Movie: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

My rating on a 1-10 scale: I don’t even know. I’ve never not known what to rate something.

Genre: Life

Primary actors: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton

Length: Almost three hours!

Time period: 1960s, I guess, or that’s what I’m putting…anyone have a better answer?

Rating: PG-13

Year it came out: 2008

My overall opinion: We have a problem, y’all. I don’t know what I thought. Or what to rate it. Out of something like 1000 reviews, I’ve never been flummoxed on what to rate something – some were hard, but I always managed to come to a decision. Until now. This movie was unlike anything I’ve ever seen, I guess. So here’s a random collection of thoughts…

The concept is fascinating. A man who lives his life backwards? Really neat. He starts old (though
baby size) and slowly grows up with a young boy’s inquisitive brain in an old man’s body. It was fascinating. I do need to warn you that there are some rather objectionable elements in here, so make sure that you read about it on IMDB before watching, just to make sure.

Benjamin’s whole relationship with the girl…never mind, I’m not even going to try to figure out what I thought. Cate Blanchett was awesome as the girl, though! I really liked her – she did a great job.

The ending was so moving. I cried a lot. Which means the producers did something right. Yeah. I guess the ending almost redeemed it – no, more just improved it for me. It was really amazing.

All in all, I don’t know if I’d say I “liked” it, but I certainly am glad I watched it and wouldn’t be opposed to watching it again someday. Do I recommend it? I’m not sure. Some people would love it.
Some people wouldn’t. I can’t tell for you. I don’t even know what I thought. This is really disconcerting. So yeah. I think I’ll just stop here. Have you seen it, and if so, did you like it? And do you understand why I’m confused?

Movie: X-Men: First Class

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Genre: Superhero, adventure, fantasy

Series or set: X-Men

Number in series:  Well, this one goes way back to the beginning…I know that…

Primary actors: James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones

Length: A little over two hours

Based on: the Marvel comics.

Time period: 1960s…ish…I think…

Rating: PG-13

Year it came out: 2011

My overall opinion: Well, here’s the problem of the day – I watched this on TV. Which for me? Is weird because I never watch movies on TV. Because I was watching with a lot of people, I was also slightly distracted. So. I know I watched this movie and enjoyed it. However, I couldn’t give you much of a storyline…just didn’t pick up on that. However. Having given that disclaimer, I’ll admit that I thought it good! Note that it is PG-13...check imdb.com for reasons why. Again, the visual effects were stunning, the action was constant and riveting, and it was an enjoyable film. And also. I'm super excited for X-Men: Days of Future Past. :D May 2014!

Revell Blog Tour: Scent of Lilacs

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Genre: Life, childhood, kids, family, growing up

Series: Heart of Hollyhill

Number in series: 1^st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 346

Time period: 1960s

Publisher and price: Revell, $14.99

Passage about the book: It’s 1964 in small-town Kentucky, and Jocie Brooke is curious.  As she digs up answers to her questions about her family, the results will impact Jocie’s life forever. 

My overall opinion: I enjoyed this one even more than I’d hoped to! The first half was easy reading, smooth, and overall a gentle, expectable story. Very well-written, the whole book was. But the second half! Wow, the pace really picked up as the story whipped through unexpected twists and turns, with even more unexpected stories and storms thrown into the mix. I couldn’t put it down during that second half! So glad it was a Sunday afternoon, when I had time to finish it. :) I absolutely flew through reading like mad. I grew to really like and empathize with the characters, especially in that second half. I am so looking forward to the next book now! The end was complete enough to finish, but left the end open enough to allow for a sequel (or several). God has a prominent part in this story, but it doesn’t feel forced, either into the story or onto you, the reader. I would definitely recommend this book! I’d wanted to read a Gabhart for a while, ever since I saw and loved the cover of Words Spoken True. Therefore, when this book came up for review I snatched it up – and I’m so glad I did! Great book. 

Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

**Revell supplied me with this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to post a positive review, nor was I paid in any way other than the book.**

Zondervan Blog Tour: Chasing Jupiter

Author: Rachel Coker

Genre: Life, family

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 286 (hardcover)

Time period: 1960s

Publisher and price: Zondervan, $15.99

My overall opinion: Several things first caught me about this book. One was the author – she’s a teen, in highschool, and homeschooled. Impressive, right? This is already her second book to be published! Then the time-period interested me too. The 1960s…they’re almost modern, but not quite. Recent enough that relics still hang around (and no, this isn’t a derogatory term for people…I’m talking about things like bar stools and records and such). But Chasing Jupiter lived up to my hopes for it, and one that truly took me back to that by-gone era! The main characters are a girl, aged 16, and her younger brother of about 10 who’s mentally challenged. Rachel described both of these characters in a completely ‘gettable’ way, and I was especially impressed with how she handled the brother and his disability – very realistic, from my point of view. You’ll be emotionally involved in this story by page 150, I guarantee it! And just when you think everything is going along smoothly and predictably and peachily (no pun intended), something stunning and unexpected occurs. And no, I won’t tell you what it is. You’ll have to read CJ for yourself! All in all, the writing
was great, and if you get a chance – grab this one up and give it a try!

**Zondervan supplied me with this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to post a positive review, nor was I paid in any way other than the book.**

A Girl Named Faithful Plum

Author: Richard Bernstein

Genre: Life, growing up

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Biography

Number of pages: 270

Time period: Late 1900’s

My overall opinion: Wow, this was quite the book! It’s actually an inspiring story. A young Chinese dancer, who goes to a really selective ballet school! It was very interesting, aimed at middle-school age, I suppose. An adult would enjoy too though, methinks. Definitely check this one out if you can find it!

Movie: Yellowstone Cubs

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7

Main characters: Bear cubs. :)

Genre: I'm not actually sure...

Primary actors: None, just bears. Well, there are a few humans, but they aren't primary.

Length: About 50 minutes.

Based on: *ahem* I'm not actually sure if it's fiction or non-fiction. :P I'd say a little of both.

Time period: 1960's...hilarious to see the hair on the women, outfirts, and cars. ;)

Exciting events: Hmmm.

Year it came out: 1963

My overall opinion: It's fun. A kids' movie. Has some laughable parts. :)

Child of the City

Author: Tito Matias

Genre: True story, conversion

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Non-fiction

Number of pages: 199

Time period: 1960's

Main characters: Tito, Paul

Exciting events: Several.

My overall opinion: Okay, you probably saw that I gave this book a high rating. It's because I really enjoyed it! Now before you rush out and buy it, let me caution you: this is not a book for kids. Tito lived in Chicago. Chicago is gang-heaven. There are mentions of shootings. As you get into the book, you learn Tito had a really rocky past. Namely, other men forced themselves on him in the wrong way twice. I hope that's clear enough, I don't want to type more explicitly. There is no detail, but you know. I didn't know much (anything?) about gangs prior to reading this book. It was an excellent read, but don't let your 9 year old read it.

EDIT: re-reading, you need more detail. :) It's the story of Tito, a boy of Chicago, who goes to a place called Inner City Impact, and learns about Jesus. He's a great athlete and participates in AWANA. A man named Paul really helps him. He ends up finishing high school in Montana, at a high school my grandma went to. Though I don't think she knew him. So.