Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

EYE OF THE NEEDLE by Ken Follet

STORY: WWII rages throughout Europe. The infamous German spy, De Needle, attempts to stay one step ahead of the MI6 agents on his tail. It quickly becomes a race to stop the German spy from revealing the truth about the upcoming Allied invasion.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) CHARACTERS ¡V nice backgrounds and motivations given and the players in the story stay true to character. Characters are believable because we¡ve all known people like them¡Kwell maybe not like De Needle. ƒº You cheer for the good guys and hate it when the bad guy succeeds, which is exactly what an author wants to accomplish in his writing. I appreciated that the ¡§good guys¡ were not made out to be complete idiots and actually had some great intuition in trying to capture the bad guy.

2) SETTING ¡V I¡ve never been to England but I¡ve seen plenty of movies that take place there. I think the author uses these preconceived ideas and already established visuals to help the reader know where the character is. Otherwise, when you look at it closely, I felt that he didn¡t spend a lot of time giving us environmental descriptions¡Ksome readers will find this a pleasing aspect while others may want more.

3) STORY ¡V For the longest time I couldn¡t figure out what the purpose of the ¡§sub-plot¡ of Lucy and David was all about and how it tied into the main storyline. But it was brought around nicely. Nice suspense and the last 50 pages are great wrap up.

4) MISC ¡V There is one love scene that is VERY descriptive and may be offensive to some readers...but luckily it is only one and doesn¡t carry on for too long. The book generated an overall bond with me that now I¡m off to watch the Donald Sutherland movie version of the book.

OVERALL ¡V Fast, easy read that brings suspense and concern for the well being of the characters. Worth getting!

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some movies deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what film making should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

I went into this thinking it was a romatic comedy and in fact it was a drama of one woman's coping with a divorce and trying to find love and "hapiness" by starting a new life in a foreign country.

There were some brief moments of humor that had me laughing

You do feel very sympathetic to the character and are continually root for something special and good to happen to her.

Lane as in most cases delivers a convincing and well portrayed acting job.

The supporting cast is a mix of quirky characters that you easily like and the friendships they build with the main character are genuinely felt and appreciated.

Nice bits of "wisdom" thrown in througout the movie to give you something to think about.

If you are paying attention there is a nice life metaphor or two, which helped me appreciate the writing of the story even more.

OVERALL: It was a good movie, not great. Worth watching alone or with friends who can appreciate female dramas.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some movies deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what a movie should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

THE STORY: Jim Halsey in an effort to face his nightmares from the first movie, travels back to Texas with his girlfriend.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) C. Thomas' acting was the worst I've ever seen him and I've sat through some of his straight to cable/video B movies

2) Busey is just a likeable bad guy

3) Wuhuer is attractive and does a better acting job that the previous two

4) The cops are portrayed as hillbilly idiots. Too much of a stereotype that it felt like the writer just got lazy.

5) The killing scense weren't creative or suspensful. Better watch Friday the 13th part 85 if you want to see killing.

6) First 15 min and last 15 were the best part of the movie. Nice plot twists.

OVERALL: Not the worst I've seen but definitely not even worth renting. If it comes on TV late at night and you are having insomnia...watch this and you'll be back to sleep in no time.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: As one reviewer nicely put it: Rhapsody is a woman, a Singer of some talent, who is swept up into events of world-shattering import. On the run from an old romantic interest who won't take no for an answer, Rhapsody literally bumps into a couple of shady characters: half-breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhapsody soon finds herself dragged along on an epic voyage, one that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled fantasy world.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) SETTING - the world in which Haydon throws her characters is easily imaginable and full of wonderful details and surprises. She takes some "common" fantasy races and either renames them or creates half-breeds that provide interesting changes from the typical full-blood elves, dwarves and barbarians of standard D&D or Tolkien influenced stories.

2) CHARACTERS - As mentioned the characters are interesting partly because of their uniqueness of being mixed bloods. The motivations for the three main protagonists is revealed enough that you want to help the good guys along. The interaction between the three is consistent throughout. The only complaint I had, which I also saw in other reviews, is how Rhapsody can be the "most beautiful woman in the world" and not realize it and take advantage of it...especially considering her prior profession before she was hijacked by Achmed and Gunthor.

3) PLOT - Up to page 270 I couldn't wait to turn to the next page. Then for the next 100+ pages we get this huge information dump on the history of the world over the past fourteen centuries. Though creative and well though out, this was too much for me and I had to labor through it in hopes that the story would pickup with the same pace and wonder as the first 270 pages. Well it didn't fully. The pace does pickup and the story progresses a bit more but there is still a lot of history and background given in the rest of the book.
Eventually you realize...there is no main "antagonist" for everyone (yet), which was ok with me and made it so I couldn't predict exactly what was going to happen.
This is a story of how these three characters find themselves in a new world and how they cope. It does lay the ground work for an "ultimate" evil that needs to be conquered but that isn't in this book.

OVERALL: I really liked the book and it kept my interest plenty as I'm one who doesn't HAVE to finish a book like some people feel who obligated to after a couple hundred pages to do so. I'm inclined to read the rest of the original trilogy (I think a 4th book is out now) as I do want to continue the journey with the characters.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some movies deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what a movie should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: Through coincidence a high-school beauty and an idiot criminal switch bodies when they happen upon magical ancient Egyptian earings. Now starts the "comedy" of how they and their friends cope to the sudden change.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) Much of the humor was in the same vain as the Scary Movie trilogy = silly to the point that you still find yourself chuckling at how stupid it all is

2) Not a movie I'd recommend for kids as some people will find it offensive that the movie touches on (and seems to encourage) homosexuality, cross-dressing and marital unfaithfulness.

3) The cast did their job and must have had fun at such a ridiculous comic romp.

4) The story was predictable and no new ground explored here nor old ground handled in a fresh way

5) Adam Sandler's bit part (he produced the movie it appears) were as dumb as they get. Don't know why he even bothered appearing in the movie other than to help boost viewership.

OVERALL: It got enough chuckles out of me that I didn't find it a total waste of time but it was close. I'd rather go back and watch Liar Liar or Happy Gilmore for some true original laughs.

Rating
1 star = abysmal, run & hide
2 star = poor
3 star = good, worth the effort
4 star = very good
5 star = great, must own

=============================================
This is a good movie.
Not a bad movie. Not a great movie.

If you are going to compare it to the book then just forget watching this because you will be disappionted. If you watch this and like it and it gets you curious about the book, then don't wait. Get the book, its awesome!

Back to the movie review:
1) Action sequences were pretty good. The brief scenes showing the seige of La Roche was an interesting glimpse into medevil warfare

2) The movie feels like a 3+ hr movie crammed into just 2hrs. This worked for some things (kept the action going and gave a sense of trying to fly through the pages of the book because I couldn't wait to see what happened next) but for other things (characterization and plot) it left something to be desired

3) I liked seeing Paul Walker in something different than Fast & Furious. He seemed relaxed and not trying too hard. A likeable character.

4) This is a movie...they forget the science and leave a lot of questions. They found a wormhole. How? Who cares. Deal with it. Read Crichton's PREY and you'll appreciate the brevity of this story's explaination.

5) My wife who was totally ignorate to the book or the movie or Paul Walker thought it was a good watch. We popped the popcorn and enjoyed the continuing downward spiral of situations for the characters.

6) The end was VERY rushed. One second survivors are patting each other on the back and the next frame time has passed and there is some dialogue and the movie is over.

OVERALL: If you can keep and open mind and watch it for what it is, you should have fun and enjoy a Fairly GOOD movie. Hopefully you'll want to read the book afterward and realize it is a GREAT book.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: In a universe where the Dorsai are the most feared warriors, Donal Graeme stands out. He stands out because his oddities drive him to seek his future amongst the stars. This book is the story of his journeys.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) This book has the same feel as other classics like Asimov's Foundation series.

2) Gordon creates a great universe here that acts as the backdrop to the various adventures of Donal

3) This story has some elements of Dune in it (especially the ending) but not to the same dramatic suspense as Herbert's masterpiece.

4) I agree with other reviewers that a large part of the suspense was removed because Donal just wins every time. This was fun on the other hand because his solutions were logical and innovative.

5) I'm told this is the first of at least a 12 book series. This story can stand on its own if you don't care to read the rest of them.

6) I didn't leave the book feeling like I cared about any of the characters, even Donal. They either played such detached roles or in Donal's case, the reader has already been fed so many of his victories that there doesn't seem to be much left to strive for or challenge him.

OVERALL: Well written. Engaging. Action kept me going. Solutions to challenges didn't make me feel cheated. Very good read.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: When off-duty detective Stone Barrington is a witness to body landing at his feet from a several story apartment complex, he is thrust into a mystery of money, jealousy and police politics.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) Woods has a very easy to read style of writing. You can zip through his book in no time

2) Warning: Adult content. Explicit sex, profanity and alternate lifestyles within these pages. Some reader may find this offensive.

3) Biggest complaint I had was how immature I felt the author handled the sex. It was almost like a dirty old man sharing his personal fantasies vs. an author deftly crafting a steamy scene.

4) Stone is a strong, fun character to follow and he is cliché in all the ways that readers like and keep coming back for more.

OVERALL: I think the average person will find this a good read, even though I personally didn't care for the ending much. Its not that I felt the author jipped me or tied things up too nicely, I personally didn't care for the central content of why things happened. I've been told that this is his only book done this way and if I liked his writing then try his other Barrington books. I will do this.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some movies deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what a movie should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

MY FEEDBACK:
1) Movie gave a nice eerie sense of what the hardships of living on an old ship would be like

2) Final battle was phenominal

3) Similar cat-n-mouse type storyline as Hunt for Red October except I felt October had handled the building of suspense better

4) Not sure if it was Crowe's character or him, but I wasn't drawn into the main protagonist like with Gladiator. I appreciated that the main "good guy" had redeeming qualities but the focus seemd to always be deflected from him onto others

5) Nice friendship subplot

6) Clean movie. Profanity virtually non-existent. Most teens and kids could watch. I think even the violent scenes were quick and the blood kept off camera for the most part though you know death and destruction lay about...unlike Braveheart & Gladiator that put the violence in your face.

7) Seemed to miss the emotional qualities and "sense" of "original" plot that takes a movie from good to very good or even Oscar quality...in my humble opinion. If this is the best that last year had to offer to compete with Lord of the Rings for best picture then it is no wonder Lord of the Rings won hands down.

Overall: Good movie. Totally worth watching. Unless you are a die-hard Crowe fan or a fan of naval movies I'd rent before buying.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: DEA agent is out to take revenge on the drug dealers that killed his wife.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) Forget XXX or Fast & Furious, this is a much better Vin Diesle movie (Pitch Black is still his best though). Vin does some decent acting and his general charisma carry a large portion of the movie.

2) Good attempt at developing the relationship of Vin's character with other characters in the movie

3) Not a huge action flick but enough guns to keep this drama moving

4) Some suspension of belief is needed in this movie

5) Seemed the editing didn't explain a plot twist or two but cut things out leaving gaps in the story.

OVERALL: We enjoyed the movie and didn't feel like we wasted out time with it.