Aha! Monday Blurbs!

Sometimes I'm so smart I scare myself. *grins* I figured out what to post on Mondays! Blurbs of what I watched over the weekend {with an especial look at whatever my family and I watched on Masterpiece Theater Sunday evening of course *winks*}. So, what did I watch this weekend?

On Saturday I watched Little Women {1994} starring Winona Rider as Jo and Christian Bale as Laurie. This particular version of the classic book by Lousia May Alcott sticks fairly close to the story in some scenes, such as Amy's near death experience falling through the ice, Meg's trial at Vanity Fair, and such. However, it does take a certain amount of liberties concerning the dialoge and sequence of scenes {Jo didn't learn that Aunt March was taking Amy with her to Europe until she was already in New York, not before} and there are several Hollywood kisses {a.k.a. long and unwanted} but I still rather enjoy it every time I watch it. *grins*

In the evening after the NASCAR Nationwide race {which was very exciting in that Steven Wallace, one of the young hotheads in my opinion but son of legendary Rusty Wallace, kept crashing everyone; Kyle Bush won}, my siblings and I watched TRON: Legacy {2010} starring Jeff Bridges as Kevon Flynn and Clu {the obvious bad guy} and some guy named Garret Hedlund as Sam Flynn. So, while my siblings and I have yet to see the ground-breaking predesecer, this movie was deemed "interesting" by all of us. My brothers liked it because it was similar to the video games they enjoy playing; my sister liked all the action scenes, and I liked Sam Flynn. *grins and winks* However, none of us liked the ridiculous costumes at all; they just look so uncomfortable and stupid, even for a video game movie! Haven't decided if I'm writing a review or not.

And in the evening we watched the next episode in the PBS show MI5 which we've only recently started watching. I'm not entirely sure which episode we watched exactly nor do I know how it all fits together chronilogically. I do know that I don't like Richard Armitage's character's girlfriend or all the kissing scenes. However, I do like Armitage's character, Lucas North, and since Saturday's episode ended on a major cliffhanger conecerning him I'm keen to see what happens to him next week. *winks*

On Sunday - err, yesterday - we watched the NASCAR Sprint Cup race which was fairly uneventful and won by Ryan Newman which was cool. In the afternoon my sister, one of our brothers and I watched The Eagle {2011} starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell and Donald Sutherland for about the fifth or sixth time since we got it a couple weeks ago. That movie is AWESOME! Marcus {Tatum's character} is totally cool and definitely my favorite character while Esca {Bell's character} is the perfect best friend for him and Sutherland was grand as the uncle. I shan't tell you any more however since I'm planning on writing a review on this grand movie. *winks*

And in the evening we tuned in for the debut episode of PBS' new mystery/action-adventure/drama show called Zen which is way cool! Starring Rufus Sewell as Italian detectiove Aurelio Zen who, unfortunately for his career but fortunately for us *winks*, has the reputation of being honest. Zen is awesome and totally stylish while still coming across as sweet and human {like, banging his head on the steering wheel after dropping off the girl he likes only to see her leave the destination in the company of a man whom he immedately assumes is her boyfriend}. About the only thing I really didn't like was a kissing scene near the end, some conversation essential to the plot but still not very appropreate and the fact that both Zen and his love-interest begin a relationship while still technically married to tehir respective spouses. *sighs and shakes head* Ah well. You'll have to double-check back here tomorrow for a link to Ruth over at Booktalk and More's awesome review on the episode. *winks*

Note: This was suppose to have been posted yesterday but my internet died on me. :(

A Round of Interesting Blog Posts 8.

Yes, yes, I know this was suppose to have been posted two days ago on Tuesday but I've been rather busy of late and my poor blog has suffered because of it. Never worry however, busyness comes and goes in seasons and I shall certainly have more time on my hands than is good for me soon, especially when school starts back up {for my siblings not me, haha}, the garden is all harvested and winter, beloved beautiful wonderfully cold winter, rolls round again. :) Till then, bear with me in patience.

Okay, so around the blog block we have all these delightful blog posts! {Yes, most of them are book reviews.}

Ruth, over at Booktalk and More, has a grand review on a Miss Marple mystery:

http://booktalkandmore.blogspot.com/2011/07/miss-marple-pale-horse.html

Casey, over at Writing for Christ ~ The Audience of One, has a fun book review:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/fun-funny-enjoyable-her-best-catch-by.html

Ashley, over at The Epic Reader, has a grand book review on one of my all-time favorite classics:

http://theepicreader.blogspot.com/2011/07/scarlet-pimpernel.html

Lady Elenatintil over at her blog has a grand picture of the awesome dwarves from The Hobbit movie which everyone is keen to see of course. ;) Check it out: http://elenatintil.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-knew-that-dwarves-could-be-so.html

Charles, over at Strictly Speaking, has a fine post with a strong message to it: http://charles-thorell.blogspot.com/2011/07/wholl-take-son.html

Holly over at In the Bookshelf has a wonderful book review: http://bookshelfreviews-holly.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-foolish-heart.html

Over at Austenesque Reviews, there is more info on the exciting month-long celebration of Austen’s wonderful books and sequels/retellings: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/more-about-austenesque-extravaganza.html

Adelii, over at The Letters of Askpen blog, has a special post for us all: http://lettersofaskpen.blogspot.com/2011/07/special-post.html

Look to the East Book Review.

Title: Look to the East.

Author: Maureen Lang.

Genre: Christian, Romance, Historical Fiction.

Plot: Stuck in a tree, Julitte Toussaint finds herself meeting the handsome Charles in a very awkward way when her tin box goes crashing down on his head. The wealthy young man, half American and half Belgium, is intent on going the Belgium army as World War One begins but when his car is commandeered, Charles wanders around the forested countryside of France, eventually befriending a French officer named Pepin and getting it into his head to take refuge in the village where he meet the pretty girl in the tree. Meanwhile, Julitte soon finds her hands full when her village is taken over by the Germans and the squabbling Toussaints and de Colvilles are forced to temporarily set aside their quarrels.

Born on a distant island to an American father and a Greek mother, and then adopted by Narcisse Toussaint, Julitte feels the de Colvilles’ contempt. She is isolated in the little isolated village and rumors fly about the village concerning her, all more or less false. When Julitte finds Charles hiding in the church basement, the whole situation dramatically alters.

Likes/Dislikes: While this is Christian and the characters do all pray which is nice, and while it is set in France during the First World War, this book came across to me more as a glorified romance than a historical fiction. When I read historical fiction, I read it for the historical portion written in an engaging style; if I wanted romance or plain old fiction I could get that anywhere. I also didn’t feel a connection with the characters: Charles spent the first half of the book a crowd and bemoaning his cowardice while I never felt the least connection to Julitte. In all her scenes, she just seemed so out of it. The plot also dragged a little and I lost interest halfway through it. All in all, a disappointing book and waste of my time.

Rating: PG-15 and up for content {none of which was graphic thankfully, only suggestive of violence} and reading level.

Date Report Written: July 8, 2011.

I received this book free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

A Round of Interesting Blog Posts 7.

Hey, guess what? It's Tuesday again! It is Tuesday, isn't it? *looks around* Yep, it's Tuesday so let's check out what everyone's been posting about this past week, shall we?

A book review on an Austen sequel that looks hilarious by Austenesque Reviews:

http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/there-must-be-murder-margaret-c.html

A book review by Holly over at The Bookshelf:

http://bookshelfreviews-holly.blogspot.com/2011/07/gray-matter.html

A very cool song of liberty over at Maria Shiphrah Dalton Publications: http://mariashiphrahdaltonpublications.blogspot.com/2011/07/liberty-song.html

The gals over at Young Ladies Christian Fellowship have a good point to make on locally grown food: http://ylcf.org/2011/07/five-reasons-to-buying-locally-grown-food/

A book review by Casey over at Writing for Christ – The Audience of One: http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/youll-find-home-one-day-muir-house-by.html

An amusing conversation is recorded over at Whispers of the Wind:

http://arries-whispersofthewind.blogspot.com/2011/07/conversations-with-my-antagonist.html

The gals over at Bloom! have a few interesting things to say on grace: http://www.bloomthemagazine.com/2011/07/gospel-of-grace.html

A book review on an Agatha Christie novel by Ruth over at Booktalk and More: http://booktalkandmore.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-secret-of-chimneys-by-agatha.html

My friend Ella has some good advice on sewing machine repair over at Legend of a Seamstress: http://legendofaseamstress.blogspot.com/2011/07/ten-sewing-machine-repair-dos-and-donts.html

Head over to Strictly Speaking for a touching short story on prayer:

 http://charles-thorell.blogspot.com/2011/06/daddys-empty-chair.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Fstrictlyspeaking+%28Strictly+Speaking%29

A movie trailer posted by Ruth over at Booktalk and More on a spy thriller: http://booktalkandmore.blogspot.com/2011/06/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-trailer.html

And how many of you are interested in the new Three Musketeers movie? Check out the latest trailer: http://booktalkandmore.blogspot.com/2011/06/three-musketeers-new-trailer.html

Keep blogging everyone and God bless!

The Hidden Flame Book Review.

Title: The Hidden Flame.

Author: Davis Bunn and Janette Oke.

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Biblical, Romance, Sequel.

Plot: In this second installment of the Acts of Faith trilogy, the center of attention shifts to Abigail, the merry hearted but crippled beautiful young woman. Recently reunited with her brother Jacob whom she’d long thought dead, Abigail finds a new chapter in her life opening, beginning with the hurried departure of her dear friends Leah and Alban. An important new task is given Abigail within the growing community of believers that serves to occupy her hands and heart but not her increasing worries over Jacob and the rumors whispered on the streets of Jerusalem. Unbeknown to Abigail, she is about to face a loss so great it will shake her world and cause her to lean even more on the loving arms of God.

Two years after the events of The Centurion’s Wife take place two men enter the scene and both desire Abigail for themselves.  One is a wealthy merchant named Ezra who wants a mother for his two young children and someone to take the place of his departed beloved wife. The other is Alban’s friend Linux who soon finds himself in a battle he never anticipated. Carrying new orders from Rome and hatred in his heart for his pompous older brother Castor, Linux will do anything to get back at Castor. But with threats against the growing community of believers increasing, from the Sanhedrin as well as the new governor, and Abigail’s worries over Jacob beginning to hit home, the Roman officer finds his world being torn in half.

And when tragedy unexpected strikes, will the believers’ faith be enough to see them through the times of peril and persecution ahead or will they break?

Likes/Dislikes: This was a very well written novel. It flowed well from all three main characters’ viewpoints and had just enough description to give you the setting without bogging down the whole book. The conversations between the characters were all very interesting as well. And it was a real treat to see Biblical figures I’ve long been familiar with, such as Stephan, Saul, Gamaliel, Sapphira and her husband, introduced and “fleshed out.” It was also nice to have Peter in several more scenes than in the prequel. I think Linux was my favorite character as he struggled with all his burdens. The tragedy is so sad but I admit I was too excited to see how all the characters reacted to cry with them.

Rating: PG-12 and up for reading level and a violent death though not graphic at all, thankfully.

Date Report Written: July 1, 2011.

I recieved a free review copy from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above reveiw are my own.

The Tenth Kingdom Movie Review.

Title: The Tenth Kingdom.

Starring: Kimberly Williams {Virginia Lewis}, Scott Cohen {Wolf}, John Larroquette {Tony Lewis}, Dianne Weist {Evil Queen}, Daniel Lapaine {Prince Wendell}, Ed O'Neill {Relish the Troll King}, Rutger Hauer {Huntsman}, Dawnn Lewis {Bladderwort the Troll}, Hugh O'Gorman {Burly the Troll}, Jeremiah Birkett {Blue Bell the Troll}, Warwick Davis {Acorn the Dwarf}, and Camryn Manheim {Snow White}.

Year of Release: 1999.

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Action/Adventure, Romance, Humorous, Miniseries.

Plot: Virginia Lewis, unmarried and in her mid-twenties, lives with her father, Tony Lewis, who is a janitor in an apartment overlooking Central Park, New York. Thinking her life is going nowhere, Virginia has built a shell around herself and goes through her mundane life as a waitress daydreaming of someday meeting a man who is into food and opening a restaurant with him. Her father, meanwhile, complains about his job and his boss and doesn't seem to take notice of much else that happens outside his own little bubble of a world. When Virginia hits a stray dog with her bicycle one evening on her way to work, a series of events is set into motion that changes everything Virginia and Tony have ever known.

The dog which Virginia takes in after her little run-in with him is actually Prince Wendell who was turned into a dog by his evil stepmother who was released from prison by an ugly troll and his three stupid children. Fleeing in terror from the witch, the prince had jumped through a magical mirror that is actually a portal to the Tenth Kingdom {Central Park}. Knowing that the trolls are practically useless, the witch releases one of the prison inmates, an amusing yet rather confusing character named Wolf, and sends him through the portal to track the dog down. When he learns that the dog is with Virginia he tracks the girl down and instantly falls in love with her {she hits him over the head with a flower vase and runs away}. Virginia, Tony, the dog and Wolf all meet up again in the park and plunge through the portal; once on the other side, Virginia is captured by the idiotic trolls and Tony is locked up in the prison. Seemingly to have completely forgotten about his agreement with the witch, Wolf goes dashing off to rescue Virginia and then her father and the dog before agreeing to help them look for the mirror so they can get back home.

While they scamper about two of the nine kingdoms looking for the mirror and having several exciting adventures along the way, the witch tries to track them down and keep the troll king under control. Wolf falls deeper in love with Virginia as each trial is encountered and overcome yet he is torn as to which side of the impending battle he is on while Virginia focuses on returning home though she begins to trust and then like Wolf as her protective wall slowly crumbles around her. Each of the three main characters is tempted and tested in an area where they are weak with Wolf's test being the most dramatic by far and each come out with unique and varying results. But the hardest test has yet to be met and it is doubtful whether anyone, particularly Virginia, will be able to survive the blow.

Likes/Dislikes: There were about four or five comments that made my parents and I cringe yet which seemed to have gone over my youngest brothers' heads {thankfully} that really didn't need to be in the movie. It is implied that Virginia is pregnant at the end of the movie although she and Wolf are not married. There is also a section of the movie that takes place in a village inhabited with several shepherdesses who were very provoking and scantily clad {for a shepherdess}. Virginia has an argument with her father toward the middle of the movie and says she hates him yet they make up shortly afterward and at the beginning Tony is very selfish and the whole sequence in the apartment with him trying to deal with the six wishes he was granted via the trickster Wolf really wasn't necessary to the plot. There is also a good bit of magic though that was sadly expected {it is a retelling of fairy tales after all}. However, I found it to be a pretty good movie overall and enjoyed it a lot; Wolf was particularly hilarious!

Rating: PG-12 and up although I strongly advise parents to view this before their children if they or the children are sensitive to some of the above mentioned issues.

Date Report Written: April 8, 2011.