Movie Thursday!!

I have a WONDERFUL movie to tell you about today. It is called "The Express" ---Go and watch this trailer, even if you don't usually like to, go!

This is the story of Ernie Davis, a young black man who played college football in the 60's. But more than the story of an African American during the civil rights conflicts, it is a story of inspiration and hope.
Never too "in your face" about the race social situations at the time, no name calling, which I absolutely hate, just small glimpses of the behaviors we find mind boggling now. --At least I do-- How can someone, anyone, a child of god be treated and spoken to as if they were less than an animal simply because of the color of their skin??!!

But this movie is a football movie! A feel-good, inspirational, we can all do better, movie.
Ernie Davis was a man who chose to do his talking on the football field. Maybe we all need to work a little harder to become an inspiration to those around us.

Rob Brown, is the quiet excellent actor we came to know in "Finding Forrester", he does an outstanding job as Ernie---And he really plays football!
Dennis Quaid is the coach that helps Ernie become an even better player!
This movie was EXCELLENT!! I watched it, loved it, and watched it again with the commentary!
Go out and rent this one, you won't be sorry!

Book and Movie Thursday

Okay,
I have read quite a bit again this week. There are three books and a movie to tell you about. So, lets get going!

The easy one first, the movie" The Duchess with Keira Knightly
Based on the true story of Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire. An amazing woman ahead of her time. Makes a "good" match to the Duke and begins a married life to a man who does not love her and only cares for her to provide him with an heir. Many years and a couple of daughters later he moves his mistress into the home with them.
The Duchess becomes quite involved in politics and helps reshape England just after the United States has won the revolution.
There is much heartbreak in her life included the death of children and her love for a man that is not her husband, whom she can never really have.
I really enjoyed this movie, there was much sadness, but the life of this incredible woman is worth looking into. (On more than just a movie screen) I am reading up on the Duchess of Devonshire, what an interesting woman!

Now for the books!!
I have read three this week. The first, was one Rob was really irritated that I brought home. (He can't understand how I have any interest in watching a family with tons of kids running around, when I already have it at home!)
Multiple Blessings by Jon and Kate Gosselin
This is a more in depth look at the Gosselin family from the TLC show "Jon and Kate plus 8" this family has twin daughters then sextuplets. The story is told by Kate and takes you through the family story from the beginning and in more detail than is covered on the show. You get raw emotion and the grittiest feelings as this little family expands, quite literally.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, but is a quick easy read. (I read it one evening in about 3 1/2 hours) There is also so much more of their faith. There are many scriptures quoted and you get much more understanding of their religious convictions. If you like Jon and Kate, you should definitely get this book. Happy Reading!

And two more David Baldacci books:
Saving Faith and Split Second

Both of these books were written a few years ago. In '99 and '00 I believe. You can tell they are earlier works from this author if you read his books much. But they are both really good stories.

Saving Faith is set in Washington DC and revolves around the political games and behind the scenes operations in DC. A young woman who has worked as a lobbyist for many years finds herself running for her life after she tries to do the right thing and contacts the FBI. But is it not the FBI that wants her secrets to remain silent. David Baldacci is a favorite of mine, because he can always keep me guessing. I liked this one so well I am reading it again.

Split Second is the story and back story of two characters Baldacci uses in many more books to come. Why each of them is no longer in the secret service, the bumps along the way that led them to each other. Sean King and Michelle Maxwell end up opening a private investigative firm together. This book was great! I loved the twists and turns to bring us to the climax of the story.
And having read more recent books, it was nice to see King and Maxwell get their start.
Happy Reading!!

Book and Movie Thursday

So my plan for Thursdays is to give a review or recommendation for a book or movie,

So today I actually have 3 things I wanted to tell you about.

My movie of choice this week: Seven Pounds Starring Will Smith. ---SPOILERS---

Some may say that it glorifies suicide, and it does, a little. But I think to good message and the way it makes you think about how fragile life is, counteracts all of that!

Basic story line--a brilliant young man makes a stupid mistake and causes a car accident where 7 people including his fiancee are killed. He is obviously devastated and longs to make restitution. The way he decides to do this are to give "seven pounds" of his own flesh. Now, before you get all grossed out, read on. He has decided to give a gift to better the lives, in truly life changing ways, of 7 people. One for each person who died. One of his gifts is financial, but the others are sacrifices of his own body for them. Some of the gifts he can supply while he is alive, some others have to happen after he has died.

The movie made me laugh and cry. Mostly cry! It was heart wrenching to see this man struggle with what he had caused and his ultimate struggle to find those he would try to help.

It made me appreciate how truly fragile life is. How quickly things can change. How one single decision, not only effects your life but can effect so many others.

So should you go see it? ---YES---

If you don't want to spend $20 to go to the movie, at least keep it in your memory banks for the video store in a couple more months!

Here is a link to the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9nn0eKwxHY


I think Will Smith is one of the greatest actors of our generation. And I think he is largely overlooked because of some of his action movies that don't seem to take much acting skill, or too many people cant get past "The Fresh Prince", but this movies shows what a terrific actor he truly is!

Okay, now on to the books!!

I have had a sore back and had a couple of days to read while I rested. I read two really good books in that two days.

The first is from one of my favorite authors David Baldacci: Divine Justice, this is his latest novel and continues the story with the characters introduced in the Camel Club.

I absolutely loved Divine Justice, it was an original plot line, that had many twists and turns and had a great ending. I love this author, I always look forward to his next book!

Here is a link to another review, that gives a bit of the plot! Happy reading!

Amazon Link: Divine Justice

The other book was from an author I had never read before. His name is Jeffery Archer and quite honestly just picked up his book because his last name is the same as my son's name. I read the dust jacket synopsis and thought it sounded good, so I gave it a whirl!

IT WAS SO GOOD! It was the tinest bit hard for me to get into for the first 50 pages or so, then it just caught my interest and I couldn't put it down! I loved it! It reminded me a lot of "The Count of Monte Cristo" but much more modern and easily relateable. The book is called A Prisoner of Birth.

A young man is convicted of a murder he did not commit and goes to prison for 20+ years leaving behind his pregnant fiancee. He is assigned to a cell with a man that will truly change every aspect of his life. He manages to escape and begins to exact revenge on the men who did carry out the crime, and all lied to send him to prison. It was terrific! Go read it! Happy reading!