Only the Brave (DVD)

The movie Only the Brave, starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, and Jennifer Connelly, is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of elite firefighters in Arizona.  The film is filled with beautiful scenery and action, as well as some of the real life struggles of these brave heroes who fought forest fires.  Though I wouldn’t recommend Only the Brave as a family movie, I think that it is definitely a must-see for adults.  This movie is rated PG-13 for thematic content, language, and some sexual and drug references.

The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain

Now here’s something just a little bit different.  A book by a spectacularly well-versed, world-travelling author who professes to be an expert on everything from jumping frogs to river rafts to fingerprints. He wrote a children’s story—just for his children, mind you, as nothing more than a couple of scribbles on an overused, over-worn scrap of paper.  Then the dynamic duo of the children’s publishing world, Philip and Erin Stead, had the foresight and forethought to unknowingly re-discover this bit of babble and spin it into a full-length book for children, complete with illustrations.  This didn’t set perfectly well with old Mr. Twain, who, as was his manner, becomes such a narrative force that at points he actually interjects himself into the story as a character to argue with the ridiculous and downright overconfident direction that the author is taking the story.  An amazing book that is by turns ridiculous and witty, Twain himself would be proud.  Or so says the author, who never bothered to ask.  Verdict: Hysterical and smart, perfect for all ages. 

Artemis by Andy Weir

This is the second time around for a staff review of Andy Weir's Artemis. I am approaching this as a review from someone who has never read The Martian. I have noticed online that Weir is getting hammered by some who feel Artemis is nowhere near the quality of his first book, The Martian. I wouldn't know. Like I said, I have never read the book, nor have I seen the movie; so, rating Artemis as a stand alone effort, I will say that I found the book very entertaining.
It is the tale of small-time smuggler Jazz Bashara who finds herself in the middle of a large scale crime ring/caper at the moon's first and only colony, Artemis. The book is great in details about the colony and how Weir envisions life for the first humans permanently on the moon and how conduct it.
Jazz is a very blue talking, self-assured criminal, and by any means, no hero. Many reviewers/readers have been put off by her vocabulary and sexually-suggestive phrasing, but I think it all fits the character well. Again, the character of Jazz is no hero, but she is the main character of the book and the story is told through her viewpoint. I think Weir does a good job.
Some people feel that Weir's science is a little off when it comes to the colony and the technical aspects of what it, and the story entail. Again, I can't say this bothered me. Not being Neil deGrasse Tyson, I can't tell you how sound Weirs "science" for the story is. I just know there is plenty of action and a few problems that need to be worked out among its characters to reach a solution.
I think Artemis flows along well and keeps you turning the pages. If it were Weir's first effort as an author, I would be keeping an eye out for his second.

Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber

When Shay Benson is released from prison she has no place to go.  Wandering into a church to escape the cold she sits down in a pew to figure out the next step in her life.  Pastor Drew Douglas find her there and although Shay is distrustful and critical they connect and form a friendship. Drew has lost his wife and is struggling with taking care of his children and being an effective pastor. Drew and Shay help each other through difficulties in rebuilding their lives. Shay must stay strong and not help her brother, Caden, again as his request for money and the help she gave him had put her in prison.  Secrets, danger, romance, and imposed judgment make this book more gripping and was greatly enjoyed!

So B. It (DVD starring Talitha Bateman

Twelve year old Heidi has been raised thus far by her mother, So B. It, and her caring neighbor, Bernadette, who suffers from agoraphobia. Heidi's mother has a limited vocabulary, but one day after trying to go on a bus with her mother, her mother becomes extremely upset and repeatedly says the word "soof". Heidi instinctively knows that this new word contains meaning that is important to her life. She is determined to make a long journey to find out what she can about who her mother is and who she herself is. In this, she succeeds, and we too learn the secrets that Heidi sought to reveal. This was a very interesting movie that is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements.

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

Pa keeps saying, “it’s only till Christmas”.   May B. is a 12 year old whose parents have her go live with a couple who has recently moved and are in need of help adjusting to life on the prairie.  A few days after arriving to the “soddie,” the Missus leaves and the husband goes after her.  May B. is now alone and no one knows.  May B. quickly realizes that what her mother and father have taught her is how she will survive; proving to her parents, Teacher and herself that she matters.

I enjoyed the story in verse and how quickly the story moves along.  Fans of the Little House on the Prairie will enjoy this quick read. 

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Savvy 85-year-old Lillian loves taking walks.  On New Year’s Eve, 1984 she decides to have a fancy dinner at New York’s Delmonico where she has an interesting encounter that prompted her to walk further in the city to her new friend’s party.  Lilian reflects on her life’s ups and downs as the highest paid advertising copywriter for R. H. Macy’s during the 1930s. On her walk, she meets a limo driver, a security guard, a bodega clerk and even thugs whom she handles with ease. 

Rooney tells the story of a remarkable and feisty woman – based on Margaret Fishback - through the War, the Depression, hip-hop music and the onset of the Aids epidemic.  It is a good read!