Book Review: In the Blood

In the Blood by Lisa Unger will have you rapidly turning pages. I have read some of her previous books and she is getting better every time.  We meet Lana Granger who’s lived a life of lies. Her father is in prison for murdering her mother. Was Lana involved? And now that she’s graduating from college, her friend Beck goes missing. A few years ago, another friend was found murdered. Is this all tied in to Lana? 

Lana herself still needs counseling, and when she takes a sitter job for a very troubled 11 year old Luke, her fears heighten. She thought she was smart, but Luke is extraordinarily brilliant, manipulative, and possibly a psychopath. Is he involved in Beck’s disappearance? Lana’s college mentor questions her actions in regards to dealing with Luke, Beck, and her future.  

In this social media age, it might be difficult for Lana to “keep her ominous secrets buried.” (cover blurb).  P. 20 “I caught sight of myself in the mirror, a slim black line with folded hands and furrowed brow, an ink stain on cream silk.” 

p. 46 “In my darkest moments, I wonder if it was a cheat, an escape from that cosmic yawning. Maybe there was an angry god somewhere, raging. He wanted us, he almost had us.” 

In the Blood is smart, stylish, and slick. The plot will keep you and the police guessing until the end. It’s satisfying to read a book like this – an entertaining, well written thriller. It is not gory, but don’t slip in the blood.

Movie Review Madness: A Million Ways to Die in the West

A Million Ways to Die in the West is irreverently funny. If you like Seth McFarlane’s Family Guy, Book of Mormon, and the movie Ted, then this flick is golden. I would have deleted a few gross over-the-top bits, but I am not his target audience. Otherwise, he was writing my thoughts completely about life in 1882 in the west. Totally freakin’ miserable. You could die at any moment, and frankly the most dangerous place to be is at the doctor. But rattlesnake bite, mountain lion, bar brawl, duels, any disease – especially cholera, stampede, getting photographed at the fair, killed by the big block ice shipment. The list goes on and on.  

And there’s Seth’s Albert, a baby faced nerd who hates his life. But he loves his girl (Amanda Seyfried) a vapid climber who dumps him for Neil Patrick Harris – the successful owner of the Moustachery.  Fortunately, Anna (the gorgeous Charlize Theron) rolls into town. Unfortunately she’s the wife of the most notorious outlaw in the west – Clinch (Liam Neeson). But she befriends Albert, teaches him to shoot, and wisely points out that the girl isn’t worthy of him. Yes, they fall for each other, but one fateful kiss is seen by one of Clinch’s fellows. Now Albert is on death’s door awaiting a duel with the best in the West.

Aaah – but nerdy Albert has his ways. I won’t give any more away. Let’s add that Sarah Silverman as the town whore is hilarious. Even funnier is her deeply Christian boyfriend (Giovanni Ribisi). Their scenes are priceless. A Million Ways to Die in the West is filmed like a John Ford flick and the music background is perfect Sergio Leone worthy.  It has cheap laughs and has not been greeted with great reviews by the critics. My husband and I had low expectations and the movie rose above them. We were entertained and there’s nothing wrong with that. Go to a matinee, then grab a burger afterward. Truly a worthy date. Sometimes you have to go for silly, and sly Seth, the sheep boy, is too clever by far.

Book Review: Under the Wide and Starry Sky

Nancy Horan had great success with Loving Frank, a fictionalized account of Frank Lloyd Wright. Now she takes her skills and entertains us with Under the Wide and Starry Sky starring Robert Louis Stevenson.  This is a love story, a writer story, and a tale of fragile health.  Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne, a tempestuous American, came to Europe to study art, escape a philandering husband, and find her own identity. She meets Robert Louis Stevenson –  a Scot, ten years younger, weak lungs, no money, and a gift for telling a tale. He’s a lawyer who hates the law and decides to devote himself to writing, despite his father’s misgivings.  Together the odd couple embark on a love affair and marriage that “spans decades and the globe. The shared life of these two strong-willed individuals unfolds into an adventure as impassioned and unpredictable as any of Stevenson’s unforgettable tales.” (cover blurb) 

As a writer, it was fun to read about his slow success in magazines and finally books. In the late 1800s, writers depended on the mail for letters of success or rejection. He was often down to his last penny when something would pay off. His success with Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde cement him as a classic author. He also had a winner with A Child’s Garden of Verses.  He was close to death many times and seemed to find health on the high seas and finally in the South Seas islands. Fanny nursed him, fought for him, and also wrote and published. She recognized his genius and had to live with his peculiarities. Nancy Horan captures the personalities and we root for Fanny – her passion, her self-esteem, her pride, her American identity, and her love for RSL. This is a smooth enjoyable read as Robert Louis Stevenson and the woman behind him come alive on the page.

Movie Review Madness: Chef

Chef is a savory morsel of a movie. You will come out of the theater hungry for a cubano sandwich. Jon Favreau’s chef is on top of his game in Dustin Hoffman’s restaurant. He’s prepared to create the best meal of his life for a famous Los Angeles food blogger critic. Hoffman says, “No, prepare the hits people come here to eat.” Alas, the critic (a pompous Oliver Platt) blasts him for his tired presentations and lazy lava cake. A social media war escalates and the chef is out of a job.  

He takes the advice of his ex-wife, Sofia Vergara, and meets with her former ex-husband, Robert Downey, Jr (small role that he makes magic on screen). It’s food truck time, and this turns the movie into a summer road trip/father son bonding and sizzling food heaven. John Leguziamo, sous-chef, adds a fun dimension. They kick off the Cubano sandwiches in South Beach, and there’s no turning back. The son, at age 10, turns out to be the tweeting, filming, marketing genius. Crowds gather wherever they roll – New Orleans, Austin, etc.  Laughter, love, and memories are made as the boy grows up, the dad sees his son as a person, and the glory of cooking simmers.

 

Chef is heartfelt soul food.  It brims with humor and life. Forget a tub of popcorn. Enjoy the movie and then treat yourself to a meal at a family owned restaurant or gourmet food truck. Spend time with your family and friends, visit a farmer’s market, and treat your palate. Spice up your life after enjoying Chef

Poem: First Day

first day 

varies year to year dependent on weather

rainy cool nights bring the chill

postpone the expectations

pool lounge laziness 

 

 

first day cloudless, slight breeze

kids run/walk to diving board

minimal bounce hurls them shrieking

arm flail, half tuck, cannonball burbles 

 

 

she saunters to shallow end, dips the toe

lowers one step, and another

pale legs shimmer, as she oozes

breath intake as slight splash cools  

 

 

small of the back

she initiates plunge immersion

emerges renewed, winter memory erased

adjusts bathing strap, leans back to float

 

first day of summer declared

 

 

by Joanne Faries

 

Movie Review Madness: The Railway Man

The Railway Man is based on a true story that shows the horrific aftermath of war – the mental despair that can occur. We meet Eric Laskow (Colin Firth) as a world weary man riding trains in England. His brilliance shines through when he chats with Patti (Nicole Kidman), and they fall for each other. Soon after marriage, she sees the real Eric as he suffers from war flashbacks.  

In flashback we uncover his story. World War II in Burma, the British are beaten by the Japanese and men are taken prisoner. Eric Laskow, from the signal corps, and his buddies managed to steal enough parts as they dismantled gear to rebuild a radio. Meanwhile they are part of the slave labor building a railroad. Unfortunately, the Japanese discover the radio and also a map Eric has drawn. He admits to the radio and the map but had no ulterior motives. They suspect spying and Eric is subjected to horrific torture. The film handles this well – you cringe just watching the reactions of other prisoners.  

In present day, Patti wants to help. She seeks out a fellow war hero to get more of the story. Henley tells her and also reveals to Eric that he’s found the Japanese man who did the torture. The man now conducts tours for the war museum. To reach some closure, Eric travels to Burma and confronts the man. He’s come to kill him, but as they talk he breaks down. He realizes, as does Takashiki, that they are different men now. Sadly they did their jobs as twenty year olds, with huge regrets.  

There is closure for The Railway Man. This well done low key film depicts the underlying horror of war with gravitas. Colin Firth is restrained and you feel for the fiber of his soul.  It is a very serious film that tells a great tale of forgiveness and bravery.

Silent Sunday

 Photos courtesy of Ray Faries from San Saba two weeks ago. The rugged Texas hill country has its moment of colorful glory

color abounds
beware the beauty
deep deception
thorns pierce the soul