The Bourne Legacy

The events in this movie takes place around the same time that the events in The Bourne Ultimatum. When a British reporter was writing an expose about Black Ops operations Treadstone and Black Briar, and the ones responsible for them are concerned. And when Jason Bourne, former Treadstone operative got the file on Treadstone and Black Briar and gave it to Pamela Landy who them passed it to the media. When the men behind Treadstone and Black Briar learn of this, they're concerned how this will affects other ops they have. They decide it's best to shut down all ops and make sure make everyone involved disappears. They try to take out Aaron Cross who is part of another op called Outcome, but he manages to survive. He then seeks out Dr. Marta Shearing who worked on him when he began. It seems part of the program is for all subjects to take medications but he has run out, which is why he seeks her. (Borrowed from IMDB)

Why did I see this movie again?

Because I saw so many commercials for it during the Olympics, and I think that Jeremy Renner is hot.

5 out of 5

Characters

The casting for all of these Bourne movies has been great. All of the bad guys are like slime you want to flick off the bottom of your shoe, and the good guys all have their reasons for trying to stay one step ahead of whatever is after them. Rachel Weisz was great as the doctor, and I found both her story and Aaron Cross' compelling.

4 out of 5

Did I care what happened?

Yes. I was very concerned that they were going to hurt Hawkey. Just kidding. I liked the reason they gave Aaron Cross for going after the doctor, but thought it could have been a little deeper instead of so broad. The storytellers wanted to link this in with the other Bourne movies, and I felt maybe did a little too much in that direction and not enough in keeping things personal to the characters. Still, I totally cared, I just wanted to care in a different direction.

4 out of 5

Plot Holes

I honestly didn't notice any, but they could have been there. I'm sure if I watched the first three and then this one I could pick a few places apart, but that's not why I went to see the movie.

4 out of 5

How many times did I yawn?

The beginning was a little slow, and as usual, things weren't explained very well. So that made me a bit cranky, but once the action got started it kept me pretty interested.

3 out of 5

Cool Factor

Uh, action? Chase scenes that did not go on for fifteen minutes. Good tension. I liked it.

4 out of 5

The End

The end was a bit strange. You remember all of those commercials during the Olympics? “We've never seen test results like this” or whatever. Well, that comment is not referring to our hero in this movie. And they toss in one last obstacle that I thought was kind of lame. If the goal was to kill all of the agents, then why leave this very last one around? I didn't like it—it felt like a write-out.

3 out of 5

Overall Enjoyment

I came for action and suspense. I got it.

4 out of 5

Score= 31

That's a Brown Belt!

The Intimidation Factor

As stated before, I have earned a black belt in Shaolin Kempo. Does this mean that I can move through the night making less sound than a whisper of a breeze and take down small nations on the weekends?

Not really.

Well, maybe, but not that I'm telling you.

Okay, seriously, there are days when I wish I could line up with the white belts on the back row in the far corner so no one would watch me when I messed up a kicking combination for the third time. Then there are days when I feel like I could take the other black belts in a semi-friendly brawl. So what I'm saying is that just because I have a black belt does not mean that I can kick everyone I meets butts.

Meets butts? Is that right? Hmmm...moving on.

The other night in class we had a new guy—an exchange student from Italy. His English was pretty good (way better than my any other language) and he picked up on things quickly.

The stars must have aligned in my “favor” because I got to be the punch in dummy for Sensei. The technique we were working on consisted of a block then multiple strikes to the face and neck. There was an elbow involved, which always makes everything better. I got hit a bunch of times, then turned around the other way so the rest of class could see. Being the punch in dummy makes you look tough and may leave marks.

When Sensei put me with the new guy, the poor kid looked like he would rather go take a nap in the street. Sensei assured him that I had the best control in the class (which is pretty much true) and that I would not hurt him. The new guy still didn't look convinced, but did as Sensei said. Which is a wise course of action.

We practiced. The new guy did a good job. I got faster and faster and after eight or nine times he told me I was lethal. Best compliment I got all week. I may have gently whacked him with an elbow once in the jaw, but it was soft! I swear.

Anyway, when Sensei revealed that the final move was a hit to the groin, my Italian partner's eyes went wide, he stepped back, put up his hands and said, “I cannot.”

I'm still not sure if he didn't want to hit me or he didn't want me to hit him. Still, I think he lost a shade of color from his face. Sensei assured him that I would not be hitting him in the groin. Not even the leg. I would stay far, far away.

When we started practicing again I was sure the new guy was going to bolt. But he didn't. He stuck it out, and I did NOT hit him in the groin. Like I want to do that. Even thumping a cup is kind of disturbing. Sorry, maybe TMI there.

My point is that it feels strange to be the intimidator. I'm short, more round than slim and blonde. I go to Kempo for fun and to learn mean things that I hope never to have to use on anyone. It is so strange that anyone looks at me and thinks, “Oh crap, she can kick my trash.” Then again, it's kind of cool.

Right now in the writing world I am the white belt, looking at all of the published authors with wide eyes and slacked jaws, wondering if I'm even worthy to say hello.

I wonder if they feel about their being published like I do about being a black belt; awesome, horrible, conflicted and like I need to work harder.

Tuesdays at the Castle

By Jessica Day George

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom.

Why did I read this book again?

A friend of mine got this book from the library. I read the flap and decided that I must read it!

5 out of 5

Characters

I really loved the main character, Princess Celie.  She’s full of fire and fun and is the only person who really understands this bizarre castle the royal family lives in.  Her brother and sister are equally likeable, and the cast of side characters carried the story all the way through to the end.

4 out of 5

Did I care what happened?

Yes.  The beautiful world painted in the novel, along with the fun cast of characters, kept me wondering who or what was going to pop up next, and how Celie would deal with it. 

4 out of 5

Plot Holes

No huge holes that I remember.  Some of the logic behind the castle was a bit off—like if it actually tossed one of the rulers it didn’t like physically out, then why keep all the caniving, horrible, traitorous people around through this one?  If you mention that the castle can do that, then it should.  Just my thought. 

4 out of 5

How many times did I yawn?

This is a really fast paced book.  I didn’t have time to yawn.  It’s Middle Grade, and authors write those for kids who get bored after six seconds of doing something that doesn’t instantly entertain them, so there was no yawning.

4 out of 5

Cool Factor

Pretty much a castle that grows new rooms, can alter the rooms it already has and randomly puts in secret passages is cool.  And a little princess who crawls around and tries to map it is most kid’s dream.  Maybe not the mapping, but the whole secret passage thing.  The existence of magic felt a little wishy-washy, because we didn’t get to see any of it in actual use.  Except the castle.

4 out of 5

The End

Even for a Middle Grade book, I felt like the climax of the fight/story went by way too fast.  Then again, I have a ten second attention span, so maybe I’m expecting way more than the kids can handle. The actual end of the story was great.

4 out of 5

Overall Enjoyment

Super cute, fun read, good times novel.  As a kid I would have eaten it up.  It has a few points quite reminiscent of Harry Potter (a crazy castle as well as an atlas/map and a special cloak), but it resonated instead of slapped me in the face.  Easy and fun.

4 out of 5

Score= 33

That's a Brown Belt!

Stairs, My Old Enemy

Stairs are evil creatures with nothing but malicious intent toward the human race.  Sure, they’re helpful, and often times needed, but in the end I feel that their goal is to torture us. Either one has to climb UP them or keep the grasping fingers of gravity at bay as you descend them—usually with something in both hands and a bag dangling off of one shoulder.  In my humble opinion, stairs and gravity are in this together, and they plan to leave no survivors.

However, since they are a necessary evil, we all learn to negotiate these horrid stairs starting at a young age.  It’s a wonder that we ever get past the crawling up and sliding down on our butt stage, but the need for enough speed to get away from our parents, siblings or the family lick-in-the-face dog is generally enough motivation to do so.

The toddler years aren’t kind.  The word toddle doesn’t inspire confidence of any sort, especially toward the concept of balance.  The thick diapers keep the back end from serious bruising, but the rather large head usually hits first, and I know many a parent who has enjoyed a trip to the emergency room due to the combination of stairs and gravity.

As we get older, the world looks for other ways to take us down: gym class at school, annoying people, ridiculous schedules, ice cream, members of the opposite sex, children, standing in lines, commercials, jeans that shrink in your closet…For a while, the stairs and gravity combo remain quiet.

And then you get really old. Somehow the stairs know, and gravity rejoices, and they renew their assault on you with more vigor than ever.  It’s not very nice.

I bet you’re wondering how this relates to writing.

Oh it does. Wait for it.

There is a rather large pile of skills that I need to work on, sitting right over there in my writer’s corner.  Things like grammar, the proper use of a semi-colon, making sure my characters have clothes on, getting rid of passive voice and a whole slew of others.  But one that always gets me is the romance line of a story. It is my stairs of writing.  I feel like the toddler trying to get up the stairs without going to my knees because I’m a big girl now, and then face-planting while everyone is looking.

Those romance lines kill me!  But I plan to attack them in each novel I write with vigor, and make sure that it doesn’t stop me from creating a great story.  Even if I do have to wear a helmet and ask my romance writing friends for help.  I can swallow my pride.  Really.

So what is your writing nemesis?

Big in Japan

By Jennifer Griffith

Synopsis: (hijacked from Amazon)

Buck Cooper is Texan, obese, and invisible to his colleagues. And to the voluptuous Allison Turner, the girl of his dreams, he is way below parr. Buck's entire life is about fitting in, a feat he's been struggling to achieve but has never succeeded. Until serendipity lands him in Japan. Right in the middle of a sumo match. As his life takes a new turn in a country where being big can mean fame and fortune, Buck must embark on the most dangerous, yet adventurous ride of his life-to find the ultimate meaning of love and acceptance. Even if it means risking his life and giving up everything he has.

This book was just put out by Jolly Fish Press, the publisher that bought my book, New Sight.  So I thought I would be supportive and read something that didn’t involve wizards, flying animals, dirigibles or laser blasts.

Why did I read this book again?

I read the synopsis online and thought, “Okay, sure, I can read that.”  I’ve always wanted to more about Japan, and I love watching sports.  Plus, I study Kempo and I wondered what in the world Sumo is all about.

5 out of 5

Characters

I liked the spread of characters.  Buck, the protagonist, has a great voice and I personally loved the geeky references he slipped in.  His two Sumo friends are awesome, providing a few moments of insight but also some much needed relief from the hell that is apparently Sumo training life.

It felt like there may have been a few too many characters sprinkled around who just made bit appearances, but I didn’t notice when I was reading, just now that I’m thinking about it.

4 out of 5

Did I care what happened?

Yes.  I read this book pretty fast, which is a good indicator that I wanted to know what happened.  Buck us a nice guy—really nice—and I was always pulling for him and the other characters in the book.

This is just coming from a martial artists point of view, but I wanted more Sumo in a book that was about Sumo.  Never once did I feel like my legs were going to fall off after poor Buck had to do like a million of those squat whatever things (my knees weep to think of it) and although I know more about Sumo now than I did last week, I still don’t know much.  The story focused on the characters and the relationships, which is good, but my fighters mind wanted more in this area.  I might be the only one in the world…

3 out of 5

Plot Holes

Nothing that I remember.  If anything, the plot felt a little bit contrived and obvious.   I knew the man from the beginning was someone important and wasn’t at all surprised when he came back near the end.  Things like that made it very predictable, but that didn’t stop me from reading fast to get to the end.

4 out of 5

How many times did I yawn?

No yawning .  Even though there wasn’t nearly as much action as I’d hoped for (so I’m an action junkie, so what?) the story didn’t drag.  Pace was good and I enjoyed it.

4 out of 5

Cool Factor

Never having been to Japan, I was excited to “see” Japan through the eyes of this guy from Texas.  The author did give us some of this in the beginning, but then not much after that.  And as I said before, more Sumo! But what there was if it was great. I had no idea that vending machines were so versatile, and never wanted to believe that they actually shove people into the subway trains.  Literally—shoving.  Yikes.

4 out of 5

The End

I liked the first ending of the book.  The second ending felt drawn out a bit.  But I’m not good at torturing characters over matters of the heart, so maybe I’m not the one to ask here. It felt either way to short or extraneous.  But that certainly won’t stop me from telling people to read this book.   Because seriously, it could just be me.

3 out of 5

Overall Enjoyment

This poor book got the distinction of being the first thing I read after I finished a round of edits on my own manuscript and sent them off. Less than 24 hours.  So through the beginning chapters my mind kept pointing out things I would change.  Bad internal editor, bad!

My point is that my comments may be a bit on the overly edited side. I thought this book was great.  I don’t much get into contemporary fiction, and was skeptical about this one, but liked it and would recommend it if you like a little action mixed with a little romance mixed with some very strange Japanese customs mixed with some humor from Buck and his gang.

4 out of 5

Score= 31

That’s a Brown Belt!

Writing in My Modern Age

Between the ages of 12 (see the last post) and around 27 I wrote sporadically.  One year I would fill several notebooks (back then I couldn’t type a story, the keyboard was way too distracting) and other years I would do nothing but perhaps think about writing after I read a good book or saw a great movie. I believe these were the years in which I actually read epic fantasy.  Now days I start to twitch if I see a really long novel sitting on my dresser.  I really need to do something about that,.

So maybe I was ingesting more than giving back to the world.  We’ll go with that for now.

Then I met a good friend of mine that we will call Cola.  Because her initials were RC.  If you don’t understand, just forget I mentioned it.  Anyway, Cola and I did some traveling together (Russia and New Zealand) and she kept threatening to start a writing group.  I swear she toyed with the idea for at least a year before doing it.

We actually talked about this the other day, and can’t remember exactly when the group started.  Maybe eight or nine years ago.  I could dig through my journals and figure it out, but they’re all packed away at the bottom of my cedar chest, and I’m not up to the Tetris game that I would have to master in order to get everything back inside. 

For a couple of years we just did short stories every month off of an assignment that we would randomly come up with.  I wrote some good ones, and some bad ones.  We had a good time, and learned a few things about writing.

One of the girls in the group introduced me to Nanowrimo.  (I may have mentioned this before)  Before my very first Nanowrimo, I’d never finished anything longer than 30 or 40 pages, and most of them were old stories in notebooks.  So when this girl told me about 50,000 words in a month, I wasn’t sure I could do it.  As a matter of fact, I debated until two days before November started before I decided to go for it.  I had the characters in mind (Now THAT’S a funny story) and while I was at the doctor’s office (probably for my knee—darn thing) I jotted down a tag line for the novel.  That and a brain full of epic fantasy novels that I’d been reading over the past six or eight years was all I started with.

The moment I knew that someday I should be a writer came somewhere in that first week. I woke, sat up in bed, rubbed my face and immediately thought, “What will Paul and his playmates be doing today?”  It was like the story had settled into my blood and just kept pumping around inside of me, waiting to be let out.

Well, I wrote 50,000 words that year and every year since.  That first story spanned three years, and at the end of those three years I actually undertook editing it.  The poor thing will never see the light of day, but it stands as a marker in my writing career.  185,000 words of a somewhat coherent story that only mostly sucks…and I wrote it.

Since then I’ve written five or six other novels and I’ve done Nanowrimo every year.  And I have no plans to stop.  Apparently I like it, and who doesn’t want to do something you like?

Writing-In the Beginning

Stories have always been at the core of my life. I love reading them, I love watching them, when I was I kid I loved replaying them with my friends again and again and again.  I’m pretty sure we had more imagination in six girls under the age of eight than Hollywood has today.

I remember the first book I tried to write and illustrate.  It was a Halloween story with ghosts.  I could draw ghosts, thus the topic.  And that was the last time I tried to illustrate anything.  Second grade, if my memory holds true.  Art has never been my strong point.

When I was around 12 years old I saw Aliens on TV (maybe I’ve shared this story before—like I can remember).  It scared me to death—seriously, I was huddled on the bing-bag chair in the exact middle of our family room, making sure my arms and legs did not breach the imagined bubble of protection that I had around me and hardly daring to breathe—but it also intrigued me.  The military characters, and the way they stuck together like a team, drew me in, and I couldn’t stop watching.  The next day I started writing a similar story using my friends as characters. I probably still have a notebook somewhere with this stuff in it.  It should be burned.

But that is how I started my journey in writing.  I wanted to write a story cooler than Aliens so people would read it and feel the same way that I did at the end of that movie.  Although I’m pretty sure I decided that I would never kill almost everyone in a story I wrote.  And it took me years to figure out that the reason they didn’t leave anyone on the ship in space is because there would be no story otherwise.  There need to be good reasons for these things people, especially when a 12 year old is asking the question.

Dave Farland is a big voice on the topic of story is emotion.  I’m with him on this.  A story that stirs the recipient will stick with that person, and they will tell their friends about it because it was cool and they’re dying to share.  Story is about emotion, and my very first goal with writing was to produce something that struck people as hard as Aliens struck me.

I’ve never done it, I don’t think, but I’ve come a long way, and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon.