Sunday, June 28, 2015

Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry


If you haven’t been consumed by one particular ethnicity, you may have lost the opportunity to understand how a patriarchic system works. It has its benefits and its faults.

In the My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the Greek culture shows its good and bad side. That patriarchic system gets melted into the American culture of love who you want, ethnicity is damned.

WASP boy meets Greek girl spinster. She wasn’t noticed when they first met in her father’s Greek restaurant, but after her Americanization, her beauty is seen through a clearer window.

He finds the strength to walk into the Travel Agency she works in after she had freed herself from the Greek culture that was controlling her life. Both have the inner strength to love each other, damn their background.

He gives in and is christened in a Greek Orthodox church, showing his love for her and her culture which stimulates him. His family goes with the flow.

Sounds boring but the flow was upbeat with a few slow parts, because of the Greek patriarch’s interference in the romance. They live happily ever after in the house next door.

The acting of Nia Vardalos and John Corbett was above par - not Oscar-worthy, but they made the file work. The supporting case


Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TI0cP0

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Movie Review of Devil's Advocate

The Devil’s Advocate
Starring Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, and Charlize Theron

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

This intriguing movie about the devil being a lawyer brought all the sins of the world into play. I don’t have to name them. Do I?

Reeves, a Southern lawyer, and his wife Theron have a hectic but loving family living in a small Florida town. He is a winner; never losing a defense case in his 32 case career. She, the typical caring wife, wants a child and what is best for her husband.

After winning the 32nd case of a guilty person is over, they get an invitation one does not refuse – a chance to move to Sin City, New York, New York, USA.  He wants the advocate's position because of his vanity and pride, while she is motivated by greed, having things she would never attain in Florida.

Pacino is the owner of a wealthy law firm who dangles the carrots. His background had crossed paths with Reeves mother before his birth, and that is the reason for his wanting Reeves in his employ to take over the firm.  

The story builds in suspense from the day the couple arrives where they cross paths with all the seven sins, as Reeves mother had experiences when she met Pacino. She became a 'Born Again' Christian because of it.

I don’t have to tell you who the devil is. His interface with all the movies characters will give it away from the second act.

The twist in the ending of this not so complicated, but visually compelling movie will keep your eyes looking at the screen. So make certain, there are no distractions when you watch The Devil’s Advocate.

    




Saturday, June 6, 2015

Review of In Six Hours

In Six Hours
By Raymond McCullough

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

If you believe in the prophecies of the Bible, this book is for you. In a very detailed way, Mr. McCullough shows you why and how the Israelite tribes return to their roots, according to his interpretation.

He uses verses from the Bible and a war in the Middle East to bring you to that end. At times along the way, prophecies are completed in unusual ways.

The story is a roller coast ride with peaks of tension and troughs of challenging quests for ‘The Truth’ in Bible. This is done by connecting those truths to present day events.

Although slow in pace at times, the overall engaging storyline makes up for the ‘Tell not show’ prose used. Mr. McCullough style does keep you believing that you are reading an accurate account, not fictional events. He does this by using characters who are believers in their understanding of 'The Truth.'

I recommend this read for those with an inquisitive mind.




Thursday, May 28, 2015

Review of Round And Round

Round and Round
Written by Terry Tyler

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

 The choices one makes in one’s life will lead one in a direction one may not want to go. In Ms. Tyler’s novel Round and Round, her main character Sophie makes a life decision that sends her into what she considers to be a normal life.

Before making her decision, Sophie consults her best friend and her guarding angel aunt. The decision is made by her, and she moves on with what she feels is a safe one.

Waking up one morning, she feels unfulfilled and contemplates what would have happened if she made a different decision back then. Here is where her story comes alive in “What if” stories that have you believing that each is the real one and that what actually happened was false.

Ms. Tyler knowledge of human nature comes through in her writing. We have all at one time have looked back at our decisions and wondered if they were the right ones or not. She does her job in keeping your interest throughout.


It’s a fast read. Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TI1k5g

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Review of Lady Star

Lady Star by
Claudy Conn

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Ah, yes, an English Era Romance novel is predictable. I need not say more to those who love them.

To those who haven’t read one, I say, “You don’t know what you are missing.” Some have the historical note; some do not, but the language used is interesting to muddle through.

In Lady Star, you get what you pay for – a love story. However, Claudy Conn gives you more than you expect from the run of the mill man meets girl tit for tat encounter.

Here, many suitors have somewhat good intentions. Lady Star has mixed emotions about the chosen one.

The mental foreplay of the main characters is unconventional for the era that the story is written in, which I found enjoyable. A bit of adventure is added to the mix, making the outcome unpredictable in this case.

I will most likely return to read another of Ms. Conn’s novels.



Thursday, May 21, 2015

Review of The African Queen

The African Queen

With Humphrey Bogart  
Katharine Hepburn

In the midst of war, sometimes strange bedfellows meet. The Africa Queen is a boat that brings two unlikely people together.

The man, Bogart, a small boat captain, and Hepburn, a Christian teacher come together in the middle of an African conflict brought on by the World War II conflict. They join to avoid the German intrusion into their life.

The two, after personality conflicts, become lovers, and the whole complexion of their survival is strengthened by their love for each other. Both have strong personalities that come across on the screen in superb acting.

Only these two actors could pull off this adventure into the African wild. Humphrey Bogart was nominated for Best Actor by the Academy and Katharine Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress. Bogart won the award; Hepburn lost to A Streetcar Named Desire’s Vivian Leigh.

 I have seen both, and I disagree with the Academy Award. Katharine Hepburn should have won the award.


  

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Review of Wild Child

Wild Child
By Mike Wells

Reviewed by Roy Murry


When a young man is smitten with a young woman, and she knows it, she can get him to do almost anything. In Mike Wells’ Wild Child, a young man is talked into a situation he is uncomfortable with. Because of his relationship with his female friend, he gives in to her wishes.

Their adventure turns into a disaster. She is missing for a period of time and returns out of the green-blue water unhealthy. They revert to the source of her unpredictable evolution, and she is revitalized.

To stay healthy, she must return to the source. This happens a few times, where it becomes the reason for her vitality and continuation of living that is being challenged by society.

The story is unpredictable and is an easy, fast read. Mike Wells keeps you thinking what will happen next. A quick poolside afternoon read that will entice into buying the second book in the series immediately on your Kindle as I did.  

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1O8prW4