Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a fun filled film about the adventures of a reformed chicken thief who goes through a midlife crisis. He is a family man now but wants to return to the good old days of thieving. so with the help of an odd array of characters he puts the entire area in jeopardy by ticking off the meanest business men in the area. With a fun combination of puppetry and claymation we enter a world created by Rohl Dahl and you just find it an enjoyable film to relax no real thought provoking parts it’s just a fun film for the family with some witty and strange characters.


I do recommend this wonderful movie and book.

Avatar

Wow this movie leaves you breathless and amazed at where technology and movies can take you. The world of Pandora is one that will captivate your imagination and really grabs you. The story is one that is pretty good but it is the visual experience that draws you in. I need to mention the funny irony of the movie is that there were three adds before the movie started for the Marines and National Guard (which I respect a great deal), but a large part of the story casts military people in a very bad light. The bad guy is a Military leader who typifies how we think of officers in the military. Now back to the actual movie. Jake Sully our main character is a crippled ex-marine who is scientifically given the ability to create a mental link with the body of the locals called Na’vi on the planet of Pandora and he comes to discover the beauty of their beliefs and simple but by no means easy lives. He learns to appreciate the beauty of nature and why it is worth protecting.




For anybody wanting to see a great visual movie this is the one to see this year. For just a small warning for those interested their are many marines in the movie that the language goes with it. The language is not extreme but their is some. Overall the movie was amazing and well worth the time to see.

Three cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea is a story of a man driven to make a difference and help a people that are often overlooked by the rest of the world. The story of Greg Mortenson is one that needs to be read by everyone. His ideals and love for the people of Pakistan will move you to want to make a difference in the world around you. This is the best story I have read this year.


You will follow a mountain climber who ends up becoming and honorary member of a small village near the base of the second highest mountain in the world K2. He is then inspired to promise that he will return to try to build a school for these people and he keeps that promise even if it will almost killed him. He then discovers the need for schools and places of learning all over Pakistan. So he works to first raise funds that come from many sources and then to build the relationships within Pakistan to make this all happen.

Doctor Greg as he is called in Pakistan is fighting and winning a war that is far more important and productive than the millions of dollars the Government spends on the war. You learn in this story that the Taliban gets recruits through providing a biased education for the children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Parents wanting their children to go to school send them to these schools that teach more how to fight and to hate the west more than Math or Science. How do we truly win the war in the long run? By providing a better alternative and to cut off the thousands of recruits taught in these Taliban run schools.

Prelude to Glory

The Prelude to Glory series is awesome I highly recommend these to anyone seeking to find a fun way to learn about the revolutionary war as well as about the war of 1812 (which really how much are we taught about it). These stories follow a fictional family through the entire war effort. You learn a great deal about the founding fathers and what they truly did for this great country from declaring our independence and the feeling the men had who did it. You experience the horrors of Valley Forge the taking of Trenton from the Hessian soldiers. The intense sea battles and the fight in the south with about the amazing swamp fox and his men. You learn more about Benedict Arnold, and why he did what he did. You then follow the conference that created the constitution and the battle that was fought in a hot humid room for days. Then the war of 1812 and why we had to earn the respect of nations even after winning the war for independence.  You also learn so much more.  If any of this interests you go out and get these well written stories and experience history.

Dragonrealm

Dragonrealm is a collection of three different titles that come together to tell a fascinating fantasy adventure. You follow several different characters through this realm that is ruled by shape shifting dragons. You also meet several other interesting characters that are trying to stand up with humans against the dragon rulers. The first two books Firedrake and Icedragon I liked a lot and think they are filled with some exciting events and magic. The third called Wolfhelm is a little confusing because it introduces so many new things but it answers a lot of questions about one of my favorite characters called Gryphon. If you are interested in magical adventures filled with dragons and other strange creatures in a world of betrayal check out Dragonrealm

Leven Thumps

I know I am a little behind on these but I just finished the second Leven Thumps book and thought I should post a new review of these interesting stories.  These stories introduce you to the magical land of Foo where dreams are created and controlled.  The land is under the grasp of Sabine an evil being who seeks to use the powers of Foo to rule both reality and the dream world of Foo.  Leven a is brought into this adventure and meets several friends namely The Great Geth, Winter and Clover.  They must travel across the world to help save Foo and and the dreams of men.  These stories are aimed more at younger audience but they are still a fun adventure for any age.

Book 2 find Leven now in Foo having to save Geth and Winter from Sabine's number 2 Jamoon.  He must find a

way to control his powers and to help rid part of Foo of the Evil that has spread throughout the land.  This book is one filled with adventure and also some interesting side stories that help prep you for book 3 which appears to be even more exciting As it appears that Leven will have to face evil to save his good friend Clover.   This is a series that is meant for youth but can be read for just a fun adventure into the land where dreams are created and manipulated. 

Have a Little Faith

Mitch Albom is the author of Tuesday's with Morrie.  He writes a wonderful memoir of two individuals that have taught him faith and strength.  The first is his Rabbi and teacher nick named Reb.  Reb is a man of incredible caring and faith who has devoted his life to serving and creating a community within his synagogue.  His example of loving and life long devotion helped lift my spirits and helped me see what joy can be found in a life time of services.   He had a positive attitude about everything and loved to sing and whatever he says.   The second individual is Henry.  He was someone who started as a drug user and dealer he spent time in prison until he made a change.  He became a minister in downtown Detroit and gave the rest of his life to helping the homeless and destitute.  Both of these men led lives that brought people to God and are very inspiring and this book is worth reading and I highly recommend it as a great way to find examples from different faiths that point to God.  

The Magician's Elephant

The Magician's Elephant, written by the same author as the Tale of Despereaux.  The book is a fun, quick read about miracles and believing in them.  Peter, the main character, is a little boy searching for joy in a world where people just seem to accept things as they are and don't believe in change.  Until an Elephant magically appears in the city.  A story that is just a fun read for younger and older audiences.   The tale comes together with a little faith and love, and people find the change they have been looking for.

Nate Shepherd

The Lost Symbol

This book only took me two and a half days to read during the week, while working.  The story is fast paced and thrilling to say the least.  The entire book takes place in about 12 hours but you will not believe how much can happen in that time.  Robert Langdon is back again this time tackling symbolgy of the Free Mason's within the complex city of Washington DC.  Even if you are from DC you will learn things about the buildings that make up the US capitol.  Robert Langdon must unravel secrets stored for hundreds of years by the Mason's to save his good friend ,a high ranking Mason, while CIA is looking for him as well.  All this to help appease a strong and ruthless madman with a plan wrapped in centuries of evil.  While you are on this emotional ride you are learning about things from the teachings of Christ and the Bible to modern day science of noetics.  For anyone looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you pondering well after you have finished the story.




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