Of Sinners and Saints

Stranger on a Train & then some

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:37:42 GMT

Strangers on a Train is a wonderful movie from the early era of mystery thrillers. Hitchcock, you wrote the book on how to film a great movie! I loved the characters and honestly think this movie filmed at the time of black and white made it a perfect flick. Done in 1951, I dug the way the director filmed the murder scene and the iconic messages all throughout the scenes.

Stop Loss made me wanna cry. It's a sad and truthful story of what some of the men in uniform have had to go through during the last nine years of the current Middle East conflict. I personally know a guy who signed up as a weekend warrior with the Air Force and did four tours overseas. Each time he thought his service was over, he kept getting rolled over into a newly assigned tour as the government extended his 'contract' a little bit more every time he returned to US soil.

Trekkies. Wow, enough said. These people are scary yet humble and warm 'n fuzzy. I giggled a lot since I was a pretty permanent fixture at MarCon for a number of years in the 90s and know exactly what type of personalities the people involved in this type of genre. Is it bad that I can see some of my ex's in the roles of some of the peeps interviewed for this documentary? Heh.

The Murder of King Tut

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:03:26 GMT

The murder of King Tut : the plot to kill the child king : a nonfiction thriller
Patterson, James, 1947-

Publisher:	Little, Brown and Co.,
Pub date:	2009.
Pages:	ix, 332 p

There are plenty of books written on the subject of King Tut and his short life and rule in Egypt. Mr. Patterson does a wonderful job of bringing the past and present together to give another look into what may have happened to this well known Pharaoh. Three point five stars.

Juliet Naked

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:58:18 GMT

Juliet, naked
Hornby, Nick.

Publisher:	Riverhead Books,
Pub date:	2009.
Pages:	406 p

Another great read by Nick Hornby. This book is about an aging rock 'n roller who has a small cult following on the internet, most of which are now middle aged men who totally dissect this man's recluse life and get it all wrong. Amusing and hear touching in places, I can see there could be a book two but since I've not seen anything like a series from this author before, I'd be really surprised if it happened. Four stars.

Juliet Naked

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:10:34 GMT

She stopped typing. If she'd been using pen and paper she would have screwed the paper up in disgust, but there wasn't a satisfying equivalent with e-mail, seeing as everything was designed to stop you making a mistake. She needed a fuck-it key, something that made a satisfying ka-boom noise when you thumped it. ~ Nick Hornby

Plum Lucky

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:18:41 GMT

Plum lucky [compact disc]
Evanovich, Janet.

Publisher:	BBC Audiobooks America,
Pub date:	p2008.
Pages:	3 sound discs (3.5 hr.)

Funny and amusing all wrapped up into one big leprechaun story. Again, the mysterious Diesel shows up and gets Stephanie and her friends mixed up into yet another semi-supernatural comedy of blunders. Four stars.

3 Men and a Body

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:49:34 GMT

3 men and a body [compact disc]
Bond, Stephanie.

Publisher:	Books on Tape,
Pub date:	p2008.
Pages:	7 sound discs (ca. 74 min. each)

Fun stuff. Georgia gal caught up in mysterious circumstances that she just can't leave alone. And she seems to be collecting men as each book movies along. A great way to pass the time, especially with these auto books. Three stars.

The Day the Earth Stood Still and then some...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:39:55 GMT

I don't care what people say, I enjoyed this movie and the fact the had Keanu did the acting made it even better, since he's known as an actor that can show no emotion, that it. It made him the perfect alien. I liked it, and even though the DVD set came with the original movie, I didn't watch it. I remember from eons ago how that movie went and I liked this one much better. Maybe color do effect how I like a movie or not?

Land of the Dead. I'm such a zombie slut it really isn't funny. I dug the fact that the black, zombie gas station guy was smart. And how he figured out how to fire a gun, teach other zombies how to fight and figured out how to break into the living peoples world just rocked. I cheered (and everyone else here) on the zombies and by the end of the movie was well pleased with the outcome.

Manhunter. I fell asleep at the end of the movie because I'd actually seen the remake and enjoyed it more. There isn't anyone that can play Hannibal Lector like Anthony Hopkins and even though I tried to see past the actor difference I just lost hope. I do have to say this movie gave a little more insight into the psychopathic mindset of the 'Toothfairy', but I dug the blind chick story that Red Dragon went more into detail with.

Lean Mean Thirteen

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:59:55 GMT

Lean mean thirteen [compact disc] : a Stephanie Plum novel
Evanovich, Janet.

Publisher:	BBC Audiobooks America/Sound library,
Pub date:	c2007.
Pages:	7 sound discs (ca. 6 hrs 43 min)

Loved it... then again I dig this series. In this book we've got exploding beavers and torched corpses. And yet, Ms. Evanovich spins such a funny story it'll keep me reading/listening for as long as she continues to write about the adventures of Stephanie Plum. Four point five stars.

Smash Cut

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:56:57 GMT

Smash cut
Brown, Sandra, 1948-

Publisher:	Simon & Schuster,
Pub date:	2009.
Pages:	367 p

I enjoy reading Sandra Brown books. I picked up on her from my mom, who also enjoys a good crime and punishment mystery. I will admit, there were plots revealed in the last chapter that I didn't see coming, but was like icing on the cake. I'd say this is a who done it book with the actual insight as to who done it all the way through the story Four point five stars.

I Heart Musicians!!

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:15:08 GMT

I copied this from river_drow and thought that this really rocked! I'm so tempted to call United and ask about tickets to Tampa and if they guarantee that my Taylor guitar won't be damaged. Heh. I'm even gonna email some peeps and share this. Since I'm not a fan of country music that should clue you into how much I found this beyond entertaining. ~V~

*****

Don't mess with musicians that have access to YouTube.

A musician named Dave Carroll recently had some difficulty with United Airlines.

United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight.

Dave spent over nine months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar.

During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation.

The Manager responded, "Good luck with that one, pal."

So he posted a retaliatory video on YouTube.

The video has since received over 5.5 million hits (probably more than that now).

United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was, "Good luck with that one, pal."

Taylor Guitars sent the musician two new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has lead to a sharp increase in orders.

Here's the video .... If you can't find it, looked up the singer's name.

Get Smart

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:21:13 GMT

I giggled a bunch, enjoyed this movie and drooled over the Rock. Yummy. I don't really remember the original shows of Get Smart, though we've got them at the library, but I have a feeling with all the cool gadgets they had in this movie that it must have certainly outdone anything that could have been done before. I's liked it. :)

Rough Country

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:19:33 GMT

Rough country
Sandford, John, 1944 Feb. 23-

Publisher:	G. P. Putnam's Sons,
Pub date:	2009.
Pages:	388 p

Good read and a typical Virgil Flowers novel. This is a spin off series from the Prey series with the main character in it being Lucas Davenport. Flowers and Davenport are pretty much the best of the best of the dectetive world and I simply love to read Mr. Sandford's stories. I'll give this a four star rating.

13 1/2

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:01:34 GMT

13 1/2
Barr, Nevada.

Publisher: Vanguard Press,
Pub date: c2009.
Pages: 311 p

This book was GREAT. I burned through it in a couple of days even w/work and football going on. Four point five and pushing toward the top on this one.

Grave Secret

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:54:59 GMT

Grave secret
Harris, Charlaine.

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime,
Pub date: 2009.
Pages: 306 p

Ever since book one of this series, there is a plot line that has stood the test of time. An unanswered question, a mystery. In this book, you find out. I seriously hope that this is not the last book written in this series, but if it is it was a wonderful ending. Four point five if this isn't the last book, a serious five if it is.

Alex Cross's Trial

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:23:53 GMT

Alex Cross's trial
Patterson, James, 1947-

Publisher:	Little, Brown and Co.,
Pub date:	2009.
Pages:	viii, 380 p

This book reminded me a lot of the John Grisham novel, A Time to Kill, not because of the story itself but because AC's Trial is also set in the deep south and it too is takes place during the early twentieth century when southern people stepped on the black man. A great read. Four stars.

Plum Lovin'

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:19:20 GMT

Plum lovin' [compact disc] : a Stephanie Plum between-the-numbers novel
Evanovich, Janet.

Publisher:	Audio Renaissance,
Pub date:	p2007.
Pages:	3 sound discs (3 hr. 15 min.)

Loved it. An in between the numbers novelite this was as good as any. Surprises and funny things all through out the whole book. Four point five.

Slam

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:16:50 GMT

Slam
Hornby, Nick.

This book made me think. Esp. with Alex having her second baby at the age of 18. This story is basically boy meets girl. Sex. Opps! And the fall out that happens from (guess? you're right) baby that comes. It's real life, which Mr. Hornby writes.

I don't usually like English authors, but I'm stuck with what this guy writes. Four point two five stars.

Publisher:	G.P. Putnam's Sons,
Pub date:	2007.
Pages:	309 p

Twelve Sharp

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:13:12 GMT

Twelve sharp [compact disc] : [a Stephanie Plum novel]
Evanovich, Janet.

Publisher:	Audio Renaissance,
Pub date:	p2006.
Pages:	7 sound discs (ca. 7.5 hrs.)

Great story... I love all the characters and in this one the reader/listener gets to learn more about Ranger and his daughter. Whoo hoo. Four stars!

A Good Man is Hard to Find

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:22:32 GMT

A good man is hard to find and other stories
O'Connor, Flannery

Publisher:	Harcourt ,
Pub date:	c1955.
Pages:	265 p.

This book was written over sixty years ago and Ms. O'Connor is as harsh and cruel as the world was around her. Murder, mayhem and down right mean ass people in these stories keep me reading from beginning to end. Four stars for this book!

Huntress

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:08:39 GMT

A collection of short stories written by Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittrege, and Jenna Maclaine. I really liked three of the four stories but Caitlin Kitrrerge's story just blew chunks.

I like female heroes in the supernatural world and really got into the other three authors, but when I read Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go, I wanted to claw my eyes out.

I'll be looking into finding more from Maclaine because I think her vamp stories would be a wonderful read, even though they are classified as romance rather than sci fi.

I give this book a three star rating and that's just cause I really did hate Kitrrerge's tale.

Mega Books

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:45:43 GMT

Ten Big Ones - by Janet Evanovich 4 stars
Elven on Top - by Janet Evanovich 4 stars
Visions of Sugar Plums - by Janet Evanovich 3.5 stars
An Echo in the Bone - by Diane Gabaldon 4.5 stars
Daniel X - by James Patterson 3.5 stars
Body Movers - by Stephanie Bond 3.5 stars
2 Bodies for the Price of 1 - by Stephanie Bond 4 stars
Beyond Tuesday Morning - by Karen Kingsbury 4.5 stars

Gabaldon's book was over 800 pages and took me nearly two and a half weeks to read. The Outlander series is a wonderful and detailed series that takes commitment to read considering that all of the books in this series are each 700+ pages, and she's still writing them. Beyond Tuesday Morning, wow - rarely do I cry when I read books but both this book and the one before it, One Tuesday Morning, brought tears to my eyes. Yes, they are inspirational and very heavy on the Christian theme but the story is amazing. Eh - Daniel X, a fast read and amusing, it was entertaining and I will read the next book in the series. The Evanovich books, as always, I love me some Stephanie Plum. While waiting for the next book on CD of the Plum series, I started on Bond's books, which at first I found the reader to be dry, at least the plotline was well done.

Yes, this is a cheap and easy write up of what I've been reading, sorry I haven't been keeping up with the usual postings. Work is kicking my ass! :)

Bunches!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:10:50 GMT

I've watched a few movies but haven't posted about them.

I dug Valkyrie with Tom Cruise, lots of great ideas from the characters involved, it sucked in the end when shit didn't go how it should have. Talk about mice and men and their plans.

Personal Effects... wow, it was heart touching and dealt with so many faucets of life in general that I was really pleased to see it pulled off as well as it was. Ashton Kutcher proved his worthiness of being a well liked and versatile actor.

What Doesn't Kill You was a thought provoking movie that eventually proves that crime does win, but not in a way that one would expect considering how the plot progressed. Never was I revolted by and then attracted to Ethan Hawke as I watched his performance.

Bridal Wars, Kate Hudson just makes me laugh and this movie was no exception. Women can be cruel and best friend gals can be ever worse. I think I teared up a time or two but overall I really enjoyed the fun in this movie.

Gran Torino, OMFG. I love Clint Eastwood and even when he was in the cheesy flicks with the monkey I enjoyed watching this stud. Older now, and with a much used raspy voice, I still love to see him when he dives head first into movie characters. On some levels, I thought that this character was a lot like my own father... which is saying shit or shine... old guys are hard to explain. A really wonderful movie.

Appaloosa

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:57:36 GMT

A pretty decent westerner that reminded me of the glory days of Clint Eastwood with his good guy does bad thing routine to get the job done. I love Ed Norton though, so I wasn't at all disappointed with how this movie turned out. Although, I do admit, I was arching an eyebrow at the last ten minutes... not what I was expecting.

Son of Rambo

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:02:05 GMT

It sucked. I couldn't even get through the first hour. Boo.

Sahara & Watchmen

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:32:28 GMT

I've seen Sahara before and drooled at the Matt M body that goes along with all the eye candy in this film. He's still hot Ms. Cruz is still hot. Unbelievable stunts where flesh should have been burning off the bone but hey... it was a feel good flick.

Watchmen. Geeeh... I should have read up on the comics because this movie pushed through too many decades of information in a too short span of time. I liked the effects, didn't too much follow the story between past crime fighters and current/future crime fighters. Then again, try to stuff TMI down my throat all at once and I fight the man.