purposely without his knowledge. She listens in on his phone calls and uses her knowledge of him to trick tidbits that are not supposed to be in the new yet and the one victim who survived is an attraction for him.

LOVED this book. I loved the killer perspective – I thought it was very believable and loved Lucas who is tough but very generous and just a nice guy. Great read.