The Dark Knight

Wow! I was a little worried as I had heard comments on how dark and violent it was, but it is a great movie. Yes, it was dark and violent but not gruesome, just disturbing. Heath Ledger is very convincing and Christian Bale is a fantastic batman... and he is quite handsome too!

The struggle between good and evil continues in this film and brings into play the need for a hero through society's organized means. Batman partners with Harvey Dent, Gotham's District Attorney, and Lieutenant James Gordon to stop the organized crime running rampant in Gotham. The people feel Batman is causing the deaths of people as the Joker will not stop until he meets "the bat" face to face. Let's be honest, this movie doesn't need a description as it is Batman and plenty of people will see it.

This movie brings all sorts of themes out: the obvious good vs. evil, choices, the good in people, etc. My brother-in-law even pointed out a tie to the Atonement as Batman essentially takes the deaths (sins) caused by Harvey Dent upon himself so Gotham can have a hero.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Good but not as good as the back of the book professed: "A remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come."

Set in South Carolina in 1964 tells the story of one Lily Owens. Her life is a struggle between herself and finding peace with her parents. Memories of her mother are blurred from an accidental death and three items she has left from her mother. Lily tries to find happy memories of her father, T-Ray, but he is not the "father" type.

She escapes with her "stand-in-mother," Rosaleen, after Rosaleen insults three racists in town. Lily has a plan to find her mother in Tiburon, South Carolina. She believes her mother was there from one of the three items, a picture with this city and state written on the back. Lily and Rosaleen find August, June and May; three black sisters who own a Pepto Bismol colored house and make a living as bee keepers.

Lily is now free from T-Ray but is still haunted by the blurred vision of her mother's death. From living with August, June, May and Rosaleen she learns about the hard facts of life and love and she finds herself as she is connected to her mother.

There is also a movie out, featuring a great cast: Dakota Fanning (Lily), Queen Latifah (August), Jennifer Hudson (Rosaleen), Alicia Keys (June)and Sophie Okonedo (May). I will probably see this... but it will only be dollar theater or NetFlix worthy.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and Davdi Oliver Relin

I just finished an amazing book on my trip to and from Denver. Three Cups of Tea is about "one man's mission to promote peace... one school at a time."This book was so inspiring. Greg Mortenson started his life as a nurse and a mountaineer. After failing to climb a mountain in Pakistan his perspective changed as he saw a group of children gathered to attend "school." Their school was gathering outside in the cold and they used sticks to write their lessons in the ground. This image altered his course and he became the head of the Central Asia Institute building schools for children in Pakistan and nearby regions. He truly believes in his mission that by building schools and educating the children we can bridge the gap of ignorance and hate.

Sometimes I don't feel we are even in a war. The scenes on TV have died down, the deaths have decreased and our focus has switched to the new President elect Obama. As the husband said, we aren't so much in a war but we are now building a nation. Thoughts rise as I think about what I could possibly do to help. Lucky for me, they gave ideas on how to help at the end of the book. One of the ways is to spread the word about the book... http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

I just ordered two calendars from here: https://www.ikat.org/limited-edition-calendar/

The Brothers by Chris Stewart

I didn't love this book. The book took a lot of effort for me to get into it and enjoy but it was recommended by my dear friend and one of the woman I visit teach, so I gave it a try.


This book is the first in a series following a group of people from the preexistence and throughout their lives. The first book is about the War in Heaven, the different sides and views and the main characters choices before they come to earth. Although a central part of my religion, it was difficult to imagine, simply because I had never read it dramatized before. Think of it as reading a story from your parents childhood. A story your dad continually tells but now you are reading it from an outsider's perspective.


The book wasn't terrible, it just took a lot for me to get into. It did make me reflect on the War in Heaven, choices made there, Agency and the Plan of Salvation, so it wasn't a complete loss! I just couldn't read page after page, I had to focus to read pages. Apparently, they get better and turn out to be a really fantastic series. I imagine they would get better as it would be easier to imagine stories of people on earth. I guess I am a book snob in the sense if they didn't hook me with the first book, there is little chance I will read the rest... but there is a chance!

Matchstick Men

Another great movie with Nicholas Cage! Keep them coming Cage!

Roy (Cage) is a hypochondriac, OCD (and possibly more) who happens to make a life the not-so-honest way. He is a "con artist, not a crook" but tells all he is an antique dealer. He takes pills for his condition until his business partner, Frank, suggests he sees a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist tells Roy, his medical issues are because of his guilty conscience.

Roy finds out he has a 13-year-old daughter, Angela, and starts on a journey to form a relationship with her to ease his conscience. Angela wins his heart with her youthful and carefree attitude. In an argument Roy confesses he is a con artist and after some nagging he agrees to teach her a con. He even lets her take part in their biggest con yet. The act doesn't go as planned and his new found relationship with his daughter catapults his desire to change his life around, including his hypochondriac/ OCD tendencies. He is conned at the end but has a new life to start.

Moonstruck

I guess you could say I was "moonstruck" by this movie. Loretta's (Cher) first husband died and she swears it was due to their courting and not being engaged properly. At dinner as Ronnie is proposing she is determined to have luck on her side as she makes him get down on one knee and provide some sort of ring. Ronnie and Loretta split shortly after as Ronnie visits his mother on her deathbed. He asks Loretta to contact his brother as they are no longer on speaking terms and Ronnie wants to start fresh. Loretta tries calling and ends up visiting Johnny (Nicholas Cage) at his bakery. They meet and have a little feud at the beginning, discussing the other's blunders, but in the end Johnny and his fake hand win Loretta.

A new side of Cher and Nicholas Cage you do not want to miss! Just beware as you will have, "when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore" stuck in your head after the movie. Hey, it's a great song and the movie is well worth it!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

I have seen this movie before, but recently watched it again with some friends. I remember enjoying it the first time but I think I was better able to appreciate the storyline this time around. The story of four best friends split up for the summer as they each go their own way and plan to stay connected through a pair of jeans. The jeans will be passed from each girl and mark their adventures wherever they are and adventures is exactly what they have. Carmen is visiting her father in South Carolina for the summer where she finds he is getting married. She struggles with this new form of a family and how she will fit in. Lena visits her grandparents in Greece and finds love that she must hide from her grandparents because of a long forgotten feud between the two families (a slight Romeo and Juliette storyline). Tibby remains at home as she works at Wallman's and is determined to make a documentary. Despite her attempts to be callused toward much of her present circumstances, she finds a 12-year-old friend, Bailey, to soften her. Bridget goes to soccer camp in Mexico where she finds herself, but first she finds Eric. Bridget learns the value of love and what love isn't. They come together at the end of the summer still best friends learning and growing through their adventures.

You are bound to connect with one of these girls through the trials they encounter or just learn from their adventures. A great story of life, the choices we make and the consequences that come from these choices. In this movie, Hollywood does have somewhat of a conscience!

Woman of the Year

Loved it! Black and white movie with wonderful characters, played by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Sam Craig, a New York sportswriter, listens to Tess Harding, a political columnist, on the radio as she "strikes out" over questions regarding baseball. He is baffled by her lack of knowledge and a feud entails between the two through their columns. The feuding stops when they see each other face-to-face and their attraction to each other takes over. Sam takes Tess to her first baseball game (one of my favorite scenes) and she learns to enjoy the sport and enjoys his company as well. The story follows the normal sequence of events: boy and girl meet, they fall in love, marry... and even a child comes into the picture. Tess is busy with work, is the chairwoman for a refugee committee and is named Woman of the Year while her marriage struggles.

The story is full of life. Real human life shown through a couple who tries to find the right balance of life, work and marriage. A good reminder of where we each need to put our effort and what our top priority should be, done through a "rom-com."

Time for a book...

It has been movie after movie. Although I haven't read a book since The Life of Pi, I decided to do an old favorite: Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield. With a name like Jolly how could it not be, well jolly? It is absolutely adorable, a family favorite that will truly become a family favorite of yours as well. Although I currently do not have the book, I intend to own it one day to read as a bedtime story. The trouble is finding it at a bookstore!

It is the story of a King who has a beautiful Princess daughter and a love of pickle-chiffon pie. Princes from every court come to the Princess in hopes of winning her love. To be polite she asks them to stay for dinner, meaning less pickle-chiffon pie for the King. The King dreams up a challenge for three princes. Each Prince is to go throughout the Kingdom and find the most amazing creature to win the heart of the Princess. On the way you will see a juggling lion, sewing mice and many other spectacular creatures. In the end, you learn about compassion and a kind heart.

czech dream

This was a very interesting movie. I really enjoyed it (although there are subtitles) but wish I would have known more of the culture and the events leading to this documentary.

Basic plot: Two Czech film students want to explore the extent of post-communist Prague. They create a super mart that doesn't really exist and film the reaction. They become the "managers" of Czech Dream and are given makeovers to look the part. They hire an ad agency and radio ads, billboards and jingles are created and are found all over Prague. On the day of the opening 4000 people show up, many show up a few hours early. The "managers" go through the whole ribbon-cutting ceremony with the grand opening and hand out little souvenirs. The store, which is simply scaffolding with a billboard in front, is a walk away and the reactions range from mad to humored. Some say they even expected it and that Czechs are very gullible so it didn't surprise them. My favorite responders were those who were actually pleased with this idea, it got them out of the house or gave the elderly exercise.

It was interesting to see the reactions and the whole process was incredible. While reviewing the ads the "managers" wanted to add a line about how the people wouldn't go away empty handed. The ad agency said they wouldn't include the line because they didn't want to lie to the people. The "managers" response, "You are already creating an ad for a store that doesn't exist and they would be coming away with an experience." Apparently that was too much for the ad agency. It was a good look into human nature and what people justify.

Nicholas Nickleby

Nicholas Nickleby and his sister, Kate, lose the life of their father and Nicholas is forced to be the man of the house. Actually, I don't know that forced is the correct word as Nicholas is one who does it out of personal duty and love for his sister and mother. He is sent to work as a teacher for Mr. Squeers, a one-eyed crotchety old man, who leads the boys to be fearful of him and treats them harshly. While there, Nicholas finds an older boy who is also there to work, Smike, who is essentially a slave for Squeers and his wife, who is just as unpleasant. Nicholas and Smike become true friends and Nicholas rescues Smike and they escape together. The rest of the story is romance, where Nicholas finds his hearts partner, Madeline. Don't worry Kate also finds her true love!

It is a story of true friendship and working through the trial of losing a loved family member. At the end the narrator asks what happens to one who loses a parent too early and describes that family isn't always blood related but those who we would give our blood for.

Mama Mia

The music definitely kept me entertained... I was the dancing queen during in the theater. I went into the movie not knowing the plot and enjoyed it, although there were some less than stellar parts and pretty shady images. I probably wouldn't see it again for these scenes.

Sophie is about to get married and wants to find out who she is before by finding out who her father is. She finds her mother's journal and finds three possible suspects and invites them to the wedding. Her mother nor her fiance are aware of her tricky plan. It is set in Greece, beautiful scenery and the adventure with Sophie as she tries to discover herself and who her father is.

Honey, honey, how it thrilled me! Take a chance on this movie for only two main reasons: the songs and seeing Pierce Brosnan sing a few!

North and South

I have decided to make this more of a media review because I don't finish books fast enough... probably because I read at night and end up falling asleep. Although, I do fall asleep during movies as well.

North and South is in the same feel as Pride and Prejudice and it is fantastic. It is the story of Margaret Hale's family being moved to Milton with a struggling economy. With the struggling economy also comes the fight between the union and the employer, Mr. Thornton. Margaret is cordial to Mr. Thornton but resists his friendship after watching him harshly treat one of his employees. The story continues and the feelings between the two are reconciled...

Miss Margaret, is truly to be admired as she crushes the challenges that come her way and of course finds love while doing so. Basically she puts me to shame as a woman with all she is able to handle. It is a great reminder of making the best of your situation, taking challenges head-on and going in with a smile.

Life of Pi, Yann Martel

This was a great book. The beginning runs through Pi's life as an Indian boy whose father runs a zoo in Pondicherry, India. Pi loves religion and loves God and he regularly attends all three services and practices each religion at home in his own way. Religion is a common theme throughout the book, especially as Pi struggles with his family and the different clergymen as they try to force him to choose one religion.



His family makes their way to North America with their zoo animals when the ship sinks and Pi makes it onto a life boat. The main storyline follows Pi as he is stranded on this life boat with an orangutan, a tiger (Richard Parker) and a zebra. The author details Pi's experiences as he is able to survive with a tiger as well as at sea.



The last chapters run through his dialogue with two interviewers after he reaches land. This section, while enlightening, was also a little disturbing. This is where you decide which is the better story with or without Richard Parker. I choose to believe the story with Richard Parker as it is a better story and I do not wish to believe the other version.

Book Night

I have a "craft club" I go to but really it is just an excuse for all of us to get together and talk. This last topic was books. It is always nice to get recommendations from friends on clothes, music, makeup and books too! I will definitely be adding a few of these books to my queue... although some I am going to have to decline!

The Kingdom and the Crown: Gerald N. Lund
Rough Stone Rolling: Richard Lyman Bushman (I think this is the correct author)
Green Eggs and Ham: Dr. Seuss
Five People You Meet in Heaven: Mitch Albom
Princess Diaries: Meg Cabot
These is My Words: Nancy E. Turner
Gone With the Wind: Victor Fleming
Twilight Series: Stephanie Myer
Tale of Two Cities: Charles Dickens
Ashes of Remembrance: Bodie and Brock Thoene
Zion Chronicles: Thoene
Zion Covenant: Thoene
Anamalia: Graeme Base
The Memory Keeper's Daughter: Kim Edwards
Dead Certainties: Schama
The Host: Stephanie Myer
Howl's Moving Castle Curse of Blessing: Chevitz Aleisha
This is My Story:
Elantris: Sanderson
The Holy Temple: Boyd K. Packard
Life of Pi: Yann Martel
Atonement: Ian McEwan

The last two are my recommendations, but I also forgot to include the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.

Used Bookstore...

I am in love with used bookstores. There is a fantastic one in Port Townsend, William James Bookseller. I came out with 6 books for a total of $20.00, that is a price you can't beat. Books I came out with: Sophia's World, Three Cups of Tea, Night, Snow Falling on Cedars, Vanity Fair and a compiled book of The Tale of Peter Rabbit (good bedtime stories for future children).

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Well it has been over a year since my first and only post. The blog didn't go as well as planned, but I am giving myself another try.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very different read than the Harry Potter series I just finished. It wasn't that Atonement was difficult to read, but the sentences and storyline produced more thought than Harry Potter. Be assured I loved the Harry Potter series and loved that it would take me into a fantasy world; however, Atonement takes you into the real world. With Atonement I would often reread a sentence over because it was such a great simile or metaphor. The sentences and storyline would instigate trains of thoughts. It is a story filled with love, war, struggles and forgiveness and throughout the book you connect with the characters as they grow. Because the book talks of common elements (love, forgiveness) it leads to thoughts or memories of our own similar situations of love and forgiveness. I think one of my favorite sentences is in references to one of the characters reading a letter from a loved one over and over again, so much it becomes translucent. It immediately put a picture into my mind and I was better able to understand the emotion of the character. This letter is ultimately a lifeline while they are apart. The book actually has a bit of a sullen ending, but sometimes life has those endings.