Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

10/10

I loved the novel Push and wanted to see Precious. All the hype was justified. I loved the movie. It took the spirit of the novel and visualized that spirit of hurt and hope. The actors were fantastic at portraying characters with such deep troubles and sometimes disturbing actions. The acting was the best I have seen in awhile. Monique was able to play such a disturbed woman so well that you almost felt sorry for her. Please see this movie. It is sad and depressing, but it truly opens your eyes to the life of some people.

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles on Broadway

10/10

Recently, I went to the Neil Simon Theatre to see Rain on Broadway. I like the Beatles, and the person who accompanied me is obsessed with the Beatles. We both enjoyed the show; it was a great performance for
someone who enjoys the Beatles and enough like the real thing to impress the obsessed fan. The show blends the times with the music. It uses modern technology to project the show all over the theater, and
you feel as if you are being bathed in psychedelic colors and symbols at some points. I really enjoyed the trivia and sixty commercials that were shown during breaks and intermission. They kept the audience
entertained and were funny. The bandmates did a great job portraying the Beatles. I liked "Paul" the best. He sounded almost identical to the real Paul and mimicked his mannerisms throughout the performance. It
was highly entertained, and if you can see them on Broadway or on tour, I highly recommend it.

Angels and Demons

7/10

Surprisingly, Angels and Demons was an interesting and thought-provoking movie. I was expected an over-produced flop, but the script to the movie was well-done. The actors also did a good job. I was sucked in to the twist and turns of finding the cardinals. The twist in the ending was hinted at in hind-sight, but I did not foresee it. (I have not read the novel as of yet.) Overall, it was an enjoyable movie, and I would suggest everyone at least see it once.

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

9/10

This novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series is as interesting and exciting as the others. I really enjoyed the storyline of Eric losing his memory, and Sookie's relationship with this different Eric. It was interesting that at some points, she missed the cocky Eric. The fact that Sookie actually shoots a living person, though in self-defense, will be a great character development in the next few books. Another character development plot is Jason possibly being supernatural. We will see how Jason and Sookie react to that. Overall, this book lived up to the expectation and laid the groundwork for some fascinating character development.

Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally

9/10

This book is a very touching and compelling story. It is always sad to be reminded of the horrors of the Holocaust, but it is endearing at the same time to be reminded that there were brave individuals who tried to help. I liked that the author did not make Schindler this glamorous hero but portrayed his faults and short-comings. Schindler is still a hero in his own right and it is interesting to read his story.

Star Trek

8/10

As someone who watched Star Trek with her father as a kid, I was pleasantly surprised with the movie. I was half anticipating a crash and burn, but the movie was fresh but still familiar enough to keep you comfortable. It was nice having the multiple references to the original series. The actors did a great job with the characters, especially Spock. Kirk came off overly arrogant at times though. Overall, it was a very good movie that made this casual fan proud.

Babies

8/10

Babies was an extremely cute movie. It was cute watching all the babies as they stated talking, walking, and gaining personalities. It was also interesting to see how babies are raised differently in different places in the world, but the editors did a great job tying in that they are all babies doing the same things. It can be boring at times, and you would not like it if you do not like children. Overall, see it if you like babies and want to see them at their cutest.

Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

9/10

I am really enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and Club Dead added to that enjoyment. It was very easy to read, and I had a hard time putting it down. The development of the characters is interesting, especially Sookie's personal conflicts and revelations. The reader really starts to see Bill in such a negative light; he is no longer the hero of Sookie's (or the reader's) dreams. I really enjoy Eric's snarkiness and like how Pam is portrayed. I also love the inclusion of Bubba, which adds so much humor to different scenes. This novel is a wonderful addition to the series, and I strongly suggest reading it.

P.S. I liked how the novel differed from Tru Blood in the Eric/Russell plot. I preferred the lightness of the novel's plot then the sad,obsessive plot in the third season. The absence of Bill purposely seeking Sookie in the novel was good also, because just betraying Sookie was enough in the novel to make Bill "evil" in the reader's eyes.

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne

8/10

Watching the movie before reading the book can be tricky. It can make you either hate the movie because you love what was written in the book; hate the book because the movie added more depth, or the movie and the book could go hand-in-hand adding the experience of the book. There could also be a mixture of two or all three. That is what happened to me with reading the Boy in the Striped Pajamas after watching the movie. I appreciated how the movie added to the character of Bruno; it truly made the 2 dimensions of the book become fully developed into 3D. Also, the movie went hand-in-hand with the story-telling of the book. The events of the book are very well-written and remembering how they were portrayed in the movie added more of an emotional response for me. Overall, the book is a great and sad tale in itself, but I suggest watching the movie also.