Advantages: You will laugh loads
Disadvantages: A bit of a one trick pony

...As I sit down to write my op on this book, I am starting wonder how easy it will actually be since this book is kind of a one trick pony, but I will give it a go! To start with, this is one of the funniest books I have ever read. When I started out I really didn’t think that it would be, but as they say, “Never judge a book by it’s cover”. A very good saying that, especially since this is an op about a book. Some people may already know what this book is about, especially if they watched the BBC2 program of the same name. However, if you are naive of the comic genius that is Dave Gorman, I better explain. The title is a big clue as to what this book is about - “Are you Dave Gorman?” Basically two flatmates – Danny Wallace and Dave Gorman (joint authors of said book) travel up and down the country (and other countries in fact... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Funny
Disadvantages: Feel like the joke has been done before

...’re also not allowed to use quotation marks). I bet you’re thinking “that sounds like an innocent diversion”, and you are probably right, unless your name is Dave Gorman. Dave thinks that he has grown up since his last adventure; he is now 31, and he has now ended his flat-share with Danny, and all that is left is a bottle of Tequila with a note on it reading “For Emergencies Only”. Dave decides to prove his new “grown-up” status by growing a beard and getting a deal to write a novel. One day whilst sitting at his computer trying to start the novel (he had got as far as writing “chapter one”), Dave receives an e-mail saying “you are a Googlewhack”. After much deliberation down the pub as to what a “Googlewhack” was, Dave decides to reply to the e-mail; to find that his website (Davegorman.com) contained a Googlewhack (Francophile... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A look in to the lives of disabled people
Disadvantages: a few slow moving parts

...It’s hard to describe a movie that leaves you feeling sad and happy at the same time. “I AM SAM” did just that to me. SEAN PENN, plays Sam Dawson, a developementally disabled person. (Referred to in the movie as retarded). Sam lives alone in his own apartment, , has a job busing tables at Starbuck’s, and has many friends. Most of whom are either mentally or physically disabled. Because he is a kind and gentle person, Sam befriended a homeless woman and together they made a baby. When this baby is born, the mother flees, leaving Sam to raise this girl, Lucy, (Dakota Fanning) alone. Sam has got the IQ of a 7 year old. He can read at this level and his greatest joy is reading “GREEN EGGS AND HAM” to his daughter. When Lucy turns 7, their problems seem to escalate. Teachers call Sam to school and tell him in so many words... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Storyline is gripping
Disadvantages: none yet

...So here we have it, the final book in the trilogy about a Man Named Dave, called IT by his ‘mother’ who abused him in the most appalling way I have ever read about. Tissues are a necessity to read the final chapter of Dave’s life….. From the early stages of childhood, Dave was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother, a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games with her son's life; games his father chose to ignore and which the outside world knew nothing about A Man Named Dave is an inspiring story of terror, recovery and hope and in a dramatic reunion he confronts his father and ultimately the mother who so brutally abused him. A man Named Dave is truly a triumphant story of a young man struggling to accept his life for what it is and his struggle to move... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Funny, warped, compelling
Disadvantages: Should have gone for 108 Daves

...Are YOU Dave Gorman? If so, chances are you've heard of this book, in fact you may be in it. For the rest of you it may need some explaining. Stand-up comedian, Dave Gorman and his flat-mate, journalist Danny Wallace are the authors. It's their story of trying to find 54 other people called Dave Gorman. Now, why would someone want to find one person with their own name let alone 54? Three reasons: male stupidity, a bet and, most importantly, tequila. During a late night session in their local, Dave and Danny have an argument over the fact that there must be loads of other people with the name Dave Gorman. The words, "wanna bet," are uttered and they wake to find themselves on a train to Scotland. Dave had heard of a namesake who was assistant manager at East Fife FC; fortunately they were at home. Following a dismal... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very Funny and probably fascinating if your name is Dave Gorman
Disadvantages: Always put on at a late time - deserves prime time slot on BBC1!

...This is what happens when you get too drunk. Let this be a warning to all of you. Like Tony Hawks who drunkenly bet that he could travel all over Ireland with a fridge, Dave Gorman is perhaps not someone who should drink. He would have saved himself and awful lot of money at the very least. But perhaps I should start at the beginning. It started like this…. While Dave Gorman was in a pub getting drunk one day he had an argument with his best mate Danny that the Assistant Manager of East Fife football team was called Dave Gorman. Danny disagreed and so they travelled to Scotland to meet him and to allow Dave Gorman to have his photograph taken with Dave Gorman. That was just the beginning. Danny (best mate and handy cameraman) bet Dave that he couldn’t find 54 Dave Gormans, one for every card in a pack (including... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Funny heartwarming film
Disadvantages: sad society we live in

...I Am Sam is a film about a father with the mental age of a 7 year old. Sam (Sean Penn) works serving coffee at Starbucks, and has befriended and given a home to a homeless girl. When she falls pregnant Sam is over the moon, but when the girl gives birth to the child, the mother flees as they are leaving the hospital, all she wanted was a place to stay. Sam is a big Beatles fan and names the baby Lucy Diamond (Dakota Fanning). He arrives home with Lucy Diamond, his neighbour Annie (Diane West), who has became a recluse due to her own issues, helps Sam with Lucy. She shows him how to cope with a baby and advises Sam on what Lucy needs to be cared for correctly. Sam loves life and always sees the best in people, he has a group of friends, who in the film are referred to as retarded, they believe strongly in helping each other... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Soooo Funny!
Disadvantages: None!

...Are You Dave Gorman?, by Dave Gorman and Danny Wallace, isn't your usual travel account. It is a challenge. A bet made between two people who are both so mature that either will go to extreme lengths to prove the other wrong. Infact - thats not true. Dave will go to any length to prove Danny wrong and Danny will go to any lengths to get out of the bet which is ruining his life. The most concerning part of this story is that its true. This book starts with Dave and Danny both very drunk. Its just a matter of time before a bet of some form emerges... A yes - and here it comes... Dave comments that there must be lots of other people in the world with the name "Dave Gorman". Danny disagrees. Normally this would be a mild issue but in their enebriated state its a matter of great discussion which ends up sparking off an epic quest... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: helps reassure child
Disadvantages: ?

...Sam starts School. I expect a lot of parents will be facing the first days of their child’s school life in September it is an anxious time for all. I know Adrian at only 20 months is a long way from this experience but when the book club arrived at work there was a set of life experience books for children I bought this set primarily for the new house book as hopefully my daughter will be moving house soon. But I thought I would write about this book first. Sam starts school is A Brimax book written by Barbara Taylor Cook illustrated by Nicola Smee. It is about Sam and his first day at school starts by introducing Sam. He is in bed cuddling his Panda (my daughter if she had been a boy was going to be called Sam and she had a Panda that never left her side) The story begins “Mother has put out his new clothes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Kids love it
Disadvantages: None

...Fireman Sam is a very popular children's character. This DVD was bought for my 3 year old who has taken a liking to him and especially Jupiter, the fire engine. The front cover of the DVD has a picture of Jupiter with Sam, Elvis and the Station Officer inside and above this is the title, there is also a small picture of the mountain rescue helicopter in the background. The back cover of the case is a nice bright yellow colour on the middle with the names of the 6 episodes and a bit about Fireman Sam. Around the edge of the back cover is a bright red border. THE DVD There are a total of 5 episodes on the DVD. 1 - Danger: Falling Sheep. This episode starts with the Fire Chief talking to the crew and telling them that they are all going to have to be extra alert as it is the school holidays and Norman is bound to get... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful