Advantages: Fascinating glimpse into a moment in time, a first hand account
Disadvantages: Story about the war...or about U2?

..."A Dante's Inferno" for the MTV generation" - Bono's verdict on Bill Carter's "Fools Rush In". Not much of a recommendation for me; sounds like a load of pompous rubbish. For years my opinion of Bono has swayed from 'short-arsed rock singer' to 'head up his own arse rock singer' but for one positive interlude somewhere in the middle. This respite (for which Bono no doubt thanks me profusely!) is the subject of "Fools Rush In". When American Bill Carter found himself needing some excitement he managed to get himself a place on one of the volunteer aid convoys taking food and medical relief into the besieged town of Sarajevo during the bitter war in the former Yugoslavia. He knew little about the reasons behind the war but he realised that it didn't matter; people were suffering and he risked his own life to help others. Since... Read review

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Advantages: engaging, thoughtful memoirs
Disadvantages: quite long with unneeded detail

...with and former Presidents in some aspects. If you’re a Republican, you will enjoy knowing, for example, about the 7-page letter Richard Nixon sent Bill just over a month before he died, which was seriously regarded by Bill. I observed above that his book has too much detail sometimes as Clinton tries to acknowledge all the people who have made a difference in his life and goes into drawn-out discussions of political concerns, but I didn’t skim too terribly much. I realize that My Life isn’t a book of an ordinary person, but one that will be studied for generations or centuries to come. He certainly wishes us to know how and why he’s marked history as he has and to be an example of compassionate leadership. I think he’ll be even more helpful to our next Democratic President than Jimmy Carter has been to him, and even to a wise Republican President... Read review

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Advantages: Extrodinary plot; original concept
Disadvantages: I wouldn't agree with all of the chracters actions

...Ouch! As all men reading around the country, cross their legs and wince at the thought! Those of a nervous disposition would be well advised not to read Angela Carter’s The Passion of New Eve. But then again…you should! By now, you must know what a surreal taste in literature I have. Generally, the more surreal, the better. This novel didn’t disappoint me and gave a good balance between fantasy and reality with a number of themes that crop up. British born Evelyn arrives in New York amidst an America that is on the brink of civil war. He sees first hand, a barricade being built around Harlem, rats infesting the city, murders, muggings and the violence from vigil-anti groups like the “angry women”: feminism at its ugliest. He is then enchanted by Leilah, a prostitute, who he misogynistically... Read review

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Advantages: decent acting, nice style
Disadvantages: a few holes, directors style over substance

...With a meagre $14 million take at the US box office Get Carter was considered a flop and not even a film worthy of screening for critics. Of course it was also a nail in the coffin of Sly Stallones career. With this failure a swift R1 dvd release means that I git the chance to see the film before it comes stright to video on these shores in the next few months. I had read no good reviews of the film and so wasn't expecting much although i had liked the trailers I saw whilst in the states this summer. Let me say it isn't nowhere as bad as you may have read and it isn't Stallones fault. The film follows Jack Carter, a loan shark enforcer who comes back to Seattle after the death of his estranged brother. Left behind are his brothers daughter and wife and some questions about how his brother died. Jack takes it on himself... Read review

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Advantages: Samuel L Jackson, Feel good movie, uplifting
Disadvantages: bits can feel manufactured, clichéd

...The Movie The real life coach (Ken) Carter made the news in 1999 for closing the Gym and banning any basketball activities because several of the students in his team were not doing well in the classroom. The reason he took drastic action was because all the students on the team signed contracts that they would meet a minimum criteria which encompassed all of their education, not just the basketball side of it. Six years later in 2005 Samuel L Jackson steps into Carter's shoes for the movie where he transforms an unfit, uneducated, uncaring bunch of delinquent kids who won 4 basketball games the previous season into winners. Not only winners in terms of them being undefeated within their chosen sport, but also winners in that he instilled pride into what was until recently a mob of unruly kids. Of course the kids initially... Read review

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Advantages: A warm, touching story with adrenalin fuelled scenes that keep you watching !!
Disadvantages: You can kind of guess the storyline but its still just as great!!

...I first decided to watch this film as I knew it had Samuel L Jackson in it. I'm not a big sports fan so didn't particularly think it would interest me. However I soon realised that it wasn't really all about basketball but the underlying problems of todays youth and found the messages it sends to be heart warming and I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Ok, so what's it about ? The film is inspired by a true story about a man called Ken Carter (Samuel L jackson). He is offered a job as head coach of a struggling basketball team at his former school in Richmond. His job description is not as easy as it looks. As well as transforming a bunch of unruly teens from slacking players to state champions he also has to encourage them to improve their neglected studies and become head of class. As expected this does not go down well... Read review

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Advantages: unique - I don'tlike sports films but loved this one
Disadvantages: very easy to follow story line but

...I was not really interested in watching this film as would not normally appeal to me, however, was I bowled over or what. Completely different to any other sports film I have seen and with a great story line. The story is about an ex basketball player who is asked to go back and coach his old school team (yes I can hear you groan, see it, been done before). However he has very strict and you could say, old fashioned, ideas of how to do this. The story starts with the ususal good basketball team, appear to the the jocks with very little accemdemic achievements and not likely to achieve. Also the basketball team are portrayed as being from a poor background and being very street wise. Coach Carter arrives on the scene and lays down his ground rules of ' my way; or the high way. typuically you have the student... Read review

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Advantages: A Colourful, vibrant, rich novel
Disadvantages: the author's lack of moral conduct

...Angela Carter's Wise Children is the life story of show businesses Chance Sisters. Dora Chance, twin sister of Nora, narrates throughout the story. She tells their colourful life tale upon the commencement of the twin's seventy- fifth birthdays. The story is set mainly in England. The twins spend a great deal of their lives based at their childhood home in Brixton, South London. I think Angela Chance has chosen this setting to exaggerate and highlight the twin's illegitimacy. The North and South divide of social London were very clear at the time of the books setting. The "Right side of the tracks is the North and the wrong side, the South. There is to be no overlapping of borders, as the sides are very definitely separated by the river. At the time of the twin's births, there was a huge stigma attached to being illegitimate... Read review

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Advantages: Some fun, catchy tracks, he co-wrote some of the tracks
Disadvantages: Some tracks are a bit weak and unmemorable

...*Please note:-* I'm not sure that I can really think of much to say for this album compared to the group albums but I wanted to give it a shot and I may edit this review later, if I think of more to add but for now, here's what I've come up with:- - Introduction/Background Information - Now or Never is Nick Carters debut solo album. This was released in 2002, when many fans of the Backstreet Boys worried about what the future of the group may hold, with Nick going solo and the group postponing working on their next album, so there were those that were opposed to his album simply from the point of view that it might lead to them not releasing any more group material. Now or Never features a pop/rock sound, with some faster and some slower tracks. Nick made music videos to three tracks from this album, which are Help Me, Do I... Read review

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Advantages: Traditional rides dating back to the 1920's have been lovingly restored to their former glory .
Disadvantages: Too expensive, hired local staff rude and unhelpful, no toilets, food not that appetising.

...to the 1950’s/ 1960’s style music which alters from stall to ride. *****Locating Carters ***** Carters Steam Fair travels around London and surrounding counties starting in April through to October each year. To find out where they are next please call the recorded information line on: 01628-822221. Just before Carters arrive in town, they display many bill boards in the area. Look out for the bright yellow signs with the Carter name and venue details,often situated near traffic lights and on park fences. ***** Opening times **** I am not sure if they vary from area to area but the Middlesex shows are open from 1 pm to 10 pm at weekends. On the Saturday there is a firework display lasting no more than 7 minutes. It’s a ploy to keep the customers there and spend more money and not worth staying out late for... Read review

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