Reviews – book & movie reviews

K. Pinella’s movie & book reviews

A Walk in the Woods (a movie blurt)

/ Karina Pinella / 7 Comments

This movie is based on a book by the same name written by Bill Bryson, who at 44 years old decides to hike the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles long). Robert Redford, who is in his late 70s, plays Bryson in the film. He is accompanied by a long-lost friend, Stephen Katz (played by Nick Nolte); the two traveled Europe together when they were in their early 20s. They lost touch soon after their European trip and through some fluke they find themselves reunited to hike together.

Even though it seems a stretch for Redford to be playing a man in his 40s, such a thing can be overlooked because of the repartees between Bryson and Katz, beautiful photography, and other interesting characters — notably one of the hikers they meet along the trail. Before I watched the movie, I thought it would be boring because it’s just about two people walking and talking, but it isn’t like that at all. The story line’s themes – relationships and one’s purpose in life – make for some funny scenes, notable truths, and fine dialogue.

After You by Jojo Moyes (a book blurt)

/ Karina Pinella / 11 Comments

This is the sequel to Me Before You, which is about an ordinary young woman who goes through an extraordinary transformation after caring for a paraplegic young man with whom she falls in love. At first, After You feels almost anticlimactic because the first book was so intensely emotional; here we’re left to pick up the pieces. But then the plot begins to unfold into another love story. With humor interspersed with some serious themes like loss, separation, and abuse, the book makes for an interesting read. The movie, Me Before You, is now out, featuring Emilia Clarke, who plays the ordinary girl, Louisa Clark.  (I haven’t seen the movie, although I’ve heard it leaves out a serious theme that a movie understandably cannot cover well in a short time.)

[To read a review of Me Before You, check out Bookidote’s review.]

Gone Again by James Grippando (a book blurt)

/ Karina Pinella / 6 Comments

This is the 13th of a book series featuring Jack Swyteck, a defense attorney, who at the beginning of his career defended death row inmates for some agency. As the series continues, we see Swyteck eventually getting his own law practice and jumping into and out of romantic relationships. This particular story line touches on the subject of adoption.  Since this is a suspense story, the focus is on the darker side or challenges of such subject. Interesting twists here as we try to learn what happened to an adopted 17-year-old. Is she still alive? Suffice to say this is one of the more interesting stories in the Swyteck series.

In my earlier review of one of Grippando’s books, I listed all the books I’ve read in the order they were published, including all of the previous Swyteck books. So check out the list if you wish to read his earlier works:
Cash Landing by James Grippando

Subsequently, I’ve read Grippando’s new publications, which I will continue to list below as I finish reading them.

Penny Jumper
Most Dangerous Place
A Death in Live Oak

Criminal Activities (a movie blurt)

/ Karina Pinella / 7 Comments

This film has a story line that is not what it seems. A real twister about four former high school classmates reunited by attending the funeral of one of their old chums. After the funeral services, the four get together for coffee and somehow bring up a get-rich scheme that can only work if they are willing to capitalize on it together. One of the friends, played by Dan Stevens, offers to front the money, while another, played by Michael Pitt — who so happens to be in financial services — gives it the green light. The deal turns sour and they have to pay up to John Travolta’s mob character, Eddie, who gives the four friends an out if they do something for him. As the story gets better, the situation gets worse for the four.

The Steel Kiss by Jeffery Deaver (a book blurt)

/ Karina Pinella / 5 Comments

This is the 12th in a book series about a world-renowned forensic detective, Lincoln Rhyme, who is quadriplegic, and a kick-ass New York detective, Amelia Sachs. Together they make a powerful combination of increasing the odds in solving complex cases. They’re the kind of characters you miss after you finish the book. The crimes they solve are full of puzzles that make you think along with this duo. Another fun thing about this author is he writes about current or past events or just things that he finds interesting. For example, in this story he delves into computer automation, which plays a part in the criminal’s killing method.

With this review and maybe all I do going forward, I’m keeping things short. I call these “blurts” because I want you to know about the book or movie without spoiling it for you. So that’s all for now, folks.

Listed below are prior Deaver books on his Lincoln Rhyme series in the order they were published; here you can see how the romance between Rhyme and Sachs came to blossom. Yes, this too is a big draw of thriller series. You’d be surprised how many such series include romance. However, this genre contains action, mystery, and heinous crimes, too. I will continue updating the list below, as I finish reading his new publications.

The Bone Collector
The Coffin Dancer
The Empty Chair
The Stone Monkey
The Vanished Man
The Cold Moon
The Broken Window
The Burning Wire
XO
The Kill Room
The Skin Collector
The Burial Hour (2017)
The Cutting Edge (2018)

The Watcher in the Wall by Owen Laukkanen (a book review)

/ Karina Pinella / 5 Comments

This is the fifth of a book series that features FBI Agent, Carla Windermere, who earned the nickname, Super Cop, because of her arrest record, among other reasons. She’s teamed up with Kirk Stevens, a state investigator, who at one time sat in a Minneapolis precinct in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) division. In this installment, he is now sharing an office with Carla at an FBI office based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Continue reading →

Marguerite (a movie review)

/ Karina Pinella / 13 Comments

This French film stars award-winning French actress, Catherine Frot, who plays the title role, Marguerite. Loosely based on a real life New York heiress named Florence Foster Jenkins, Marguerite is both sad and funny. Set in France during the 1920s, the movie is about a wealthy woman who aspires to be an opera singer. She’s made herself the generous patroness of her town’s music club, which regularly features talented musicians and classical singers. She also inserts herself in the playbill and decimates the audience’s fine musical senses as she performs.
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Pawn Sacrifice (a movie review)

/ Karina Pinella / 8 Comments

Based on the true story of Bobby Fischer (b: 1943 – d: 2008) and portrayed by Tobey Maguire, who is compelling as the American chess Grandmaster and World Chess Champion. The film unfolds against the backdrop of when McCarthyism (early ’50s) is rampant and a young Bobby Fischer is already showing signs of seeing advanced strategies play out on the chess board.
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The Truth about Retirement Plans and IRAs by Ric Edelman (a book review)

/ Karina Pinella / 10 Comments

April 15 is the last day to contribute to your retirement account for 2015, so I thought I’d talk about this book, which is a reference published in 2014.  Although the book covers various retirement plans, the information is applicable to those who want to save money in general because it discusses various investment products. This is a must read for those earning any amount of money. You don’t have to earn over $5,000/year to get started with a basic IRA.
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Everest (a movie review)

/ Karina Pinella / 13 Comments

An exciting, beautiful, courageous yet ultimately sad movie. I’m sorry for any implied spoilers, but this film is definitely worth a watch. I’ve always been fascinated about people’s desire to take on death-defying adventures. I enjoy hiking and the feeling of strength as my body is being challenged, so I appreciate this kind of action. It makes me want to climb the mountain, but I would likely perish before reaching the first camp.
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