Food, Inc. directed by Robert Kenner

You'll never look at dinner the same way again.

Oscar Nominated Documentary

Rated PG, some disturbing images.

Available on Blu-ray, DVD and instant play (via Netflix).

Release date (2008/2009)

My review: Is it possible to even review a documentary? Let's be honest, I've read Skinny Bitch, I've watched Super Size Me. So I'm definitely on board, but to what point am I willing to commit?

This film not only confirmed what I had known along about the mistreatment of animals being bred and raised for food consumption, but interestingly enough. There is more to this evil, than meets the eye, and THAT is what this film explores.

It touches on the E Coli epidemic, and believe it or not, illegal immigration. There are so many key points to this film, that it is beyond recommendation. It is a necessary, that all consumers should watch.

I'm not here to preach, nor tell you how you should live. I can only HIGHLY recommend you watch this brilliant documentary, about the detrimental effects the food industry has on our health and our environment.

Suz

Movie Site: Food Inc.

Burned by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Reading Level; YA

Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her. But how? He will have to die to do so, the Vampire High Council stipulates. And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left…

Let me state for the record, I loved the first few books in the House of Night series. I do, truly. They were absolutely a fun read.

But somewhere between the fifth and this, the seventh book in the series, the cleverly fun writing failed for me. (I feel I have the right to say that, since I have invested in seven books with this series.)

Let me start off with the positive, by saying that my absolute favorite part of the book had to be the developing relationship between the raven mocker, Rephaim and the Red High Priestess, Stevie Rae.

I was pleased to see Stevie Rae's character mature, and when she wasn't arguing with a twangy, hick accent with Aphrodite, she was very heart-felt.

The rest of the book could have been omitted. Bottom line.

My irritations with the book are many, but I'll try to make them few.

First, the different points of view: This worked between Rephaim and Stevie Rae, because the feelings seemed to be realistic, but yet the danger from this relationship very real. The imprint between the two, just worked for me and I loved that Rephaim seemed to be conflicted in his intentions. I absolutely love redemption, even for a Raven Mocker. So I was intrigued, learning his inner thoughts.

However, Stark and Zoey's POV felt like wasted space and Aphrodite's, like nails on a chalk board. The characters in this book seemed to lose their appeal with me, and I found myself having a really hard time completing the book. The plot, seemed lackluster.

In all honesty, 2/3's of this book could have been deleted, and I would have been content with just the story of Stevie Rae and the Nephilim.

To sum it up, I really think the authors had something with Stevie Rae, but the rest of the story just sort of... failed for me.

Unfortunately, I have to give Burned...

Suz

Up In The Air directed by Jason Reitman

The story of a man, ready to make a connection.

Starring George Clooney and Vera Feramiga.

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

(Release date was 12/2009.)

I remember this movie coming out and not giving it much thought. Even when it received Oscar nods, I still didn't think much about it.

But somewhere, curiosity struck me, and I conveniently placed it in my Netflix que.

Then again, I forgot about it, till one day that red little envelope showed up in my mailbox, and low and behold there it was.

Sighing, I left it on my blu-ray player for over a week.

What is it about this movie, that I was dreading so much? That I would die a slow and horrible death, watching a middle age man contemplate life? Possibly.

To sum up the movie, I will use one brilliant word; existentialism. I won't try to explain my interpretation of such, but to quote Wikipedia, it is a way to place focus on individuality and freedom.

Thus we meet Ryan Bingham.

Ryan works for a company, that essentially is hired, to do another company's firing. (I had no idea, these people existed.)

Ryan travels, a lot. Almost 320 days a year. He lives out of his carry on, with nothing more than three shirts, two ties, one pair of shoes, one suit. Ryan is a miles whore. Or I should say, he seeks some sort of relevance out of club status from the airlines, the rental car companies and probably even the hotels. If they track your frequency, Ryan has a gold member card. His goal in life... to reach the ten million frequent flyer mark.

He enjoys his life, it's effortless; and with this lifestyle, he's created a philosophy, nothing ties him down.

Till he meets Alex Goran, a version of Ryan but with a vagina. (Hey, that's a quote from the movie.)

Needless to say things begin to change around Ryan, as a younger coworker, fresh from college, decides to modernize the company, in an effort to minimize travel expenses, by allowing the company to deliver the message, to the recipient, with a remote access via computer. This in turn, breaks Ryan's little man-made bubble of being able to live virtually within the clouds.

But Ryan fights back, by proving that such, could never replace the need to have a human being deliver, in a sense, what could be one person's most devastating news in their life. He convinces his boss, to allow this young wipper snapper, to come with him and see what the job really entails.

And so the adventure ensues.

My review: Let's just say, I was completely shocked at how much I was touched by this movie, and how much I actually grew to like the character, Ryan Bingham.

To be honest, you'd be lying if you weren't (even for one second) the slightest bit jealous of someone who literally had nothing. No mortgage, no rent, no car payment, no debt, no baggage.

It's a freeing thought, isn't it?

That's what this movie is trying to convey, and does so in a very entertaining way.

The writers beg to ask the question; What do you want?

I have to say, I don't have one complaint about this movie. Even the ending. Come on now, reality is, you reap what you sow. So I'm okay with what happens to Ryan.

So without giving away spoilers, I can only say, I highly recommend this movie.

The older I get, the more I enjoy stories about that moment. You know, that moment where you just realize, did I really just waste my life living like that?

The movie will make you laugh, make you think, and maybe make you cry (maybe just a tear). It's a great film and I'm sorry that it took me so long to watch it.

Suz

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Genre: Adult Fiction, Dark Thriller

What drew my interest to purchase this book, clearly came out of curiosity. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (first book), along with The Girl Who Played With Fire (second book), and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest (third book) have been praised world wide and have sat for countless weeks on the NY Bestseller’s list, among other lists internationally; AT THE SAME TIME.

How did this trilogy become so popular?

To start, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is an award winning novel, written by the late Stieg Larsson. In two simple words, excellent writing.

My Summary;

In the beginning, we meet Mr. Mikael Blomkvist just as he learns his fate in court (guilty), to which he is being sued for slander on a piece that he had written on Hans-Erik Wennerstom, a corrupt Swedish industrialist.

Mikael, an esteemed journalist, famous for exposing fraudulent business men and financiers, is also the co-owner and publisher of a magazine called the Millennium.

With the unfortunate news of the verdict, Mikael is devastated. Not only will he be required to pay a fine and serve time, but most damaging of all, he has been tarnished in his field. As publisher, we begin to see the effects of this case, as advertisers begin to pull out, and news spreads of what is deemed, ’a stupid journalist who had no proof’.

In his despair, he is presented with a most unusual offer.

~

Lisbeth Salander is no doubt a rebel, and by the looks of her: tattooed, piercings and eccentric hair... odd to say the least.

Yet, she is one of Milton’s Security firm’s top agents. If you were to ask her boss, Dragan Armanskij, probably the best in Sweden. She comes and goes as she pleases, and only works enough to make a comfortable living. She never speaks to anyone and at first glance, comes off as rude, quiet, maybe even disturbed. However, it is something within her that brilliantly gets the job done and without a doubt, Dragan can always rely on his Lisbeth. Her reports are meticulous and thorough.

It is because she is the best, that she is asked by a client to investigate a certain Mr. Blomkvist.

~

When Blomkvist finally agrees to meet with Mr. Vanger, he learns that the assignment at hand, is to investigate the case of his missing niece. The disappearance of young Harriet Vanger occurred nearly forty years ago, yet Mr. Herik Vanger, now in his eighties, cannot let this go. He is convinced that she was murdered and begs Blomkvist to reread every article, photo and police report, hoping that a new set of eyes will uncover anything that might reveal what happened that fateful day.

After some hesitation, Blomkvist finally accepts this freelance assignment and so it begins.

~

My review:

When I first started to read this book, I was hesitant at first. There is no doubt in my mind that the author was well versed in the world of finance, and certainly with his background of journalism, could write such a detailed backdrop of big corporations, money and politics. However, sometimes this brilliance can be boring, when you are desperate for a plot to unfold.

Yet the moment that Blomkvist accepts the assignment and the story starts to envelop around the disappearance of a young Harriet Vanger, the book took a dark, dark, turn.

For me that is where it became engrossing, yet I feel it is my duty to forewarn you. If you are not comfortable reading about murder, violent sexual assault; including incest, and torture, then you will not like this book. There is too much of it, inter weaved within the plot line of the story and the characters themselves.

But, if you can read these topics in the context of very well written story, than you will be obsessed with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

I found myself desperate to know what happened to Harriet Vanger, and more importantly, who was involved, that this book literally consumed me night and day, till I had managed to read not only the approx. 600 pages of the story, but also the prologue for the next story.

And, on top of that, I fell in love with the characters, Blomkvist and Salander, and it is because of the author’s painstaking attention to detail, that you feel like you know every facet of these two character’s lives. As dismal and disturbing, as it may be.

Without a doubt, the book is more than good, but because of it’s beginning, I give it a four out of five stars. Unfortunately there are people that will not go beyond the 100 page mark, if they feel the story is sleepy, and that is where I think my only complaint would lie.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians The Lightning Thief

Genre; YA, Greek Goodness

Summary; "Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse -- Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he got to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demi-gods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon, a mystery unfolds and together with friends -- one a satyr, and the other the demi-god daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastophic war between the gods."

Percy Jackson

Review; Since my daughter is on vacation, we decided to play out her review as if I was interviewing her. So mind you, we are about to dive into the mind of a twelve year old who desperately wants everyone to know, she loves Percy Jackson!!

Suz: What did you think about the book before and after?

Noe: All my friends have read this book, that's why I chose to read it. Before I read this, I had many doubts and didn't think it would be any good, since my taste is alot different than my friends. But I have to admit, I was very wrong. It is more geared towards childrens though.

After reading it, all I could think about was that I needed to get my hands on the second book.


Suz: Would you recommend this book to your friends?

Noe: Yes, I would recommend this book to my friends. Mom, I just said my friends have already read it though, see my answer for question 1. (Suz: Do you want me to buy you the next book?)


Suz: Will you continue the series?

Noe: Of course I will continue the series, what kind of messed up person do you think I am? Just kidding mom, I loved the first one and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book. Remember I read it after buying it at Target? By the way, I'm now on the fourth and still loving it.


Suz: Any other comments?

Noe: If you don't like Greek mythology and stuff, then this is not (I repeat NOT) your book. Go find something else because if you didn't guess from the title, well news flash, it's about Greek gods.


Suz: So what rating would you give this, smarty pants?

Noe: Five stars because me and greek mythology are friends.


Suz: Well, I just want to add a few comments myself. Kids of all ages, boys and girls (and a lot of adults, you know who you are) seem to enjoy this series. I personally have not read this book, but I did watch the movie, and I thought it was a great story, (plus the kid in the movie is my pick for Ethan, when they turn Beautiful Creatures into a movie.) I loved greek mythology when I was my daughter's age, so I am pleased that she finds it just as fasciniting and fun as well.

So, as Noe said, she gives Percy Jackson & the Olympians The Lightning Thief, a greekalicious five stars!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: YA, romantic wolf love.

Summary; "For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

"Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever."

My review; Shiver has been on my list for some time now, and simply because so many of you are anticipating Linger, due out next month.

If I had to describe this book, my initial reaction would be understated, quiet, but lovely. Let me explain.

The book is a chilling tale of a young girl who had been bitten by wolves, only to find as she matures into an older teen, comes to have a fascination with them and after years of observing them; an appreciation for their kind. After all, they seem to linger in her back woods, and in particular, one stunning wolf with yellow eyes.

It is then that she meets the boy with the yellow eyes. The same yellow eyes that the wolf that she had come to love all these years, had/has.

What I found romantic about this, is that it is as it appears. Love at first sight. Love of the little girl, that the wolf had come to save. Love of the yellow eyes that appears in her back woods, every winter, watching her intently. Never speaking one word to each other, never formally knowing each other... Love at first sight.

The book from the beginning seems to move without delay, though at times I did find it a little sleepy here and there. Thus the words understated and quiet were used to describe it, remember? And just when I thought to myself, do I really want to continue this story, I found myself being drawn in towards the end. One of my favorite characters has to be Isabel (a sister, whose brother had been bitten.) I absolutely loved the unfold of her relationship with the main character Grace and I just thought it was beautiful, how the two seem to be able to lean on each other as the story starts begins to resolve itself. (Sorry, don't want to spoil it for you.)

Then there is my favorite line: "Even though I knew I was alone, I still shivered." *Sighs*

Obviously now, I have to read Linger. I'm curious to see where the author is headed with this story and if there is any explanation as to how this disease, if you will, started. (Ya know, who turned into a wolf first?)

I would have given this book a higher rating, but honestly, I did struggle with the book at first (just a little). However in the end, the story is a really good story and if you haven't read this yet, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Suz

I give Shiver a sweet three stars.

Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

Angelology; Genre-Adult Fiction, Angel Awesomeness.

Summary- "Sister Evangeline was just a girl when her father entrusted her to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in upstate New York. Now, at twenty three, her discovery of a personal letter, written in 1943 and one of several sent between the famous philanthropist Abigail Rockefeller and the late mother superior of Saint Rose Covenant, plunges Evangeline into the world of a secret and long lasting struggle for power.

"This is a secret history that stretches back a thousand years: an ancient conflict between the Society of Angelologists and the monstrously beautiful descendants of angels and humans, the Nephilim."


My review: If you do not like reading about Angels, stop right here. See the cover image, read the title. This book is about angels.

Now that we have cleared any confusion about what the book is about, let's get in to the nitty gritty; is the book any good?

Let me just forewarn you. This book is not for everyone. The first chapter alone, starts from Sister Evangeline's POV and goes into detail about her daily life at the nunnery. This might easily scare a few of you off, because your initial instinct would be to consider that quite mundane and boring. However, the book is deceiving. It moves considerably fast and right from around page 30, new characters are being introduced, and thus the action begins.

I honestly can't remember how many times I hit my husband while reading in bed, and gasping out loud at my discoveries.

What I thought was going to be a difficult read, became an obsession into the history of angels. I wanted more! I found myself running for my bible, turning the pages frantically, then following along with my book, confirming the quotes from the bible. There were times that I felt like "is this true, could it be? Hmmm, I wonder..." Hooked, can't even describe how I felt while reading it.

Your probably wondering, do I need to be well versed in the bible? No. Not at all. The author does an outstanding job of communicating the history of fallen angels, and how their children, the nephilim, came to be. I mean details down to the sex of the angels, their skin color, their weaknesses, their strengths, how one can be killed, etc..

What I also like is how she was able to fabricate her own version of angelic history and interweave it into our own, taking us on a wild ride through the treacherous days of World War II, and how the angelologist came upon an important artifact (which ultimately is what the story centers around-the possession of this artifact). Then there is the brilliant ending, sweet baby piglets! I'm dying. I need a second book, I want the movie version! I'm not ready to let these characters go!

To sum this up, I freaking loved this book (Can you tell? I need therapy.) The author, Danielle Trussoni could teach a college course on angels, and I would be the student sitting up front, notebook in hand. Just as I said, get past the first few pages, from there I promise you, it's brilliant. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. One of my favorite books of 2010.


Suz

Must check out!!!
Danielle Trussoni


I give Angelology a sweeping....