Thursday, January 13, 2011
My thoughts on Tom Cruise and the upcoming Jack Reacher movie
Tom freaking Cruise?! Really?! If I made master list of all the Hollywood types, I am pretty sure he would be the last name on the list to play this role. Do you remember the good ole days where Mr Cruise played tough guys in movies like Far and Away? Me neither, these days he is something more skin to Jerry maguire. Not only does his acting chops not line up with Jack Reacher's, but the physical resemblance is too far off. I know the movie gurus work around this alot nowadays, but come on! Reacher is six foot four, two hundred fifty pounds and BLONDE! I just can't see how the producers can work with this without major changes to the story arc. And to learn that our beloved creator of said Reacher-- Lee Child--approves of the casting...huh...it boggles the mind. I think I am going to get on the ole inet and see how other fans feel. I personally think this blows.
Monday, January 3, 2011
book review: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
***THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS***
I just had to add that tag line. I couldn't figure out how to review this book without giving some of it away. There is a simple reason for it when I sit down a think about it. Simple...it is a Sparks book. As I am sure most of you out there by now have either read one of his books, or at least seen a movie. Nicolas Sparks tends to follow a pretty basic outline when it comes to writing, which is a good thing since it works for him. Pretty much all of his books go something like this, girl hunts for love...boy stumbles upon girl...they fall for each other...some conflict comes between them...conflict is resolved in some life-changing miraculous way that makes the reader weepy eyed. Then again this has been a time-tested formula, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
He definitely doesn't veer too far from the standard in The Lucky One. The book closely resembles his other works like A Bend In The Road and The Guardian. From my point of view, that is lofty praise, as both of those previously mentioned books were pretty good in their own right. That is the thing with a Sparks book, even if there are flaws, usually the strength of the characters and the story prevail enough to make it an enjoyable read.
There are really a few glaring flaws in this story. The first being the main character's name...Logan Thibault. In my humble opinion, it is never a good start when the reader needs to Google the correct pronunciation of the protagonist's name. The basic premise goes a little something like this; former Marine Thibault finds a photo of a lovely girl in the sand over in Iraq. He places it on the bulletin board at the base for someone to claim. When no one does, he-- for some reason never quite fully understood-- takes it, and keeps the picture...of a perfect stranger mind you...for himself. While it seemingly brings him good fortune, his friend Victor calls it a lucky charm, those in his squad...uhhh...not some much. They pretty much are dropping like flys in the flashbacks. Course they begin to notice and stay the heck away from "Mister Lucky."
Now this is where the believability sort of comes into question. He makes it back home and then meets back up with his buddy Victor to go on a fishing trip to Minnesota. No sooner than Victor tells him he needs to go find this girl in the picture than a runaway boat cuts him in half. I'm not making this up. Then, Thibault walks across the country from Colorado to North Carolina to find the girl in the picture. Some authors would write another book out of that journey all together...i.e. Richard Paul Evans...but Sparks doesn't fill us in on those boring details..oh no. We pick up right where Thibault finds deputy Clayton taking some compromising photos of naked coeds. Because lets face it...anyone who lives in the South knows that we go skinny dipping down here as often as possible...That couldn't be just made up in Hollywood back lots now could it? As fate would have it, Clayton is the girl in the picture's ex...he is also part of the rich family who runs the town...and a first rate jerk. The girl in the photo turns out to be Elizabeth. She has a little boy named Zach and of course he takes a liking to Thibault. well Thibault gets a job working at Beth's house helping her grandma at a dog shelter...convenient, since he has a dog named Zeus with him all the time. As the story progresses Logan and Beth fall head over heels for each other...much to the chagrin of Clayton. Clayton follows around the couple spying on them throughout the book. Thibault was a highly skilled combat Marine and seems to notice every little detail about everything, but yet never notices the cop tailing them. Also, I find it a little weird That in the book Clayton and Beth still continue to go to the same church. We find this out because Thibault apparently can do a little of everything including play the piano. I'm not kidding he plays the piano at the church with the ex husband...jealous ex-husband I might add...sitting right there in the front with his family. Why didn't he get up and leave? Beth mentions in the story that Logan playing piano would be gossip talked about for years. Yet where I come, from even in church a divorced couple sharing custody of a child in the same congregation might be grapevine material as well.
In the end Clayton exposes Thibault has been looking for Beth all along, and if fact she is the reason he trekked across the country on foot. The problem is he is right Logan is a complete stalker...hello people. I know he is handsome and all but really. Sparks also does something that is a big no no for most writers starting out. He conveniently gets rid of the inconvenient character...in the form of drowning Clayton.
Yeah, I know, found a bunch of flaws with this book. Guess what? I still loved it. Like most Sparks novels even if you know whats coming, or don't believe what is going on so far...the books are still good reads. It is hard to put them down.
4 stars
I just had to add that tag line. I couldn't figure out how to review this book without giving some of it away. There is a simple reason for it when I sit down a think about it. Simple...it is a Sparks book. As I am sure most of you out there by now have either read one of his books, or at least seen a movie. Nicolas Sparks tends to follow a pretty basic outline when it comes to writing, which is a good thing since it works for him. Pretty much all of his books go something like this, girl hunts for love...boy stumbles upon girl...they fall for each other...some conflict comes between them...conflict is resolved in some life-changing miraculous way that makes the reader weepy eyed. Then again this has been a time-tested formula, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
He definitely doesn't veer too far from the standard in The Lucky One. The book closely resembles his other works like A Bend In The Road and The Guardian. From my point of view, that is lofty praise, as both of those previously mentioned books were pretty good in their own right. That is the thing with a Sparks book, even if there are flaws, usually the strength of the characters and the story prevail enough to make it an enjoyable read.
There are really a few glaring flaws in this story. The first being the main character's name...Logan Thibault. In my humble opinion, it is never a good start when the reader needs to Google the correct pronunciation of the protagonist's name. The basic premise goes a little something like this; former Marine Thibault finds a photo of a lovely girl in the sand over in Iraq. He places it on the bulletin board at the base for someone to claim. When no one does, he-- for some reason never quite fully understood-- takes it, and keeps the picture...of a perfect stranger mind you...for himself. While it seemingly brings him good fortune, his friend Victor calls it a lucky charm, those in his squad...uhhh...not some much. They pretty much are dropping like flys in the flashbacks. Course they begin to notice and stay the heck away from "Mister Lucky."
Now this is where the believability sort of comes into question. He makes it back home and then meets back up with his buddy Victor to go on a fishing trip to Minnesota. No sooner than Victor tells him he needs to go find this girl in the picture than a runaway boat cuts him in half. I'm not making this up. Then, Thibault walks across the country from Colorado to North Carolina to find the girl in the picture. Some authors would write another book out of that journey all together...i.e. Richard Paul Evans...but Sparks doesn't fill us in on those boring details..oh no. We pick up right where Thibault finds deputy Clayton taking some compromising photos of naked coeds. Because lets face it...anyone who lives in the South knows that we go skinny dipping down here as often as possible...That couldn't be just made up in Hollywood back lots now could it? As fate would have it, Clayton is the girl in the picture's ex...he is also part of the rich family who runs the town...and a first rate jerk. The girl in the photo turns out to be Elizabeth. She has a little boy named Zach and of course he takes a liking to Thibault. well Thibault gets a job working at Beth's house helping her grandma at a dog shelter...convenient, since he has a dog named Zeus with him all the time. As the story progresses Logan and Beth fall head over heels for each other...much to the chagrin of Clayton. Clayton follows around the couple spying on them throughout the book. Thibault was a highly skilled combat Marine and seems to notice every little detail about everything, but yet never notices the cop tailing them. Also, I find it a little weird That in the book Clayton and Beth still continue to go to the same church. We find this out because Thibault apparently can do a little of everything including play the piano. I'm not kidding he plays the piano at the church with the ex husband...jealous ex-husband I might add...sitting right there in the front with his family. Why didn't he get up and leave? Beth mentions in the story that Logan playing piano would be gossip talked about for years. Yet where I come, from even in church a divorced couple sharing custody of a child in the same congregation might be grapevine material as well.
In the end Clayton exposes Thibault has been looking for Beth all along, and if fact she is the reason he trekked across the country on foot. The problem is he is right Logan is a complete stalker...hello people. I know he is handsome and all but really. Sparks also does something that is a big no no for most writers starting out. He conveniently gets rid of the inconvenient character...in the form of drowning Clayton.
Yeah, I know, found a bunch of flaws with this book. Guess what? I still loved it. Like most Sparks novels even if you know whats coming, or don't believe what is going on so far...the books are still good reads. It is hard to put them down.
4 stars
Monday, December 27, 2010
book review: Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge Dekker fan. His work in Christian fiction has been ground-breaking to say the least. But in the last few years I have noticed a shift in Ted that seems to border on self-importance. From his web-site, to his yearly gathering, to his physical appearance in photos, it seems to me like he has become somewhat of a literary rock star. Also, the last two books I have read...BURN and BONE MAN'S DAUGHTERS have been pretty disappointing.
However, with that being said, I still look forward to reading a new Dekker novel as soon as they come out. I think that is one of the hallmarks of a good author...the anticipation of the book before you read it. Ted has redeemed himself, at least in this readers eyes, with IMMANUEL"S VEINS or IV has members of Ted discussion form "The Circle" call it. It is really good book from start to finish.
Let me start off with the bad. There are few complaints that come to mind after reading the book. My biggest is the time in which the setting takes place. I'm not talking about the time period either. I mean from the start of the story to the end doesn't cover but a few days real time. this is not really a bad thing in itself, because once you read the book and get a feel for what is going on, it obviously doesn't need to be drawn out, but...this leads to the major flaw with the love story. Basically it isn't fleshed -out enough. There just aren't enough pages in the book to do it properly and move the plot along and the pace which makes the book so great. The two main characters just don't have enough time together to make the star-crossed lover thing all that believable. The only other gripe I have with the book is a minor one. Sofia, one of the supporting characters isn't given nearly enough story. Thea reader has no idea at the end why she did the things she did. Trust me when you finish, that will be on your mind. Knowing Ted though he may come back to this character in a future story.
Now, I move on to the good. The setting of the story is a step in a different direction for Ted. It works. The book makes the 18th century come alive in the readers mind. Also, true to form Ted throws in just enough morsels of his works in the circle trilogy to tie this book to that series. If you haven't read any of that series, do it now. Not only will you understand some of the back story for IV, but you will be thoroughly entertained. the ending of the book is very heart felt. It has redemptive quality that the reader will want to soak up.
Overall, this is one of Dekkers best works. I strongly suggest to anyone to pick it up for a good read. It will be in my library for years to come, as i am sure to reread it. Hopefully there will be a sequel to answer some of the questions left with the ending. Knowing Ted it is already in the works.
However, with that being said, I still look forward to reading a new Dekker novel as soon as they come out. I think that is one of the hallmarks of a good author...the anticipation of the book before you read it. Ted has redeemed himself, at least in this readers eyes, with IMMANUEL"S VEINS or IV has members of Ted discussion form "The Circle" call it. It is really good book from start to finish.
Let me start off with the bad. There are few complaints that come to mind after reading the book. My biggest is the time in which the setting takes place. I'm not talking about the time period either. I mean from the start of the story to the end doesn't cover but a few days real time. this is not really a bad thing in itself, because once you read the book and get a feel for what is going on, it obviously doesn't need to be drawn out, but...this leads to the major flaw with the love story. Basically it isn't fleshed -out enough. There just aren't enough pages in the book to do it properly and move the plot along and the pace which makes the book so great. The two main characters just don't have enough time together to make the star-crossed lover thing all that believable. The only other gripe I have with the book is a minor one. Sofia, one of the supporting characters isn't given nearly enough story. Thea reader has no idea at the end why she did the things she did. Trust me when you finish, that will be on your mind. Knowing Ted though he may come back to this character in a future story.
Now, I move on to the good. The setting of the story is a step in a different direction for Ted. It works. The book makes the 18th century come alive in the readers mind. Also, true to form Ted throws in just enough morsels of his works in the circle trilogy to tie this book to that series. If you haven't read any of that series, do it now. Not only will you understand some of the back story for IV, but you will be thoroughly entertained. the ending of the book is very heart felt. It has redemptive quality that the reader will want to soak up.
Overall, this is one of Dekkers best works. I strongly suggest to anyone to pick it up for a good read. It will be in my library for years to come, as i am sure to reread it. Hopefully there will be a sequel to answer some of the questions left with the ending. Knowing Ted it is already in the works.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
book review: Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer
In Broken Angel, Sigmund Brouwer has crossed the genres from Sci-Fi to Religious fiction to Thriller and back again. What makes this novel special is that he does it so flawlessly. The story is set somewhere in a non-descript future, in a new world. A world divided between over the top, extreme, religious zealots and the outsiders they try to keep out of their new country known as Appalachia. Not only do they try to keep the outsiders out, but they also want to keep the citizens of Appalachia in....and under their control.
This brings us to Caitlyn. Caitlyn is not your normal girl. But then again, this ain't your father's America. Caitlyn is being pursued by not only the outsiders, but also the leaders of Appalachia, who will stop at nothing to gain control of what she possesses. Just what that is, and why she must not fall into their hands dead or alive, as her father told her, is shrouded in secrecy. Secrets that Caitlyn's father, Jordan, can’t bring himself to tell her. Not what happened before she was born, or why she is the way she is. He says he just wants to save her life, and to give her a chance to live on the Outside and be free. Can she believe him? She has discovered that might not be the case. So she sets out on a journey against time and man. It is a race of life and death, and Caitlyn is all alone...or is she? Can she make it safely back Outside before the self-righteous leader of Appalachia has her in his grip?
This book is very well written. The characters really make you want to learn more about them, and their back story, what makes them tick so to speak. When it comes right down to it, that is the meat and bones of any good book. That is exactly what Broken Angel is..a really good book. It sort of takes a few pages to get into the flow, but after that it is a roller coaster ride. The story moves at break-neck speed, motivating along to its thrilling conclusion. Which, by the way, I found to be somewhat heart-wrenching..me being a father and all.
The only other books of Brouwer's that I have read before this one were, Out of the Shadows and The Last Disciple. Both of those were very enjoyable reads in their own right, but they were also very different kinds of books than this. Broken Angel is the first book in this saga. And I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
This brings us to Caitlyn. Caitlyn is not your normal girl. But then again, this ain't your father's America. Caitlyn is being pursued by not only the outsiders, but also the leaders of Appalachia, who will stop at nothing to gain control of what she possesses. Just what that is, and why she must not fall into their hands dead or alive, as her father told her, is shrouded in secrecy. Secrets that Caitlyn's father, Jordan, can’t bring himself to tell her. Not what happened before she was born, or why she is the way she is. He says he just wants to save her life, and to give her a chance to live on the Outside and be free. Can she believe him? She has discovered that might not be the case. So she sets out on a journey against time and man. It is a race of life and death, and Caitlyn is all alone...or is she? Can she make it safely back Outside before the self-righteous leader of Appalachia has her in his grip?
This book is very well written. The characters really make you want to learn more about them, and their back story, what makes them tick so to speak. When it comes right down to it, that is the meat and bones of any good book. That is exactly what Broken Angel is..a really good book. It sort of takes a few pages to get into the flow, but after that it is a roller coaster ride. The story moves at break-neck speed, motivating along to its thrilling conclusion. Which, by the way, I found to be somewhat heart-wrenching..me being a father and all.
The only other books of Brouwer's that I have read before this one were, Out of the Shadows and The Last Disciple. Both of those were very enjoyable reads in their own right, but they were also very different kinds of books than this. Broken Angel is the first book in this saga. And I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
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