Advantages: Does open up some great points and questions.
Disadvantages: Very dry and mechanical reading. Absolutely no depth.

...years after he first moved out to play baseball a 21-year-old cocktail waitress called Ada Carter was raped and murdered. Five years went by and the case still wasn’t resolved. For reasons that according to the book I found were never clear, the police suspected Ron and an acquaintance of his Dennis Fritz. Finally the two were arrested in 1987 and charged with capital one murder. The book then focuses on the lack of physical evidence, and how the convictions were built on testimonies from other prisoners that had no foundations. Dennis Fritz was subsequently sent to jail for life, but Ron Williamson was sentenced to death row! We then find out about the eventual release of Ron Williamson, finally able to prove his innocence after spending 12 years on Death row. DNA evidence finally came to his rescue. Grisham presents the story... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: yummy, healthy, and guilt relieving.
Disadvantages: expensive, HIGHLY addictive

...I suppose I really ought to explain the title to this one. I live in halls, and while I was away some random man followed someone in, broke into my fridge compartment and stole my Innocent Smoothie. I got a phone call from a friend who told me about this heinous crime. A few days later I was asked "has anyone caught that strange man who stole your innocence?" Needless to say I was crying with laughter. Anyway, on with the review! Some Background Innocent are a very special and unique kind of company. They're really just a bunch of lads who quit their jobs because they wanted to do a good thing. According to the plentiful and hilarious information on their website, they bought £500 of fruit and made Smoothie out of it. They then sold it at a music festival with a sign saying "Do you think we should give up our... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A classic
Disadvantages: a few slightly weaker tracks

...In my opinion this is Billy Joel's best album. 'An Innocent Man' is Billy Joel's tribute to a genre of music that he constantly speaks of with affection; the doo-wop and soul music of his youth in New York City. It has a big 50's feel to it with fresh sounds. The album starts off with 'Easy Money', a nice rock track which was also the title song to the 1983 movie starring Rodney Dangerfield. 'An Innocent Man' and 'The Longest Time' are 'old skool' R&B. 'This Night' is a ballad that is beautifully constructed. 'Tell Her About It' and 'Uptown Girl' were both hits that are played at clubs throughout the land and are great party tracks. 'Careless Talk' is funky and upbeat. "Christie Lee" is a piano/saxophone/drums combo which has great lyrics but is still possibly the weakest track on the album. 'Leave a Tender... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Compelling viewing
Disadvantages: The trauma of Selleck

...You know sometimes when things don't work quite right in your head? I was kind of like that about An Innocent Man; imagine the scene " A gritty prison revenge drama starring TOM SELLECK." Do you see where I'm going? But An Innocent Man works primarily because Tom Selleck is the last person you would expect to find in this sort of movie. James Rainwood (Tom Selleck) is a top aircraft technician, when two corrupt cops pay him an accidental visit due to a confusion of address they shoot James by accident. Having realised the terrible mistake they have made they quickly frame him for a crime he did not commit. James is given an option by his attorney, plead guilty and all he will serve is 6 months in a low category jail; plead not guilty and he could face up to 12 years in a maximum security prison. Confident that he will be found... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fast paced, exciting tale which is very well thought out
Disadvantages: None if you've got the second book ready!

...decision, or should the not yet fully trained Fane attempt this? The very walls of Dorana, and the protection they give the city, are threatened. Both Gar and his new adviser, and now good and trusted friend Asher, have important decisions to be made. What should be done and what of Asher's unknown destiny? Will Dorana fall, or can the innocent mage save this land? *** The Characters *** Asher - born a fisherman with no frills and fancies, Asher says what he thinks, and has at first little respect for anyone who does not work with their hands to earn their living. His forthright manner aside, Asher has a sense of justice and good moral values. He is a rough cut diamond that needs polishing, but has value within him. I liked Asher a lot, although I was sometimes embarrassed for him. He is not always grateful, but begins as a young man... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Classic album, easily available
Disadvantages: Only 10 songs on cassette version

...Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man" was released in 1983 and we borrowed a copy. I was only 7 at the time. I eventually bought the album on cassette for myself in 1989 for the tremendous price of £3.99. Thank you, Woolworths! The album has 10 tracks on which is quite short but it was typical of an album at that time. The range of styles is quite mixed, despite Billy writing all the words and music. Very few artistes can manage that! All of the songs sound like the kind of music you would hear in a late-night bar, perhaps tinged with a bit of pop and jazz. SIDE ONE Track One is "Easy Money". This fast and furious song starts off with a pounding drum intro and has a funky piano backing. It's my least favourite track and I rarely listen to it. The subject matter seems to be about well, making easy money. "I'm a man who can... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: reads like a book of fiction, great but harrowing story, compelling throughout
Disadvantages: predictable ending given the true story nature, author takes liberties with the truth

...I have long been a Grisham fan and in the early days used to positively drool awaiting the next book. However, I began to lose interest after A Painted House and since The King of Torts, whilst passable, I do not think any of his books have been anything special. In fact the last 4/5 novels merge into one and I cannot remember individual story lines. You cannot say that about The Firm or A Time To Kill. It was with a little bit of uncertainty, therefore, that I recently bought his latest book, The Innocent Man. I was intrigued about him writing a non fiction book and the write up also captured my imagination. Well, I must say that I was absolutely hypnotized and read this book in one sitting. I have no idea how long it took and have no concept of time as I was captivated with the book. This is Grisham's first attempt at non... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Haunting novel which grips the reader
Disadvantages: Scary in parts, with vivid gruesome descriptions

...to the corridor from the cells to the room which contains the electric chair, which has a green floor. A new inmate is introduced to the block, called John Coffey, a seven foot black man who has been accused of raping and killing two young girls.Although the novel includes other prisoners such as the Frenchman, Coffey is the memorable character of the novel, as Paul wonders about hsi true nature, as it seems he posssesses mystical powers of healing, bringing back Mr Jingles ( the pet mouse) back to life.) Paul attempts to rescue Coffey from the fate fo the electric chair, but there is little he can do. THought: THis is a haunting novel, about an innocent man's wait for death, and how others struggle to save him. It is emotional, and therefore in this way it is a difficult read, however it is a memorable book, and one I would recommend.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great Film! Very close to the play itself.
Disadvantages: Little Publicity...

...A Man for All Seasons is a play by Robert Bolt showing the rise and fall of its main character, Sir Thomas More. Set in 16th century England, the play exposes many similarities between its era and ours. There are of course differences, with its strong theme of social hierarchy and the immense power harnessed by the reigning monarch, King Henry VIII. While there are still elements of these in Britain they are certainly far from apparent today. The social hierarchy is shown mainly through garments; the colour of the garment shows their position. Henry always wears gold and Wolsey always wears red etc. There are many strong themes in A Man for All Seasons one of the strongest being corruption. A Man for All Seasons focuses as much on the fall of Sir Thomas More as it does on the rising of Richard Rich. In the first act, scene eight... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: new music, easy listening
Disadvantages: a bit slow but interesting

...After Take That broke up in 1996 (it cant be that long sob sob ) Mark Owen the small sexy dishy one (sorry got carried away) started his own solo career with his first album Green Man. Mark had a lot to do to keep his fans from Take That, plus more. He also had to follow in the great footsteps off Robbie Williams, so all eyes were on Mark. Mark changed his appearance, longer hair, more hippy look and changed his style of music. Gone was the pop, dance music in came the more soulful, slower songs. Ones with great lyrics. There’s 11 tracks on this album. 1st Green Man 2nd Clementine 3rd Child 4th Are you with me 5th Ask him to 6th Backpocket and me 7th Move on 8th Second-hand Wonderland 9th My love 10th I am what I am 11th Is that what its all about Here are a few versus from some of my favourites; 1st Green Man... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful